Munday Meditations.

NOthing more profiteth Gods Children then his Crosse, this bringeth a loathing of our troubles here belowe, and an ardent loue of enioying such things as rest aboue in the Heauens. When Israel had peace in Aegypt, they thought not vpon Canaan, so wee bewitched with the world, for­get our saluation. But as the Angell caught Lot when hee lingred in So­dome. Gen. 19.Gen. 19. So doth sicknesses and distasts with-hold vs from Hell, inuesting vs into euerlasting habitati­ons in the Heauens.

Wee must not looke to bee carried [Page 4] into Heauen in a feather-bed; all Gods Saints knowing this, that afflictions rest as Porters to the Kingdome of Paradise, the Cherubins keeping the East-side thereof with a blade of a shaking Sword. Gen. 3.24.

When wee haue health, we should praise God for it, and beware it become not the cause of our ruine: You are sicke, it is a signe of your heauenly Fathers loue, and of your euerlasting happinesse: this should make the cogitations of your heart to striue as did the Children in Rebec­cas wombe; Leape wee for ioy that our names, as the names of Gods Children are written in Heauen: what though wee be poore, sicke, full of soares, and contemned of men, yet being the Elect Children of God, and our names in Gods Booke, wee may haue sound Comfort both in life and death. Remembring that sanctified Crosses rest assured notes of Gods fauour, and therefore assoone as euer wee read Gene. 6.12. of Abrahams comming to Moreb, it is [Page 5] presently sayd, this Cannanite was then in the Land, by whose cruelty God meaneth to exercise both him and his; and the like must all Gods Children looke for.

Say not thou that afflictions rather driue vs from God then to God, for where the Holy Ghost sanctifieth, all things there doe proue most excel­lent. Albeit Gods dearely beloued Children are put into strange extre­mities, yet looke they vp with com­fort at the last.

The body of Anaxarchus might be brayed in a Morter, but neuer his soule: Ieremies body might bee saw­ed in pieces (of Manasses his owne Cousin Germaine) not his sanctified soule. Amos was killed with a wooden beame, St. Laurence broy­led on a Grid-iron, St. Iohn had like to haue beene boyled in an hot Chal­dron of scalding oyle. Doe not thinke but that your present Crosses may be seconded with manifold com­forts, and those cares on your Couch with Peter in Gods kingdome. It [Page 6] may be the time is approaching (of putting off your Mortality, and pas­sing through death as through a gate into euerlasting life) to put you in minde to bewayle your misdeeds, and to begge remission of your sinnes, with powring out of your teares, which are so gracious in Heauen, that euery sinne is washed away with such a flood, no weeds euer springing af­ter such raine or sanctified shower: Depend vpon Gods diuine proui­dence, haue patience with your Cros­ses, attend mercy for your comfort, beware of pride, too often the ouer­throw of Honour, be weary of this world, make now your way to­wards the kingdome of God.

Who long hauing tryed you with Calamities, may blesse you with eter­nall Comforts, be you neuer com­fortlesse, for no doubt God which tryeth his seruants, will likewise blesse and comfort them.

As now sicknesse makes you sigh and be sorrowfull, so much more let the Cause thereof grieue your [Page 7] heart which is sinne: And bee you comforted in this, that Christ Iesus suffered for you: lay away Melan­cholly, plucke vp your spirits, and put your selfe onely vpon God; liue not like a woman, but dye like a li­uing Saint. Let not Impatience pre­iudise your heart, neither let thought pierce your heart, but make patience and mirth the best phisicke to your minde, and surest comfort in your liues.

Intreate the Lord to helpe you to beare your Crosses, and so to streng­then you with his Spirit, that you become not hopelesse of recouery, and let no sorrowes so afflict you, but as sacred Comforts may soone re­lieue you: Consider your whole life to be nothing else but a continuall try­all of your Conscience in the spiritual Warfare.

Remember that such as depend vp­on any thing but on God alone, refuse their owne felicity, and that good­nesse which they should else receiue of God. Who knowes not this, that [Page 8] there is no Saluation but by Christ? There is no true rest till I first feele Gods Iudgements, and the weight thereof which shall serue, through Christ, to my good.

God doth now and then vse to de­ferre his helpe for a time, before hee will comfort his Church, People, or Children, yet when it is most expe­dient for them, his helpe is euer rea­dy at hand. Consider we all that the end of Gods chastisements to his Children, is, to saue them from Sa­than, and with-hold them from Hell.

As God hath strooken you, so hath hee power to restore you; as you are Gods seruant, you haue an Angell to defend you from your enemies, you are so deare vnto God, that he can no more suffer your enemies to hurt you, then a man can abide to be thrust in the eyes.Psal. 17.8. Psal. 17.8. Sathan sought to Iehoshuah when he was doing his Office, Zacha. 3.1. that is, praying for the state of the Church; where you must note, that Sathan seekes to afflict and trouble the Children of [Page 9] God, and hinder their saluation, from doing their duties vnto God if hee could.

The Lord hath punished you for a time, desire him now to be pacified, and visite your sinnes no more, but that you may liue in peace and quiet­nesse, as in the Kingdome of Christ. Esay 2.2. Micha. 4.4. Haggia 2.10.Esay 2.2. Micah 4.4 The Lords hand of helpe neuer fay­leth his faithfull seruants, but resteth so powerfull in it selfe, that it bring­eth all his promises and purposes to passe, although hee haue no helpe of mortall man. Zachariah in the 14. Chapter of his Prophesie telleth, that these should be the great troubles in the Church, in the Euening where­of the Lord will send comfort by a plentifull supply of spirituall gra­ces; marry into the new Ierusalem to continue for euer, where there shall be one God, one Faith, one Re­ligion.

In any wise beware of prosperity, premit & praeterit, it presseth and passeth, staying by thee to thy hurt, [Page 10] and flying from thee to thy griefe. Prosperity is like the golden Brace­lets that Turpeus had for betraying the Romane Castle to the Sabynes, wherewith she was pressed to death. Pharaoh was humbled being af­flicted, but enioying prosperity hee was hardened. Noah was sober in the Arke, but ouertaken with Drun­kennesse in the Vineyard.Gen. 9. Lot vex­ed in Sodome abhorred all vncleane­nesse, but once safe in the Moun­taines,Gen. 19. hee fell into grosse Impiety. Dauid being persecuted gaue him­selfe to Meditation and Prayer, but once aduanced in the Kingdome, committed bloody sinnes. 2. Sam. 11. The best doe commonly fall when they are furnished with abundance, as the Moone is not Eclipsed but when shee is in the full.

Learne therefore what to doe, when God casteth you downe, or de­priueth you of any comforts you haue formerly enioyed, vnder so gracious a Lord, and louing Father as is our God. Learne wee this Lesson, that [Page 11] either God punisheth vs for our sins, or for the probation of our faith, when he either compasseth vs with his net, or taketh from vs the ioy of our Honours, the pleasure of our Eyes, and the Crowne from our head, with the desires of our hearts.

Now know this, that our earthly house of this Tabernacle being de­stroyed, we haue a building giuen vs of God, that is an house not made with hands, but eternall in the Hea­uens: Striue we therefore to be cloa­thed with a House which is from Heauen, because if wee bee cloathed, wee shall not be found naked.

For indeed wee which are in this Tabernacle, sigh, and are burdened, because wee would not bee vncloa­thed, but would bee cloathed vppon that Mortality might bee swallowed vp of Life. God that hath Created vs for this thing, hath also giuen vnto vs the Earnest of the Spirit: Therefore wee are alwayes bold, though wee know, that whiles we are at home in the body, wee are absent from the [Page 12] Lord; for wee walke by faith, and not by sight neuerthelesse wee are bold, and loue rather to remooue out of the body, and to dwell with the Lord.

Wherefore wee also couet, that both dwelling at home, and remoo­uing from our home, wee may bee acceptable to him; For wee must all appeare before the Iudgement seate of Christ, 2. Cor. 5 1 that euery man may receiue the things which are done in the body, according to that hee hath done, whe­ther it be good or euill. 2. Cor. 5.1. &c. to the end of the tenth Verse: the eighth to the Romans all through­out it is comfortable. It is the saying of St. Chrisostome, Crucem tollere & sequi Christum omnibus imperatur, al­ligatus sum ego, sed Verbum Dei non alligatum. Are you sicke? it is not for your health, not for your hurt: Despaire not, for our Saluation de­pendeth vpon the will of our most lo­uing Brother Iesus Christ, who will intreate the Father for the Children, and the Father will heare the Sonne [Page 13] for his Brethren, not refusing them but feasting them.

And though the best of vs haue no merits, yet our Sauiour Christ hath so imparted to vs his Righteousnesse, as if wee had effected it our selues: By which his most gracious suffe­ring he hath most surely signed and sealed his Diuine loue and heauenly fauour vnto vs which beleeue. The Lord deliuereth his people by afflicti­ons, preserueth them vpon his borders, Esdras 12.14. making them ioyfull vntill the com­ming of the day of Iudgement. I see you rest weake and sicke, I pray you bee as quiet as you can, seeking no other remedy, but content your selfe with Christ: God oftentimes sen­deth afflictions on vs, to discouer our vaine Confidence, which wee keepe secret to our selues.

Terrours and destructions make men now and then to learne that which exhortations and gentlenesse could not bring to passe: As the Plow-man hath his appointed time, and diuers Instruments for his la­bour, [Page 14] so hath the Lord for his ven­geance, for hee punisheth some at one time, some at another; some after one sort, and some after another: So that his Chosen seed is beaten and tri­ed, but not broken in pieces as are the wicked.

The dearest of Gods Children may faint, but not finally faile and vtterly fall away. God will suffer his Church to bee afflicted, and yet at length send it deliuerance. God suf­fereth sometimes his dearest Chil­dren to want Consolation, that his grace afterwards may the more ap­peare when they feele their owne weakenesse. Doe wee not by our sins prouoke God to take our liues from vs euery night? You are now afflicted in your bodies, yet assure your selues in the Lord, that you shall finde deliuerance at last, both for bo­dy and soule, a very translation into blisse: Gods power is sufficient with­out the helpe of any other, our Hea­uenly Father hath all meanes in him­selfe to bring his will to passe.

[Page 15]Hee sheweth his care and fauour ouer them that are weake and tender: as God hath all power in himselfe, so doth hee vse the same for the de­fence and maintenance of his Mem­bers, Church and Children; See that you neither feare neither man, nor put your trust in any saue, onely in God: you are worthy of rebuke which will not rest on the prouidence of the Almighty, but thinke that hee hath forsaken you in your troubles. All power rests in Gods hands to de­liuer you when hee thinketh good.

Therefore learne to abide Gods hand with patience, and not curi­ously to seeke out the Cause of Gods delay in your Afflictions. Trust not in your owne Vertues, but ac­knowledge all good things to come from the Lord; you are in Christs protection, and therefore safe against all dangers, and free from the feare of our infernall foes.

As a woeman cannot forget her Child, no more doe the Compassions of our heauenly Father faile vs at our [Page 16] needefull times of our seuerall di­stresses. Seeke no Counsell in your owne deuices, lest refusing the Light and Consolation which the Gospell offereth, you remaine still in sorrow, and neuer bee comforted. Esay 51. God comforteth his Church that they should not bee discouraged for their small number, but remember their Parents Abraham and Sarah of whom they are borne. The punishment of the Elect is by measure, according as God giueth grace to beare it. But in the Reprobate it is the iust venge­ance of God to driue them to an in­sensiblenesse and madnesse. Ier. 15 16 The Church of God in time of her afflictions and Captiuity bringeth forth more Children, then when she was at liberty. Wherefore doth our God refuse vs and forsake for a while, but that with greater Com­passions and euerlasting Mercies hee may imbrace vs againe as our Redee­mer for euer.

It is our fault that we are not soone reconciled one to another, and iudge [Page 17] God by your selues: But hee is most easie to bee reconciled, offering dayly his mercies vnto vs, deliuerance is from Heauen, and God neuer forsa­keth his Children.

There shall be great afflictions in the Church, but God will euer deli­uer his. True deliuerance from sinne and Sathan, belongeth to none but to the Children of God whom hee iusti­fieth, and when Gods will and plea­sure is, hee will shew you fauour and feeling graces.

Our Heauenly Father hath no need of mans helpe for the deliuerance of his, hee can easily deliuer his Chil­dren, and punish his foes. Consider not so much what griefes and afflicti­ons you now beare in your Body, as what Christ hath borne for you to purchase your saluation.

Remember why Israel was so sore afflicted, that they might in their troubles call to remembrance the be­nefits which God had bestowed vp­on them in times past. Yeeld not to the Censure of thy flesh, when God [Page 18] doth not for Causes best knowne to himselfe, send succour vnto you pre­sently. You are in distresse and trou­ble, dedicate your selfe vnto Gods Seruice, and call vpon his Name: let all your Ioy bee in Gods Seruice and Worship, no mans helpe can saue you; put your confidence in GOD, looke for helpe at his hands, who hath better Physicke for your soules then any that commeth from Gilead. Pray with true Faith and Repentance, not for the smart and griefe which you feele to be remooued, but final­ly sanctified to your Honours salua­tion.

Remember that God is the Pot­ter, and wee the Clay, hee hath po­wer ouer vs,Esay 45.9 Rom. 9.10 to doe with vs whatso­euer seemeth good in his sight. As no man that is a thirst, refuseth fresh Conduit-water which hee hath at home, to goe and seeke waters abroad to quench his thirst: So wee ought not to seeke for helpe and succour as Strangers, and leaue God which is present with vs. All which meane to [Page 19] enioy the Land of promise, must walke in the way of truth which God there teacheth them.

Let your Faith still striue against each temptation, and in your greatest weakenesse seeke to the Lord for strength: Know this my beloued, that the dearest Children of God may bee ouercome in the battell betweene the Flesh and the Spirit: and great incon­ueniences may they fall into,Iob 3.1. &c. 15 10 till God rayse them vp againe. The Scrip­tures telling vs, that Iudgements be­gin at Gods owne house: wee may not thinke it strange that we are now grieuously punished, who haue, now and then,Ezech. 9.6. 1. Pet. 4.14 17. played he part of Gods ene­mies. Extreame are the afflictions that God appointeth for euery one: as Psalme 15.8. Esay 51.17. But the Cup which the wicked drinke, is more bitter then that which God gi­ueth to his Children: for hee measu­reth the one by Mercy, and the other by Iustice.

If you see you rest weake, com­mend your selues to Gods mercy, [Page 20] who meaneth not to destroy you for your sinnes, but to correct and cha­stise you, till hee haue pardoned and purged your offences; and so burne his rod by which hee hath punished you. Esay 33.1. Remember that as God was the Authour of Israels Cap­tiuity for their sinnes: so was hee for his mercies their Redeemer, to restore them to Liberty.

God in the middest of all his threatnings remembreth his, and comforteth them: There is no grea­ter signe of our Heauenly Fathers loue, then when hee correcteth vs for our amendment, preseruing vs in despite of our Enemies; to that end whereunto he hath appointed vs, e­uen to the Glory of Gods Name, and good of his Church. See Esay 44.2. and Chap. 30.10. & 10.24. What though we be forsaken for a time, yet the Lord casts vs not off vtterly, as though he our Husband were dead; but in our dreadfullest afflictions still followeth vs with his fatherly fa­uours and manifold mercies, to make [Page 21] vs all praise God in Syon; let vs still acknowledge God to be the Authour of our afflictions, to the intent that wee may still seeke to him for reme­dy.

Let your heauy sinnes bee conti­nually before your eyes, as one that tyeth a thing to his hand for a re­membrance: so will hee forget them, cast them behinde his backe, and tread them vnder feet. The Lord comfort and refresh your soule, still treading downe the insurgent Ene­mies that rise vp against you: Let no aduersity vtterly discomfort you, but wisely consider that there may bee cause of a Womans separation from her Husband, and a ioyfull meeting and comming of them both together againe.

Wee can neuer be too timely exer­cised vnder our Crosse, but wee are to pray, that when our afflictions grow greater, our patience also (by experience) may bee stronger; and thou Lord, become a Sanctuary vnto vs in the soarest times of our saddest [Page 22] afflictions. Desire the Lord so to mitigate your afflictions, as you lose thereby neither Sence, nor Reason; nor arrogate any thing to your selfe: but trust in the Lord your God, who alone doth saue soules. Let no sins so throw you downe, as once to despaire of your heauenly fathers mercies.

In the dayes of your afflictions and miseries, remember that God promised to comfort his Church in all heauinesse and deepest distresses: blesse God for your punishments, for thereby he calleth you from your ini­quities; as from the beginning God hath exercised his people vnder the Crosse; so since Christ was offered, hath hee left this exercise vnto his Church, vntill the Dead rise againe, and Christ gather his into his King­dome in the Heauens.

The Lord giue you patience and constancy to abide the paines and plagues, which the Lord inflicteth vpon you, for the humbling of your soule, and hasting it to eternall hap­pinesse. And doubt not, but for your [Page 23] induring a painefull death, the Lord our God will giue you a precious Life: and as you yet mourne with men, cause you to tryumph with Ie­sus Christ; and for anguish here be­low, dwell and rest with Angels a­boue.

Remember the three Children in the fiery Furnace, they would not come out, nor depart thence for any feare, till the Lord bid them: neither came Noah out of the Arke, till the Lord called him forth.

Stay your soule vpon God who is now onely to comfort you, and re­member how that our abhominable sinnes bring vpon our soules these horrible afflictions in our last dayes: As you are one of Christs members, you may not hasten too much; but learne patiently to abide the Issues of Gods promise. As the Maiesty of God hath strooke you downe, so I doe not feare, but that his powerfull and heauenly hand will againe raise you vp: God that by one Angell could destroy all the world, assureth [Page 24] his Children so of his loue, that ra­ther then they shall perish, hee will send forth double power, euen Christ Iesus, the Head of Angels to deliuer vs.

What troubles soeuer befall the Church of Christ and his Members, they come by the Counsell and proui­dence of God,Dan. 12. and still haue happy Issues to all faithfull beleeuers. Dan. 12. The Angell noteth first how the Church shall bee in great afflictions, and trouble at Christs comming; but God shall send his Angell to deliuer it: meaning Christ that is promised by the preaching of the Gospell. Therfore be not discouraged, though Christ come not so soone as wee cry and call for him: for what hee doeth, is to try our patience, that wee with the Elect of God might bee the more pure in our hearts, and purged truely with his Church.

Be you neuer so weake or sicke, yet remember who hath sayd,Hosea 13.14. Hosia 13.14. I will redeeme thee from the po­wer of the Graue, I will deliuer thee [Page 25] from Death. O Death I will bee thy death, O Graue I will be thy destructi­on. Fly to the Lord in Death, and he will be thy Life: to auoide the Lords Iudgements, you must learne to be­come obsequious to his Will; so will hee take away your Iniquities, and re­ceiue you most graciously.

Loue we the Lord God of Hostes, who is in Christ Iesus now become our heauenly Father; whosoeuer so doth, are blessed: their branches shall spread, their beauty shall be like the Oliue-tree, and their smell like Lyba­non, which shall reuiue as the Corne, flourish as the Vine, and their sent shall be like Wine of Paradise; yet for all that shall the godliest bee so shaken with terrible temptations, that they shall not looke for continuall quietnesse in this world, but still as­sure themselues and soules, that wee and they shall be preserued in our dee­pest dangers: because God may de­stroy his Enemies, but will deliuer his Children.

Doth any aduersity come without [Page 26] Gods appointment. Esay 45.7. God dealeth not with you as he doth with other people, but warneth you both by punishments and Prophets, to be­ware of his plagues: you are told by Esdras the mildnesse of the Almighty, 2. Booke, 1.28. I haue prayed you as a Father his Sonnes, as a Mother her Daughter, and as a Nurse her young Babes: 2 Esd. 1.28 that you would bee my people, as I am your God: and that you would bee my Children, as I am your Father. God our heauenly Fa­ther compareth himselfe to an Henne gathering her Chickens vnder her wings, Math. 23.37. And can wee once thinke that hee will cast vs out from his sight?Mat. 23.27.

Although you see no Prophets, yet should you hate your Iniquities; and though the Lord God Almighty bee not seene with bodily eyes, yet should our hearts beleeue what hee doth both teach, and tell vs, what best tendeth to his Glory. 2. Esdras 3.28. Are they that dwell at Babylon bet­ter then they which haue dominion in [Page 27] Syon? The Heathen may flourish there which neuer once thinke on the Commandements of God: but in the world to come, true Israelites finde peace with God and Angels. 2.2 Esd. 7.33. Esd. 7.33. Remember that the Almighty shall appeare vpon the seate of Iudge­ment, when miseries shall vanish a­way, and long suffering shall haue an end. Thy Seruant Esdras hath told vs of an eternall Paradise, whose fruit remaineth incorruptible; wherein is safety and health if wee will enter into it. verse 53.

Draw wee neere therefore vnto the Lord for an Inheritance, because wee walke in great pride in these lat­ter dayes of this world, therefore doe many miseries meete vs, and sun­dry calamities ouertake vs: But the wise must with-hold sorrowes in themselues, to allow Gods purpose, and receiue his Corrections in pati­ence, if they looke to bee commen­ded of him, and allowed by him: Be of good comfort O Israel, and bee thou not heauy-hearted O thou house of Ia­cob, [Page 28] 2. Esdras 12.46. For the most High hath you in remembrance, and the Almighty hath not forgotten you in temptation. 1.12.47. Neither will hee leaue Syon desolate, but still mer­cifully remembreth the low estate of his distressed Sanctuary.

The Lord giueth vs all good things, so doth hee enable vs when hee will, and as hee will: Remem­ber wee therefore his Commande­ments, neither let wee them at any time bee put out of our mindes, but feare wee the Lord as wee flee from each sinne; still doing the things which are acceptable to the Lord our God: As the Lord doth scourge, so doth he pitty; hee leadeth to Hell, and bringeth vp, neither is there any that can auoide his hand. Our Hea­uenly father scourgeth vs for our ini­quities, but againe gathers vs out of all Nations amongst whom wee shall bee scattered. Waite yee for Sal­uation from God, call vpon him to helpe you, and hee will heare your voice if it please him.

[Page 29]God hath not tryed you as hee did the Patriarkes, to the examination of your very hearts; neither doth hee take vengeance on you, but puni­sheth you for Instruction, to bring you nearer to himselfe: God seeing vs to bee vnruly Children, doth there­fore swing vs, that wee may bee come quiet; and goe from vnder his fingers as tame Lambes, seeking for no other rest or peace, then is found in Iesus Christ. Know you not this, that hee which offereth the most blowes is Crowned? Whither should we re­sort but vnto the Lord in the times of our dangers, and there cry most ear­nestly: death being still before vs in our owne sight, humble wee our bodies with fasting, and desire the Lord to helpe vs being desolate: Praise God in your misery, and mag­nifie him for his mercy; the soules of the righteous are in the hands of God where no torment can touch them: the departure from vs may seeme as it were destruction, howbeit they were in peace. What though [Page 30] you now suffer paines before men; yet is your hope full of immortality: although you bee preuented with Death, yet shall you be in rest: God taketh away his, least wickednesse should beguile the minde: It is a mat­ter of endlesse comfort to the poore members of Christ, to see how vp­pon earth, none are more ful of wo­full paines in body and soules then Gods children: who so full of soares as Iob, Lazarus, euen from the top to the toe?

Some are maimed in their bodies; Iob 5. The Poole called Bethesda, with her fiue porches, was filled with multitudes of sicke folke, blind, halte, and withered, wayting for the moouing of the Waters, after the Angels stirring: whereof, who­soeuer first stepped in, was made whole, whatsoeuer disease hee did languish of.

It is a comfort very cordiall, to all Gods children, to remember their former miseries, now turned into felicity, ioy, and happinesse; [Page 31] what though you rest poore, yet may you possesse a Kingdome.

Are you here hungry and thirsty? you shall assuredly taste of the Tree of Life: Are you now wretched and naked? you shalbee cloathed with the Roabes of Christs Righteous­nesse, and in the stead of the rags of infamy and Reproach on earth, you shall bee crowned with the Dyadem of immortall glory, in the highest heauens.

Be not sad eyther for the sickenes of your selfe, or your friends, for you cannot perish, neyther shal you be cast away, for your soules shall be presently in ioy, and your bodies buried in the Graue, as in a Bed of Doune, to take a sweete sleepe till the day of Iudgement, and then you shall rise to glory. And according to your Religion, Faith, and good deedes, in feeding and cloathing Christ Iesus in his members, he will pitty you in mercy, and now prouide comfort for you in the time of your Troubles. Assure your heart, and [Page 32] perswade your owne soule, that Christ Iesus resteth the most true and absolute Sheepheard, who fee­deth his sheepe with most whole­some pasture, not suffering vs to Rot vpon earth, but assuring our soules to sing with Angels in Heauen.

We must not forget in the middest of our miseries, that Christ our Re­deemer was wounded for our trans­gressions, broken for our iniquities: the chastisment of our peace was vp­on him, and with his stripes we are healed. Esay 53.5.

Wee are saued by comming vnto God by Christ,Heb. 7. he euerliuing, that maketh intercession for vs. Hebr. 7, And by none other name can wee be saued.Acts 4. Acts 4. Remember and for­get not, how wee are made parta­kers of Christ and his benefits, euen by beeing of an humble spirit, by Faith apprehending and applying Ie­sus Christ with all his merits vnto our selues. Thus are we iustified be­fore God, and sanctified for Christs sake, and therefore wee must all be [Page 33] content to vndergoe shame, disgrace, trouble, persecution and bonds, yea death it selfe, for Christ his sake. The Remembrance of Christs com­ming to Iudgement, must cheare vp your heauy soules. So labour now your heart, as you may crye with the Spouse of Christ, Come Lord Ie­sus, come quickely. Hope wee to liue with Christ in the Church Try­umphant, then must wee dye with him in the Church Militant: None shall liue with Christ aboue, vnlesse they suffer with him here below: nor none shall haue their teares wiped from them in Heauen, vnlesse they haue first shed them on Earth.

It is the Lords vsuall dealing, after long time of peace, to bring some tryals that the Elect and true Christi­ans may be discerned: It is knowne to vs all how a Christian mans life rests a war-fare; so that there is no dreaming of a Victory, before wee fight. It is our lot to suffer, and our comfort still to stay vpon Christ, who will so dispose of vs, and our [Page 34] seuerall troubles, as they shall leaue a blessing behind them, and we shall gayne more in the Spirit, then we can loose in the flesh. Which GOD grant we may.

Tuesday Meditations.

THis rests a Maxime in Religion, that God wil haue his owne true Church and Children to be tryed, and vnder­goe the heate of persecution: Wee must learne therefore to be wise, and not to thinke our selues out of Gods fauour when wee are tryed; nor deeme worse of the Gospell, because the Crosse still goeth with it, and wicked people still hate it.

But still let vs all learne to looke at Christ Iesus, remembring that we Seruants, may not looke for any lar­ger priuiledge then had our Lord and Maister Christ Iesus. For a time the Father hid his face from him, but [Page 35] with euerlasting Compassion did hee most graciously looke vpon him at last: God resteth our Father, hauing a care ouer his Church and Children; preseruing vs from fire and water, and each other eminent danger.

God is faithfull, who will not suf­fer you to be tempted aboue that you are not able; but will euen giue you the issue with the temptation, that you may bee able to beare it: You are the Lords workemanship, and hee will vndoubtedly prouide for you; both sheltering and comforting you, and that euen then, when you finde the heate of afflictions to shine most hot­test vpon you.

Forget not to goe and come vnto the Lord in the time of your trouble and deepest distresses, knowing Christ to be our Shepheard, and pre­seruer in each danger. Wee cannot honour God more, then to depend on him in our dangers, and fly vnto him in our extremities, as our onely hel­per, hope, and fortresse.

This rests a matter of endlesse com­fort, [Page 36] that our Lord Iesus Christ will bee a place of comfort and refreshing vnto vs, and as a shadow at noone­day in the greatest heate of bloody persecutions.

You are now cast downe as the Children of God, to the disquieting of your soule within you, yet for all that waite you still vpon God: Let no feare or danger make you deny Christ and his Gospell, who comfor­teth vs in his Church, refresheth vs in our troubles, and freeeth vs from the dread and dangers of Hells hor­rours, if wee faithfully call vpon him for pardon of our sinnes, as once did Manasses. Bee you still thirsting for life, and panting for Pa­radise; powre out your hearts before him that keepeth Heauen for your house: assure your selfe of Gods helpe, bee you neuer so grieuously tormented; the Saints of God haue still waited vpon him, to teach vs all to be constant, and to waite still for our seuerall deliuerances.

We knowing the Lord God to be [Page 37] the Author of each calamity, may not murmure, but seeke remedy at his hands who woundeth vs; lift we vp our hands in hope, not boasting of our vertues, but declaring that wee still rest vpon God in the middest of all our afflictions: It is a bad seruant that will not waite on his Master.

God doth not alwayes punish our sinnes, but by hard afflictions calleth vs to the consideration of the heauen­ly Ioyes. Wee doe not honour our God aright, vntill wee trust in him a­lone; taking his Maiesty to witnesse, that wee hunger in heart to bee vp­right towards God, still crying when wee are grieued, This God is my God for euer and euer, and hee shalbe my guide euen vnto death. Psa. 48.14.Psal. 48.14

Life and death are in Gods hands, and no man can liue for euer; howso­euer therefore you dreame of Immor­tality, it is not to bee founded vpon earth: although your disease is grie­uous and dangerous, yet know you this, that God hath infinite wayes to [Page 38] deliuer you. Did not God deliuer his people from Og King of Basan, and other Tyrants? and his owne people from the the Red sea, when they were in great extremity and danger?

Let not your present crosses rest an occasion of your falling from God, but rather a Cause of cleauing faster vnto him.

Howsoeuer you doe yet suffer troubles, yet hath God his time wherein hee hath appointed your de­liuerance: A liuely faith assureth the soule that God is fauourable vnto him, when hee seemeth to bee angry; and then at hand, when hee seemeth to be farre off.

Feare you not but God will heare you, though Care make you thinke, that the Lord long deferreth you: What though to day you seeme as a Sheepe beset with many Wolues, yet put your trust in God, and depend still on his prouidence, and you shall assuredly bee comforted at the last.

[Page 39]Vnder the temporall punishment of the Land of Canaan, is compre­hended the promise of life euerla­sting to all the faithfull, and their po­sterity.

In the time of our distresse, wee must learne to pray earnestly, and al­though God stay as if hee heard vs not, yet is then our deliuerance nee­rest, when wee seeme voide of reliefe and succour.

Are you in distresse, God hath millions of meanes to free you from miseries, and preserue you from trou­bles. Acknowledge our heauenly Father to bee the onely Authour of all your deliuerances from dangers and death, and that by his prouidence you are still enfranchised from trou­bles: God will recompence his long tarrying with double and vndoubted comfort to your soules. There rests no true praysing of God, except it come from the heart.

Promise therefore to delight in no­thing (if henceforth God send you life and health) but onely that wherein [Page 40] God may bee glorified.

Remember that sicknesse is Deaths messenger, teaching vs to reioyce in nothing but in the Lord.

The faithfull must learne to depend vpon Gods hand in the time of their miseries, knowing that when things are euer at worst, then will God come and set them in order; and so bridle the rage of the enemy, as hee shall become mightlesse, were he neuer so strong before.

Wee may not looke to bee de­liuered at our first cry, our eyes may bee kept waiting for our com­ming with our deceitfull hearts, and searching out of our owne spi­rits, crying vnto GOD to know the Causes why wee are chastened, and when our sorrowes shall haue an end.

Desire you to know the way from Earth to Heauen, wee must ascend by Faith vp thither, if wee will know the waies of the LORD, or the secrets of his diuine Word and Will.

[Page 41]Then must wee learne what extre­mities God will suffer vs now and then to fall into, and why to exer­cise our faith before hee set to his hands to deliuer vs.

God for a time will exercise vs with his rods, yet vnder the King­dome of Christ shall wee rest assu­red both of our peace, ioy, and comfort.

I beseech you learne so to call and cry vpon God, as you neuer be­come weary, though GOD grant not forthwith your requests: but learne rather to be more earnest with God, and to call the more o [...]t [...]er vpon him.

Though your state rest not so glo­rious as you wish, yet waite with patience, and GOD will ac­complish his most comfortable pro­mises.

Acknowledge and confesse God himselfe to be the author of our salua­tion, who very oft in loue calleth vs by his rods to consider the shortnesse of our liues, and how that for our [Page 42] sinnes sake hee abridgeth our dayes, lest that his wrathfull Iudgements should fall the more heauily vpon vs. Let this be the comfort of your heart, that as God is all sufficient to defend you from dangers, so resteth hee most willing to comfort you in your most perillous agonies. Content your selfe with that life which God giueth you, for by Death the short­nesse of this Life is recompenced with Immortality. Know should wee all that God hath care ouer his, and oft chastiseth them for their wealth, that they should not perish for euer with the wicked.

Faint not in trouble, and you shall assuredly finde helpe: let mee intreate you to remember, that God requireth two things at your hands, and of all his Children in the world. First, that you detest vice, secondly, that you put your trust in God for your deli­uerance; which though they appeare not suddenly, yet rest they most sure, and are all layd vp in store for you I feare not. Bee you in neuer so great [Page 43] misery, yet is there euer left place for your prayers: see therefore that you labour to haue a liuely feeling of that which you desire, stedfastly belee­uing to obtaine it: Despaire not of Gods mercies, for as great as the World is, yet is it fraught with the signes of his fauour; his mercies remoouing sinnes, as the blast of windes doe the dust. You haue no­thing in your selfe to mooue God to mercy, but onely the Confession of your infirmities and misery: and though you be naturally flow to praise God, yet stirre vp your selues to the performance of all the seuerall duties of godlinesse.

Bee not carefull for those you leaue behinde you, for God which prouideth for bruite beasts, will much more extend his prouident care vnto the Children of his sonnes and seruants: there being no part of the world so barren, but that most euident signes of Gods blessings ap­peare therein.

God prouideth not onely Hearbs, [Page 44] and things necessary for vs, but al­so things to reioyce and comfort our hearts, as Wine, Oyle, and oyntments.

Doubt [...]ou not of GODS pro­uidence i [...] caring for your Wife and Children, knowing that hee pro­uideth euen for the bruite Beasts: he prouideth for all Creatures their dayly food, and hee with-draw­ing his blessings from vs, wee all perish.

As Gods mercifull face giueth strength vnto the earth, so doth his seuere countenance burne vp the Mountaines: wee sinners doe so in­fect the world, that GOD our hea­uenly Father cannot so reioyce in his workes as hee would.

Prayse (I pray you) for his bene­fits passed, and bee you throughly strengthned and encouraged against all present and future sorrowes what­soeuer.

So inestimable is Gods good­nesse, that hee would rather change the order of Nature, then that his [Page 45] people should not bee deliuered.Exo. 14.27 Exodus 14.27. although they were wicked.

Not any one of Gods Elect, but earely or late shall feele Gods helpe in their necessity, neyther rests there any afflictions so grieuous, out of which God will not deliuer his: whereof wee must learne to bee mindefull all the dayes of our life. Not once forgetting this, that God doth punish and correct vs seldome extreamely, but because wee cannot bee brought vnto him by any other meanes.

When in mans Iudgement there seemeth in sicknesse no recouery, but all things are brought to despaire: then GOD chiefly sheweth his mighty Power, and brings vs by sharpe and heauy rods to call migh­tily vppon him, vntill wee finde mer­cy and compassion.

So by healing and helping vs when all secondary Causes, and meanes of Physicke fayled vs, it causeth vs with praise and glory to [Page 46] confesse Gods benefits, yeelding vnto him the sacrifices of our owne soules.

When Humane artes faile, then doth Gods prouidence preserue and bring vnto the Hauen, where wee would bee. Such loue did GOD beare vnto his Church, that hee changed the order of nature for their commodities; euen at the Red Sea, where the Israelites went through the middest of the Sea, vpon the drye Land: The water being a Wall vnto them on their right hand, Exod. 14. and on their left. Exod. 14.

It is Gods manner sometimes to exalt vs, and then agayne to humble vs by afflictions, that we may know our selues. Know that you belong­ing to the Lord, all things shal turne to your profite; trust still fully on the Lord, and hee will finally free you from your troubles and sorrows. Care not for your outward sorrowes assayling you, so the Spirit within comfort you: Shew your selfe a faithfull seruant of the Lord God: [Page 47] In this your present aduersity, still remembring, that as the Lord is a a iust God, so resteth hee a most mercifull father; and when wee are in distresse, then is it our time to seeke him, and his helpe when wee rest destitute of ayde, succour, coun­sell, and comfort.

God hath a care ouer vs, dispo­sing of our Death, and taking ac­count of our Life: yet rests our best payment but thankes, laud, and pray­ses for his mercies. Refuse you not to be tried with temptations, but in­treate the Lord so to succour you in time, as you faint not through in­firmity: Know this, that with out the maintenance of Gods word, our life droppeth away like water.

Doubt not of Gods power yet, of each lawfull meanes, and neuer a­buse his graces: and so shortly you shalbe comforted. GOD will not suffer such as haue set foorth his glo­ry, to groane ouer-long in griefe, and to bee ouer-come with misery, but with sound Doctrine will com­fort [Page 48] our corrupting flesh, and lan­guishing desires, with the society of Saints, and melody of Angels in Heauen.

Vnderstand this I pray, that wee which are not yet punished for our transgressions, haue no cause to re­ioyce at others which are afflicted, but rather to feare, that the dilation of our punishment wil be more grie­uous: for though our God doeth come with leaden heeles, hee strik­eth with iron hands, recompencing the tardity of his stroake, with the grauity of the wound.

Do not grieue to depart out of the miserable cottage of this World, in-into Heauen, the Citty of Saints: where possessing Christ, wee shall enioy all things with him.Rom. 8.32 Rom. 8.32. Farwell Riches that are vanity, plea­sures that are hurtfull, and sin which is damnable. Come to mee, O my God, for thou art Truth, and thou O Christ, my Redeemer, with thy merrits; and thou Holy Spirit, my Guide and Comforter: Regard no [Page 49] earthly things, for they are of short continuance: make the ioyes of Hea­uen the obiects of your soule, which are eternall: Desire God eyther mer­cifully to preuent the plagues, or else to grant you patience to sustaine them when they come.

It was Paules aduantage to haue Agabus Prophesie of his Chaynes, that so by his flight hee might eyther defeate the Iewes, or by premedita­ted Resolution lighten or preuent his bonds.

Although no Repentancs can alter the Almighties decree, yet resolued patience may the better endure it: the safest shelter in all our afflictions, is our faithfull relying vppon Gods as­sistance. And our best improoue­ments of Gods power, is by our in­firmity.

No stronger instigation of mercy, then our acknowledgement of mise­ry, as the priuiledge of greatnesse is to relieue the impotency of distressed supplicants.

We must labour to gayne by faith, [Page 50] and not to loose by infidelity, well knowing prosperous issues daily to at­tend the liuing images of the Deity: your faithfull weaknesse becommeth not any disaduantage for glorious try­umphes.

No Martyre insulted vppon by the furious tyranny of his inraged ad­uersity, but hath faith for his Aduo­cate; naked Truth for his Guardian; and the Holy Ghost to keepe him farre from disconsolate distresse. Let your still armed confidence tyre out your tormented sorrowes, or sicke­nesses whatsoeuer: Let vs all rest vn­daunted, well knowing that God sustaynes vs, who doubts of the Sunnes being, although it doe not alwayes shine? Or of the faith of Iob, though it were ouer-whelmed for a while. Know this, we should all, that the Elect themselues may fall, though built vpon the Founda­tion of GOD: yet the Lord keepes them from perishing, though when they stand, he keepes them not from falling.

[Page 51]That blessed Apostle Saint Paule, tooke betweene Damascus and Ieru­salem, the happiest fall that euer the Earth was honoured withall: In via Iudaeus cecidit, vt resurgat Christia­nus, sayth Chrisostome. Hee fell in the way a Iew, or rather from a Iew, that he might arise a Christian. It is our heauenly Fathers mercy that ray­seth vs when wee are fallen, but our faith must keepe vs from falling: When wee are raysed wee stand by Faith, and wee come through Faith into this Grace, wherein we stand: Shall we stand by the habits of Gods mercy and grace, Rom. 5.2. and shall wee fall from the acte thereof by a wilfull Apostacy, God forbid? Let vs rather perseuer in Faith, and that vnto the Death; weighing what wa­uering Age we are fallen into, and strange opinions, euen of the pillars of these times.

Content wee our selues to passe from troubles and calamities, into euerlasting ioyes: for Death is but an entrance into blisse, and as it were, [Page 52] a casting Anchor into the Hauen of Heauen: Crye to God with Dauid, What profite is there in my Blood, when I shall go downe into the graue of forgetfulnesse.

Likewise Hezekiah prayed against Death, desiring to be reconciled vnto God, to giue satisfaction to God, and his children.

None so free from sinne, but stand in great neede to bee purified from sinne, and purged from the soares, blaines, and blemishes of iniquity: Beware of grudging when the Lord striketh you, because it is alwayes for our good, and he resteth both a­ble and willing to deliuer vs at his pleasure. Psal. 33.17. Behold, the Eye of the Lord is vppon them that feare him, Psal. 33.17 and put their trust in his mercy, to deliuer their soules from Death, rest there neuer so many tur­bulent tryals: Yea, it is indeede our commodity that God doeth not ac­complish his promises, so soone as wee could wish, that staying with patience his leasure, wee may bee [Page 53] crowned with the more glory in the end. As euery father nurtureth his sonne, so doeth the Lord his chil­dren, but it is to walke in his waies. The Children of God shall knowe this, that all sorrows and sicknesses, crosses, and troubles, are to prooue vs whether wee will: Loue the Lord God with all our hearts and Soules, Deut. 13.3 in our greatest griefes, and saddest sor­rowes, yea or no. Deut. 13.3.4. Gods seruants must bee no flinchers, but both followers and fighters in the Lords quarrell, preferring the Lords glory, before their owne soules safety.

Do not thinke that each trouble commeth on you, because the Lord is not with you: For the most tender hearted mother will now and then hide her selfe from her Childe, to trie the kinde and louing affecti­on thereof towards her, that after­wards finding the loue of her little one, shee may, as it were, put it in her bosome: So our heauenly father, to finde out our corruptions (where­of [Page 54] wee our selues are ignorant) hee doth swinge vs for our follies, that falling weeping at his feete, he might louingly take vs vp, and kisse vs with his mouth.

No euils come vpon vs, but when we forsake God, who rideth vppon the Heauens for our helpe, and on the Clouds for his owne glory. Deut. 33.16. When the hand of God is vpon you, repent of your sins hear­tily, rather then by your power and pollicy to resist the working thereof: whatsoeuer your disease is, fayle not for to consecrate your selfe, both soule and body, to the Lord of glo­ry, and you shall not doe amisse. No remedy but we must needs enter in­to the way of all the World, know we all therefore in our hearts, and perswade our soules, that all the good things which the Lord hath promised vs, shall come to passe vnto vs, and no euill can come vnto vs, but by our Disobedience. God that pla­gued Egypt, brought Israel out of Egypt: Hee that brought Israel into [Page 55] the Red Sea, knew how to bring them out to their enemies confusion, and the comfort of his children. Do we according to the course of nature, we may hope vndoubtedly to liue in the state of grace: the Lord beeing farre more willing to blesse then to curse: But alas, it is the nature of our flesh, no longer to obey God, then when we are vnder the Whippe or scourge.

Therefore doeth the Lord make it oftentimes the end of his punish­ment: to call vs to Repentance, that wee may seeke both for health and helpe at his hands: The Church of Christ now is, and must be still sub­iect to manifold afflictions, how be-be it, God at length will giue ioy­full issue, deliuering them from all troubles.

Desire rather the comfort of your poore soules, then the ease of your bodies; for the Almighty giueth much bitternesse to their soules, that now and then had the fairest bodies, to cause vs to haue more care and [Page 56] respect to the inward man, then to the outward forme. It is vsuall with God to plunge into aduersities, not to hurt but to heale, not to kill our bodies, but to saue our soules from destruction.

It is GODS mercy towards his Children, and his fauour vnto his Friends and followers, to make them pertakers of piety, and exam­ples of Holinesse in their places. I desire you call vnto minde this one thing, which is, that although Da­uid were annoynted King, and that by a Prophet, yet God would trye him in sundry sorts, before he had the vse of his Kingdome. Art thou a Da­uid? thinke it not much to fall vpon thy face to the ground, before Iona­than, to crouch knees, and kisse to saue thy life; much more for a while to be sicke (that in fine) thou mayest become a Saint. In man resteth no Iustice, whats good in vs, rests all of Gods mercy, from him we receiue it. It is our infirmity that in time of our sorrows we do no more comfort [Page 57] our selues in the Lord our God then we doe.

In each trouble and aduersity wee are to consider the prouidence of God, and not like raging Beasts to forget both our owne duty, and contemne GODS appointment o­uer vs. It is Gods pleasure, to make as though he would leaue vs for a time, yet if wee trust in him, wee shall bee sure to finde comfort.

Our heauiest lamentations ought not to bee excessiue, but moderate; well considering this, that wee are to praise and glorifie GOD in all his doings, and remembring that many sobbes and feares both fol­low and befall the faithfull ones: yet shews GOD himselfe most li­berall to his seruants, when they seeme to bee vtterly destitute of any comforts at all.

Holy Scriptures doe warne vs at large, that there is neyther rest nor quietnesse to bee looked for in the world, but variety & change of things both in Church & Common-wealth, [Page 58] longer then God preserues them by his protection; where his Word is truely set forth, Vertue! esteemed, Vice punished, and Concord maine­tayned, there all things flourish: but abhominable vices must wither be­fore commendable Vertue can grow: wee must loath the way to the dun­geon of Hell, before that with cou­rage wee can clime to the Kingdome of Glory.

The sufferings of the faithfull haue their priuiledges.1 Reg. 2.26. 1. Reg. 2.26. King Salomon would not slay Abiather, because hee had borne the Arke of the Lord God before his father Dauid, and because hee had suffered in all wherein his father bad beene afflicted. Eliah was a good man, and both be­loued of God and man; yet wearied in the Wildernesse, fate downe vnder a Tree, willing to dye, sayd; It is e­nough O Lord, take my soule, for I am no better then my Fathers. And why was this? because hee was iealous for the Lords Glory, which wee all should stand out for to the losse of [Page 59] our limbes and liues.

Gods punishments are not to de­stroy vs vtterly, but to chasten vs, and to bring vs to the knowledge of our selues: and to know how much better it is to serue God, then Ty­rants. God neuer seeketh the Death of a sinner, but his Conuersion. Ezec. 18.32. &c. 33.11.

The Lord is with vs while wee be with him, and will be found of vs, if wee forsake him not: God doth reserue vnto himselfe a number whom hee will heare, both for himselfe and others: Pray faithfully, and your confidence cannot bee frustrate. Bee wiser then Asa, who when hee was sicke, in the extremity of his disease, sought rather vnto the Phisitians,2 Chron. 16.12. then vnto God. 2. Chron. 16.12. Where all Christians should know, that first wee should seeke God to purge our sinnes, which rest the chiefe causes of our Diseases; and after­wards vse the helpe of the Physitian, as a meanes by whom God waketh. Remember I pray you, that affliction [Page 62] giueth vnderstanding; so that such as haue hated God in their prosperity, must now in their miseries both sue and seeke to him.

The best of vs are no better then was King Manasseh, who neuer re­garded God till hee was put into fetters, and bounden in Chaines, and carried to Babell: Where being in tribulation, hee then prayed to the Lord his God, and humbled himselfe greatly before the GOD of his Fathers; and God was intreated of him, and heard his prayer; and brought him againe to Ierusalem, in­to his Kingdome: then knew Manas­seh that the Lord was God.

See how God by our afflictions doth giue vs vnderstanding, so that whereas wee hated God in our pros­perity, now in our misery wee seeke vnto him. When God puni­sheth vs, it is to make vs see our miseries: he would not exercise vs vnder our Crosses, but to make vs loath the Earth, and loue the Hea­uens. Why are we all exercised with [Page 63] woefull crosses, and most bitter cala­mities? not to hinder, but further our passage to Paradise.

I hold it farre better in time of your sicknesses, to commend and commit your selfe to God, and his protecti­on; then by seeking ordinary meanes to giue an occasion to others, to think you doubt of Gods power.

Are wee in misery, let vs all fast and intreate God for mercy, and hee will not finally forsake vs: wee should consecrate our selues to him that made vs, so shall wee be de­liuered at the last from each malady, hell, death, and dangers: Our lo­uing God and heauenly father would not afflict vs, but to the enforcing of vs to the better keeping of his Com­mandments, whereunto we could not be brought by Gods great benefits. Ahashuerus and Haman sate mer­ry, and drinking Wine, when Esther was fasting, and Mordecai mour­ning; yet went merry Haman to the Halter, and Mordecai to preferment.

I intreate you that you neuer doe [Page 62] mistrust the rare prouidence of God, who turneth the ioy of the wicked into sorrow, but the teares of the godly into gladnesse. It's the lot of holy men not onely to bee afflicted outwardly in body, but also inward­ly in minde and conscience, with temptations of seeming friends, and diabolicall disputations vrging to de­spaire.

Sathan will tell thee, that God is a seuere Iudge, and thy mortall enemy; and therefore it is but in vaine to sue to him for succour: Such comfor­ters as these bee not come to com­fort you, but torment you and to adde one affliction to another. Bee you therefore constant to resist the Deuill, and all his temptations; and so at length you shall bee sure of good successe.

I know my Brethren, that yee rest not like a blocke, insensible; but that in your patience you feele afflictions and griefe of minde: yet keepe you a meane herein, and rebell not against God as the wicked and vngodly doe: [Page 63] But confesse you that God is wise and good, although his hand be soare vp­on you, yet doth hee all things in Iustice and Equity.

Cease not therefore to feare God, when his plagues are most vpon you: for the more you suffer, the more glorious shall bee your Crowne: Sa­than can goe no farther in punishing you, then the Lord will permit him for your good.

Iob teacheth vs not to measure Gods fauour by the vehemency of the disease wherewith wee are perplex­ed: for then might Iob, and perad­uenture your selfe suppose that God had cast you off, because he vseth of­ten to leaue his owne without helpe, and most wonderfull afflicted with soares, sorrowes, and diseases. As wee rest contented with prosperity: so should wee be with aduersity, ac­knowledging his mercy in the for­mer, and his Iustice in the latter; still bridling our Impatiency or murmu­ring against God.

Iudge none the more sinfull be­cause [Page 66] of their sorrowes, neyther ought wee to bee weary of our liues, because wee are subiect to infirmi­ties: But because wee are giuen to sinne and rebellion against God; therefore should wee feare and trem­ble, and the rather because murmur­ing against God in affliction doth but increase the paine, and vttereth mans folly. Iob 5.17. Behold, bles­sed is the man whom God correcteth. Therefore refuse not thou the cha­stisements of the Almighty: vers. 18. For hee maketh the wound, and bin­deth it vp, hee smiteth, and his hands make whole. God sendeth trouble after trouble, that his Childred may not for one time, but continually trust in the Lord; and how they shall haue a comfortable issue euen in their greatest and last temptation: which promise though it bee not alwayes performed, yet it doth the LORD recompence it otherwise, to their ad­uantage.

My GOD might damne mee to Hell, whilst hee whippeth me for [Page 67] Heauen: the afflictions I sustaine, came for my owne sinnes; and pro­mise to my soule through my Sauiour Christ Iesus, a most happy conquest ouer them all.

By afflictions God keepeth vs as in prison, and restraineth vs from doing euill; neither can any set at li­berty but God our Lord, who is not rigorous to any, but righteous to all. God sanctifie your afflictions, and free you from misery, comfort you in Paradise, and establish you really with Glory, Amen.

Wednesday Meditations.

WHen the LORD doth visite vs, and not presently free vs out of trouble; we must beware and take heed that wee murmure not against God: to require, or grudge at his chastise­ments. God sometimes suffers his euen to wrestle against despera­tion, [Page 68] and to see no glimering of his mercies; sometimes againe hee causeth the hearts of his dearest Children to leape for ioy, then ma­king his Maiesty most knowne, when it may tend most for the com­fort of the Elect; Learne wee all to waite the Lords leasure for our de­liuerance, not to prescribe his time, but stay his leasure; and willingly waite till he comfort vs againe.

God forgetteth not to bee graci­ous, though sometimes hee seemeth, as though hee would shut vp his lo­uing kindnesse in displeasure: How­soeuer it pleaseth GOD now and then to humble his Children, yet he forsaketh them not for euer.

What are many nights of afflicti­ons in comparison of the ioyfull mor­ning, and sun-shine of the euerla­sting mercies and fauours of God: These, these reioyce our soules, and comfort our hearts which are op­pressed with sorrow. Deutro. 8.16. The Lord humbleth his Cho­sen people, and prooueth them that [Page 69] hee may doe them good at their latter end.

A man may gather more vndoub­ted assurance of GODS euerla­sting fauours towards his soule, by inward afflictions, then by any out­ward prosperity in the world.

Let vs all consider the manner of Gods dealing with his people in the world, hee will now and then spoile vs of all our Sences, and feeling of his Mercies in Christ; yea, suffer vs to lie bleeding in our miseries, yea, scor­hed and tormented with the heate of Gods anger for sinne. But when our hope rests euen gone, then doth our heauenly Father send a gracious raine, and a blessed shower, to quench the heate of our poore afflicted soules for sinne, which shall be as mercy to men in smart and misery.

Obiect. But tell mee this,Obiect. why see­keth God his seruants in so much mi­sery?

Ans. To make vs all to depend of him onely with faith and patience.Answ.

Secondly, to make vs to know and 2 [Page 70] see that wee are nothing of our selues, but that all the strength wee 3 haue, it is onely in Christ. Thirdly, to stirre vp our hearts to seeke and pray vnto the Lord more earnestly for 4 helpe and succour. Fourthly, to make vs esteeme the mercy of God more highly, because things easily come by, are lightly esteemed; but things long in getting, costing much trouble and paines, are most sett by: often therefore doth the Lord deferre his mercy vnto the last gaspe, that so it might be the more esteemed.

Oh waite wee GODS leasure, though hee deferre long, and seeme to forget vs: wee hope Lord, for life in the middest of death, and say, though thou kill vs, yet will wee trust in thee; although thou deferre thine helpe and comfort for many yeares, yet will wee neuer let goe our hold, but still hang on thy mer­cy with our hands of Faith, saying thus; Lord, though thou hast al­ready whipt mee diuers wayes, yet will I neuer forget to meete thee [Page 71] with my repentant teares: well know­ing thou esteemest nothing when Reformation of heart and life is wanting.

Iudgements come eftsoones from God for our sinnes, yet layeth hee no more crosses vpon vs, then hee in mercy will make vs well able to beare: granting such an issue, as wee shall gaine more in the Spi­rit, then wee shall loose in the flesh.

Content your selfe my Brethren, the Crosse in GODS due time shall bee your aduantage, and leaue a sure blessing behinde it; GOD impo­sing no punishments vpon vs but for our sinnes, the tryall of our Faith, Patience, &c.

For our Heauenly Father doth afflict vs with light affliction, to make vs runne vnto him and kisse his rod: he afflicting vs for our good, the reformation of our liues, and the saluation of our soules.

I deny not but the best of Gods chil­dren may be afflicted with sicknes and [Page 72] wounds, with troubled Conscien­ces. Gods rod being good both to purge our corrupt and cankered hearts, and for the humbling of them throughly to the exercise of faith, pa­tience, and prayer.

Hee knowes little that knowes not this, how the poore Members of CHRIST must bee afflicted, and liue in sorrow, sicknesse, and griefe of minde; yet granteth the Lord patience to endure all.

By teares, sorrowes, and grie­uous sicknesse, doth God fyle away the cankered rust of our Rebellions, that wee might bee more feruent in Prayer, hunger more after Hea­uen, and the more eagerly depend of his fatherly goodnesse, and diuine graces. When wee doe aske one thing, hee giueth vs another that's better for vs, that wee might learne wholy to depend of his goodnesse all the dayes of our liues. Are you in distresse, fling your selfe in­to the blessed Armes of the LORDS mercy, so will hee vndoubtedly [Page 73] giue you euerlasting rest vnto your soules: such is the loue of GOD, that hee neuer failes nor forsakes his Children.

Neuer despaire for any troubles, but perswade your soule this, that the God of peace will shortly treade downe Sathan vnder your feete: hee is faithfull that haue made vs this promise. Rom. 16.20.Rom. 16.20.

Affliction being our portion on earth, wee must labour to get faith and patience in our soules, that so wee may hold out vnto the end. As wee are Gods Children, we finde no promise in the Word of God to be freed from temptations and trials, pouerty, sicknesse, &c.

Howbeit as wee are Gods Chil­dren, wee haue this promise, that these things shall neuer hurt vs, be­cause the Lord will so sanctifie them vnto vs, as they will surely leaue a blessing behinde them.

In time of danger and death, nought in the world should more comfort vs then this, to remember [Page 74] that wee haue walked before GOD in truth, and with an vpright heart. Esay 28.3. This cheered Ezechiah when hee was going the way of all flesh, that hee had vndertaken much paines to know the LORDS Will.

The best Christian is the most co­uetous in all heauenly knowledge of God, and our saluation by Iesus Christ; the Childe of God is no sooner in perill, but the Lord put­teth vnder his owne hand to deliuer him from death and danger.

Forget not God who sayth, E­say 54.17.8. For a little time haue I forsaken thee, but with great compassion will I gather thee. Psal. 34.17 18. Psal. 34.17.18. The Lord is neere vn­to all those that are of a contrite heart, and will saue such as are af­flicted in spirit.

Doth not our Sauiour comfort his Disciples thus, Iohn 14.18. I will not leaue you comfortlesse, but I will come vnto you, euen I, and I am with you to the end of the world.

[Page 75]Doubt not but there is comming a time of refreshing, that will breake out as the rising of the Sunne, and the bright beames of the Morning after a tempestuous Night: which of all things will bee then most ioy­full and comfortable. When deli­uerance shall bee most welcome, then will shee breake forth: How­soeuer the hope that is deferred, may for a time bee the fainting of the heart, yet when the desire commeth, it is as a Tree of Life. Prouerbs 13.12.

The Children of God learne by Aduersitie to come home to their heauenly Fathers house. For when neyther preaching, nor praying, blessings, nor threatning will cause them to come: then come the Plague and Pestilence, Famine, and Warre of themselues, meere crosses, but sancti­fied by God vnto vs, if we make right vse of them: wherefore the state of af­fliction is safer then the estate of pros­perity. The Philistines could not vnderstand Sampsons Riddle, how [Page 76] sweete came out of sower, and meate out of the eater. No more can the worldly minded vnderstand, that tribulation bringeth out patience, and momentary afflictions a most excel­lent waight of eternall glory.

Crosses for the present, it's true; they are not pleasant: but afterwards they bring the quiet fruite of Righte­ousnesse vnto them which are there­by exercised.Esay 26.16 Luke 15.18. See Esay 26.16. Psal. 1.17. Luke 15.18.

Know this all yee people, that there is more sollid Ioy in suffering rebuke with Christ our Maister, then in all the pleasures of sinne which are but for a season. Why doth God oft thus visite our English Nation, and as it were the very Citty and Seate of our Soueraigne, with the fa­mous Academies of Oxford and Cambridge? but to this end, that troubles visiting vs, wee, euen this whole Nation might powre out our prayers, whilest his chastening is vp­on vs, or our brethren; as Hager prayed while Ismael cryed.

[Page 77]The Israelites in time of their pro­sperity, forgat God and all the mighty workes which hee had done for them. Psalme 119.71. Therefore suffered he them to wander in the Wildernes,Psalm. 119 where they found no Citty to dwell in: then cryed they vnto the Lord in their troubles, and he deliuered them out of their distresses.

Did the Prodigall sonne euer in­tend to returne home agayne to his Father, till the Famine Pinched him? No, no, it was the Famine that met him and pinching him at the heart, made him to resolue to packe home to his Father, acknowledge his fault, and intreate him for pardon. Ionas slept in the ship, but he both watch­ed and prayed in the Whale. It is good, sayth Ieremy, Lam. 3.27.Lam 3 27 for a man to beare the yoake in his youth: And Dauid acknowledgeth it good for him to be afflicted. And our Sa­uiour Christ telleth vs, that our hea­uenly Fathers manner is, to purge e­uery branch that it may bring foorth more fruite.

[Page 78]Afflictions are of singular vse, to turne vs vnto God: Suffer wee them therefore to turne vs, and to bring vs home to our Heauenly Fathers house and presence.

Truely there is nothing better for any of vs all, young or old, man or Woman, then afflictions, if God sanctifie them vnto vs, and giue vs the true vse of it, it will make vs search our hearts, and call our liues to account: yea compell vs to runne vnto God by earnest and hearty Repentance and prayer, denying our selues, and relying on the mercies of God in Christ.

True it is, that no Visitation for the present is sweet, but afterwards it bringeth the Fruite of Righteous­nesse to such as are thereby exerci­sed, more sollid ioyes in suffering with Christ, then rest in Worldly pleasures, that endure but for a season.

Whatsoeuer befals vs, looke wee alwayes to the hands of God, and obserue we his angry Countenance [Page 79] towards vs by reason of our sinnes, and horrible impieties: Labour wee to reforme our faultes, and marke we from whose hands our punish­ments come.

This obseruation will bee a good meanes to bridle vs, and keepe vs from impatience, murmuring, and muttering agaynst the Lord: Thinke this of Gods Iudgements, that they come not by chance vnto vs, but looke we vnto the hand of GOD: Who sayth, I draw my sword, I kill and make aliue, I send the plague and pestilence to consume and to De­stroy.

In all this, let vs say with the Psal­mist 119.75. I know, O Lord, that thy Iudgements are right, and that thou hast afflicted me iustly, laying no more vpon me, then thou enablest me to beare: The Spirit of GOD teacheth vs wholy to relye, depend, and waite duely vppon his gracious promise, whose Countenance is still towards vs: Weigh well what true comfort and happinesse it is vnto a [Page 80] poore distressed soule to heare, come thou hither, I am thy Saluation. It is the manner of me (the God of all flesh) neuer to strike with my iudge­ments, but first to giue warning: so as if men wilbe wise to beleeue my Word, and amend their liues, they may auoyde my Iudgements, or go­ing on in Vice and folly, be most wor­thily plagued and punished.

It is the Lords mercy to admonish before hee correct vs: Hee speakes sometimes vnto vs by himselfe, and sometimes by Christ Iesus: the wise­dome of the Father crying and cal­ling vs to heare his voyce, and to receiue Instruction, vsing fayre meanes to win vs, rather then threat­nings to fright vs.

Let vs all, I beseech you, be reclay­med by his Word and gentle Voyce, before his Wand shewing Wrath, and the prepared rod both Wrath and Displeasure: Are we weake; they are meanes to Repentance and Recon­ciliation: looke wee backe therefore vnto our former Race of yeares, cra­uing [Page 81] his Maiesty to deale mercifully with vs. Let vs take heed that wee accuse not God of any hard dealing, but rather accuse the hardnesse of our owne hearts, that are so vnwilling to be warned by his Word and Iudge­ments.

The Lord doth often humble vs, to bring vs home to himselfe, by his Word and by his Iudgements; yea, his mercies, & the motions of his spi­rit doth our heauenly Father vse to humble vs. So plagues and iudgments, woes and miseries doth the Lord cause to light vpon vs, mealting e­uen away (as it were) our corrupti­ons in the boyling Caldron of com­mon Calamities.

God by sicknesse teacheth vs not to trust in our strength, for wee are as a staffe in a mans hand; except the Lord hold vs vp, wee cannot stand, but downe wee fall one way or ano­ther; as Peter had into hell, if Christ had not held out his helping hand.

Wee are all the Lords Seruants, hired to labour in his Vineyard, and [Page 82] therein to perseuer vnto the very eue­ning of our dayes, dedicating vnto him both Cure, Soules, and Substan­ces, Liues, and Labours.

Lay hold betimes of the mercies of God in Christ Iesus, and let ney­ther sorrowes nor sicknesses make vs to shrinke from him. Afflictions are of excellent vse, to turne vs vnto God, both the Church of God in generall, and the seruants of God in particuler: When they do not profit­ably vse prosperity, nor behaue them selues thankefully in the day of peace, they must bee touched with Crosses and Troubles, sicknesses and sor­rowes, which will cause vs all to call our euill wayes to remembrance, and turne our feete to Gods Testi­monies.

It is the Promise of God, 2. Samu. 7.14.15. To Dauid and his Posteri­ty, 2. Sam. 7.14.15. that hee will be his Father, and the Father of his Seede; and sinning he will chasten vs with the rod of men, and with the plagues of the Children of men: That is, gently as Fathers [Page 83] chastise their Children, but neuer take his mercies from vs.

Why are wee often scourged of our heauenly Father? but because we are frozen in the dregs of corrupti­ons, wee spend our dayes in care­lesse security, without an holy feare of his Name: Therefore commeth his holy hand to change our estates, to awaken vs from wickednesse, to chasten vs with his rods, and to purge vs with fire. Turne wee our hearts towards our heauenly home, cease wee neuer vntill wee get fast hold of his most holy hand, that can pow­erfully draw vs thorough Hell to Heauen. It is Gods fauour to call vs from Hell by afflictions, and thereby to breake in vs the power of sinne, and to let out such corrupt blood, as else would much hinder the thriu­ing of the best graces (of our most mercifull Father) more soules, and this is oftentimes one cause: why wee are eftsoones held long in the Cabin of Care, and bedd of Afflictions and woes, by reason that [Page 84] through wilfull wantonnesse, wee abuse our strength, and to the great dishonour of God, and ruine of our soules. Did not the sufferings of our Sauiour shield vs from damnation? Seeke yee euer to bee bettered in Obedience, reformed in the whole man, humbled vnder Gods hands, examining your hearts what sinnefull actions haue passed from you, that the Lord should thus strike and visite you. After sight of your sinnes, bee sorrowfull in soule, and humbled in heart; marking well what God doth still aime at: Not by sorrowfull sick­nesse to destroy you, or to confound you; but to enforce you to call your owne soule to sigh, and your very heart so to see your owne sinnes, as (in a sanctified course) you may come home to your selfe, and say from your soule, this surely resteth the correct­ing hand of God, which now striketh me for my sinnes. I will now there­fore returne vnto my heauenly Father by true repentance: for hee that now striketh mee, will both heale mee, and [Page 85] helpe mee; or perceiuing of Gods anger, and feeling of his Iudgements vpon vs, should cause vs to sigh and sobbe, and goe softly; yea, to seeke the Lord earely, who in Iudgement remembreth Mercy: and howsoe­uer God whip and scourge vs (that are his Children) yet his mercies will he neuer take from vs.

Be you sure that God humbleth you no otherwise in the world, then hee handled his onely Sonne, who hath begun to drinke to you this bit­ter potion; not onely assaying it, but drinking to you a full draught. It's not onely a comfort, but a glory, to bee partner, and fellow-sufferer with CHRIST, who delighteth to see in vs some representation of himselfe.

Wee are no members of Christ, if wee participate not with him of the persecutions and iniuries of this life. Our heauenly Father will neuer hold backe his mercies from those, whom our Sauiour entreateth mer­cies, wee can not bee ouercharged [Page 86] who are charged with Christ, who from euery crosse hath now taken away both the Infamy and the Curse, and hath made it a Tribu­nall and a Throne of Iudgement for for all the World. Christ hath now made the action of bearing the Crosse both inblameable and honourable.

Are you afflicted in Conscience, get you vnto Christ, that good Sa­maritane, who will powre Wine and Oyle into our wounds.

Christ suffered, all had all against him for vs, and will wee contented­ly suffer nothing for him? did euer any trust in God, and was not deli­uered?

Or did God euer finally forsake those whom hee fauoured? Or is deliuerance from temporall calami­ties an assured signe of Gods fauors? Surely no; for the Iudgements of God are both secret and vnsearchable; nothing making vs miserable or hap­py, but that which is eternall: Cry wee therefore, Lord, so sanctifie our griefes, as thou communicate [Page 87] therewith thy Graces vnto vs. Let euery calamity and crosse admonish vs of our Disobedience, that first brought into this world sicknesses, and sorrowes, molestations, and mi­series, diseases and death. O let vs be glad to suffer troubles, and tra­uels in this world, esteeming our whole time of life, as the forty yeares trauell into the Land of promise; or as the sixe dayes of labour which goe before the Sabbath of rest.

O Lord, we are all but as Lamps of Clay, and as vnpolished peeces of Wood, yet doe wee humbly pre­sent our selues vnto thee, make of vs what it pleaseth thee: Wee of­fer our selues wholy vnto thee, desi­ring to depend altogether vppon thee

This World Iere. 30.7. is a time of Iacobs trauell, yet shall hee be de­from it.

The Lord of Hostes will breake the enemies yoake from off his owne peoples necke, so that Strangers shal no more serue thēselues of Iacob.

[Page 88]This is the comfort of Gods peo­ple, that howsoeuer God punisheth, yet it is to saue them▪ though hee cor­recteth vs by his Iudgements, yet wil he not vtterly cut vs off in his anger.

If our bruisings were incurable, then were our wounds dolourous, if no Plaister or Medicine could helpe vs, then were our case most des­perate.

But wee haue a Sauiour, and most kinde Samaritane, restoring our soules both from death and danger: yet as the Iron must bee well hea­ted in the fire, ere it can be wrought with the Hammer, and driuen out on the Anvile: So may wee not passe to the Pallace of Paradise, till first wee suffer many stroakes of holy temp­tations, and passe thorough the fire of piercing tryals. The holy Saints, and blessed Martyrs haue thus passed through this world of woe, and come to the Crowne of glory.

God is eftsoones sending troubles and afflictions to such as hee best lo­ueth, because they should not busie [Page 89] their thoughts with worldly occasi­ons, but still be labouring and hast­ing on their Iourney towards Hea­uen. It is the wisedome of God to deale roughly with his chosen Chil­dren, making their liues both paine­full and labourious to them, to cause them to make the more haste to finish their Iourney, without loytering in the shadow of this world, and so to loose the day-light, and goe on stumbling in the darke.

Nothing is more honourable for any Knight or Souldier, then to beare the Armes of his King and Captaine, neyther to any true Chri­stian, then for to suffer trauell and persecution, as his forgiuer and kee­per Iesus Christ hath done.

Learne wee all to wade thorough calamities after our Captaine, look­ing for that Day which may enrich vs with eternall happinesse: I be­seech you make benefit of your pre­sent tribulation.

Gods people must remember that it is safer sayling through the bitter [Page 90] stormy seas of afflictions, then dan­cing at pleasure vppon the calme streames of Vanities. But who flyes from Prosperity, as from the Pesti­lence. Or thinke themselues safest, when it is farthest from them.

Our way to Heauen, is not by prosperity or high lookes, treading on our Neighbours neckes, and con­temning of the poore: but through persecutions and crosses, reuilings, scoffings, and all ignominies of the world, which patiently wee must in­dure and suffer, for our Sauiours sake.

Shall the Estrich digest hard Iron to preserue her health: The Souldier indure hardnesse, to achieue the Conquest: the sicke Patient swallow bitter pils, to be eased of his griefe: and shall we neyther abide soares nor sicknesses, stormes nor tempests to get into the place of blisse, and King­dome of Glory.

As Iacob thought his seauen yeares seruice short, for the great Loue that he bare to Rachell: So should all the tribulations of this World, for [Page 91] the Kingdome of Heauen. The Lord will surely saue the soules of his Ser­uants that put their trust in him, Psal. 86.2. and call dayly vpon him.

Hee would not bid vs call and cry vnto him, vnlesse hee ment to ponder our humble desires; let vs truely worship him on earth, and he will surely glorifie vs in Heauen: If wee but once heartily desire to walke in the truth, God will so knit our hearts vnto him, that we shall sure­ly finde deliuerance from the nether­most Hell.

God wil not finally faile to streng­then his Seruants, to shew some token vpon you for good, so as you shall bee both holpen and comfor­ted. Psal. 86. Though the Lord our God sometimes turnes his face from vs, yet will hee at last satisfie vs with his mercies, and being his seruants, shew vs his glory, Psal. 90.16. Yea, Psal. 90.16 the glorious Maiesty of the Lord our God shall be vpon vs, verse 17.

O perswade your selfe to be vnder the defence of the Lord, and to abide [Page 92] vnder the shaddow of the Almighty: so shall you be safe vnder the Wings of God; his faithfulnesse and Trueth shalbe your shielde and buckler: So high hath God set an house of de­fence for all his Children;Psa. 91.15 as hee will deliuer them from horrour, and bring them to honour. Psalme 91.15. Oh happy, and thrice happy are you, when for the voice of your groaning, your very bones will scarse cleaue to your skinne; and when you doe now and then mingle your drinke with Weeping, and washing your bed with brinish teares, wayling for your sinnes: neuer thinke but that God which hath cast you downe, will vndoubtedly take you vp. Ps. 101.10 Psalme 102.10.

What though your Spirit bee vex­ed within you, and that your heart within you be desolate and gasping; yet lift your soules to God, flye vn­to him to hide you, so shall he lead you into the Land of Righteousnes, keepe you from trouble, and guide you into the Celestiall chamber of [Page 93] Presence, where as no enemies shall vexe you, because you are his Ser­uants.

O the mercies of our most graci­ous God and Heauenly father, who whilest in Iustice hee might consume you for sinne: Hee sanctifieth vnto you your present visitation, that your flesh being wounded with feare, you might possesse your soules by dread­ing the mighty power of God, and escape his Wrath, neyther strucken with terrour, nor once tasting his iudgements. Looke you neuer Des­paire, because God which smiteth, hea­leth. Hosea 6.Hosea 6. And tendereth his par­don, before that wee perish. Ionas 3. Desire wee should still to haue our Heauenly Father to correct vs in mer­cies to amendment, but not to plague vs to our destruction. Iudith 8. Iob.Iob. 11. 11. Wis. 11.

You cannot call faithfully vppon God, but he helpeth: Nor trust tru­ly in him, and be confounded. Iob 5. The Lord bringeth backe from the gates of Death, and restoreth the [Page 94] sicke to their former health: yet vse wee must the Physition, and medi­cinable potions, for the procuring and maintayning of our health. As King Hezekiah being sicke, he pray­ed and wept, vsing these meanes to pacifie Gods anger: And though GOD could haue healed Hezekiah without meanes; yet God directed his Prophet to apply a playster of Figges to his soare, to ripen and heale it.

Thus are wee taught how to be­haue our selues in times of our sicke­nesse: First to pray to our heauenly Father for health, and that with troubled teares, and penitentiall cryes. And then to vse profitable meanes, and not to neglect them: If at any time men thinke to prepare themselues to dye, especially when they are in the greatest dangers, sicke and in the way to the Graue, and so to iudgement: now see you haue a charitable heart towards all men. Dauid was carelesse in Gods seruice, before he was afflicted. Psalme 119. [Page 95] Ieremiah neuer thinketh it too soone to suffer the Crosse. Luke 9.23. Our Sauiour sayth, that we must take vp the Crosse dayly, although nothing did better befit vs, then afflictions. There is nothing better then it, so God doeth vouchsafe to sanctifie it vnto you, and giue you the true vse of it.

For it will make you search your heart, and call your former Life to account: sicknesse humbleth, makes you see your weakenesse, compels you to runne to God by most ear­nest and hearty prayer: Inforceth you to deny your selfe, and to put your trust and confidence in GODS mercies, through the merits of Ie­sus Christ.

The Lords bringing any calamities vppon vs, or vpon our family, is to seeke him early, that hee may re­mooue his Iudgements from vs the sooner: All chastisements and af­flictions, yea all Iudgements and corrections come from the Lord a­lone, hee sendeth them, he imposeth [Page 96] them, and layes them on vs, he mo­derates them at his pleasure, his qui­uer rests full of such Arrowes, to hit, hurt, and consume vs, or in his Fa­therly kindnesse to correct and better vs in our courses.

Remember wee euer, that Sathan who could not enter into the heard of Swine without Christs leaue: he hath his power bounded and limitted by God, so as he cannot eyther touch vs, or torment any of Gods people without his leaue and permission, Gods prouidence being ouer the Spa­rowes in the Field, and haires of our head, will neuer neglect the Saluati­on of our Soules, being a matter of much more weighty worth and mo­ment.

This being cleare, that all our Af­flictions come from God vnto vs, we must needes learne patience vnder the crosse: knowing that the times there­of are still determined by God, and how they will leaue a blessing behind them, giuing vs farre more in spirit, then we loose in the flesh. Assoone [Page 97] as wee are afflicted by the hands of God, we should presently labour to haue our Soules and Consciences dis­burdened of sinne. Yea, we should learne to bee bettered by our afflicti­ons, confesse our sinnes, and bewaile them with teares: and not with Pha­raoh to harden our hearts: but to Re­member with Trembling, that the Righteous themselues shall scarcely be saued.

We may not measure Gods fauour towards vs by our outward blessings or crosses. Eccle. 9.2. All things come a like to all, to the Iust as to the wic­ked: Nay afflictions are tokens of the Lords loue, the Childe is corrected the seruant cashiered.

Are we Gods Wheate Math. 13.12. we must be cut with the Sickle, threshed with the Flaile, vndergoe many blowes, and bee ground to powder, with the Mill-stones of af­flictions, nay baked in the Ouen of a Wounded conscience, before wee can bee bread for the Lords Table.

Art thou the seruant of God? thy [Page 98] heart must be wounded for thy sins: Who euer were more deiected then Dauid and Iob; Iob. 31. Iob 13. Psalme 6. Wounded they were both in bodies and soules: the Lord seemed to shoot at them, as at a marke; the venome of his Arrowes pierced their soules, and drunke vp their spirits: yet at the last were Their Prayers heard, and their teares seene. Esay 38.5.

One droppe of the blood of Christ Iesus, to a dying man, for the Sal­uation of his soule, is worth ten thousand Worlds. We being woun­ded, must learne to flye to God, who only heales and binds vp the wounds of our soules: Our God is mercifull and gracious, yea his bowels earne within him to doe vs all good. Build we vppon his promises, as vppon a sure foundation, that shall neuer bee remooued, Heauen and Earth shall passe away, but his Word shal not passe away.

Wee haue the Word and Oath of God, as two vnchangeable witnesses so that wee cannot be deceiued. Agayne, [Page 99] wee haue the Sacraments of God as two Authenticke Seales, to ratifie his promises, and to make them sure vnto vs: Againe, wee haue the pawne of his Spirit to assure vs of his loue and fauour.

Now as with sicknesse God cha­steneth for sinne: so is hee indeede the spirituall Phisitian of our soules, to heale all our soares, and binde vp our wounds. Bee not ashamed to lay open your sinnes, the soares of your soules to Christ Iesus: Are you now spiritually wounded, make your moane to Christ Iesus, begge as for life and death for one drop of his pre­cious blood, to cure your diseased soules, there is no plaister to cure vs but the blood of our Sauiour.

To him therefore let vs runne, and make our moane vnto him; feare wee not to lay open our wounded soules and distressed consciences vnto him, that is a most mercifull Phisitian to our diseased soules. The plaister is tempered, & wilt thou none of it? shal thy soule rot in sin, & wilt thou despise [Page 100] God mercies in Christ Iesus? Is not Christ Iesus the Physitian of our soules? bindes hee not vp our wounds? powres hee not the oyle of Grace into our hearts? Cures not he our wounded Consciences? Doth not hee wrappe vs in the roabes of his owne Righteousnesse, and powre out the oyle of Grace, euen the pre­cious blood of his owne heart for our euerlasting Saluation? I desire you to know this, that it commeth to passe many times in Gods Children, that the sence and feeling of Gods fa­uour is oftentimes extinguished, as the comfortable heate and light of the Sunne is taken away by some thicke Clouds. Our faith is so weake, that some times wee thinke God himselfe to haue forgotten vs, and hide his face from vs, that hee will see vs no more.

But as after night the Sunne her selfe doth comfort vs, so after the cloudy night of affliction, the light beames of Gods mercy doe reioyce our soules.

[Page 101]So long as it pleaseth God to sancti­fie our crosses, they shall worke for our good, and neuer depart from vs, till they leaue a blessing behinde them. Doubt you not but hee that is priuy to our prayers, will in loue deliuer vs at last from all troubles and calamities.

Gods humbling vs, is to breake downe our pride and conceitednesse, to pray the more earnestly, neuer to be left to our selues, lest wee runne and rush headlong into Hell: No crosses should daunt vs, but rather driue vs fast forward in the way vn­to Heauen. Herein are wee discer­ned to bee the Seruants of God, and Disciples of Christ, in that wee beare stoutly whatsoeuer burden the LORD layeth vppon vs, the pa­tient enduring the heauy hand of the LORD, is the way to saue our liues, and not to loose them. Mark 8.35.

Our bodies are all like old rotten Houses, which must be pulled down, and new builded agayne; else can [Page 102] wee not dwell in them with safety and delight; our soules lament soare, and desire to bee setled in more hea­uenly habitations, still groane we for that glory which commeth after the Resurrection. God will hedge thy waies, darken thy pathes, spoyle thee of thine Honour, take the Crowne from thine head, remooue thy hopes, and beset thy soule with the Armies of afflictions, causing thy familiars to forget thee, and thy kinred to forsake thee in the middest of all thy maladies: yet depend thou on Christ our Re­deemer, and peace shall come: Doth the Lord tarry? wee must waite and comfort our hearts vntill he helpe vs.

Whatsoeuer our troubles be, peace is our best plea; stay wee the Lords leasure, and hee will comfort our hearts, and solace our sighing soules, and will thereby make vs more glori­ous to God and man.

Care wee for no crosses whilest wee haue such inward comforts, the worlds buckerings, and buffetings with Sathans winnowings, rest all as [Page 103] comfortable crosses to helpe vs to the Crowne.

As there is no rest without toyle, no Peace without Warre: so looke wee for no place of blisse, vntill we be with Christ our Master, well buffet­ted before hand in the Seruice of God, there is little looking for free­dome from afflictions, the way to Heauen being strawed with thornes, rather then flowers.

Iacob wrestled foure times, first, in the wombe with Esau, Gen. 25.22.Gen. 25.22. secondly, in his Iourney with Esau, Gen. 32.3. thirdly, in Mesopotamia with Laban, fourthly, at Bethell with the Angell. To teach vs, that if wee wilbe the Israel of God, wee must bee armed for all tryals, at all times, in all places, and with all persons, well knowing this, that at the length wee being the Israelites of God, shall neuer be left without a blessing at the last, Gods Children shall neuer bee without trouble, til the world be with out hatred, the Deuill without enuy, and our Nature without corruption, [Page 104] wee must be fined from our drosse, and renewed as the Eagle, neuer resting safe and sure vntill wee soare vp into the bosome of our Saui­our.

God doth not onely by his Word, but also by his Iustice make vs fit for his Kingdome: Doe you thinke mee now to bee your friend, and to speake truth vnto you; trust mee, there hath no temptation befalne you, but that which appertaineth to the Chil­dren of God; our GOD is faithfull and true, and hath promised to giue an issue with the temptation.

Against temptations heare Esay comforting Gods Children, and cry­ing to Ierusalem, that her warrefare is accomplished, her iniquity pardo­ned, and that shee hath receiued at the LORDS hand double for her sins. Esay 40. Dost thou faint? art thou weary? in him that hath no strength God out Heauenly Father increaseth power, verse 31. Such as waite vp­on the Lord shal receiue their strength, runne without wearisomnesse, and [Page 105] walke without fainting, verse 31.

Are wee not by faith the Israel of God, as his seruant Iacob whom hee hath chosen, and the seed of A­braham his friend? Chap. 41.8. listen to the Lord, verse 9. Thou art my Seruant, I haue chosen thee, and not cast thee away, verse 10. Feare not, for I am with thee; bee not a­fraide, for I am thy God, I will streng­then thee, and helpe thee; and will sustaine thee with the right hand of my Iustice. Esay 41.14. I the Lord thy God, will hold thy right hand, say­ing vnto thee, feare not; I will helpe thee. verse 14. Feare not thou worme Iacob, and yee men of Israel, I will helpe thee saith the Lord thy Redee­mer, the holy one of Israel. Esay 42.16 I will not forsake thee, but make dark­nesse light, and crooked things straight vnto thee.

Esay 43.1. Thus sayth the Lord that created thee O Iacob, and he that formed thee O Israel; Feare not, for I haue redeemed thee, I haue called thee by name, thou art mine; when thou [Page 106] passest thorow the water, I will bee with thee thorow the floods that they doe not ouerflow thee. When thou walkest thorow the very fire thou shalt not bee burnt, neither shall the flame kindle vpon thee. Feare not, for I am with thee; I wil bring thy seed from the East, and gather thee from the West, Esay 43.11. I, euen I am the Lord; besides mee, there is no Sauiour. And verse 25. I, euen I am he that putteth away thine iniquities for mine owne Names sake, and will not remember thy sinnes.

Math. 11.28. Come to mee all yee that are weary and heauy laden, and I will ease you.

And learne this Lesson should wee all, to suffer according to the will of God, committing our soules to him in well doing, as vnto a faithfull Cre­atour. 1. Pet. 4.19. When our hea­uenly Fathers rods light vpon vs as it did vpon Iob 9.34. then must we in­treate him with teares, not so to asto­nish vs with feares, but that we may speake vnto him, when once hee hath [Page 107] clad vs with the roabs of his Righte­ousnesse, and washed vs white in the blood of the Lambe, Reuel. 7.14.

If wee be afflicted in body or minde, cry mightily vnto God,Reuel. 14.15. say­ing; Reuel. 14.15. Reape O Lord, thine owne Corne, thrust in thy Sickle, the time is come to reape, I thy har­uest-corne am ripe and ready for the Garner: Yea, a Cluster of thy Vine­yard, and a Grape for thy Presse, yea, in Christ Iesus a draught to delight thee, gather mee O my Redeemer as wheate into thine owne Garner. But why doe I cry so long vnto my God and gracious Father? sure I am I shal not dye vntill my Lord and God speake the word, saying vnto mee as once hee did vnto Israel, You haue dwelt long enough in this place. Deu. 1.16 Deutro. 1.16.

Let no pangs or paines fright vs from our heauenly Father, we know­ing that our eldest Brother Christ Iesus, the very Authour of our life, was condemned to death Mathew 20.18. and that euen then when hee [Page 108] came not to be serued, but to serue, and giue his life a Ransome for many. The Lord Iesus so open your eyes, that receiuing the true sight, you may follow him that couragiously through Death went himselfe vnto life.

Feare no danger to bee in death, it cannot bee but a good Entry that the faithfull passe vnto by deaths cru­elty.

Dread not, neither bee affraide, for when wee renounce our owne strength, and constantly follow our owne vocation, and depend on the Lord; this resteth the true boldnesse, and most agreeable to God: such Ca­lebs rest fittest to enioy the land of promise, as treading it with the feete both of themselues and of their Children, doe most constantly still follow the LORD Deuteronomy 1.36.

Know this, there is no strength in our selues, where the hand of God is not ready prest to yeeld helpe: there is no standing but falling, when [Page 109] wee fight without our Captaine.

You must know this, and all such as now feare the Lord, that God will euer helpe his beloued in their ne­cessities, marry, the times and houres are best knowne to him who at his pleasure most mercifully reuealeth them vnto vs by his Spirit. 2. Kings 7. verse 7. to teach vs both to looke, stay, and waite vpon his holy and de­uine pleasure and will. Be you not affraide God will comfort you, you haue liued long like a Christian, dye now like a Saint, surely sanctified with Grace from on High. Foelix somnus cum requie, requies cum vo­luptate, voluptas cum aeternitate Pe­trus Dauus de Stephan. Pleasant and happy is that sleepe which commeth with rest, rest with pleasure, and plea­sure with Eternity. Send your thoughts before you into Heauen, as holy Harbingers of your happy soule, and see whether there bee not a desire in you to receiue the blessed Sacra­ment, Ʋiaticum aeternitatis, a blessed baite for each deuoute soule ready to [Page 110] trauell for another life. It is the mercies of our God to make death the way to life, and by the way of mortality to cloath vs with Immor­tality. Oh the ineffable Mercies and Wisedome of God, to seuer our soules from the dregs of our bodies, to enioy the presence of God, and be invironed with troopes of Angels, and soules of blessed Saints.

Let vs not with the old Arcadians mourne one night for the setting of the Sunne, for wee shall be comfor­ted by the breaking of the day; when wee shall see him to shine againe in his Spheare.

The people that were enraged at the death of Romulus, were quieted by Proculus his newes, that hee saw him in Glory riding vp to Hea­uen. Much more must wee Chri­stians remaine full of hope at the death of the Righteous, which are layd to sleepe with their Fathers.

Who amongst you doe not mourne to behold the manifold out­rages of the Children of Beliall [Page 113] in this so glorious a Sun-shine of the Gospell: Feare not death my deare Brethren, but rather desire with hearty teares to bee remooued from the seate of sinners, and scorners. Where some rest so vnchaste, that moderate and modest Christians may not safely consort with them: Some so insolent and proud, that you may not playnely rebuke them of their faults: Some so vnsatiable and glut­tonous, that you may not long sit with them: and generally amongst sinners of vnsanctified hearts was godlinesse neuer more vrged, yet ne­uer lesse regarded, though malice by euery mouth debased, yet neuer did she beare more rule.

Godly Preachers were neuer more publickely paynefull: yet publicke paynes did neuer lesse profite in pri­uate: The Catholicke and Aposto­licke faith, was neuer since the A­postles times taught more truely, yet seldome seene lesse to Fructifie: Such is yet the Satanicall seminary of greene growing iniquity and [Page 112] sinnes amiddest the sonnes of men. Few now in these dayes doe remem­ber how that the Cherubins of golde vppon the two ends of the Mercy Seate, were a Worke beaten with the Hammer: Places of Prerogatiues and Honour, are not easily come vnto: Neyther can we passe to Heauen, but by Hell: Gods scourging vs, sheweth that he loue vs, and meaneth to ma­nifest vnto the VVorld whether we be slaues or sonnes.

There is no greater Temptation, then to thinke God our enemy, going about to destroy vs, in with-draw­ing the most comfortable signes of his fauour from vs, then yet must we rest vpon the Lord, and by Fayth cleaue vnto him.

VVhat though by outward sence we are reiected of God, yet by our Faith must wee still apprehend his hidden mercies, and behold it a far off, in the Glasse of Gods Promises: Nay, although the Lord fayle vs, yet let vs not leaue him, vntill that he haue blessed vs, well Knowing [Page 113] his loue, that he will hold with the one hand, when hee assayles vs with the other, proouing and Exercising our Faith, as hee did the VVomans of Canaan. Matth. 15.22. First,Math. 15.22. Christ gaue her Faith, and by that Faith was shee mooned to seeke to him: but when shee was once come vnto him, he gaue her three Repul­ses. First, by saying nothing; Se­condly, by denying her: And third­ly by calling her Dogge. Marke we how Christ made shew, as though he would neuer haue granted her re­quest: yet at euery repulse, she grew the more instant, crying more ear­nestly vnto him; shee opposed her­selfe vnto Christ, and would take no deniall.

Marke wee all here, the nature of true Faith, if you doe now rest faithfull, though you feele your selfe ouerwhelmed with sinne, tur­moyled with Sathans conflicts, yea, and God himselfe both angry and of­fended with you. Yet can you lift vp your eye-liddes to Heauen, and [Page 116] giue a glimpse at the Brazen Serpent Christ Iesus, flinging your selfe in­to the Armes of GODS mercy, and catching hold of that hand buffetting you, and kisse it: Then feare not, we must not passe for the malice of men, but haue an eye vnto the mercies of God, well knowing, that yet it is not made manifest what we shall be: But we know that when Christ shalbe made manifest, we shalbe like vnto him, for we shall see him as he is. 1. Ioh. 3.2.

Doe not I pray you, measure the Loue of God vnto your soule, eyther by your prosperity, or by your Ad­uersity: well considering that these rest common, both vnto bad & good: Take heede and beware of perswa­ding your selues to bee in the depth of Gods fauours, whilest you inioy temporall peace, and externall glory: for Christ fled into the mountayne, when hee heard they would come to make him King, choosing rather to bee there alone, then for to inioy a transitory Crowne.

[Page 117]To keepe you now from dispaire, consider I pray you all, or some of Gods former mercies towards you: He hath protected you both in your Infancy, Child-hood, and Youth, and multiplied vpon you many positiue blessings, let all these pleaders pre­uaile for your faithfull and hearty seruice to so heauenly a Maister. If a­ny countenance a seruant, and giue him meanes and maintenance, hee would take it ill to leaue him, and serue his very enemies: yet so doe sinners, that forgetting Gods fauours towards them, flye vnto the pro­fessed enemies of God, yea, of Christs Church and Gospell, I meane the Deuill himselfe; from whom to be sa­ued, sigh wee still to be anointed, vn­till wee be crowned, anointed here with the oyle of gladnesse in this Church militant, that wee may bee crowned hereafter with the Church triumphant, 2. Tim. 48. Desire the Lord to make your bed in your sick­nes, & that the voice of ioy & health may bee heard in your habitation, [Page 118] account no priuiledge so precious as to be in GODS fnuour, and haue accesse to the Throne of Grace, and vpon all occasions to see the golden Scepter stretched out vnto you: your prayers heard, your petitions granted, and your suite obtained; assure your selfe that Christ sendeth no sinners discontented or empty handed from him. Salomon craued Wisedome, Paul power against Sathans buffe­tings, Ezechias and Dauid deliue­rance from Enemies, Moses from drowning, and the Theefe from dam­ning. No petition put vp from a sor­rowfull Soule, and a beleeuing and touched Heart, but receiueth a gra­cious answere for GODS glory and our good: Serue wee Christ now vpon Earth, and wee shall surely sing with him in Glory, trust and re­ly we still vpon God, and hee will take vs away as hee did Iosias from seeing of Euils, or as hee did good Augustine before the sacking of Hip­po by the Vandals; or conuay vs to some other place, as he did Lot when [Page 119] Sodome was burned; or prouide some meanes for our stay, as hee did the Arke for Noah when the World was drowned.

Hee that saued Moses and the Is­raelites when the Aegyptians were drowned, wants no meanes to re­mooue our painefullest Maladies; yea to rescue and redeeme our liues with the death of our Enemies, as Haman was hanged for Mordecai: saued was the Corne, and burnt were the [...]ares, one and the same Flaile beats Chaffe to be burned, and pure Corne to be preserued. Be not discouraged at the feare of death, knowing (that with Christ) all Christians must die, that the remnants of sinne might bee quite taken away and abolished, so as the roote of old Adam may bee most absolutely stocked vp. Remember (I pray you) that flesh and blood must be changed, before it can inherit the Kingdome of God, 1. Cor. 15.50 Moreouer, the blood as it is old, be­ginneth by little and little to conden­sate, and waxe thicke, and so to cor­ruption. [Page 120] Againe, our spirits waste by vse and labour, (which weares euen the Iron and hardest mettalls) and both the body and the minde are weakened by corporall and mentall exercises. Both of them (like to vn­thrifty heires) spending faster then either the father or fosterer of them (the Heart) can digest and gather for them. All these things tell vs, that dye wee all must, rich Diues aswell as poore Lazarus, Simon the wiser, aswell as Naball the foole, Absolom the faire, aswell as Thersites the fou­lest and fulsome. Tall Saul must goe to the Graue, aswell as little Zacheus, godly Ionathan aswell as his vngodly Father, both Wife and Husband must participate of the common condition of humane Nature, once to dye. Know this all of you, that no Princes vpon the earth can with-draw their necks from this yoake, howsoeuer some seeme as Gods vpon the earth, yet must they die like men, be they ne­uer so high of birth or blood.

Though my brethren and sisters, yee [Page 121] weare all golden Crownes, let vs all obserue how louing our LORD and Master was vnto Dauid, in promising vnto him a Kingdome: but for many yeares was he so hunted, and persecu­ted therein, that hee knew not which way to turne himselfe to finde peace and safety. And why was all this, but that hee might first become a good man, and then a good King: whosoe­uer will weare the Crowne of Glory with Christ, must likewise with him weare the Crowne of Thornes.

Our heauenly Father scourgeth vs, to see whether wee will heartily loue him being our heauenly Phisitian, or no; and that with our very soules, Deut. 13. Great cause haue wee all to loue him, and that both with our hearts and soules, because the LORD assureth vs of the Victo­ry, but that it shall vndoubted­ly goe on our side, howsoeuer both Sathan and Sinners shall straine themselues to the vttermost against vs Deu. 8. Moses shews vs, how that it resteth Gods will, that we all must [Page 122] bee afflicted, lest wee should boast of our owne power, strength, and abundance. It is Gods order that hee keepeth vs withall, assoone as we first enter into his Schoole, he be­ginneth with the scourge; making vs to feele hunger, thirst, pouerty, sicknesse, sorrowes, and sundry kinds of aduersities, because wee are all for the most part of vs so wedded to our wanton wayes and wills, and so pee­uishly proud in our owne conceits, that our heauenly Father must per­force subdue vs by some afflictions, else will we not acknowledge him to be our Master: Although the Theefe vpon the Crosse was receiued at the last into mercy, yet must wee all learne to leaue our sinnes, before they leaue vs, lest our GOD forsake vs, and giue vs ouer vnto Sathan.

It is a priuiledge belonging vnto vs all, which rests Christs, that God our heauenly Father accepteth our wills and endeauours of obedience, for per­fect obedience it selfe: Eccle. 25.10. Great is he that findeth Wisedome, yet [Page 123] is there none aboue him that feareth the Lord, the feare of the Lord passeth all things in cleanenesse. Prou. 14.27. It is the well-spring of life to auoide the snares of death. Affliction and not prosperity resteth for the most part the badge of Gods Church, and true note of the members of Christ: Gods Word it selfe teacheth vs, that Christ his Kingdome is not of this World. The Israelites which were the people of God, did soiourne as strangers, and were euill intreated 400. yeares, from Abrahams time to Moses: for it is the condition (for the most part) of the Church of God still to be giuen into the hands of their e­nemies, Ier. 12. It is truely said that Crux est Ecclesiae nota, the Crosse is a note of the Church: Marke not tri­umphs but troubles, doe point out the Lords Seruants, and singularize his Saints, vnto whom not any disease, plague, or punishment can come with­out Gods prouidence or sending it. It's not the washing of my flesh in water, but Christ my Sauiour his [Page 126] cleansing our soules from sinne, that purgeth vs from all impurity: As pure Oyle must not be beaten, and the best Lamps burned, so the best Christi­ans first crossed, that at the last they bee crowned and shine as Lamps be­fore the Lord continually. Let this be a medicine to each Malady, that God by his scourge calls vs to glory.

Let no afflictions mooue vs know­ing that as wee are Christs members, we are borne thereunto; and there­fore if wee feele not Gods fa­uour as wee wish, wee must not thinke our selues miserable, because our life lieth hidde with Christ in God. Col. 33. Therefore may wee not hold it as a hurt vnto vs, that we rest depriued here of sundry signes of Gods fauour, he louing vs neuer­thelesse as it manifestly appeareth by Moses, and many others, who had many tempests, and troubles, that some euen desired to be wiped out of GODS Booke, who yet haue had workes and faith towards the Al­mighty. 2. Esdras 13.23.

[Page 125]Blesse the Lord for his Fatherly rod, and welcome his Wand;Wisd. 20. what he doth, it's in loue to free vs from wickednesse, and conuince vs of sin. Learne we therefore to be patient vn­der the hand of Gods lashing vs, for so it becommeth the children of God, and members of Christ. Iob. 33. It is by afflictions and corrections, that GOD openeth our Eares, that were sealed vp, abating our pride. verse 17. And keepeth backe our soules from the Pit, our life from the Sword: yea God will first cast downe vnto Hell, before he heaueth thee to Hea­uen, and doome thee to Death, ere hee bring thee to Life, because that neither one nor other should be per­taker of his prayse and glory.

It is Gods ordinance in this world, that his Church and Children, yea euery member of his body should be vnder the Crosse, to learne the bet­ter to put their whole trust in him, and seeke the comfort of the Spirit, which neuer failes to help the faithful into the land of Promise: Howsoeuer [Page 126] God leaueth vs for the tryall of our Faith.

The two Sacraments, Baptisme, and the Lords Supper, remayne as pledges of our Saluation. The first, washing away the guiltinesse of sinne, and the latter strengthning our Faith to our very soules, receiuing both the body and blood of Christ Iesus, though that no man liuing can deserue Saluation: yet as Gods adopted sons and children, must we all learne, by our good VVorkes, to glorifie our Heauenly Father, declaring our true thankefulnesse for our Redemption, through Iesus Christ our onely Saui­our, and by good VVorkes assuring our Election, and winning others into Life, by our holy conuersation in Christ Iesus.

Remember that GOD beeing made man for vs, hath in his owne Nature suffered whatsoeuer our sins deserued, and made vs with him­selfe, the children of God, and heires of eternall life.

VVhereof, least we should doubt, [Page 127] the Lord hath appoynted the Sacra­ments, as outward tokens to bee seene and felt of vs, that we should not doubt of beeing partakers of Christ himselfe and his benefits: his righteousnesse and Holinesse is ours, wee beeing borne anew by the Holy Ghost, and walking in righteousnes all our dayes. Learne we all to be no lesse thankfull for sicknesses then for health: for sorrowes then for com­forts; imprisonment then for liberty; knowing sanctified sorrows open the gates of Heauen, vnto the Eternall maiesty of God. Our heauenly Fa­ther so loues vs, that he will lay no o­ther burthen vpon vs, then shalbe to our good and profit: It may be that wee haue both called and cryed vnto God in our extreamities, and haue not bin released: what of that, yet must we quiet our mindes in this, that as Children wee haue layde our com­plaints, griefes, and sorrowes, in the bosome of our heauenly Father, (who when he seeth it time conuenient) wil vndoubtedly helpe vs, as certaynely as [Page 128] you and I haue soules, he neuer for­getteth the sorrows of his Seruants, he still seeth their teares, and putteth them in his bottle.

Our Heauenly Father, which hath the issues of Death in his hands, wil deliuer you from danger, shed you neuer so many teares, they shall all be dryed from your Eyes.

As our Victories in the field come not by our owne strength, wisdome, and pollicy, but by the Diuine will and pleasure of our heauenly Father. So in our sicknesse and weaknesse, it is neyther physicke, nor Physition, potion or playster, drugges, or dainty Dishes can fit vs for Paradise; but Fayth may conuay our soules past the mountaynes of Lebanon, to the Paradise of God; not onely to behold it with our Eyes a farre off, but a­boue the order of nature, most com­fortably to enioy it, Consider often that the Word of God standeth not in bare Knowledge, but in the pra­ctise of life: It's not an halfe seruice but our full obedience that GOD [Page 129] looketh for: hee often promiseth vs rewards, not for our merrites, but to incourage that our labour shal not be lost. It is the Lords manner in our greatest weaknes, to manifest his po­wer, and in deepest danger make knowne vnto vs our saluation.

Content thy selfe a while with the water of teares, and thou shalt be re­freshed with the Wine of comfort. Acknowledge Christ Iesus to bee now thy Sauiour, and thou shalt not once feare him to become thy Iudge. After trouble, God sendeth com­fort to all them which patiently waite on him, and constantly put their trust in his mercies.

The Almighty put Iobs soule in bitternesse; but it was to teach him to keepe righteousnesse, and not for­sake it. God dealeth with some, as hee did with Iob, hee turned his Harpe vnto mourning, and his Or­gans into the Voyce of them that weepes. As often as God striketh vs with any kinde of troubles or afflictions, whether inward in [Page 130] outward in our goods: It is to beate downe our pride, and to free vs from afflictions, that wee feele not the weight of them, nor the heauinesse of his VVrathfull hand or iudgements, when he rests angry.

Sickenesse is GODS Herald, which he sendeth to thy house, home, and heart: Our louing God will not afflict thee aboue measure, that thou shouldest haue occasion to contend with him. It belongeth vnto God to moderate your Corrections, and not man.

Can you pray with vehemency? feare not, but that both your secret complaynts and sighings are seene of God, and sealed vp with Christ in your deepest temptations: God both can and will deliuer you. Although your deedes haue deserued destructi­on, yet doth God in mercy, pitty your frailty. The more your Conscience is touched with the feare of GODS iudgements, the more hope may you haue to prayse God in the Con­gregation of the faithfull, who sen­deth [Page 131] comfort and boldnesse in time of our afflictions, who else were ready to drop downe to destruction. How­soeuer eyther sorrowes or sicknesse may somewhat discourage vs, yet rest our miseries good meanes to cause vs to feele Gods present care o­uer vs. When the Lord afflicteth vs, and we crye vnto him, we thinke by and by that hee should helpe vs: but that is not his due time, he hath some worke to worke with vs, wee must waite and stay the time, before we be comforted; and then Physicke and all humane meanes fayling, God helpeth, that we may learne euer af­ter to looke still to Heauen, knowing that not onely our sickly bodies, but our sinfull soules, and vnsanctified senses, such as all ours be: must hence be purified, or else perplexed: Say, O my God, let neither Man nor misery, driue thy Seruant from his Hope of Gods promise, and ioy in the highest Heauens, and also Eternall felicity: Lord be mooued with the complaint of thy poore Seruant, and d liuer [Page 132] me in the end, from all manner of feare­full dangers.

Remember that the Lords word and promise is true and vnchangea­ble, hee preserueth the poore from the peeuish, and maintayneth the py­ous agaynst the proud. Crye migh­tily to our God for this one thing, that whilst your afflictions last, your faith may not faint.

Desire the Lord to comfort you both in soule and in body: without whose fauour there is no perfect fe­licity, nor hope of blessed immor­tality: What though Sathan hath many wayes to hurt you, yet hath our heauenly Father many millions more to saue out of his meere mercy. The great power of Christs King­dome against all Aduersaries thereof, teach vs all patiently to indure the Crosse, till God destroy the Aduer­saries. The more your afflictions do increase, the more neere shall you feele the helping hand of God, assist­ing you with his spirit of comfort. Be not perswaded but that God lo­ueth [Page 133] you farre better then euer your Parents did, which very thought should pacifie and bridle your rage. Depending vpon the Lord, who ne­uer brake promise with any of his seruants. Content your selfe, for the treasures of Gods mercies are alwaies layd vp in store for his Children, al­beit, at all times, they do not feeling­ly inioy them. How many seeme to be swallowed vp of grieuous afflicti­ons; yet rests God at hand to deliuer you. And it is our heauenly Fathers loue, to cause vs all to feele that wee are mortall, and that there is no estate wherein we can liue, to haue perfect quietnesse in this world.

Christ Iesus is come to redeeme the soules of his seruants, that put trust in him: how then shall the darts of Death endanger vs, when death ha­uing done his worst: Christ himselfe then, becomes our Redeemer, giuing vs for a poore Cottage, a rich King­dome: God knoweth what dangers hang ouer our heads, and by what meanes to deliuer vs from them.

[Page 134]Stay his leasure, and the LORD will content your minde with that which is most necessary; remember how our Faith must bee exercised with diuers temptations. Though the iust man dye, yet Gods blessings are extended to his posterity: and though God suffer some iust man to want temporall benefits, yet hee re­compenceth him with spirituall trea­sures: such shalbee continually pre­serued vnder GODS VVings, and haue at last inward peace and rest in their mindes.

The patient hope of the Godly is neuer in vayne, but in the end hath good successe, though for a time God prooue them with sundry temp­tations: why doth God visite any one with sicknesse, but to put both your selfe and others in mind of his chastis­ments for sinne: desire not to be ex­empted from Gods rod, but that he would so moderate his hand, that you might be able to beare it: let prayer therefore become your refuge, yeeld vnto God, and not to your own desire.

[Page 135]Let vs not dispayre, be our tor­ments neuer so great; but crye we to God with sure trust for our deliue­rance: doth humane meanes faile? waite we for the helpe of God, the weaker in body, striue we with cry­ing sighes to bee stronger in soule by Faith, to the conquering of diseases, Death, Diuels, and danger: crye still for Patience to indure the punish­ments and chastisements which the Almighty sendeth, and intreate the Lord not to be seuere against his poore creature, neither to wrappe him vp with the wicked, to be put to shame.

This know, that it is a very hard thing for the Saints themselues to keepe measure in Words, thoughts, and gesture, when Death and Dis­payre assayles them: though God de­ferre helpe, yet must we learne to a­bide with Patience, till he heare and helpe vs, still remembring that such soules as please him, God hasteneth to take them from wickednesse.

Howsoeuer you feele Gods hand to lye heauy vpon you, yet rest vpon [Page 136] his promise, and comfort your selfe and soule therein.

Account it Gods mercy to bee touched with his fatherly hand, for each one of vs all is like an vntamed Calfe, till the vse of Gods rod, call vs home to Heauen. Wee are so re­bellious by nature, that wee stand in neede to bee chastned euery houre. It is a true triall to prayse God in ad­uersity, and that Faith is sure, that is grounded vpon Gods Word, who will vndoubtedly bee at hand, when as his children be oppressed.

Know and neuer forget this lesson, that Gods prouidence doth not onely watch ouer his Church in generall; but also euery member thereof in perticular: So as neyther heate nor cold, nor any incommodity shalbee able to destroy Gods Church, albeit for a time they may molest it.

Be you not tyred with your try­alls, for there is helpe from aboue, if you faithfully crye and stay for it. Though you suffer vnder the Crosse, least you should embrace wickednes, [Page 137] yet the Crosse shall not so rest vppon you, as to driue you from hope, but to Purge you from Hypocrisie, and make you zealous of Gods testimo­nies and trueth, and as one of the Lords People, still to depend on Gods power: To whom all glory, and honour be giuen, for euer. Amen.

Thursday Meditations.

SHarpe punishments that pier­ceth euen to the inward parts, are profitable to the wicked, to bring vs one by one, to amendment; wee haue no true tryall of our strength vntil trou­bles do assaile vs: what God hath ap­pointed, that shall come to each one of vs all. Keepe and looke vnto the assured euidences, and vndeceiuing fore-runners of an happy departure.

First, see that you liue with a good Conscience, so shall you bee [Page 138] sure to dye with great comfort.

Secondly, see that your holines of life and conuersation in this same world, before men, bee the Way and the path vnto our future happi­nesse.

Thirdly, you must labour and en­deauour here to glorifie God, if you desire to bee glorified with him in Heauen.

Fourthly, you must fight a good fight against Sathan, which hath bin our enemy from the beginning, and then against the world, and your own corruptions: you must faithfully ful­fill your course, and performe the seruice vnto which God hath appoin­ted you.

Labour whilst you liue, still to know the trueth, keeping faith in soundnesse and sincerity to the end, (or else expect you in vaine) a crown of righteousnesse.

Christ stil dwelleth in his Church, and therefore will not depart from them, but will hast to helpe them in their troubles.

[Page 139]The hand of God being vpon any, teacheth the party to examine his life, and to beware of our murmur­ing against God, who is Almighty, who may iustly, for our transgres­sions and iniquities, throw vs downe into Hell. Eccles. 11.8. Wee are warned by the Preachers, to remem­ber the dayes of Darknesse, Afflicti­on, and troubles,Eccle. 11. knowing GOD will call to an account for carnall lusts, whereunto youth is giuen.

VVee may seeke the Lord in all our troubles, and yet not bee incon­tinently heard, to cause vs to conti­nue and perseuere in Prayer, till wee feele comfort.

VVhatsoeuer aduersity, tribula­tion, or calamity, men or Women indure, they must attribute it vnto their owne incredulity, and disobe­dience, and be mooued with a zeale of Gods glory.

And if any sorrowes or troubles bring such sadnesse, the very thought of a Messias Christ Iesus, may great­ly cheerish and comfort vs, who [Page 140] will neuer suffer his Church to be de­stroyed vtterly. Bee patient there­fore in aduersity, looking for Gods helpe, and fearing to doe any thing contrary to his VVill and Word.

God defendeth his Elect, and re­iecteth all the rest. Let this be a con­solation in your troubles, that nothing can come vnto you, but by the will of the Lord.

As you are Gods Children, so of whom should you, I, or any other seeke succour, but onely of him? Re­fuse not to be taught of the Ministers of GOD, who now are his mouth. When GOD punisheth his people, his plagues must continue, till sin­ners beginne to feele them. The in­tention of GODS chastizing, is for our amendment, but the Diuels malice aymeth onely at our destru­ction

GOD will chasten his owne peo­ple, beginne at his owne House, and when he hath do [...]e, burne the rod.

[Page 141]The ende of Gods plagues to his Children, is to bring them to trust in himselfe, and to forsake all confi­dence and trust in others.

Gods rods and corrections doe e­uer bring foorth some fruite, causing his to turne from their sinnes and transgressions, and to humble them­selues in his sight with contrition. There is no power so high and migh­ty, but the Lord will visite him with his rod, and againe so comfort him in his troubles, that the shining of the Moone and Sunne shalbe darke­nesse in comparison, of the ioy and eternall happinesse thereof. A­gayne, the arrogant and proud that will not know GOD, are by his Wand and correcting rod, brought to feare GODS wrath, and for to glorifie his holy name.

Be comforted all yea that are grie­ued, for the time of your deliuerance is at hand, the defence and protection of the Almighty shalbee sufficient for you. Think not much of your present captiuities, as of your happy returne [Page 142] to the Heauenly Ierusalem: Know what God hath decreed, it cannot bee altered, no power so high that can let him of his proiect: Indeauour we therefore constantly to indure and abide all manner of aduersities, where with God afflicteth vs, well know­ing thereby that if we learne to feare God, and to be bettred, are euident signes of Gods grace, and especiall fauour.

The Lord mooueth you by his rod and chastisement, to pray, crye, and call earnestly vnto him, for your deliuerance.

Be you comforted, my faithfull and afflicted brethren, knowing that euen in Death, you shall haue Life, and may assuredly rise to glory: remem­ber how Hearbes dye in the winter, and yet flourish againe, by the raine, in the Spring time: So they that lye in the Dust shall rise vp to ioy, when they feele the dew of GODS grace and Heauenly power: Striue wee all therefore, as faithfull ones, to bee patient in all our troubles and afflicti­ons, [Page 143] to waite vppon Gods worke, vntill by his mighty and all-sufficient power, he call vs into his Presence, to dwell with him in Paradise. Af­flictions which God layeth vpon vs, are much like vnto a storme, which commeth and goeth: wherein God will not leaue you or forsake you, but deliuer you rather (by miracle) then you shall bee ouer-come, or vtterly perish.

Our God will not suffer vs to bee destroyed to the contempt of his Name, but magnifie still his Di­uine Maiesty for euer, by deliuering vs out of so many eminent dangers, that all prayses for our enfranchize­ment may be rendred, through Christ Iesus vnto our God.

Though Death were euen now ready to destroy, yet hath the Lord Power enough to deliuer and succour you, as neede requireth. There is nothing that more strengthneth our Faith, then our remembrance and calling to minde Gods deliuerance in times past.

[Page 144]Know this, that Sathan will tempt you to murmur against God, but de­pend you still vppon the LORDS promise, bearing your Crosse pati­ently, and you shall vndoubtedly in­herite the Kingdome of glory. Giue your selfe now wholy vnto God, by putting away all things that are con­trary vnto his Commaundements: so where the wicked feele Gods power, you and I, being godly, shall find his mercies. Desire we God to be our sufficiency, aboue physicke, meate, or drinke.

Are we in the depth of misery, let vs contemplate his Power and glory, as if we were in his Sanctuary assured of his Spirit. Afflictions dwelleth with the best of Gods seruants, who haue no leasure to swallow downe their spittle: Such is the estate of the poore members of Christ Iesus, that oftentimes they bee soare groaning vnder the Crosse of tribulation: yet suffereth not our Sauiour any of his, to passe from vnder his shaddow, till our heauy and oppressed heartes [Page 145] comforted and fully refreshed. Our heauenly Fathers scourge is vndoub­tedly a fore-runner of Gods graci­ous fauour and blessing, and the onely way to saluation.

Crye and call faithfully, and God will still heare thee, what time the storme falleth on thee: It is our Hea­uenly Fathers fauour, to open our eares by his correction, thereby kee­ping backe our soules from the pit, and our liues from passing by the Sword: He striketh vs with sorrows vppon our beds, making our soules to loath and abhorre euen the daintiest meates.

By carefull Crosses, God ope­neth our eares, so as neyther health may hurt vs, nor Prosperity vndoe vs: The cause why God sendeth vs sundry afflictions, is to beate downe our pride, and to turne vs from euill and impiety. Our gracious GOD withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous, neyther will hee still be fettering vs with the cordes of af­flictions.

[Page 146]But he will be opening our eares to Discipline, and commaunding vs to returne from iniquity. My GOD and Heauenly Father, so mooue your and euery one of our hearts, to the feeling and seeing of all our sinnes and iniquities, that we may all come to him by repentance (as did Manas­ses) at the last. Assure, we shall, our soules of this, that to the afflicted God sheweth Grace. The scourge of the Lord is vppon vs, wee ought the more humbly to pray vnto our God, that he hide not his face from vs. But rather to indue vs with his Spirit, as still resting in misery and af­flictions, wee might be driuen from man to God: As was the Prophet Dauid, When his Friends forsooke him, and all his Acquaintance hid themselues from him. Then gat Da­uid vnto God most humbly, with these words. Oh Lord heare my Prayer: O let my crye come vnto thee: Hide not thy face from me, in time of my trouble; but incline thine Eares vnto me, that do mingle my drinke [Page 147] (euery morning) with my Weeping.

Learne we each one, neyther to haue fellowship with the deceitefull, nor yet to stay with the vngodly, but to wash our hands in innocency, and so to go vnto the Lords Altar.

See you neuer forget the loue of our Sauiour Christ to mankinde, who was content for to become a Redee­mer to mankind, and not for the An­gels which fell, as did both man and woman: For the ground of our Re­demption is the special loue of Christ, not the fore-seene workes of our faith, in the eternall Counsel of God. But like as the Israelites got not Ca­naan by their owne sword and po­wer: No more can we gaine Hea­uen, but by Gods fauouring vs in Christ Iesus his Sonne. The faith­full are chastened ere they be Crow­ned: yea checked and aduised for to leaue their bad manners, and particu­ler vices, and to follow and pra­ctise holy & religious duties in faith, feare, and feeling, with holy Obe­dience both to God and man.

[Page 148]Both Paule and Barnabas teach vs this Lesson, that we must through many tribulation, Enter into the king­dome of God.

Few things came into the Hoast of Israel, but such as were purified eyther by fire or water: How much more ought the sinfull soules of men, to be purged, ere they come to their Heauenly heritage.Num 31.23 Num. 31.23.24. As Hester was first purified sixe moneths with Myrrhe, after that with sweete Odours, and then come vnto Ahashuerus: So bitter tryals and trauailes must touch our heartes, ere wee can lodge with the LORD of Life, vnder whom King Aha­shuerus liued, but as a Lieutenant: It is the Priuiledge of Christs mem­bers to be troubled and afflicted, but not for euer to bee fined as siluer in the furnace of affliction, and tribu­lation.

VVhat was once spoken vnto the olde Iewes, I doe now vnderstand it as applyed to the Elect, whose priui­ledges in this life, are pangs and pains, [Page 149] troubles and tortures, calamities, and crosses, so that it is now growne to a Prouerbe, Athemata mathemata passionis documenta; The Lords lashes are lessons to leade vs a long the right and streight way to Christ, the true Sanctefier of our soules, to all that be­leeue in him.

Dauid penning his sweetest and harmonious Psalme, in his bitterest afflictions, teacheth vs euery one to profite by Gods Rod; because that afflictions Bringeth home the Prodi­gall Sonne. Luke 15.Luke. 15. And maketh Nebuchadnezzer lift vp his eyes to Heauen, honouring him that liueth for euer. As many as rest sons, must be scourged of their father: wee iust ones knowing God, but must looke for messengers to salute them, with shriking sounds of sorrowful newes. For our learning, it pleaseth God of­tentimes to conclude the best peoples liues with very fearefull euils. As we see in the death of Iesus Christ his best Apostles; Ionathan, Lazarus, and the LORDS two VVitnesses. [Page 150] Reuel. 11.7. Who hauing finished their Testimonies, are killed for so doing, and their Corpses throwne into the streetes of the great Citty; the Gentiles in their courses three dayes and a halfe, not suffering their Carkasses to bee put in their Graues: See how the Lord scourgeth deepely where hee loueth most dearely; stay but the LORDS leasure, and hee will vndoubtedly comfort your di­stressed heart and minde, if you will patiently abide, seeke, and waite for him in the Way of sincerity and trueth.

Remember wee should all, that Israels portion is not passed into by following of vaine and vnlawful plea­sures; not by imbracing the Earth in our armes, or sending out our Chil­dren by flockes, to daunce after mu­sicke: Til the Lords Vae mane surgen­tibus; Esay 5. seize vpon vs: Israels portion is not so easily come vnto: There is no other way to the Crowne, but by the crosse; we must suffer our afflicti­ons as the good souldiers of Christ, [Page 151] before the Lord will receiue vs into Eternall Glory. Learne we all there­fore, that the Crosse of Christ is the best Schoole-maister, to bring vs to Christ. As Naaman did wash ere hee could be whole, so must good Christians be content to suffer tryals.

VVhilst God threatneth afflicti­ons to our flesh, he would haue vs to prepare Faith and Patience in our hearts, to entertayne the LORDS chastisements with teares. The rod of God to man, is as the presse to the Grape; the fanne to the Corne, and the fire to the Gold.

How was good Iacob troubled? first to haue his onely brother (as it were) to sweare his death; then to leaue his father and mother, house and home, Country and friends, and to seeke for seruices in the world a­broad. Remember still Gods spye, (your conscience in your bosome) see you, and we are his secret intelligen­cer (our conscience, that wilbe vn­doubtedly) most true and faithfull vnto God, and intelligencer against [Page 134] Achitophell, Haman, Shebnah, and others, yea against thine owne selfe, if thy soule bee vnsanctified: you must hunger after Heauen, ere it will be had. Our heauenly Fathers correcting still whom he loueth and liketh; teacheth vs not to dispayre of his fatherly fauours, and friendly affections; but rather that hee nurtu­reth vs for our Saluation, fining vs as the Siluer, and choosing vs in the fire, as the purest gold: Mark Christs dealing with his chosen members, by conuincing their faultes, when hee chastneth vs to breake vs of our euill wayes, and thereby he bringeth vs to reformation, correcting all of vs according to the quality of our of­fence: The hardlier wee are broken from our sinnes, the heauier iudge­ments will he lay on vs, to work our deeper humiliation and repentance.

Feares shal make vs to vnderstand that which exhortations and gentle­nesse could not bring vs vnto: VVe must be first humbled, ere we can be aduanced, and haue fainting soules on [Page 153] earth before we can feele, the high, Holy, and helping hand of GOD from on high, to stay and heaue vs out of our distresses: Relye wee still on God, and he will not forsake vs in our daungers. But giue vs still such pledges of his neuer failing mercies, as may assure our hearts of greater in Heauen, where more ioyes are prepa­red, then we can either aske or once thinke of. It is well that you thinke sin to be the ground of your afflicti­ons, and your offences the cause of Gods displeasure: wherfore he send­eth crosses and curses vpon sinners.

Consider wee first, how wee haue falne by wantonnesse of life, and vn­godly conuersation, our neglecting Gods word and will, hath brought the cup of Gods indignation vppon vs, to reclaime our feete from folly, and our soules from sinne.

Not to acknowledge our selues to haue deserued Gods iudgements (be­cause we yet feele them not) is Pride of heart, and a state most perillous vntill we be humbled.

[Page 154]God therefore pulled Dauid down (though hee were a chosen Vessell) when he saw him walke awry. God corrects vs to reforme vs, making his iudgements as messengers, to re­call vs from sinne, before he enter in­to iudgement with vs. Beware of grudging at thy crosses or afflictions, for our Heauenly father vseth them to amend vs, beeing vnwilling the death of any sinner.

VVee hauing all sinned, stand in neede of this Physicke of correction, to reclaime vs from straying from our heauenly fathers dwelling: be­ware of being ashamed of our fathers visitation, neyther loue we the plea­sures of this VVorld, more then the ioyes of heauen.

Be we neuer ashamed of GODS rod, for Dauid confesseth, and sayth, thy Rod thy Staffe doth comfort mee: Psalme 23. the rod to correct, when I am out of the way, and the staffe to comfort and vphold me, when I am in the way: But intertain we his correction as a benefit and blessing sent from on [Page 155] high, profitable for our soules, and no way hurtfull to our hearts: and still more and more fit you for the compa­ny of Gods Children.

The more sorrowful and sicke you are, the more like you are vnto our elder brother Christ Iesus, who fi­nished our Redemption through the Crosse, and made the way, to the ioyes of heauen, through tribulations. VVhich way, whosoeuer is a sha­med to follow, can neither come to his Kingdome, nor set foot in the pal­lace of Gods most ioyful inheritance. If you are now wounded without in your body, be carefull to see, to the soares of your soules.

I feare not but that the seedes of Faith lyes still in your heart, although the fruite thereof doe not yet plainely appeare: I doe perswade my heart, that though your eyes waxe dimme, yet the Holy Ghost will still giue vn­to you, the true illumination of your heart, soule, and seuerall sences.

If our Sonnes and Daughters haue beene deare vnto vs, how much more [Page 156] dearely hath Christ our Redeemer once bought with his blood, both our soules and our bodies. I beseech you hold it a ioy to dye, and to bee out of this sinfull World, and to bee deliuered from the thraldome of this sorrowfull life.

Death is our refuge, the helpe of our soules to Heauen, there wee liue eternally, where is no paine, but all pleasure, no sorrow but solace, no sighing but singing, no feare of death, but assurance of euerlasting Life. It is good for your children to bee afflicted, that they may not stray from Gods house, but keepe his Word, and to learne and obserue his Diuine statutes.

Though we haue beene long chast­ned of the Lord, but it is that wee should not bee condemned of the Lord. Gods punishing vs doeth with-hold vs from Hell, stirring vs daily and earnestly to desire to be dis­solued, and to bee with Christ our Sauiour in glory.

Consider I beseech you, that when [Page 157] the earthly House of this Tabernacle shalbe dissolued, we haue a building of GOD, an house not made with hands, but eternall in the Heauens: which who so inheriteth shalbe eter­nally saued.

I intreate and aduise euery one, to be more carefull of their soules, then of their bodies, still comforting their hearts in their afflictions, knowing that the sender thereof is God, and the causer thereof, our sinnes: the longer we be and languish in sinne, the more appeareth Gods loue in our sicknes, for the which thinke God to bee the sender, and likewise our deliuerer in danger and aduersity.

As the Husband-man doth not put the sickle into the Corne vntill it bee ripe: So doeth not God inflict his grieuous iudgements vpon vs, vntill our sinnes doe call downe vengeance for the same.

Art thou desirous to auoide con­tagious diseases, see thou feare more thy sinne then the infected Citty: Canst thou remoue thy transgressions [Page 158] from the face of the Lord: The Cit­ties contagion shall not hurt thee; but if our sinnes remayne vnrepen­ted, all the wholesome ayre in all the Countrey cannot helpe thee, or comfort thee.

In this world, we can see but Gods backe-parts, as Moses did: that is but a little of the fauour of God: but after this Life is ended, we shall see God, face to face, hauing the ful frui­tion of him: as we therfore wish the saluation of our soules, let vs all be­ware of security, or to deferre our re­pentance, least we be cast into Hell fire, hauing no lease of our vncertayne liues.

Labour we all to haue the Candle of Faith burne in the Lampes of our hearts, still nourished with the oyle of loue and good workes.

It may not a little comfort vs in the time of our afflictions and trou­bles, that our heauenly Father hath shewed such loue vnto vs, that we should be called the sons and Daugh­ters of God. O what a comfort it is [Page 159] to my heart and soule, that I pray not to an inexorable Iudge, but to a most mercifull Father, who can de­ny me nothing. As I most comfort­ably read. Mathew. 3.9.10.11.Math. 3.9. It is no impudency to call vppon the LORD, we haue his promise. Eze. Eze. 36.28. 36.28. that wee shall be his people, and he will be our GOD for euermore.

VVe haue Christs warrant when we pray, to haue the Holy Ghosts instructions, whereby we may Crye Abba Father: fearing God as our ma­ster, and more reuerencing him, then our parents. VVe that are Gods chil­dren should so esteeme of our tryalls, as alwayes tending to his owne glory, and our saluation: the matter of temp­tation (I meane mine owne concupi­scence) is in my self; the Diuel brings his bellows to this fire, and it is forth­with Kindled: But crauing Grace to repell this power, wee are not swal­lowed vp of them, but freely deli­uered from the slauery of sinne and Sathan. Saint Augustine asketh, What our life is? He answereth himselfe, [Page 160] saying,Saint Au­gustines re­solution. Arming to death, our Life while it increaseth, decreaseth; and when our Life is dying, our Death is liuing. This Life is the time where­in we must be admitted into the King­dome of Grace, if euer wee looke hereafter, in the Kingdome of glory and happinesse.

All Gods Children must in this VVorld be tempted, that being temp­ted, they may resist, resisting, they may ouer-come, and ouer-comming they may be Crowned: Be not weary of painefull walking to the Kingdome of Heauen; fixe your eyes on Christ Iesus, and neuer leaue running vntill you come to him; neyther feare you any Foe rising vp against you, for the professing of Gods trueth, so long as wee may winne Christ Iesus for our reward. Thinke not your selfe to be a fit stone for the LORDS building, vnlesse you be hewen with the Axe of afflictions, and then slit through the heart with a Saw of cor­rection.

VVhosoeuer will heereafter taste [Page 161] the sweete ioyes of Paradise, must first on earth (with Christ Iesus) taste of the cup of salt teares and afflicti­ons with Dauid: here he wattered his bed, and hast thou none to bedew thy Couch with? God would not afflict thee, but to weane thee from wic­kednesse, he would not haue the weeds to ouer-grow the good Corne, nor the flesh to domineere ouer the Spi­rit: therefore by afflictions are wee often brought to hate, that which before we did loue, and to imbrace what before we did loath.

Tribulation doth vppon the eares of the heart, which worldly prospe­rity doth oftentimes shut:1 Cor. 11 the Lord in mercy often chasteneth heere, that we might not be proud, nor condem­ned with the world. 1. Cor. 11.32. God woundeth vs, not to make vs worse, but wiser, that wee might weepe each one for our seuerall sinnes and wickednesse, which wee haue committed against our good God. Oh remember that the afflictions of the body, is wholesome phisicke for [Page 162] the Soule, it killeth the flesh, but cureth the Spirit.

One compareth afflictions to the Gold-smiths Forge, which tryeth the pure gold from the drosse: or as Physicke expelling corrupt humours from the body: Or as a Shepheards crooke whereby God bringeth a­gaine his wandring sheepe vnto the fold: Sicknesse and sorrowes are as a watchfull rod to make vs vigilant, that are in our selues naturally both sleepy and sluggish. You know this that by afflictions are the Children of God, and the sonnes of Belial discer­ned and taken notice of. We are oft therefore inthralled, that our Faith might be tryed, hope, loue, and obe­dience exercised, and our Crosses cheerefully welcomed; sent of God for our good, learning in affliction to abase thy selfe in the sight of God Almighty, acknowledging and con­fessing that earthly scourges are but as flea-bitings in respect of the tor­ments of Hell, which by our lewd liues, for euer, we haue deserued.

[Page 163]Do you aske me why God afflict­eth you in this world? I answer. That the greatnesse of his power, and the infinitenesse of his mercies might bee shewed in the deliuery of vs, you, and such others.

There is no surer signe of the Lords VVriting your names in the Booke of Life, then this, that the LORD humbleth before hee exal­teth, and sheweth vs our damna­ble estate, through sinne by the Law, before euer he signifieth vnto vs, that he is our Saluation. And why dea­leth God thus with his owne Chil­dren?

First, vntill wee be humbled, wee 1 neuer seeke after Christ, nor desire him; without which wee can neuer finde him: for God hath appoynted that by seeking, we should find him.

A second reason is, that our Re­demption 2 might bee the more preci­ous vnto vs, as our health rests more pleasant after sicknesse, liberty after imprisonment, plenty after scarcity, and peace after warre.

[Page 164] From the Spanish Nauy in 88 From the Gun-pow­der treson. From the last greate sicknesse. And many perticular dangers.Thirdly, that Gods mercy in our deliuerance, might bee prised in his kinde, the Redeemer in Heauen; for this especiall cause, extoll the Lord and the Lambe with a perpetuall Ha­leluiah, for an euerlasting Redemp­tion, from an euerlasting damnation, requireth an euerlasting glorification.

This generall trueth is confirmed by a perticular example, when the poore Iaylour was most grieuously tormented through the horrours of the Law: before euer he can find his soule recouered by the saluation of the Gospell: Hee cryes, Sirs, what must I do to be Saued? Perhaps Paul and Sylas told him what to do: Euen beleeue in the Lord Iesus Christ, and thou shalt be Saued, and thine house­hold.

It is no ill signe to bee humbled as the seruant of God, wounded in Con­science, or pricked in heart, not know­ing what to do. Niniueh was hum­bled, before he sought to God. Thus doth the Law prepare vs vnto Christ, saluation and eternall blisse belonging [Page 165] to none but to the humble.Esay 66.2. All Gods Children must go through the Hell of a wounded conscience, before they can taste of any heauenly refreshing, euen as Merchants waxe must be soft­ned with a Candle before it can take an impression; the terrour of our sin must languish our soules, before wee can come to the remission of them.

The comming of GOD into the Soules of the Faithfull and chosen, is notably resembled by his appearance vnto Eliah. 1 Reg. 19.11.12. First,1 Reg. 19.11.12. there came a mighty strong Winde, that rent the Mountaines, and brake the Rockes, but the Lord was not in the wind: After the wind came an Earth-quake, but the Lord was not in the Earth-quake: after the Earth-quake came fire, but the Lord was not in the fire, at last came a soft and still voyce.

So the Lord appeareth to his Re­deemed ones, by the VVinde of his wrath, breaking their hearts. Secondly by the earthquak of his anger, shaketh God our soules. Thirdly, by the fire of [Page 176] displeasure smoaketh he our Consci­ences; but in the end, by the still voyce of his mercies, he refresheth our soules, were they neuer so sinfull. As the Iaylour had an Earth-quake in his Castle, so must each Christian in his Conscience, before euer he per­ceiue his Election and Saluation. The saying is as true as ancient, We must goe by the gates of Hell to Heauen; we must after a sort, be in Hell be­fore euer we can be capable of Hea­uen aboue. That is in the Hell of an ashamed countenance, and a confoun­ded conscience, before euer the Lord will say vnto our soules, that he is our Saluation and Redemption.

Our humiliation by the Law, must first preceed the saluation of the Gos­pell, so then they are not conuerted, that more or lesse are neuer humbled. To be troubled and amazed for our sinnes, is to be fitted for Heauen; and first we must be lost, ere we can be found, and must be condemned be­fore wee can be reprieued or saued. We must be ashamed of our sinnes, [Page 167] affrighted at our follies, and confoun­ded in our consciences, before the Lord wil once say to our soules, I am thy Redemption. Are you amazed at your sins? be not disparaged, so farre you are in this your Hell, from Hell, as you are composed thereby and made fitter for Heauen, which is the throne of the Euer-liuing Lord GOD.

Againe, we must labour to haue the spirit of Bondage become the Spirit of Adoption to our soules; and we must acknowledge our seuerall diseases, before Christ will heale vs.

As euery one can rest content to haue Cstrist our Iesus, so must we rest content to haue him our Lord and be conformable vnto him in bea­ring the Crosse, if euer we meane or looke to be glorified with him, in Heauen: We must needs feele our sicknesse, ere wee befit for Righte­ousnesse; soule afflictions must not fright you from Almighty God, but make you rather runne vnto him for defence, as the Chickens do from the [Page 168] Kite to their Hen, 2 Cor. 12.17, 18.

The more you trust in God, the sooner will he support you; and the more earnestly you cry and craue for iustice, the sweeter will be your end, and the more ioyfull your deliue­rance.

Forget not to be thankfull for the least measure of Faith and Grace, wel knowing that the want of these, soone worketh mans ouer-throw. Vnder­stand I beseech you, that though Death be the deliuerer of euery faith­full man and woman, from the body and prison of sinne, to Eternall Feli­city: Our Sauiour by his Death and Passion, hauing killed the sting of death in vs; and a though Paul, once rauished with an high Contemplation, Wished to be dissolued, and to be with Christ. Philip. 1.23. Yet haue we no warrant euery man to pray for the hasting of his owne death, being to euery Faithfull particular man (the same thing) that the generall transmu­tation wilbe at the latter day, to the whole body of the iust and Elect, [Page 169] except that the Elect after the gene­rall dissolution, attayne to a greater degree of Glory.

Christ came not to Call the Righ­teous but Sinners to Repentance: To seeke the lost Sheepe; to finde the lost Greate; and reclayme the lost Sonne, or meet with the lost treasure. Sub­mit your desires to GODS will, and leaue your indeauours with pati­ence to be ordered by the Lords pro­uidence, earnestly desiring preser­uation from Death, you patiently submitting your selfe vnto GODS pleasure, eyther for Life or Death. For the best and surest way to finde Fauour in the Eyes of the LORD Almighty: is to desire him to doe with vs what hee seemeth or think­eth good, for referring our selues to his Diuine prouidence, hee will euer deale most graciously and lo­uingly with vs.

God is our GOD willing to shew vs grace and mercy, he will turne to vs and be fauourable, [...] he takes away our manifold iniquities, and cast [Page 170] our sinnes in the depth of the Sea.

Agayne Psalme 103.8.9.10. The Lord is full of Compassion, and mercy, long suffering, and of great goodnes: He will not be alwayes chiding, ney­ther keepeth he his anger for euer: He hath not dealt with vs after our sins, nor rewards according to our iniqui­ties. But looke how high the Hea­uen is in comparison of the Earth; so great is his mercy towards them that feare him. Looke how wide also the East is from the West, so farre hath he set our sinnes from vs. Yea like as a Father pittieth his owne chil­dren; euen so is the Lord pittifull to them that feare him: For he knoweth whereof we be made; hee remembreth that we are but dust. Psal. 145.8. Ioel. 2.13. Mat. 26.11 2. Cor. 1.3 Ephe, 2.4. 2 Tim. 1.13

Of the great mercies of God to­wards vs sinners, read at your leasure. Psalme 145.8.9.147.8.10, and in Ioel 2.13. Math. 26.11. 2 Cor. 1.3. Ephes. 2.4. 1 Tim. 1.13. vnto 18. verse: All these places yeelde words of rare comfort pronounced by the Eternall Ʋerity it selfe, and [Page 171] therefore not to be mistrusted or dis­payred of: Let vs not abuse GODS mercies, making them a cloake to couer our sinnes: presume we not saying, Eccles. 5.6.Eccle. 5.6 The mercie of our God is great, he will forgiue my ma­nifold sins, for mercy and wrath come from him. Forget not that golden saying of St. Paule, Rom. 8.28. All things worke together for the best, to them which feare God. Rom. 5.4

Yea, the afflictions and troubles of Gods children, are so sanctified vnto them by Gods spirit, that by the same they are made partakers of Gods holinesse. Hebr. 1.12.Heb. 1.12. By the same they inioy the quiet Fruite of Righteousnesse; by it likewise they at­taine to a greater measure of ioy in the Holy Ghost. Agayne, Hereby is the world crucified vnto you, and you vnto it. Rom. 8.8 Hereby are we made conformable to the death of Christ: by this are we kept from the condemnation of this World; and by the same likewise learn we experience, patience, Hope, &c.

I beseech you all to ponder, [Page 172] weigh, and consider how your cros­ses are mercy, your losses gaines, your afflictions schooling, and each aduersity as a Lesson: receiue your Crosses as comming from Christ, written both for thy Learning and Comfort, manifesting by these tokens that he loueth you, meaning thereby to draw you euen into his Bosome: hereby we are assured of our heauenly Fathers good will towards vs. We may not in our miseries still looke for Gods, but likewise at his ineffa­ble mercie: (our Parents disobedience in eating the forbidden Fruite) did banish them out of the most pleasant place of the World: yet shewed GOD his fatherly Kindnesse vnto them, before he droue them out, for he made them Coates to arme them against all weather.

More then that, hee comforted them with the promise of the blessed Seed, Iesus Christ, which should restore that Saluation vnto mankinde, which they had lost, by yeelding to the Serpents intisements.

[Page 173]Loe here the most louing and Kind dealing of GOD with Man, hee will make vs smart a little for our sinnes: here is his Iustice, but yet so, that he will not vtterly forsake vs, or giue vs ouer for euer, here is louing mercy.

Auoyde therefore Sathan once, I say agayne auoyde, cease to suggest or ingest into any mans heart, that he should thinke because that God doth crosse and afflict him; therefore GOD doth hate, forsake, and vt­terly cast him off, those with whom he so now dealeth,

It is true that Christ Iesus hath taught vs to call vppon him, by the name of a Father, who now loueth vs more then our mothers did: First 1 instructing vs, as parents doe their children: Secondly, admonishing vs 2 as Schoole-maisters, scourging vs now and then with his Rod. Thirdly,3 if we grow stubborne, spend-thrifts, wanton, and prodigall, vsing ill company, then God draweth vs out by the eares, whipping, or beating [Page 174] vs till our bones doe cracke, yet with a fatherly true affection still to bring vs to amendment, or he vtterly cast vs off. Our heauenly Father war­neth vs by his rods, to walke in his wayes, and to liue in his obedience, which if we dispise, and refuse to fol­low, then will the Lord vse his scour­ges, pouerty, sicknesse, diseases, cros­ses in Children, stocke or croppe, fire or sword, till that wee humbling our selues vnder Gods mighty hand, shal subiect our selues to his gouernment, suffering in our selues a holy reforma­tion of manners, and amendment of life: Learne we also to reioyce in the middest of our troubles and afflicti­ons with contented minds and sancti­fied affections, no Parents so louing to their Children as is our heauenly Father for our safety in our sufferings, cling wee therefore the faster and the more faithfully vnto God in our trou­bles God hath turned heretofore the penury and the captiuity of his people vnto their good by greatest cros­ses, working his people their greatest [Page 175] comforts: God doth oftentimes make our sicknesses and sorrowfull diseases as purgations to euacuate our pride, vayne-glory, hypocrisie, and the corruptions of our putrified soules. And sometimes for preseruatiues, to keepe vs from falling into those, or the like sinnes; And sometimes God vseth them as Cordials, to streng­then our decaying graces, and to animate vs vnto holy duties: to pray, Reade, and heare the more attentiue­ly; to beare the Rod of God more pa­tiently, and to performe each holy duty with the more cheerefulnes.

Be not ignorant of that Lesson which Dauid teacheth vs all;Psalm 119 It is good for vs that wee haue bin afflicted. For the learning of Gods Statutes and Keeping of his word and testimonies, with-hold vs from going a stray in ill wayes: so that each one of vs may truly say of our troubles, sorrows and sicknesses, that we haue suffered them, and haue learned to loue God more, and our owne deserts the lesse: let vs all learne to make holy medicines for [Page 176] our soules, out of such calamities as do often befall vs in the World; and so shall we haue no cause to vexe our selues with cures for the sanctifi­ed crosses that do vs much good: we grieue at the vntimely death of our Children, which we hoped should haue beene the staffe of our old Age, inherite our houses, and keepe still our name: but we minde not how many children (of as good hope as ours) haue prooued parents crosses, and some mothers vpon their knees haue wished, they had neuer beene borne, or that they had then carried them to their graues, when they had them to weane: Sure it is, that God for the most time, doth lay such af­flictions vpon vs, eyther because he will procure vs some good, or preuent some Euill by them.

Which things, if we commonly see them come to passe, why mourne we so that which tendeth vnto our welfare, and greater comfort?

There is nothing in the world, but still works for the best to the children [Page 177] of God, aswell the stratagems of Sathan, as the imaginations of men, are for the Weale of Gods children. Yea, out of one of the most poisonfull things (as sinne and death) doth the Lord draw healthfull and medicinall preseruatiues to them that loue him, still strengthning their Faith, whilest they giue glory vnto God.

Care you not what outward pu­nishment you indure, so that you may feele the guilt of your sinnes washed out of your Conscience, and the lo­uing countenance of our heauenly Fa­ther in Christ Iesus, to wipe your tres­passes cleane away.

Let the goodly sorrows of our se­uerall wounded consciences driue vs to GOD, who hath vndoubtedly physicke for our sickly and sinnefull soules: Are you weake, and sicke, sad and confounded in minde, desire the LORD so to stampe the impression of his sacred spirit into your hearts, as washing your selues in the water of Repentance, you wallow no more in the mire of former filthines: the Lord so [Page 178] kill and clarifie your flesh, as the life of Grace may assure your soules of election to glory. Remember what Queene Esther did being in danger of death, Chap. 14.1. Shee resorted vn­to the Lord, shee layd away her glo­rious apparell, and put on the gar­ments of sighing and mourning, instead of precious oyntment scattering ashes and Earth vpon her Head, humbling her body greatly with fast­ing: filling all the places of her ioy with the haire shee plucked from her Head. It is very good for GODS Children that this world, now and then, much discourageth them, and that wee and they likewise rest sel­dome free from one calamity or ano­ther: to make vs to cry (with Christ) in our troubles vnto God, that he may pitch his Tents about vs, so as we fi­nally miscarry not, nor goe astray from the Kingdome of God: apply our hearts wholy vnto Christ and cleaue we all still vnto him with sure purpose of soule, to rest throughly sanctified. Beware of temporary faith [Page 179] which is lame of one hand, onely able to take Christ, but not to giue him­selfe to Christ: This is to offer the same offering without the burnt offe­ring; hast thou Hope against Hope, feelest thou Hell in thy Conscience, yet here must thou apprehend Hea­uen, and with Ionas (in the Whales belly) call vpon GOD in faith, for faith is the subsistance of things that are not, much more then of things that in deed are, though not in appea­rance. Be of good cheere, for Christ hath fastened Sathan, Sinne and Death to his Crosse. Now amidst thy bit­terest torments and tortures, remem­ber how Christ drunke the most bit­ter and sharpe Cup of his Fathers wrath in our name. Remember that Peter suffering for the truth of God, returned from the Councell with ioy and gladnesse, when hee had beene whipped, and had heard, that hee should dye a violent death, through which conflict and repugnance hee stroue still with violence, not for o­ther peoples pleasure, but for his owne [Page 180] saluation. There is no Christian but he must fight before he can tryumph: and be daily calling, yea earnest by praying and crauing for helpe at Gods hands, remembring that against the ignomy of the Crosse, wee haue to set the decree and purpose of God, fore-told by the Prophets of Christ: How that first of all hee should bee crucified here vpon Earth: And then he should appeare from Heauen, the Iudge and Restorer of all things: that all Beleeuers might be saued, and all vnbeleeuers vtterly perish.

Vnderstand and Know this, that God vseth to wrappe vp his Church with the wicked, in his scourges and plagues which he sendeth vppon the Earth: and yet notwithstanding hee prouideth for it conueniently, though he doth most commonly grant but a short time of Truce, vnto his Church and children, to be at rest and quiet in.

Learne we all to set the glory of Christ his Resurrection, against the shame of the Crosse and graue; see­ing [Page 181] seeing it may aswell bee proued by witnesse which saw it, as by testi­mony of the Prophets; learne wee all therefore to goe forward in one way, in our vocation, through a thou­sand death.

Gods prouidence taketh not a­way the causes which God vseth as meanes, but rather ordereth and dis­poseth them to their right vse, euen then when he openeth an extraordi­nary issue: for then, and not till then came wee to the promised and sure saluation, thorow the middest of tem­pest and death it selfe. Then are per­plexities most to be looked for, when the Port and Hauen is nearest. The godlier you bee, the more sure shall you bee to haue danger vpon danger; but alwaies most sure to haue a glori­ous issue.

What, though aduersity bee the punishment of sinne, yet God in puni­shing doth not alwaies respect sinne they iudge too rashly which eyther doe not waite for the Lord, or doe iudge and esteeme all men according [Page 182] to prosperity or aduersity: let this be still your comfort, the Lord neuer afflicteth his aboue their strength: what though now we behold mise­ries and calamities in a Church; yet is the hope of felicity harboured in our hearts, as if we presently enioy­ed it.

Know this, that it is of the Lords mercy that you are eyther helped or healed, Wis. 18. It is the power of righteousnesse that Saints receiue good and euill in like manner, singing prayses for the one aswell as for the other.

It is not wisedomes care to walke with ease by crooked paths, and to bring vs into feare and dread, and to torment vs with her discipline, vntill she hath tryed our soules, and proo­ued vs by her iudgements, then will shee comfort vs, and shew vs her se­crets, and heape vpon vs the vnder­standing of righteousnesse.

The Lord now and then sendeth vs away weeping and mourning: but with ioy and perpetuall gladnesse [Page 183] will hee bring vs againe vnto him­selfe.

Remember that Sion may bee in Captiuity, and yet see her Saluation from God to come with great glory and euerlasting brightnesse: suffer we therefore as Children the wrath of God patiently, hoping at last to tread vpon the necks of our foes, and euer hereafter to reioyce, though now for a time wee mourne. Who would not make haste to the King­dome of GOD liuing vprightly, and be of a good and honest conuer­sation, as Christ once offered him­selfe willingly to be taken, that wee might be deliuered.

Remember in your present misery, how Christ being innocent, was con­demned of the High-priest for that wickednesse whereof wee are guilty.

Christ our Sauiour found no com­fort (any where) that in him wee might bee fulfilled with Celestiall ioyes and solace euery where, hee was made a curse, that in him wee [Page 184] might bee blessed, hee was spoyled of his Garments that wee might bee enriched with his Righteousnesse: Christ healing the manifold miseries of mankinde, sheweth that he came to make cleane and wipe away the sins of the world with his touching hand from Heauen. Feare wee not any accusers before God, seeing that GOD himselfe absolueth vs as iust, much lesse neede wee feare damnati­on, seeing that wee rest vpon the death and resurrection, yea the Al­mighty power and defence of Iesus Christ. Therefore what can there be so waighty in this life, or of so great force and power, that might now feare vs, although wee might fall from the feare of God wherewith he loueth vs in Christ: Surely nothing; it is in it lelfe most constant and sure, and also in vs conformed by stedfast faith by Christ that loueth vs: we are perfectly iust, and through him are wee conquerours ouer miseries and calamities, although we seeme as bro­ken in pieces with the woeful weight [Page 185] of woefull dangers, yet as good Christians let vs grow more and more couragious, that the waies and wills of GOD may bee throughly knowne in this world. Remember that the matter of our saluation is Christ, in whom onely we are endu­ed with spirituall blessings vnto salua­tion. Oh perswade your owne soules that God hath chosen vs from the be­ginning in his Sonne, the end of af­flictions being true ioy, and that through the vertue of the Spirit of Christ which hee giueth to them which aske it. We ought not to be discouraged, but rather to bee incou­raged by the persecutions which the enemies of the Gospell imagine and practise against vs, seeing that they are certaine witnesses from GOD himselfe both of our saluation and of the destruction of our enemies that hate vs. Persecution is a signe of our saluation, because it's a gift of God to suffer for Christ which gift hee ren­dreth to his owne, as he doth the gift of faith. Grieue not for your great af­flictions, [Page 186] no not although you should dye to make pefect your oblation with your blood as with a drinke-offering.

The way to eternall saluation is, to follow Christ his steps by afflictions and persecutions, vntill wee come to Christ himselfe, who is our marke whereat wee shoote, and receiue the reward whereunto God calleth vs to him. Therefore bee not disquieted through impatiency, seeing that God is at hand to giue you remedy against all your miseries, neither bee you carefull for any thing, but with sure confidence giue God thankes, and craue of him whatsoeuer you haue neede of, that with a quiet conscience you may wholy and withall your heart submit your selfe to him, that you may with Dauid beginne with teares and end with thankes.

The afflictions of the Church may be said to be Christs afflictions, by reason of that fellowship and knitting together, that the body and the head haue one with the other, not that [Page 187] there is any more neede to haue the Church redeemed, but that Christ sheweth his power in the daily weak­nesse of his members, and that for the comfort of the whole, and hol­ding of his Childrens hearts toge­ther, whose assured comfort is, to enter by afflictions into the Kingdom of Glory.

Know this that our God being iust will punish the vniust, and will do away the miseries of his owne peo­ple. Remember alwayes to set the invisible power of Gods Spirit, which God hath giuen you, agaynst those stormes which may or will come vp­on you. I pray remember that the gift of Gods Spirit, is as it were, a certayne liue flame kindled in our hearts, which the flesh and the Di­uell seeke to put out: And therefore you and I (on the contrary side) must labour as much as we can, to foster and keepe it burning, and not to be pierced thorough, as people whom the Lord will destroy.

Doubt we not, but that our Sal­uation [Page 188] doth hang vpon Christ, who was exhibited in our dayes, and suffered farre more grieuous things then wee can: Oh that wee would consider the profits that come vnto vs by our heauenly Fathers chastise­ments. .1 First of all sinne and the re­bellious wickednesse of our flesh, is by this meanes tamed: Secondly, the 2 Lords lashes are true testimonies of his fatherly goodwill towards vs insomuch that they may shew them­selues to be Bastards and no Sonnes, which cannot abide to bee chastened of God. Thirdly, if all held this right 3 to Fathers, to whom (next after God) we owe this life, that they may right­fully correct their Children: Shall not we be much more subiect to that our Father who is the Authour of the spirituall and euerlasting life.

As many as will become the god­ly followers of Christ, must (as it were) goe out of the world, bearing their seuerall Crosses: bee not faint­hearted knowing this, that your faith must be tryed through manifold af­flictions [Page 189] whether it bee pure as it ought to be; we may not despise the Crosse of Christ, which our heauen­ly Father vseth as an Instrument to polish and fine vs: where we are to consider, that the effect of afflictions is to polish and fit vs for the perfect­ing vs in Christ, each seuerall moment of mans life depending vndoubtedly vpon God. The knowledge of whose will doth not onely nothing at all pro­fit, vnlesse the life be answerable vnto it, but rather maketh the sinner farre more grieuous.

Forget not to bee patient, still ex­pecting a most happy end of all your troubles, because God is a most boun­tifull Father, neuer forsaking his ser­uants. Consider I beseech you by what way we come to eternall glory: is it not by all kinde of afflictions? wherein notwithstanding faith ma­keth vs so secure, that we are not one­ly not ouercome with sorrow, but al­so through the beholding of GOD himselfe with the eyes of Faith are vnspeakeably ioyfull, because all such [Page 190] things as they, are but for a time; so are they not applyed vnto vs to de­stroy vs, but as it were, by fire, purge vs, and to make vs perfect, that at the length we may obtayne saluation. Art thou afflicted, Christ goeth be­fore in example and Vertue, as one that suffered most grieuous torments euen vnto Death, although but in one part only of him, to wit, in the flesh or mans Nature, but yet became conquerour by the Vertue of his Di­uinity.

Know this, that GOD keepeth measure in his greatest seuerity, bee not offended therefore, neyther stum­ble at the vayne shaddow of the feli­city of the wicked, as though God were not the gouernour of the world, nor thinke that the Wicked are in good case, and the godly in Euill; for we may perceiue an by Argument of comparison of them together in their last end: That God who spareth not his owne (but nurtureth them vn­der the Crosse) will at length in his time, handle the rebellious and wic­ked [Page 191] farre otherwise, whom he hath appoynted to vtter destruction.

Although that life be sayd to bee sweet, yet is it chayned to a thou­sand miseries, and the onely salue to cure affliction is to make vse of the ancient History, Luke 13.3. Except you amende your liues, you shall all likewse perish: Thy sinnes deseruing scourges, the iust hand of the Al­mighty striketh thee, pray that thou mayest benefit thereby. Christ hea­ling of the sicke and diseased: shew­eth that Christ we recouer, through Faith, whatsoeuer we had lost by our frailty. Let vs euer esteeme our dis­eases as whips, wherewith GOD scourgeth vs for our sinnes, for the bettering of our wils, words, and wayes. Affliction doeth good vnto the Godly, discerning at the length, true godlinesse, from fayned fashood, and filthy flattery. In thy greatest weaknesse, reioyce in remembring Christ power ouer sinne, Death, and Hell.

We haue no cause to promise our [Page 192] selues rest, peace and quietnesse in the world, seeing they themselues which seemed to fawne vpon Christ, doe shortly after crucifie him: Be of good cheere being weake and sicke, for Christ is come to deliuer vs from the bonds of Sathan, who though once hee had bound a woman as in Chaines for 10. yeares space, so that shee could not so much as hold vp her head: Yet come Christ at the last, saying: Woman, thou art loosed from thy infirmities. Luke 13.12. Luke 13.12. Marke and consider how that Christ maketh death acceptable vnto vs, by ouercomming in our name all the ter­rours of death which had ioyned with them the curse of God, and the fearefull Iudgements of an angry Fa­ther: For Christ our Redeemer tooke the burden of our sins vpon himselfe, and was willingly betrayed and ta­ken; that by his obedience hee might deliuer vs, which were guilty for the betraying of Gods glory. Remember and forget not what you are, a peece of worke made of the slime of the [Page 193] Earth, sauouring of nothing but cor­ruption, ignorance, dulnesse and death. Forget wee not how Christ left the proud Pharisees, and communicated the treasures of euerlasting life with a poore sinfull woman and stranger, re­felling the grosse errours of the Sa­marians, and defending the true wor­ship of God, deliuered to the Iewes; yet so that hee calleth both of them backe to himselfe, as one whom onely all the Fathers, and also whom all the Ceremonies of the Law had respect vnto. Wee must all haue an eye to this high and soue­raigne power of God, which gouer­neth all things, insomuch that hee hath power of life and death, so that we liue & dye at the pleasure of God and not of men. Therefore this one thing remaineth, that we goe forward constantly in our vocation to Gods praise, and our owne peace. God see­meth now & then to linger in helping vs, which he doth for his owne glory and for our saluation,Iohn 11 as he did once in raising vp Lazarus, Ioh. 11.

[Page 194]He beleeueth in God, that belee­ueth in Christ, and there is no other way to confirme our mindes in our greatest distresses, but that Christ is not gone away from vs, to the end to forsake vs, but rather that hee might at length take vs vp with him into Heauen.

It is a miserable thing to be subiect vnto sinne, which of it owne nature, maketh vs guilty of Death. But wee must crye to the Lord who will by Death it selfe, at length make vs con­querours: As we are already in Iesus Christ, wearied we may bee with continuall conflicts, yet recouer our selues agayne, resting in our Redee­mer, who is the true perfection of our soules: You are in Christ, doubt nothing of the happy successe of your combate, because the Spirit of grace and Fruites of Righteousnesse, and Seedes of Life remayne in you, for you hauing the self-same Spirit which Christ hath, all infirmities layed a­side and Death ouer-come, you shall bee cloathed with Heauenly Glory. [Page 195] You haue already receiued the Grace of the Gospell, wherein God shew­eth himselfe not [as before the pub­lishing of the Law] terrible and feare­full: But a most benigne and louing Father in Christ, so that with great boldnesse, wee call him Father; the Holy Ghost sealing his Adoption in our hearts by Faith.

Remember wee all the great Glory which wee looke for, a thousand times sur-mounting the misery of our afflictions. You Know well that this whole World looketh for a re­storing groaning as it were for it, and that not in vayne: Let it not grieue vs therefore, to sigh for our Sauiours comming, being now certaynly per­swaded of our Redemption at hand, especially we hauing the first Fruites of the Spirit.

Call to minde how it was impu­ted vnto Abraham for Righteousnes, in this, that hee was found Faithfull in Temptation. It is Iosephs com­mendation, that in time of trouble, he kept the Commandement, and was [Page 196] made Lord of Aegypt. Forget not that Elias, for his zealous Feruency in the Law, was taken vp into Hea­uen: And the Children, by Faith, de­liuered out of the flame. Trust still in God and you cannot want strength: as for the glory of man, it is but dung and Wormes; to day Dust, to morrow nothing.

Shew your selfe willing to change your life manfully, and such a one as your Education and your yeares now requireth. The Lord God Al­mighty so moderate our troubles and torments, that we may dye holily, put our whole trust and affiance in him. O remember how Christ was temp­ted all manner of wayes, and did o­uer-come, that we through his Ver­tue might likewise be Conquerours.

Esteeme not the ioy and Felicity, commodities, and pleasures of this life, to bee any wayes better then vexing perplexities; the way to Hea­uen is straight and narrow; we must passe through the rough way, suffer­ing to be thrust and thronged before [Page 197] we can enter into Life: And although Christ seeme sometimes to neglect his in most extreame dangers; yet in time conuenient hee asswageth all tempests, and bringeth them to the hauen they hope for. Who knoweth not our sinnes to be the causes of our afflictions, and Christ onely to for­giue them: then when wee beleeue, the children of God are to sayle tho­rough many tempests, but Christ will neuer forsake them, so that they still ayme at the marke which God commaundeth them: Striue wee all by Faith to tread vnder our feete all our troubles and afflictions, by the vertue of Christs power.

Let all know this, that it is Christ which healeth the sick, and from him must we all seeke remedy, for our spirituall diseases: to whom we are all bound not only to turne and run our selues, but to bring others to him also, preparing our minds more and more, agaynst the offences of the Crosse, that with patience may indure, for to gain Christ, to whom be all glory. Amen.

Friday Meditations.

GOD hauing giuen vs his on­ly begotten Sonne, how shal he not with him, giue vs all things else. We are taught in Holy Scriptures, that the Church shall haue a continuall conflict, with infinite miseries and offences, and that more is, with false Prophets, vn­till the day of victory and tryumph commeth: Let not your soule be dis­couraged with any sorrow, for Christ hath made full satisfaction for vs all: First, in suffering, and then in ouer­comming, not onely the torments of the body, but also the most horrible tortures of the minde. Be not dis­mayed for any sorrowes that assayle you, but remember that Heauen it selfe was darkened, for very hor­rour, when Iesus cryed in the bit­ternesse of his sufferings; and in the meane time was mocked in the mid­dest of his miseries.

[Page 199]Neglect not the Doctrine of the Gospell, by the which Sathan is dri­uen out of the World; neyther doe you forget that Christ, by his hea­ling of diuers Diseases, sheweth that he hath brought true life into the world, for all beleeuers.

The Faithfull seruants of GOD in their few labours on Earth, must still be crying vnto Christ, so to mo­derate their miseries, as after all our Earthly tossing tempests, bring vs to the happy Hauen of Heauen, that wee so long sigh for.

The true Disciples of Christ must beare stoutly, what burthen soeuer the Lord layeth vppon them, still see­king to subdue the affections of the flesh. The glory of Christ was aba­sed vpon the Crosse, yet auouched by Visible signes, that hee was the God which vppon that Good Friday for vs dyed vniustly, and being vpon the Crosse cryed out, It is finished, it is finished, meaning the worke of our Redemption. Labour therefore with Faith to become proficient Scholers [Page 200] in the Schoole of Christ: we must be seasoned by Gods Word, that wee may be acceptable sacrifices to God; and also being knit together, may comfort one another, with the soueraigne and most wholesome medicines of Diuine Scripture.

Christ healing the Disease of Sy­mons wiues mother with his Word onely, prooueth that hee is God Al­mighty, sent from Heauen for our sal­uation. Do we not read Luke 5. how Christ healing a Leaper by his onely touch,Luke 5. and sending him to the priests, by faith he was cured, yea was pure and cleane. Verse 18.

The true followers of Christ, must at once both builde and fight: And therefore bee ready and prepared to suffer all kinde of miseries: Christs Disciples must bee wise, both for themselues, and for others; other­wise they become the foolishest of al. Dispayre wee not of any, which are gone out of the way, but according to the example of Christ, wee must take great paynes about them.

[Page 201]Well knowing this, that GOD will neuer vtterly be lacking vnto the godly, although he bee not so pre­sently with them as they would, and then in these difficulties which can­not bee ouercome, by mans reason, power, or prouidence: when dan­gers do most daunt vs, then GOD beates downe the blowes, so that we rest humble hearted, and put no confidence in our owne Righteous­nesse. Be not discouraged with any sicknesse or sorrows, for as sure and certayne as persecution is, so sure is the glory which remayneth for the conquerors. The more stops and lets Sathan layeth in your way, so much more couragious ought you to bee, and stoutly to go forward in the Way of Righteousnesse: This shalbee then the ende of your troubles and afflicti­ons; they shalbe as witnesses both be­fore GOD and man, aswell of the treacherous and cruell dealings of your enemies, as also of your Con­stancy after diuers tempests, the Lord will at length deliuer his Church, day [Page 202] and night: Let vs be sober and watch for the Lords comming, that we be not taken vnawares; but still remem­ber that as many as are pertakers of the afflictions of Christ, shall also be pertakers of his Kingdome, wherein­to Lord admit me in thy mercies:

If wee will continue still wise vn­to saluation, wee may none of vs for­get, how good Gold is purged in the fire, and shines cleerely in the water.

Doe not thinke that any temptati­on hath taken you, but such as apper­taine to man, and GOD is faithfull which will not suffer you to be temp­ted aboue that you be able, but will euen giue issues with the tentation, that you may bee able to beare it. 1. Cor. 10.13. Forget not Dauid, Ps. 39 I sought the Lord and he heard me, yea and deliuered me out of all my feares: put your trust still in the Lord and mercy shall embrace you on euery side. Psal. 31.11.

Let this true comfort raise you and me vp as wee are the members of [Page 203] Christ, that in our deepest misery and afflictions, the Lord is able first to free vs from it, or else to deliuer out of it. There is neither panges, nor a­ny one fit in your sicknesse, but it is from God the manner of it, the mea­sure of it, the time of it, the matter of it, is of God which giueth vs good assurance and affiance, that God will be mercifull and gracious vnto vs, seeing hee striketh vs that is our Fa­ther, and in the stroake be it neuer so sharpe, he neuer forgets his former compassion, but maketh each thing fall out to our future saluation, puts our teares in his bottle, and most lo­uingly layes his hand vnder our head that aketh.

Seeke wee therefore to God for health, who as hee smiteth mee, so hee will heale me; and as he wounds mee, so likewise he restoreth me.

God therefore bringeth downe to the graue, that he may raise vs vp a­gaine, and puts vs in mind of death by Gods Sergeant aresting vs, to bring vs before him. God of his goodnesse [Page 204] behold your teares, hearken vnto your prayers, and mercifully remoue your heauy affliction from you. It pleaseth the wisedome of God (now and then to confound your pride by weaknesse, and to free vs from for­mer sinnes, by furnishing vs with most delectable seruices of assured sanctification. Afflictions change their nature, when they befall the man endued with Gods Spirit, all things working together for the best for the loue of all such as feare the God, and are called according to his purpose: Let none of vs so forget the safety of our soules, as not euermore still to remember Christ Iesus, how he went as willingly to the Desart to be humbled, as vnto Iordan to be ex­alted.

Thinke not your selfe to be forsa­ken of God, when you are tempted of Sathan, for herein you are resembled to the Sonne of God, who being bap­tised, was presently tempted by Sa­thans subtilties.

Afflictions soften our hearts when [Page 205] we apprehend Gods mercies in them, and can receiue them, as the wounds of a friend with the melting of our hearts, sent in loue vnto vs to better our behauiours. Know I beseech thee thou languishing person, that the dee­per the sence of misery is, the sweeter is the sence of mercy.

It's the saying of St. Bernard, Deus non infundit oleum misericordiae nisi in vas contritum, God powres not the oyle of his mercies saue into a bro­ken vessell: For indeed whole vessels are full enough, and would run ouer, if powred into them, and so be spilt on the ground. The Lord scourgeth vs to make vs more pliable to his holy will: an vnhumbled sinner is vnfit for Gods Instruction, and like an vnbro­ken Colte for the Saddle. The deeper your discent in humiliation, the high­er your ascent in consolation. There­fore doth now euen rottennesse enter into your bones, that hauing a while trembled, you may henceforth rest in the day of trouble; remembring how after greatest tempests come the stil­lest [Page 206] calmes, sanctified windes making the trees of Gods Garden to take the deeper rooting. It is the manner of our heauenly Father, to gaine glory to himselfe by working by contraries, when he bringeth ioy out of feares, light out of darknesse, and Heauen out of Hell.

God wrestled with Iacob and la­med him, ere he blessed him; Iosephs leggs were laden with irons and bolts in Pharaohs Dungeon, ere hee could weare a golden Chaine, and haue do­minion in Aegypt: The wounds that our God giueth, are not mortall, but medicinable; our God is such a Chy­rurgeon that he first woundeth, but then heales: It is Gods accustomed manner to bring first downe to Hell, and then vp againe into the bosome of Abraham. Feare not to fall into the Lords Dungeon, which will rebound you safely into Heauen, his Pallace of priuiledge: forget not how repenting Ionas was throwne into the Sea, and humbled. Glut not your selues with any pleasures of this life, neither spend [Page 207] your precious time in fleeting vani­ties, keepe rather your best dainties in the vineger of godly sorrow; allay your strong wine with water, eate your meate as the Iewes did their Passeo­uer, with sower hearbs. Imitate god­ly King Dauid, who caused his bed e­uery night to swim, oftentimes wate­ring his Couch with his teares, Psal. 6.6. Forget not good Bradford that vsually at his dinner, shed teares on his trencher: art thou sicke and sinfull? stand not reasoning with thine owne distrustfull heart, but heare what God sayth by Esay, 1.18. If you will wash and cleanse your selues by repentance, though your sins were as red as Crim­son, yet then shall they be as white as Snow. Oh but my sins passe the sinnes of all others in greatnesse, so much the more haste to repent: the more dan­gerous thy disease is, the more phy­sicke must thou vse; if thy sinnes be so great as thou complainest, why mea­nest thou to make it greater by thy not repenting? Repentance makes sin lesse, Impenitency is the condemning sinne.

[Page 208]Remember that Christ is our Phy­sitian, and Repentance is his Phisick, Math. 9. In death Sathans temptati­ons, and our Consciences accusations will be strongest, therefore our pre­paration against them should be more then ordinary.

We may not once despaire of our heauenly Fathers prouidence, but call to minde how louingly the father en­tertained his sonne, after hee had mis­behaued himselfe in rude and riotous courses.

As our heauenly Father is often shewing vs many fauours, so now and then he pincheth vs with too too heauy crosses, because we should not be ouer-ioyed with any of Gods fa­uours, but prepare for some follow­ing after-claps, being as content to en­dure the one, as cheerefully to receiue the other, with him shall we raigne: wee shall hereafter for euer liue with him in glory; with whom now wee are in misery: if we now take vp our crosse, following him with sanctified contentation, wee rest then assuredly [Page 209] happy when we beare each affliction with ioy in the Spirit, submitting our selues to the yoake of our God, then contented with our states, then wee weare our chaines, and weepe shed­ding many teares.

Our sufferings are no arguments of Righteousnesse, but our Righteous­nesse an ornament vnto our sufferings: Are we in troubles? lye wee in trou­bles? flye we vnto Christ our Lord and Master for ayde, who in mercy will heare vs, and deliuer vs by the strength of his mighty power; be our state neuer so desperate, he can helpe it; and we are neuer past helpe, so long as we desire to be holpen: The greatnesse of our perill can be no stop to our deliuerance, because the power of our deliuerance is infinite. Tribulations are the way to the king­dome of Heauen, through stormy tempests are we brought to the King­dome of Heauen, being the Hauen that all hunger for.

Be of good courage, for al the diuels in hell cannot damne vp the way be­tweene [Page 210] vs and the Kingdome of Hea­uen. Through the straite way haue all Gods Children passed before, feare wee not therefore to follow after them: Christ himselfe is gone before by a farre harder passage then his mea­ning is to leade any of vs by. Thinke it no strange thing for the perfect to suffer, neither be you discomforted or dismayed at it, knowing that af­flictions happen by heapes to all Gods Children in this world. Learne both you and I to suffer patiently with Christ, then shall we be sure to be crowne gloriously with him. When you are tempted most with fierce ad­uersaries, mighty enemies; the Deuill with his lost and forsaken traine. The world is full of bayts and allurements vnto Euill, the flesh euer ready and greedy to take them. What though you be heauy laden for a while, yet comfort your selfe, knowing that your anguishes, griefes and molestations shall haue an end, your teares shall be wiped away, and dryed vp; but the ioyes that shall be giuen you are euer­lasting. [Page 211] Those seede-teares which you sowe now, are nothing to that Haruest of ioy which hereafter shall be reaped. Consider I beseech you well, that nothing commeth vnto vs by happe or chance, but all is disposed by the will & prouidence of Almigh­ty God. It is the meere loue and ab­solute righteousnesse of God that we are corrected: it is not for our harme but to our good, either for the tryall of our faith, or for the reformation of our life. So that either man, or wo­man fearing God, walking vprightly in his sight, (hauing the testimony of a good conscience) cannot want mat­ter of consolation, hauing still (in the Lord) whereof to be comforted: make we not our hearts heauy and our liues most vncomfortable, shake we off ra­ther our causelesse teares, and we shal finde matter enough for glorious and vnspeakeable ioyes.

Am I regenerate? God is my father, Christ resteth my elder brother; Hea­uen my house and habitation, and the Glory thereof mine inheritance: [Page 212] none can be poore, that haue Heauen for their portion, neyther any deiect­ed much, that haue the comfortes thereof belonging to them. Whilest God giueth vs assurance of a better Life, what matter is it if hee shall de­priue vs of this? If Angels and Saints be with vs, what care wee though sinners bee agaynst vs? Doe people on earth seeke to make you ig­nominous, we are not in their power, but in Gods, who will make vs glo­rious.

Your comfort may bee departed, and yet not vtterly lost; we may feare we are cut of, and yet not perish, for therein the power of God is seene in our weakenesse and imperfection: Lord pitty our soares and sicknes, ra­ther then proceede in seuerity against vs. The assurance of the sufferings of Christ in his death for vs, should take away the horrour of death from vs: For he is that Lambe of GOD which taketh away the sinnes of the world: Which now is our aduocate with his father: to whom be all glory. Amen.

Saterday Meditations.

IT beeing euident that the greatest part of good peo­ple, are most of all and oft­nest afflicted grieuously, yea many times slayne by wicked and se­ditious Tyrants: this dealing of God thus with his Children, assureth vs that he reserueth vs some Port of safe­ty for his children, where, after their troubles here, they may arriue at some Hauen, of perpetuall rest, after their Death.

No happier then such Christians, as will suffer no sinnes to wrestle in their soules, nor Viper like vices to dwell or continue in their heartes. Neyther doe I suppose the Lord to loue any better, then those whom hee most scourgeth and correcteth, making the end of our sorrow to be as the beginning of another: like the droppes of Raine distilling from the top of the house, as soone as one is [Page 214] gone, another followeth; or a ship at the Sea, neuer safe till wee come into the Hauen and harbour of Heauen, by the death and blood-shedding of Ie­sus Christ are wee sanctified and cleansed from our sins.

Our heauenly Father is both paci­fied and pleased with vs through the death of Christ, who forgiuing and pardoning our sinnes, imputeth vnto vs his owne righteousnesse: so that through beleeuing in the Lord Iesus Christ we shalbe saued, and haue life euerlasting, and shall neuer come into condemnation.

Through the name of our Redee­mer, are the inestimable benefits of Christ wrought in vs, and brought vnto vs; for by faith onely in Christ, without any workes of our owne, (either concurring or furthering) we are freely iustified.

No punishment discharged, but by that perfect man Christ Iesus, who hath vanquished death, and swallow­ed vp the paires of Hell, yea, satisfied the seuerity of Gods euerlasting Iudg­ment. [Page 215] Looke wee all vpon the Sun­set of our seuerall ages, and wee may soone behold how the rotten house wherein our soule dwelleth, rests e­uen ready to fall vpon our head. We dwell as in a ship that most dange­rously leaketh, very like to drowne vs ere we get to the shoare, which still causeth vs to long for the house and hauen of our euerlasting security. Although death be a sting to the wic­ked, piercing them to the heart; yet to the Elect deaths sting is pulled out, and they are freed from terror by the death of our Sauiour. The death of a faithfull friend yeelds rather cause of comfort then of sorrow, of mirth then of mourning, of reioycing rather then of weeping and lamenting: death is to the godly, like sleepe, whereby we are refreshed. Vnfit is it therefore to celebrate the funerals of the faith­full with weeping & wayling, when we doe well know our friends haue liued religiously & dyed vertuously. Let your passed misery yeeld your selues some soulerellish to future ioy.

[Page 216]What is our Inheritance on Earth, but monthes of vanity, and payne­fulnes, as our allotted parts and por­tions here. Who is he that knoweth not,Iob. 17.13 That the graue shalbe his house, and how hee shall make his bed in the darke. Our hearts must pitty those, whom the hand of GOD toucheth. Do not thinke but that God is able to defend and carry you free from dan­ger, yea to keepe you in the time of the greatest suffering. It is none but God that keepeth the Keyes of the prison, that open and shuts when hee pleaseth. It is the LORD that maketh whole, and maketh sicke; the issues of Life and Death doe belong to him. We rise daily agaynst sinne, as did Ioshua against the Cananites; not because wee are able to ouer-come sin of our selues, but in assurance that our heauenly Father will not fayle vs, but giue vs ability to vanquish it in our mortall bodies.

Forget not Iesus Christ to be your shield and buckler of defence, whose promise is to free vs all from our [Page 217] streights and extreamities: Lay wee hold by Faith on Gods promises, and as a childe sucketh milke from his mothers breast: So when wee are ready to faynt, wee must sucke the milke of consolation out of the pro­mises of God in his VVord that rest full of comfort. Art thou euen at Deaths doore, there rests milke of consolation enough, if thou wilt take paynes, with a sacred soule, to suck it. The best of Gods children are most of all Exercised with manifold affli­ctions, heauy hearts, and wounded Spirits, yet rests their sicknesse but as a medicine in the hands of our heauenly Physitian, Christ Iesus, to heale, comfort, and still do vs good.

No sanctified Christian so sound, but that hee may bee exercised with many afflictions, diseases, and grieue­ances, beeing heauy on our heartes, and wounding our Spirits. A Rod in our heauenly Fathers hand, doeth after enable vs to keep his Couenant, the other being as a medicine in the hand of the Physitian to heale, and stil [Page 218] to doe good: Sathan himselfe can­not hurt Gods Children, but in spite of his heart doth them good; hum­bling them, and making them better by their crosses, that after their Champion-like and valerous striuing and fighting, their hearts may hope to enioy the euerlasting Knight-hood of Immortality in the Heauens.

We are each one in this life, to consider how our time on earth is a time of striuing, running and suffe­ring crosses, as Prae-ambles to the Crowne of glory, and most comfor­table Immortality, that our life hath beene long, and so your troubles therefore many.

To assure your very soule that the time of this life rests no other thing then the time of striuing and wrest­ling for winning the prize, and ob­taining the victory ouer all our insul­ting and most malicious foes.

Iacob had many troubles with La­ban, yea, troubles with the Sheronites, and troubles with his owne Sonnes, yet the latter end was peace, he died in [Page 219] honour, full of riches and ful of daies.

When professing the Gospell, wee feele no afflictions, then may we feare that we are out of the way, seeing the afflictions of Gods children are notes of his fauour: God whipping vs of­ten for diuers causes best knowne to himselfe, sometimes to encrease their 1 reward, as he dealt with Iob, Dauid, 2 and Paul. Secondly, to keepe vertue in the soule, as in Paul; who suffered many troubles, thereby to correct and beate downe our sins: and thirdly to 3 be patient, as in the Paralaticke party that was much pestered with the Pal­sie:4 Fourthly, to destroy, as Antio­chus, Herod and Pharaoh. Fiftly, to 5 manifest his glory, as in Lazarus, the blind man, and others. You haue heard how Agabus prophesied Pauls bonds which worthy Champion of Christ, was prepared not only for bonds, but death. The kingdome of God is gotten by violence. Mat. 11.12. and gone in­to through fire and water. Esd. 7.7.

Though Abraham were the Father of the faithfull, yet was hee often [Page 220] afflicted: Though Iacob were a belo­ued one, yet was hee faine to flye for feare of the hatred of his brother Esau. Oftentimes (in danger) was Dauid of his life, pursued and persecuted by furious Saule, before he was aduan­ced vnto his Kingdome: Forget we not the many miseries and bitter af­flictions, which tumbled in heapes vpon Iob, and others, yea on all Gods Faithfull seruants.

Learne we euery one in patience, to value the turbulent motions of our repining mindes: arme we our hearts with a confident stedfast resolution, neuer to sleepe nor slumber, till wee rid out of perils our selues, and our people.

Affliction is the best hope that Gods children may expect in this World, to trye whether the anchor of our hope takes sure hold on Gods promises, in the dayes and houres of our miseries and tribulation.

Heare Lord from Heauen, the sigh­ing soules of thy afflicted seruants, Lord cause them to drinke a deepe [Page 221] draught of the fountayne of thy mer­cies, to the comforting of their weak bodies and hearts, in their miseries. The Lord God refresh vs with the water of life, and guide vs through all dangers, into the most heauenly Canaan, before the entring where­of, wee must drinke of the cup of most bitter afflictions. There is no comming to Gods Kingdome, but by many miseries: The Lord free vs from all most vnsupportable and grie­uous calamities, the wine of true de­uotion, the Myrrhe of Mortificati­on, and the Oyle of hearty contriti­on, let these rest still sanctified steps to our sober and distressed soules. Let no dread of danger throw down the Fort of our Hope, neyther any Tem­pests of persecution shake the Foun­dation of our Faith.

Let no waues of affliction quench the flames of our loue towards Christ our Sauiour: But let the Oyle of his All-sufficient and sauing Grace, so strengthen the sinewes of our Fayth, as when it waxeth feeble, our [Page 222] hearts may neuer quaile, nor our courage quake when we are molest­ed with any affliction, either of body or of minde.

But still faithfully to be perswaded, that no calamity can betide vs with­out Gods will, nor any danger come neare our dwelling, without Gods pleasure and permission. This is full of comfort and consolation, that in my greatest misery I may commend my soule into the custody and safe harbour of eternall tranquility, neuer any more obnoxious to vanity.

So long as you haue a tongue to speake, a voice to call vpon God, with an heart to lift vp vnto him, eftsoones powring out many sanctified medita­tions in his sight. Be of good com­fort, and assure your soule you can­not be finally forsaken, although you see no comfort for the present now and then. If wee can call vpon God our heauenly Father in Christ Iesus, in our seuerall Agonies, and most dangerous distresses, though no man or woman should pitty vs; [Page 223] yet our heauenly Father would not leaue vs or forsake vs in our dan­gers and dreadfull troubles.

It is Almighty God which hol­deth our soules in life, and that suf­fereth not our feete to slip: It is his pleasure now and then to prooue vs, as the Gold and Siluer is tryed in the fire. It is the saying of the Psalmist, that the Lord will try vs, bring vs into the snare, and lay trouble vpon our loynes, suffer our Enemies to ride ouer our heads, before hee will bring vs into any place of pleasure.

God will suffer vs to feele afflicti­ons, and enemies to make long fur­rowes vpon our backes, but still for our Saluation: Our afflictions often­times causing vnto vs a farre more excellent and eternall weight of Glo­ry and happinesse, which God grant vs all.

For a while you may bee forsaken, but with great compassion will God our mercifull Father gather you vnto himselfe.

[Page 224]Crye to the Lord and hee will deli­uer you and saue you out of Troubles, as he did Ioseph, Iob, and his children in Aegypt.

Looke on Dauid and Daniel, the seruant of the true GOD, consider and see what shame they endured and reproaches vnder the Crosse.

Yet as a Father, God returned to them, when the time of refreshment came from Gods Diuine presence. Howsoeuer Gods children groane for griefe for a time, the Lord lea­ueth not them destitue of helpe, but deliuers them out of all their troubles. God teacheth vs to depend vpon him our most gracious and heauenly Fa­ther, when peoples compassion fai­leth towards vs: For Psalme 56.9.10. verses. The Lord our God put­teth our Teares in his Bottles, and writes them in his Booke. Psalm 56.9

GOD the Horne of our Salua­tion, seeth and yet suffereth, and he beares with vs repenting; and pardo­neth vs returning, we deferring our Repentance, he expects vs: He gi­ueth [Page 225] vs when wee aske, openeth to vs when we knocke, and eft-soones is then found, when wee doe seeke. It is the Nightingall delights her­selfe with her quauering and treb­ling notes: So should, all we, fayth­full ones, declare abroad Gods mercy. The worke of our Saluation, which we had no power to begin; our Sa­uiour wrought it for vs, yea finished the same on our behalfe. So as now you may looke boldly to the Throne of Grace; and vpon the trueth of our Repentance and Faith, know onely Peace and Ioy: Christi passio adiu­tore non leguit: Saith Saint Ambrose, Christs passion needes no helpe at all.

Christ was mocked and spitted on to wash vs from wickednesse: His garments pulled off, that our sinnes might be couered; he whipped to de­liuer our soules from perpetual scour­ges: Christ thirsted that our Soules might be satiate and satisfied: Christ bare his fathers wrath, that we might beare none; yeilded vnto death that we might neuer taste it.

[Page 226]In sence was Christ our Sauiour forsaken for a time, when he cryed out, my God my God, why hast thou forsa­ken me; this was that we might be re­ceiued for euer into glory. Let my soule dye if Christ cannot saue it. Oh thou languishing soule of mine, there is not one of thy sinnes, but it is pray­ed for, in the bitternesse of my Re­deemers death Christ Iesus: Not any one of thy debts in the scroule of God, but it is crossed; not any one farthing of that infinit ransome left vnpayd for vs. Doeth your soule crye in bitter­nesse I haue sinned: Oh thou preseruer of men! what shal I do vnto thee? what shouldest thou do? Turne and beleeue and thou hast done enough.

Christ side was opened (euen vnto the heart) to receiue vs in thither, if wee will enter in at the open doore: Christs feete were nayled, to make vs know, that hee departs not from vs, till we depart from him. O cast thy burden vpon the Lord, and he shal nourish thee, and not suffer thee to fall for euer. The deadnesse of our hearts [Page 227] and dulnesse of our Spirits; was it not enough for Christ to call vs gently, to allure vs kindly, to teach vs daily, to heale vs louingly, and to feed vs sweetly: But he must be faine, by a most dreadfull death, to pull and hale vs, to draw and drag vs to the true feeling of his deare loue towards vs, to cause vs by strong hand, and by force to become obedient to our hea­uenly Father and Master. This are we all to know, and still to keepe warme in our heartes and remem­brance, that there is no want of our Saluation in Iesus Christ, but in our selues, in that we beleeue not, and that we repent not.

There is no want of finishing thy Saluation, so that thou continue still to goe forward in Grace, and still imply Goodnes: But whilst people de­light in sin, God therefore strikes and will not heare; which is contrary vn­to Gods honour: For [...]ee desires not the death of a sinner; but rather that he should be conuerted, and liue amidst the Assembly of Saints.

[Page 220]Do not thinke such people to bee sure and safe, as are neuer touched with sorrowes and sicknesse, for such as the Lord best loueth, hee chaste­neth: when we reioyce in sinne, he scourgeth vs till we shrike, sigh, and crye: as when Epaphroditus was sick and very neere vnto death, and yet was Paules fellow-souldier in Christ. Phil. 2.27.

It is the Lord which setteth vp on high them that be low, that the sor­rowfull might be exalted to saluation, remember that you haue heretofore seene the blossomes of Trees promise abundance of Fruite, which not­withstanding haue neuer came to any growth, by reason of the stormes. So in health and prosperity, many haue followed Christ; which in aduersity haue beene blowne quite out of sight. Remember we now, that the Captains courage is not knowne till the warre begin; no more is a Christians con­stancy till the persecutions rage. A Bird in the Cage is surer from the Hawke and Fowler, then abroad, al­though [Page 229] they thinke not so; and think your sicke bed to bee the best place to serue God on. Our heauenly father would haue vs to serue him on our beds, still chastning our bodies, whilest we cheerish our soules; Pi­ning the one, and pampering the o­ther, pulling you as through a pri­son to a place of happinesse and plea­sure: wherefore let no darknes daunt you, but let your owne life bee as a Lampe to lighten your soule, and de­light others.

The best children march cheere­fully towards Heauen, as St. Paule did towards Ierusalem, not well-knowing what should befall him, be­fore he returned backe from that fa­mous Citty, so God deales with vs in this world; to cal vs out we know not whither, nor to what end or pur­pose, or what may befal vs in our way We may not be sloathful followers of Christ our Lord and Master; but most couragious souldiers, fighting to ob­tayne the Crowne of Glory, and the inheritance of a celestial & immortal [Page 230] life; Feare not the iudgment of death, but remember them that haue beene before, and those that are to come af­ter: This is the ordinance of all flesh; why should wee then be agaynst the Most High, whether it bee ten or a hundred, or a thousand yeares, there is no defence of life against the graue. Mathew. 19. The womans bloody issue was not cured, till she came to Christ; Marke, I beseech you, where and of whom health doth come: no absolute Physitian of Soules, but Iesus Christ onely.

The Prophet Ioel may much com­fort our hearts: When he sayth, My people shall neuer be ashamed. Againe, Abide still, O my people, and rest; for your quietnesse shall come. Be not you weary for when the day of trouble and heauinesse commeth; others shall weep and bee sorrowfull, but thou shalt bee merry, and haue abundance. GODS hand shall couer thee, and all shall prosper which thou takest in hand. Lord prepare and open my poore heart, and strengthen my weake faith, [Page 231] to prepare my soule for thy holy Sab­both, which is the great day of thy rest, and the day likewise that thou hast commaunded vs to heare and re­ceiue thy Holy and Heauenly word: which at the last must bee a cordiall to our dying hearts: And that I may taste and draw of that water of Life, while I liue, that I may neuer thirst agaynes Lord also prepare mee to drinke my last draught of Christs cup with comfort, euen for the Lord Iesus Christs sake, the Son of thy loue, and my only Sauiour. Amen.

Sunday Meditations.

WHen wee are most tempted with grieuances, whether outward or inward, seeke succour from aboue, neuer dispise Physicke, nor yet the Physiti­an, for they are needefull and neces­sary in fit time and season; the Lord hath ordayned medicines for hea­ling, and giueth Knowledge to the Physitian, to the lifting vpon his head [Page 232] amongst great men, and to admirati­on of his healing medicines.

Pray wee, and God will prosper physicke that he giueth for ease, and the prolonging of our liues, mourne wee for our friends as if wee suffered great harme our selues.

Couer we their bodies, and lament we them as they are worthy; pow­ring out our teares ouer them, as if wee had suffered much harme our selues in our bodies, soules, sences and substances.

When the dead is once at rest, let his remembrance rest, and comfort wee ourselues againe for him, when his spirit is departed from him: desire your most heauenly Father to make you ready for himselfe, and fit to at­chiue his Kingdome for the only suf­ferings of his Sonne. There is not one of Gods Children, but must prepare their soules vnto diuers temptations.

Resolue we our selues euer in this life to liue and remaine, as in a con­tinuall rough battell and fight, where no truce is to bee looked [Page 233] for, but perpetuall combats and ra­ging assaults.

From our birth to our death, it's now no new thing to be tempted and troubled with diseases in body, or discomforts of minde: praise wee God for our lot, be your molestati­ons short or lingring, welcome bee Gods wande; be it for wealth, crosse or comfort: hee first hath suffered more for you, then hee will inflict vpon you; in your troubles still call on him, and vnder his wings shall you be safely couered.

The Almighty so strengthen your faith, as you may stand fast to the end, still beleeuing the Lord our God in all his promises. Learne we all to shew forth the fruites of our faith, obedience, loue, charity, and hearts purified from sinne, and still more and more prepare we to Christ Iesus our heauenly Bridegrome, at his comming with more alacrity and ioy triumphant, then either mouth, or man can conceiue or vtter.

[Page 234]Christ by the sacrifice of his death will take away all our sinnes, where there is neither sighing nor sorrow, but triumphant ioyes in the highest Heauens.

Though the Lord send afflictions, yet will hee not forsake vs for euer, what though hee afflict to day, yet will he haue compassion vpon thee to morrow, according to the multitude of his mercies.

God doth seldome punish willing­ly the Children of Men, for his com­passions are many, and his fatherly louing kindnesses are so many and so multiplied, that wee cannot number them: Maintaine Lord, the cause of my soule, for thou hast redeemed my life from the euill imaginations of the wicked, and vengeance of the vile. If you were dead and buried, yet can God reuiue you, and by his great mercy free you from all iniqui­ty, and still keepe you in the number of the faithfull.

The Almighty so exercise your contrite heart, as both it sole sen­ces [Page 235] may be laudably imployed in the Lords seruice.

Sicknesse to the seruants of God doth bring infinite ioy, and much goodnesse; it's a purgation and clean­sing of our sins, the mother of forti­tude & spirituall strength against our frailty, and sure defence against all worldly troubles. A purchasing of grace and pardon, a medicine of life, and a comfortable guide to reduce vs from hell, and bring vs all to the Celestiall Paradise. I beseech you to remember what troubles and calami­ties are, a purchasing of grace and pardon, a merry time of life, and a continuall remembrance of Christs owne blessed life, death and passion. We are all duely to consider, how that our humane bodies are as darke and filthy prisons of our soules, li­uing as in exile, banishment, and mi­sery.

The Almighty deliuer you from hell, sinne and eternall death for euer. The Lord comfort you, and are you from sin, and strengthen your weake [Page 236] heart against Sathan, who still stan­deth against you to seduce you; but remember you Gods Angels, that are ready prest for to aide you, his grace for to guide you, and his fauour for to feede you. Arme Lord thy Seruants heart with perpetuall peace and pati­ence, giue thy weake Creature grace most ioyfully to beare the burden of the Crosse: As Heauen is incompa­rably greater then the Earth, so the Mercy of our heauenly Father rests incomparably greater then the seas of our sinnes.

Lord free you from bitter sorrows all sinnes and grieuances whatsoeuer they bee. The Almighty of his mer­cy renue your Repentance, and vnbur­den you of the weight of all your great bonds, most grieuous sins, lay we fast hold on Christ his mercy, death and passion. Ioh. 3.16. The life of each one of vs being but a vitall Laborinth, and a confused Chaos, af­foording vs nought but fraude, folly, and fleshly sensuality and troubles to try vs, and sundry aduersities to dis­quiet [Page 237] vs from the King in his throne, to the Captiues in the chaines. All must taste of miseries, discontent­ments and sorrows, before our soules by death be deliuered from their ter­restriall burden. Although it bee an happy thing to die in Iesus Christ, yet such rests the foolishnesse of our cor­rupt flesh, that wee are loath to re­mooue from bad to better, from Sin­ners to Saints and heauenly Associats, we lose nothing in our changing our bad place for a better.

But one thing, we that are Gods Children, must still bee most carefull of (to dread furious foes) dangers.

Comfort wee our hearts in our deepest distresses, acknowledging God to be more able to defend vs, then all foes to confound vs; not any Gods Children but burdned with calamities, Nebuchadnezar King of Babell was turned out a grazing se­uen yeares.

Gods Children are more afflicted then others, Luke 13.16. The daugh­ter of Abraham was for 18 yeares. [Page 238] bound of Sathan, likewise the man whom our Sauiour cured, had beene diseased 38. yeares. Comfort your heart in your afflictions, knowing God to bee the sender of afflictions by reason of our sins. It's the Lord who killeth and maketh aliue, bring­ing to the graue, and raising vp a­gaine. 1. Sam. 2.6.

If Christ had not beene the Sonne of God, Sathan would neuer haue so much assaulted him and his Mem­bers, for his sanctifying and sauing of innumerable Saints and Soules.

Labour wee all for the Word and Gospell of Trueth, whatsoe­uer our temptations are, let vs all and euery one, weepe for our owne sinnes, and not once stubbornely defend the perpitrating of the least of any vile and corrupt sinnes and offences.

Almighty God so moderate your greatest crosses and grieuances, as your soule may euer sing with Saints.

Our most gracious father deferreth his helpe, not that hee will not [Page 239] helpe vs, but to exercise our Fayth, and stirre vp in vs, the calling vppon his name, and still being acquainted with Gods mercies, reioyce Night and day in his Euerlasting fauours: would you haue peace, none but Christ can giue it you, and he will giue to none but to the penient, to none but the Faithfull.

Set wee our Lord Iesus Christ be­tweene GOD and our sinnes; let it rest our desire to spend our selues in sighes and teares of true Repen­tance, and then rayse vp our humble Soules to a liuely Confidence, in our onely Sauiour, and All-sufficient Redeemer; by whose Righteousnes we are discharged of transgressions; besides Christ our Redeemer, there is no other Sauiour. Hosea 13. ver. 4. Dearely beloued brethren, wee are all by vicinity and cohabitation, but Christs by Faith, and hope our Ha­bitation is, by Christ, in Heauen: He is the guide of our loues in the true loue and feare of Almighty GOD, in whose loue, if our heartes bee [Page 240] guided, feare we not for the waiting and last comming of Christ: wee are now (each one of vs) to learne to se­perate and withdraw our selues from still walking inordinately, seeke wee all to become ensamples to be follow­ed for sanctified liues, and not of sloath and idlenesse: aske your soules my Christian brethren, with what price, and from what misery, you are now Redeemed and ransomed: not others, but thou and I also, must warn our selues from each loath-some and haynous sinne, and carefully all our liues hereafter, weane our soules and senses, both from each former sinne and transgression, and future sense alike.

So seperate thy selfe from sin, that of a sinner thou mayest become a a Saint, and a true seruant of the li­uing GOD.

Admit a King take to Wife a wo­man of a low estate and birth, ma­king her Queene of all his Domini­ons, will not hee both looke and commaund of her, to cast off her [Page 241] olde attire, and to leaue her former (both company and behauiour) com­posing her selfe to a most Court-like carriage: Now tell me, hath not the King both of Heauen and Earth (Iesus Christ) married our soules vnto him­selfe, in Truth and Righteousnesse: Many haue in their hope, health, and happinesse, and in a night all quite vanished before morning: wee poore miserable and dispised wretches, must all consider this, that our goodnesse reacheth not GOD, but his Good­nesses reach and extend vnto vs, in that our hearts are raysed to haue still our confidence and onely trust in our Redemer and All-sufficient Saui­our Christ Iesus, without whom we haue neyther safety, nor sure com­fort, nor confidence: GOD must haue, keepe, and still retayne in his owne custody Gouernment and pre­rogatiue, in keeping each thing in its due order and nature, both small and great.

Our goodnesse reacheth not vnto God, but his louing kindnesse to vs, [Page 242] and Fatherly compassions, doe farre exceed the drops of water in the Sea, or the minutes of time.

Be still doing good in your liues, that you may haue comfort in your very end, and poynt of Death, and a glorious Crowne of Eternall glo­ry: peace and comfort bee this day and euer with vs, who are the Chil­dren and chosen ones of GOD. Lord bee mercifull vnto vs, in our Afflictions, and let it not bee thine holy will to destroy vs: But looke vpon vs that still cry vnto thee in our manifold afflictions.

Let your assurance of Heauenly things, make you the more willing to part with Earthly trash: VVhy should wee feare or doubt in our selues, when Almighty God sendeth for vs, to take possession of a King­dome. Passe we chearefully through the blacke gates of Death, who al­though he looke grim, on vs, at the first, yet will helpe vs passe cheere­fully through the blacke Gates, vnto our glory. God had not loued you, [Page 243] if he had not made you poore: To some it is aduantage to loose, and to haue rather eyes full of teares, then purses full of gold.

A Christian may not thinke it e­nough to endure the thought of death with patience, but when it is obtru­ded vpon him, by necessity, then must he call it into his minde with ioy, still wayting vntill it come. It can bee none but a Diuine power that can vp­hold the minde of man or woman, a­gaynst the rage of many afflictions: wee must not account the best things of this life, any other things, then chaynes and burdens, to as many as haue them, still acknowledging that the greatest on earth, are but Tennants at will, to day liuing, by and by dead: Thinke we oft on Christ Iesus, which suffered for vs all, hee payed all, hee did it for vs in loue: Where shall we begin to admire and wonder but at Christ Iesus, our Diuine and Eternall Peace-maker, the Sauiour of men, the Annoynted of GOD, the Mediator betweene GOD and [Page 244] Man, in whom there is nothing that doth not exceed, not onely the con­ceite, but the wonder of Angels, who saw thee in thy Humiliation, with si­lence adore thee in thy Glory, with perpetuall prayses and reioycing. Soo­ner would be no Summer, if Winter did not lead it in and follow it.

We may not eyther hope or striue to escape all Crosses, some we may, that we cannot flye from; and what we cannot allay and mittigate in cros­ses Vniuersally, let this be thy rule, make thy selfe none, escape some, beare the rest, sweeten all. We must consider whence afflictions come, & by whose prouidence they are guided and tempered with our Heauenly Fa­thers loue.

All our miseries are stinted, good things challenging more then bare contentment: Our crosses come com­monly for our good: we must all of vs resolue to fight stoutly for our Heauen, that after all sighes and sor­rowes we may resolue to perfect in suffering till we ouer-come, and be [Page 245] Crowned in Glory, and a few groa­nings vpon earth end our afflictions, be they neuer so many, tedious or troublesome, choose rather to mourne for a while, then for euer.

Christ our Sauiour tasting a bitter portion, teacheth vs to smart ere wee raigne. It is no matter how vile you seeme now, bee content to be called to the Cup, (now of tryall) pledge we our Redeemer in drinking Vine­gar and Gall, for so shall wee drinke new Wine with him in the King­dome of glory, honour, and eter­nall happinesse.

Lord season your wills and sancti­fie each one of all our hearts, so as wee may spend our daies and strength to glorifie our Redeemer.

Acquaint your selfe with GOD now in your life time, intreate him with teares to become the Guardi­an of your soules in your death, and dayes of your carefullest calamities: So walke in true holinesse as you stil may rest in euerlasting felicity.

If you would not haue GOD [Page 246] to despise your soules vpon your death-bed, then must you in the dayes of your health, fit and fyle your soule with diuine grace. Inure your selfe to be furnished with the Gos­pell of Grace, so neede you not feare the malice of any mortall man, not raging Creature. Set Christ Ie­sus betweene God and your sinnes, and God cannot see our debt: Let Sinne, Sathan, Hell and Death, with the world and her worst Enemies doe what they can. Christ hauing risen and become our Surety, his blood rests for satisfaction.

Remember wee all how wee haue God the Father for our Gouernour, and his Word for our Guide: who would liue that knoweth his Master died, and in his life suffered so many bitterstormes and temptations.

Temptations are the common ma­ladies of the best Seruants of GOD. You may read how Sathan came to Christ, and tempted him in a high manner saying, if thou be Christ, if thou be the Son of God, doe this and this: [Page 247] euen when hee was at the weakest, hauing fasted so long; to haue stones made Bread, and if hee would haue any, he must make it himselfe too; a hard crust, bread out of stones. And if he durst appeare to him who was the Sonne of God, how may hee venture vpon vs, and tempt vs; and cause vs to bee discouraged and dis­paire of our soules: therefore my be­loued, haue no conceit, or dispaire of hope in God, though the Diuell tempt vs, and we endure many other crosses in this world which man is subiect vnto: Though yee were in the famine of Samaria, where the people did eate their Pigeons dung. Or as Iosephus relates of the miseries of Ierusalem when it was besieged, how that the Mothers were forced to eate their owne children, to satis­fie their stomacks: though all these, and many more should happen vnto vs, yet let vs trust in GOD with a strong faith and hope, for he is able to deliuer vs out of all our afflictions. What a comfort it is when we haue [Page 248] Christ and his Disciples to take our parts, and but to suffer as they haue done: If the enuy of the world, or malice of the Diuell bee such, that I am depriued of my Lands or Liuings, then haue I Iob for an example; If I bee exiled or banished from my Countrey, then haue I Iohn the Euan­gelist for my comfort: If I be put in Prison, then haue I Ioseph, and if I be put in the inward Prison and in the Stocks, then Paul and Sylas, and the Apostle Iames for my Companions. If I am beheaded, then haue I Iohn the Baptist for my patterne, or if I be sto­ned to death, then haue I the happy Martyr St. Stephen; or if I haue been accused wrongfully, then haue I our Sauiour Christ Iesus for my comfort It is he that hath wrought that great worke of our Redemption. The faithfull and the thankefull shall con­tinually receiue Gods word and bles­sings, they shall haue in abundance, and not abundance onely, but shall haue it with sweetnes, for abundance without sweetnesse is a clogging or [Page 249] cloying of the stomacke, and sweet­nesse without abundance, is a beget­ting of an appetite or stomacke; but they shall haue showred downe vp­on them in a plentifull manner, that nothing may be wanting to them that are patient and of long suffering; the flood-gates of the Lord shal be open vnto them that truely beleeue; they be those which shall haue grace, mer­cy and plenty of all earthly treasures. It is Gods mercy in giuing vs this day to heare his diuine Precepts de­clared, it is his mercy that he spareth vs, which might for our sinnes bee iustly punished, and bee made an example to all people, like Herod; in that wee haue not giuen thee that due praise and honour which thou desi­rest of vs thy Creatures. VVe must exhort one another, for it is Gods command to examine euery one him­selfe, whether hee hath faith or no; And likewise euery Maister his Ser­uant in his family, to know whether they trust in the Lord, and serue him as Abraham did: Chuse who will [Page 250] serue the Lord, for I and my house shall serue the Lord; for we shall one day be examined how wee haue be­stowed our time, and how wee haue made vse of our Talent; for ignorance then must be no excuse to any man.

Let no man therefore which desires Gods loue be negligent in hearing of the Word vpon the Sabbath day, for there is in it both a hardnesse of the heart, and also a neglect of the duty; which is a very dangerous act, to re­iect Gods precepts, and to fall as it were from the liuing God. Where­fore let reason follow our faith, not faith our reason; earnestly crauing of God that he would bee pleased to o­pen our hearts at the hearing of his holy Commandements, as he did his Seruant Lydia, Paul, Mary Mag­dalen. None are exempted from comming to heare Gods Word, for the Lord sayth, behold, I will powre out my Spirit vpon you, and your sonnes and your daughters; I will put my feare into their hearts, and I will write my Law in their mindes, and [Page 251] they shall neuer depart from me who am the liuing God.

Our Soules must be like the Sunne, not like Ioshuahs Sunne, to stand still; nor like Hezekiahs Sun, to goe back­wards, but we must be like Dauids Sun, which comes out and appeares like a Bridegrome, or like a Gyant ready to run his course; and striue we by all meanes to strengthen and goe forwards in Faith and good workes, for we haue no desert of our owne to saue our soules at the last day, but must say and confesse as Saint Au­gustine did, O Lord, what is my merit but thy mercy, thy mercy but my merit in CHRIST IESVS.