Nehemiah the Tirshatha, or, The character of a good commissioner to which is added Grapes in the wilderness / by Mr. Thomas Bell ...
         Bell, Thomas, fl. 1672-1692.
      
       
         
           1692
        
      
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             Nehemiah the Tirshatha, or, The character of a good commissioner to which is added Grapes in the wilderness / by Mr. Thomas Bell ...
             Bell, Thomas, fl. 1672-1692.
             Bell, Thomas. Grapes in the wilderness.
          
           [12], 59, [2], 182 p.
           
             Printed by George Mosman, and are to be sold at his shop ...,
             Edinburgh :
             1692.
          
           
             "Grapes in the wilderness" has special t.p., separate paging, and continuous register. Formerly Wing B1803 (number cancelled in Wing 2nd.ed.)
             Reproduction of original in Harvard University Libraries.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Bible. -- O.T. -- Hosea II, 14 -- Criticism, interpretation, etc.
           Kings and rulers -- Biblical teaching.
           God -- Goodness.
           Sermons, English.
        
      
    
     
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           Apud
           Edinburgum
           .
           
             Vicesimo
             primo
             die
             Aprilis
          
           1691
           
             post
             Meridiem
          
           .
        
         
           TH●
           whilk
           day
           the
           Commission
           appointed
           by
           the
           late
           
             General
             Assembly
          
           of
           this
           Church
           ,
           having
           considered
           .
           Report
           from
           a
           Committee
           of
           their
           own
           number
           whom
           the
           said
           Commission
           had
           appointed
           to
           Revi●●
           two
           Manuscripts
           ,
           written
           by
           the
           late
           Reverend
           Mr.
           
             Thomas
             Bell
          
           Minister
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           Professor
           of
           Philology
           in
           the
           Colledge
           〈…〉
           Edinburgh
           ,
           and
           given
           in
           to
           them
           by
           his
           Relick
           ;
           the
           one
           where
           〈…〉
           ,
           
             Grapes
             in
             the
             Wilderness
          
           ,
           the
           other
           ,
           
             Nehemiah
             the
             〈…〉
          
           ,
           or
           
             The
             Character
             of
             a
             good
             Commissioner
          
           ;
           whereby
           the
           〈…〉
           ●ommittee
           declared
           that
           they
           having
           perused
           the
           saids
           Peices
           ,
           〈…〉
           them
           to
           be
           solid
           and
           edifying
           Discourses
           ;
           and
           that
           〈…〉
           Printing
           there
           would
           be
           very
           useful
           and
           profitable
           .
           And
           the
           said
           Commission
           being
           well
           and
           ripely
           advised
           with
           the
           said
           Report
           ,
           They
           do
           hereby
           recommend
           to
           the
           Relick
           of
           the
           said
           Mr.
           
             Thomas
             Bell
          
           to
           get
           the
           said
           two
           Pieces
           printed
           and
           published
           with
           all
           convenient
           diligence
           .
           Extractum
           ,
           &c.
           
        
      
       
         
         
           NEHEMIAH
           THE
           Tirshatha
           :
           OR
           ,
           THE
           CHARACTER
           OF
           A
           Good
           Commissioner
           .
           To
           which
           is
           Added
           GRAPES
           IN
           THE
           Wilderness
           .
        
         
           By
           Mr.
           THOMAS
           BELL
           ,
           Minister
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           Professor
           of
           Philology
           in
           the
           Colledge
           of
           Edinburgh
           .
        
         
           EDINBURGH
           ,
           Printed
           by
           
             George
             Mosman
          
           ,
           and
           are
           to
           be
           sold
           at
           his
           Shop
           in
           the
           
             Parliament
             Clōss
             .
             Anno
          
           1692.
           
        
         
      
    
     
       
         
           
             
             
               UNTO
               THE
               
                 Most
                 Noble
                 and
                 Illustrious
              
               PRINCESS
               THE
               Dutchess
               of
               Hamiltoun
               .
            
             
               
                 May
                 it
                 please
                 your
                 Grace
                 ,
              
            
             
               I
               Have
               adventured
               ,
               though
               not
               without
               blushing
               and
               some
               fear
               ,
               because
               of
               the
               vastdistance
               ,
               to
               dedicate
               and
               commit
               the
               Tutelage
               of
               these
               two
               little
               Orphan
               treatises
               of
               my
               deceast
               Husband
               Mr
               
                 Thomas
                 Bell
                 ,
                 Grapes
                 in
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 ,
              
               and
               
                 The
                 Character
                 of
                 a
                 Commissioner
              
               ,
               
               in
               the
               person
               of
               None-such
               Nehemiah
               ,
               to
               your
               Grace
               the
               every
               way
               most
               fit
               and
               proper
               Person
               ,
               under
               the
               benign
               in
               fluence
               of
               whose
               incouraging
               countenance
               ,
               he
               did
               for
               a
               considerable
               time
               preach
               the
               Gospel
               at
               Hamiltoun
               :
               And
               indeed
               if
               any
               other
               in
               the
               World
               could
               possibly
               rival
               it
               with
               your
               Grace
               in
               my
               esteem
               ,
               yet
               could
               I
               not
               without
               the
               highest
               both
               Injustice
               and
               Ingratitude
               Dedicate
               them
               otherwayes
               ,
               it
               having
               been
               to
               my
               certain
               knowledge
               his
               firm
               resolution
               ,
               if
               ever
               they
               saw
               the
               light
               ,
               that
               they
               should
               be
               dedicated
               thus
               ,
               whose
               will
               i●
               〈◊〉
               
               such
               things
               was
               alwayes
               ,
               and
               is
               still
               to
               me
               as
               an
               inviolably
               obliging
               Law.
               I
               am
               very
               confident
               your
               Grace
               will
               read
               them
               in
               Print
               after
               his
               death
               ,
               with
               the
               same
               edifying
               complacency
               and
               delight
               that
               you
               had
               wont
               to
               hear
               him
               discourse
               by
               
                 vive
                 voice
              
               ,
               in
               the
               Noble
               Family
               ,
               and
               in
               the
               solemne
               Assembly
               ,
               for
               really
               they
               resemble
               their
               Father
               to
               the
               very
               life
               :
               That
               I
               have
               therefore
               sent
               them
               abroad
               into
               the
               wide
               World
               ,
               under
               the
               Patronage
               and
               Protection
               of
               your
               Graces
               Noble
               and
               Renowned
               Name
               ,
               (
               which
               will
               sufficiently
               secure
               I
               am
               against
               all
               the
               Censures
               &
               
               Cavills
               of
               the
               most
               malevolent
               Carpers
               of
               this
               ill
               natured
               Age
               )
               will
               not
               be
               construed
               impardonable
               presumption
               ,
               is
               the
               humble
               hope
               of
               ,
            
             
               
                 Most
                 Noble
                 Princess
                 ,
              
               
                 Your
                 Graces
                 most
                 humble
                 ,
                 most
                 obliged
                 ,
                 and
                 most
                 devoted
                 Servant
                 ,
                 L.
                 R.
                 
              
            
          
           
             
             
               TO
               THE
               READER
               .
            
             
               
                 Christian
                 Reader
                 ,
              
            
             
               THE
               Discoveries
               that
               the
               Majesty
               of
               GOD
               ,
               hath
               made
               of
               himself
               ,
               in
               these
               latter
               dayes
               ,
               are
               so
               transcendent
               and
               eminently
               beyond
               what
               was
               informer
               Ages
               ,
               that
               it
               may
               truly
               be
               said
               ,
               that
               the
               Men
               of
               this
               Generation
               ,
               shall
               be
               signally
               indebted
               ,
               either
               to
               the
               Grace
               and
               Mercy
               ,
               or
               Justice
               of
               God.
               For
               informer
               Ages
               ,
               thought
               was
               comparatively
               dark
               ,
               &
               the
               Sun
               but
               rising
               in
               our
               Horizon
               :
               But
               in
               this
               Age
               ,
               the
               light
               of
               the
               Moon
               (
               compared
               with
               former
               Generations
               )
               is
               like
               the
               light
               of
               the
               Sun
               ,
               &
               the
               light
               of
               the
               Sun
               sevenfold
               ,
               as
               the
               light
               of
               seven
               dayes
               .
               But
               alas
               !
               our
               not
               
               walking
               in
               the
               light
               may
               justly
               provoke
               the
               Lord
               to
               cause
               our
               Sun
               go
               down
               at
               noon
               .
               Beza
               complained
               in
               his
               time
               that
               there
               was
               
                 multum
                 Scientiae
              
               much
               Knowledge
               ,
               but
               
                 parum
                 Conscientiae
              
               little
               Conscience
               ;
               and
               how
               much
               more
               is
               there
               ground
               for
               this
               Complaint
               now
               ?
               For
               since
               the
               Primitive
               and
               Apostolick
               Age
               ,
               greater
               light
               hath
               not
               broken
               forth
               ,
               and
               moe
               Stars
               of
               the
               first
               and
               greatest
               magnitude
               ,
               have
               not
               more
               clearly
               shined
               in
               any
               age
               :
               But
               oh
               !
               how
               little
               walking
               is
               there
               sutable
               to
               such
               great
               light
               ?
               How
               many
               eminent
               Christians
               were
               there
               in
               former
               ages
               ,
               who
               had
               not
               so
               much
               all
               their
               dayes
               of
               the
               riches
               of
               free
               Grace
               discovered
               ,
               and
               of
               the
               mysteries
               of
               the
               Gospel
               unfolded
               ,
               as
               some
               in
               this
               Generation
               have
               had
               in
               a
               very
               little
               time
               ,
               who
               have
               far
               surpassed
               us
               in
               this
               Generation
               for
               eminency
               in
               Faith
               ,
               Love
               ,
               Holy
               Zeal
               ,
               Prayer
               ,
               and
               Wrestling
               with
               God
               ,
               Patience
               ,
               Meckness
               ,
               diligence
               in
               duty
               ,
               and
               a
               Gospel
               adorning
               conversation
               ?
               And
               the
               generality
               have
               shut
               their
               eyes
               and
               will
               not
               behold
               the
               Glory
               of
               God
               ,
               manifested
               in
               the
               〈◊〉
               of
               Jesus
               Christ
               ,
               in
               this
               Gospel
               :
               For
               which
               cause
               ,
               the
               holy
               and
               jealous
               God
               in
               great
               anger
               and
               holy
               indignation
               ,
               hath
               removed
               many
               and
               eminent
               Candlesticks
               out
               of
               their
               place
               and
               taken
               away
               many
               shining
               and
               burning
               
               lights
               :
               not
               in
               their
               old
               age
               ,
               and
               gray
               Hairs
               ,
               but
               even
               in
               the
               flower
               of
               their
               age
               ,
               and
               in
               the
               prime
               and
               flowrishing
               of
               their
               Graces
               and
               Gifts
               .
               One
               of
               which
               was
               the
               Reverend
               (
               now
               Triumphant
               and
               Glorified
               )
               Author
               of
               these
               following
               Treatises
               .
               who
               was
               eminent
               for
               Piety
               and
               Learning
               ,
               as
               his
               Writtings
               do
               manifest
               .
               His
               Roman
               Antiquities
               ,
               which
               he
               published
               before
               his
               death
               ,
               cannot
               but
               command
               his
               Learning
               to
               all
               knowing
               persons
               ,
               and
               his
               Piety
               was
               so
               eminent
               to
               all
               that
               knew
               him
               ,
               that
               he
               needs
               none
               of
               our
               Commendation
               :
               And
               these
               his
               Works
               (
               which
               are
               a
               specimen
               of
               his
               great
               Knowledge
               ,
               Eloquence
               ,
               piety
               and
               solid
               Judgement
               )
               will
               praise
               him
               in
               the
               gate
               ,
               where
               he
               draws
               a
               
                 Vive
                 Picture
              
               and
               Patern
               for
               all
               ,
               but
               especially
               for
               Rulers
               and
               Magistrates
               to
               look
               on
               ,
               and
               walk
               after
               ,
               Which
               I
               am
               hopeful
               will
               be
               very
               acceptable
               to
               all
               the
               Judicious
               and
               Godly
               .
               He
               I
               say
               was
               taken
               away
               in
               the
               flower
               of
               his
               Age
               &
               flowrishing
               of
               his
               Gifts
               :
               God
               not
               accounting
               the
               World
               worthy
               of
               him
               .
               And
               having
               left
               amongst
               his
               Papers
               these
               two
               Treatises
               (
               one
               of
               which
               was
               for
               me
               established
               by
               a
               privat
               Person
               ,
               but
               without
               the
               knowledge
               and
               advice
               of
               the
               Authors
               Friends
               )
               some
               of
               his
               Friends
               ,
               lovers
               of
               the
               publick
               Good
               ,
               judged
               it
               
               expedient
               to
               review
               and
               correct
               these
               Treatises
               that
               they
               might
               be
               published
               for
               the
               good
               and
               edification
               of
               the
               Church
               ,
               that
               he
               by
               them
               (
               though
               dead
               )
               might
               speak
               .
               Which
               we
               hope
               shall
               through
               Gods
               blessing
               ,
               be
               very
               edifying
               ,
               for
               over
               throwing
               of
               Atheism
               ,
               discovering
               of
               the
               Souls
               happiness
               in
               Union
               and
               Communion
               with
               God
               ,
               directing
               great
               Persons
               in
               their
               duty
               ,
               and
               holding
               forth
               the
               excellency
               of
               the
               Scripture
               ,
               and
               pointing
               out
               to
               these
               who
               are
               walking
               in
               this
               Wilderness
               the
               way
               to
               the
               Heavenly
               Canaan
               ,
               with
               many
               other
               edifying
               purposes
               ;
               which
               that
               the
               Great
               God
               may
               bless
               ,
               is
               the
               earnest
               Prayer
               of
               .
            
             
               
                 Thy
                 Servant
                 in
                 the
                 Work
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 .
                 M.
                 C.
                 
              
            
          
        
         
           
             
             
               NEHEMIAH
               THE
               Tirshatha
               :
               OR
               ,
               THE
               CHARACTER
               OF
               A
               Good
               Commissioner
               .
            
             
               THE
               Scripture
               casteth
               such
               a
               light
               of
               Divinity
               every
               way
               ,
               its
               Purpose
               being
               the
               Mind
               of
               God
               ,
               its
               Writting
               the
               Writting
               of
               God
               ;
               as
               whole
               the
               Oracles
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               every
               part
               of
               it
               he
               faithful
               Sayings
               of
               God
               ,
               that
               it
               is
               hid
               to
               none
               
                 ●ut
                 those
                 that
                 perish
                 ,
                 whose
                 eyes
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 this
                 World
                 hath
                 blinded
                 :
              
               So
               absurd
               a
               thing
               is
               Atheism
               ,
               that
               even
               those
               who
               serve
               the
               Devil
               cannot
               want
               their
               God.
               At
               the
               Birth
               of
               Jesus
               there
               appeared
               a
               Star
               in
               the
               East
               ,
               which
               guided
               the
               Wise-men
               (
               by
               their
               Presents
               seeming
               to
               have
               been
               Greatmen
               )
               to
               the
               place
               where
               the
               
               was
               :
               But
               the
               Scripture
               ,
               like
               the
               Sun
               ,
               is
               the
               great
               Light
               that
               ruleth
               the
               day
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               circling
               the
               World
               as
               long
               as
               the
               Sun
               ,
               and
               continuing
               while
               the
               Moon
               endureth
               .
               Rom
               :
               10.
               17.
               
               
                 Faith
                 cometh
                 by
                 hearing
                 ,
                 and
                 hearing
                 by
                 the
                 word
                 of
                 God
                 :
                 But
                 I
                 say
                 ,
                 have
                 they
                 not
                 heard
                 ?
                 yes
                 verily
                 ,
                 their
                 sound
                 went
                 out
                 into
                 all
                 the
                 Earth
                 ,
                 and
                 their
                 words
                 unto
                 the
                 Worlds
                 end
                 .
              
               In
               the
               Creation
               the
               first-born
               Light
               of
               the
               first
               day
               ,
               lasting
               but
               three
               dayes
               concentred
               and
               ceased
               in
               the
               enduring
               Luminaries
               the
               product
               of
               the
               fourth
               day
               :
               So
               in
               the
               Regeneration
               ,
               the
               light
               of
               Christs
               personal
               Preaching
               ,
               lasting
               just
               as
               many
               Prophetical
               dayes
               ,
               Dan.
               9
               27.
               hath
               given
               place
               to
               the
               Scripture-light
               that
               endureth
               for
               ever
               ,
               
                 and
                 the
                 sure
                 word
                 rf
                 Prophecy
                 ,
                 to
                 which
                 we
                 do
                 well
                 to
                 take
                 heed
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 a
                 Light
                 that
                 shineth
                 in
                 a
                 dark
                 place
                 .
              
               This
               is
               the
               Light
               that
               maketh
               all
               things
               manifest
               ,
               even
               the
               thoughts
               and
               intents
               of
               the
               Heart
               ,
               that
               discovereth
               all
               things
               to
               Men
               and
               a
               Man
               to
               himself
               ,
               both
               what
               he
               is
               ,
               and
               what
               he
               ought
               to
               be
               :
               And
               
                 what
                 manner
                 of
                 persons
                 ought
                 we
                 to
                 be
                 ?
              
               2
               Pet
               23
               ,
               ●1
               Truly
               this
               Light
               is
               sweet
               and
               intertaineth
               u●
               with
               variety
               of
               delightful
               Objects
               :
               Amongst
               which
               of
               late
               ,
               happening
               to
               be
               detained
               with
               these
               last
               words
               of
               Nehemiah
               ,
               and
               seeing
               them
               like
               a
               well
               done
               Portrait
               ,
               in
               all
               stances
               looking
               towards
               me
               with
               an
               eye
               of
               Instruction
               ,
               walking
               and
               returning
               ,
               and
               still
               more
               desireously
               beholding
               ,
               hardly
               could
               I
               be
               satisfied
               with
               a
               sixth
               View
               .
            
             
               
                 Remember
                 me
                 O
                 my
                 God
                 for
                 good
                 .
              
               Nehem.
               13.
               last
               .
            
             
               THESE
               words
               at
               the
               very
               first
               view
               do
               clearly
               hold
               forth
               ,
               That
               
                 There
                 is
                 a
                 God.
              
               And
               that
               both
               
               by
               an
               express
               Testimony
               of
               his
               blessed
               Name
               ,
               that
               heard
               in
               all
               the
               Scripture
               ,
               and
               seen
               in
               all
               his
               Works
               :
               
                 ●e
                 Man
                 of
                 Wisdom
                 shall
                 see
                 thy
                 Name
                 .
              
               Mic.
               6.
               9.
               
               And
               force
               of
               Reason
               ,
               from
               the
               inclination
               and
               moti●●
               of
               the
               Soul
               ,
               which
               finding
               nothing
               but
               emptiness
               home
               ,
               goeth
               forth
               in
               quest
               of
               Happiness
               ,
               and
               but
               ●arpening
               its
               desires
               with
               all
               that
               is
               imperfect
               ,
               is
               ●●tisfied
               only
               with
               a
               perfect
               Good
               :
               And
               that
               is
               ●od
               .
               So
               unhappy
               by
               necessity
               is
               every
               one
               that
               is
               ungodly
               .
               The
               Pythagorean
               and
               Hermetick
               Method
               of
               ●ence
               is
               the
               best
               Instructer
               of
               this
               Truth
               ,
               which
               euery
               Man
               may
               read
               off
               his
               own
               Soul.
               
                 Be
                 still
                 and
                 know
                 at
                 I
                 am
                 God.
              
               How
               shall
               I
               know
               that
               ?
               By
               my
               own
               desires
               and
               Expectations
               ,
               which
               can
               take
               up
               with
               other
               thing
               .
               
                 Whom
                 have
                 I
                 in
                 Heaven
                 but
                 thee
                 ?
                 and
                 Earth
                 what
                 desire
                 I
                 beside
                 thee
                 ?
                 And
                 now
                 Lord
                 what
                 ●●t
                 I
                 for
                 ?
                 my
                 hope
                 is
                 in
                 thee
                 .
              
               If
               a
               raving
               Stoick
               ,
               or
               petulant
               Dialogist
               ,
               shall
               say
               that
               these
               Soul-ardors
               ●e
               but
               the
               intemperat
               extravagant
               heats
               of
               a
               working
               Fancy
               quickned
               by
               the
               touch
               of
               a
               Platonick
               I●a
               ,
               rather
               to
               be
               starved
               to
               extinction
               than
               indul●●d
               to
               satisfaction
               :
               It
               is
               Answered
               seriously
               ,
               That
               
                 ●●icile
                 est
                 hominem
                 exuere
              
               .
               Or
               can
               any
               of
               them
               by
               an
               ●ey
               of
               Fancy
               quiet
               an
               earning
               Stomack
               ,
               or
               cure
               a
               ●erish
               Body
               ,
               let
               be
               (
               without
               quenching
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               ●d
               starving
               the
               Soul
               )
               still
               otherwise
               than
               by
               Satisfaction
               ,
               and
               enjoyment
               of
               the
               desired
               Object
               ,
               these
               Soul-longings
               and
               Desires
               ,
               which
               are
               ever
               strongest
               ●●d
               most
               eager
               in
               the
               greatest
               serenity
               ?
               
                 With
                 my
                 Soul
                 ●●ve
                 I
                 desired
                 thee
                 in
                 the
                 night
                 :
                 by
                 night
                 upon
                 my
                 Bed
                 ,
                 ●ought
                 him
                 whom
                 my
                 Soul
                 loved
                 :
              
               And
               
                 the
                 Lord
                 is
                 in
                 ●e
                 still
                 voice
                 :
              
               To
               make
               good
               the
               Argument
               ,
               let
               it
               
               be
               added
               ,
               That
               the
               Sagest
               ,
               Holyest
               ,
               Noblest
               So●
               are
               alwayes
               the
               hottest
               in
               this
               pursuit
               ,
               such
               as
               
                 P●●
                 Isay
                 ,
                 Nehemiah
                 ,
                 David
                 .
              
               Now
               after
               what
               is
               the
               King
               of
               Israel
               come
               out
               ?
               after
               what
               doth
               he
               pursue
               ?
               a●ter
               a
               Flea
               ?
               after
               a
               Fancy
               ?
               or
               should
               a
               wife
               Man
               ●●ter
               vain
               knowledge
               ,
               and
               like
               
                 Simon
                 Patricks
                 Pilgrim
              
               fill
               his
               Belly
               with
               the
               East-wind
               ?
               Now
               shall
               a●
               Man
               be
               so
               unmerciful
               to
               conclude
               all
               the
               Wor●●
               unavoidably
               miserable
               ,
               that
               they
               may
               be
               Atheist
               or
               shall
               they
               be
               so
               unwise
               ,
               thus
               to
               be
               abused
               ,
               to
               t●●
               hazarding
               even
               of
               a
               possibility
               of
               Happiness
               ?
               F●●
               if
               there
               be
               Happiness
               ,
               there
               is
               a
               God
               ;
               and
               if
               the●
               be
               no
               God
               ,
               there
               can
               be
               no
               Happiness
               .
               And
               
                 w●
                 then
                 are
                 all
                 Men
                 made
                 in
                 vain
                 ?
              
               If
               there
               be
               no
               Men
               for
               what
               do
               we
               Hunger
               ?
               if
               no
               Drink
               ,
               what
               do
               〈◊〉
               Thirst
               for
               ?
               if
               no
               Glory
               ,
               saith
               Cicero
               )
               for
               what
               〈◊〉
               all
               Men
               labour
               ?
               if
               no
               Rest
               way
               weary
               we
               our
               selves
               in
               vain
               ?
               if
               no
               God
               ,
               no
               Happiness
               ,
               what
               is
               this
               o●●
               Souls
               do
               so
               importunately
               pursue
               ,
               with
               a
               serio●●
               loathing
               of
               all
               that
               is
               seen
               ?
               or
               what
               hath
               waken●
               in
               them
               those
               desires
               that
               can
               never
               be
               stilled
               till
               th●
               get
               what
               they
               seek
               .
               And
               what
               say
               these
               Soul-longings
               ,
               Thirstings
               ,
               Pantings
               ,
               Breathings
               ,
               but
               that
               〈◊〉
               thou
               beest
               an
               Atheist
               ,
               thou
               must
               put
               out
               the
               Soul
               ,
               a●
               put
               off
               the
               Man
               ?
            
             
               How
               seasonable
               may
               this
               Reflection
               be
               in
               a
               Wo●●●
               where
               Atheism
               is
               acted
               in
               so
               various
               Guises
               :
               by
               some
               with
               a
               Fools
               Heart
               in
               a
               Fools
               Coat
               ,
               saying
               in
               〈◊〉
               Heart
               ,
               There
               is
               no
               God
               ;
               by
               others
               in
               a
               Philosopher
               Garment
               ;
               for
               in
               the
               judgement
               of
               God
               ,
               
                 The
                 Wor●●
                 by
                 wisdom
                 knew
                 not
                 God
              
               ;
               by
               some
               in
               the
               dress
               of
               Hypocrite
               ,
               
                 In
                 words
                 professing
                 to
                 know
                 God
                 ,
                 but
                 ●●
              
               
               
                 works
                 denying
                 him
              
               ;
               By
               others
               in
               the
               person
               of
               Amhitryo
               thinking
               that
               God
               is
               altogether
               such
               a
               one
               ●s
               himself
               :
               By
               some
               in
               Epicurus
               his
               person
               ,
               complementing
               God
               with
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               Heaven
               ,
               ●nd
               offering
               to
               relieve
               him
               of
               the
               abaseing
               pensive
               and
               expensive
               charge
               of
               these
               his
               Low
               Countries
               ,
               saying
               ,
               
                 He
                 will
                 neither
                 do
                 Good
                 nor
                 Evil
              
               ;
               
                 But
                 he
                 is
                 a
                 God
                 
                   that
                   judgeth
                   in
                   the
                   Earth
                
                 :
              
               By
               others
               in
               the
               Robs
               of
               Pharaoh
               the
               Egyptian
               Tyrant
               ,
               braving
               and
               defying
               God
               ;
               
                 Who
                 is
                 the
                 Lord
                 that
                 I
                 should
                 obey
                 him
                 ,
                 or
                 harken
                 to
                 his
                 voice
                 ?
              
               By
               some
               in
               the
               Pontificalls
               of
               Antichrist
               
                 With
                 a
                 Mouth
                 speaking
                 great
                 things
                 against
                 the
                 most
                 High
                 ,
                 boasting
                 himself
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 God
                 ,
                 exalting
                 himself
                 above
                 all
                 that
                 is
                 called
                 God
                 ,
                 or
                 is
                 Worshiped
                 :
              
               By
               others
               in
               the
               Equipage
               of
               a
               Souldier
               fighting
               against
               God
               with
               Wit
               and
               Power
               ,
               Pen
               and
               Sword.
               But
               let
               such
               as
               Make
               War
               against
               the
               holy
               Covenant
               and
               Saints
               of
               the
               most
               High
               ;
               that
               hate
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               and
               hinder
               the
               Preaching
               thereof
               ,
               take
               Gamaleels
               counsel
               ,
               and
               beware
               
                 lest
                 they
                 be
                 found
                 even
                 to
                 
                   fight
                   against
                   God
                
                 :
                 For
                 there
                 is
                 neither
                 Counsel
                 nor
                 Strength
                 against
                 the
                 Lord
                 ;
                 and
                 who
                 ever
                 hardned
                 himself
                 against
                 him
                 and
                 prospered
                 ?
              
            
             
               The
               Second
               View
               of
               these
               Words
               presents
               to
               us
               clearly
               ,
               
                 The
                 Immortality
                 of
                 the
                 Soul.
              
               This
               is
               establisht
               1.
               
               Upon
               the
               same
               ground
               with
               the
               former
               :
               For
               if
               the
               Souls
               Happinessly
               in
               the
               enjoyment
               of
               a
               perfect
               ,
               and
               so
               necessarly
               an
               unchangeable
               Good
               ,
               sit
               must
               undeniably
               be
               Immortal
               ,
               both
               to
               enjoy
               and
               praise
               its
               Obiect
               :
               
                 Et
                 miserum
                 est
                 fuisse
                 felicem
              
               :
               There
               is
               no
               Happiness
               not
               perpetual
               ,
               else
               he
               was
               a
               Fool
               
               who
               spoiled
               his
               Mirth
               with
               the
               thoughts
               of
               a
               Sword
               hanging
               over
               his
               head
               .
               2.
               
               It
               is
               confirmed
               clearly
               by
               the
               expectation
               of
               a
               future
               Reward
               :
               
                 Remember
                 me
                 O
                 my
                 God
                 for
                 good
                 .
              
               Till
               I
               see
               good
               Ropes
               twined
               of
               the
               Sand
               ,
               and
               the
               Sea
               beaten
               to
               powder
               ,
               I
               cannot
               be
               inclined
               to
               think
               that
               the
               World
               was
               made
               of
               Atoms
               .
               And
               if
               it
               be
               ruled
               by
               chance
               ,
               what
               are
               Counsel
               and
               Art
               ,
               Wisdom
               and
               Folly
               ,
               Good
               and
               Evil
               ,
               Law
               and
               Justice
               ,
               but
               names
               of
               Fancies
               ,
               large
               as
               ridiculous
               as
               he
               who
               should
               command
               the
               motes
               of
               the
               Sun
               to
               dance
               a
               Measure
               ,
               or
               be
               who
               scourged
               the
               Sea
               for
               its
               disorder
               ?
               We
               know
               that
               pure
               chance
               obtaineth
               impunity
               by
               the
               Law
               both
               of
               God
               and
               Man.
               Now
               this
               matter
               belongeth
               to
               the
               Ruler
               gravly
               to
               consider
               how
               inconsistent
               Atheism
               is
               with
               Government
               :
               For
               to
               the
               Atheist
               Treason
               and
               Robbery
               is
               neither
               Plot
               nor
               Fellony
               ,
               but
               simple
               chance
               medley
               ,
               a
               French
               Aire
               ,
               or
               merry
               Jigg
               of
               Volage
               Atoms
               :
               But
               by
               this
               fortuitous
               Act
               of
               Indemnity
               ,
               as
               the
               Atheist
               can
               do
               no
               wrong
               ,
               so
               neither
               can
               he
               complain
               of
               injury
               ,
               if
               he
               chance
               to
               be
               baffled
               ,
               robbed
               ,
               or
               dispatched
               violently
               .
               If
               the
               World
               reel
               (
               I
               cannot
               say
               properly
               be
               ruled
               )
               by
               chance
               is
               not
               the
               Atheist
               ,
               not
               by
               Scripture
               only
               which
               never
               speaks
               good
               of
               him
               ,
               but
               by
               his
               own
               Principle
               ;
               also
               proven
               a
               forlorn
               Fool
               ,
               lyable
               in
               all
               things
               to
               unavoidable
               surprisal
               ?
               yea
               a
               liar
               also
               ,
               who
               knowing
               and
               warned
               of
               a
               continual
               surprisal
               ,
               can
               therefore
               never
               be
               surprised
               ,
               except
               into
               the
               absurdity
               of
               a
               Self-contradiction
               ,
               whereof
               his
               Principles
               of
               Fortuity
               are
               a
               fair
               Essay
               .
               But
               to
               a
               wise
               Man
               ;
               If
               the
               World
               must
               be
               ruled
               by
               Counsel
               and
               Law
               ;
               how
               is
               it
               that
               Justice
               is
               not
               in
               this
               life
               universally
               and
               fully
               executed
               ,
               and
               every
               
               Man
               rewarded
               according
               to
               his
               Works
               ?
               But
               that
               there
               is
               a
               Court
               of
               Referrs
               ,
               
                 A
                 day
                 of
                 the
                 restitution
                 of
                 all
                 things
              
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               of
               righting
               all
               wrongs
               and
               settling
               all
               disorders
               .
               Rom.
               2.
               6.
               to
               13.
               
               Some
               are
               rewarded
               in
               this
               life
               ,
               to
               convince
               us
               of
               a
               Divine
               Providence
               ;
               others
               are
               not
               rewarded
               ,
               to
               warn
               ●s
               of
               a
               World
               to
               come
               .
               Or
               what
               can
               perswade
               Nehemiah
               with
               all
               the
               wisest
               and
               best
               of
               Men
               ,
               deliberat●
               to
               chuse
               willingly
               to
               forgo
               the
               Worlds
               favour
               and
               measures
               ,
               and
               undergo
               all
               its
               toil
               and
               displeasure
               ,
               but
               ●●
               eye
               to
               the
               recompence
               of
               reward
               ,
               by
               far
               more
               ●●e
               better
               than
               it
               is
               the
               later
               ?
               The
               sence
               of
               the
               Souls
               ●nmortality
               is
               the
               indelible
               Character
               and
               solid
               ●●reats
               of
               Authentick
               Nature
               ,
               exactly
               rendered
               in
               ●●ery
               Man's
               coppy
               :
               Only
               it
               is
               not
               illuminated
               in
               some
               ●●rk
               Hereticks
               and
               desperate
               Monsters
               ,
               Satyres
               or
               ●●ch
               doleful
               Creatures
               in
               humane
               shape
               ,
               where
               you
               ●●
               as
               little
               of
               the
               Man
               as
               of
               Immortality
               ;
               for
               these
               ●●
               all
               appear
               equally
               .
               Yet
               it
               is
               shaddowed
               in
               all
               ●ens
               practice
               :
               For
               look
               we
               backward
               ,
               What
               but
               ●●e
               Aire
               of
               Immortality
               maketh
               Men
               so
               conceit
               an
               ●●cient
               Pedegree
               ?
               Or
               foreward
               ,
               What
               moveth
               ●●en
               to
               call
               their
               Children
               and
               Lands
               by
               their
               own
               ●ame
               ,
               and
               to
               endeavour
               to
               perpetuat
               all
               together
               ,
               it
               the
               expectation
               of
               Immortality
               ?
               Say
               it
               is
               their
               ●●●ty
               ;
               yet
               
                 omne
                 malum
                 est
                 in
                 bono
              
               ;
               and
               there
               must
               some
               reality
               under
               that
               same
               vanity
               .
               And
               tru●●
               the
               Souls
               Immortality
               is
               the
               early
               dictat
               of
               Na●●re
               our
               Religious
               Mother
               .
               the
               uncontroverted
               ●●d
               universal
               Sentiment
               of
               all
               her
               posterity
               of
               whatever
               Religion
               
                 Jewish
                 ,
                 Pagan
                 ,
                 Christian
                 ,
                 Mahume●●
                 :
              
               The
               Sadducees
               might
               well
               be
               the
               first
               Deniers
               ,
               
               
               
               
               
               
                 O
                 Lord
                 ;
                 O
                 Lord
                 ,
                 I
                 beseeth
                 thee
                 send
                 now
                 prosperity
                 :
              
               Yet
               
                 all
                 that
                 will
                 live
                 goaly
                 in
                 Christ
                 Jesus
                 must
                 suffer
                 Persecution
                 ,
              
               and
               
                 through
                 much
                 Tribulation
                 we
                 must
                 enter
                 into
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 God.
              
               But
               let
               no
               man
               add
               affliction
               to
               the
               afflicted
               ,
               and
               scornfully
               with
               Apostate
               Iulian
               ,
               alledge
               to
               Christians
               this
               Doctrine
               ,
               to
               make
               their
               burdens
               heavier
               :
               
                 God
                 will
                 not
                 be
                 mocked
              
               ,
               but
               
                 He
                 will
                 avenge
                 his
                 own
                 Elect
                 ,
                 who
                 cry
                 day
                 and
                 night
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 Though
                 he
                 bear
                 long
                 with
                 them
                 :
                 I
                 tell
                 you
                 that
                 he
                 will
                 avenge
                 them
                 speedily
                 ,
              
               Luke
               18.
               7
               ,
               8.
               
               And
               men
               would
               remember
               ,
               that
               there
               is
               Suffering
               for
               evil-doing
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               for
               well-doing
               ;
               and
               he
               who
               inflicts
               the
               one
               ,
               may
               be
               rewarded
               with
               the
               other
               :
               
                 For
                 in
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 cup
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Wine
                 is
                 red
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 full
                 of
                 mixture
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 poureth
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 same
                 ;
                 but
                 the
                 dregs
                 thereof
                 all
                 the
                 wicked
                 of
                 the
                 earth
                 shall
                 wring
                 them
                 out
                 and
                 drink
                 them
                 ,
              
               Psal.
               75.
               8.
               
               And
               
                 it
                 ●●
                 a
                 righteous
                 thing
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 to
                 recompense
                 tribulation
                 to
                 them
                 that
                 trouble
                 you
                 ;
                 and
                 to
                 you
                 who
                 are
                 troubled
                 rest
                 with
                 us
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 Lord
                 Iesus
                 shall
                 be
                 revealed
                 from
                 Heaven
                 with
                 his
                 mighty
                 Angels
                 ,
                 in
                 flaming
                 fire
                 ,
                 taking
                 vengeance
                 ,
              
               &c.
               
               2
               Thess.
               1.
               6
               ,
               7
               ,
               8.
               2.
               
               The
               belief
               of
               the
               Souls
               Immortality
               ,
               teacheth
               men
               effectually
               the
               Fear
               of
               God
               :
               
                 Fear
                 not
                 them
                 that
                 kill
                 the
                 Body
                 ,
                 and
                 when
                 they
                 have
                 done
                 that
                 have
                 no
                 more
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 can
                 do
                 :
                 But
                 fear
                 ye
                 him
                 who
                 can
                 cast
                 both
                 Soul
                 and
                 Body
                 into
                 Hell
                 ;
                 I
                 say
                 fear
                 him
                 ,
              
               Luke
               12.
               4
               ,
               5
               Psal.
               76.
               11.
               
               
                 He
                 ought
                 to
                 be
                 feared
              
               :
               And
               why
               ?
               verse
               12.
               
               
                 He
                 cutteth
                 off
                 the
                 Spirits
                 of
                 Princes
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 terrible
                 to
                 the
                 Kings
                 of
                 the
                 Earth
                 .
                 Who
                 would
                 not
                 fear
                 thee
                 ,
                 O
                 King
                 of
                 Nations
                 !
                 For
                 to
                 thee
                 doth
                 it
                 appertain
                 ,
              
               Jer.
               10.
               7.
               3.
               
               It
               teacheth
               moderation
               in
               the
               desire
               and
               use
               of
               all
               
               things
               worldly
               :
               
                 We
                 look
                 not
                 at
                 the
                 things
                 that
                 are
                 seen
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 Temporal
                 ,
                 but
                 at
                 the
                 things
                 that
                 are
                 not
                 seen
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 Eternal
                 .
              
               There
               is
               indeed
               the
               high
               spirit
               of
               Christianity
               courting
               immortality
               with
               so
               great
               disdain
               of
               all
               Worldly
               things
               ,
               that
               it
               cannot
               see
               them
               in
               its
               way
               .
               This
               is
               the
               true
               Nobility
               of
               the
               Soul
               that
               exempteth
               it
               from
               the
               Egyptian
               slavery
               and
               servil
               drudgery
               
                 of
                 loading
                 it self
                 with
                 thick
                 clay
              
               for
               the
               brick-kilns
               of
               worldly
               projects
               ;
               and
               setteth
               it
               far
               without
               the
               reach
               of
               this
               Temptation
               ,
               
                 And
                 woe
                 be
                 to
                 him
                 who
                 buildeth
                 his
                 House
                 by
                 Blood
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 City
                 by
                 Oppression
                 ;
              
               and
               delivereth
               it
               from
               the
               s●art
               of
               him
               ,
               
                 Who
                 will
                 be
                 Rich
                 ,
                 till
                 He
                 be
                 peirced
                 with
                 many
                 Sorrows
                 and
                 drowned
                 in
                 Damnation
                 .
              
               But
               ,
               this
               I
               say
               Brethren
               .
               the
               time
               is
               short
               ;
               even
               short
               enough
               to
               him
               who
               every
               Evening
               may
               hear
               ,
               
                 This
                 night
                 thy
                 Soul
                 shall
                 be
                 taken
                 from
                 thee
                 .
                 It
                 remaineth
                 ,
                 That
                 they
                 who
                 possess
                 the
                 World
                 be
                 as
                 they
                 possessed
                 it
                 not
                 ,
                 they
                 that
                 use
                 it
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 they
                 used
                 it
                 not
                 ,
                 and
                 as
                 not
                 abusing
                 it
                 ;
                 for
                 the
                 fashion
                 of
                 this
                 World
                 passeth
                 away
                 ,
              
               1
               Cor.
               7.
               29.
               and
               foreward
               .
               But
               alas
               for
               pitty
               that
               this
               same
               Moderation
               and
               Indifferency
               should
               be
               both
               practised
               and
               applauded
               in
               the
               matters
               of
               God!
               And
               that
               it
               is
               so
               rare
               to
               be
               Seriously
               and
               positively
               Holy
               ,
               that
               Godliness
               may
               say
               ,
               
                 O
                 ye
                 Sons
                 of
                 Men
                 ,
                 how
                 long
                 will
                 ye
                 turn
                 my
                 Glory
                 into
                 Shame
                 ?
                 How
                 long
                 will
                 ye
                 love
                 Vanity
                 ,
                 and
                 seek
                 after
                 Leasing
                 ?
              
               Psal.
               4.
               2.
               4
               
               It
               teacheth
               us
               the
               best
               managry
               .
               This
               Age
               hath
               learned
               to
               be
               wonderful
               Thrifty
               :
               But
               O
               that
               they
               
               could
               study
               to
               
                 be
                 rich
                 toward
                 God!
              
               And
               could
               be
               perswaded
               that
               Alms
               and
               Charity
               is
               the
               best
               Husbandry
               ,
               and
               surest
               Art
               of
               Managry
               ;
               and
               would
               learn
               of
               the
               
                 Unjust
                 Steward
              
               ,
               
                 To
                 make
                 to
                 them-selves
                 Friends
                 of
                 the
                 unrighteous
                 Mammon
                 ,
                 that
                 when
                 they
                 fail
                 ,
                 they
                 may
                 receive
                 them
                 into
                 ever-lasting
                 habitations
                 .
                 Mat
                 ;
                 6
                 ,
                 19
                 ,
                 20
                 Lay
                 not
                 up
                 for
                 your selves
                 Treasures
                 upon
                 earth
                 &c.
                 
                 But
                 lay
                 up
                 for
                 your selves
                 Treasures
                 in
                 Heaven
                 .
                 The
                 me●
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 have
                 their
                 portion
                 in
                 this
                 life
                 ▪
                 But
                 as
                 for
                 me
                 when
                 I
                 awake
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 be
                 satisfied
                 with
                 thy
                 likness
                 Psal.
                 17.
                 14
                 ,
                 15.
                 
              
               Alas
               !
               most
               me●
               first
               have
               so
               little
               desire
               for
               Heaven
               ,
               that
               next
               the●
               come
               to
               have
               as
               little
               hope
               of
               it
               ,
               and
               so
               
                 at
                 last
              
               and
               fain
               to
               take
               up
               with
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               for
               Ja●●●
               blessing
               ,
               must
               with
               Esau
               ,
               be
               content
               with
               
                 the
                 f●●ness
                 of
                 the
                 earth
                 .
                 Gen.
              
               27
               ,
               39.
               
               Or
               else
               what
               mea●
               the
               unhandsome
               ,
               unhallowed
               ,
               and
               unhappy
               Practises
               of
               catching
               ,
               gripping
               ,
               and
               inhancing
               ,
               which
               have
               prevailed
               so
               far
               that
               now
               mens
               Covetousness
               hath
               strengthned
               it self
               with
               Pride
               ,
               lest
               they
               should
               be
               reputed
               less
               witty
               :
               for
               how
               do
               they
               boast
               o●
               such
               exploits
               ?
               But
               
                 such
                 boasting
                 is
                 not
                 good
                 ,
                 and
                 the●
                 glory
                 is
                 their
                 shame
                 ,
                 for
                 they
                 mind
                 earthly
                 things
                 Phi●
                 ▪
              
               3
               ,
               19
               ,
               And
               they
               
                 have
                 hearts
                 exercised
                 with
                 covetou●
                 Practises
                 ,
                 cursed
                 Children
              
               2
               Pet.
               2.
               14.
               
               But
               alas
               !
               I
               find●
               one
               great
               fault
               in
               most
               mens
               accounts
               ,
               that
               the●
               never
               count
               upon
               the
               Soul
               ;
               They
               count
               their
               thousands
               ,
               and
               ten
               thousands
               ,
               and
               hundred
               thousands
               and
               the
               Poor
               soul
               sayes
               ,
               how
               many
               count
               you
               me●●
               I
               stand
               Debter
               for
               ten
               thousand
               Talents
               upon
               your
               score
               ;
               Yea
               ,
               I
               am
               already
               destressed
               ,
               and
               what
               
               will
               you
               give
               in
               exchange
               for
               me
               ?
               Not
               a
               groat
               ,
               sayes
               the
               wretch
               ,
               while
               I
               havelife
               ,
               though
               after
               that
               he
               would
               give
               ten
               thousand
               Worlds
               ;
               So
               much
               there
               is
               betwixt
               market-dayes
               .
               5.
               
               It
               teacheth
               patience
               in
               well
               doing
               ;
               
                 who
                 by
                 patience
                 in
                 well
                 doing
                 ,
                 seek
                 for
                 Glory
                 ,
                 and
                 Honour
                 ,
                 and
                 immortality
                 ,
                 is
                 eternal
                 life
                 ;
                 to
                 them
                 Rom
                 ;
                 2
                 ,
                 7.
                 
                 Therefore
                 my
                 beloved
                 Brethren
                 be
                 ye
                 stedfast
                 ,
                 unmovable
                 ,
                 alwayes
                 abounding
                 in
                 the
                 work
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 for
                 as
                 much
                 as
                 ye
                 know
                 that
                 your
                 labour
                 is
                 not
                 in
                 vain
                 in
                 the
                 Lord
              
               1
               Cor
               ;
               15.
               last
               .
               And
               this
               is
               the
               Conclusion
               of
               the
               Apostles
               vindication
               of
               the
               Resurrection
               and
               the
               life
               to
               come
               .
               The
               Saints
               have
               a
               long
               and
               sore
               service
               in
               the
               World
               ,
               
                 But
                 God
                 is
                 not
                 unrighteous
                 to
                 forget
                 their
                 labour
                 of
                 love
                 ▪
                 a
                 cup
                 of
                 cold
                 water
                 shall
                 not
                 be
                 forgotten
                 :
              
               And
               for
               whatsoever
               any
               have
               forsaken
               ,
               they
               shall
               have
               
                 a
                 hundred
                 fold
                 in
                 this
                 life
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 to
                 come
                 life
                 everlasting
                 :
                 And
                 we
                 reckon
                 that
                 the
                 sufferings
                 of
                 this
                 present
                 life
                 are
                 not
                 worthy
                 to
                 be
                 compared
                 with
                 the
                 glory
                 which
                 shall
                 be
                 revealed
                 in
                 the
                 Saints
                 .
                 Therefore
                 let
                 us
                 not
                 be
                 weary
                 in
                 well
                 doing
                 ,
                 for
                 in
                 due
                 Season
                 we
                 shall
                 reap
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 faint
                 not
              
               Galat.
               6
               ,
               9.
               6.
               
               It
               supporteth
               the
               Christians
               hope
               :
               
                 For
                 if
                 in
                 this
                 life
                 only
                 we
                 have
                 hope
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 of
                 all
                 men
                 we
                 are
                 most
                 miserable
              
               1
               Cor.
               15
               ,
               19.
               
               It
               is
               certainly
               the
               interest
               of
               every
               good
               man
               to
               believe
               the
               Souls
               immortality
               ,
               and
               as
               much
               their
               Duty
               to
               live
               so
               as
               it
               may
               be
               their
               interest
               :
               for
               it
               is
               not
               Reason
               and
               Judgement
               that
               prompt
               men
               to
               deny
               it
               ,
               but
               fear
               and
               and
               an
               evil
               Concience
               that
               tells
               them
               it
               will
               be
               ill
               
               for
               them
               .
               The
               Souls
               immortality
               is
               the
               hope
               o●
               Israel
               ,
               that
               maketh
               them
               diligent
               in
               well
               doing
               patient
               in
               Tribulation
               ,
               and
               desirous
               of
               their
               change
               :
               
                 for
                 we
                 that
                 are
                 in
                 this
                 Tabernacle
                 do
                 groan
                 being
                 burdened
                 not
                 for
                 that
                 we
                 would
                 be
                 uncloathed
                 ,
                 but
                 cloathed
                 upon
                 ,
                 that
                 mortality
                 might
                 be
                 swallowed
                 up
                 of
                 life
              
               2
               Cor.
               5.
               4.
               
            
             
               The
               Third
               view
               of
               these
               words
               giveth
               this
               manifest
               Reflection
               ,
               That
               
                 Communion
                 with
                 God
                 is
                 the
                 Souls
                 Sanctuary
                 and
                 Solace
                 .
              
               We
               have
               this
               Prayer
               of
               Nehemiah
               thrice
               Recorded
               in
               this
               Chap.
               and
               in
               the
               close
               of
               the
               5
               ,
               Chap
               ,
               besides
               frequent
               Addresses
               of
               the
               like
               nature
               ,
               such
               as
               that
               solemn
               Ejaculation
               Chap.
               24.
               
               And
               that
               Chap.
               6
               ,
               14.
               and
               another
               in
               this
               same
               Chap.
               ver
               .
               29
               Besides
               his
               ordinary
               attendance
               on
               publick
               worship
               ,
               and
               Solemn
               and
               extra-ordinary
               Fasting
               Chap.
               9.
               
               By
               all
               which
               it
               is
               eviden●
               how
               Seriously
               and
               constantly
               Godly
               this
               renounced
               worthy
               was
               Like
               David
               who
               could
               say
               ,
               
                 what
                 tim●
                 soever
                 I
                 awake
                 I
                 am
                 with
                 thee
                 :
              
               And
               truly
               the
               Soul
               is
               either
               sleeping
               or
               worse
               when
               not
               with
               God
               Affaires
               and
               weight
               of
               Business
               quickned
               their
               Devotion
               as
               much
               as
               it
               extinguisheth
               ours
               :
               And
               the
               matter
               is
               ,
               they
               were
               not
               cool
               ,
               indifferent
               Latitudinarians
               in
               Religion
               ,
               but
               men
               of
               another
               Spirit
               ,
               serious
               Men.
               And
               if
               that
               be
               true
               which
               I
               hilosophers
               have
               said
               ,
               that
               that
               is
               not
               the
               Man
               which
               is
               seen
               ;
               Alas
               what
               Puppyes
               ,
               what
               Mock-men
               are
               we
               ,
               who
               can
               be
               any
               thing
               but
               Good
               and
               Serious
               ?
               This
               Observation
               proven
               by
               the
               experience
               of
               Saints
               in
               all
               Generations
               ,
               
                 Who
                 sat
                 down
                 under
                 the
                 shaddow
                 of
                 the
                 Almighty
                 with
                 great
                 delight
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 fruit
                 was
                 sweet
                 to
                 their
              
               
               
                 taste
                 Cant
              
               2.
               3.
               will
               make
               it self
               good
               by
               the
               strongest
               Reason
               ,
               when
               we
               have
               seen
               a
               little
               what
               Communion
               with
               God
               is
               ,
               and
               wherin
               it
               consists
               ,
            
             
               And
               1.
               
               It
               stands
               in
               Reconciliation
               ,
               the
               immediate
               result
               of
               Justification
               by
               faith
               :
               Amos
               3
               ,
               3.
               ●
               
                 Can
                 two
                 walk
                 together
                 except
                 they
                 be
                 aggreed
                 ?
              
               Rom.
               5
               ,
               1.
               
               
                 Being
                 justifyed
                 by
                 faith
                 we
                 have
                 peace
                 with
                 God
                 ,
              
               and
               10.
               v.
               
                 We
                 are
                 reconciled
                 by
                 the
                 death
                 of
                 his
                 Son.
                 
              
               This
               giveth
               access
               to
               God
               ,
               and
               bringeth
               us
               near
               who
               
                 sometimes
                 were
                 far
                 off
              
               :
               This
               of
               Enemies
               maketh
               Friends
               ;
               even
               as
               Abraham
               believed
               ,
               and
               was
               called
               
                 the
                 Friend
                 of
                 God.
              
               2.
               
               In
               a
               mystical
               ,
               spiritual
               and
               Supernatural
               Union
               ,
               the
               product
               of
               Regeneration
               ;
               for
               
                 he
                 that
                 is
                 joyned
                 to
                 the
                 Lord
                 is
                 one
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 made
                 partaker
                 of
                 the
                 divine
                 Nature
                 This
                 maketh
                 us
                 Sons
                 ;
                 and
                 plant●th
                 us
                 in
                 God
              
               John
               1
               ,
               12
               ,
               13.
               
               
                 To
                 as
                 many
                 as
                 received
                 him
                 ,
                 to
                 them
                 gave
                 he
                 power
                 to
                 become
                 the
                 sons
                 of
                 God
                 :
                 which
                 were
                 born
                 ,
                 not
                 of
                 blood
                 ,
                 nor
                 of
                 the
                 will
                 of
                 the
                 flesh
                 ,
                 nor
                 of
                 the
                 will
                 of
                 man
                 ,
                 but
                 of
                 God.
                 
              
               1
               John
               4
               ,
               13.
               
               
                 Hereby
                 we
                 know
                 that
                 we
                 dwell
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 in
                 us
                 ,
                 because
                 he
                 hath
                 given
                 us
                 of
                 his
                 spirit
                 :
                 and
                 v.
                 16.
                 
                 God
                 is
                 love
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 that
                 loveth
                 dwelleth
                 in
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 God
                 in
                 him
                 .
              
               Iohn
               17.
               23.
               
               
                 I
                 in
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 thou
                 in
                 me
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 be
                 made
                 perfect
                 in
                 one
                 .
              
               Iohn
               15
               ,
               5.
               
               
                 I
                 am
                 the
                 vine
                 ,
                 ye
                 are
                 the
                 branches
                 .
              
               3.
               
               In
               likness
               of
               natures
               ,
               compliance
               of
               minds
               ,
               and
               conformity
               of
               manners
               .
               2
               Cor
               :
               3
               ,
               last
               ,
               he
               that
               hath
               Communion
               with
               God
               
                 is
                 changed
                 into
                 the
                 same
                 ●mage
                 :
              
               and
               Colos.
               3.
               10.
               
                 is
                 renewed
                 after
                 the
                 image
                 of
                 him
                 that
                 created
                 him
                 .
              
               1
               Cor
               ;
               15.
               49.
               
               
                 As
                 we
                 have
              
               
               
                 born
                 the
                 image
                 of
                 the
                 earthy
                 ,
                 so
                 must
                 we
                 also
                 of
                 the
                 heavenly
                 .
              
               Christ
               is
               the
               image
               of
               his
               Father
               ,
               and
               Saints
               are
               the
               image
               of
               Christ.
               And
               how
               much
               are
               they
               of
               one
               Humour
               ,
               pleased
               in
               and
               pleasing
               one
               another
               ▪
               The
               Lord
               is
               a
               God
               to
               the
               Saints
               mind
               :
               in
               Heaven
               or
               earth
               he
               sees
               nothing
               to
               him
               :
               
                 whom
                 have
                 I
                 in
                 heaven
                 but
                 thee
                 ?
                 Or
                 who
                 is
                 a
                 God
                 like
                 unto
                 thee
                 ?
              
               
                 Nec
                 viget
                 quidquam
                 simile
                 aut
                 secundum
              
               And
               the
               Saint
               is
               a
               David
               ,
               
                 a
                 man
                 to
                 Gods
                 heart
              
               What
               is
               the
               book
               of
               Canticles
               but
               one
               continued
               proof
               of
               this
               matter
               ?
               What
               exchange
               of
               heart●
               are
               there
               ?
               What
               concentering
               of
               Affections
               ?
               What
               returns
               of
               Love
               ?
               What
               uniting
               Raptures
               ●
               What
               reflections
               of
               Beauty
               ?
               What
               Echo's
               of
               Invitations
               and
               Commendations
               with
               such
               likeness
               of
               voices
               that
               sometimes
               you
               shall
               hardly
               discern
               who
               speaks
               .
               Moreover
               we
               find
               this
               complianc●
               universal
               in
               the
               Saint
               ,
               swaying
               all
               that
               was
               in
               him
               to
               the
               Lords
               Devotion
               :
               
                 his
                 understanding
                 is
                 re-newed
                 in
                 knowledge
                 after
                 the
                 Image
                 of
                 him
                 tha●
                 created
                 him
                 :
              
               he
               understands
               with
               God
               ,
               from
               God
               ,
               and
               for
               God
               :
               
                 He
                 can
                 do
                 nothing
                 against
                 the
                 truth
                 but
                 for
                 the
                 truth
                 :
              
               He
               lighteth
               his
               Torch
               at
               the
               Su●
               and
               taketh
               his
               light
               from
               the
               Candlestick
               of
               t●
               Sanctuary
               ,
               the
               Law
               and
               the
               Testimony
               :
               his
               fait●
               hath
               the
               image
               of
               Christ
               Iames
               2.
               1.
               
               
                 It
                 is
                 th●
                 faith
                 of
                 our
                 Lord
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 the
                 Lord
                 of
                 Glory
                 ;
                 And
                 Christs
                 Superscription
                 Revel
                 .
                 3
                 ,
                 ●
                 These
                 things
                 sayeth
                 the
                 Amen
                 ,
                 the
                 faithful
                 and
                 true
                 witness
                 :
              
               And
               ,
               we
               have
               the
               mind
               of
               Chris●
               Conformably
               his
               will
               is
               swayed
               ,
               whether
               for
               acting
               
                 Lord
                 what
                 wilt
                 thou
                 have
                 me
                 to
                 do
                 ?
              
               or
               for
               suffering
               
               
                 Not
                 my
                 will
                 but
                 thy
                 will
                 be
                 done
                 :
              
               he
               is
               an
               
                 Orthodox
                 Monothelit
              
               .
               And
               for
               his
               affections
               ,
               he
               loveth
               and
               hateth
               as
               God
               doth
               ,
               and
               because
               he
               doth
               it
               .
               And
               finally
               ,
               in
               his
               conversation
               ,
               
                 he
                 is
                 Holy
                 as
                 God
                 is
                 Holy
                 ,
                 merciful
                 as
                 he
                 is
                 mercifull
                 ,
                 and
                 perfect
                 as
                 his
                 heavenly
                 Father
                 is
                 perfect
                 .
              
               Hence
               the
               old
               Philosophers
               seeing
               thorow
               the
               darkness
               of
               nature
               have
               said
               ,
               
                 That
                 good
                 men
                 are
                 visible
                 mortal
                 Gods
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Gods
                 are
                 invisible
                 ,
                 immortal
                 men
                 :
              
               Which
               as
               it
               is
               litterally
               true
               of
               their
               fictitious
               fancied
               Gods
               ;
               so
               with
               respect
               to
               the
               true
               God
               ,
               it
               proveth
               Symbolically
               that
               the
               mystery
               of
               the
               Incarnation
               is
               no
               absurdity
               ;
               there
               being
               such
               a
               high
               affinity
               betwixt
               the
               Divine
               and
               Humane
               nature
               in
               its
               integrity
               ;
               
                 for
                 we
                 are
                 also
                 his
                 off-spring
              
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               Acts
               17.
               28.
               4.
               
               In
               mutual
               claim
               to
               ,
               and
               interest
               in
               the
               Persons
               and
               things
               of
               one
               another
               ;
               the
               result
               of
               mutual
               choice
               ,
               gift
               ,
               and
               Covenant
               contract
               :
               
                 My
                 beloved
                 is
                 mine
                 and
                 and
                 I
                 am
                 his
                 :
                 I
                 will
                 be
                 their
                 God
                 and
                 they
                 shall
                 be
                 my
                 People
                 :
                 All
                 that
                 is
                 in
                 God
                 is
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 that
                 is
                 in
                 God
                 is
                 for
                 his
                 People
                 ;
                 
                   he
                   is
                   a
                   God
                   to
                   Israel
                   :
                
                 all
                 that
                 his
                 People
                 are
                 ,
                 or
                 have
                 ,
                 or
                 can
                 ,
                 is
                 for
                 him
              
               1
               Cor.
               6.
               19.
               20.
               
               
                 ye
                 are
                 not
                 your
                 own
                 ;
                 for
                 ye
                 are
                 bought
                 with
                 a
                 price
                 ;
                 Therefore
                 glorify
                 God
                 in
                 your
                 body
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 your
                 spirit
                 which
                 are
                 Gods.
                 And
                 none
                 of
                 us
                 liveth
                 to
                 himself
                 ,
                 neither
                 doth
                 any
                 of
                 us
                 dy
                 unto
                 himself
                 ,
                 but
                 whether
                 we
                 live
                 we
                 are
                 the
                 Lords
                 ,
                 or
                 whether
                 we
                 dy
                 we
                 are
                 the
                 Lords
                 .
              
               And
               our
               Communion
               with
               God
               consisteth
               much
               in
               holding
               up
               a
               Trade
               ,
               and
               keeping
               a
               bank
               with
               God
               in
               getting
               from
               him
               and
               
               bestowing
               for
               him
               :
               and
               though
               a
               man
               cannot
               profit
               God
               ,
               nor
               reapeth
               he
               where
               he
               sowed
               not
               ,
               yet
               he
               must
               
                 have
                 his
                 own
                 with
                 the
                 use
                 .
              
               Hath
               a
               man
               communion
               with
               God
               ;
               What
               hath
               he
               done
               ?
               what
               hath
               he
               given
               ?
               or
               what
               hath
               he
               forsaken
               that
               he
               had
               ,
               or
               refused
               that
               he
               might
               have
               had
               ,
               for
               God
               ?
               Numb
               .
               24.
               11.
               
               Balak
               could
               say
               to
               
                 Balaam
                 ,
                 Lo
                 the
                 Lord
                 hath
                 keept
                 thee
                 back
                 from
                 honour
                 :
              
               but
               we
               may
               say
               to
               some
               ,
               The
               Lord
               hath
               not
               keept
               thee
               back
               from
               Honour
               :
               for
               like
               the
               Apostate
               Jews
               
                 they
                 love
                 the
                 praise
                 of
                 men
                 better
                 than
                 God
                 or
                 the
                 praise
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 But
                 Moses
                 refused
                 to
                 be
                 called
                 the
                 son
                 of
                 Pharaohs
                 daughter
                 ,
                 esteeming
                 the
                 reproach
                 of
                 Christ
                 greater
                 riches
                 than
                 the
                 treasures
                 of
                 Egypt
              
               Heb.
               11.
               24
               ,
               26
               The
               Apostles
               
                 forsook
                 all
                 and
                 followed
                 Christ
              
               :
               A
               good
               bargain
               ,
               (
               a
               thing
               much
               prized
               by
               the
               spirits
               of
               our
               time
               )
               
                 a
                 hundred
                 fold
                 in
                 this
                 present
                 life
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 to
                 come
                 life
                 everlasting
                 .
              
               A
               man
               may
               forsake
               all
               for
               God
               ,
               but
               he
               can
               lose
               nothing
               for
               God.
               Take
               
                 Galeacius
                 Caracciolus
              
               for
               a
               sufficient
               witness
               ,
               who
               proved
               the
               matter
               .
               Italy
               the
               Garden
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               Naples
               of
               
                 Italy
                 ,
                 Vicum
              
               of
               Naples
               ,
               farewell
               all
               for
               Christ
               freely
               .
               But
               now
               if
               the
               son
               of
               man
               should
               come
               ,
               
                 shall
                 he
                 find
                 faith
                 in
                 the
                 earth
                 ?
              
               Who
               believeth
               indeed
               ,
               that
               
                 He
                 who
                 snared
                 not
                 his
                 own
                 son
                 will
                 with
                 him
                 give
                 us
                 all
                 things
                 freely
                 ?
                 Are
                 the
                 consolations
                 of
                 God
                 small
                 with
                 thee
                 ?
              
               Thinkest
               thou
               so
               meanly
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               Christ
               
                 the
                 gift
                 of
                 God
              
               ,
               all
               the
               fulness
               of
               God
               ,
               the
               treasures
               of
               hope
               ,
               the
               earnest
               of
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               the
               Riches
               of
               saith
               ,
               the
               first
               fruits
               of
               the
               inheritance
               ?
               Didst
               thou
               ever
               sing
               Psal.
               
               4
               ,
               7.
               
               
                 Thou
                 hast
                 put
                 more
                 gladness
                 in
                 my
                 heart
                 than
                 in
                 the
                 time
                 that
                 their
                 corn
                 and
                 their
                 wine
                 increased
                 ?
              
               All
               these
               things
               have
               I
               given
               thee
               ,
               and
               yet
               I
               will
               do
               more
               for
               thee
               ,
               if
               thou
               canst
               but
               for
               goe
               a
               little
               for
               me
               ;
               Poor
               Soul
               mayst
               thou
               not
               spare
               it
               ?
               5.
               
               In
               fellowship
               of
               converse
               ;
               And
               therefore
               in
               Scripture
               it
               s
               called
               
                 a
                 wal●ing
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 before
                 God
                 ,
                 in
                 Christ
                 ;
                 a
                 dwelling
                 in
                 his
                 presence
                 ,
                 and
                 walking
                 in
                 the
                 light
                 of
                 his
                 countenance
                 .
              
               Psal.
               73
               ,
               23.
               
               
                 I
                 am
                 continually
                 with
                 thee
                 .
              
               Psal.
               139.
               18.
               
               
                 When
                 I
                 awake
                 I
                 am
                 still
                 with
                 thee
                 .
              
               2
               Cor.
               16.
               16.
               
               
                 I
                 will
                 dwell
                 in
                 them
                 and
                 walk
                 in
                 them
              
               Rev.
               21.
               2.
               
               And
               I
               heard
               a
               great
               voice
               out
               of
               heaven
               saying
               ,
               behold
               the
               tabernacle
               of
               God
               is
               with
               men
               ,
               and
               he
               will
               dwell
               with
               them
               ,
               and
               they
               shall
               be
               his
               People
               ,
               and
               God
               himself
               shall
               be
               with
               them
               ,
               and
               be
               their
               God.
               
               
                 Men
                 live
                 together
                 for
                 mutual
                 comfort
                 and
                 help
                 of
                 life
                 :
              
               his
               comforts
               delight
               the
               soul
               ,
               and
               he
               is
               the
               God
               of
               our
               life
               .
               Men
               converse
               together
               for
               Counsel
               ;
               
                 Counsel
                 is
                 mine
              
               ,
               sayeth
               the
               
                 wonderful
                 Counseller
              
               ,
               and
               ●e
               giveth
               his
               People
               Counsel
               ;
               and
               therefore
               the
               Godly
               Souls
               desire
               is
               
                 to
                 enquire
                 in
                 his
                 temple
              
               :
               Men
               ●onverse
               together
               for
               business
               ,
               and
               O
               how
               much
               ●ath
               the
               Soul
               to
               do
               with
               God!
               
                 Who
                 doth
                 all
                 things
                 〈◊〉
                 it
                 :
              
               Men
               pay
               visits
               to
               one
               another
               ;
               and
               what
               find
               visits
               pass
               betwixt
               God
               and
               his
               People
               ?
               Men
               ●ast
               and
               sup
               together
               ;
               
                 I
                 will
                 sup
                 with
                 him
                 and
                 he
                 with
                 me
              
               Rev.
               3
               ,
               20.
               
               Prov.
               9.
               2.
               
               
                 Wisdom
                 hath
                 killed
                 her
                 beasts
                 ,
                 she
                 hath
                 mingled
                 her
                 wine
                 ,
                 she
                 hath
                 also
                 furnished
                 her
                 Table
                 .
                 Psal.
                 23
                 ,
                 5.
                 
                 Thou
                 preparest
                 a
                 table
                 for
                 me
                 in
                 the
                 presence
                 of
                 
                 mine
                 Enemies
                 .
              
               Isa
               ,
               25.
               6
               ,
               
                 A
                 feast
                 of
                 fat
                 things
                 ,
                 a
                 feast
                 of
                 Wines
                 on
                 the
                 Lees
                 ,
                 of
                 fat
                 things
                 full
                 of
                 Marrow
                 ,
                 of
                 Wines
                 on
                 the
                 Lees
                 well
                 refined
                 ,
              
               Cant.
               4.
               last
               .
               and
               5.
               1.
               
               
                 Let
                 my
                 beloved
                 come
                 into
                 his
                 garden
                 and
                 eat
                 his
                 pleasant
                 Fruits
                 :
                 I
                 am
                 come
                 into
                 my
                 Garden
                 ,
                 my
                 Sister
                 ,
                 my
                 Spouse
                 ,
                 &c
                 ,
              
               Ea●
               O
               Friend
               ,
               Drink
               ,
               yea
               Drink
               abundantly
               O
               Beloved
               Friends
               Converse
               in
               Presence
               ,
               and
               Correspond
               in
               Absence
               and
               at
               a
               distance
               :
               The
               Godly
               Soul
               cannot
               endure
               Absence
               or
               Distance
               from
               God
               ;
               for
               the
               Light
               of
               his
               Countenance
               i●
               better
               than
               Life
               :
               But
               if
               it
               fall
               at
               distance
               ,
               it
               keep●
               up
               a
               correspondence
               ;
               
                 In
                 my
                 trouble
                 ,
                 I
                 sought
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 cry
                 came
                 before
                 him
                 ;
                 ever
                 into
                 his
                 Ears
                 .
                 O
                 ye
                 Daughters
                 of
                 Jerusalem
                 ,
                 you
                 see
                 him
                 whom
                 my
                 Soul
                 loveth
                 ,
                 tell
                 him
                 I
                 am
                 Sick
                 of
                 Love.
                 When
                 my
                 heart
                 was
                 over
                 whelmed
                 within
                 me
                 ,
                 thou
                 knewest
                 my
                 way
                 From
                 the
                 ends
                 of
                 the
                 earth
                 will
                 I
                 cry
                 unto
                 thee
                 O
                 when
                 shall
                 I
                 come
                 and
                 appear
                 before
                 God
              
               Now
               for
               a
               reason
               of
               the
               observation
               ,
               pray
               confider
               where
               should
               a
               man
               be
               ,
               but
               with
               his
               Friend
               Where
               should
               the
               Soul
               be
               ,
               but
               where
               it
               Subsist
               Lives
               ,
               Loves
               ,
               Thrives
               and
               does
               well
               ?
               When
               should
               a
               man
               be
               but
               at
               home
               where
               he
               dwelleth
               And
               where
               should
               a
               branch
               be
               but
               in
               the
               Vine
               Where
               should
               Love
               be
               but
               with
               its
               Beloved
               ?
               When
               a
               like
               but
               with
               its
               like
               ?
               Where
               should
               a
               man
               〈◊〉
               but
               where
               he
               hath
               Comfort
               ,
               liking
               ,
               and
               being
               liked
               Where
               should
               a
               man
               be
               but
               with
               his
               Interest
               ?
               Receiver
               but
               with
               a
               Giver
               ?
               Or
               a
               Servant
               Entrued
               but
               about
               his
               Masters
               Business
               ?
               Where
               should
               
               Courteour
               be
               but
               with
               his
               Prince
               ?
               a
               man
               but
               With
               his
               Counseller
               ?
               a
               person
               invited
               but
               at
               he
               feast
               ?
               and
               one
               visited
               but
               waiting
               upon
               his
               ●reind
               ?
            
             
               But
               how
               sad
               is
               it
               that
               men
               should
               so
               far
               sleight
               ●s
               to
               forfeit
               ,
               and
               so
               justly
               forfeit
               as
               to
               sleight
               Communion
               with
               God
               ?
               What
               lamentations
               may
               hereon
               be
               written
               ?
               or
               what
               shall
               be
               taken
               to
               witness
               for
               this
               ?
               Jer
               :
               2
               ,
               10
               ,
               11
               ,
               12
               ,
               13.
               
               
                 Hath
                 any
                 of
                 the
                 nations
                 done
                 such
                 a
                 thing
                 as
                 this
                 to
                 forsake
                 their
                 Gods
                 ,
                 which
                 yet
                 are
                 no
                 Gods
                 ?
                 but
                 my
                 People
                 hath
                 forsaken
                 me
                 for
                 a
                 thing
                 that
                 cannot
                 profit
                 .
                 And
                 will
                 a
                 man
                 forsake
                 the
                 snow
                 of
                 Lebanon
                 for
                 the
                 water
                 of
                 the
                 brook
                 ?
              
               But
               if
               ●et
               there
               be
               hope
               ,
               let
               men
               be
               exhorted
               to
               consider
               ●f
               their
               wayes
               ,
               by
               all
               the
               serious
               names
               of
               interest
               ,
               profession
               ,
               the
               love
               of
               their
               espousals
               ,
               the
               memory
               of
               their
               serious
               hours
               ,
               the
               testimony
               of
               their
               experiences
               ,
               their
               appaling
               fears
               ,
               their
               silent
               ,
               silencing
               and
               silenced
               convictions
               ,
               their
               unsatisfied
               desires
               ,
               and
               speaking
               disappointments
               giving
               them
               ●arkness
               for
               light
               ,
               a
               scorpion
               for
               an
               egg
               ,
               a
               Ston
               or
               bread
               ,
               a
               lie
               for
               truth
               ,
               a
               cloud
               for
               Iuno
               :
               And
               ●inally
               by
               the
               misery
               of
               their
               despised
               Soules
               :
               For
               what
               is
               the
               Soul
               destitute
               of
               God
               ?
               An
               exile
               ,
               wandering
               ,
               wearyed
               ,
               weighted
               ,
               wounded
               ,
               naked
               ,
               reproached
               ,
               starved
               ,
               appaled
               ,
               sleighted
               ,
               hopless
               ,
               helpness
               ,
               a
               broken
               soul
               ,
               a
               lost
               soul
               ?
               Psal
               :
               142
               ,
               4.
               5.
               
               
                 Refuge
                 failed
                 me
                 ,
                 no
                 man
                 cared
                 for
                 my
                 soul
                 :
                 I
                 cryed
                 unto
                 thee
                 O
                 Lord
                 ,
                 I
                 said
                 ,
                 thou
                 art
                 my
                 refuge
                 and
                 my
                 portion
                 in
                 the
                 Land
                 of
                 the
                 living
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 rest
                 wherewith
                 they
                 may
                 cause
                 the
                 
                 weary
                 to
                 rest
                 :
                 in
                 returning
                 and
                 rest
                 shall
                 men
                 be
                 saved
                 ,
                 in
                 quietness
                 and
                 confidence
                 they
                 shall
                 be
                 established
                 .
              
               Return
               unto
               thy
               rest
               O
               my
               soul.
               
            
             
               The
               4th
               view
               of
               this
               exquisite
               piece
               gives
               us
               
                 The
                 Pattern
                 of
                 a
                 Good
                 Ruler
                 .
              
               For
               being
               the
               Epilogue
               and
               close
               of
               the
               book
               ,
               it
               hath
               a
               natural
               and
               due
               relation
               to
               what
               goeth
               before
               ;
               and
               bearing
               the
               answer
               of
               a
               good
               conscience
               ,
               casteth
               a
               streight
               reflection
               on
               the
               life
               and
               acts
               of
               the
               man
               ;
               and
               being
               a
               suit
               for
               reward
               ,
               hath
               a
               necessary
               respect
               to
               the
               work
               ,
               which
               also
               is
               expressed
               Chap
               :
               5
               ,
               19.
               
               
                 Think
                 upon
                 me
                 O
                 my
                 God
                 for
                 good
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 all
                 that
                 I
                 have
                 done
                 for
                 this
                 People
                 :
                 and
                 in
                 this
                 same
                 Chap
                 :
                 14.
                 ver
                 ,
                 remember
                 me
                 O
                 my
                 God
                 concerning
                 this
                 ,
                 and
                 wipe
                 not
                 out
                 my
                 good
                 deeds
                 that
                 have
                 done
                 for
                 the
                 house
                 of
                 my
                 God
                 :
                 and
                 ver
                 .
                 2●
                 remember
                 me
                 O
                 my
                 God
                 concerning
                 this
                 also
                 and
                 spare
                 me
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 greatness
                 of
                 th●
                 mercy
                 .
              
               Many
               Rulers
               have
               done
               worthily
               ,
               some
               excelling
               in
               one
               thing
               ,
               some
               in
               another
               ;
               yet
               search
               Histories
               sacred
               and
               common
               ,
               you
               shall
               no
               readily
               find
               in
               one
               man
               so
               many
               excellent
               part●
               nor
               so
               compleat
               a
               living
               ,
               practical
               pattern
               of
               good
               Ruler
               .
               The
               Ruler
               would
               do
               himself
               a
               favour
               and
               God
               ,
               &
               his
               People
               a
               great
               good
               service
               ,
               to
               preserve
               the
               Authentick
               of
               this
               book
               in
               his
               heart
               ,
               and
               copy
               it
               exactly
               in
               his
               life
               and
               Government
               .
               H●
               is
               a
               great
               Kings
               high
               Commissionar
               :
               and
               all
               thing
               in
               such
               a
               person
               being
               so
               great
               ,
               that
               his
               sins
               can
               not
               be
               small
               ,
               his
               care
               had
               need
               be
               so
               much
               the
               greater
               ,
               and
               he
               would
               look
               to
               his
               copy
               the
               oftner
               Behold
               then
               and
               consider
               ,
               and
               you
               see
               him
               ,
               like
               
               the
               Sun
               in
               the
               Zodiack
               ,
               perfecting
               his
               course
               through
               all
               the
               signes
               of
               a
               ruleing
               Luminary
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               He
               is
               zealously
               and
               eminently
               Godly
               ,
               a
               burning
               and
               shining
               light
               ,
               breathing
               at
               once
               a
               living
               compend
               of
               faith
               and
               obedience
               ,
               Law
               and
               Gospel
               :
               For
               ,
               faith
               laying
               hold
               on
               Gods
               Covenant
               ,
               and
               obedience
               to
               the
               first
               and
               great
               Commandment
               of
               love
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               fulfilling
               of
               the
               Law
               ,
               are
               both
               angled
               and
               pointed
               in
               this
               one
               word
               
                 My
                 God
              
               :
               a
               man
               much
               in
               meditation
               ,
               given
               to
               Prayer
               ,
               Duties
               of
               so
               strict
               affinity
               ,
               that
               in
               Scripture
               the
               one
               passeth
               for
               the
               other
               :
               a
               man
               ,
               the
               multitude
               and
               weight
               of
               whose
               employments
               awakeneth
               and
               quickeneth
               his
               devotion
               :
               such
               a
               riddle
               is
               Religion
               that
               out
               of
               the
               Eater
               it
               can
               bring
               meat
               ,
               and
               sweet
               out
               of
               the
               strong
               ;
               but
               he
               that
               would
               unfold
               it
               must
               plow
               with
               Samsons
               heifer
               and
               be
               truely
               Godly
               .
               Lo
               every
               act
               of
               the
               Governour
               shut
               up
               with
               Prayer
               .
               In
               the
               discharge
               of
               his
               employment
               and
               exercise
               of
               his
               Government
               ,
               he
               looks
               to
               God
               for
               direction
               ,
               for
               
                 be
                 did
                 all
                 things
                 as
                 was
                 found
                 written
                 in
                 the
                 Law
              
               ;
               for
               help
               in
               his
               address
               to
               the
               King
               ,
               
                 he
                 Prayed
                 to
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 Heaven
              
               ;
               for
               his
               reward
               ,
               
                 remember
                 me
                 O
                 my
                 God
                 for
                 good
                 .
              
               And
               therefore
               he
               was
               neither
               partial
               nor
               indifferent
               in
               the
               Law
               ,
               but
               zealously
               he
               pursued
               good
               ,
               and
               persecuted
               evil
               ,
               and
               that
               in
               all
               whatsoever
               :
               neither
               is
               his
               Religion
               recluse
               ,
               in
               the
               large
               as
               cold
               as
               calm
               ,
               and
               full
               as
               dark
               as
               cold-shaddows
               of
               fruitless
               ,
               lazie
               ,
               lifeless
               ,
               cowardly
               contemplation
               ,
               but
               goeth
               abroad
               into
               free
               ,
               generous
               ,
               zealous
               ,
               and
               Heroick
               acting
               ,
               retaining
               the
               height
               of
               spirituality
               in
               the
               midst
               of
               secularity
               ,
               resembling
               therein
               the
               Archetype
               Ruler
               ,
               
               who
               in
               most
               perfect
               rest
               Ruleth
               all
               things
               ,
               and
               moveth
               all
               ,
               himself
               unmoved
               .
               It
               is
               below
               the
               Godly
               Ruler
               to
               be
               swayed
               and
               abused
               either
               by
               his
               own
               Lust
               and
               interest
               ,
               or
               example
               of
               others
               :
               Chap
               :
               5.
               14
               ,
               15.
               
               
                 I
                 and
                 my
                 brethren
                 have
                 not
                 eaten
                 the
                 bread
                 of
                 the
                 Governour
                 :
                 but
                 the
                 former
                 Governours
                 that
                 had
                 been
                 before
                 me
                 were
                 chargeable
                 to
                 the
                 People
                 ,
                 and
                 had
                 taken
                 of
                 them
                 bread
                 and
                 wine
                 ,
                 beside
                 fourty
                 shekels
                 of
                 silver
                 ,
                 yea
                 even
                 their
                 servants
                 bare
                 Rule
                 over
                 the
                 People
                 :
                 but
                 so
                 did
                 not
                 I
                 ,
                 because
                 of
                 the
                 fear
                 of
                 God.
                 
              
               The
               fear
               of
               God
               is
               the
               Star
               that
               guides
               the
               good
               Ruler
               2
               Sam.
               23
               ,
               3
               
                 He
                 that
                 ruleth
                 over
                 men
                 must
                 be
                 just
                 ,
                 ruling
                 in
                 the
                 fear
                 of
                 God.
                 
              
               If
               Religious
               pretences
               be
               made
               helps
               to
               policy
               ,
               how
               much
               better
               must
               be
               it self
               in
               reality
               ?
               And
               let
               politick
               pretenders
               beware
               of
               their
               fate
               and
               folly
               who
               taught
               others
               to
               be
               Captains
               to
               their
               own
               ruine
               ,
               that
               they
               teach
               not
               others
               to
               be
               Politicians
               to
               the
               expence
               of
               the
               teacher
               ,
               when
               he
               is
               served
               with
               his
               own
               measure
               .
               Yet
               as
               to
               shun
               the
               baseness
               of
               Hypocrisy
               a
               man
               needs
               not
               run
               to
               the
               wickedness
               of
               avowed
               profanity
               ,
               so
               can
               he
               not
               pass
               from
               the
               one
               to
               the
               other
               but
               over
               the
               fair
               neck
               of
               Christianity
               ,
               with
               greater
               insolency
               of
               impiety
               then
               the
               outrageously
               barbarous
               Tullia
               drove
               her
               chariot
               over
               the
               belly
               of
               her
               Murdered
               Father
               .
               
                 Levi.
                 Lib.
              
               1.
               
            
             
               2.
               
               The
               good
               Ruler
               is
               a
               
                 Reformer
                 ,
                 a
                 repairer
                 of
                 breaches
                 ,
                 a
                 restorer
                 of
                 paths
                 to
                 dwell
                 in
                 :
              
               and
               it
               is
               but
               a
               faint
               encouragment
               and
               a
               desperat
               complement
               to
               a
               good
               Ruler
               Isay
               3
               ,
               6.
               
               
                 Be
                 thou
                 our
                 Ruler
                 ,
                 and
                 let
                 this
                 ruine
                 be
                 under
                 thy
                 hand
                 :
              
               
               Nor
               can
               he
               love
               to
               have
               it
               recorded
               ,
               that
               in
               his
               dayes
               such
               evils
               prevailed
               unreformed
               :
               it
               was
               
                 when
                 there
                 was
                 no
                 King
                 in
                 Israel
                 that
                 every
                 man
                 did
                 what
                 was
                 right
                 in
                 his
                 own
                 eyes
                 .
                 If
                 the
                 health
                 of
                 the
                 People
                 be
                 not
                 recovered
                 ,
                 it
                 sayeth
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 Physician
                 there
              
               Ier
               :
               8
               ,
               22.
               
               
                 But
                 a
                 good
                 Ruler
                 scattereth
                 the
                 wicked
                 and
                 bringeth
                 the
                 wheel
                 over
                 them
                 ;
              
               and
               he
               may
               say
               with
            
             
               
                 David
                 Psal
              
               :
               75
               ,
               3.
               
               
                 The
                 earth
                 and
                 all
                 the
                 inhabitants
                 thereof
                 are
                 dissolved
                 ,
              
               I
               bear
               up
               the
               pillars
               of
               it
               :
               he
               is
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               name
               and
               thing
               ,
               a
               
                 Ioseph
                 the
                 Ston
                 of
              
               Israel
               .
               Such
               a
               one
               was
               Moses
               the
               Law-giver
               ,
               such
               was
               Iosua
               his
               successor
               ,
               such
               were
               the
               Judges
               of
               Israel
               ,
               such
               was
               Samuel
               ,
               such
               were
               all
               the
               good
               Kings
               of
               Judah
               ,
               such
               was
               Ezra
               the
               Scribe
               ,
               and
               such
               was
               Nehemiah
               the
               Tirshatha
               ,
               an
               eminent
               Reformer
               of
               Religion
               and
               state
               ,
               of
               Church
               and
               Kingdom
               .
               For
               Religion
               :
               in
               general
               ,
               Gods
               Holy
               Commandments
               were
               broken
               by
               all
               ranks
               of
               persons
               ;
               prophanity
               and
               iniquity
               prevailed
               and
               abounded
               ,
               that
               is
               solemnly
               confessed
               and
               amended
               Chapters
               1.
               
               &
               .
               9.
               
               In
               particular
               ,
               oppression
               reigned
               ,
               that
               is
               quashed
               Chap
               :
               5.
               and
               the
               People
               relieved
               :
               false
               Prophets
               were
               hired
               by
               the
               enemy
               ,
               and
               bribed
               to
               compliance
               to
               weaken
               the
               Rulers
               hands
               and
               hinder
               the
               work
               of
               Reformation
               ,
               they
               are
               discovered
               and
               marked
               Chap
               :
               6.
               
               The
               ordinary
               worship
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               his
               Solemn
               Feasts
               were
               disused
               ;
               these
               are
               restored
               ch
               :
               8.
               
               For
               advancing
               and
               establishing
               the
               whole
               Reformation
               a
               Solemn
               Fast
               is
               kept
               ch
               :
               9.
               and
               a
               Covenant
               subscribed
               ch
               .
               10.
               
               The
               Holy
               Seed
               had
               mingled
               themselves
               and
               matched
               with
               strangers
               ,
               
               People
               of
               heathen
               abominations
               ;
               they
               separate
               themselves
               ,
               and
               that
               is
               amended
               ibid.
               The
               offerings
               of
               the
               Lord
               were
               neglected
               ,
               these
               are
               renewed
               ibid
               :
               The
               Sabbaths
               were
               horribly
               prophaned
               ,
               That
               is
               strictly
               and
               with
               certification
               discharged
               ,
               and
               they
               not
               suffered
               to
               lodge
               about
               the
               walls
               Chap
               :
               10
               ,
               31.
               and
               13
               ,
               15.
               and
               foreward
               .
               The
               service
               of
               God
               was
               neglected
               by
               non-residence
               of
               the
               Priests
               through
               calamity
               and
               want
               ,
               that
               also
               is
               helped
               Chap.
               10
               ,
               11
               ,
               12
               ,
               13.
               ver
               .
               10.
               
               The
               orders
               and
               services
               of
               the
               Preists
               and
               Levits
               were
               confused
               ;
               these
               are
               cleared
               ,
               and
               they
               set
               to
               their
               charges
               as
               appointed
               by
               
                 David
                 Chap
              
               ;
               7.
               63
               ,
               12.
               45.
               and
               13
               ,
               30
               Strangers
               uncircumcised
               had
               entred
               and
               defiled
               the
               Congregation
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
               these
               are
               removed
               chap
               :
               13
               ,
               3
               ,
               Profane
               Persons
               of
               the
               Princes
               of
               the
               heathen
               had
               lodgings
               in
               the
               Lords
               house
               ,
               they
               are
               expelled
               and
               the
               Chambers
               cleansed
               Chap.
               13.
               8.
               9.
               
               Some
               of
               the
               chief
               of
               the
               Preists
               had
               defiled
               the
               Covenant
               of
               the
               Preisthood
               by
               strange
               wives
               ,
               they
               are
               branded
               ,
               and
               that
               also
               is
               amended
               .
               For
               the
               State
               :
               
                 the
                 city
                 the
                 place
                 of
                 their
                 Fathers
                 sepulchres
                 lay
                 waste
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 gates
                 thereof
                 were
                 consumed
                 with
                 fire
                 :
              
               First
               these
               are
               repaired
               .
               The
               people
               and
               their
               work
               are
               strongly
               opposed
               and
               sore
               reproached
               ,
               they
               are
               vindicated
               and
               their
               hands
               strengthened
               Chap.
               2
               ,
               4.
               
               When
               the
               City
               is
               built
               it
               is
               not
               manned
               ,
               therefore
               inhabitants
               and
               defendants
               are
               appointed
               Chap.
               11.
               
               The
               People
               suffer
               sore
               by
               morgage
               ,
               the
               great
               sin
               of
               the
               oppressors
               belonging
               to
               the
               former
               head
               ,
               and
               calamity
               of
               the
               oppressed
               pertaining
               to
               this
               part
               ;
               that
               is
               redressed
               Chap
               :
               5.
               
               Open
               
               and
               secret
               enemies
               correspond
               and
               plot
               against
               the
               work
               and
               the
               Ruler
               ,
               these
               are
               discovered
               and
               disappointed
               Chap.
               6.
               
               They
               are
               in
               great
               reproach
               and
               distress
               ;
               God
               is
               sought
               and
               means
               are
               used
               Chap.
               4
               and
               6.
               
               They
               are
               poor
               ;
               husbandry
               and
               traffick
               is
               practised
               ,
               only
               the
               Sabbaths
               work
               and
               markets
               are
               discharged
               ;
               Oppression
               is
               born
               down
               ,
               and
               the
               People
               relieved
               of
               publick
               burdens
               ;
               Nehemtah
               the
               Governour
               and
               his
               brethren
               neither
               exacted
               the
               bread
               of
               the
               Governour
               ,
               nor
               bought
               Land
               ,
               nor
               refused
               to
               work
               as
               others
               :
               O
               for
               such
               Rulers
               to
               a
               nation
               scattered
               and
               peeled
               ,
               a
               nation
               ●me●ted
               out
               and
               troden
               down
               ,
               whose
               land
               is
               spoiled
               !
               Isay
               18
               ,
               2.
               
               Our
               Rulers
               ,
               if
               they
               had
               a
               mind
               ,
               have
               a
               fair
               occasion
               for
               
                 I
                 bs
              
               Gloriation
               Chap.
               29.
               13.
               
               
                 The
                 blessing
                 of
                 him
                 that
                 was
                 ready
                 to
                 perish
                 came
                 upon
                 me
                 &c.
                 
              
               In
               this
               time
               are
               great
               decayes
               ,
               desolations
               ,
               abuses
               ,
               and
               unsufferable
               corruptions
               ;
               let
               it
               not
               be
               thought
               an
               Error
               proceeding
               from
               the
               Ruler
               .
               And
               here
               People
               would
               be
               warned
               to
               enencourage
               and
               comply
               with
               Reforming
               Rulers
               ,
               not
               ,
               as
               they
               were
               in
               Hezekiahs
               and
               Josiahs
               times
               ,
               inveterate
               ,
               incureable
               and
               obstinate
               in
               their
               corruptions
               ,
               lest
               they
               hear
               that
               ,
               Hos.
               10
               ,
               3
               ,
               4.
               
               
                 A
                 King
                 can
                 do
                 them
                 no
                 good
                 ,
                 because
                 they
                 feared
                 not
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 spake
                 words
                 swearing
                 falsly
                 in
                 making
                 a
                 Covenant
                 .
              
               But
               this
               pertaineth
               to
               the
               Ruler
               ,
               
                 That
                 whatsoever
                 is
                 commanded
                 by
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 be
                 diligently
                 done
                 for
                 the
                 house
                 of
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 lest
                 there
                 be
                 wrath
                 against
                 the
                 realm
                 of
                 the
                 King
                 and
                 his
                 Sons
              
               Ezra
               .
               7-23
               .
               And
               
                 that
                 Judgment
                 run
                 like
                 a
                 river
                 ,
                 and
                 righteousness
                 
                 like
                 a
                 mighty
                 stream
                 :
              
               That
               he
               take
               his
               pattern
               from
               the
               type
               ,
               and
               Antitype
               ,
               who
               also
               is
               the
               Archetype
               Ruler
               Psal.
               72.
               
               
                 So
                 shall
                 there
                 be
                 abundance
                 of
                 peace
              
               ;
               and
               
                 also
                 in
                 Judah
                 things
                 shall
                 go
                 well
                 .
              
            
             
               3.
               
               The
               good
               Ruler
               hath
               a
               natural
               ,
               Fatherly
               and
               tender
               care
               of
               the
               People
               .
               Thus
               it
               s
               said
               I
               say
               49.
               23.
               
               
                 Kings
                 shall
                 be
                 nursing
                 Fathers
              
               .
               And
               in
               Israel
               they
               were
               wont
               to
               mourn
               for
               good
               Rulers
               with
               this
               expression
               ,
               
                 ab
                 my
                 brother
                 Ier
              
               :
               2●
               ,
               18.
               
               Yea
               
                 he
                 is
                 the
                 breath
                 of
                 our
                 nostrils
                 ,
                 Lament
                 .
              
               4
               ,
               20.
               by
               whom
               in
               the
               publick
               body
               
                 we
                 lead
                 a
                 quiet
                 life
                 and
                 peaceable
                 in
                 all
                 Godliness
                 and
                 honesty
              
               1
               Tim.
               2.
               2.
               
               He
               is
               
                 pater
                 patriae
                 &
                 parens
                 Reip.
              
               Nor
               can
               I
               see
               what
               should
               have
               moved
               those
               dissembling
               Emperours
               ,
               who
               in
               semblance
               refused
               the
               title
               of
               Lord
               ,
               to
               make
               so
               nice
               of
               the
               endearing
               name
               of
               
                 Father
                 of
                 the
                 Countrey
              
               ,
               but
               simply
               the
               conscience
               that
               they
               did
               as
               little
               deserve
               the
               name
               as
               they
               designed
               the
               thing
               .
               But
               surely
               ,
               as
               a
               Rich
               man
               will
               never
               want
               an
               heir
               ,
               a
               good
               Ruler
               can
               never
               want
               Children
               ;
               nor
               needs
               he
               fear
               Coniahs
               fate
               ,
               
                 Write
                 ye
                 this
                 man
                 Childless
              
               :
               for
               if
               he
               have
               the
               heart
               of
               a
               Father
               ,
               he
               shall
               have
               
                 the
                 nameth
                 〈◊〉
                 better
                 than
                 sons
                 and
                 daughters
                 .
              
               We
               find
               not
               that
               Nehemiah
               was
               marryed
               ,
               yet
               his
               name
               flourisheth
               in
               the
               records
               of
               his
               eminent
               services
               ,
               more
               than
               if
               his
               line
               had
               continued
               uninterrupted
               to
               this
               day
               .
               
                 The
                 righteous
                 shall
                 be
                 had
                 in
                 everlasting
                 remembrance
                 .
              
               Four
               things
               are
               proper
               to
               the
               care
               of
               a
               Father
               :
               Affection
               ,
               Instruction
               ,
               Correction
               ,
               and
               Provision
               :
               all
               which
               are
               evident
               in
               Nehemiah
               the
               Governour
               .
               Great
               is
               his
               
                 Affection
                 Chap.
              
               1
               ,
               3
               ,
               4.
               
               And
               how
               Sadly
               taketh
               he
               on
               for
               the
               
               reproach
               and
               affliction
               of
               his
               brethren
               ?
               
                 he
                 sat
                 down
                 and
                 weept
                 and
                 mourned
                 certain
                 dayes
                 ,
                 and
                 fasted
                 and
                 Prayed
                 before
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 Heaven
                 .
              
               He
               cannot
               digest
               their
               grief
               Chap
               :
               8.
               9
               ,
               10.
               
               When
               the
               People
               Weept
               ,
               he
               said
               ,
               
                 Go
                 your
                 way
                 ,
                 eat
                 the
                 fat
                 ,
                 and
                 drink
                 the
                 sweet
                 ,
                 and
                 send
                 portions
                 to
                 them
                 for
                 whom
                 nothing
                 is
                 prepared
                 ,
                 for
                 this
                 day
                 is
                 holy
                 ,
                 neither
                 be
                 ye
                 sad
                 for
                 the
                 joy
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 is
                 your
                 strength
                 .
              
               For
               Instruction
               ,
               he
               causeth
               the
               Priests
               read
               to
               them
               the
               book
               of
               the
               Law
               of
               Moses
               ;
               
                 So
                 they
                 read
                 in
                 the
                 book
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 God
                 distinctly
                 ,
                 and
                 gave
                 the
                 sense
                 ,
                 and
                 caused
                 them
                 to
                 understand
                 the
                 reading
              
               ibid.
               8
               ,
               ver
               .
               Nor
               is
               he
               wanting
               in
               
                 correction
                 chap.
              
               5
               ,
               7.
               
               
                 I
                 rebuked
                 the
                 Nobles
                 and
                 the
                 Rulers
                 ;
              
               and
               chap.
               13
               ,
               25.
               
               
                 I
                 contended
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 cursed
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 smot
                 certain
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 pluckt
                 off
                 their
                 hair
                 :
              
               and
               in
               the
               11
               ,
               v.
               ibid.
               
               
                 I
                 contended
                 with
                 the
                 Rulers
                 ;
              
               and
               in
               the
               17.
               v
               ,
               again
               ,
               
                 I
                 contended
                 with
                 the
                 Nobles
                 of
                 Judah
                 ;
                 and
                 21
                 ,
                 v.
                 then
                 I
                 testified
                 against
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 saied
                 unto
                 them
                 ,
                 why
                 lodge
                 ye
                 about
                 the
                 wall
                 ?
                 If
                 ye
                 do
                 so
                 again
                 I
                 will
                 lay
                 hands
                 on
                 you
                 .
              
               And
               in
               the
               matter
               of
               Provision
               ,
               he
               was
               of
               the
               mind
               of
               the
               Apostle
               ,
               
                 That
                 Children
                 ought
                 not
                 to
                 lay
                 up
                 for
                 their
                 Parents
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 Parents
                 for
                 the
                 Children
                 ;
                 he
                 will
                 not
                 be
                 chargeable
                 to
                 the
                 People
                 ,
                 nor
                 take
                 the
                 bread
                 of
                 the
                 Governour
                 ,
                 nor
                 buy
                 Land
                 ;
                 but
                 keeps
                 a
                 large
                 Table
                 for
                 a
                 hundred
                 and
                 fifty
                 of
                 the
                 Jews
                 and
                 Rulers
                 ,
                 beside
                 strangers
                 .
              
               And
               that
               no
               man
               may
               think
               this
               was
               a
               frolick
               ,
               or
               an
               ambitious
               ,
               singular
               ,
               popular
               humour
               ,
               v
               ,
               15.
               he
               asserteth
               expresly
               ,
               
               
                 that
                 this
                 he
                 did
                 ,
                 because
                 of
                 the
                 fear
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 and
                 resolveth
                 it
                 into
                 this
                 reason
                 ;
                 that
                 he
                 would
                 not
                 be
                 chargeable
                 to
                 the
                 People
                 :
              
               And
               thus
               I
               take
               the
               account
               of
               the
               matter
               ,
               That
               to
               be
               chargeable
               to
               a
               poor
               exhausted
               People
               consisteth
               not
               with
               the
               fear
               of
               God
               ,
               nor
               with
               the
               fatherly
               heart
               of
               a
               good
               Ruler
               .
               In
               fine
               ,
               the
               Ruler
               should
               remember
               ,
               that
               Subjection
               first
               founded
               in
               a
               Son
               is
               ultimatly
               refounded
               in
               the
               Commandment
               ,
               
                 Honour
                 thy
                 Father
              
               .
            
             
               4
               The
               good
               Ruler
               is
               a
               person
               well
               informed
               and
               throughly
               acquainted
               with
               the
               condition
               of
               his
               People
               .
               Such
               was
               Nehemiah
               .
               And
               first
               ,
               Something
               's
               fall
               under
               his
               own
               eye
               and
               observation
               :
               such
               as
               the
               prophanation
               of
               the
               Sabbath
               ,
               and
               the
               marriages
               with
               strangers
               ,
               in
               this
               same
               
                 Chap.
                 I
                 saw
              
               (
               sayes
               he
               )
               &c.
               
               A
               Ruler
               can
               be
               nought
               the
               less
               a
               Judge
               that
               he
               is
               a
               Witness
               .
               Matth.
               26.
               65.
               
               What
               further
               need
               have
               we
               of
               Witnesses
               ?
               behold
               now
               
                 ye
                 have
                 heard
              
               ,
               was
               proof
               sufficient
               ,
               if
               the
               enditement
               had
               been
               relevant
               .
               It
               were
               good
               in
               the
               first
               place
               ,
               that
               Rulers
               would
               suppress
               the
               enormities
               whereof
               themselves
               are
               Witnesses
               .
               Histories
               tell
               us
               of
               many
               famous
               Persons
               ,
               who
               would
               go
               through
               their
               dominions
               incognito
               or
               in
               diguise
               ,
               to
               get
               information
               .
               Our
               James
               the
               fifth
               is
               known
               to
               have
               been
               much
               of
               this
               humour
               ;
               and
               a
               pitty
               it
               is
               ,
               that
               his
               methods
               and
               prattiques
               of
               information
               were
               not
               committed
               to
               more
               clear
               and
               faithful
               records
               than
               dark
               and
               slippery
               tradition
               .
               Chap
               ;
               2
               ,
               12.
               
               Nehemiah
               goeth
               out
               by
               night
               to
               view
               thè
               wall
               .
               The
               ancient
               Hieroglyphicks
               ,
               which
               painted
               Rulers
               
               blind
               ,
               may
               here
               come
               under
               correction
               ;
               for
               he
               that
               hath
               not
               eyes
               and
               ears
               of
               his
               own
               can
               neither
               see
               nor
               hear
               with
               another
               mans
               ,
               as
               is
               commonly
               said
               to
               be
               the
               case
               of
               Rulers
               .
               Other
               things
               the
               Tirshatha
               understands
               by
               information
               of
               others
               :
               And
               here
               the
               good
               Ruler
               will
               seek
               information
               Chap.
               1.
               2.
               ver
               .
               And
               this
               proceeds
               from
               his
               foresaid
               affection
               ;
               or
               otherways
               he
               rejects
               not
               information
               ,
               and
               that
               either
               by
               complaint
               ,
               as
               in
               the
               case
               of
               the
               morgage
               5
               chap.
               Or
               simple
               historical
               relation
               ,
               as
               the
               condition
               of
               Ierusalem
               and
               the
               people
               Chap.
               1
               ,
               2
               ,
               3.
               and
               the
               fault
               of
               Eltashib
               in
               giving
               Tobiah
               a
               chamber
               in
               the
               house
               of
               the
               Lord
               chap
               ,
               13.
               7.
               
               And
               the
               withholding
               of
               the
               Priests
               portion
               ver
               .
               10.
               
               It
               is
               the
               part
               of
               all
               good
               Subjects
               ,
               in
               their
               several
               Stations
               ,
               to
               give
               ,
               and
               the
               part
               of
               the
               good
               Ruler
               to
               seek
               and
               take
               information
               of
               evils
               and
               disorders
               in
               the
               Peoples
               condition
               or
               manners
               .
               Princes
               should
               have
               long
               ears
               .
               Pharoahs
               Princes
               said
               ,
               
                 knowest
                 thou
                 not
                 that
                 Egyptis
                 destroyed
                 ?
              
               If
               he
               knew
               not
               ,
               they
               could
               tell
               him
               it
               .
               But
               sometimes
               
                 know
                 not
              
               is
               one
               with
               
                 care
                 not
              
               ,
               and
               then
               comes
               the
               question
               of
               the
               disciples
               ,
               
                 master
                 carest
                 thou
                 not
                 that
                 we
                 perish
                 ?
              
               and
               Prov.
               24.
               12.
               would
               be
               remembred
               :
               
                 if
                 thou
                 sayest
                 ,
                 behold
                 ,
                 we
                 knew
                 it
                 not
                 :
                 doth
                 not
                 he
                 that
                 pondereth
                 the
                 heart
                 consider
                 it
                 ?
                 and
                 he
                 that
                 keepeth
                 thy
                 Soul
                 ,
                 doth
                 not
                 he
                 know
                 it
                 ?
                 and
                 shall
                 not
                 he
                 render
                 to
                 every
                 man
                 according
                 to
                 his
                 works
                 ?
              
               Foreign
               intelligence
               is
               necessary
               of
               the
               counsels
               and
               motions
               of
               enemies
               :
               and
               Nehemiah
               is
               not
               wanting
               in
               that
               either
               ;
               yet
               take
               it
               apart
               from
               homeward
               information
               and
               acquaintance
               with
               
               our
               own
               condition
               ,
               it
               is
               but
               
                 foris
                 sapere
              
               ,
               and
               none
               of
               the
               greatest
               wisdom
               :
               for
               what
               is
               the
               difference
               betwixt
               a
               man
               out
               of
               his
               wits
               ,
               and
               him
               whose
               wits
               are
               without
               him
               ?
               What
               can
               a
               Judge
               say
               to
               a
               cause
               ,
               or
               a
               Physician
               to
               a
               disease
               without
               information
               ?
               And
               what
               can
               a
               Ruler
               do
               for
               a
               People
               ,
               unless
               he
               be
               throughly
               acquainted
               with
               their
               condition
               ?
            
             
               5.
               
               The
               good
               Ruler
               is
               a
               homely
               ,
               condescending
               ,
               conversible
               ,
               and
               accessible
               person
               .
               This
               necessarly
               maketh
               way
               for
               the
               former
               in
               practise
               ,
               and
               followeth
               from
               it
               in
               reason
               .
               Chap.
               1.
               2.
               
               Hanani
               and
               and
               the
               men
               of
               Judah
               got
               access
               to
               and
               audience
               of
               
                 Nehemtah
                 .
                 chap.
              
               4
               ,
               22.
               he
               talketh
               with
               the
               People
               ;
               yea
               he
               hears
               the
               complaints
               of
               the
               People
               and
               their
               wives
               that
               were
               oppressed
               chap.
               5.
               1.
               to
               6.
               
               And
               chap.
               75.
               
               God
               puts
               it
               in
               his
               heart
               to
               gather
               the
               Noble
               and
               the
               Rulers
               ,
               and
               the
               People
               .
               chap.
               4
               ,
               14.
               and
               8
               ,
               9.
               he
               encourageth
               and
               comforteth
               the
               People
               ,
               and
               
                 sayeth
                 to
                 them
              
               &c.
               chap.
               13
               ,
               7
               ,
               When
               he
               came
               to
               Jerusalem
               he
               understood
               what
               there
               was
               done
               :
               and
               how
               but
               by
               converse
               ?
               els
               might
               he
               as
               well
               have
               understood
               elswhere
               .
               Yea
               v.
               15
               ,
               he
               condescends
               to
               be
               a
               personal
               reprover
               of
               those
               of
               the
               people
               whom
               he
               saw
               profaneing
               the
               Sabbath
               ;
               and
               likwise
               of
               the
               merchants
               v
               21.
               and
               of
               these
               v.
               25.
               who
               had
               transgressed
               by
               strange
               marriages
               .
               Nor
               is
               all
               this
               popularity
               ,
               but
               real
               duty
               ,
               which
               obligeth
               Rulers
               by
               many
               commands
               in
               Scripture
               ,
               to
               hearken
               the
               compaint
               and
               hearthe
               cause
               of
               the
               poor
               and
               needy
               .
               Hence
               Isayes
               complaint
               59
               ,
               14.
               
               
                 that
                 Judgement
                 is
                 turned
                 away
                 backward
                 ,
                 and
                 justice
                 standeth
                 afar
                 off
                 ;
                 
                 that
                 truth
                 is
                 fallen
                 in
                 the
                 street
                 ,
                 and
                 equity
                 cannot
                 enter
                 ;
              
               it
               can
               have
               no
               access
               to
               ,
               nor
               hearing
               of
               the
               Ruler
               .
               An
               unaccessible
               Ruler
               is
               a
               Luminary
               ecclipsed
               :
               The
               intercepting
               of
               the
               soveraign's
               beams
               from
               shedding
               their
               benigne
               influence
               upon
               the
               Subjects
               and
               precluding
               the
               Subject
               from
               access
               to
               receive
               them
               ,
               are
               by
               so
               far
               more
               fatal
               than
               the
               most
               dismal
               ecclipses
               ;
               these
               but
               conjecturally
               and
               contingently
               portend
               ,
               these
               necessarly
               and
               effectually
               produce
               and
               unavoidably
               infer
               the
               fall
               of
               a
               Ruler
               ;
               and
               really
               undo
               the
               Prince
               whatever
               they
               pretend
               for
               the
               person
               ,
               and
               leave
               him
               ,
               like
               a
               defeated
               Trojan
               with
               his
               royal
               blood
               to
               shift
               for
               a
               Kingdom
               ,
               beside
               the
               wrong
               done
               to
               the
               People
               .
               If
               any
               should
               invert
               the
               decree
               Dan.
               6
               ,
               7.
               and
               establish
               it
               with
               this
               alteration
               ,
               that
               any
               man
               may
               freely
               ask
               petitions
               of
               any
               God
               or
               man
               ,
               save
               of
               the
               King
               ,
               it
               would
               be
               large
               as
               unpolitick
               as
               the
               other
               is
               ungodly
               .
               In
               such
               case
               Esthers
               resolution
               must
               carry
               it
               :
               
                 Behold
                 I
                 goe
                 in
                 to
                 the
                 King
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 not
                 according
                 to
                 Law
                 ,
                 and
                 if
                 I
                 perish
                 I
                 perish
                 .
              
               A
               recluse
               Prince
               is
               so
               absurd
               and
               inconsistent
               ,
               that
               
                 Charles
                 the
                 fifth
              
               disponed
               his
               Crowns
               before
               he
               took
               himself
               to
               the
               Cloister
               :
               Nor
               should
               ought
               but
               despair
               make
               a
               Monk
               of
               a
               Ruler
               .
               I
               understand
               not
               the
               mystery
               of
               Gyges
               ,
               how
               a
               man
               can
               see
               unseen
               ;
               nor
               what
               but
               a
               miserable
               vanity
               can
               move
               some
               great
               Princes
               of
               the
               East
               to
               shut
               themselves
               up
               in
               Canopyes
               ;
               but
               all
               the
               World
               knows
               what
               all
               the
               World
               thinks
               of
               Achilles
               with
               his
               distaff
               ,
               and
               Sardanapalus
               in
               his
               Gynaeceum
               and
               Tiberius
               in
               his
               retreat
               at
               Caprea
               .
               
                 But
                 he
                 that
                 ruleth
                 over
                 men
                 must
                 be
                 Just
                 ,
                 ruling
                 
                 in
                 the
                 fear
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 and
                 is
                 as
                 the
                 light
                 of
                 th●
                 morning
                 when
                 the
                 Sun
                 riset●
                 ,
                 even
                 a
                 morning
                 without
                 clouds
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 tender
                 grass
                 springing
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 earth
                 by
                 clear
                 shineing
                 after
                 rain
                 .
              
               2
               Sam.
               23
               4.
               
               His
               countenance
               and
               influence
               must
               reach
               ,
               to
               visit
               and
               refresh
               the
               lowest
               of
               his
               People
               .
               That
               homely
               and
               accessible
               Prince
               
                 Iames
                 the
                 fifth
              
               ,
               called
               The
               Carl's
               King
               of
               Scotland
               ,
               really
               was
               ,
               and
               was
               reputed
               the
               bravest
               Prince
               in
               his
               time
               .
            
             
               6.
               
               If
               he
               be
               a
               Nehemiah
               ,
               a
               Commissioner
               deputed
               by
               a
               soveraign
               Ruler
               ,
               he
               must
               be
               ,
               as
               diligent
               to
               get
               ,
               so
               faithful
               to
               give
               true
               and
               full
               information
               of
               the
               Peoples
               condition
               to
               his
               Master
               ,
               and
               effectually
               to
               interpose
               for
               his
               help
               ,
               and
               to
               enlarge
               the
               indulgence
               of
               his
               Royal
               Concessions
               to
               the
               outmost
               Thus
               Nehemiah
               told
               the
               King
               all
               that
               was
               told
               him
               of
               Ierusalem
               and
               his
               People
               chap.
               2
               ,
               3.
               and
               that
               in
               sadness
               :
               and
               sought
               a
               commission
               for
               help
               and
               reparation
               v
               ,
               5.
               and
               foreward
               ;
               which
               he
               shewed
               to
               the
               Governours
               beyond
               the
               river
               v
               ,
               9.
               
               And
               executed
               to
               the
               full
               extent
               throughout
               the
               whole
               Book
               .
               In
               the
               4
               and
               6
               v.
               of
               the
               2
               chap.
               His
               request
               and
               the
               Kings
               grant
               was
               only
               that
               he
               might
               build
               Ierusalem
               :
               and
               we
               see
               in
               the
               progress
               of
               the
               work
               ,
               and
               sequele
               of
               the
               History
               ,
               how
               amply
               he
               prosecutes
               that
               Commission
               to
               the
               largest
               extent
               of
               its
               virtual
               comprehension
               :
               for
               he
               not
               only
               builds
               but
               beautifyes
               ,
               not
               only
               beautifyes
               ,
               but
               fortifyes
               not
               only
               repaires
               but
               reformes
               Ierusalem
               ,
               and
               ye●
               exceedeth
               not
               his
               commission
               :
               for
               when
               all
               this
               is
               done
               Ierusalem
               is
               but
               
                 Ierusalem
                 ,
                 beautiful
                 for
                 situation
                 :
                 a
                 city
                 that
                 is
                 compact
                 together
                 ;
                 whether
                 the
              
               
               
                 tribes
                 go
                 up
                 ,
                 the
                 tribes
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 unto
                 the
                 testimony
                 of
                 Israel
                 ,
                 to
                 give
                 thanks
                 unto
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 :
                 for
                 there
                 are
                 set
                 throns
                 of
                 Iudgement
                 ,
                 the
                 throns
                 of
                 the
                 house
                 of
              
               David
               Psal
               48
               ,
               2.
               and
               122
               ,
               3
               ,
               4
               ,
               5.
               
               And
               David
               by
               a
               figure
               understood
               no
               less
               in
               his
               serious
               us
               petition
               Psal
               ;
               51
               ,
               18.
               
               
                 Do
                 good
                 in
                 thy
                 good
                 Pleasure
                 unto
                 Zion
                 :
                 build
                 thou
                 the
                 walls
                 of
                 Jerusalem
              
               ;
               where
               one
               part
               helpeth
               to
               clear
               another
               ;
               to
               build
               her
               walls
               is
               figurativly
               ,
               to
               do
               her
               good
               properly
               ;
               and
               to
               do
               her
               good
               in
               propriety
               ,
               is
               in
               the
               figure
               to
               build
               her
               walls
               ;
               and
               Psal.
               122
               ,
               7
               He
               calleth
               it
               more
               expresly
               
                 peace
                 and
                 prosperity
              
               .
               The
               Ruler
               that
               is
               thus
               minded
               may
               resolve
               with
               Nehemiah
               ,
               to
               meet
               with
               scorn
               ,
               calumny
               ,
               opposition
               ,
               and
               ,
               which
               is
               ordinary
               ,
               malicious
               challenges
               of
               sedition
               ,
               and
               accusations
               of
               rebellion
               ;
               but
               affection
               to
               the
               work
               ,
               adherence
               to
               his
               Commission
               ,
               the
               gallantry
               of
               his
               Person
               ,
               Prayer
               to
               and
               confidence
               in
               the
               God
               of
               Heaven
               bear
               him
               out
               against
               and
               over
               all
               these
               :
               chap.
               2.
               20.
               
               
                 I
                 said
                 unto
                 them
                 ,
                 The
                 God
                 of
                 heaven
                 he
                 will
                 prosper
                 us
                 ,
                 therefore
                 we
                 his
                 servants
                 will
                 rise
                 and
                 build
                 ;
                 chap.
                 6
                 ,
                 9.
                 
                 Now
                 therefore
                 O
                 God
                 strengthen
                 my
                 hands
                 ;
                 and
                 11
                 ,
                 v.
                 I
                 said
                 ,
                 should
                 such
                 a
                 man
                 as
                 I
                 flee
                 ?
                 and
                 who
                 is
                 there
                 that
                 being
                 as
                 I
                 am
                 would
                 go
                 into
                 the
                 temple
                 to
                 save
                 his
                 life
                 ?
              
               I
               will
               not
               go
               in
               .
               How
               chiefly
               necessary
               is
               this
               good
               part
               in
               a
               deputed
               Ruler
               ,
               where
               the
               nation
               to
               their
               great
               loss
               wants
               the
               desireable
               influence
               of
               their
               Gracious
               Princes
               presence
               ?
            
             
               7.
               
               The
               good
               Ruler
               is
               Governed
               by
               Justice
               and
               the
               Law
               of
               God
               ,
               in
               the
               whole
               exercise
               of
               his
               Government
               
               2
               Sam.
               23
               ,
               3.
               
               
                 He
                 must
                 be
                 just
              
               .
               Before
               there
               were
               Kings
               in
               Israel
               ,
               it
               was
               appointed
               Deut.
               17
               ,
               18
               ,
               19.
               
               
                 That
                 the
                 King
                 should
                 have
                 a
                 copy
                 of
                 the
                 law
                 which
                 he
                 should
                 read
                 ,
                 and
                 keep
                 ,
                 and
                 do
                 ,
                 even
                 all
                 the
                 words
                 and
                 statutes
                 .
              
               This
               was
               Davids
               study
               Psal
               119
               throughout
               .
               This
               was
               the
               care
               of
               the
               good
               reforming
               Kings
               of
               Judah
               ,
               chiefly
               Hezekiah
               and
               Josiah
               ;
               this
               was
               the
               practise
               of
               Ezra
               the
               scribe
               ,
               and
               Nehemiah
               the
               Tirshatha
               .
               According
               to
               the
               law
               he
               hates
               and
               refraines
               from
               oppression
               himself
               ,
               and
               restraines
               it
               in
               others
               :
               According
               to
               the
               law
               he
               orders
               the
               Genealogies
               of
               the
               Priests
               ,
               and
               appoints
               their
               offices
               and
               portions
               :
               According
               to
               the
               Law
               he
               restores
               the
               ordinary
               and
               extraordinary
               publick
               worship
               ,
               and
               Solemn
               Feasts
               .
               According
               to
               the
               Law
               he
               reformes
               the
               abuse
               of
               marriage
               with
               strangers
               .
               According
               to
               the
               Law
               ,
               and
               practise
               of
               good
               Rulers
               in
               former
               times
               ,
               he
               subscrives
               a
               Covenant
               for
               Reformation
               .
               According
               to
               the
               Law
               he
               sanctifies
               the
               Temple
               ,
               and
               cleanses
               it
               from
               the
               abomination
               of
               heathen
               usurpation
               ,
               and
               profanatition
               of
               strangers
               .
               According
               to
               the
               Law
               ,
               he
               dichargeth
               the
               profanation
               ,
               and
               enjoyneth
               strictly
               the
               sanctification
               of
               the
               Sabbath
               .
               This
               is
               that
               which
               maketh
               the
               difference
               betwixt
               a
               good
               Ruler
               and
               a
               Tyrant
               .
               But
               every
               measure
               is
               not
               the
               standard
               ;
               and
               humane
               Laws
               have
               too
               much
               of
               the
               man
               to
               be
               perfect
               ,
               and
               not
               so
               much
               of
               the
               Pope
               as
               to
               be
               ininfallible
               .
               Other
               Laws
               are
               but
               
                 Ruled
                 Rules
              
               ;
               but
               the
               Law
               of
               God
               is
               the
               
                 Ruling
                 pattern
                 Psal.
              
               19
               ,
               7.
               
               
                 The
                 Law
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 is
                 perfect
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 testimony
                 is
                 sure
                 .
              
               In
               a
               time
               of
               Restitution
               ,
               even
               Laws
               may
               
               suffer
               a
               Reformation
               :
               That
               which
               hath
               been
               may
               〈◊〉
               ;
               and
               a
               Rescissory
               Act
               is
               not
               impossible
               .
               But
               ●●axerxes
               his
               decree
               must
               stand
               immovable
               Ezra
               23.
               
               
                 Whatsoever
                 is
                 commanded
                 by
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 let
                 it
                 be
                 diligently
                 done
                 for
                 the
                 house
                 of
                 the
                 God
                 Heaven
                 :
              
               With
               this
               inumation
               ,
               lest
               there
               be
               wrath
               .
               Moses
               was
               faithful
               in
               all
               the
               house
               of
               God
               ,
               as
               a
               servant
               ,
               but
               Jesus
               Christ
               as
               a
               son
               ;
               and
               the
               Isles
               shall
               wait
               for
               his
               Laws
               by
               42.
               4.
               
               
                 A
                 voice
                 came
                 from
                 Heaven
                 saying
                 ,
                 This
                 is
                 my
                 beloved
                 Son
                 ,
                 hear
                 ye
                 him
                 .
              
               Be
               wise
               ●●e
               Kings
               ,
               be
               instructed
               ye
               judges
               of
               the
               earth
               :
               kiss
               the
               Son.
               Ps.
               2
               ,
               12.
               
               The
               Ruler
               ought
               to
               be
               a
               ●ing
               Law
               ,
               and
               to
               remember
               the
               noble
               saying
               of
               ●sar
               to
               the
               
                 Roman
                 Senate
                 ,
                 In
                 mexima
                 fortuna
                 min●●●
                 licentia
                 est
              
               ;
               which
               is
               true
               ,
               as
               he
               there
               reckon●●
               ,
               in
               as
               far
               as
               the
               faults
               of
               Rulers
               being
               more
               no●ur
               ,
               are
               otherwayes
               also
               aggravated
               above
               the
               ansgressions
               of
               others
               .
               But
               herewith
               consider
               the
               Law
               being
               the
               mind
               of
               the
               Ruler
               ;
               a
               lawless
               ruler
               ,
               as
               a
               self-contradicter
               ,
               maketh
               himself
               a
               transgressor
               :
               If
               the
               Law
               be
               evil
               ,
               why
               did
               he
               make
               it
               ?
               it
               be
               good
               ,
               then
               why
               should
               he
               break
               it
               ?
            
             
               8.
               
               The
               good
               Ruler
               is
               a
               wise
               person
               .
               It
               is
               wisdom
               that
               saith
               Prov.
               8.
               15
               ,
               16.
               
               
                 By
                 me
                 Kings
                 reign
                 ●●d
                 Princes
                 decree
                 Iustice
                 :
                 by
                 me
                 Princes
                 Rule
                 ,
                 and
                 ●iobles
                 ,
                 even
                 all
                 the
                 Judges
                 of
                 the
                 earth
                 .
              
               You
               have
               ●eard
               of
               the
               wisdom
               of
               Solomon
               :
               and
               David
               his
               father
               
                 was
                 as
                 an
                 Angel
                 of
                 God
                 discerning
                 Good
                 and
                 Evil
                 :
              
               and
               who
               wiser
               than
               Daniel
               ?
               Happy
               Common-wealth
               where
               either
               wise
               men
               reign
               ,
               or
               Kings
               study
               wisdom
               .
               Six
               Things
               in
               morality
               and
               Divinity
               ,
               
               in
               Reason
               and
               Scripture
               contribut
               to
               wisdom
               
                 Knowledge
                 ,
                 Understanding
                 ,
                 Invention
                 ,
                 Counce●●
                 Iudgment
                 ,
              
               and
               Prudence
               :
               which
               ,
               howbeit
               because
               of
               their
               affinity
               and
               mutual
               concurrence
               ,
               they
               b●
               often
               used
               promiscuously
               ;
               yet
               ,
               having
               natural
               their
               distinct
               proprieties
               ,
               I
               shall
               indeavour
               ,
               as
               I
               ca●
               to
               marshall
               them
               in
               their
               due
               order
               ,
               especially
               a
               required
               in
               the
               Ruler
               .
               1.
               
               Knowledge
               taketh
               ●●
               things
               simply
               and
               historically
               as
               they
               are
               or
               appear
               and
               hath
               its
               treasure
               chiefly
               in
               the
               Memory
               :
               it
               purchased
               and
               preserved
               either
               by
               observation
               a●●
               experience
               ,
               for
               
                 a
                 wise
                 mans
                 eyes
                 are
                 in
                 his
                 hea●
                 or
                 by
                 reading
                 ;
                 Ahasuerus
                 caused
                 read
                 the
                 Chroncles
                 ;
                 and
                 Daniel
                 understood
                 by
                 Books
                 .
              
               The
               Boo●
               and
               play
               are
               the
               two
               things
               that
               take
               up
               Children
               if
               the
               Latter
               be
               not
               below
               the
               Ruler
               ,
               surely
               be
               not
               above
               the
               former
               :
               he
               who
               will
               not
               be
               as
               a
               C●●
               at
               Book
               ,
               may
               happily
               prove
               such
               indeed
               in
               co●●ses●
               ;
               and
               he
               who
               will
               not
               be
               serious
               in
               L●●
               may
               readily
               
                 Ludere
                 in
                 re
                 seri●
              
               .
               We
               know
               what
               〈◊〉
               count
               Alexarder
               had
               ,
               and
               what
               use
               he
               made
               the
               works
               of
               
                 Homer
                 ,
                 I
              
               suppose
               most
               of
               the
               Hist●ry
               then
               extant
               .
               And
               in
               all
               ages
               and
               places
               wh●●
               Letters
               were
               received
               ,
               what
               a
               price
               have
               Prince
               put
               upon
               learned
               men
               and
               Libraryes
               ?
               How
               g●●
               Historians
               were
               the
               bravest
               Emperours
               ?
               Or
               knowledge
               is
               got
               by
               tradition
               and
               information
               others
               ;
               before
               books
               were
               used
               ,
               or
               where
               t●
               were
               not
               known
               ,
               
                 We
                 have
                 heard
                 with
                 our
                 ears
                 ,
                 ●●
                 our
                 fathers
                 have
                 told
                 us
              
               was
               the
               History
               practise
               I
               suppose
               History
               was
               not
               much
               known
               to
               Nation
               in
               the
               dayes
               of
               Galdus
               ,
               yet
               we
               find
               h●
               
               ●●scourse
               to
               his
               People
               of
               the
               Noble
               acts
               of
               their
               ●ncestors
               ,
               as
               exactly
               as
               if
               he
               had
               been
               reading
               a
               ●cture
               of
               History
               .
               2.
               
               Understanding
               lodged
               high●●
               in
               the
               upper
               room
               of
               the
               speculative
               judgement
               ,
               and
               reaching
               deeper
               ,
               discovereth
               things
               in
               ●●eir
               original
               ,
               and
               taketh
               them
               up
               in
               their
               causes
               ,
               ●●d
               how
               they
               are
               .
               Simple
               knowledge
               without
               understanding
               is
               like
               those
               of
               whom
               we
               read
               in
               Matth.
               13.
               13.
               
               
                 That
                 seeing
                 they
                 see
                 not
                 ,
                 and
                 hearing
                 they
                 hear
                 not
                 ,
                 neither
                 do
                 they
                 understand
                 .
              
               ●he
               saith
               well
               .
               It
               is
               a
               good
               Memory
               that
               remembers
               a
               thing
               and
               the
               reason
               thereof
               :
               I
               add
               ,
               it
               is
               a
               ●od
               knowledge
               that
               knoweth
               a
               thing
               and
               the
               ●●uses
               thereof
               ;
               
                 felix
                 qui
                 potuit
              
               &c
               ,
               Are
               there
               in
               a
               ●●d
               abuses
               and
               corruptions
               ?
               are
               their
               decays
               and
               assolations
               ?
               here
               is
               the
               wisdom
               of
               the
               Ruler
               ,
               seriously
               to
               consider
               
                 for
                 what
                 the
                 land
                 perisheth
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 burnt
                 up
                 as
                 a
                 wilderness
              
               Jer
               9
               ,
               2.
               
               And
               ●he
               be
               as
               willing
               as
               concerned
               to
               know
               ,
               the
               next
               ●●rse
               will
               resolve
               him
               ;
               
                 because
                 they
                 have
                 forsaken
                 my
                 Law
                 ,
                 which
                 I
                 set
                 before
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 not
                 obeyed
                 my
                 voice
                 ,
                 neither
                 walked
                 therein
                 ,
                 but
                 have
                 walked
                 after
                 the
                 imagination
                 of
                 their
                 own
                 heart
                 &c.
                 
              
               The
               Philistins
               when
               they
               were
               afflicted
               ,
               ●on
               inquiry
               found
               ,
               that
               it
               was
               not
               a
               chance
               ,
               but
               ●●
               hand
               of
               God
               that
               afflicted
               them
               ,
               for
               his
               Ark
               ●hich
               they
               held
               captive
               1
               Sam.
               6
               And
               Pharaoh
               to
               ●●
               cost
               was
               taught
               understanding
               ,
               because
               be
               would
               ●●t
               let
               the
               People
               goe
               to
               serve
               the
               Lord.
               Genes
               :
               ●
               .
               3
               and
               18
               Abimilec
               King
               of
               Gera●
               was
               taught
               to
               understand
               the
               cause
               of
               the
               barrenness
               of
               his
               house
               ,
               ●●
               that
               he
               had
               taken
               a
               mans
               wife
               .
               The
               same
               is
               shewed
               
               by
               
                 Hosea
                 chap
              
               ,
               4.
               10.
               
               
                 They
                 shall
                 commit
                 Whord●
                 and
                 shall
                 not
                 increase
                 .
              
               In
               a
               word
               ,
               whatsoever
               plag●●
               whatsoever
               sore
               is
               upon
               a
               People
               ,
               it
               springs
               from
               S●
               the
               formal
               cause
               of
               corruptions
               ,
               and
               meritorious
               afflictiones
               and
               desolations
               .
               
                 The
                 Crown
                 is
                 fallen
                 fro●
                 our
                 head
                 ;
                 wo
                 unto
                 us
                 for
                 we
                 have
                 sinned
                 .
              
               3.
               
               Invention
               ,
               great
               affinity
               with
               understanding
               ;
               this
               resolving
               ●●●ects
               into
               their
               causes
               ,
               and
               that
               producing
               effects
               fro●
               their
               causes
               ,
               like
               a
               Latine
               Version
               of
               a
               Hebrew
               line
               sentence
               ,
               rendering
               foreward
               what
               was
               read
               bac●ward
               .
               This
               is
               seeded
               by
               observation
               ,
               and
               conceive
               by
               Imagination
               :
               It
               's
               issues
               ,
               if
               weaker
               and
               tender
               ●●
               called
               fancys
               ;
               if
               masculine
               and
               stronger
               ,
               Engines
               a●witty
               inventions
               .
               The
               Ruler
               must
               be
               an
               invent●
               of
               fit
               means
               to
               reform
               the
               abuses
               ,
               remove
               the
               misery
               ,
               further
               and
               settle
               the
               good
               and
               wellfare
               his
               People
               :
               Such
               as
               
                 Nehemiah
                 chap.
              
               7.
               5.
               acknowledgeth
               that
               
                 God
                 put
                 into
                 his
                 heart
              
               for
               peopling
               a●●
               manning
               of
               Ierusalem
               :
               and
               such
               as
               his
               appointing
               the
               Priests
               and
               Levits
               in
               their
               offices
               for
               the
               servi●●
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               instruction
               of
               the
               People
               :
               〈◊〉
               causing
               shut
               the
               gates
               ordinarly
               with
               the
               Sun-●●
               for
               defence
               of
               the
               City
               ,
               and
               sooner
               before
               t●●
               Sabbath
               ,
               for
               its
               sanctification
               :
               and
               that
               of
               not
               eating
               the
               bread
               of
               the
               Governour
               ,
               for
               the
               ease
               〈◊〉
               the
               People
               :
               his
               causing
               restore
               their
               Lands
               mo●●
               gaged
               by
               oppression
               :
               his
               making
               a
               Covenant
               and
               entring
               the
               People
               into
               a
               curse
               with
               their
               ow●
               consent
               ,
               for
               advancing
               reformation
               .
               O
               the
               that
               
                 Wisdom
                 ,
                 be
                 which
                 King
                 Reign
                 ,
              
               would
               teac●
               them
               the
               knowledge
               of
               such
               
                 witty
                 inventtons
                 !
                 Counsel
              
               is
               an
               assembly
               of
               the
               witts
               for
               advice
               ,
               an●
               
               for
               the
               exercise
               and
               tryal
               of
               inventions
               ,
               that
               it
               may
               be
               known
               what
               is
               good
               ,
               or
               what
               is
               better
               ,
               and
               
                 ●hat
                 Israel
                 ought
                 to
                 do
                 .
                 chap
                 :
              
               5
               ,
               7.
               
               
                 I
                 consulted
                 with
                 my self
              
               (
               saith
               
                 Nehemiah
                 )
                 and
                 I
                 rebuked
                 the
                 nobles
                 and
                 the
                 Rulers
                 :
                 and
                 I
                 set
                 a
                 great
                 Assembly
                 against
                 them
              
               ;
               ●
               appointed
               a
               high
               Commission
               for
               bearing
               down
               of
               oppression
               :
               and
               that
               was
               amongst
               the
               rest
               of
               his
               Noble
               Inventions
               .
               5.
               
               Judgment
               is
               the
               Chair-man
               and
               Umpire
               of
               Counsel
               ,
               determining
               ,
               approving
               ,
               and
               referring
               sentences
               ,
               as
               bad
               or
               good
               ,
               good
               or
               better
               :
               and
               resting
               in
               one
               thing
               ,
               as
               a
               close
               of
               the
               matter
               ;
               Absalom
               sayeth
               ,
               
                 give
                 counsel
                 among
                 you
              
               ;
               they
               ●y
               ,
               
                 the
                 counsel
                 of
                 Ahithophel
                 is
                 good
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 counsel
                 of
                 ●lusha●
                 the
                 Archite
                 is
                 better
                 :
              
               For
               the
               
                 great
                 Counsel●
              
               had
               appointed
               the
               one
               to
               defeat
               the
               other
               :
               ●ounsel
               is
               good
               but
               determination
               is
               necessar
               :
               els
               ●e
               who
               hath
               much
               ,
               is
               no
               better
               than
               he
               who
               hath
               nothing
               to
               say
               in
               a
               matter
               :
               and
               wavering
               in
               counsel
               proves
               but
               Weakness
               of
               Judgment
               .
               Consultation
               should
               end
               in
               Resolution
               ,
               and
               Resolution
               in
               Ex●cution
               (
               as
               we
               see
               in
               Nehemiah
               )
               for
               that
               whereof
               ●e
               are
               speaking
               is
               the
               practical
               judgment
               .
               6.
               ●rudence
               that
               wise
               and
               Religious
               Matron
               ,
               who
               with
               the
               gravity
               of
               her
               countenance
               putteth
               to
               ●ame
               and
               silence
               the
               folly
               of
               Atheism
               ,
               and
               insolen●
               of
               impiety
               ,
               in
               her
               whole
               carriage
               keepeth
               such
               measure
               and
               decency
               as
               courteth
               into
               her
               devo●●on
               all
               that
               is
               worshipped
               :
               
                 Nullum
                 numun
                 ab●st
                 si
                 Prudentia
              
               ;
               and
               guideth
               her
               affaires
               with
               such
               ●gh
               discretion
               ,
               that
               by
               Scripture
               and
               Reason
               ,
               Di●●nes
               and
               Philosophers
               she
               is
               deservedly
               preferred
               the
               Government
               of
               Manners
               ,
               and
               intrusted
               with
               
               the
               ballance
               and
               standard
               of
               vertues
               ,
               which
               in
               all
               things
               keep
               that
               measure
               
                 quam
                 vir
                 prudens
                 determinaver●●
              
               .
               She
               relieveth
               man
               of
               the
               great
               misery
               that
               lyet●
               upon
               him
               ,
               teaching
               him
               
                 to
                 know
                 both
                 time
                 and
                 purpose
                 :
                 for
                 to
                 every
                 ●oing
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 season
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 time
                 to
                 every
                 purpose
                 under
                 Heaven
                 .
              
               She
               so
               fitteth
               resolutions
               to
               the
               exigent
               of
               occasions
               ,
               as
               maketh
               them
               both
               safe
               and
               seasonable
               ,
               decent
               and
               effectual
               She
               foreseeth
               the
               evil
               and
               avoideth
               it
               ,
               and
               taketh
               the
               good
               in
               its
               season
               :
               she
               saveth
               a
               ma●
               the
               expence
               of
               Apologies
               ,
               and
               shame
               of
               
                 non
                 putaram
              
               And
               thus
               Nehemiah
               was
               wise
               to
               know
               the
               Counsel
               of
               his
               enemies
               ,
               and
               conceal
               his
               own
               purposes
               t●
               the
               opportunity
               .
               And
               this
               is
               the
               Rulers
               prudence
               neither
               to
               let
               the
               evil
               approach
               him
               ,
               nor
               the
               good
               escape
               him
               ;
               nor
               ought
               he
               to
               say
               to
               the
               People
               
                 come
                 again
                 another
                 time
                 ,
                 when
                 it
                 is
                 in
                 the
                 power
                 his
                 hand
                 to
                 do
                 them
                 good
                 ,
              
               lest
               hind-bald
               occasion
               si●
               him
               ,
               and
               his
               power
               perish
               with
               the
               opportunity
               1
               Chron.
               12.
               32.
               
               The
               Children
               of
               
                 Isachar
                 we
                 men
                 that
                 had
                 understanding
                 of
                 the
                 times
                 ,
                 to
                 know
                 w●
                 Israel
                 ought
                 to
                 do
                 .
                 Tempu●
                 nosce
              
               was
               the
               saying
               Pittacus
               of
               Mitylenae
               ,
               reckoned
               the
               first
               of
               t●●
               
                 Greek
                 sager
                 .
                 To
                 day
                 if
                 ye
                 will
                 hear
                 his
                 voice
                 ,
              
               is
               〈◊〉
               saying
               of
               the
               only
               wise
               God
               :
               and
               ,
               
                 O
                 that
                 to
                 haast
                 known
                 ,
                 even
                 thou
                 in
                 this
                 t●●●
                 day
                 !
              
               Was
               the
               w●
               and
               Lamentation
               of
               the
               consubstantial
               Wisdom
               God.
               
                 Be
                 wise
                 now
                 therefore
                 O
                 ve
                 kings
                 :
                 be
                 infirmed
                 ye
                 Judges
                 of
                 the
                 earth
                 Psal.
              
               2
               ,
               10.
               
            
             
               9.
               
               The
               good
               Ruler
               is
               a
               person
               of
               courage
               a●
               valour
               ,
               a
               gallant
               Person
               .
               In
               this
               Nehemiah
               was
               〈◊〉
               .
               This
               is
               the
               main
               and
               only
               thing
               so
               much
               
               culcat
               by
               Moses
               upon
               Joshuah
               his
               successor
               ,
               Jos.
               1.
               7.
               
               
                 Only
                 be
                 thou
                 strong
                 and
                 very
                 couragious
                 .
              
               This
               joyned
               with
               the
               former
               maketh
               
                 Consilio
                 &
                 animis
              
               a
               noble
               device
               for
               a
               Ruler
               :
               and
               he
               who
               is
               born
               with
               those
               induements
               hath
               a
               horoscope
               more
               prognosticative
               of
               advancement
               ,
               than
               he
               who
               is
               born
               under
               the
               most
               Regnant
               Planets
               .
               The
               Gallantry
               of
               the
               Ruler
               is
               evidenced
               in
               a
               resolute
               and
               inflexible
               observance
               of
               all
               God
               Holy
               Commandments
               ,
               maugre
               all
               opposition
               of
               his
               own
               lust
               and
               corruption
               :
               
                 He
                 that
                 is
                 slow
                 to
                 anger
                 is
                 better
                 than
                 the
                 mighty
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 that
                 ruleth
                 his
                 spirit
                 than
                 he
                 that
                 taketh
                 a
                 City
              
               ;
               Or
               of
               the
               example
               and
               insinuations
               of
               others
               ,
               or
               the
               scorn
               ,
               and
               threats
               ,
               and
               plots
               of
               enemies
               ,
               or
               the
               eminent
               degree
               of
               transgressors
               .
               If
               morality
               and
               righteousness
               be
               the
               true
               measure
               of
               Gallantry
               ,
               surely
               the
               World
               hath
               many
               bastard
               ridiculous
               Gallants
               ,
               who
               dare
               do
               any
               thing
               but
               what
               is
               right
               and
               Godly
               .
               But
               the
               courage
               of
               Nehemiah
               appeareth
               particularly
               .
               1.
               
               In
               his
               address
               to
               the
               King
               in
               behalf
               of
               his
               City
               that
               was
               desolate
               ,
               and
               his
               People
               that
               were
               in
               reproach
               and
               affliction
               .
               It
               is
               no
               less
               unpardonable
               a
               reflection
               upon
               the
               Justice
               and
               Royal
               goodness
               of
               a
               King
               ,
               to
               be
               diffident
               in
               requesting
               of
               him
               what
               is
               just
               ,
               than
               to
               dare
               to
               ask
               unjustly
               .
               Nehemiah
               when
               he
               is
               bid
               ask
               ,
               all
               his
               asking
               is
               for
               
                 Jerusalem
                 chap.
              
               2.
               6
               ,
               7.
               2.
               
               In
               that
               he
               can
               sustain
               the
               greif
               ,
               disple
               sure
               ,
               and
               scorn
               of
               malicious
               heathen
               enemies
               for
               the
               work
               of
               Reformation
               Ibid.
               10
               ,
               v.
               3.
               
               In
               that
               he
               dare
               atcheive
               so
               desperat
               like
               a
               work
               as
               was
               the
               repairing
               of
               Jerusalems
               so
               vast
               desolations
               .
               v.
               17.
               4.
               
               In
               his
               unconquered
               
               faith
               and
               confidence
               of
               Gods
               assistance
               ,
               20.
               v.
               
                 he
                 was
                 strong
                 in
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 his
                 might
                 .
              
               5.
               
               In
               the
               atcheivment
               of
               a
               double
               employment
               ,
               building
               and
               fighting
               .
               Chap.
               4
               ,
               17.
               
               A
               coward
               may
               build
               a
               City
               in
               peace
               ,
               and
               a
               slugard
               may
               defend
               himself
               in
               a
               strong
               City
               ;
               but
               a
               Worthy
               only
               can
               build
               with
               one
               hand
               and
               fight
               with
               the
               other
               .
               6.
               
               In
               his
               rebuking
               the
               Nobles
               and
               the
               Rulers
               for
               their
               oppression
               ,
               chap
               5.
               7.
               
               An
               act
               of
               native
               gallantry
               ,
               and
               an
               example
               for
               all
               that
               deserve
               to
               be
               in
               eminency
               ;
               the
               matter
               of
               Holy
               Iobs
               Gloriation
               chap.
               31.
               34.
               
               
                 Did
                 I
                 fear
                 a
                 great
                 multitude
                 ,
                 or
                 did
                 the
                 contempt
                 of
                 families
                 terrify
                 me
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 kept
                 silence
                 ?
              
               7.
               
               In
               his
               rare
               generosity
               refusing
               ,
               
                 because
                 of
                 the
                 fear
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 to
                 eat
                 the
                 bread
                 of
                 the
                 Governour
                 ,
              
               or
               to
               bow
               to
               the
               example
               of
               those
               that
               had
               been
               before
               him
               ,
               
                 who
                 had
                 been
                 chargeable
                 to
                 the
                 People
                 .
              
               The
               good
               Ruler
               dare
               be
               singular
               in
               vertue
               ,
               and
               accounts
               it
               his
               honour
               ,
               not
               to
               take
               evil
               ,
               but
               to
               give
               good
               example
               .
               What
               an
               unexcusable
               incongruity
               is
               it
               for
               a
               man
               who
               should
               be
               examplary
               to
               others
               in
               good
               ,
               to
               submit
               to
               evil
               example
               ?
               And
               it
               is
               the
               voice
               of
               Roman
               gallantry
               ,
               
                 discant
                 al●
                 potius
                 nostro
                 exemplo
                 recte
                 facere
                 ,
                 quam
                 nos
                 illorum
                 peccare
                 .
              
               8.
               
               In
               his
               inexorable
               resistance
               ,
               even
               to
               the
               fifth
               time
               ,
               of
               his
               enemies
               treacherous
               pretences
               for
               accommodation
               ,
               with
               a
               design
               to
               do
               him
               mischief
               :
               6.
               chap.
               wherein
               is
               no
               less
               manifest
               his
               singular
               wisdom
               .
            
             
               10.
               
               The
               good
               Ruler
               is
               a
               vigilant
               ,
               active
               ,
               and
               diligent
               person
               .
               We
               find
               Nehemiah
               in
               continual
               motion
               ,
               acting
               himself
               ,
               and
               exciting
               others
               in
               
               their
               respective
               orders
               ,
               like
               a
               great
               Superior
               Orb
               winding
               the
               Inferior
               in
               their
               subordinate
               courses
               .
               For
               it
               is
               the
               inseparable
               ,
               undenyable
               right
               of
               Supremacy
               ,
               to
               take
               inspection
               of
               all
               ,
               and
               put
               every
               one
               to
               his
               proper
               duty
               .
               And
               as
               the
               Superior
               Orb
               moves
               not
               symmetrically
               in
               the
               place
               of
               the
               Inferior
               ,
               but
               moves
               in
               its
               place
               concentrically
               :
               Just
               so
               is
               the
               case
               of
               the
               Ruler
               .
               The
               slothful
               and
               soft
               Ruler
               is
               one
               upon
               the
               matter
               ;
               and
               if
               there
               be
               any
               odds
               ,
               a
               waking
               living
               Dog
               is
               better
               than
               a
               sleeping
               dead
               Lyon.
               It
               was
               
               Nehemiah's
               Honour
               ,
               that
               neither
               the
               People
               ,
               nor
               his
               own
               servants
               ,
               nor
               the
               Princes
               and
               Rulers
               could
               be
               evil
               without
               a
               witness
               ,
               as
               they
               were
               not
               good
               without
               an
               example
               .
               Whence
               .
            
             
               11.
               
               The
               good
               Ruler
               is
               a
               person
               of
               an
               examplary
               conversation
               :
               
                 alios
                 quod
                 monet
                 ipse
                 facit
              
               :
               he
               practiseth
               the
               same
               ,
               that
               he
               commandeth
               :
               by
               a
               leading
               example
               he
               goeth
               out
               and
               in
               before
               the
               People
               :
               
                 he
                 walketh
                 with
                 a
                 perfect
                 heart
                 within
                 his
                 house
                 .
              
               The
               World
               is
               Ruled
               by
               example
               .
               A
               good
               life
               is
               as
               necessar
               as
               good
               Laws
               in
               a
               Ruler
               ;
               and
               an
               evil
               example
               more
               hurtfull
               than
               evil
               Laws
               :
               for
               that
               a
               pernicious
               Law
               may
               quickly
               be
               repealed
               ;
               but
               bad
               example
               is
               not
               easily
               reformed
               .
               Laws
               governed
               by
               righteousness
               ,
               and
               a
               life
               ordered
               by
               Law
               maketh
               the
               perfect
               Ruler
               .
               Thus
               we
               see
               Nehemiah
               examplary
               in
               Religion
               ,
               in
               refraining
               and
               restraining
               oppression
               ,
               in
               wisdom
               ,
               courage
               ,
               vigilancy
               ,
               and
               all
               the
               forementioned
               vertues
               :
               and
               this
               he
               hath
               left
               as
               a
               pattern
               to
               Rulers
               .
            
             
               12.
               
               The
               good
               Ruler
               is
               a
               constant
               person
               ,
               persevering
               
               and
               abounding
               in
               well
               doing
               :
               he
               is
               
                 fled
                 fast
                 ,
                 unmoveable
                 ,
                 abounding
                 alwayés
                 in
                 the
                 work
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 knowing
                 that
                 his
                 labour
                 is
                 not
                 in
                 vain
                 in
                 the
                 Lord.
              
               Thus
               we
               see
               Nehemiah
               beginning
               with
               good
               designs
               and
               intentions
               ,
               going
               on
               with
               gallant
               interprises
               and
               good
               actions
               ,
               and
               ending
               conformably
               with
               a
               good
               conscience
               ,
               and
               Glorious
               expectation
               in
               the
               last
               act
               of
               his
               appearance
               :
               
                 Remember
                 me
                 O
                 my
                 God
                 for
                 good
                 .
              
               He
               remembreth
               that
               
                 better
                 is
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 a
                 thing
                 than
                 the
                 beginning
                 thereof
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 he
                 who
                 indureth
                 to
                 the
                 end
                 shall
                 be
                 saved
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 crowned
                 who
                 striveth
                 lawfully
                 ,
              
               and
               therefore
               
                 so
                 runneth
                 that
                 he
                 may
                 obtain
                 .
              
               He
               knoweth
               Ezek.
               18.
               24.
               
               
                 When
                 the
                 righteous
                 turneth
                 away
                 from
                 his
                 righteousness
                 ,
                 and
                 committeth
                 unquity
                 ,
                 and
                 doeth
                 according
                 to
                 all
                 the
                 abominations
                 that
                 the
                 wicked
                 man
                 doeth
                 ,
                 he
                 shall
                 not
                 live
                 :
                 all
                 his
                 righteousness
                 that
                 he
                 hath
                 done
                 shall
                 not
                 be
                 mentioned
                 ,
                 in
                 his
                 trespass
                 that
                 he
                 hath
                 trespassed
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 his
                 sin
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 hath
                 sinned
                 ,
                 in
                 them
                 shall
                 he
                 die
                 .
              
               He
               knows
               the
               
                 quinquenmum
                 Neroms
              
               ,
               and
               the
               misgiving
               pretences
               and
               appearances
               of
               Tiberius
               and
               others
               :
               and
               he
               is
               better
               acquaint
               with
               Scripture
               than
               to
               be
               ignorant
               of
               the
               Apostacy
               ,
               ingratitude
               ,
               and
               fate
               of
               Joash
               2
               Chron.
               24.
               
               Whereby
               is
               manifest
               that
               this
               observation
               is
               large
               as
               useful
               as
               true
               concerning
               the
               Ruler
               .
               
                 But
                 the
                 path
                 of
                 the
                 Iust
                 is
                 as
                 the
                 shining
                 light
                 which
                 groweth
                 brighter
                 and
                 brighter
                 unto
                 the
                 noon-ti●e
                 of
                 the
                 day
                 .
              
               And
               such
               a
               one
               is
               the
               good
               Ruler
               .
            
             
               Now
               from
               this
               illustrat
               Character
               shine
               forth
               in
               so
               many
               bright
               beams
               1.
               
               The
               Original
               ,
               2
               ,
               Dignity
               ,
               3
               ,
               Duty
               ,
               4.
               
               Necessity
               ,
               5.
               
               Usefulness
               ,
               and
               6.
               ●arity
               
               of
               the
               good
               Ruler
               .
               All
               which
               (
               so
               rich
               a
               piece
               is
               Scripture
               )
               may
               be
               easily
               deduced
               from
               one
               sentence
               of
               Psal
               82
               6.
               
               
                 I
                 have
                 said
                 ,
                 ye
                 are
                 Gods
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 of
                 you
                 are
                 Children
                 of
                 the
                 most
                 high
                 .
              
               And
               because
               I
               know
               that
               both
               is
               evil
               manners
               ,
               
                 to
                 come
                 ●athly
                 into
                 ,
                 and
                 go
                 hastily
                 from
                 the
                 presence
                 of
                 a
                 Ruler
                 :
                 I
              
               shall
               for
               a
               salutation
               shut
               up
               my
               view
               with
               this
               seasonable
               exhortation
               :
               That
               in
               this
               Atheistical
               age
               ,
               the
               Ruler
               would
               do
               his
               Author
               the
               Honour
               ,
               himself
               the
               pleasure
               ,
               and
               a
               discontented
               ,
               unbelieving
               World
               the
               favour
               ,
               to
               shew
               forth
               so
               much
               of
               God
               in
               his
               person
               and
               administrations
               ,
               that
               those
               who
               will
               not
               believe
               may
               see
               ,
               and
               those
               who
               will
               not
               see
               may
               feel
               ,
               
                 That
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 judgeth
                 in
                 the
                 earth
                 ,
              
               and
               that
               by
               his
               vicegerent
               ;
               that
               he
               be
               unquestionably
               good
               himself
               ,
               
                 an
                 incourager
                 of
                 those
                 that
                 do
                 well
                 ,
              
               and
               
                 a
                 terror
                 of
                 evil
                 doers
              
               :
               that
               by
               the
               shaddow
               of
               Divinity
               in
               the
               Ruler
               ,
               the
               World
               (
               if
               possible
               )
               may
               be
               convinced
               of
               the
               body
               and
               substance
               ;
               and
               by
               the
               sight
               of
               the
               beautiful
               portrait
               may
               be
               enamoured
               of
               the
               original
               .
               And
               you
               O
               Christian
               People
               consider
               ,
               Christ
               is
               not
               divided
               ,
               nor
               contrary
               to
               himself
               .
               He
               is
               by
               nature
               and
               eternal
               Generation
               Lord
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               God
               of
               policy
               and
               order
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               of
               the
               Church
               by
               pact
               and
               dispensation
               ;
               and
               it
               is
               more
               than
               probable
               that
               Rulers
               hold
               not
               Christ
               as
               Mediator
               .
               Christianity
               received
               into
               the
               policy
               is
               not
               so
               untoward
               or
               unpleasant
               a
               Guest
               as
               to
               disturb
               its
               own
               quarter
               :
               and
               Religion
               but
               getteth
               the
               medlers
               blow
               when
               it
               sendeth
               a
               sword
               or
               occasioneth
               division
               :
               for
               of
               it
               's
               own
               nature
               it
               is
               a
               harmless
               peace-pursuer
               ;
               
               and
               they
               were
               sworn
               enemies
               and
               slanderers
               of
               our
               Saviour
               who
               said
               
                 he
                 was
                 an
                 enemie
                 to
                 Casar
              
               ;
               for
               he
               taught
               his
               followers
               
                 to
                 give
                 unto
                 Casar
                 the
                 things
                 that
                 are
                 Casars
                 ,
                 and
                 unto
                 God
                 the
                 things
                 that
                 are
                 Gods.
              
               Learn
               then
               of
               him
               to
               pay
               what
               we
               owe
               unto
               the
               Ruler
               .
               How
               much
               are
               we
               indebted
               to
               so
               rare
               and
               excellent
               a
               creature
               as
               is
               the
               good
               Ruler
               ?
               We
               owe
               the
               Ruler
               1.
               
               Honour
               in
               heart
               and
               behaviour
               .
               2
               ,
               Subjection
               ,
               in
               lawful
               obedience
               or
               in
               humble
               submission
               .
               3.
               
               Information
               and
               assistance
               in
               our
               respective
               stations
               .
               4.
               
               Tribute
               ,
               and
               the
               bread
               of
               the
               Governour
               ,
               5.
               
               And
               with
               all
               our
               owing
               we
               owe
               Prayer
               1
               Tim.
               2.
               2.
               1.
               
               Sam.
               24.
               13.
               
               
                 As
                 saith
                 the
                 Proverb
                 of
                 the
                 ancients
                 ,
                 wickedness
                 proceedeth
                 from
                 the
                 wicked
                 :
              
               But
               God
               forbid
               that
               the
               hand
               of
               any
               that
               fear
               God
               should
               be
               upon
               the
               Lords
               anointed
               A
               tender
               conscience
               so
               far
               exercised
               to
               Godliness
               as
               to
               flee
               from
               all
               appearance
               of
               evil
               ,
               cannot
               digest
               the
               least
               approach
               to
               ,
               or
               appearance
               of
               wrong
               to
               the
               Ruler
               :
               Say
               I
               this
               as
               a
               man
               ,
               or
               sayeth
               not
               the
               Scripture
               the
               same
               also
               ?
               ibid.
               5
               ,
               v.
               
                 Davias
                 heart
                 smot
                 him
                 ,
                 because
                 he
                 had
                 cut
                 off
                 Sauls
                 skirt
                 .
              
            
             
               The
               5th
               view
               of
               this
               useful
               piece
               presents
               to
               us
               the
               Exit
               and
               retreat
               of
               the
               Ruler
               .
               Rulers
               ,
               like
               men
               upon
               a
               Stage
               ,
               walk
               much
               in
               a
               disguise
               ,
               or
               like
               Mercury
               ,
               and
               Aeneas
               ,
               in
               a
               cloud
               ;
               but
               here
               we
               have
               the
               Ruler
               going
               off
               with
               open
               face
               ,
               and
               with
               an
               eye
               to
               God
               ,
               to
               himself
               ,
               and
               to
               his
               reward
               .
               
                 Remember
                 me
                 O
                 my
                 God
                 for
                 good
                 .
              
               His
               eye
               is
               upon
               God.
               1.
               
               As
               a
               Witness
               :
               for
               remembrance
               is
               of
               things
               known
               ,
               and
               Gods
               knowledge
               is
               by
               sight
               and
               
               Intuition
               .
               He
               that
               can
               say
               with
               
                 David
                 Psal.
              
               119
               168.
               
               
                 All
                 my
                 wayes
                 are
                 before
                 thee
                 ,
              
               may
               save
               the
               travel
               and
               shun
               the
               woe
               of
               those
               
                 that
                 seek
                 deep
                 to
                 hide
                 their
                 counsel
                 from
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 their
                 works
                 are
                 in
                 the
                 dark
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 say
                 ,
                 who
                 seeth
                 us
                 ?
                 and
                 who
                 knoweth
                 it
                 ?
              
               Isay
               29.
               15.
               
               
                 And
                 their
                 turning
                 of
                 things
                 upside
                 down
                 is
                 as
                 the
                 potters
                 clay
                 :
                 they
                 attempt
                 more
                 than
                 they
                 are
                 able
                 ,
                 and
                 presume
                 where
                 they
                 have
                 no
                 power
                 .
              
               A
               proud
               Ruler
               may
               say
               to
               the
               Lords
               Messengers
               ,
               
                 who
                 made
                 thee
                 of
                 the
                 Kings
                 Counsel
                 ?
              
               But
               they
               would
               remember
               ,
               that
               Elisha
               the
               Prophet
               could
               tell
               the
               King
               of
               Israel
               the
               words
               which
               the
               Syrian
               King
               spoke
               in
               his
               bed-chamber
               :
               and
               who
               told
               him
               but
               God
               that
               heard
               them
               ?
               Let
               Rulers
               learn
               in
               their
               time
               to
               put
               God
               upon
               their
               counsels
               ,
               and
               make
               him
               a
               witness
               of
               their
               practises
               ;
               left
               when
               they
               must
               goe
               off
               ,
               they
               find
               with
               Jacob
               ,
               that
               God
               was
               there
               ,
               though
               they
               knew
               it
               not
               ,
               nor
               called
               him
               to
               the
               Council
               .
               2.
               
               As
               a
               
                 Friend
                 :
                 O
                 my
                 God.
              
               Happy
               he
               ,
               Ruler
               or
               other
               ,
               who
               can
               say
               with
               his
               Saviour
               ,
               
                 I
                 go
                 to
                 my
                 Father
                 and
                 my
                 God.
              
               He
               may
               ,
               in
               the
               Apostles
               words
               ,
               proclaim
               a
               bold
               defiance
               to
               all
               adversity
               :
               
                 If
                 God
                 be
                 with
                 us
                 who
                 shall
                 be
                 against
                 us
                 ?
              
               He
               may
               meditat
               terrour
               with
               the
               greatest
               security
               Isay
               33
               ,
               18.
               
               Though
               the
               World
               should
               be
               shaken
               and
               suffer
               sack
               ,
               he
               may
               say
               with
               the
               Philosopher
               ,
               but
               upon
               better
               reason
               ,
               that
               he
               is
               sure
               to
               be
               no
               loser
               :
               yea
               though
               Hell
               were
               poured
               upon
               him
               ,
               and
               heaven
               should
               seem
               to
               have
               forsaken
               him
               ,
               
                 My
                 God
                 ,
                 My
                 God
              
               even
               then
               shall
               support
               him
               ,
               
                 Every
                 one
                 seeks
                 the
                 Rulers
                 favour
              
               ;
               and
               the
               Ruler
               would
               study
               to
               have
               a
               friend
               of
               his
               
               Superior
               .
               They
               who
               court
               alliance
               and
               interest
               ,
               would
               be
               perswaded
               that
               this
               is
               the
               highest
               .
               Bewar
               of
               that
               friend
               that
               makes
               God
               an
               enemy
               ,
               and
               of
               that
               gain
               where
               God
               is
               losed
               .
               Luther
               pronounces
               him
               a
               Divine
               ,
               who
               can
               well
               distinguish
               the
               Law
               and
               Gospel
               :
               and
               he
               is
               no
               less
               a
               Christian
               ,
               Ruler
               or
               other
               ,
               who
               can
               reconcile
               them
               in
               ,
               
                 my
                 God.
              
               Wouldst
               thou
               either
               get
               or
               know
               an
               interest
               in
               God
               ,
               take
               the
               short
               and
               sure
               method
               of
               the
               Psalmist
               ,
               who
               also
               himself
               was
               a
               great
               Ruler
               ,
               in
               that
               golden
               Ps.
               16
               ,
               2.
               
               
                 O
                 my
                 soul
                 thou
                 hast
                 said
                 unto
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 thou
                 art
                 my
                 Lord.
              
               3.
               
               As
               a
               rewarder
               :
               for
               his
               ,
               remember
               ,
               being
               a
               figure
               that
               putteth
               the
               antecedent
               for
               the
               consequent
               ,
               in
               proper
               speaking
               is
               ,
               reward
               me
               .
               And
               
                 shall
                 not
                 he
                 render
                 to
                 every
                 man
                 according
                 to
                 his
                 works
                 ?
                 Prov.
              
               24
               ,
               12.
               
               Ps.
               62
               ,
               12
               
                 And
                 verily
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 reward
                 for
                 the
                 righteous
                 .
                 Fear
                 not
                 Abraham
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 thy
                 shield
                 and
                 thy
                 exceeding
                 great
                 reward
                 .
              
               I
               fear
               the
               bad
               reward
               of
               some
               ,
               hath
               tempted
               others
               to
               do
               well
               to
               themselves
               in
               their
               own
               time
               ;
               but
               with
               greater
               reason
               I
               fear
               that
               those
               who
               are
               thus
               tempted
               ,
               have
               but
               a
               faint
               respect
               to
               the
               recompense
               of
               reward
               .
               But
               God
               who
               is
               not
               unfaithful
               ,
               to
               forget
               the
               service
               and
               labour
               of
               any
               ,
               will
               sure
               be
               mindful
               of
               a
               good
               Ruler
               .
               If
               Iehosaphat
               be
               reproved
               ,
               his
               faults
               remembred
               ,
               and
               wrath
               threatned
               ;
               yet
               his
               good
               deeds
               are
               not
               forgotten
               :
               
                 Nevertheless
                 there
                 are
                 good
                 things
                 found
                 in
                 thee
              
               2
               Chron.
               19.
               2.
               3.
               
               Most
               frequently
               throught
               the
               Scripture
               the
               saints
               petition
               for
               reward
               is
               presented
               in
               the
               Word
               ,
               Remember
               ,
               whereby
               they
               referr
               particulars
               to
               him
               
                 who
                 is
                 able
                 to
                 do
                 abundantly
                 above
                 all
                 that
                 they
                 
                 are
                 able
                 either
                 to
                 ask
                 or
                 think
                 .
              
               David
               sayeth
               ,
               
                 remember
                 me
                 ;
                 Ieremiah
              
               sayeth
               ,
               
                 remember
                 me
                 ;
                 Hezekiah
              
               and
               Nehemiah
               say
               ,
               
                 remember
                 me
              
               ;
               and
               Augustine
               sweetly
               rendereth
               Psal.
               8.
               4.
               ver
               .
               
                 Domine
                 quid
                 est
                 homo
                 nisi
                 quia
                 memor
                 es
                 ejus
                 ?
                 Lord
                 ,
                 what
                 is
                 man
                 but
                 that
                 thou
                 art
                 mindful
                 of
                 him
                 ?
              
               And
               happy
               he
               whose
               name
               is
               written
               in
               that
               
                 Book
                 of
                 Remembrance
              
               that
               is
               before
               the
               Lord
               Mal.
               3.
               16.
               
               And
               when
               each
               man
               comes
               to
               be
               rewarded
               ,
               malicious
               opposers
               of
               reformation
               ,
               and
               profane
               corrupters
               of
               Religion
               and
               the
               Covenant
               of
               the
               priesthood
               may
               readily
               come
               to
               be
               remembred
               Chap
               6
               ,
               14
               and
               13.
               29.
               2.
               
               In
               his
               retreat
               he
               goes
               off
               with
               an
               eye
               to
               himself
               ;
               
                 Remember
                 me
              
               &c.
               
               The
               Ruler
               who
               would
               make
               a
               honourable
               retreat
               ,
               and
               come
               fair
               off
               ,
               would
               look
               to
               5
               Things
               chiefly
               that
               concern
               himself
               .
               1.
               
               
                 His
                 conscience
              
               .
               Can
               he
               say
               with
               
                 Nehemiah
                 ?
                 chap.
              
               5.
               19.
               
               
                 Remember
                 me
                 O
                 my
                 God
                 for
                 good
                 according
                 to
                 all
                 that
                 I
                 have
                 done
                 for
                 this
                 People
                 :
              
               and
               chap.
               13.
               14.
               
               
                 Remember
                 me
                 O
                 my
                 God
                 concerning
                 this
                 and
                 wipe
                 not
                 out
                 my
                 good
                 deeds
                 and
                 I
                 have
                 done
                 for
                 the
                 house
                 of
                 my
                 God
                 and
                 for
                 the
                 offices
                 thereof
              
               Or
               with
               Hezekiah
               2
               King
               20.
               3.
               
               
                 I
                 beseech
                 thee
                 O
                 Lord
                 remember
                 now
                 ,
                 how
                 I
                 have
                 walked
                 before
                 thee
                 in
                 truth
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 a
                 perfect
                 heart
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 done
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 good
                 in
                 thy
                 sight
                 ?
              
               Or
               with
               Samuel
               1
               Sam.
               12
               3.
               
               
                 I
                 have
                 walked
                 before
                 you
                 from
                 my
                 Child-hood
                 to
                 this
                 day
                 :
                 behold
                 here
                 I
                 am
                 ,
                 witness
                 against
                 me
                 before
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 before
                 his
                 anointed
                 :
                 whose
                 ox
                 have
                 I
                 taken
                 ?
                 or
                 whose
                 ass
                 have
                 I
                 taken
                 ?
                 or
                 whom
                 have
                 I
                 defrauded
                 ?
                 
                 whom
                 have
                 I
                 oppressed
                 ?
                 or
                 of
                 whose
                 hand
                 have
                 I
                 received
                 any
                 bribe
                 to
                 blind
                 mine
                 eyes
                 therewith
                 ?
                 and
                 I
                 will
                 restore
                 it
                 you
                 .
              
               Or
               if
               in
               any
               thing
               ,
               as
               a
               man
               ,
               he
               hath
               erred
               ,
               for
               that
               he
               must
               say
               to
               God
               with
               
                 Nehemiah
                 chap.
              
               13
               ,
               22.
               
               
                 Remember
                 me
                 O
                 my
                 God
                 and
                 spare
                 me
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 greatness
                 of
                 thy
                 mercy
                 .
              
               A
               good
               conscience
               is
               a
               strong
               comforter
               :
               but
               Gods
               sweet
               and
               tender
               mercies
               are
               the
               sinners
               last
               refuge
               and
               sure
               salvation
               :
               and
               it
               is
               Bellarmines
               own
               Conclusion
               .
               
                 Tutius
                 tamen
                 est
                 adherere
                 Christs
                 Justitiae
                 .
              
               And
               if
               so
               ,
               why
               should
               unhappy
               men
               so
               voluminously
               dispute
               against
               their
               own
               mercy
               ?
               Psal.
               119.
               77.
               
               
                 Let
                 thy
                 tender
                 mercys
                 come
                 unto
                 me
                 that
                 I
                 may
                 live
                 ,
              
               was
               the
               suit
               of
               the
               man
               according
               to
               Gods
               heart
               ,
               the
               pattern
               of
               Rulers
               .
               And
               truely
               this
               Generation
               would
               be
               advised
               to
               amend
               their
               manners
               before
               they
               change
               their
               Religion
               ,
               lest
               under
               the
               gilded
               large
               net
               of
               Popery
               ,
               by
               the
               Doctrine
               of
               merits
               ,
               they
               be
               involved
               and
               held
               in
               the
               inextricable
               grin
               of
               desperation
               :
               Or
               if
               indulgence
               and
               pardon
               in
               end
               must
               do
               it
               ,
               what
               ails
               them
               at
               Gods
               ,
               which
               is
               infinitly
               better
               than
               the
               Popes
               ,
               and
               incompareably
               surer
               ,
               beside
               that
               it
               is
               manifestly
               cheaper
               ?
               But
               for
               the
               Conscience
               of
               a
               Ruler
               ,
               who
               can
               say
               with
               Titus
               that
               darling
               of
               mankind
               ?
               
                 Non
                 extare
                 ullum
                 suum
                 factum
                 Paeniteneum
                 ,
                 excepto
                 duntaxat
                 uno
                 .
              
               2.
               
               
                 His
                 soul
              
               :
               The
               Soul
               and
               Conscience
               are
               of
               such
               affinity
               that
               he
               who
               destroyes
               the
               one
               cannot
               save
               the
               other
               :
               
                 And
                 what
                 doth
                 it
                 profit
                 a
                 man
                 though
                 he
                 should
                 gain
                 the
                 whole
                 World
                 ,
                 and
                 lose
                 his
                 own
                 Soul
                 ?
                 Or
                 what
                 is
                 the
                 hope
                 of
                 the
                 Hypocrite
                 ,
                 though
                 he
                 
                 hath
                 gained
                 ,
                 when
                 God
                 taketh
                 away
                 his
                 soul
                 ?
              
               The
               soul
               is
               the
               man
               ,
               and
               he
               hath
               got
               his
               prize
               who
               gets
               that
               for
               a
               Prey
               .
               
                 The
                 end
                 of
                 our
                 faith
                 is
                 the
                 salvation
                 of
                 our
                 souls
              
               Psal.
               119.
               175.
               
               
                 Let
                 my
                 soul
                 live
                 ,
                 and
                 it
                 shall
                 praise
                 thee
                 ,
              
               was
               the
               rare
               and
               suit
               of
               that
               excellent
               Ruler
               .
               And
               what
               a
               pitty
               is
               it
               to
               see
               a
               Ruler
               upon
               a
               retreat
               from
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               from
               the
               Body
               ,
               going
               off
               with
               such
               a
               amentable
               Dirgie
               ,
               as
               did
               Adrian
               the
               Emperour
               ,
               in
               
                 Aelius
                 Spartianus
              
               .
            
             
               
                 Animula
                 vagula
                 ,
                 blandula
                 ,
              
               
                 Hospes
                 comesque
                 eorporis
                 ,
              
               
                 Quananc
                 abibis
                 in
                 loca
                 ?
              
               
                 Pallidula
                 ,
                 rigida
                 ,
                 nudula
                 :
              
               
                 Nee
                 ut
                 soles
                 dabis
                 ●ocos
                 .
              
            
             
               Or
               with
               such
               a
               hideous
               rage
               as
               Tiberius
               in
               Sue●onius
               ,
               like
               one
               speaking
               out
               of
               Hell
               :
               
                 Du
                 me
                 Deaeque
                 ejus
                 perdant
                 quam
                 quotidie
                 perire
                 sentio
                 .
              
               3.
               
               
                 His
                 fame
                 and
                 memory
              
               ,
               a
               matter
               that
               highly
               concerneth
               the
               Ruler
               ,
               as
               in
               the
               last
               view
               shall
               be
               showen
               more
               fully
               .
               ●
               
                 His
                 posterity
              
               natural
               or
               politick
               .
               5.
               
               
                 His
                 Works
              
               ,
               both
               which
               are
               expressed
               together
               in
               that
               Prayer
               of
               Moses
               the
               man
               of
               God
               Psal
               :
               90.
               16
               ,
               17.
               
               
                 Let
                 thy
                 work
                 appear
                 unto
                 thy
                 servants
                 ,
                 and
                 thy
                 Glory
                 unto
                 their
                 Children
                 :
                 and
                 let
                 the
                 beauty
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 our
                 God
                 be
                 upon
                 us
                 :
                 and
                 establish
                 thou
                 the
                 work
                 of
                 our
                 hands
                 upon
                 us
                 ;
                 yea
                 the
                 work
                 of
                 our
                 hands
                 establish
                 thou
                 it
                 .
              
               The
               good
               Ruler
               not
               like
               the
               
                 Ostrich
                 ,
                 which
                 God
                 hath
                 deprived
                 of
                 wisdom
                 ,
                 neither
                 hath
                 he
                 imparted
                 to
                 her
                 
                 understanding
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 hardned
                 against
                 her
                 young
                 ones
                 as
                 though
                 they
                 were
                 not
                 hers
                 ;
                 her
                 labour
                 is
                 in
                 vain
                 without
                 fear
              
               Iob
               39.
               16
               ,
               17.
               
               This
               regard
               to
               the
               work
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               to
               the
               good
               of
               posterity
               ,
               made
               Moses
               record
               his
               Song
               Deut.
               31
               ,
               and
               32.
               and
               moved
               him
               to
               bless
               the
               People
               chap.
               33.
               
               This
               moved
               Ioshua
               to
               make
               a
               Covenant
               chap.
               24
               25.
               
               This
               begot
               in
               David
               such
               a
               desire
               to
               build
               house
               unto
               the
               Lord.
               This
               made
               Hezekiah
               weep
               bitterly
               ,
               that
               the
               begun
               Reformation
               was
               like
               to
               cease
               by
               his
               death
               .
               This
               incited
               Paul
               that
               great
               Church
               .
               Ruler
               so
               zealously
               to
               warn
               and
               guard
               th●
               believers
               against
               what
               should
               happen
               after
               his
               departure
               .
               This
               made
               Moses
               and
               David
               before
               the
               death
               so
               carefully
               give
               charge
               to
               their
               successor
               concerning
               their
               duty
               .
               This
               moveth
               all
               men
               naturally
               at
               their
               death
               to
               leave
               their
               Counsel
               and
               Blesing
               to
               their
               posterity
               .
               And
               finally
               ,
               this
               induceth
               good
               Rulers
               in
               their
               time
               to
               establish
               good
               Ordinances
               by
               which
               being
               dead
               they
               may
               speak
               to
               posterity
               .
               3.
               
               Like
               Moses
               ,
               he
               makes
               his
               retreat
               with
               a
               respect
               to
               the
               recompence
               of
               reward
               ,
               
                 Remember
                 me
                 ,
                 O
                 my
                 God
                 ,
                 for
                 good
                 ,
              
               And
               that
               bo●
               proposed
               in
               the
               promise
               2
               Sam.
               23.
               5.
               
               
                 He
                 hath
                 made
                 with
                 mean
                 everlasting
                 Covenant
                 ordered
                 in
                 all
                 things
                 and
                 sure
                 ;
                 for
                 this
                 is
                 all
                 my
                 Salvation
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 my
                 desire
                 ;
                 Or
                 pledged
                 in
                 the
                 testimony
                 of
                 a
                 good
                 Conscience
              
               2
               King
               20.
               3.
               
               
                 Remember
                 O
                 Lord
                 how
                 I
                 have
                 walked
                 before
                 the●
                 in
                 truth
                 and
                 with
                 a
                 perfect
                 heart
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 done
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 right
                 in
                 thy
                 sight
                 .
              
               He
               who
               can
               say
               with
               Iob
               
                 My
                 witness
                 is
                 in
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 record
                 
                 on
                 high
                 ,
                 may
                 justly
                 say
                 with
                 Isaiah
                 ,
                 my
                 work
                 is
                 with
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 reward
                 with
                 my
                 God.
                 For
                 surely
                 there
                 is
                 an
                 end
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 expectation
                 of
                 the
                 righteous
                 shall
                 not
                 be
                 cutt
                 off
                 .
              
               Now
               by
               these
               last
               words
               of
               the
               Tirshatha
               ,
               the
               Ruler
               would
               be
               warned
               ,
               in
               time
               to
               think
               of
               his
               retreat
               ,
               how
               he
               may
               make
               it
               good
               with
               honour
               .
               For
               whether
               slow
               footed
               Time
               ,
               which
               changeth
               not
               his
               pace
               for
               fair
               weather
               or
               foul
               ,
               for
               Summer
               or
               Winter
               ,
               advance
               at
               the
               ordinary
               rate
               of
               Journey
               ;
               or
               whether
               death
               take
               post
               ,
               or
               changes
               take
               wing
               ,
               and
               calamity
               come
               suddenly
               ;
               or
               whether
               all
               these
               hold
               the
               ordinary
               road
               with
               a
               warning
               ,
               or
               take
               the
               by-way
               with
               a
               suprisal
               ,
               It
               is
               time
               for
               the
               Ruler
               to
               think
               of
               his
               removal
               .
               It
               is
               gravely
               observed
               by
               
                 Pedro
                 Mexia
              
               ,
               that
               there
               is
               no
               death
               incident
               to
               men
               which
               hath
               not
               happened
               to
               Emperours
               :
               Discontent
               and
               Grief
               is
               so
               ordinar
               to
               their
               rank
               ,
               that
               almost
               it
               seems
               to
               be
               proper
               :
               and
               how
               few
               of
               them
               escape
               a
               misfortune
               ,
               even
               Children
               are
               taught
               from
               Iuvenal
               .
            
             
               
                 Ad
                 generum
                 Cereris
                 sine
                 caede
                 &
                 sanguine
                 pauci
              
               
                 Descendunt
                 reges
                 ,
                 &
                 sicca
                 morte
                 tyranni
                 .
              
            
             
               And
               in
               this
               consideration
               the
               Prayers
               made
               for
               Rulers
               and
               Emperours
               was
               a
               very
               necessary
               devotion
               ,
               sanctifyed
               by
               the
               command
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               confirmed
               by
               the
               examples
               of
               his
               servants
               in
               the
               Scriptures
               .
               Yet
               the
               Prayers
               which
               would
               not
               let
               Pom●ey
               die
               in
               prosperity
               ,
               could
               not
               recieve
               him
               of
               final
               adversity
               .
               The
               Ruler
               would
               always
               e●pect
               his
               summonds
               ,
               
                 Give
                 an
                 account
                 of
                 thy
                 stewardship
                 ,
                 for
                 
                 thou
                 mayest
                 be
                 no
                 longer
                 steward
                 .
              
               The
               plays
               which
               are
               but
               too
               much
               in
               fashion
               ,
               act
               things
               that
               are
               past
               ;
               but
               the
               Ruler
               would
               erect
               a
               scene
               in
               his
               Soul
               ,
               and
               present
               there
               the
               things
               that
               may
               and
               shall
               be
               ;
               
                 That
                 which
                 hath
                 been
                 is
                 the
                 same
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 same
                 that
                 shall
                 be
                 ;
                 and
                 there
                 is
                 nothing
                 new
                 :
              
               The
               Ruler
               must
               have
               a
               successor
               ,
               as
               he
               himself
               succeeded
               to
               another
               .
               But
               beyond
               paticulars
               Dan.
               7
               9.
               
               
                 I
                 beheld
                 till
                 the
                 thrones
                 were
                 cast
                 down
                 ,
              
               were
               a
               divertisment
               worthy
               of
               the
               Ruler
               ;
               who
               if
               he
               would
               make
               a
               safe
               retreat
               ,
               would
               beware
               of
               these
               things
               in
               particular
               1.
               
               That
               he
               come
               not
               short
               in
               reality
               of
               that
               which
               was
               denyed
               Moses
               in
               the
               type
               Deut
               ;
               34
               ,
               4.
               
               The
               Canaan
               above
               ,
               
                 the
                 Land
                 that
                 is
                 afar
                 off
                 ,
                 the
                 rest
                 that
                 remaineth
                 for
                 the
                 People
                 of
                 God.
                 I
                 have
                 caused
                 thee
                 to
                 see
                 it
                 with
                 thine
                 eyes
                 ,
                 but
                 thou
                 shall
                 not
                 go
                 over
                 thither
                 .
              
               A
               sad
               matter
               for
               a
               ship
               to
               perish
               in
               the
               harbour
               ,
               for
               a
               man
               to
               go
               to
               Hell
               as
               it
               were
               in
               sight
               of
               Heaven
               :
               for
               a
               Ruler
               at
               once
               to
               be
               robbed
               of
               his
               Soul
               and
               his
               Authority
               ,
               who
               can
               sufficiently
               bewail
               his
               misery
               ?
               I
               say
               this
               happened
               Moses
               in
               the
               type
               ;
               for
               that
               he
               is
               already
               possest
               in
               Glory
               is
               manifest
               from
               Heb.
               11.
               and
               Luke
               13
               ,
               28.
               2.
               
               Of
               Solomons
               fate
               ,
               That
               by
               their
               Apostacy
               and
               transgression
               they
               leave
               not
               the
               World
               to
               dispute
               their
               salvation
               ;
               as
               Papists
               and
               Armimans
               make
               him
               an
               instance
               of
               the
               final
               Apostacy
               of
               Saints
               ;
               though
               they
               fail
               in
               probation
               and
               fall
               short
               of
               their
               Enterprise
               .
               It
               were
               the
               wisdom
               of
               the
               Ruler
               by
               his
               unquestioanble
               Goodness
               to
               put
               to
               silence
               evil
               speakers
               .
               3.
               of
               the
               fate
               of
               Joash
               ,
               
               who
               for
               his
               Apostacy
               ,
               ingratitude
               ,
               and
               trespass
               ,
               was
               taken
               away
               in
               a
               hurry
               with
               terrour
               and
               misery
               2.
               
               Chron
               ;
               24
               ,
               23.
               and
               foreward
               .
               They
               who
               are
               bold
               to
               sport
               with
               Eternity
               would
               bewar
               that
               time
               bear
               not
               witness
               of
               their
               folly
               .
               4.
               
               Of
               Davids
               calamity
               ;
               That
               they
               entail
               not
               a
               Judgment
               to
               their
               house
               and
               posterity
               ;
               
                 The
                 sword
                 shall
                 not
                 depart
                 from
                 thy
                 house
                 .
                 I
                 the
                 Lord
                 thy
                 God
                 am
                 a
                 jealous
                 God
                 visiting
                 the
                 iniquities
                 of
                 the
                 Fathers
                 upon
                 the
                 Children
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 third
                 and
                 fourth
                 generation
                 .
              
               Manasseh
               is
               a
               witness
               how
               much
               hereditary
               misery
               may
               come
               upon
               posterity
               for
               the
               sins
               of
               Rulers
               .
               5.
               
               Of
               Ieroboams
               memory
               ;
               That
               he
               bear
               not
               the
               brand
               of
               infamy
               with
               posterity
               ,
               
                 who
                 ●ade
                 Israel
                 to
                 sin
              
               .
               And
               this
               inviteth
               me
               to
               another
               view
               .
            
             
               The
               6th
               view
               of
               these
               words
               obviously
               presenteth
               the
               
                 Memoire
                 of
                 the
                 Ruler
              
               :
               And
               ,
               being
               recorded
               as
               a
               part
               of
               the
               History
               ,
               giveth
               this
               friendly
               and
               pertinent
               warning
               to
               all
               in
               Authority
               ,
               That
               they
               would
               really
               be
               such
               as
               willingly
               they
               would
               suffer
               themselves
               by
               History
               to
               be
               represented
               to
               the
               World
               and
               to
               posterity
               :
               and
               that
               with
               Iob
               they
               may
               say
               Chap.
               31
               ,
               35.
               
               
                 O
                 that
                 mine
                 Adversary
                 had
                 written
                 a
                 Book
                 !
                 &c
                 ,
              
               Prov.
               22
               ,
               1.
               
               
                 A
                 good
                 Name
                 is
                 rather
                 to
                 be
                 chosen
                 than
                 great
                 Riches
                 ,
                 and
                 loving
                 favour
                 rather
                 than
                 silver
                 and
                 gold
                 :
              
               And
               the
               Apostle
               recommendeth
               to
               all
               ,
               
                 Whatsoever
                 things
                 are
                 honest
                 ,
                 whatsoever
                 things
                 are
                 of
                 good
                 report
                 .
              
               
                 Cicero
                 pro
                 Archia
              
               excellently
               saieth
               :
               
                 ●rahimur
                 omnes
                 Laudis
                 studio
                 :
                 &
                 optimus
                 quisque
                 maxime
                 gloria
                 ducitur
                 .
              
               And
               Tiberins
               in
               
                 Tacitus
                 Lib.
              
               4.
               
               
               Annal
               :
               bringeth
               this
               so
               near
               ,
               that
               in
               a
               manner
               he
               impropriateth
               it
               to
               the
               Ruler
               ;
               
                 Ad
                 ea
                 Tiberius
                 Cateris
                 morta
                 thus
                 in
                 eo
                 stare
                 consilia
                 ,
                 quid
                 sibi
                 conducer●
                 putent
                 :
                 Principum
                 diversam
                 esse
                 sortem
                 quibus
                 pracipu●
                 rerum
                 ad
                 samam
                 dirigenda
                 .
              
               So
               that
               all
               men
               in
               their
               measure
               ,
               good
               men
               more
               ,
               and
               Rulers
               who
               should
               be
               the
               best
               men
               ,
               most
               and
               chiefly
               are
               governed
               by
               regard
               to
               their
               fame
               and
               Memory
               .
               And
               this
               is
               their
               study
               :
               though
               ,
               if
               so
               their
               fate
               be
               ,
               to
               do
               well
               and
               be
               ill
               spoken
               of
               ,
               is
               no
               less
               Princely
               :
               according
               to
               the
               saying
               vented
               by
               Antisthenes
               ,
               used
               by
               Alexander
               ,
               and
               imitated
               by
               the
               Emperour
               
                 Marcu●
                 Aurelius
                 Antoninus
              
               the
               Philosopher
               .
               The
               Ruler
               would
               seriously
               remember
               ,
               That
               the
               World
               will
               not
               die
               with
               him
               :
               and
               that
               there
               will
               be
               men
               to
               speak
               and
               write
               when
               he
               shall
               not
               be
               found
               to
               answer
               :
               That
               fear
               and
               flattery
               the
               two
               abusers
               〈◊〉
               living
               Rulers
               ,
               like
               enraged
               Cowards
               
                 (
                 nam
                 timidissimum
                 quod
                 que
                 est
                 idem
                 crudelissimum
                 )
              
               turn
               the
               most
               insolent
               avengers
               ,
               and
               sarcastick
               insulters
               over
               the
               Dead
               that
               bite
               not
               .
               Let
               the
               fates
               of
               Sejanus
               that
               great
               Minion
               ,
               of
               Tiberius
               his
               master
               ,
               of
               Domitian
               ,
               and
               generally
               all
               wicked
               Emperours
               and
               Rulers
               be
               witnesses
               with
               a
               warning
               .
               Tacitus
               that
               great
               state
               Historian
               ,
               and
               the
               Rulers
               Author
               ,
               against
               whom
               nothing
               can
               be
               excepted
               ,
               in
               the
               entry
               of
               his
               History
               tells
               us
               ,
               That
               the
               acts
               and
               affairs
               of
               
                 Tiberius
                 ,
                 Ca●us
                 ,
                 Clandius
              
               and
               Nero
               ,
               while
               they
               flourished
               were
               falsly
               represented
               by
               fear
               ;
               but
               after
               they
               fell
               ,
               were
               sett
               off
               with
               fresh
               hatred
               .
               If
               the
               voice
               of
               a
               flattering
               ,
               fearful
               ,
               interessed
               discontented
               ,
               changeable
               multitude
               be
               rejected
               as
               partial
               ,
               or
               sleighted
               as
               
               unsufficient
               ,
               whose
               mouths
               not
               withstanding
               it
               were
               ●●ter
               they
               were
               stopped
               ;
               yet
               the
               Ruler
               would
               ●ell
               consider
               what
               he
               leaves
               a
               Tacitus
               ,
               an
               imparti●●●
               Author
               to
               say
               ,
               who
               writes
               
                 sine
                 ira
                 &
                 s●udio
                 ,
                 quo●●m
                 causas
                 procul
                 habet
              
               ;
               who
               can
               tell
               him
               
                 contemtis
                 ●●mae
                 ,
                 contemni
                 virtutes
              
               .
               But
               lastly
               the
               Ruler
               above
               all
               ●ould
               consider
               .
               what
               he
               deserves
               at
               the
               hands
               of
               ●od
               that
               cannot
               lie
               ,
               who
               deceiveth
               not
               nor
               is
               de●ived
               ,
               the
               faithfull
               witness
               ,
               the
               soveraign
               Ruler
               〈◊〉
               fame
               ,
               unerring
               giver
               of
               names
               ,
               and
               just
               dispen●●●
               of
               honours
               ,
               who
               hath
               testified
               1
               Sam
               ;
               2
               ,
               30.
               
               Them
               that
               honour
               me
               ,
               I
               will
               honour
               ,
               and
               they
               that
               despise
               me
               shall
               be
               lightly
               esteemed
               :
               And
               ●ov
               .
               10.
               7.
               
               
                 The
                 memory
                 of
                 the
                 just
                 is
                 blessed
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 memory
                 of
                 the
                 wicked
                 shall
                 rot
                 .
              
               That
               ●uler
               hath
               given
               a
               desirable
               subject
               for
               History
               ,
               and
               erected
               a
               fair
               and
               enduring
               Monument
               for
               his
               memory
               ,
               who
               can
               say
               with
               
                 Nehemiah
                 ,
                 Remember
                 ●●e
                 O
                 my
                 God
                 for
                 good
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 all
                 that
                 I
                 have
                 one
                 for
                 this
                 People
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 the
                 house
                 of
                 my
                 God
                 :
              
               for
               ●sal
               .
               112
               ,
               6.
               
               
                 The
                 righteous
                 shall
                 be
                 in
                 everlasting
                 remembrance
              
               ;
               and
               ver
               .
               9.
               
                 his
                 righteousness
                 endureth
                 for
                 ●ver
                 ,
                 his
                 horn
                 shall
                 be
                 exalted
                 with
                 honour
                 .
              
            
             
               FINIS
               .
            
          
        
         
      
       
         
           
             
             
               GRAPES
               IN
               THE
               Wilderness
               :
               OR
               A
               Discourse
               fitted
               to
               all
               Times
               ,
               Treating
               of
               the
               Dispensations
               of
               GOD
               ,
               AND
               OF
               The
               pertinent
               Duties
               and
               Comforts
               of
               His
               PEOPLE
               in
               these
               Times
               .
               WITH
               A
               Preface
               of
               the
               fulness
               of
               Scriptur
               sufficiency
               for
               Answering
               all
               Cases
               .
            
             
               
                 
                   Hosea
                   9.
                   10
                
                 ,
              
               I
               found
               Israel
               like
               Grapes
               in
               the
               Wilderness
               
                 
                   Jer.
                   2
                   ,
                   2.
                
                 
              
               I
               Remember
               thee
               ,
               the
               kindness
               of
               thy
               youth
               ,
               the
               love
               of
               thine
               espousals
               ,
               when
               thou
               wantest
               after
               me
               in
               the
               Wilderness
               in
               a
               Land
               that
               was
               not
               sowen
               
                 
                   Numb
                   .
                   33
                   ,
                   1.
                
                 
              
               These
               are
               the
               journeyes
               of
               the
               Children
               of
               Israel
               ,
               which
               went
               forth
               out
               of
               the
               land
               of
               Egypt
               with
               their
               armies
               under
               the
               hand
               of
               Moses
               and
               Aaron
               .
               
                 2
                 Verse
                 
              
               .
               And
               Moses
               wrote
               their
               goings
               out
               ,
               according
               to
               their
               journeyes
               by
               the
               Commandment
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
               and
               these
               are
               their
               journeyes
               according
               to
               their
               goings
               out
               .
               
                 1
                 Epistle
                 of
                 
                   John
                   1
                   3
                
              
               That
               which
               we
               have
               seen
               and
               heard
               ,
               declare
               we
               unto
               you
               .
            
             
               
                 Written
                 in
                 the
                 Wilderness
              
               .
            
             
               Edinburgh
               ,
               Printed
               by
               
                 George
                 Mosman
              
               ,
               and
               are
               to
               be
               Sold
               at
               his
               Shop
               in
               the
               
                 Parliament-Close
                 ,
                 Anno
                 Dom.
              
               1692.
               
            
          
           
             
             
               THE
               PREFACE
               ,
            
             
               THE
               Jews
               have
               a
               Tradition
               of
               that
               Manna
               wherewith
               God
               fed
               Israel
               in
               the
               Wilderness
               fourtie
               years
               ,
               that
               the
               taste
               thereof
               was
               such
               ,
               and
               so
               various
               ,
               that
               it
               answered
               every
               mans
               Appetit
               ,
               and
               tasted
               to
               him
               of
               whatsoever
               food
               his
               soul
               desired
               .
               And
               look
               how
               uncertain
               is
               that
               Jewish
               Tradition
               of
               the
               
                 materiall
                 Manna
              
               that
               was
               gathered
               off
               the
               Earth
               for
               the
               space
               of
               fourty
               years
               in
               the
               Wilderness
               of
               the
               land
               of
               Egypt
               :
               So
               certain
               is
               this
               Christian
               Truth
               of
               the
               
                 Spiritual
                 Manna
              
               the
               word
               of
               God
               ,
               that
               bread
               of
               Heaven
               ,
               that
               Angels
               food
               ,
               wherewith
               God
               feeds
               his
               Church
               in
               all
               ages
               successively
               ,
               and
               every
               Child
               of
               his
               House
               the
               
                 Israelite
                 indeed
              
               respectively
               throughout
               the
               whole
               course
               of
               their
               life
               and
               travel
               in
               the
               World
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               great
               Wilderness
               :
               that
               it
               hath
               in
               it
               a
               real
               supply
               of
               all
               their
               necessities
               ,
               and
               hath
               always
               in
               it
               a
               word
               in
               season
               to
               all
               persons
               ,
               at
               all
               times
               ,
               and
               in
               every
               condition
               :
               
               To
               the
               Dead
               ,
               it
               is
               life
               :
               to
               the
               living
               ,
               it
               is
               health
               :
               to
               the
               weary
               ,
               it
               is
               refreshment
               :
               to
               the
               weak
               ,
               it
               is
               strength
               :
               to
               Babes
               ,
               it
               is
               milk
               :
               to
               strong
               men
               ,
               it
               is
               meat
               :
               to
               the
               hungry
               ,
               it
               is
               bread
               :
               to
               the
               thirsty
               ,
               it
               is
               waters
               :
               To
               the
               drooping
               soul
               and
               sorrowful
               heart
               ,
               it
               is
               wine
               :
               to
               the
               faint
               ,
               it
               is
               apples
               and
               Pomegranats
               ,
               cinnamon
               ,
               safron
               ,
               spiknard
               ,
               Calamus
               and
               all
               spices
               of
               the
               merchant
               .
               To
               such
               who
               love
               dainties
               ,
               it
               is
               marrow
               and
               fatness
               ,
               honey
               of
               the
               rock
               and
               droping
               from
               the
               honey-comb
               :
               to
               the
               wounded
               ,
               it
               is
               the
               balme
               of
               Gilead
               :
               to
               the
               blind
               and
               weak
               sighted
               ,
               it
               is
               eye
               salve
               and
               oyntment
               to
               annoint
               the
               eyes
               .
               To
               such
               neat
               souls
               as
               love
               to
               be
               all
               Glorious
               within
               ,
               and
               to
               keep
               clean
               Garments
               ,
               it
               is
               a
               Crown
               ,
               chains
               of
               the
               neck
               ,
               braceless
               ,
               ear-rings
               ,
               pendents
               and
               Ornaments
               of
               all
               sorts
               :
               and
               if
               they
               like
               to
               be
               in
               fashion
               and
               to
               go
               fyne
               in
               the
               court
               of
               a
               Heavenly
               Conversation
               and
               communion
               with
               God
               ,
               it
               presents
               them
               a
               bright
               large
               glass
               whereat
               they
               may
               dayly
               adorn
               themselves
               to
               purpose
               .
               This
               Glass
               is
               no
               falsifying
               nor
               multiplying
               Glass
               ,
               but
               a
               just
               discovering
               and
               directing
               one
               ;
               here
               are
               also
               discovered
               not
               only
               all
               the
               obliquities
               of
               gesture
               ,
               and
               faults
               of
               feature
               ;
               and
               all
               spots
               upon
               the
               face
               or
               cloaths
               ;
               but
               likwise
               the
               very
               in
               most
               thoughts
               and
               intents
               of
               the
               heart
               with
               the
               most
               subtile
               imaginations
               of
               the
               mind
               are
               here
               manifested
               .
               Here
               ye
               are
               directed
               to
               sit
               all
               your
               Soul-ornament
               in
               the
               fynest
               spiritual
               fashion
               ,
               and
               to
               compose
               your
               gestur
               and
               order
               your
               motion
               ,
               so
               as
               you
               may
               be
               able
               to
               stand
               in
               the
               presence
               of
               
                 him
                 who
                 is
                 greater
                 than
              
               Solomon
               .
               This
               large
               bright
               Glass
               doth
               stand
               in
               King
               Solomons
               bed-Chamber
               
               in
               the
               Pook
               of
               Canticles
               ,
               and
               in
               it
               you
               may
               see
               your self
               from
               head
               to
               foot
               ,
               There
               ye
               see
               the
               head
               beautiful
               with
               locks
               .
               Cantic
               .
               4
               ,
               There
               ye
               see
               the
               sweet
               comly
               Countenance
               of
               the
               Saint
               ,
               which
               the
               Lord
               is
               so
               much
               in
               love
               with
               ,
               that
               he
               is
               in
               continual
               desire
               to
               see
               it
               :
               there
               you
               see
               those
               eyes
               that
               ravish
               his
               heart
               and
               so
               throughout
               even
               to
               the
               feet
               that
               are
               very
               beautiful
               with
               shooes
               .
               Chap.
               7.
               1.
               
               For
               such
               as
               are
               destitute
               and
               unprovided
               ,
               the
               word
               of
               God
               is
               a
               portion
               :
               to
               the
               poor
               ,
               it
               is
               Riches
               of
               treasure
               of
               choice
               Silver
               and
               fine
               Gold.
               Here
               is
               that
               which
               dispelleth
               darkness
               ,
               cleareth
               doubts
               ,
               dissolveth
               hardness
               ,
               dissappointeth
               fears
               ,
               dischargeth
               cares
               ,
               solaceth
               sorrows
               ,
               and
               satisfieth
               desires
               .
               Here
               is
               counsel
               and
               strength
               for
               peace
               and
               war.
               Here
               is
               daily
               intelligence
               from
               Heaven
               .
               And
               in
               a
               word
               ,
               here
               is
               the
               best
               Companion
               that
               ever
               a
               soul
               did
               choose
               .
               And
               blessed
               they
               who
               can
               spiritually
               tone
               that
               short
               but
               high
               note
               Psal.
               119.
               98.
               
               
                 Thy
                 Commandments
                 are
                 ever
                 with
                 me
                 .
              
               And
               that
               they
               are
               not
               with
               the
               soul
               as
               a
               burden
               of
               idle
               attendants
               are
               with
               a
               man
               ,
               see
               what
               good
               offices
               they
               perform
               by
               their
               presence
               .
               Prov.
               6.
               22.
               23.
               
               They
               are
               as
               Hobab
               to
               Israel
               ,
               and
               David
               to
               
                 Nabal
                 ,
                 Eyes
              
               and
               a
               Guard
               to
               us
               in
               the
               Wilderness
               .
               In
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               chiefly
               in
               this
               World
               we
               change
               seats
               and
               Societies
               ,
               we
               shift
               conditions
               and
               habitations
               ,
               we
               go
               thorow
               the
               Wilderness
               of
               Baca
               from
               troop
               to
               troop
               ;
               we
               are
               driven
               from
               Temple
               ,
               Altar
               ,
               and
               Oracle
               ,
               and
               we
               are
               divided
               from
               our
               relations
               and
               dearest
               acquaintance
               whom
               we
               loved
               as
               our
               own
               Soul
               ,
               we
               are
               spoiled
               of
               our
               Companions
               with
               
               whom
               
                 we
                 took
                 sweet
                 counsel
                 and
                 went
                 into
                 the
                 house
                 of
                 God.
              
               But
               blessed
               that
               Soul
               who
               in
               all
               this
               can
               say
               I
               am
               not
               alone
               ,
               my
               good
               old
               friend
               the
               word
               of
               God
               ,
               the
               Bible
               the
               guide
               of
               my
               Youth
               hath
               not
               yet
               forsaken
               me
               ,
               it
               is
               with
               me
               ,
               yea
               it
               is
               in
               me
               ,
               in
               the
               midst
               of
               my
               heart
               ,
               and
               I
               bear
               about
               me
               daily
               a
               living
               coppy
               of
               those
               livly
               Oracles
               ,
               and
               they
               are
               more
               near
               me
               than
               my
               very
               self
               :
               for
               my
               heart
               is
               within
               me
               ,
               and
               they
               are
               within
               my
               heart
               .
               I
               may
               be
               separated
               from
               my self
               by
               death
               that
               parts
               the
               dearest
               Friends
               ,
               my
               heart
               may
               be
               pluckt
               from
               my
               breast
               ,
               and
               my
               Soul
               dislodged
               of
               my
               Body
               ,
               but
               my
               Companion
               ,
               the
               word
               of
               God
               and
               me
               shall
               nothing
               part
               .
               Prosperity
               shall
               not
               cause
               me
               forget
               it
               :
               And
               adversity
               will
               not
               cause
               it
               forget
               me
               .
               
                 I
                 will
                 never
                 forget
                 thy
                 Precepts
                 ,
                 for
                 with
                 them
                 thou
                 hast
                 quickned
                 me
                 .
                 Psal.
              
               119.
               93.
               
               As
               those
               who
               live
               upon
               the
               shoar
               have
               a
               very
               just
               diall
               of
               the
               measure
               and
               motion
               of
               the
               water
               ,
               which
               they
               can
               make
               use
               of
               without
               the
               sun
               ;
               so
               are
               the
               ebbings
               and
               flowings
               of
               our
               affections
               to
               the
               word
               of
               God
               ,
               the
               surest
               ,
               most
               universall
               ,
               and
               constant
               witnesses
               of
               our
               daily
               condition
               :
               for
               albeit
               the
               darkness
               that
               is
               upon
               the
               face
               of
               our
               Souls
               may
               pretend
               that
               it
               is
               night
               with
               us
               ;
               yet
               if
               it
               be
               full
               sea
               in
               our
               affection
               to
               the
               word
               of
               God
               ,
               we
               may
               be
               sure
               it
               is
               noon
               day
               :
               and
               when
               it
               is
               low
               water
               in
               our
               affection
               to
               the
               word
               ,
               sure
               then
               ,
               it
               is
               mid
               night
               :
               and
               the
               sun
               was
               never
               seen
               at
               mid
               night
               .
               Be
               sure
               ,
               it
               is
               ill
               with
               that
               Soul
               that
               is
               out
               of
               conceit
               with
               the
               word
               of
               God.
               
            
             
               Now
               to
               say
               nothing
               of
               the
               malignant
               qualities
               of
               gross
               ignorants
               ,
               prophane
               Atheists
               ,
               and
               obstinate
               
               unbelievers
               who
               are
               habitually
               dissafected
               to
               the
               word
               of
               God
               :
               nor
               yet
               to
               mention
               the
               willful
               groundless
               fits
               of
               pettish
               distempers
               in
               Saints
               ,
               who
               often
               times
               do
               even
               take
               up
               at
               their
               foot
               groundless
               and
               needless
               pleaes
               and
               discouraging
               apprehensions
               which
               they
               cannot
               so
               easily
               lay
               down
               again
               Psal.
               42
               ,
               5
               ,
               
                 Why
                 art
                 thou
                 cast
                 down
                 O
                 my
                 soul
                 ,
                 and
                 why
                 art
                 thou
                 disquieted
                 in
                 me
                 ?
              
               Psal.
               77.
               2.
               
               
                 My
                 sore
                 ran
                 in
                 the
                 night
                 and
                 ceased
                 not
                 ,
                 my
                 soul
                 refused
                 to
                 be
                 comforted
                 .
              
               To
               pass
               these
               ,
               I
               say
               ,
               as
               bearing
               no
               direct
               impeachment
               of
               the
               abovesaid
               commendation
               of
               the
               absolute
               sufficiency
               of
               the
               word
               of
               God
               to
               answer
               all
               cases
               ;
               There
               are
               
                 three
                 Things
              
               that
               in
               a
               time
               of
               tentation
               ,
               in
               an
               hour
               and
               power
               of
               darkness
               do
               readily
               concurr
               to
               diminish
               the
               Saints
               respects
               to
               the
               word
               of
               God.
               The
               first
               is
               ,
               that
               their
               case
               seems
               odd
               ,
               unparalleled
               ,
               and
               unpracticable
               in
               Scripture
               :
               they
               find
               no
               case
               equal
               with
               theirs
               in
               all
               respects
               that
               hath
               been
               cured
               .
               2
               In
               their
               weakness
               they
               thereupon
               conclude
               that
               their
               case
               is
               really
               hopless
               and
               irremedable
               .
               But
               3
               The
               saddest
               of
               all
               is
               ,
               that
               they
               find
               the
               word
               not
               only
               silent
               for
               them
               ,
               but
               to
               speak
               directly
               and
               aloud
               against
               them
               ,
               as
               they
               think
               ,
               smiting
               ,
               hewing
               and
               hammering
               them
               ,
               with
               sad
               and
               heavy
               threatnings
               and
               intimations
               of
               determined
               wrath
               rejection
               and
               ruine
               to
               come
               upon
               them
               from
               the
               Lord.
               In
               all
               these
               they
               err
               ,
               not
               knowing
               the
               Scriptures
               ,
               But
               that
               yet
               for
               all
               this
               there
               is
               hope
               ,
               and
               that
               the
               Scriptures
               are
               not
               to
               be
               casten
               out
               with
               as
               unkind
               and
               uncomfortable
               Companions
               in
               such
               cases
               ,
               Let
               these
               things
               be
               considered
               for
               vindication
               of
               the
               Scriptures
               to
               Souls
               thus
               exercised
               .
            
             
             
               And
               1.
               
               Be
               it
               granted
               as
               the
               truth
               is
               ,
               that
               a
               Souls
               case
               may
               be
               such
               for
               Circumstances
               ,
               that
               the
               Scriptures
               mention
               none
               Parallel
               with
               it
               in
               all
               points
               to
               have
               been
               cured
               (
               the
               same
               is
               all
               along
               to
               be
               understood
               respectivly
               of
               Churches
               and
               Nations
               as
               of
               particular
               persons
               )
               yet
               I
               am
               confidently
               perswaded
               ,
               that
               there
               is
               no
               case
               now
               incident
               to
               any
               whether
               Nation
               ,
               Church
               ,
               or
               Person
               ,
               but
               the
               Scripture
               holdeth
               forth
               some
               either
               ,
               as
               evil
               or
               worse
               ,
               whether
               for
               sin
               or
               suffering
               that
               have
               been
               helped
               .
               
                 There
                 hath
                 no
                 temptation
                 taken
                 you
              
               (
               sayes
               the
               Apostle
               1
               Cor.
               10
               13
               )
               
                 but
                 such
                 as
                 is
                 common
                 to
                 man.
              
               Is
               thy
               case
               sinful
               ?
               behold
               the
               Scripture
               tells
               us
               ,
               that
               he
               obtained
               mercy
               who
               once
               a
               day
               thought
               himself
               
                 the
                 chief
                 of
                 sinners
              
               .
               1
               Timoth.
               1
               ,
               15.
               
               And
               that
               as
               an
               exquisite
               and
               rare
               piece
               of
               mercy
               is
               set
               forth
               in
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               for
               a
               pattern
               to
               all
               those
               who
               should
               afterwards
               believe
               in
               Christ
               to
               life
               everlasting
               .
               Christ
               loves
               to
               have
               sinners
               change
               and
               for
               that
               he
               puteth
               forth
               his
               pattern
               ,
               as
               Merchants
               do
               their
               samplers
               of
               Rich
               Wares
               :
               and
               sure
               he
               hath
               since
               that
               time
               put
               off
               many
               such
               pieces
               ,
               and
               yet
               the
               pattern
               stands
               forth
               shewing
               that
               their
               is
               more
               ,
               abundance
               to
               serve
               all
               that
               have
               need
               .
               To
               say
               nothing
               of
               
               Paul's
               sin
               which
               sure
               was
               great
               enough
               ,
               nor
               of
               many
               who
               since
               his
               time
               may
               have
               thought
               themselves
               the
               chief
               of
               sinners
               as
               well
               as
               he
               did
               (
               where
               I
               think
               I
               see
               a
               kind
               of
               strife
               among
               mercies
               Clients
               who
               shall
               be
               most
               beholding
               to
               free
               Mercy
               and
               free
               Grace
               )
               This
               pattern
               makes
               it
               fully
               certain
               that
               there
               is
               mercy
               for
               the
               chief
               of
               sinners
               be
               who
               he
               will
               ,
               and
               that
               he
               ,
               whosoever
               he
               
               that
               supposes
               himself
               the
               chief
               of
               sinners
               ,
               is
               ●ot
               thereby
               warranted
               to
               despair
               of
               mercy
               ;
               but
               rather
               to
               plead
               the
               greatest
               interest
               of
               necessity
               ,
               and
               to
               look
               upon
               himself
               as
               the
               fittest
               subject
               for
               the
               Lord
               ,
               wherein
               to
               display
               his
               Glory
               .
               Is
               thy
               Case
               afflicted
               ?
               And
               thy
               sufferings
               extraordinary
               ?
               See
               
               Job's
               desperate
               Case
               ,
               see
               
               Heman's
               distracted
               Case
               ,
               see
               that
               Case
               of
               the
               Church
               in
               the
               Lamentations
               ,
               in
               whose
               Case
               there
               is
               hope
               ,
               though
               it
               had
               not
               been
               done
               under
               the
               whole
               Heaven
               as
               had
               ●een
               done
               to
               Jerusalem
               .
               Look
               to
               the
               cloud
               of
               Witnesses
               .
               Look
               to
               Jesus
               Heb.
               11.
               and
               12.
               
               Chapters
               .
            
             
               But
               here
               is
               the
               great
               Case
               of
               the
               troubled
               Soul
               ,
               Cleanly
               sufferings
               for
               the
               Exercise
               of
               my
               Grace
               ,
               ●●
               
               Job's
               ,
               or
               for
               the
               testimony
               of
               Truth
               and
               a
               ●ood
               Conscience
               ,
               as
               those
               of
               all
               the
               Witnesses
               and
               Martyrs
               ,
               I
               could
               well
               bear
               :
               In
               these
               respects
               ,
               I
               ●ount
               it
               all
               joy
               to
               fall
               into
               diverse
               temptations
               ,
               and
               could
               count
               it
               my
               Honour
               and
               Mercy
               as
               well
               ●●
               suffer
               for
               Christ
               as
               to
               believe
               in
               him
               :
               I
               could
               ●o
               with
               such
               sufferings
               as
               Job
               would
               have
               done
               with
               his
               Adversaries
               Books
               ;
               I
               could
               take
               them
               upon
               my
               shoulder
               ,
               and
               bind
               them
               as
               a
               Crowne
               to
               me
               ,
               and
               as
               a
               Prince
               would
               I
               go
               near
               unto
               him
               ;
               ●ut
               Alas
               !
               I
               suffer
               with
               an
               evil
               Conscience
               ,
               my
               afflictions
               are
               to
               me
               the
               punishment
               of
               my
               ini●uity
               ,
               and
               the
               fruits
               of
               my
               folly
               .
               This
               case
               indeed
               ,
               if
               any
               ,
               requireth
               the
               Tongue
               of
               the
               learned
               ,
               and
               a
               word
               in
               season
               to
               the
               Soul
               that
               is
               weary
               of
               ●●
               ;
               And
               if
               the
               word
               of
               God
               help
               me
               not
               here
               ,
               I
               have
               lost
               the
               Cause
               ,
               and
               come
               short
               of
               my
               Accounts
               .
               But
               there
               is
               hope
               in
               Israel
               also
               concerning
               
               this
               thing
               .
               Ezra
               .
               10.
               2.
               
               And
               I
               find
               the
               Scripture
               clear
               in
               these
               particulars
               concerning
               this
               case
            
             
               1.
               
               I
               find
               indeed
               a
               great
               odds
               betwixt
               cleanly
               suffering
               for
               righteousness
               ,
               and
               suffering
               meerly
               for
               i●
               doing
               .
               The
               one
               is
               a
               thing
               thank-worthy
               ,
               and
               Glorifying
               of
               God
               in
               the
               highest
               manner
               actively
               the
               other
               is
               not
               thank-worthy
               ,
               but
               is
               the
               mans
               misery
               .
               In
               the
               one
               a
               man
               hath
               a
               good
               Conscience
               and
               joy
               therefrom
               :
               in
               the
               other
               a
               man
               hath
               an
               i●
               Conscience
               ,
               with
               terrour
               and
               sorrow
               proceeding
               therefrom
               .
               The
               one
               gives
               a
               man
               good
               confidence
               of
               assistance
               ,
               and
               of
               the
               spirit
               of
               Glory
               and
               of
               God
               to
               rest
               upon
               him
               :
               the
               other
               makes
               a
               man
               despon●
               and
               droop
               .
               The
               one
               stops
               ,
               the
               other
               opens
               the
               mouths
               of
               wicked
               men
               .
               Therefore
               sayes
               
                 Peter
                 .
                 Pet.
              
               3
               ,
               17.
               
               
                 It
                 is
                 better
                 if
                 the
                 will
                 of
                 God
                 be
                 so
                 ,
                 t●●
                 ye
                 suffer
                 for
                 well
                 doing
                 ,
                 than
                 for
                 evil
                 doing
                 .
              
            
             
               2ly
               It
               is
               clear
               that
               we
               ought
               to
               bear
               such
               Afflictions
               with
               the
               more
               patience
               ,
               Micah
               7
               ,
               9.
               
               
                 I
                 will
                 be●
                 the
                 indignation
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 because
                 I
                 have
                 finned
                 again
                 him
                 .
              
               Nor
               ought
               any
               living
               man
               to
               complain
               who
               suffers
               meerly
               
                 for
                 the
                 punishment
                 of
                 his
                 iniquity
                 .
                 La●
              
               3
               ,
               39.
               and
               if
               he
               must
               complain
               let
               him
               complain
               to
               God
               ,
               and
               bemoan
               his
               case
               in
               quietness
               to
               him
               ▪
               It
               is
               far
               better
               for
               men
               to
               bear
               their
               yoke
               quieth
               and
               sit
               alone
               ,
               than
               to
               pine
               away
               in
               their
               iniquity
               Mourning
               one
               to
               another
               whilst
               they
               do
               not
               〈◊〉
               to
               the
               Lord.
               Too
               much
               whining
               and
               complaining
               to
               men
               will
               be
               found
               Labour
               which
               profitet
               not
               ,
               try
               it
               who
               will.
               But
               as
               a
               man
               would
               complain
               to
               God.
               so
               he
               would
               beware
               to
               complain
               of
               God
               :
               he
               would
               leave
               his
               complaint
               upon
               him
               
               self
               .
               Job
               10
               ,
               1.
               and
               lay
               the
               blame
               of
               his
               afflictions
               home
               upon
               himself
               .
               Psal
               38.
               5.
               
               
                 My
                 folly
                 makes
                 is
                 so
              
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               It
               is
               clear
               from
               the
               whole
               History
               of
               the
               Scriptures
               ,
               that
               most
               of
               all
               the
               Saints
               Afflictions
               ,
               whether
               conjunctly
               in
               the
               Body
               of
               a
               Church
               or
               Nation
               ,
               or
               severally
               in
               their
               own
               persons
               particularly
               ,
               have
               been
               the
               chastizments
               of
               their
               iniquities
               and
               the
               
                 Rods
                 of
                 men
              
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               such
               corrections
               as
               men
               use
               upon
               misdemeaning
               Children
               :
               I
               find
               this
               true
               of
               publik
               Affliction
               of
               a
               whole
               Church
               or
               Nation
               .
            
             
               4
               ,
               It
               is
               clear
               ,
               that
               the
               Lords
               Rods
               ,
               whether
               publick
               or
               personal
               upon
               his
               sinful
               People
               ,
               ●ow
               from
               love
               in
               the
               fountain
               ,
               are
               mixed
               with
               ●ove
               in
               their
               course
               ,
               and
               run
               forth
               into
               love
               in
               the
               ●ssue
               .
               If
               this
               seem
               strange
               to
               any
               ,
               let
               him
               remember
               ,
               that
               he
               who
               
                 spareth
                 his
                 Rod
                 ,
                 hateth
                 his
                 Child
                 ●ut
                 he
                 that
                 chasteneth
                 him
                 betimes
                 delivereth
                 his
                 ●oul
                 .
              
               Gods
               thoughts
               concerning
               his
               People
               are
               
                 thoughts
                 of
                 peace
                 and
                 not
                 of
                 evil
                 ,
                 to
                 give
                 them
                 an
                 expected
                 end
                 .
              
               Jer.
               29.
               11.
               
               
                 And
                 in
                 the
                 midst
                 of
                 wrath
                 he
                 will
                 remember
                 mercy
                 ,
              
               Habbac
               ,
               3.
               2.
               
               Gods
               love
               to
               his
               People
               is
               very
               consistent
               with
               anger
               ,
               though
               that
               be
               even
               servent
               to
               the
               Degree
               of
               wrath
               ,
               but
               not
               with
               hatred
               ;
               and
               hatred
               ,
               not
               anger
               ,
               is
               lov
               's
               opposite
               :
               an
               angry
               love
               is
               ofttimes
               most
               profitable
               .
               Heb.
               12.
               10.
               
               Let
               none
               therefore
               be
               so
               weak
               and
               Child-witted
               as
               to
               eonclude
               ,
               I
               am
               sharply
               scourged
               ,
               and
               sore
               smitten
               for
               my
               folly
               ,
               herefore
               my
               Father
               hath
               cast
               me
               off
               and
               cares
               not
               for
               me
               .
               And
               yet
               we
               find
               Affliction
               ,
               that
               makth
               a
               wise
               man
               mad
               ,
               raising
               such
               apprehensions
               oft●●s
               in
               the
               wise
               heart
               of
               strong
               
                 David
                 .
                 I
              
               do
               
               not
               here
               speak
               how
               the
               Lord
               causeth
               his
               People
               
                 to
                 pass
                 under
                 the
                 rod
                 ,
                 and
                 bringeth
                 them
                 within
                 the
                 bond
                 of
                 the
                 Covenant
              
               Ezek.
               20
               ,
               37.
               and
               how
               
                 he
                 chooses
                 them
                 in
                 the
                 furnace
                 of
                 Affliction
                 Isai
              
               48.
               10.
               and
               that
               was
               an
               Affliction
               for
               sin
               and
               sadly
               deserved
               Rod
               :
               And
               yet
               the
               Lord
               when
               he
               would
               pick
               out
               a
               piece
               of
               the
               finest
               mettal
               ,
               goes
               neither
               to
               Coffer
               nor
               Cup-board
               ,
               where
               the
               glistering
               of
               Peace
               and
               posterity
               dazle
               the
               eyes
               of
               undescreet
               behold
               ers
               ;
               but
               he
               goes
               to
               the
               smoak
               and
               Soot
               of
               the
               furnace
               ,
               and
               there
               he
               pitcheth
               upon
               the
               rare●
               Saints
               of
               the
               last
               refine
               :
               The
               Lord
               goeth
               down
               to
               the
               Land
               of
               Affliction
               and
               to
               the
               house
               of
               Bondage
               to
               visit
               his
               People
               ,
               and
               there
               he
               falls
               in
               love
               with
               them
               ,
               there
               he
               wooes
               them
               ,
               and
               there
               he
               wedds
               them
               in
               their
               mourning
               Garments
               :
               For
               the
               get
               not
               the
               oil
               of
               joy
               nor
               the
               Garment
               of
               Praise
               till
               the
               second
               day
               of
               the
               Marriage
               ,
               and
               then
               the●
               rise
               from
               the
               Dust
               and
               shine
               ,
               their
               light
               cometh
               and
               the
               Glory
               of
               the
               Lord
               ariseth
               upon
               them
               .
               See
               Isai
               48.
               10.
               cited
               ,
               Hos.
               2
               ,
               14.
               and
               foreward
               .
               Isai
               61.
               3.
               and
               60.
               1.
               
               In
               fine
               ,
               the
               Scripture
               is
               full
               o●
               rare
               and
               satisfactory
               Expressions
               of
               Gods
               love
               to
               his
               People
               ,
               even
               under
               sufferings
               which
               their
               own
               wickedness
               hath
               procured
               ,
               whereof
               it
               will
               apper
               tain
               to
               speak
               more
               particularly
               in
               the
               sequel
               of
               ou●
               ensuing
               Discourse
               .
            
             
               5thly
               It
               is
               clear
               from
               Scripture
               ,
               that
               there
               is
               difference
               to
               be
               put
               betwixt
               sin
               procuring
               and
               bringing
               on
               Sufferings
               and
               bitter
               Afflictions
               ,
               and
               sin
               discovered
               in
               and
               by
               suffering
               .
               Let
               God
               ca●
               a
               Holy
               Iob
               in
               the
               furnace
               ,
               and
               it
               will
               discover
               
               scum
               ,
               that
               will
               cause
               him
               say
               ,
               
                 My
                 Transgressions
                 are
                 infinit
              
               ,
               And
               yet
               the
               Lord
               himself
               sustains
               
               Iob's
               Plea
               ,
               that
               it
               was
               not
               for
               sin
               that
               he
               was
               pursuing
               him
               .
            
             
               6.
               
               It
               is
               clear
               that
               there
               is
               a
               great
               difference
               often
               times
               betwixt
               the
               Righteousness
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               the
               Righteousness
               of
               Men
               Afflicting
               his
               People
               :
               as
               we
               see
               frequently
               in
               
               David's
               Cases
               .
               Yea
               I
               find
               an
               excellent
               ,
               rare
               ,
               comfortable
               Dispensation
               of
               God
               to
               his
               People
               ,
               that
               he
               will
               sometimes
               scourge
               them
               with
               the
               Golden
               Rod
               of
               Martyrdom
               ,
               and
               correct
               their
               faults
               in
               an
               Honourable
               way
               ,
               and
               chastile
               them
               soundly
               ,
               and
               yet
               never
               let
               the
               World
               know
               ,
               what
               is
               betwixt
               him
               and
               them
               .
               The
               Lord
               loves
               not
               to
               proclaim
               and
               blaze
               the
               bemoaned
               faults
               of
               his
               People
               ,
               nor
               to
               make
               them
               Odious
               to
               the
               World
               which
               hath
               a
               bad
               enough
               Opinion
               of
               them
               alwayes
               :
               But
               if
               I
               must
               correct
               my
               Child
               saith
               he
               ,
               I
               will
               stay
               till
               the
               World
               and
               he
               fall
               out
               in
               some
               point
               of
               Conscience
               ,
               in
               Faith
               or
               manners
               ,
               wherefore
               he
               must
               suffer
               ,
               and
               then
               in
               my
               Gracious
               Wisdom
               ,
               I
               will
               shew
               a
               rare
               Conjunction
               or
               meeting
               of
               these
               three
               Planets
               in
               one
               house
               .
               1.
               
               The
               correction
               of
               my
               Child
               .
               2.
               
               His
               Glory
               ,
               and
               3.
               
               His
               acceptable
               Duty
               ;
               and
               I
               will
               let
               him
               earn
               a
               reward
               of
               thanks
               and
               Glory
               in
               that
               very
               suffering
               wherein
               I
               shall
               visit
               his
               iniquities
               ,
               and
               he
               shall
               give
               Testimony
               for
               me
               .
               God
               can
               go
               many
               Earauds
               at
               once
               ,
               and
               sold
               up
               many
               Projects
               in
               one
               piece
               of
               Providence
               :
               
                 the
                 Lord
                 will
                 finish
                 the
                 whole
                 work
                 and
                 cut
                 it
                 short
                 in
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 because
                 a
                 short
                 work
                 will
                 the
                 Lord
                 make
                 upon
                 the
                 earth
                 .
                 Rom.
              
               9.
               28.
               
               The
               
               Lord
               is
               good
               at
               dispatches
               .
               If
               the
               Question
               be
               then
               ,
               whether
               God
               will
               ever
               Honour
               a
               Man
               with
               whom
               he
               hath
               a
               Controversie
               ,
               to
               suffer
               for
               Righteousness
               ?
               I
               Answer
               ,
               Yes
               ,
               and
               I
               confess
               I
               should
               hardly
               have
               been
               of
               that
               Judgment
               ,
               if
               I
               had
               not
               found
               clear
               Divine
               truth
               going
               before
               me
               in
               it
               ,
               comparing
               the
               whole
               tenor
               of
               the
               38
               Psalm
               with
               the
               20.
               verse
               thereof
               :
               where
               at
               once
               the
               Psalmist
               is
               suffering
               from
               men
               for
               that
               which
               is
               good
               ,
               and
               from
               God
               for
               his
               foolishness
               and
               iniquity
               .
               Verses
               4
               ,
               5
               ,
               and
               18.
               
               Here
               it
               is
               fit
               to
               remember
               
               Luther's
               seasonable
               warning
               ,
               that
               when
               David
               in
               his
               Prayers
               speaketh
               of
               his
               Righteousness
               ,
               we
               would
               refer
               it
               to
               its
               true
               correlative
               ,
               to
               wit
               ,
               towards
               men
               his
               enemies
               he
               was
               Righteous
               ;
               but
               towards
               God
               that
               is
               his
               Language
               ,
               
                 Be
                 merciful
                 to
                 me
                 O
                 God
                 ,
                 be
                 merciful
                 to
                 me
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 multitude
                 of
                 thy
                 tender
                 mercies
                 blot
                 out
                 my
                 iniquities
                 Psal.
              
               51.
               
               The
               accuser
               of
               Gods
               Children
               will
               be
               ready
               to
               carry
               ill
               reports
               betwixt
               him
               and
               them
               ,
               and
               to
               keep
               up
               an
               ill
               understanding
               betwixt
               them
               ,
               if
               he
               can
               ,
               and
               in
               times
               of
               suffering
               for
               their
               Duty
               he
               will
               not
               be
               idle
               :
               he
               will
               tell
               them
               a
               thousand
               Stories
               of
               their
               own
               sins
               ,
               to
               weaken
               their
               hands
               and
               cause
               them
               believe
               ,
               that
               God
               will
               never
               accept
               service
               of
               them
               ,
               but
               that
               they
               shall
               come
               foul
               off
               with
               all
               their
               fair
               Essayes
               .
               Ye
               have
               heard
               of
               Gods
               Gracious
               Wisdom
               ,
               and
               now
               these
               are
               the
               Devil
               's
               malicious
               wyles
               ;
               but
               a
               Syllogism
               or
               Argument
               framed
               of
               one
               premise
               of
               Gods
               ,
               and
               another
               of
               the
               Devil
               's
               ,
               will
               never
               infer
               a
               Conclusion
               of
               Faith
               ,
               and
               that
               can
               claime
               ●iducial
               assent
               .
               Wherefore
               in
               such
               a
               mixed
               
               case
               ,
               (
               which
               I
               desire
               may
               be
               remembred
               to
               be
               every
               caseable
               )
               let
               a
               man
               freely
               
                 declare
                 his
                 iniquity
                 〈◊〉
                 God
                 and
                 be
                 sorry
                 for
                 his
                 sin
                 ,
                 Psal
                 :
              
               38.
               18.
               
               Let
               him
               repent
               and
               mean
               himself
               to
               God
               ,
               who
               (
               as
               I
               have
               said
               )
               loves
               to
               keep
               his
               People's
               Counsel
               and
               to
               keep
               their
               faults
               
                 sub
                 sigillo
                 confessionis
              
               and
               
                 under
                 the
                 rose
              
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               he
               will
               be
               to
               them
               a
               good
               Secretary
               ,
               but
               ●●t
               them
               cleave
               to
               that
               which
               is
               good
               ,
               and
               incourage
               themselves
               in
               a
               good
               matter
               ,
               and
               beware
               of
               failing
               in
               present
               Duty
               in
               a
               discourageing
               sense
               of
               former
               iniquities
               :
               for
               one
               fault
               will
               never
               ●end
               another
               ,
               and
               yet
               that
               is
               even
               the
               best
               method
               that
               Satan
               useth
               to
               offer
               in
               such
               cases
               :
               But
               the
               Lord
               ,
               that
               hath
               chosen
               Ierusalem
               ,
               rebuke
               him
               ,
               for
               troubling
               his
               poor
               afflicted
               People
               ,
               who
               are
               as
               ●rands
               plukt
               out
               of
               the
               fire
               .
               I
               have
               insisted
               upon
               his
               case
               ,
               because
               of
               it self
               it
               is
               a
               weighty
               deserving
               one
               ;
               and
               I
               have
               not
               seen
               any
               who
               hath
               directly
               spoken
               to
               it
               ,
               but
               one
               who
               dispatcheth
               it
               to
               good
               purpose
               in
               a
               word
               .
               It
               is
               worthy
               Mr.
               Scuder
               in
               his
               
                 Christians
                 daily
                 walk
              
               ,
               (
               this
               book
               was
               by
               famous
               Mr.
               
                 Alexander
                 Henderson
              
               recommended
               and
               gifted
               as
               a
               
                 vade
                 mecum
              
               or
               pocket
               piece
               to
               his
               ●riend
               ,
               at
               that
               time
               a
               young
               Gentlman
               going
               into
               ●rance
               )
               where
               ,
               page
               263
               he
               speaketh
               thus
               .
               
                 You
                 will
                 say
                 ,
                 if
                 you
                 did
                 bear
                 Afflictions
                 for
                 Christ
                 ,
                 then
                 you
                 could
                 think
                 and
                 expect
                 well
                 of
                 it
                 ;
                 but
                 you
                 oftimes
                 suffer
                 Affliction
                 justly
                 for
                 your
                 sin
                 .
                 I
                 Answer
                 (
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 for
                 he
                 had
                 been
                 speaking
                 of
                 that
                 Scripture
                 ,
                 2
                 Cor.
                 4.
                 17
                 ,
                 18
                 )
                 though
                 this
                 place
                 principally
                 point
                 at
                 Martyrdom
                 and
                 suffering
                 for
                 Christs
                 cause
                 ;
                 yet
                 it
                 is
                 all
                 one
                 in
                 your
                 case
                 
                 if
                 you
                 will
                 bear
                 Afflictions
                 patiently
                 for
                 his
                 sake
                 A
                 man
                 may
                 suffer
                 Afflictions
                 for
                 Christ
                 two
                 ways
                 .
                 First
                 when
                 he
                 suffereth
                 for
                 his
                 Religion
                 and
                 for
                 his
                 cause
                 .
                 2dly
                 when
                 a
                 man
                 suffereth
                 any
                 thing
                 that
                 God
                 layeth
                 on
                 him
                 quietly
                 and
                 for
                 Christs
                 will
                 and
                 commands
                 sake
                 .
                 This
                 Latter
                 is
                 more
                 general
                 than
                 the
                 former
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 former
                 must
                 be
                 comprehended
                 in
                 this
                 Latter
                 :
                 els
                 the
                 former
                 suffering
                 for
                 Christs
                 cause
                 ,
                 if
                 it
                 be
                 not
                 in
                 love
                 and
                 obedience
                 for
                 Christs
                 sake
                 ,
                 out
                 of
                 Conscience
                 to
                 fulfil
                 his
                 will
                 is
                 nothing
                 :
                 whereas
                 he
                 that
                 endureth
                 patiently
                 endures
                 Affliction
                 for
                 Christ
                 ,
                 though
                 he
                 never
                 be
                 put
                 to
                 it
                 to
                 suffer
                 for
                 profession
                 of
                 Christ
                 :
                 and
                 i●
                 such
                 an
                 one
                 were
                 put
                 to
                 it
                 ,
                 he
                 would
                 readily
                 suffer
                 for
                 Christs
                 cause
                 :
                 and
                 such
                 Afflictions
                 as
                 these
                 thus
                 patiently
                 endured
                 ,
                 work
                 also
                 this
                 excellent
                 weight
                 of
                 Glory
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 the
                 other
                 .
                 By
                 these
                 and
                 the
                 like
                 reasonings
                 of
                 faith
                 ,
                 you
                 may
                 world
                 your
                 Souls
                 to
                 patience
                 as
                 David
                 and
                 others
                 have
                 done
                 by
                 
                   casting
                   Anchor
                   on
                   God
                
                 and
                 on
                 his
                 word
                 fixing
                 their
                 stay
                 and
                 hope
                 in
                 God.
                 Let
                 the
                 issue
                 of
                 your
                 reasoning
                 be
                 this
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 wait
                 on
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 for
                 all
                 matter
                 of
                 disquietment
                 will
                 praise
                 him
                 who
                 is
                 the
                 health
                 of
                 my
                 countenance
                 and
                 my
                 God.
                 
              
               Thus
               Mr.
               Scudder
               ,
               and
               truely
               none
               could
               have
               spoken
               more
               ,
               nor
               to
               better
               purpose
               in
               so
               few
               words
               .
            
             
               And
               thus
               have
               I
               spoken
               to
               Scripture
               examples
               of
               cases
               Parralleling
               the
               weightiest
               of
               cases
               ,
               incident
               to
               any
               man
               now
               living
               .
               Only
               be
               it
               remembered
               that
               cases
               are
               as
               faces
               ,
               many
               agree
               in
               some
               things
               some
               in
               many
               things
               ,
               none
               in
               all
               things
               .
               There
               is
               in
               every
               mans
               case
               something
               peculiar
               ,
               aggravating
               it
               beyond
               
               that
               of
               another
               man
               ,
               and
               (
               as
               the
               Heart
               knows
               its
               own
               grief
               )
               every
               man
               knows
               best
               the
               plague
               of
               his
               own
               Heart
               ;
               but
               he
               knows
               not
               ,
               at
               least
               feels
               not
               his
               Neighbours
               sores
               :
               Hence
               every
               one
               judgeth
               his
               own
               case
               worst
               of
               all
               ,
               it
               may
               be
               the
               best
               is
               bad
               enough
               ,
               and
               yet
               the
               worstis
               not
               so
               bad
               but
               it
               may
               be
               better
               .
            
             
               In
               the
               second
               place
               ,
               for
               Vindication
               of
               the
               Scriptures
               from
               the
               foresaid
               disheartning
               prejudices
               ,
               I
               shall
               lay
               down
               this
               very
               self-ground
               whereupon
               the
               querulous
               Soul
               doth
               walk
               ,
               though
               with
               a
               halting
               foot
               .
               
                 That
                 those
                 Cases
                 are
                 hopeful
                 and
                 cureable
                 that
                 are
                 paralleled
                 and
                 practicable
                 in
                 Scripture
                 ,
              
               that
               is
               to
               say
               ,
               That
               such
               whereof
               the
               Scripture
               gives
               account
               ,
               have
               been
               either
               hopeful
               and
               curable
               ,
               or
               actually
               have
               been
               cured
               and
               helped
               .
               And
               thus
               I
               reason
               ,
               
                 è
                 converso
              
               ,
               or
               by
               exchange
               .
               That
               case
               is
               hopeful
               and
               curable
               which
               is
               paralleled
               and
               practicable
               :
               But
               such
               is
               thy
               case
               ,
               it
               hath
               a
               match
               in
               Scripture
               ,
               and
               therefore
               curable
               .
               That
               is
               Paralleled
               and
               hath
               a
               match
               in
               Scripture
               I
               prove
               thus
               :
               A
               case
               concluded
               hopeless
               hath
               a
               match
               in
               Scripture
               :
               But
               such
               is
               thy
               case
               ,
               thou
               concludes
               it
               hopeless
               :
               And
               therefore
               it
               hath
               a
               match
               in
               Scripture
               .
               That
               a
               case
               concluded
               hopeless
               hath
               a
               match
               in
               Scripture
               ,
               it
               is
               clear
               ,
               in
               that
               the
               Lord
               finds
               fault
               with
               those
               in
               Ieremiah
               ,
               that
               said
               their
               was
               no
               hope
               ,
               and
               assures
               them
               there
               is
               hope
               ;
               if
               they
               will
               return
               and
               repent
               .
               It
               is
               clear
               likewise
               from
               the
               Churches
               case
               in
               Isaiah
               ,
               who
               said
               her
               judgment
               was
               passed
               over
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
               and
               for
               that
               is
               taxed
               ,
               that
               she
               spoke
               unreasonably
               .
               Likewise
               from
               
               David's
               case
               in
               the
               Psalms
               ,
               that
               said
               ,
               
                 He
                 was
                 cut
                 off
                 from
                 God's
                 presence
                 ,
              
               and
               yet
               he
               
               found
               heart
               to
               look
               again
               to
               God
               ,
               and
               to
               cry
               to
               him
               and
               was
               heard
               ,
               notwithstanding
               his
               former
               peremptoriness
               :
               Likewise
               from
               the
               case
               of
               the
               Church
               ,
               or
               Ieremiah
               for
               the
               Church
               in
               the
               Lamentations
               ,
               who
               with
               one
               breath
               said
               ,
               
                 My
                 hope
                 and
                 my
                 strength
                 is
                 perished
                 from
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
              
               and
               at
               the
               next
               breath
               could
               say
               ,
               
                 This
                 I
                 call
                 to
                 mind
                 ,
                 therefore
                 have
                 I
                 hope
                 .
              
               And
               thereupon
               hath
               left
               a
               general
               experimental
               instruction
               to
               all
               others
               ,
               
                 That
                 it
                 is
                 good
                 that
                 a
                 man
                 should
                 both
                 hope
                 and
                 quietly
                 wait
                 for
                 the
                 salvation
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 Lament
                 .
              
               3.
               26.
               
            
             
               But
               in
               the
               third
               place
               ,
               The
               Soul
               affected
               is
               to
               be
               advertised
               and
               put
               in
               mind
               ,
               that
               it
               is
               an
               error
               and
               weakness
               to
               think
               that
               matchless
               and
               unparalleled
               cases
               ,
               are
               therefore
               hopless
               and
               uncureable
               :
               For
               it
               is
               to
               be
               considered
               ,
               that
               Scripture
               instances
               and
               examples
               of
               parallel
               matching
               cases
               ,
               are
               neither
               the
               only
               ,
               nor
               compleat
               ,
               nor
               principal
               ground
               of
               curing
               and
               resolving
               cases
               :
               For
               some
               cases
               were
               the
               first
               of
               their
               kind
               ,
               and
               so
               could
               have
               no
               precedent
               ,
               nor
               yet
               practicable
               example
               :
               And
               yet
               in
               that
               case
               ,
               according
               to
               this
               crazie
               principle
               ,
               
                 That
                 no
                 unparalleled
                 Case
                 is
                 curable
                 ,
              
               the
               very
               fixed
               examples
               and
               choice
               copies
               of
               curable
               cases
               should
               themselves
               have
               remained
               uncurable
               ,
               as
               having
               no
               precedent
               nor
               example
               :
               but
               the
               only
               square
               and
               compleat
               ground
               of
               curing
               all
               cases
               ,
               is
               the
               whole
               Scripture
               ,
               whereof
               examples
               are
               but
               a
               small
               part
               ,
               and
               that
               too
               ,
               but
               as
               the
               illuminating
               colours
               ,
               and
               not
               the
               substantial
               lineaments
               thereof
               :
               For
               
                 exempla
                 illustrant
              
               ,
               examples
               do
               but
               enlighten
               things
               ,
               and
               all
               that
               an
               example
               can
               do
               ,
               is
               to
               show
               that
               such
               a
               case
               is
               
               practicable
               ,
               and
               potentially
               curable
               :
               But
               it
               doth
               not
               ,
               it
               cannot
               actually
               cure
               it
               .
               Wherefore
               the
               principal
               ,
               yea
               proper
               ground
               of
               resolving
               and
               curing
               all
               cases
               ,
               are
               the
               universal
               fundamental
               truths
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               the
               knowledge
               of
               God
               and
               Christ
               ,
               and
               of
               God
               in
               Christ
               according
               to
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               whereof
               the
               Covenant
               of
               Grace
               is
               the
               sum
               and
               text
               ;
               and
               this
               David
               knew
               right
               well
               2
               Sam.
               23.
               5.
               
               This
               Covenant
               will
               mend
               all
               the
               holes
               of
               the
               believers
               house
               ,
               and
               compleatly
               fit
               every
               case
               he
               can
               be
               in
               :
               
                 Till
                 the
                 foundations
                 be
                 destroyed
              
               it
               is
               never
               time
               to
               ask
               ,
               
                 what
                 can
                 the
                 Righteous
                 do
                 ?
                 Psal.
              
               11.
               3.
               
               But
               so
               long
               as
               there
               is
               a
               God
               in
               Heaven
               that
               doth
               wonders
               ,
               so
               long
               as
               Christ
               is
               all
               ,
               and
               in
               all
               ,
               and
               ●o
               long
               as
               Gods
               Covenant
               with
               his
               Saints
               endures
               ,
               which
               shall
               be
               while
               Sun
               and
               Moon
               endure
               ,
               and
               longer
               too
               ,
               For
               his
               Covenant
               shall
               live
               to
               lay
               its
               hands
               upon
               those
               two
               shining
               Eyes
               of
               this
               corruptible
               World
               that
               is
               passing
               and
               posting
               off
               daily
               ,
               and
               which
               now
               (
               like
               the
               first
               Covenant
               ,
               Heb.
               8.
               13.
               
               )
               decaying
               and
               waxing
               old
               ,
               is
               ready
               to
               evanish
               and
               die
               ;
               So
               long
               (
               I
               say
               )
               as
               these
               foundations
               stand
               sure
               ,
               the
               righteous
               ,
               in
               every
               case
               may
               still
               know
               what
               to
               do
               :
               
                 For
                 upon
                 these
                 shall
                 Mercy
                 be
                 built
                 ,
                 and
                 Faithfulness
                 established
                 in
                 the
                 very
                 Heavens
                 ,
                 Psal.
              
               89.
               2.
               
               I
               shall
               illustrate
               this
               consideration
               with
               the
               case
               of
               Relapses
               ,
               a
               case
               right
               perplexing
               to
               exercised
               Spirits
               ,
               and
               wherein
               they
               find
               the
               Scripture
               sparing
               of
               examples
               ,
               at
               least
               of
               frequent
               relapses
               into
               the
               same
               fault
               ,
               which
               ,
               makes
               them
               apprehend
               there
               is
               no
               hope
               .
               These
               I
               write
               ,
               not
               that
               any
               should
               sin
               (
               and
               sure
               for
               that
               very
               cause
               ,
               the
               Spirit
               of
               God
               in
               Wisdom
               
               hath
               beeen
               more
               sparing
               of
               such
               examples
               )
               〈◊〉
               if
               any
               man
               have
               sinned
               and
               relapsed
               often
               into
               sin
               ,
               Let
               him
               remember
               .
               1.
               
               Christ's
               
                 Seventy
                 times
                 Seven
                 times
                 ,
                 Matth
              
               18
               ,
               22.
               
               And
               withall
               ,
               that
               as
               far
               as
               Heaven
               is
               above
               the
               earth
               ,
               so
               far
               are
               his
               wayes
               above
               our
               wayes
               ,
               and
               his
               thoughts
               above
               ours
               .
               Isai.
               55.
               9.
               
               Let
               him
               remember
               .
               2
               ,
               The
               indefinit
               promises
               Ezek
               18.
               27.
               and
               the
               like
               ,
               That
               when
               and
               what
               time
               soever
               a
               sinner
               shall
               repent
               ,
               he
               shall
               find
               mercy
               ,
               3.
               
               Let
               him
               remember
               chiefly
               ,
               
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Christ
                 that
                 cleanseth
                 us
                 from
                 all
                 sin
                 .
              
               1
               Iohn
               1
               ;
               7.
               
               And
               4thly
               if
               he
               must
               have
               examples
               ,
               Let
               him
               read
               the
               History
               of
               
               Israel's
               relapses
               in
               the
               book
               of
               Iudges
               ,
               Notwithstanding
               which
               ,
               the
               Lord
               as
               often
               as
               he
               heard
               their
               penitent
               cryes
               ,
               returned
               ,
               and
               Repented
               ,
               and
               sent
               them
               Saviours
               .
               And
               let
               him
               read
               a
               notable
               place
               Psalm
               78.
               38.
               40.
               
               In
               the
               38
               verse
               ,
               many
               a
               time
               he
               delivered
               them
               ,
               and
               forgave
               them
               :
               but
               how
               many
               times
               did
               he
               that
               in
               the
               40.
               verse
               ,
               how
               many
               a
               time
               did
               they
               provoke
               him
               ?
               Even
               as
               often
               as
               they
               provoked
               him
               ,
               a●
               often
               he
               forgave
               them
               :
               And
               when
               any
               man
               shall
               tell
               me
               precisely
               how
               often
               they
               provoked
               him
               ,
               I
               shall
               then
               tell
               him
               peremptorly
               how
               often
               he
               forgave
               them
               .
               A
               simple
               Soul
               may
               possibly
               think
               to
               prevail
               with
               God
               at
               a
               time
               ,
               by
               pleading
               thus
               after
               the
               manner
               of
               men
               :
               Help
               me
               O
               Lord
               this
               once
               ,
               and
               pardon
               my
               sin
               ,
               and
               I
               shall
               never
               trouble
               thy
               Majesty
               again
               .
               I
               apprehend
               such
               are
               sometimes
               the
               thoughts
               of
               some
               .
               But
               when
               Heaven
               and
               earth
               shall
               be
               measured
               in
               one
               line
               ,
               when
               God
               shall
               be
               as
               man
               or
               as
               the
               son
               of
               man
               ,
               when
               his
               ways
               shall
               
               be
               as
               our
               ways
               ,
               and
               his
               thoughts
               as
               our
               thoughts
               ;
               when
               I
               shall
               see
               the
               man
               that
               shall
               not
               be
               beholding
               to
               mercy
               ,
               Or
               the
               day
               wherein
               we
               ought
               not
               to
               Pray
               ,
               
                 forgive
                 us
                 our
                 debts
              
               ,
               or
               the
               time
               when
               it
               shall
               be
               lawful
               to
               limit
               
                 the
                 Holy
                 one
                 of
                 Israel
              
               ,
               then
               shall
               I
               think
               that
               a
               convenient
               Argument
               :
               But
               if
               I
               understand
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               it
               might
               be
               more
               beseeming
               God
               and
               his
               Grace
               in
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               to
               plead
               after
               this
               manner
               ;
               O
               Lord
               be
               gracious
               to
               me
               and
               forgive
               me
               this
               once
               ;
               And
               if
               ever
               I
               need
               ,
               I
               shall
               come
               to
               thee
               again
               .
               Providing
               always
               that
               the
               Grace
               of
               God
               be
               not
               turned
               into
               wantonness
               ,
               nor
               this
               our
               liberty
               used
               for
               an
               occasion
               to
               sin
               .
            
             
               Now
               for
               confirmation
               of
               what
               hath
               been
               said
               in
               this
               consideration
               ,
               I
               shall
               apply
               my self
               briefly
               to
               two
               places
               of
               Scripture
               .
               The
               first
               is
               Psal
               22
               ,
               7.
               where
               I
               observe
               these
               things
               from
               the
               whole
               tenor
               of
               the
               Psalm
               .
               1.
               
               A
               saint's
               case
               may
               be
               right
               odd
               ,
               and
               in
               many
               things
               without
               a
               match
               ,
               
                 but
                 I
                 am
                 a
                 worme
                 and
                 no
                 man
                 ,
                 a
                 reproach
                 of
                 men
              
               &c.
               2.
               
               I
               see
               in
               afflicted
               Saints
               a
               strong
               inclination
               to
               aggrege
               their
               own
               case
               ,
               and
               to
               reason
               themselves
               out
               of
               case
               ,
               with
               a
               sort
               of
               pleasure
               ,
               verse
               4.
               
               
                 Our
                 Fathers
                 trusted
                 in
                 thee
                 ,
                 and
                 thou
                 deliveredst
                 them
              
               ;
               but
               I
               am
               not
               like
               other
               men
               ,
               
                 I
                 am
                 a
                 worme
                 and
                 no
                 man
                 ,
              
               the
               very
               language
               of
               dejected
               Spirits
               to
               this
               day
               .
               3.
               
               I
               see
               ,
               that
               when
               they
               have
               reasoned
               themselves
               never
               so
               far
               out
               of
               account
               ,
               beyond
               all
               example
               or
               match
               of
               case
               Parrallel
               ,
               there
               is
               yet
               some
               further
               ground
               ,
               for
               the
               faith
               of
               the
               desolate
               Soul
               to
               travel
               upon
               ,
               in
               its
               search
               for
               discoveries
               of
               light
               and
               comfort
               ,
               for
               we
               see
               how
               he
               goes
               on
               complaining
               ,
               
               searching
               ,
               believeing
               ,
               and
               Praying
               till
               he
               arrives
               at
               Praise
               ,
               which
               ever
               lyes
               at
               the
               far
               end
               of
               the
               darkest
               Wilderness
               that
               a
               Saint
               can
               go
               thorow
               :
               for
               when
               a
               Saint
               is
               in
               the
               thickest
               darkness
               and
               under
               the
               greatest
               damps
               ,
               there
               is
               still
               
                 aliquid
                 ultra
              
               ,
               something
               before
               them
               ;
               and
               that
               is
               ,
               
                 light
                 for
                 the
                 righteous
                 ,
                 and
                 joy
                 for
                 the
                 upright
                 in
                 heart
                 .
              
               4.
               
               I
               see
               that
               a
               humble
               well
               tamed
               Soul
               will
               stoop
               right
               low
               to
               lift
               up
               such
               grounds
               of
               hope
               and
               incouragement
               ,
               as
               to
               a
               Soul
               that
               is
               lifted
               up
               might
               seem
               but
               slender
               and
               mean
               :
               
                 thou
                 tookest
                 me
                 from
                 my
                 mothers
                 belly
                 ,
                 and
                 caused
                 me
                 to
                 hope
                 upon
                 the
                 breasts
                 .
              
               A
               humble
               faith
               will
               winn
               its
               meat
               amongst
               other
               folks
               feet
               ,
               and
               when
               all
               examples
               fail
               such
               ,
               they
               will
               find
               an
               example
               in
               themselves
               furnishing
               them
               with
               matter
               of
               hope
               .
               5.
               
               I
               see
               there
               may
               be
               extant
               signal
               and
               manifest
               evidences
               of
               Gods
               kindness
               to
               his
               People
               in
               former
               times
               ,
               and
               in
               cases
               as
               pressing
               as
               the
               present
               ,
               the
               Memory
               whereof
               ,
               for
               a
               long
               time
               may
               be
               darkned
               with
               the
               prevailing
               sense
               of
               incumbent
               pressures
               .
               verse
               21.
               
                 save
                 me
                 from
                 the
                 Lyons
                 mouth
                 ,
                 for
                 thou
                 hast
                 heard
                 me
                 from
                 the
                 horns
                 of
                 the
                 unicorns
                 .
              
               6.
               
               Though
               all
               Parallels
               and
               matching
               examples
               of
               other
               mens
               cases
               fail
               a
               Saint
               ;
               yet
               to
               him
               it
               is
               sufficient
               ground
               of
               Faith
               and
               matter
               of
               Praise
               ,
               that
               his
               own
               case
               hath
               been
               helped
               ,
               when
               once
               it
               hath
               been
               as
               ill
               as
               now
               it
               is
               ,
               
                 thou
                 hast
                 heard
                 me
                 from
                 the
                 horns
                 of
                 the
                 unicorns
              
               ;
               and
               therefore
               
                 I
                 will
                 declare
                 thy
                 name
                 amongst
                 my
                 brethren
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 midst
                 of
                 the
                 Congregation
                 will
                 I
                 praise
                 thee
                 .
              
               7.
               
               If
               there
               ,
               must
               be
               examples
               of
               leading
               cases
               ,
               if
               so
               I
               may
               call
               them
               ,
               then
               some
               must
               be
               the
               
               example
               by
               being
               first
               in
               that
               case
               ?
               And
               thus
               oftentimes
               ,
               he
               that
               finds
               no
               Parallel
               before
               him
               ,
               leaves
               one
               behind
               him
               :
               And
               indeed
               we
               should
               be
               as
               well
               content
               ,
               if
               so
               the
               will
               of
               God
               be
               ,
               to
               be
               examples
               to
               others
               of
               suffering
               affliction
               and
               enduring
               tentations
               ,
               as
               to
               have
               examples
               of
               others
               ,
               Therefore
               sayes
               he
               ,
               verse
               27.
               
               
                 All
                 the
                 ends
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 shall
                 remember
                 this
                 ,
              
               and
               in
               the
               last
               verse
               ,
               
                 They
                 shall
                 declare
                 to
                 the
                 people
                 that
                 shall
                 be
                 to
                 come
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 hath
                 done
                 this
                 .
              
            
             
               The
               2d
               place
               of
               Scripture
               I
               direct
               my
               thoughts
               to
               is
               Iob.
               5.
               8
               ,
               9.
               
               
               Iob's
               case
               was
               clearly
               unparallel'd
               and
               absolutly
               matchless
               :
               And
               sayes
               Eliphaz
               the
               
                 Temanite
                 ,
                 I
                 would
                 seek
                 unto
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 unto
                 God
                 would
                 I
                 commit
                 my
                 cause
                 .
              
               And
               that
               he
               might
               do
               that
               upon
               good
               ground
               ,
               he
               shewes
               in
               the
               9
               verse
               ,
               for
               (
               sayes
               he
               )
               
                 God
                 doth
                 great
                 things
              
               .
               Why
               ,
               sayes
               the
               Soul
               ,
               mine
               is
               a
               great
               case
               ,
               then
               he
               doth
               great
               things
               ;
               Why
               ,
               I
               know
               what
               he
               doth
               :
               No
               ,
               neither
               thou
               nor
               all
               the
               World
               knows
               that
               ,
               nor
               can
               find
               it
               out
               for
               
                 he
                 doth
                 unsearchable
                 things
              
               .
               Whether
               that
               he
               is
               a
               God
               that
               cannot
               be
               known
               ,
               be
               a
               greater
               mercy
               .
               or
               that
               he
               is
               an
               unknown
               God
               be
               to
               us
               a
               greater
               misery
               ,
               is
               that
               which
               I
               know
               not
               :
               but
               this
               I
               know
               well
               ,
               that
               more
               of
               the
               knowledge
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               larger
               thoughts
               of
               him
               would
               loose
               many
               a
               knot
               ,
               and
               answer
               many
               a
               perplexing
               case
               ,
               to
               his
               People
               .
               Yea
               ,
               but
               sayes
               the
               Soul
               ,
               it
               shall
               be
               a
               wonder
               ,
               a
               very
               miracle
               if
               ever
               my
               case
               mend
               ;
               Why
               ,
               then
               sayes
               
                 Eliphaz
                 ,
                 he
                 doth
                 marvelous
                 things
                 .
              
               Yea
               but
               God's
               wonders
               are
               not
               his
               every-dayes
               work
               ;
               but
               they
               are
               a
               few
               rare
               pieces
               of
               his
               kindness
               shewed
               to
               
               eminent
               Saints
               ,
               and
               great
               favourities
               ,
               And
               we
               are
               not
               obliged
               to
               expect
               wonders
               :
               Yet
               ,
               I
               hope
               you
               are
               obliged
               to
               believe
               Gods
               word
               ,
               that
               he
               doth
               such
               things
               ,
               and
               those
               too
               
                 without
                 number
              
               ;
               and
               you
               are
               obliged
               to
               obey
               Gods
               voice
               ,
               to
               seek
               unto
               him
               ,
               and
               unto
               him
               to
               commit
               your
               cause
               ,
               and
               you
               are
               obliged
               to
               give
               God
               his
               own
               latitude
               ,
               and
               as
               well
               not
               to
               limit
               him
               if
               he
               will
               do
               wonders
               ,
               as
               not
               to
               tempt
               him
               to
               wait
               for
               wonders
               :
               And
               Psal.
               88.
               10.
               
                 wilt
                 thou
                 shew
                 wonders
                 to
                 the
                 dead
                 ?
              
               makes
               it
               clear
               ,
               that
               God
               will
               turn
               the
               course
               of
               nature
               upside
               down
               ,
               and
               make
               the
               World
               Reel
               as
               we
               see
               Psal.
               18.
               at
               length
               ,
               And
               will
               do
               wonders
               to
               purpose
               ,
               that
               even
               the
               dead
               shall
               be
               witnesses
               of
               ,
               before
               that
               his
               beloved
               be
               not
               delivered
               .
               Now
               to
               descend
               into
               the
               particular
               grounds
               of
               the
               cures
               of
               Saints
               cases
               ,
               were
               to
               go
               through
               all
               the
               Attributes
               of
               God
               ,
               all
               the
               offices
               of
               Christ
               ,
               all
               the
               promises
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               and
               Articles
               of
               the
               Covenant
               of
               Grace
               ,
               which
               are
               the
               substantial
               Lincaments
               of
               that
               well
               contrived
               piece
               the
               Word
               of
               God
               ,
               which
               is
               so
               well
               illumnated
               with
               the
               lively
               colours
               of
               examples
               sufficient
               ,
               and
               those
               so
               well
               mixed
               and
               so
               justly
               distinguished
               ,
               one
               having
               what
               another
               wants
               ,
               and
               the
               other
               having
               what
               it
               wanted
               ,
               and
               wanting
               what
               it
               had
               ,
               that
               it
               speaks
               the
               finger
               of
               God
               to
               have
               done
               it
               ,
               and
               leaves
               a
               defiance
               to
               nature
               and
               Art
               once
               to
               come
               near
               it
               .
            
             
               In
               the
               Fourth
               place
               I
               offer
               this
               to
               be
               considered
               by
               the
               Soul
               distempered
               ,
               that
               is
               like
               to
               fall
               unkind
               with
               the
               Word
               of
               God
               ,
               thorow
               an
               apprehension
               .
               That
               all
               the
               threatnings
               of
               the
               Word
               are
               directly
               against
               
               it
               .
               That
               all
               the
               most
               peremptory
               and
               seere
               threatnings
               of
               the
               Word
               are
               to
               be
               understood
               and
               qualified
               with
               the
               exception
               of
               Repentance
               .
               This
               is
               clear
               ,
               1.
               from
               Christs
               express
               Word
               .
               Luke
               13.
               3.
               5.
               
                 except
                 ye
                 repent
                 ye
                 shall
                 all
                 perish
                 ,
                 ●●
              
               from
               the
               account
               of
               events
               wherein
               we
               see
               ●●at
               the
               most
               peremptory
               threatnings
               have
               been
               ●iverted
               ,
               and
               their
               execution
               prevented
               by
               Repentance
               :
               witness
               ,
               with
               many
               others
               ,
               the
               cases
               of
               Hezekiah
               and
               the
               Ninevits
               .
               3.
               
               From
               the
               exhortations
               and
               Expostulations
               annexed
               to
               ●reatnings
               ,
               with
               a
               Solemn
               Declaration
               of
               the
               ●ords
               Gracious
               dislike
               of
               mens
               Misery
               ,
               whereof
               ●e
               Scripture
               is
               full
               .
               In
               a
               word
               ,
               the
               humble
               peni●●nt
               is
               worse
               Feared
               ,
               than
               hurt
               with
               threatnings
               .
               And
               even
               as
               a
               plentiful
               rain
               quenches
               thunders
               ,
               alwayes
               the
               violence
               of
               Storms
               and
               Tempests
               ,
               and
               ●oth
               tempers
               and
               calms
               the
               Air
               ;
               So
               the
               Tears
               of
               ●odly
               Repentance
               ,
               compose
               the
               Thunder-and
               ●eather-beaten
               Soul
               that
               is
               tossed
               with
               the
               Tem●ests
               of
               Thundering
               threatnings
               .
               In
               the
               32
               ,
               Psalm
               ,
               ●ere
               was
               a
               great
               Storme
               in
               
               Davia's
               Conscience
               .
               
                 He
                 ●ared
                 all
                 day
                 long
              
               ;
               &c.
               
               But
               a
               free
               work
               of
               sincere
               repentance
               Calmes
               all
               ,
               and
               leavs
               the
               Soul
               quiet
               ●●d
               serene
               :
               David
               takes
               a
               House
               upon
               his
               head
               ,
               refuges
               himself
               in
               God
               by
               faith
               ,
               and
               then
               let
               it
               ●t
               the
               unhappiest
               ,
               
                 Thou
                 art
                 my
                 hiding
                 place
                 ,
                 thou
                 ●●t
                 preserve
                 me
                 from
                 trouble
                 ,
                 thou
                 shalt
                 compass
                 ●e
                 about
                 with
                 Songs
                 of
                 deliverance
                 Selah
                 .
              
               Verse
               7.
               
               By
               this
               time
               ,
               I
               hope
               ,
               it
               doth
               in
               some
               measure
               ●●pear
               ,
               that
               the
               Scriptures
               are
               not
               wanting
               ,
               in
               the
               performance
               of
               all
               offices
               of
               kindness
               ,
               that
               can
               
               Rationally
               be
               required
               in
               the
               most
               unpromising
               cases
               :
               And
               that
               they
               are
               much
               to
               be
               blamed
               who
               upon
               any
               of
               the
               foresaid
               pretences
               would
               pick
               quarrel
               against
               the
               Scriptures
               .
               But
               such
               deal
               not
               fairly
               neither
               are
               their
               wayes
               equal
               :
               and
               I
               may
               we
               say
               to
               them
               ,
               is
               this
               your
               kindness
               to
               your
               freind
               sure
               the
               Scriptures
               have
               not
               deserved
               any
               such
               service
               of
               your
               hands
               .
            
             
               Now
               to
               the
               Soul
               that
               would
               keep
               
               up
               kindness
               with
               the
               Scriptures
               ,
               and
               so
               would
               be
               mighty
               in
               the
               Scriptures
               I
               leave
               these
               Directions
               in
               sh●●
               words
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               Acquaint
               thy self
               with
               the
               whole
               Scripture
               and
               all
               Scripture
               both
               in
               its
               letter
               and
               meaning
               for
               that
               is
               to
               know
               the
               Scriptures
               :
               Otherway
               it
               is
               but
               an
               unknown
               Tongue
               to
               him
               that
               is
               ●●naquainted
               either
               with
               the
               phrase
               or
               meaning
               of
               i●
               The
               Soul
               that
               is
               thus
               acquainted
               with
               all
               Scriptures
               ,
               if
               one
               Scripture
               bind
               it
               ,
               another
               will
               loose
               i●
               if
               one
               wound
               it
               ,
               another
               will
               heal
               it
               :
               if
               one
               ca●
               it
               down
               ,
               another
               will
               comfort
               it
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               Be
               a
               careful
               keeper
               of
               the
               word
               of
               God
               i●
               practice
               .
               David
               felt
               ,
               and
               every
               Soul
               that
               had
               their
               Senses
               exercised
               will
               feel
               their
               Affection
               to
               and
               proficiency
               in
               the
               Scriptures
               grow
               according
               to
               their
               practice
               of
               the
               Scriptures
               .
               Psal.
               1
               :
               9.
               5
               
               
                 This
                 I
                 had
                 because
                 I
                 kept
                 thy
                 Precepts
                 ,
              
               And
               Christ
               teacheth
               plainly
               ,
               that
               he
               that
               is
               a
               doer
               of
               the
               will
               of
               God
               ,
               is
               fairest
               to
               know
               the
               Doctrine
               that
               is
               of
               God.
               I
               know
               no
               such
               way
               to
               be
               a
               good
               Scholar
               ,
               as
               to
               be
               a
               good
               Christian.
               
            
             
             
               3.
               
               Intertain
               the
               Spirit
               of
               God
               ,
               if
               you
               would
               ●ave
               either
               comfort
               or
               profit
               of
               the
               word
               :
               Isai
               59
               ,
               1.
               the
               Spirit
               and
               the
               Word
               are
               promised
               together
               :
               ●ohn
               6.
               63.
               
               Christ
               tells
               us
               that
               
                 his
                 Words
                 are
                 spirit
                 ●●d
                 life
                 .
                 1
                 Cor.
              
               2
               ,
               10.
               and
               foreward
               ,
               it
               is
               the
               Spirit
               that
               doth
               all
               by
               the
               Word
               :
               and
               1.
               
               Iohn
               2
               ,
               27.
               ●●
               
                 is
                 the
                 anointing
                 that
                 teacheth
                 all
                 things
                 .
              
               One
               ●yes
               well
               of
               Paul's
               Epistles
               that
               no
               man
               can
               understand
               them
               without
               
               Paul's
               Spirit
               :
               And
               so
               may
               be
               ●●id
               of
               all
               Scripture
               .
               Sight
               is
               as
               needful
               as
               light
               ,
               ●s
               blind
               men
               might
               judge
               of
               Colours
               :
               And
               if
               the
               ●pirit
               were
               not
               as
               needful
               as
               the
               Word
               of
               Faith
               ,
               ●en
               blind
               sense
               and
               hasty
               unbelief
               would
               not
               and
               to
               say
               that
               all
               men
               are
               Lyars
               ,
               and
               that
               God's
               Truth
               failes
               for
               ever
               .
               The
               material
               Doctrines
               ●nd
               objective
               Revelations
               of
               the
               Word
               and
               Spirit
               ●e
               ever
               the
               same
               :
               And
               a
               Spirit
               clashing
               with
               the
               Word
               ,
               is
               surely
               a
               Ghost
               and
               an
               evil
               Spirit
               .
               But
               ●●e
               Word
               and
               Spirit
               in
               the
               conveyance
               and
               deliver
               of
               the
               self-same
               Revelations
               ,
               are
               oftimes
               sepa●t
               in
               their
               influences
               :
               for
               sometimes
               the
               Word
               ●●mes
               alone
               without
               the
               Spirit
               to
               those
               who
               have
               ●es
               and
               see
               not
               .
               &c.
               Sometimes
               again
               the
               Spirit
               ●●mes
               with
               a
               discovery
               of
               the
               same
               Truth
               that
               in
               the
               Word
               without
               the
               help
               of
               the
               Word
               ,
               as
               Infants
               ,
               deaf
               Persons
               ,
               and
               even
               others
               at
               age
               ●●d
               having
               the
               use
               of
               their
               ears
               ;
               but
               being
               not
               ●ell
               versed
               in
               the
               Scriptures
               ,
               yet
               desiring
               to
               how
               and
               do
               the
               will
               of
               God
               ,
               are
               oftimes
               ,
               no
               ●oubt
               ,
               by
               a
               secret
               immediate
               instinct
               of
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               God
               ,
               without
               the
               actual
               remembrance
               and
               ●●lp
               of
               the
               Word
               of
               God
               ,
               taught
               and
               instructed
               
               acccording
               to
               the
               Word
               :
               for
               God
               leads
               the
               blind
               by
               a
               way
               that
               they
               know
               not
               .
               And
               the
               Apostle
               1
               Pet
               :
               3.
               1.
               tells
               us
               ,
               that
               some
               men
               at
               age
               ,
               by
               good
               example
               may
               be
               won
               without
               the
               Word
               Why
               then
               may
               not
               the
               Spirit
               of
               God
               do
               ,
               what
               the
               example
               of
               a
               Christian
               woman
               can
               do
               ?
               But
               that
               it
               concerns
               all
               that
               would
               converse
               comfortable
               with
               the
               Scriptures
               ,
               to
               call
               the
               Spirit
               of
               God
               to
               their
               assistance
               is
               manifest
               from
               this
               ,
               That
               ther●
               are
               many
               ,
               and
               those
               the
               most
               concerning
               Questions
               ,
               that
               fall
               under
               a
               Christians
               Cognition
               to
               be
               resolved
               according
               to
               the
               Word
               of
               God
               ,
               which
               are
               determinable
               only
               by
               the
               Spirit
               of
               God
               :
               eve●
               all
               these
               that
               may
               most
               desevedly
               be
               called
               
                 to
                 things
                 of
                 a
                 man
              
               ,
               which
               none
               knows
               ,
               and
               therefore
               cannot
               competently
               judge
               of
               ,
               but
               the
               Spirit
               of
               God
               that
               knoweth
               all
               things
               ,
               and
               the
               Spirit
               the
               man
               ,
               and
               that
               not
               either
               without
               a
               special
               presence
               and
               assistance
               of
               the
               Spirit
               of
               God
               :
               Nay
               you
               should
               conveen
               about
               these
               Questions
               a
               Council
               or
               General
               Assembly
               ,
               of
               the
               learnedst
               Doctor
               or
               ablest
               Divines
               in
               Christendome
               ,
               they
               could
               no●
               define
               them
               :
               Such
               are
               the
               Questions
               of
               a
               Man●
               personal
               interest
               in
               God
               ,
               and
               his
               state
               toward
               God
               whether
               a
               man
               have
               the
               Spirit
               and
               be
               born
               of
               God
               and
               the
               like
               .
               They
               may
               give
               evidences
               of
               the●
               things
               in
               the
               general
               ,
               and
               indefinitly
               ,
               which
               ma●
               be
               as
               media
               to
               conclud
               upon
               ,
               and
               which
               they
               ma●
               frame
               into
               universal
               propositions
               ,
               that
               he
               who
               ha●
               these
               evidences
               is
               of
               God
               &c.
               
               But
               to
               subsume
               those
               propositions
               ,
               and
               from
               these
               premisses
               to
               conclude
               particularly
               ,
               belongs
               only
               to
               the
               Spirit
               
               of
               God
               witnessing
               with
               our
               Spirits
               that
               we
               are
               ●e
               Children
               of
               God
               :
               for
               by
               the
               Spirit
               we
               know
               ●●e
               things
               that
               are
               freely
               given
               us
               of
               God.
               The
               ●●ke
               is
               to
               be
               said
               of
               many
               particular
               matters
               of
               fact
               ●hat
               concern
               a
               man.
               I
               instance
               in
               one
               ,
               but
               it
               is
               a
               ●ain
               on
               .
               The
               nature
               of
               the
               sin
               against
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               ,
               I
               find
               the
               best
               advised
               Divines
               very
               warry
               as
               they
               have
               Reason
               )
               to
               determine
               in
               :
               and
               yet
               ●ore
               awar
               of
               personal
               application
               of
               their
               determinationss
               ,
               because
               of
               latent
               circumstances
               impossible
               to
               be
               infallibly
               reached
               and
               discerned
               by
               any
               ●an
               in
               his
               neighbour
               .
               Now
               whether
               is
               my
               sin
               against
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               ?
               is
               a
               Question
               so
               puzling
               and
               perplexing
               oftimes
               (
               some
               know
               what
               
                 I
                 ●●y
              
               )
               even
               to
               such
               as
               are
               dear
               to
               God
               ,
               that
               it
               passes
               ●e
               reach
               of
               all
               created
               wisdom
               to
               ridd
               their
               doubt
               .
               ●nd
               let
               me
               say
               only
               by
               the
               way
               ,
               there
               is
               no
               more
               compendious
               method
               in
               the
               World
               ,
               to
               draw
               or
               ●ther
               to
               drive
               a
               man
               to
               the
               sin
               against
               the
               Holy
               ●host
               ,
               than
               the
               apprehension
               that
               he
               hath
               already
               ●●nned
               that
               sin
               :
               for
               that
               apprehension
               renders
               him
               ●esperat
               ,
               and
               what
               will
               not
               a
               desperat
               man
               do
               ?
               O
               cunning
               Devil
               !
               But
               O
               wiser
               God!
               that
               gives
               sub●lty
               to
               the
               simple
               ,
               and
               makes
               them
               able
               to
               stand
               against
               the
               wyles
               of
               Satan
               .
               But
               how
               is
               the
               Question
               ridd
               ?
               I
               answer
               ,
               the
               Spirit
               of
               God
               rids
               it
               thus
               ,
               according
               to
               the
               Scripture
               :
               That
               surely
               is
               not
               the
               sin
               against
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               ,
               whereof
               a
               man
               repenteth
               .
               Now
               when
               the
               Soul
               is
               at
               its
               wits
               end
               ,
               ●nd
               ready
               to
               sink
               ,
               the
               Spirit
               of
               God
               sendeth
               such
               loose
               ,
               into
               the
               Soul
               of
               the
               sinner
               ,
               of
               Godly
               sorrow
               unto
               repentance
               ,
               for
               that
               sin
               whereof
               he
               was
               
               so
               jealous
               ,
               and
               the
               Soul
               of
               him
               so
               joyes
               in
               hi●
               sorrow
               ,
               and
               sorrows
               with
               his
               joy
               
                 (
                 de
                 peccato
                 〈◊〉
                 let
                 ,
                 &
                 de
                 dolore
                 gaudet
                 )
              
               that
               he
               cannot
               be
               satisfyed
               nor
               get
               his
               fill
               of
               that
               Godly
               sorrow
               ,
               which
               is
               so
               warme
               with
               love
               ,
               and
               so
               wet
               with
               tears
               ,
               tha●
               except
               a
               man
               that
               is
               wet
               to
               the
               Skin
               should
               de●●
               that
               he
               has
               gotten
               the
               showre
               ,
               he
               cannot
               deny
               b●
               he
               repents
               of
               that
               sin
               :
               And
               than
               sure
               he
               is
               not
               ●●
               sinner
               against
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               ,
               For
               it
               is
               impossible
               to
               renew
               such
               an
               one
               to
               Repentance
               .
               I
               do
               no●
               here
               mean
               ,
               that
               only
               an
               overflowing
               power
               of
               Repentance
               ,
               such
               as
               I
               have
               spoken
               of
               ,
               is
               a
               cure
               〈◊〉
               the
               case
               :
               no
               ;
               for
               the
               very
               desire
               of
               Repentance
               vindicats
               a
               man
               from
               any
               fear
               of
               this
               sin
               ,
               (
               because
               a
               sinner
               against
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               ,
               so
               sins
               and
               so
               delights
               to
               sin
               that
               sin
               ,
               that
               he
               would
               not
               do
               other
               wise
               ,
               if
               it
               were
               in
               his
               choise
               .
               )
               But
               when
               the
               Soul's
               perplexities
               about
               this
               question
               are
               over
               whelming
               ,
               then
               it
               is
               fit
               that
               they
               be
               cured
               wi●●
               this
               measure
               of
               Repentance
               that
               is
               so
               overflowing
               I
               marked
               before
               ,
               and
               I
               mind
               it
               again
               ,
               as
               goo●
               Showrs
               calme
               and
               clear
               the
               Air
               ,
               so
               ,
               much
               Repentance
               it
               clears
               many
               doubts
               ,
               resolves
               many
               Cases
               ,
               ridds
               the
               Soul
               from
               many
               perplexities
               ,
               and
               settles
               it
               in
               a
               sweet
               calme
               and
               serenity
               .
            
             
               The
               Fourth
               Direction
               I
               give
               to
               those
               th●●
               would
               keep
               so
               in
               with
               the
               Scriptures
               ,
               as
               to
               ma●●
               use
               of
               them
               with
               comfort
               and
               profit
               is
               this
               ,
               th●●
               they
               despise
               not
               the
               Discipline
               of
               tentations
               .
               Book
               learned
               Christians
               and
               Divines
               are
               not
               the
               be
               Scholars
               :
               but
               they
               that
               would
               be
               taught
               the
               mysteries
               and
               Acroamaticks
               of
               Religion
               and
               Divinity
               
               must
               be
               
               Luther's
               Condisciples
               ;
               and
               he
               was
               bred
               at
               the
               School
               of
               Tentations
               :
               he
               confessed
               ,
               that
               his
               tentations
               had
               learned
               him
               more
               of
               the
               Gospel
               than
               all
               his
               books
               had
               done
               .
               This
               School
               of
               tentations
               is
               of
               an
               old
               erection
               :
               and
               (
               not
               to
               speak
               of
               others
               )
               here
               our
               Lord
               Jesus
               took
               all
               his
               Degrees
               .
               Hence
               he
               was
               commenced
               Master
               of
               experiences
               ,
               and
               Doctor
               universal
               in
               all
               cases
               :
               
                 for
                 in
                 that
                 he
                 suffered
                 being
                 tempted
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 able
                 also
                 to
                 help
                 those
                 that
                 are
                 tempted
                 :
                 and
                 in
                 all
                 things
                 he
                 was
                 tempted
                 as
                 we
                 are
                 ,
              
               that
               he
               might
               succour
               them
               that
               are
               tempted
               .
               Heb.
               2.
               17
               ,
               18.
               and
               4
               ,
               15.
               
               And
               as
               his
               temptations
               accomplished
               him
               highly
               ,
               for
               the
               rest
               of
               his
               Mediatory
               Work
               ,
               so
               particularly
               and
               especially
               for
               the
               Ministery
               :
               these
               were
               his
               Tryalls
               for
               the
               Ministery
               ,
               Matth.
               4.
               at
               the
               beginning
               ,
               
                 he
                 is
                 tempted
              
               ,
               and
               in
               the
               17
               
                 verse
                 ,
                 from
                 that
                 time
                 Iesus
                 began
                 to
                 Preach
                 .
              
               Wherefore
               let
               Ministers
               remember
               ,
               that
               if
               they
               be
               tempted
               ,
               the
               Lord
               is
               giving
               them
               the
               highest
               point
               of
               breeding
               for
               their
               imployment
               .
               But
               
                 blessed
                 is
                 the
                 man
                 that
                 endureth
                 temptation
              
               (
               or
               bides
               out
               the
               Tryal
               )
               
                 for
                 when
                 he
                 is
                 tryed
                 ,
                 he
                 shall
                 receive
                 the
                 Crown
                 of
                 life
                 which
                 the
                 Lord
                 hath
                 promised
                 to
                 them
                 that
                 love
                 him
                 .
              
               James
               1
               ,
               12.
               
               Now
               having
               thus
               spoken
               at
               length
               to
               the
               Commendation
               of
               Scripture
               what
               excellent
               uses
               it
               serves
               to
               in
               all
               cases
               ,
               and
               what
               kind
               Offices
               it
               performes
               to
               the
               People
               of
               God
               in
               every
               condition
               ,
               Let
               us
               for
               Conclusion
               behold
               how
               it
               shewes
               to
               us
               the
               kindness
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
               in
               that
               
               Iethro-like
               it
               comes
               to
               visit
               ●s
               in
               the
               Wilderness
               ;
               And
               let
               us
               hearken
               what
               it
               till
               say
               to
               us
               there
               :
               For
               there
               we
               are
               .
            
             
             
             
             
          
           
             
               
                 
                 Text
                 Hosea
                 2.
                 14.
                 
              
               
                 Therefore
                 behold
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 allure
                 her
                 and
                 bring
                 her
                 into
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 and
                 speak
                 comfortably
                 unto
                 her
                 .
              
            
             
               INTRODUCTION
               .
            
             
               WE
               have
               in
               the
               contexture
               of
               this
               Chapter
               ,
               a
               solemn
               confirmation
               of
               three
               great
               Truths
               ,
               that
               are
               noted
               in
               the
               Scripture
               of
               Truth
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               
                 That
                 the
                 Lord
                 will
                 not
                 cast
                 off
                 his
                 People
                 ,
                 nor
                 forsake
                 his
                 Inheritance
                 ,
              
               Psal.
               94.
               14.
               
               Which
               general
               assertion
               it
               will
               be
               fit
               to
               clear
               in
               these
               particular
               Propositions
               .
               1.
               
               God
               will
               never
               cast
               off
               the
               universal
               Church
               ,
               nor
               leave
               himself
               destitute
               of
               a
               People
               upon
               the
               Earth
               ,
               who
               may
               owne
               him
               and
               his
               Truth
               ,
               and
               may
               hold
               forth
               the
               Word
               of
               Life
               ,
               shining
               ●s
               Lights
               in
               the
               World
               ,
               being
               blameless
               and
               ●armless
               in
               the
               midst
               of
               a
               crooked
               and
               perverse
               generation
               .
               Thus
               in
               our
               Creed
               ,
               
                 We
                 believe
                 a
                 Church
              
               
               Universal
               ,
               which
               sometimes
               is
               cloathed
               in
               Scarlet
               ,
               and
               sometime
               again
               is
               set
               upon
               the
               Dunghill
               :
               Sometimes
               is
               courted
               of
               the
               multitude
               in
               the
               City
               ,
               and
               sometimes
               is
               persecuted
               and
               driven
               to
               the
               Wilderness
               :
               Sometimes
               is
               more
               visible
               and
               glorious
               ,
               in
               the
               incorporat
               Societies
               of
               National
               Churches
               ,
               sometimes
               more
               latent
               and
               obscure
               in
               some
               few
               single
               persons
               scattered
               up
               and
               down
               in
               the
               World
               ;
               who
               ,
               it
               may
               be
               ,
               in
               their
               time
               ,
               are
               as
               little
               observed
               by
               the
               World
               ,
               as
               the
               seven
               thousand
               true
               Worshipers
               were
               by
               Elias
               in
               his
               time
               .
               There
               is
               a
               time
               ,
               Prov.
               28.
               12.
               when
               
                 a
                 man
                 is
                 hidden
              
               :
               And
               the
               Lord
               in
               the
               worst
               of
               times
               hath
               
                 his
                 hidden
                 ones
              
               ,
               Psal.
               83.
               3.
               
               And
               when
               
                 judgement
                 returns
                 unto
                 righteousness
                 ,
                 all
                 the
                 upright
                 in
                 Heart
                 will
                 follow
                 after
                 it
                 ,
              
               Psal.
               94.
               15.
               
            
             
               2.
               
               God
               may
               utterly
               reject
               and
               totally
               cast
               off
               the
               visible
               Body
               of
               a
               particular
               Church
               :
               Witness
               the
               Church
               of
               the
               Jews
               at
               this
               day
               ,
               and
               the
               seven
               famous
               Churches
               of
               Asia
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               God
               may
               sententially
               reject
               his
               People
               by
               Threatnings
               ,
               when
               he
               doth
               it
               not
               ,
               nor
               minds
               to
               do
               it
               eventually
               and
               effectually
               in
               his
               Dispensations
               .
               God
               may
               
                 list
                 up
                 his
                 Hand
                 against
                 his
                 People
                 to
                 overthrow
                 them
                 ,
              
               and
               he
               may
               say
               by
               his
               threatnings
               ,
               
                 That
                 he
                 will
                 destroy
                 them
              
               ,
               as
               it
               is
               Psal.
               106.
               23.
               26.
               
               When
               yet
               they
               are
               spared
               :
               he
               may
               frame
               a
               Bill
               of
               Divorse
               against
               his
               Church
               but
               not
               give
               it
               her
               into
               her
               hand
               ,
               Zeph.
               2.
               2.
               
               The
               Decree
               ,
               or
               the
               threatning
               intimating
               the
               Decree
               is
               one
               thing
               ,
               and
               the
               bringing
               forth
               of
               the
               Decree
               ,
               or
               the
               execution
               of
               that
               Threatning
               is
               another
               
               thing
               .
               Repentance
               will
               obtain
               both
               a
               Suspension
               and
               Repeal
               of
               a
               Sentence
               of
               rejection
               .
               In
               a
               word
               ,
               God
               may
               cast
               out
               with
               his
               people
               ,
               and
               not
               cast
               them
               off
               for
               all
               that
               :
               He
               may
               Censure
               them
               within
               doors
               ,
               when
               he
               minds
               not
               to
               put
               them
               to
               the
               door
               :
               The
               Lord
               may
               say
               ;
               he
               cannot
               owne
               a
               Whore
               ,
               and
               yet
               he
               is
               Married
               to
               her
               :
               and
               he
               threatens
               to
               cast
               off
               a
               Whore
               ,
               that
               so
               he
               may
               keep
               still
               an
               honest
               Woman
               .
            
             
               4.
               
               God
               may
               really
               and
               effectually
               cast
               out
               his
               People
               ,
               when
               yet
               he
               doth
               not
               cast
               them
               off
               :
               A
               Whore
               may
               be
               put
               to
               the
               door
               and
               taken
               home
               again
               ,
               Ier.
               3.
               1.
               
               A
               Leprous
               Miriam
               may
               be
               put
               out
               of
               the
               Camp
               and
               taken
               in
               again
               :
               God
               may
               not
               only
               say
               by
               his
               threatnings
               ,
               but
               seem
               to
               confirm
               it
               by
               his
               Dispensations
               ,
               that
               his
               People
               are
               out-casts
               ,
               and
               yet
               
                 He
                 gathers
                 the
                 out-casts
                 of
              
               Israel
               ,
               Psal.
               147.
               2.
               
               The
               Lord
               hath
               oft
               times
               in
               his
               Dispensations
               so
               shewed
               himself
               to
               his
               People
               ,
               testifying
               his
               Displeasures
               against
               them
               ;
               that
               even
               those
               who
               were
               more
               than
               common
               Counsellors
               with
               God.
               and
               were
               best
               acquaint
               with
               his
               wayes
               have
               had
               right
               sad
               apprehensions
               of
               total
               off-casting
               ,
               Ier.
               14.
               19
               ,
               
                 Hast
                 thou
                 utterly
                 rejected
              
               Judah
               ?
               Psal.
               85
               ,
               5
               ,
               6.
               
               
                 Wilt
                 thou
                 be
                 angry
                 with
                 us
                 for
                 ever
                 ?
                 Wilt
                 thou
                 draw
                 out
                 thine
                 anger
                 to
                 all
                 Generations
                 ?
                 Wilt
                 thou
                 not
                 revive
                 us
                 again
                 that
                 thy
                 people
                 may
                 rejoyce
                 in
                 thee
                 ?
              
               And
               yet
               in
               the
               
                 9th
                 .
                 verse
              
               (
               and
               O!
               if
               this
               were
               the
               answer
               for
               the
               Mourners
               and
               inquirers
               in
               
                 Scotland
                 ,
                 )
                 his
                 salvation
                 is
                 near
                 them
                 that
                 fear
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 Glory
                 may
                 dwell
                 in
                 our
                 land
                 .
              
               So
               that
               these
               are
               three
               very
               different
               things
               ,
               1.
               
               Gods
               casting
               out
               with
               his
               
               People
               .
               2.
               
               His
               casting
               out
               his
               People
               .
               And
               3.
               his
               casting
               his
               People
               off
               .
            
             
               5.
               
               God
               may
               reject
               one
               Generation
               of
               a
               Church
               or
               Nation
               ,
               as
               a
               Generation
               of
               his
               wrath
               ,
               and
               yet
               his
               Covenant
               stand
               with
               the
               same
               Nation
               or
               Church
               :
               Witness
               that
               Generation
               with
               whom
               the
               Lord's
               Spirit
               was
               grieved
               fourty
               years
               ,
               and
               whose
               Carcases
               fell
               in
               the
               Wilderness
               .
            
             
               6.
               
               God
               may
               cast
               off
               the
               Incorporation
               of
               a
               Church
               or
               Nation
               ,
               whereof
               sometimes
               he
               reserves
               a
               remnant
               to
               whom
               he
               will
               be
               gracious
               ,
               and
               with
               whom
               he
               will
               establish
               his
               Covenant
               ,
               
                 Paul
                 Rom.
              
               11
               at
               the
               beginning
               shews
               ,
               that
               be
               with
               Israel
               as
               it
               will
               ,
               
                 God
                 will
                 not
                 cast
                 off
                 his
                 own
                 Elect
                 ,
              
               such
               as
               he
               himself
               was
               .
               And
               Rom.
               9.
               27
               :
               though
               a
               number
               like
               the
               sand
               of
               the
               Sea
               be
               destroyed
               ,
               
                 Yet
                 a
                 remnant
                 shall
                 be
                 saved
                 ,
              
               as
               saith
               Isaiah
               chap.
               1
               ,
               vers
               ,
               9.
               
               And
               that
               is
               the
               grand
               consolation
               ,
               when
               all
               goes
               to
               all
               ,
               
                 That
                 of
                 all
                 that
                 the
                 Father
                 hath
                 given
                 him
                 ,
                 Christ
                 will
                 lose
                 none
                 ,
              
               Joh.
               6.
               39.
               
               A
               Son
               of
               perdition
               when
               he
               meets
               with
               a
               temptation
               may
               go
               from
               Christ's
               very
               elbow
               ,
               both
               to
               Hell
               and
               the
               Halter
               at
               once
               :
               '
               But
               however
               such
               may
               be
               lent
               to
               Christ
               to
               make
               use
               of
               in
               a
               common
               Service
               for
               a
               time
               ;
               yet
               certain
               it
               is
               ,
               that
               they
               have
               never
               been
               given
               to
               him
               for
               Salvation
               .
               But
               yet
               
                 God
                 is
                 good
                 to
              
               Israel
               .
               Psal.
               73.
               1.
               
            
             
               But
               here
               two
               distinctions
               are
               fit
               to
               be
               remembered
               ,
               The
               1.
               is
               
               Paul's
               distinction
               Rom.
               9
               ,
               6.
               betwixt
               Israel
               and
               those
               that
               are
               
                 of
                 Israel
              
               .
               Common
               Professors
               ,
               Carnal
               Hypocrites
               and
               unbelievers
               may
               expect
               little
               mercy
               in
               a
               time
               of
               publick
               off-casting
               of
               a
               Church
               or
               Nation
               .
               The
               2d
               distinction
               
               is
               
               Hosea's
               in
               this
               Chapter
               ,
               betwixt
               the
               
                 Children
                 of
                 a
                 Whore
              
               and
               the
               
                 Children
                 of
                 her
                 Whoredoms
              
               .
               This
               Whorish
               Church
               had
               lawfully
               begotten
               Children
               Ammi
               and
               Ruchamah
               ,
               to
               whom
               the
               Prophet
               ,
               who
               likwise
               himself
               was
               one
               ,
               and
               a
               brother
               of
               those
               Children
               ,
               is
               commanded
               to
               apply
               himself
               ,
               and
               of
               these
               there
               were
               few
               in
               that
               time
               of
               publick
               Apostacy
               .
               But
               then
               in
               the
               
                 4th
                 verse
              
               of
               this
               Chapter
               there
               are
               the
               ill
               begotten
               Children
               of
               her
               Whoredoms
               ,
               whose
               names
               in
               the
               1
               Chapter
               were
               called
               Loammi
               and
               Loruchamah
               ,
               and
               these
               were
               many
               .
               The
               Children
               of
               Whoredoms
               are
               those
               who
               comply
               in
               judgment
               or
               practice
               with
               the
               common
               course
               of
               a
               Churches
               Apostacy
               ,
               whose
               Faith
               and
               Principles
               (
               if
               they
               have
               any
               )
               are
               not
               the
               fruit
               of
               the
               immortall
               seed
               of
               the
               incorrupted
               Word
               of
               God
               ;
               but
               of
               the
               inventions
               and
               Commandments
               of
               men
               ,
               or
               the
               delusions
               and
               impostures
               of
               Satan
               ,
               which
               their
               Adulterous
               Mother
               ,
               the
               Church
               that
               so
               breeds
               them
               ,
               (
               who
               is
               damned
               for
               that
               she
               hath
               forsaken
               her
               first
               faith
               )
               is
               so
               fond
               of
               .
               If
               a
               Woman
               be
               a
               gaudy
               ,
               light
               Person
               ,
               it
               may
               readily
               render
               her
               Children
               suspected
               :
               but
               if
               she
               be
               an
               arrand
               notorious
               Whore
               ,
               then
               it
               is
               too
               likely
               ,
               and
               in
               the
               case
               of
               Religion
               ,
               it
               is
               almost
               necessary
               and
               certain
               ,
               that
               
                 si
                 Mater
                 Meretrix
                 ,
                 Filia
                 talis
                 erit
                 .
              
               If
               the
               mother
               be
               a
               Whore
               ,
               the
               Daughter
               will
               be
               such
               also
               ,
               and
               so
               the
               Proverb
               shall
               be
               fulfilled
               Ezek.
               16.
               44.
               
               
                 As
                 is
                 the
                 Mother
                 so
                 is
                 the
                 Daughter
                 .
              
               Papists
               breed
               their
               Children
               Papists
               ,
               and
               other
               Folk
               breed
               their
               Children
               such
               as
               they
               themselves
               are
               ,
               and
               few
               Children
               make
               their
               Fathers
               
               Religion
               better
               :
               and
               therefore
               sad
               is
               the
               case
               of
               young
               ones
               that
               fall
               into
               corrupt
               times
               :
               and
               sad
               is
               the
               condition
               of
               these
               times
               wherein
               young
               ones
               are
               bred
               corrupt
               .
               There
               is
               little
               appearance
               ,
               if
               Soveraign
               goodness
               interpose
               not
               ,
               that
               they
               shall
               soon
               be
               better
               :
               Because
               a
               person
               ordinarly
               persists
               in
               those
               Principles
               wherewith
               they
               have
               been
               first
               possessed
               by
               education
               :
               for
               Solomon
               tells
               us
               that
               
                 whatsoever
                 way
                 a
                 Child
                 is
                 trained
                 up
                 in
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 not
                 depart
                 from
                 it
                 when
                 he
                 is
                 old
                 :
              
               and
               ,
               
                 quo
                 semel
                 est
                 imbutarecens
                 servabit
                 odorem
                 testa
                 diu
                 .
              
               A
               new
               vessel
               will
               keep
               the
               first
               scent
               long
               .
               But
               moreover
               there
               is
               real
               ground
               of
               fear
               ,
               that
               such
               times
               shall
               still
               grow
               worse
               and
               worse
               :
               for
               evil
               beginnings
               have
               worse
               proceedings
               ,
               
                 they
                 proceed
              
               (
               saith
               the
               Prophet
               
                 from
                 evil
                 to
                 worse
              
               ;
               Jer.
               9
               ,
               3.
               
               And
               
                 evil
                 men
                 and
                 seducers
              
               ,
               saith
               the
               
                 Apostle
                 ,
                 proceed
                 and
                 wax
                 worse
                 and
                 worse
                 ,
                 deceiving
                 and
                 being
                 deceived
                 .
              
               2
               Timoth.
               3.
               13.
               
               
                 I
                 hid
                 me
                 and
                 was
                 wroth
                 ,
              
               saith
               the
               Lord
               ,
               Isai.
               57
               ,
               17.
               
               
                 And
                 he
                 went
                 on
                 frowardly
                 in
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 his
                 heart
                 :
              
               And
               what
               shall
               the
               end
               be
               ?
               and
               where
               will
               they
               stand
               ?
               if
               the
               Lord
               say
               not
               that
               also
               which
               followes
               in
               the
               18.
               
                 verse
                 ,
                 I
                 have
                 seen
                 his
                 wayes
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 will
                 heal
                 him
                 .
              
               Prelacy
               will
               breed
               Popery
               to
               which
               it
               naturally
               inclines
               .
               Profanness
               will
               make
               a
               straight
               path
               to
               Atheism
               and
               Barbarity
               .
               Ignorance
               will
               nourish
               superstition
               .
               Formality
               ,
               Indifferency
               ,
               Loosness
               ,
               Lightness
               ,
               and
               Luxuriancy
               of
               wanton-witted
               Preachers
               especially
               (
               but
               God
               be
               thanked
               ,
               their
               skill
               is
               not
               so
               good
               as
               their
               will
               ,
               nor
               their
               wit
               so
               great
               as
               their
               wantoness
               ,
               and
               they
               are
               like
               evil
               favoured
               old
               Whores
               out
               
               of
               case
               to
               do
               worse
               ;
               and
               therefore
               they
               must
               entertain
               their
               paramours
               with
               painting
               for
               beauty
               ,
               and
               complement
               for
               courtesie
               )
               will
               foster
               Heresy
               .
               Ceremonies
               straight
               way
               will
               learn
               to
               say
               Mass
               ;
               and
               then
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               Lord
               help
               it
               .
               But
               the
               other
               sort
               of
               Children
               that
               are
               the
               
                 Children
                 of
                 the
                 Whore
              
               ,
               yet
               
                 not
                 of
                 her
                 Whoredoms
              
               ,
               but
               of
               her
               Marriage
               bed
               ,
               are
               these
               whose
               Faith
               is
               the
               off-spring
               of
               that
               first
               Faith
               of
               the
               Apostat
               Church
               ,
               and
               that
               unspoted
               chaste
               Religion
               which
               she
               professed
               ,
               before
               she
               forsook
               her
               first
               Faith
               and
               brake
               her
               Covenant
               of
               Marriage
               ;
               and
               who
               owne
               their
               righteous
               Father
               ,
               whom
               their
               Whorish
               Mother
               hath
               dishonoured
               and
               forsaken
               ,
               and
               who
               with
               grief
               and
               shame
               make
               mention
               of
               the
               lewdness
               of
               their
               Mother
               ,
               who
               mourn
               for
               her
               back-slidings
               ,
               and
               plead
               (
               as
               here
               in
               the
               
                 2d
                 verse
              
               they
               are
               commanded
               )
               for
               the
               honour
               and
               right
               of
               their
               Father
               :
               With
               these
               it
               shall
               not
               fare
               worse
               for
               their
               Mothers
               cause
               ,
               for
               they
               are
               fellow
               sufferers
               of
               reproach
               with
               their
               Father
               ,
               and
               they
               bear
               his
               name
               :
               nor
               will
               he
               deny
               his
               interest
               in
               them
               ,
               they
               are
               Ammi
               ,
               nor
               yet
               will
               he
               refuse
               them
               Fatherly
               kindness
               and
               Duty
               ,
               they
               are
               Ruhamah
               to
               him
               :
               And
               though
               their
               base
               Mother
               by
               Adulterating
               her
               Faith
               doth
               forfeit
               her
               dowry
               of
               the
               priviledges
               of
               a
               true
               Church
               ;
               yet
               their
               Righteous
               Father
               will
               find
               himself
               obliged
               by
               their
               Mothers
               Marriage
               Covenant
               and
               contract
               ,
               to
               give
               them
               the
               Inheritance
               of
               lawfully
               begotten
               Children
               :
               and
               they
               shall
               be
               kept
               and
               brought
               up
               in
               his
               House
               ,
               when
               she
               shall
               be
               sent
               off
               to
               call
               her
               Lovers
               Baali
               ,
               with
               her
               Adulterous
               
               Brats
               at
               her
               foot
               ,
               who
               cry
               Father
               to
               Balaam
               .
               If
               I
               might
               insist
               ,
               this
               consideration
               would
               clear
               the
               case
               well
               betwixt
               us
               and
               the
               
                 Popish
                 Church
              
               :
               But
               to
               speak
               to
               a
               purpose
               nearer
               us
               ,
               If
               our
               Mother
               will
               Debord
               ,
               let
               us
               tell
               her
               of
               it
               ,
               and
               plead
               with
               her
               :
               If
               that
               cannot
               help
               it
               ,
               let
               us
               be
               sorry
               for
               it
               :
               But
               let
               us
               not
               in
               any
               thing
               be
               partakers
               with
               her
               Adulteries
               ,
               lest
               we
               be
               thought
               Bastards
               :
               Let
               us
               owne
               our
               Father
               ,
               and
               Study
               to
               be
               like
               him
               ,
               even
               to
               be
               living
               Pictures
               of
               his
               Divine
               Nature
               ,
               that
               so
               it
               may
               be
               out
               of
               all
               question
               that
               we
               are
               his
               own
               lawfully
               begotten
               Children
               ,
               when
               we
               
                 Bear
                 his
                 Name
                 upon
                 our
                 Foreheads
                 ,
              
               Rev.
               22.
               4.
               and
               that
               is
               ,
               
                 Holiness
                 to
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 Zach.
              
               14.
               20.
               
               Now
               these
               are
               they
               ,
               even
               these
               who
               study
               sound
               Faith
               ,
               and
               sincere
               Holiness
               ,
               that
               go
               the
               World
               as
               it
               will
               ,
               and
               let
               Gods
               Dispensations
               and
               their
               own
               apprehensions
               say
               what
               they
               will
               ,
               shall
               never
               be
               forsaken
               nor
               cast
               off
               of
               God
               ,
               Psal
               9.
               10.
               
               
                 Thou
                 Lord
                 hast
                 not
                 forsaken
                 them
                 that
                 seek
                 thee
                 :
              
               Psal.
               37.
               25.
               
               David
               in
               his
               old
               Age
               who
               had
               seen
               many
               things
               in
               his
               time
               ;
               Yet
               
                 never
                 had
                 he
                 seen
                 the
                 Righteous
                 forsaken
                 .
              
               Joh.
               6.
               37.
               
               
                 Him
                 that
                 cometh
                 to
                 me
              
               ,
               sayes
               Christ
               ,
               
                 I
                 will
                 in
                 no
                 wise
                 cast
                 out
                 ,
              
               Heb.
               13.
               5.
               the
               Lord
               hath
               said
               ,
               
                 I
                 will
                 never
                 leave
                 thee
                 ,
                 nor
                 forsake
                 thee
                 .
              
            
             
               II.
               The
               Second
               grand
               Scripture
               Truth
               that
               is
               confirmed
               so
               solemnly
               in
               the
               context
               of
               this
               Scripture
               ,
               is
               ,
               That
               
                 all
                 the
                 wayes
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 to
                 his
                 People
                 are
                 mercy
                 and
                 truth
                 ,
              
               Psal.
               25.
               0.
               
               We
               see
               in
               the
               former
               part
               of
               this
               Chapter
               ,
               in
               the
               
                 8th
                 .
                 verse
              
               ,
               so
               long
               as
               she
               obeys
               and
               serves
               God
               ,
               what
               kindness
               he
               shews
               
               her
               ,
               he
               lets
               her
               want
               for
               nothing
               :
               And
               though
               〈◊〉
               most
               shamefully
               playes
               the
               wanton
               under
               all
               ●●at
               Mercy
               ,
               yet
               long
               he
               forbears
               her
               ,
               and
               is
               still
               ●●ving
               her
               ,
               till
               she
               begins
               insolently
               to
               reflect
               up●●
               the
               Lord
               ,
               and
               to
               speak
               more
               kindly
               of
               her
               ●overs
               than
               of
               him
               :
               Then
               the
               Lord
               ,
               as
               one
               that
               cannot
               endure
               to
               be
               so
               far
               disparaged
               ,
               as
               to
               have
               said
               that
               there
               is
               any
               Service
               or
               Fellowship
               so
               ●ood
               as
               his
               ,
               finds
               it
               now
               time
               that
               she
               be
               taught
               ,
               ●●at
               she
               can
               no
               where
               do
               so
               well
               as
               with
               her
               own
               ●●st
               Husband
               :
               And
               this
               she
               must
               learn
               in
               the
               Wilderness
               ,
               where
               he
               remembers
               mercy
               in
               the
               midst
               of
               ●rath
               ,
               and
               as
               it
               were
               forgets
               what
               he
               had
               even
               ●ow
               been
               saying
               ,
               and
               from
               threatning
               falls
               a
               comforting
               and
               alluring
               of
               her
               ,
               and
               there
               intertains
               ●●r
               with
               the
               most
               convincing
               expressions
               of
               Love
               ●●d
               Respects
               .
               And
               we
               may
               mark
               especially
               in
               ●●e
               Text
               proposed
               ,
               how
               the
               Lord
               loves
               not
               to
               tell
               ●●s
               people
               ill
               News
               ,
               and
               that
               he
               desires
               ,
               in
               a
               ●anner
               ,
               to
               tyne
               his
               threatnings
               in
               the
               telling
               ,
               if
               ●●
               could
               be
               for
               his
               Peoples
               good
               ;
               or
               ,
               at
               least
               to
               ●ll
               them
               so
               cannily
               and
               convey
               them
               so
               artificial●●
               ,
               and
               as
               it
               were
               ,
               insensibly
               ,
               and
               by
               the
               by
               ;
               and
               withall
               to
               drop
               them
               out
               so
               sparingly
               ,
               as
               that
               they
               may
               neither
               hinder
               nor
               hide
               his
               great
               design
               ●●
               love
               and
               alluring
               Mercy
               .
               
                 I
                 will
                 allure
                 her
                 ,
                 and
                 ●●ing
                 her
                 into
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 and
                 speak
                 comfortably
                 ●nto
                 her
                 :
              
               And
               when
               the
               Lord
               hath
               gained
               his
               great
               ●esign
               and
               hath
               once
               won
               the
               Heart
               of
               her
               ,
               then
               followes
               mercy
               upon
               mercy
               and
               promise
               upon
               promise
               to
               the
               end
               of
               the
               Chapter
               ;
               where
               he
               de●ares
               that
               he
               will
               betroath
               her
               unto
               himself
               for
               
               ever
               in
               Faithfulness
               ,
               and
               that
               there
               shall
               be
               ●●
               thing
               but
               inviolable
               kindness
               betwixt
               them
               in
               ●●
               time
               coming
               .
               The
               Lords
               Threatnings
               ,
               Fro●●
               and
               Chastening
               Rods
               ,
               are
               all
               necessary
               Mercy
               advancing
               the
               great
               Mercy
               of
               God's
               People
               in
               ●●
               nearer
               Injoyment
               of
               himself
               :
               And
               that
               which
               ●●
               its
               own
               nature
               ,
               and
               at
               sometime
               is
               mercy
               ,
               at
               ●nother
               time
               to
               such
               a
               person
               were
               no
               mercy
               ,
               or
               cruel
               Mercy
               ,
               such
               as
               are
               the
               tender
               Mercies
               of
               ●●
               wicked
               .
               But
               God
               will
               not
               shew
               wicked
               m●n
               Mercies
               ,
               cruel
               Mercies
               to
               his
               People
               .
               I
               compare
               the
               mercy
               of
               God
               to
               his
               People
               ,
               in
               all
               ●●
               wayes
               ,
               to
               a
               white
               threed
               in
               a
               Web
               ,
               〈◊〉
               ing
               through
               many
               dark
               colours
               .
               A
               child
               ,
               or
               ●●
               that
               knows
               no
               better
               ,
               will
               readily
               think
               at
               eve●
               disappearing
               of
               the
               white
               ,
               that
               there
               is
               no
               wh●●
               there
               :
               But
               when
               they
               look
               to
               the
               inner-side
               ,
               th●●
               find
               the
               white
               appearing
               there
               that
               was
               interrup●●
               and
               lost
               ,
               as
               they
               thought
               on
               the
               other
               side
               .
               Ev●●
               so
               the
               mercy
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
               which
               indureth
               ●●
               ever
               to
               his
               People
               ,
               runneth
               uninteruptedly
               alon●●
               all
               his
               dispensations
               to
               them
               ;
               and
               if
               they
               point●
               any
               black
               part
               of
               the
               web
               ,
               and
               ask
               ,
               where●●
               your
               white
               threed
               now
               ?
               if
               they
               pitch
               upon
               a●●
               sad
               dispensation
               of
               Providence
               ,
               and
               ask
               ,
               what
               mercy
               is
               here
               ?
               I
               will
               bid
               them
               ,
               look
               to
               the
               inner-si●●
               for
               we
               must
               
                 not
                 judge
                 by
                 appearance
                 ,
                 but
                 we
                 m●●
                 judge
                 righteous
                 Iudgment
                 .
              
               There
               is
               a
               disappeari●●
               white
               threed
               of
               mercy
               on
               the
               innerside
               of
               all
               blackest
               and
               most
               afflicting
               lots
               of
               Saints
               ,
               and
               ●●
               any
               have
               not
               the
               faith
               to
               believe
               this
               in
               an
               h●●
               and
               power
               of
               darkness
               ,
               yet
               I
               shall
               wish
               them
               ●●
               
               patience
               to
               wait
               ,
               till
               they
               see
               the
               white
               threed
               ●yth
               again
               in
               its
               own
               place
               ,
               and
               till
               they
               find
               undenyable
               mercy
               ,
               that
               will
               not
               suffer
               it self
               to
               be
               mistaken
               ,
               tryst
               them
               upon
               the
               borders
               of
               that
               dark
               valley
               :
               for
               
                 mercy
                 follows
                 them
                 all
                 the
                 days
                 of
                 their
                 life
                 Psal.
              
               23.
               6.
               and
               sometimes
               
                 it
                 will
                 compass
                 them
                 round
                 about
                 Psal.
              
               32
               ,
               10.
               
               In
               a
               word
               all
               the
               very
               outfallings
               that
               are
               betwixt
               God
               and
               his
               People
               ,
               they
               are
               
                 amantium
                 irae
              
               that
               is
               but
               
                 amoris
                 redintegratio
              
               ,
               ●overs
               cast
               out
               and
               agree
               again
               ,
               and
               they
               cast
               not
               out
               but
               that
               they
               may
               agree
               again
               :
               and
               so
               are
               God
               and
               his
               People
               ,
               mercy
               shall
               conclude
               all
               that
               passes
               betwixt
               them
               :
               and
               that
               mercy
               is
               joyned
               with
               truth
               :
               for
               God
               hath
               said
               it
               ,
               and
               he
               was
               never
               yet
               worse
               than
               his
               word
               to
               any
               ;
               but
               to
               many
               very
               oft
               much
               better
               .
               You
               see
               here
               (
               which
               confirms
               the
               point
               not
               a
               little
               )
               what
               a
               wilde
               ●iece
               she
               is
               ,
               to
               whom
               the
               Lord
               does
               all
               this
               ,
               neither
               minding
               God
               nor
               his
               Covenant
               nor
               Commandments
               ;
               but
               courting
               her
               lovers
               and
               following
               her
               lightness
               :
               and
               yet
               the
               Lord
               pursues
               her
               ,
               ●ight
               and
               litle
               worth
               as
               she
               is
               ,
               courts
               her
               ,
               and
               invites
               her
               to
               come
               home
               .
               All
               this
               is
               strange
               ,
               and
               yet
               all
               this
               is
               but
               like
               God
               ,
               that
               the
               
                 Holy
                 One
                 of
                 Israel
              
               should
               thus
               like
               the
               Adullamite
               Judah
               
                 's
                 friend
                 Gen.
              
               38.
               go
               to
               seek
               a
               Harlot
               by
               the
               way
               side
               .
            
             
               But
               consider
               .
               1.
               
               That
               when
               the
               Lord
               Married
               her
               ,
               he
               knew
               all
               the
               faults
               that
               followed
               her
               ,
               and
               ●ook
               her
               with
               them
               all
               .
               If
               God
               had
               not
               known
               before
               what
               she
               would
               prove
               ,
               it
               might
               be
               strange
               that
               thus
               he
               suits
               her
               :
               but
               if
               there
               be
               any
               thing
               to
               be
               admired
               here
               ,
               it
               is
               his
               first
               love
               to
               her
               whom
               
               he
               knew
               to
               be
               such
               an
               one
               .
               But
               2dly
               consider
               where
               will
               the
               Lord
               do
               better
               ?
               Where
               is
               there
               any
               in
               the
               World
               that
               without
               his
               own
               undertaking
               would
               serve
               him
               otherwayes
               ?
               And
               therefore
               till
               the
               Lord
               find
               a
               better
               match
               ,
               he
               thinks
               (
               and
               with
               all
               reason
               )
               even
               as
               good
               hold
               him
               at
               his
               first
               choise
               :
               Especially
               since
               3.
               
               He
               knows
               of
               a
               way
               how
               to
               gain
               her
               :
               And
               4.
               sees
               her
               already
               rewing
               her
               courses
               ,
               and
               saying
               that
               she
               will
               return
               to
               her
               first
               husband
               .
               And
               by
               all
               this
               5.
               he
               will
               let
               it
               be
               seen
               that
               he
               is
               not
               so
               unstable
               and
               light
               as
               she
               is
               .
               She
               could
               find
               in
               her
               heart
               to
               entertain
               others
               in
               his
               place
               ,
               and
               surely
               she
               was
               not
               ill
               to
               please
               ,
               that
               could
               take
               an
               Idol
               in
               his
               rooms
               :
               but
               yet
               he
               will
               make
               it
               manifest
               to
               all
               the
               World
               ,
               that
               
                 he
                 is
                 God
                 and
                 changes
                 not
              
               ;
               and
               therefore
               he
               will
               mantain
               his
               old
               kindness
               to
               her
               ,
               and
               will
               remember
               the
               love
               of
               her
               espousals
               ,
               and
               the
               kindness
               of
               her
               youth
               :
               For
               6.
               
               Foolish
               as
               she
               was
               ,
               he
               had
               gotten
               more
               love
               of
               her
               in
               former
               times
               ,
               than
               he
               had
               gotten
               of
               all
               the
               World
               besides
               .
               And
               thus
               the
               very
               case
               stands
               betwixt
               God
               and
               his
               deboarding
               Children
               and
               backsliding
               People
               unto
               this
               day
               .
            
             
               III
               The
               third
               great
               Scripture
               truth
               that
               is
               here
               solemnly
               confirmed
               is
               this
               ,
               That
               
                 Gods
                 way
                 will
                 his
                 People
                 is
                 not
                 the
                 manner
                 of
                 men
                 .
              
               2
               Sam.
               7
               ,
               19
               Hosea
               6
               ,
               7.
               
               
                 They
                 like
                 men
                 transgress
                 the
                 Covenant
                 and
              
               Chap.
               11.
               9.
               
               He
               like
               God
               and
               like
               himself
               (
               and
               there
               is
               none
               like
               unto
               him
               :
               for
               if
               any
               were
               like
               him
               ,
               he
               were
               not
               himself
               )
               
                 will
                 not
                 exe●
                 cut
                 the
                 fierceness
                 of
                 his
                 anger
                 ,
                 nor
                 return
                 to
                 destroy
                 them
                 ;
                 because
                 he
                 is
                 God
                 and
                 not
                 man
                 ,
              
               Jer.
               3
               ,
               1.
               
               The●
               
               
                 say
                 if
                 a
                 man
                 put
                 away
                 his
                 wife
                 ,
                 and
                 she
                 go
                 from
                 him
                 and
                 become
                 anothermans
                 ,
                 Shall
                 be
                 return
                 unto
                 her
                 again
                 ?
                 ●●all
                 not
                 that
                 land
                 be
                 greatly
                 polluted
                 ?
                 but
                 thou
                 hast
                 ●ayed
                 the
                 Harlot
                 with
                 many
                 lovers
                 ,
                 yet
                 return
                 again
                 ●nto
                 me
                 saith
                 the
                 Lord.
              
               Now
               that
               Gods
               way
               with
               ●is
               People
               ,
               is
               not
               the
               manner
               of
               men
               ,
               warrands
               them
               to
               expect
               from
               him
               things
               not
               ordinary
               :
               ●or
               it
               was
               the
               greatness
               of
               his
               extraordinary
               kindness
               to
               David
               that
               made
               him
               say
               so
               of
               God
               :
               yea
               ●●
               warrands
               them
               to
               expect
               above
               expectation
               .
               Isai.
               ●4
               .
               3.
               
               
                 Thou
                 didst
                 terrible
                 things
                 that
                 we
                 looked
                 not
                 ●●r
                 .
              
               Yea
               more
               ,
               it
               even
               warrands
               them
               to
               expect
               above
               admiration
               .
               Zech.
               8.
               6.
               
               
                 If
                 it
                 be
                 marvelous
                 ●●
                 the
                 eyes
                 of
                 the
                 remnant
                 of
                 this
                 People
                 in
                 these
                 dayes
                 ;
                 should
                 it
                 also
                 be
                 marvelous
                 in
                 my
                 eyes
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 Lord
                 of
                 Hosts
                 ?
              
               And
               the
               Ground
               of
               all
               is
               Isai.
               55
               ,
               9.
               
               
                 Because
                 as
                 the
                 Heavens
                 are
                 higher
                 than
                 the
                 earth
                 ,
                 so
                 are
                 ●●e
                 Lords
                 ways
                 higher
                 than
                 our
                 ways
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 thoughts
                 than
                 our
                 thoughts
                 .
              
               This
               is
               solemnly
               confirmed
               in
               ●he
               Text
               proposed
               :
               where
               we
               have
               such
               a
               stupendious
               strange
               inference
               ,
               a
               Therefore
               that
               (
               considering
               what
               hath
               been
               last
               said
               )
               all
               the
               World
               cannot
               ●ell
               
                 Wherefore
                 :
                 a
                 Therefore
              
               ,
               that
               if
               it
               had
               been
               left
               ●o
               all
               the
               World
               to
               supply
               what
               follows
               it
               ,
               considering
               what
               hath
               immediatly
               gone
               before
               ,
               I
               doubt
               it
               could
               have
               entered
               into
               any
               created
               heart
               to
               have
               once
               guessed
               it
               .
               
                 She
                 went
                 after
                 her
                 lovers
                 and
                 forgot
                 me
                 saith
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
              
               and
               
                 therefore
                 I
                 will
                 allure
                 here
                 and
                 comfort
                 her
                 .
              
               To
               this
               Therefore
               is
               well
               subjoined
               ,
               Behold
               ,
               which
               observation
               teacheth
               Admiration
               of
               what
               we
               cannot
               reach
               to
               satisfaction
               :
               Only
               ,
               from
               all
               this
               ,
               let
               us
               consider
               ,
               whether
               
               the
               great
               sin
               of
               limiting
               God
               be
               not
               too
               ordinary
               ,
               and
               too
               litle
               abhorred
               an
               evil
               amongst
               us
               .
               We
               frame
               to
               our
               fancy
               a
               litle
               modest
               God
               forsooth
               that
               must
               not
               take
               too
               much
               upon
               him
               :
               and
               by
               those
               fancies
               we
               model
               our
               Prayers
               ,
               and
               returnes
               ,
               and
               pardons
               of
               sin
               ,
               and
               accounts
               of
               Providences
               ,
               and
               events
               of
               dispensations
               ,
               and
               all
               things
               .
               And
               if
               that
               be
               not
               to
               have
               another
               God
               before
               the
               true
               God
               ,
               I
               have
               not
               read
               my
               Bible
               right
               ,
               nor
               do
               I
               understand
               the
               first
               Commandment
               .
               But
               now
               after
               that
               I
               have
               wandered
               so
               long
               before
               ,
               though
               ,
               I
               hope
               ,
               not
               beside
               the
               purpose
               ,
               I
               am
               yet
               but
               entering
               the
               Wilderness
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             
             
               SERMON
            
             
               
                 Hosea
                 2
                 :
                 14
                 :
              
               
                 Therefore
                 behold
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 allure
                 her
                 ,
                 and
                 bring
                 her
                 into
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 and
                 speak
                 Comfortably
                 unto
                 her
                 :
              
            
             
               A
               Wilderness
               is
               a
               
                 land
                 of
                 darkness
                 Ier.
              
               2
               ,
               31.
               and
               whilst
               I
               but
               look
               into
               the
               Wilderness
               ,
               I
               am
               surrounded
               with
               the
               darkness
               of
               a
               mysterious
               transition
               in
               the
               particle
               Therefore
               .
               But
               when
               I
               begin
               to
               enter
               ,
               and
               while
               my
               foot
               standeth
               even
               upon
               the
               borders
               of
               darkness
               ,
               I
               see
               a
               light
               shining
               out
               of
               darkness
               ,
               Psal.
               119.
               130.
               
                 the
                 enterance
                 of
                 thy
                 words
                 giveth
                 light
                 ,
                 it
                 giveth
                 understanding
                 unto
                 the
                 simple
                 .
              
               This
               lights
               me
               over
               the
               border
               .
               where
               being
               come
               ,
               I
               hear
               a
               voice
               which
               bids
               me
               Behold
               ,
               and
               beholding
               I
               see
               a
               strange
               Wherefore
               ,
               of
               this
               strange
               Therefore
               ,
               and
               it
               is
               this
               ,
               that
               by
               any
               means
               the
               Lord
               must
               have
               his
               Peopl's
               heart
               ,
               and
               be
               sole
               owner
               of
               their
               love
               without
               a
               Rival
               or
               partaker
               .
               
               In
               the
               close
               of
               the
               former
               
                 verse
                 ,
                 she
                 forgot
                 m●
              
               saith
               the
               Lord
               :
               that
               I
               cannot
               suffer
               ,
               and
               therefore
               
                 will
                 allure
                 her
                 ,
                 Behold
                 I
                 will
                 allure
                 her
                 .
              
               She
               forgot
               me
               and
               could
               not
               tell
               wherefor
               ,
               except
               it
               was
               for
               my
               indulgence
               ,
               and
               that
               I
               spilt
               her
               with
               too
               much
               kindness
               ;
               as
               it
               is
               written
               
                 for
                 my
                 love
                 they
                 are
                 my
                 enemies
                 .
              
               And
               I
               will
               pursue
               her
               love
               ,
               and
               follow
               her
               for
               her
               heart
               .
               I
               will
               allure
               her
               ,
               and
               I
               will
               tell
               her
               wherefore
               not
               :
               
                 Not
                 for
                 your
                 sakes
                 do
                 I
                 this
                 saith
                 the
                 Lord
                 God
                 ,
              
               be
               it
               known
               
                 unto
                 you
                 ;
                 Be
                 ashamed
                 and
                 be
                 confounded
                 for
                 your
                 own
                 wayes
                 ,
                 O
                 house
                 of
                 Israel
                 .
              
               Ezek.
               36
               ,
               32.
               
               But
               I
               will
               not
               tell
               her
               wherefore
               ,
               but
               so
               it
               must
               be
               :
               therefore
               I
               will
               allure
               her
               ,
               and
               if
               my
               former
               kindness
               and
               indulgence
               was
               a
               fault
               ;
               (
               for
               
                 the
                 Prosperity
                 of
                 fools
                 destroyes
                 them
                 ,
              
               Prov.
               1.
               32.
               
               )
               that
               shall
               be
               mended
               :
               
                 I
                 will
                 bring
                 her
                 into
                 the
                 Wilderness
              
               ;
               For
               she
               is
               so
               wild
               that
               I
               must
               tyne
               her
               before
               I
               win
               her
               :
               I
               must
               kill
               her
               ,
               before
               I
               make
               her
               alive
               :
               I
               must
               loose
               her
               ,
               before
               I
               find
               her
               :
               I
               must
               cast
               her
               down
               before
               I
               comfort
               her
               ;
               And
               
                 therefore
                 I
                 will
                 bring
                 her
                 into
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 ;
                 and
                 I
                 will
                 speak
                 comfortably
                 unto
                 her
                 .
              
               All
               this
               we
               are
               willed
               to
               Behold
               .
               Therefore
               Behold
               .
               &c.
               
            
             
               In
               the
               words
               then
               we
               have
               these
               four
               things
               distinctly
               so
               be
               considered
               .
               1.
               
               The
               Note
               of
               observation
               Behold
               .
               2
               ,
               The
               intimation
               of
               the
               Churches
               condition
               ,
               
                 I
                 will
                 bring
                 her
                 into
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 .
              
               3.
               
               The
               Lords
               great
               design
               upon
               his
               Church
               in
               this
               and
               all
               his
               Dispensations
               to
               her
               ,
               I
               
                 will
                 allure
                 her
              
               ,
               which
               rules
               all
               the
               vicissitudes
               of
               her
               divers
               Lots
               ,
               as
               means
               depending
               in
               a
               due
               Subordination
               
               upon
               this
               high
               end
               ,
               whereinto
               they
               are
               ●ll
               to
               be
               resolved
               ,
               as
               into
               the
               last
               cause
               and
               reason
               .
               This
               great
               design
               of
               God
               upon
               his
               People
               ,
               is
               as
               the
               Principles
               and
               fundamental
               propositions
               of
               Sciences
               ,
               which
               prove
               all
               particular
               conclusions
               ,
               whilst
               themselves
               only
               remain
               unproven
               by
               infe●ence
               ,
               as
               being
               received
               by
               evidence
               ,
               of
               all
               that
               ●re
               but
               acquaint
               with
               the
               terms
               .
               For
               if
               it
               be
               asked
               ,
               wherefore
               God
               will
               afflict
               his
               Church
               and
               bring
               her
               into
               the
               Wilderness
               ?
               The
               answer
               is
               ,
               because
               he
               will
               allure
               her
               :
               And
               wherefore
               will
               he
               comfort
               her
               ?
               Because
               he
               will
               allure
               her
               ;
               He
               must
               have
               her
               heart
               as
               I
               said
               before
               .
               But
               if
               it
               be
               asked
               ,
               and
               wherefore
               will
               he
               allure
               her
               ?
               What
               sees
               he
               in
               her
               ,
               That
               thus
               he
               should
               Court
               her
               for
               her
               Kind
               ness
               ?
               That
               must
               answer
               it self
               ,
               that
               is
               the
               therefore
               that
               hath
               no
               wherefore
               ,
               but.
               
                 Even
                 so
                 Lord
                 ,
                 for
                 so
                 it
                 pleases
                 thee
                 !
              
               4.
               
               I
               shall
               consider
               the
               juncture
               and
               coincidency
               of
               her
               Afflictions
               and
               his
               Consolations
               ;
               
                 I
                 will
                 bring
                 her
                 into
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 and
                 speak
                 comfortably
                 unto
                 her
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 Therefore
                 behold
                 .
              
               
                 FRom
                 the
                 first
                 thing
                 then
                 ,
                 the
                 Note
                 of
                 Observation
                 we
                 have
                 this
                 Doctrine
                 ,
                 That
                 
                   it
                   is
                   our
                   Duty
                   (
                   and
                   a
                   weighty
                   one
                   )
                   well
                   to
                   consider
                   the
                   Lords
                   wayes
                   with
                   his
                   People
                   and
                   his
                   Works
                   towards
                   them
                   .
                   Therefore
                   behold
                   .
                
                 &c.
                 When
                 God
                 bids
                 us
                 behold
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 sure
                 we
                 shall
                 have
                 something
                 worthy
                 of
                 the
                 seeing
                 .
                 Now
                 that
                 this
                 is
                 a
                 concerning
                 Duty
                 ,
                 seriously
                 to
                 observe
                 the
                 Lords
                 works
                 and
                 wayes
                 towards
                 
                 his
                 People
                 ,
                 is
                 confirmed
                 By
                 these
                 three
                 things
                 from
                 the
                 Scripture
                 .
                 The
                 1.
                 is
                 ,
                 Scripture
                 Commands
                 to
                 this
                 purpose
                 ,
                 such
                 as
                 the
                 many
                 Beholds
                 that
                 the
                 Lord
                 either
                 prefixes
                 or
                 annexes
                 to
                 his
                 works
                 ,
                 whereof
                 we
                 have
                 one
                 in
                 this
                 place
                 ;
                 and
                 Psal.
                 37.
                 37.
                 
                 We
                 are
                 commanded
                 to
                 
                   mark
                   and
                   behold
                   the
                   end
                   both
                   of
                   the
                   upright
                   and
                   of
                   the
                   transgressours
                   .
                
                 And
                 to
                 the
                 head
                 of
                 commands
                 (
                 because
                 I
                 love
                 not
                 to
                 multiply
                 things
                 without
                 great
                 necessity
                 )
                 I
                 refer
                 all
                 these
                 things
                 that
                 are
                 proper
                 pertinents
                 and
                 pendicles
                 of
                 a
                 command
                 .
                 1.
                 
                 Exhortations
                 ,
                 such
                 as
                 Ier.
                 2.
                 31.
                 
                 O
                 
                   generation
                   see
                   ye
                   the
                   word
                   of
                   the
                   Lord.
                
                 2.
                 
                   complaints
                   and
                   expostulations
                
                 such
                 as
                 Isai
                 26.
                 11.
                 
                 
                   Lord
                   when
                   thy
                   hand
                   is
                   lifted
                   up
                   ,
                   they
                   will
                   not
                   see
                   .
                
                 3.
                 
                 Promises
                 ,
                 such
                 as
                 Hosea
                 .
                 6.
                 3.
                 
                 
                   Then
                   shall
                   ye
                   know
                   ,
                   if
                   ye
                   follow
                   on
                   to
                   know
                   the
                   Lord
                
                 &c.
                 4.
                 
                 Threatnings
                 ,
                 such
                 as
                 Psal.
                 28.
                 5.
                 
                   because
                   they
                   regard
                   not
                   the
                   works
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   nor
                   the
                   operation
                   of
                   his
                   hands
                   he
                   shall
                   destroy
                   them
                   and
                   not
                   build
                   them
                   up
                
                 ;
                 with
                 Psal.
                 50.
                 22.
                 
                 
                   Consider
                   this
                   ye
                   that
                   forget
                   God
                   ,
                   lest
                   I
                   tear
                   you
                   in
                   pieces
                   and
                   there
                   be
                   none
                   to
                   deliver
                   .
                
                 5.
                 
                 Commendations
                 ,
                 such
                 as
                 Psal.
                 107
                 ,
                 43.
                 
                   whoso
                   is
                   wise
                   and
                   will
                   observe
                   these
                   things
                
                 &c
                 ,
                 Hosea
                 14.
                 9.
                 
                 And
                 he
                 that
                 was
                 a
                 wise
                 man
                 and
                 a
                 great
                 observer
                 tells
                 us
                 Eccles.
                 2
                 ,
                 14.
                 that
                 
                   the
                   wise
                   mans
                   eyes
                   are
                   in
                   his
                   head
                   .
                
                 6.
                 
                 We
                 have
                 also
                 Discommendations
                 and
                 Exprobrations
                 wherewith
                 the
                 Lord
                 upbraids
                 such
                 as
                 observe
                 not
                 his
                 works
                 and
                 ways
                 Isai
                 42.
                 18.
                 
                   they
                   are
                   deaf
                   and
                   blind
                   that
                   will
                   not
                   see
                   :
                
                 yea
                 Ieremy
                 4
                 ,
                 22.
                 calls
                 them
                 Sottish
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Psalmists
                 call
                 them
                 
                   Bruits
                   Psal
                
                 92
                 ,
                 6.
                 
                 So
                 then
                 by
                 the
                 command
                 of
                 God
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 undoubted
                 determiner
                 of
                 Duty
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 necessary
                 concerning
                 
                 duty
                 to
                 observe
                 the
                 Lords
                 works
                 and
                 ways
                 towards
                 his
                 People
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 2d
                 .
                 thing
                 that
                 confirmes
                 the
                 point
                 ,
                 is
                 this
                 ,
                 That
                 the
                 Works
                 of
                 God
                 are
                 wrought
                 before
                 his
                 People
                 for
                 that
                 very
                 end
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 observe
                 them
                 :
                 and
                 he
                 makes
                 his
                 ways
                 known
                 to
                 men
                 ,
                 that
                 all
                 men
                 may
                 observe
                 him
                 :
                 take
                 but
                 one
                 pregnant
                 place
                 for
                 this
                 .
                 Isai
                 41
                 ,
                 20.
                 
                 
                   That
                   they
                   may
                   see
                   and
                   know
                   and
                   consider
                   and
                   understand
                   together
                   ,
                   that
                   the
                   hand
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   hath
                   done
                   this
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   Holy
                   one
                   of
                   Israel
                   hath
                   created
                   it
                   .
                   The
                   Holy
                   one
                   of
                   Israel
                
                 is
                 no
                 Hypocrite
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 he
                 doth
                 all
                 his
                 works
                 to
                 be
                 seen
                 of
                 men
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 third
                 thing
                 that
                 confirmes
                 the
                 point
                 is
                 ,
                 the
                 usefulness
                 of
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 God
                 :
                 There
                 is
                 never
                 a
                 work
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 but
                 it
                 hath
                 some
                 excellent
                 instruction
                 to
                 men
                 that
                 will
                 observe
                 them
                 :
                 every
                 work
                 hath
                 a
                 word
                 in
                 its
                 mouth
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 something
                 of
                 use
                 in
                 every
                 one
                 :
                 God
                 speaks
                 no
                 idle
                 words
                 :
                 every
                 word
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 pure
                 ,
                 yea
                 his
                 words
                 are
                 like
                 Silver
                 tryed
                 in
                 the
                 furnace
                 seven
                 times
                 :
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 dross
                 nor
                 refuse
                 in
                 the
                 Bible
                 :
                 the
                 
                   light
                   of
                   Israel
                
                 and
                 
                   his
                   Holy
                   One
                
                 works
                 no
                 unfruitful
                 works
                 ,
                 like
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 darkness
                 :
                 Gods
                 works
                 of
                 Providence
                 are
                 an
                 inlargement
                 and
                 continuation
                 of
                 his
                 first
                 piece
                 of
                 Creation
                 ;
                 and
                 if
                 the
                 first
                 edition
                 of
                 his
                 works
                 was
                 all
                 very
                 good
                 ,
                 perfect
                 and
                 unreproveable
                 ;
                 how
                 excellent
                 to
                 all
                 admiration
                 must
                 the
                 last
                 edition
                 be
                 ,
                 after
                 so
                 many
                 ?
                 But
                 who
                 is
                 wise
                 to
                 understand
                 these
                 things
                 ,
                 and
                 prudent
                 to
                 know
                 them
                 ?
                 who
                 hath
                 these
                 two
                 useful
                 volumes
                 of
                 the
                 word
                 and
                 works
                 of
                 God
                 bound
                 in
                 one
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 makes
                 joynt
                 use
                 of
                 them
                 in
                 their
                 dayly
                 
                 reading
                 ?
                 But
                 howbeit
                 many
                 are
                 unlearned
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 many
                 the
                 book
                 be
                 sealed
                 ,
                 yet
                 there
                 are
                 rare
                 things
                 in
                 the
                 book
                 .
                 So
                 then
                 since
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 God
                 are
                 so
                 useful
                 ,
                 it
                 concerns
                 us
                 to
                 observe
                 them
                 as
                 things
                 tending
                 ,
                 even
                 as
                 also
                 they
                 are
                 intended
                 ,
                 to
                 our
                 great
                 advantage
                 .
                 And
                 upon
                 this
                 very
                 useful
                 consideration
                 ,
                 we
                 will
                 find
                 our selves
                 obliged
                 to
                 observe
                 seriously
                 the
                 Lords
                 works
                 and
                 ways
                 to
                 his
                 People
                 ;
                 except
                 we
                 can
                 answer
                 that
                 question
                 ,
                 
                   wherefore
                   is
                   there
                   a
                   price
                   in
                   the
                   hand
                   of
                   a
                   fool
                   to
                   get
                   wisdom
                   ,
                   seeing
                   he
                   hath
                   no
                   heart
                   to
                   it
                   .
                   Prov.
                
                 17
                 ,
                 16.
                 
                 I
                 shall
                 not
                 here
                 mention
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 ,
                 if
                 not
                 a
                 strange
                 confirmation
                 ,
                 yet
                 a
                 clear
                 illustration
                 of
                 the
                 Doctrine
                 ;
                 and
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 practice
                 of
                 Saints
                 in
                 Scripture
                 who
                 have
                 been
                 diligent
                 students
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 God
                 universally
                 ,
                 and
                 particularly
                 of
                 his
                 ways
                 to
                 his
                 People
                 :
                 and
                 some
                 have
                 been
                 such
                 proficient
                 by
                 their
                 observations
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 have
                 been
                 able
                 to
                 leave
                 us
                 a
                 perfect
                 Chronicle
                 ,
                 with
                 a
                 diurnal
                 account
                 of
                 events
                 in
                 their
                 time
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Scripture-Historians
                 ;
                 others
                 have
                 searched
                 so
                 deep
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 special
                 assistance
                 of
                 him
                 that
                 searcheth
                 all
                 things
                 ,
                 even
                 the
                 deep
                 things
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 have
                 been
                 able
                 to
                 frame
                 us
                 certain
                 and
                 everlasting
                 Almanacks
                 of
                 the
                 state
                 of
                 future
                 times
                 ;
                 as
                 the
                 Prophets
                 .
                 But
                 to
                 pass
                 these
                 ,
                 as
                 being
                 acted
                 and
                 assisted
                 by
                 an
                 extraordinary
                 motion
                 and
                 measure
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 Look
                 we
                 thorow
                 all
                 the
                 Scriptures
                 ,
                 how
                 Religious
                 observers
                 of
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 God
                 and
                 his
                 ways
                 whether
                 in
                 general
                 to
                 his
                 People
                 ,
                 or
                 to
                 themselves
                 in
                 particular
                 ,
                 we
                 find
                 even
                 ordinary
                 Saints
                 and
                 extraordinary
                 persons
                 in
                 their
                 ordinary
                 conversation
                 to
                 have
                 been
                 .
              
               
               
                 Now
                 being
                 convinced
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 our
                 concerning
                 Duty
                 to
                 observe
                 diligently
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 Dispensations
                 to
                 his
                 People
                 :
                 Two
                 great
                 Questions
                 require
                 to
                 be
                 answered
                 for
                 our
                 further
                 satisfaction
                 ,
                 and
                 better
                 instruction
                 in
                 this
                 Duty
                 .
                 1
                 ,
                 
                   VVhat
                   are
                   we
                   specially
                   to
                   observe
                   in
                   the
                   works
                   of
                   God
                   and
                   his
                   Dispensations
                   to
                   his
                   People
                   ?
                
                 2.
                 
                 
                   How
                   are
                   we
                   to
                   observe
                   the
                   works
                   of
                   God
                   ?
                
              
               
                 To
                 the
                 first
                 Question
                 then
                 ,
                 be
                 it
                 presupposed
                 ,
                 1.
                 
                 That
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 work
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 nor
                 any
                 thing
                 in
                 any
                 work
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 how
                 common
                 and
                 ordinary
                 soever
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 not
                 
                   excellent
                   and
                   Glorious
                   ,
                   and
                   worthy
                   to
                   be
                   searched
                   out
                   ,
                   Psal.
                
                 111.
                 2
                 ,
                 3
                 ,
                 4.
                 
                 But
                 2.
                 
                 Of
                 all
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 some
                 are
                 more
                 Glorious
                 and
                 observable
                 than
                 others
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 every
                 work
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 some
                 things
                 are
                 more
                 excellent
                 and
                 searchworthy
                 than
                 others
                 .
                 3.
                 
                 That
                 we
                 are
                 not
                 able
                 to
                 observe
                 or
                 take
                 up
                 fully
                 any
                 work
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 far
                 less
                 all
                 his
                 works
                 .
                 Eccles.
                 8
                 ,
                 17.
                 
                 Whereupon
                 it
                 follows
                 in
                 all
                 reason
                 4.
                 that
                 we
                 are
                 to
                 apply
                 our selves
                 to
                 the
                 observation
                 of
                 some
                 things
                 especially
                 in
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 God.
                 Otherwise
                 as
                 by
                 a
                 perpetual
                 endless
                 divisibility
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 least
                 continuous
                 body
                 (
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 principles
                 of
                 Peripatetick
                 Philosophy
                 )
                 a
                 midges
                 wing
                 may
                 be
                 extended
                 to
                 a
                 quantity
                 able
                 to
                 cover
                 the
                 outmost
                 Heavens
                 :
                 so
                 the
                 observation
                 of
                 the
                 meanest
                 work
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 may
                 abundantly
                 furnish
                 discourse
                 deducable
                 to
                 perpetuity
                 .
                 But
                 then
                 what
                 shall
                 come
                 of
                 short-breathed
                 man
                 ,
                 whose
                 days
                 are
                 an
                 hand
                 breadth
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 attempt
                 of
                 an
                 impossibility
                 ?
                 he
                 mustly
                 by
                 the
                 gate
                 ,
                 and
                 leave
                 the
                 rest
                 (
                 as
                 Italians
                 do
                 their
                 
                 chess
                 playes
                 )
                 to
                 be
                 told
                 by
                 his
                 posterity
                 .
                 Wherefore
                 I
                 shall
                 but
                 hint
                 compendiously
                 at
                 these
                 four
                 things
                 chiefly
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 observed
                 seriously
                 in
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 ways
                 towards
                 his
                 People
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 We
                 would
                 consider
                 and
                 observe
                 seriously
                 the
                 works
                 themselves
                 with
                 all
                 their
                 circumstances
                 ,
                 and
                 this
                 is
                 a
                 part
                 to
                 know
                 the
                 times
                 ,
                 to
                 know
                 what
                 the
                 Lord
                 is
                 doing
                 to
                 his
                 people
                 in
                 the
                 times
                 
                   none
                   would
                   be
                   such
                   strangers
                   in
                   Ierusalem
                   as
                   not
                   to
                   know
                   the
                   things
                   that
                   happen
                   there
                   in
                   their
                   days
                
                 Luke
                 24
                 ,
                 18.
                 
                 David
                 Psal.
                 143
                 ,
                 5.
                 
                   can
                   say
                   ,
                   I
                   meditat
                   on
                   all
                   thy
                   works
                   ,
                   I
                   muse
                   on
                   the
                   work
                   of
                   thy
                   hands
                   .
                
                 We
                 might
                 think
                 him
                 a
                 bad
                 Mariner
                 who
                 being
                 at
                 sea
                 should
                 not
                 be
                 able
                 at
                 any
                 time
                 to
                 tell
                 from
                 what
                 airth
                 the
                 wind
                 did
                 blow
                 ;
                 and
                 we
                 may
                 think
                 him
                 a
                 litle
                 better
                 Christian
                 who
                 can
                 give
                 no
                 account
                 of
                 the
                 times
                 ,
                 nor
                 of
                 the
                 Works
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 the
                 times
                 ;
                 and
                 knows
                 not
                 ,
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 cares
                 not
                 ,
                 how
                 the
                 wind
                 blows
                 upon
                 the
                 Church
                 and
                 People
                 of
                 God.
                 Every
                 one
                 that
                 would
                 be
                 worthy
                 of
                 their
                 roome
                 in
                 the
                 time
                 ,
                 would
                 study
                 to
                 be
                 acquainted
                 with
                 the
                 accidents
                 of
                 divine
                 Dispensations
                 in
                 the
                 time
                 ;
                 not
                 out
                 of
                 
                   Athenian
                   curiosity
                
                 ,
                 but
                 
                   Christian
                   inquiry
                
                 ;
                 But
                 if
                 it
                 be
                 asked
                 ,
                 how
                 far
                 is
                 it
                 betwixt
                 Antioch
                 and
                 Athens
                 ?
                 or
                 plainly
                 what
                 difference
                 is
                 there
                 betwixt
                 Christian
                 inquiry
                 and
                 Athenian
                 curiosity
                 ?
                 it
                 may
                 not
                 be
                 amiss
                 (
                 as
                 
                   Paul
                   inpassing
                   by
                   beheld
                   their
                   devotion
                   Act.
                
                 17.
                 23.
                 
                 )
                 by
                 the
                 way
                 to
                 take
                 notice
                 out
                 of
                 Act
                 ,
                 17.
                 19.
                 20.
                 21.
                 of
                 these
                 three
                 properties
                 of
                 Athenian
                 curiosity
                 ,
                 which
                 difference
                 is
                 from
                 Christian
                 inquiry
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 It
                 runs
                 all
                 upon
                 new
                 things
                 ;
                 Even
                 the
                 Ancient
                 
                 truths
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 best
                 things
                 in
                 Gods
                 dispensations
                 ,
                 if
                 once
                 they
                 become
                 old
                 and
                 ordinary
                 ,
                 do
                 not
                 relish
                 with
                 curiosity
                 .
                 2.
                 
                 Curiosity
                 satisfies
                 it self
                 with
                 telling
                 and
                 hearing
                 of
                 those
                 new
                 things
                 ;
                 it
                 hears
                 to
                 tell
                 ,
                 and
                 tells
                 what
                 it
                 hears
                 ,
                 and
                 tells
                 that
                 it
                 may
                 tell
                 ,
                 and
                 nothing
                 els
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Text
                 says
                 ;
                 it
                 is
                 taken
                 up
                 with
                 the
                 report
                 of
                 things
                 more
                 than
                 with
                 the
                 things
                 ;
                 it
                 is
                 an
                 empty
                 airy
                 thing
                 .
                 3.
                 
                 It
                 is
                 a
                 time
                 spending
                 thing
                 :
                 they
                 spend
                 their
                 time
                 so
                 ,
                 sayes
                 the
                 Text
                 :
                 Curiosity
                 like
                 nigards
                 can
                 spend
                 well
                 upon
                 another
                 mans
                 purse
                 ,
                 and
                 give
                 liberally
                 of
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 none
                 of
                 its
                 own
                 :
                 let
                 no
                 man
                 trust
                 his
                 time
                 to
                 Curiosity
                 ,
                 which
                 will
                 be
                 sure
                 to
                 give
                 him
                 a
                 short
                 account
                 of
                 
                   All
                   spent
                
                 .
                 But
                 for
                 further
                 satisfaction
                 in
                 the
                 difference
                 betwixt
                 Athenian
                 curiosity
                 and
                 Christian
                 Inquiry
                 ,
                 let
                 all
                 that
                 be
                 considered
                 which
                 rests
                 to
                 be
                 answered
                 to
                 both
                 the
                 Questions
                 proponed
                 before
                 ,
                 upon
                 a
                 particular
                 survey
                 whereof
                 ,
                 we
                 shall
                 be
                 able
                 to
                 give
                 a
                 more
                 distinct
                 judgment
                 in
                 the
                 case
                 of
                 this
                 difference
                 .
                 Only
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 kindness
                 not
                 curiosity
                 that
                 makes
                 men
                 inquire
                 ,
                 how
                 their
                 friends
                 do
                 :
                 so
                 where
                 there
                 is
                 true
                 kindness
                 to
                 the
                 People
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 it
                 will
                 kyth
                 in
                 a
                 solicitous
                 inquiry
                 concerning
                 their
                 state
                 in
                 all
                 things
                 .
                 But
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 man
                 asked
                 Christ
                 ,
                 
                   who
                   then
                   is
                   my
                   neighbour
                
                 ?
                 so
                 may
                 the
                 Church
                 and
                 People
                 of
                 God
                 justly
                 ask
                 ,
                 But
                 who
                 is
                 my
                 friend
                 ?
                 she
                 sees
                 so
                 many
                 as
                 the
                 Levite
                 ,
                 pass
                 by
                 on
                 the
                 other
                 side
                 ,
                 who
                 never
                 turn
                 aside
                 ,
                 so
                 much
                 as
                 once
                 to
                 ask
                 how
                 she
                 does
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 whom
                 all
                 is
                 as
                 nothing
                 that
                 she
                 suffers
                 .
                 Lament
                 .
                 1.
                 12
                 ,
                 
                   Is
                   it
                   nothing
                   to
                   you
                   all
                   ye
                   that
                
                 
                 
                   pass
                   by
                
                 ?
                 &c
                 ,
                 Let
                 it
                 be
                 remembred
                 then
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 God
                 themselves
                 with
                 all
                 their
                 circumstances
                 be
                 duely
                 considered
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 2d
                 thing
                 to
                 be
                 observed
                 in
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 is
                 ,
                 the
                 Author
                 and
                 hand
                 that
                 worketh
                 these
                 works
                 .
                 This
                 the
                 Saints
                 have
                 observed
                 in
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 39
                 ,
                 9.
                 this
                 they
                 will
                 that
                 others
                 may
                 observe
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 109
                 27.
                 
                 This
                 all
                 may
                 ,
                 and
                 ought
                 ,
                 and
                 shall
                 in
                 the
                 end
                 see
                 Psal.
                 9
                 ,
                 16.
                 
                 Isai
                 26.
                 11.
                 who
                 ever
                 be
                 the
                 Amanuensis
                 or
                 what
                 ever
                 be
                 the
                 instrument
                 ,
                 Gods
                 works
                 ,
                 as
                 Pauls
                 Epistles
                 ,
                 are
                 all
                 given
                 under
                 his
                 own
                 hand
                 ,
                 with
                 this
                 inscription
                 ,
                 
                   all
                   these
                   have
                   my
                   hands
                   done
                   .
                
                 The
                 Scripture
                 hath
                 diverse
                 expressions
                 to
                 this
                 purpose
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 finger
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 the
                 arme
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 God
                 himself
                 appearing
                 in
                 his
                 works
                 ,
                 intimating
                 the
                 gradual
                 difference
                 of
                 manifestations
                 of
                 a
                 Providence
                 ,
                 appearing
                 sometimes
                 more
                 darkly
                 ,
                 sometimes
                 more
                 clearly
                 in
                 the
                 works
                 and
                 dispensations
                 of
                 God.
                 And
                 yet
                 even
                 the
                 smallest
                 character
                 of
                 providence
                 ,
                 if
                 men
                 had
                 on
                 their
                 Spectacles
                 ,
                 is
                 sufficiently
                 conspicuous
                 and
                 may
                 be
                 discerned
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 hand
                 writing
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 for
                 that
                 it
                 hath
                 a
                 peculiar
                 stampt
                 of
                 Divinity
                 that
                 cannot
                 be
                 counterfited
                 .
                 If
                 God
                 creat
                 but
                 a
                 louse
                 in
                 Egypt
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 an
                 original
                 whereof
                 the
                 greatest
                 Magicians
                 can
                 give
                 no
                 copy
                 :
                 because
                 
                   it
                   is
                   the
                   finger
                   of
                   God
                   Exod.
                
                 8.
                 19.
                 
                 And
                 yet
                 many
                 read
                 the
                 Epistle
                 without
                 the
                 inscription
                 ;
                 many
                 see
                 the
                 hand
                 work
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 the
                 hand
                 ;
                 the
                 Work
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 the
                 Worker
                 .
                 Not
                 to
                 speak
                 of
                 Heathen
                 Atheists
                 ,
                 of
                 whom
                 some
                 have
                 been
                 darkned
                 with
                 the
                 fancy
                 of
                 a
                 voluble
                 blind
                 Fortune
                 :
                 
                 others
                 dammished
                 with
                 the
                 impression
                 of
                 on
                 inflex●●●e
                 inexorable
                 fate
                 :
                 both
                 equally
                 opposed
                 to
                 the
                 ●th
                 of
                 a
                 wisely
                 contrived
                 and
                 freely
                 exercised
                 ●●ovidence
                 .
                 Nor
                 to
                 speak
                 of
                 heretical
                 Maniche●
                 who
                 attributed
                 all
                 evil
                 events
                 of
                 sin
                 or
                 pain
                 ,
                 to
                 ●e
                 Daemoniacal
                 influence
                 of
                 a
                 
                   malum
                   principium
                
                 an
                 dependent
                 unprincipiated
                 Principle
                 of
                 evil
                 ,
                 in
                 ●ain
                 speech
                 ,
                 a
                 
                 Devil-God
                 :
                 nor
                 of
                 malicious
                 blas●emous
                 Iews
                 ,
                 who
                 ,
                 albeit
                 that
                 they
                 could
                 not
                 ●ny
                 ,
                 that
                 notable
                 Works
                 and
                 Miracles
                 were
                 ●ought
                 by
                 Christ
                 ,
                 yet
                 calumniously
                 attributed
                 at
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 the
                 finger
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 to
                 
                 Beelzebub
                 ●e
                 Prince
                 of
                 Devils
                 .
                 I
                 say
                 ,
                 not
                 to
                 mention
                 these
                 ,
                 ●w
                 many
                 are
                 there
                 in
                 all
                 Generations
                 ,
                 who
                 have
                 ●gmatically
                 received
                 the
                 true
                 principles
                 of
                 a
                 gene●
                 Providence
                 ,
                 that
                 ,
                 either
                 of
                 neglect
                 ,
                 do
                 not
                 ,
                 of
                 infirmity
                 and
                 mistake
                 cannot
                 ,
                 or
                 of
                 malice
                 ●ill
                 not
                 see
                 ,
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 particular
                 events
                 :
                 ●nd
                 therefore
                 we
                 have
                 this
                 frequent
                 Conclusion
                 Gods
                 dispensations
                 whether
                 of
                 mercy
                 or
                 Judg●ent
                 ,
                 
                   then
                   shall
                   they
                   know
                   that
                   I
                   am
                   the
                   Lord.
                
                 Unbelief
                 of
                 a
                 providence
                 looseth
                 all
                 the
                 pins
                 and
                 ●aketh
                 the
                 whole
                 frame
                 of
                 Religion
                 :
                 and
                 the
                 ●●th
                 and
                 actual
                 observation
                 of
                 a
                 Providence
                 sixeth
                 that
                 Atheisme
                 looseth
                 .
                 Upon
                 this
                 pin
                 of
                 an
                 observed
                 Providence
                 ,
                 the
                 Saints
                 do
                 hang
                 many
                 excellent
                 vessels
                 of
                 greater
                 and
                 smaller
                 quantity
                 .
                 ●nd
                 what
                 doth
                 not
                 David
                 build
                 upon
                 this
                 foundation
                 ?
                 
                   the
                   Lord
                   reigneth
                
                 .
                 Let
                 us
                 then
                 observe
                 ●rovidence
                 ruling
                 in
                 all
                 dispensations
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 every
                 one
                 of
                 these
                 ,
                 let
                 us
                 with
                 old
                 Eli
                 ,
                 both
                 see
                 ,
                 ●d
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   it
                   is
                   the
                   Lord
                
                 :
                 and
                 whether
                 dispensations
                 
                 be
                 prosperous
                 or
                 cross
                 ,
                 let
                 us
                 remember
                 him
                 th●
                 hath
                 said
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   make
                   peace
                   ,
                   and
                   I
                   creat
                   evil
                   .
                
                 On●●
                 let
                 not
                 the
                 observation
                 of
                 providence
                 either
                 slaken
                 our
                 hands
                 in
                 any
                 good
                 Duty
                 :
                 
                   This
                   evil
                   i●
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   wherefore
                   then
                   should
                   I
                   wait
                   any
                   longer
                   〈◊〉
                   him
                   ,
                
                 was
                 an
                 ill
                 use
                 of
                 Providence
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 b●
                 like
                 the
                 rest
                 of
                 Satans
                 and
                 Unbeliev's
                 Conclusion
                 Nor
                 2.
                 
                 Let
                 it
                 strengthen
                 our
                 hands
                 in
                 any
                 sin●
                 project
                 or
                 practice
                 .
                 It
                 was
                 the
                 Devil
                 that
                 〈◊〉
                 
                   cast
                   thy self
                   down
                   from
                   the
                   pinacle
                   because
                   he
                   hath
                   ●●ven
                   his
                   Angels
                   charge
                   of
                   thee
                   .
                
                 Let
                 us
                 not
                 take
                 Providence
                 3.
                 for
                 approbation
                 of
                 our
                 practice
                 :
                 Senacherib
                 who
                 could
                 say
                 that
                 
                   he
                   was
                   not
                   come
                   without
                   the
                   Lord
                   against
                   Ierusalem
                   .
                
                 It
                 was
                 a
                 wick●●
                 word
                 in
                 
                 David's
                 enemies
                 to
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   God
                   hath
                   fors●●●
                   him
                   ,
                   let
                   us
                   persecute
                   and
                   destroy
                   him
                   :
                
                 But
                 David
                 〈◊〉
                 of
                 another
                 spirit
                 ,
                 when
                 God
                 delivered
                 Saul
                 i●
                 his
                 hand
                 :
                 
                   let
                   not
                   my
                   hand
                
                 (
                 saith
                 he
                 )
                 
                   be
                   upon
                   b●
                
                 for
                 wickedness
                 proceedeth
                 from
                 the
                 wicked
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 Proverb
                 of
                 the
                 Ancients
                 .
                 4.
                 
                 Let
                 dispensations
                 of
                 Providence
                 be
                 determining
                 evidences
                 of
                 our
                 state
                 before
                 God
                 :
                 for
                 all
                 things
                 〈◊〉
                 alike
                 unto
                 all
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   and
                   no
                   man
                   can
                   know
                   either
                   ●●
                   or
                   hatred
                   by
                   all
                   that
                   is
                   before
                   him
                   ,
                
                 Eccles.
                 9
                 ,
                 1.
                 ●●
                 a
                 great
                 vanity
                 in
                 a
                 wicked
                 man
                 to
                 think
                 the
                 〈◊〉
                 of
                 himself
                 for
                 prosperity
                 .
                 And
                 it
                 a
                 great
                 weak●●●●
                 in
                 a
                 Saint
                 ,
                 to
                 think
                 the
                 worse
                 of
                 himself
                 for
                 affliction
                 and
                 adversity
                 ,
                 albeit
                 all
                 these
                 come
                 from
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 the
                 Lord.
                 And
                 yet
                 none
                 are
                 hereup●●
                 allowed
                 to
                 be
                 Stoically
                 or
                 stupidly
                 unconcerned
                 〈◊〉
                 the
                 vicissitudes
                 of
                 differing
                 dispensations
                 :
                 for
                 ●●cles
                 .
                 3
                 ,
                 4.
                 
                   there
                   is
                   a
                   time
                   to
                   weep
                   and
                   a
                   time
                   to
                   〈◊〉
                
                 
                 
                   time
                   to
                   mourn
                   and
                   a
                   time
                   to
                   dance
                   .
                
                 And
                 chap.
                 7.
                 14.
                 the
                 wise
                 God
                 by
                 the
                 wise
                 mans
                 mouth
                 bids
                 us
                 ,
                 
                   in
                   ●he
                   day
                   of
                   prosperity
                   be
                   joyful
                   ,
                   but
                   in
                   the
                   day
                   of
                   ad●ersity
                   consider
                   .
                
              
               
                 The
                 3d.
                 thing
                 to
                 be
                 observed
                 in
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 God
                 and
                 his
                 ways
                 to
                 his
                 People
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 Properties
                 and
                 Attributes
                 of
                 those
                 his
                 works
                 :
                 for
                 as
                 
                   omne
                   ●actum
                   refert
                   suum
                   factorem
                
                 ,
                 every
                 thing
                 made
                 re●embles
                 its
                 maker
                 ;
                 so
                 in
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 God
                 generally
                 ,
                 and
                 more
                 specially
                 in
                 his
                 ways
                 and
                 dispensations
                 to
                 his
                 own
                 ,
                 we
                 have
                 a
                 lively
                 draught
                 and
                 ●elineation
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 attributes
                 of
                 the
                 blessed
                 Worker
                 .
                 Here
                 is
                 displayed
                 the
                 soveraignity
                 of
                 God
                 which
                 is
                 exalted
                 equally
                 above
                 limited
                 ●oyality
                 and
                 licentious
                 Tyranny
                 :
                 for
                 
                   the
                   Kings
                   ●●rength
                   loveth
                   judgment
                
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 99.
                 4.
                 
                 The
                 Soverignity
                 of
                 God
                 flows
                 from
                 his
                 unlimited
                 Indend●nt
                 nature
                 ,
                 is
                 founded
                 upon
                 his
                 transcendent
                 un●erived
                 right
                 in
                 his
                 creatures
                 ,
                 and
                 runs
                 in
                 this
                 method
                 ,
                 1.
                 he
                 is
                 over
                 and
                 before
                 all
                 things
                 :
                 2.
                 all
                 things
                 are
                 of
                 him
                 :
                 3.
                 all
                 things
                 are
                 his
                 :
                 and
                 therefore
                 .
                 4.
                 he
                 may
                 do
                 with
                 his
                 own
                 what
                 he
                 will
                 :
                 
                   ●e
                   is
                   the
                   only
                   potentat
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   to
                   him
                   belongs
                   the
                   Kingdom
                   ,
                   the
                   power
                   and
                   the
                   glory
                   for
                   ever
                   ,
                   Amen
                   .
                
                 This
                 ●overaignity
                 of
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 or
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 ●is
                 works
                 ,
                 is
                 a
                 common
                 pass-key
                 that
                 will
                 open
                 all
                 ●he
                 Adyta
                 ,
                 the
                 secret
                 passages
                 of
                 the
                 most
                 mysterious
                 reserved
                 works
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 in
                 his
                 most
                 surprizing
                 ●ispensations
                 to
                 his
                 People
                 ,
                 and
                 gives
                 the
                 only
                 answer
                 to
                 Questions
                 about
                 many
                 of
                 his
                 dispensations
                 otherways
                 unanswerable
                 :
                 instance
                 these
                 few
                 .
              
               
                 Question
                 .
                 Why
                 hath
                 the
                 Lord
                 elected
                 one
                 to
                 
                 Salvation
                 ,
                 and
                 appointed
                 another
                 to
                 Damnation
                 and
                 that
                 ,
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 ,
                 of
                 two
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 as
                 Iaca●
                 and
                 Easu
                 Twins
                 born
                 ,
                 where
                 all
                 things
                 are
                 equal
                 in
                 the
                 Object
                 ?
                 Answer
                 .
                 
                   Because
                   the
                   Potter
                   hath
                   power
                   over
                   the
                   clay
                   to
                   make
                   of
                   the
                   same
                   lump
                   one
                   vessel
                   to
                   honour
                   and
                   another
                   to
                   dishonour
                   ,
                
                 Rom.
                 9.
                 21.
                 
                 Question
                 2
                 :
                 Why
                 ,
                 i●
                 pursuance
                 of
                 the
                 design
                 and
                 accomplishment
                 of
                 the
                 work
                 of
                 our
                 Salvation
                 ,
                 did
                 the
                 Lord
                 bruise
                 his
                 own
                 Son
                 and
                 put
                 him
                 to
                 grief
                 ?
                 
                   It
                   pleased
                   the
                   Lord
                   Isai
                
                 53.
                 10.
                 
                 Question
                 3.
                 
                 Why
                 doth
                 the
                 Lord
                 shew
                 mercy
                 to
                 one
                 ,
                 and
                 harden
                 another
                 ?
                 Answer
                 .
                 
                   So
                   he
                   ●●
                   Rom
                
                 ,
                 9.
                 18.
                 
                 Question
                 4.
                 
                 Why
                 to
                 all
                 those
                 that
                 an●
                 really
                 in
                 a
                 state
                 of
                 Grace
                 ,
                 doth
                 the
                 Lord
                 dispens●
                 Grace
                 so
                 differently
                 in
                 time
                 ,
                 measure
                 ,
                 method
                 manner
                 and
                 other
                 circumstances
                 ?
                 Answer
                 ,
                 
                   th●●
                   is
                   as
                   the
                   spirit
                   of
                   God
                   will
                
                 1
                 Cor.
                 12
                 ,
                 11.
                 
                 Question
                 5.
                 
                 Why
                 doth
                 the
                 Lord
                 distribute
                 an
                 equal
                 reward
                 of
                 Glory
                 to
                 those
                 whose
                 works
                 and
                 service
                 i●
                 very
                 unequal
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 ?
                 Answer
                 .
                 Because
                 
                   it
                   is
                   lawful
                   for
                   the
                   Lord
                   to
                   do
                   what
                   he
                   will
                   with
                   ●●
                   own
                   .
                   Math.
                
                 20.
                 15.
                 
                 Question
                 6.
                 
                 Why
                 doth
                 the
                 Lord
                 vouchafe
                 Grace
                 to
                 those
                 most
                 ordinaril●
                 who
                 naturally
                 ly
                 at
                 the
                 greatest
                 disadvantages
                 ,
                 ●
                 that
                 the
                 Poor
                 ,
                 the
                 Fools
                 ,
                 Babes
                 ,
                 yea
                 the
                 most
                 desperat
                 forlorn
                 sinners
                 ,
                 Publicans
                 and
                 Harlots
                 ,
                 a●
                 called
                 and
                 do
                 receive
                 the
                 Mysteries
                 of
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 Heaven
                 and
                 enter
                 thereinto
                 ,
                 whilst
                 th●
                 Wise
                 ,
                 the
                 Mighty
                 ,
                 the
                 Righteous
                 ,
                 Civil
                 ,
                 Well
                 Natured
                 and
                 Well
                 bred
                 Pharisees
                 are
                 passed
                 by
                 ?
                 Wh●
                 should
                 all
                 this
                 be
                 ?
                 Answer
                 .
                 
                   Even
                   so
                   father
                   for
                   so
                   seemed
                   good
                   in
                   thy
                   sight
                   .
                   Math.
                
                 11.
                 26
                 ,
                 Question
                 
                 7.
                 
                 Why
                 doth
                 the
                 Lord
                 choose
                 one
                 People
                 ,
                 and
                 ●ation
                 to
                 make
                 them
                 his
                 People
                 ,
                 bring
                 them
                 with
                 〈◊〉
                 the
                 bond
                 of
                 his
                 Covenant
                 ,
                 and
                 give
                 them
                 a
                 free
                 ●●spensation
                 of
                 his
                 ordinances
                 ,
                 whilst
                 he
                 doth
                 not
                 to
                 others
                 ,
                 and
                 loves
                 them
                 that
                 are
                 of
                 themselves
                 ,
                 may
                 be
                 ,
                 the
                 least
                 lovely
                 ?
                 Answer
                 
                   The
                   Lord
                   loves
                   and
                   chooses
                   ,
                   because
                   he
                   loves
                   and
                   chooses
                
                 ●eut
                 .
                 7.
                 compare
                 the
                 7
                 ,
                 and
                 8.
                 verses
                 .
                 Question
                 8.
                 ●●w
                 comes
                 it
                 that
                 the
                 Lord
                 surprises
                 his
                 Saints
                 any
                 times
                 with
                 such
                 unexpected
                 kindness
                 and
                 ●ercies
                 ,
                 as
                 distress
                 their
                 wits
                 and
                 dash
                 their
                 mo●sty
                 so
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 are
                 equally
                 ashamed
                 and
                 ignorant
                 of
                 that
                 kindness
                 ,
                 wherewith
                 they
                 are
                 so
                 loaded
                 ●d
                 weighted
                 without
                 wearying
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 are
                 ●terly
                 at
                 a
                 loss
                 to
                 express
                 ,
                 let
                 be
                 to
                 requite
                 it
                 ?
                 hence
                 is
                 all
                 this
                 ,
                 I
                 say
                 ?
                 Answer
                 .
                 Because
                 
                   Gods
                   way
                   with
                   his
                   People
                   ,
                   is
                   not
                   the
                   manner
                   of
                   man
                   :
                
                 And
                 what
                 can
                 David
                 say
                 more
                 to
                 it
                 ?
                 2
                 Samuel
                 19
                 ,
                 20.
                 
                 Question
                 9
                 ,
                 But
                 how
                 is
                 it
                 that
                 the
                 Lord
                 withdrawes
                 his
                 comfortable
                 presence
                 many
                 times
                 ●om
                 his
                 People
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 are
                 most
                 earnest
                 to
                 keep
                 ●m
                 ,
                 and
                 solicitous
                 to
                 entertain
                 him
                 ?
                 Answer
                 .
                 
                   ●hat
                   is
                   as
                   he
                   pleases
                   ,
                   Cant.
                
                 2
                 ,
                 7.
                 
                 It
                 becomes
                 us
                 well
                 to
                 ●ait
                 his
                 Dyets
                 ,
                 and
                 it
                 as
                 well
                 becomes
                 him
                 to
                 be
                 ●aster
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 Dyets
                 .
                 Question
                 10.
                 
                 Why
                 is
                 it
                 ●at
                 the
                 Lord
                 gives
                 many
                 of
                 his
                 finest
                 and
                 most
                 ●oly
                 Saints
                 ,
                 such
                 a
                 sad
                 inward
                 life
                 of
                 desertions
                 ,
                 ●ears
                 ,
                 Tentations
                 ,
                 that
                 are
                 able
                 to
                 distract
                 even
                 a
                 ●ise
                 Heman
                 from
                 his
                 youth
                 ?
                 and
                 to
                 make
                 them
                 ●iferenters
                 also
                 of
                 such
                 Exercises
                 ?
                 Answer
                 ,
                 I
                 find
                 ●is
                 Question
                 made
                 by
                 
                   Heman
                   Psal.
                
                 88
                 ,
                 14.
                 but
                 I
                 ●nd
                 no
                 answer
                 to
                 it
                 .
                 And
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 ,
                 the
                 Lord
                 
                 would
                 have
                 said
                 it
                 is
                 ill
                 speired
                 .
                 The
                 just
                 answer
                 to
                 this
                 and
                 such
                 like
                 Questions
                 is
                 ,
                 Job
                 .
                 33.
                 13.
                 
                 
                   G●●
                   gives
                   not
                   account
                   of
                   any
                   of
                   his
                   matters
                   .
                
                 Question
                 11.
                 ●
                 dispensations
                 how
                 is
                 it
                 that
                 either
                 all
                 things
                 f●
                 alike
                 to
                 all
                 ;
                 or
                 if
                 there
                 be
                 any
                 odds
                 of
                 Lots
                 ,
                 the
                 worst
                 falls
                 to
                 the
                 Saints
                 in
                 this
                 life
                 ?
                 And
                 that
                 som●
                 times
                 men
                 that
                 are
                 singulary
                 Holy
                 are
                 strangely
                 afflicted
                 ?
                 as
                 Iob.
                 Answer
                 .
                 Job
                 9
                 ,
                 22
                 ,
                 23.
                 
                 
                   This
                   ●●
                   one
                   thing
                   ,
                   therefore
                   ,
                   I
                   said
                   it
                   :
                   he
                   destroyeth
                   th●
                   perfect
                   and
                   the
                   wicked
                   ,
                   if
                   the
                   scourge
                   slay
                   suddainly
                   ,
                   he
                   will
                   laugh
                   at
                   the
                   tryal
                   of
                   the
                   innocen●
                
                 O
                 Soveraignity
                 becoming
                 him
                 only
                 who
                 doth
                 ●
                 Heaven
                 and
                 Earth
                 whatsoever
                 he
                 pleaseth
                 !
                 Th●
                 next
                 property
                 and
                 attribute
                 of
                 God
                 observable
                 i●
                 his
                 works
                 ,
                 is
                 wisdom
                 :
                 and
                 this
                 sweetly
                 influence
                 the
                 former
                 :
                 for
                 albeit
                 God
                 always
                 will
                 not
                 ,
                 yet
                 always
                 he
                 well
                 can
                 ,
                 give
                 a
                 good
                 account
                 of
                 his
                 ma●ters
                 :
                 
                   known
                   unto
                   God
                   are
                   all
                   his
                   works
                   ,
                   from
                   the
                   beginning
                   ,
                
                 Act
                 1●
                 .
                 18.
                 
                 Yea
                 the
                 Lord
                 som●
                 times
                 manifests
                 the
                 wisdom
                 of
                 his
                 works
                 evidentl●
                 and
                 eminently
                 ,
                 to
                 his
                 Peoples
                 admiration
                 rath●●
                 than
                 satisfaction
                 ,
                 and
                 lets
                 them
                 see
                 more
                 wisdom
                 in
                 his
                 dispensations
                 than
                 they
                 can
                 fathom
                 :
                 
                   O
                   th●
                   depth
                   !
                   Rom.
                
                 11.
                 33.
                 
                 I
                 dare
                 not
                 cast
                 my self
                 into
                 the
                 depth
                 of
                 this
                 wisdom
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 his
                 dispensations
                 ,
                 lest
                 I
                 be
                 not
                 able
                 in
                 haste
                 to
                 recover
                 my self
                 Only
                 let
                 us
                 mind
                 that
                 what
                 we
                 know
                 not
                 now
                 ●●
                 God
                 's
                 mind
                 in
                 his
                 dispensations
                 ,
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 w●
                 shall
                 know
                 afterwards
                 to
                 our
                 great
                 satisfaction
                 We
                 should
                 likewise
                 observe
                 in
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 God
                 Power
                 ,
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 Justice
                 ,
                 Goodness
                 (
                 whereo●
                 more
                 in
                 the
                 sequel
                 of
                 our
                 discourse
                 )
                 and
                 particularly
                 
                 we
                 would
                 observe
                 the
                 Truth
                 ,
                 for
                 which
                 the
                 Psalmist
                 so
                 much
                 commends
                 the
                 judgements
                 and
                 ●nd
                 works
                 of
                 God
                 :
                 we
                 should
                 observe
                 ,
                 how
                 every
                 work
                 of
                 God
                 verifies
                 some
                 word
                 of
                 his
                 book
                 ,
                 and
                 ●ow
                 all
                 fulfills
                 the
                 whole
                 .
                 We
                 find
                 it
                 frequent
                 in
                 the
                 mouth
                 of
                 Christ
                 and
                 his
                 Apostles
                 ,
                 and
                 sure
                 it
                 was
                 first
                 in
                 their
                 eyes
                 :
                 
                   thus
                   and
                   thus
                   it
                   was
                   done
                   that
                   the
                   Scriptures
                   might
                   be
                   fulfilled
                   .
                
                 
                 The
                 works
                 of
                 God
                 are
                 an
                 enlarged
                 Commentary
                 of
                 ●
                 daily
                 new
                 edition
                 upon
                 the
                 Word
                 of
                 God.
                 And
                 be
                 sure
                 ,
                 this
                 shall
                 not
                 be
                 an
                 
                   Orleans
                   gloss
                
                 that
                 will
                 overturn
                 the
                 Text
                 ;
                 nor
                 will
                 the
                 only
                 wise
                 God
                 so
                 far
                 forget
                 himself
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 least
                 to
                 counter
                 work
                 his
                 Word
                 .
                 And
                 if
                 thus
                 we
                 observe
                 the
                 correspondency
                 of
                 Gods
                 Works
                 with
                 his
                 Word
                 ,
                 our
                 Song
                 shall
                 be
                 :
                 
                   as
                   we
                   have
                   heard
                   ,
                   so
                   have
                   we
                   seen
                   in
                   the
                   ●
                   City
                   of
                   our
                   God.
                   
                
                 And
                 that
                 according
                 to
                 his
                 name
                 so
                 is
                 his
                 praise
                 to
                 all
                 the
                 ends
                 of
                 the
                 earth
                 .
                 Psal.
                 48
                 ,
                 8
                 ,
                 10.
                 
                 Only
                 let
                 us
                 be
                 sure
                 to
                 have
                 the
                 Word
                 on
                 our
                 side
                 ,
                 if
                 ever
                 we
                 would
                 expect
                 good
                 of
                 the
                 Works
                 of
                 God
                 :
                 for
                 if
                 Gods
                 word
                 be
                 for
                 us
                 ,
                 himself
                 is
                 on
                 our
                 side
                 ;
                 &
                 
                   if
                   God
                   be
                   for
                   us
                   ,
                   who
                   shall
                   be
                   against
                   us
                   ?
                
                 who
                 is
                 the
                 man
                 ,
                 what
                 is
                 the
                 thing
                 ?
                 
                   neither
                   death
                   nor
                   life
                
                 &c.
                 
              
               
                 The
                 Fourth
                 thing
                 to
                 be
                 observed
                 in
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 the
                 voice
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 Gods
                 words
                 have
                 a
                 hand
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 active
                 working
                 words
                 :
                 his
                 Works
                 have
                 a
                 tongue
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 speaking
                 works
                 :
                 his
                 words
                 may
                 be
                 seen
                 .
                 Ier
                 ;
                 2.
                 13.
                 
                 
                   O
                   generation
                   see
                   ye
                   the
                   word
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   :
                
                 and
                 his
                 works
                 may
                 be
                 heard
                 ,
                 Mica
                 .
                 6.
                 9.
                 
                 
                   the
                   Lords
                   voice
                   cryeth
                   to
                   the
                   City
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   man
                   of
                   wisdom
                   shall
                   see
                   the
                   thy
                   
                   name
                   ,
                   hear
                   ye
                   the
                   rod
                   and
                   him
                   that
                   hath
                   appointed
                   it
                   .
                
                 There
                 is
                 both
                 a
                 visible
                 Voice
                 and
                 name
                 ,
                 and
                 an
                 audible
                 Rod.
                 Men
                 have
                 no
                 ears
                 for
                 Gods
                 Word
                 or
                 if
                 they
                 hear
                 it
                 ,
                 they
                 dally
                 with
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 i●
                 but
                 what
                 they
                 please
                 ,
                 darkening
                 it
                 with
                 the
                 du●
                 of
                 their
                 Carnal
                 self-pleasing
                 glosses
                 :
                 but
                 God
                 hath
                 another
                 Voice
                 ,
                 the
                 heavy
                 voice
                 of
                 a
                 bloody
                 lashing
                 rod
                 :
                 that
                 Voice
                 will
                 cause
                 men
                 hear
                 ,
                 and
                 i●
                 speaks
                 so
                 distinctly
                 that
                 it
                 will
                 make
                 the
                 meaning
                 of
                 a
                 despised
                 Word
                 so
                 plain
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 shall
                 be
                 even
                 visible
                 what
                 God
                 would
                 say
                 to
                 such
                 hearers
                 .
                 As
                 the
                 Apostle
                 sayes
                 .
                 1
                 Cor
                 ,
                 24
                 ,
                 10.
                 there
                 are
                 so
                 many
                 kinds
                 of
                 voices
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 and
                 every
                 voice
                 hath
                 its
                 own
                 signification
                 :
                 So
                 the
                 several
                 works
                 o●
                 God
                 have
                 their
                 several
                 signifying
                 voices
                 to
                 the
                 Sons
                 of
                 Men.
                 Some
                 Works
                 of
                 God
                 have
                 a
                 Voice
                 o●
                 Instruction
                 :
                 some
                 have
                 a
                 voice
                 of
                 Lamentation
                 :
                 Jesus
                 once
                 weept
                 over
                 the
                 City
                 Ierusalem
                 with
                 the
                 
                   proper
                   voice
                
                 of
                 his
                 Body
                 :
                 Jesus
                 often
                 weeps
                 over
                 Cities
                 ,
                 Churches
                 ,
                 Provinces
                 and
                 Kingdoms
                 with
                 the
                 
                   Metaphoricall
                   voice
                
                 of
                 his
                 Dispensations
                 :
                 some
                 works
                 of
                 God
                 have
                 a
                 voice
                 of
                 gladness
                 and
                 singing
                 Psal.
                 9.
                 4.
                 
                   thou
                   Lord
                   hast
                   made
                   me
                   glad
                   through
                   they
                   work
                
                 Some
                 have
                 a
                 voice
                 of
                 Victory
                 and
                 Triumph
                 and
                 dividing
                 the
                 spoile
                 ;
                 
                   I
                   will
                   triumph
                   in
                   the
                   works
                   of
                   thy
                   hands
                
                 ibidem
                 ,
                 in
                 that
                 same
                 verse
                 :
                 Miriam
                 sang
                 Exod.
                 15
                 ,
                 1.
                 
                   the
                   Lord
                   hath
                   triumphed
                   Gloriously
                
                 ;
                 and
                 Psal.
                 47.
                 
                 
                   the
                   Lord
                   is
                   gone
                   up
                   with
                   a
                   shout
                   ,
                   the
                   Lord
                   with
                   the
                   sound
                   of
                   a
                   Trumpet
                   Sing
                   praises
                   to
                   God
                   ,
                   sing
                   praises
                   ,
                   sing
                   praises
                   to
                   our
                   God
                   ,
                   sing
                   praises
                   .
                
                 Some
                 Works
                 of
                 God
                 have
                 the
                 voice
                 of
                 a
                 Lyon
                 roaring
                 ,
                 some
                 of
                 a
                 thunder
                 
                 cracking
                 ,
                 some
                 of
                 waters
                 rushing
                 :
                 some
                 Works
                 of
                 God
                 have
                 a
                 still
                 whispering
                 voice
                 ,
                 some
                 have
                 ●
                 clear
                 speaking
                 voice
                 ,
                 some
                 have
                 a
                 loud
                 crying
                 voice
                 .
                 The
                 still
                 voice
                 whispers
                 in
                 the
                 Conscience
                 ,
                 the
                 plain
                 clear
                 voice
                 speaks
                 in
                 the
                 Word
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 loud
                 voice
                 cryes
                 in
                 the
                 rod
                 :
                 
                   the
                   Lords
                   voice
                   cryes
                   to
                   the
                   City
                   ,
                   hear
                   ye
                   the
                   rod
                   and
                   who
                   hath
                   appointed
                   it
                   .
                
                 Now
                 they
                 hear
                 and
                 observe
                 the
                 voice
                 of
                 God's
                 Works
                 that
                 make
                 the
                 true
                 use
                 of
                 every
                 dispensation
                 that
                 it
                 requires
                 ,
                 that
                 lament
                 when
                 the
                 Lord
                 Mournes
                 ,
                 that
                 dance
                 when
                 he
                 Pipes
                 ,
                 that
                 tremble
                 when
                 he
                 Roares
                 ,
                 that
                 hearken
                 when
                 he
                 teaches
                 ,
                 that
                 answer
                 when
                 he
                 calls
                 :
                 and
                 thus
                 every
                 Godly
                 Soul
                 is
                 an
                 Eccho
                 to
                 the
                 voice
                 of
                 God
                 :
                 
                   The
                   spirit
                   says
                   come
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   Bride
                   says
                   come
                   :
                   The
                   Lord
                   says
                   return
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   sinner
                   says
                   ,
                   behod
                   we
                   come
                   :
                   He
                   says
                   ,
                   seek
                   ye
                   my
                   face
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   Soul
                   says
                   ,
                   thy
                   face
                   will
                   I
                   seek
                   O
                   Lord.
                   But
                   as
                   Christ
                   says
                   ,
                   it
                   is
                   only
                   he
                   that
                   hath
                   an
                   ear
                   who
                   will
                   hear
                   ,
                
                 and
                 (
                 as
                 the
                 Prophet
                 Micah
                 says
                 )
                 
                   it
                   is
                   only
                   the
                   man
                   of
                   wisdom
                   that
                   will
                   see
                   Gods
                   name
                   and
                   hear
                   the
                   Rod.
                   
                
                 And
                 I
                 take
                 him
                 to
                 have
                 a
                 bad
                 ear
                 ,
                 and
                 little
                 skill
                 in
                 discerning
                 voices
                 ,
                 that
                 cannot
                 give
                 the
                 Tune
                 of
                 God's
                 present
                 dispensations
                 to
                 his
                 People
                 in
                 these
                 Nations
                 .
                 But
                 it
                 will
                 appertain
                 to
                 the
                 answer
                 of
                 the
                 next
                 question
                 ,
                 to
                 give
                 the
                 particular
                 notes
                 of
                 this
                 tune
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 hold
                 forth
                 the
                 proper
                 uses
                 of
                 present
                 dispensations
                 to
                 the
                 Church
                 and
                 Saints
                 of
                 God.
                 
              
               
                 The
                 2d
                 Question
                 proponed
                 was
                 ,
                 how
                 are
                 we
                 to
                 observe
                 the
                 Works
                 and
                 dispensations
                 of
                 God
                 ?
                 To
                 the
                 Question
                 I
                 answer
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 are
                 to
                 observe
                 
                 the
                 dispensations
                 of
                 God.
                 1.
                 with
                 selfdenyal
                 and
                 humble
                 diffidence
                 of
                 our
                 own
                 wisdom
                 and
                 understanding
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 1.
                 so
                 much
                 of
                 mystery
                 in
                 th●
                 dispensations
                 of
                 God.
                 
                   Verily
                   thou
                   art
                   a
                   good
                   that
                   h●est
                   thy self
                   O
                   God
                   the
                   Saviour
                   of
                   Israel
                   ,
                   Isai
                
                 42
                 ,
                 15
                 And
                 2dly
                 So
                 many
                 even
                 good
                 observers
                 ,
                 Godly
                 men
                 ,
                 have
                 verily
                 mistaken
                 so
                 far
                 in
                 their
                 apprehensions
                 of
                 Divine
                 dispensations
                 ,
                 (
                 Witness
                 Job
                 and
                 his
                 freinds
                 
                   who
                   darkned
                   counsel
                   by
                   words
                   without
                   knowledge
                   ?
                   Iob
                
                 38.
                 2.
                 and
                 42
                 ,
                 3.
                 whereupon
                 the
                 Lord
                 poses
                 ●ob
                 in
                 the
                 former
                 place
                 ,
                 and
                 which
                 he
                 freely
                 confesses
                 in
                 the
                 latter
                 )
                 That
                 it
                 is
                 needful
                 in
                 this
                 point
                 ,
                 if
                 in
                 any
                 ,
                 to
                 hearken
                 to
                 instruction
                 Prov
                 3
                 ,
                 5
                 ,
                 7.
                 
                   lean
                   not
                   to
                   thine
                   own
                   understanding
                   :
                   be
                   no
                   wise
                   in
                   thine
                   own
                   eyes
                   .
                
                 Humble
                 David
                 though
                 wise
                 David
                 ,
                 who
                 for
                 his
                 discerning
                 
                   was
                   as
                   an
                   Angel
                   ●●
                   God
                
                 2
                 Sam
                 ,
                 14.
                 17.
                 
                   would
                   not
                   exercise
                   himself
                   ●●
                   matter
                   too
                   high
                   for
                   him
                   ,
                   Psal
                   ,
                
                 131
                 1.
                 whereof
                 the
                 dispensations
                 of
                 God
                 are
                 a
                 high
                 part
                 ,
                 which
                 h●
                 acknowledges
                 to
                 be
                 too
                 hard
                 for
                 him
                 to
                 understand
                 Psal.
                 73.
                 16.
                 
                 And
                 his
                 Son
                 Solomon
                 whose
                 wisdom
                 is
                 so
                 renowned
                 ,
                 taxes
                 all
                 rash
                 and
                 unadvised
                 inquiry
                 into
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 God
                 Eccles.
                 7
                 ,
                 10.
                 
                 There
                 is
                 no
                 safe
                 nor
                 true
                 discovery
                 of
                 the
                 Works
                 of
                 God
                 but
                 through
                 the
                 prospect
                 of
                 his
                 Word
                 Psa●
                 73.
                 17.
                 
                 
                   We
                   must
                   ●o
                   to
                   the
                   sanctuary
                
                 with
                 Gods
                 Works
                 the
                 Word
                 will
                 let
                 us
                 see
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   wicked
                   men
                   are
                   se●
                   upon
                   slippery
                   places
                   ,
                
                 even
                 when
                 they
                 seem
                 to
                 stand
                 surest
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 73.
                 18.
                 
                 And
                 when
                 their
                 roots
                 are
                 wrapped
                 about
                 the
                 earth
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 see
                 the
                 place
                 o●
                 Stones
                 ,
                 while
                 they
                 lean
                 upon
                 their
                 House
                 and
                 holy
                 it
                 fast
                 ,
                 
                   While
                   they
                   are
                   in
                   their
                   greenness
                   ,
                   they
                   
                   are
                   cut
                   down
                   ,
                   and
                   as
                   the
                   rush
                   they
                   wither
                   before
                   any
                   other
                   herb
                   .
                
                 Iob.
                 8.
                 11.
                 and
                 foreward
                 .
                 Yea
                 whilst
                 the
                 Saints
                 look
                 not
                 upon
                 their
                 own
                 state
                 and
                 Gods
                 dispensations
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 Word
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 ready
                 to
                 mistake
                 right
                 far
                 .
                 
                   I
                   said
                   in
                   my
                   prosperity
                   ,
                   my
                   mountain
                   stands
                   strong
                   and
                   I
                   shall
                   never
                   be
                   moved
                   :
                   thou
                   didst
                   hide
                   thy
                   face
                   and
                   I
                   was
                   troubled
                   .
                
                 And
                 upon
                 the
                 other
                 hand
                 ,
                 
                   when
                   I
                   said
                   ,
                   my
                   foot
                   slippeth
                   ,
                   Thy
                   mercy
                   ,
                   Lord
                   ,
                   it
                   held
                   me
                   up
                   :
                
                 Wherefore
                 let
                 us
                 ay
                 be
                 ready
                 to
                 hearken
                 to
                 better
                 information
                 ,
                 in
                 our
                 apprehensions
                 of
                 Divine
                 dispensations
                 and
                 particular
                 events
                 ,
                 remembring
                 that
                 
                   all
                   men
                   are
                   lyars
                
                 .
                 But
                 for
                 the
                 general
                 issue
                 of
                 things
                 ,
                 we
                 may
                 be
                 well
                 assured
                 without
                 all
                 fear
                 of
                 mistake
                 ,
                 
                   That
                   it
                   shall
                   be
                   well
                   with
                   the
                   righteous
                   ,
                   and
                   ill
                   with
                   the
                   wicked
                   :
                
                 for
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 sure
                 word
                 of
                 Prophesie
                 Isai
                 3.
                 10.
                 11.
                 
                 Yea
                 not
                 only
                 shall
                 it
                 be
                 well
                 with
                 the
                 Righteous
                 in
                 the
                 end
                 ,
                 but
                 
                   every
                   thing
                
                 how
                 cross
                 soever
                 in
                 the
                 way
                 shall
                 conduce
                 and
                 
                   concurr
                   to
                   work
                   his
                   wellfare
                
                 :
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 a
                 truth
                 that
                 shall
                 never
                 fail
                 ,
                 and
                 wherein
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 fear
                 of
                 mistake
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 8.
                 28.
                 
                 And
                 the
                 Scripture
                 abounds
                 with
                 Noble
                 instances
                 of
                 this
                 truth
                 .
                 But
                 by
                 the
                 contrary
                 ,
                 all
                 things
                 how
                 prosperous
                 soever
                 that
                 fall
                 to
                 the
                 wicked
                 in
                 his
                 way
                 ,
                 shall
                 in
                 the
                 end
                 redound
                 to
                 his
                 woe
                 ,
                 and
                 turn
                 to
                 his
                 greater
                 misery
                 :
                 of
                 this
                 likewise
                 there
                 are
                 in
                 Scripture
                 instances
                 not
                 a
                 few
                 .
                 Learn
                 we
                 then
                 to
                 observe
                 dispensations
                 of
                 particular
                 events
                 with
                 humility
                 and
                 submission
                 to
                 a
                 better
                 Judgment
                 .
              
               
                 2dly
                 We
                 must
                 observe
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 God
                 with
                 Patience
                 ,
                 
                   if
                   we
                   would
                   know
                   the
                   Lords
                   going
                   forth
                   we
                
                 
                 
                   must
                   follow
                   on
                   to
                   know
                
                 Hosea
                 6.
                 3.
                 
                 In
                 our
                 observation
                 of
                 dispensations
                 we
                 must
                 not
                 conclude
                 at
                 a
                 view
                 nor
                 upon
                 their
                 first
                 appearance
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 I
                 ,
                 so
                 much
                 of
                 surprisal
                 in
                 many
                 dispensations
                 ,
                 that
                 often
                 they
                 escape
                 our
                 first
                 thoughts
                 :
                 verily
                 ,
                 says
                 Jacob
                 ,
                 
                   God
                   was
                   in
                   this
                   place
                   ,
                   and
                   I
                   knew
                   it
                   not
                
                 Genes
                 .
                 28
                 ,
                 16.
                 
                 
                   when
                   the
                   Lord
                   brought
                   back
                   the
                   captivity
                   of
                   Zion
                   ,
                   sayes
                   the
                   Church
                   ,
                   we
                   were
                   as
                   men
                   that
                   dreame
                   Psal.
                   116
                   ,
                   1
                   ,
                   When
                   the
                   Angel
                   delivered
                   Peter
                   ,
                   he
                   wist
                   not
                   whether
                   that
                   it
                   was
                   true
                   that
                   was
                   done
                   ;
                   but
                   thought
                   he
                   saw
                   a
                   vision
                
                 Act.
                 12
                 ,
                 9.
                 
                 There
                 is
                 2
                 ,
                 oft
                 times
                 much
                 Error
                 in
                 our
                 first
                 thoughts
                 of
                 things
                 that
                 needs
                 to
                 be
                 corrected
                 by
                 second
                 thoughts
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 ,
                 second
                 thoughts
                 are
                 the
                 wiser
                 .
                 
                   I
                   say
                
                 (
                 ays
                 
                   David
                   )
                   I
                   am
                   cut
                   off
                   from
                   thine
                   eyes
                
                 ;
                 but
                 I
                 said
                 it
                 over
                 soon
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   said
                   it
                   in
                   my
                   haste
                   ,
                
                 I
                 took
                 no
                 leasure
                 throughly
                 to
                 consider
                 the
                 matter
                 :
                 And
                 
                   therefore
                   I
                   will
                   look
                   again
                   toward
                   thy
                   Holy
                   temple
                   ,
                
                 I
                 looked
                 ,
                 but
                 I
                 must
                 look
                 again
                 ;
                 I
                 said
                 ,
                 but
                 I
                 must
                 say
                 again
                 .
                 The
                 Scriptures
                 gives
                 many
                 instances
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 Saints
                 mistaks
                 and
                 errors
                 in
                 the
                 first
                 thoughts
                 of
                 Gods
                 dispensations
                 :
                 and
                 in
                 these
                 
                   pat●untur
                   aliquid
                   humani
                
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 but
                 like
                 men
                 .
                 Somtimes
                 again
                 3
                 ,
                 the
                 Lord
                 goes
                 thorow
                 in
                 his
                 dispensations
                 by
                 a
                 method
                 of
                 contraries
                 :
                 he
                 brings
                 his
                 People
                 into
                 the
                 dark
                 ,
                 before
                 he
                 cause
                 light
                 shine
                 out
                 of
                 darkness
                 ;
                 he
                 brings
                 them
                 (
                 as
                 the
                 Text
                 says
                 )
                 
                   into
                   the
                
                 driery
                 
                   Wilderness
                   ,
                   and
                   there
                   he
                   comforts
                   them
                
                 ;
                 he
                 wounds
                 before
                 he
                 heal
                 ;
                 he
                 kills
                 before
                 he
                 make
                 alive
                 ;
                 he
                 casts
                 down
                 before
                 he
                 raise
                 up
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 there
                 is
                 need
                 of
                 Patience
                 to
                 observe
                 the
                 whole
                 course
                 of
                 
                 dispensations
                 and
                 their
                 connexion
                 :
                 for
                 if
                 we
                 look
                 upon
                 them
                 by
                 parts
                 ,
                 we
                 will
                 readily
                 mistake
                 in
                 our
                 Observation
                 .
                 I
                 find
                 likwise
                 4.
                 
                 In
                 many
                 Dispensations
                 a
                 reserve
                 ,
                 the
                 Lord
                 keeping
                 up
                 his
                 mind
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 to
                 bait
                 and
                 allure
                 his
                 People
                 to
                 observe
                 :
                 
                   Verily
                   thou
                   art
                   a
                   God
                   that
                   hidest
                   thy self
                   O
                   God
                   the
                   Saviour
                   of
                   Israel
                   ,
                   Isai
                
                 45.
                 14.
                 
                 O
                 Lord
                 we
                 cannot
                 see
                 what
                 thou
                 wouldst
                 be
                 at
                 :
                 what
                 I
                 do
                 thou
                 knowest
                 not
                 now
                 (
                 sayes
                 Christ
                 )
                 but
                 thou
                 shalt
                 know
                 afterwards
                 .
                 Like
                 a
                 man
                 if
                 he
                 see
                 his
                 hearers
                 slack
                 their
                 attention
                 to
                 a
                 serious
                 discourse
                 ,
                 he
                 breaks
                 off
                 and
                 pauses
                 a
                 little
                 ,
                 to
                 reduce
                 them
                 to
                 a
                 serious
                 attention
                 :
                 so
                 does
                 God
                 in
                 his
                 works
                 to
                 gain
                 us
                 to
                 a
                 diligent
                 Observation
                 .
                 Threfore
                 in
                 our
                 Observation
                 of
                 Dispensations
                 ,
                 we
                 would
                 be
                 like
                 Abraham's
                 Godly
                 servant
                 Genes
                 .
                 24
                 ,
                 21.
                 
                   he
                   held
                   his
                   peace
                   ,
                   to
                   wit
                   whether
                   the
                   Lord
                   had
                   made
                   his
                   journey
                   prosperous
                   or
                   not
                   .
                
                 Moreover
                 5.
                 in
                 some
                 Dispensations
                 the
                 Lord
                 uses
                 a
                 Holy
                 simulation
                 ,
                 and
                 makes
                 as
                 if
                 he
                 would
                 do
                 that
                 which
                 he
                 hath
                 no
                 mind
                 to
                 do
                 .
                 Sometimes
                 he
                 makes
                 to
                 take
                 leave
                 of
                 his
                 People
                 before
                 he
                 tell
                 his
                 Erand
                 ,
                 
                   Let
                   me
                   go
                   says
                   he
                   to
                
                 Jacob
                 ,
                 when
                 Iacob
                 was
                 but
                 yet
                 beginning
                 to
                 know
                 that
                 it
                 was
                 he
                 ,
                 and
                 ere
                 ever
                 there
                 was
                 a
                 word
                 of
                 the
                 blessing
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 came
                 to
                 leave
                 with
                 Iacob
                 for
                 his
                 encouragement
                 in
                 his
                 encounter
                 with
                 his
                 Brother
                 .
                 And
                 Christ
                 made
                 as
                 if
                 he
                 would
                 have
                 passed
                 by
                 his
                 Disciples
                 at
                 Sea
                 :
                 and
                 the
                 like
                 semblance
                 he
                 made
                 Luke
                 24
                 ,
                 28.
                 
                 Now
                 if
                 we
                 can
                 have
                 the
                 patience
                 to
                 observe
                 ,
                 we
                 will
                 sometimes
                 see
                 the
                 Issue
                 of
                 Dispensations
                 other
                 than
                 it
                 appeared
                 .
                 And
                 for
                 patient
                 Observation
                 of
                 Dispensations
                 1.
                 
                   respice
                   finem
                
                 
                 a
                 good
                 advice
                 ,
                 
                   Behold
                   the
                   end
                   .
                   Psal.
                
                 37
                 ,
                 37.
                 
                 It
                 is
                 the
                 end
                 that
                 we
                 are
                 bidden
                 mark
                 and
                 behold
                 ,
                 a●
                 I
                 said
                 above
                 .
                 We
                 must
                 not
                 conclude
                 of
                 Dispensations
                 neither
                 by
                 appearances
                 nor
                 parts
                 :
                 We
                 must
                 wait
                 till
                 we
                 see
                 every
                 part
                 do
                 its
                 part
                 :
                 for
                 
                   all
                   works
                   together
                   Rom.
                
                 8.
                 28.
                 
                 And
                 2
                 ,
                 
                   respice
                   usque
                   finem
                
                 ,
                 Behold
                 or
                 observe
                 to
                 the
                 end
                 ,
                 is
                 an
                 other
                 direction
                 necessary
                 to
                 the
                 practice
                 of
                 the
                 former
                 :
                 whose
                 would
                 see
                 the
                 end
                 must
                 behold
                 with
                 patience
                 to
                 the
                 end
                 .
                 Daniel
                 12
                 ,
                 8.
                 enquires
                 concerning
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 things
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 observes
                 till
                 the
                 time
                 of
                 the
                 end
                 ,
                 he
                 looks
                 thorow
                 all
                 interveening
                 times
                 of
                 the
                 accomplishment
                 of
                 these
                 events
                 manifested
                 to
                 him
                 ;
                 so
                 albeit
                 none
                 of
                 us
                 hath
                 a
                 prophetical
                 Spirit
                 to
                 lead
                 us
                 thorow
                 future
                 times
                 ,
                 yet
                 the
                 Faith
                 and
                 Patience
                 of
                 Saints
                 teaches
                 us
                 to
                 wait
                 all
                 our
                 appointed
                 time
                 .
                 In
                 our
                 patient
                 Observation
                 of
                 Dispensations
                 we
                 must
                 be
                 like
                 the
                 Prophet
                 Isai
                 21
                 ,
                 8.
                 where
                 he
                 saith
                 
                   I
                   stand
                   continually
                   upon
                   the
                   watch
                   tower
                   in
                   the
                   day
                   ,
                   and
                   I
                   am
                   set
                   in
                   my
                   ward
                   whole
                   nights
                   .
                   My
                   soul
                   waits
                   for
                   the
                   Lord
                
                 sayes
                 David
                 .
                 
                   more
                   than
                   the
                   watch
                   waits
                   for
                   the
                   morning
                
                 Psal.
                 130.
                 6.
                 
                 I
                 say
                 more
                 than
                 they
                 that
                 wait
                 for
                 the
                 morning
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 such
                 patient
                 Observation
                 he
                 had
                 seen
                 many
                 a
                 foul
                 night
                 have
                 a
                 fair
                 morning
                 :
                 
                   Sorrow
                   may
                   be
                   at
                   night
                   ,
                   but
                   joy
                   comes
                   in
                   the
                   morning
                   .
                
                 Psal
                 30
                 ,
                 5.
                 
              
               
                 3dly
                 We
                 should
                 observe
                 the
                 Lords
                 Dispensations
                 with
                 Search
                 and
                 Secrutiny
                 Psal.
                 77.
                 6.
                 
                   my
                   spirit
                   made
                   diligent
                   search
                
                 .
                 1.
                 
                 We
                 should
                 search
                 the
                 Lord's
                 affection
                 in
                 Dispensations
                 ,
                 and
                 whether
                 they
                 be
                 in
                 mercy
                 or
                 in
                 wrath
                 :
                 
                   many
                   get
                   their
                   will
                   and
                   asking
                   in
                   wrath
                   Psal.
                   78.
                   30.
                   31.
                   some
                   are
                   rebuked
                   
                   and
                   chastened
                   ,
                   but
                   not
                   in
                   wrath
                   nor
                   displeasure
                
                 as
                 David
                 Prayes
                 for
                 himself
                 Psal.
                 6
                 ,
                 1.
                 
                 Therefore
                 the
                 question
                 would
                 be
                 Ier.
                 14.
                 19.
                 
                   hast
                   thou
                   rejected
                   ●udah
                   ?
                   hath
                   they
                   soul
                   loathed
                   Zion
                   ?
                   2dly
                
                 We
                 would
                 search
                 the
                 Reasons
                 and
                 procuring
                 causes
                 of
                 sad
                 Dispensations
                 Iob
                 10
                 ,
                 2.
                 
                   shew
                   me
                   wherefore
                   thou
                   con●endest
                   with
                   me
                   ?
                   3dly
                
                 We
                 would
                 search
                 and
                 inquire
                 ●nent
                 the
                 event
                 of
                 Dispensations
                 ,
                 
                   wilt
                   thou
                   not
                   revive
                   us
                   again
                   that
                   thy
                   People
                   may
                   rejoice
                   in
                   thee
                   ?
                
                 Psal.
                 85.
                 6.
                 
                 We
                 are
                 allowed
                 likwise
                 4thy
                 to
                 search
                 and
                 enquire
                 anent
                 the
                 continuance
                 of
                 Dispensations
                 :
                 to
                 this
                 purpose
                 we
                 read
                 in
                 Scripture
                 many
                 a
                 
                   how
                   long
                   Lord
                
                 ?
                 In
                 sad
                 Dispensations
                 likwise
                 5ly
                 we
                 should
                 search
                 for
                 solid
                 grounds
                 of
                 comfort
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 this
                 we
                 should
                 remember
                 bygone
                 times
                 ,
                 and
                 remember
                 the
                 kindness
                 we
                 have
                 tasted
                 of
                 in
                 them
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 89.
                 49.
                 
                 
                   Lord
                   where
                   are
                   thy
                   former
                   loving
                   kindnesses
                   Psal
                   ,
                
                 77.
                 10.
                 
                 
                   I
                   will
                   remember
                   the
                   years
                   of
                   the
                   right
                   hand
                   of
                   the
                   most
                   high
                   .
                
                 But
                 in
                 the
                 Observation
                 of
                 Dispensations
                 our
                 search
                 would
                 be
                 ,
                 6ly
                 chiefly
                 about
                 our
                 Duty
                 :
                 our
                 main
                 question
                 would
                 be
                 ,
                 
                   Lord
                   what
                   wilt
                   thou
                   have
                   me
                   to
                   do
                   .
                   Act
                
                 9
                 ,
                 6.
                 
                 And
                 our
                 great
                 Petition
                 with
                 David
                 must
                 be
                 ,
                 
                   lead
                   me
                   O
                   Lord
                   in
                   they
                   righteousnes
                   because
                   of
                   mine
                   enemies
                   ,
                   make
                   thy
                   way
                   straight
                   before
                   my
                   face
                   ,
                
                 Psal.
                 5.
                 8.
                 
                 
                   teach
                   me
                   thy
                   way
                   ,
                   O
                   Lord
                   ,
                   and
                   I
                   will
                   walk
                   in
                   thy
                   truth
                   :
                   unite
                   my
                   heart
                   to
                   fear
                   thy
                   name
                
                 Psal.
                 86.
                 11.
                 
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 We
                 should
                 observe
                 the
                 Dispensations
                 of
                 God
                 with
                 Regard
                 ,
                 the
                 challenge
                 is
                 Isai
                 5.
                 12
                 ,
                 
                   that
                   they
                   regard
                   not
                   the
                   work
                   of
                   the
                   Lord.
                
                 This
                 Regard
                 is
                 a
                 due
                 judgment
                 and
                 estimation
                 of
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 God
                 
                 with
                 reverence
                 becoming
                 the
                 Majesty
                 ,
                 worth
                 and
                 excellency
                 of
                 the
                 worker
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 works
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 leaves
                 an
                 impression
                 of
                 Piety
                 and
                 Religion
                 upon
                 the
                 heart
                 of
                 the
                 Observer
                 :
                 according
                 to
                 that
                 pathetick
                 exclamation
                 Rev.
                 15
                 ,
                 4.
                 
                 
                   who
                   shall
                   not
                   not
                   fear
                   thee
                   ,
                   O
                   Lord
                   ,
                   and
                   glorify
                   they
                   name
                   ?
                   for
                   thou
                   art
                   Holy
                   :
                   for
                   all
                   nations
                   shall
                   come
                   and
                   worship
                   before
                   thee
                   :
                   for
                   thy
                   judgments
                   are
                   made
                   manifest
                   .
                
                 Due
                 Observation
                 of
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 a
                 great
                 curb
                 to
                 Atheisme
                 and
                 Prophanity
                 :
                 and
                 Atheisme
                 and
                 Prophanity
                 are
                 as
                 great
                 enemies
                 to
                 due
                 Observation
                 of
                 divine
                 Dispensations
                 .
                 
                   Put
                   men
                   in
                   fear
                   O
                   Lord
                   that
                   they
                   may
                   seek
                   thy
                   name
                   .
                
              
               
                 5ly
                 We
                 should
                 observe
                 the
                 Lord
                 Dispensations
                 with
                 Affection
                 :
                 Lament
                 .
                 3
                 51.
                 
                   mine
                   eye
                   affecteth
                   mine
                   heart
                
                 :
                 the
                 Prophet's
                 Observation
                 of
                 Dispensations
                 made
                 him
                 cry
                 ,
                 
                   my
                   bowels
                   ,
                   my
                   bowels
                   ,
                   my
                   heart
                   is
                   pained
                   within
                   me
                   !
                
                 Jer.
                 4.
                 19.
                 
                 I
                 reckon
                 him
                 a
                 savage
                 person
                 ,
                 and
                 one
                 that
                 hath
                 
                   vicera
                   fera
                   &
                   triplex
                   circa
                   pectus
                   robur
                   ,
                
                 the
                 bowels
                 of
                 a
                 tygar
                 or
                 bear
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 his
                 heart
                 is
                 brass
                 ,
                 oak
                 ,
                 or
                 stones
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 not
                 affected
                 with
                 the
                 Dispensations
                 of
                 our
                 times
                 ;
                 
                   who
                   grieves
                   not
                   for
                   the
                   afflictions
                   of
                   Joseph
                
                 
                 Amos6
                 .
                 6.
                 and
                 who
                 cryes
                 not
                 
                   alas
                   for
                   the
                   day
                   ,
                   for
                   none
                   is
                   like
                   it
                   .
                
                 It
                 is
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 
                 Jacob's
                 trouble
                 .
                 Jer.
                 30.
                 7.
                 
              
               
                 6.
                 
                 We
                 should
                 observe
                 the
                 Lords
                 works
                 with
                 Memory
                 :
                 in
                 our
                 Observations
                 of
                 things
                 present
                 ,
                 we
                 should
                 reflect
                 upon
                 these
                 that
                 are
                 past
                 in
                 former
                 times
                 .
                 
                   I
                   remember
                   the
                   days
                   of
                   old
                
                 Psal.
                 153.
                 5.
                 
                 And
                 likwise
                 we
                 would
                 lay
                 up
                 in
                 memory
                 our
                 present
                 
                 Observations
                 for
                 the
                 time
                 to
                 come
                 Psal.
                 48.
                 12
                 ,
                 13.
                 
                 
                   Mark
                   ye
                   well
                   that
                   ye
                   may
                   tell
                   it
                   to
                   the
                   generation
                   following
                   .
                
                 We
                 have
                 both
                 joined
                 together
                 Psal
                 ,
                 78
                 ,
                 3
                 ,
                 4.
                 
                   that
                   which
                   we
                   have
                   heard
                   and
                   known
                   and
                   our
                   fathers
                   have
                   told
                   us
                   ,
                   we
                   will
                   not
                   hide
                   from
                   their
                   children
                   ,
                   ●hewing
                   to
                   the
                   generations
                   to
                   come
                   the
                   praises
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   and
                   his
                   strength
                   ,
                   and
                   his
                   wonderfull
                   works
                   that
                   he
                   hath
                   ●one
                   .
                
                 The
                 Psalmist
                 says
                 Psal.
                 111.
                 4.
                 
                 
                   The
                   Lord
                   hath
                   made
                   his
                   wonderful
                   works
                   to
                   be
                   remembred
                   .
                
                 O!
                 then
                 ●t
                 not
                 the
                 memory
                 of
                 the
                 Lords
                 Works
                 go
                 down
                 ●n
                 our
                 days
                 .
                 Let
                 us
                 comfort
                 our selves
                 with
                 what
                 ●s
                 remembred
                 :
                 and
                 let
                 us
                 transmit
                 the
                 memory
                 of
                 the
                 Lords
                 Works
                 to
                 succeeding
                 Generations
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 share
                 of
                 the
                 same
                 comforts
                 .
                 And
                 I
                 believe
                 the
                 People
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 this
                 time
                 have
                 much
                 to
                 ●o
                 with
                 their
                 memory
                 :
                 we
                 hear
                 not
                 what
                 we
                 were
                 wont
                 to
                 hear
                 ,
                 nor
                 see
                 what
                 we
                 were
                 wont
                 to
                 see
                 :
                 We
                 are
                 now
                 left
                 to
                 gather
                 up
                 the
                 Fragments
                 of
                 former
                 enjoyments
                 by
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 a
                 Sanctified
                 memory
                 .
                 One
                 says
                 ,
                 O
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 still
                 think
                 well
                 of
                 Christ
                 !
                 He
                 shall
                 be
                 to
                 me
                 as
                 the
                 Apple
                 tree
                 alongst
                 the
                 trees
                 of
                 the
                 Wood
                 :
                 for
                 the
                 day
                 was
                 then
                 
                   I
                   sat
                   down
                   under
                   his
                   shaddow
                   ,
                   and
                   his
                   fruit
                   ●as
                   sweet
                   to
                   my
                   taste
                   .
                
                 Cant.
                 2.
                 3.
                 
                 Another
                 says
                 O
                 ●ut
                 I
                 love
                 the
                 house
                 of
                 God
                 well
                 !
                 And
                 O
                 when
                 shall
                 I
                 come
                 and
                 appear
                 there
                 before
                 God!
                 for
                 the
                 ●ay
                 was
                 when
                 
                   I
                   saw
                   the
                   Lords
                   Glory
                   and
                   his
                   power
                   in
                   ●●
                   sanctuary
                   .
                
                 Psal.
                 63
                 ,
                 2.
                 
                 And
                 O
                 when
                 shall
                 I
                 see
                 ●e
                 like
                 again
                 ?
                 O
                 how
                 shall
                 that
                 be
                 ?
                 Then
                 make
                 ●e
                 of
                 thy
                 Memory
                 ,
                 and
                 remember
                 that
                 
                 David
                 ●●m
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 returned
                 and
                 dwelt
                 in
                 the
                 ●use
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 all
                 the
                 days
                 of
                 his
                 life
                 .
                 Remember
                 
                 likewise
                 Isai
                 64.
                 3.
                 
                   that
                   God
                   did
                   for
                   his
                   People
                   terrible
                   things
                   which
                   they
                   looked
                   not
                   for
                   ,
                   ●he
                   came
                   down
                   and
                   the
                   mountains
                   flowed
                   down
                   at
                   his
                   presence
                
                 ;
                 and
                 this
                 they
                 build
                 their
                 hope
                 upon
                 in
                 their
                 present
                 case
                 .
                 Conclude
                 thou
                 then
                 with
                 David
                 2
                 Sam.
                 15
                 25.
                 
                 
                   That
                   if
                   thou
                   hast
                   found
                   favour
                   in
                   the
                   eyes
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   :
                   he
                   will
                   bring
                   thee
                   again
                   ,
                   and
                   shew
                   the
                   both
                   his
                   Ark
                   and
                   his
                   Habitation
                   !
                
                 This
                 Scripture
                 hath
                 long
                 lodged
                 in
                 my
                 thoughts
                 ,
                 and
                 while
                 min●
                 own
                 heart
                 ,
                 like
                 Sarah
                 behind
                 the
                 Tent
                 door
                 laught
                 and
                 says
                 ,
                 shall
                 these
                 things
                 be
                 ?
                 In
                 reproach
                 ●●
                 scornful
                 unbelief
                 ,
                 I
                 thus
                 both
                 use
                 and
                 please
                 to
                 reason
                 .
                 Those
                 who
                 find
                 favour
                 in
                 the
                 eyes
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 he
                 will
                 bring
                 them
                 again
                 ,
                 and
                 shew
                 them
                 both
                 his
                 Ark
                 and
                 his
                 Habitation
                 :
                 to
                 wit
                 the
                 Sanctuary
                 But
                 the
                 many
                 wandering
                 Saints
                 and
                 out-cast
                 Ministers
                 and
                 People
                 of
                 these
                 Nations
                 find
                 favour
                 in
                 the
                 eyes
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 :
                 Therefore
                 they
                 shall
                 be
                 brought
                 back
                 to
                 see
                 the
                 Ark
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 and
                 his
                 Habitation
                 .
                 Let
                 unbelief
                 answer
                 the
                 first
                 proposition
                 :
                 Le●
                 even
                 their
                 enemies
                 answer
                 the
                 second
                 ,
                 and
                 the●●
                 who
                 shall
                 deny
                 the
                 Conclusion
                 ?
              
               
                 7.
                 
                 We
                 would
                 observe
                 the
                 Works
                 of
                 God
                 and
                 his
                 Dispensations
                 with
                 Use
                 :
                 the
                 useful
                 Observe
                 is
                 the
                 good
                 Observer
                 of
                 divine
                 Dispensations
                 ,
                 an●
                 this
                 is
                 that
                 which
                 before
                 ,
                 in
                 Scripture
                 phrase
                 w●●
                 called
                 a
                 harkening
                 to
                 the
                 Lords
                 Voice
                 in
                 his
                 Dispensations
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 discerning
                 of
                 their
                 Tune
                 .
                 There
                 no
                 Work
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 but
                 it
                 hath
                 a
                 Voice
                 ,
                 and
                 it
                 hath
                 a
                 Use
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 Works
                 of
                 God
                 are
                 of
                 so
                 universal
                 ●●
                 that
                 hardly
                 is
                 their
                 any
                 truth
                 in
                 the
                 Word
                 of
                 God
                 but
                 we
                 are
                 taught
                 it
                 by
                 some
                 Work
                 of
                 God.
                 It
                 
                 ●t
                 pertinent
                 ,
                 nor
                 take
                 I
                 pleasure
                 here
                 to
                 enlarge
                 general
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 proper
                 uses
                 of
                 the
                 several
                 ●orks
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 But
                 having
                 above
                 supposed
                 ,
                 as
                 ●e
                 truth
                 is
                 ,
                 that
                 to
                 any
                 who
                 hath
                 an
                 ear
                 to
                 discern
                 ;
                 
                   The
                   voice
                
                 of
                 present
                 dispensations
                 to
                 the
                 ●hurch
                 in
                 these
                 Nations
                 is
                 beyond
                 all
                 dispute
                 
                   a
                   ●urnful
                   one
                
                 .
                 I
                 shall
                 therefore
                 shortly
                 hint
                 at
                 the
                 ●oper
                 uses
                 of
                 such
                 Mournful
                 Dispensations
                 :
                 and
                 shall
                 direct
                 them
                 all
                 from
                 the
                 
                   third
                   chapter
                
                 of
                 the
                 Lmentations
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 first
                 Use
                 of
                 present
                 Dispensations
                 is
                 ,
                 for
                 Lamentation
                 .
                 Verses
                 48
                 ,
                 49
                 ,
                 51.
                 
                 Mine
                 eye
                 ,
                 ●ine
                 eye
                 ,
                 mine
                 eye
                 !
                 
                   mine
                   eye
                   runneth
                   down
                   with
                   ●vers
                   of
                   Waters
                   .
                   Mine
                   eye
                   trickleth
                   down
                   and
                   ●●seth
                   not
                   ,
                   without
                   any
                   intermission
                   :
                   mine
                   eye
                   affect●●
                   mine
                   heart
                   .
                
                 O
                 Call
                 all
                 that
                 are
                 skilful
                 to
                 Mourn
                 ,
                 and
                 let
                 them
                 raise
                 up
                 a
                 Lamentation
                 .
                 But
                 ●hough
                 neither
                 our
                 Eyes
                 weep
                 nor
                 our
                 Voice
                 La●ent
                 ,
                 yet
                 even
                 our
                 Condition
                 it self
                 doth
                 weep
                 and
                 Mourn
                 to
                 God.
                 Jer.
                 12.
                 10
                 ,
                 11.
                 
                 
                   Many
                   Pastors
                   have
                   destroyed
                   my
                   vtneyard
                   ,
                   they
                   have
                   troden
                   my
                   portion
                   un●●r
                   foot
                   ;
                   they
                   have
                   made
                   my
                   pleasant
                   portion
                   a
                   desolate
                   Wilderness
                   ,
                   they
                   have
                   made
                   it
                   desolate
                   ,
                   and
                   being
                   deso●●e
                   ,
                   it
                   Mourneth
                   unto
                   me
                   ,
                   the
                   whole
                   land
                   is
                   made
                   de●●ate
                   ,
                   and
                   no
                   man
                   layeth
                   it
                   to
                   heart
                   .
                
                 Come
                 then
                 and
                 ●●t
                 up
                 a
                 Lamentation
                 together
                 all
                 that
                 are
                 sorrowful
                 for
                 the
                 Solemn
                 Assemblies
                 .
                 Lament
                 smitten
                 ●epherds
                 ,
                 Lament
                 scattered
                 flocks
                 ,
                 Lament
                 hungry
                 and
                 thristy
                 Souls
                 ,
                 Lament
                 desolate
                 Congregations
                 ,
                 Lament
                 poor
                 doubting
                 disconsolate
                 Christians
                 ,
                 Lament
                 closed
                 Churches
                 ,
                 Lament
                 empty
                 ●●ulpits
                 ,
                 Lament
                 silent
                 Sabbaths
                 ,
                 turn
                 your
                 joy
                 
                 into
                 Mourning
                 ,
                 O
                 our
                 blessed
                 Communion-time
                 Lament
                 Cities
                 ,
                 Lament
                 Burrows
                 ,
                 Lament
                 ye
                 d●
                 Villages
                 ,
                 
                   and
                   my
                   soul
                   shall
                   Mourn
                   in
                   secret
                   places
                   ,
                   cause
                   the
                   Lords
                   flock
                   is
                   carryed
                   away
                   .
                
                 Jer.
                 13.
                 17.
                 say
                 !
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 Lamentation
                 ,
                 and
                 shall
                 be
                 for
                 a
                 Lamentation
                 .
                 We
                 never
                 saw
                 the
                 like
                 since
                 Popish
                 ●●terdictions
                 ,
                 so
                 many
                 Glorious
                 lights
                 obscured
                 these
                 Nations
                 .
                 And
                 if
                 an
                 enemy
                 had
                 done
                 th●
                 then
                 might
                 we
                 have
                 born
                 it
                 ;
                 if
                 Pope
                 ,
                 if
                 Turk
                 ,
                 Pagan
                 :
                 But
                 thou
                 O
                 —
                 a
                 friend
                 ,
                 a
                 Protestant
                 ,
                 Prince
                 of
                 the
                 Covenant
                 !
                 What
                 thing
                 shall
                 I
                 ta●●
                 to
                 Witness
                 for
                 this
                 ?
              
               
                 But
                 because
                 the
                 Apostle
                 bids
                 us
                 
                   Mourn
                   as
                   those
                   th●
                   have
                   hope
                   .
                
                 The
                 2d
                 Use
                 of
                 present
                 Dispensations
                 sh●
                 be
                 to
                 Hope
                 ,
                 verse
                 21.
                 
                 
                   This
                   I
                   recal
                   to
                   my
                   m●●
                   therefore
                   have
                   I
                   hope
                   .
                
                 verse
                 24.
                 
                 
                   in
                   him
                   will
                   I
                   hope
                
                 verse
                 26.
                 
                 
                   it
                   is
                   good
                   that
                   a
                   man
                   should
                   both
                   hop●
                   and
                   quietly
                   wait
                   for
                   the
                   salvation
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                
                 Isai
                 8.
                 17.
                 
                 
                   I
                   will
                   wait
                   upon
                   the
                   Lord
                   that
                   hides
                   his
                   face
                   from
                   the
                   house
                   of
                   Jacob
                   ,
                   and
                   I
                   will
                   loo●
                   for
                   him
                   .
                
                 It
                 is
                 wonderful
                 to
                 see
                 ,
                 how
                 contrar●
                 conclusions
                 Faith
                 and
                 Unbelief
                 will
                 draw
                 from
                 the
                 same
                 premisses
                 .
                 The
                 Lord
                 is
                 wroth
                 and
                 hides
                 h●●
                 face
                 ,
                 then
                 say
                 believing
                 Isai
                 and
                 Jeremy
                 
                   we
                   wi●●
                   hope
                   in
                   him
                   and
                   wait
                   for
                   him
                   ;
                
                 yea
                 but
                 set
                 unbelieving
                 Joram
                 to
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 will
                 tell
                 you
                 shortly
                 
                   why
                   should
                   I
                   wait
                   any
                   longer
                   for
                   him
                
                 2
                 Kings
                 〈◊〉
                 32.
                 
                 And
                 if
                 he
                 must
                 know
                 why
                 ;
                 
                   Jeremy
                   (
                   Lament
                
                 3.
                 26.
                 
                 )
                 can
                 tell
                 him
                 ,
                 
                   it
                   is
                   good
                
                 :
                 and
                 if
                 he
                 ask
                 what
                 good
                 is
                 in
                 it
                 ?
                 Isai
                 will
                 tell
                 him
                 more
                 particularly
                 Chap.
                 30.
                 18.
                 
                 
                   The
                   Lord
                   is
                   a
                   God
                   of
                   iudgment
                   ,
                   〈◊〉
                   blessed
                   are
                   all
                   they
                   that
                   wait
                   for
                   him
                
                 Psal.
                 52
                 ,
                 9.
                 
                 
                   will
                   wait
                   on
                   thy
                   name
                   ,
                   for
                   it
                   is
                   good
                   before
                   thy
                   Saints
                   :
                
                 ●here
                 we
                 see
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 judgment
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 Saints
                 ,
                 ●at
                 it
                 is
                 still
                 good
                 to
                 wait
                 on
                 God.
                 O
                 then
                 let
                 us
                 ●ait
                 on
                 him
                 that
                 hideth
                 his
                 face
                 from
                 the
                 house
                 〈◊〉
                 Jacob
                 ;
                 for
                 surely
                 there
                 is
                 hope
                 .
                 But
                 where
                 is
                 ●ur
                 hope
                 ?
                 our
                 hope
                 is
                 in
                 God
                 that
                 saveth
                 the
                 up●●ght
                 :
                 
                   he
                   is
                   the
                   hope
                   of
                   Israel
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   Saviour
                   there●●
                   in
                   time
                   of
                   trouble
                
                 Jer.
                 14
                 ,
                 8.
                 
                 So
                 long
                 as
                 he
                 is
                 God
                 ,
                 〈◊〉
                 long
                 is
                 their
                 hope
                 :
                 and
                 to
                 say
                 there
                 were
                 no
                 hope
                 ,
                 were
                 to
                 say
                 there
                 were
                 no
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 ●ob
                 God
                 of
                 his
                 Glory
                 and
                 Title
                 who
                 fail
                 in
                 their
                 hope
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 3d
                 Use
                 of
                 present
                 Dispensations
                 is
                 Submission
                 .
                 verses
                 27
                 ,
                 28
                 ,
                 29
                 ,
                 30.
                 
                 
                   It
                   is
                   good
                   for
                   a
                   man
                   that
                   he
                   bear
                   the
                   yoke
                   in
                   his
                   youth
                   :
                
                 he
                 sitteth
                 alone
                 and
                 keepeth
                 silence
                 :
                 because
                 he
                 hath
                 born
                 it
                 upon
                 him
                 :
                 he
                 puteth
                 his
                 mouth
                 in
                 the
                 dust
                 ,
                 if
                 so
                 be
                 there
                 may
                 be
                 hope
                 ,
                 he
                 gives
                 his
                 cheeks
                 to
                 him
                 that
                 smiteth
                 him
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 filled
                 with
                 reproach
                 ,
                 and
                 verse
                 39.
                 wherefore
                 doth
                 a
                 living
                 man
                 complain
                 ,
                 a
                 man
                 for
                 the
                 punishment
                 of
                 his
                 sins
                 ?
                 What
                 ever
                 be
                 the
                 Lords
                 Dispensations
                 ,
                 is
                 our
                 part
                 to
                 submit
                 .
                 And
                 because
                 Submission
                 〈◊〉
                 Gods
                 Dispensations
                 is
                 a
                 hard
                 duty
                 to
                 our
                 Rebellious
                 corrupt
                 hearts
                 ,
                 I
                 find
                 the
                 lamenting
                 Prophet
                 tacitly
                 insisting
                 to
                 perswade
                 submission
                 upon
                 ●hese
                 grounds
                 .
                 1.
                 
                 From
                 the
                 mitigation
                 of
                 Dispensations
                 :
                 the
                 Lord
                 punishes
                 not
                 as
                 we
                 deserve
                 :
                 ●●e
                 are
                 living
                 men
                 and
                 are
                 not
                 consumed
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 ●his
                 mercy
                 renewed
                 every
                 morning
                 .
                 And
                 indeed
                 that
                 is
                 less
                 than
                 Hell
                 to
                 a
                 sinner
                 ,
                 is
                 mercy
                 un●●served
                 verse
                 22
                 ,
                 23
                 ,
                 2dly
                 from
                 the
                 good
                 that
                 
                 may
                 be
                 expected
                 of
                 the
                 saddest
                 Dispensations
                 verse
                 27.
                 
                 
                   It
                   is
                   good
                   that
                   a
                   man
                   bear
                   the
                   yoke
                   in
                   h●
                   youth
                   :
                   there
                   is
                   no
                   lot
                   so
                   ill
                   ,
                   but
                   a
                   well
                   exercise
                   Soul
                   can
                   make
                   good
                   of
                   it
                   .
                
                 3dly
                 From
                 the
                 hope
                 ●
                 an
                 out-gate
                 in
                 the
                 issue
                 .
                 verses
                 31.
                 32.
                 
                 
                   the
                   Lord
                   will
                   not
                   cast
                   off
                   for
                   ever
                   ,
                   but
                   though
                   he
                   can
                   grief
                   ,
                   yet
                   will
                   he
                   have
                   compassion
                   according
                   ●
                   the
                   multitude
                   of
                   his
                   mercies
                   .
                
                 4.
                 
                 From
                 the
                 Lords
                 unwillingness
                 to
                 afflict
                 .
                 verse
                 33.
                 
                 
                   for
                   he
                   doth
                   not
                   afflict
                   willingly
                   nor
                   grieve
                   the
                   Children
                   of
                   men
                   .
                
                 5.
                 
                 From
                 the
                 Lords
                 Soveraignity
                 verse
                 37
                 ,
                 38
                 
                   out
                   of
                   the
                   mouth
                   of
                   the
                   most
                   high
                   proceedeth
                   not
                   evil
                   and
                   good
                   ?
                
                 6.
                 
                 From
                 mens
                 deserving
                 justly
                 the
                 saddest
                 things
                 .
                 verse
                 39.
                 
                 
                   wherfore
                   doth
                   a
                   man
                   complain
                   for
                   the
                   punishment●
                   his
                   sins
                   ?
                
                 and
                 verses
                 35.
                 36.
                 the
                 Lord
                 approv●
                 no
                 unjust
                 dealing
                 .
                 But
                 true
                 submission
                 is
                 not
                 stupid
                 ,
                 idle
                 ,
                 heartless
                 thing
                 :
                 and
                 if
                 we
                 suffer
                 o●
                 hearts
                 wholly
                 to
                 be
                 idle
                 ,
                 they
                 will
                 not
                 fail
                 ,
                 like
                 unemployed
                 Souldiers
                 ,
                 to
                 mutin
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 find
                 themselves
                 both
                 unhappy
                 and
                 unlawful
                 Worl●
                 therefore
                 they
                 must
                 be
                 diverted
                 to
                 that
                 which
                 good
                 .
              
               
                 Take
                 we
                 then
                 the
                 4th
                 Use
                 of
                 present
                 Dispensations
                 to
                 imploy
                 our
                 hearts
                 with
                 all
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 is
                 Se●●
                 examination
                 .
                 verse
                 40.
                 
                 
                   Let
                   us
                   search
                   and
                   try
                   o●
                   ways
                
                 ;
                 a
                 pertinent
                 and
                 very
                 necessary
                 work
                 for
                 su●●
                 a
                 time
                 .
                 Amongst
                 the
                 many
                 things
                 we
                 get
                 leisu●●
                 now
                 to
                 think
                 on
                 ,
                 let
                 this
                 be
                 minded
                 as
                 none
                 the
                 least
                 :
                 as
                 the
                 ●yning
                 Pot
                 for
                 Silver
                 and
                 the
                 Furnace
                 for
                 Gold
                 ;
                 so
                 is
                 affliction
                 to
                 a
                 sinner
                 ,
                 a
                 discovering
                 and
                 purging
                 thing
                 .
                 Affliction
                 (
                 as
                 I
                 not
                 
                 before
                 )
                 will
                 cause
                 men
                 hear
                 on
                 the
                 deafest
                 side
                 of
                 their
                 head
                 ,
                 it
                 will
                 open
                 their
                 ears
                 to
                 discipline
                 ,
                 it
                 will
                 cause
                 them
                 see
                 things
                 that
                 before
                 they
                 would
                 not
                 see
                 .
                 Let
                 us
                 then
                 set
                 in
                 earnest
                 to
                 the
                 Work
                 of
                 ●elf-examination
                 while
                 we
                 have
                 the
                 advantage
                 of
                 ●uch
                 a
                 help
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 5th
                 Use
                 of
                 present
                 Dispensations
                 is
                 Repentance
                 in
                 that
                 same
                 40
                 verse
                 and
                 
                   let
                   us
                   turn
                   again
                   to
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                
                 What
                 ever
                 by
                 Self-examination
                 is
                 discovered
                 to
                 be
                 amiss
                 ,
                 (
                 as
                 hardly
                 any
                 man
                 shall
                 search
                 himself
                 faithfully
                 but
                 many
                 such
                 things
                 will
                 be
                 ●ound
                 with
                 him
                 )
                 let
                 all
                 that
                 be
                 amended
                 :
                 for
                 if
                 ●ur
                 scum
                 be
                 only
                 discovered
                 and
                 go
                 not
                 out
                 from
                 ●s
                 ,
                 we
                 shall
                 be
                 in
                 hazard
                 to
                 be
                 consumed
                 in
                 the
                 Furnace
                 .
                 Repentance
                 well
                 becomes
                 a
                 sinner
                 at
                 any
                 ●ime
                 ;
                 but
                 especially
                 when
                 God
                 with
                 rebukes
                 is
                 ●hastising
                 man
                 for
                 iniquity
                 ,
                 and
                 persuing
                 sin
                 with
                 ●
                 Rod
                 :
                 And
                 
                   Gods
                   hand
                   will
                   fiul
                   be
                   stretched
                   out
                   ,
                   nor
                   will
                   his
                   anger
                   turn
                   away
                   ,
                   till
                   the
                   People
                   turn
                   to
                   him
                   that
                   ●nites
                   them
                   ,
                
                 Isai
                 9
                 ,
                 12
                 ,
                 13.
                 
                 If
                 we
                 would
                 freely
                 turn
                 to
                 the
                 Lord
                 from
                 all
                 iniquity
                 ,
                 we
                 needed
                 neither
                 fear
                 the
                 wrath
                 of
                 men
                 ,
                 nor
                 be
                 beholden
                 to
                 their
                 kindness
                 ,
                 the
                 Lord
                 should
                 then
                 command
                 deliverances
                 for
                 Iacob
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 said
                 Psal.
                 44
                 4.
                 and
                 should
                 cause
                 the
                 best
                 of
                 them
                 be
                 glad
                 to
                 go
                 his
                 Erands
                 and
                 serve
                 at
                 his
                 Commands
                 ,
                 
                   But
                   our
                   iniquities
                   turn
                   away
                   and
                   with
                   hold
                   good
                   things
                   from
                   us
                   Ier.
                
                 5.
                 25.
                 
                 O
                 if
                 once
                 that
                 sweet
                 Word
                 were
                 going
                 thorow
                 the
                 Land
                 ,
                 Hosea
                 6.
                 1.
                 every
                 one
                 sending
                 it
                 to
                 his
                 neighbour
                 and
                 saying
                 ,
                 
                   come
                   and
                   let
                   us
                   return
                   unto
                   the
                   Lord.
                   
                
              
               
                 The
                 6th
                 Use
                 of
                 present
                 Dispensations
                 is
                 much
                 Prayer
                 ,
                 verse
                 41.
                 
                 
                   Let
                   us
                   lift
                   up
                   our
                   heart
                   with
                   our
                
                 
                 
                   hands
                   to
                   God
                   in
                   the
                   Heavens
                   ,
                
                 and
                 if
                 the
                 People
                 of
                 God
                 set
                 once
                 to
                 Prayer
                 in
                 good
                 earnest
                 ,
                 it
                 will
                 be
                 high
                 time
                 for
                 their
                 enemies
                 to
                 fear
                 a
                 mischief
                 ;
                 for
                 sure
                 the
                 cloud
                 of
                 the
                 Saints
                 Prayers
                 will
                 break
                 in
                 a
                 tempest
                 upon
                 their
                 fatal
                 heads
                 .
                 The
                 three
                 last
                 verses
                 of
                 the
                 Chapter
                 are
                 dreadful
                 to
                 them
                 .
                 
                   Render
                   unto
                   them
                   a
                   recompence
                   O
                   Lord
                   ,
                   according
                   to
                   the
                   Work
                   of
                   their
                   hands
                   :
                   give
                   them
                   sorrow
                   of
                   heart
                   ;
                   thy
                   curse
                   unto
                   them
                   :
                   persecute
                   and
                   destroy
                   them
                   in
                   anger
                   from
                   under
                   the
                   Heavens
                   of
                   the
                   Lord.
                
                 And
                 if
                 the
                 destitute
                 People
                 of
                 God
                 were
                 mighty
                 in
                 Prayer
                 ,
                 wrestling
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 weeping
                 and
                 making
                 supplication
                 to
                 the
                 Angel
                 as
                 Iacob
                 did
                 ,
                 I
                 could
                 tell
                 the
                 Church
                 of
                 God
                 good
                 news
                 ,
                 that
                 then
                 the
                 Lord
                 would
                 build
                 up
                 Zion
                 ,
                 and
                 would
                 appear
                 in
                 his
                 Glory
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   tha●
                   he
                   would
                   regard
                   the
                   Prayer
                   of
                   the
                   destitute
                   ;
                   and
                   no●
                   despise
                   their
                   Prayer
                
                 Psal.
                 102
                 16
                 ,
                 17.
                 
                 For
                 the
                 Lord
                 is
                 even
                 waiting
                 his
                 Peoples
                 Call
                 ,
                 Isai
                 30.
                 18.
                 19
                 
                   the
                   Lord
                   waiteth
                   to
                   be
                   Gracious
                   ,
                   he
                   will
                   be
                   very
                   Gracious
                   to
                   thee
                   ,
                
                 
                   at
                   the
                   voice
                   of
                   thy
                   cry
                   when
                   he
                   shall
                   hear
                   it
                   ,
                   he
                   will
                   answer
                   thee
                   .
                
                 And
                 what
                 will
                 he
                 give
                 us
                 ?
                 
                   he
                   will
                   give
                   us
                   our
                   removed
                   Teachers
                
                 with
                 the
                 fulness
                 of
                 the
                 blessing
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 plentiful
                 and
                 powerful
                 Dispensation
                 of
                 the
                 Word
                 Isai
                 30.
                 20
                 ,
                 21.
                 
                 O
                 then
                 Let
                 all
                 that
                 love
                 Ierusalem
                 Pray
                 ,
                 and
                 let
                 us
                 wrestle
                 together
                 by
                 Prayer
                 ,
                 and
                 each
                 Pray
                 with
                 another
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 another
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 anothers
                 hand
                 ,
                 and
                 let
                 us
                 all
                 join
                 hands
                 ,
                 and
                 see
                 who
                 can
                 give
                 the
                 kindest
                 lift
                 and
                 go
                 nearest
                 to
                 raise
                 up
                 the
                 Tabernacle
                 of
                 David
                 that
                 is
                 fallen
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 bear
                 not
                 the
                 shame
                 ,
                 that
                 this
                 breach
                 is
                 under
                 our
                 hand
                 .
                 Now
                 all
                 these
                 uses
                 of
                 afflicting
                 Dispensations
                 ,
                 
                 are
                 as
                 pertinent
                 to
                 the
                 Cases
                 of
                 particular
                 Persons
                 ,
                 whose
                 heart
                 knows
                 its
                 own
                 grief
                 ,
                 and
                 who
                 know
                 every
                 one
                 the
                 plague
                 of
                 their
                 own
                 heart
                 .
                 And
                 by
                 all
                 the
                 rest
                 Prayer
                 by
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 is
                 prescribed
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 chief
                 ingredient
                 in
                 all
                 the
                 cures
                 of
                 an
                 afflicted
                 case
                 Jam.
                 5
                 ,
                 13.
                 
                 
                   Is
                   any
                   man
                   afflicted
                   let
                   him
                   Pray
                   .
                
                 Prayer
                 hath
                 its
                 famous
                 witnesses
                 in
                 the
                 Scriptures
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 great
                 things
                 that
                 it
                 hath
                 done
                 ;
                 neither
                 wants
                 it
                 its
                 witnesses
                 in
                 the
                 breasts
                 all
                 the
                 Saints
                 .
                 One
                 word
                 of
                 sincere
                 Prayer
                 will
                 cause
                 Devils
                 ,
                 and
                 men
                 ,
                 and
                 lusts
                 ,
                 and
                 fears
                 ,
                 and
                 cares
                 all
                 run
                 ,
                 and
                 will
                 burst
                 the
                 strongest
                 bands
                 .
                 One
                 word
                 of
                 sincere
                 Prayer
                 from
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 the
                 earth
                 ,
                 will
                 at
                 a
                 call
                 bring
                 God
                 to
                 the
                 Soul
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 him
                 light
                 ,
                 joy
                 ,
                 peace
                 ,
                 inlargment
                 and
                 Soul-solace
                 .
                 But
                 if
                 any
                 be
                 so
                 obstinate
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Jews
                 were
                 in
                 the
                 case
                 of
                 the
                 Blind
                 man
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 will
                 not
                 believe
                 famous
                 well
                 qualified
                 witnesses
                 ,
                 who
                 know
                 what
                 they
                 speak
                 ,
                 and
                 speak
                 that
                 which
                 they
                 have
                 seen
                 ;
                 I
                 say
                 but
                 of
                 Prayer
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 blind
                 mans
                 Parents
                 said
                 to
                 those
                 of
                 him
                 John
                 9
                 ,
                 21
                 ,
                 
                   ask
                   him
                   ,
                   he
                   shall
                   speak
                   for
                   himself
                   .
                
                 Try
                 but
                 Prayer
                 in
                 earnest
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 have
                 no
                 fear
                 to
                 be
                 found
                 a
                 false
                 witness
                 :
                 for
                 its
                 own
                 works
                 shall
                 praise
                 it self
                 best
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 I
                 shall
                 be
                 thought
                 to
                 have
                 spoken
                 within
                 bounds
                 .
                 And
                 thus
                 I
                 have
                 answered
                 the
                 questions
                 proponed
                 for
                 instruction
                 in
                 the
                 Observation
                 of
                 divine
                 Dispensations
                 :
                 all
                 which
                 may
                 serve
                 (
                 as
                 I
                 said
                 )
                 to
                 state
                 a
                 clear
                 difference
                 betwixt
                 
                   Athenian
                   curiosity
                
                 and
                 
                   a
                   Christian
                   inquiry
                
                 into
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 God
                 and
                 his
                 ways
                 towards
                 his
                 People
                 .
              
               
                 Having
                 already
                 prosecuted
                 the
                 Doctrine
                 in
                 a
                 
                 way
                 (
                 as
                 I
                 hope
                 )
                 not
                 unuseful
                 ,
                 there
                 remains
                 the
                 less
                 to
                 be
                 said
                 to
                 it
                 by
                 way
                 of
                 Use
                 distinctly
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 usual
                 way
                 .
                 Only
                 be
                 it
                 remembered
                 that
                 we
                 observe
                 the
                 Lords
                 Dispensations
                 in
                 manner
                 aforesaid
                 :
                 and
                 for
                 incouragment
                 take
                 but
                 one
                 place
                 Psal.
                 107.
                 42
                 ,
                 43.
                 
                   the
                   righteous
                   shall
                   see
                   it
                   ,
                   and
                   rejoyce
                   and
                   all
                   iniquity
                   shall
                   stop
                   her
                   mouth
                   .
                   Whoso
                   is
                   wise
                   and
                   will
                   observe
                   these
                   things
                   ,
                   even
                   they
                   shall
                   understand
                   the
                   loving
                   kindness
                   of
                   the
                   Lord.
                
                 And
                 so
                 much
                 for
                 the
                 first
                 thing
                 in
                 the
                 Text
                 ,
                 the
                 Note
                 of
                 Observation
                 Behold
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 I
                 will
                 bring
                 her
                 into
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 .
              
               
                 THE
                 second
                 thing
                 in
                 the
                 Words
                 is
                 ,
                 the
                 intimation
                 of
                 the
                 Churches
                 Condition
                 .
                 
                   I
                   will
                   bring
                   her
                   into
                   the
                   Wilderness
                   ,
                
                 And
                 hence
                 the
                 Doctrine
                 is
                 ,
                 
                   That
                   these
                   to
                   whom
                   the
                   Lord
                   minds
                   good
                   ,
                   may
                   expect
                   to
                   come
                   to
                   the
                   possession
                   of
                   intended
                   blessedness
                   by
                   the
                   way
                   of
                   a
                   Wilderness
                   ,
                   Behold
                
                 says
                 the
                 Lord
                 
                   I
                   will
                   allure
                   her
                   ,
                   and
                   speak
                   comfortably
                   unto
                   her
                   :
                
                 there
                 is
                 my
                 design
                 upon
                 her
                 ,
                 and
                 these
                 are
                 my
                 thoughts
                 of
                 Good
                 concerning
                 her
                 ,
                 but
                 first
                 
                   I
                   will
                   bring
                   her
                   into
                   the
                   Wilderness
                   .
                
                 In
                 the
                 prosecution
                 of
                 this
                 Doctrine
                 ,
                 three
                 things
                 are
                 to
                 be
                 considered
                 .
                 1.
                 
                 What
                 is
                 this
                 Wilderness
                 ?
                 2.
                 
                 Wherefore
                 doth
                 the
                 
                 Lord
                 bring
                 his
                 People
                 into
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 ?
                 3.
                 
                 What
                 use
                 we
                 are
                 to
                 make
                 of
                 this
                 intimation
                 of
                 such
                 a
                 Condition
                 ?
              
               
                 1
                 ,
                 First
                 then
                 ,
                 what
                 is
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 ?
                 I
                 Answer
                 1.
                 in
                 general
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 Figurative
                 expression
                 of
                 an
                 afflicted
                 Condition
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   will
                   bring
                   her
                   into
                   the
                   Wilderness
                
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 erercise
                 her
                 with
                 such
                 Afflictions
                 as
                 men
                 are
                 wont
                 to
                 meet
                 with
                 in
                 a
                 Wilderness
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 2dly
                 I
                 find
                 a
                 
                   Wilderness
                   Condition
                
                 importing
                 these
                 things
                 particularly
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 It
                 imperteth
                 a
                 Condition
                 of
                 Want
                 and
                 scarcety
                 both
                 of
                 Temporal
                 and
                 Spiritual
                 things
                 Heb.
                 1.
                 37.
                 
                 
                   those
                   of
                   whom
                   the
                   World
                   was
                   not
                   worthy
                   were
                   destitute
                   of
                   all
                   things
                   :
                
                 2
                 Cor.
                 6.
                 10.
                 
                 
                   The
                   Apostles
                   that
                   made
                   many
                   Rich
                   ,
                   were
                   themselves
                   as
                   poor
                   :
                   and
                   they
                   that
                   possessed
                   all
                   things
                   were
                   as
                   having
                   nothing
                   .
                
                 Psal.
                 107
                 4
                 ,
                 5.
                 
                 
                   They
                   that
                   wander
                   in
                   a
                   Wilderness
                   are
                   hungry
                   and
                   thristy
                   ;
                   and
                   their
                   Soul
                   fainteth
                   in
                   them
                   .
                
                 
                   David
                   Psal.
                
                 63.
                 1.
                 says
                 
                   my
                   Soul
                   thristeth
                   for
                   thee
                   ,
                   my
                   flesh
                   longeth
                   for
                   thee
                   ,
                   in
                   a
                   dry
                   and
                   thusty
                   land
                   where
                   no
                   water
                   is
                   :
                
                 he
                 had
                 no
                 doubt
                 his
                 own
                 temporal
                 Wants
                 ,
                 and
                 those
                 great
                 enough
                 ,
                 but
                 his
                 greatest
                 Want
                 was
                 of
                 the
                 waters
                 of
                 the
                 Sanctuary
                 ,
                 as
                 is
                 clear
                 from
                 the
                 
                   2d
                   verse
                   ,
                   To
                   see
                   thy
                   power
                   and
                   thy
                   Glory
                   so
                   as
                   I
                   have
                   seen
                   thee
                   in
                   the
                   Sanctuary
                   :
                
                 and
                 the
                 same
                 was
                 his
                 Condition
                 in
                 the
                 42.
                 and
                 43.
                 
                 Psalmes
                 ,
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 supposed
                 Condition
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 People
                 of
                 God.
                 Isai.
                 41.
                 17.
                 
                 
                   they
                   are
                   poor
                   and
                   needy
                   ,
                   seeking
                   water
                   and
                   there
                   is
                   none
                   ,
                   and
                   their
                   tongue
                   faileth
                   for
                   thrist
                   .
                
                 The
                 want
                 of
                 Water
                 which
                 is
                 a
                 most
                 common
                 thing
                 ,
                 denoteth
                 the
                 extremity
                 of
                 
                 scarcety
                 and
                 want
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 first
                 thing
                 in
                 a
                 Wilderness-Condition
                 .
                 The
                 many
                 hungry
                 Bellys
                 ,
                 and
                 no
                 fewer
                 hungry
                 Souls
                 in
                 these
                 times
                 which
                 are
                 crying
                 ,
                 
                   my
                   Leanness
                   ,
                   my
                   Leanness
                
                 ,
                 do
                 plainly
                 say
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 are
                 entred
                 more
                 nor
                 a
                 days
                 journey
                 into
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 2d
                 thing
                 imported
                 in
                 a
                 Wilderness-Condition
                 is
                 Desolation
                 and
                 Barrenness
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 63.
                 1.
                 and
                 Psal.
                 107.
                 33.
                 
                 
                   a
                   Wilderness
                   is
                   a
                   dry
                   land
                   ,
                   a
                   thristy
                   land
                   where
                   no
                   water
                   is
                   .
                
                 Jer.
                 9
                 ,
                 12.
                 
                 
                   It
                   is
                   burnt
                   up
                   like
                   a
                   Wilderness
                   ,
                
                 and
                 likwise
                 a
                 Wilderness
                 is
                 a
                 desolate
                 place
                 :
                 there
                 no
                 foot
                 of
                 man
                 doth
                 come
                 ;
                 there
                 the
                 Cities
                 are
                 made
                 heaps
                 ;
                 there
                 nettles
                 grow
                 upon
                 the
                 ruines
                 of
                 Glorious
                 Temples
                 .
                 This
                 Desolation
                 and
                 Barrenness
                 is
                 the
                 cause
                 of
                 scarcety
                 and
                 want
                 in
                 a
                 Wilderness
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 likwise
                 we
                 have
                 felt
                 in
                 our
                 Wilderness
                 ;
                 we
                 Want
                 ,
                 but
                 we
                 know
                 not
                 where
                 to
                 get
                 it
                 :
                 the
                 Wells
                 are
                 stopped
                 ,
                 good
                 Occasions
                 for
                 our
                 Souls
                 are
                 removed
                 ,
                 our
                 Teachers
                 are
                 removed
                 into
                 Corners
                 ,
                 the
                 Songs
                 of
                 our
                 Temples
                 are
                 become
                 howlings
                 .
                 We
                 may
                 sing
                 the
                 8
                 verse
                 of
                 the
                 46.
                 
                 Psalme
                 with
                 a
                 sad
                 note
                 ,
                 
                   Come
                   behold
                   the
                   works
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   what
                   desolations
                   he
                   hath
                   made
                   in
                   the
                   earth
                   :
                
                 and
                 where
                 Desolations
                 end
                 ,
                 there
                 beginneth
                 Barrenness
                 and
                 dry
                 breasts
                 .
                 As
                 in
                 one
                 place
                 we
                 have
                 the
                 Wells
                 of
                 water
                 and
                 the
                 Streams
                 from
                 Lebanon
                 stopped
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 next
                 place
                 we
                 come
                 to
                 ,
                 we
                 find
                 Clouds
                 without
                 rain
                 ,
                 and
                 Pits
                 without
                 water
                 ,
                 Trees
                 whose
                 fruit
                 is
                 withered
                 ,
                 and
                 without
                 fruit
                 ,
                 Epistle
                 of
                 Iude
                 12
                 verse
                 ,
                 men
                 who
                 either
                 never
                 had
                 any
                 thing
                 ,
                 or
                 elss
                 have
                 lost
                 what
                 once
                 they
                 promised
                 .
                 As
                 if
                 Christ
                 (
                 O
                 sad
                 !
                 )
                 had
                 come
                 
                 by
                 and
                 said
                 ,
                 henceforth
                 never
                 fruit
                 grow
                 upon
                 you
                 ;
                 if
                 we
                 were
                 thristy
                 beside
                 the
                 water
                 ,
                 or
                 hungry
                 beside
                 Food
                 ,
                 or
                 sick
                 beside
                 the
                 Physician
                 ,
                 or
                 sorrowful
                 beside
                 a
                 comforter
                 ,
                 or
                 in
                 darkness
                 beside
                 light
                 ,
                 we
                 might
                 the
                 better
                 bear
                 it
                 :
                 But
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 other
                 ways
                 shews
                 we
                 are
                 indeed
                 in
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 .
              
               
                 3dly
                 The
                 Wilderness
                 importeth
                 a
                 Solitary
                 Condition
                 of
                 Separation
                 from
                 comfortable
                 ,
                 sweet
                 and
                 useful
                 Society
                 :
                 David
                 felt
                 this
                 in
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 Psal.
                 42.
                 4.
                 
                 
                   When
                   he
                   remembred
                   that
                   he
                   had
                   gone
                   to
                   the
                   house
                   of
                   God
                   with
                   the
                   multitude
                   ,
                   with
                   the
                   voice
                   of
                   joy
                   and
                   praise
                   ,
                   with
                   the
                   multitude
                   that
                   kept
                   Holy
                   day
                   :
                   and
                   for
                   that
                   his
                   Soul
                   was
                   poured
                   out
                   in
                   him
                   :
                
                 Heman
                 felt
                 this
                 in
                 his
                 Wilderness
                 Psal.
                 88.
                 18.
                 
                   lover
                   and
                   friend
                   hast
                   thou
                   put
                   far
                   from
                   me
                   ,
                   and
                   mine
                   acquaintance
                   into
                   darkness
                   ,
                   :
                
                 The
                 afflicted
                 ,
                 overwhelmed
                 Composer
                 of
                 the
                 102
                 ,
                 Psalm
                 felt
                 this
                 likwise
                 in
                 his
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 6
                 ,
                 and
                 7
                 ,
                 verses
                 .
                 
                   I
                   am
                   like
                   a
                   Pelican
                   in
                   the
                   Wilderness
                   ,
                   and
                   like
                   on
                   Owl
                   of
                   the
                   desart
                   .
                   I
                   watch
                   and
                   am
                   as
                   a
                   sparrow
                   alone
                   upon
                   the
                   house
                   top
                   .
                
                 Isai
                 35
                 ,
                 1.
                 
                 
                   The
                   Wilderness
                   is
                   a
                   solitary
                   place
                   .
                
                 Good
                 company
                 and
                 sweet
                 comfortable
                 useful
                 Society
                 hath
                 this
                 to
                 prove
                 it
                 a
                 choice
                 mercy
                 ,
                 that
                 (
                 as
                 the
                 rest
                 of
                 that
                 nature
                 )
                 it
                 is
                 never
                 well
                 known
                 nor
                 prized
                 by
                 us
                 ,
                 till
                 we
                 are
                 denyed
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 deprived
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 And
                 now
                 (
                 with
                 Pharoahs
                 Butler
                 Gen.
                 41.
                 9.
                 )
                 
                   I
                   remember
                   my
                   faults
                   this
                   day
                   ;
                
                 and
                 I
                 fear
                 I
                 have
                 too
                 many
                 fellows
                 in
                 the
                 fault
                 ,
                 who
                 either
                 neglect
                 disdainfully
                 ,
                 or
                 els
                 abuse
                 good
                 Company
                 to
                 the
                 increase
                 of
                 vanity
                 .
                 Now
                 begin
                 I
                 to
                 understand
                 
                 more
                 of
                 that
                 Text
                 Eccl.
                 4.
                 9
                 ,
                 10
                 ,
                 11
                 ,
                 12.
                 
                 And
                 what
                 
                   a
                   woe
                   is
                   it
                   to
                   him
                   that
                   is
                   alone
                   ,
                
                 and
                 yet
                 I
                 doubt
                 not
                 but
                 the
                 kindness
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 is
                 shewn
                 to
                 many
                 ,
                 even
                 in
                 separating
                 and
                 scattering
                 them
                 one
                 from
                 another
                 :
                 And
                 to
                 confirm
                 me
                 in
                 this
                 judgment
                 ,
                 I
                 remember
                 the
                 Opinion
                 of
                 some
                 who
                 have
                 been
                 in
                 account
                 for
                 skill
                 in
                 things
                 of
                 that
                 nature
                 :
                 And
                 thus
                 they
                 have
                 thought
                 ,
                 that
                 when
                 a
                 Family
                 or
                 Bairn-time
                 incline
                 to
                 a
                 Consumption
                 (
                 which
                 being
                 a
                 disease
                 hereditary
                 runs
                 much
                 in
                 a
                 blood
                 )
                 in
                 that
                 case
                 it
                 is
                 good
                 that
                 they
                 part
                 Company
                 ,
                 and
                 live
                 at
                 a
                 distance
                 one
                 from
                 another
                 ,
                 for
                 that
                 the
                 disease
                 is
                 strengthned
                 by
                 their
                 social
                 conversation
                 .
                 I
                 apply
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 evil
                 and
                 hazard
                 of
                 the
                 Company
                 of
                 those
                 that
                 are
                 tenderly
                 beloved
                 Children
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 may
                 move
                 him
                 even
                 in
                 kindness
                 to
                 send
                 them
                 apart
                 :
                 but
                 they
                 will
                 find
                 it
                 a
                 kindness
                 not
                 so
                 comfortable
                 as
                 needful
                 .
                 As
                 I
                 could
                 like
                 to
                 be
                 hungry
                 beside
                 good
                 meat
                 ,
                 or
                 weary
                 beside
                 good
                 lodging
                 :
                 so
                 I
                 would
                 choose
                 to
                 be
                 solitary
                 beside
                 good
                 Company
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 so
                 to
                 enjoy
                 my self
                 by
                 my self
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 I
                 might
                 likwise
                 enjoy
                 the
                 help
                 of
                 Christian
                 Company
                 at
                 will
                 with
                 conveniency
                 .
                 And
                 as
                 I
                 am
                 sure
                 that
                 God
                 was
                 never
                 the
                 instituter
                 of
                 the
                 Monks
                 order
                 ;
                 so
                 ,
                 sure
                 I
                 am
                 ,
                 none
                 can
                 choose
                 to
                 shun
                 good
                 Company
                 ,
                 but
                 such
                 as
                 would
                 choose
                 their
                 own
                 affliction
                 ,
                 and
                 forsake
                 their
                 own
                 mercy
                 .
                 Only
                 I
                 must
                 here
                 mind
                 that
                 good
                 People
                 are
                 not
                 always
                 good
                 Company
                 :
                 but
                 a
                 good
                 Man
                 or
                 Woman
                 are
                 only
                 then
                 good
                 Company
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 shew
                 their
                 goodness
                 in
                 Company
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 do
                 good
                 to
                 the
                 Company
                 :
                 and
                 therefore
                 ,
                 though
                 it
                 
                 may
                 seem
                 a
                 Paradox
                 ,
                 yet
                 it
                 is
                 too
                 true
                 ;
                 that
                 we
                 cannot
                 always
                 say
                 we
                 have
                 been
                 in
                 good
                 Company
                 ,
                 when
                 we
                 have
                 been
                 in
                 the
                 company
                 of
                 Good
                 Men.
                 Let
                 Good
                 People
                 keep
                 fellowship
                 and
                 company
                 ;
                 let
                 the
                 evils
                 and
                 vanities
                 of
                 good
                 People
                 be
                 discharged
                 the
                 Company
                 ,
                 let
                 Good
                 People
                 do
                 good
                 in
                 Company
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 Good
                 People
                 shall
                 be
                 Good
                 Company
                 .
                 But
                 as
                 often
                 as
                 we
                 miss
                 good
                 Company
                 ,
                 let
                 it
                 mind
                 us
                 that
                 we
                 are
                 in
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 And
                 be
                 it
                 here
                 added
                 (
                 because
                 I
                 love
                 not
                 to
                 multiply
                 )
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 no
                 small
                 part
                 of
                 the
                 Saints
                 Wilderness
                 to
                 be
                 vexed
                 and
                 intested
                 with
                 evil
                 Company
                 .
                 The
                 Scripture
                 descrives
                 a
                 Wilderness
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 place
                 of
                 Owls
                 ,
                 Ostriches
                 ,
                 Wolves
                 ,
                 Lyons
                 ,
                 Serpents
                 ,
                 Satyres
                 ,
                 Devils
                 ,
                 Dragons
                 and
                 all
                 evil
                 Beasts
                 and
                 doleful
                 Creatures
                 :
                 And
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 said
                 of
                 Christ
                 literally
                 ,
                 Mark
                 ,
                 1
                 ,
                 13.
                 that
                 in
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 he
                 was
                 with
                 the
                 wild
                 Beasts
                 ,
                 so
                 Christians
                 are
                 mystically
                 neighboured
                 with
                 the
                 like
                 in
                 their
                 Wilderness
                 :
                 their
                 righteous
                 Souls
                 are
                 vexed
                 with
                 hearing
                 and
                 seeing
                 daily
                 their
                 doleful
                 and
                 detestable
                 practises
                 ,
                 besides
                 their
                 Persecutions
                 whereof
                 it
                 follows
                 to
                 speak
                 ,
                 particularly
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 The
                 Wilderness
                 importeth
                 a
                 Wandering
                 and
                 unsetled
                 Condition
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 107.
                 4.
                 
                 
                   they
                   wandered
                   in
                   the
                   Wilderness
                   in
                   a
                   solitary
                   way
                   ,
                   they
                   found
                   no
                   City
                   to
                   dwell
                   in
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 11.
                 37
                 ,
                 38.
                 
                 
                   those
                   of
                   whom
                   the
                   World
                   was
                   not
                   worthy
                   wandered
                   about
                   in
                   desarts
                   ,
                   and
                   in
                   mountains
                   ,
                   and
                   in
                   Dens
                   and
                   Caves
                   of
                   the
                   earth
                   .
                
                 We
                 read
                 in
                 the
                 History
                 of
                 Scripture
                 ,
                 how
                 Israel
                 wandered
                 ,
                 and
                 how
                 many
                 seats
                 they
                 changed
                 in
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 of
                 Egypt
                 fourty
                 years
                 ,
                 We
                 read
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Patriarchs
                   Psal.
                
                 105
                 ,
                 13.
                 
                 how
                 as
                 strangers
                 in
                 the
                 land
                 of
                 Promise
                 
                   they
                   went
                   from
                   one
                   Nation
                   to
                   another
                   ,
                   from
                   one
                   Kingdome
                   to
                   another
                   People
                   .
                
                 We
                 read
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 1
                 Sam.
                 of
                 
                 David's
                 wandering
                 from
                 one
                 Wilderness
                 to
                 another
                 ,
                 and
                 amongst
                 the
                 rocks
                 of
                 the
                 wilde
                 Goats
                 which
                 he
                 ●esents
                 with
                 Tears
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 56.
                 8.
                 
                 
                   Thou
                   tellest
                   my
                   wanderings
                
                 ,
                 sayes
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   put
                   thou
                   my
                   Tears
                   into
                   thy
                   bottle
                   ,
                   are
                   they
                   not
                   in
                   thy
                   Book
                   ?
                
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 even
                 the
                 wilderness-condition
                 of
                 the
                 Saints
                 and
                 Servants
                 of
                 God
                 this
                 day
                 in
                 these
                 Nations
                 .
                 How
                 many
                 driven
                 from
                 Station
                 and
                 Relations
                 ,
                 and
                 put
                 to
                 seek
                 Lodging
                 amongst
                 Strangers
                 ?
                 What
                 strange
                 Unsettlings
                 are
                 there
                 among
                 us
                 ?
                 By
                 Outing
                 ,
                 Confinement
                 ,
                 Banishment
                 ,
                 denouncing
                 Fugitive
                 ;
                 and
                 all
                 these
                 by
                 Laws
                 and
                 Acts
                 so
                 contrived
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 they
                 meant
                 only
                 to
                 grant
                 the
                 Lords
                 Servants
                 Ieremys
                 deploring
                 wish
                 Ier.
                 9
                 ,
                 2.
                 
                 
                   O
                   that
                   I
                   had
                   in
                   the
                   Wilderness
                   a
                   lodging-place
                   of
                   waysaring
                   men
                   ,
                   that
                   I
                   might
                   leave
                   my
                   People
                   and
                   go
                   from
                   them
                   .
                
                 And
                 all
                 these
                 are
                 beside
                 all
                 the
                 particular
                 wanderings
                 of
                 the
                 Lords
                 scattered
                 flocks
                 whose
                 Condition
                 we
                 may
                 see
                 Ezek
                 ,
                 34.
                 6.
                 and
                 throughout
                 :
                 
                   my
                   sheep
                   wandered
                   through
                   all
                   the
                   mountains
                   and
                   upon
                   every
                   high
                   hill
                   ,
                   yea
                   my
                   flock
                   was
                   scattered
                   upon
                   all
                   the
                   face
                   of
                   the
                   earth
                   and
                   none
                   did
                   search
                   nor
                   seek
                   after
                   them
                   .
                
              
               
                 5.
                 
                 The
                 Wilderness
                 importeth
                 a
                 Condition
                 of
                 Tentations
                 ,
                 Matth.
                 4
                 ,
                 1.
                 
                 
                   Christ
                   was
                   led
                   into
                   the
                   Wilderness
                   to
                   be
                   tempted
                
                 Psal.
                 95
                 ,
                 8.
                 9.
                 
                 
                   Israels
                   time
                   in
                   the
                   Wilderness
                   ,
                   is
                   called
                   the
                   day
                   of
                   Tentation
                   .
                
                 I
                 know
                 it
                 is
                 there
                 meant
                 Activly
                 of
                 these
                 Tentations
                 ;
                 as
                 is
                 clear
                 from
                 the
                 
                   9th
                   verse
                   ,
                   Your
                   fathers
                
                 
                 
                   tempted
                   me
                   ,
                   proved
                   me
                   ,
                   and
                   saw
                   my
                   works
                   .
                
                 ●ut
                 when
                 I
                 look
                 back
                 upon
                 Moses
                 ,
                 who
                 himself
                 ●as
                 with
                 the
                 Church
                 in
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 and
                 well
                 ●ew
                 their
                 case
                 ,
                 I
                 find
                 him
                 reckoning
                 it
                 a
                 time
                 ●
                 Passive
                 Tentations
                 also
                 ,
                 such
                 I
                 mean
                 wherewith
                 ●●ey
                 were
                 tryed
                 and
                 tempted
                 Deut.
                 8.
                 2.
                 
                 
                   And
                   thou
                   shalt
                   remember
                   all
                   the
                   way
                   ,
                   which
                   the
                   Lord
                   thy
                   God
                   led
                   thee
                   these
                   fourty
                   years
                   in
                   the
                   Wilderness
                   to
                   humble
                   thee
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   prove
                   thee
                   ,
                   to
                   know
                   what
                   was
                   in
                   thine
                   heart
                   ,
                   whether
                   thou
                   wouldst
                   keep
                   his
                   Commandments
                   or
                   not
                   .
                
                 It
                 is
                 ●ar
                 1.
                 from
                 Jam.
                 1
                 ,
                 15.
                 that
                 
                   God
                   tempteth
                   no
                   ●n
                
                 .
                 2.
                 
                 It
                 is
                 a
                 great
                 question
                 whether
                 
                 Satan
                 ●●th
                 a
                 hand
                 by
                 tentation
                 in
                 every
                 sin
                 of
                 man.
                 ●t
                 3dly
                 I
                 judge
                 ,
                 that
                 Satan
                 hath
                 not
                 such
                 a
                 hand
                 every
                 sin
                 as
                 some
                 are
                 ready
                 to
                 say
                 and
                 think
                 .
                 ●he
                 Devil
                 is
                 not
                 so
                 ill
                 ,
                 we
                 say
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 is
                 called
                 ,
                 nor
                 ●
                 ugly
                 as
                 he
                 is
                 painted
                 :
                 many
                 men
                 father
                 those
                 ●s
                 upon
                 the
                 Devil
                 ,
                 that
                 have
                 their
                 own
                 hearts
                 ●th
                 for
                 Father
                 and
                 Mother
                 :
                 and
                 many
                 sin
                 with●●t
                 a
                 Tentation
                 
                   ab
                   extra
                
                 ,
                 or
                 from
                 without
                 .
                 Yet
                 the
                 4th
                 place
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 manifest
                 from
                 Iam.
                 1
                 ,
                 14.
                 15.
                 at
                 
                   a
                   man
                   is
                   tempted
                
                 at
                 least
                 
                   by
                   his
                   own
                   lust
                
                 ,
                 as
                 often
                 the
                 sins
                 .
                 And
                 thus
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 sin
                 without
                 some
                 ●nd
                 of
                 tentation
                 ,
                 either
                 from
                 another
                 or
                 from
                 the
                 ●ner
                 himself
                 :
                 and
                 where
                 there
                 is
                 much
                 sin
                 and
                 ●ovocation
                 ,
                 (
                 as
                 was
                 amongst
                 the
                 Israelites
                 in
                 the
                 ●ilderness
                 )
                 there
                 is
                 much
                 Tentation
                 .
                 Let
                 the
                 ●ords
                 People
                 then
                 expect
                 to
                 find
                 their
                 Wilderness
                 place
                 of
                 Temptation
                 .
                 And
                 are
                 not
                 Tentations
                 ●awed
                 thick
                 in
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 Gods
                 People
                 in
                 these
                 ●es
                 ?
                 Is
                 there
                 not
                 a
                 ne●t
                 spread
                 upon
                 mount
                 Tabor
                 ?
                 
                 may
                 we
                 not
                 say
                 with
                 the
                 
                   Psalmist
                   ,
                   P●
                
                 142.
                 3.
                 
                   in
                   the
                   way
                   wherein
                   I
                   walked
                   have
                   they
                   la●●
                   snare
                   for
                   me
                   ?
                
                 Is
                 not
                 the
                 cass
                 now
                 ,
                 you
                 must
                 either
                 do
                 thus
                 or
                 thus
                 as
                 men
                 (
                 who
                 because
                 they
                 have
                 ●●
                 Conscience
                 of
                 their
                 own
                 ,
                 therefore
                 care
                 not
                 ●
                 yours
                 )
                 shall
                 please
                 to
                 command
                 ,
                 or
                 els
                 do
                 other
                 wa●
                 upon
                 your
                 perill
                 ?
                 And
                 when
                 things
                 might
                 therways
                 be
                 better
                 ordered
                 and
                 established
                 ,
                 a●
                 not
                 Laws
                 and
                 Acts
                 contrived
                 so
                 as
                 occasions
                 〈◊〉
                 be
                 sought
                 against
                 those
                 ,
                 
                   against
                   whom
                
                 ,
                 like
                 
                   Da●
                   Chap.
                
                 6
                 ,
                 5.
                 
                   there
                   can
                   be
                   found
                   no
                   occasion
                   ,
                   except
                   the
                   matters
                   of
                   their
                   God.
                
                 Is
                 not
                 this
                 the
                 hou●
                 temptation
                 ?
                 Rev.
                 3.
                 10.
                 
                 But
                 when
                 enemies
                 h●
                 given
                 over
                 ,
                 and
                 done
                 their
                 worst
                 ,
                 in
                 come
                 〈◊〉
                 friends
                 (
                 who
                 as
                 Peter
                 to
                 Christ
                 Matth.
                 16.
                 23
                 )
                 〈◊〉
                 a
                 temptation
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 O
                 ,
                 say
                 they
                 ,
                 look
                 to
                 your self
                 ,
                 and
                 play
                 not
                 the
                 Fool.
                 And
                 when
                 all
                 the
                 prevail
                 not
                 yet
                 ,
                 in
                 comes
                 Carnal
                 ,
                 Worldly
                 ,
                 〈◊〉
                 believing
                 ,
                 Grudging
                 and
                 disquieting
                 though●
                 from
                 our
                 own
                 hearts
                 ,
                 and
                 these
                 ,
                 as
                 in
                 a
                 refer
                 guard
                 ,
                 give
                 the
                 last
                 and
                 most
                 dangerous
                 assault
                 ,
                 ●
                 specially
                 if
                 the
                 force
                 of
                 our
                 spirits
                 be
                 any
                 w●
                 daunted
                 or
                 disordered
                 by
                 the
                 foresaid
                 attempt
                 and
                 therefore
                 James
                 .
                 1.
                 14.
                 
                 (
                 looking
                 over
                 t●
                 former
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 )
                 tells
                 us
                 that
                 then
                 
                   a
                   man
                   is
                   tem●ed
                   ,
                   when
                   he
                   is
                   led
                   away
                   of
                   his
                   own
                   lust
                   and
                   enti●e
                
                 and
                 then
                 it
                 is
                 high
                 time
                 to
                 look
                 to
                 our selves
                 ,
                 wh●
                 our
                 enemies
                 are
                 those
                 of
                 our
                 own
                 house
                 .
                 Ma●
                 have
                 born
                 the
                 force
                 of
                 outward
                 attempts
                 who
                 h●
                 much
                 ado
                 to
                 sustain
                 the
                 impetuous
                 assaults
                 of
                 th●
                 own
                 disquieted
                 and
                 disquieting
                 hearts
                 .
                 Psal.
                 42
                 ,
                 and
                 43
                 ,
                 5.
                 
                 
                   Why
                   art
                   thou
                   cast
                   down
                   O
                   my
                   se●●
                   
                   and
                   why
                   art
                   thou
                   disquieted
                   in
                   me
                   ?
                
                 And
                 therefore
                 Iames
                 pronounces
                 him
                 the
                 
                   
                     blessed
                     man
                     Chap.
                  
                   1.
                   12.
                   
                     that
                     endureth
                     tentation
                  
                   .
                
                 The
                 Tentations
                 of
                 an
                 afflicted
                 lot
                 is
                 the
                 great
                 Affliction
                 of
                 our
                 lot
                 :
                 and
                 therefore
                 in
                 Scripture
                 Afflictions
                 are
                 called
                 Tentations
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 that
                 escape
                 the
                 Tentations
                 of
                 Affliction
                 have
                 got
                 above
                 all
                 hazard
                 of
                 Affliction
                 otherwise
                 :
                 for
                 Tentations
                 being
                 the
                 snare
                 of
                 Affliction
                 ,
                 when
                 that
                 is
                 once
                 broken
                 ,
                 the
                 strength
                 of
                 it
                 is
                 spent
                 ,
                 and
                 it's
                 force
                 is
                 over
                 .
              
               
                 6.
                 
                 The
                 Wilderness
                 importeth
                 a
                 Condition
                 of
                 fears
                 ,
                 and
                 perplexing
                 Doubts
                 :
                 for
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 being
                 a
                 
                   land
                   of
                   darkness
                
                 .
                 Jer.
                 2
                 ,
                 31.
                 and
                 a
                 place
                 where
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 way
                 ,
                 it
                 puts
                 the
                 traveller
                 inevi●ably
                 to
                 many
                 sad
                 fears
                 ,
                 and
                 perplexing
                 doubts
                 .
                 The
                 afflicting
                 fears
                 and
                 doubts
                 of
                 Saints
                 in
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 may
                 be
                 reduced
                 to
                 those
                 three
                 chief
                 ●eads
                 .
                 The
                 1
                 ,
                 are
                 concerning
                 their
                 spiritual
                 Con●ition
                 and
                 state
                 before
                 God.
                 The
                 2
                 ,
                 are
                 concerning
                 their
                 present
                 incumbent
                 Duty
                 and
                 Work.
                 The
                 ●
                 ,
                 are
                 concerning
                 thee
                 vents
                 of
                 incumbent
                 Dispensations
                 .
                 I
                 cannot
                 endure
                 ,
                 nor
                 dare
                 I
                 expatiat
                 more
                 ●rgly
                 in
                 a
                 discourse
                 of
                 these
                 particularly
                 ,
                 lest
                 either
                 saint
                 in
                 the
                 way
                 ,
                 or
                 once
                 turning
                 off
                 but
                 a
                 little
                 ●to
                 those
                 dark
                 mysterious
                 paths
                 ,
                 I
                 be
                 not
                 able
                 ●ickly
                 to
                 recover
                 the
                 high
                 way
                 :
                 for
                 if
                 I
                 speak
                 to
                 ●●e
                 purpose
                 ,
                 I
                 may
                 readily
                 prognosticat
                 that
                 to
                 ●
                 the
                 fate
                 of
                 my
                 discourses
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 of
                 their
                 case
                 ●ho
                 once
                 are
                 ingaged
                 in
                 the
                 intricacies
                 of
                 these
                 ●●rplexities
                 ,
                 that
                 hardly
                 can
                 they
                 quickly
                 ridd
                 themselves
                 .
                 This
                 only
                 I
                 must
                 say
                 ,
                 that
                 those
                 ●●uls
                 that
                 have
                 been
                 at
                 their
                 wits
                 end
                 in
                 these
                 
                 things
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 not
                 known
                 in
                 all
                 the
                 World
                 what
                 to
                 do
                 ,
                 can
                 best
                 tell
                 what
                 it
                 is
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 brought
                 into
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 I
                 observe
                 ,
                 that
                 even
                 as
                 men
                 have
                 got
                 a
                 custome
                 to
                 plant
                 Wildernesses
                 in
                 the
                 midst
                 of
                 pleasant
                 Gardens
                 ;
                 so
                 many
                 me●●
                 in
                 their
                 otherwise
                 good
                 Books
                 and
                 Sermons
                 ,
                 imprudently
                 either
                 starting
                 difficulties
                 unseasonably
                 or
                 pursuing
                 them
                 excessivly
                 ,
                 do
                 rather
                 creat
                 that
                 clear
                 perplexities
                 to
                 poor
                 Souls
                 ,
                 and
                 give
                 them
                 the
                 entertainment
                 of
                 a
                 toilsome
                 divertisment
                 in
                 plac●
                 of
                 solid
                 refreshment
                 .
                 But
                 my
                 project
                 invites
                 m●●
                 if
                 I
                 could
                 be
                 so
                 happy
                 ,
                 rather
                 to
                 plant
                 a
                 Garden
                 i●
                 a
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 than
                 a
                 Wilderness
                 in
                 a
                 Garden
                 .
                 I
                 fea●
                 there
                 is
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 but
                 too
                 much
                 artificial
                 Religion
                 and
                 exercises
                 ,
                 like
                 Garden-Wildernesses
                 ,
                 invented
                 rather
                 for
                 pleasure
                 than
                 created
                 by
                 necessity
                 I
                 fear
                 some
                 Christians
                 ,
                 like
                 some
                 Preachers
                 ,
                 read
                 more
                 off
                 their
                 book
                 ,
                 nor
                 they
                 repeat
                 off
                 their
                 hear●
                 But
                 I
                 doubt
                 the
                 pleasure
                 of
                 an
                 artificial
                 Wilderness
                 will
                 either
                 relieve
                 or
                 compense
                 the
                 grief
                 of
                 ●
                 real
                 One.
                 Elaborat
                 ,
                 fine
                 ,
                 accurat
                 Discourses
                 o●
                 Christians
                 Doubts
                 and
                 cases
                 whatever
                 they
                 deserv●
                 in
                 their
                 own
                 place
                 ,
                 will
                 be
                 found
                 but
                 Physician
                 of
                 no
                 value
                 ,
                 and
                 miserable
                 comforters
                 to
                 Sou●
                 that
                 are
                 in
                 earnest
                 ;
                 except
                 he
                 that
                 reveals
                 secr●●
                 and
                 looseth
                 the
                 Prisoners
                 lighten
                 the
                 doubtin●
                 Soul's
                 darkness
                 ,
                 with
                 a
                 beam
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 presenc●
                 In
                 the
                 42
                 ,
                 
                   Psal.
                   David
                
                 had
                 said
                 well
                 to
                 it
                 ,
                 but
                 th●
                 says
                 best
                 ,
                 11.
                 
                   verse
                   ,
                   he
                   is
                   the
                   health
                   of
                   my
                   countenam
                   and
                   my
                   God.
                
                 As
                 Gardens
                 are
                 more
                 pleasant
                 f●●
                 men
                 in
                 health
                 ,
                 than
                 for
                 sick
                 men
                 ;
                 so
                 ,
                 Discourses
                 of
                 Christian
                 cases
                 ,
                 in
                 doubts
                 and
                 perplexties
                 ,
                 
                 will
                 readily
                 do
                 better
                 ,
                 either
                 before
                 or
                 after
                 the
                 distempter
                 ,
                 than
                 in
                 the
                 time
                 .
                 Much
                 Prayer
                 and
                 communion
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 best
                 book
                 of
                 cases
                 that
                 ever
                 a
                 doubting
                 Soul
                 read
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 blest
                 with
                 the
                 maniest
                 discoveries
                 and
                 manifestations
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 to
                 those
                 that
                 walk
                 in
                 darkness
                 and
                 have
                 no
                 light
                 .
              
               
                 7.
                 
                 The
                 Wilderness
                 importeth
                 a
                 Condition
                 of
                 Reproach
                 and
                 Persecution
                 :
                 Iob
                 30.
                 5.
                 descrives
                 the
                 reproachful
                 base
                 Condition
                 of
                 his
                 Adversaries
                 that
                 mocked
                 him
                 from
                 this
                 ,
                 that
                 ,
                 
                   they
                   fled
                   into
                   the
                   Wilderness
                   and
                   were
                   driven
                   forth
                   from
                   among
                   men
                   who
                   cryed
                   after
                   them
                   as
                   after
                   a
                   thief
                   .
                
                 And
                 Rev.
                 12.
                 6.
                 
                   the
                   woman
                   in
                   travel
                
                 the
                 persecuted
                 Church
                 
                   fled
                   into
                   the
                   Wilderness
                
                 .
                 This
                 was
                 Davids
                 Wilderness-Condition
                 .
                 Psal.
                 55.
                 3.
                 
                 
                   because
                   of
                   the
                   voice
                   of
                   the
                   enemy
                   ,
                   because
                   of
                   the
                   oppression
                   of
                   the
                   wicked
                   ;
                   for
                   they
                   cast
                   iniquity
                   upon
                   me
                   ,
                   and
                   in
                   wrath
                   they
                   hate
                   me
                   ,
                   and
                   in
                   verse
                   6
                   &
                   7
                   I
                   said
                   ,
                   O
                   that
                   I
                   had
                   wings
                   like
                   a
                   dove
                   :
                   for
                   then
                   would
                   I
                   flee
                   away
                   and
                   be
                   at
                   rest
                   .
                   Lo
                   then
                   would
                   I
                   wander
                   far
                   off
                   ,
                   and
                   be
                   in
                   the
                   Wilderness
                   ,
                   Selah
                   .
                
                 The
                 scourge
                 and
                 persecution
                 of
                 false
                 tongues
                 ,
                 being
                 worse
                 than
                 the
                 venome
                 of
                 Asps
                 ,
                 the
                 sting
                 of
                 Serpents
                 ,
                 or
                 Poyson
                 of
                 Dragons
                 that
                 ●aunt
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 makes
                 often
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 a
                 refuge
                 and
                 rest
                 to
                 be
                 desired
                 by
                 the
                 Reproached
                 People
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 wrath
                 and
                 cruelty
                 of
                 wicked
                 men
                 makes
                 the
                 Saints
                 often
                 times
                 find
                 Lyons
                 ,
                 Bears
                 Wolves
                 and
                 Dragons
                 to
                 be
                 better
                 neighbours
                 .
                 Heb.
                 11.
                 36.
                 
                 
                   Cruel
                   mockings
                
                 is
                 the
                 first
                 Item
                 in
                 the
                 account
                 of
                 Saints
                 sufferings
                 :
                 and
                 then
                 follows
                 
                   Scourging
                   ,
                   Bonds
                   ,
                   Killing
                   Sawing
                   ,
                   tempting
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   Torturing
                   and
                   wandering
                   about
                
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 Apostle
                 2
                 Timoth.
                 3.
                 12.
                 warns
                 all
                 that
                 will
                 live
                 Godly
                 in
                 Christ
                 Jesus
                 ,
                 that
                 there
                 way
                 lyes
                 thorow
                 this
                 Wilderness
                 of
                 persecution
                 ,
                 whereof
                 reproach
                 is
                 not
                 the
                 least
                 part
                 :
                 for
                 compare
                 Gen.
                 21
                 ,
                 9.
                 with
                 Galat.
                 4.
                 29.
                 that
                 was
                 carnal
                 
                 Ishmael's
                 Persecution
                 ,
                 wherewith
                 he
                 persecuted
                 his
                 Brother
                 Isaac
                 the
                 son
                 of
                 the
                 promise
                 .
                 And
                 they
                 had
                 tryal
                 ,
                 says
                 the
                 Apostle
                 ,
                 of
                 
                   Cruel
                   mockings
                
                 :
                 and
                 the
                 slandering
                 tongues
                 of
                 wicked
                 men
                 are
                 compared
                 in
                 Scripture
                 to
                 the
                 sharpest
                 and
                 most
                 bitter
                 instruments
                 ,
                 sharp
                 arrows
                 ,
                 Coals
                 of
                 Juniper
                 ,
                 Swords
                 ,
                 Spears
                 and
                 the
                 poyson
                 of
                 Serpents
                 :
                 Racking
                 and
                 Torturing
                 may
                 break
                 a
                 mans
                 bones
                 ,
                 But
                 Reproach
                 ,
                 says
                 the
                 
                   Psalmisi
                   ,
                   hath
                   broken
                   my
                   heart
                   ,
                
                 and
                 it
                 hath
                 dammished
                 my
                 very
                 Spirits
                 ,
                 for
                 
                   I
                   am
                   ful
                   of
                   heaviness
                
                 Psal
                 69
                 ,
                 20.
                 
                 
                   And
                   now
                   when
                   the
                   People
                   of
                   God
                   live
                   in
                   a
                   land
                   of
                   trouble
                   and
                   anguish
                   ,
                   from
                   whence
                   come
                   the
                   young
                   and
                   old
                   Lyon
                   ,
                   the
                   viper
                   and
                   fiery
                   fleeing
                   Serpent
                   ,
                
                 Isa.
                 30.
                 6.
                 
                 
                   pray
                   ,
                   who
                   will
                   not
                   call
                   that
                   a
                   Wilderness
                   ?
                   and
                   where
                   are
                   they
                   ,
                   think
                   you
                   ,
                   whose
                   soul
                   is
                   among
                   Lyons
                   ?
                
                 Psal.
                 57.
                 4.
                 
                 If
                 any
                 shall
                 search
                 the
                 records
                 of
                 our
                 Scotish
                 Inquisition
                 (
                 the
                 Creature
                 that
                 likes
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 called
                 the
                 high
                 Commission
                 )
                 they
                 may
                 be
                 soon
                 convinced
                 that
                 these
                 are
                 no
                 fictions
                 of
                 Fanaticks
                 and
                 disaffected
                 persons
                 .
                 But
                 the
                 question
                 is
                 not
                 demonstrative
                 ;
                 (
                 for
                 I
                 warrand
                 they
                 have
                 more
                 Loyalty
                 than
                 to
                 deny
                 these
                 things
                 that
                 they
                 say
                 are
                 so
                 good
                 service
                 to
                 —
                 )
                 but
                 juridical
                 ;
                 for
                 
                   Jure
                   factum
                   di●u●t
                
                 ,
                 they
                 do
                 all
                 by
                 Law
                 forsooth
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 justify
                 all
                 their
                 practises
                 :
                 But
                 are
                 all
                 Laws
                 righteous
                 ?
                 or
                 is
                 
                 there
                 such
                 a
                 thing
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 as
                 
                   a
                   throne
                   of
                   ini●ity
                   which
                   frameth
                   mischief
                   by
                   a
                   Law.
                
                 Psal.
                 94.
                 20.
                 
                 They
                 think
                 possibly
                 (
                 as
                 Paul
                 once
                 thought
                 )
                 that
                 they
                 ought
                 to
                 do
                 these
                 things
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 they
                 do
                 good
                 service
                 ;
                 to
                 God
                 indeed
                 they
                 do
                 not
                 say
                 ,
                 but
                 ●●
                 —
                 they
                 cry
                 .
                 But
                 stay
                 till
                 Christ
                 examine
                 the
                 Bra●est
                 man
                 amongst
                 the
                 Examinators
                 ,
                 upon
                 that
                 little
                 qvestion
                 ,
                 
                   Why
                   persecntest
                   thou
                   me
                
                 ?
                 and
                 then
                 my
                 Lord
                 ●nquisitor
                 comes
                 in
                 upon
                 second
                 thoughts
                 with
                 his
                 confession
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   was
                   a
                   Blasphemer
                   ,
                   a
                   Persecuter
                   ,
                   and
                   in●rtous
                   .
                
                 1
                 Timoth.
                 1
                 ,
                 13.
                 
                 And
                 then
                 the
                 fools
                 excuse
                 is
                 alledged
                 by
                 him
                 that
                 thought
                 himself
                 so
                 ●ise
                 (
                 for
                 
                   sapientis
                   non
                   est
                   dicere
                
                 ,
                 Putavi
                 )
                 I
                 thought
                 that
                 I
                 should
                 have
                 done
                 these
                 things
                 .
                 But
                 what
                 think
                 you
                 now
                 Sir
                 ?
                 Why
                 now
                 I
                 see
                 that
                 which
                 formerly
                 ●
                 called
                 Loyalty
                 ,
                 zeal
                 and
                 good
                 service
                 ,
                 must
                 change
                 ●ts
                 Name
                 without
                 any
                 change
                 in
                 the
                 Thing
                 :
                 for
                 it
                 ●●oth
                 was
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 ,
                 no
                 other
                 thing
                 but
                 Blasphemy
                 ,
                 Persecution
                 and
                 injury
                 .
                 Such
                 a
                 thing
                 as
                 this
                 has
                 been
                 .
              
               
                 8.
                 
                 The
                 Wilderness
                 importeth
                 a
                 Melancholi●us
                 ,
                 sad
                 and
                 dejected
                 Condition
                 .
                 This
                 follows
                 from
                 all
                 the
                 rest
                 .
                 Any
                 who
                 ever
                 travelled
                 alone
                 thorow
                 a
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 may
                 easily
                 understand
                 this
                 ;
                 and
                 there
                 is
                 reason
                 for
                 it
                 :
                 because
                 a
                 man
                 is
                 there
                 deprived
                 of
                 any
                 thing
                 that
                 may
                 chear
                 his
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 all
                 gladening
                 Objects
                 ;
                 besides
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 possessed
                 with
                 fearful
                 apprehensions
                 of
                 evils
                 that
                 may
                 befal
                 him
                 :
                 and
                 his
                 spirit
                 in
                 the
                 very
                 entry
                 is
                 amused
                 with
                 the
                 uncouth
                 and
                 solitary
                 nature
                 of
                 the
                 place
                 .
                 To
                 say
                 no
                 more
                 of
                 this
                 :
                 the
                 very
                 Countenances
                 of
                 of
                 the
                 Lords
                 People
                 in
                 these
                 times
                 look
                 like
                 a
                 Wilderness
                 :
                 and
                 s●d
                 cause
                 why
                 ;
                 we
                 see
                 many
                 things
                 
                 to
                 make
                 us
                 sorry
                 ,
                 little
                 to
                 make
                 us
                 glad
                 .
                 We
                 see
                 such
                 things
                 as
                 we
                 nor
                 our
                 Fathers
                 have
                 not
                 seen
                 the
                 like
                 .
                 And
                 if
                 there
                 were
                 no
                 more
                 ,
                 and
                 albeit
                 for
                 our
                 own
                 particular
                 we
                 had
                 no
                 occasion
                 of
                 grief
                 ,
                 and
                 though
                 like
                 Nehemiah
                 we
                 were
                 serving
                 the
                 King
                 with
                 Wine
                 ,
                 and
                 were
                 of
                 as
                 jovial
                 an
                 humor
                 as
                 he
                 who
                 was
                 not
                 wont
                 afore
                 time
                 to
                 be
                 sad
                 :
                 yet
                 if
                 any
                 should
                 ask
                 the
                 Kings
                 Question
                 .
                 Nehemiah
                 2
                 ,
                 2.
                 
                 
                   Why
                   is
                   thy
                   countenance
                   sad
                   seing
                   thou
                   art
                   not
                   sick
                   ?
                
                 This
                 is
                 nothing
                 els
                 but
                 sorrow
                 of
                 heart
                 may
                 we
                 not
                 sadly
                 reply
                 with
                 him
                 in
                 the
                 3
                 
                   d
                   verse
                
                 
                   Why
                   should
                   not
                   my
                   Countenance
                   be
                   sad
                   when
                   my
                   City
                   ,
                   the
                   place
                   of
                   my
                   fathers
                   Sepulchres
                   lyeth
                   waste
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   Gates
                   thereof
                   are
                   consumed
                   with
                   fire
                   ?
                
                 That
                 is
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 Church
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 laid
                 desolate
                 .
                 But
                 I
                 suspect
                 there
                 are
                 few
                 that
                 truly
                 love
                 God
                 ,
                 or
                 are
                 kindly
                 sons
                 of
                 Zion
                 but
                 they
                 have
                 their
                 own
                 particular
                 grievances
                 in
                 these
                 times
                 wherein
                 they
                 share
                 of
                 the
                 common
                 lot
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 their
                 Mother
                 that
                 sits
                 in
                 the
                 dust
                 :
                 and
                 ●●
                 is
                 good
                 it
                 be
                 so
                 :
                 For
                 
                   wo
                   to
                   them
                   that
                   are
                   at
                   ease
                   ●●
                   Zion
                   .
                
                 Amos
                 6.
                 1.
                 
                 The
                 particular
                 grievances
                 of
                 Saints
                 and
                 their
                 pressures
                 ,
                 serve
                 well
                 to
                 keep
                 them
                 mindful
                 of
                 the
                 Churches
                 common
                 lot
                 :
                 for
                 fellowship
                 in
                 calamity
                 is
                 such
                 a
                 pregnant
                 incentive
                 to
                 sympathy
                 ,
                 that
                 even
                 Jesus
                 himself
                 was
                 made
                 the
                 more
                 compassionat
                 ,
                 for
                 what
                 he
                 himself
                 suffered
                 
                   being
                   in
                   all
                   points
                   tempted
                   as
                   we
                   are
                   ,
                   yet
                   without
                   sin
                   ,
                   he
                   cannot
                   but
                   be
                   touched
                   with
                   the
                   feeling
                   of
                   our
                   infirmity
                   .
                
                 Heb.
                 4.
                 15.
                 
                 And
                 does
                 it
                 not
                 well
                 suite
                 all
                 the
                 Children
                 to
                 go
                 in
                 Mourning
                 when
                 the
                 Mother
                 sits
                 desolate
                 and
                 afflicted
                 as
                 a
                 Woman
                 forsaken
                 ?
                 E●
                 
                 how
                 could
                 they
                 expect
                 to
                 be
                 comforted
                 with
                 her
                 ,
                 if
                 they
                 do
                 not
                 Mourn
                 for
                 her
                 ?
                 Solomon
                 that
                 great
                 Master
                 of
                 Religion
                 ,
                 Nature
                 ,
                 and
                 Reason
                 ,
                 hath
                 determined
                 Eccl.
                 7.
                 2
                 ,
                 3.
                 
                 
                   that
                   it
                   is
                   better
                   to
                   go
                   to
                   the
                   house
                   of
                   mourning
                   than
                   to
                   the
                   house
                   of
                   feasting
                   .
                
                 And
                 that
                 sorrow
                 is
                 better
                 than
                 laughter
                 ;
                 for
                 that
                 by
                 the
                 sadness
                 of
                 the
                 Countenance
                 the
                 heart
                 is
                 made
                 better
                 :
                 and
                 he
                 who
                 is
                 greater
                 than
                 Solomon
                 ,
                 who
                 himself
                 often
                 weept
                 ,
                 but
                 never
                 (
                 that
                 we
                 read
                 )
                 once
                 laughed
                 ,
                 pronounceth
                 them
                 
                   blessed
                   that
                   mourn
                   ,
                   for
                   that
                   they
                   shall
                   be
                   comforted
                   .
                
                 Matth.
                 5.
                 4.
                 
              
               
                 9.
                 
                 This
                 Wilderness
                 importeth
                 a
                 Condition
                 of
                 Weariness
                 and
                 fainting
                 :
                 This
                 yet
                 follows
                 naturally
                 from
                 all
                 that
                 hath
                 been
                 said
                 Psal.
                 107.
                 5.
                 
                   those
                   that
                   wander
                   in
                   a
                   Wilderness
                   ,
                   their
                   soul
                   fainteth
                   in
                   them
                
                 ;
                 Psal.
                 63.
                 1.
                 
                 Davids
                 Wilderness
                 was
                 
                   a
                   thristy
                
                 ,
                 or
                 (
                 as
                 the
                 Original
                 hath
                 it
                 ,
                 )
                 a
                 weary
                 Land
                 :
                 and
                 Isai
                 32
                 ,
                 2.
                 it
                 is
                 expresly
                 rendered
                 
                   a
                   weary
                   Land.
                
                 The
                 Saints
                 case
                 in
                 their
                 Wilderness
                 is
                 often
                 like
                 that
                 of
                 the
                 Egyptian
                 .
                 1
                 Sam.
                 30.
                 11
                 ,
                 12.
                 who
                 was
                 so
                 outwearyed
                 that
                 he
                 fell
                 off
                 from
                 his
                 company
                 and
                 sunk
                 in
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 .
                 David
                 often
                 complaineth
                 that
                 he
                 was
                 weak
                 ,
                 that
                 his
                 spirit
                 failled
                 ,
                 his
                 soul
                 fainted
                 ,
                 this
                 throat
                 was
                 dry
                 ,
                 his
                 eyes
                 failed
                 whilst
                 he
                 cryed
                 upon
                 the
                 Lord
                 and
                 waited
                 for
                 him
                 .
                 And
                 no
                 wonder
                 it
                 is
                 that
                 the
                 Saints
                 so
                 often
                 weary
                 and
                 faint
                 by
                 the
                 way
                 :
                 but
                 a
                 great
                 wonder
                 it
                 is
                 ,
                 that
                 any
                 of
                 them
                 should
                 hold
                 up
                 to
                 the
                 end
                 :
                 They
                 have
                 such
                 long
                 stages
                 in
                 the
                 Race
                 that
                 is
                 set
                 before
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 those
                 in
                 a
                 thirsty
                 Wilderness
                 where
                 hardly
                 they
                 can
                 drink
                 of
                 the
                 brook
                 by
                 the
                 way
                 :
                 and
                 they
                 must
                 run
                 it
                 so
                 oft
                 about
                 with
                 fresh
                 parties
                 whereof
                 possibly
                 
                 the
                 worst
                 comes
                 last
                 upon
                 them
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 are
                 already
                 so
                 much
                 exhausted
                 ,
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 great
                 reason
                 ,
                 for
                 him
                 that
                 would
                 wager
                 upon
                 their
                 heads
                 ,
                 to
                 ask
                 ,
                 whether
                 they
                 have
                 so
                 much
                 confidence
                 remaining
                 as
                 to
                 answer
                 that
                 Question
                 Jer.
                 12.
                 5.
                 
                 
                   If
                   thou
                   hast
                   run
                   with
                   the
                   footmen
                   and
                   they
                   have
                   wearied
                   thee
                   ,
                   then
                   how
                   canst
                   thou
                   contend
                   with
                   horses
                   ?
                   and
                   if
                   in
                   the
                   land
                   of
                   peace
                   wherein
                   thou
                   trustedst
                   they
                   wearyed
                   thee
                   ,
                   how
                   wilt
                   thou
                   do
                   in
                   the
                   swelling
                   of
                   Jordan
                   .
                
                 But
                 the
                 Lord
                 that
                 makes
                 the
                 Question
                 must
                 answer
                 ,
                 and
                 one
                 Prophet
                 must
                 Answer
                 another
                 :
                 and
                 how
                 Jeremy
                 could
                 do
                 all
                 that
                 ,
                 Isaiah
                 can
                 tell
                 Chap
                 ,
                 40.
                 from
                 the
                 28
                 verse
                 to
                 the
                 end
                 :
                 
                   the
                   everlasting
                   God
                   ,
                   the
                   Lord
                   that
                   created
                   the
                   ends
                   of
                   the
                   earth
                   fainteth
                   not
                   ,
                   neither
                   is
                   weary
                   ,
                
                 &c.
                 
                 Let
                 the
                 people
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 their
                 Wilderness
                 expect
                 to
                 have
                 their
                 hands
                 full
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 as
                 much
                 as
                 shall
                 put
                 them
                 to
                 a
                 strict
                 necessity
                 either
                 to
                 believe
                 or
                 utterly
                 to
                 give
                 it
                 over
                 .
                 Psal
                 ,
                 27.
                 13.
                 
                 
                   I
                   had
                   fainted
                   unless
                   I
                   had
                   believed
                   to
                   see
                   the
                   goodness
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   in
                   the
                   land
                   of
                   the
                   living
                   .
                
                 Now
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 :
                 and
                 thus
                 is
                 answered
                 the
                 first
                 thing
                 in
                 the
                 point
                 ,
                 What
                 is
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 .
              
               
                 II.
                 The
                 second
                 thing
                 to
                 be
                 considered
                 in
                 the
                 point
                 is
                 ,
                 
                   Wherefore
                   doth
                   the
                   Lord
                   bring
                   his
                   People
                   into
                   the
                   Wilderdess
                   ?
                
                 The
                 Scripture
                 sheweth
                 that
                 for
                 one
                 or
                 more
                 of
                 these
                 five
                 Reasons
                 the
                 Lord
                 doth
                 this
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 He
                 doth
                 it
                 for
                 their
                 sin
                 :
                 and
                 that
                 in
                 these
                 five
                 Respects
                 .
                 1.
                 to
                 convince
                 them
                 of
                 sin
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 long
                 many
                 a
                 time
                 ere
                 the
                 Lords
                 sinful
                 People
                 will
                 see
                 or
                 acknowledge
                 their
                 sin
                 :
                 yea
                 they
                 will
                 say
                 
                 they
                 are
                 innocent
                 when
                 their
                 transgressions
                 are
                 most
                 evident
                 .
                 Jer.
                 2
                 23.
                 and
                 therefore
                 verse
                 35.
                 
                 
                   I
                   will
                   plead
                   with
                   thee
                   ,
                   because
                   thou
                   sayest
                   I
                   have
                   not
                   sinned
                   .
                
                 Such
                 as
                 are
                 kindly
                 Melancholians
                 may
                 know
                 by
                 experience
                 ,
                 what
                 effectual
                 impressions
                 the
                 change
                 of
                 places
                 hath
                 to
                 the
                 changing
                 of
                 mens
                 minds
                 :
                 and
                 for
                 this
                 it
                 is
                 necessary
                 often
                 times
                 that
                 men
                 be
                 sent
                 to
                 learn
                 that
                 in
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 which
                 they
                 could
                 not
                 ,
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 they
                 would
                 not
                 ,
                 see
                 at
                 home
                 in
                 a
                 land
                 inhabited
                 :
                 Jer.
                 22.
                 21
                 ,
                 22.
                 
                 
                   I
                   spoke
                   unto
                   thee
                   to
                   thy
                   prosperity
                   ,
                   but
                   thou
                   saidest
                   I
                   will
                   not
                   hear
                   ,
                   and
                   therefore
                   thou
                   shalt
                   go
                   into
                   captivity
                   .
                
                 Affliction
                 is
                 quick-sighted
                 ,
                 and
                 necessity
                 is
                 wise
                 and
                 Ingenious
                 :
                 affliction
                 according
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 blest
                 ,
                 or
                 not
                 blest
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 hath
                 very
                 contrary
                 effects
                 upon
                 men
                 :
                 Solomon
                 tells
                 us
                 
                   that
                   affliction
                   makes
                   a
                   wise
                   man
                   mad
                   :
                
                 and
                 he
                 that
                 is
                 greater
                 than
                 Solomon
                 tells
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 affliction
                 sometimes
                 makes
                 a
                 mad
                 man
                 wise
                 Luk.
                 15
                 ,
                 17.
                 it
                 brought
                 a
                 distracted
                 Prodigal
                 to
                 himself
                 .
                 Many
                 men
                 think
                 it
                 a
                 piece
                 of
                 Wit
                 and
                 Gallantry
                 to
                 mantain
                 their
                 sinful
                 courses
                 in
                 a
                 Day
                 of
                 prosperity
                 ;
                 and
                 if
                 he
                 be
                 a
                 beneficed
                 person
                 or
                 one
                 in
                 place
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 ill
                 worthy
                 either
                 place
                 or
                 benefice
                 who
                 is
                 so
                 scant
                 of
                 Discourse
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 cannot
                 
                   (
                   if
                   this
                   our
                   craft
                   be
                   in
                   danger
                   to
                   be
                   set
                   at
                   nought
                
                 Act.
                 19.
                 27
                 )
                 make
                 an
                 Oration
                 in
                 defence
                 of
                 Diana
                 ;
                 and
                 at
                 least
                 ,
                 cannot
                 say
                 to
                 his
                 Companions
                 with
                 more
                 truth
                 than
                 Wit
                 ,
                 though
                 yet
                 with
                 more
                 Wit
                 than
                 Honesty
                 ,
                 
                   Sirs
                   ye
                   know
                   that
                   by
                   this
                   Craft
                   we
                   have
                   our
                   wealth
                   ,
                   ib.
                   verse
                
                 25.
                 
                 Yea
                 if
                 the
                 Lord
                 by
                 his
                 servants
                 plead
                 with
                 some
                 men
                 in
                 Prosperity
                 for
                 their
                 iniquities
                 ,
                 anon
                 he
                 shall
                 have
                 a
                 reply
                 till
                 he
                 bring
                 forth
                 
                 his
                 Rod
                 which
                 is
                 sitted
                 for
                 the
                 back
                 of
                 fools
                 ;
                 and
                 is
                 the
                 only
                 cogent
                 argument
                 with
                 such
                 persons
                 .
                 Take
                 two
                 instances
                 shortly
                 ,
                 one
                 is
                 Isai.
                 31.
                 2.
                 those
                 people
                 were
                 bent
                 upon
                 Idolatry
                 ,
                 and
                 when
                 they
                 were
                 reproved
                 and
                 threatned
                 for
                 that
                 by
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 then
                 they
                 were
                 confident
                 in
                 the
                 assistance
                 of
                 Egypt
                 :
                 and
                 when
                 yet
                 they
                 were
                 taxed
                 for
                 that
                 ,
                 no
                 doubt
                 ,
                 they
                 would
                 tell
                 the
                 Prophets
                 ,
                 Self-defence
                 was
                 not
                 unlawful
                 ,
                 and
                 many
                 such
                 witty
                 stories
                 ,
                 till
                 the
                 Lord
                 concludes
                 the
                 dispute
                 with
                 that
                 ,
                 
                   yet
                   he
                   also
                   is
                   wise
                   ,
                   and
                   will
                   bring
                   evil
                   ,
                   and
                   will
                   not
                   call
                   back
                   his
                   words
                   ,
                   but
                   will
                   arise
                   against
                   the
                   house
                   of
                   the
                   evil
                   doers
                   ,
                   and
                   against
                   the
                   help
                   of
                   those
                   that
                   work
                   iniquity
                   .
                
                 And
                 now
                 let
                 those
                 great
                 Wits
                 and
                 grand
                 Disputers
                 say
                 to
                 it
                 Jer.
                 13.
                 21.
                 
                 
                   What
                   wilt
                   thou
                   say
                   when
                   he
                   shall
                   punish
                   thee
                   ?
                
                 Say
                 to
                 that
                 Gallants
                 ,
                 or
                 you
                 have
                 said
                 nothing
                 .
                 The
                 next
                 instance
                 is
                 Ezek.
                 17.
                 from
                 11
                 verse
                 to
                 the
                 end
                 ;
                 Zedekiah
                 had
                 given
                 an
                 Oath
                 of
                 fealty
                 and
                 subjection
                 to
                 the
                 King
                 of
                 Babylon
                 ,
                 he
                 Rebells
                 against
                 the
                 King
                 of
                 Babylon
                 and
                 breaks
                 his
                 Oath
                 :
                 the
                 Lord
                 pleads
                 with
                 him
                 for
                 that
                 ,
                 O!
                 might
                 he
                 say
                 (
                 mark
                 you
                 the
                 Language
                 of
                 our
                 times
                 )
                 it
                 was
                 a
                 forced
                 Oath
                 made
                 against
                 his
                 will
                 :
                 yea
                 ,
                 may
                 be
                 ,
                 it
                 was
                 an
                 unlawful
                 Oath
                 for
                 him
                 to
                 subject
                 himself
                 and
                 the
                 Lords
                 People
                 to
                 Heathens
                 by
                 a
                 bond
                 :
                 and
                 therefore
                 why
                 might
                 not
                 he
                 take
                 his
                 occasions
                 to
                 break
                 it
                 ,
                 if
                 once
                 he
                 had
                 but
                 strength
                 to
                 maintain
                 the
                 breach
                 ?
                 And
                 ,
                 may
                 be
                 ,
                 (
                 as
                 Papists
                 think
                 that
                 Faith
                 ought
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 kept
                 to
                 Hereticks
                 ,
                 so
                 they
                 call
                 Protestants
                 )
                 he
                 thought
                 neither
                 ought
                 it
                 to
                 be
                 kept
                 to
                 Heathens
                 :
                 But
                 ●
                 mark
                 from
                 the
                 place
                 1.
                 against
                 the
                 
                   Popish
                   whimsy
                
                 
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 called
                 significantly
                 the
                 King
                 of
                 Babylons
                 Oath
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 16
                 verse
                 .
                 I
                 mark
                 2.
                 
                 In
                 the
                 same
                 verse
                 against
                 other
                 Covenant-breakers
                 .
                 That
                 whatever
                 by
                 Zedekiah
                 was
                 or
                 might
                 be
                 alledged
                 ,
                 it
                 was
                 all
                 but
                 a
                 prophane
                 despising
                 of
                 the
                 Oath
                 :
                 for
                 untill
                 once
                 it
                 be
                 lawful
                 to
                 take
                 Gods
                 Holy
                 and
                 fearful
                 name
                 in
                 vain
                 ;
                 it
                 shall
                 never
                 be
                 any
                 thing
                 els
                 but
                 Prophanity
                 and
                 Perjury
                 to
                 break
                 Covenant
                 upon
                 interest
                 .
                 I
                 mark
                 3.
                 from
                 the
                 20
                 verse
                 against
                 all
                 Patrons
                 of
                 Perjury
                 ,
                 and
                 such
                 as
                 teach
                 Rebellion
                 against
                 the
                 Lord
                 ;
                 the
                 Lords
                 great
                 Argument
                 ,
                 which
                 usually
                 he
                 reserves
                 to
                 the
                 Conclusion
                 of
                 such
                 Debates
                 :
                 well
                 ,
                 says
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 19
                 verse
                 ,
                 he
                 hath
                 sworn
                 an
                 Oath
                 ,
                 and
                 hath
                 broken
                 it
                 :
                 but
                 I
                 will
                 let
                 him
                 know
                 what
                 an
                 Oath
                 is
                 ;
                 I
                 will
                 Swear
                 another
                 and
                 will
                 keep
                 it
                 :
                 
                   as
                   I
                   live
                   saith
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   surely
                   I
                   will
                   recompense
                   it
                   upon
                   his
                   own
                   head
                   .
                
                 And
                 in
                 the
                 20
                 
                   verse
                   ,
                   I
                   will
                   spread
                   my
                   net
                   upon
                   him
                   ,
                   and
                   he
                   shall
                   he
                   taken
                   in
                   my
                   snare
                   ,
                   and
                   I
                   will
                   bring
                   him
                   to
                
                 Babylon
                 
                   and
                   will
                   plead
                   with
                   him
                   there
                   ,
                   for
                   his
                   trespass
                   that
                   he
                   hath
                   trespassed
                   against
                   me
                   .
                
                 And
                 this
                 was
                 performed
                 2
                 Kings
                 25.
                 6
                 ,
                 7.
                 and
                 2
                 Chron.
                 36.
                 20
                 ,
                 21.
                 
                 Prosperity
                 to
                 many
                 is
                 as
                 the
                 day
                 light
                 to
                 Owles
                 and
                 Batts
                 ,
                 it
                 daz'ls
                 their
                 eyes
                 ,
                 and
                 blinds
                 them
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 do
                 not
                 see
                 their
                 Errors
                 till
                 it
                 be
                 too
                 late
                 .
                 Zedekiah
                 saw
                 not
                 his
                 faults
                 till
                 he
                 saw
                 them
                 without
                 his
                 eyes
                 at
                 Riblah
                 in
                 the
                 Land
                 of
                 Hamath
                 .
                 To
                 say
                 no
                 more
                 of
                 this
                 :
                 if
                 other
                 Arguments
                 will
                 not
                 convince
                 men
                 that
                 are
                 guilty
                 of
                 Perjury
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 necessity
                 they
                 must
                 go
                 to
                 Babylon
                 for
                 Instruction
                 .
                 As
                 the
                 Lord
                 lives
                 ,
                 (
                 they
                 are
                 the
                 words
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 it
                 is
                 their
                 meaning
                 )
                 Perjury
                 
                 shall
                 get
                 a
                 convincing
                 stroak
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 a
                 Scots
                 Proverb
                 ,
                 As
                 
                   sore
                   greets
                   the
                   Child
                   that
                   is
                   beaten
                   after
                   noon
                   ,
                   as
                   he
                   that
                   is
                   beaten
                   before
                   noon
                   :
                
                 The
                 Church
                 of
                 God
                 and
                 his
                 Saints
                 in
                 these
                 Nations
                 have
                 gotten
                 a
                 forenoons
                 correction
                 ;
                 but
                 wo
                 to
                 them
                 that
                 get
                 the
                 after-noon
                 stroaks
                 .
                 See
                 the
                 Parables
                 Ier
                 ,
                 24
                 throughout
                 .
                 To
                 conclude
                 this
                 reason
                 then
                 ;
                 Let
                 us
                 not
                 seek
                 conviction
                 of
                 our
                 sin
                 the
                 length
                 of
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 nor
                 at
                 the
                 rate
                 of
                 bitter
                 Affliction
                 :
                 but
                 let
                 us
                 all
                 take
                 the
                 Councel
                 Ier.
                 6.
                 8.
                 
                 
                   Be
                   thou
                   instructed
                   O
                   Jerusalem
                   ,
                   lest
                   my
                   Soul
                   depart
                   from
                   thee
                   ,
                   lest
                   I
                   make
                   thee
                   desolate
                   ,
                   a
                   land
                   not
                   inhabited
                   :
                
              
               
                 The
                 2d
                 .
                 Account
                 whereupon
                 the
                 Lord
                 brings
                 his
                 People
                 into
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 for
                 sin
                 ,
                 is
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 vindication
                 of
                 his
                 Glorious
                 and
                 Holy
                 Name
                 from
                 all
                 appearance
                 of
                 connivance
                 at
                 ,
                 or
                 partaking
                 with
                 his
                 peoples
                 Sins
                 ,
                 Numb
                 .
                 14.
                 21.
                 
                 
                   As
                   truly
                   as
                   I
                   live
                
                 ,
                 sayes
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   all
                   the
                   earth
                   shall
                   be
                   filled
                   with
                   the
                   Glory
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 Glorious
                 manifestation
                 of
                 his
                 Justice
                 against
                 his
                 Peoples
                 Sins
                 :
                 And
                 he
                 often
                 threatens
                 ,
                 that
                 those
                 who
                 profane
                 his
                 Name
                 and
                 make
                 it
                 to
                 be
                 Blasphemed
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 return
                 their
                 shame
                 upon
                 their
                 own
                 Faces
                 .
                 If
                 any
                 of
                 us
                 hath
                 a
                 Friend
                 who
                 is
                 leud
                 and
                 dissolute
                 and
                 debauched
                 ,
                 we
                 are
                 ashamed
                 of
                 him
                 ;
                 because
                 his
                 Faults
                 reflect
                 upon
                 us
                 :
                 And
                 therefore
                 we
                 hold
                 our selves
                 obliged
                 for
                 our
                 own
                 Vindication
                 to
                 testify
                 our
                 displeasure
                 against
                 him
                 .
                 And
                 so
                 it
                 is
                 with
                 the
                 Holy
                 one
                 of
                 Israel
                 and
                 his
                 sinful
                 People
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 3d.
                 Account
                 is
                 to
                 imbitter
                 sin
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 Jer.
                 2.
                 19.
                 
                 
                   Know
                   therefore
                   and
                   see
                   ,
                   that
                   it
                   is
                   an
                   evil
                
                 
                 
                   thing
                   and
                   a
                   bitter
                   ,
                   that
                   thou
                   hast
                   forsaken
                   the
                   Lord
                   thy
                   God
                   ,
                   and
                   that
                   his
                   fear
                   is
                   not
                   in
                   thee
                   .
                
                 As
                 Abner
                 said
                 to
                 Ioab
                 of
                 the
                 war
                 ,
                 so
                 I
                 say
                 to
                 every
                 one
                 of
                 their
                 sin
                 ,
                 2
                 Sam.
                 2.
                 26.
                 
                 
                   Knowest
                   thou
                   not
                   that
                   it
                   will
                   be
                   bitterness
                   in
                   the
                   latter
                   end
                   ?
                
                 Prosperity
                 sweetens
                 sin
                 to
                 Sinners
                 ,
                 which
                 of
                 it self
                 is
                 sweet
                 enough
                 to
                 their
                 corrupted
                 Palate
                 :
                 But
                 the
                 Gall
                 and
                 Wormwood
                 of
                 affliction
                 gives
                 it
                 its
                 own
                 kindly
                 relish
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 4th
                 .
                 Account
                 is
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 may
                 put
                 a
                 stop
                 to
                 his
                 People
                 in
                 their
                 course
                 of
                 Sin.
                 Thus
                 Hosea
                 2.
                 6.
                 
                 
                   I
                   will
                   hedge
                   up
                   thy
                   way
                   with
                   Thorns
                   ,
                   and
                   make
                   a
                   wall
                   ,
                   that
                   she
                   shall
                   not
                   find
                   her
                   Paths
                
                 ;
                 and
                 verse
                 7
                 
                   She
                   shall
                   not
                   overtake
                   nor
                   find
                   her
                   Lovers
                   :
                
                 Many
                 in
                 prosperity
                 are
                 so
                 engaged
                 by
                 custom
                 to
                 courses
                 of
                 Iniquity
                 ,
                 which
                 nothing
                 but
                 affliction
                 can
                 interrupt
                 and
                 put
                 a
                 stop
                 to
                 ;
                 and
                 they
                 must
                 take
                 their
                 march
                 into
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 to
                 divert
                 them
                 off
                 the
                 Paths
                 of
                 Wickedness
                 .
                 O
                 that
                 all
                 who
                 are
                 in
                 Affliction
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 would
                 take
                 this
                 advantage
                 of
                 their
                 impetuous
                 over-hailing
                 Lusts
                 and
                 Idols
                 ;
                 and
                 had
                 Wisdom
                 to
                 improve
                 such
                 a
                 good
                 occasion
                 ,
                 of
                 a
                 perpetual
                 Divorce
                 and
                 Separation
                 ,
                 from
                 the
                 sins
                 that
                 were
                 wont
                 easily
                 to
                 beset
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 as
                 easily
                 to
                 prevail
                 with
                 them
                 !
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 time
                 ,
                 when
                 people
                 are
                 in
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 to
                 rush
                 every
                 one
                 to
                 their
                 course
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Horse
                 rusheth
                 into
                 the
                 Battel
                 ,
                 never
                 once
                 asking
                 what
                 is
                 this
                 I
                 am
                 doing
                 :
                 But
                 it
                 is
                 then
                 seasonable
                 Daniel
                 4.
                 27.
                 
                 
                   To
                   break
                   off
                   our
                   Sins
                   and
                   Iniquities
                
                 ;
                 Least
                 we
                 go
                 further
                 on
                 ,
                 than
                 that
                 we
                 can
                 safely
                 retire
                 our selves
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 5th
                 .
                 Account
                 is
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 truly
                 repent
                 and
                 throughly
                 return
                 from
                 Sin
                 to
                 God.
                 In
                 
                 the
                 7
                 verse
                 of
                 this
                 chapter
                 ,
                 when
                 by
                 affliction
                 she
                 is
                 put
                 to
                 a
                 stand
                 in
                 her
                 course
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 yet
                 intended
                 further
                 that
                 she
                 return
                 to
                 her
                 first
                 Husband
                 ,
                 and
                 this
                 is
                 brought
                 to
                 effect
                 ,
                 
                   Hos
                   :
                   chap.
                
                 6.
                 verse
                 1.
                 
                 Come
                 ,
                 sayes
                 she
                 ,
                 
                   and
                   let
                   us
                   return
                   unto
                   the
                   Lord
                   :
                   For
                   he
                   hath
                   torn
                   ,
                
                 &c
                 ,
                 Simple
                 cessation
                 from
                 sin
                 ,
                 without
                 true
                 conversion
                 in
                 time
                 of
                 affliction
                 ,
                 may
                 put
                 a
                 person
                 or
                 People
                 to
                 
                 Pharaoh's
                 Expences
                 of
                 multiplyed
                 Rods
                 and
                 Plagues
                 one
                 after
                 another
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 hazard
                 of
                 utter
                 destruction
                 in
                 the
                 end
                 .
                 Learn
                 we
                 then
                 in
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 to
                 say
                 as
                 is
                 meet
                 to
                 be
                 said
                 unto
                 God
                 ,
                 Iob
                 ,
                 34.
                 31
                 ,
                 32.
                 
                 
                   I
                   have
                   born
                   Chasitsement
                   ,
                   I
                   will
                   not
                   offend
                   any
                   more
                   :
                   That
                   which
                   I
                   see
                   not
                   teach
                   thou
                   me
                   ;
                   if
                   I
                   have
                   done
                   iniquity
                   I
                   will
                   do
                   no
                   more
                   ,
                
                 Let
                 us
                 turn
                 throughly
                 from
                 all
                 iniquity
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 with
                 all
                 our
                 Heart
                 .
                 And
                 thus
                 to
                 the
                 first
                 reason
                 and
                 its
                 several
                 respects
                 ,
                 
                   Why
                   the
                   Lord
                   brings
                   his
                   People
                   into
                   the
                   Wilderness
                   :
                
                 It
                 is
                 their
                 sin
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 The
                 Lord
                 brings
                 his
                 people
                 into
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 for
                 their
                 Tryal
                 and
                 Exercise
                 ,
                 Deut.
                 8.
                 2.
                 
                 
                   The
                   Lord
                   did
                   all
                   that
                   unto
                   thee
                   ,
                   to
                   prove
                   thee
                   ,
                   to
                   know
                   what
                   was
                   in
                   thine
                   heart
                   ,
                   whether
                   thou
                   wouldest
                   keep
                   his
                   Commandments
                   or
                   not
                   .
                
                 Rom.
                 5.
                 3
                 ,
                 4
                 ,
                 5.
                 
                 Tribulation
                 sets
                 all
                 graces
                 on
                 work
                 in
                 the
                 Saints
                 :
                 Thus
                 the
                 Lord
                 dealt
                 with
                 the
                 Church
                 Psal.
                 44.
                 from
                 the
                 17
                 verse
                 to
                 the
                 23
                 ,
                 and
                 Psal
                 66.
                 10.
                 
                 Thus
                 he
                 dealt
                 with
                 Iob.
                 
                 
                   The
                   Lord
                   is
                   come
                   to
                   these
                   Nations
                   with
                   his
                   fan
                   in
                   his
                   hand
                   ,
                   he
                   is
                   winnowing
                   us
                   as
                   Wheat
                   ,
                   and
                   he
                   will
                   throughly
                   purge
                   his
                   floor
                
                 Matth.
                 3
                 12.
                 
                 
                   and
                   who
                   may
                   abide
                   the
                   day
                   of
                   his
                   coming
                   ?
                   and
                   who
                   shall
                   stand
                   when
                   he
                   appeareth
                   ?
                   for
                   he
                   is
                   like
                   a
                   refyners
                   fire
                   ,
                   
                   and
                   like
                   fullers
                   sope
                   ;
                   and
                   he
                   shall
                   sit
                   as
                   a
                   refiner
                   and
                   as
                   a
                   purifyer
                   of
                   silver
                   :
                   and
                   he
                   shall
                   purify
                   ,
                   the
                   sons
                   of
                   Levi
                   ,
                   and
                   purge
                   them
                   as
                   Gold
                   and
                   Silver
                   ,
                   that
                   they
                   may
                   offer
                   unto
                   the
                   Lord
                   an
                   offering
                   in
                   righteousness
                   .
                
                 Malach
                 3
                 ,
                 2
                 ,
                 3.
                 
                 Now
                 the
                 secrets
                 of
                 many
                 hearts
                 are
                 discovered
                 :
                 now
                 we
                 ●ee
                 the
                 ground
                 of
                 mens
                 stomachs
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 corruption
                 and
                 rotten
                 stuffe
                 hath
                 been
                 lurking
                 under
                 ●he
                 beauty
                 of
                 untryed
                 profession
                 .
                 Would
                 not
                 some
                 have
                 said
                 ,
                 am
                 I
                 a
                 dog
                 ?
                 if
                 that
                 which
                 they
                 have
                 how
                 done
                 had
                 been
                 told
                 them
                 a
                 few
                 years
                 ago
                 .
                 Now
                 it
                 is
                 seen
                 Daniel
                 .
                 11.
                 34.
                 that
                 
                   many
                   did
                   cleave
                   to
                   the
                   Covenant
                   with
                   flatteries
                
                 ;
                 but
                 the
                 next
                 verse
                 being
                 the
                 35.
                 says
                 further
                 ,
                 That
                 
                   some
                   of
                   them
                   of
                   understanding
                   shall
                   fall
                   ,
                   to
                   try
                   them
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   purge
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   make
                   them
                   white
                   ,
                   even
                   to
                   the
                   time
                   of
                   the
                   end
                   ,
                   because
                   it
                   is
                   yet
                   for
                   a
                   time
                   appointed
                   .
                
                 Therefore
                 blessed
                 is
                 he
                 that
                 endureth
                 to
                 the
                 end
                 .
                 And
                 let
                 him
                 that
                 standeth
                 take
                 heed
                 lest
                 he
                 fall
                 .
                 The
                 strange
                 discoveries
                 ,
                 the
                 great
                 stumbling
                 ,
                 and
                 many
                 off
                 fallings
                 ●f
                 men
                 in
                 these
                 times
                 ,
                 afford
                 me
                 the
                 serious
                 and
                 confirmed
                 thoughts
                 ,
                 how
                 few
                 there
                 are
                 that
                 shall
                 ●e
                 saved
                 ,
                 and
                 how
                 hardly
                 these
                 few
                 .
                 
                 Malachie's
                 
                   ●efiners
                   fire
                
                 comprehends
                 both
                 all
                 the
                 tryals
                 of
                 a
                 present
                 time
                 ,
                 and
                 also
                 and
                 specially
                 ,
                 the
                 great
                 and
                 solemn
                 last
                 tryal
                 of
                 the
                 Judgment
                 of
                 the
                 great
                 day
                 ,
                 when
                 
                   many
                   a
                   mans
                   work
                   shall
                   be
                   burnt
                   up
                   ,
                   and
                   himself
                   shall
                   be
                   saved
                   ,
                   yet
                   so
                   as
                   by
                   fire
                   .
                
                 1
                 Cor.
                 3.
                 15.
                 
                 ●hen
                 shall
                 all
                 the
                 sinners
                 and
                 hypocrits
                 in
                 Zion
                 be
                 affraid
                 and
                 surprized
                 :
                 for
                 that
                 
                   they
                   cannot
                   dwell
                   ●●th
                   devouring
                   fire
                   ,
                   nor
                   with
                   everlasting
                   burnings
                   .
                
                 Isai.
                 ●3
                 ,
                 14.
                 
                 There
                 will
                 be
                 many
                 amissing
                 that
                 day
                 in
                 
                 the
                 Congregation
                 of
                 the
                 righteous
                 ,
                 that
                 here
                 ha●●
                 sitten
                 chief
                 in
                 the
                 Assembly
                 .
                 In
                 general
                 this
                 is
                 th●
                 verity
                 :
                 but
                 towards
                 the
                 particular
                 persons
                 of
                 ●●
                 ther
                 's
                 ,
                 I
                 must
                 walk
                 with
                 Charity
                 ,
                 as
                 toward
                 ●●
                 self
                 ,
                 with
                 fear
                 and
                 humble
                 Jealousie
                 :
                 This
                 o●●
                 all
                 would
                 remember
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 who
                 cannot
                 endu●●
                 the
                 wide
                 sieve
                 of
                 larger
                 tryals
                 in
                 a
                 present
                 time
                 ,
                 wi●●
                 never
                 be
                 able
                 to
                 abide
                 the
                 narrow
                 search
                 of
                 a
                 stri●●
                 judgment
                 at
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 time
                 .
                 But
                 as
                 the
                 Lord
                 will
                 have
                 his
                 People
                 tryed
                 ,
                 so
                 he
                 will
                 have
                 the●●
                 likwise
                 Exercised
                 and
                 their
                 Graces
                 imployed
                 .
                 Idleness
                 is
                 a
                 hateful
                 and
                 unhappy
                 evil
                 in
                 People
                 .
                 We
                 fa●
                 an
                 idle
                 man
                 must
                 always
                 have
                 something
                 to
                 work
                 he
                 ,
                 that
                 ceaseth
                 to
                 do
                 well
                 ,
                 will
                 soon
                 learn
                 ●●
                 do
                 ill
                 .
                 To
                 prevent
                 that
                 ,
                 the
                 Lord
                 puts
                 work
                 〈◊〉
                 his
                 Peoples
                 hand
                 :
                 for
                 he
                 hath
                 not
                 given
                 the●
                 Graces
                 and
                 Talents
                 ,
                 to
                 hide
                 in
                 a
                 napkin
                 under
                 th●
                 earth
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 be
                 imployed
                 and
                 improven
                 to
                 use
                 and
                 therefore
                 he
                 appoints
                 affliction
                 as
                 a
                 ta●●
                 master
                 to
                 call
                 forth
                 all
                 their
                 Graces
                 to
                 work●
                 and
                 to
                 receive
                 the
                 Tale
                 of
                 every
                 mans
                 Work
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 known
                 what
                 profit
                 they
                 make
                 .
                 Th●
                 time
                 of
                 affliction
                 should
                 be
                 a
                 bussy
                 time
                 ,
                 like
                 Eating
                 time
                 and
                 Harvest
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 People
                 of
                 God.
                 But
                 alas
                 !
                 to
                 many
                 may
                 be
                 said
                 in
                 truth
                 ,
                 that
                 which
                 Pharaoh
                 said
                 to
                 the
                 Israelites
                 in
                 cruel
                 scorn
                 ,
                 
                   ye
                   ●●
                   idle
                   ,
                   ye
                   are
                   idle
                
                 Exod.
                 3
                 17.
                 
                 Only
                 his
                 inference
                 and
                 mine
                 run
                 very
                 contrary
                 .
                 ye
                 are
                 idle
                 ,
                 says
                 he
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 ye
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   let
                   us
                   go
                   and
                   do
                   sacrifice
                   to
                   the
                   Lord
                
                 But
                 ye
                 are
                 idle
                 ,
                 say
                 I
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 ye
                 say
                 no●
                 
                   let
                   us
                   go
                   and
                   do
                   sacrifice
                   to
                   the
                   Lord
                
                 Now
                 ,
                 if
                 the
                 Lord
                 bring
                 his
                 People
                 into
                 affliction
                 for
                 their
                 Exercise
                 ,
                 
                 hence
                 it
                 is
                 consequentially
                 inferred
                 ,
                 that
                 if
                 their
                 Afflictions
                 do
                 not
                 Exercise
                 them
                 to
                 purpose
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 not
                 like
                 to
                 come
                 out
                 of
                 them
                 in
                 haste
                 .
                 I
                 fear
                 many
                 but
                 play
                 with
                 their
                 Afflictions
                 ,
                 and
                 look
                 upon
                 all
                 the
                 sad
                 sights
                 they
                 see
                 in
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 but
                 as
                 so
                 many
                 farleyes
                 ,
                 fit
                 to
                 entertain
                 their
                 curiosity
                 and
                 to
                 cause
                 them
                 gaze
                 :
                 And
                 I
                 exhort
                 all
                 to
                 be
                 serious
                 with
                 their
                 Afflictions
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 The
                 Lord
                 brings
                 his
                 People
                 to
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 be
                 the
                 more
                 fit
                 to
                 receive
                 the
                 impressions
                 of
                 his
                 will
                 ,
                 and
                 communications
                 of
                 his
                 Goodness
                 .
                 Thus
                 we
                 see
                 throughout
                 this
                 Chapter
                 ,
                 the
                 Lord
                 designes
                 jointly
                 her
                 Reformation
                 and
                 Consolation
                 by
                 all
                 these
                 bitter
                 threatnings
                 and
                 afflicting
                 Dispensations
                 .
                 And
                 Chapter
                 5
                 ,
                 15.
                 of
                 this
                 ●ame
                 Prophesy
                 of
                 
                   Hosea
                   .
                   I
                   will
                   go
                
                 ,
                 says
                 the
                 Lord
                 
                   and
                   return
                   to
                   my
                   place
                   ,
                   till
                   they
                   acknowledge
                   their
                   offence
                   ,
                   and
                   seek
                   my
                   face
                   :
                   In
                   their
                   Affliction
                   they
                   will
                   seek
                   ●e
                   early
                   .
                
                 And
                 (
                 as
                 the
                 whole
                 have
                 no
                 need
                 of
                 the
                 Physician
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 sick
                 )
                 they
                 now
                 finding
                 the
                 disease
                 of
                 their
                 Affliction
                 to
                 purpose
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 being
                 the
                 better
                 fitted
                 for
                 the
                 Communications
                 of
                 the
                 Lords
                 goodness
                 ,
                 in
                 their
                 deliverance
                 ,
                 return
                 to
                 him
                 in
                 this
                 confidence
                 ,
                 
                   that
                   he
                   who
                   hath
                   torn
                   will
                   heal
                   them
                
                 &c.
                 and
                 that
                 his
                 coming
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 
                   verse
                   3d
                
                 ;
                 shall
                 be
                 as
                 the
                 rain
                 to
                 the
                 earth
                 ,
                 which
                 being
                 parch●d
                 with
                 drought
                 is
                 well
                 ready
                 for
                 a
                 showre
                 .
                 People
                 ●n
                 Prosperity
                 readily
                 are
                 not
                 so
                 fit
                 to
                 receive
                 either
                 the
                 impressions
                 of
                 Gods
                 will
                 ;
                 for
                 then
                 speak
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 will
                 not
                 hear
                 ,
                 Jer.
                 22.
                 1.
                 
                 Or
                 the
                 Communications
                 of
                 his
                 Goodness
                 :
                 for
                 then
                 they
                 an
                 say
                 
                   we
                   are
                   Lords
                   ,
                   and
                   we
                   will
                   not
                   come
                   to
                   thee
                   .
                
                 
                 Jer.
                 2.
                 31.
                 
                 But
                 Affliction
                 fits
                 them
                 better
                 both
                 for
                 the
                 one
                 and
                 for
                 the
                 other
                 .
                 In
                 prosperity
                 ,
                 as
                 in
                 the
                 noise
                 of
                 a
                 City
                 ,
                 every
                 thing
                 is
                 heard
                 ,
                 but
                 nothing
                 is
                 hearkened
                 to
                 :
                 and
                 the
                 common
                 noise
                 swallows
                 up
                 the
                 most
                 distinct
                 and
                 audible
                 voices
                 in
                 a
                 confused
                 insignificant
                 sound
                 .
                 But
                 in
                 Affliction
                 ,
                 as
                 in
                 a
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 the
                 stillest
                 whisper
                 of
                 a
                 voice
                 is
                 soon
                 discerned
                 and
                 seriously
                 attended
                 to
                 .
                 Likwise
                 i●
                 prosperity
                 ,
                 as
                 in
                 a
                 plentiful
                 City
                 or
                 Country
                 ,
                 men
                 enjoy
                 all
                 things
                 ,
                 and
                 esteem
                 nothing
                 :
                 but
                 in
                 Affliction
                 ,
                 as
                 in
                 a
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 wanting
                 all
                 or
                 many
                 things
                 ,
                 they
                 account
                 the
                 more
                 of
                 any
                 thing
                 .
                 In
                 a
                 Word
                 ,
                 the
                 Lord
                 in
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 and
                 by
                 Affliction
                 is
                 tuneing
                 his
                 People
                 to
                 Obedience
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 may
                 bring
                 them
                 forth
                 singing
                 the
                 Songs
                 of
                 Deliverance
                 .
                 Gods
                 commands
                 and
                 his
                 mercies
                 will
                 have
                 another
                 kind
                 of
                 lustre
                 and
                 relish
                 to
                 a
                 Soul
                 coming
                 out
                 of
                 a
                 sanctified
                 Wilderness
                 .
                 Formality
                 in
                 Religion
                 ,
                 with
                 much
                 vanity
                 and
                 many
                 superfluities
                 wait
                 but
                 too
                 well
                 upon
                 Prosperity
                 :
                 but
                 the
                 cold
                 wind
                 of
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 bloweth
                 these
                 all
                 away
                 ,
                 and
                 strengthens
                 the
                 vital
                 heat
                 of
                 the
                 inward
                 man
                 ,
                 and
                 makes
                 solk
                 more
                 Religious
                 than
                 formerly
                 with
                 less
                 noise
                 and
                 adoe
                 .
                 Prosperity
                 is
                 an
                 unthankful
                 Piece
                 :
                 for
                 readily
                 the
                 more
                 it
                 receives
                 ,
                 the
                 less
                 it
                 accounts
                 of
                 what
                 it
                 receives
                 ;
                 and
                 (
                 as
                 a
                 full
                 Soul
                 loaths
                 the
                 honey
                 comb
                 )
                 with
                 a
                 fastidious
                 insolency
                 it
                 thinks
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 falsely
                 thinking
                 truely
                 makes
                 abundance
                 of
                 mercy
                 a
                 very
                 misery
                 :
                 but
                 (
                 as
                 to
                 the
                 hungry
                 soul
                 every
                 bitter
                 thing
                 is
                 sweet
                 )
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 and
                 an
                 afflicted
                 lot
                 blessed
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 will
                 give
                 a
                 man
                 a
                 good
                 stomach
                 for
                 a
                 piece
                 of
                 the
                 bread
                 of
                 
                 Adversity
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 Cup
                 of
                 the
                 cold
                 water
                 of
                 Affliction
                 ;
                 and
                 will
                 teach
                 him
                 to
                 say
                 Grace
                 to
                 it
                 thus
                 :
                 
                   I
                   am
                   less
                   than
                   the
                   least
                   of
                   all
                   thy
                   mercies
                
                 Genes
                 .
                 32
                 ,
                 10.
                 
                 So
                 said
                 Iacob
                 when
                 he
                 was
                 coming
                 from
                 his
                 twenty
                 years
                 travels
                 in
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 of
                 his
                 Afflictions
                 in
                 
                   Padan
                   Aram.
                
                 Prosperity
                 extenuates
                 ,
                 sanctified
                 Adversity
                 aggravates
                 mercies
                 :
                 to
                 it
                 any
                 thing
                 less
                 than
                 Hell
                 is
                 a
                 mercy
                 .
                 Lament
                 .
                 3.
                 22.
                 
                 
                   It
                   is
                   of
                   the
                   Lords
                   mercies
                   that
                   we
                   are
                   not
                   consumed
                   :
                
                 to
                 it
                 any
                 mercy
                 is
                 a
                 great
                 Mercy
                 :
                 a
                 great
                 mercy
                 is
                 an
                 extraordinary
                 one
                 :
                 and
                 an
                 extraordinary
                 is
                 a
                 marvelous
                 incomprehensible
                 one
                 .
                 Prosperity
                 counts
                 its
                 mercies
                 by
                 Subtraction
                 ,
                 it
                 will
                 take
                 its
                 Bill
                 with
                 the
                 unjust
                 Steward
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 a
                 hundred
                 it
                 will
                 write
                 fourscore
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 fourscore
                 ,
                 it
                 will
                 write
                 fifty
                 :
                 But
                 in
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 men
                 learn
                 to
                 cast
                 up
                 their
                 Mercies
                 by
                 Multiplication
                 with
                 the
                 help
                 of
                 Division
                 :
                 in
                 the
                 same
                 place
                 cited
                 Lament
                 .
                 3.
                 22.
                 
                 
                   That
                   we
                   are
                   not
                   consumed
                
                 ,
                 to
                 some
                 might
                 seem
                 but
                 one
                 mercy
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 a
                 poor
                 one
                 too
                 :
                 yea
                 but
                 the
                 lamenting
                 Prophet
                 finds
                 mercies
                 in
                 that
                 mercy
                 .
                 And
                 truely
                 the
                 mercies
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 are
                 homogeneous
                 things
                 ,
                 whereof
                 every
                 part
                 hath
                 the
                 Nature
                 and
                 Denomination
                 of
                 the
                 whole
                 :
                 as
                 every
                 drop
                 of
                 water
                 is
                 water
                 ;
                 so
                 the
                 least
                 piece
                 of
                 any
                 Mercy
                 is
                 Mercy
                 :
                 and
                 the
                 afflicted
                 ,
                 humble
                 ,
                 thankful
                 Soul
                 loves
                 to
                 anatomize
                 and
                 diffect
                 the
                 Lords
                 Mercies
                 into
                 parts
                 ,
                 as
                 Physicians
                 do
                 humane
                 bodies
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 informe
                 themselves
                 the
                 better
                 of
                 the
                 number
                 and
                 nature
                 of
                 the
                 parts
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 the
                 frame
                 and
                 structure
                 of
                 the
                 whole
                 .
                 The
                 136
                 Psalme
                 hath
                 this
                 common
                 with
                 those
                 Mercies
                 which
                 it
                 recounts
                 ,
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 more
                 in
                 it
                 than
                 every
                 one
                 can
                 see
                 :
                 
                 This
                 only
                 to
                 my
                 purpose
                 ,
                 everyone
                 may
                 see
                 ,
                 how
                 the
                 Psalmist
                 tells
                 out
                 the
                 Lords
                 Mercies
                 by
                 parts
                 ,
                 and
                 insists
                 upon
                 one
                 and
                 the
                 same
                 Mercy
                 ,
                 to
                 shew
                 that
                 every
                 part
                 of
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 Mercy
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 ,
                 as
                 all
                 the
                 rest
                 ,
                 derived
                 from
                 the
                 underived
                 ,
                 uncreated
                 ,
                 unexhaustible
                 ,
                 and
                 ever
                 runing
                 fountain
                 of
                 the
                 Lords
                 Mercy
                 that
                 endures
                 for
                 ever
                 .
                 Prosperity
                 ,
                 like
                 the
                 Widow
                 and
                 her
                 Sons
                 in
                 the
                 matter
                 of
                 the
                 oil
                 ,
                 loses
                 and
                 comes
                 short
                 of
                 many
                 Mercies
                 for
                 want
                 of
                 the
                 vessels
                 of
                 faithful
                 accounts
                 and
                 thankful
                 acknowledgments
                 .
                 The
                 Saint
                 in
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 as
                 the
                 Disciples
                 in
                 a
                 desart
                 place
                 ,
                 obeys
                 Christs
                 Frugal
                 command
                 ,
                 it
                 gathers
                 up
                 the
                 remaining
                 Fragments
                 of
                 mercies
                 that
                 nothing
                 be
                 lost
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 those
                 it
                 fills
                 whole
                 baskets
                 :
                 As
                 by
                 the
                 blessing
                 and
                 miraculous
                 Power
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 the
                 broken
                 meat
                 ,
                 after
                 that
                 Dinner
                 ,
                 whereat
                 so
                 many
                 thousands
                 were
                 well
                 filled
                 ,
                 was
                 more
                 than
                 that
                 which
                 at
                 the
                 first
                 was
                 set
                 down
                 whole
                 .
                 O!
                 but
                 it
                 is
                 good
                 holding
                 house
                 with
                 Christ
                 !
                 It
                 is
                 good
                 to
                 have
                 our
                 portion
                 ,
                 be
                 otherwise
                 what
                 it
                 will
                 ,
                 with
                 his
                 presence
                 and
                 Blessing
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 have
                 it
                 coming
                 thorow
                 his
                 hands
                 .
                 And
                 as
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 divine
                 contentment
                 can
                 make
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 the
                 half
                 more
                 not
                 the
                 whole
                 ;
                 so
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 will
                 teach
                 the
                 People
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 the
                 mystery
                 of
                 improving
                 Mercies
                 ,
                 to
                 make
                 the
                 increase
                 more
                 than
                 the
                 stock
                 .
                 This
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 rest
                 of
                 divine
                 Arts
                 ,
                 is
                 best
                 profest
                 in
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 :
                 and
                 therefore
                 it
                 is
                 that
                 the
                 Lord
                 sends
                 so
                 many
                 of
                 his
                 most
                 hopeful
                 Children
                 thither
                 to
                 be
                 bred
                 :
                 and
                 there
                 they
                 are
                 continued
                 till
                 the
                 〈…〉
                 past
                 their
                 Course
                 and
                 taken
                 their
                 Degrees
                 ,
                 and
                 
                 then
                 they
                 return
                 Masters
                 of
                 the
                 Arts
                 able
                 to
                 teach
                 others
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   to
                   comfort
                   them
                   with
                   the
                   same
                   comforts
                   wherewith
                   they
                   themselves
                   were
                   comforted
                   of
                   Christ.
                
                 2
                 Cor.
                 1.
                 4.
                 
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 The
                 Lord
                 brings
                 his
                 People
                 into
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 may
                 lead
                 them
                 by
                 ,
                 and
                 deliver
                 them
                 from
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 worse
                 .
                 Exod.
                 13.
                 17
                 ,
                 18.
                 
                 
                   And
                   it
                   came
                   to
                   pass
                   when
                   Pharoah
                   had
                   let
                   the
                   People
                   go
                   ,
                   that
                   God
                   led
                   them
                   not
                   thorow
                   the
                   way
                   of
                   the
                   land
                   of
                   the
                   Philistins
                   ,
                   though
                   that
                   was
                   near
                   :
                   for
                   God
                   said
                   lest
                   peradventure
                   the
                   People
                   repent
                   when
                   they
                   see
                   war
                   and
                   they
                   return
                   to
                   Egypt
                   ;
                   but
                   God
                   led
                   the
                   People
                   about
                   thorow
                   the
                   way
                   of
                   the
                   Wilderness
                   of
                   the
                   red
                   sea
                   .
                
                 The
                 Lord
                 prepares
                 his
                 People
                 a
                 place
                 in
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 from
                 the
                 fury
                 and
                 persecutions
                 of
                 men
                 .
                 Rev.
                 12.
                 6.
                 
                 And
                 albeit
                 before
                 ,
                 I
                 called
                 Persecution
                 one
                 of
                 the
                 parts
                 of
                 a
                 Wilderness-Condition
                 ;
                 yet
                 I
                 would
                 have
                 it
                 understood
                 ,
                 that
                 every
                 one
                 that
                 comes
                 into
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 is
                 not
                 led
                 thorow
                 all
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 nor
                 made
                 to
                 see
                 all
                 the
                 evils
                 thereof
                 ,
                 nor
                 do
                 all
                 Afflictions
                 tryst
                 upon
                 every
                 afflicted
                 person
                 :
                 for
                 often
                 times
                 God
                 makes
                 one
                 a
                 mean
                 to
                 prevent
                 and
                 escape
                 another
                 :
                 even
                 as
                 in
                 the
                 case
                 in
                 hand
                 ,
                 the
                 Lord
                 sends
                 sometimes
                 his
                 People
                 to
                 enjoy
                 Davids
                 and
                 Ieremys
                 wishes
                 in
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 that
                 so
                 they
                 may
                 be
                 ridd
                 of
                 ill
                 neighbours
                 :
                 for
                 we
                 say
                 in
                 the
                 Proverb
                 ,
                 
                   Better
                   be
                   alone
                   than
                   in
                   ill
                   Company
                   .
                
                 And
                 likwise
                 the
                 Lord
                 by
                 bringing
                 his
                 People
                 into
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 delivers
                 them
                 from
                 the
                 contagion
                 and
                 vexation
                 of
                 the
                 sins
                 of
                 those
                 with
                 whom
                 they
                 conversed
                 aforetimes
                 .
                 Albeit
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 before
                 said
                 ,
                 be
                 a
                 place
                 of
                 temptation
                 ;
                 
                 yet
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 by
                 some
                 one
                 tentation
                 which
                 his
                 People
                 can
                 better
                 guide
                 ,
                 many
                 times
                 leads
                 them
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 some
                 other
                 one
                 or
                 moe
                 which
                 might
                 be
                 of
                 more
                 hazard
                 to
                 them
                 .
                 Surely
                 it
                 is
                 no
                 small
                 mercy
                 to
                 be
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 way
                 ,
                 when
                 tentations
                 are
                 marching
                 thorow
                 all
                 the
                 land
                 in
                 solemn
                 procession
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 cry
                 before
                 them
                 ,
                 
                   bow
                   the
                   knee
                
                 ,
                 and
                 when
                 the
                 wicked
                 walk
                 on
                 every
                 side
                 ,
                 who
                 but
                 the
                 viles●
                 men
                 ,
                 
                   (
                   Psal.
                
                 12
                 ,
                 8.
                 )
                 would
                 covet
                 the
                 preferment
                 of
                 the
                 midst
                 ?
                 And
                 would
                 not
                 any
                 person
                 of
                 a
                 Holy
                 breath
                 ,
                 prefer
                 a
                 Cottage
                 in
                 a
                 well
                 aired
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 foul
                 winds
                 and
                 corrupt
                 infectious
                 air
                 of
                 these
                 plaguy
                 times
                 ?
                 The
                 plague
                 of
                 a
                 general
                 defection
                 which
                 (
                 as
                 the
                 Pest
                 doth
                 other
                 deseases
                 )
                 hath
                 engrossed
                 all
                 abominations
                 ,
                 is
                 now
                 so
                 common
                 ,
                 that
                 except
                 it
                 were
                 with
                 
                   Aaron
                   Numb
                
                 .
                 16.
                 48.
                 
                   to
                   stand
                   between
                   the
                   dead
                   and
                   the
                   living
                
                 with
                 the
                 incense
                 of
                 much
                 intercession
                 ,
                 that
                 ,
                 if
                 it
                 be
                 possible
                 ,
                 the
                 plague
                 may
                 by
                 stayed
                 ,
                 I
                 should
                 think
                 him
                 a
                 person
                 of
                 that
                 stoutness
                 which
                 they
                 call
                 rashness
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 a
                 pretty
                 well
                 confirmed
                 ,
                 if
                 not
                 of
                 a
                 much
                 hardned
                 heart
                 ,
                 who
                 otherwise
                 could
                 gladly
                 come
                 into
                 the
                 Company
                 of
                 ,
                 or
                 mix
                 himself
                 with
                 the
                 men
                 of
                 this
                 Generation
                 .
                 We
                 say
                 
                   when
                   all
                   freits
                   fail
                   ,
                   fire
                   is
                   good
                   for
                   the
                   farsey
                   :
                
                 if
                 God
                 cure
                 this
                 Generation
                 of
                 one
                 Plague
                 by
                 another
                 ,
                 
                 I
                 shall
                 think
                 it
                 no
                 more
                 than
                 is
                 necessary
                 :
                 for
                 Psal.
                 14.
                 3.
                 generally
                 
                   they
                   are
                   all
                   gone
                   aside
                   ,
                   they
                   are
                   altogether
                   become
                   filthy
                   ;
                   there
                   is
                   none
                   that
                   doth
                   good
                   ,
                   no
                   not
                   one
                   :
                
                 And
                 now
                 I
                 think
                 I
                 hear
                 a
                 voice
                 from
                 Heaven
                 saying
                 of
                 this
                 Generation
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 other
                 Rev.
                 
                 18.
                 4
                 said
                 to
                 Iohn
                 ,
                 of
                 
                   Mystical
                   Babylon
                   ;
                   come
                   out
                   of
                   her
                   my
                   people
                   ,
                   that
                   ye
                   may
                   not
                   be
                   partakers
                   of
                   her
                   sins
                   ,
                   and
                   that
                   ye
                   receive
                   not
                   of
                   her
                   Plagues
                   .
                
                 And
                 there
                 is
                 another
                 great
                 mischief
                 that
                 the
                 Lord
                 leads
                 his
                 People
                 out
                 of
                 its
                 way
                 —
                 in
                 bringing
                 them
                 into
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 and
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 Plagues
                 that
                 come
                 upon
                 wicked
                 men
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 Gods
                 enemies
                 .
                 The
                 People
                 of
                 God
                 want
                 not
                 their
                 own
                 visitations
                 ,
                 but
                 they
                 are
                 not
                 like
                 the
                 Plagues
                 of
                 the
                 wicked
                 ,
                 their
                 enemies
                 .
                 Isai.
                 27.
                 7.
                 
                   hath
                   he
                   smiten
                   him
                   as
                   he
                   smote
                   those
                   that
                   smote
                   him
                   ?
                   or
                   is
                   he
                   slain
                   according
                   to
                   the
                   slaughter
                   of
                   those
                   that
                   are
                   slam
                   by
                   him
                   ?
                
                 Yea
                 the
                 Saints
                 Afflictions
                 are
                 excellent
                 Antidotes
                 and
                 preservatives
                 against
                 the
                 Plagues
                 of
                 their
                 enemies
                 ,
                 who
                 are
                 not
                 as
                 ,
                 but
                 indeed
                 are
                 the
                 Ungodly
                 and
                 the
                 Wicked
                 .
                 We
                 see
                 the
                 properity
                 of
                 the
                 Saints
                 Afflictions
                 Psal.
                 94.
                 12
                 ,
                 13.
                 
                 
                   Blessed
                   is
                   the
                   man
                   whom
                   thou
                   chasteness
                   O
                   Lord
                   ,
                   and
                   teachest
                   him
                   out
                   of
                   thy
                   law
                   ,
                   that
                   thou
                   may
                   est
                   give
                   him
                   rest
                   from
                   the
                   days
                   of
                   adversity
                   ,
                   till
                   the
                   pit
                   be
                   digged
                   for
                   the
                   wicked
                   .
                
                 A
                 strange
                 thing
                 a
                 mans
                 motto
                 to
                 be
                 
                   perussem
                   nisi
                   perussem
                
                 :
                 I
                 had
                 perished
                 ,
                 if
                 I
                 had
                 not
                 perished
                 :
                 and
                 that
                 chastisment
                 should
                 hide
                 a
                 man
                 from
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 adversity
                 :
                 But
                 both
                 the
                 History
                 of
                 Scripture
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Saints
                 experience
                 from
                 time
                 time
                 in
                 all
                 Generations
                 ,
                 do
                 yeeld
                 abundance
                 of
                 particular
                 instances
                 in
                 confirmation
                 of
                 this
                 General
                 assertion
                 .
                 It
                 appears
                 by
                 Lots
                 slowness
                 to
                 depart
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 took
                 it
                 as
                 a
                 grief
                 to
                 go
                 out
                 of
                 Sodom
                 filthy
                 as
                 it
                 was
                 :
                 and
                 yet
                 the
                 Lord
                 by
                 that
                 is
                 sending
                 him
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 midst
                 of
                 the
                 overthrow
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 no
                 doubt
                 a
                 grief
                 and
                 great
                 Affliction
                 to
                 many
                 of
                 the
                 Saints
                 and
                 Servants
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 are
                 removed
                 from
                 their
                 people
                 and
                 place
                 :
                 But
                 when
                 
                 judgements
                 come
                 upon
                 aplace
                 ,
                 better
                 to
                 be
                 away
                 than
                 in
                 place
                 .
                 And
                 in
                 the
                 judgment
                 of
                 judicious
                 and
                 great
                 Divines
                 ,
                 it
                 prognosticats
                 no
                 good
                 to
                 a
                 place
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 Saints
                 and
                 Servants
                 of
                 God
                 are
                 driven
                 out
                 thereof
                 .
                 Let
                 any
                 read
                 Muscuus
                 upon
                 Math.
                 24.
                 
                 Alas
                 then
                 for
                 her
                 that
                 bare
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 whose
                 Breasts
                 gave
                 me
                 suck
                 !
                 for
                 the
                 City
                 the
                 place
                 of
                 my
                 Nativity
                 and
                 education
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 word
                 that
                 is
                 past
                 upon
                 her
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Prophesy
                 :
                 
                   When
                   it
                   shall
                   be
                   said
                   to
                   faithful
                   Ministers
                   of
                   the
                   Gospel
                   ,
                   go
                   here
                   or
                   go
                   there
                   ;
                   go
                   to
                   the
                   south
                   ,
                   or
                   go
                   to
                   the
                   north
                   ,
                   but
                   go
                   not
                   to
                
                 Edinburgh
                 ,
                 
                   then
                   wo
                   to
                   thee
                   O
                
                 Edinburgh
                 .
                 These
                 are
                 the
                 words
                 and
                 Prophesy
                 of
                 Mr.
                 
                   Robert
                   Rollock
                
                 which
                 are
                 to
                 be
                 seen
                 in
                 Print
                 before
                 the
                 translation
                 of
                 his
                 book
                 upon
                 the
                 Colossians
                 ,
                 And
                 is
                 not
                 this
                 the
                 time
                 spoken
                 of
                 .
              
               
                 5.
                 
                 The
                 Lord
                 brings
                 his
                 People
                 into
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 to
                 Humble
                 them
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 know
                 of
                 whom
                 they
                 hold
                 mercies
                 ,
                 and
                 learn
                 afterwards
                 in
                 prosperity
                 to
                 carry
                 soberly
                 .
                 When
                 Israel
                 was
                 upon
                 the
                 entry
                 of
                 a
                 land
                 flowing
                 with
                 milk
                 and
                 honey
                 ,
                 Moses
                 insists
                 wisely
                 throughout
                 the
                 book
                 of
                 Deuteronomy
                 upon
                 the
                 Memory
                 of
                 their
                 case
                 in
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 and
                 tells
                 them
                 plainly
                 Chap.
                 8.
                 verse
                 2.
                 
                 The
                 Lord
                 did
                 all
                 that
                 to
                 humble
                 thee
                 :
                 To
                 this
                 end
                 it
                 was
                 that
                 the
                 Lord
                 commanded
                 the
                 pot
                 of
                 Manna
                 to
                 be
                 kept
                 by
                 the
                 Ark
                 ;
                 and
                 for
                 this
                 was
                 institute
                 the
                 feast
                 of
                 Tabernacles
                 .
                 Prosperity
                 is
                 an
                 insolent
                 Piece
                 ,
                 and
                 will
                 readily
                 cause
                 men
                 forget
                 their
                 maker
                 that
                 hath
                 done
                 all
                 these
                 things
                 for
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 came
                 a
                 free-hold
                 of
                 mercies
                 :
                 
                   we
                   are
                   Lords
                
                 say
                 they
                 ,
                 
                   and
                   therefore
                   we
                   will
                   come
                   no
                   more
                   unto
                   thee
                   ,
                
                 
                 Jer.
                 2.
                 31.
                 
                 Or
                 els
                 they
                 will
                 give
                 the
                 Glory
                 of
                 their
                 mercies
                 unto
                 Idols
                 ,
                 in
                 this
                 same
                 Hosea
                 2.
                 5.
                 
                 
                   I
                   will
                   go
                   after
                   my
                   lovers
                   ,
                   says
                   she
                   ,
                   who
                   give
                   me
                   my
                   bread
                   and
                   my
                   water
                   ,
                   my
                   wool
                   and
                   my
                   flax
                   ,
                   mine
                   oil
                   and
                   my
                   drink
                   :
                
                 and
                 therefore
                 the
                 Lord
                 is
                 concerned
                 for
                 the
                 mantainance
                 of
                 his
                 right
                 ,
                 to
                 put
                 them
                 out
                 of
                 possession
                 ,
                 till
                 they
                 make
                 a
                 legal
                 entry
                 by
                 a
                 humble
                 acknowledgment
                 to
                 him
                 their
                 righteous
                 superior
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 repossessed
                 by
                 a
                 
                   novo
                   damus
                
                 ,
                 as
                 is
                 clear
                 from
                 this
                 Chapter
                 And
                 many
                 other
                 ways
                 the
                 insolency
                 of
                 Prosperity
                 is
                 expressed
                 to
                 the
                 dishonour
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 damnage
                 and
                 hurt
                 of
                 our
                 neighbours
                 ,
                 by
                 Prophanity
                 ,
                 Presumtion
                 ,
                 carnal
                 Confidence
                 ,
                 Intemperancy
                 ,
                 Oppression
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 like
                 :
                 and
                 therefore
                 sayeth
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 Zeph.
                 3.
                 12.
                 13.
                 
                 
                   I
                   will
                   leave
                   in
                   the
                   midst
                   of
                   thee
                   on
                   afflicted
                   and
                   poor
                   People
                   ,
                   and
                   they
                   shall
                   trust
                   in
                   the
                   name
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                
                 and
                 the
                 Remnant
                 of
                 Israel
                 shall
                 not
                 do
                 iniquity
                 .
                 He
                 that
                 knows
                 how
                 he
                 has
                 gain'd
                 his
                 Estate
                 ,
                 should
                 know
                 how
                 he
                 imploys
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 that
                 come
                 to
                 mercies
                 hardly
                 ,
                 should
                 use
                 them
                 well
                 and
                 humbly
                 .
                 If
                 ever
                 God
                 bring
                 his
                 Church
                 and
                 People
                 again
                 to
                 good
                 days
                 and
                 Prosperity
                 ,
                 O!
                 Let
                 it
                 be
                 remembred
                 that
                 once
                 we
                 were
                 in
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 .
                 And
                 thus
                 to
                 the
                 second
                 thing
                 in
                 the
                 point
                 viz.
                 
                 
                   Wherefore
                   doth
                   the
                   Lord
                   bring
                   his
                   People
                   into
                   the
                   Wilderness
                   ?
                
              
               
                 Follows
                 the
                 Use
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 3d
                 thing
                 in
                 the
                 point
                 .
                 The
                 first
                 Use
                 is
                 of
                 warning
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 would
                 sound
                 an
                 alarme
                 ,
                 and
                 proclame
                 a
                 march
                 into
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 to
                 all
                 the
                 People
                 of
                 God.
                 Our
                 Leader
                 and
                 Commander
                 ,
                 
                   Iesus
                   Christ
                
                 the
                 Captain
                 of
                 our
                 
                 Salvation
                 hath
                 long
                 since
                 taken
                 the
                 field
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 gone
                 out
                 on
                 our
                 head
                 Heb
                 :
                 13.
                 12
                 ,
                 13.
                 
                 Let
                 us
                 then
                 who
                 have
                 taken
                 the
                 Sacrament
                 and
                 Military
                 Oath
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 given
                 our
                 names
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 go
                 forth
                 unto
                 him
                 without
                 the
                 camp
                 bearing
                 his
                 reproach
                 .
                 The
                 cloud
                 is
                 now
                 lifted
                 up
                 from
                 over
                 the
                 Tabernacle
                 :
                 and
                 therefore
                 it
                 is
                 time
                 for
                 the
                 Children
                 of
                 Israel
                 to
                 set
                 forth
                 :
                 yea
                 the
                 Ark
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 his
                 Ordinances
                 and
                 his
                 People
                 with
                 the
                 best
                 of
                 their
                 Leaders
                 are
                 already
                 in
                 the
                 fields
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 suffering
                 hardship
                 as
                 good
                 souldiers
                 .
                 Let
                 us
                 not
                 then
                 for
                 shame
                 lunch
                 at
                 home
                 ,
                 let
                 us
                 learn
                 the
                 Religious
                 Gallantry
                 of
                 Uriah
                 the
                 Hittite
                 that
                 valiant
                 man
                 ,
                 2
                 Samuel
                 11.
                 11.
                 
                 
                   And
                   Uriah
                   said
                   unto
                   David
                   ,
                   the
                   Ark
                   and
                   Israel
                   and
                   Iudah
                   abide
                   in
                   tents
                   ,
                   and
                   my
                   Lord
                   Joab
                   and
                   the
                   servants
                   of
                   my
                   Lord
                   are
                   incamped
                   in
                   the
                   open
                   fields
                   ;
                   shall
                   I
                   then
                   go
                   into
                   mine
                   house
                   to
                   eat
                   and
                   to
                   drink
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   ly
                   with
                   my
                   Wife
                   ?
                   as
                   thou
                   livest
                   ,
                   and
                   as
                   thy
                   soul
                   liveth
                   ,
                   I
                   will
                   not
                   do
                   this
                   thing
                   .
                
                 It
                 is
                 time
                 our
                 loins
                 were
                 girded
                 ,
                 our
                 shoes
                 were
                 on
                 our
                 sect
                 ,
                 our
                 staff
                 in
                 our
                 hand
                 ,
                 and
                 our
                 stuff
                 and
                 provision
                 upon
                 our
                 shoulder
                 :
                 for
                 we
                 must
                 to
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 if
                 we
                 go
                 out
                 in
                 haste
                 ?
                 It
                 is
                 good
                 to
                 be
                 in
                 good
                 Company
                 :
                 
                   it
                   is
                   better
                
                 (
                 if
                 Moses
                 had
                 any
                 skill
                 )
                 
                   to
                   suffer
                   affliction
                   with
                   the
                   people
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   than
                   to
                   enjoy
                   the
                   pleasures
                   of
                   sin
                   for
                   a
                   season
                
                 Heb.
                 11.
                 25.
                 
                 They
                 who
                 will
                 not
                 suffer
                 with
                 the
                 people
                 of
                 God
                 may
                 suffer
                 with
                 worse
                 Company
                 .
                 They
                 who
                 will
                 not
                 go
                 forth
                 with
                 Lot
                 unto
                 the
                 mountains
                 ,
                 may
                 possibly
                 sit
                 still
                 till
                 they
                 get
                 brimstone
                 and
                 fire
                 from
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 smoak
                 of
                 Sodom
                 about
                 their
                 
                 ears
                 :
                 for
                 he
                 that
                 will
                 save
                 his
                 life
                 unlawfully
                 shall
                 loss
                 it
                 unhappily
                 :
                 and
                 he
                 that
                 will
                 loss
                 his
                 life
                 in
                 Resolution
                 ,
                 may
                 find
                 it
                 in
                 Reality
                 .
                 Even
                 as
                 a
                 man
                 doth
                 ,
                 in
                 stepping
                 of
                 a
                 Ditch
                 ,
                 with
                 any
                 thing
                 that
                 is
                 either
                 of
                 weight
                 or
                 worth
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 his
                 Clock
                 ,
                 his
                 Case
                 of
                 letters
                 ,
                 or
                 Papers
                 of
                 concernment
                 ,
                 his
                 heavy
                 purse
                 or
                 the
                 like
                 ,
                 lest
                 he
                 loss
                 and
                 indamnage
                 himself
                 and
                 them
                 both
                 ,
                 he
                 casts
                 all
                 over
                 before
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 coming
                 over
                 with
                 the
                 less
                 trouble
                 ,
                 he
                 lifts
                 all
                 again
                 upon
                 the
                 other
                 side
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 losses
                 nothing
                 of
                 that
                 which
                 he
                 cast
                 away
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 he
                 might
                 keep
                 it
                 and
                 himself
                 both
                 ;
                 whereas
                 if
                 he
                 had
                 kept
                 all
                 about
                 him
                 ,
                 he
                 might
                 have
                 lost
                 himself
                 and
                 all
                 together
                 :
                 but
                 
                   all
                   is
                   not
                   ost
                   that
                   is
                   in
                   peril
                   :
                
                 Let
                 us
                 then
                 with
                 chearfulness
                 turn
                 our
                 face
                 towards
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 
                   second
                   Use
                
                 shall
                 be
                 for
                 Information
                 to
                 all
                 such
                 of
                 the
                 Lords
                 People
                 ,
                 as
                 are
                 either
                 upon
                 their
                 way
                 to
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 or
                 are
                 already
                 arrived
                 there
                 :
                 they
                 would
                 not
                 think
                 strange
                 of
                 such
                 a
                 condition
                 :
                 it
                 has
                 been
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 ,
                 and
                 it
                 will
                 be
                 the
                 lot
                 of
                 the
                 Lords
                 Children
                 Cant.
                 8.
                 5.
                 the
                 high
                 way
                 to
                 Christs
                 mountain
                 of
                 Myrrh
                 and
                 hill
                 of
                 frankincense
                 lyes
                 thorow
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 and
                 there
                 he
                 comes
                 forth
                 to
                 meet
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 leads
                 them
                 up
                 in
                 his
                 bosome
                 ,
                 leaning
                 upon
                 his
                 own
                 arms
                 .
                 There
                 doth
                 no
                 strange
                 thing
                 befall
                 the
                 Saints
                 when
                 the
                 Lord
                 brings
                 them
                 into
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 :
                 for
                 even
                 as
                 
                   Moses
                   Exod.
                
                 3.
                 1.
                 led
                 his
                 flocks
                 into
                 the
                 backside
                 of
                 the
                 desart
                 (
                 and
                 was
                 not
                 that
                 a
                 presage
                 of
                 what
                 followed
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 led
                 Israel
                 as
                 a
                 flock
                 through
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 ?
                 )
                 so
                 doth
                 the
                 Lord
                 oft
                 times
                 with
                 his
                 People
                 :
                 albeit
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 is
                 a
                 solitary
                 unfrequented
                 place
                 where
                 no
                 
                 foot
                 of
                 man
                 cometh
                 ;
                 yet
                 in
                 it
                 you
                 may
                 take
                 up
                 and
                 trace
                 the
                 footsteps
                 of
                 the
                 Lords
                 flock
                 who
                 through
                 much
                 tribulation
                 have
                 entred
                 into
                 the
                 Kingdome
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 there
                 ye
                 may
                 follow
                 them
                 who
                 through
                 faith
                 and
                 patience
                 have
                 inherited
                 the
                 promises
                 .
                 The
                 Saints
                 will
                 find
                 the
                 footsteps
                 of
                 the
                 flock
                 in
                 their
                 greatest
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 and
                 may
                 be
                 helped
                 with
                 the
                 light
                 of
                 precedent
                 Examples
                 in
                 their
                 greatest
                 darkness
                 .
                 For
                 now
                 that
                 the
                 Lord
                 through
                 so
                 many
                 ages
                 ,
                 hath
                 led
                 his
                 Saints
                 to
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 by
                 so
                 many
                 different
                 paths
                 of
                 Dispensations
                 ,
                 (
                 for
                 there
                 is
                 but
                 one
                 common
                 road
                 of
                 Religion
                 ,
                 the
                 Kings
                 high
                 Way
                 )
                 I
                 doubt
                 there
                 is
                 any
                 untroden
                 path
                 remaining
                 to
                 be
                 discovered
                 by
                 this
                 Generation
                 .
                 I
                 only
                 fear
                 one
                 difference
                 ,
                 which
                 makes
                 indeed
                 a
                 great
                 odds
                 in
                 lots
                 ,
                 be
                 found
                 betwixt
                 our
                 case
                 and
                 the
                 case
                 of
                 those
                 that
                 have
                 gone
                 before
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 it
                 is
                 this
                 ;
                 That
                 they
                 were
                 better
                 men
                 in
                 as
                 ill
                 times
                 ,
                 for
                 worse
                 I
                 would
                 none
                 .
                 But
                 in
                 that
                 ,
                 I
                 pray
                 whom
                 shall
                 we
                 blame
                 ?
                 and
                 know
                 we
                 not
                 how
                 that
                 should
                 be
                 helped
                 ?
                 See
                 that
                 ye
                 
                   walk
                   circumspectly
                   as
                   wise
                   ,
                   and
                   not
                   as
                   fools
                   :
                   redeeming
                   the
                   time
                   ;
                   because
                   the
                   days
                   are
                   evil
                   .
                
                 Eph.
                 5.
                 15
                 ,
                 16.
                 
                 If
                 ill
                 times
                 find
                 no
                 good
                 men
                 ;
                 let
                 ill
                 times
                 make
                 good
                 men
                 ;
                 and
                 good
                 men
                 will
                 make
                 good
                 times
                 ,
                 or
                 els
                 bad
                 times
                 shall
                 make
                 good
                 men
                 better
                 .
                 But
                 of
                 the
                 Parity
                 of
                 cases
                 I
                 said
                 much
                 in
                 the
                 Preface
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 
                   Third
                   Use
                
                 of
                 the
                 point
                 shall
                 be
                 for
                 Direction
                 :
                 bsince
                 the
                 People
                 of
                 God
                 may
                 thus
                 expect
                 to
                 be
                 rought
                 into
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 it
                 concerns
                 them
                 to
                 take
                 their
                 directions
                 for
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 :
                 for
                 our
                 direction
                 in
                 such
                 a
                 condition
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 ,
                 without
                 
                 insisting
                 ,
                 briefly
                 hint
                 at
                 some
                 things
                 I
                 to
                 be
                 avoided
                 .
                 2
                 dly
                 some
                 things
                 to
                 be
                 endeavoured
              
               
                 Things
                 to
                 be
                 avoided
                 by
                 such
                 as
                 are
                 brought
                 into
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 are
                 I
                 Unbelief
                 .
                 Psal.
                 78.
                 22
                 ,
                 23.
                 the
                 Israelites
                 believed
                 not
                 God
                 in
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 he
                 was
                 provoked
                 Heb.
                 3.
                 18
                 ,
                 19.
                 the
                 Apostle
                 tells
                 us
                 expresly
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   those
                   who
                   believed
                   not
                   ,
                   their
                   carcasses
                   fell
                   in
                   the
                   Wilderness
                   ,
                   and
                   for
                   their
                   unbelief
                   ,
                   they
                   could
                   not
                   exter
                   into
                   the
                   land
                   of
                   promise
                   .
                
              
               
                 2
                 ,
                 Discouragment
                 would
                 be
                 avoided
                 Numb
                 .
                 14.
                 1.
                 the
                 People
                 through
                 Discouragment
                 cryed
                 and
                 weept
                 for
                 the
                 report
                 that
                 the
                 spyes
                 gave
                 them
                 :
                 and
                 frequently
                 els-where
                 ,
                 they
                 expressed
                 their
                 Discouragement
                 upon
                 the
                 emergency
                 of
                 every
                 new
                 difficulty
                 ,
                 
                   their
                   cry
                   was
                
                 always
                 ,
                 
                   that
                   they
                   should
                   die
                   in
                   the
                   Wilderness
                   :
                
                 and
                 in
                 that
                 they
                 read
                 their
                 own
                 fortune
                 ,
                 Numb
                 .
                 14.
                 28.
                 for
                 the
                 Lord
                 was
                 provoked
                 for
                 their
                 unbelief
                 and
                 other
                 sins
                 ,
                 to
                 do
                 to
                 them
                 as
                 they
                 had
                 said
                 .
                 Beware
                 of
                 
                   Unbeliefs
                   bode-words
                
                 ;
                 for
                 like
                 the
                 
                 Devil's
                 responses
                 their
                 accomplishments
                 are
                 always
                 evil
                 to
                 those
                 that
                 take
                 them
                 .
                 In
                 all
                 the
                 World
                 I
                 know
                 no
                 such
                 ready
                 way
                 to
                 Apostacy
                 ,
                 and
                 utter
                 forsaking
                 of
                 God
                 as
                 Discouragment
                 .
                 Experience
                 hath
                 said
                 so
                 much
                 to
                 confirme
                 this
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 shall
                 not
                 need
                 to
                 bring
                 reason
                 into
                 the
                 field
                 :
                 But
                 this
                 I
                 must
                 say
                 ,
                 have
                 the
                 experience
                 of
                 Discouragment
                 who
                 will
                 ,
                 they
                 have
                 it
                 to
                 their
                 expences
                 .
                 And
                 if
                 I
                 were
                 to
                 die
                 ,
                 I
                 would
                 leave
                 Discouragment
                 this
                 testimony
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 
                   dear
                   bought
                   misery
                
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 Avoid
                 Murmuring
                 ,
                 fretting
                 discontentment
                 
                 with
                 the
                 Lords
                 Dispensations
                 with
                 complaints
                 of
                 his
                 unkindness
                 .
                 Numb
                 .
                 14
                 2.
                 
                   all
                   the
                   Children
                   of
                   Israel
                   murmured
                   ,
                   and
                
                 Chap.
                 6
                 42.
                 
                   they
                   murmured
                   against
                
                 Moses
                 and
                 Aaron
                 :
                 But
                 Moses
                 could
                 tell
                 them
                 ,
                 what
                 are
                 we
                 ,
                 that
                 ye
                 speak
                 against
                 us
                 :
                 nay
                 but
                 your
                 words
                 are
                 against
                 the
                 Lord
                 ;
                 yea
                 and
                 Numb
                 21.
                 5.
                 it
                 is
                 expresly
                 said
                 ,
                 
                   the
                   People
                   spoke
                   against
                   God
                   and
                   against
                
                 Moses
                 .
                 And
                 still
                 their
                 tune
                 was
                 ,
                 
                   w●y
                   have
                   ye
                   brought
                   us
                   up
                   out
                   of
                
                 Egypt
                 ?
                 Just
                 like
                 many
                 in
                 our
                 Generation
                 ,
                 why
                 say
                 they
                 ,
                 your
                 Re●ormation
                 ,
                 your
                 Covenant
                 and
                 your
                 Ministers
                 have
                 served
                 you
                 well
                 :
                 but
                 verily
                 their
                 words
                 are
                 against
                 the
                 Lord
                 :
                 for
                 we
                 owne
                 his
                 name
                 in
                 these
                 ,
                 and
                 glorify
                 him
                 whom
                 they
                 dishonour
                 .
                 When
                 the
                 Children
                 of
                 Israel
                 murmured
                 in
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 they
                 had
                 forgotten
                 how
                 once
                 they
                 groaned
                 because
                 of
                 their
                 oppression
                 in
                 Egypt
                 :
                 and
                 in
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 be
                 more
                 excusable
                 than
                 we
                 :
                 for
                 the
                 Red
                 sea
                 had
                 ridd
                 perpetual
                 marches
                 betwixt
                 them
                 and
                 their
                 oppressours
                 ;
                 but
                 we
                 get
                 not
                 leave
                 to
                 forget
                 our
                 oppression
                 in
                 the
                 times
                 of
                 our
                 former
                 subjection
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 who
                 derive
                 their
                 power
                 from
                 her
                 who
                 is
                 spiritually
                 called
                 Sodom
                 and
                 
                   Egypt
                   Revel
                
                 :
                 n.
                 8.
                 
                 I
                 mean
                 Prelats
                 who
                 are
                 indeed
                 the
                 house
                 of
                 the
                 Elder
                 brother
                 ,
                 but
                 fallen
                 back
                 ,
                 for
                 that
                 they
                 have
                 come
                 short
                 of
                 the
                 blessing
                 ;
                 and
                 now
                 hold
                 of
                 the
                 Pope
                 ,
                 the
                 younger
                 ,
                 who
                 hath
                 supplanted
                 them
                 handsomely
                 and
                 got
                 betiwxt
                 them
                 and
                 the
                 Birth-right
                 ;
                 so
                 that
                 now
                 the
                 Elder
                 serves
                 the
                 Younger
                 :
                 those
                 ,
                 I
                 say
                 ,
                 pursue
                 even
                 to
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 according
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 prophesied
                 Rev.
                 12.
                 where
                 John
                 
                   saw
                   the
                   Dragon
                   pursue
                   the
                   travelling
                   woman
                   into
                   the
                   Wilderness
                   .
                
              
               
               
                 4.
                 
                 We
                 would
                 beware
                 of
                 Tempting
                 God.
                 Psal.
                 106.
                 14.
                 
                   they
                   tempted
                   God
                   in
                   the
                   desart
                   ,
                
                 and
                 what
                 that
                 temptation
                 was
                 ,
                 see
                 Psal.
                 78.
                 18.
                 19.
                 20.
                 
                 They
                 limited
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 said
                 ,
                 
                   can
                   God
                   furnish
                   at
                   able
                   in
                   the
                   Wilderness
                   ?
                   can
                   he
                   give
                   bread
                   also
                   ?
                   can
                   be
                   provide
                   flesh
                   for
                   his
                   People
                   ?
                
                 whatever
                 our
                 temptations
                 be
                 in
                 a
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 though
                 we
                 should
                 fast
                 till
                 we
                 be
                 as
                 Hungry
                 as
                 Christ
                 was
                 in
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 yet
                 let
                 us
                 learn
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 not
                 to
                 tempt
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 by
                 limiting
                 him
                 to
                 ordinary
                 means
                 ,
                 since
                 it
                 is
                 writen
                 that
                 
                   man
                   shall
                   not
                   live
                   by
                   bread
                   alone
                   ,
                   but
                   by
                   every
                   word
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                
                 neither
                 let
                 us
                 rashly
                 nor
                 presumptuously
                 cast
                 our selves
                 into
                 any
                 needless
                 difficulty
                 ,
                 nor
                 cast
                 our selves
                 down
                 from
                 a
                 pinacle
                 of
                 the
                 Temple
                 :
                 for
                 that
                 again
                 it
                 is
                 written
                 ,
                 
                   thou
                   shalt
                   not
                   tempt
                   the
                   Lord
                   thy
                   God.
                
                 Just
                 thoughts
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 these
                 are
                 large
                 ones
                 )
                 would
                 fit
                 the
                 Saints
                 with
                 a
                 present
                 help
                 in
                 all
                 imaginable
                 difficulties
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 46.
                 1.
                 
                 
                   God
                   is
                   our
                   refuge
                   and
                   strength
                   ,
                   a
                   very
                   present
                   help
                   in
                   trouble
                   .
                
              
               
                 5.
                 
                 We
                 would
                 beware
                 of
                 unmortified
                 ,
                 imperitus
                 ,
                 clamorous
                 lusts
                 .
                 Psal.
                 106.
                 14.
                 
                 
                   They
                   lusted
                   exceedingly
                   ,
                   in
                   the
                   Wilderness
                   ,
                
                 and
                 Psal.
                 78.
                 18.
                 
                 
                   
                     ●hey
                     sought
                     meat
                     for
                     their
                     lust
                     .
                  
                
                 God
                 had
                 given
                 meat
                 for
                 themselves
                 :
                 but
                 they
                 must
                 have
                 meat
                 for
                 their
                 lasts
                 also
                 .
                 Truely
                 he
                 had
                 need
                 have
                 a
                 good
                 rent
                 that
                 would
                 keep
                 a
                 table
                 for
                 his
                 lusts
                 :
                 for
                 lust
                 is
                 so
                 ill
                 to
                 satisfy
                 ,
                 that
                 albeit
                 one
                 World
                 serves
                 all
                 the
                 men
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 yet
                 all
                 the
                 World
                 will
                 not
                 satisfy
                 the
                 lust
                 of
                 one
                 man
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 :
                 Witness
                 ●e
                 who
                 weept
                 that
                 there
                 were
                 not
                 moe
                 Worlds
                 to
                 conquer
                 .
                 But
                 he
                 who
                 must
                 have
                 his
                 lust
                 as
                 soon
                 
                 served
                 as
                 himself
                 ,
                 that
                 man
                 is
                 not
                 for
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 .
                 I
                 shall
                 advise
                 all
                 that
                 are
                 brought
                 into
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 to
                 do
                 with
                 their
                 lusts
                 ,
                 as
                 Moses
                 did
                 with
                 his
                 Wife
                 and
                 Children
                 when
                 he
                 went
                 with
                 Israel
                 into
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 send
                 them
                 back
                 ,
                 dismiss
                 them
                 for
                 fear
                 they
                 make
                 more
                 adoe
                 .
                 Solomon
                 prefers
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 to
                 the
                 Company
                 of
                 a
                 clamorous
                 angry
                 Woman
                 in
                 a
                 wide
                 house
                 :
                 but
                 how
                 miserable
                 must
                 he
                 be
                 who
                 lives
                 in
                 Company
                 with
                 those
                 scolding
                 wretches
                 ,
                 his
                 craving
                 clamorous
                 lusts
                 even
                 in
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 .
              
               
                 6.
                 
                 We
                 would
                 be
                 ware
                 of
                 Apostacy
                 and
                 turning
                 back
                 unto
                 
                   Egypt
                   :
                   Numb
                
                 .
                 14.
                 4.
                 
                 
                   They
                   said
                   one
                   to
                   another
                   ,
                   let
                   u●
                   make
                   a
                   Captain
                   ,
                   and
                   let
                   us
                   return
                   into
                
                 Egypt
                 :
                 And
                 verse
                 3.
                 
                 
                   Were
                   it
                   not
                   better
                   for
                   〈◊〉
                   (
                   say
                   they
                   )
                   to
                   return
                   into
                
                 Egypt
                 ?
                 Whatever
                 we
                 me●●
                 with
                 in
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 or
                 whatever
                 may
                 be
                 before
                 us
                 O
                 let
                 us
                 never
                 think
                 of
                 going
                 back
                 into
                 
                   Egypt
                   Luk.
                
                 17.
                 32.
                 
                 
                   Remember
                   Lots
                   wife
                
                 ,
                 Remember
                 Heb
                 10.
                 38.
                 
                   that
                   the
                   just
                   shall
                   live
                   by
                   faith
                   :
                   but
                   if
                   any
                   mo●
                   draw
                   back
                   ,
                   my
                   soul
                   shall
                   have
                   no
                   pleasure
                   in
                   him
                   ,
                
                 sa
                 it
                 the
                 Lord
                 Remember
                 (
                 as
                 I
                 have
                 said
                 even
                 now
                 we
                 find
                 our
                 Egypetan
                 oppression
                 more
                 grievos
                 than
                 ever
                 .
              
               
                 Now
                 for
                 positive
                 Directions
                 and
                 things
                 to
                 b●
                 indeavoured
                 by
                 all
                 ,
                 that
                 are
                 brought
                 into
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 take
                 these
                 .
                 1.
                 
                 And
                 before
                 all
                 ,
                 we
                 would
                 labour
                 for
                 the
                 Pardon
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 presence
                 a
                 reconciled
                 God
                 :
                 This
                 was
                 Davids
                 great
                 su●●
                 Psal.
                 79
                 ,
                 8.
                 
                 
                   O
                   Remember
                   not
                   against
                   us
                   former
                   inquities
                   ,
                   but
                   let
                   thy
                   tender
                   mercies
                   speedily
                   prevent
                   u●
                   for
                   we
                   are
                   brought
                   very
                   low
                   :
                
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 9
                 verse
                 ,
                 
                   he
                   
                   us
                   ,
                   O
                   Lord
                   ,
                   for
                   the
                   honour
                   of
                   thy
                   name
                   ,
                   and
                   purge
                   away
                   our
                   sin
                   .
                
                 And
                 over
                 and
                 again
                 in
                 the
                 80
                 Psalme
                 ,
                 as
                 in
                 many
                 others
                 ,
                 his
                 request
                 is
                 ,
                 
                   make
                   thy
                   face
                   to
                   shine
                   upon
                   us
                   .
                   Moses
                
                 was
                 very
                 peremptory
                 in
                 this
                 :
                 for
                 Exod.
                 32.
                 32.
                 he
                 says
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   now
                   if
                   thou
                   wilt
                   ,
                   forgive
                   this
                   sin
                   :
                   if
                   not
                   ,
                   blot
                   me
                   I
                   pray
                   thee
                   out
                   of
                   thy
                   book
                   ,
                   which
                   thou
                   hast
                   written
                   :
                
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 33.
                 
                 Chapter
                 15
                 verse
                 he
                 adds
                 ,
                 
                   if
                   thy
                   presence
                   go
                   not
                   with
                   me
                   ,
                   carry
                   us
                   not
                   up
                   hence
                   .
                
                 Unpardoned
                 guilt
                 and
                 an
                 unreconciled
                 God
                 ,
                 will
                 be
                 very
                 uncomfortable
                 Company
                 in
                 a
                 Wilderness
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 As
                 Moses
                 in
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 Numb
                 .
                 13.
                 we
                 would
                 spy
                 the
                 good
                 land
                 that
                 is
                 before
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 twelve
                 that
                 were
                 sent
                 ,
                 only
                 two
                 ,
                 Ioshua
                 and
                 Caleb
                 were
                 faithful
                 in
                 their
                 report
                 :
                 Moses
                 himself
                 trusted
                 their
                 Relation
                 ,
                 and
                 put
                 them
                 on
                 to
                 pacify
                 the
                 clamorous
                 People
                 .
                 Faith
                 and
                 Hope
                 are
                 the
                 two
                 only
                 faithful
                 spies
                 ,
                 that
                 will
                 be
                 sure
                 to
                 give
                 such
                 a
                 report
                 of
                 their
                 Discoveries
                 ,
                 as
                 may
                 both
                 confirme
                 Believers
                 ,
                 and
                 compose
                 the
                 tumults
                 ,
                 and
                 quiet
                 the
                 clamours
                 of
                 unbelieving
                 spirits
                 .
                 This
                 was
                 it
                 ,
                 that
                 sustained
                 the
                 Apostles
                 ,
                 without
                 fainting
                 in
                 all
                 their
                 Afflictions
                 :
                 this
                 was
                 the
                 star
                 that
                 guided
                 them
                 thorow
                 their
                 Wilderness
                 .
                 2
                 Cor.
                 4.
                 18.
                 
                 
                   We
                   look
                   not
                   at
                   the
                   things
                   which
                   are
                   seen
                   ,
                   but
                   at
                   the
                   things
                   which
                   are
                   not
                   seen
                   .
                
                 In
                 our
                 way
                 through
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 we
                 would
                 raise
                 our
                 estimations
                 of
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 thither
                 we
                 would
                 direct
                 our
                 expectations
                 ,
                 and
                 thence
                 we
                 would
                 derive
                 our
                 sure
                 consolations
                 ,
                 we
                 would
                 see
                 if
                 the
                 spies
                 can
                 bring
                 us
                 down
                 ,
                 now
                 and
                 then
                 ,
                 a
                 branch
                 of
                 the
                 Grapes
                 of
                 the
                 Land
                 for
                 our
                 
                 refreshment
                 :
                 and
                 if
                 our
                 Father
                 will
                 honour
                 us
                 with
                 a
                 present
                 of
                 the
                 first
                 fruits
                 of
                 our
                 inheritance
                 ,
                 or
                 a
                 Cup
                 of
                 the
                 new
                 Wine
                 of
                 the
                 Kingdome
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 (
                 as
                 we
                 use
                 to
                 speak
                 )
                 Remember
                 him
                 in
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 .
                 Psal.
                 116.
                 13.
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 
                   take
                   the
                   cup
                   of
                   salvation
                   and
                   call
                   upon
                   the
                   name
                   of
                   the
                   Lord.
                
                 In
                 the
                 History
                 of
                 Israels
                 travesl
                 ,
                 Exod.
                 19
                 2
                 ,
                 we
                 read
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   when
                   they
                   came
                   to
                   the
                   desart
                   and
                   pitched
                   in
                   the
                   Wilderness
                   ,
                   they
                   encamped
                   before
                   the
                   Mount
                   ,
                
                 and
                 Moses
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 
                   3d
                   verse
                   ,
                   went
                   up
                   unto
                   God.
                
                 We
                 would
                 so
                 order
                 our
                 camp
                 in
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 be
                 always
                 within
                 sight
                 of
                 the
                 mount
                 :
                 We
                 would
                 labour
                 ,
                 in
                 all
                 our
                 wanderings
                 ,
                 to
                 keep
                 a
                 clear
                 sight
                 of
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 have
                 our
                 head
                 within
                 the
                 clouds
                 ;
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 said
                 of
                 Moses
                 Exed
                 .
                 24.
                 18
                 
                 Moses
                 
                   went
                   into
                   the
                   midst
                   of
                   the
                   cloud
                   ,
                   and
                   got
                   him
                   up
                   into
                   the
                   mount
                   .
                
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 The
                 People
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 would
                 remember
                 much
                 ,
                 both
                 what
                 God
                 hath
                 done
                 formerly
                 to
                 his
                 People
                 in
                 the
                 like
                 condition
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 he
                 hath
                 promised
                 to
                 do
                 for
                 these
                 that
                 afterwards
                 shall
                 come
                 into
                 it
                 .
                 Albeit
                 the
                 Scripture
                 generally
                 all
                 over
                 aboundeth
                 with
                 matter
                 to
                 this
                 purpose
                 :
                 yet
                 for
                 the
                 first
                 ,
                 what
                 God
                 hath
                 done
                 ,
                 recommend
                 specially
                 the
                 
                   four
                   last
                   books
                   of
                
                 Moses
                 which
                 are
                 an
                 exact
                 journal
                 of
                 Israels
                 travels
                 in
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 :
                 for
                 the
                 latter
                 ,
                 what
                 he
                 hath
                 promised
                 to
                 do
                 ,
                 read
                 the
                 35
                 Chapter
                 of
                 Isatah
                 throughot
                 with
                 Chap.
                 41.
                 from
                 verse
                 16.
                 to
                 22.
                 with
                 42
                 ,
                 1●
                 with
                 49.
                 9.
                 10.
                 11.
                 12.
                 with
                 61.
                 
                   to
                   the
                
                 9.
                 with
                 6
                 24.
                 25.
                 
                 See
                 Ier.
                 12.
                 10.
                 11.
                 14.
                 and
                 to
                 the
                 en●
                 
                 with
                 Jer.
                 23
                 ,
                 
                   to
                   thè
                
                 5.
                 
                 See
                 Ezek.
                 34.
                 throughout
                 .
                 Psal.
                 107.
                 
                   to
                   the
                
                 9.
                 with
                 this
                 2
                 
                   d
                   chap.
                   of
                   〈◊〉
                
                 throughout
                 ,
                 all
                 these
                 (
                 as
                 I
                 said
                 not
                 to
                 exclude
                 other
                 places
                 which
                 may
                 be
                 obvious
                 to
                 those
                 that
                 are
                 better
                 versed
                 in
                 Scripture
                 ,
                 I
                 do
                 Recommend
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 In
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 we
                 would
                 be
                 much
                 in
                 Intimate
                 and
                 more
                 than
                 ordinary
                 fellowship
                 with
                 God
                 :
                 as
                 I
                 cited
                 of
                 Moses
                 before
                 ,
                 we
                 would
                 enter
                 the
                 Clouds
                 and
                 go
                 up
                 into
                 the
                 Mount
                 to
                 God
                 :
                 and
                 we
                 shall
                 be
                 no
                 homlier
                 than
                 welcome
                 .
                 Cant
                 4
                 ,
                 8
                 ,
                 invites
                 us
                 to
                 this
                 .
                 We
                 never
                 find
                 David
                 higher
                 upon
                 it
                 ,
                 than
                 in
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 .
                 We
                 owe
                 that
                 sweet
                 63
                 Psalme
                 to
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 of
                 Iudah
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 8
                 verse
                 where
                 of
                 it
                 is
                 said
                 ,
                 
                   my
                   soul
                   followeth
                   hard
                   after
                   thee
                   ,
                   thy
                   right
                   hand
                   upholdeth
                   me
                   ;
                
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 5
                 verse
                 ,
                 
                   my
                   soul
                   shall
                   be
                   satisfied
                   as
                   with
                   marrow
                   and
                   fatness
                   ,
                   and
                   my
                   mouth
                   shall
                   praise
                   thee
                   with
                   joyfal
                   lips
                   .
                
                 If
                 a
                 Soul
                 make
                 a
                 visit
                 to
                 God
                 from
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 they
                 may
                 expect
                 
                 Joseph's
                 Brethrens
                 entertainment
                 ,
                 they
                 may
                 resolve
                 to
                 Dine
                 with
                 him
                 at
                 noon
                 .
                 Our
                 
                   Lord
                   Jesus
                
                 learned
                 this
                 of
                 his
                 Father
                 ,
                 
                   This
                   is
                   a
                   desart
                   place
                   ,
                   says
                   he
                   ,
                   and
                   we
                   cannot
                   send
                   the
                   People
                   away
                   fasting
                   lest
                   they
                   faint
                   by
                   the
                   way
                   .
                
                 Yea
                 and
                 after
                 they
                 may
                 have
                 that
                 sweet
                 Musick
                 ;
                 
                   my
                   soul
                   shall
                   be
                   satisfied
                   as
                   with
                   marrow
                   and
                   fatness
                   ,
                   and
                   my
                   mouth
                   shall
                   praise
                   thee
                   with
                   joyful
                   lips
                   ;
                
                 and
                 Psal
                 ,
                 57.
                 7
                 ,
                 8.
                 
                   my
                   heart
                   is
                   fixed
                   ,
                   O
                   God
                   ,
                   my
                   heart
                   is
                   fixed
                   ,
                
                 O
                 Lord
                 ,
                 says
                 he
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 now
                 well
                 at
                 my
                 heart
                 ;
                 
                   I
                   will
                   sing
                   and
                   give
                   praise
                   :
                   Awake
                   up
                   my
                   Glory
                   ,
                   awake
                   Psaltery
                   and
                   harp
                   ;
                   I
                   myself
                   will
                   awake
                   early
                   :
                
                 and
                 that
                 
                 was
                 also
                 a
                 Wilderness
                 Psalme
                 .
                 We
                 owe
                 the
                 4
                 :
                 Psalme
                 to
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 likwise
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 84
                 whereof
                 more
                 anone
                 .
                 Take
                 we
                 then
                 the
                 direction
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 times
                 of
                 our
                 affliction
                 be
                 times
                 of
                 more
                 than
                 ordinary
                 Communion
                 with
                 God.
                 
              
               
                 5.
                 
                 In
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 we
                 would
                 be
                 diligent
                 to
                 seek
                 good
                 occasions
                 and
                 means
                 for
                 the
                 relief
                 of
                 our
                 Afflictions
                 ,
                 and
                 supply
                 of
                 our
                 wants
                 :
                 Need
                 must
                 make
                 vertue
                 with
                 us
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 84.
                 5
                 6.
                 
                 
                   Blessea
                   is
                   the
                   man
                   in
                   whose
                   heart
                   is
                   the
                   ways
                   of
                   them
                   ,
                   who
                   passing
                   thorow
                   the
                   vally
                   of
                   Baca
                   ,
                   make
                   it
                   a
                   well
                   .
                
                 We
                 must
                 not
                 like
                 the
                 unjust
                 Steward
                 ,
                 refuse
                 in
                 this
                 case
                 both
                 to
                 dig
                 and
                 beg
                 :
                 we
                 must
                 use
                 all
                 means
                 lawful
                 both
                 spiritual
                 and
                 natural
                 ,
                 with
                 God
                 and
                 men
                 :
                 we
                 must
                 with
                 Nehemiah
                 ,
                 both
                 Pray
                 to
                 the
                 Good
                 God
                 of
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 and
                 supplicat
                 the
                 King.
                 Nehemiah
                 2.
                 4
                 ,
                 5.
                 
                 The
                 day
                 has
                 been
                 when
                 the
                 Nobles
                 and
                 Estates
                 of
                 Scotland
                 and
                 our
                 Courtiers
                 ,
                 would
                 have
                 suted
                 and
                 courted
                 the
                 King
                 for
                 a
                 Commission
                 ,
                 to
                 build
                 the
                 City
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 and
                 of
                 their
                 Fathers
                 Sepulchers
                 ,
                 the
                 Church
                 owning
                 that
                 Faith
                 wherein
                 their
                 Fathers
                 Died
                 ,
                 who
                 have
                 left
                 there
                 to
                 Posterity
                 the
                 Sepulchers
                 and
                 lasting
                 Monuments
                 of
                 their
                 Fidelity
                 ,
                 Zeal
                 and
                 Religious
                 gallantry
                 :
                 when
                 a
                 Great
                 man
                 would
                 have
                 pleaded
                 for
                 a
                 liberty
                 and
                 protection
                 to
                 a
                 faithful
                 Minister
                 .
                 Then
                 Israel
                 and
                 the
                 Lords
                 People
                 in
                 their
                 bounds
                 ,
                 in
                 commendation
                 of
                 their
                 Zeal
                 and
                 Diligence
                 sang
                 that
                 song
                 Numb
                 21.
                 17
                 ,
                 18.
                 
                 
                   Spring
                   up
                   O
                   well
                   ,
                   sing
                   ye
                   unto
                   it
                   :
                   the
                   Princes
                   digged
                   the
                   well
                   ,
                   the
                   Nobles
                   of
                   the
                   People
                   digged
                   it
                   by
                   the
                   direction
                   of
                   the
                   Law-giver
                   with
                   their
                   staves
                   .
                
                 But
                 now
                 
                 since
                 our
                 Princes
                 and
                 Nobles
                 turned
                 herdmen
                 to
                 the
                 Philistines
                 ,
                 and
                 servants
                 to
                 Prelates
                 ,
                 their
                 work
                 hath
                 been
                 to
                 stop
                 ,
                 and
                 take
                 away
                 ,
                 and
                 strive
                 for
                 
                 Isaac's
                 wells
                 ,
                 to
                 deprive
                 the
                 People
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 moe
                 ways
                 than
                 one
                 ,
                 of
                 those
                 occasions
                 of
                 pure
                 and
                 plentiful
                 Ordinances
                 ,
                 which
                 they
                 had
                 digged
                 and
                 drunk
                 of
                 :
                 had
                 with
                 labour
                 provided
                 and
                 with
                 refreshment
                 enjoyed
                 .
                 See
                 the
                 case
                 in
                 ane
                 
                   Allegory
                   Gen.
                
                 26.
                 from
                 the
                 17.
                 verse
                 to
                 23.
                 
                 I
                 fear
                 when
                 this
                 generation
                 is
                 gone
                 (
                 and
                 if
                 carcasses
                 fall
                 not
                 in
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 if
                 God
                 make
                 not
                 a
                 clean
                 field
                 ,
                 if
                 he
                 do
                 not
                 root
                 out
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 a
                 speedy
                 riddance
                 of
                 this
                 evil
                 Generation
                 from
                 the
                 face
                 of
                 the
                 earth
                 .
                 wiser
                 men
                 than
                 I
                 are
                 much
                 deceaved
                 )
                 that
                 
                   Nigrum
                   theta
                
                 or
                 black
                 mark
                 shall
                 be
                 found
                 written
                 upon
                 the
                 Sepulchres
                 of
                 most
                 of
                 our
                 Nobles
                 ,
                 Nehemiah
                 3.
                 5.
                 
                   that
                   the
                   put
                   not
                   their
                   necks
                   to
                   the
                   work
                   of
                   their
                   Lord.
                
                 And
                 when
                 it
                 is
                 come
                 to
                 that
                 ,
                 then
                 who
                 knows
                 but
                 the
                 sons
                 and
                 little
                 ones
                 of
                 our
                 Nobles
                 may
                 be
                 Well-diggers
                 ;
                 And
                 as
                 it
                 was
                 in
                 the
                 case
                 of
                 the
                 drought
                 ,
                 Ier.
                 14.
                 3.
                 may
                 come
                 to
                 the
                 waters
                 and
                 to
                 the
                 pitts
                 ;
                 may
                 be
                 such
                 as
                 shall
                 seek
                 out
                 ,
                 and
                 labour
                 for
                 the
                 means
                 of
                 their
                 Souls
                 refreshment
                 .
                 The
                 Lord
                 may
                 bring
                 the
                 little
                 Ones
                 of
                 those
                 transgressors
                 .
                 whose
                 carcasses
                 fall
                 in
                 a
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 into
                 a
                 land
                 flowing
                 with
                 milk
                 and
                 hony
                 ,
                 Numb
                 .
                 14.
                 31
                 ,
                 32.
                 
                 Mean
                 time
                 ,
                 let
                 us
                 be
                 digging
                 in
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 let
                 us
                 seek
                 occasions
                 for
                 our
                 Souls
                 ,
                 and
                 where
                 we
                 do
                 not
                 find
                 them
                 ,
                 let
                 us
                 make
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 6.
                 
                 In
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 we
                 would
                 thankfully
                 receave
                 and
                 improve
                 thriftily
                 all
                 offers
                 of
                 accidentall
                 
                 occasions
                 that
                 providence
                 layes
                 to
                 our
                 hand
                 .
                 Psal
                 ,
                 84.
                 6.
                 
                   the
                   rain
                   also
                   filleth
                   the
                   Pools
                   ,
                
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 the
                 Lord
                 will
                 now
                 and
                 then
                 be
                 giving
                 his
                 out-wearyed
                 People
                 ,
                 some
                 unexpected
                 means
                 of
                 present
                 relief
                 and
                 refreshment
                 ,
                 which
                 they
                 must
                 acknowledge
                 and
                 use
                 ,
                 till
                 they
                 get
                 better
                 and
                 more
                 lasting
                 occasions
                 .
                 Rain
                 water
                 in
                 a
                 Pool
                 ,
                 is
                 neither
                 so
                 good
                 nor
                 so
                 enduring
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 spring
                 or
                 fountain
                 of
                 living
                 Water
                 :
                 and
                 yet
                 the
                 former
                 is
                 good
                 ,
                 where
                 the
                 latter
                 cannot
                 be
                 had
                 :
                 for
                 to
                 the
                 hungry
                 Soul
                 ,
                 every
                 bitter
                 thing
                 is
                 sweet
                 ,
                 and
                 little
                 will
                 do
                 a
                 poor
                 man
                 good
                 .
                 If
                 God
                 give
                 us
                 an
                 occasion
                 of
                 a
                 good
                 Sermon
                 ,
                 or
                 a
                 Communion
                 ,
                 or
                 make
                 any
                 other
                 good
                 means
                 to
                 drop
                 upon
                 our
                 heads
                 ,
                 as
                 unexpectedly
                 as
                 the
                 rain
                 falls
                 from
                 the
                 Heaven
                 ;
                 or
                 if
                 we
                 have
                 the
                 benefit
                 of
                 the
                 neighbour-hood
                 of
                 a
                 faithful
                 Minister
                 for
                 the
                 time
                 ,
                 these
                 things
                 ,
                 howbeit
                 for
                 their
                 nature
                 and
                 vertue
                 they
                 be
                 fountain
                 water
                 ,
                 yet
                 herein
                 the
                 best
                 of
                 them
                 is
                 but
                 like
                 a
                 Pool
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 are
                 of
                 an
                 uncertain
                 endurance
                 .
                 For
                 such
                 is
                 the
                 condition
                 of
                 these
                 Wilderness-times
                 ,
                 that
                 where
                 one
                 day
                 you
                 have
                 a
                 fountain
                 ,
                 the
                 next
                 day
                 you
                 have
                 nothing
                 ,
                 or
                 an
                 empty
                 cistern
                 :
                 nor
                 is
                 there
                 throughout
                 all
                 the
                 land
                 ,
                 so
                 much
                 as
                 one
                 
                   Rehoboth
                   Gen.
                
                 26.
                 22.
                 
                 
                   one
                   well
                   that
                   the
                   Philistines
                   do
                   not
                   strive
                   for
                   .
                
                 Therefore
                 we
                 must
                 drink
                 for
                 the
                 drought
                 that
                 is
                 to
                 come
                 ,
                 
                   we
                   must
                   hear
                   for
                   the
                   time
                   that
                   is
                   to
                   come
                   ;
                
                 Isai.
                 42.
                 23.
                 we
                 must
                 make
                 the
                 best
                 we
                 can
                 of
                 every
                 occasion
                 that
                 remaines
                 ,
                 or
                 accidentally
                 offers
                 for
                 the
                 time
                 ,
                 and
                 we
                 must
                 feed
                 upon
                 the
                 little
                 Oyl
                 in
                 the
                 cr●ise
                 and
                 the
                 handful
                 of
                 Meal
                 in
                 the
                 barrel
                 ,
                 till
                 there
                 be
                 plenty
                 in
                 the
                 Land.
                 
              
               
               
                 7.
                 
                 In
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 we
                 would
                 make
                 use
                 of
                 good
                 Company
                 :
                 yea
                 we
                 would
                 make
                 much
                 of
                 it
                 where
                 ever
                 we
                 can
                 have
                 it
                 .
                 Psal.
                 84
                 7.
                 
                   they
                   go
                   from
                   sirength
                   to
                   strength
                   ,
                
                 as
                 our
                 Translation
                 reads
                 it
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 Original
                 hath
                 it
                 ,
                 
                   They
                   go
                   from
                   company
                   to
                   company
                   ,
                   or
                   ,
                   from
                   troop
                   to
                   troop
                   .
                
                 Indeed
                 solitude
                 and
                 want
                 of
                 good
                 Company
                 is
                 not
                 the
                 least
                 of
                 the
                 evils
                 of
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 shewed
                 above
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 description
                 of
                 the
                 wilderness
                 :
                 and
                 I
                 believe
                 the
                 People
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 these
                 times
                 will
                 bear
                 me
                 witness
                 in
                 this
                 .
                 But
                 we
                 would
                 seek
                 good
                 Company
                 and
                 make
                 use
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 Mal.
                 316
                 
                   the
                   fearers
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 that
                 were
                 then
                 in
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 
                   spake
                   often
                   one
                   to
                   another
                
                 .
                 But
                 wandering
                 and
                 unsettlment
                 (
                 another
                 great
                 mischief
                 of
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 )
                 will
                 not
                 let
                 the
                 Saints
                 lodge
                 together
                 :
                 and
                 for
                 that
                 the
                 word
                 of
                 the
                 Psalme
                 says
                 ,
                 
                   they
                   go
                   from
                   Company
                   to
                   Company
                   :
                
                 when
                 they
                 are
                 driven
                 from
                 one
                 Company
                 ,
                 they
                 must
                 draw
                 in
                 to
                 another
                 .
                 Many
                 men
                 never
                 grow
                 good
                 till
                 they
                 are
                 going
                 to
                 die
                 (
                 and
                 indeed
                 ,
                 in
                 this
                 World
                 ,
                 he
                 that
                 mindes
                 to
                 be
                 good
                 ,
                 may
                 make
                 him
                 for
                 another
                 World
                 ;
                 and
                 blessed
                 be
                 God
                 ,
                 we
                 know
                 of
                 another
                 )
                 even
                 so
                 the
                 Saints
                 oft
                 times
                 scarce
                 begin
                 to
                 know
                 the
                 usefulness
                 and
                 sweetness
                 of
                 one
                 anothers
                 Company
                 ,
                 nor
                 to
                 use
                 it
                 accordingly
                 ,
                 till
                 they
                 must
                 want
                 it
                 .
                 Nor
                 do
                 they
                 any
                 thing
                 worthy
                 of
                 their
                 Society
                 ,
                 till
                 they
                 be
                 going
                 to
                 separat
                 .
                 
                   I
                   said
                   in
                   my
                   heart
                   ,
                   that
                   this
                   also
                   is
                   vanity
                
                 and
                 a
                 sore
                 evil
                 .
                 Learn
                 we
                 then
                 more
                 timely
                 to
                 make
                 use
                 of
                 good
                 Company
                 .
              
               
                 8.
                 
                 In
                 all
                 our
                 motions
                 and
                 removes
                 in
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 we
                 would
                 follow
                 and
                 be
                 Ruled
                 by
                 the
                 
                 Cloud
                 of
                 Gods
                 presence
                 :
                 thus
                 Israel
                 was
                 guided
                 through
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 See
                 Numbers
                 9.
                 from
                 the
                 ●5
                 .
                 verse
                 to
                 the
                 end
                 .
                 The
                 Cloud
                 was
                 a
                 visible
                 token
                 and
                 Sacrament
                 of
                 Gods
                 presence
                 with
                 them
                 .
                 We
                 would
                 so
                 live
                 and
                 so
                 move
                 in
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 we
                 keep
                 always
                 in
                 the
                 presence
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 I
                 mean
                 his
                 propitious
                 comforting
                 presence
                 ,
                 whither
                 the
                 presence
                 of
                 God
                 directs
                 us
                 ,
                 thither
                 let
                 us
                 go
                 ,
                 be
                 it
                 East
                 ,
                 West
                 ,
                 North
                 ,
                 or
                 South
                 ,
                 be
                 it
                 fore
                 ward
                 backward
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 Right
                 hand
                 or
                 left
                 hand
                 And
                 where
                 we
                 cannot
                 abide
                 with
                 Gods
                 presence
                 ,
                 if
                 the
                 Cloud
                 of
                 the
                 Lords
                 presence
                 be
                 liftted
                 up
                 to
                 us
                 off
                 a
                 place
                 ,
                 be
                 it
                 otherways
                 never
                 so
                 commodious
                 and
                 sweet
                 ;
                 let
                 us
                 not
                 take
                 it
                 evil
                 to
                 leave
                 that
                 place
                 .
                 If
                 God
                 say
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 
                   Abraham
                   ,
                   Gen.
                
                 12.
                 1.
                 
                   get
                   thee
                   out
                   of
                   thy
                   country
                   and
                   from
                   thy
                   kindred
                   ,
                   and
                   from
                   thy
                   Fathers
                   house
                   ,
                   unto
                   a
                   land
                   that
                   I
                   will
                   shew
                   thee
                
                 ;
                 Let
                 us
                 ,
                 with
                 Abraham
                 ,
                 obey
                 and
                 be
                 gone
                 :
                 let
                 our
                 desire
                 be
                 only
                 with
                 
                   Jacob.
                   Gen
                
                 ,
                 28.
                 20.
                 
                   that
                   God
                   may
                   be
                   with
                   us
                   in
                   the
                   way
                   ,
                
                 and
                 then
                 let
                 him
                 take
                 us
                 through
                 fire
                 ,
                 through
                 water
                 ,
                 through
                 a
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 or
                 what
                 he
                 will.
                 If
                 the
                 Cloud
                 remove
                 from
                 Him
                 a
                 wealthy
                 and
                 pleasant
                 place
                 ,
                 where
                 are
                 twelve
                 wells
                 of
                 water
                 and
                 threescore
                 and
                 ten
                 Palm-trees
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 there
                 encamp
                 by
                 the
                 waters
                 ,
                 Exod
                 15.
                 27.
                 to
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 of
                 Sin
                 ,
                 an
                 impleasant
                 and
                 a
                 scant
                 place
                 ,
                 where
                 we
                 may
                 be
                 threatned
                 to
                 be
                 even
                 slain
                 with
                 hunger
                 ,
                 Exod.
                 16.
                 3.
                 we
                 must
                 march
                 with
                 the
                 Cloud
                 .
                 In
                 a
                 word
                 we
                 must
                 so
                 carry
                 our selves
                 in
                 our
                 whole
                 course
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 have
                 the
                 Lords
                 presence
                 and
                 propitious
                 countenance
                 whatever
                 we
                 
                 do
                 ,
                 wherever
                 we
                 be
                 .
                 In
                 this
                 case
                 ,
                 let
                 us
                 sing
                 the
                 ●4
                 Psalme
                 .
                 
                   The
                   earth
                   is
                   the
                   Lords
                   and
                   the
                   fu●●ness
                   thereof
                   ,
                   the
                   world
                   and
                   they
                   that
                   dwell
                   therein
                   ,
                
                 And
                 Psal.
                 4.
                 v.
                 6
                 ,
                 7
                 ,
                 8.
                 must
                 be
                 our
                 song
                 .
                 Let
                 men
                 project
                 and
                 pursue
                 for
                 themselves
                 places
                 of
                 pleasure
                 ,
                 preferment
                 and
                 profit
                 ,
                 (
                 as
                 most
                 shamfully
                 they
                 do
                 )
                 let
                 them
                 carve
                 and
                 cut
                 out
                 Fortunes
                 and
                 Portions
                 for
                 themselves
                 ,
                 and
                 let
                 them
                 with
                 noise
                 divide
                 the
                 spoil
                 of
                 a
                 Church
                 that
                 is
                 fallen
                 into
                 the
                 hands
                 of
                 her
                 enemies
                 ,
                 who
                 are
                 the
                 wicked
                 of
                 the
                 earth
                 ;
                 and
                 of
                 many
                 faithful
                 Ministers
                 who
                 like
                 the
                 man
                 in
                 the
                 Parable
                 Luk
                 :
                 10
                 ,
                 30.
                 
                   have
                   fallen
                   among
                   thieves
                
                 :
                 But
                 stay
                 till
                 mischief
                 and
                 evil
                 go
                 a
                 hunting
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 their
                 ill
                 come
                 Places
                 shall
                 not
                 know
                 them
                 .
                 Psal.
                 140
                 11.
                 
                   evil
                   shall
                   hunt
                   the
                   violent
                   man
                   to
                   overthrow
                   him
                
                 ;
                 but
                 in
                 the
                 mean
                 time
                 ,
                 what
                 comes
                 of
                 the
                 poor
                 outcasts
                 and
                 wanderers
                 ?
                 Why
                 ,
                 they
                 shall
                 not
                 want
                 a
                 place
                 to
                 go
                 to
                 ;
                 in
                 the
                 13.
                 verse
                 of
                 that
                 40
                 
                   Psal.
                   the
                   upright
                   shall
                   dwell
                   in
                   thy
                   presence
                   :
                
                 They
                 may
                 travel
                 through
                 places
                 enough
                 ;
                 but
                 be
                 their
                 harbour
                 what
                 will
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 there
                 home
                 .
                 And
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 hidden
                 place
                 to
                 Worldlings
                 ,
                 so
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 hiding
                 place
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 31.
                 20.
                 
                   thou
                   shalt
                   hide
                   them
                   in
                   the
                   secret
                   of
                   thy
                   presence
                   ,
                
                 untill
                 the
                 Lord
                 return
                 to
                 build
                 up
                 Jerusalem
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 he
                 will
                 gather
                 the
                 out-casts
                 of
                 
                   Israel
                   ,
                   Psal.
                
                 147.
                 2.
                 for
                 
                   he
                   that
                   scattered
                   Israel
                   will
                   gather
                   him
                   ,
                   and
                   keep
                   him
                   as
                   a
                   shepherd
                   doth
                   his
                   flock
                   ;
                   for
                   the
                   Lord
                   hath
                   redeemed
                   Jacob
                   and
                   ransomed
                   him
                   from
                   the
                   hand
                   of
                   him
                   that
                   was
                   stronger
                   then
                   he
                   :
                   Therefore
                   they
                   shall
                   come
                   and
                   sing
                   in
                   
                   the
                   height
                   of
                   Zion
                   ,
                   and
                   shall
                   flow
                   together
                   to
                   the
                   goodness
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                
                 Ier.
                 31.
                 0
                 ,
                 11
                 ,
                 12.
                 and
                 foreward
                 to
                 the
                 15
                 verse
                 .
                 Take
                 we
                 therefore
                 the
                 conduct
                 of
                 Gods
                 presence
                 in
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 and
                 let
                 us
                 be
                 thereof
                 so
                 observant
                 ,
                 that
                 by
                 the
                 least
                 wink
                 of
                 his
                 eye
                 we
                 be
                 directed
                 
                   (
                   Psal.
                
                 32.
                 8.
                 
                 ●
                 
                   will
                   guide
                   thee
                   with
                   mine
                   eye
                
                 to
                 sit
                 still
                 ,
                 or
                 let
                 out
                 ,
                 to
                 turn
                 to
                 the
                 Right
                 hand
                 or
                 to
                 the
                 left
                 at
                 his
                 pleasure
                 :
                 and
                 be
                 our
                 turnings
                 in
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 what
                 they
                 will
                 ,
                 be
                 sure
                 we
                 are
                 not
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 way
                 ,
                 so
                 long
                 as
                 we
                 enjoy
                 Gods
                 presence
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 comfort
                 of
                 the
                 light
                 of
                 his
                 Countenance
                 .
                 And
                 that
                 will
                 make
                 us
                 with
                 
                   Mose
                   ,
                   Heb.
                
                 11.
                 27.
                 endure
                 all
                 that
                 we
                 meet
                 with
                 ,
                 
                   who
                   endured
                   ,
                   as
                   seeing
                   him
                   that
                   is
                   invisible
                   .
                
              
               
                 9.
                 
                 In
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 we
                 would
                 live
                 by
                 faith
                 ,
                 and
                 learn
                 to
                 take
                 God
                 for
                 all
                 things
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 84.
                 4
                 
                   blessed
                   are
                   they
                   that
                   dwell
                   in
                   thy
                   house
                   ,
                
                 they
                 will
                 be
                 seeing
                 and
                 enjoying
                 many
                 things
                 ,
                 that
                 will
                 make
                 them
                 praise
                 thee
                 ;
                 But
                 what
                 if
                 they
                 be
                 put
                 to
                 travel
                 through
                 the
                 valley
                 of
                 Baca
                 ?
                 then
                 in
                 the
                 5
                 
                   verse
                   ,
                   Blessed
                   is
                   the
                   man
                   whose
                   strength
                   is
                   in
                   thee
                   .
                   He
                   is
                   the
                   fountain
                   .
                
                 Psal.
                 36.
                 9.
                 and
                 he
                 it
                 is
                 that
                 makes
                 all
                 the
                 streams
                 of
                 his
                 Peoples
                 consolations
                 to
                 flow
                 in
                 their
                 seasons
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 87.
                 7.
                 
                   all
                   my
                   springs
                   are
                   in
                   thee
                   .
                
                 O
                 but
                 it
                 is
                 well
                 lost
                 that
                 is
                 found
                 i
                 God
                 :
                 and
                 all
                 that
                 is
                 happily
                 wanted
                 which
                 is
                 supplyed
                 in
                 him
                 .
                 O
                 for
                 more
                 of
                 the
                 fountain
                 !
                 O
                 for
                 a
                 larger
                 faith
                 to
                 draw
                 at
                 this
                 deep
                 Well!
                 O
                 Noble
                 Well!
                 a
                 Well
                 that
                 in
                 all
                 our
                 journeys
                 will
                 follow
                 us
                 .
                 1.
                 
                 Cor
                 ,
                 10.
                 4.
                 we
                 read
                 that
                 
                   the
                   Israelites
                   drank
                   of
                   a
                   spiritual
                   rock
                   that
                   followed
                   them
                   ,
                   and
                   that
                   rock
                   was
                   Christ.
                
                 
                 We
                 may
                 still
                 encamp
                 and
                 ly
                 about
                 these
                 waters
                 ,
                 be
                 our
                 marches
                 what
                 they
                 will
                 in
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 only
                 
                   Rehoboth
                   ,
                   the
                   well
                   of
                   Room
                   :
                
                 the
                 Philistines
                 cannot
                 trouble
                 this
                 Well
                 :
                 It
                 is
                 of
                 ●
                 higher
                 spring
                 than
                 that
                 enemies
                 can
                 get
                 up
                 to
                 stop
                 it
                 :
                 if
                 the
                 Lora
                 make
                 his
                 paths
                 to
                 drop
                 fatness
                 ,
                 if
                 they
                 drop
                 upon
                 the
                 Pastures
                 of
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 see
                 who
                 can
                 hinder
                 it
                 :
                 for
                 the
                 rain
                 waits
                 not
                 for
                 man
                 ,
                 nor
                 stayeth
                 it
                 for
                 the
                 son
                 of
                 man
                 ;
                 therefore
                 blessed
                 is
                 the
                 man
                 
                   (
                   Ier.
                
                 17.
                 7
                 ,
                 8.
                 )
                 
                   that
                   trusteth
                   in
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   and
                   whose
                   hope
                   the
                   Lord
                   is
                   ;
                   for
                   he
                   shall
                   be
                   as
                   a
                   tree
                   planted
                   by
                   the
                   waters
                   ,
                   and
                   that
                   spreadeth
                   out
                   her
                   roots
                   by
                   the
                   river
                   ,
                   and
                   shall
                   not
                   see
                   when
                   heat
                   cometh
                   ;
                   but
                   her
                   leaf
                   shall
                   be
                   green
                   ,
                   and
                   she
                   shall
                   not
                   be
                   carful
                   in
                   the
                   year
                   of
                   drought
                   ,
                   neither
                   shall
                   cease
                   from
                   yeelding
                   fruit
                   .
                
                 O
                 let
                 us
                 entertain
                 those
                 large
                 thoughts
                 of
                 God
                 that
                 I
                 have
                 now
                 so
                 often
                 recommended
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 without
                 boasting
                 we
                 may
                 say
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 was
                 as
                 oft
                 in
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 as
                 another
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 34
                 2
                 
                   my
                   soul
                   shall
                   make
                   her
                   boast
                   in
                   the
                   Lord.
                
                 If
                 they
                 be
                 spiritual
                 ,
                 sanctuary
                 mercies
                 that
                 we
                 miss
                 ,
                 then
                 remember
                 Ezek.
                 11.
                 16.
                 
                 
                   Although
                   I
                   have
                   scattered
                   them
                   among
                   the
                   Countreys
                   ;
                   yet
                   will
                   I
                   be
                   to
                   them
                   a
                   little
                   Sanctuary
                   in
                   the
                   Countreys
                   where
                   they
                   shall
                   come
                   .
                
                 Remember
                 and
                 sing
                 84
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 already
                 cited
                 ,
                 with
                 Psal.
                 63.
                 and
                 42.
                 
                 If
                 they
                 be
                 remporal
                 earthly
                 mercies
                 that
                 we
                 desiderat
                 ,
                 then
                 remember
                 Psal
                 ,
                 24.
                 above
                 cited
                 with
                 ,
                 Deut.
                 8.
                 2
                 ,
                 3.
                 
                 
                   the
                   Lord
                   led
                   thee
                   through
                   the
                   Wilderness
                   and
                   humbled
                   thee
                   with
                   hunger
                   ,
                   and
                   gave
                   thee
                   Manna
                   ,
                   that
                   he
                   might
                   make
                   thee
                   know
                   that
                   man
                   
                   doth
                   not
                   live
                   by
                   bread
                   only
                   ;
                   but
                   by
                   every
                   word
                   that
                   proceedeth
                   out
                   of
                   the
                   mouth
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   doth
                   man
                   live
                   .
                
                 I
                 leave
                 it
                 to
                 every
                 one
                 to
                 try
                 what
                 is
                 in
                 God
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 blessing
                 of
                 God.
                 And
                 in
                 the
                 mean
                 time
                 ,
                 let
                 us
                 learn
                 to
                 take
                 more
                 upon
                 trust
                 with
                 God.
                 There
                 is
                 no
                 waste
                 ground
                 in
                 God
                 :
                 meet
                 his
                 People
                 with
                 scant
                 where
                 they
                 will
                 ,
                 they
                 will
                 meet
                 with
                 none
                 in
                 him
                 .
                 Jer.
                 2.
                 31.
                 
                   have
                   I
                   been
                   a
                   Wilderness
                   unto
                
                 Israel
                 ?
                 sayes
                 God
                 :
                 they
                 could
                 not
                 say
                 he
                 had
                 .
                 Even
                 as
                 Christ
                 said
                 to
                 his
                 Disciples
                 Luk.
                 22.
                 35.
                 
                 
                   when
                   I
                   sent
                   you
                   without
                   purse
                   and
                   scrip
                   ,
                   and
                   shoes
                   ,
                   lacked
                   ye
                   any
                   thing
                   ?
                
                 and
                 they
                 said
                 nothing
                 :
                 why
                 ?
                 many
                 truely
                 of
                 the
                 Saints
                 and
                 servants
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 these
                 times
                 ,
                 who
                 cannot
                 boast
                 of
                 much
                 wealth
                 ,
                 yet
                 do
                 not
                 speak
                 of
                 want
                 :
                 many
                 wonder
                 how
                 they
                 live
                 and
                 yet
                 they
                 are
                 both
                 living
                 and
                 Life-like
                 ,
                 And
                 for
                 one
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 say
                 that
                 first
                 and
                 last
                 ,
                 once
                 and
                 again
                 ,
                 God
                 hath
                 cast
                 my
                 lot
                 more
                 to
                 satisfaction
                 ,
                 than
                 I
                 could
                 have
                 chosen
                 with
                 most
                 deliberation
                 ,
                 hereby
                 teaching
                 me
                 that
                 which
                 I
                 have
                 taken
                 for
                 my
                 Lesson
                 ,
                 and
                 till
                 I
                 can
                 say
                 it
                 perfectly
                 by
                 his
                 grace
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 still
                 be
                 learning
                 
                   to
                   choose
                   nothing
                   for
                   my self
                
                 :
                 and
                 though
                 I
                 shall
                 not
                 say
                 with
                 
                   Leah
                   Gen.
                
                 30.
                 18.
                 
                 
                   God
                   hath
                   given
                   me
                   my
                   hire
                   ,
                
                 yet
                 I
                 may
                 be
                 excused
                 to
                 think
                 that
                 
                   God
                   hath
                   given
                   me
                   a
                   hire
                
                 ;
                 for
                 albeit
                 
                   Moses's
                   respect
                   to
                   the
                   recompence
                   of
                   reward
                
                 Heb.
                 11.
                 26.
                 and
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 not
                 that
                 either
                 ,
                 but
                 rather
                 a
                 free
                 love
                 and
                 respect
                 to
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 (
                 hallowed
                 be
                 that
                 great
                 and
                 precious
                 Name
                 )
                 Rev.
                 2
                 ,
                 3
                 ,
                 give
                 the
                 chief
                 determination
                 in
                 all
                 an
                 upright
                 Mans
                 most
                 
                 serious
                 deliberations
                 ;
                 nor
                 would
                 he
                 (
                 as
                 he
                 shall
                 not
                 )
                 be
                 reckoned
                 with
                 those
                 men
                 Math.
                 6.
                 2.
                 
                   who
                   have
                   their
                   reward
                
                 ;
                 yet
                 my
                 present
                 satisfaction
                 with
                 my
                 condition
                 outvyeth
                 ,
                 till
                 it
                 is
                 envyed
                 of
                 ,
                 the
                 lot
                 of
                 those
                 who
                 have
                 sought
                 a
                 fortune
                 by
                 moe
                 turnes
                 :
                 Let
                 Ravens
                 hunt
                 ,
                 and
                 catch
                 ,
                 and
                 rugg
                 ,
                 and
                 Prey
                 ,
                 and
                 croack
                 over
                 what
                 they
                 have
                 gotten
                 ,
                 and
                 cry
                 from
                 more
                 ,
                 I
                 judge
                 him
                 happy
                 .
              
               
                 
                   
                     —
                     Cui
                     Deus
                     obtulit
                  
                   
                     Farcà
                     quod
                     satis
                     est
                     manu
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     That
                     hath
                     enough
                     and
                     finds
                     no
                     want
                  
                   
                     Tho
                     his
                     allowance
                     be
                     but
                     scant
                     .
                  
                
              
               
                 And
                 I
                 have
                 learned
                 2
                 Kings
                 5.
                 26.
                 
                 
                   that
                   this
                   is
                   not
                   a
                   time
                   to
                   receive
                   Money
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   receive
                   Garments
                   ,
                   and
                   olive-yards
                   ,
                   and
                   vineyards
                   ,
                   and
                   sheep
                   ,
                   and
                   oxen
                   ,
                   and
                   men
                   servants
                   ,
                   and
                   maid
                   servants
                   .
                
                 I
                 fear
                 something
                 worse
                 than
                 the
                 Leprosie
                 of
                 Na●nian
                 cleave
                 to
                 the
                 Gehazi's
                 of
                 this
                 time
                 .
                 If
                 God
                 will
                 give
                 me
                 my
                 life
                 for
                 a
                 prey
                 ,
                 in
                 all
                 places
                 whither
                 I
                 go
                 ,
                 by
                 his
                 grace
                 I
                 shall
                 not
                 seek
                 great
                 things
                 for
                 my self
                 :
                 for
                 I
                 fear
                 he
                 will
                 bring
                 evil
                 upon
                 all
                 flesh
                 ,
                 
                   and
                   will
                   break
                   down
                   what
                   he
                   hath
                   built
                   ,
                   and
                   pluck
                   up
                   what
                   he
                   hath
                   planted
                   ,
                   even
                   the
                   whole
                   land
                   .
                
                 Ier.
                 45.
                 4
                 ,
                 5.
                 
                 I
                 love
                 
                   tacitus
                   pasci
                
                 a
                 morsel
                 ,
                 be
                 it
                 of
                 green
                 herbs
                 ,
                 with
                 quietness
                 :
                 and
                 I
                 hope
                 I
                 have
                 learned
                 Philip.
                 4.
                 11.
                 
                   in
                   whatsoever
                   state
                   I
                   am
                   ,
                   therewith
                   to
                   be
                   content
                   .
                
                 Yea
                 and
                 I
                 am
                 the
                 more
                 content
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 find
                 my
                 case
                 somewhat
                 common
                 in
                 the
                 time
                 .
                 To
                 confirme
                 it
                 I
                 give
                 you
                 a
                 story
                 .
                 A
                 vapouring
                 Time-divine
                 who
                 hath
                 changed
                 his
                 gang
                 twice
                 already
                 ,
                 and
                 possessed
                 two
                 honest
                 mens
                 Churches
                 ,
                 one
                 after
                 another
                 ,
                 seeking
                 a
                 fatter
                 Pasture
                 ,
                 lately
                 
                 met
                 accidentally
                 with
                 an
                 honest
                 deprived
                 Minister
                 of
                 his
                 old
                 acquaintance
                 ,
                 and
                 seeing
                 him
                 in
                 case
                 better
                 than
                 wont
                 ,
                 asked
                 confidently
                 ;
                 ha
                 sir
                 ,
                 how
                 is
                 it
                 that
                 you
                 look
                 so
                 well
                 upon
                 it
                 ,
                 in
                 this
                 World
                 ?
                 The
                 other
                 ,
                 a
                 Notable
                 Man
                 ,
                 gave
                 him
                 a
                 Notable
                 Answer
                 :
                 
                   
                     why
                     ,
                     thus
                     it
                     comes
                  
                   ,
                   said
                   he
                   ,
                   
                     we
                     go
                     in
                     God's
                     common
                  
                   .
                
                 
                   Gods
                   common
                   is
                   better
                   pasture
                   than
                   the
                   Worlds
                   inclosure
                   :
                   and
                   what
                   wonder
                   if
                   we
                   who
                   go
                   i●
                   Gods
                   common
                   ,
                   look
                   better
                   on
                   't
                   than
                   you
                   who
                   go
                   in
                   the
                   Devils
                   inclosure
                   .
                
                 At
                 this
                 the
                 petulant
                 man
                 kept
                 silence
                 ,
                 and
                 iniquity
                 stopt
                 her
                 mouth
                 .
                 I
                 Remember
                 it
                 is
                 said
                 Psal.
                 112.
                 10
                 
                   the
                   wicked
                   shall
                   see
                   it
                
                 ,
                 (
                 that
                 which
                 befalls
                 the
                 righteous
                 to
                 his
                 satisfaction
                 and
                 honour
                 )
                 
                   and
                   be
                   grieved
                   ,
                   he
                   shall
                   gnash
                   his
                   teeth
                   and
                   melt
                   away
                   :
                   the
                   desires
                   of
                   the
                   wicked
                   shall
                   perish
                   .
                
                 Now
                 as
                 we
                 would
                 by
                 faith
                 take
                 God
                 for
                 all
                 things
                 els
                 in
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 ;
                 so
                 in
                 the
                 case
                 of
                 fainting
                 and
                 weariness
                 ,
                 which
                 as
                 I
                 shewed
                 in
                 the
                 description
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 last
                 and
                 not
                 the
                 least
                 evil
                 of
                 a
                 Wilderness-condition
                 ,
                 we
                 would
                 take
                 him
                 for
                 our
                 strength
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 48.
                 5
                 
                 
                   Blessed
                   is
                   the
                   man
                   whose
                   strength
                   is
                   in
                   thee
                
                 Psal.
                 73.
                 26.
                 
                   my
                   flesh
                   and
                   heart
                   faileth
                   :
                   but
                   God
                   is
                   the
                   strength
                   of
                   my
                   heart
                   :
                
                 Cant.
                 8.
                 5.
                 
                 
                   The
                   Church
                   coming
                   up
                   out
                   of
                   the
                   Wilderness
                   ,
                   l●aneth
                   upon
                   her
                   beloved
                   :
                   Isai.
                   12
                   ,
                   2
                   ,
                   The
                   Lord
                   Iehovah
                   is
                   my
                   strength
                   and
                   my
                   song
                   :
                   Isai.
                   33.
                   2.
                   be
                   thou
                   their
                   arm
                   every
                   morning
                   :
                   Haback
                   .
                   3.
                   19.
                   the
                   Lord
                   God
                   is
                   my
                   strength
                   ,
                   and
                   he
                   will
                   make
                   my
                   feet
                   like
                   hindes
                   feet
                   ,
                   and
                   he
                   will
                   make
                   me
                   to
                   walk
                   upon
                   my
                   high
                   places
                   :
                   to
                   the
                   chief
                   singer
                   on
                   my
                   stringed
                   instruments
                   :
                
                 if
                 strength
                 quite
                 fail
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 exhausted
                 ,
                 he
                 makes
                 the
                 
                   weary
                   to
                   renew
                   their
                
                 
                 strength
                 :
                 if
                 strength
                 be
                 weak
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Soul
                 drives
                 heavily
                 ,
                 and
                 comes
                 up
                 with
                 a
                 slow
                 pace
                 in
                 Duty
                 ;
                 
                   then
                   he
                   shall
                   run
                
                 :
                 if
                 when
                 they
                 winn
                 to
                 that
                 ,
                 they
                 fear
                 it
                 shall
                 not
                 last
                 ,
                 nor
                 they
                 be
                 able
                 to
                 continue
                 at
                 that
                 rate
                 ;
                 
                   then
                   they
                   run
                   and
                   weary
                   not
                   ,
                   they
                   walk
                   and
                   do
                   not
                   faint
                   .
                   Isai.
                
                 40.
                 31.
                 
              
               
                 10.
                 
                 And
                 lastly
                 ,
                 In
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 we
                 would
                 long
                 and
                 haste
                 much
                 to
                 be
                 through
                 ,
                 and
                 press
                 with
                 importunity
                 for
                 a
                 delivery
                 :
                 This
                 we
                 see
                 in
                 
                   David
                   .
                   Psal.
                
                 42.
                 
                 Psal.
                 63.
                 
                 Psal.
                 84.
                 and
                 Psal.
                 107
                 6.
                 those
                 who
                 wandered
                 in
                 a
                 Wilderness
                 cryed
                 unto
                 the
                 Lord
                 in
                 their
                 trouble
                 .
                 And
                 Moses
                 who
                 had
                 been
                 long
                 in
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 was
                 very
                 earnest
                 to
                 have
                 gone
                 over
                 Jordan
                 ,
                 to
                 see
                 the
                 good
                 Land
                 ,
                 though
                 for
                 his
                 fault
                 at
                 Meribah
                 it
                 was
                 denyed
                 him
                 .
                 Deut
                 ,
                 3.
                 25.
                 26.
                 
                 This
                 direction
                 is
                 nothing
                 so
                 strange
                 ,
                 as
                 is
                 the
                 disposition
                 of
                 those
                 to
                 whom
                 it
                 is
                 meant
                 :
                 For
                 I
                 begin
                 to
                 observe
                 many
                 who
                 have
                 seen
                 the
                 Lords
                 Glory
                 and
                 Power
                 in
                 the
                 Sanctuary
                 ,
                 but
                 too
                 modest
                 ,
                 not
                 to
                 say
                 worse
                 (
                 be
                 it
                 from
                 desponcency
                 ,
                 or
                 from
                 some
                 worse
                 quality
                 )
                 in
                 their
                 Suits
                 for
                 a
                 restoration
                 of
                 these
                 Mercies
                 :
                 Either
                 the
                 length
                 of
                 our
                 affliction
                 hath
                 put
                 us
                 so
                 far
                 out
                 of
                 memory
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 deepth
                 of
                 it
                 hath
                 put
                 us
                 so
                 far
                 out
                 of
                 hope
                 of
                 better
                 dayes
                 ,
                 that
                 as
                 if
                 there
                 had
                 never
                 been
                 ,
                 nor
                 never
                 should
                 be
                 better
                 dayes
                 ,
                 we
                 content
                 our selves
                 with
                 the
                 present
                 .
                 Truly
                 it
                 astonishes
                 me
                 to
                 see
                 such
                 a
                 Spirit
                 of
                 slackness
                 possess
                 many
                 ;
                 as
                 if
                 the
                 Lord
                 had
                 said
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 Ier.
                 29.
                 5
                 ,
                 6
                 ,
                 7
                 ,
                 10.
                 
                 
                   Build
                   ye
                   houses
                   and
                   dwell
                   in
                   them
                   ,
                   &c.
                   
                   For
                   thus
                   saith
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   that
                   after
                   seventy
                   years
                   be
                   accomplished
                   in
                   Babylon
                   ,
                   will
                   I
                   visit
                   you
                   ,
                   and
                   
                   form
                   my
                   good
                   word
                   towards
                   you
                   ,
                   in
                   causing
                   you
                   to
                   return
                   to
                   this
                   place
                   :
                
                 Our
                 disposition
                 looks
                 like
                 those
                 that
                 were
                 to
                 have
                 a
                 seventy
                 years
                 affliction
                 and
                 long
                 continued
                 Captivity
                 .
                 And
                 indeed
                 considering
                 Daniel
                 9.
                 13.
                 
                 
                   All
                   this
                   evil
                   is
                   come
                   upon
                   us
                   ,
                   yet
                   made
                   we
                   not
                   our
                   Prayer
                   before
                   the
                   Lora
                   our
                   God
                   ,
                
                 &c.
                 
                 I
                 observe
                 ,
                 that
                 Security
                 and
                 a
                 slack
                 disposition
                 is
                 the
                 attendent
                 ,
                 or
                 rather
                 the
                 presage
                 and
                 fore-runner
                 of
                 a
                 continued
                 Affliction
                 :
                 And
                 by
                 the
                 contrary
                 a
                 Spirit
                 of
                 restless
                 importunity
                 ,
                 is
                 a
                 comfortable
                 Prognostick
                 of
                 a
                 speedy
                 delivery
                 :
                 See
                 it
                 confirmed
                 in
                 the
                 instances
                 of
                 
                   Daniel
                   ,
                   Nehemiah
                   ,
                   Ezra
                
                 ,
                 who
                 upon
                 the
                 very
                 point
                 of
                 the
                 deliverance
                 were
                 stirred
                 up
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 themselves
                 stirred
                 up
                 the
                 People
                 by
                 Prayer
                 and
                 Fasting
                 to
                 ask
                 Mercies
                 of
                 their
                 God.
                 Take
                 then
                 the
                 direction
                 Isa.
                 62.
                 6
                 ,
                 7.
                 
                 
                   Ye
                   that
                   make
                   mention
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   keep
                   not
                   silence
                   ,
                   and
                   give
                   him
                   no
                   rest
                   ,
                   till
                   he
                   establish
                   ,
                   and
                   till
                   he
                   make
                
                 Jerusalem
                 
                   a
                   praise
                   in
                   the
                   Earth
                
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 thus
                 with
                 patience
                 I
                 have
                 got
                 through
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 and
                 considered
                 the
                 intimation
                 of
                 the
                 Churches
                 condition
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 second
                 thing
                 in
                 the
                 words
                 of
                 the
                 Verse
                 .
                 In
                 conclusion
                 ,
                 be
                 it
                 minded
                 only
                 ,
                 that
                 all
                 that
                 hath
                 been
                 said
                 to
                 this
                 point
                 ,
                 doth
                 alike
                 concern
                 the
                 Church
                 in
                 general
                 and
                 Saints
                 in
                 particular
                 :
                 For
                 neither
                 I
                 nor
                 any
                 other
                 ,
                 who
                 from
                 this
                 mount
                 of
                 contemplation
                 do
                 view
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 at
                 a
                 distance
                 ,
                 can
                 expect
                 to
                 have
                 it
                 said
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 as
                 was
                 said
                 to
                 Moses
                 of
                 the
                 Land
                 beyond
                 
                   Iordan
                   ,
                   Thou
                   shalt
                   not
                   go
                   over
                   into
                   it
                   :
                
                 but
                 rather
                 as
                 was
                 said
                 to
                 
                   Abraham
                   :
                   All
                   the
                   Land
                   which
                   thou
                   seest
                   shall
                   be
                   thine
                   :
                   Arise
                   and
                   walk
                   through
                
                 
                 
                   the
                   Land
                   ,
                   for
                   to
                   thee
                   will
                   I
                   give
                   it
                   .
                
                 Not
                 to
                 speak
                 of
                 what
                 we
                 have
                 had
                 ,
                 or
                 at
                 the
                 time
                 have
                 ,
                 none
                 of
                 us
                 can
                 promise
                 in
                 the
                 Life
                 of
                 our
                 Vanity
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 shall
                 not
                 have
                 ,
                 if
                 not
                 at
                 once
                 ,
                 yet
                 successively
                 ,
                 one
                 after
                 another
                 ,
                 all
                 the
                 described
                 parts
                 of
                 the
                 Wilness
                 for
                 our
                 Lot.
                 
              
            
             
               
                 I
                 will
                 allure
                 her
                 .
              
               
                 THe
                 third
                 thing
                 in
                 the
                 words
                 is
                 ,
                 The
                 Lords
                 Design
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   will
                   allure
                   her
                
                 .
                 Hence
                 the
                 Doctrine
                 is
                 ,
                 That
                 the
                 Lords
                 great
                 Design
                 in
                 the
                 vicissitudes
                 of
                 all
                 Dispensations
                 to
                 his
                 People
                 ,
                 is
                 to
                 gain
                 them
                 to
                 himself
                 ;
                 that
                 he
                 may
                 have
                 more
                 of
                 their
                 Kindness
                 and
                 Service
                 .
                 The
                 point
                 is
                 confirmed
                 ;
                 1.
                 
                 From
                 the
                 account
                 Scripture
                 gives
                 of
                 Gods
                 various
                 Dispensations
                 to
                 his
                 People
                 :
                 Take
                 but
                 this
                 Chapter
                 for
                 an
                 instance
                 ;
                 he
                 both
                 afflicts
                 her
                 and
                 comforts
                 her
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 that
                 he
                 may
                 have
                 her
                 heart
                 .
                 2
                 ,
                 From
                 the
                 first
                 and
                 greatest
                 Command
                 in
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 ,
                 
                   That
                   we
                   love
                   him
                   with
                   all
                   our
                   Heart
                   ,
                
                 &c.
                 
                 As
                 the
                 Law
                 is
                 understood
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 mind
                 of
                 the
                 King
                 ;
                 so
                 the
                 greatest
                 Command
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 the
                 surest
                 Evidence
                 of
                 his
                 Will
                 concerning
                 this
                 ,
                 
                   That
                   we
                   abide
                   only
                   for
                   him
                   ,
                   and
                   do
                   not
                   play
                   the
                   Harlot
                   ,
                   nor
                   be
                   for
                   another
                   man
                   ,
                
                 Chap.
                 3.
                 3.
                 
                 It
                 is
                 easie
                 courting
                 where
                 we
                 may
                 command
                 :
                 And
                 in
                 this
                 the
                 Lord
                 hath
                 he
                 advantage
                 of
                 all
                 other
                 Lovers
                 :
                 The
                 Soveraignity
                 
                 of
                 his
                 Propriety
                 in
                 us
                 ,
                 bears
                 him
                 to
                 challenge
                 our
                 Heart
                 and
                 Service
                 ,
                 without
                 once
                 asking
                 our
                 consent
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 resent
                 every
                 repulse
                 and
                 refusal
                 ,
                 not
                 simply
                 as
                 a
                 displeasure
                 ,
                 but
                 really
                 as
                 a
                 wrong
                 ,
                 in
                 defrauding
                 him
                 of
                 what
                 is
                 his
                 own
                 ,
                 by
                 a
                 just
                 Title
                 of
                 many
                 respects
                 ,
                 antecedent
                 to
                 our
                 voluntary
                 consent
                 .
                 2.
                 
                 The
                 Lords
                 design
                 is
                 so
                 manifest
                 in
                 his
                 kind
                 way
                 with
                 his
                 People
                 ,
                 that
                 as
                 it
                 cannot
                 be
                 hidden
                 ,
                 so
                 it
                 seems
                 he
                 would
                 have
                 it
                 known
                 that
                 every
                 one
                 may
                 think
                 him
                 a
                 Suter
                 :
                 Even
                 as
                 when
                 a
                 man
                 frequents
                 the
                 House
                 of
                 his
                 Beloved
                 ;
                 presently
                 ,
                 by
                 his
                 frequency
                 and
                 other
                 circumstances
                 of
                 his
                 Carriage
                 ,
                 the
                 meanest
                 Servant
                 of
                 the
                 House
                 discovers
                 his
                 design
                 :
                 Yea
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Lord
                 is
                 not
                 ashamed
                 here
                 expresly
                 to
                 tell
                 his
                 Errand
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   will
                   allure
                   her
                
                 .
                 Some
                 men
                 if
                 they
                 intend
                 a
                 match
                 with
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 a
                 design
                 upon
                 a
                 person
                 ,
                 they
                 set
                 their
                 designs
                 abroad
                 ;
                 either
                 in
                 Policy
                 to
                 further
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 thereby
                 to
                 know
                 how
                 the
                 person
                 intertains
                 such
                 Reports
                 ,
                 that
                 accordingly
                 they
                 may
                 behave
                 themselves
                 in
                 their
                 intended
                 Address
                 ;
                 or
                 else
                 in
                 vain
                 Glory
                 to
                 vaunt
                 of
                 them
                 :
                 So
                 the
                 Lord
                 causes
                 the
                 Report
                 go
                 loud
                 of
                 his
                 blessed
                 purpose
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 seen
                 he
                 is
                 both
                 serious
                 in
                 the
                 matter
                 and
                 glorious
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 to
                 have
                 sinners
                 love
                 him
                 .
                 Now
                 the
                 Lord
                 allures
                 either
                 Morally
                 and
                 Externally
                 ,
                 or
                 Internally
                 and
                 effectually
                 .
                 Morally
                 and
                 Externally
                 ,
                 while
                 he
                 courts
                 Souls
                 with
                 Arguments
                 and
                 Motives
                 fit
                 to
                 take
                 with
                 rational
                 and
                 ingenuous
                 Spirits
                 .
                 Effectually
                 and
                 Internally
                 ,
                 when
                 by
                 the
                 Power
                 of
                 Grace
                 he
                 makes
                 such
                 fit
                 Motives
                 and
                 Arguments
                 have
                 their
                 
                 due
                 weight
                 and
                 work
                 upon
                 Hearts
                 .
                 According
                 to
                 this
                 division
                 ,
                 for
                 explication
                 of
                 this
                 Blessed
                 Design
                 of
                 the
                 Lords
                 alluring
                 his
                 People
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 first
                 touch
                 upon
                 some
                 of
                 the
                 chief
                 Motives
                 that
                 are
                 fitted
                 to
                 this
                 purpose
                 ,
                 (
                 for
                 to
                 reach
                 them
                 all
                 I
                 presume
                 not
                 )
                 2
                 dly
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 treat
                 of
                 the
                 inward
                 Power
                 of
                 Grace
                 ,
                 that
                 makes
                 these
                 Motives
                 effectual
                 upon
                 the
                 Soul.
                 And
                 3dly
                 ,
                 shall
                 conclude
                 the
                 point
                 with
                 Use.
                 
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 Of
                 motives
                 ,
                 the
                 first
                 is
                 his
                 own
                 Glorious
                 Excellency
                 outshining
                 every
                 shadow
                 of
                 likness
                 ,
                 let
                 be
                 equality
                 :
                 
                   Who
                   is
                   a
                   God
                   like
                   unto
                   thee
                   ?
                
                 And
                 that
                 I
                 am
                 now
                 upon
                 a
                 love
                 designe
                 ,
                 and
                 upon
                 the
                 imployment
                 of
                 
                   Eleazer
                   Abrahams
                
                 servant
                 Gen.
                 24
                 to
                 seek
                 a
                 Wife
                 to
                 my
                 Masters
                 Son
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 concerned
                 as
                 a
                 Friend
                 of
                 the
                 Bridgroome
                 to
                 express
                 my self
                 in
                 the
                 proper
                 termes
                 of
                 such
                 a
                 Subject
                 :
                 And
                 
                   O
                   that
                   my
                   heart
                   could
                   indite
                   good
                   matter
                   ,
                   that
                   I
                   might
                   speak
                   the
                   things
                   that
                   I
                   have
                   made
                   concerning
                   the
                   King
                   !
                
                 Let
                 it
                 then
                 be
                 condescended
                 ,
                 what
                 is
                 required
                 ,
                 by
                 any
                 but
                 willing
                 to
                 be
                 satisfied
                 ,
                 to
                 commend
                 a
                 person
                 to
                 the
                 heart
                 of
                 his
                 beloved
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 him
                 you
                 have
                 it
                 .
                 1.
                 for
                 his
                 Dignity
                 and
                 Descent
                 ,
                 
                   he
                   is
                   the
                   King
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   Kings
                   son
                   :
                
                 2.
                 
                 For
                 his
                 Induements
                 ,
                 
                   in
                   him
                   are
                   hidd
                   all
                   the
                   treasures
                   of
                   wisdom
                   and
                   knowledge
                   :
                
                 yea
                 and
                 
                   he
                   is
                   full
                   of
                   grace
                   and
                   truth
                   :
                
                 and
                 if
                 you
                 speak
                 of
                 a
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 a
                 great
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 Isat
                 .
                 11.
                 2.
                 3.
                 
                 
                   the
                   spirit
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   resteth
                   upon
                   him
                   ,
                   the
                   spirit
                   of
                   wisdom
                   and
                   understanding
                   ,
                   the
                   spirit
                   of
                   Counsel
                   and
                   might
                   ,
                   the
                   spirit
                   of
                   knowledge
                   and
                   of
                   the
                   fear
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   and
                   shall
                   make
                   him
                   of
                   quick
                   understanding
                   in
                   the
                   
                   fear
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   &c.
                   
                
                 3.
                 
                 For
                 his
                 Beauty
                 ,
                 
                   he
                   is
                   white
                   and
                   ruddy
                   ,
                   the
                   chief
                   among
                   ten
                   thousand
                   ,
                   and
                   fairer
                   than
                   the
                   sons
                   of
                   men
                
                 4.
                 
                 For
                 his
                 Disposition
                 and
                 Humour
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 tender
                 ,
                 compassionat
                 ,
                 loving
                 ,
                 meek
                 ,
                 condescending
                 ,
                 kind
                 and
                 Gracious
                 :
                 O
                 but
                 the
                 Soul
                 may
                 have
                 many
                 a
                 good
                 day
                 ,
                 and
                 much
                 sweet
                 contentment
                 in
                 his
                 Company
                 !
                 5.
                 
                 For
                 his
                 Estate
                 and
                 Fortune
                 ,
                 
                   he
                   is
                   the
                   possessor
                   of
                   Heaven
                   and
                   earth
                   ,
                   the
                   heir
                   of
                   all
                   things
                   ;
                
                 and
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 lack
                 to
                 those
                 that
                 have
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 have
                 him
                 that
                 love
                 him
                 .
                 6.
                 
                 For
                 his
                 Use
                 and
                 Vertue
                 ,
                 
                   he
                   is
                   all
                   ,
                   and
                   in
                   all
                   ,
                
                 and
                 in
                 him
                 we
                 are
                 compleat
                 :
                 7.
                 
                 For
                 his
                 Necessity
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 the
                 person
                 that
                 cannot
                 be
                 wanted
                 ,
                 by
                 any
                 that
                 would
                 be
                 happy
                 :
                 Deut.
                 30.
                 20.
                 
                   he
                   is
                   thy
                   life
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   length
                   of
                   thy
                   days
                   .
                
                 And
                 if
                 any
                 think
                 they
                 may
                 do
                 as
                 well
                 elswhere
                 ,
                 let
                 them
                 answer
                 the
                 question
                 John
                 6.
                 68.
                 
                 
                   Lord
                   to
                   whom
                   shall
                   we
                   go
                   ?
                   thou
                   hast
                   the
                   words
                   of
                   eternal
                   Life
                   .
                
                 
                   Now
                   this
                   is
                   my
                   beloved
                   ,
                   and
                   this
                   is
                   my
                   friend
                   ,
                   O
                   Daughters
                   of
                   Ierusalem
                   .
                
                 Cant.
                 5.
                 16.
                 
              
               
                 The
                 
                   Lords
                   second
                
                 Motive
                 and
                 external
                 allurement
                 is
                 his
                 Words
                 :
                 Words
                 are
                 very
                 charming
                 and
                 enticeing
                 things
                 :
                 and
                 
                   how
                   forceable
                   are
                   right
                   words
                
                 ?
                 says
                 Job
                 .
                 Hence
                 the
                 Latines
                 wisely
                 give
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 
                   verba
                   dare
                
                 ,
                 to
                 that
                 which
                 the
                 Court
                 calls
                 a
                 complement
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 Countrey
                 plainly
                 calls
                 
                   a
                   Cheat.
                
                 Hence
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 Fishing
                 which
                 catcheth
                 by
                 the
                 Ear
                 ,
                 applauded
                 of
                 the
                 greatest
                 Wits
                 ,
                 approven
                 and
                 much
                 practised
                 by
                 Lovers
                 ,
                 the
                 most
                 ingenious
                 because
                 the
                 most
                 serious
                 Anglers
                 ,
                 who
                 busk
                 their
                 hooks
                 with
                 words
                 ,
                 and
                 bait
                 with
                 the
                 artificial
                 flee
                 of
                 Complements
                 .
                 Hence
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 world
                 goes
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 
                 the
                 finest
                 man
                 that
                 can
                 say
                 fairest
                 to
                 it
                 :
                 and
                 albeit
                 Solomon
                 both
                 a
                 Wise
                 Man
                 and
                 a
                 great
                 Preacher
                 and
                 Spokes-man
                 hath
                 said
                 Proverb
                 .
                 17.
                 28.
                 
                   even
                   a
                   fool
                   when
                   he
                   holdeth
                   his
                   peace
                   is
                   counted
                   wise
                
                 ;
                 yet
                 with
                 most
                 men
                 ,
                 even
                 a
                 wise
                 man
                 ,
                 if
                 he
                 bold
                 his
                 peace
                 ,
                 is
                 counted
                 a
                 fool
                 :
                 But
                 the
                 truth
                 is
                 ,
                 
                   multum
                   ille
                   assecutus
                   est
                   qui
                   bene
                   didicit
                   loqut
                   ,
                   bene
                   qui
                   tacere
                   non
                   minus
                   assecutus
                   est
                   ,
                
                 
                   he
                   hath
                   attained
                   much
                   who
                   hath
                   learned
                   to
                   speak
                   well
                   :
                   and
                   he
                   hath
                   attained
                   no
                   less
                   who
                   hath
                   learned
                   to
                   hold
                   his
                   peace
                   well
                   .
                
                 But
                 to
                 say
                 no
                 more
                 in
                 general
                 of
                 the
                 allurements
                 of
                 Words
                 :
                 how
                 specially
                 excellent
                 are
                 the
                 words
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 to
                 the
                 purpose
                 of
                 Soul-converting
                 and
                 heart-alluring
                 ?
                 Zach.
                 1.
                 13.
                 
                 
                   They
                   are
                   good
                   words
                   and
                   comfortable
                   words
                   ,
                
                 Jer.
                 15.
                 16.
                 
                 
                   Thy
                   words
                   were
                   found
                   and
                   I
                   did
                   eat
                   them
                   ,
                   and
                   thy
                   word
                   was
                   unto
                   me
                   ,
                   the
                   joy
                   and
                   rejoycing
                   of
                   mine
                   Heart
                   .
                
                 Gold
                 and
                 Treasure
                 is
                 alluring
                 unto
                 any
                 ,
                 Honey
                 and
                 Apples
                 to
                 Delicate
                 Persons
                 :
                 And
                 if
                 it
                 were
                 even
                 the
                 mortal
                 forbidden
                 Fruit
                 of
                 the
                 Tree
                 of
                 Knowledge
                 of
                 good
                 and
                 evil
                 ;
                 yet
                 if
                 it
                 be
                 good
                 for
                 Food
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 leasant
                 to
                 the
                 Eyes
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 Tree
                 to
                 be
                 desired
                 ,
                 it
                 must
                 be
                 had
                 ,
                 if
                 the
                 price
                 should
                 be
                 Death
                 ,
                 Gen.
                 3.
                 
                 But
                 
                   the
                   words
                   of
                   God
                   are
                   more
                   to
                   be
                   desired
                   than
                   Gold
                   ;
                   sweeter
                   also
                   than
                   Honey
                   and
                   the
                   Honey
                   comb
                   ,
                
                 Psal.
                 19.
                 10.
                 
                 Psal.
                 119.
                 72
                 ,
                 103.
                 verses
                 .
                 If
                 nature
                 could
                 propine
                 the
                 World
                 with
                 Golden
                 Apples
                 as
                 a
                 present
                 of
                 her
                 first
                 Fruits
                 ,
                 sure
                 those
                 would
                 ravish
                 the
                 Hearts
                 of
                 the
                 greatest
                 Potentates
                 ,
                 and
                 would
                 raise
                 Wars
                 among
                 Princes
                 for
                 the
                 possession
                 and
                 keeping
                 of
                 the
                 Tree
                 that
                 bare
                 those
                 ,
                 they
                 would
                 be
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 
                   Apples
                   of
                   Strife
                
                 ,
                 properly
                 and
                 indeed
                 :
                 
                 And
                 the
                 Words
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 the
                 Flower
                 and
                 first
                 Fruits
                 of
                 all
                 fit
                 Words
                 ,
                 are
                 
                   Apples
                   of
                   Gold
                   in
                   Pictures
                   of
                   Silver
                   ,
                
                 Prov.
                 25
                 ,
                 11.
                 
                 They
                 Nourish
                 Solidly
                 ,
                 Comfort
                 Cordially
                 ,
                 and
                 Inrich
                 Mightily
                 .
                 How
                 charming
                 the
                 Lords
                 Words
                 are
                 ,
                 we
                 have
                 famous
                 instances
                 in
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 that
                 with
                 his
                 Words
                 he
                 catched
                 those
                 ,
                 that
                 were
                 sent
                 and
                 intended
                 to
                 catch
                 and
                 entrap
                 him
                 :
                 he
                 sent
                 them
                 back
                 with
                 this
                 Report
                 ,
                 
                   never
                   man
                   spoke
                   like
                   this
                   man.
                
                 And
                 here
                 in
                 the
                 ●●xt
                 it self
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   will
                   allure
                   her
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 
                   and
                   I
                   will
                   speak
                   comfortably
                   unto
                   her
                   .
                
              
               
                 The
                 third
                 .
                 chief
                 Motive
                 and
                 Allurement
                 is
                 ,
                 The
                 Works
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 and
                 his
                 Doings
                 ,
                 He
                 hath
                 done
                 for
                 his
                 People
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 daily
                 doing
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 that
                 which
                 cannot
                 but
                 rationally
                 entice
                 any
                 ingenuous
                 Soul
                 to
                 be
                 for
                 him
                 :
                 If
                 God
                 had
                 not
                 loved
                 us
                 ,
                 I
                 should
                 have
                 wondered
                 at
                 every
                 thing
                 he
                 does
                 for
                 us
                 :
                 Love
                 is
                 the
                 chief
                 of
                 the
                 wayes
                 of
                 God
                 to
                 us
                 .
                 God
                 loved
                 the
                 World.
                 
                   God
                   so
                   loved
                   the
                   World
                
                 ,
                 A
                 Wonder
                 indeed
                 !
                 But
                 after
                 that
                 stupendious
                 portent
                 of
                 his
                 Works
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 
                   That
                   he
                   loved
                   us
                
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 wonder
                 at
                 nothing
                 he
                 does
                 for
                 us
                 :
                 For
                 what
                 will
                 we
                 not
                 do
                 for
                 those
                 we
                 Love
                 ?
                 But
                 again
                 ,
                 I
                 must
                 wonder
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 loved
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 this
                 love
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 humbled
                 and
                 emptyed
                 for
                 us
                 :
                 For
                 us
                 he
                 came
                 into
                 the
                 World
                 :
                 For
                 us
                 
                   He
                   took
                   the
                   likeness
                   of
                   sinful
                   flesh
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   form
                   of
                   a
                   servant
                   :
                
                 For
                 us
                 he
                 suffered
                 Temptations
                 ,
                 Crosses
                 and
                 Contradictions
                 in
                 his
                 Life
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 us
                 he
                 tasted
                 death
                 ;
                 
                   He
                   gave
                   him
                   ●●s
                   for
                   us
                   :
                
                 He
                 came
                 under
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 and
                 Sin
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Wrath
                 ,
                 and
                 Curse
                 of
                 God
                 for
                 us
                 :
                 For
                 us
                 he
                 drank
                 the
                 Cup
                 of
                 astonishment
                 ,
                 which
                 
                 would
                 have
                 made
                 all
                 the
                 Elect
                 tremble
                 to
                 Eternity
                 .
                 Yea
                 and
                 he
                 rose
                 and
                 was
                 victorious
                 over
                 death
                 for
                 us
                 :
                 ●e
                 hath
                 also
                 ascended
                 Heaven
                 for
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 there
                 he
                 interceeds
                 for
                 us
                 :
                 he
                 is
                 our
                 Friend
                 at
                 Court
                 ,
                 he
                 stands
                 in
                 the
                 way
                 there
                 ,
                 that
                 nothing
                 pass
                 against
                 us
                 :
                 and
                 when
                 there
                 is
                 hazard
                 he
                 warns
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 his
                 Word
                 and
                 Spirit
                 he
                 keeps
                 intelligence
                 with
                 our
                 Souls
                 ,
                 and
                 gives
                 us
                 daily
                 accounts
                 of
                 the
                 true
                 state
                 of
                 our
                 Spiritual
                 business
                 :
                 Thence
                 he
                 issues
                 daily
                 many
                 favours
                 on
                 our
                 behalf
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 103
                 2
                 ,
                 and
                 forward
                 .
                 
                   Forget
                   not
                   all
                   his
                   Benefits
                   ,
                   who
                   forgiveth
                   all
                   thine
                   Iniquities
                   ,
                
                 &c.
                 
                 And
                 his
                 negative
                 Mercies
                 are
                 not
                 the
                 least
                 part
                 of
                 what
                 he
                 doth
                 for
                 us
                 :
                 That
                 he
                 prevents
                 and
                 holds
                 off
                 us
                 so
                 many
                 temptations
                 ,
                 suares
                 and
                 evils
                 that
                 otherwise
                 would
                 even
                 over-run
                 us
                 :
                 and
                 that
                 for
                 all
                 these
                 he
                 waiteth
                 to
                 be
                 gracious
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 at
                 the
                 voice
                 of
                 our
                 Cry
                 when
                 he
                 shall
                 hear
                 it
                 :
                 And
                 in
                 a
                 word
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 so
                 wholly
                 taken
                 up
                 for
                 us
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 he
                 had
                 nothing
                 else
                 to
                 mind
                 but
                 us
                 .
                 Now
                 to
                 a
                 rational
                 ingenuous
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 and
                 every
                 one
                 that
                 deserves
                 to
                 be
                 called
                 a
                 Man
                 ,
                 all
                 these
                 will
                 be
                 
                   the
                   Coras
                   of
                   a
                   Man
                   ,
                   and
                   Bands
                   of
                   Love.
                   Hos.
                
                 11.
                 4.
                 
                 Yea
                 there
                 is
                 some
                 secret
                 alluring
                 ,
                 quality
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 saddest
                 and
                 darkest
                 of
                 Gods
                 dispensations
                 to
                 the
                 Soul
                 of
                 the
                 Saint
                 .
                 Hence
                 we
                 never
                 find
                 the
                 Godly
                 Soul
                 more
                 fond
                 so
                 to
                 speak
                 )
                 of
                 its
                 beloved
                 ,
                 and
                 more
                 earnest
                 upon
                 him
                 ,
                 than
                 in
                 the
                 time
                 of
                 desertion
                 ,
                 which
                 of
                 all
                 dispensations
                 is
                 the
                 most
                 afflicting
                 to
                 such
                 an
                 one
                 .
                 If
                 the
                 Lord
                 withdraw
                 ,
                 such
                 an
                 one
                 will
                 fall
                 down
                 sick
                 of
                 Love
                 to
                 him
                 ;
                 and
                 then
                 go
                 tell
                 him
                 O
                 ye
                 Daughters
                 of
                 Ierusalem
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 cannot
                 live
                 in
                 his
                 
                 absence
                 :
                 And
                 if
                 he
                 do
                 not
                 come
                 quickly
                 skipping
                 like
                 a
                 young
                 Roe
                 or
                 Hart
                 ;
                 yea
                 ,
                 and
                 if
                 he
                 take
                 not
                 the
                 nearest
                 way
                 over
                 the
                 mountains
                 of
                 Bether
                 ,
                 he
                 may
                 come
                 too
                 late
                 ,
                 to
                 lay
                 his
                 hands
                 upon
                 the
                 eyes
                 of
                 his
                 distressed
                 Beloved
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 28.
                 1.
                 
                 
                   If
                   thou
                   be
                   silent
                   to
                   me
                
                 (
                 sayes
                 
                   David
                   )
                   I
                   shall
                   be
                   like
                   them
                   that
                   go
                   down
                   into
                   the
                   ●●t
                   :
                
                 O
                 Lord
                 ,
                 I
                 cannot
                 live
                 ,
                 I
                 value
                 not
                 Life
                 ,
                 if
                 thou
                 be
                 not
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 my
                 Life
                 :
                 I
                 have
                 resolved
                 I
                 shall
                 never
                 be
                 glad
                 ,
                 till
                 thou
                 be
                 the
                 health
                 of
                 my
                 Countenance
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 me
                 glad
                 with
                 thy
                 Works
                 :
                 For
                 I
                 see
                 little
                 difference
                 ,
                 betwixt
                 Sorrow
                 and
                 Joy
                 ,
                 if
                 thou
                 be
                 not
                 my
                 chiefest
                 joy
                 .
                 And
                 in
                 our
                 Text
                 ,
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 is
                 the
                 alluring
                 place
                 to
                 this
                 ungracious
                 froward
                 Church
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 fourth
                 chief
                 Motive
                 wherewith
                 the
                 Lord
                 allures
                 his
                 People
                 ,
                 is
                 ,
                 his
                 Gifts
                 .
                 Gifts
                 and
                 tokens
                 use
                 to
                 pass
                 betwixt
                 Lovers
                 ,
                 and
                 accordingly
                 in
                 this
                 Chapter
                 ,
                 the
                 Lord
                 allures
                 this
                 whoorish
                 Church
                 with
                 Gifts
                 :
                 So
                 verse
                 15.
                 
                 
                   I
                   will
                   give
                   her
                   her
                   vineyards
                   from
                   thence
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   valley
                   of
                   Achor
                   for
                   a
                   door
                   of
                   hope
                   .
                
                 A
                 Gift
                 is
                 a
                 tempting
                 and
                 inticing
                 thing
                 :
                 and
                 therefore
                 the
                 Lord
                 hath
                 forbid
                 Iudge
                 ,
                 the
                 taking
                 of
                 Gifts
                 ;
                 
                   For
                   a
                   Gift
                   blinds
                   the
                   Eyes
                   of
                   the
                   Wise
                   ,
                   and
                   perverts
                   the
                   words
                   of
                   the
                   Righteous
                   :
                
                 And
                 therefore
                 Isai
                 33.
                 15.
                 
                 He
                 is
                 a
                 rare
                 man
                 ,
                 
                   That
                   can
                   shake
                   his
                   Hands
                   from
                   holding
                   Bribe●
                   .
                
                 And
                 the
                 more
                 strange
                 it
                 is
                 that
                 men
                 can
                 take
                 so
                 largely
                 from
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 be
                 thereby
                 enticed
                 after
                 him
                 .
                 Solomon
                 sayes
                 ,
                 
                   A
                   mans
                   gift
                   make
                   room
                   for
                   him
                   ,
                
                 and
                 whithersoever
                 it
                 turneth
                 it self
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 so
                 prosperous
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   Every
                   one
                   is
                   a
                   Friend
                   to
                   him
                   that
                   giveth
                   Gifts
                   ,
                
                 Prov.
                 18
                 ,
                 15.
                 and
                 19.
                 6.
                 
                 But
                 let
                 us
                 consider
                 
                 Gods
                 Gifts
                 :
                 His
                 Gifts
                 are
                 1.
                 
                 Free
                 Gifts
                 :
                 And
                 what
                 is
                 freer
                 than
                 a
                 Gift
                 ?
                 For
                 if
                 it
                 were
                 not
                 free
                 ,
                 it
                 were
                 not
                 a
                 Gift
                 :
                 None
                 of
                 us
                 can
                 earn
                 the
                 east
                 benefit
                 at
                 Gods
                 hand
                 ;
                 For
                 
                   who
                   hath
                   given
                   to
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   and
                   it
                   shall
                   be
                   recompensed
                   to
                   him
                   again
                   ?
                   But
                   of
                   him
                   ,
                   and
                   through
                   him
                   ,
                   and
                   for
                   him
                   are
                   all
                   things
                   ,
                   to
                   whom
                   be
                   Glory
                   for
                   ever
                   ,
                
                 Rom.
                 11.
                 35.
                 36.
                 2.
                 
                 His
                 Gifts
                 are
                 
                   good
                   gifts
                
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 the
                 giver
                 of
                 all
                 good
                 ;
                 and
                 
                   from
                   him
                   every
                   good
                   and
                   perfect
                   gift
                   descendeth
                   ,
                   he
                   will
                   with-hold
                   no
                   good
                   from
                   him
                   that
                   walketh
                   uprightly
                   .
                
                 I
                 confess
                 ,
                 
                   That
                   sore
                   evil
                   unde●
                   the
                   Sun.
                
                 Eccles.
                 5.
                 13.
                 may
                 be
                 seen
                 in
                 all
                 other
                 Gifts
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 Riches
                 ,
                 That
                 they
                 are
                 often
                 
                   keepea
                   for
                   the
                   〈…〉
                   hereof
                   to
                   their
                   hurt
                   .
                
                 But
                 God
                 never
                 gave
                 men
                 that
                 Gift
                 ,
                 (
                 they
                 have
                 it
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Evil
                   One
                
                 )
                 by
                 abuse
                 to
                 turn
                 good
                 Gifts
                 into
                 evil
                 for
                 themselves
                 .
                 3.
                 
                 His
                 Gifts
                 are
                 Rich
                 and
                 rare
                 Gifts
                 ,
                 
                   Grace
                   and
                   Glory
                   ,
                   and
                   every
                   good
                   thing
                   :
                
                 yea
                 himself
                 :
                 For
                 the
                 Covenant
                 Gift
                 ,
                 is
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   will
                   be
                   their
                   God
                
                 :
                 yea
                 our Selves
                 and
                 our
                 Souls
                 
                   He
                   gives
                   Life
                   and
                   Breath
                
                 ,
                 Act.
                 17.
                 25.
                 
                 ●er
                 .
                 38.
                 16
                 
                 
                   He
                   gave
                   us
                   this
                   Soul.
                
                 4.
                 
                 His
                 Gifts
                 are
                 large
                 Gifts
                 ,
                 Act.
                 17.
                 25.
                 
                 
                   He
                   gives
                   all
                   things
                
                 ,
                 and
                 1
                 Cor
                 ,
                 47.
                 
                 
                   What
                   hast
                   thou
                   that
                   thou
                   didst
                   not
                   receive
                   ?
                
                 And
                 here
                 I
                 observe
                 ,
                 what
                 a
                 great
                 advantage
                 in
                 his
                 alluring
                 us
                 the
                 Lord
                 hath
                 of
                 us
                 all
                 by
                 his
                 Gifts
                 .
                 If
                 we
                 possess
                 and
                 keep
                 still
                 his
                 Gifts
                 ,
                 we
                 cannot
                 handsomly
                 refuse
                 his
                 sute
                 for
                 our
                 kindness
                 and
                 service
                 ,
                 for
                 no
                 ingenuous
                 Woman
                 will
                 possess
                 or
                 retain
                 that
                 man's
                 Gift
                 whom
                 she
                 minds
                 not
                 to
                 entertain
                 .
                 But
                 if
                 any
                 should
                 presume
                 disdainfully
                 to
                 return
                 the
                 Lords
                 Tokens
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 send
                 
                 back
                 his
                 Gifts
                 ;
                 then
                 he
                 hath
                 yet
                 the
                 greater
                 advantage
                 :
                 For
                 if
                 we
                 send
                 back
                 all
                 his
                 Gifts
                 ,
                 and
                 return
                 all
                 to
                 him
                 that
                 ever
                 we
                 had
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 then
                 must
                 we
                 needs
                 with
                 all
                 send
                 back
                 and
                 return
                 our selves
                 ,
                 and
                 our
                 Souls
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 that
                 we
                 are
                 ,
                 or
                 have
                 ,
                 or
                 can
                 :
                 For
                 he
                 gave
                 all
                 these
                 ;
                 and
                 he
                 requires
                 no
                 more
                 than
                 what
                 he
                 gave
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 of
                 necessity
                 we
                 must
                 either
                 be
                 all
                 for
                 God
                 ,
                 or
                 we
                 must
                 be
                 nothing
                 ;
                 or
                 else
                 we
                 must
                 be
                 most
                 base
                 in
                 being
                 anything
                 that
                 we
                 are
                 not
                 for
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 retaining
                 his
                 Tokens
                 ,
                 when
                 we
                 have
                 rejected
                 himself
                 .
                 And
                 now
                 let
                 wild
                 ungracious
                 sinners
                 ,
                 look
                 how
                 the●
                 shall
                 come
                 handsomly
                 off
                 :
                 And
                 this
                 I
                 would
                 recommend
                 ,
                 especially
                 to
                 such
                 as
                 claim
                 to
                 more
                 ●
                 a
                 Spirit
                 and
                 Breeding
                 than
                 ordinary
                 :
                 if
                 there
                 be
                 any
                 Gallantry
                 ,
                 here
                 is
                 the
                 opportunity
                 to
                 
                   shew
                   themselves
                   men
                
                 .
                 5.
                 
                 His
                 Gifts
                 are
                 frequently
                 renewed
                 or
                 rather
                 continually
                 heaped
                 Gifts
                 ,
                 
                   He
                   loadeth
                   u●
                   daily
                   with
                   his
                   〈◊〉
                   :
                
                 He
                 is
                 still
                 giving
                 and
                 daily
                 sending
                 variety
                 of
                 ●●●
                 .
                 Mercies
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 is
                 still
                 heaping
                 Benefits
                 upon
                 us
                 :
                 and
                 these
                 (
                 if
                 we
                 intertain
                 th●
                 Giver
                 ,
                 and
                 give
                 him
                 our
                 Consent
                 )
                 we
                 are
                 to
                 take
                 tokens
                 for
                 good
                 ,
                 and
                 an
                 earnest
                 of
                 greater
                 things
                 to
                 be
                 enjoyed
                 ;
                 For
                 
                   the
                   Valicy
                   of
                
                 Achor
                 
                   is
                   a
                   door
                   of
                   hope
                
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 Fifth
                 chief
                 Motive
                 ,
                 wherewith
                 the
                 Lord
                 allures
                 his
                 People
                 ,
                 is
                 ,
                 his
                 Carriage
                 and
                 Demeanor
                 towards
                 them
                 .
                 A
                 goodly
                 Deportment
                 ,
                 a
                 quair
                 Behaviour
                 with
                 an
                 obliging
                 Carriage
                 is
                 very
                 taking
                 .
                 
                 Davia's
                 and
                 
                 Daniel's
                 Behaviours
                 did
                 much
                 to
                 allay
                 ,
                 if
                 not
                 to
                 vanquish
                 the
                 fury
                 and
                 malignit●
                 of
                 their
                 malicious
                 Enemies
                 .
                 The
                 Carriage
                 of
                 
                   〈…〉
                   Vespasian
                
                 the
                 Emperour
                 was
                 such
                 ,
                 that
                 thereby
                 
                 he
                 was
                 ,
                 and
                 was
                 called
                 
                   deliciae
                   generis
                   humani
                
                 ,
                 the
                 darling
                 of
                 mankind
                 .
                 But
                 ,
                 O
                 ,
                 how
                 transporting
                 is
                 the
                 Lords
                 way
                 and
                 Carriage
                 towards
                 his
                 People
                 !
                 Secular
                 Lovers
                 use
                 to
                 frame
                 their
                 Carriage
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 their
                 Cloathes
                 ,
                 into
                 the
                 best
                 fashion
                 and
                 dress
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 study
                 to
                 make
                 their
                 entries
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 with
                 all
                 their
                 Sailes
                 up
                 ;
                 and
                 would
                 seem
                 to
                 be
                 rather
                 what
                 they
                 should
                 be
                 ,
                 then
                 what
                 they
                 are
                 ,
                 and
                 indeed
                 be
                 :
                 They
                 put
                 on
                 their
                 best
                 Behaviour
                 with
                 their
                 best
                 Sute
                 ,
                 only
                 at
                 Shows
                 and
                 Solemnities
                 ;
                 for
                 as
                 they
                 do
                 not
                 wear
                 their
                 best
                 Cloaths
                 ,
                 ●o
                 neither
                 practice
                 they
                 the
                 best
                 Manners
                 ,
                 always
                 at
                 home
                 .
                 But
                 as
                 the
                 Lords
                 Carriage
                 to
                 his
                 People
                 ,
                 is
                 alluring
                 ,
                 at
                 his
                 first
                 appearing
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 his
                 first
                 address
                 to
                 their
                 Souls
                 ;
                 so
                 they
                 may
                 expect
                 to
                 have
                 it
                 always
                 the
                 same
                 :
                 For
                 
                   He
                   is
                   God
                   and
                   changes
                   not
                   ,
                
                 and
                 all
                 that
                 is
                 but
                 his
                 ordinary
                 .
                 But
                 behold
                 his
                 Carriage
                 ,
                 I
                 pray
                 you
                 ;
                 with
                 much
                 Patience
                 he
                 waits
                 upon
                 his
                 Peoples
                 consent
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 their
                 Love
                 were
                 worth
                 the
                 waiting
                 upon
                 ;
                 and
                 indeed
                 it
                 it
                 be
                 not
                 so
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 enough
                 that
                 he
                 account
                 it
                 so
                 ;
                 in
                 much
                 mercy
                 he
                 overlooks
                 many
                 faults
                 in
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 puts
                 the
                 best
                 construction
                 upon
                 many
                 of
                 their
                 unhandsome
                 and
                 unkind
                 Actions
                 :
                 In
                 much
                 kindness
                 he
                 makes
                 them
                 many
                 a
                 visit
                 :
                 With
                 much
                 earnestness
                 he
                 invites
                 them
                 ,
                 with
                 much
                 respect
                 he
                 intreats
                 them
                 ,
                 calling
                 them
                 by
                 all
                 their
                 best
                 names
                 ,
                 in
                 discretion
                 fitting
                 their
                 Titles
                 to
                 his
                 design
                 .
                 In
                 much
                 condescendence
                 and
                 tenderness
                 he
                 complyes
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 applyes
                 himself
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 this
                 he
                 doth
                 so
                 equally
                 ,
                 constantly
                 and
                 faithfully
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 must
                 
                 say
                 ,
                 if
                 they
                 be
                 ingenuous
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   all
                   his
                   wayes
                   to
                   them
                   are
                   Mercy
                   and
                   Truth
                   :
                
                 And
                 for
                 all
                 this
                 he
                 is
                 content
                 so
                 ●ar
                 to
                 condescend
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 submit
                 himself
                 to
                 their
                 reasonable
                 and
                 impartial
                 Consure
                 :
                 O
                 Israel
                 what
                 iniquity
                 hast
                 thou
                 found
                 in
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   wherein
                   have
                   I
                   wearted
                   thee
                   ?
                   testify
                   against
                   me
                   ,
                
                 Micah
                 .
                 6.
                 3.
                 
                 Surely
                 ,
                 if
                 ever
                 I
                 did
                 any
                 thing
                 below
                 my self
                 ,
                 it
                 was
                 in
                 matching
                 with
                 thee
                 .
                 ●f
                 I
                 had
                 insisted
                 upon
                 particulars
                 in
                 this
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Motives
                 already
                 mentioned
                 ,
                 where
                 had
                 my
                 rest
                 been
                 ?
                 But
                 of
                 Gods
                 Carriage
                 and
                 Way
                 with
                 his
                 People
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 sum
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   it
                   is
                   not
                   the
                   manner
                   of
                   Men.
                
                 And
                 I
                 think
                 the
                 Lords
                 ravishing
                 conversation
                 with
                 his
                 People
                 ,
                 would
                 easily
                 pass
                 into
                 Admiration
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 who
                 professed
                 (
                 ●●ov
                 .
                 30
                 19
                 )
                 that
                 he
                 could
                 not
                 know
                 matters
                 much
                 more
                 easie
                 .
                 O
                 that
                 the
                 secular
                 Courtier
                 might
                 ,
                 after
                 many
                 changes
                 o●
                 shapes
                 and
                 fashions
                 at
                 last
                 be
                 turned
                 into
                 a
                 
                   seraphick
                   lover
                
                 !
                 And
                 that
                 the
                 ingine
                 and
                 wit
                 which
                 is
                 thrown
                 (
                 where
                 it
                 evanishes
                 )
                 into
                 the
                 Air
                 of
                 vanity
                 ,
                 were
                 employed
                 to
                 court
                 the
                 Uncreated
                 Beauty
                 of
                 that
                 ever
                 blooming
                 flower
                 of
                 Eternity
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 Sixth
                 chief
                 Motive
                 wherewith
                 the
                 Lord
                 allures
                 his
                 People
                 ,
                 is
                 ,
                 the
                 Example
                 of
                 others
                 ,
                 who
                 have
                 led
                 them
                 the
                 way
                 in
                 loving
                 ,
                 choosing
                 and
                 commending
                 him
                 .
                 Example
                 is
                 an
                 alluring
                 thing
                 :
                 And
                 the
                 World
                 is
                 more
                 ruled
                 by
                 Example
                 than
                 by
                 Law.
                 Example
                 oft-times
                 usurps
                 upon
                 Reason
                 ;
                 sometimes
                 it
                 agrees
                 with
                 her
                 ;
                 but
                 seldom
                 is
                 it
                 subject
                 to
                 Her.
                 And
                 thus
                 while
                 men
                 ask
                 rather
                 
                   quid
                   fit
                
                 ,
                 what
                 is
                 done
                 ,
                 nor
                 ,
                 
                   quid
                   fieri
                   debet
                
                 ,
                 what
                 ought
                 to
                 be
                 done
                 ,
                 
                   Many
                   follow
                   the
                   broad
                   way
                   that
                
                 
                 
                   leadeth
                   to
                   destruction
                
                 ,
                 while
                 but
                 
                   few
                   do
                   find
                   the
                   narrow
                   that
                   leadeth
                   to
                   Life
                   ,
                
                 Many
                 choose
                 rather
                 to
                 go
                 to
                 Hell
                 in
                 company
                 ,
                 than
                 to
                 go
                 to
                 Heaven
                 alone
                 .
                 But
                 in
                 Religion
                 and
                 in
                 Travel
                 ,
                 I
                 would
                 hold
                 the
                 rule
                 ,
                 to
                 choose
                 day
                 Light
                 rather
                 than
                 Company
                 :
                 Nor
                 would
                 I
                 willingly
                 wait
                 for
                 any
                 man
                 till
                 Night
                 ,
                 who
                 in
                 the
                 dark
                 ,
                 Might
                 lead
                 or
                 mislead
                 me
                 whither
                 he
                 would
                 .
                 If
                 once
                 a
                 man
                 turn
                 his
                 eye
                 off
                 the
                 fixed
                 Light
                 of
                 Scripture
                 ,
                 the
                 wandering
                 Star
                 of
                 Example
                 may
                 lead
                 him
                 whither
                 he
                 knows
                 not
                 ,
                 and
                 lodge
                 him
                 where
                 he
                 would
                 not
                 .
                 Now
                 how
                 the
                 Lord
                 allures
                 his
                 People
                 by
                 Example
                 ,
                 see
                 Cant.
                 1.
                 3
                 4
                 
                 There
                 the
                 Church
                 finds
                 others
                 before
                 her
                 ,
                 whom
                 she
                 would
                 gladly
                 follow
                 :
                 
                   The
                   Virgins
                   love
                   thee
                   ,
                   draw
                   me
                   ,
                   we
                   will
                   run
                   after
                   thee
                
                 ;
                 Lord
                 I
                 love
                 good
                 company
                 well
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 let
                 us
                 all
                 go
                 together
                 .
                 And
                 as
                 she
                 finds
                 good
                 Example
                 before
                 her
                 ,
                 she
                 leaves
                 the
                 like
                 after
                 her
                 ,
                 that
                 allures
                 others
                 to
                 follow
                 her
                 ,
                 as
                 she
                 had
                 followed
                 others
                 ,
                 Cant.
                 ch
                 5
                 ,
                 and
                 6.
                 
                 
                   Whither
                   i●
                   thy
                   beloved
                   gone
                   ,
                   O
                   thou
                   fairest
                   among
                   Women
                   ,
                   ●●hither
                   is
                   thy
                   beloved
                   turned
                   aside
                   ?
                   that
                   we
                   may
                   seek
                   him
                   with
                   thee
                   :
                
                 And
                 all
                 this
                 by
                 the
                 Lords
                 direction
                 ,
                 chap.
                 1.
                 8.
                 
                 
                   Go
                   forth
                   by
                   the
                   footsteps
                   of
                   the
                   flock
                   .
                
                 O
                 that
                 God
                 would
                 raise
                 up
                 many
                 Lights
                 of
                 Religion
                 in
                 this
                 dark
                 Generation
                 !
                 Many
                 who
                 might
                 be
                 exemplary
                 in
                 Piety
                 ,
                 who
                 might
                 go
                 before
                 others
                 ,
                 
                   ●s
                   the
                   hee-goats
                   before
                   the
                   flock
                   ,
                
                 Jer.
                 50.
                 8.
                 
                 O
                 that
                 God
                 would
                 perform
                 more
                 in
                 our
                 days
                 ,
                 that
                 which
                 he
                 hath
                 promised
                 of
                 old
                 .
                 Zach.
                 8.
                 21.
                 
                   the
                   inhabitants
                   of
                   one
                   City
                   shall
                   go
                   to
                   another
                   ,
                   saying
                   ,
                   let
                   ●s
                   go
                   speedily
                   to
                   pray
                   before
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   seek
                   the
                
                 
                 
                   Lord
                   of
                   hosts
                   ;
                   I
                   will
                   go
                   also
                   .
                
                 Mean
                 time
                 ,
                 let
                 us
                 follow
                 the
                 Examples
                 we
                 have
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 the
                 Example
                 of
                 those
                 who
                 have
                 chosen
                 and
                 owned
                 the
                 Lord
                 and
                 his
                 way
                 ,
                 may
                 be
                 the
                 more
                 alluring
                 to
                 us
                 .
                 Consider
                 1.
                 that
                 many
                 of
                 them
                 were
                 Kings
                 and
                 Great
                 Men
                 :
                 Religion
                 and
                 the
                 strictness
                 of
                 Godliness
                 is
                 too
                 far
                 above
                 every
                 man
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 below
                 any
                 man
                 :
                 I
                 fear
                 those
                 who
                 think
                 Godliness
                 below
                 them
                 ,
                 find
                 it
                 too
                 far
                 above
                 them
                 Prov.
                 24.
                 7.
                 
                   wisdom
                   is
                   too
                   high
                   for
                   a
                   fool
                   .
                
                 2.
                 
                 Many
                 of
                 them
                 were
                 Wise
                 men
                 .
                 Let
                 our
                 Sages
                 ,
                 Senators
                 ,
                 and
                 our
                 Counsellours
                 remember
                 this
                 :
                 and
                 if
                 they
                 say
                 there
                 are
                 few
                 Godly
                 men
                 Wise
                 ,
                 I
                 can
                 say
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 there
                 are
                 as
                 few
                 Wise
                 men
                 Gody
                 and
                 chosen
                 to
                 obtain
                 mercy
                 .
                 1
                 Cor.
                 1
                 ,
                 26.
                 
                   not
                   many
                   wise
                   men
                   after
                   the
                   flesh
                   are
                   called
                   and
                   chosen
                   .
                
                 But
                 truely
                 ,
                 till
                 the
                 Cabi●●●
                 Councils
                 of
                 secular
                 heads
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Conclaves
                 of
                 the
                 Clergy
                 find
                 me
                 amongst
                 them
                 all
                 ,
                 four
                 men
                 whom
                 they
                 will
                 undertake
                 to
                 match
                 for
                 wisdom
                 with
                 
                   Moses
                   ,
                   Joseph
                   ,
                   Solomon
                
                 ,
                 and
                 Daniel
                 ,
                 I
                 cannot
                 but
                 think
                 ,
                 that
                 Godliness
                 doth
                 as
                 well
                 become
                 a
                 Wise
                 Man
                 ,
                 as
                 Wisdom
                 doth
                 a
                 Godly
                 man
                 :
                 withal
                 consider
                 ,
                 that
                 Godliness
                 and
                 Wisdome
                 are
                 one
                 in
                 Scripture
                 .
                 3.
                 
                 All
                 of
                 them
                 were
                 Righteous
                 and
                 truely
                 Holy
                 Men
                 ,
                 strange
                 it
                 is
                 that
                 so
                 many
                 should
                 choose
                 to
                 be
                 wicked
                 ,
                 whilst
                 none
                 can
                 en●ure
                 t●
                 seem
                 or
                 to
                 be
                 called
                 such
                 ,
                 and
                 who
                 but
                 the
                 worst
                 man
                 takes
                 it
                 worst
                 to
                 be
                 told
                 of
                 his
                 faults
                 ?
                 And
                 as
                 strange
                 it
                 is
                 ,
                 that
                 every
                 one
                 should
                 choose
                 to
                 seem
                 and
                 to
                 be
                 called
                 Righteous
                 and
                 Good
                 ,
                 whilst
                 so
                 few
                 do
                 choose
                 indeed
                 to
                 be
                 such
                 .
                 But
                 is
                 it
                 no●
                 as
                 much
                 the
                 Glory
                 of
                 true
                 Godliness
                 ,
                 that
                 Hypocrits
                 
                 and
                 Prophane
                 Persons
                 love
                 to
                 go
                 in
                 its
                 Live●y
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 be
                 called
                 by
                 its
                 name
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 their
                 reproach
                 to
                 have
                 or
                 hold
                 
                   the
                   forme
                   of
                   Godliness
                   ,
                   whilst
                   they
                   deny
                   the
                   power
                   thereof
                   ?
                
                 4
                 They
                 were
                 Impartial
                 and
                 Uninteressed
                 men
                 ,
                 that
                 (
                 except
                 upon
                 Heaven
                 )
                 could
                 not
                 with
                 the
                 least
                 colour
                 be
                 suspect
                 of
                 any
                 designe
                 in
                 their
                 doings
                 :
                 yea
                 did
                 they
                 not
                 renounce
                 and
                 go
                 cross
                 to
                 all
                 Worldly
                 interests
                 of
                 nature
                 ,
                 Education
                 ,
                 Credit
                 ,
                 Profit
                 ,
                 Pleasure
                 and
                 the
                 like
                 ?
                 5.
                 
                 They
                 were
                 Resolute
                 and
                 Constant
                 in
                 what
                 they
                 did
                 .
                 Indeed
                 if
                 the
                 Saints
                 had
                 Repented
                 their
                 choice
                 ,
                 they
                 might
                 have
                 renounced
                 Religion
                 when
                 they
                 pleased
                 ,
                 as
                 is
                 said
                 of
                 the
                 Patriarchs
                 .
                 Heb.
                 11.
                 15.
                 
                   that
                   if
                   they
                   had
                   been
                   mindful
                   of
                   that
                   Countrey
                   ,
                   from
                   whence
                   they
                   came
                   out
                   ,
                   they
                   might
                   have
                   ●ad
                   opportunity
                   to
                   have
                   returned
                   ,
                   but
                   now
                   they
                   desire
                   a
                   better
                   Countrey
                   ,
                   that
                   is
                   an
                   heavenly
                   .
                
                 I
                 should
                 think
                 it
                 a
                 poor
                 office
                 to
                 perswade
                 men
                 to
                 that
                 which
                 might
                 repent
                 them
                 :
                 but
                 if
                 they
                 ,
                 whose
                 example
                 commend
                 ,
                 and
                 whose
                 Practise
                 gladly
                 I
                 would
                 perswade
                 ,
                 did
                 with
                 Constancy
                 and
                 Confidence
                 ,
                 without
                 Relenting
                 go
                 thorow
                 and
                 pass
                 the
                 difficulties
                 of
                 the
                 flatterings
                 and
                 Frownings
                 ,
                 the
                 Fears
                 and
                 Hopes
                 ,
                 the
                 Threats
                 and
                 Intreaties
                 of
                 a
                 present
                 World
                 ,
                 may
                 I
                 not
                 conclude
                 ,
                 that
                 Godliness
                 is
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 Repented
                 of
                 ?
              
               
                 It
                 now
                 follows
                 to
                 treat
                 of
                 the
                 inward
                 power
                 of
                 Grace
                 ,
                 which
                 maketh
                 these
                 external
                 motives
                 ,
                 effectual
                 upon
                 the
                 Soul.
                 If
                 any
                 should
                 attempt
                 by
                 ●●rce
                 to
                 storme
                 the
                 Soul
                 of
                 man
                 ;
                 it
                 is
                 so
                 sure
                 to
                 be
                 ●●zed
                 to
                 the
                 ground
                 ,
                 and
                 brought
                 utterly
                 down
                 ●●
                 nothing
                 before
                 it
                 yeeld
                 (
                 for
                 
                   voluntas
                   non
                   potest
                   cog●
                   ▪
                
                 
                 the
                 will
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 Fort
                 Royal
                 of
                 the
                 Soul
                 cannot
                 be
                 forced
                 )
                 that
                 the
                 Assailant
                 may
                 resolve
                 to
                 loss
                 it
                 ,
                 before
                 he
                 win
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 win
                 only
                 the
                 expensive
                 loss
                 of
                 all
                 his
                 labour
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 triumph
                 ridiculously
                 over
                 
                   a
                   nothing
                
                 :
                 for
                 nature
                 and
                 invention
                 have
                 made
                 the
                 Soul
                 a
                 strength
                 impregnable
                 and
                 unaccessable
                 to
                 any
                 power
                 without
                 :
                 and
                 all
                 attempts
                 thence
                 ,
                 may
                 certainly
                 prove
                 ineffectual
                 ,
                 except
                 a
                 ready
                 course
                 be
                 taken
                 ,
                 to
                 gain
                 a
                 correspondency
                 with
                 these
                 within
                 .
                 Also
                 sinners
                 are
                 naturally
                 very
                 shie
                 and
                 ill
                 to
                 be
                 courted
                 :
                 But
                 the
                 Lord
                 as
                 he
                 is
                 good
                 at
                 all
                 that
                 is
                 good
                 ,
                 is
                 excellently
                 good
                 a●
                 courting
                 and
                 allureing
                 an
                 untoward
                 heart
                 .
                 Others
                 ,
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 ,
                 have
                 got
                 from
                 her
                 at
                 once
                 ,
                 their
                 leave
                 ,
                 with
                 a
                 repulse
                 :
                 yea
                 my
                 servants
                 in
                 my
                 name
                 ,
                 have
                 possibly
                 been
                 so
                 served
                 :
                 but
                 ,
                 wild
                 as
                 she
                 is
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 not
                 leave
                 her
                 so
                 :
                 I
                 will
                 speak
                 to
                 her
                 my self
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 'le
                 in
                 gage
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 quickly
                 cause
                 her
                 say
                 yea
                 :
                 
                   therefore
                   behold
                   I
                   will
                   allure
                   her
                   ,
                
                 he
                 can
                 but
                 say
                 to
                 a
                 Soul
                 ,
                 
                   follow
                   me
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   it
                   leaves
                   all
                   and
                   follows
                   him
                   :
                
                 he
                 can
                 catch
                 a
                 sinners
                 heart
                 from
                 him
                 ere
                 ever
                 he
                 is
                 aware
                 .
                 Ier.
                 20.
                 7.
                 
                 
                   O
                   Lord
                   ,
                   thou
                   hast
                   deceaved
                   me
                   ,
                   and
                   I
                   was
                   deceaved
                   ,
                   thou
                   art
                   stronger
                   than
                   I
                   ,
                   and
                   hast
                   prevailed
                   .
                
                 He
                 can
                 mix
                 a
                 Love-cup
                 to
                 the
                 Soul
                 ,
                 that
                 shall
                 cause
                 it
                 speak
                 of
                 him
                 when
                 he
                 is
                 gone
                 ,
                 and
                 follow
                 him
                 faster
                 than
                 ever
                 it
                 fled
                 from
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 even
                 when
                 he
                 seems
                 to
                 flee
                 :
                 
                   we
                   remember
                   thy
                   Love
                   more
                   than
                   wine
                   ,
                   the
                   virgins
                   love
                   thee
                   ;
                   draw
                   me
                   ,
                   we
                   will
                   run
                   after
                   thee
                
                 Cant.
                 1.
                 2
                 ,
                 3
                 ,
                 4.
                 yea
                 more
                 ,
                 he
                 can
                 make
                 an
                 ointment
                 ,
                 the
                 very
                 savour
                 whereof
                 shall
                 cause
                 sinners
                 love
                 him
                 :
                 
                   because
                   of
                   the
                   savour
                   of
                   thy
                   good
                   ointments
                   ,
                   thy
                   name
                   is
                   as
                   ointmen
                   poured
                
                 
                 
                   out
                   ,
                   therefore
                   do
                   the
                   virgins
                   love
                   thee
                
                 ;
                 yea
                 he
                 ●an
                 give
                 a
                 Soul-charming
                 vertue
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 very
                 words
                 of
                 his
                 name
                 ;
                 and
                 cause
                 the
                 very
                 naming
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 kindle
                 a
                 flame
                 of
                 love
                 in
                 the
                 Soul
                 ,
                 that
                 many
                 waters
                 cannot
                 quench
                 :
                 
                   thy
                   name
                   is
                   as
                   ointment
                   that
                   is
                   powred
                   forth
                   .
                
                 He
                 can
                 open
                 with
                 his
                 finger
                 the
                 ●stest
                 lock
                 that
                 is
                 upon
                 the
                 heart
                 of
                 any
                 sinner
                 .
                 Cant.
                 ●
                 .
                 4.
                 
                   my
                   beloved
                   put
                   in
                   his
                   hand
                   by
                   the
                   hole
                   of
                   the
                   ●●or
                   ,
                   my
                   bowels
                   were
                   moved
                   for
                   him
                   :
                
                 and
                 if
                 it
                 ●o
                 not
                 open
                 freely
                 ,
                 he
                 can
                 drop
                 a
                 litle
                 mirrhe
                 from
                 is
                 finger
                 upon
                 it
                 ,
                 that
                 shall
                 make
                 it
                 easy
                 :
                 
                   ●
                   rose
                   ●●
                   to
                   open
                   to
                   my
                   beloved
                   ,
                   and
                   my
                   fingers
                   droped
                   myrrhe
                   ,
                   verse
                
                 5
                 and
                 6.
                 yea
                 without
                 once
                 asking
                 liberty
                 ,
                 he
                 ●an
                 ravish
                 a
                 sinners
                 heart
                 :
                 and
                 when
                 ever
                 he
                 comes
                 ●pon
                 such
                 a
                 design
                 ,
                 he
                 coms
                 rideing
                 in
                 
                   King
                   So●●mons
                   Chariot
                   ,
                   the
                   midst
                   whereof
                   is
                   paved
                   with
                   love
                   ,
                   ●●
                   the
                   daughters
                   of
                   Ierusalem
                
                 Cant.
                 3.
                 9.
                 10.
                 and
                 after
                 the
                 Kings
                 Chariot
                 ,
                 follows
                 a
                 large
                 train
                 ,
                 the
                 Chariots
                 of
                 Aminadab
                 ,
                 waiting
                 to
                 convoy
                 and
                 bring
                 ●p
                 ,
                 his
                 willing
                 people
                 ,
                 Cant.
                 6.
                 12.
                 and
                 if
                 once
                 the
                 ●●ul
                 is
                 got
                 up
                 into
                 the
                 Chariot
                 ,
                 the
                 King
                 bids
                 drive
                 ,
                 the
                 13
                 
                   verse
                   ,
                   return
                   ,
                   return
                   O
                   Shulamite
                   ,
                   return
                   ,
                   ●urn
                
                 ;
                 and
                 then
                 farewell
                 thy
                 Fathers
                 house
                 .
                 Psal.
                 5.
                 10.
                 
                   forget
                   thine
                   own
                   people
                   and
                   thy
                   fathers
                   house
                   .
                
                 ●ow
                 the
                 Chariots
                 of
                 Aminadab
                 ,
                 the
                 Chariots
                 of
                 the
                 ●ords
                 willing
                 People
                 ,
                 run
                 upon
                 these
                 four
                 wheels
                 .
                 ●
                 plain
                 termes
                 ,
                 the
                 inward
                 power
                 of
                 Grace
                 ,
                 where●●
                 the
                 Lord
                 allures
                 sinners
                 ,
                 and
                 gains
                 them
                 to
                 himself
                 ,
                 consisteth
                 and
                 is
                 carryed
                 on
                 of
                 these
                 Four.
                 ●1
                 .
                 A
                 sound
                 and
                 clear
                 Information
                 of
                 the
                 understanding
                 ,
                 and
                 Illumination
                 of
                 the
                 mind
                 :
                 as
                 
                   it
                   is
                   ●●ten
                   in
                   the
                   Prophets
                   ,
                   and
                   they
                   shall
                   be
                   all
                   taught
                   of
                
                 
                 God.
                 John
                 6.
                 45.
                 out
                 of
                 Isai.
                 54
                 ,
                 13.
                 with
                 Ier.
                 24.
                 7.
                 
                   and
                   I
                   will
                   give
                   them
                   an
                   heart
                   to
                   know
                   me
                   .
                
                 1
                 John.
                 5.
                 20.
                 
                   he
                   hath
                   given
                   us
                   an
                   understanding
                   ,
                   that
                   we
                   ma●
                   know
                   him
                   that
                   is
                   true
                   .
                
                 If
                 a
                 man
                 by
                 nature
                 and
                 study
                 were
                 never
                 so
                 judicious
                 and
                 learned
                 ,
                 yet
                 ere
                 he
                 b●
                 converted
                 and
                 effectually
                 allured
                 ,
                 to
                 ingage
                 throughly
                 in
                 Covenant
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 he
                 hath
                 need
                 to
                 be
                 taught
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 
                   that
                   the
                   eyes
                   of
                   his
                   understanding
                   being
                   opened
                   ,
                   he
                   may
                   know
                   that
                   which
                   passes
                   knowledge
                
                 ;
                 Otherways
                 ,
                 it
                 may
                 seem
                 a
                 strange
                 saying
                 :
                 but
                 it
                 is
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 noted
                 in
                 the
                 Scripture
                 of
                 truth
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 Scripture
                 expressions
                 of
                 
                   opening
                   the
                   eyes
                   ,
                   giving
                   an
                   understanding
                   ,
                
                 and
                 the
                 like
                 ,
                 make
                 it
                 clear
                 .
                 That
                 the
                 meanest
                 Saint
                 and
                 convert
                 hath
                 more
                 knowledge
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 seeth
                 somewhat
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 most
                 Subtile
                 ,
                 Seraphick
                 ,
                 Resolute
                 ,
                 or
                 Angelick
                 Doctor
                 unconverted
                 cannot
                 see
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 whatever
                 differences
                 there
                 be
                 betwixt
                 Saving
                 and
                 Common
                 knowledge
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 certainly
                 a
                 difference
                 even
                 in
                 regard
                 of
                 the
                 intensive
                 degree
                 〈◊〉
                 clearness
                 :
                 or
                 if
                 it
                 be
                 not
                 so
                 ,
                 let
                 any
                 man
                 tell
                 〈◊〉
                 what
                 such
                 expressions
                 mean
                 ,
                 2
                 Cor.
                 4.
                 6
                 ,
                 
                   that
                   God
                   who
                   commandeth
                   the
                   light
                   to
                   shine
                   out
                   of
                   darkness
                   ,
                   hat●
                   shined
                   in
                   our
                   hearts
                   ,
                   to
                   give
                   the
                   light
                
                 of
                 the
                 Glory
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 the
                 face
                 of
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 :
                 and
                 verse
                 ,
                 3
                 and
                 
                   the
                   Gospel
                   is
                   hid
                   from
                   those
                   that
                   perish
                   ,
                   for
                   Satan
                   hath
                   blinded
                   their
                   mindes
                
                 ;
                 and
                 no
                 doubt
                 ,
                 many
                 of
                 these
                 had
                 more
                 natural
                 judgment
                 ,
                 and
                 learning
                 with
                 more
                 of
                 the
                 means
                 also
                 ,
                 than
                 some
                 of
                 the●
                 that
                 believed
                 .
                 To
                 conclude
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 greater
                 odd
                 betwixt
                 a
                 Saint
                 and
                 a
                 Rabbi
                 ,
                 than
                 betwixt
                 a
                 Ra●●●
                 and
                 an
                 Idiot
                 :
                 for
                 the
                 last
                 two
                 (
                 I
                 now
                 suppo●
                 
                 them
                 unconverted
                 )
                 are
                 neighboured
                 in
                 Nature
                 ;
                 but
                 Grace
                 separats
                 the
                 first
                 from
                 them
                 both
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 The
                 inward
                 power
                 of
                 Grace
                 consisteth
                 in
                 a
                 powerful
                 inflection
                 and
                 Bowing
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Will.
                   Psal.
                
                 110.
                 3.
                 
                   thy
                   People
                   shall
                   be
                   willing
                   in
                   the
                   day
                   of
                   thy
                   power
                   :
                
                 the
                 Lord
                 findeth
                 sinners
                 Unwilling
                 ,
                 he
                 worketh
                 on
                 them
                 
                   not
                   willing
                
                 and
                 he
                 makes
                 them
                 Willing
                 .
                 The
                 Will
                 (
                 as
                 I
                 said
                 before
                 )
                 is
                 the
                 strongest
                 hold
                 of
                 the
                 Soul
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 most
                 wilful
                 piece
                 of
                 the
                 man
                 :
                 command
                 the
                 Will
                 and
                 you
                 command
                 the
                 man
                 :
                 the
                 New
                 Will
                 (
                 say
                 Divines
                 )
                 is
                 the
                 New
                 Man
                 ;
                 and
                 therefore
                 the
                 Lord
                 is
                 concerned
                 to
                 possess
                 the
                 Will
                 :
                 and
                 this
                 he
                 doth
                 wherever
                 he
                 savingly
                 allures
                 a
                 Soul
                 :
                 for
                 he
                 scorns
                 any
                 should
                 say
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 serve
                 and
                 follow
                 him
                 against
                 their
                 will
                 ,
                 all
                 his
                 Souldiers
                 are
                 
                   Volunteers
                   :
                   his
                   People
                   are
                   a
                   Willing
                   People
                   .
                
                 I
                 find
                 a
                 Godly
                 Man
                 once
                 saying
                 (
                 and
                 all
                 such
                 must
                 say
                 it
                 often
                 )
                 
                   the
                   good
                   which
                   I
                   would
                   that
                   I
                   do
                   not
                   .
                
                 Even
                 as
                 by
                 Conversion
                 oft
                 times
                 the
                 greatest
                 sinner
                 becomes
                 the
                 greatest
                 Saint
                 ;
                 so
                 the
                 Will
                 ,
                 before
                 Conversion
                 ,
                 the
                 most
                 obstinate
                 and
                 unplacable
                 enemy
                 ,
                 doth
                 afterward
                 become
                 the
                 most
                 kind
                 and
                 trusty
                 friend
                 to
                 God
                 :
                 for
                 in
                 the
                 midst
                 of
                 many
                 exorbitancies
                 of
                 affections
                 ,
                 and
                 irregularities
                 of
                 Practice
                 ,
                 and
                 Conversation
                 ,
                 the
                 Will
                 retains
                 its
                 loyalty
                 ,
                 and
                 persists
                 in
                 its
                 duty
                 to
                 the
                 Lord
                 :
                 and
                 when
                 the
                 whole
                 Soul
                 is
                 in
                 an
                 uproar
                 ,
                 and
                 confusion
                 ,
                 like
                 that
                 of
                 the
                 City
                 of
                 
                   Ephesus
                   Act.
                
                 19.
                 32.
                 
                 (
                 a
                 most
                 lively
                 Representation
                 of
                 a
                 Soul
                 in
                 Perturbation
                 )
                 wherein
                 
                   some
                   cryed
                   one
                   thing
                   ,
                   some
                   another
                   ,
                   for
                   the
                   Assembly
                   was
                   confused
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   more
                   part
                   knew
                   not
                   wherefore
                   they
                   were
                   
                   come
                   together
                   :
                
                 All
                 this
                 while
                 the
                 Will
                 is
                 at
                 ready
                 to
                 protest
                 for
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 superstitious
                 Ephesians
                 were
                 for
                 their
                 Diana
                 .
                 And
                 when
                 in
                 a
                 disorder
                 ,
                 all
                 plead
                 liberty
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   consent
                   unto
                   the
                   Law
                
                 (
                 says
                 the
                 will
                 )
                 Rom
                 ,
                 7.
                 16
                 and
                 25
                 
                   with
                   the
                   mind
                   I
                   serve
                   the
                   Law
                   of
                   God.
                   
                
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 The
                 inward
                 power
                 of
                 Grace
                 consists
                 in
                 a
                 sweet
                 Inclination
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Affections
                   Deut.
                
                 30.
                 6.
                 
                 
                   The
                   Lord
                   thy
                   God
                   will
                   circumcise
                   thine
                   heart
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   heart
                   of
                   thy
                   seed
                   ,
                   to
                   love
                   the
                   Lord
                   thy
                   God
                   ,
                   with
                   all
                   thine
                   heart
                   ,
                   and
                   with
                   all
                   thy
                   Soul.
                
                 The
                 Psalmist
                 Prayes
                 Psal.
                 119.
                 36.
                 
                   incline
                   mine
                   heart
                   unto
                   thy
                   testimonys
                   ,
                
                 and
                 Psal.
                 141.
                 4.
                 
                   incline
                   not
                   mine
                   heart
                   to
                   any
                   evil
                   thing
                   .
                
                 The
                 Affections
                 are
                 ticklish
                 things
                 :
                 By
                 much
                 working
                 and
                 subduing
                 ,
                 with
                 frequent
                 turnings
                 ,
                 they
                 become
                 as
                 ductile
                 and
                 formable
                 as
                 the
                 potters
                 clay
                 ,
                 whereof
                 he
                 makes
                 a
                 vessel
                 as
                 it
                 pleases
                 him
                 .
                 Like
                 those
                 we
                 call
                 
                   Good
                   Natures
                
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 sweet
                 Companions
                 ,
                 but
                 not
                 so
                 sure
                 :
                 And
                 as
                 readily
                 you
                 do
                 not
                 leave
                 them
                 ,
                 as
                 you
                 found
                 them
                 ;
                 so
                 you
                 shall
                 hardly
                 find
                 them
                 where
                 you
                 left
                 them
                 ;
                 nor
                 know
                 you
                 when
                 you
                 have
                 them
                 ,
                 or
                 when
                 you
                 want
                 them
                 :
                 They
                 are
                 
                   primi
                   oc●upanti●
                
                 ,
                 they
                 can
                 refuse
                 no
                 body
                 :
                 They
                 welcome
                 all
                 comers
                 ,
                 follow
                 all
                 Counsels
                 ,
                 comply
                 with
                 all
                 Companies
                 :
                 And
                 in
                 a
                 word
                 they
                 are
                 compleat
                 Conformists
                 :
                 And
                 they
                 are
                 courted
                 by
                 so
                 many
                 Lovers
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 much
                 if
                 they
                 turn
                 not
                 common
                 strumpets
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 dishonour
                 and
                 grief
                 of
                 this
                 concerned
                 chaste
                 Suter
                 ,
                 
                   Who
                   is
                   broken
                   with
                   such
                   whorish
                   Hearts
                   ,
                
                 Ezek.
                 6.
                 9.
                 
                 Again
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 like
                 an
                 Instrument
                 with
                 many
                 Strings
                 ,
                 they
                 make
                 sweet
                 Melody
                 in
                 Gods
                 
                 Service
                 ,
                 but
                 with
                 the
                 least
                 wrong
                 touch
                 ,
                 you
                 Mis-tune
                 them
                 .
                 Indeed
                 the
                 Saints
                 have
                 their
                 affections
                 frequently
                 to
                 Tune
                 ,
                 and
                 it
                 requires
                 a
                 time
                 to
                 do
                 it
                 :
                 This
                 causes
                 that
                 the
                 Affection
                 of
                 Grief
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 Basse
                 of
                 the
                 Soul
                 ,
                 is
                 oftest
                 in
                 Tune
                 ,
                 and
                 keeps
                 in
                 Tune
                 longest
                 with
                 the
                 Saints
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 57.
                 7
                 ,
                 8.
                 
                 When
                 
                 David's
                 
                   Heart
                   was
                   fixed
                
                 ,
                 his
                 Harp
                 was
                 out
                 of
                 Tune
                 :
                 when
                 his
                 Faith
                 had
                 got
                 footing
                 ,
                 his
                 Affections
                 were
                 to
                 seek
                 .
                 The
                 Case
                 is
                 common
                 and
                 too
                 well
                 known
                 to
                 the
                 People
                 of
                 God
                 :
                 In
                 Preaching
                 ,
                 Hearing
                 ,
                 Reading
                 ,
                 Meditating
                 ,
                 Praying
                 ,
                 Praising
                 ,
                 or
                 any
                 other
                 Duty
                 of
                 our
                 Life
                 ,
                 the
                 Affections
                 oft
                 times
                 do
                 not
                 answer
                 .
                 But
                 Grace
                 hath
                 a
                 skilful
                 hand
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 a
                 Musician
                 so
                 expert
                 ,
                 that
                 if
                 the
                 Tenor
                 of
                 the
                 Will
                 be
                 but
                 well
                 set
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Base
                 of
                 Godly
                 sorrow
                 record
                 well
                 ,
                 ordinary
                 failings
                 in
                 the
                 other
                 parts
                 ,
                 shall
                 not
                 be
                 much
                 discerned
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 The
                 inward
                 power
                 of
                 Grace
                 making
                 outward
                 Motives
                 effectual
                 ,
                 consists
                 in
                 a
                 Cheerful
                 ,
                 Ready
                 Motion
                 of
                 the
                 Locomotives
                 ,
                 and
                 an
                 actual
                 up-stiring
                 of
                 all
                 that
                 is
                 in
                 a
                 man
                 ,
                 by
                 an
                 Act
                 Elicitive
                 of
                 the
                 Imperated
                 Acts
                 of
                 the
                 Understanding
                 ,
                 Will
                 ,
                 and
                 Affections
                 :
                 So
                 the
                 Schools
                 express
                 it
                 :
                 But
                 to
                 speak
                 plainly
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 Grace
                 causing
                 us
                 to
                 perform
                 indeed
                 and
                 with
                 our
                 Hand
                 ,
                 that
                 which
                 it
                 hath
                 caused
                 us
                 to
                 know
                 ,
                 will
                 ,
                 and
                 Love
                 with
                 our
                 Heart
                 :
                 For
                 sayes
                 the
                 
                   Apostle
                   ,
                   It
                   is
                   God
                   that
                   worketh
                   in
                   us
                   ,
                   both
                   to
                   will
                   and
                   to
                   do
                   ,
                   of
                   his
                   good
                   Pleasure
                   ,
                
                 Philip.
                 1.
                 13.
                 
                 And
                 if
                 Grace
                 assist
                 not
                 in
                 this
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 in
                 the
                 rest
                 ,
                 this
                 ,
                 
                   to
                   do
                
                 ,
                 may
                 make
                 much
                 adoe
                 ,
                 and
                 cause
                 even
                 an
                 Apostolick
                 Spirit
                 have
                 a
                 
                 hard
                 pull
                 of
                 Duty
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 7.
                 18.
                 
                 
                   To
                   will
                   is
                   present
                   with
                   me
                   ,
                   but
                   how
                   to
                   perform
                   that
                   which
                   is
                   good
                   ,
                   I
                   find
                   not
                   .
                
                 And
                 by
                 this
                 their
                 defectiveness
                 and
                 short
                 coming
                 in
                 the
                 point
                 of
                 doing
                 ,
                 the
                 best
                 of
                 Saints
                 may
                 be
                 convinced
                 ,
                 that
                 of
                 themselves
                 ,
                 they
                 fall
                 as
                 far
                 short
                 in
                 the
                 other
                 points
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 it
                 they
                 cannot
                 go
                 the
                 least
                 step
                 without
                 Christs
                 hand
                 holding
                 them
                 up
                 ,
                 they
                 could
                 far
                 less
                 have
                 walked
                 the
                 whole
                 length
                 of
                 their
                 Duty
                 :
                 The
                 
                 Apostle's
                 inference
                 is
                 remarkable
                 to
                 the
                 purpose
                 :
                 
                   I
                   know
                
                 ,
                 sayes
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   that
                   in
                   me
                   ,
                   that
                   is
                   ,
                   in
                   my
                   〈◊〉
                   dwelleth
                   no
                   good
                   thing
                   ,
                   for
                   to
                   perform
                   that
                   which
                   is
                   good
                   I
                   find
                   not
                   ,
                   albeit
                   that
                   to
                   will
                   is
                   present
                   with
                   me
                   .
                
                 So
                 that
                 he
                 who
                 of
                 himself
                 cannot
                 do
                 ,
                 neither
                 of
                 himself
                 can
                 he
                 know
                 ,
                 will
                 or
                 love
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 good
                 .
                 Fail
                 in
                 one
                 ,
                 fail
                 in
                 all
                 .
                 This
                 consideration
                 of
                 it self
                 ,
                 may
                 refute
                 the
                 whole
                 and
                 half
                 
                   P●●agian
                   ,
                   Popish
                   ,
                   Lutheran
                   ,
                   and
                   Arminian
                
                 Crot●hets
                 in
                 the
                 point
                 of
                 Grace
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 shortly
                 is
                 the
                 method
                 of
                 Graces
                 work
                 Converting
                 a
                 Soul
                 ,
                 and
                 alluring
                 a
                 Sinners
                 heart
                 .
                 The
                 Understanding
                 sayes
                 ,
                 Gods
                 will
                 is
                 true
                 ,
                 the
                 Will
                 sayes
                 it
                 is
                 good
                 ,
                 the
                 Affections
                 say
                 it
                 is
                 sweet
                 ,
                 the
                 Practice
                 and
                 whole
                 Man
                 sayes
                 it
                 is
                 done
                 .
                 
                   Thy
                   will
                   he
                   done
                
                 ;
                 and
                 if
                 it
                 be
                 thy
                 will
                 to
                 save
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 me
                 to
                 thy self
                 ,
                 then
                 
                   Lord
                   ,
                   I
                   am
                   thine
                   ,
                   save
                   me
                   ;
                   for
                   I
                   seek
                   thy
                   Precepts
                   ,
                
                 Psal.
                 119.
                 94.
                 
                 But
                 in
                 the
                 Natural
                 Birth
                 ,
                 we
                 know
                 not
                 how
                 the
                 Bones
                 do
                 grow
                 in
                 the
                 Womb
                 of
                 her
                 that
                 is
                 with
                 Child
                 ;
                 far
                 less
                 can
                 we
                 reach
                 to
                 Perfection
                 the
                 Mystery
                 of
                 Regeneration
                 :
                 and
                 if
                 we
                 know
                 not
                 the
                 time
                 when
                 the
                 wild
                 Goats
                 of
                 the
                 Rock
                 bring
                 forth
                 ,
                 nor
                 can
                 mark
                 when
                 the
                 
                 Hindes
                 do
                 Calve
                 ,
                 how
                 shall
                 we
                 be
                 able
                 to
                 Cast
                 the
                 Nativity
                 of
                 the
                 Sons
                 of
                 God
                 ?
                 For
                 Iohn
                 3.
                 8.
                 
                 
                   The
                   Wind
                   bloweth
                   where
                   it
                   listeth
                   ,
                   and
                   thou
                   hearest
                   the
                   sound
                   thereof
                   ,
                   but
                   canst
                   not
                   tell
                   whence
                   it
                   cometh
                   ,
                   or
                   whither
                   it
                   goeth
                   :
                   So
                   is
                   every
                   one
                   that
                   is
                   born
                   of
                   the
                   Spirit
                   .
                
                 If
                 we
                 
                   know
                   not
                   the
                   way
                   of
                   a
                   man
                   with
                   a
                   maid
                   ,
                
                 Prov.
                 30.
                 19.
                 how
                 short
                 may
                 we
                 well
                 be
                 judged
                 to
                 have
                 come
                 in
                 our
                 Accounts
                 of
                 the
                 Lords
                 method
                 of
                 courting
                 and
                 making
                 Love
                 to
                 the
                 Souls
                 of
                 his
                 People
                 ;
                 and
                 yet
                 we
                 are
                 instructed
                 from
                 the
                 Word
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 to
                 give
                 of
                 all
                 these
                 ,
                 an
                 account
                 sufficient
                 to
                 Salvation
                 ,
                 with
                 all
                 necessary
                 instruction
                 and
                 comfort
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 like
                 account
                 the
                 Saints
                 are
                 to
                 expect
                 from
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 which
                 searcheth
                 all
                 things
                 ,
                 even
                 the
                 very
                 
                   deep
                   things
                
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 1
                 Cor.
                 2.
                 10.
                 
              
               
                 The
                 Use
                 of
                 this
                 point
                 I
                 dispatch
                 in
                 these
                 few
                 words
                 of
                 Instruction
                 .
                 1.
                 
                 We
                 are
                 taught
                 from
                 this
                 ,
                 that
                 sinners
                 naturally
                 are
                 very
                 untoward
                 and
                 untractable
                 ,
                 to
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 good
                 :
                 they
                 must
                 be
                 allured
                 ,
                 enticed
                 ,
                 and
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 beguiled
                 and
                 deceased
                 unto
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 equally
                 there
                 Duty
                 and
                 Mercy
                 ;
                 Ier
                 ,
                 20.
                 7
                 ,
                 
                   O
                   Lord
                   thou
                   hast
                   deceaved
                   me
                   ,
                   and
                   I
                   was
                   deceaved
                   .
                
                 2
                 Cor.
                 12.
                 16.
                 
                 The
                 Apostle
                 ,
                 who
                 was
                 as
                 a
                 deceaver
                 and
                 yet
                 true
                 ,
                 
                   being
                   crafty
                   ,
                   caught
                   the
                
                 Corinthians
                 
                   with
                   guile
                
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 indeed
                 a
                 
                   pia
                   fraus
                
                 a
                 Godly
                 beguile
                 ,
                 to
                 beguile
                 a
                 Soul
                 to
                 Heaven
                 and
                 to
                 God.
                 I
                 wish
                 moe
                 were
                 thus
                 beguiled
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 many
                 such
                 deceavers
                 may
                 enter
                 into
                 the
                 World
                 :
                 nor
                 can
                 I
                 say
                 in
                 this
                 deceit
                 ,
                 whether
                 the
                 deceiver
                 i●
                 the
                 Honester
                 Man
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 deceived
                 the
                 Happier
                 .
              
               
               
                 2.
                 
                 This
                 teacheth
                 Ministers
                 the
                 Art
                 of
                 Preaching
                 ,
                 They
                 must
                 be
                 both
                 serious
                 and
                 dexterous
                 :
                 as
                 friends
                 of
                 the
                 Bridgroom
                 ,
                 and
                 Ambassadors
                 for
                 Christ
                 ,
                 they
                 must
                 be
                 so
                 well
                 acquaint
                 with
                 the
                 laws
                 of
                 love
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 be
                 able
                 (
                 a
                 Divine
                 blessing
                 concurring
                 )
                 to
                 allure
                 the
                 wildest
                 and
                 most
                 froward
                 Soul.
                 A
                 Minister
                 would
                 be
                 a
                 Seraphick
                 lover
                 ,
                 one
                 of
                 the
                 order
                 of
                 Peter
                 :
                 Peter
                 ,
                 
                   lovest
                   thou
                   me
                
                 ?
                 Lord
                 
                   thou
                   knowest
                   all
                   things
                   ,
                   thou
                   knowest
                   that
                   I
                   love
                   thee
                   .
                
                 Peter
                 ,
                 
                   feed
                   my
                   lambes
                
                 ,
                 feed
                 my
                 sheep
                 .
                 If
                 our
                 way
                 with
                 sinners
                 ,
                 be
                 not
                 the
                 most
                 taken
                 way
                 ,
                 let
                 it
                 be
                 the
                 most
                 taking
                 way
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 we
                 shall
                 not
                 mistake
                 the
                 way
                 .
                 Many
                 Ministers
                 are
                 but
                 cold
                 Suters
                 for
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 why
                 ?
                 they
                 are
                 troubled
                 with
                 an
                 error
                 of
                 the
                 first
                 concoction
                 ,
                 they
                 erre
                 concerning
                 the
                 end
                 :
                 they
                 seek
                 their
                 own
                 things
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 the
                 things
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 they
                 serve
                 not
                 our
                 Lord
                 Jesus
                 ,
                 but
                 there
                 own
                 belly
                 :
                 they
                 eat
                 the
                 fat
                 ,
                 and
                 cloath
                 themselves
                 with
                 the
                 wooll
                 ,
                 but
                 they
                 feed
                 not
                 the
                 flock
                 :
                 put
                 them
                 to
                 tryal
                 ,
                 and
                 it
                 will
                 be
                 found
                 they
                 cannot
                 read
                 the
                 Bible
                 :
                 they
                 lisp
                 like
                 the
                 men
                 of
                 Ephraim
                 ,
                 for
                 Shibboleth
                 ,
                 they
                 say
                 Sibboleth
                 ;
                 give
                 them
                 but
                 to
                 read
                 that
                 short
                 text
                 2
                 Cor.
                 12.
                 14.
                 they
                 read
                 it
                 ,
                 I
                 seek
                 not
                 you
                 ,
                 but
                 yours
                 ;
                 and
                 if
                 they
                 read
                 right
                 ,
                 I
                 seek
                 not
                 Yours
                 but
                 You
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 the
                 greatest
                 of
                 lyars
                 .
                 In
                 a
                 word
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 like
                 many
                 in
                 our
                 days
                 (
                 and
                 those
                 are
                 even
                 like
                 them
                 )
                 who
                 court
                 the
                 fortune
                 more
                 than
                 the
                 person
                 :
                 in
                 this
                 age
                 ,
                 a
                 rich
                 man
                 needs
                 not
                 want
                 Children
                 ;
                 let
                 him
                 make
                 Images
                 of
                 his
                 Silver
                 ,
                 and
                 these
                 shall
                 not
                 want
                 matches
                 ,
                 such
                 who
                 for
                 their
                 generosity
                 deserve
                 ,
                 as
                 often
                 they
                 get
                 ,
                 the
                 reward
                 of
                 a
                 silver
                 
                 crucifix
                 .
                 But
                 as
                 he
                 that
                 findeth
                 a
                 wife
                 ,
                 though
                 he
                 find
                 her
                 in
                 her
                 shirt
                 ,
                 findeth
                 a
                 good
                 thing
                 ,
                 and
                 obtaineth
                 favour
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 Prov.
                 18.
                 22.
                 
                 So
                 he
                 that
                 winneth
                 Souls
                 ,
                 though
                 he
                 win
                 not
                 a
                 penny
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 is
                 wise
                 .
                 Prov.
                 11.
                 30.
                 
                 Truely
                 the
                 alluring
                 way
                 of
                 preaching
                 is
                 
                   ars
                   longa
                
                 ,
                 a
                 thing
                 not
                 soon
                 learned
                 ,
                 but
                 where
                 God
                 doth
                 give
                 the
                 tongue
                 of
                 the
                 learned
                 .
                 This
                 art
                 hath
                 many
                 precepts
                 ,
                 which
                 I
                 am
                 fitter
                 to
                 be
                 taught
                 ,
                 than
                 to
                 teach
                 :
                 and
                 till
                 God
                 send
                 the
                 time
                 of
                 teaching
                 ,
                 I
                 take
                 this
                 for
                 the
                 time
                 of
                 learning
                 :
                 who
                 are
                 these
                 that
                 come
                 up
                 from
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 both
                 better
                 men
                 and
                 better
                 Ministers
                 ?
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 We
                 see
                 this
                 in
                 the
                 point
                 ,
                 That
                 
                   Religion
                   is
                   an
                   alluring
                   thing
                
                 .
                 It
                 deservs
                 to
                 be
                 written
                 in
                 Gold
                 :
                 Lord
                 write
                 it
                 upon
                 my
                 heart
                 :
                 it
                 hath
                 that
                 in
                 it
                 which
                 may
                 abundantly
                 endear
                 it
                 to
                 any
                 free
                 Soul.
                 Some
                 who
                 could
                 stand
                 before
                 an
                 armed
                 enemy
                 ,
                 have
                 fallen
                 before
                 a
                 naked
                 beauty
                 ,
                 Let
                 Sampson
                 and
                 David
                 be
                 witnesses
                 in
                 the
                 case
                 :
                 sawest
                 thou
                 ever
                 the
                 beauty
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ?
                 for
                 how
                 great
                 is
                 his
                 Beauty
                 ?
                 and
                 how
                 great
                 is
                 his
                 Goodness
                 ?
                 sawest
                 thou
                 ever
                 the
                 beauty
                 of
                 Holiness
                 ?
                 a
                 beauty
                 as
                 rare
                 as
                 Rich
                 ,
                 a
                 singular
                 beauty
                 !
                 a
                 beauty
                 Active
                 and
                 Communicative
                 ,
                 it
                 makes
                 all
                 those
                 beautiful
                 that
                 enjoy
                 it
                 :
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 so
                 with
                 the
                 Richest
                 Worldly
                 beauty
                 :
                 an
                 unbeautiful
                 Husband
                 may
                 have
                 a
                 beautiful
                 Wife
                 ,
                 whose
                 beauty
                 cannot
                 make
                 him
                 comly
                 :
                 none
                 truely
                 love
                 and
                 espouse
                 Religion
                 but
                 it
                 makes
                 them
                 comly
                 with
                 its
                 beauty
                 .
                 O
                 how
                 would
                 such
                 a
                 beauty
                 be
                 courted
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 ?
                 hast
                 thou
                 not
                 the
                 pourtrait
                 of
                 this
                 beauty
                 in
                 thine
                 
                 heart
                 ,
                 the
                 Chamber
                 of
                 her
                 that
                 conceaved
                 thee
                 ?
                 I
                 should
                 hold
                 my self
                 everlastingly
                 obliged
                 to
                 him
                 that
                 would
                 give
                 me
                 a
                 well
                 done
                 coppy
                 :
                 and
                 though
                 I
                 did
                 not
                 like
                 it
                 ,
                 for
                 him
                 that
                 did
                 it
                 ,
                 yet
                 would
                 I
                 love
                 it
                 for
                 them
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 like
                 .
                 And
                 if
                 this
                 my
                 discourse
                 for
                 Image
                 and
                 likness
                 could
                 say
                 unto
                 God
                 ,
                 thou
                 art
                 my
                 Father
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 Religion
                 and
                 Godliness
                 ,
                 thou
                 art
                 my
                 Mother
                 and
                 my
                 Sister
                 ,
                 The
                 Piety
                 of
                 my
                 vanity
                 ,
                 might
                 excuse
                 the
                 vanity
                 of
                 my
                 Piety
                 ,
                 to
                 boast
                 of
                 my
                 Relation
                 to
                 that
                 lovly
                 Family
                 ,
                 that
                 brings
                 forth
                 all
                 beauties
                 .
                 I
                 have
                 seen
                 the
                 Heathen
                 Venus
                 their
                 Godess
                 of
                 love
                 and
                 beauty
                 ,
                 painted
                 with
                 a
                 flaming
                 heart
                 in
                 her
                 hand
                 ,
                 (
                 a
                 pretty
                 embleme
                 of
                 that
                 Scripture
                 Hos.
                 4.
                 11.
                 
                 Whoredome
                 taketh
                 a
                 way
                 the
                 heart
                 )
                 beauty
                 maketh
                 daily
                 triumphs
                 with
                 mens
                 hearts
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Garlands
                 of
                 her
                 victories
                 or
                 the
                 spoiles
                 of
                 her
                 captives
                 ,
                 who
                 are
                 no
                 enemies
                 :
                 for
                 amongst
                 the
                 many
                 (
                 as
                 there
                 are
                 many
                 )
                 singularities
                 of
                 seminine
                 victories
                 ,
                 these
                 are
                 not
                 the
                 least
                 ,
                 that
                 Men
                 conquer
                 none
                 but
                 enemies
                 ,
                 Women
                 none
                 but
                 friends
                 .
                 Men
                 take
                 captives
                 against
                 their
                 will
                 ,
                 womens
                 captives
                 are
                 all
                 consenters
                 to
                 their
                 own
                 bonds
                 ,
                 nor
                 do
                 they
                 once
                 desire
                 to
                 make
                 their
                 escape
                 .
                 Men
                 punish
                 their
                 captives
                 with
                 pain
                 ,
                 Women
                 please
                 theirs
                 with
                 torment
                 ,
                 and
                 torment
                 them
                 with
                 pleasure
                 .
                 But
                 O
                 canst
                 thou
                 behold
                 the
                 beauty
                 of
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 thy
                 heart
                 at
                 command
                 ?
                 Needs
                 must
                 the
                 lively
                 truth
                 of
                 Godliness
                 be
                 very
                 desirable
                 ,
                 when
                 a
                 lying
                 shew
                 and
                 dead
                 picture
                 of
                 it
                 is
                 so
                 lovely
                 ,
                 Mark.
                 10.
                 21.
                 
                 Jesus
                 beholding
                 the
                 young
                 man
                 loved
                 him
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 appearance
                 of
                 good
                 he
                 saw
                 
                 in
                 him
                 .
                 How
                 transporting
                 must
                 true
                 Godliness
                 be
                 in
                 the
                 Abstract
                 ?
                 and
                 is
                 not
                 the
                 profection
                 of
                 Piety
                 ,
                 the
                 perfection
                 of
                 beauty
                 ?
                 since
                 in
                 the
                 concrete
                 and
                 in
                 its
                 imperfection
                 it
                 is
                 so
                 ravishing
                 Cant.
                 49.
                 the
                 Church
                 with
                 one
                 of
                 her
                 eyes
                 ravishes
                 Christs
                 heart
                 ,
                 a
                 cheek-view
                 ,
                 a
                 glance
                 and
                 half
                 a
                 look
                 of
                 a
                 Saint
                 is
                 very
                 alluring
                 .
                 But
                 what
                 if
                 both
                 her
                 eyes
                 be
                 to
                 him
                 ?
                 then
                 as
                 one
                 wounded
                 ,
                 he
                 cryes
                 ,
                 Chap.
                 65.
                 
                   turn
                   away
                   thine
                   eyes
                   from
                   me
                   ,
                   for
                   they
                   have
                   overcome
                   me
                   .
                
                 He
                 falls
                 before
                 his
                 friends
                 ,
                 who
                 rose
                 over
                 all
                 his
                 enemies
                 :
                 the
                 Saints
                 beauty
                 overcoms
                 him
                 that
                 overcame
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 it
                 captivateth
                 him
                 that
                 led
                 captivity
                 captive
                 ,
                 it
                 triumpheth
                 over
                 him
                 who
                 triumphed
                 over
                 Principalities
                 and
                 Powers
                 ,
                 it
                 conquers
                 him
                 who
                 conquered
                 death
                 :
                 for
                 love
                 is
                 strong
                 as
                 death
                 :
                 Set
                 death
                 in
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 love
                 ,
                 it
                 can
                 despise
                 and
                 go
                 over
                 it
                 .
                 If
                 jealousie
                 dispute
                 Christs
                 love
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 ready
                 to
                 vindicate
                 himself
                 upon
                 the
                 highest
                 adventure
                 :
                 tell
                 me
                 (
                 says
                 he
                 )
                 what
                 token
                 shall
                 I
                 give
                 thee
                 ?
                 what
                 shall
                 I
                 do
                 for
                 thee
                 ?
                 If
                 thou
                 lovest
                 me
                 ,
                 thou
                 must
                 die
                 for
                 me
                 .
                 O
                 jealousie
                 cruel
                 as
                 the
                 Grave
                 !
                 I
                 love
                 thee
                 ,
                 and
                 will
                 wash
                 thee
                 in
                 mine
                 own
                 Blood
                 :
                 I
                 love
                 thee
                 ,
                 and
                 will
                 give
                 my self
                 for
                 thee
                 :
                 O
                 love
                 strong
                 as
                 Death
                 !
                 O
                 death-conquering
                 Christ
                 !
                 O
                 Christconquering
                 Love
                 !
                 O
                 Love-conquering
                 Beauty
                 of
                 Holiness
                 !
                 Look
                 upon
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 let
                 thine
                 eyes
                 but
                 observe
                 her
                 wayes
                 :
                 Love
                 her
                 ,
                 and
                 give
                 unto
                 her
                 a
                 present
                 of
                 what
                 thou
                 hast
                 .
                 But
                 what
                 is
                 thy
                 Petition
                 ,
                 O
                 Queen
                 ?
                 and
                 it
                 shall
                 be
                 granted
                 thee
                 ?
                 what
                 is
                 thy
                 request
                 and
                 it
                 shall
                 be
                 performed
                 ?
                 If
                 I
                 have
                 found
                 favour
                 in
                 thy
                 sight
                 ,
                 O
                 friend
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 if
                 I
                 please
                 thee
                 ,
                 then
                 give
                 me
                 thy
                 Heart
                 ,
                 Prou.
                 23
                 ,
                 26.
                 
                 
                   My
                   Son
                   give
                   me
                   thine
                   hears
                   :
                
                 her
                 Authority
                 might
                 command
                 it
                 ,
                 her
                 Beauty
                 might
                 rob
                 it
                 ,
                 but
                 her
                 Modesty
                 and
                 Love
                 doth
                 Friendly
                 desire
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 I
                 would
                 not
                 have
                 my
                 discourse
                 fall
                 in
                 the
                 hands
                 of
                 the
                 ungodly
                 :
                 For
                 wickedness
                 proceedeth
                 from
                 the
                 wicked
                 (
                 as
                 saith
                 the
                 Proverb
                 of
                 the
                 Antients
                 ,
                 1
                 Sam.
                 24.
                 13.
                 )
                 But
                 if
                 I
                 were
                 to
                 speak
                 to
                 ungodly
                 Sinners
                 (
                 O
                 Lord
                 open
                 my
                 closed
                 Lips
                 ,
                 then
                 shall
                 I
                 teach
                 Transgressours
                 thy
                 wayes
                 ,
                 and
                 Sinners
                 shall
                 be
                 converted
                 unto
                 thee
                 .
                 Psal.
                 51.
                 13.
                 )
                 I
                 would
                 shew
                 them
                 ,
                 what
                 I
                 have
                 yet
                 to
                 add
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 behalf
                 of
                 lovely
                 Holiness
                 :
                 I
                 would
                 sing
                 to
                 my
                 Beloved
                 ,
                 a
                 Song
                 of
                 my
                 well
                 Beloved
                 .
                 But
                 the
                 alluring
                 subject
                 ,
                 the
                 Kindness
                 I
                 owe
                 to
                 Godliness
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 respect
                 I
                 have
                 for
                 all
                 that
                 love
                 &
                 serve
                 her
                 ,
                 invite
                 me
                 to
                 speak
                 ,
                 what
                 I
                 know
                 :
                 and
                 therefore
                 ,
                 beside
                 all
                 the
                 alluring
                 Motives
                 to
                 Godliness
                 ,
                 mentioned
                 in
                 the
                 Explication
                 ,
                 I
                 add
                 these
                 things
                 to
                 be
                 considered
                 ,
                 wherein
                 she
                 excelleth
                 all
                 her
                 Companions
                 ,
                 her
                 Rivals
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 that
                 would
                 partake
                 with
                 her
                 in
                 our
                 Affections
                 .
                 And
                 I
                 shall
                 but
                 point
                 at
                 some
                 Heads
                 ,
                 leaving
                 room
                 for
                 the
                 godly
                 Soul
                 ,
                 to
                 enlarge
                 in
                 its
                 Meditations
                 ,
                 upon
                 the
                 particulars
                 in
                 consideration
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 Godliness
                 bringeth
                 the
                 Soul
                 upon
                 the
                 greatest
                 Interest
                 :
                 The
                 interest
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 Soul
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 that
                 cannot
                 be
                 moved
                 ,
                 the
                 Crown
                 that
                 fadeth
                 not
                 away
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 things
                 not
                 seen
                 that
                 are
                 eternal
                 ;
                 that
                 which
                 eye
                 hath
                 not
                 seen
                 ,
                 nor
                 the
                 ear
                 heard
                 ,
                 nor
                 hath
                 it
                 entered
                 into
                 the
                 
                 Heart
                 of
                 man
                 to
                 conceive
                 ,
                 even
                 that
                 which
                 God
                 hath
                 laid
                 up
                 for
                 those
                 that
                 love
                 him
                 ,
                 
                   Angustus
                   est
                   animus
                   ,
                   quem
                   terrena
                   delectant
                   ,
                
                 They
                 are
                 not
                 ill
                 to
                 please
                 ,
                 who
                 can
                 be
                 put
                 off
                 with
                 things
                 Wordly
                 .
                 But
                 the
                 Saint
                 is
                 the
                 only
                 person
                 of
                 a
                 great
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 who
                 indeed
                 minds
                 high
                 things
                 ,
                 even
                 as
                 he
                 is
                 born
                 to
                 great
                 things
                 .
                 The
                 Books
                 
                   De
                   natura
                
                 ,
                 or
                 of
                 Nature
                 ,
                 are
                 too
                 mean
                 a
                 Subject
                 for
                 a
                 Saint
                 :
                 all
                 his
                 Studies
                 are
                 
                   de
                   Anima
                   ,
                   de
                   Caelo
                   ,
                   &
                   de
                   Deo
                   :
                
                 his
                 Lessons
                 are
                 of
                 the
                 Soul
                 ,
                 of
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 God.
                 His
                 ditan
                 is
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 ,
                 he
                 minds
                 the
                 things
                 that
                 are
                 above
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Only
                 Godliness
                 hath
                 that
                 in
                 it
                 ,
                 that
                 can
                 maintain
                 and
                 advance
                 his
                 greatest
                 interest
                 .
                 What
                 can
                 all
                 the
                 Pomp
                 ,
                 Pleasures
                 and
                 Profits
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 do
                 to
                 a
                 Soul
                 ?
                 Do
                 these
                 things
                 make
                 a
                 better
                 man
                 ?
                 Lay
                 all
                 these
                 to
                 a
                 wounded
                 Conscience
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 will
                 be
                 as
                 he
                 that
                 taketh
                 away
                 a
                 Garment
                 in
                 cold
                 Weather
                 ,
                 as
                 Vinegar
                 upon
                 Nitre
                 ,
                 or
                 as
                 he
                 that
                 singeth
                 Songs
                 to
                 a
                 heavy
                 Heart
                 ,
                 Prov.
                 25.
                 20.
                 they
                 may
                 make
                 it
                 worse
                 ,
                 they
                 cannot
                 make
                 it
                 better
                 .
                 A
                 mean
                 subjects
                 Rent
                 cannot
                 bear
                 the
                 Charges
                 of
                 a
                 Crown
                 ,
                 nor
                 can
                 all
                 the
                 imaginable
                 affluence
                 of
                 Worldly
                 sensual
                 Pleasures
                 ,
                 (
                 the
                 delights
                 of
                 the
                 Sons
                 of
                 Men
                 )
                 fill
                 up
                 the
                 Accounts
                 of
                 a
                 mans
                 Happiness
                 .
                 Are
                 not
                 all
                 things
                 worldly
                 ,
                 under
                 an
                 Antient
                 Curse
                 for
                 mans
                 sake
                 ?
                 And
                 shall
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 cursed
                 ,
                 make
                 us
                 Blessed
                 ?
                 The
                 Wisdom
                 of
                 Solomon
                 (
                 and
                 who
                 shall
                 come
                 after
                 the
                 King
                 ?
                 )
                 hath
                 tryed
                 the
                 Experiment
                 of
                 all
                 things
                 Sublunary
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 are
                 but
                 vexation
                 of
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 very
                 Vanity
                 :
                 And
                 will
                 a
                 man
                 fill
                 
                 his
                 Belly
                 with
                 the
                 East-wind
                 ?
                 The
                 most
                 refined
                 Spirits
                 and
                 artificial
                 Extracts
                 of
                 natures
                 fullness
                 ,
                 hath
                 no
                 more
                 fitness
                 and
                 congruity
                 to
                 satisfy
                 a
                 Soul
                 ,
                 than
                 Chaff
                 or
                 Sand
                 hath
                 to
                 nourish
                 a
                 humane
                 Body
                 :
                 Nor
                 did
                 Nebuchadnezar
                 eat
                 Grass
                 with
                 the
                 Oxen
                 ,
                 until
                 his
                 heart
                 was
                 made
                 like
                 the
                 Beasts
                 .
                 Moreover
                 ,
                 the
                 Glory
                 of
                 all
                 things
                 transitory
                 hath
                 not
                 the
                 Civility
                 to
                 see
                 the
                 Soul
                 to
                 its
                 rest
                 :
                 But
                 serve
                 it
                 like
                 wicked
                 Companions
                 ,
                 who
                 have
                 debauched
                 a
                 man
                 all
                 the
                 day
                 ,
                 and
                 leave
                 him
                 to
                 dry
                 a
                 Kennel
                 at
                 night
                 .
                 O
                 when
                 the
                 Soul
                 shall
                 run
                 out
                 into
                 Eternity
                 ,
                 and
                 Death
                 shall
                 draw
                 the
                 Courtain
                 upon
                 all
                 things
                 Worldly
                 ,
                 Then
                 it
                 shall
                 be
                 seen
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 things
                 
                   that
                   are
                   seen
                
                 ,
                 are
                 but
                 Temporal
                 :
                 And
                 then
                 if
                 the
                 Soul
                 would
                 return
                 to
                 call
                 but
                 for
                 a
                 cup
                 of
                 cold
                 water
                 ,
                 of
                 all
                 its
                 sensual
                 Pleasures
                 ,
                 it
                 cannot
                 have
                 passage
                 :
                 For
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 great
                 Gulf
                 fixed
                 betwixt
                 ,
                 
                   So
                   that
                   they
                   who
                   would
                   pass
                   from
                   hence
                   to
                   you
                   cannot
                   ,
                   neither
                   can
                   they
                   pass
                   to
                   us
                   that
                   would
                   come
                   from
                   thence
                   ,
                
                 Luk.
                 16.
                 26
                 
                 :
                 To
                 close
                 this
                 consideration
                 ,
                 Remember
                 that
                 the
                 wise
                 God
                 called
                 him
                 a
                 fool
                 ,
                 a
                 great
                 fool
                 ,
                 a
                 rich
                 fool
                 ,
                 Who
                 ,
                 for
                 that
                 his
                 Barns
                 were
                 full
                 ,
                 would
                 say
                 to
                 his
                 Soul
                 :
                 
                   Soul
                   ,
                   thou
                   hast
                   much
                   good
                   laid
                   up
                   for
                   many
                   years
                   ,
                   take
                   thine
                   ease
                   ,
                   eat
                   ,
                   drink
                   and
                   be
                   merry
                   ,
                
                 Luke
                 12.
                 19
                 ,
                 20.
                 
                 But
                 O!
                 the
                 revenue
                 of
                 Godliness
                 :
                 God
                 and
                 the
                 Light
                 of
                 his
                 countenance
                 ,
                 Christ
                 and
                 his
                 Merits
                 ,
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 with
                 his
                 Comforts
                 and
                 Graces
                 ,
                 the
                 Justification
                 of
                 Faith
                 ,
                 the
                 Peace
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 the
                 Joy
                 of
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 ,
                 the
                 hope
                 of
                 Glory
                 ,
                 are
                 things
                 of
                 great
                 Beauty
                 ,
                 to
                 please
                 our
                 Souls
                 withall
                 .
              
               
               
                 3.
                 
                 The
                 Consolations
                 ,
                 Joyes
                 ,
                 Pleasures
                 ,
                 and
                 Delights
                 of
                 Godliness
                 are
                 the
                 choicest
                 of
                 any
                 :
                 For
                 however
                 (
                 as
                 the
                 Proverb
                 is
                 )
                 
                   a
                   small
                   thing
                   will
                   make
                   fool
                   fain
                   ,
                   and
                   as
                   little
                   makes
                   him
                   sad
                
                 ;
                 Yet
                 the
                 Delights
                 of
                 a
                 Wise-man
                 ,
                 are
                 such
                 as
                 are
                 the
                 things
                 he
                 delighteth
                 in
                 ,
                 Ps.
                 4.
                 7.
                 
                 
                   Thou
                   (
                   thorough
                   the
                   light
                   of
                   by
                   countenance
                   )
                   hast
                   put
                   gladness
                   in
                   my
                   Heart
                   ,
                   more
                   ●●an
                   in
                   the
                   time
                   ,
                   when
                   their
                   Corn
                   and
                   their
                   Wine
                   in●eased
                   .
                
                 O
                 Lord
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 as
                 far
                 above
                 the
                 envy
                 of
                 the
                 ungodly
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 are
                 below
                 mine
                 .
                 The
                 Worlds
                 great
                 prejudice
                 against
                 Godliness
                 ,
                 is
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 fancy
                 it
                 an
                 unpleasant
                 thing
                 ,
                 void
                 of
                 delight
                 :
                 But
                 
                   ●●tum
                   est
                   in
                   organo
                
                 :
                 And
                 no
                 doubt
                 if
                 men
                 found
                 that
                 delight
                 in
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 which
                 they
                 do
                 in
                 wickedness
                 ,
                 we
                 should
                 quickly
                 have
                 the
                 World
                 a
                 Pro●lyte
                 to
                 Godliness
                 .
                 O
                 then
                 that
                 my
                 Words
                 were
                 weighed
                 !
                 and
                 that
                 the
                 World
                 would
                 give
                 me
                 a
                 air
                 hearing
                 but
                 in
                 this
                 one
                 consideration
                 ;
                 no
                 doubt
                 ,
                 I
                 had
                 then
                 gained
                 .
                 Delight
                 is
                 a
                 very
                 alluring
                 thing
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   trahit
                   sua
                   quemque
                   voluptas
                
                 ,
                 every
                 one
                 follows
                 whither
                 his
                 I
                 leasure
                 and
                 Delight
                 ●ads
                 him
                 .
                 Nor
                 is
                 it
                 any
                 wonder
                 that
                 so
                 it
                 be
                 ;
                 ●r
                 Delight
                 and
                 Pleasure
                 is
                 the
                 very
                 flower
                 and
                 ●ossome
                 of
                 Happiness
                 ,
                 the
                 accomplishment
                 and
                 ●st
                 act
                 of
                 Blessedness
                 ,
                 differing
                 from
                 Vertue
                 and
                 Godliness
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Flourish
                 from
                 the
                 Tree
                 ,
                 the
                 Rose
                 ●●m
                 the
                 Bush.
                 The
                 Scripture
                 placeth
                 the
                 Saints
                 ●lessedness
                 ,
                 both
                 in
                 the
                 Estate
                 of
                 Grace
                 and
                 Glory
                 ,
                 Pleasure
                 and
                 Delight
                 .
                 That
                 Delight
                 is
                 a
                 mans
                 ●lessedness
                 in
                 the
                 state
                 of
                 Grace
                 ,
                 see
                 the
                 Command
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 37.
                 4.
                 the
                 Promise
                 Isai.
                 64
                 5.
                 the
                 ●●ints
                 professed
                 practice
                 ,
                 of
                 whom
                 Christ
                 is
                 the
                 
                 chief
                 ,
                 and
                 chiefly
                 meant
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 40.
                 8.
                 
                 The
                 Motive
                 given
                 by
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 Prov.
                 3.
                 17.
                 
                 And
                 that
                 Delight
                 hath
                 the
                 same
                 place
                 in
                 Glory
                 (
                 if
                 any
                 that
                 have
                 heard
                 of
                 such
                 a
                 thing
                 as
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 did
                 ever
                 once
                 doubt
                 of
                 it
                 )
                 it
                 is
                 more
                 than
                 clear
                 from
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 16.
                 11
                 ,
                 Revel
                 .
                 21.
                 4.
                 with
                 many
                 the
                 like
                 places
                 .
                 If
                 men
                 knew
                 to
                 do
                 the
                 Epicureans
                 right
                 in
                 their
                 opinion
                 of
                 Felicity
                 ,
                 and
                 could
                 speak
                 as
                 Philosophers
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 as
                 taunting
                 Satyricks
                 ,
                 I
                 could
                 rather
                 be
                 ,
                 than
                 be
                 called
                 an
                 Epicurean
                 :
                 For
                 Imperious
                 custom
                 ,
                 (
                 even
                 like
                 Diotrephes
                 ,
                 who
                 in
                 all
                 things
                 loveth
                 the
                 preheminency
                 )
                 hath
                 usurped
                 sofar
                 upon
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 that
                 she
                 prevaileth
                 equally
                 in
                 mens
                 Words
                 and
                 practices
                 ,
                 calling
                 things
                 as
                 she
                 lists
                 .
                 Whence
                 a
                 sensual
                 Sow
                 wallowing
                 in
                 the
                 mire
                 of
                 Lust
                 ,
                 must
                 bear
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 an
                 Epicurean
                 ;
                 whercas
                 ,
                 in
                 Truth
                 ,
                 an
                 Epicurean
                 is
                 no
                 other
                 than
                 a
                 man
                 placeing
                 Happiness
                 in
                 rational
                 Pleasures
                 and
                 intellectual
                 Delights
                 worthy
                 of
                 men
                 :
                 Even
                 as
                 I
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 Scripture
                 ,
                 have
                 placed
                 it
                 in
                 those
                 Delights
                 that
                 are
                 Spiritual
                 and
                 becoming
                 a
                 Saint
                 .
                 The
                 cutting
                 off
                 of
                 a
                 Member
                 deserves
                 not
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 a
                 Cure
                 ,
                 but
                 is
                 the
                 Uncomfortable
                 result
                 of
                 the
                 desperate
                 wits
                 of
                 Extremity
                 and
                 Necessity
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 deplorable
                 Case
                 ;
                 and
                 an
                 expedient
                 intending
                 the
                 preservation
                 of
                 the
                 whole
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 loss
                 of
                 the
                 part
                 :
                 For
                 better
                 it
                 is
                 to
                 go
                 to
                 Heaven
                 with
                 one
                 Eye
                 ,
                 Hand
                 or
                 Foot
                 ,
                 than
                 to
                 be
                 cast
                 into
                 Hell
                 with
                 two
                 .
                 The
                 
                   Stoical
                   Apathetick
                
                 method
                 (
                 if
                 the
                 Stoick
                 be
                 not
                 as
                 much
                 wronged
                 as
                 the
                 Epicurean
                 )
                 is
                 but
                 a
                 pitiful
                 cutting
                 ,
                 at
                 best
                 a
                 curb
                 ,
                 no
                 wayes
                 a
                 Cure
                 of
                 a
                 corrupt
                 World.
                 A
                 man
                 will
                 
                 suffer
                 much
                 before
                 he
                 suffer
                 the
                 loss
                 of
                 his
                 Limbs
                 :
                 and
                 he
                 hath
                 wrought
                 but
                 an
                 undesirable
                 Cure
                 ,
                 that
                 by
                 cutting
                 off
                 of
                 a
                 Member
                 hath
                 made
                 a
                 man
                 creple
                 or
                 maim
                 :
                 The
                 World
                 will
                 want
                 much
                 before
                 they
                 want
                 their
                 Pleasures
                 and
                 Delights
                 :
                 And
                 indeed
                 who
                 would
                 choose
                 to
                 be
                 miserable
                 ?
                 Wherefore
                 the
                 only
                 expedient
                 method
                 in
                 this
                 case
                 ,
                 will
                 be
                 diversion
                 ,
                 whereby
                 men
                 may
                 save
                 their
                 Members
                 ;
                 the
                 World
                 may
                 enjoy
                 Delights
                 and
                 Pleasures
                 ,
                 for
                 measure
                 as
                 much
                 greater
                 as
                 for
                 quality
                 better
                 ,
                 than
                 formerly
                 in
                 their
                 courses
                 of
                 Iniquity
                 ;
                 only
                 they
                 must
                 not
                 run
                 any
                 more
                 in
                 the
                 Channel
                 of
                 Sensuality
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 the
                 vein
                 of
                 Religion
                 and
                 Spirituality
                 .
                 Consider
                 then
                 the
                 Delights
                 and
                 Pleasures
                 of
                 Godliness
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 let
                 reason
                 say
                 ,
                 who
                 hath
                 the
                 sweetest
                 Life
                 ,
                 the
                 Saint
                 or
                 the
                 Bruit
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 For
                 their
                 nature
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 unspeakable
                 and
                 full
                 of
                 Glory
                 ,
                 1
                 Pet.
                 1.
                 8.
                 the
                 Word
                 is
                 significant
                 in
                 its
                 own
                 Language
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 ,
                 a
                 
                   glorifyed
                   ●oy
                
                 ;
                 a
                 very
                 Heaven
                 upon
                 Earth
                 :
                 A
                 Joy
                 of
                 the
                 same
                 Nature
                 ,
                 though
                 not
                 to
                 the
                 same
                 degree
                 ,
                 with
                 that
                 in
                 Heaven
                 .
                 The
                 Saints
                 Delights
                 in
                 Earth
                 ,
                 are
                 a
                 cup
                 of
                 the
                 same
                 Wine
                 ,
                 for
                 kind
                 ,
                 which
                 they
                 shall
                 drink
                 in
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 their
                 Father
                 ,
                 though
                 it
                 be
                 not
                 of
                 so
                 high
                 a
                 colour
                 ,
                 nor
                 of
                 so
                 rich
                 a
                 relish
                 to
                 us
                 here
                 in
                 the
                 Cellar
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 to
                 them
                 at
                 the
                 Kings
                 Table
                 .
                 Holiness
                 is
                 much
                 mistaken
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 is
                 Heaven
                 and
                 Happiness
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 no
                 other
                 ,
                 than
                 the
                 top
                 and
                 upper
                 ●nd
                 of
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 or
                 Holiness
                 in
                 its
                 Holy-dayes
                 Cloathes
                 .
                 If
                 men
                 would
                 consider
                 this
                 ,
                 I
                 suppose
                 
                 some
                 should
                 be
                 as
                 afraid
                 of
                 Heaven
                 as
                 they
                 are
                 of
                 Holiness
                 :
                 Yea
                 I
                 am
                 really
                 of
                 the
                 mind
                 ,
                 if
                 God
                 should
                 open
                 a
                 door
                 in
                 Heaven
                 to
                 a
                 Prophane
                 Liver
                 ,
                 and
                 say
                 ,
                 Come
                 up
                 hither
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 should
                 not
                 dare
                 to
                 enter
                 :
                 The
                 Beauty
                 and
                 Light
                 of
                 that
                 Glory
                 ,
                 so
                 contrary
                 to
                 Darkness
                 ,
                 would
                 dazle
                 and
                 confound
                 ,
                 and
                 utterly
                 undoe
                 him
                 .
                 If
                 a
                 man
                 should
                 be
                 permitted
                 ,
                 yea
                 commanded
                 to
                 throw
                 himself
                 into
                 a
                 burning
                 Fiery
                 Furnace
                 ,
                 like
                 that
                 of
                 Babylon
                 ,
                 durst
                 he
                 yet
                 do
                 it
                 ?
                 Yea
                 though
                 he
                 were
                 very
                 cold
                 and
                 never
                 so
                 much
                 needed
                 to
                 be
                 warned
                 .
                 And
                 who
                 among
                 Hypocrites
                 or
                 Prophane
                 Livers
                 
                   shall
                   dwell
                   with
                   devouring
                   Fire
                
                 ?
                 Who
                 amongst
                 them
                 shall
                 
                   dwell
                   with
                   everlasting
                   burnings
                
                 ?
                 Isa.
                 33
                 14.
                 
                 In
                 a
                 word
                 ,
                 men
                 must
                 either
                 say
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 great
                 Unhappiness
                 to
                 be
                 in
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 or
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 their
                 great
                 Happiness
                 to
                 be
                 more
                 Holy.
                 
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 The
                 pleasures
                 and
                 delights
                 of
                 Holiness
                 are
                 of
                 the
                 highest
                 descent
                 ,
                 they
                 spring
                 from
                 the
                 rock
                 of
                 Eternity
                 .
                 And
                 O!
                 how
                 pure
                 ?
                 how
                 wholsome
                 ?
                 how
                 pleasant
                 must
                 they
                 be
                 ?
                 The
                 pleasures
                 which
                 God
                 gives
                 his
                 People
                 ,
                 have
                 himself
                 for
                 their
                 spring
                 ,
                 and
                 life
                 for
                 their
                 vertue
                 .
                 Psal.
                 36.
                 8.
                 9.
                 
                   with
                   thee
                   is
                   the
                   fountain
                   of
                   life
                   .
                
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 They
                 have
                 the
                 deepest
                 root
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 farrest
                 in
                 upon
                 the
                 Soul
                 :
                 as
                 the
                 delights
                 of
                 Hypocrites
                 ,
                 Worldlings
                 and
                 prophane
                 persons
                 are
                 but
                 the
                 dreggs
                 ;
                 so
                 they
                 are
                 but
                 the
                 scruse
                 and
                 pairings
                 of
                 pleasures
                 :
                 their
                 pleasures
                 are
                 but
                 Skin-deep
                 :
                 in
                 the
                 midst
                 of
                 all
                 their
                 laughter
                 ,
                 the
                 heart
                 is
                 sad
                 :
                 they
                 are
                 as
                 Hypocritical
                 in
                 their
                 delights
                 as
                 in
                 their
                 duties
                 .
                 The
                 Soul
                 and
                 Conscience
                 of
                 a
                 wicked
                 man
                 hath
                 
                 nothing
                 like
                 Christ
                 but
                 this
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 are
                 never
                 seen
                 to
                 laugh
                 :
                 they
                 are
                 men
                 of
                 sorrows
                 indeed
                 ,
                 and
                 many
                 sorrows
                 are
                 their
                 portion
                 :
                 That
                 is
                 appointed
                 to
                 them
                 of
                 God.
                 Psal.
                 32
                 10.
                 with
                 Isai.
                 65.
                 13
                 ,
                 14.
                 
              
               
                 4
                 The
                 Consolations
                 ,
                 Joys
                 ,
                 Pleasures
                 ,
                 and
                 delights
                 of
                 Godliness
                 the
                 most
                 strong
                 and
                 efficacious
                 :
                 in
                 the
                 multitude
                 of
                 their
                 frighting
                 ,
                 repenting
                 ,
                 tempting
                 ,
                 doubting
                 and
                 inquiring
                 
                   thoughts
                   ,
                   Gods
                   comforts
                   delight
                   their
                   soul.
                
                 Psal
                 ,
                 94.
                 14.
                 
                 These
                 turn
                 their
                 mourning
                 into
                 dancing
                 ,
                 they
                 make
                 them
                 sing
                 in
                 a
                 Prison
                 ,
                 and
                 rejoice
                 in
                 tribulation
                 :
                 But
                 Affliction
                 maketh
                 a
                 wicked
                 man
                 soon
                 to
                 forget
                 his
                 pleasures
                 ,
                 as
                 waters
                 that
                 pass
                 away
                 :
                 yea
                 and
                 the
                 memory
                 of
                 their
                 former
                 delights
                 ,
                 is
                 to
                 their
                 present
                 sorrows
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 that
                 
                   singeth
                   songs
                   to
                   a
                   heavy
                   heart
                   ,
                
                 and
                 their
                 song
                 is
                 ,
                 
                   miserum
                   est
                   fuisse
                   saelicem
                
                 :
                 It
                 is
                 the
                 greatest
                 misery
                 to
                 have
                 once
                 been
                 happy
                 .
              
               
                 5.
                 
                 The
                 delights
                 of
                 Godliness
                 are
                 pure
                 and
                 chast
                 delights
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 such
                 as
                 the
                 Soul
                 enjoys
                 with
                 Gods
                 blessing
                 and
                 approbation
                 ,
                 yea
                 with
                 his
                 command
                 .
                 Psal.
                 37.
                 4.
                 
                   delight
                   they
                   self
                   also
                   in
                   the
                   Lord
                
                 ;
                 the
                 pleasures
                 of
                 Godliness
                 are
                 our
                 duty
                 .
                 And
                 for
                 their
                 Chastity
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 like
                 the
                 pleasures
                 that
                 a
                 man
                 hath
                 in
                 the
                 company
                 of
                 his
                 lawful
                 Wife
                 .
                 Prov.
                 5.
                 19
                 
                 
                   Let
                   her
                   breasts
                   satisfy
                   thee
                   at
                   all
                   times
                   ,
                   and
                   be
                   thou
                   ravisht
                   with
                   her
                   love
                   :
                
                 the
                 word
                 in
                 its
                 own
                 language
                 is
                 ,
                 Eire
                 thou
                 always
                 in
                 her
                 love
                 :
                 If
                 a
                 man
                 must
                 play
                 the
                 fool
                 ,
                 let
                 him
                 do
                 it
                 lawfully
                 :
                 and
                 if
                 it
                 be
                 an
                 error
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 an
                 innocent
                 one
                 to
                 erre
                 with
                 Gods
                 approbation
                 .
                 But
                 the
                 delights
                 of
                 wickedness
                 are
                 impure
                 ,
                 whoorish
                 and
                 strange
                 delights
                 
                 such
                 as
                 a
                 man
                 hath
                 in
                 the
                 company
                 of
                 a
                 harlot
                 :
                 and
                 
                   why
                   will
                   thou
                   my
                   son
                   be
                   ravished
                   with
                   a
                   strange
                   woman
                   ,
                   and
                   embrace
                   the
                   bosome
                   of
                   a
                   stranger
                   ?
                
                 Prov
                 ,
                 5.
                 20.
                 
              
               
                 6.
                 
                 The
                 delights
                 of
                 Godliness
                 are
                 secure
                 and
                 safe
                 delights
                 .
                 This
                 follows
                 from
                 the
                 former
                 .
                 Here
                 the
                 Soul
                 is
                 ridd
                 of
                 all
                 fear
                 of
                 going
                 too
                 far
                 :
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 excess
                 in
                 those
                 pleasures
                 :
                 Eph.
                 5.
                 18.
                 in
                 wine
                 there
                 is
                 excess
                 :
                 but
                 be
                 filled
                 with
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ;
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 excess
                 in
                 that
                 ,
                 the
                 more
                 you
                 drink
                 of
                 that
                 the
                 more
                 sober
                 you
                 are
                 :
                 and
                 also
                 in
                 the
                 delights
                 of
                 Godliness
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 fear
                 of
                 the
                 sad
                 after-claps
                 of
                 sorrow
                 ,
                 that
                 conclude
                 sinful
                 pleasures
                 :
                 for
                 
                   the
                   end
                
                 of
                 that
                 mirth
                 is
                 
                   heaviness
                   .
                   Prov.
                
                 14
                 13.
                 
                 The
                 ungodly
                 mans
                 sinful
                 pleasures
                 are
                 but
                 a
                 showr-blink
                 that
                 ends
                 in
                 a
                 tempest
                 :
                 their
                 delights
                 are
                 like
                 the
                 pleasures
                 of
                 drunkards
                 ,
                 who
                 drink
                 and
                 swill
                 till
                 their
                 head
                 ake
                 ,
                 and
                 their
                 heart
                 be
                 sick
                 :
                 and
                 they
                 have
                 their
                 sentence
                 with
                 
                   Babylon
                   .
                   Ier
                
                 ,
                 51.
                 39.
                 
                 
                   In
                   their
                   heat
                   I
                   will
                   make
                   their
                   feasts
                   ,
                   and
                   I
                   will
                   make
                   them
                   drunken
                   ,
                   that
                   they
                   may
                   rejoice
                   ,
                   and
                   sleep
                   a
                   perpetual
                   sleep
                   ,
                   and
                   not
                   awake
                   ,
                   saith
                   the
                   Lord
                
              
               
                 7.
                 
                 This
                 follows
                 from
                 all
                 that
                 is
                 said
                 ,
                 The
                 pleasures
                 and
                 delights
                 of
                 Godliness
                 are
                 constant
                 and
                 induring
                 pleasures
                 .
                 John
                 16
                 ,
                 33.
                 
                   your
                   joy
                   no
                   man
                   taketh
                   from
                   you
                   .
                
                 As
                 the
                 World
                 doth
                 not
                 give
                 the
                 Saints
                 joy
                 and
                 delight
                 ,
                 so
                 neither
                 can
                 it
                 take
                 these
                 from
                 them
                 .
                 The
                 Saints
                 delights
                 in
                 Godliness
                 ,
                 are
                 like
                 spring
                 waters
                 that
                 will
                 rise
                 as
                 high
                 as
                 they
                 fall
                 in
                 their
                 courses
                 .
                 As
                 they
                 descend
                 first
                 from
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 so
                 they
                 never
                 cease
                 running
                 till
                 they
                 ascend
                 thither
                 
                 again
                 :
                 they
                 are
                 like
                 living
                 running
                 waters
                 ,
                 that
                 make
                 what
                 turnings
                 they
                 will
                 ,
                 about
                 mountains
                 or
                 whole
                 countreys
                 ,
                 in
                 end
                 they
                 fall
                 into
                 the
                 Sea
                 :
                 The
                 River
                 of
                 pure
                 pleasures
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   maketh
                   glad
                   the
                   the
                   City
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                
                 hath
                 its
                 outgoing
                 into
                 the
                 Sea
                 of
                 that
                 fulness
                 of
                 joy
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 in
                 Gods
                 presence
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 ocean
                 
                   of
                   pleasures
                   that
                   are
                   at
                   his
                   right
                   hand
                   for
                   evermore
                   .
                
                 And
                 now
                 I
                 go
                 forth
                 unto
                 the
                 streets
                 ,
                 and
                 stand
                 in
                 the
                 open
                 places
                 and
                 cry
                 :
                 O
                 all
                 ye
                 who
                 love
                 pleasures
                 turn
                 in
                 hither
                 ,
                 tast
                 and
                 see
                 that
                 the
                 Lord
                 is
                 Gracious
                 .
                 I
                 am
                 so
                 litle
                 an
                 enemy
                 to
                 pleasures
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 much
                 an
                 Epicurean
                 in
                 opinion
                 (
                 as
                 you
                 see
                 )
                 that
                 if
                 any
                 man
                 shall
                 shew
                 me
                 pleasures
                 more
                 pleasant
                 than
                 those
                 of
                 Godliness
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 content
                 to
                 change
                 for
                 the
                 better
                 :
                 and
                 that
                 shall
                 be
                 when
                 men
                 and
                 beasts
                 make
                 an
                 exchange
                 of
                 Soules
                 ;
                 water
                 and
                 wine
                 of
                 natures
                 and
                 vertues
                 ;
                 and
                 Heaven
                 and
                 Earth
                 shall
                 change
                 places
                 ;
                 when
                 evil
                 shall
                 be
                 good
                 ;
                 black
                 shall
                 be
                 white
                 ;
                 bitter
                 ,
                 sweet
                 ;
                 darkness
                 ,
                 light
                 ;
                 crockedness
                 ,
                 straight
                 ;
                 heaviness
                 ,
                 light
                 ;
                 when
                 cold
                 shall
                 be
                 hot
                 ;
                 and
                 time
                 shall
                 be
                 Eternal
                 .
              
               
                 4
                 ,
                 Godliness
                 is
                 the
                 only
                 perfect
                 ,
                 harmonious
                 ,
                 and
                 uniforme
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 Soules
                 lovers
                 :
                 what
                 lame
                 and
                 defective
                 pieces
                 are
                 all
                 her
                 companions
                 ?
                 I
                 said
                 as
                 much
                 in
                 the
                 description
                 of
                 the
                 inward
                 power
                 of
                 Grace
                 as
                 may
                 shew
                 ,
                 how
                 exactly
                 commensurable
                 her
                 perfections
                 are
                 to
                 all
                 the
                 powers
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 the
                 whole
                 capacity
                 of
                 a
                 man
                 :
                 she
                 satisfieth
                 the
                 understanding
                 ,
                 will
                 and
                 affections
                 ;
                 and
                 exercises
                 the
                 whole
                 man.
                 But
                 of
                 her
                 defective
                 companions
                 ,
                 some
                 want
                 the
                 head
                 as
                 error
                 ,
                 superstition
                 ,
                 profanness
                 :
                 whatever
                 of
                 the
                 will
                 and
                 affections
                 ,
                 and
                 
                 practise
                 be
                 in
                 these
                 ,
                 yet
                 they
                 are
                 against
                 the
                 truth
                 of
                 a
                 well
                 informed
                 judgment
                 :
                 some
                 want
                 the
                 heart
                 as
                 Hypocrisie
                 and
                 formality
                 ,
                 whatever
                 of
                 knowledge
                 ,
                 profession
                 or
                 practice
                 be
                 in
                 these
                 ;
                 yet
                 the
                 will
                 and
                 affections
                 do
                 not
                 consent
                 :
                 some
                 want
                 the
                 hands
                 and
                 feet
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 meer
                 trunks
                 ;
                 as
                 all
                 those
                 who
                 pretend
                 to
                 know
                 ,
                 will
                 and
                 love
                 their
                 Masters
                 will
                 ,
                 but
                 do
                 it
                 not
                 .
                 And
                 for
                 their
                 moral
                 qualifications
                 ,
                 The
                 first
                 is
                 a
                 fool
                 ;
                 the
                 next
                 is
                 a
                 knave
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 last
                 is
                 a
                 sluggard
                 .
                 But
                 compleat
                 Godliness
                 hath
                 the
                 head
                 ,
                 heart
                 hands
                 and
                 feet
                 ,
                 with
                 all
                 the
                 parts
                 of
                 a
                 perfect
                 man
                 :
                 and
                 is
                 a
                 wise
                 ,
                 trusty
                 and
                 active
                 piece
                 .
                 And
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 compleat
                 and
                 perfect
                 so
                 it
                 is
                 most
                 uniforme
                 and
                 harmonious
                 .
                 Ungodhliness
                 is
                 a
                 City
                 of
                 Division
                 ,
                 a
                 Babel
                 of
                 Confusion
                 ,
                 
                   it
                   parteth
                   chief
                   friends
                   ,
                   and
                   putteth
                   a
                   man
                   at
                   variance
                   with
                   those
                   of
                   his
                   own
                   house
                   :
                
                 the
                 wicked
                 are
                 like
                 the
                 
                   troubled
                   Sea
                
                 :
                 their
                 lusts
                 are
                 continually
                 fighting
                 and
                 warring
                 one
                 against
                 another
                 ,
                 and
                 altogether
                 against
                 Holiness
                 :
                 whence
                 are
                 Wars
                 and
                 fightings
                 ,
                 but
                 from
                 your
                 lusts
                 ?
                 Iam.
                 4.
                 1.
                 
                 Ungodly
                 mens
                 lusts
                 are
                 like
                 themselves
                 ,
                 for
                 extremes
                 they
                 are
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 are
                 like
                 extremes
                 that
                 differ
                 alike
                 from
                 themselves
                 and
                 from
                 the
                 mids
                 :
                 A
                 varice
                 differeth
                 as
                 much
                 from
                 Prodigality
                 her
                 Sister
                 Vice
                 ,
                 as
                 from
                 Liberality
                 her
                 contrary
                 vertue
                 .
                 But
                 Godliness
                 sets
                 a
                 man
                 at
                 one
                 with
                 himself
                 :
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 heart-uniting
                 thing
                 .
                 Psal.
                 86.
                 11.
                 
                   unite
                   my
                   heart
                   to
                   fear
                   thy
                   name
                   .
                
                 It
                 makes
                 a
                 good
                 understanding
                 betwixt
                 the
                 understanding
                 ,
                 the
                 will
                 ,
                 the
                 affections
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 whole
                 man.
                 And
                 
                   blessed
                   be
                   the
                   Peace-maker
                
                 ,
                 shall
                 she
                 not
                 be
                 
                   called
                   the
                   Child
                   of
                   God
                
                 ?
              
               
               
                 5.
                 
                 Is
                 it
                 not
                 the
                 great
                 Glory
                 of
                 Godliness
                 ,
                 that
                 as
                 many
                 do
                 sute
                 her
                 ,
                 as
                 few
                 do
                 espouse
                 her
                 ,
                 and
                 she
                 hath
                 as
                 many
                 pretenders
                 ,
                 as
                 few
                 matches
                 ?
                 Are
                 not
                 all
                 men
                 ,
                 her
                 pretenders
                 ?
                 Do
                 not
                 her
                 greatest
                 adversaries
                 pay
                 her
                 the
                 Devotion
                 ,
                 at
                 least
                 of
                 a
                 complement
                 ?
                 Is
                 not
                 their
                 great
                 request
                 to
                 her
                 ,
                 like
                 that
                 Isai.
                 4.
                 1.
                 
                   only
                   let
                   us
                   be
                   called
                   by
                   thy
                   name
                   ,
                   to
                   take
                   away
                   our
                   reproach
                   ?
                
                 Do
                 not
                 her
                 greatest
                 enemys
                 Glory
                 to
                 be
                 called
                 her
                 servants
                 ?
                 Call
                 an
                 evil
                 man
                 good
                 ,
                 and
                 you
                 cannot
                 please
                 him
                 beeter
                 :
                 for
                 he
                 hateth
                 as
                 much
                 to
                 be
                 
                   called
                   evil
                
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 
                   be
                   good
                
                 ;
                 And
                 loveth
                 as
                 much
                 to
                 
                   be
                   evil
                
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 be
                 
                   called
                   good
                
                 .
                 And
                 it
                 is
                 yet
                 as
                 much
                 her
                 Glory
                 that
                 few
                 do
                 enjoy
                 her
                 .
                 But
                 pray
                 ,
                 whom
                 doth
                 she
                 reject
                 ?
                 are
                 they
                 any
                 but
                 the
                 Ungodly
                 ?
                 those
                 unworthy
                 Persons
                 that
                 were
                 brought
                 in
                 upon
                 her
                 ,
                 and
                 came
                 to
                 mock
                 her
                 :
                 nor
                 doth
                 she
                 despise
                 any
                 that
                 have
                 not
                 first
                 despised
                 her
                 :
                 or
                 should
                 she
                 prostitute
                 her self
                 to
                 such
                 as
                 care
                 not
                 for
                 her
                 ?
                 none
                 get
                 a
                 Rejection
                 from
                 her
                 ,
                 without
                 their
                 own
                 consent
                 :
                 and
                 they
                 take
                 it
                 before
                 they
                 get
                 it
                 :
                 for
                 as
                 none
                 are
                 Godly
                 ,
                 so
                 neither
                 are
                 any
                 Wicked
                 against
                 their
                 will.
                 
              
               
                 Lastly
                 ,
                 Beside
                 the
                 promise
                 of
                 the
                 life
                 that
                 now
                 is
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 to
                 come
                 ,
                 which
                 makes
                 Godliness
                 profitable
                 to
                 all
                 things
                 1
                 Timoth.
                 4.
                 8.
                 
                 It
                 is
                 the
                 ready
                 way
                 ,
                 even
                 in
                 ordinary
                 probability
                 ,
                 to
                 give
                 a
                 man
                 honour
                 ,
                 wealth
                 ,
                 and
                 pleasure
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 continue
                 these
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 yea
                 even
                 in
                 this
                 World
                 :
                 (
                 I
                 would
                 these
                 tymes
                 did
                 give
                 a
                 better
                 testimony
                 to
                 this
                 Observation
                 :
                 but
                 I
                 hope
                 the
                 Observation
                 shall
                 stand
                 when
                 some
                 are
                 fallen
                 ;
                 and
                 shall
                 continue
                 ,
                 when
                 these
                 times
                 are
                 past
                 way
                 )
                 for
                 that
                 
                 these
                 things
                 are
                 as
                 naturally
                 purchased
                 by
                 good
                 and
                 vertuous
                 ,
                 as
                 lost
                 by
                 lewd
                 and
                 wicked
                 practices
                 .
                 And
                 how
                 shall
                 a
                 man
                 have
                 Honour
                 ,
                 who
                 prostitutes
                 himself
                 to
                 courses
                 wherein
                 he
                 hath
                 none
                 ,
                 but
                 base
                 and
                 unmanly
                 persons
                 for
                 his
                 Companions
                 ?
                 Are
                 not
                 Pages
                 ,
                 Grooms
                 ,
                 and
                 Lackeyes
                 ,
                 as
                 good
                 fellows
                 as
                 their
                 Lord
                 himself
                 at
                 Whoreing
                 ,
                 Drinking
                 ,
                 Swearing
                 ,
                 Carding
                 ,
                 
                   where
                   all
                   are
                   fellows
                
                 ?
                 Is
                 not
                 my
                 Lord
                 well
                 Honoured
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 sends
                 his
                 man
                 to
                 convoy
                 a
                 Whore
                 to
                 the
                 Chamber
                 ,
                 who
                 (
                 because
                 upon
                 the
                 Road
                 he
                 uses
                 to
                 lead
                 the
                 way
                 for
                 his
                 Master
                 ,
                 thinks
                 he
                 will
                 do
                 him
                 the
                 like
                 service
                 here
                 ,
                 and
                 serves
                 him
                 with
                 his
                 own
                 remains
                 ?
                 But
                 who
                 doth
                 not
                 Reverence
                 the
                 Presence
                 ,
                 and
                 Honour
                 the
                 Face
                 of
                 a
                 really
                 Good
                 man
                 ?
                 Yea
                 many
                 a
                 time
                 such
                 an
                 one
                 hath
                 more
                 Reverence
                 than
                 God
                 himself
                 with
                 Evil
                 men
                 ,
                 who
                 dare
                 do
                 many
                 things
                 in
                 the
                 Eyes
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 will
                 be
                 loath
                 to
                 do
                 in
                 presence
                 of
                 such
                 a
                 man
                 ?
                 Yea
                 how
                 convincing
                 many
                 a
                 time
                 is
                 the
                 Carriage
                 of
                 a
                 Godly
                 man
                 to
                 his
                 greatest
                 Enemies
                 ?
                 
                   Surely
                   thou
                   art
                   more
                   Righteous
                   then
                   I
                
                 (
                 said
                 Saul
                 to
                 David
                 )
                 and
                 when
                 
                   a
                   Mans
                   wayes
                   please
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   he
                   maketh
                   even
                   his
                   Enemies
                   to
                   be
                   at
                   peace
                   with
                   him
                   ,
                
                 Prov.
                 16.
                 7.
                 
                 An
                 excellent
                 Divine
                 (
                 I
                 think
                 it
                 is
                 Greenhame
                 )
                 sayes
                 well
                 ;
                 
                   Let
                   not
                   a
                   Saint
                   be
                   afraid
                   of
                   Men
                   ;
                   for
                   that
                   by
                   his
                   Prayers
                   ,
                   he
                   hath
                   more
                   Power
                   of
                   their
                   Hearts
                   ,
                   than
                   they
                   themselves
                   have
                   :
                
                 And
                 the
                 Scripture
                 sayes
                 the
                 same
                 ,
                 1
                 Pet.
                 3.
                 13.
                 
                 
                   And
                   who
                   is
                   he
                   that
                   will
                   harm
                   you
                   ,
                   if
                   ye
                   be
                   followers
                   of
                   that
                   which
                   is
                   good
                   ?
                
                 And
                 how
                 well
                 had
                 it
                 been
                 with
                 the
                 Profane
                 Ruffian
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 had
                 spent
                 that
                 Time
                 ,
                 Strength
                 ,
                 Estate
                 ,
                 and
                 Credit
                 
                 for
                 God
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 Godliness
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 sweet
                 and
                 sure
                 gain
                 of
                 his
                 Soul
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 hath
                 wasted
                 in
                 riffling
                 and
                 base
                 living
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 evident
                 hazard
                 of
                 his
                 Soul's
                 ruine
                 ,
                 if
                 that
                 may
                 be
                 said
                 to
                 be
                 ruined
                 that
                 was
                 never
                 repaired
                 ,
                 nor
                 in
                 case
                 .
                 But
                 be
                 it
                 yet
                 that
                 the
                 godly
                 man
                 attaineth
                 not
                 to
                 these
                 advantages
                 Temporal
                 ;
                 The
                 Peace
                 of
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 the
                 Contentment
                 of
                 Soberness
                 ,
                 the
                 Considence
                 of
                 Faith
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Rejoycing
                 of
                 Hope
                 ,
                 do
                 more
                 than
                 compense
                 all
                 that
                 is
                 wanting
                 elsewhere
                 ,
                 and
                 cause
                 that
                 a
                 good
                 man
                 is
                 satisfied
                 from
                 himself
                 ,
                 Prov
                 14.
                 14.
                 
              
               
                 Now
                 let
                 all
                 that
                 hath
                 been
                 said
                 ,
                 be
                 a
                 reproof
                 of
                 the
                 Worlds
                 hard
                 opinions
                 of
                 Godliness
                 ,
                 and
                 give
                 cheque
                 to
                 their
                 unkind
                 dealing
                 with
                 her
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 she
                 were
                 a
                 sorry
                 Piece
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 desired
                 by
                 none
                 ,
                 but
                 such
                 as
                 would
                 be
                 miserable
                 .
                 I
                 have
                 not
                 yet
                 travelled
                 so
                 far
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 I
                 can
                 remember
                 from
                 whence
                 I
                 set
                 forth
                 :
                 In
                 my
                 entry
                 upon
                 the
                 point
                 ,
                 I
                 told
                 my
                 Erand
                 was
                 with
                 Eleazar
                 Abraham's
                 Servant
                 Genes
                 .
                 24.
                 
                 To
                 seek
                 a
                 Wife
                 to
                 my
                 Master's
                 Son
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 Espouse
                 and
                 bring
                 home
                 Souls
                 to
                 Christ
                 :
                 And
                 now
                 to
                 conclude
                 ,
                 Let
                 me
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 Gen.
                 24.
                 57
                 ,
                 58.
                 
                 Call
                 the
                 Damsel
                 ,
                 and
                 enquire
                 at
                 her
                 Mouth
                 ,
                 
                   Wilt
                   thou
                   go
                   with
                   the
                   man
                   ?
                
                 And
                 she
                 said
                 (
                 so
                 be
                 it
                 said
                 unto
                 me
                 )
                 
                   I
                   will
                   go
                
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 fourth
                 and
                 last
                 thing
                 we
                 learn
                 from
                 the
                 point
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 word
                 ,
                 Is
                 ,
                 to
                 put
                 a
                 good
                 construction
                 upon
                 all
                 Gods
                 Dispensations
                 to
                 his
                 People
                 ;
                 for
                 his
                 thoughts
                 towards
                 them
                 are
                 
                   Thoughts
                   of
                   Peace
                   ,
                   and
                   not
                   of
                   evil
                   ,
                   to
                   give
                   them
                   an
                   expected
                   end
                   ,
                
                 Jer
                 29.
                 11.
                 
                 And
                 in
                 complyance
                 with
                 the
                 Lords
                 great
                 design
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 
                 vicissitudes
                 of
                 all
                 our
                 Lots
                 ,
                 let
                 us
                 learn
                 to
                 give
                 him
                 more
                 of
                 our
                 Hearts
                 :
                 For
                 he
                 brings
                 his
                 People
                 into
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 and
                 there
                 he
                 allures
                 them
                 .
                 If
                 these
                 Melancholly
                 times
                 do
                 but
                 make
                 us
                 more
                 tractable
                 ,
                 condescending
                 and
                 kind
                 to
                 
                   Christ
                   Iesus
                
                 ,
                 we
                 may
                 well
                 expect
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 will
                 speak
                 comfortably
                 unto
                 us
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 I
                 will
                 bring
                 her
                 into
                 the
                 Wilness
                 ,
                 and
                 will
                 speak
                 comfortably
                 unto
                 her
                 .
              
               
                 ANd
                 thus
                 I
                 am
                 led
                 by
                 the
                 hand
                 into
                 the
                 fourth
                 and
                 last
                 thing
                 proposed
                 to
                 be
                 considered
                 in
                 the
                 Text.
                 The
                 
                   juncture
                   and
                   coincidence
                
                 of
                 the
                 Churches
                 affliction
                 and
                 the
                 Lords
                 
                   Consolations
                   .
                   I
                   will
                   bring
                   her
                   into
                   the
                   Wilderness
                   ,
                   and
                   I
                   will
                   speak
                   comfortably
                   un
                   to
                   her
                   .
                
                 Hence
                 the
                 Doctrine
                 is
                 ,
                 That
                 the
                 Lord
                 useth
                 to
                 tryst
                 his
                 peoples
                 sadest
                 afflictions
                 with
                 his
                 sweetest
                 consolations
                 .
                 He
                 is
                 a
                 God
                 that
                 comforteth
                 those
                 that
                 art
                 cast
                 down
                 :
                 It
                 is
                 his
                 way
                 and
                 use
                 ,
                 The
                 Apostle
                 2
                 Cor.
                 1.
                 5.
                 
                   abounded
                   in
                   consolations
                   by
                   Christ
                   ,
                   as
                   their
                   sufferings
                   for
                   Christ
                   abounded
                   .
                
                 And
                 reading
                 through
                 all
                 the
                 Scripture
                 ,
                 I
                 never
                 find
                 the
                 Saints
                 more
                 indulged
                 with
                 the
                 sweet
                 consolations
                 of
                 God
                 and
                 his
                 kind
                 manifestations
                 ,
                 than
                 in
                 the
                 greatest
                 afflictions
                 .
                 Reasons
                 of
                 this
                 are
                 ,
                 1.
                 
                 His
                 free
                 love
                 and
                 kindness
                 .
                 So
                 it
                 becomes
                 him
                 
                   with
                   whom
                   the
                   fatherless
                   find
                   mercy
                   :
                
                 He
                 loveth
                 and
                 preserveth
                 the
                 Stranger
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 a
                 Father
                 of
                 the
                 Fatherless
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 Husband
                 to
                 the
                 Widow
                 ,
                 a
                 Judge
                 of
                 the
                 oppressed
                 out
                 of
                 his
                 holy
                 habitation
                 :
                 He
                 will
                 be
                 known
                 in
                 adversity
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 Friend
                 .
                 2.
                 
                 Their
                 necessity
                 :
                 Then
                 they
                 need
                 consolations
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 they
                 come
                 in
                 season
                 :
                 Prov.
                 30.
                 6.
                 
                 
                   Wine
                   should
                   be
                   given
                   to
                   those
                   that
                   are
                   of
                   heavy
                   hearts
                   :
                   When
                   I
                   said
                   my
                   foot
                   slippeth
                   ,
                   thy
                   mercy
                   Lord
                   held
                   me
                   up
                   .
                
                 This
                 was
                 a
                 mercy
                 that
                 came
                 in
                 good
                 season
                 .
                 3.
                 
                 Their
                 fitness
                 :
                 As
                 then
                 they
                 most
                 need
                 consolations
                 ,
                 
                 so
                 then
                 are
                 they
                 fittest
                 to
                 receive
                 and
                 intertain
                 them
                 .
                 The
                 Lord
                 will
                 not
                 have
                 his
                 Consolations
                 to
                 run
                 by
                 and
                 be
                 spilt
                 ,
                 by
                 pouring
                 them
                 out
                 into
                 full
                 vessels
                 :
                 But
                 
                   Blessed
                   are
                   they
                   that
                   hunger
                   and
                   thirst
                   ,
                   for
                   they
                   shall
                   be
                   filled
                   .
                
                 I
                 spoke
                 before
                 upon
                 the
                 second
                 part
                 of
                 the
                 Text
                 ▪
                 how
                 afflictions
                 fits
                 for
                 consolations
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 therefore
                 ,
                 God
                 sometimes
                 brings
                 his
                 people
                 into
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 ,
                 that
                 thus
                 he
                 may
                 fit
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 Most
                 sweet
                 are
                 the
                 Consolations
                 wherewith
                 the
                 Lord
                 trysts
                 his
                 people
                 in
                 their
                 afflictions
                 .
                 1.
                 
                 He
                 draws
                 forth
                 to
                 them
                 the
                 bowels
                 of
                 ●ost
                 tender
                 compassions
                 .
                 In
                 
                   all
                   their
                   affliction
                   he
                   is
                   afflicted
                   ,
                
                 Isa.
                 63.
                 9.
                 
                 Jer.
                 31.
                 20.
                 
                 Since
                 I
                 
                   spoke
                   against
                   him
                
                 ,
                 I
                 
                   do
                   earnestly
                   remember
                   him
                   still
                   ,
                   therefore
                   my
                   bowels
                   are
                   troubled
                   for
                   him
                   ,
                
                 Zach.
                 2.
                 8.
                 
                 
                   He
                   that
                   toucheth
                   you
                   ,
                   toucheth
                   the
                   apple
                   of
                   his
                   eye
                   .
                
                 It
                 is
                 a
                 very
                 acceptable
                 consolation
                 to
                 an
                 afflicted
                 person
                 ,
                 to
                 mourn
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 be
                 touched
                 with
                 their
                 condition
                 :
                 And
                 the
                 Lord
                 cryes
                 alas
                 at
                 every
                 touch
                 of
                 affliction
                 that
                 comes
                 upon
                 people
                 :
                 Nor
                 need
                 they
                 fear
                 he
                 shall
                 forget
                 them
                 :
                 For
                 whatever
                 is
                 a
                 mans
                 pain
                 ,
                 it
                 will
                 not
                 fail
                 to
                 put
                 him
                 in
                 mind
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 He
                 ownes
                 them
                 and
                 takes
                 notice
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 when
                 others
                 sight
                 them
                 and
                 care
                 not
                 for
                 them
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 31.
                 7.
                 
                 
                   He
                   knows
                   their
                   Soul
                   in
                   Adversities
                   ,
                
                 Psal.
                 142.
                 4
                 ,
                 5.
                 
                 
                   I
                   looked
                   on
                   my
                   right
                   hand
                   and
                   beheld
                   ,
                   but
                   there
                   was
                   no
                   man
                   that
                   would
                   know
                   me
                   ,
                   refuge
                   failed
                   me
                   :
                   No
                   man
                   cared
                   for
                   my
                   Soul
                   :
                   I
                   cryed
                   unto
                   thee
                   O
                   Lord
                   ,
                   I
                   said
                   thou
                   art
                   my
                   refuge
                   ,
                   and
                   my
                   portion
                   in
                   the
                   land
                   of
                   the
                   living
                   ,
                
                 Jer
                 30.
                 16
                 ,
                 17.
                 and
                 forward
                 :
                 The
                 Lord
                 promises
                 with
                 great
                 Mercies
                 to
                 owne
                 his
                 Church
                 ,
                 because
                 in
                 the
                 17
                 verse
                 ,
                 
                   They
                   called
                   her
                   an
                   out-cast
                   ,
                   saying
                   ,
                   this
                   is
                
                 Zion
                 
                   whom
                   no
                   man
                   seeketh
                   after
                
                 ,
                 Lament
                 .
                 1.
                 12.
                 
                 
                   It
                   was
                   nothing
                   to
                   those
                   that
                   passed
                   by
                   ,
                
                 to
                 see
                 all
                 that
                 she
                 suffered
                 .
                 But
                 her
                 desire
                 is
                 frequently
                 throughout
                 the
                 Chapter
                 ,
                 Behold
                 O
                 Lord
                 for
                 I
                 am
                 in
                 distress
                 .
                 Yea
                 and
                 he
                 will
                 behold
                 ,
                 
                   For
                   his
                   eyes
                   behold
                   the
                   things
                   that
                   are
                   equal
                   ,
                
                 Act.
                 7.
                 34.
                 
                 
                   I
                   have
                   seen
                   ,
                   I
                   have
                   seen
                   the
                   affliction
                   of
                   my
                   people
                   ,
                   which
                   is
                
                 in
                 ●gypt
                 ,
                 
                   and
                   I
                   have
                   heard
                   their
                   groaning
                   .
                
                 This
                 is
                 a
                 time
                 ,
                 wherein
                 there
                 be
                 few
                 to
                 Resent
                 the
                 wrongs
                 done
                 to
                 the
                 Church
                 of
                 God
                 and
                 his
                 Saints
                 and
                 Servants
                 ,
                 and
                 fewer
                 there
                 be
                 to
                 right
                 them
                 :
                 And
                 therefore
                 that
                 Prayer
                 is
                 good
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 17.
                 2.
                 
                 
                   Let
                   my
                   Sentence
                   come
                   forth
                   from
                   thy
                   presence
                   :
                   Let
                   thine
                   eyes
                   behold
                   the
                   things
                   that
                   are
                   equal
                   :
                
                 And
                 the
                 Saints
                 may
                 have
                 justice
                 for
                 the
                 asking
                 :
                 For
                 he
                 
                 
                   Beholds
                   mischief
                   and
                   spight
                   ,
                   to
                   requite
                   it
                   with
                   his
                   hand
                   ,
                
                 Ps.
                 10.
                 14.
                 
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 He
                 vouchsafes
                 them
                 a
                 more
                 special
                 presence
                 ,
                 Ps
                 :
                 91.
                 15.
                 
                 
                   I
                   will
                   be
                   with
                   him
                   in
                   trouble
                   ,
                
                 Psal.
                 23.
                 4.
                 
                 
                   In
                   the
                   valley
                   of
                   the
                   Shaddow
                   of
                   death
                   thou
                   art
                   with
                   me
                   ,
                
                 Isai.
                 43.
                 2.
                 
                 When
                 thou
                 passest
                 through
                 the
                 Waters
                 I
                 will
                 be
                 with
                 thee
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
                 The
                 Lord
                 is
                 ever
                 near
                 to
                 those
                 that
                 fear
                 him
                 :
                 but
                 in
                 affliction
                 he
                 goes
                 very
                 near
                 them
                 .
                 They
                 have
                 alwayes
                 his
                 special
                 presence
                 ,
                 Ps.
                 140
                 ,
                 13.
                 
                 
                   The
                   upright
                   shall
                   dwell
                   in
                   thy
                   presence
                   .
                
                 But
                 in
                 trouble
                 they
                 have
                 a
                 more
                 special
                 presence
                 .
                 His
                 presence
                 is
                 either
                 a
                 secret
                 supporting
                 presence
                 ,
                 whereby
                 his
                 people
                 are
                 held
                 up
                 ,
                 they
                 know
                 not
                 how
                 :
                 For
                 many
                 a
                 time
                 when
                 the
                 Saints
                 look
                 back
                 upon
                 those
                 times
                 ,
                 wherein
                 they
                 said
                 ,
                 
                   their
                   strength
                   and
                   their
                   hope
                   is
                   perished
                   from
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                
                 and
                 see
                 the
                 way
                 that
                 they
                 have
                 come
                 ,
                 they
                 wonder
                 how
                 they
                 have
                 win
                 through
                 :
                 
                   But
                   God
                   was
                   with
                   them
                   whilst
                   they
                   knew
                   it
                   not
                   .
                
                 Or
                 else
                 his
                 presence
                 is
                 a
                 manifest
                 comforting
                 presence
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 the
                 Scripture
                 calls
                 his
                 
                   visiting
                   of
                   his
                   people
                
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 Then
                 the
                 Lord
                 vouchsafes
                 his
                 afflicted
                 people
                 many
                 a
                 kind
                 visit
                 :
                 And
                 in
                 those
                 visits
                 ,
                 1.
                 
                 He
                 salutes
                 his
                 people
                 with
                 Peace
                 :
                 
                   He
                   will
                   speak
                   Peace
                   unto
                   his
                   people
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   his
                   Saints
                   :
                   in
                   the
                   world
                   ye
                   shall
                   have
                   trouble
                
                 (
                 sayes
                 he
                 )
                 
                   but
                   in
                   me
                   ye
                   shall
                   have
                   Peace
                   .
                
                 2.
                 
                 He
                 gives
                 a
                 hearing
                 to
                 all
                 his
                 peoples
                 Confessions
                 ,
                 Complaints
                 and
                 Petitions
                 :
                 
                   Lord
                   thou
                   hast
                   heard
                   the
                   desire
                   of
                   the
                   humble
                   .
                
                 3.
                 
                 He
                 speaks
                 his
                 mind
                 to
                 his
                 people
                 ,
                 both
                 concerning
                 their
                 Duty
                 and
                 the
                 issue
                 of
                 their
                 lot
                 .
                 The
                 times
                 of
                 the
                 Lords
                 visits
                 to
                 his
                 afflicted
                 people
                 ,
                 are
                 the
                 times
                 wherein
                 he
                 communicates
                 most
                 of
                 his
                 secrets
                 to
                 those
                 that
                 fear
                 him
                 .
                 The
                 Soul
                 that
                 goes
                 through
                 manyfest
                 afflictions
                 ,
                 is
                 ordinarily
                 the
                 wisest
                 and
                 most
                 experienced
                 Soul
                 :
                 Heman
                 the
                 Ezrahit
                 ,
                 who
                 was
                 so
                 sore
                 afflicted
                 ,
                 even
                 from
                 his
                 youth
                 ,
                 was
                 one
                 of
                 the
                 wisest
                 men
                 in
                 his
                 time
                 .
                 Speculation
                 speaks
                 of
                 cases
                 like
                 a
                 Geographer
                 ,
                 Experience
                 speaks
                 like
                 a
                 Traveller
                 :
                 That
                 sayes
                 that
                 which
                 
                   our
                   ears
                   have
                   heard
                
                 ,
                 this
                 sayes
                 ,
                 
                   that
                   which
                   our
                   eyes
                   have
                   seen
                   ,
                   declare
                   we
                   unto
                   you
                   .
                
                 4.
                 
                 In
                 his
                 Visits
                 ,
                 he
                 gives
                 his
                 people
                 tokens
                 for
                 good
                 :
                 He
                 comes
                 never
                 empty-handed
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 But
                 gives
                 them
                 such
                 things
                 ,
                 whereof
                 they
                 may
                 say
                 in
                 their
                 straits
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 seems
                 to
                 have
                 forgotten
                 them
                 ,
                 
                   Lord
                   whose
                   are
                   these
                
                 :
                 5.
                 
                 And
                 further
                 (
                 as
                 the
                 original
                 hath
                 the
                 words
                 of
                 the
                 Text
                 )
                 he
                 
                   speaks
                   to
                   his
                   peoples
                   heart
                
                 :
                 He
                 satisfies
                 them
                 concerning
                 his
                 Dispensations
                 ,
                 and
                 convinceth
                 them
                 of
                 
                 the
                 equity
                 and
                 kindness
                 of
                 his
                 dealing
                 with
                 them
                 .
                 He
                 gives
                 them
                 such
                 rational
                 accounts
                 of
                 his
                 dispensations
                 ;
                 as
                 makes
                 them
                 say
                 ,
                 he
                 hath
                 taken
                 the
                 best
                 way
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 makes
                 them
                 sing
                 ,
                 
                   thou
                   hast
                   dealt
                   well
                   with
                   thy
                   Servants
                   ,
                
                 Ps.
                 119.
                 65.
                 
                 And
                 by
                 convincing
                 them
                 that
                 good
                 is
                 the
                 Word
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 Isai.
                 39.
                 8.
                 
                 He
                 makes
                 them
                 say
                 from
                 their
                 Heart
                 ,
                 that
                 if
                 variety
                 of
                 lots
                 were
                 in
                 their
                 offer
                 ,
                 they
                 would
                 choose
                 the
                 present
                 :
                 O
                 but
                 that
                 speaks
                 well
                 :
                 I
                 will
                 speak
                 to
                 her
                 heart
                 :
                 I
                 will
                 even
                 speak
                 as
                 she
                 would
                 have
                 me
                 .
                 Thus
                 he
                 comforts
                 by
                 his
                 kind
                 visits
                 .
              
               
                 5.
                 
                 He
                 comforts
                 his
                 people
                 in
                 affliction
                 ,
                 by
                 being
                 all
                 things
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 doing
                 all
                 things
                 for
                 them
                 .
                 Thus
                 we
                 find
                 the
                 Saints
                 in
                 their
                 afflictions
                 making
                 applications
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 with
                 Titles
                 suted
                 to
                 their
                 condition
                 :
                 And
                 
                   it
                   is
                   God
                
                 (
                 faith
                 the
                 
                   Psalmist
                   )
                   that
                   doth
                   all
                   things
                   for
                   me
                   .
                
                 He
                 is
                 the
                 Shepherd
                 of
                 Israel
                 :
                 If
                 they
                 be
                 scattered
                 ,
                 he
                 gathers
                 them
                 :
                 if
                 they
                 go
                 astray
                 ,
                 he
                 leads
                 them
                 ;
                 if
                 they
                 want
                 ,
                 he
                 feeds
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   makes
                   them
                   Lie
                   in
                   green
                   Pastures
                   ,
                   by
                   the
                   still
                   waters
                   :
                
                 If
                 they
                 be
                 in
                 hazard
                 ,
                 
                   He
                   is
                   their
                   refuge
                
                 :
                 Are
                 they
                 sad
                 ?
                 He
                 
                   is
                   the
                   Health
                   of
                   their
                   countenance
                   :
                
                 Are
                 they
                 weak
                 or
                 weary
                 ?
                 
                   He
                   is
                   their
                   strength
                
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 him
                 is
                 everlasting
                 strength
                 :
                 Are
                 they
                 sinners
                 and
                 guilty
                 :
                 He
                 is
                 
                   the
                   God
                   of
                   their
                   Righteousness
                
                 :
                 Is
                 Law
                 intended
                 against
                 them
                 ?
                 He
                 
                   pleads
                   their
                   cause
                
                 ;
                 and
                 
                   stands
                   at
                   their
                   right
                   hand
                
                 :
                 Is
                 the
                 judge
                 an
                 unfriend
                 to
                 them
                 ?
                 
                   He
                   is
                   their
                   judge
                   ,
                   and
                   their
                   Sentence
                   cometh
                   forth
                   from
                   his
                   presence
                   :
                
                 Do
                 Kings
                 or
                 others
                 command
                 them
                 to
                 be
                 Afflicted
                 ,
                 Fined
                 ,
                 Beaten
                 ,
                 Imprisoned
                 ,
                 Confined
                 ,
                 Banished
                 ?
                 Then
                 Psal
                 44.
                 4.
                 
                 
                   Thou
                   art
                   my
                   King
                   O
                   God
                   ,
                   command
                   deliverances
                   for
                
                 Jacob
                 :
                 Have
                 they
                 no
                 Friends
                 ,
                 nor
                 any
                 to
                 do
                 for
                 them
                 ?
                 He
                 that
                 is
                 the
                 kind
                 Lord
                 can
                 cause
                 men
                 shew
                 them
                 
                   the
                   kindness
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                
                 :
                 That
                 which
                 the
                 Scripture
                 calleth
                 
                   the
                   kindness
                   of
                   the
                   Lord.
                
                 1
                 Sam.
                 20.
                 14.
                 hath
                 as
                 much
                 in
                 it
                 ,
                 as
                 may
                 shew
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 makes
                 men
                 Instruments
                 at
                 his
                 pleasure
                 ,
                 to
                 shew
                 kindness
                 ,
                 and
                 do
                 a
                 good
                 Office
                 to
                 his
                 people
                 .
                 And
                 when
                 the
                 Saints
                 and
                 Servants
                 of
                 God
                 come
                 to
                 count
                 kindness
                 ,
                 I
                 hope
                 there
                 will
                 be
                 found
                 more
                 of
                 the
                 kindness
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 than
                 of
                 men
                 ,
                 in
                 Courtesies
                 that
                 are
                 done
                 them
                 .
                 I
                 am
                 so
                 little
                 a
                 Patron
                 of
                 unthankfulness
                 ,
                 That
                 I
                 shall
                 thank
                 him
                 kindly
                 ,
                 and
                 pray
                 (
                 as
                 our
                 Scots
                 Proverb
                 is
                 )
                 
                   The
                   Lord
                   reward
                   him
                   that
                   doth
                   me
                   good
                   ,
                   whether
                   with
                   his
                   will
                   ,
                   or
                   against
                   it
                   .
                
                 But
                 truly
                 when
                 from
                 
                 men
                 I
                 meet
                 with
                 less
                 kindness
                 ,
                 where
                 I
                 might
                 have
                 expected
                 more
                 ;
                 and
                 more
                 where
                 I
                 might
                 have
                 expected
                 less
                 ;
                 The
                 Meditation
                 of
                 this
                 Scripture
                 expression
                 ,
                 
                   To
                   shew
                   the
                   kindness
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                
                 hath
                 taught
                 me
                 the
                 more
                 earnestly
                 to
                 ask
                 mercies
                 of
                 my
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 leave
                 the
                 expressing
                 and
                 dispensing
                 of
                 it
                 to
                 himself
                 ,
                 by
                 Means
                 and
                 Instruments
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 choosing
                 :
                 He
                 can
                 make
                 a
                 Babylonian
                 Enemy
                 to
                 〈…〉
                 his
                 own
                 Servant
                 Ieremiah
                 well
                 .
              
               
                 6.
                 
                 To
                 add
                 no
                 more
                 ,
                 for
                 that
                 hath
                 all
                 .
                 The
                 Lord
                 comforteth
                 his
                 afflicted
                 People
                 by
                 
                   Christ
                   ●esus
                
                 ,
                 2
                 Cor.
                 1.
                 5
                 
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 Saints
                 unchangeable
                 Consolation
                 ,
                 in
                 all
                 changes
                 of
                 Dispensations
                 :
                 and
                 truly
                 our
                 Consolations
                 will
                 come
                 to
                 a
                 poor
                 account
                 ,
                 if
                 Christ
                 be
                 not
                 the
                 sum
                 of
                 them
                 all
                 .
                 in
                 all
                 Cases
                 and
                 Conditions
                 :
                 
                   Christless
                   comforts
                
                 will
                 leave
                 us
                 
                   comfortless
                   Christians
                
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 Use
                 of
                 this
                 point
                 shall
                 be
                 ,
                 for
                 strong
                 Consolation
                 to
                 the
                 Saints
                 in
                 their
                 greatest
                 afflictions
                 .
                 The
                 Lord
                 hath
                 laid
                 it
                 straitly
                 upon
                 us
                 ,
                 to
                 comfort
                 his
                 People
                 in
                 their
                 afflictions
                 ,
                 Isai.
                 40.
                 1.
                 2.
                 and
                 here
                 ,
                 he
                 takes
                 it
                 upon
                 himself
                 to
                 be
                 their
                 Comforter
                 :
                 He
                 hath
                 given
                 this
                 Name
                 and
                 O
                 shee
                 to
                 his
                 Holy
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 
                   The
                   Comforter
                
                 ;
                 and
                 shall
                 not
                 the
                 afflicted
                 People
                 of
                 God
                 with
                 these
                 words
                 be
                 comforted
                 ,
                 and
                 comfort
                 one
                 another
                 ?
                 But
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 rule
                 of
                 Scripture
                 .
                 Comforts
                 and
                 Duties
                 must
                 be
                 matched
                 together
                 :
                 Nor
                 must
                 we
                 expect
                 in
                 the
                 event
                 a
                 Separation
                 of
                 those
                 things
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 hath
                 joyned
                 in
                 the
                 intimation
                 .
                 Wherefore
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 would
                 have
                 much
                 of
                 the
                 Lords
                 heart
                 ,
                 Let
                 us
                 give
                 him
                 much
                 of
                 ou●s
                 :
                 If
                 we
                 would
                 have
                 him
                 comfortable
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 be
                 kind
                 to
                 him
                 :
                 If
                 we
                 would
                 have
                 him
                 speak
                 comfortably
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 give
                 our
                 consent
                 to
                 him
                 :
                 If
                 we
                 would
                 have
                 him
                 speak
                 to
                 our
                 Heart
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 
                   be
                   to
                   his
                   Heart
                
                 :
                 for
                 so
                 the
                 Text
                 runneth
                 ,
                 
                   Therefore
                   behold
                   I
                   will
                   allure
                   her
                   ,
                   I
                   will
                   bring
                   her
                   into
                   the
                   Wilderness
                   and
                   I
                   will
                   speak
                   comfortably
                   unto
                   her
                   .
                
                 Now
                 to
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 all
                 Consolation
                 ,
                 
                   Father
                   ,
                   Son
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                   ,
                   be
                   ●ll
                   〈◊〉
                   ,
                   and
                   Dominion
                   ,
                   and
                   Praise
                   ,
                   for
                   ever
                   and
                   ever
                   .
                
                 Amen
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Written
                   in
                   the
                   Wilderness
                
                 1665
              
            
             
               FINIS
               .
            
          
        
         
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A27353-e8770
           
             See
             Grenhams
             
               directions
               for
               reading
               the
               Scriptures
            
             .
          
        
         
           Notes for div A27353-e12670
           
             See
             the
             fulfilling
             of
             the
             Scriptures
             .
          
           
             
               Remark
               how
               the
               Plague
               followed
               in
            
             London
             ,
             
               the
               next
               year
            
             1660.