Enemies to deuotion: first ſinfull lusts.

HE that hath an aguiſh fitte vpon him, can taſte nothing well, but all things, euen the moſt ſweete and wholeſome meats are vnſauorie to him; he can find no reliſh in them: So it is with the man whoſe ſoule is diſtēpered through ſinne. He findes no ſweetnes, no ſauour in the things of God; yea his ſoule doth loath and abhorre them though they be ſweeter then Manna it ſelfe. O Lord keepe me from this ſpiritual diſtemperature, which of all others is moſt dangerous; and grant that I may alwaies delight in thoſe things which are pleaſing vnto thee; yea that I may finde much ſweetnes in them, euen in meditation, praier, and all other holy exerciſes, which thou haſt preſcribed in thy word, that ſo my ſoule may liue for euer.

2 Worldly Cares.

THe cares of this world, and the deſire of theſe earthly vanities, oh what ſnares they are to the ſoule and to the ſpirit of a man! How many are taken in them, and ſo brought into a kinde of thraldome & bondage! What incumbrances are they vnto them in the performance of good actions! How doe they coole, yea quench the holy motions, the godly deſires and purpoſes of the heart, and hinder it from diuine and heauenly meditations, which otherwiſe it would reliſh farre better, and finde much more ſweetnes and delight therein, then now it doth! O my God, preſerue thou mee both now and alwaies from the inordinate and immoderate cares of this euill world, and from the exceſſiue and vnlawfull deſire and affection of all vaine and tranſitorie things: Let me not be inſnared, and intangled with them, as others are; Let them not be any let or hindrance vnto my ſoule, to withdraw it from the more ſerious meditation of ſpirituall and heauenly things; or in any ſort to coole my affection towards them, or to cauſe me to take the leſſe pleaſure and delight in them, or to be the more vnfit to be conuerſant about them: Let them not ſo oppreſſe my minde, that I ſhould finde leſſe libertie and freedome of ſpirit in good things, or become more vnapt for the performance of any dutie of thy worſhip and ſeruice, any holy or religious exerciſe which thou requireſt of me; but grant I beſeech thee, that ſeeing how deceitfull this world is, how vaine all things here below are, I may daily be more and more weaned from the loue and deſire of them; yea may haue thy loue ſo ſhed into my heart, that all my delight may be in thee, all my affections ſet vpon thee, in ſuch ſort, that all carnall and earthly things which would withdraw me from thee, and from the loue of ſpirituall and heauenly things, may be bitter and vnpleaſant vnto me; and that I may ſerue thee with more chearefulnes, and alacritie all my daies, to thy glorie, and to the increaſe of my happines in thy kingdome.

3 Sathans ſuggeſtions.

THat euil and enuious ſpirit, the enemie of al mankinde, neuer reſteth, but ſeeketh vnceſſantly to caſt ill motions, and ſuggeſtions into the hearts of men, and to draw away their minds from euery good thing which they enterpriſe and take in hand: He vſeth all meanes to make them faint in the ſeruice of God, to coole their zeale, to quench their ſpirituall deuotion, to hinder them in the performance of all good duties, and religious exerciſes, which might make for the increaſe of grace in them; and to cauſe them (if it be poſſible) to fall from that purpoſe of heart, and godly reſolution which heretofore they haue had to continue in the Lord, and to walke in the waies which he hath commanded: yea no ſooner ſhall the good ſpirit inſpire into them any good motions, any holy deſires, but that wicked and envious one ſtanding readie at hand, will labour preſentlie to ſtrangle them, ſo that they ſhal neuer come to any effect, but vaniſh away and leaue the hearte more heardened, and leſſe capable of goodnes and of any ſpirituall and heauenly grace, then euer it was before. Oh how cloſely, and how ſlily doth he inſinuate himſelfe into the minds of men, and deceiue and delude them in this maner, when they think little he is ſo neare them, or ſo buſie in working them ſo great a miſchiefe, euen that which (if it be not carefully preuented in time) wilbe their vtter ruine in the end! O Lord, let me neuer giue eare vnto the deceitfull inchantments, and to the enticing & dangerous charmes of that ſubtile and wilie ſerpent, who is alwaies hiſſing about me; Let me not once liſten vnto him, nor yeeld vnto any of his ſuggeſtions, but alwaies reſiſt him in the firſt motions vnto euery ſinne wherunto he ſhall tempt me. And whenſoeuer that good ſpirit of thine ſhall ſpeake inwardly and ſecretlie vnto my ſoule, and inſpire any good thought, any holie affection or deſire into my heart, let me hearken thereunto, as vnto thy voice: Let me carefullie vſe the meanes to foſter and cheriſh ſuch beginnings of grace as it ſhall pleaſe thee in mercie and goodnes to infuſe into me; that ſo I may not fall away from any good thing which thou haſt wrought in me heretofore; nor finde my ſelfe more vnfit, or vnto ward vnto any dutie, or ſpirituall exerciſe, wherein heretofore thou haſt cauſed me to take much ioy and great delight; but graunt that I may daily increaſe in grace, and goe forward cheerefully & conſtantly in the wayes of pietie and true holines, and with full purpoſe of heart cleaue faſt vnto thee, to the end of my daies, neuer forſaking thee, nor being forſaken of thee, who art the God of my hope, my ſtrength, & my ſaluation.

WORKES OF CREAtion.

ALl the workes of God are excellent and glorious, if we ſtand to conſider them, • b. 40.10. from Behemoth, (whom the ſcripture mentioneth and ſetteth forth as one of the cheifeſt of them) to the Oſtrich; from the great Whale in the middeſt of the ſeas, to the leaſt fiſh that moueth in the waters; from the Eagle to the flie: from the Cedar of Libanus to the Hyſſope that groweth vpon the wall; from the ſtarres of heauen, to the duſt of the earth; and from the Angels of God, to the wormes that creepe vpon the ground.

Who is there that conſidereth of them aright, or is ſo affected with them as he ought? Lord let me alwaies delight to be ſearching into them; and in them, as in a glaſſe, ſee cleerely thy wiſdome, and mightie power; and learne to know thee, the Creator of all things both in heauen and in earth, and in all places: and knowing thee, to worſhip and ſerue thee, in ſpirit and truth, leſt I be like vnto the heathen, who when by the frame and workmanſhip of the world, and the creatures therein, (wherein thy maruellous wiſdom is ingrauen) they knew thee to be God, and yet glorified thee not as God, became vile and abominable, and altogether inxecuſable, forſaking thee their Creator, who art bleſſed for euer. Amen.

Worke of Redemption.

OF al the workes of God, that of the Redemption of man-kind, is moſt wonderfull and glorious, whether we conſider the perſon of the Redeemer, the perſons redeemed, or the meanes, and manner in and by which it was effected and brought to paſſe. It paſſeth all knowledge, all vnderſtanding. The Angels, • et. 1.12. thoſe heauenly creatures, doe admire at it, and deſire continually to haue a more cleare and perfect inſight into it, as being ſo great and vnſearchable a myſterie, that no creature is able fully to comprehend the breadth, the length, and depth and height of it. Oh the maruellous blindnes of men, for whom it was wrought, that they can ſee and diſcerne ſo little of it! their great forgetfulnes that they ſo ſeldome remember it! their extreame ſottiſhnes, that they ſcarce euer admire it in that holy maner that they ought; yea rather little regard it, and eſteeme very lightlie of it! O merciful God, farre be it from me to ſinne ſo great a ſinne againſt thy maieſtie, by priſing ſo ineſtimable a benefit, ſo much vnder the worth and value of it, and by being ſo meanely affected with it as the moſt are: yea let me and al thy redeemed ones, alwaies cleerely behold, and faithfully remember this great and gratious worke of thine towards vs: let vs highly eſteeme of it, reioyce continually and glorie in it, and vnceſſantlie praiſe and magnifie thee for it for euer. What can be rendred vnto thee O Lord for ſo great loue, for thoſe exceeding riches of thy grace towards vs in Chriſt Ieſus? what can be rendred vnto thee worthie of that infinit goodneſſe of thine, ſufficient for ſo vnſpeakable mercie and bounty? All that we can returne vnto thee for it, is honour, glorie and thanksgiuing. O let vs neuer be found wanting in this, ſeeing we owe vnto thee much more, although there is nothing that thou more deſireſt of vs: (and yet euen this is thy gift alſo, yea thy eſpeciall grace) O doe thou make me truly and vnfainedly thankefull.

Mercies of God.

WE can neuer be ſufficiently thankfull vnto the Lord, for the leaſt of thoſe bleſſings which he daily, and moſt freely vouchſafeth vnto vs; health, peace, libertie, maintenance and continuall protection & preſeruation, &c. and yet who is there almoſt that is heartily and vnfainedly thankefull for thoſe great and wonderfull mercies of his which cōcerne our eternall happineſſe & ſaluation in the heauens, euen that glorious eſtate, which of his free grace and bountie he hath promiſed vnto vs, and will in due time giue vs full poſſeſſion of for euer. O the exceeding dulneſſe of the hearts of men, that are no more mooued with the conſideration of theſe things! yea that eſteeme more of thoſe ordinary kindneſſes which are ſhewed vnto them by men, then of all thoſe infinit and vnſpeakable bleſſings and benefites which are vouchſafed vnto them by ſo gratious a God, ſo kinde and louing a Father. O Lord, let me neuer be vnmindfull of the leaſt of thy mercies and fauours, which thou haſt ſhewed vnto me from the beginning of my life vnto this preſent; giue me a thankful heart for them: eſpecially lift vp my heart and ſoule, vnto a due and ſerious meditation of thoſe great and ineſtimable mercies of thine, wherein thou haſt in a ſpeciall maner ſhewed thy ſelfe ſo exceeding good and gratious vnto me, in electing me vnto life and ſaluation; in freeing and deliuering me from that wretched eſtate, and that wofull miſerie, whereinto I was ſo deeply plunged by the ſin of my firſt parents; in redeeming me therefrom, by ſo deare a price, euen the death of thine own Sonne, my bleſſed Sauiour; in adopting me into the number of thy children by faith in him; and in prouiding that glorious manſion for me in the heauens, there to liue and raigne with thee for euer. O giue me a liuely ſenſe and feeling, of thy goodneſſe, thy loue and vnſpeakable mercies, ſo gratiouſly vouchſafed vnto me ſo vile and vnworthie a creature: Inflame my heart with an vnfained and moſt entire loue of thy maieſtie; and let my mouth alwaies praiſe thee; yea let me in heart, in ſoule, and with all the powers of the ſame praiſe thee continually, and yeeld that glorie which is due vnto thee both now, and euermore. Amen.

The folly of the wicked to be wondered at.

I Maruell much, when I reade how the Iſraelits being in the way to Canaan (a type of heauen for the goodneſſe and pleaſantneſſe of it) deſired ſo oft, and ſo earneſtly to returne againe into Egypt (a figure of hell it ſelfe) where they had been ſo hardly intreated, yea ſo cruelly and vnmercifully handled: But much more do I maruell, & can neuer ſufficientlie wonder at thoſe, who when the Lord offers to bring them out of the houſe of that ſpirituall bondage, and not onely to free them from the power of darkneſſe, and the tyrannie of ſinne and Sathan, but alſo by the light of his word & ſpirit, to leade and conduct them ſafely into that heauenly Canaan, which floweth with the milk & honie of his rich and plentifull graces, euen the inheritance of his choſen, the place where his honour dwelleth; deſire rather notwithſtanding, ſtill to be vnder the hands of their cruel taske-maſters, in the kilnes among the bricks, and in the yron fornace, and to indure the moſt ſeruile, and the moſt wofull and wretched thraldome and ſlauery, that euer was or can be poſſibly, that ſo they may fill themſelues with the Onions and Garlike of Egypt. Lord, let the coūſell of the wicked be farre from me: ſuffer not thy ſeruant to delight in the waies of ſuch a fooliſh generatiō, who know not thee, nor regard yt which ſhould be their happines. But let me euer praiſe thee with ioyfulneſſe, that thou haſt deliuered my ſoule out of the hands of my cruell and deadly enemies, and brought me from the houſe of bondage, the kingdome of darkneſſe and death it ſelfe, into ye wayes which leade vnto thy heauenly and glorious kingdome. And although I am for a while, to wander in the wilderneſſe of this world, and here to indure much hardnes, and to paſſe thorow many difficulties and troubles, before I can enter into the land of promiſe, yet let me neuer faint or be diſcouraged; much leſſe be ſo euill diſpoſed, as to repine, or murmure at any time againſt thee, and deſire to returne to the ſinfull courſes of the world, or linger after theſe earthly vanities, but goe forward according vnto thy direction, with faith, hope, and patience, looking continually for the performance of thy gratious promiſe, that ſo at length I may enter into thy reſt, and liue & raigne with thee eternally.

The hurt and danger which ſin bringeth.

WHat euill is there that ſinne bringeth not with it? It cloſeth the Lords hand; it drieth vp the fountaine of his bleſſings and mercies; it keepeth all good things from vs; it pulleth downe all kindes of plagues, miſeries, and iudgements in this world; and in the end will not onely barre the gates of heauen againſt thoſe that liue and die in it, without true and vnfained repentance, but alſo ſetteth hel-gates wide open for them, & draw them right downe into the depth of endleſſe perdition and deſtruction, the houſe of darkneſſe, and the place of the damned. O what follie is it to delight in ſinne, which is euerie way ſo hurtfull and dangerous, not onely depriuing vs of that which is good, but alſo bringing vpon vs the greateſt euils! O Lord keepe me from falling into anie ſinne, let me euer abhorre it and flie from it, as from my greateſt enemie: ſo ſhall I be free from thy fearefull iudgements the wages & due deſert of ſinne: yea ſo ſhall I be compaſſed with thy mercies, and crowned with thy bleſſings for euer.

Death alwaies to be expected and prouided for.

LOrd, thou haſt gratiouſly ſent thy harbingers aforehand to forewarne me of thy comming. Let my maine care be, to be alwaies readie prouided for thee, that ſo that day which is iuſtlie feared of the moſt; yea the remembrance whereof is bitter vnto many, euen thoſe that take their pleaſure in wickednes, may be moſt welcome and ioyfull vnto me; the end of all my miſeries, and the entrance into that glorie & bleſſednes which thou haſt promiſed, and which I expect and long for: I deſire to be diſſolued and to be with thee my Sauiour; for that is beſt of all.

Another of the ſame.

AS the Lord will come in that laſt and generall iudgement when he is not looked for of many; ſo by particular iudgment, euen by vnexpected death, he doth now often ſuddenly ſurprize many when they thinke little he is ſo neere. It is not ſeldome, that we haue ſuch glaſſes ſet before our eyes wherein we may cleerely ſee ye truth hereof, although indeed few there be that delight to look thereinto; the view notwithſtanding, and daily conſideration whereof, were verie profitable for them. Lord, let me euer be mindful of my frail & mortall eſtate and condition in this world: let me alwaies be ready at thy call, euer prepared for thy comming in ye day of my diſſolution, which as I am perſwaded is not farre off, ſo it may be neerer then I thinke of. O let me liue euery day as if it were my laſt day; euery houre and moment, as if it were the laſt houre and minute of this tranſitorie and vncertaine life of mine; that ſo whiles I liue I may die dayly; and when I die once, I may liue for euer.

Gods glorie carefully to be ſought for in all things.

ALl things were made for Gods glorie. For this end the Lord giueth being vnto all creatures: for this we liue, moue, and receiue all thoſe bleſſings which we enioy. And there is none of vs, but ſhall be called vnto an account, when the day of reckoning commeth, how we haue referred all our actions vnto this end; whether we haue in all things, and aboue all things ſought the glorie of God, and the aduancement thereof by all good meanes, euen to the vttermoſt of our p ••• er and abilitie. Euerie houre that hath been ſpent otherwiſe, 〈◊〉 regiſtred, and muſt be anſwered for in that day. Oh what a heauy account ſhall the moſt haue then to make, who now make this the leaſt part of their care, yea who altogether peruert the end for which they were created and ſent into the world, being ſo farre from glorifying God in all their actions, that they doe nothing but diſhonour him thoroughout the whole courſe of theit liues; giuing that vnto Sathan, which is the Lords due, and which he calleth for continually of them! where ſhall they appeare when he ſhall require theſe things at their hands? Certaine, I cannot but wonder that ſuch can ſleepe in reſt one houre, whoſe caſe is ſo fearefull and miſerable, eſpecially ſince they know not, how ſoone, how ſuddenly they ſhall be called to their reckoning, if not at that generall Audit, yet at their particular counts-day, the day of death. Lord, as thou haſt made me for thy glory, ſo let my eye be alwaies fixed vpon the ſame; let me be carefull alwaies by all meanes to ſeeke the furtherance and aduancement of the ſame; yea doe thou inflame my heart with a holy zeale thereof. Let the coales thereof be fiery, and the flame vehement, that ſo nothing may be able to quench it; not the deepe waters, and raging ſtreames of the greateſt troubles and afflictions which can betide me; no, not the loſſe of life it ſelfe, and all things which I enioy, or this world could afford me. Oh that thou wouldſt kindle and increaſe this grace daily more and more in me, and cauſe it to breake forth in all the actions of my life, that ſo glorifying thee here for a while, I may hereafter be glorified of thee for euer, euen with that fulnes of glory which thou wilt giue vnto thy Saints.

No ſtanding at a ſtay in Chriſtianitie.

HE that thinketh that he hath attained to perfection, and therefore ſtandeth at a ſtay, and ſtriueth to goe no further, may well ſuſpect himſelfe, and feare that either he is vndermined with a dangerous temptation; or elſe that indeed be hath heretofore deceiued himſelfe and his owne ſoule, thinking himſelfe to be ſome thing, when he was nothing, and iudging farre otherwiſe of his eſtate, then he ought to haue done. Lord, let me euery day more and more ſee mine own weakeneſſe and vnprofitableneſſe, euen how farre I come ſhort of that which thou requireſt of me; that ſo forgetting yt which is behind, I may endeuour my ſelfe vnto that which is before, and ſtriue daily to make further proceedings, and to attaine to a greater meaſure of grace and godlineſſe, till I come vnto that perfection which it hath pleaſed thee (from whoſe diuine diſpenſation onely it is) to allott vnto me.

The benefit which is receiued by the mutuall prayers of the faithfull.

THe prayer of one righteous man is neuer without fruit, but auaileth much if it be feruent, and proceed from a pure mind, and a beleeuing heart: how much more the earneſt ſupplications of the aſſemblies of the Saints and ſeruants of God, euen his faithfull and beloued ones? no doubt they pierce the cloudes, open heauen-gates, and enter into the preſence of God himſelfe, and ſo preuaile with him, that they cauſe him, as to keepe backe his iudgements, where they are feared, ſo to powre down his bleſſings in abundance where they are deſired. O Lord grant that I may be frequent, and earneſt in praier both publique and priuate, for my ſelfe and for others, euen for thy Saints, eſpecially thy afflicted and diſtreſſed ones, either in bodie or in mind; and let it pleaſe thee, as to make me carefull daily to pray, and powre out my ſuits and ſupplications vnto thee for others, ſo alſo in goodneſſe to vouchſafe this grace and fauour vnto me, that I may enioy the fruite and benefite of the prayers of thy ſeruants, whereſoeuer or whenſoeuer they ſhall be aſſembled in thy name, crauing for thy bleſſing vpon thy Church and choſen children: Heare O Lord from heauen, and be mercifull vnto all and euerie one of thine that cals vpon thee in truth and faithfulnes: let them taſte of the ſweetneſſe of thy mercies; yea let their emptie ſoules be ſatisfied and filled with thy grace and goodneſſe, that ſo they may praiſe thee with ioyfulneſſe, and both with heart and mouth ſing vnto thy glory all their daies.

Bleſſings of God are not the leſſe to be regarded becauſe they are common.

EVen that glorious creature the Sunne, becauſe it riſeth euerie day vpon vs, is little thought of, or regarded of the moſt: The wondrous and admirable works of God, becauſe they are ordinarie and daily ſet before our eyes, how meanely are they accounted of? the greateſt mercies and bleſſings of God becauſe we heare of them, and enioy them continually, how ſlightly are they paſſed ouer by many▪ of how few ſo highly prized and eſteemed as they ought to be? Lord, let not thy workes, thy mercies and fauours, wherein thou haſt ſhewed thy ſelfe ſo exceeding gratious vnto me aboue all deſerts of mine; let not them ſeeme the leſſe in my eyes, becauſe it pleaſeth thee in great kindneſſe to make them ordinary & vſuall vnto me: let me not be the leſſe mindfull of them, the leſſe thankfull vnto thee for them, becauſe in the riches of thy loue thou vouchſafeſt to make them cōmon by ye continuall ſupplie and increaſe of them: yea rather let me (as it is meete I ſhould) be moued and drawne to be ſo much the more frequent in ye daily and conſcionable performance of thoſe ordinarie duties and ſeruices which thou requireſt of me; and as thou enlargeſt thy hand in the continuance and increaſe of thy mercies towards me, ſo inlarge my heart, I humblie beſeech thee, that I may daily more and more increaſe in true thankefulneſſe vnto thee, vnto whom I owe my ſelfe, and all things that I haue: for in thee I haue all things; without thee I can neither enioy nor hope for any thing which is good, or to be deſired.

The Angels watch ouer the godlie.

O How ſtrongly are Gods children continually garded! Lo what multitudes of thoſe heauenly ſouldiours doe attend vpon them daily, hourely, euerie moment; watch ouer them, yea compaſſe them round about on euerie ſide, ſo that they can haue no hurt, but liue and end their daies in peace, ſafety and happineſſe. O how blinde are the eyes of men that they doe not ſee and behold them; yea rather how weake is their faith, that will not beleeue this, becauſe they cannot ſee them with the eyes of their bodies! Fooliſh and faithleſſe people, who will be perſwaed of no more, then they can ſee with the eye of fleſh, and haue an external view of, by their outward ſenſe! why doe they not as fondly doubt whether they haue ſoules within them? ſince they are ſpirits alſo which they neuer ſaw, neither can ſee. Lord open mine eyes that I may ſee that heauenly guard of thine, wherewith it hath pleaſed thee to compaſſe me, euen thoſe celeſtiall Angels and miniſtring ſpirits which are ſet continually to attend vpon me, that ſo I may be comforted in my greateſt feares, and encouraged with vndanted reſolution to goe forward with conſtancie in thy wayes, notwithſtanding the oppoſition of the enemies of thy grace and truth, knowing aſſuredly, that they that are with me, are more & mightier, then they that are againſt me.

The danger of ſecurity.

WIll that man be ſecure and careleſſe of himſelfe, that knoweth certainly that his enemie lieth continuallie in waite for him, ſeeking his vtter ruine, euen the ſpoiling of his eſtate, and the ſpilling of his blood? yea will he not (if there be any wiſdome or prudence in him) be verie watchfull, verie circumſpect, and exceeding carefull, to foreſee and preuent all his dangerous attempts & enterpriſes, whereby he might haue the leaſt aduantage at any time againſt him? Few there are, but are wiſe inough thus to procure the ſafetie and ſecuritie of their bodily life, and outward eſtate, in this world, and to ſafe-gard it that no enemie or aduerſarie may impaire or hurt the ſame at any time: And ſhall any then be ſo fooliſh, ſo vnwiſe, as not carefully by al meanes to prouide for the life and welfare of his ſoule, yea to procure the ſafety both of ſoule and body, and not onely his preſent but alſo his future eſtate in the heauens: and yet loe, ſuch is the follie of the moſt; yea euen of many of thoſe, who otherwiſe are wiſe and prudent men, men of iudgement and vnderſtanding. Sathan (that ſubtile, that wilie, and moſt malicious enemie) lieth continually in waite for vs; he omits no opportunity, no occaſion whereby he may get any aduantage againſt vs; he neuer leaues tempting, aſſaulting and aſſailing of vs, but ſeekes continually by all meanes poſſible to vndermine our eſtate, & to worke our ruine and vtter ouerthrow both of our ſoules and bodies for euer; & yet moſt men, how careleſſe, how ſecure are they, as though they had no heart, no vnderſtanding? yea do they not euen wilfully, and willingly giue themſelues to ſleepe in greateſt ſecuritie. when they are in greateſt and moſt apparent and eminent danger, euen then when the enemie is ready to make a ſpoile of them, and eternall deſtruction and confuſion to ſeize vpon them without all recouerie, or hope of redemption? O mercifull Lord, thou ſeeſt, how buſie Sathan is in tempting me; how many and how forcible meanes he vſeth to preuaile againſt me. O let me not be ſo careleſſe and ſecure (as others are) but doe thou of thy eſpeciall grace giue me wiſdom from aboue, to fore-ſee the dangers which may befall me; carefulneſſe and diligence with watchfulneſſe and aduiſedneſſe to preuent them; and finallie grace and ſtrenghth not onelie to encounter and reſiſt, but alſo to vanquiſh and ouercome that cruell and malicious enemie and aduerſarie, and in the end gloriouſlie to triumph ouer him, by the power and might of thy Chriſt, in whom and through whom I am able to doe all things.

The folly of worldlings, and wickedmen.

WE are ready to laugh at the follie of him that we ſee make more account of toies and trifles, then of things of greater worth and moment; that will be better pleaſed with a gay feather, then with a rich iewell, with a garded and partie coloured coate, then with a coſtly raiment and goodly attire. And yet behold ſuch is the follie and ſimplicitie, euen of thoſe who ſeeme to be the wiſeſt in the world, both in their own eyes & in the eies of others, who neuer knew the wiſdome which is from aboue, but that onely which is earthlie and ſenſuall: with Heuah they preferre an Apple before Paradiſe: with Eſau, a meſſe of pottage before the inheritance of that celeſtiall Canaan, the land of promiſe which floweth with milke & honie: with the prodigall ſonne, the huskes of ſwine in a ſtrange countrie, before the beſt fare in their fathers houſe: in briefe, the toies and trifles of this world, euen the vaine and ſinfull pleaſures and delights, and the tranſitorie profits and commodities thereof, before thoſe hidden treaſures, thoſe ineſtimable riches of ioy, glorie, and euerlaſting happineſſe and felicitie, prouided for the Saints in the higheſt heauens, euen the pretious things of God, which can neuer be ouer prized, or ſet at too high a rate. Can there be anie greater follie then this? Is not the ſimplicitie of thoſe that are thus ſtrangely beſotted, to be laughed at, by thoſe yt know what true wiſdom is; yea rather to be pitied & euen bewailed with teares, although they in the meane while ſee not their fooliſhneſſe, but reioyce in it, accounting it wiſdome, and themſelues the onelie wiſe and prudent men? whereas if their eyes were open, that they might diſcerne rightlie of things (which now by reaſon of their blindneſſe they cannot) they could not but ſee plainly and acknowledge freely (as the truth is) that of all men they are the moſt vaine, the moſt vnwiſe and extreame fooliſh. Lord, giue me not ouer to the follie of mine owne heart, but indue me with true ſpirituall wiſdome and vnderſtanding, that ſo I may not with the men of this world (whoſe mindes are darkened, and depriued of the light of grace and knowledge) chooſe death rather then life, ſhame rather then glorie, hell rather then heauen, vanitie and miſerie, rather then endleſſe and vnſpeakable happineſſe, the ſeruice of ſinne and Sathan, and the fruits and deceiuable pleaſures and profits of this world, rather then the ſeruice of thee the euerliuing and moſt glorious God, and the bleſſed hope, of the enioyment and full poſſeſſion of that rich inheritance of thy choſen, euen thoſe inualuable treaſures of glorie, bliſſe, and happineſſe; but that my iudgement being cleared, and my heart ſanctified, I may now and alwaies make greateſt account of thoſe things which are moſt pretious, and chiefly to be deſired and ſought after, of all thoſe that will be the ſonnes of true wiſdome.

The bondage and ſlauerie of the wicked.

WE would wonder at him yt being laden with manie irons, chained and fettered hand and foote, ſo that he were not able to mooue from the place where he lay, ſhould notwithſtanding perſwade himſelfe that he were a free man, and none more at libertie then he. This is the eſtate of ye wicked: they are bound hand and foot, yea all the parts and powers of their ſoules haue manie heauie chaines and irons lying vpon them whereby they are euen preſſed downe, and brought into great miſerie and bondage; and yet they poore wretches (ſuch is their blindneſſe) though plunged into the verie depth of that wofull miſerie and helliſh thraldome, yet neither ſee nor perceiue the ſame, but thinke themſelues as free as the beſt, and reioyce in their eſtate, when as they are the ſeruants of corruption, the ſlaues of Sathan, ſubiect to the power of darkeneſſe. Lord, giue me daily more and more to ſee that wofull miſerie, and feareful bondage and ſlauery, which Sathan by ſinne bringeth vpon the ſoules of men, yea both vpon their ſoules and bodies. And grant, that ſeeing it, I may bewaile it both in my ſelfe and others, and labour to be reſtored vnto perfect libertie and freedome; being truly thankfull vnto thee, for this, that thou haſt in part freed me alreadie, making thoſe bolts lighter, and thoſe bonds looſer: and earneſtlie deſiring and expecting the time when that which is in part, ſhall be fullie perfected, euen the day of redemption; which I pray thee to haſten.

The fond and prepoſterous courſe of the wicked in preferring the health of their bodies, before the ſaluation of their ſoules.

IF any be in danger, but to loſe a finger, he will preſentlie with all diligence and carefulneſſe ſeeke vnto the Phyſition, or Chirurgion for to ſaue one ioynt of it (if it may be poſſible:) But to loſe their ſoules how ſmall reckoning doe moſt men make? what a prepoſterous courſe is this? Is the bodie of more worth then the ſoule? is the life and ſafetie of this corruptible bodie, yea of one little member thereof to be more eſteemed, more carefullie prouided for, then the eternall life and ſaluation of the ſoule, yea of ſoule and bodie? Is anie ſo deſtitute of reaſon and vnderſtanding, as once to imagine this? And yet behold, ſuch are the liues and practiſes of moſt men, that either they doe, or at leaſt would ſo perſwade themſelues; or elſe, how could they be ſo carefull for the maintenance and preſeruation of their bodilie health, and outward eſtate, and ſo careleſſe, yea deſperate, neuer regarding the preſent and future eſtate of their ſoules, but paſſing awaie their daies moſt ſecurelie in the ſinfull pleaſures and delights of this euill world, euen bathing themſelues therein, whiles in the meane time, they willinglie, if not wilfullie, depriue themſelues of euerlaſting life and ſaluation, and haſten forward vnto that endleſſe perdition and deſtruction, which is prepared for them? Bleſſed be thy name O mercifull Lord, that thou haſt not giuen me ouer to the fooliſhneſſe of the wicked, who ſhall periſh for euer, but vouchſafeſt thy grace vnto me, whereby thou haſt made me more carefull, to ſeeke for the aſſurance of the good eſtate of my ſoule in this life, and the eternall ſaluation thereof in the heauens after this tranſitorie life is ended, then for the procuring of the life, and ſafetie of this mortall & corruptible body of mine, which ſhall be turned into duſt and rottenneſſe. Increaſe this grace in me, and in all thine, that ſo we may haue full aſſurance that we are thine, and that when the earthlie houſe of this our tabernacle is deſtroied, we may liue with thee in glorie for euer, euen in that heauenly kingdome, that celeſtiall manſion, which thou haſt prouided and prepared for vs, and for all thy Saints.

The forwardnes of the wicked in the way to hell, ought to prouoke the godlie to make the more ſpeede in the way to heauen.

IS it not ſtrange to ſee the wicked runne faſter to hell, then the godlie do to heauen? to make more ſpeed & greater haſt, in the waies which leade vnto death and deſtruction, then the righteous in the wayes which leade vnto life and ſaluation? As we are to pitie their raſhneſſe and headineſſe (yea rather their bold and deſperate preſumption) who whiles they walke in ſo ſlipperie a way, ruſh forward, or rather are carried headlong with the violence of Sathan, and their own corrupt and vnſanctified nature, not conſidering what is before them, and whereunto they tend, vntill they fall into that deepe gulfe out of which there is no recouerie; ſo we ought to be prouoked by them, and ſtirred vp by their example, to walke in the wayes of godlineſſe, and to runne that race of Chriſtianitie, with more ſwiftneſſe, cheerefulneſſe, and alacritie, then hitherto we haue done: yea to bluſh and to be aſhamed of our former backwardneſſe and vntowardneſſe in going forward, ſo ſlowly, and ſo heauilie in the pathes which will bring vs to life & happineſſe, ſeing the vngodly doe make ſuch haſte and walke on ſo faſt in thoſe broad and pleaſant, yet moſt dangerous and deceitfull waies which leade directly to endles woe and miſerie, euen the place of the damned, as though they were afraid they ſhould not come thither ſoon enough. O Lord, if it be thy will, open their eyes, that whiles they haue time, they may be wiſehearted to turne out of that broade way, ſeeing that the iſſues thereof are death and confuſion; and enlarge my heart, that I may with more libertie and alacritie hereafer runne in all the waies of thy commaundements; and in the end, hauing finiſhed my courſe with ioyfulneſſe, receaue that incorruptible crowne of life, of glorie, and happineſſe, which thou haſt promiſed vnto all thoſe which continue faithfull and conſtant in thy ſeruice, vnto the end of their daies.

More care ought to be had of the ſoule then of the bodie.

MAnie are exceeding carefull that their bodies may be clothed in coſtly, yea in verie curious maner, who are altogether careleſſe what cloathing or couering they haue for their ſoules; nay though they be clothed with the filthie ragges of ſinne and Sathan, and quite ſtripped of all the graces of Gods ſpirit, thoſe pretious ornaments, yet it neuer troubles their minds, it neuer grieues them, or goes to the heart of them, but they are well content therewith, and deſire no better; yea they are not once aſhamed, although their filthie nakednes lie open continuallie, and appeare to the eyes of all that ſee and behold them, but rather reioyce and glorie therein: we wonder at this, and not without cauſe; but would we know the reaſon thereof? Alas they are ſtarke blinde, they ſee not their owne nakedneſſe, their baſenes, and extreame beggerie: they ſee not how the glorious image of God (which ſtandeth in righteouſneſſe and true holineſſe) is vtterlie defaced in them, and in ſteade thereof the image of Sathan ſtamped in them, in ſuch ſort that they are become vile and abominable, exceedingly diſfigured and deformed in all the powers and faculties of their ſoules, and moſt lothſome in the eyes of God, & his Saints. O Lord, giue me to ſee my nakednes, my ſpirituall pouertie, & beggerlineſſe; & let me daily ſeeke by all meanes to caſt off the old rotten ragges, of ſinfull and corrupted nature, and to be clothed thoroughout anew, with the graces of thy ſanctifying ſpirit, with righteouſneſſe & holines, euen according vnto thine owne image, wherein thou didſt at the firſt create man; that ſo thou maiſt take pleaſure and delight in me; and hauing vouchſafed vnto me thy grace here, maiſt receiue me vnto glory hereafter.

The vnfruitfll hearing of the word of God verie dangerous.

IF good ſeede be oft caſt into the ground, & it brings forth no fruite, but briars, thornes and thiſtles, it is a ſigne that it is either a naughtie, or a barren ſoile, and therfore in vaine to ſpend time, coſt and labour in tilling and manuring it: If the word of God (that immortall ſeed) be often ſowen by the ſincere preaching of the word, by the Lords owne husbandmen, whom he imployeth in that worke; if it doth not bring forth much fruite in thoſe that are the ordinarie hearers thereof, but either no fruite, or elſe that curſed fruite of a corrupt life, and vngodly actions, it is a certaine ſigne that they haue bad harts, and ſuch as are barren of all grace; and they may iuſtlie feare that the Lord will cauſe his miniſters to labour no more amōg thē, but take both them, and his word from them, and bring ſuch a heauie iudgement, and fearefull curſe vpon them, as ſhall cauſe them to mourne for their former vnfruitfulnes and vnprofitablenes, vnder ſo many and ſo great meanes, as in former times haue bin ſo gratiouſly offered vnto them. O Lord, ſuffer me neuer to receiue thy holy word in vaine, but let it take deepe roote in my heart, and bring forth much fruite in my life and cō uerſation, euen the plentifull increaſe of grace & godlines, to the glory of thy name, the good example of others, mine owne comfort, and eternall ſaluation in Chriſt Ieſus.

Different degrees of grace in the godly.

THe Lord hath not meaſured out the ſame portion of gifts and graces of his ſpirit vnto all alike; but hath giuē this grace vnto one, that vnto another; and the ſame grace in this maner vnto one, in that vnto ye other; to ſome more, to ſome leſſe; yea to diuers, different portiōs, both for the graces themſelues, as alſo the number, the kinde, the qualities, meaſure and degrees thereof: and yet all are his gifts and graces, proceeding from one and the ſame ſpirit, which worketh in all & euerie one, as it pleaſeth it. Lord, giue me to ſee and diſcerne aright, what grace thou haſt vouchſaued vnto me, and the meaſure of it; and as to be truely thankfull vnto thee for the ſame, and to glorie in thee who art the author and giuer of it, (as of euerie other good and perfect gift) ſo likewiſe to be carefull to imploy it vnto the ſetting forth of thy glory, in the performāce of thoſe duties which thou requireſt of me: that ſo when thou ſhalt call me to a reckoning for the vſe of that talent, which thou haſt committed vnto me, hauing bin faithfull in the improuement of the ſame, I may willingly appeare before thee to giue in my accounts, and be plentifully rewarded of thee, by entring into that ioy and glorie which thou haſt promiſed and prepared for all thy faithfull ſeruants.

Another of the ſame.

THou O Lord art verie liberall in diſpoſing of the heauenlie graces of thy ſpirit vnto thy children, whom thou loueſt, and in whom thou delighteſt. To ſome thou giueſt more, to ſome leſſe, to all ſome: there is none of thine that hath not taſted of thy goodneſſe herein, yea that hath not receiued ye meaſure of grace, for which he can neuer be ſufficiently thankfull vnto thee. O heauēly father, increaſe thy grace in me; & grant that I may alwaies, make pretious account of the leaſt meaſure, which it ſhall pleaſe thee in mercie to vouchſafe vnto me, & referre it wholly to thy honour and glory. And ſith whatſoeuer I am, I am in thee; whatſoeuer grace I haue, I haue it from the (whoſe gift onely it is;) let me be content with that portion, which thou in thy wiſdome and goodneſſe allotteſt vnto me; and knowing that for the preſent it is ſufficient for me, neither enuie thoſe that haue receiued more, leſt I repine againſt thee; nor deſpiſe thoſe that haue leſſe, leſt it diſpleaſe thee, and cauſe thee in iuſtice to withdraw that grace from me, which in mercie thou hadſt freelie giuen vnto me, and to beſtow it vpon thoſe, who would make better vſe of it.

Death alwaies to be deſired of the godlie.

IF anie ſhall take away from me my torne and ragged-worne coate, and in ſtead thereof put vpon me a new and a better, ſhall I thinke that I haue anie iniury done vnto me? haue I anie cauſe to complaine as if I were wronged? If the Lord vncloath me by depriuing me of this temporall, this ſinfull and corruptible life, and in ſtead of it cloath me with that which is eternall, incorruptible and moſt glorious, doth he hurt me? doth he any wrong or iniurie vnto me? ſhall I complaine? yea rather, Lord, let me deſire alwaies to remoue out of this bodie, and to dwell with thee for euer. Let me deſire earneſtlie to put off this corruption, to be diſſolued & to be with Chriſt my Sauiour in the heauens; for this is that onelie happineſſe and felicitie which I expect and hope for. Lord, euen when it pleaſeth thee, let me ſee thy ſaluation, which thou haſt promiſed.

The impriſonment of the godlie in this life.

THe godlie whiles they remaine in this world, liue, as it were, in perpetuall impriſonment. They are laden with manie chaines and fetters, which lie heauie vpon them, and cauſe them to ſigh in themſelues, and to long earneſtly for the time of their deliuerance & freedom. O bleſſed Lord, thou knoweſt what a burden vnto my ſoule, this corruptible and ſinnefull bodie of mine is, which I carry cōtinually about with me; and how this earthlie manſion keepeth downe and oppreſſeth my minde, and maketh me heauie and vntoward for the performance of that good which thou commandeſt, and wherein my heart deſireth to approue it ſelfe vnto thee; I am ſo faſt in priſon, & ſo much encumbred with manifold annoiances, which are, as it were, ſo manie heauie irons preſſing downe my minde, and hindring me from walking before thee, with that freedome of ſpirit, and that cheerefulnes and alacrity wherein thou delighteſt, that my ſoule mourneth ſecretlie within me, and longeth to be freed from this miſerie and bondage, wherein I am now detained. O Lord, when wilt thou ſet me at libertie? Continually doe I expect and waite for the redemption of this earthlie and ſinfull bodie.

The vanitie of all earthlie things.

OH the vanitie of the things of this world, riches, pleaſures, honour & whatſoeuer elſe (to him that hath a carnall and fleſhly eye) may ſeeme moſt pretious and glorious! how fruitles, how fading and tranſitorie are they? was there euer anie that found any true peace, any ſound ioy or contentment in anie, or in all of them? What a vaine thing then is it for any one to be carried with ſuch an vnſatiable deſire after them; yea to place, if not his onely, yet his chiefe happines and felicitie in them, as many doe? O Lord, draw my heart daily more and more from the things of this world, whereunto the moſt are ſo faſt glewed: weane my ſoule both from the loue, and deſire of them; and let my delight be in thee, let me reioyce in thee continuallie; yea let my ſoule alwaies long after thee, and in compariſon of thee eſteeme of all theſe earthly things but as droſſe & meere vanitie.

A true diſcerning of the worlds vanitie, maketh men willing to leaue it, and deſirous of a better eſtate out of it.

MAnie there be that complaine of the vanitie and deceitfulneſſe of this world, and yet are loth to leaue it, & to depart out of it. Such either had neuer a true ſight of the vanitie of all things here below, and of the wretchedneſſe and miſerie whereunto men, euen the beſt are ſubiect in this life; or elſe they neuer indeed fullie taſted of the bleſſedneſſe and felicitie of the life to come, euen thoſe endleſſe ioyes, and vnſpeakable glorie, which are prepared and reſerued for the Saints, in the kingdome of God: or if they haue in ſome ſort taſted of this heauenly gift, yet without any certaintie or aſſurance that it belonged vnto them, and that their right and portion ſhould be in it, and therefore could not be ſo ſoundly affected with it, as thereby to be brought into a true diſlike and contempt of this preſent euill world, which notwithſtanding, at leaſt, they wou • d ſeeme to be out of loue with. The man that ſeeth indeed, how vaine, how deceitfull and how miſerable this world is; and hath withall receiued the firſt fruits of the ſpirit of God, and taſted of the ſweetnes & bleſſednes of ye world to come; and alſo knoweth, that the aſſurance of the promiſe thereof is made and ſealed vnto him, and that by the truth it ſelfe, (euen by him whoſe word ſhall ſtand, when heauen and earth ſhall paſſe away;) that man as he ſhall finde cauſe enough to complaine of this euill world wherein he liueth; ſo it cannot be, but that he ſhould deſire vnfainedly to be gone out of it, & to make change for a better; euen that which his ſoule longeth after, and in the hope and expectation whereof he reſteth continually, ſighing in himſelfe, and waiting earneſtly for the fruition and full poſſeſſion thereof, when as being vnclothed of the burden of this fleſh, & looſed out of the priſon of this earth, he ſhal be clothed with glorie and immortality, and liue for euer in that celeſtiall manſion, not made with hands, but eternall in the heauens. O Lord, when ſhall I be fullie deliuered from the bondage of corruption, vnto which I am now daily ſubject? when ſhall I lay downe this bodie of ſinne and death, which I now carrie continually about with me? when ſhall I remoue out of this earthlie tabernacle? when ſhall I leaue the wilderneſſe of this weariſome world, and departing from hence be tranſlated into that glorious kingdome of thine, which thou haſt promiſed vnto me? My ſoule longeth to dwell in thy courts, to ſee thy ſaluation, to enioy thy bleſſed preſence, and to liue and reſt with thee continuallie. For here, alas, I find no reſting place; yea I ſee vanitie, wretchedneſſe and miſerie on euerie ſide, in euerie place. One ſorrow ſucceedeth another: The ſnares of many afflictions, and temptations haue taken holde of me; many deepe waters haue paſſed ouer me, and euen almoſt ouerwhelmed me. I am aſſailed continually with many and thoſe verie dangerous and perillous enemies, who fight againſt my ſoule, and ſeeke by all meanes the vtter ruine and ſubuerſion thereof: yea there is ſcarce one day, but that I paſſe thorow many deaths (ſo many are the grieuances whereunto thy children are continually ſubiect, whiles they haue their abode in this place, of vanitie, of death, and miſerie.) How therefore ſhould not that day be pleaſant, and not bitter vnto me? how ſhould I not haue a feruent deſire to be diſſolued, & ſo to remoue from earth to heauen; ſince that as long as I liue here in this world, I cannot be freed from all miſeries, nor attaine vnto full and perfect bleſſedneſſe, which is onelie to be expected in the world to come, where I know that I ſhall enioy it, and haue the fruition of it for euer in thy kingdom? All the daies of my appointed time, will I waite vntill my changing ſhall come, euen the time of refreſhing, which I deſire, and hope for; and which thou O Lord, (when it pleaſeth thee) wilt vouchſafe in mercie and goodneſſe to grant vnto me: Lord I haue longed for thy ſaluation.

Of whom death is moſt feared.

HE yt alwaies feares death exceſſiuely, neuer made conſcience to liue well. He that is carefull to liue well, will neuer be ouermuch afraid to die, though death in it ſelfe be of all things the moſt fearefull and terrible; or if he doe feare it, when it firſt looks vpon him with a gaſtly countenance, yet when the vizard, which it hath put vpon it, be plucked away with the due and ſerious meditation of it, the feare and dread of it will vaniſh away preſently. Lord, let it be my care and earneſt endeuour, ſo to liue, and to paſſe the time of my dwelling here, euen theſe ſhort and euill daies which thou haſt meaſured out vnto me, that the remembrance of enſuing and approching death, may neuer be bitter or grieuous, but ioyfull and pleaſant vnto me.

Sathans craft and guilefulneſſe in deceiuing men.

THe Diuell goes alwaies masked vp and downe in the world in a diſguiſed manner, and neuer, or ſeldome ſheweth himſelfe in his owne likeneſſe, becauſe then he knowes well enough, euery one (not without cauſe) would be afraid of him, flie from him, and haue nothing to doe with him (for who would not ſhunne his deadly aduerſarie, whom he ſaw nothing but plotting his owne deſtruction and ouerthrow) but vſually he comes like a falſe friend, with the pretence of a ſeeming good; he appeares and offers himſelfe vnto men in the ſhape of pleaſure, profit, honour, euen thoſe things which are pleaſing vnto their nature, & and whereby they may moſt eaſily be enticed, and drawne away after him. How many thouſands hath he by theſe ſlights and policies of his deluded and deceiued? how doth he hereby preuaile againſt men, till he ſecretly work their irrecouerable ruin, and that many times before they be aware of any ſuch matter, but feede ſecurely & greedily vpon thoſe things which he profereth vnto them, not ſeeing the ſnare which is laid for them. O Lord let me alwaies ſuſpect and feare the deceitfulneſſe of Sathan, in the things which are moſt pleaſing vnto me, & which, with the ſhew of pleaſure, profit, & worldly cōmodities and aduantage, do moſt allure me, and draw my heart after them, or cauſe me to ſet my affections inordinatly vpō them; that ſo in what counterfait forme ſoeuer, that deceiuer ſhall ſeek cunningly to inſinuate himſelfe into me, I may diſcerne his craft, & take heed by all meanes, that I be not at any time beguiled and deluded by him.

Sathans ſeuerall baites for ſundrie perſons.

THe Diuell hath a baite for euery age, for euery place and perſon, and according to the occaſions and opportunities, he fitteth them all, to their ſeuerall natures, diſpoſitions and inclinations. For the couetous, he hath a ſiluer hooke and a golden baite; the riches and commodities of this deceitfull world: for the voluptuous, ſinfull pleaſures and ſenſuall delights: for the ambitious, honour and bewitching preferments: to ſuch as are cholericke, he miniſters thoſe things that may kindle their wrath and inflame their furie: for the melancholick, he laies ye baite either of vnprofitable ſolitarines, or of pining enuy. And thus by one meanes or other he ſeekes continually to entice them to ſwallow his baite which he ſo guilefully profereth vnto them, that being once taken with it they can hardly eſcape the danger which he laboureth to bring them vnto, except the Lord be the more mercifull to pull the hooke out of their noſtrils, and to ſet them at libertie againe. Bleſſed Lord, giue me to ſee vnto what ſins I am, either by nature, or otherwiſe, moſt addicted; and whereby Sathan ſeeketh chiefly to inſnare me, and to draw me vnto perdition; and hauing grace to ſee them, let me alſo haue wiſdome and ſtrength to ſhunne and auoide them; that ſo I may not be deceiued by Sathan, nor periſh with the multitude whom he hath taken in his ſnares, with thoſe baites which he hath laid for them.

The occaſions of ſinne carefully to be auoided.

HE that ſaith, that he is loth to offend God, through the commiſſion of any ſinne, and doth not carefully auoide the occaſions whereby he may fall into the ſame, is like to him that telleth vs, that he is loth to be burnt, and yet dreads not the fire when he is neare vnto burning; yea rather will needs runne into the flame, wihch is readie to ſcorch him; or that he is loth to be drowned, and yet goes ſo neere the pits brinke that it is almoſt impoſſible for him not to fall into it, and to periſh in it. O Lord, let me not be ſo vnwiſe as to deceiue my ſelfe as many doe, by taking too much libertie vnto my ſelfe in thoſe things, which though lawfull in themſelues, yet may be a meanes through ye corruption of my nature, & the temptation of Sathan, to draw me to ſin againſt thee. But giue me wiſdome in all things to foreſee and preuent the danger that may come vpon me, for want of due prouidence and watchfulneſſe; and make me euer as carefull to auoide the occaſions of ſin, as ſinne and death it ſelfe: So ſhall it neuer haue power or dominion ouer me; whereas otherwiſe it cannot be but that I ſhould fall oft, and dangerouſly.

Reſpect of perſons.

IT is a great fault, and yet ordinarie, to reſpect men, more for the outward trappings of the bodie, then for the inward graces, and vertues of the mind. If one be of a goodly perſonage, or richly apparelled and attired, he ſhall be regarded, and much ſet by, although his mind be neuer ſo deformed, deſtitute of all grace and goodneſſe, euen thoſe inward endowments, which are the greateſt excellencies. If another be more baſe or meane in theſe outward reſpects; howſoeuer he be inwardlie decked and adorned, yet there is no reckoning, or very ſmall account made of him. What is this but to preferre the body before the ſoule, that which is terrene, earthly and coruptible, before that which is ſpirituall, heauenly and immortall? Salomon the moſt glorious and renowned Prince that euer was, in regard of his outward glory, wherewith he was inueſted and arraied, yet he was not like the lilie of the field, or the withering and fading graſſe; whereas all things that are moſt flouriſhing on earth, no not thoſe celeſtiall creatures, the ſtarres of heauen, nor the Sunne and Moone themſelues, (thoſe excellent and glorious lights) are comparable to one ſoule, it being of a farre more diuine and excellent nature then they are. Good Lord giue me to diſcerne of things aright; let me alwaies eſteeme more of thoſe that are inwardly beautified with thoſe vertues & graces of the mind, wherewith thou haſt enriched them; and which are the things that are moſt precious in thy ſight, and which thou doſt much ſet by; then of ſuch as wāting theſe, do moſt flouriſh in the world, and are moſt eminent for their externall dignities and excellencies.

Gods ſpeciall prouidence ouer his children.

HE that takes care for the watring of his garden, the growing of his hearbes and plants, and the feeding of his cattle, will he not much more be carefull for the feeding and preſeruing of his own children, whom he loueth and regardeth farre more then all thoſe? Seeing therefore God our heauenly father watreth this great garden of the world; cauſeth trees, hearbes, and plants of all kinds to grow and flouriſh therein; cloaths the fields with ſo glorious array, that great Princes with their ſhining traine are not like vnto them; and ſeedeth and preſerueth continually by his ſpeciall prouidence, the beaſts of the earth, the fowles of the aire, and the fiſhes of the ſea; will he not doe much more, for his owne children, who depend vpon him, and whom he loueth ſo deerely, and moſt tenderly regardeth farre aboue all theſe earthly things? Can it be, that he ſhould not feed them, preſerue them, and prouide all things for thē, which may be for their good eſtate in this world? O the faithleſneſſe, and infidelitie of man, who will not reſt on Gods prouidence, nor credit and beleeue thoſe promiſes which he hath made vnto them (if they be his.) O Lord God, moſt gratious, and heauenly father, grant that whiles I behold the birds of the aire, the flowres of the field, and all things which thou haſt created, I may not onely ſee and acknowledge thy power that made them, but alſo thy prouidence in preſeruing, feeding, and apparelling them; and that I may vſe them, as ſo many ſeales to confirme me in the truth of thy gratious promiſes, and in the certaintie of that ſpeciall prouidence of thine ouer me continually; euen that thou wilt preſerue me, cloath me, feed me, and helpe me in all my neceſſities, ſupplying all thoſe things vnto me, which thou in thy wiſdome knoweſt to be moſt expedient and requiſite for me. Herein I reſt: this is that onely which can make me in all things truly contented, and in nothing too carefull; and without this my life would be irkeſom and burdenſome vnto me, through that carking care, and thoſe manifold diſtractions, which I ſee in others, euen in thoſe that are vnfaithfull, O Lord, and diſtruſt thy prouidence.

Contentednes in all eſtates.

LOrd I know not what is good for me, or which I ſhould deſire rather; proſperity or aduerſity, health or ſicknes, plentie or penurie. Thou onely ſeeſt, thou onely knoweſt, what is euery way beſt for me. Deale therefore gratiouſly with me, & do vnto me that which is good in thine eyes, and which thou (who iudgeſt and diſcerneſt of all things aright) ſeeſt to be beſt for me. And grant that I may reſt contentedly and thankefully in thoſe things, which thou according to thy good pleaſure, ſhalt bring to paſſe, howſoeuer thou diſpoſeſt of me.

Coueteouſnes a dangerous diſeaſe.

THe couetous man is like vnto thoſe that haue the dropſie: for they that are falne into that diſeaſe, do deſire to drinke continually; and yet the more they drinke, the more drie, the more thirſty they are. So it is with the couetous, who through the diſtemper of their minds, haue drawne that ſpirituall dropſie vpon them, which is ſo much worſe then the other, as the ſoule is better then the bodie. They haue a perpetuall, and inordinate luſt after riches, and the profits and commodities of this world: and yet the more they haue them, the more they feele and complaine of the want of them; the more they increaſe, & the faſter they come in, the more doth their deſire of thē increaſe, & the greater is their luſt and longing after them. They are vnſatiable, and like the two daughters of the horſleach, neuer thinke they haue enough. This is an euill ſickeneſſe, and yet common and ordinarie amongſt men; yea many are ſo farre gone in it, that except they ſeeke to preuent the danger of it in time, it will proue incurable, and ſo in the ende become mortall & deadly vnto them. O Lord, giue me grace to couet after the better things, euen thoſe which are ſpirituall & heauenly; & let me neuer be carried away with an immoderate and inordinate deſire of theſe things here below, which are earthlie and tranſitorie: but let me alwaies be content with that portion which thou ſhalt giue vnto me. If it be much; let me bleſſe thee for it, and be ready to diſtribute according to the neceſſities of others. If it be little; let me bleſſe and praiſe thee alſo, knowing that it is ſufficient; and withall, that thou haſt prouided better things for me, euen that rich inheritance, and that induring ſubſtance in the heauens, of which after this life, thou wilt giue me (hauing already made me a grant thereof) the full fruition and poſſeſſion for euer. And in the meane while, howſoeuer my eſtate is, or ſhall be hereafter in this world, giue me a quiet and contented mind, which may alwaies reſt in thee, & wholly depend vpon thee, who haſt promiſed, that thou will not faile nor forſake me; nor denie any thing vnto me, which thou (who knoweſt what is beſt for euery one) ſeeſt to be good for me.

All muſt ſuffer afflictions in this life.

HE deceiueth himſelfe, that looketh for a continuall calme, whiles he liueth in this world. There was neuer man that attained vnto this, neuer ſhall, in this life. Let him thinke that it is well with him, that is not alwaies in a ſtorme; that hath not alwaies rough and heard weather, whereby that weake and ſmall barke of his, is much toſſed and troubled; but ſome times, though ſeldome, finds the benefit of a pleaſant calme, whereby he may be refreſhed, and the better inabled with ſtrength and patience, both to expect and to vndergoe the future imminēt troubles, which ſhall betide him. O Lord, I looke not for my reſt, whiles I ſaile in this troubleſome ſea; for thou haſt ſaid it, and I beleeue it, and all thy Saints and ſeruants haue ſeene the truth of it in their own experience; euen that thorough manie troubles, by many afflictions we muſt haue paſſage, and entrance into thy kingdome, when it pleaſeth thee O bleſſed Lord, either ſend me a calme after thoſe ſtormes which haue gone ouer me; or elſe (which I rather deſire) cauſe me ſpeedily to arriue at that hauen, which I hope and long for; and where I ſhall enioy perfect and perpetuall reſt and peace, without anie trouble or diſquietneſſe, yea without the ſcare of any of thoſe perils and dangers, vnto which I am now continually ſubiect.

The Ancre of the ſoule in afflictions.

A Shippe that is on the ſea in ſtormie & tempeſtuous weather, if it hath not an ancre, which being caſt forth, may hold and ſtay it, is carried vp and downe, and toſſed to and fro, with much violence; and ſo at length either driuen vpon the ſands, or daſhed againſt the rocks: In like maner it is with all thoſe, that in the troubleſome ſea of this dangerous world (where there are ſo many ſtormes & tempeſts continually ariſing) want the ancre of their ſoules, euen true faith in Chriſt, and an aſſured hope of the promiſes made by him; they are toſſed to and fro continually, hauing no reſt, no comfort, no confidence; they are carried away violently with the raging waters; and in the end, either fall vpon ſome quicke ſands, which ſwallow them vp, and cauſe them to ſink into the bottome of that great deepe; or elſe ruſh againſt ſome ſtony and craggy rocke, which beateth them to pieces, & bringeth them to ruine. O my God, thou ſeeſt the great perils and dangers I am ſubiect vnto, and ſhall be as long as I liue in this world, which is a ſea of miſeries, and manifold calamities. The windes blow, the deepe wateres lift vp their ſwelling waues, and the ſtormie tempeſts threaten me with ſhipwracke, to the ruine and deſtruction both of my ſoule & bodie: O therefore, let me neuer want that aſſured hope, which being as the ancre of my ſoule, both ſure and ſtedfaſt, may enter into that which is within the vaile, and claſp faſt hold of thoſe gracious promiſes which thou haſt made vnto me in thy Chriſt my bleſſed Sauiour: ſo ſhall I not onely be ſafe, and confident in the middeſt of thoſe dangers, which are round about me; but alſo in the end, hauing eſcaped out of them all, arriue at that pleaſant hauen of true felicitie, and endleſſe bliſſe and happineſſe; vnto which the deſire and praier of my heart is, that thou wouldeſt ſhortly bring me, that ſo I may reſt with thee, and ſing praiſes vnto thee, in thy kingdome vnceſſantly, euen for euer.

Great danger in yeelding to the leaſt motion of any ſinne.

IN euery ſinne that any one yeelds vnto, he laies himſelfe open vnto ye Diuell, & giues him power of him: how carefull therefore ſhould men be to auoide all ſinnes; and not willingly to admit the leaſt, ſith thereby they giue Sathan, ſo great aduantage againſt them. O Lord giue me grace alwaies to reſiſt Sathan, in the entrance of his ſuggeſtions, and temptations, euen in the firſt motions vnto euill, wherewith he ſhall at any time aſſaile me, that ſo he may neuer be able to preuaile againſt me, or to get the dominion ouer me.

Grace to be increaſed daily by all meanes.

GRace if it be not continually nouriſhed and increaſed by all good meanes, which God hath appointed, it will quickly waſte and decay exceedingly. How many haue we ſeene that of ſtrong haue become weak & feeble? that hauing for a time flouriſhed with many excellent graces, and been as greene Oliues, or fruitfull plants in the houſe of God, haue afterwards appeared as ſeare trees, and as withered branches, as though they had almoſt no iuice or ſap left in thē, which might cauſe them to budde forth, and to become fruitfull? O mercifull God, as it pleaſeth thee to giue me thy grace in any meaſure, ſo grant that I maybe carefull alwaies, to vſe all meanes, whereby it may be preſerued, and daily ſtrengthned, and increaſed in me; that thus the longer I liue in this world, the more fruitfull I may be, abounding in euery good worke; my laſt daies maybe my beſt daies, & the inward man of my ſoule maybe renued, the more that this outward man ſhall periſh and decay: and hauing in my life time, cauſed thy grace to ſhine forth vnto others, I may after this life, ſhine as a ſtarre, in the brightneſſe of glory, in thy kingdome for euermore. Amen.

Sathans guilefull temptations.

WHo knoweth the power, the craft, & malice, of Sathan, ye wilie ſerpent, yt roaring Lyon? he walketh about the earth continually, and compaſſeth it to and fro, on euery ſide looking for his prey; yea he ſeeketh by all meanes to inſinuate himſelfe into vs by many ſuggeſtions, and diuers kinds of temptations, and thereby to ſting vs vnto death: he waites his time, watches the occaſion fitteſt for his purpoſe, and whereby he may eaſilieſt preuaile; and as hee is warie in chooſing his time, and taking his occaſion and opportunitie, ſo is he as cunning in making choice of the means, obſeruing the inclinations, the natures and ſeuerall diſpoſitions of men, both in regard of mind, & of bodie. Thus he deceiued the perfecteſt that euer were on earth, euen our firſt parents in Paradiſe, and that in the time of their innocencie and integritie, before ſin had made man ſo ſubiect vnto Sathan, as now all are: thus alſo ſince the fall, he hath deceiued and beguiled the wiſeſt that euer was among men, as he did Salomon; the ſtrongeſt, as he did Sampſon; the holieſt, as he did Dauid, &c. There is no place ſo holy, no excerciſe ſo good, which can quaile his courage, or reſtraine the boldneſſe of his attempts: yea euen the beſt things will he ſeeke to make ſerue for his purpoſe; out of the beſt duties and actions which we doe, or can performe, he will take his aduantage againſt vs, and cauſe vs to ſinne againſt God, when we deſire & endeuour moſt to approue our ſelues vnto him. O Lord ſith that euil one is alwaies tēpting, let me alwaies, & in al things be vigilant and watchfull: let my eies be open, & my heart waking continually, leſt that enuious & malitious ſpirit, ſow his tares, whiles I ſleepe in careleſneſſe and ſecuritie; yea ſith that enemie of thy grace, and of the ſaluation of thy children, is ſo mightie, ſo ſubtile, and malitious, grant that I may not be ſecure at anie time, but alwaies keep a ſure guarde ouer my heart, and all the affections of the ſame: and becauſe I am weake of my ſelfe, be thou faithfull according vnto thy promiſe, to aſſiſt me in all thoſe temptations, wherewith Sathan ſhall at any time aſſaile me: ſo ſhall I praiſe the for euer, who art my ſtrength & my ſaluation, euen the God through whom I am able to doe all things, & by whom all mine enemies are ſubdued vnto me.

Chriſtians are to eſtrange themſelues from this world, and to aſpire vnto heauen.

WE are all of vs heere pilgrimes and ſtrangers: heauen is our country; God our father; Chriſt our elder brother; all the Saints and Angels our neereſt kinſfolke, and our beſt friends, and louingſt companions, who expect & looke continuallie for our comming into that heauenly citie, that celeſtiall manſion, the place where they & we are to reſt & remain with our Sauiour in ye preſence of that glorious God for euer, to be partakers of that felicity & bleſſednes which is vnſpeakable and glorious: Why then doe we not weane our ſelues from the world? why do we ſettle our ſelues here, where our reſt is not? yea why are we ſo loth to leaue this drie and barren wilderneſſe, where we liue among ſtrangers that know vs not, yea amongſt many wild and ſauage creatures, who ſeeke to do vs all the miſchiefe they can? O Lord, raiſe vp my thoughts, and the affections of my heart vnto thoſe things which are aboue, vnto thoſe things which concerne my future eſtate in thy kingdom: let it be continually the earneſt deſire of my heart, to be with thee my God in the heauens, there to behold thy face in glory for euer, and to haue the full fruition of that ſweet and comfortable fellowſhip and communion of my Sauiour, and of all the Saints & Angels, wherein conſiſts true happineſſe and bleſſedneſſe.

Death alwaies to be remembred.

MAny liue as if they ſhold neuer die; they remember not the euill daies that ſhall come vpon them, and the yeares which ſhall approch, wherein they ſhall ſay, We haue no pleaſure in them. They conſider not how their eyes ſhall waxe dimme, their eares deafe, their tongues ſpeechles, yea how their ſpirits & all their ſenſes ſhall faile them, and all thoſe worldlie helpes (wherein now they reſt and comfort themſelues) vtterly forſake them. O Lord, teach thou me to number my daies, that I may applie my heart vnto wiſdome: Let me alwaies be mindfull of my end, & conſider ſeriouſly of my frailetie & mortalitie, that ſo when death cōmeth (which continually waiteth vpon me) it may not find me vnprepared, but that in the laſt houre, (the verie remembrance whereof is bitter vnto many) I may find ſound comfort, and be tranſlated out of this vale of teares, this place of mourning, where I am compaſſed about with ſinne and miſerie, into the kingdome of thy deare Sonne, and my bleſſed Sauiour, and ſo be made partaker of that glorious and immortall inheritance, which thou reſerueſt for vs, euen for all thy Saints, in the higheſt heauens, the place where thou dwelleſt in glorie and maieſtie, and where we ſhall liue and raigne with thee eternallie.

What maner of life it becommeth Chriſtians to leade.

THe heathen could ſay, that if men (as it is meet they ſhould) would haue this alwaies in their minds, that they were made of God himſelfe, in regard of the better part, which is the ſoule and ſpirit; that God was their father, he doubted not but they would leade a life beſeeming their eſtate and condition; that they would do nothing, whereby they might ſhew themſelues to be baſe & degenerate, ſuch as in whom there were no reſemblance, of that diuine and heauenly nature. Me thinks, many that are Chriſtians (at leaſt in name and profeſſion) ſhould bluſh when they reade, when they heare this. They call God father, and thinke themſelues much wronged, if any ſhould tell them that they were not his children, and that not onelie by creation (as the heathen are) but alſo in a more ſpeciall maner by grace and adoption through Chriſt: and yet behold, many of them are not aſhamed of that vileneſſe and baſeneſſe in their behauiour, their actions, liues and practiſes, which the pagans and heathen themſelues were aſhamed of, and haue condemned as by their liues, ſo alſo by their writings, thereby ſetting a brand of iuſt reproch and eternall infamie vpon the foreheads of ſuch fained & counterfet Chriſtians, who are the ſtaine of true religion and chriſtianity; & ſuch as though they think, that of right they may claime this title to themſelues, to be the choſen people of God, thoſe to whom he hath giuen the name & priuiledge of his owne ſonnes, yet in verie deed are the children of the diuell ſeuen-fold more then the heathen themſelues, who knew not God in Chriſt. O mercifull Lord, grāt I humblie beſeech thee, that as I call thee father, and beleeue and acknowledge my ſelfe to be thine owne adopted ſonne through thy Chriſt, in whom thou haſt freely loued and elected me from eternitie; ſo alſo I may haue grace from thee (for thy gift onelie it is) not to faſhion my ſelfe like vnto the wicked and vngodly, the men of this world; that I may not be like vnto them in thoſe vaine courſes, wherein they walke and delight themſelues; but that I may alwaies do thoſe things which are beſeeming my calling and profeſſion; as acknowledging thee to be my father, and glorying in this, that I am thy ſonne, ſo liuing and ordering my ſelfe as it becommeth thy ſonne; euen ſhining forth in all holineſſe of life, and godly conuerſation, to the glory of thy name, the peace and comfort of mine owne conſcience, and to the good example of others, whom thou haſt aduanced vnto the ſame profeſſion, which is ſo glorious.

Gods patience in bearing with ſinners.

IT is a wonder, that the Sunne, which is a witneſſe of ſo many, and ſo enormous ſinnes and wickedneſſes as are committed vpon the earth, ſtandeth ſo long in the heauens, and giueth light vnto the world; that the heauens are not diſſolued, and that the elements melt not; that the waters ouerflow not and ouerwhelme vs: yea that Chriſt, that iuſt and righteous Iudge of the whole world, commeth not in flaming fire, to burne vp this earth with all the workes therein, which are polluted & defiled with our ſins. It is thy mercie O Lord, that we are not conſumed. O be thou patient towards vs, who ceaſe not to prouoke thee daily. Let thy good ſpirit ſtill ſtriue with vs, yea draw vs vnto thee, with the conſideration of thy lenitie, and the riches of thy bountifulneſſe; that ſo thy long ſufferance may be vnto vs ſaluation, euen an effectuall meanes, to winne vs vnto the loue, and obedience of thy maieſtie, and ſo in the end to bring vs to eternall life and happineſſe in the heauens.

The ſoule how it is to be fitted and prepared, for the entertainment of ſo glorious a gueſt, as the holy Ghoſt is.

IF thou wert to entertaine ſome honourable perſonage, how carefull wouldſt thou be to make ſuch preparation and prouiſion for him, that he might be receiued in that maner that were fit for his place and eſtate? how much more carefull & ſollicitous then oughteſt thou to be, to prepare the ſecret lodgings of thy heart and ſoule; to ſee that nothing be out of order in thy whole man; that no vncleanneſſe, nor any thing which is any way polluted remaine within thee, who art to receiue and to entertaine ſo honourable a gueſt, euen the holy ſpirit of the moſt high God, and to become a temple for ſo great, and ſo glorious a preſence, to dwell in for euer? O heauenly Father, purifie my heart, with the ſprinkling of the blood of that immaculate lambe Chriſt Ieſus ye righteous; purge me daily more and more from all my corruptions, euen thoſe which are moſt ſecret, and open to the view of none, but of thy all-ſeeing maieſtie, whoſe eye pierceth thorough all things, and ſeeth and diſcerneth perfectlie thoſe things which are hid from the ſight of men, and which we our ſelues are ignorant of. Cleanſe me both in ſoule, in bodie, and in ſpirit, from the filthineſſe of all ſinne and iniquitie, and from the ſtaine of all inbred corruption; and ſo ſanctifie me throughout with thy grace, that I may be a fit temple and manſion for thy holy ſpirit to reſt in; yea that thou maiſt delight to remaine, to abide, and to dwell with me for euer; which is the onely happineſſe and felicitie which my ſoule deſireth and longeth for, and which I know aſſuredly, thou who haſt promiſed it, wilt not denie vnto me.

Grieuing of the ſpirit of God.

THou art vnwilling to giue iuſt occaſion wherby thy kind friend might be grieued, and ſo for thy vnkind dealing with him, be moued to leaue thee, and depart from thee in diſpleaſure, hauing no delight, no deſire to return any more vnto thee, no ſcarcely though he be much ſought vnto, and intreated with great importunitie. Why then doſt thou daily and hourely deale ſo vnkindly with thy beſt friend? why doſt thou grieue the ſpirit of God, which is the onely comforter, and without whom, thou canſt neuer haue anie true peace, or contentment, in any eſtate or condition of life? Why doſt thou continually offer him ſo iuſt cauſe to turn away from thee, yea to remoue farre off, and to denie any more to viſite thee, with yt gratious and comfortable preſence of his, though thou ſhouldeſt hereafter neuer ſo oft, and ſo earneſtly ſeeke and ſue vnto him? O my God, forgiue me my ſins whereby I haue heretofore grieued that holy ſpirit of thine, by whom thou haſt ſealed me, and aſſured me of thoſe gracious promiſes which thou haſt made vnto me in thy Chriſt. Forgiue me thoſe manifold ſinnes and trangreſſions, whereby I haue from time to time, moſt grieuouſly diſpleaſed and prouoked thy maieſtie, who haſt continually ſhewed thy ſelfe euery way ſo good, and ſo kinde vnto me. Hide thy face from them, and let them neuer come into thy remembrance, to be a meanes to cauſe thee (as iuſtlie thou maiſt) to depart, and to take thy ſpirit from me, leſt I die, and periſh. But notwithſtanding my vndeſeruedneſſe, for thy promiſe ſake, doe thou ſtil in mercie, vouchſafe freely to continue thy wonted and accuſtomed loue and kindneſſe vnto me. Giue me not onely the preſence, but alſo the grace and comfort of thy ſpirit; yea let it alwaies reſt and remaine with me, that ſo my ſpirit may liue and praiſe thee. O Lord, this I know, that nothing but my ſinnes, can hinder this goodnes and bleſſing of thine from me: forget therefore, I pray thee, my ſins paſt, couer my ſinnes preſent, and keepe me from falling into ſinne hereafter, and then I am aſſured, that thy bleſſed and gratious ſpirit ſhall dwell with me, and comfort me both now and euer, according vnto thy promiſe.

Spirituall deſertions.

THe Sunne may be eclipſed for a while, by the interpoſition of the thicke & duskie bodie of the Moone; but that being remoued, it will quickly cauſe the bright beams therof to ſhine forth again vnto ye world. The Lord may hide his face from me for a time, by reaſon of my ſinnes, which onely can make a ſeparation and diuiſion betweene him and me, and cauſe him to withdraw the light of his gracious countenance from me; but ſure I am, that he will neuer vtterly forſake me: for his foundation is ſurely laide; his loue and grace is vnchangeable: He hath been once, nay often gracious vnto me, and will continue ſo for euer. O my God, keepe me from ſinning againſt thee; ſo ſhall the light of thy countenance ſhine alwaies vpon me; ſo ſhall I feele the comfort of thy preſence remaining with me, in life, in death, after death, euen for euer.

The truth and faithfulneſſe of God, in performing his promiſes.

THe Lord is mercifull in promiſing, and true in performing whatſoeuer he hath promiſed vnto his children. We haue no other title to the leaſt of Gods bleſſings, but euen this, his mercie and truth, to claime them by; and hauing that, wee need no other. O Lord, although my ſinnes are many and grieuous, and might iuſtlie cauſe thee to withdraw all thy mercies and fauours from me, and to denie any more to be gracious vnto me: yet Lord, thy truth and faithfulneſſe indure for euer. O thinke vpon thy couenant, and according to thy mercie, do thou alwaies remember me, and looke vpon me. Euen for thy promiſe ſake haue mercie vpon me; and notwithſtanding my ſinnes call for iudgement, yet doe thou continue ſtill to be good and gracious vnto me, in the ſupplie of thy manifold bleſſings and mercies.

The comfort of a good conſcience, eſpecially in death.

A Good conſcience is a continuall feaſt, as in and thoroughout the whole life time, ſo eſpeciallie in the houre, and in the verie agonie and pang of death. With what ſweet & pleaſant food of diuine conſolation, doth it then feed the ſoule, & refreſh the mind, when all other comforts faile, and become as running ſtreames dried vp in the heate of ſummer? nothing then will afford the like comfort vnto this. Wouldſt thou ſee this, as it were in a glaſſe, clearely repreſented vnto thy view? Suppoſe that euen now, thou ſaweſt one lying at the point of death, vpon the bed of his ſorrowes, readie to take his laſt farewell of the world, & to lay downe his bodie in the duſt, where he ſhould haue corruption to be his father, and the crawling worme his mother, and his ſiſter; and the graue his houſe and dwelling place for a long ſeaſon, whiles his ſoule being ſeparated from his bodie ſhould depart into a farre countrie. Suppoſe, now at this inſtant, thou ſaweſt one in this eſtate, (as thus moſt certaine it ſhall be with thee, with me, with all of vs) what, thinkeſt thou, would be the greateſt comfort vnto him? what is it, that would moſt refreſh him and cheere him vp? Fine fare, or ſweete iuncats? Alas, he takes no pleaſure in them; he cannot taſt them though they be neuer ſo daintie; or if he could, yet ſhould hee take no delight, nor finde any ſweetneſſe in them: for it is his ſoule that now hungers, and thirſts, and ſeeks for comfort, whiles his bodie is almoſt ſenſeleſſe: He deſireth, he looketh for ſpirituall foode wherewith his fainting ſoule, and languiſhing ſpirits may be fed and refreſhed, and not for corporall; yea that is loathſome vnto him. Sweet muſicke, and delightſome melodie? Alas, the daughters of ſinging are now abaſed; he is almoſt paſt hearing, and though he could heare it neuer ſo well, yet it would not be any refreſhing vnto him, he could not ſolace himſelfe in it; yea rather it would ſeeme harſh in his eares, and vnpleaſant vnto his mind: it is another kind of muſick and melodie which hee longs to heare and hearken after, that therein he may finde ſound ioy and true comfort in that his extremitie. His pleaſures, profits, or great reuenues in this world? neither can theſe comfort him in that houre, they will not afford him any true ioy, pleaſure or delight; no though he might euen ſwimme and bathe himſelfe in the abundance of them: yea rather they would be a trouble vnto him, they would diſquiet & diſtract his mind, both becauſe he now ſeeth that he is preſently to leaue thē for euer, & to giue a finall farewell vnto them, neuer to haue any vſe or benefit of thē afterwards; as alſo, and that eſpeciallie, becauſe he knoweth that he is forthwith, to goe to anſwer, and to giue an account, both for the getting, vſing & imploying of thē, and to receiue accordinglie. His credit, fame and reputation amongſt men? alas, although he were as famous, and renowned as Salomon was, when he was ſo admired, that nations came farre and neere to ſee & to heare him; this then would little auaile him, it would yeeld him no pleaſure, no delight; yea rather it will grieue him to thinke how that haply hath bin an occaſion heretofore to make him proud & vaine-glorious, and how that hereafter it will periſh with the remembrance of him, and vaniſh as the ſmoake, ſo that all his glory ſhall lie buried in the duſt, and his name be as if it had neuer been. Friends, kinſ-folke and acquaintance? Neither can they affoord him any true peace and ſound comfort. Indeed in the time of his health, they might be a ioy and refreſhing vnto him, euen the verie ſight and preſence of them peraduenture would affect him with an inward and ſecret delight and contentment: but now they can bring little or no comfort vnto him, no more then Iobs friends did vnto him in the depth of his miſerie, euen ſit by him and ſay nothing: yea rather they will be a meanes to renue his ſorrow and to increaſe his griefe, becauſe he is ſo ſhortly to take his laſt farewell of them for ſo long a ſeaſon, as alſo for that hee ſees them who are moſt deare vnto him, nothing but mourning, weeping, ſorrowing and lamenting for him on euery ſide, which cannot but diſquiet and trouble him very much, eſpecially hauing his minde ſo much buſied with the ſerious conſideration of that long iourney, which his ſoule, immediatly after the diſſolution and ſeparation thereof from his body, is now preſently to take into that vnknowne land. It is therefore neither the fineſt fare, or daintieſt iuncats, the ſweeteſt muſicke and moſt delightſome melodie, neither pleaſures, profits, great reuenues, honor, preferment, friends, kinſfolks, acquaintance, nor any worldly thing elſe whatſoeuer, though neuer ſo pretious, neuer ſo glorious in the eyes of men, that can yeeld him any true peace, or ſound comfort, when this houre is once come, wherein he muſt breathe out his ſoule (which hath a long time beene vnited vnto his body in ſuch a firme league, and with ſo ſtraite a bond of ſpeciall loue and amitie, that it is death now to depart or to be ſeparated from it) and lay downe his body in the duſt, and make his graue in the darke, where he ſhall neither ſee any, nor be ſeene of any. What therfore (thinkeſt thou) is it, wherein he ſhall finde comfort, when he ſhall ſtand in moſt need of it, hauing beſides all the former occaſions of griefe and ſorrowe, ſinne and Sathan aſſaulting, yea laying harder ſiege againſt him, then euer before; ſeeking by all meanes to daunt him, and to rob & depriue him of al true peace and comfort, yea if it be poſſible to bring him vnto deepe deſpaire? What then would be moſt ſweete and pleaſant vnto him? What would moſt refreſh him, and cheere vp his languiſhing ſpirit? In briefe; if thou ſhouldeſt aske him, what was his comfort in this extremity, wherein he found moſt ioy and delight: would he not anſwere thee, that his reioycing was the teſtimonie of his owne conſcience, euen in this, that he had endeauoured himſelfe, with Paul, to haue alway a cleare conſciēce toward God, and men? in this that he had laboured with Henoch to walke with God al his life long: in this, that it was his chiefe care cōtinually, to liue vprightly, and ſincerely before God, and blameleſly and innocently before men. Would he not tell thee, that this was the thing wherin he reioyced, wherewith he was comforted? Surely without doubt he would. And no maruaile: For this, this (the teſtimony I meane of a good conſcience) would then be as a delightſome feaſt, & a moſt heauenly banquet vnto him. It would be ſweete muſicke, and a pleaſant melodie within him. Neuer did he taſt of ſuch iuncats, as theſe would be to his hungry ſoule, and to his fainting ſpirits. It would be as it were Manna from heauen, and water of life, out of the Sanctuarie of God, to refreſh and to reuiue him when hee were almoſt dead. Neuer did he heare any muſicke that ſo much delighted him. Oh how would it cheere vp his ſoule, and refreſh his minde, cauſing him to breake foorth into that ſpeech of the holie Prophet: Why art thou ſo caſt downe O my ſoule? why art thou ſo diſquieted & ſo troubled within me? O put thy truſt in God, euen thy God; reioyce, yea againe reioyce in him: for loe (as he hath promiſed) hee will ſend foorth his light and his truth, which ſhal leade thee & bring thee ſafely vnto his holy mountaine, and vnto his dwelling place. Lo he wil plenteouſly reward thee, receiuing thee preſently into his heauenly palace, and ſet thee vpon a Throne, and crowne thee with glorie and immortalitie. Or to ſay with that ancient and religious Father: Goe foorth ô my ſoule, what feareſt thou? why art thou danted or any waies diſmaied? Goe foorth, what needeſt thou to feare? Commit thy ſelfe vnto him; who as he is a faithfull Creator, ſo is hee alſo a liberall rewarder of all them that delight in well doing. Behold thou haſt fought a good fight, thou haſt finiſhed thy courſe, thou haſt endeuoured to keepe faith and a good conſcience, and to ſerue God in truth, vprightnes and ſinceritie all thy daies. So therefore thoſe heauenly miniſters, the Angels of God who haue heretofore attended vpon thee, are now ready waiting for thee, eue • to embrace thee wi •• their armes, and to c • r • ie thee with ioy and triumph into that heauenly citie, that celeſtiall paradiſe, that new Hieruſalem, where thou ſhalt enioy the bleſſed preſence of that glorious God, a • d the comfortable ſocietie and compa ••• o • al the Saints and Angels, who deſire and expect thy comming, and with whom thou ſhalt liue, and conuer • e in heauenly manner, being •• tisfied with fulnes of ioy, bl • ſſe and happineſſe for euermore. This is the comfort which a good conſcience will giue, as thoroughout the whole life, in the daies of triall and afflictiō, ſo eſpecially in the laſt houre, when all worldly comforts ſhall flie from vs, and vtterly forſake vs: As Rahabs threed was better vnto her then all her goods and ſubſtance whē the ſword came, ſo wil this be better vnto vs thē all ye world, when death comes & aſſailes vs, which we know not when, or how ſoone it will. O mercifull God, I beſeech thee, make me wiſe to conſider of theſe things, that ſo I may finde comfort both now, and hereafter, when I ſhall moſt want it, moſt deſire it; and when as without it I cannot but bee exceeding wretched and miſerable. Grant me thy grace, to ſerue thee in righteouſneſſe and holineſſe all my daies, yea to walk before thee in truth and ſinceritie with a perfect heart, and to doe alwaies that which is good in thy ſight, and pleaſing vnto thy Maieſtie; that ſo (hauing my cōuerſation in this world in ſimplicitie, and godly purenes) I may haue the teſtimonie of my conſcience to be my reioycing, and, as it were, a continuall feaſt vnto me al my life long, in all troubles▪ miſeries and afflictions whatſoeuer; yea and that when this ſhort and tranſitorie life ſhall draw to an end, and al worldly comforts become vaine, and no waies auaileable vnto me, I may haue the ſweete comfort and ſolace hereof following and accompanying me vnto death, and reſting and remaining with me in death: that ſo when at length I ſhall ſend foorth my laſt breath (calling to minde and recounting my ſinceritie in thy ſeruice, and reſting vpō thy gracious promiſe for the couering of my manifold defects and infirmities with thy ſonnes righteouſnes) I may then euen lift vp my head with confidence and boldnes, and taking my farewell of this weariſome world, depart hence with ioy and reioycing, knowing aſſuredly yt I ſhal not die but liue, being clothed with glorie, and immortalitie for euermore. This is my life, my hope. They • hat liue not thus, they die whiles they liue, and whē they once die, they die for euer. Oh therefore that all would ſo liue, that thus they might haue peace and comfort whiles they liue, and in the end die the death of the righteous, and be made partakers of their glorie, which many wiſh for, few ſeeke after, but feweſt of all attaine vnto.

Sinne exceeding dangerous, though pleaſant for a time.

SInne is ſweet and pleaſant for the preſent; at leaſt it ſeemeth ſo to the wicked, who neuer taſted of any ſweeter delicates: But certaine, howſoeuer they reliſh it for the preſent, yet doubtleſſe they ſhall finde, to their griefe and ſorrow, that in the end it will bee as bitter as gall or wormewood, yea as death it ſelfe. O Lord, let me neuer delight in thoſe deceiuable pleaſures of ſinne which laſt but for a ſeaſon, & the end whereof is bitternes and deſtructiō: let mee neuer willingly take down, no nor ſo much as once taſte of, thoſe poyſoned morſels which the wicked & vngodly ſwallow with ſo much greedineſſe, as though they could neuer bee ſatisfied or glutted with them: but let me bee alwaies carefull to auoide all ſinne, as I would doe the rankeſt poyſon, which being, though neuer ſo little, but once taſted of, preſent death muſt needes followe, except there be a ſpeciall recouerie, by that ſole and ſoueraigne medicine of Chriſts righteouſnes, which is neither giuen, nor can be applied to any of thoſe, who wilfully and deſperatly drinke downe any of that deadly poyſon, though they be oft forewarned of the danger of it.

The vſuall euent of Satans practiſes againſt the Church of God.

IT hath alwaies been, and it is diligētly to be obſerued, that by what plots and practiſes ſoeuer, Satan hath attempted the vndermining of the Church of God, and the finall ſubuerſion and ouerthrow of the ſame, they haue turned in the end, if not to the ruine, yet to the weakning of his owne kingdom, ſo that he receiued the greateſt foile, where hee thought he ſhould haue moſt preuailed. Eſpecially wee of this nation, haue ſeene this more apparātly in later yeers; and as it was the Lords doing, and wonderfull in our eyes, ſo ought wee neuer to forget it, but to bee alwaies mindfull of it, yea to make report of it vnto thoſe that are a farre off, and to rehearſe it hereafter to thoſe that are yet vnborne, that ſo the goodnes of the Lord, & the care which he hath ouer his Church, may bee knowne and acknowledged, and due thankes, praiſe and glorie be returned vnto him by many, for the ſame, in all enſuing ages. O Lord remember thy wonted mercies, and continue ſtill good and gracious vnto thy Church & choſen. O be thou fauourable vnto thy Sion, and build vp the walles of Ieruſalem; make vp the breaches, and repaire the ruines and the deſolate and decaied places thereof: diſappoint Satan in al his miſchieuous counſell, and diuelliſh policies & deuices, wherby he ſeeketh the ouerthrow of it. Caſt out all the curſed Iebuſites which diſturbe the peace, and are enemies vnto the proſperitie of it: keepe it as thy little flock, which hath alwaies been tender and deare vnto thee: loue it and delight in it, as in thine owne ſpouſe, which thou haſt choſen vnto thy ſelfe out of all the nations of the earth: bleſſe and ſanctifie it with thy grace, & defend it alwaies with thy mightie power. Compaſſe it with a wall of fire round about, and fight thou from heauē againſt thē that fight againſt it. Thus O Lord bee thou gracious to thine owne inheritance, thy choſen Sion. Let peace bee within the walles, and plenteouſneſſe within the palaces thereof, that ſo thy Goſpell may floriſh, thy name be glorified, thy ſeruants comforted, thy Saints repaired, the number of thy children on earth accompliſhed, theſe ſinfull daies finiſhed, and finally the glorious kingdom of thy Son fully eſtabliſhed for euer in the heauens. Amen.

Chriſtians ought to keepe continuall watch in regard of Satans aſſaults.

SEeſt thou not how carefull thoſe that are beſieged & aſſaulted of their enemies, are to haue their Centinels, and to make their defence ſure, and to fortifie thoſe places eſpecially where the enemie giueth the fierceſt onſet, or where there is more danger that a breach ſhould be made for his entrance. Behold thou art cōtinually enuironed with many ſpirituall enemies, the powers of darkneſſe, which haue beſet thee round about on euery ſide: They haue laid a ſtrong ſiege againſt thee, and aſſault thee euery houre, euery moment, ſeeking by all meanes to make a breach into thy ſoule, and to bring both thy ſoule and bodie to perpetuall ruine and deſolation: and wilt thou then be ſecure? wilt thou bee careleſſe? nay, wilt thou fooliſhly ſet open the gates, conſenting vnto ſin in the temptations thereof, that ſo Satan may enter in and make a ſpoile of thee? O Lord, though many bee ſo fooliſh and vnwiſe, yet ſuffer not me to bee like vnto them: but ſince ſo many, and ſo dangerous enemies, thoſe ſpirituall wickedneſſes, doe bend their forces and intrench themſelues about me continually, grant that I may bee wiſe to preuent the miſchiefe which they intend to bring vpō me: make mee alwaies watchfull and carefull to ſtand for my defence and ſafetie againſt them: eſpecially let me ſeeke and endeuour by all meanes to fortifie my ſoule againſt thoſe ſinnes, whereby Satan doth moſt aſſaile me, and to get ſtrength againſt thoſe weakneſſes, whereby hee may ſooneſt haue aduantage of me, and bring me into danger: yea O Lord doe thou watch ouer mee, doe thou ſtrengthen me. Heale all my infirmities, repaire the ruines of my ſoule, make vp the manifold breaches therof. Compaſſe me about with thy grace and fauour, that ſo none of thoſe ſpirituall enemies may euer haue power ouer me, but that I may be defended from them in the time of this my warfare heere on earth, and hereafter triumph gloriouſly ouer them in the heauens for euermore.

Greater care is to be had of things to come, then of things preſent.

O How carefull are moſt for their bodies, how careleſſe for their ſoules! For the things of this world what paines, what labour doe they willingly vndergo! for thoſe of the world to come, how remiſſe, how exceeding negligent are they? Lord grant that I may be alwaies moſt carefull of that which is moſt neceſſarie: that I may preferre heauen before earth, thoſe things which are ſpirituall, before thoſe that are corporal; things which are permanent and euerlaſting, before the lying and deceitfull vanities of this world; endleſſe and vnſpeakable glorie and happines, before vaine and ſuppoſed felicitie.

Gods all-ſeeing preſence.

THe eyes of the Lord are open vpon all the waies of men, hee ſeeth and obſerueth them; euen thoſe things which they doe in greateſt ſecrecy are moſt cleere and manifeſt vnto him: they are naked & diſcouered in his ſight, and he taketh notice of all of them. O therefore how great is the boldnes and audaciouſnes of ſuch as dare preſume willinglie and wittinglie to commit ſo grieuous and ſo odious ſinnes, whiles they are in ſo glorious a preſence! who is ſo prophane and ſo graceleſſe that ſhould not be aſhamed of this? yea that ſhould not bee euen aſtoniſhed in himſelfe, to conſider that all his ſinnes (whereof ſome one of them, if it ſhould bee made knowne vnto ye world, would make him bluſh and hang downe his head for ſhame) lie open and vncouered before the face of almightie God, euen the cleere eyes of that infinite and glorious Maieſty, who is ſo pure that he cannot abide any vncleannes, yea that hee cannot once endure the ſight of any thing, which is ſpotted and ſtained with the filth of ſin. O Lord, let me alwaies ſee thee preſent with me, viewing, marking, and obſeruing the whole courſe and carriage of my life; not only how I compoſe my ſelfe outwardly before men, but how euen the thoughts of my heart are framed within me; that thus I may not onely bee reſtrained frō the commiſſion of outward actuall wickedneſſes, (which euen the ſhame of the world cauſeth many that are altogether voide and deſtitute of thy ſanctifying grace to refraine themſelues from) but alſo may feare to giue entertainmēt to any motion vnto the leaſt ſinne, and ſtriue after holineſſe and puritie, that ſo I may bee approued of thee, and finde grace and fauour in thy ſight.

A motiue to patience vnder the croſſe.

ALthough it be grieuous vnto vs, yet it is good for vs to bee vnder the croſſe. It is no ſmall benefit which we receiue by afflictions, if we looke vnto the end and iſſue of them: for thereby wee are humbled more then we were; made more earneſt and feruent in prayer; readier to ſeek vnto the Lord; to cleaue faſter vnto him, and to depend ſolely and wholly vpon him, making him our hope, our ſtay, and onely refuge; yea thereby our faith, hope, patience, and all other graces of Gods ſpirit are exerciſed and increaſed, and that inward man of ours daily more and more renued, whiles wee are outwardly oppreſſed and afflicted. In briefe, thereby we are weaned from the world, and the vaine and tranſitorie things thereof, and made not onely mindfull, but alſo deſirous of the day of death, and of the time of our diſſolution; whenas being freed from all thoſe miſeries (wherewith we are and ſhall be compaſſed on euery ſide, as long as wee liue in this wretched world, and carrie this bodie of ſin about with vs) wee ſhall enter into that reſting place, where wee ſhal want nothing which may make for our bleſſedneſſe and felicitie. Let nothing then be diſtaſtful vnto me, which thou ſeeſt to bee good for me, O Lord: but let me euer be content (if it ſo pleaſeth thee) to drinke downe willingly the bittereſt cup of the moſt grieuous affliction, which thou ſhalt offer vnto me, ſeeing that in the end thereof I ſhall find much ſweetnes.

None euer free from the temptations of Satan.

THere is none that is not often aſſailed by the tēpter, euen the moſt holie and righteous men that liue vpon the earth: when one temptation is reſiſted and paſſed ouer, they are to expect another, and to prepare themſelues for it: vnlooked for blowes are moſt dangerous. O Lord, I ſee how buſie that enemie of mine is; how many waies he laboureth to vndermine me, and that eſpecially when I am leaſt aware of him. O let me be alwaies readie to meete him in the gate, before hee enter too farre vpon me: let me not be ſecure and careleſſe, but very watchfull and vigilant; euer prepared to encounter with him, and to reſiſt him, eſpecially in the beginning of his aſſaults, wherein if I withſtand him with faith, courage and reſolution, I doubt not, but with thy grace, I ſhall in the end eaſilie get the victorie of him, and ſee him flie before me.

Satans temptations, ſometimes more grieuous and dangerous then at other times.

SOme haue more grieuous temptations preſently after their firſt calling and conuerſion vnto God: ſome long after; ſome throughout their whole life haue that euill one vnceſſantly caſting many fiery darts at them, thereby (if it were poſſible) to wound them euen vnto death, almoſt euery moment, or at leaſt to make their liues weariſome & irkeſome vnto them: Theſe are not to faint, or to deſpaire, whiles they are thus tempted, but to be the more carefull to bee alwaies well appointed, and readie furniſhed, with the whole compleate armour of God, whereby they may bee able to defend themſelues, frō the rage and malice of that furious enemie and deadly aduerſarie of theirs, who thirſteth after the blood of their ſoules, and deſireth nothing more then their vtter ruine and confuſion. Since hee is ſo fierce and eager vpon them, they are to bee thus armed continually; and withall to pray vnto the Lord, and that oft and more earneſtlie, that he would ſhield and ſafegard them, and giue vnto thē a ioyfull iſſue out of all their temptations; and then no doubt at length they ſhall ſee the ſaluation of the Lord, in the ouerthrow of that malitious enemie, by whom heretofore they haue bin ſo greatly vexed, and ſo much endangered. O Lord thou art the God of my ſtrength; I flie vnto thee alone for ſuccour and for aide in theſe great extremities, euen in theſe grieuous temptations & aſſaults, wherby Satan, my maine aduerſarie doth ſeeke daily to oppreſſe my ſoule: Doe thou arme, and ſo ſtrengthen mee with thy grace, that through the power of thy might, I may preuaile againſt him, and put him to the greateſt foile, when hee intendeth the greateſt miſchiefe, and thinketh to haue the ſtrongeſt hand ouer me, & the moſt aduantage againſt me; ſo ſhall I ſing praiſes vnto thy name, both now and euer; and teach others to reſort vnto thee in their greateſt dangers, and hardeſt conflicts, euen then when the powers of hell, ſhall ſet themſelues moſt againſt them.

Sathan more dangerous in leſſer temptatious ſometimes then in greater.

MAny are free from the danger of greater tentations, who are often ouercome of leſſer, to the ende that they might be truely humbled, and haue no confidence in themſelues, or their owne ſtrength; ſeeing of themſelues (as they finde by experiēce) they are ſo weake, that the leaſt tentation is too ſtrong for them, and therefore could not poſſibly, but fainte preſently vnder the greateſt, and yeeld without any reſiſtance, if they were not ſuſtained and ſupported by the ſpeciall aſſiſtance of that powerfull God, againſt whom no emnitie is able to reſiſt; yea to whom the very gates of hell are ſubiect, and able to doe nothing without his permiſſion and ſufferance, who is abſolute Lord of all things. O Lord, thou haſt manifeſted thy power vnto me, in deliuering me from the danger of the moſt grieuous aſſaults, wherewith Sathan hath ſought my ouerthrowe, and wherby I feared that he would haue ſooneſt preuailed againſt me; & thou haſt giuen me ſufficient proofe of mine own weaknes, in ſuffering me to be foyled, where there ſeemed to be leaſt feare of any ſuch danger. O let me alwaies acknowledge mine owne weaknes, and impotencie and extoll thy grace and power; that ſo I may not repoſe any truſt or confidence in my ſelfe, or in mine owne ſtrēgth for the reſiſting of the leaſt emnitie, the leaſt aſſault that at any time is made againſt me; but may wholly at all times reſt, and depend vpon thee, who alone art able to doe all things.

Whom Sathan tempteth moſt.

SAthan is alwaies moſt buſie where he hath leaſt to doe: His aſſaults are ſtrongeſt where he is moſt encountred; where he hath all things in poſſeſſion he is quiet. Lord I am not ignorant of his continuall enterpriſes, his great forces, his dangerous ſtratagems, his miſchieuous counſell, and diuelliſh will. To whom ſhall I flie, but to thee for helpe, for ſuccour, and for aide? Of my ſelfe I am weake, feeble, fainthearted, neuer able to meete, much leſſe to withſtand and vanquiſh ſo ſtrong an enemie, ſo great an aduerſarie. I make thee, O Lord, my onely refuge: thou art my ſtrength; through the helpe of thy Chriſt, who hath triumphed gloriouſly ouer Sathan and al ſpirituall enmities, I am able to do all things. Strengthen me, O my God, with thy might, through that glorious power of thine, wherunto hell it ſelfe is ſubiect: ſtrengthen me in the houre of tentation: Couer my head in the day of battell, put thy ſpirit into my heart, and that two-edged ſword of thine into my hands; and aboue all things giue mee the ſhield of faith, and the helmet of ſaluation; yea put vpon me that whole complea • e armour of thine, that I may be able to reſiſt in the euill day when the rage and furie of the enemie ſhall be greateſt; and to ouercome, yea euen to tread down Satan vnder my feete, and ſo in the end, hauing finiſhed all things, and kept the faith, through hope and patience at length receiue that crowne of righteouſneſſe, which thou haſt promiſed, and which as I expect, ſo I know, thou the righteous God wilt giue vnto me, at that glorious appearance of my bleſſed Sauiour; whoſe comming as I dailie looke for, ſo I deſire thee to haſten. Come Lord Ieſus, come quickly. Amen.

The wonderfull workes of God in heauen and earth.

STand and conſider: lift vp thine eyes to heauen, and after that caſt them downe to the earth, and behold the workes of God: ſhalt thou not haue cauſe to admire at the wiſedome thou ſhalt finde in them, and to giue glorie to the Lord, the Creator & preſeruer of them? Looke vp and conſider the light of the Sun, euen that noble and ſwift giant, which is appointed of the Lord to runne his race euerie day, and to be his meſſenger, to ſhew forth to the world, the glorie of his Maker: Conſider the Moone, the number and order of the Starres; that faire and excellent curtaine which the Lord hath drawne ouer vs. Conſider alſo the power and changes of the wind; the ſtore-houſe and treaſuries of the raine, haile, ſnow, lightning, thunder; the multitude and huge heaps of the waters in that vaſt depth; that great Leuiathan which taketh his paſtime therein, with innumerable creatures elſe which liue, and moue there: Conſider likewiſe the earth thou treadeſt vpon; the natures and kindes of beaſts, the fruites of the trees, the varietie of flowers, the properties of ſtones, the vertue of herbes, of plants, and roots: In brief, the whole earth, the ſea, the heauēs, with all their rich and glorious furniture: Haue they not written and engrauen vpon them in great and text letters, Praiſe and glorie to the Lord? Yea do but looke vpon thy ſelfe, and into thy ſelfe, and ſhalt thou not find in thee, a little world, of ſtrange & admirable works of God? Yea, O Lord, al things are full of thy wiſedome, and of the glorie of thy mightie power. O let me delight in the conſideration of them, let my minde bee raiſed vp, by them, to the meditation of the excellencie and great renowne of thee, the Creator and maker of them; yea let my heart be drawne thereby, to a holie and reuerent feare of thy glorious Maieſtie, and to an earneſt deſire and entire affectiō to ſing praiſes continually vnto thee. A ſhame it is for me to bee dumbe or ſilent, ſince all thy creatures are ſo loude, neuer ceaſing to ſpeake of thy praiſe, and to ſhew foorth thy glorie in that excellent workmanſhip, which thine owne hand hath framed in the heauens, the earth, the ſeas, and all places.

A caueat for raſh cenſurers of the weakneſſes and infirmities of others.

IT is a thing incident to the nature of men, to bee very curious in prying into the faults of others, & very careleſſe in ſearching into their owne waies, or taking a view of thoſe ſins and corruptions which lie lurking in their owne boſomes. Experience euery where giueth too cleere euidence of this. It is a vice which euery one, that hath any care or conſcience to order his life according to the preſcript and determinate rule of Gods word, muſt labour diligently to reforme himſelfe of. And ſure, it were wiſdome for men rather to bee curious in things which concerne themſelues, then others; more readie to eſpie out their owne faults, to cenſure their owne actions, and to iudge their owne ſelues, then others. For whiles they ſift others ſo narrowly, and paſſe ſentence againſt them vnaduiſedly, they doe oft times not only much trouble themſelues in that, for which they ſhall haue no thankes for their labour, nor benefit themſelues any waies; but alſo erre, and ſinne moſt grieuouſly againſt God, and their neighbour, and moſt dāgerouſly againſt their own ſoules, which they wound whiles they ſeeke to wound others: whereas if they would bee as carefull to ſpend the ſame time in examining their owne waies, in looking and prying into their own actiōs, and in cenſuring and iudging themſelues, without all partialitie and ſiniſter affection, they ſhould doe that which would bee very pleaſing vnto God, and very fruitfull and profitable vnto themſelues, and which they ſhall neuer haue cauſe to repent themſelues of. Good Lord, let me neuer delight, as many doe, (euen like the Spider, or ſuch venomous creatures) to feede vpon poyſon only; to bee alwaies looking into the weakneſſes and infirmities of others; but let me euer be more cleere eied, and quick ſighted, in eſpying out mine own ſins, then the frailties of others, and more ready to ſit as iudge vpon my ſelfe, then vpon others; yea let me alwaies bee very charitably minded, in hoping, and interpreting the beſt of others, neuer paſſing ſentence againſt thē, no not in my ſecreteſt thoughts, til I ſee moſt cleere euidence, whereby they are ſo manifeſtly conuicted, that there can bee no colour for their ſinne, nor iuſt plea for their defence; and very ſeuere & cenſorious in dealing with my ſelfe; both fearing and ſuſpecting the worſt euen in my beſt actions; and iudging and condemning my ſelfe in thoſe things, wherein to others happely, I might ſeeme rather to bee iuſtified and approued.

The infirmities of others are to be borne with.

IT is a rare vertue to beare with the weakneſſes and infirmities of our brethrē; and yet ſuch as muſt bee duly and carefully practiſed of vs all, if we be Chriſtians, not in name only, but in deed, and in truth. We haue both the commandement & example of Chriſt, whereby we ſhould be drawn vnto this dutie, ſo well beſeeming all that are his. It is the will of God that wee ſhould beare one anothers burthen; and therefore if wee will not by our practiſe make open profeſſion, that we are ſuch as are lawleſſe, let vs bee carefull to doe it. And if any be more auerſe and backward hereunto (as indeed ſuch is the nature of vs all, that wee can hardlie keepe our ſelues ſtrictly within the compaſſe of this law) let him looke into the equitie thereof, and ſee how iuſt and meete the thing is, which the Lord requireth of him herein. Conſider thy ſelfe well: Thou wouldeſt haue others to tolerate thoſe things which, it may be, are intolerable in thee; and wilt not thou with patience, wiſedome, and loue, beare with the frailties and weakneſſes of others, which may more eaſily be endured; eſpecially if they bee ſuch as complaine and groane vnder that burthē, ſo that thou needeſt not lay more waight vpon them, except thou mindeſt in the malice of thy wicked heart, to preſſe them downe, and cauſe them to ſinke vnder their loade, whereas in meeknes of ſpirit, and in a tender affection, and brotherly compaſſion, thou ſhouldeſt ſeeke to raiſe thē vp, and to ſtrengthen them. Thou art deſirous that others ſhould winke at thy faults which proceed f • ō thy weaknes, and with a fauorable eye ſo look vpon thy defects, which thou canſt not couer, as that they ſhould either not obſerue thē, although they ſee them; or elſe, if they both ſee and obſerue them, not eſteeme the worſe of thee for them, becauſe that euen in the beſt men, and thoſe of greateſt excellencies, there are many infirmities, which although they may (as in wiſedom they ought) be hid from the view of others, yet cannot poſſibly be altogether healed as long as they remaine in the fleſh, and carrie this bodie of ſinne about with them. Thou art deſirous that others ſhould deale thus louingly and charitably with thee; yea thou takeſt it to bee a great offence in them, and a great iniurie vnto thy ſelfe, if they doe otherwiſe, and wilt thou not (as the law of equitie, according vnto which all thy actions ſhould be framed, doth ſtraitly binde thee) mete out the ſame meaſure vnto others, which thou thy ſelfe being in their caſe, in the ſame, or the like condition with them, lookeſt to receiue from them; and if they denie it vnto thee, complaineſt, as if they dealt hardly with thee: Oughteſt thou not to be ſo affected vnto others, as thou thinkeſt it meete that they ſhould be affected vnto thee? If thou beeſt not, who can excuſe thee? ſeeing that thine own conſcience condemnes thee, whiles thou doeſt that thy ſelfe, which thou diſlikeſt, and condemneſt in another; and neglecteſt that dutie which thou requireſt of others, and perſwadeſt thy ſelfe that all without exception are bound vnto. In briefe, if thou canſt not be thy ſelfe, euery way as thou wouldeſt be, yea and vſeſt all diligence, and carefull endeuour that thou mighteſt be; oughteſt thou not in wiſedome to beare with others, who doe not, yea poſſibly cannot in euery thing frame themſelues vnto thy liking, nor be in euery reſpect, as thou wouldeſt they ſhould be? Who is there that will not ſay, that this is a thing both iuſt and equall? O Lord, I know that none can attaine vnto abſolute perfection in this world, but that all, euen the beſt and deareſt of thy children, who haue the greateſt meaſure of thy graces, are ſubiect vnto many infirmities, many weakneſſes and imperfections euen in the beſt of their endeuours, wherin they doe moſt ſtriue after perfection: In my ſelfe eſpecially I do finde many defects, many wants; I doe not, neither can doe, as I would doe, but faile in many things, wherein notwithſtanding I doe deſire, and endeuour to doe that, which might be accepted of thee, and pleaſing vnto thee: I ſee much weakenes in me, and many infirmities, which I doe daily groane vnder, and deſire thee in thy good time to heale me of, and to giue me grace to make this vſe of thē, euen whiles I haue mine eyes continually vpon them, to be thereby the more humbled in my ſelfe, and the more equally, and charitablie affected toward others, couering their offences, and bearing with their weakneſſes, and being readie with the ſpirit of loue and compaſſion to ſupport them, where they ſeeme to be moſt feeble; yea to haue the ſame minde and affection towards them, that being in their eſtate, I would deſire that they ſhould haue towards me, and to put my ſhoulders vnder their burthē, and ſo rather to eaſe them with my patience and ſufferance, then to ouerload them with my vncharitable dealing with them, euen as I being oppreſſed in like manner, would bee deſirous that they ſhould beare part of my burthen, and not make it more grieuous vnto me, leſt I fainted vnder it.

The liues of the Saints of old, and men now a daies, how different they are.

O What differēce is there betweene our liues, and the liues of the Saints, and holie men of God recorded in ſcriptures, and other writings, wherin their examples are commended vnto vs, as paterns, and preſidents to follow in ſo many rare, and excellent vertues, as they haue gone before vs, and left the memorie of them, behinde them, as a light to ſhine vnto vs, who walke in the darknes of this world, in the middeſt of ſuch a peruerſe, and crooked generation, among whom we ſhould ſhine as they haue done. Sure, when I lay our examples vnto theirs, and compare our liues with theirs, me thinkes, that many, euen of thoſe who are eſteemed as the beſt Chriſtians, deſerue little more then the name of halfe Chriſtians, or at leaſt but of weake ones and nouices in this holy profeſſion: ſo farre doe they come ſhort of that which wee ſee to haue been in them, and ought to be in our ſelues. Oh where is the holy and religious conuerſation of Enoch? whoſe whole life was a continuall walking in the preſence of the glorious God, and a daily conuerſing, & familiar acquainting himſelfe with him, in the carefull and conſcionable diſcharge of all thoſe duties which he required of him. Where is the faith of Abraham, by which as he well deſerued to be accounted the father of vs all, that are true beleeuers; ſo alſo he obteined this as a ſingular prerogatiue, and euidence of the extraordinarie grace and fauour of God towards him, to be called, and reputed in an eſpeciall maner the friend of God? Where is the meekneſſe of Moſes? where is ye patience, and conſtancie of Iob in the middeſt of ſo many, and that ſo fiery trialls, for which the Lord did ſo plētifully reward him, when there ſeemed almoſt to be no hope for him, and cauſed his example to be famous among all them, that ſhould heare of him? Where is the holy zeale of Dauid, whoſe eyes did not drop, but euen guſh forth, as it were, riuers of teares, and his heart euen conſume within him, whiles he ſawe the wicked trāſgreſſe the Lawes of God, whom he loued ſo dearely; and euen with iuſt Lot vexed his righteous ſoule from day to day, whiles he beheld the vnlawfull deeds, and wicked abominations whereby the Lord was prouoked euerie day? Where is his vprightnes and ſinceritie in the worſhip and ſeruice of God, for which the Lord graced him with this title, that he was a man after Gods own heart? Where is the delight that he tooke in the commandements of God; wherin he found ſuch ſweetnes, that all things els were nothing ſo pleaſing vnto him, nor ſo much deſired of him: Where is that holy deuotion which proceeded from his pure minde, his ſanctified heart, and his heauenly affections, in ſuch ſort, that night and day, continually vpon al occaſions, he breathed foorth thoſe ſweete hymnes, and moſt pleaſant ſongs and ditties of laud and praiſe vnto the Lord, for all his benefits, as to himſelfe in particular, ſo to the whole Church, and all the Saints in generall; prouoking them likewiſe and all creatures to do the ſame, with the ſame affection? Where is the integritie and vprightnes of Ioſiah and Ezekiah? who walked before the Lord in truth, and with a perfect heart, doing that alwaies which was good in his ſight, without all guile & diſſimulation? Where is that conſcionable practiſe of a godly and of a Chriſtian life that was in Paul, whoſe deſire and endeuour was to haue alwaies a cleere conſcience towards God, and towards men, and to haue his conuerſation in the world, in ſimplicitie, and godly purenes? Or where is the heauenly mindednes of the ſame Apoſtle? who whiles hee liued in the world, yet carried himſelfe as one that was of another world, hauing his conuerſation in heauen, from thence expecting, and looking for continually the glorious appearance of our bleſſed Sauiour, for the accompliſhment of his redemption. Or where is there that earneſt deſire of the conuerſion, and ſaluation of others, which ſo manifeſtly ſhewed foorth it ſelfe in him; in that it was not only the prayer of his heart, but that which he aimed at in all his actions, and ſought for by all meanes, and which that hee might attaine vnto, hee thought no labour, no trauell painfull, or grieuous, no nor yet eſteemed his life it ſelfe deare vnto him; euen that he might win many vnto Chriſt, bringing thē vnto the knowledge and obedience of the truth, that ſo their ſoules might bee ſaued in the day of iudgement. Or where is the pietie, and deuotion of that religious Gentill? who although he wanted the meanes which wee now haue in more plentifull manner, yet hath this commendation giuen vnto him, that he was a man fearing God, himſelfe, and carefull to haue his whole houſehold, and all thoſe that belonged vnto him, acquainted with true religion and godlineſſe; and withal, that he cauſed his prayers, and his almes to aſcend continually into the preſence of God, ſo that the Lord tooke pleaſure and delight in him, and reuealed himſelfe more cleerely and euidently vnto him, by the miniſterie of his meſſenger which hee ſent vnto him for that purpoſe. Or where is the forwardnes of thoſe noble Beroeans, in receiuing ye word with all readines, and enquiring and ſearching into the Scriptures from day to day, that they might know & embrace the truth preached, and being well grounded and ſetled in it, continue ſtedfaſt and vnmoueable in the profeſſion of it, notwithſtanding the oppoſition of all falſe Teachers, and ſeducing aduerſaries? Or where is there one like, the firſt Martyr, S. Stephen, a man full of faith, and of the holie Ghoſt; and of that vnfained loue and charitie, as to continue praying for his deadly enemies, vnto the laſt breath? Or where bee there any that haue that entire and louing affection, vnto all the brethrē, euen to all the Saints, which yt beloued Diſciple of Chriſt, and fatherly Apoſtle, S. Iohn, breathes foorth, as it were, thoroughout all his Epiſtles, and whereof no doubt he had receiued ſo great a meaſure, that he deſired nothing more then that as hee did, ſo others alſo might abound in the ſame grace, and thereby, vpon good ground, be well aſſured, that they were borne of God, and tranſlated from death to life? In briefe, where are they, that with the Prophets, Apoſtles, Martyrs, and other holie men, and faithfull ſeruants of God in former times, addreſſe themſelues with all readines, willingnes, and cheerfulnes, to ſerue the Lord both day and night, in watchings, in faſting and praier, in diuine and heauenly meditations, and in the daily exerciſe of al the duties of a holie and religious courſe; being content (if the will of God bee ſo) to paſſe thorough that fierie triall, with patience, and perſeuerance; to bee reuiled, diſgraced, hated, perſecuted, made a gazing ſtocke to the world, yea euen as the filth of the world, and the ofſcouring of all things; and ſo to become euen fooles for Chriſts ſake, praying for thoſe that both ſpeake and doe euill vnto thē, and bleſſing them that perſecute them: yea and not this onely, but alſo euen hating their owne liues, and giuing vp themſelues vnto death (the moſt bitter and cruell deaths that can poſſibly bee deuiſed by the moſt bloodie tyrants that euer were or can bee) rather then to bee once drawne from the loue, the faith, and obedience of Chriſt, and from the profeſſion of that trueth which they haue receiued? Alas, how farre doe wee come behinde thoſe Worthies that haue gone before vs, & whoſe example the Lord hath ſet vp as a light amongſt vs, that we might ſee how to tread in their ſteps, and to imitate thē in thoſe graces, for which their memorie ſhall bee bleſſed for euer? how vnlike are our liues vnto theirs, if we lay them both together, & looke vpon them with an equall view? How few are thoſe that ſhine in thoſe excellent vertues, of zeale, deuotion, faith, ſinceritie, pietie, charitie, brotherly loue, patience, conſtancie, and perſeuerance? in all which they haue been ſo eminent, that the very remembrance of them may ſhame this age wherein we liue, and cauſe many to bluſh, who thinke that they haue great wrong done to them, if they may not haue the name for good Chriſtians, and be ſo reputed and eſteemed amongſt men, how little ſoeuer they deſerue it indeed. Nay, ſo degenerate are the moſt in theſe latter times, and their liues and manners ſo much ſwaruing from the vertues, and religious courſes, and practiſes of our forefathers, thoſe whō God hath made examples for our imitation; that euen hee (according to the common rate) ſhall bee accounted honeſt & religious enough, and one that hath made ſufficient proceedings in the ſchoole of Chriſtianitie; that is no open, notorious and hainous offender; not tainted with any groſſe and capitall crime, theft, adulterie, drunkennes, extortiō, oppreſſion; no common railer or ſlanderer of others; no malitious detracter, no troubleſome contentious perſon, but one of a free and ingenuous diſpoſition, of a ciuill carriage, and commendable behauiour; one that liues quietly and friendly among his neighbours, and is carefull of outward obſeruances, which either law, or ſome other ſiniſter reſpect draweth him vnto, and which a meere pagan & heathen might performe as well as hee: though he bee farre from the truth of religion, neither fearing God, nor working righteouſneſſe, but altogether neglecting thoſe maine and eſpeciall duties both of the publike, and priuate worſhip and ſeruice of God, which hee requireth, and hath expreſſely commanded; as prayer, due and diligent reading, hearing, meditating and conferring of the word, and thoſe things which might tend to ſpirituall edification; ſanctifying of the Sabbath; inſtructing of his familie; yea although in reregard of zeale, he be of a colder temper, then the lukewarme Laodiceās euer were, euen almoſt aſhamed of that forwardnes and feruencie in the diſcharge of thoſe duties, which the word of God doth preſcribe vnto him, and of that ſtrictnes and preciſenes which the Scripture exacteth of him. This is the eſtate of our times; thus haue moſt declined, and gone backward, in this laſt and worſt age of the world, wherein wee ſee that verified which the trueth it ſelfe long ago foretold, and which now is moſt apparent to all that haue any diſcerning, viz. that the loue & zeal of many is growen cold; men generally are leſſe feruent, and more defectiue in the duties of pietie and godlineſſe, then they haue been heretofore, although the meanes were neuer more plentifully afforded vnto any, then they are now, and through the grace and mercie of God, haue been a long time. It is wofull, to ſee and cōſider, the great change and alteration, which now, if we haue eyes, wee cannot but ſee almoſt in euery place, amongſt all ſorts and degrees of men: what a generall defection, as it were, is there from the pietie, deuotion, innocencie, ſimplicitie, and godlie purenes, the holie conuerſation, and religious practiſes, the zeale, integritie, ſinceritie, vnfained loue, and charitie, and al thoſe excellent vertues, and graces of the holy men of God that haue bin before vs? O bleſſed Lord, as thou haſt ſet the liues of many of thy Saints and ſeruants, as an enſample before mine eyes, that I ſhould be a follower of thē, and walke as they haue walked, according to the rule of thy word; ſo grant, I beſeech thee, that I may bee excited and prouoked, whiles I looke on them, to imitate them in their vertues, and to labour to frame my life according to that paterne, which thou in them haſt preſcribed vnto me; and carefully to endeuour proceeding by one and the ſame rule, according vnto which they haue walked, to attaine vnto that perfection of diuine and ſpiritual graces, which it pleaſed thee to vouchſafe vnto them, euen becauſe they choſe the way of wiſedome, and delited in the waies of thy commandemēts. Let the example of their zeale for thy glorie, make me more zealous, and earneſt in thoſe things which are good, and whereby thou maiſt be glorified: Let the example of their true and godly deuotiō make me more deuout and religious: Their vprightnes, ſinceritie, and godly ſimplicitie, let them ſtirre me vp vnto the ſame vertues: Their diligence, cheerefulnes and alacritie in the works of thy worſhip and ſeruice, let them draw me vnto the ſame duties: The example of their patience in ſo many, and ſo great afflictions and trials, let it be an eſpeciall motiue and inducement, to make mee the more patient; the example of their meeknes, to make me the more meeke; of their humilitie, to make me the more humble; of their kindnes, long ſufferance, and brotherly loue, and affection, to make me the more tender hearted, louing and charitable vnto all men; of their contempt of the world, and the vanities thereof, to make me the leſſe to regard them; of their holy and heauenly conuerſation to make mee the more heauenly minded, the more heauenly affected, hauing my heart continually lifted vp farre aboue all theſe earthly and tranſitorie things, to the ſerious conſideration and meditation, of thoſe moſt excellent and glorious things which are aboue, euen thoſe vnſearchable, & vnſpeakable riches, and treaſures, of that glory, and endleſſe bleſſednes, and happines which thou haſt prepared for thy children in that celeſtiall kingdome: that thus being carefull to follow the example of thy choſen ſeruants, whom thou haſt ſet vp as lights to ſhine vnto me, for my better direction in the way of godlineſſe, which leadeth vnto life and ſaluation; I may hereafter enter into that ioy, and be made partaker of the ſame glorie, of which they haue now the fruition in that heauenly manſion.

Heauenly mindednes.

THE eye of a Chriſtian ſhould be alwaies in heauen: euen when hee is moſt buſied in theſe earthlie affaires, he is to haue his minde lifted vp vnto thoſe things which are aboue, and to bee euer viewing, and beholding with the eye of his ſoule, that vnſpeakable glorie, and thoſe endleſſe riches and treaſures of euerlaſting felicitie and bleſſednes, which to the eye of the bodie are inuiſible, and cannot be ſeene of any, but of thoſe onely which are ſpirituall. O bleſſed Lord, what is there on this earth, wherein my ſoule can finde any pleaſure, or vnto which I ſhould giue the affections of my heart? On euery ſide, I ſee nothing but miſerie, and vanitie, continuall occaſion of griefe and mourning. My treaſure, my ioy and happineſſe is in heauē, euen in the place where thou dwelleſt in glorie and maieſtie, and where thou haſt prepared ſuch things for me, as the heart of man is not able to conceiue, or comprehend: O therefore let mine eye neuer be fixed vpon any earthly obiect; but let me alwaies be looking vp vnto thee, and to that heauenly manſion, where ſuch glorious things are reſerued for me.

Especiall fauours of God towards vs, often and more eſpecially to bee remembred of vs.

IT is a good thing, to be often meditating vpon the goodneſſe and louing kindneſſe of the Lord towards vs, in thoſe ſpeciall fauours, and bleſſings, whereby hee hath chiefly, and moſt euidently manifeſted his loue vnto vs, and his fatherly care ouer vs: yea the leaſt of his mercies ought daily to be remembred of vs, that ſo in all things wee might ſtirre vp our ſelues vnto true thankfulnes, which is a thing wherewith he is greatly delighted, and for which hee extendeth his louing fauour in a more plentifull encreaſe of his bleſſings, and benefits. O mercifull Lord, how great is thy goodneſſe towards me! how exceeding gratious haſt thou been alwaies vnto me! The mercies which thou haſt freely vouchſafed vnto mee, are infinite, and innumerable, I am not able to recount thē. O let me euer be thinking of them, and lifting vp my heart continuallie with vnfained praiſe and thankes vnto thy Maieſtie for them; that ſo it may pleaſe thee, to cauſe the light of thy grace, and fauour to ſhine ſtill vpon me, euen vnto the end of my daies.

How the conſcience is diſquieted and wounded.

HE is a happie man, that doth alwaies carefullie auoide euery thing, whatſoeuer it be, that may be either a ſtaine, or a burthen vnto his conſcience; he ſhall ſurely enioy the benefit of a quiet, and of a peaceable minde, with much freedome and libertie of ſpirit; whereas on the other ſide, he that hath little or no care of this dutie, that regardeth not how hee defileth his conſcience, or what loade hee laieth vpon it, by doing thoſe things, which are either altogether vnlawfull in themſelues, or elſe vnlawfull vnto him, becauſe either hee hath no warrant for the doing of them, or elſe faileth in the maner of the doing of them; hee thereby brings a greater miſerie vpon himſelfe, then for the preſent hee can thinke of, and for which, hereafter hee ſhall meete with much vntimely griefe and ſorrow, and taſte of much bitternes in his ſoule and ſpirit. O Lord, let me bee carefull alwaies, to vſe all meanes, whereby I may keepe a cleere and a pure cōſcience, doing that good with all diligence which thou haſt commanded, and abſtaining with all my ſtrength, from that euil which thou haſt forbidden, and from whatſoeuer I cannot haue reſolution out of thy word, for the lawfulnes of it; that ſo I may haue comfort both in life and in death.

The dulnes and ſottiſhnes of worldlings.

O The dulnes of the hearts of men, who minde only thoſe things which are preſent, neuer regarding thoſe which are to come! How ſottiſh is the nature of man, that delighteth only to lie groueling on this earth, and to ſatisfie his carnall & his ſenſuall appetite in the enioying of theſe things which are but vaine and corruptible; yea that neglecteth euen heauen, and happineſſe it ſelfe, ſo that hee may haue his fill of them! O Lord, let me alwaies be far otherwiſe affected then the men of this world are, who ſauour onely of thoſe things, which are carnall, and earthly: 〈2 pages missing〉 vaine hope of a long life vpon earth, as many doe; When it is morning, let me think, that I ſhall not liue vnto the euening; and when the euening is come, let me not promiſe vnto my ſelfe aſſurance of life vntill the next morning, ſith there is no power thereof in my hands: But let me liue ſo continually, as if death were to ſeize vpon me preſently; yea let me ſo liue alwaies, as if I were to die the ſame inſtant, euen whē death might ſeeme to bee furtheſt off from mee; that thus hauing death alwaies preſent before mine eyes, I may learne daily to die vnto the world, eſteeming the things thereof as nothing, though neuer ſo highly prized of the men of this world; and to aſpire daily more and more, vnto that ſpirituall and heauenly life in thy Chriſt: that ſo when bodilie death ſhall cloſe vp theſe eyes of mine, I may not reſt in darkneſſe, and be as thoſe that are cut off from their hope, and loſt their comfort; but depart in peace into that light of glorie, where I ſhal enioy thy bleſſed preſence, and behold thee face to face for euermore, to my vnſpeakable happineſſe and felicitie.

As is the life of a man, ſo is his death and finall estate.

AS is the life of man, ſo is his death; and as it is with him in death, ſo ſhall it bee in the laſt and dreadfull iudgement. Hee that hath a care to liue well, it cannot be, but that he ſhould die well; and he that dies well, ſhall aſſuredly finde the iudgement day to bee a maruellous refreſhing vnto him: On the other ſide, he that liues ill, how can he haue any hope that he ſhall die well? and if hee be miſerable in his death, how much more in the day of iudgement? Oh what a terror ſhal that day be vnto him! who is able to conceiue, what a ſea of miſerie, and horrour ſhall then ſuddenlie ouerwhelme him, in moſt fearfull manner? O my God, thou who art my ſtrength, my hope, and my ſaluation, giue mee both an earneſt deſire, and a carefull endeuour to direct all my waies, and to order the whole courſe of my life according vnto the rule, & preſcript of thy holy word; let it bee my care, to haue a good conſcience in all things, and to liue ſo, that my life being approoued of thee, my death may bee bleſſed, and my appearance before thee in the day of thy comming, with ioy and comfort; when as the wicked ſhall not bee able to ſtand in thy preſence, but call to the mountaines and to the rocks to fall vpon them, and to hide them from the fiercenes of thy wrath, which ſhall be as a conſuming fire to deuoure all the vngodly of the earth.

Iudgement day how terrible it will be to the wicked.

THe angrie countenance of a ſeuere Iudge, how dreadfull is it vnto the malefactor that ſtands endited at the barre before him? what a terror doth it ſtrike into him? how doth it aſtoniſh and amaze him, eſpecially if he bee not only guiltie of the fact, to himſelfe; but perceiues that the Iudge hath certain knowledge, and cleere euidence of the ſame, and of all the particular circumſtances thereof: Oh thē, what a horrible feare ſhall poſſeſſe the hearts and minds of all ſinful and vngodly wretches, when they ſhall ſtand before that iuſt Iudge? when they ſhall bee brought vnto their anſwere, for al their vnrighteous & wicked deeds which they haue committed in the whole courſe of their liues? when that glorious God, that ſeuere and mightie Iudge (the Iudge of the whole world) hauing a perfect regiſter of all their actions, words and workes, yea of the ſecreteſt thoughts and imaginations of their hearts; and hauing all things which euer they haue done, as cleere as the Sunne, or as cryſtall before him, ſhall looke vpon thē with a fierie eye, and with a frowning and irefull countenance, and ſhew ſuch ſignes of his wrathfull indignation againſt them, as that the heauen ſhall ſhake, and the earth tremble, yea both heauen and earth flie away from his face, and moue out of their places, for the greatnes of his wrath, which ſhall be more dreadful, then the heart of man is now able to conceiue? O then what an aſtoniſhment ſhall come vpon them? how ſhall ſhame and confuſion couer their faces? how ſhall feare, griefe, and anguiſh euen rend their hearts, and ſoules? Neuer was Belſhazzar ſo perplexed, ſo amazed, and aſtoniſhed at the ſudden appearing of the hand writing ouer the wall, (the forerunner of his ſpeedie deſtruction) as they ſhall then bee: The chaunging of his countenance, the troubleſome thoughts of his minde, the looſing of his ioynts, and the ſmiting of his knees one againſt the other, was but a ſhadow of that vnſpeakeable dread, horror, and fearefull amazement, wherewith all vngodly perſons ſhall be then ſtricken, and vtterly confounded in themſelues. Seeing, O Lord, that appearāce of thine, in that day wherein thou haſt appointed to iudge ye world, ſhall be ſo terrible vnto all the wicked, that would not obey thee, nor hearken vnto thy voice, to walke in the waies of thy commandements: O let the remembrance thereof make me alwaies carefull to refraine my foote from their paths, and to endeuour my ſelfe vnto righteouſneſſe, that ſo when their feare commeth, I may haue cauſe to reioyce, and be glad in thee; yea euen to looke vp vnto thee, with ioyfulnes, and to glorie in thy ſaluation, who then wilt ſhew thy ſelfe to be maruellous and exceeding glorious in all thy Saints, euen al thoſe that haue beleeued in thy name, and waited for that bleſſed comming of thine, which as thou haſt promiſed, ſo let it bee thy pleaſure to haſten.

The excellencie of a true Chriſtian.

O How great is the excellencie of euery true chriſtian; euen of euery one that is ſuch a one, not onely in name, in title, or outward profeſſion, but in deede and in trueth! Surely, his honour is great, his eſtate is glorious; yea the grace and dignity which he hath receiued is ſuch, as that the ſpirit of a mā, is not able fully to diſcerne, or to comprehend the ſame. Although by nature, he was the childe of wrath, ſubiect vnto wretchednes, and all miſeries as well as others, yet by grace he is become the ſonne of God, euen of the moſt high God, and ſo partaker of endleſſe bliſſe, and happineſſe: He is borne againe by the ſpirit of God, through the incorruptible and immortall ſeed of the word, and ſo made a newe creature in Chriſt, more excellent and glorious then thoſe celeſtiall creatures, the ſunne, the moone, and all the ſtarres of heauen. Beeing thus inwardly renued in his whole nature, which before was ſo much corrupted, and decayed, he is in a myſticall & wonderfull maner, ioyned and vnited vnto Chriſt, and made a member of his bodie. Beeing ſo ingrafted into him, he receiueth ſpirituall life, grace, and ſtrength from him, vntill he come vnto a ripe and perfect age, euen vnto the meaſure of the age of the fulneſſe of Chriſt, his heade. He is made partaker of the diuine nature, then which there can be no greater excellencie; ſith therby he becommeth like vnto God, and hath the liuely printe of his image ſtamped in his ſoule, euen in thoſe graces of renued knowledge, wiſedome, righteouſnes and true holines which ſhine therin. Beeing created in this maner, of God in Chriſt, and framed vnto the ſimilitude & likenes of his owne image, he is beloued of God, as his chiefeſt treaſure, and choſen ſubſtance on earth, more deare vnto him, and more pretious in his ſight, then all theſe viſible creatures; his hearts delight is ſet vpon him. He bleſſeth him daily with all ſpirituall bleſſings in heauenly things. He hath giuen him right and intereſt vnto all things, whether it be the world, or life, or death; whether things preſent, or things to come, euen al things whatſoeuer. There is not any thing, but God cauſeth it to work for the beſt vnto him, and turneth it vnto his profite, and greateſt good: yea ſuch is his wiſedome and goodnes, that by a ſpeciall diſpenſation of his diuine prouidence, he cauſeth poiſon to become wholeſome vnto him; making the very ſinnes which man committeth, to turne rather to his good, then to his hurt, in that by them beeing humbled in himſelfe, he bringeth him to renounce himſelfe, and to cleaue faſter and nearer vnto him, depending wholly and onely vpon him, for the ſupply of all ſpirituall graces, and ſtrength; and to be more carefull, and watchfull ouer all his wayes, and more circumſpect and heedefull, in auoiding all ſinne, and the occaſions therof. He hath thoſe glorious creatures, the Angels of God, as miniſtring ſpirits, continually ſeruing him, as it were, and attending vpon him; yea garding him, and compaſſing him round on euery ſide, though to the eye of fleſh, they are inuiſible; and ſo, not onely keeping and preſeruing him from all dangers which might befall him, but alſo beeing meanes from God, to conuey much good vnto him, as the experience of many faithfull ſeruants of God, giueth cleare and euident proofe: Theſe, euen theſe celeſtiall creatures, are not onely his familiars, and companions, continually accompanying him, but alſo his attē dants, ſent forth of God to watch ouer him, and to waite daily vpon him. He hath furthermore acquainted him with his will, and reuealed his ſecret counſell vnto him, as farre as is meete and conuenient for him, euen that ſecret purpoſe of his, which he had decreed in himſelfe before all worlds; he hath made manifeſt vnto him, and giuen him a cleare ſight of thoſe hidden myſteries wherin is bleſſednes, and true happineſſe; he hath made knowen vnto him, the ſecrets of the kingdome of heauen. He hath giuen him alſo his ſpirit, that bleſſed ſpirit of grace and comfort, to refreſh, and to cheere him vp in al his griefes and ſorrowes, and to leade him forth into greene and pleaſant paſtures, ſo that he is fulfilled with that ſpirituall delight, and heauenly ioy and ſolace, which is vnſpeakable, and glorious. He hath ſet vp the ſcepter of his kingdome in his heart, ſo that all his enemies ſhall fall downe before him; euen Sathan the chiefeſt of his aduerſaries, who fighteth continually againſt him, and ſeeketh by all meanes to bring him into bondage and thraldome vnder him. What ſhould I ſay more? Beeing vnited vnto Chriſt his redeemer, and made bone of his bone, and fleſh of his fleſh, he is alſo ioyned, and nearly allied vnto God the Father, and ſo being ioynt-heire with the Sonne, hath that crowne of immortal glory belonging vnto him, and ſhal at length, euen when this ſhort life is ended, liue, and raigne in that celeſtiall kingdome, with God himſelfe, and with all his holy Saints, and elect Angels for euermore: And in the meanewhile, euen whiles he liueth here crawling as it were vpon the earth, & hauing the place of his abode heere below, where he is as one of no reputation in the world which knoweth him not; he hath his life, his conuerſation, and his chief abode in heauen, being alwaies looking vp vnto that place of his glory which is aboue, where Chriſt Ieſus his ſauiour, ſitteth at the right hand of his father; his eyes are euer lifted vp vnto heauē, and ſet vpon thoſe things which are within the vaile, where his hope, yea his heart is; ſo that euen whiles he liueth with his bodie on earth, in minde and in ſoule he is tranſported in a maner, into heauen it ſelfe, and ſeeth thoſe things in ſpirit, which are vnutterable, and which fleſh and bloud, or the ſenſes of a natural man can neuer reach vnto, neuer be able in any ſorte to comprehend. O Lord, who can expreſſe the honor which thou haſt giuen vnto thy Saints? who is able to declare the ſpeciall grace, which thou in thy infinite goodnes and mercie, haſt vouchſafed to euery one, whom it hath pleaſed thee, to giue vnto thy Chriſt, and in him to elect and choſe vnto life, and ſaluation, according to the good pleaſure of thy will, before the world was? Oh with what glorie and honour haſt thou crowned them! how highlie haſt thou aduanced them! being moued thereunto by nothing that was in them, but only of thy free loue and mercie, that therby thou mighteſt cauſe thy infinite grace and glorie to ſhine forth vnto the world, to the praiſe of thy name throughout all generations. O bleſſed God, whoſe mercy and kindnes vnto mankind is ſo infinit, and incōprehēſible; ſeeing it hath pleaſed thee, in the exceeding greatnes of thy loue, and riches of thy grace towards mee in Chriſt, to chuſe mee vnto life and glorie, and to make mee, euen me ſo vnworthie a creature, one of that ſmall number, whom thou haſt ſo highly honored in this world, and wilt for euer glorifie, euen with that exceeding meaſure of glorie in ye world to come: O let my heart and my mouth neuer ceaſe praiſing and magnifying thy great and glorious name; and howſoeuer I may ſeeme vile and contemptible in the eyes of the world, which doth neither know thee, nor thine, but hath alwaies hardly intreated thoſe whom thou haſt chiefly honored, eſteeming them as the ſcumme and ofſcouring of the earth, the very abiects of men, yea men vnworthie to liue in the world; yet let me neuer paſſe any thing at all, how the blinde world doth iudge or eſteeme of me, or how it is affected towards me; but let me alwaies reioyce in thee and glorie in thy ſaluation, and reſt continually in a comfortable hope and ioyfull expectation, of all that goodnes of thine which thou haſt treaſured vp in ſtore for mee in thy kingdome, and whereof thou haſt giuen mee the firſt fruits already, as a pledge, and aſſurance of that, which I ſhal haue the full fruition of hereafter, for euer.

An humble heart moſt pleaſant vnto God: a proud▪ moſt vile and abominable.

AN humble and a lowlie hart is a manſion wherein the Lord delighteth to dwell; he filleth and repleniſheth it with the riches of the graces of his ſpirit: but as for the proud and high minded, they are an abomination vnto him: His ſoule doth loath them, and his ſpirit will neuer reſt nor remaine with them; they are no fit manſion for him; yea they are meete only, to be an habitation for Satan, that euill and vncleane ſpirit, who being the father of the children of pride, can take no pleaſure, where hee findeth true humilitie, but ſeeketh for lodging in thoſe eſpecially, who are of a proud and hautie ſpirit: Theſe are his darlings, in theſe is his chief delight; in them he hath a roome alwaies ready trimmed & prepared for him; euen in ye cloſets of their hearts, where he dwelleth and raigneth continually, & from whence he will neuer depart, as long as hee findeth ſo fit a manſion for him. The onely way to caſt him out of ye heart, and ſoule of man, is to emptie it altogether of pride, and to haue it garniſhed with that excellent grace of humilitie and lowlineſſe. O Lord, who art the fountaine of all grace, giue vnto me, I earneſtly deſire thee, a contrite ſpirit, a meeke, and an humble heart: Baniſh all pride and vanitie of minde far from me, and make me lowly, yea baſe and vile in mine owne eyes, that ſo that wicked ſpirit being vtterly diſpoſſeſſed, and finding no abiding place within mee, I may bee fit to entertaine that good ſpirit of thine; thou maiſt delight to dwell and remaine with me, and to fill my emptie ſoule, with thoſe pretious riches, and treaſures of thy heauenly graces, which are the things which my heart deſireth and longeth after: Oh doe thou heare me, and ſatisfie me, as my truſt is in thee, who I know aſſuredly wilt neuer faile me, nor withhold thy goodneſſe from me, whiles I ſeeke vnto thee with a heart vnfained.

Confidence in any creature, a moſt vaine thing.

WHat a vaine thing is it to put any truſt or confidence in man, or in any creature? what is this but to reſt vpon a broken reed? How greatly do ſuch deceiue themſelues? how oft doe they faile in their deſires, and miſſe that which they hoped for? O Lord God, who art glorious and wonderfull in power and ſtrength, nothing is or can be hard vnto thee; thou only art my hope; all my truſt & confidence is in thee. Whom haue I in heauen, or in earth but thee? vpon thee, thee only I reſt and depend continually. O doe thou neuer forſake me.

Suspition.

THE beſt man is alwaies le • ſt ſuſpitious: But hee that is giuen euer to miſtruſt and to ſuſpect the worſt of others, as it may be iuſtly feared that hee hath a very corrupt and vnſound heart himſelfe, ſo it may bee vndoubtedly affirmed, that he is very offenſiue and diſpleaſing vnto God, very vnquiet in himſelfe, and moſt vncharitable towards his neighbour, whom notwithſtanding, he hurteth not ſo much thereby as himſelfe. O Lord, increaſe the grace of true charitie daily more and more in me: Let me alwaies be looking into mine owne hart, & conſidering ye paths of mine owne feete; let me feare mine owne waies, and ſuſpect the worſt of my ſelfe in all my actions, being priuie vnto thoſe ſecret corruptiōs which lie lurking within me; and both thinke and hope the beſt of others, becauſe I know not what thy worke is, or may be in them: yea let me alwaies be ready, to iudge, accuſe, and condemne my ſelfe; and euen in my thoughts to excuſe, and acquit others, by making a fauourable interpretation of all their doings, vntill ſuch time as thou doeſt manifeſt, & giue cleere euidence, that they are ſuch, as are not to be approoued: Thus I ſhall pleaſe thee, and not ſinne againſt thoſe, towards whom I ought alwaies, to bee charitably affected, and free from all ill ſuſpition and wicked ſurmizes.

Why the Lord ſuffereth oft times the infirmities of his children to be knowne to others.

IT is a meanes oft times to make a mā the more hūble, to know that others are priuie vnto his wants, his weakneſſes and infirmities, which hee was deſirous to keepe ſecret; to perceiue that the ſores and blemiſhes of his ſoule lie open vnto the view of others, which hee could wiſh rather were couered and kept cloſe. And for this end, the Lord many times in mercie and goodnes, doth ſuffer ye ſhame and nakednes of his children, to bee diſcouered before the face of others, when as they would gladly haue it hid frō the eyes of all, and not ſeene of any; yea hee doth ſuffer them to fall by many weakneſſes and infirmities, euen ſuch as are no waies pleaſing, but grieuous, and irkſome vnto them; that ſo he may cauſe them to be the more humble and lowly, and not to lift vp their hearts at any time aboue their brethren, but ſo to demeane themſelues, that it may appeare that they eſteem better of others, then of themſelues; which is an excellent and a ſingular grace, & whereunto, all that are yet defectiue herein, ſhould labour by all meanes to attaine. O Lord, if it ſeeme good vnto thee at any time, to make others to ſee the weaknes of thy ſeruant; to cauſe my wants, imperfectiōs, and infirmities to be knowne and diſcerned of others (as thou knoweſt how readie I am to faile, if thy grace doth not continually ſuſtaine me) let it not grieue me ſo much, that others behold that in me, which may cauſe me to be aſhamed, as make me euery day more carefull to vſe al meanes to bee healed, and cured of thoſe diſeaſes whereunto my ſoule is ſubiect, and inclinable through ſinne; and to increaſe as in all other graces, ſo eſpecially in true humilitie and meeknes of ſpirit, without the which I can neuer pleaſe thee, nor haue the light of thy coū tenance ſhining vpon me.

The heauen of the godly, and the hell of the wicked in this life.

IF there be a heauen in this world, it is the true Chriſtian onely that enioyes it, in whoſe heart that bleſſed ſpirit doth dwell, comforting and refreſhing him continually in an vnſpeakable maner. If there be any hell in this life, it is in the ſoule and conſcience of the wicked and vngodly man, whom Satan that euill ſpirit hath poſſeſſed, and bereaued of that which ſhould bee the ioy and comfort of his life; and not that onely, but alſo euen oppreſſed with many feares, and ſorrowes, and with much anguiſh and horrible amazement, ariſing from his helliſh and guilty conſcience. O bleſſed God, who haſt giuen me, to ſee the great difference, which is betweene the eſtate of thy children, and of the wicked and vngodly, euen in this world; how that the one is bleſſed and happie, the other wretched and miſerable; grant that I may not at any time deſire to haue the ſame lot with the wicked, though it ſeeme outwardly to fare well with them, but let me alwaies reſt in thee, and reioyce in that portion which thou haſt giuen vnto mee, knowing that on earth there can be no better inheritance, nor any eſtate more to be deſired.

The cares of this world what hindrances they are to the ſincere and entire worſhip of God.

HE that is inſnared, and intangled with ye things of this world, or that is not free from all inordinate affectiōs whatſoeuer, cannot haue a perfect and an vpright heart before God, nor freedome of ſpirit in his worſhip and ſeruice. The ſoule onely that is emptied of the troubleſome cares, and ſinfull deſires wherwith moſt are ſurcharged; and the minde that is ſet at liberty from all earthly vanities, is fit to come before God, with truth, vprightnes, and ſinceritie, and to offer ſuch ſacrifices with which he is well pleaſed, and wherein he moſt delighteth. O Lord, let not the exceſſiue and inordinate deſire of any earthly thing cleaue vnto me; emptie my heart of the cares of this world; baniſh farre from me the loue of all thoſe things, whereby I may any waies bee hindred from the performāce of thoſe duties, which thou requireſt of me; and grant that I may be carefull to vſe all meanes, whereby my affections may be ſo rightly ordered, that I may ſerue thee with a good heart, in integritie and ſinceritie all my daies.

True zeale.

THey that are trulie zealous, are more zealous againſt themſelues, then others. As they doe not (when iuſt occaſion, and opportunitie is offered) ſuffer the open ſinnes of others to paſſe vnreproued; ſo they are leaſt partiall towards themſelues, but are readieſt to check themſelues, euen for their inward, and moſt ſecret corruptions: As they haue an eye vnto the actions of others, & are carefull to diſcountenance ſinne, by faſtening a ſeaſonable rebuke, and iuſt cenſure vpon it, whereſoeuer it doth apparētly ſhew and manifeſt it ſelfe; ſo eſpecially they are alwaies chiefly prying into their own actions, and hauing eſpied a fault, are moſt ſeuere, & cenſorious in iudging and rebuking themſelues for it: They are grieued at the offences of others, but their owne ſinnes, they doe moſt gall them; yea they cā neuer be quiet, whiles they ſee the relikes & remainders of them abiding in them, but euen groane daily vnder the burthen of them, and vſe all means to haue their hearts purged and freed from them. Good Lord, increaſe true zeal daily more and more in me: let me not through childiſh feare, nor any other ſiniſter reſpect, bee too ſlack and remiſſe in ſhewing my diſlike of the ſinnes which others doe commit againſt thy Maieſtie, and yet let me not be ſo readie to cenſure others, as to reprooue, and reforme my ſelfe.

A dangerous thing to affect the glorie of the world.

HE that loueth God, and ſeekes his glorie, cannot bee altogether carried away with the vaine glor e of this world, but will either deſpiſe it, or at leaſt ſet very light by it. He that loueth the glory of this world, and doth not only affect it, but is alſo very eager in the purſuite of it, thirſting after the praiſe, and applauſe of men; it is a ſigne that there is little or no loue of God, or of his glorie in him. Theſe are things that cannot ſtand together; the one of thē doth exclude the other; the more the one of thē doth increaſe, the more the other muſt needs decreaſe and bee diminiſhed. Is there any therefore, that with a greedie, and ambitious minde doth hunt after the praiſe of men, and the glorie of this world; ſure it cannot be, but that he ſhould exceed in charitie, who ſhall thinke him to bee truly religious, or well affected towards God, or vnfainedly deſirous of his glorie. O Lord, let not my heart bee ſet vpon the glorie which is frō earth, and from men, but vpon that which is from heauen, euen that which commeth from thee alone: Let the glorie of this world (though neuer ſo glittering in the eyes of men) ſeeme vnto me (as indeed it is in it ſelfe) but vaine vanitie, yea more vaine then vanitie it ſelfe; but let the glorie of thy name bee deare and pretious vnto me, aboue al thoſe things which are moſt deſired of thē that know thee not: yea, O Lord, let it pleaſe thee to inflame this chill and this cold heart of mine with a greater loue and zeale thereof dailie more and more; and to increaſe in me an earneſt deſire and endeuour to ſeeke, and to ſet it foorth, to the vttermoſt of my power, and by al means, and vpon all occaſions which thou ſhalt offer vnto me. In this onely, let me alwaies be very ambitious.

A ſingular priuiledge belonging vnto all the children of God.

THe Lord doth cauſe all things to work together for the beſt vnto his children. It is good for euery one of the godly, to labor to ſee and to finde this by experience in himſelfe, and in his owne eſtate. The diligent obſeruation hereof, cannot but make him both patient, cheerefull, and vnfainedly thankfull in all miſeries, and afflictions, either outward, or inward; whether it be ſickneſſe of bodie or diſtreſſe of minde, or whatſoeuer elſe may befall him, throughout the whole courſe of his life, euen to his laſt houre. O gracious father, whoſe exceeding loue, and vnſpeakable goodnes all thy children doe daily taſt of in ſo great, and abundant meaſure; giue me, I humbly pray thee, not onely to ſee, and acknowledge the ſame with al thankfulnes, but alſo to haue a liuely ſenſe and feeling thereof, at all times, in all things: Let me aſſuredly perſwade my ſelfe, that thou doeſt loue me, and haſt loued me eternally in thy ſonne, and in thy loue towards me, doeſt, and wilt cauſe euery thing, which betideth me in this world, to tend vnto my great • ſt good; and let the aſſurāce, together with the continuall experiēce hereof, cauſe me to reſt quietly, contentedly, and thankfully in all eſtates; howſoeuer it ſhall pleaſe thee to deale with me.

Iuſtification by faith onely.

IS it not ſtrange, that any ſhould be ſo blind, ſo extreamly deluded with a vaine and fond conceite, of their owne goodnes and inherent holines, as to thinke, or once to imagine that they may ſtand iuſt before God thorough their owne righteouſnes? that they ſhould perſwade themſelues, that by the merit and worthineſſe of their owne workes they haue right and intereſt vnto life and ſaluation? yea that they ſhould challenge, and make claime thereunto, as vnto that which is due vnto them as a iuſt recompence and reward which they haue well deſerued, and which God himſelfe cannot without iniuſtice detaine, and withhold from them; nay, that they ſhould goe ſo farre as to affirme boldly, that they may doe workes of ſupererogation, more then God hath commanded, or could require at their hands, ſuch as wherby they may merit great things not onely for themſelues, but for others alſo? Had they euer the ſpirit of Chriſt? or did they euer receiue the annointing of that holy one, who teach, maintaine, or beleeue this doctrine, ſo directly croſſe and contrarie vnto the Scriptures, ſo exceeding derogatorie from the free grace and mercie of God, and from the merit of the death and paſſion of Chriſt Ieſus our onely ſauiour and redeemer, by, and for whoſe ſatisfaction, obedience and righteouſneſſe alone, we receiue the promiſe of the Goſpell, through faith, without any deſerts of our owne. Alas, what is man, or what are the workes of the beſt men, that they ſhould preſent them vnto God, and plead with him for the obtaining of ſo great a reward, for the righteouſnes and worthineſſe of their owne deedes? Nay, certaine it is, that if God ſhould make inquiry into the beſt actions of the moſt holy and ſanctified men that liue vpon the earth, or that euer were moſt pure, moſt perfect, and moſt ſpotleſſe and blameleſſe in this world (as great is the commendation wherewith God hath honoured many of his Saints) if he ſhould marke and obſerue them, and enter into iudgement with them for the ſame; there is none, no not one of them (as the beſt and holieſt of them haue freelie acknowledged) that ſhould bee iuſtified, yea that ſhould not be condemned, and periſh euerlaſtingly, being neuer able to endure his preſence; ſo pure and ſo holy is his Maieſtie, ſo iuſt and ſo righteous are his iudgements, that no fleſh can abide the triall thereof. O Lord, moſt glorious and moſt righteous God, when I looke vp vnto the throne of thy iuſtice, and ſet my ſelf before thy tribunall and iudgement ſeate, I feare, & tremble, & am ready to flie frō thy preſence, as not able to ſtand before thee, nor to anſwere for one of a thouſand of thoſe things whereby I haue moſt grieuouſly offended thy moſt glorious Maieſty, and for which thou mighteſt iuſtly condemne mee for euer, if thou ſhouldeſt once call me vnto a ſtraite account of the ſame, yea euen of ye leaſt of them, and deale with me therein, not according to thy great mercie, but according vnto mine owne deſeruings: When I looke back vnto my life paſt, & take a view of the whole courſe therof, how ſinfull, how vnfruitfull & vnprofitable it hath been, I am confounded in my ſelfe, and dare not lift vp mine eyes to heauen for the multitude of my offences and tranſgreſſions, whereby I haue continually diſpleaſed & prouoked thee: When I conſider my preſent eſtate, how many weakneſſes, and infirmities I am ſubiect vnto, how ſinne cleaueth faſt vnto me, and inuironeth and compaſſeth me round about on euery ſide: yea how defectiue my beſt endeuours, how corrupt and ſinfull my beſt actions, and ſeruices are, and haue been: yea how much my whole life hath ſwarued from that perfect and exact rule of iuſtice which thy law requireth, I am aſtonied, and ſtrickē with a great feare, knowing that the time will ſhortlie come, when I muſt appeare before the tribunall of thy iuſtice, to anſwere for all my actions, euen for all thoſe things which I haue done in the fleſh, the workes of my hands, ye words of my mouth, and the moſt ſecret thoughts and imaginations of my hart, and to receiue accordingly: What therefore is my hope? vnto whom ſhall I flie? wherein is my truſt? Surely, my hope, my truſt, and my confidence is not in any merits or worthineſſe of mine owne, but onely in thy mercie O Lord, and in the al-ſufficient merits of thy Chriſt, my Lord and bleſſed Sauiour, who hath giuen himſelfe to death for me, and powred foorth his pretious blood vpō the croſſe, to make full ſatisfaction for me, and to reconcile me vnto thy Maieſtie. Loe therefore, I doe humbly proſtrate my ſelf, O Lord, before the throne of thy grace and mercy in Chriſt Ieſus. I doe renounce my ſelf, and vtterly diſclaime mine owne righteouſnes, acknowledging it to bee but as a ſtained and polluted cloth, and deſire only to appeare before thee in that righteouſneſſe of thy Sonne, and to be found in him, whom alone thou haſt made vnto mee wiſedome, righteouſneſſe, ſanctification and redemption. Were it not that I had comfort in this, I ſhould be of all creatures the moſt miſerable; yea had I not truſted herein, I had long ſince periſhed, and bin vtterly confounded. Behold mee therefore, O gracious God, and louing Father, behold me with the eye of thy mercie. Looke vpon mee not as I am in my ſelfe, all ſtained and defiled with ſinne and iniquitie, but in thy Sonne, euen that iuſt and holy one, who only is my righteouſneſſe, and my ſaluation; and in whom alone I do, and will truſt both in life, and in death. Accept therefore of me graciouſly in him. Clothe and couer me with the pure and ſpotleſſe garments of his righteouſnes, and holineſſe, that ſo the filthineſſe of my pollution may neuer appeare in thy ſight, who art of ſo pure eyes, that all ſinne is an abomination vnto thee: let the merit of his obedience, of his death and paſſion, whereby he offered himſelfe a ſacrifice pleaſing and acceptable, and of ſweete ſmelling ſauour vnto thee, for all thy choſen, and redeemed ones, be a full ſatiſfaction for me, and for all my ſinnes, though neuer ſo many and ſo grieuous. Let me through faith in him, be made partaker of his puritie, of his innocencie, of his righteouſnes, of his holineſſe, and of his perfection; that ſo howſoeuer I am in my ſelfe vncleane, ſinfull, vnrighteous, vnholy, and full of manifold infirmities and imperfections, yet in him, and through him, I may appeare in thine eyes pure as he is pure, innocent as he is innocent, righteous as he is righteous, holy as hee is holy, and perfect as he is perfect; and being accepted into thy grace and fauour through him in this life, may haue cō fort and confidence in death, and in the day of iudgement; and liue with thee in glorie in the life to come, together with Chriſt my Sauiour & redeemer, and with thy bleſſed Spirit, and with all thy Saints and elect Angels, in that kingdome which thou haſt prepared, and of which I reſt in cō tinuall hope and expectation, deſirous of the accōpliſhment of thy promiſe, which is endleſſe bleſſednes, and felicitie.

A comfort for afflicted conſciences.

THere is none that receiueth a great meaſure of ſpirituall comfort, and diuine conſolation, whereby his ſpirits are cheered, and his ſoule refreſhed and filled with inward ioy and gladnes; but he hath vſually ſome grieuous temptation, either going before, or following after it. Thus the Lord doth ordinarily deale with his children; there are none of his Saints, but haue experience of it in themſelues. The Lord doth not alwaies cauſe the ioyfull light of his cheerfull countenance to ſhine cleerely vpon them; he doth not alwaies fill their hearts with that peace which paſſeth all vnderſtanding, or rauiſh their ſoules with that inward and ſpiritual ioy, and comfort, which is vnſpeakable and glorious; neither doth hee alwaies abſent himſelfe, or hide the brightnes of his face from them, but ſometimes he doth graciouſly viſite them, and cauſeth them to taſte abundantlie of the ſweetnes of his kindneſſe, his mercie, and goodneſſe, ſo that they are exceedingly refreſhed, and feele ſuch diuine and heauenly comfort, and inward ſolace, as that they are not able outwardly to expreſſe it; and ſometimes again as though hee had forgotten them, he ſeemeth to hide and to abſent himſelfe from them, and ſuffereth them to be aſſailed with ſome grieuous temptation, ſo that their day is turned into night, their light into darkneſſe, their ioy and gladnes into ſorrow and heauineſſe. And this the Lord doth, that he may cauſe them to acknowledge this to be his gift, euen that inward & ſpirituall comfort wherewith their ſpirits doe reioyce before him, and therefore to be thankfull vnto him, whē they receiue it, or haue a more eſpeciall ſenſe and feeling of it; as alſo to make them to depend wholly vpon him, who is the life of their ſoules, and without whom there can bee no true ſolace, no found ioy; and withall to exerciſe their faith, their hope, and their loue, the proofe whereof is ſeene in thoſe ſpirituall deſertions. O Lord God, if it be thy will, let thy ſpirit of peace and cōfort alwaies reſt vpon me; let me taſte cōtinually of the ſweetnes of thy mercies, wherewith thou art wont to refreſh the ſoules of thy ſeruants, after that they haue been wearied and oppreſſed with any grieuous affliction or temptation: but if it ſeeme good vnto thee, for the triall of my faith, and for the exerciſe of the graces of thy ſpirit in me, to withhold at any time this bleſſing for a while from me, and to depriue me of the liuely ſenſe and feeling of ſpirituall and diuine conſolation, yet let me not faint, but reſt in hope, and expect with patience the time of thy gratious and heauenly viſitation, with which according vnto thy promiſe thou wilt refreſh and comfort me, giuing vnto me the oyle of ioy for mourning, and the garment of gladneſſe for the ſpirit of heauineſſe, that ſo thy name may bee glorified of mee, in the thankfull acknowledgement of thy goodnes towards me.

The Chriſtians glorious conqueſt.

THere is none that can attaine vnto ſo great a conqueſt in this world, as a true Chriſtian: Hee through the grace, which hee receiueth from Chriſt, who daily aſſiſteth him, and is alwaies preſent with him, ſuſtaining him with his effectuall power, is able to doe more then all the greateſt Monarchs, or mightieſt Potentates in the earth can poſſibly doe of their own ſtrength, yea though they gather all their forces together. For he doth not only conquer himſelfe, and ſubdue his own luſts which rebell againſt the ſpirit of his minde, but alſo he ouercommeth this world, yea the prince thereof, euen Satan himſelfe, with all thoſe ſpirituall wickedneſſes which raigne in others, and haue thē continually in ſubiection vnder them. O Lord, without thee I am able to do nothing; with thy helpe, there is nothing but ſhall bee eaſie vnto me: Let it pleaſe thee continually to aſſiſt mee with thy grace, and to ſtrengthen mee with thy mightie power, that ſo I may daily ſee all mine enemies more and more ſubdued vnto mee; and hauing gotten the victorie and conqueſt of them in this life, may hereafter receiue that crowne of life, which thou haſt promiſed vnto all thē that ouercome; liuing and raigning with thee, and with all that heauenly and victorious hoſt of thine, in glorious, and triumphant manner for euermore. Amen.

The difficultie of conquering a mans ſelfe, and his owne affections.

A Man muſt ſtriue along while, and that with great earneſtnes, and continuall exerciſe and endeauour, before he can ouercome himſelfe, and hauing maſtered his owne will and waiward affections, giue vp himſelfe wholly vnto the obedience of God in all things, with humble ſubmiſſion both of body and ſoule: So great reſiſtance and oppoſition ſhal he finde within himſelfe, by reaſon of his corrupt nature, euen that treacherous enemie, which lieth lurking continually in his owne boſome, haling and drawing him from that which is good, and hindring him in euery godly purpoſe, and in euery holy action and religious enterpriſe, in ſuch ſorte, that except he euen offer violence, as it were, vnto himſelfe, and to his ſinfull nature, and labor with a ſtrong hand to ſubdue corruption within him, he cannot preuaile. O Lord my ſtrength, without thee I can doe nothing, vnto thee therefore do I ſtretch forth my hands. Thou knoweſt how weake and how fraile I am; how vnable of my ſelfe to reſiſt that ſecret enemie which continually oppoſeth himſelfe againſt me in euery thing which is good: thou ſeeſt how hard a matter it is for me to bring euery thought of my heart, euery motion, deſire and inclination of my will, and euery action of my life, vnto that ſubiection and obedience which thou requireſt; how difficult to frame my ſelfe wholly vnto thy will, and to ſubmit my ſelfe vnto thee in all things, according vnto that rule and commandement which thou haſt giuen vnto me. O therfore let it pleaſe thee to ſtrengthen me with thy grace, which alone is ſufficient for me: let it pleaſe thee to helpe me in all my weakneſſes, and to giue vnto me a greater meaſure of Chriſtian fortitude, and of ſpirituall courage and reſolution; & withall to giue good ſucceſſe vnto all my actions, enterpriſes and endeauours in the way of godlines, and ſaluation: yea O Lord, let it pleaſe thee to leade me forth in the conſtant and continuall practiſe, and exerciſe of pietie and true religion; and in the reſiſtance of all enmitie whatſoeuer, that ſo when the time of this ſpirituall warfare is ended, I may receiue that incorruptible crowne of life and glorie, which thou haſt promiſed vnto them that ouercome.

The worlds eſteeme of Gods children.

IF one comes into the preſence of a kings ſonne, or ſome great or noble perſonage, hee no ſooner ſeeth him, but he is moued with reuerence, and ſheweth that according to the worthines of his perſon, he doth regard and honour him. But as for the ſonnes of God, who haue God to their father, Chriſt their elder brother, all the Saints and Angels their companions, and fellow-bretheren; and the kingdome of heauen it ſelfe their inheritance for euer, where they are to liue and raigne as kings, in that glory which is vnſpeakeable; how little are they regarded in the world? how meanly accounted of? What ſmall honour is ſhewed vnto them, whom the king of heauen, doth and will honour ſo greatly? Nay are they not of all men, the moſt baſe and contemptible in the eyes of men? The nearer they are vnto God, the more they are loued and honoured of him, are they not the more hated & deſpiſed of the world? Euen holy Dauid a man after Gods owne heart, is but a worme, and not a man, in the account of men. Iehoſhua and his followers, monſtrous perſons. Paul, and the reſt of the Apoſtles, as the filth and of ſcouring of all things, men vnworthie to liue vpon the earth. In briefe, all the ſaints, who are deare and precious in the eyes of God, euen made ſignes and wonders amongſt men. Ceaſe to wonder at this: It is no newe, no ſtrange thing: The world knoweth, and hath alwaies knowen his owne, and maketh much of them; but thoſe that are Gods, it neither knowes, nor regardeth. And no marueile, ſince it knoweth not God himſelfe, but hateth and deſpiſeth him, euen whiles, in a falſe and counterfaite maner, it profeſſeth loue vnto him. Behold we (euen all the faithfull) are now the ſonnes of God: ſuch loue, ſuch honor hath our heauenly Father vouchſafed vnto vs: but yet our glory and dignity doth not appeare; but when Chriſt our hope, our life and glorie, ſhalbe reuealed and made manifeſt, then ſhall we be changed into the glory of his image, we ſhalbe like vnto him, and then ſhall the blinde and contemptuous world both ſee and know him and vs, to their owne ſhame and confuſion. Lord, let me neuer regard the railings of the wicked Shemeis of this world, nor the mockes and ſcoffes of thoſe prophane Iſhmaelites, who could neuer abide thy choſen people, the ſonnes of the promiſe, for whom thou haſt prouided the inheritāce: yea let me paſſe very little to be iudged of mans iudgement, euen of thoſe who are carried whither their owne blinde and corrupt reaſon, or fancie leadeth them: But let me alwaies know and conſider, that thou ſeeſt not as man ſeeſt, that thy thoughts are not as their thoughts, but that I am deare and precious in thy ſight, and ſhal be glorious hereafter for euer, euen with the ſame glorie wherewith thy Chriſt my ſauiour is glorious: Let mine eyes alwaies be fixed vpon that bleſſed eſtate, wherein I ſhall continue for euer in the heauens; and let the hope thereof cauſe me to purge my ſelfe, that I may be pure, euen as he is pure, vnto whom then I ſhall bee made conformable in righteouſneſſe, glorie and happines.

Another.

THe ſonne and heire of a Noble man, or ſome great perſonage, whiles he liueth obſcurely in a ſtrange, and farre country, beeing not knowne is not regarded, but lieth open to the contempt and abuſe of the meaneſt and vileſt perſons, who if they knew his eſtate, would more highly eſteeme of him. Lord, let me not care, how vile or baſe ſoeuer I ſeeme, whiles I liue heere in a ſtrange place, vnknowen, vnregarded; ſince thou haſt aſſured me, that I ſhalbe ſo glorious at my returne into mine owne countrey, the habitation of thy ſaints, that heauenly paradiſe, that celeſtiall Ieruſalem, the citie of thee, the euerliuing God, the glory whereof is vnſpeakeable.

God and the world of a different iudgement.

GOd ſeeth not as man ſeeth. They are many times of great eſteeme amongſt men, who are vile in Gods ſight, ſuch as he hath reiected: And on the other ſide, they are highly in Gods fauour oftentimes, who are very meanly eſteemed of among men; yea deſpiſed, and accounted as the refuſe of men, and the ofſcouring of the world. Thoſe which ſeeme the leaſt and moſt contemptible in the eye of men, are oft, the greateſt and moſt honourable in the ſight of God; and thoſe which ſeeme the very abiects of men (ſuch as in whom nothing is to be deſired) appeare as glorious before him. O Lord ſeeing thou doſt iudge ſo differently from that which the world iudgeth, hauing ſo precious an eſteeme of thoſe whom that maketh no account of, and accounting thoſe as vile, yea abominable, and to bee abhorred of all, whom that doth chiefly magnifie, and moſt eſteeme of; let me haue this reſolution alwaies, to paſſe very little what corrupt men, or this blinde world deemeth and iudgeth of me; and let it be my ſpeciall care to labour alwaies by all meanes to be approued of thee, and to be aſſured that howſoeuer others ſhall ſeeke to caſt ſhame, reproch, and diſhonour vpon me, yet that I am good in thine eyes, and pretious in thy ſight; one whom thou doſt iuſtifie, and wilt glorifie.

The willing and ioyfull bearing of the croſſe, a ſigne of a well growen Chriſtian.

HE that doth finde ſweetneſſe in drinking of the bitter cup of afflictions, which God daily offereth vnto him, it is a ſigne that hee is a good proficient in the exerciſe of Chriſtianitie, and true religion: For to beare the croſſe patiently, willingly, and comfortably; to endure wrongs and iniuries; to denie himſelfe, and to die daily vnto the world, yea to be crucified vnto it, and to haue it crucified vnto him, is more then a carnall and naturall man can poſſibly doe, or he that hath not through a daily practiſe of humilitie, and true obedience learned whollie to ſubiect himſelfe vnto Gods will and pleaſure. Good Lord, ſeeing it pleaſeth thee to cauſe me to taſte of the bitternes of many afflictions, grant that they may not ſeeme grieuous, but pleaſant vnto me; knowing that it is thy will thereby to humble me, and to make me more fit for the receiuing of a greater meaſure of thy heauenly grace. Seeing thou haſt appointed me daily to take vp my croſſe and to follow my bleſſed Sauiour, who in ſo many ſufferings of his, hath gone before me, and left his example as a paterne and preſident behinde him, vnto which all that are his, ſhould endeuour to frame thēſelues, that ſo they may bee conformable vnto him; I humbly beſeech thee, that it would pleaſe thee, to giue mee patience, willingnes and cheerefulnes in vndergoing whatſoeuer it ſhall ſeeme good vnto thee to lay vpō me, being fully aſſured, that hereby I ſhall haue entrance vnto glorie, euen that glorie into which thy Chriſt hath alreadie entred, and made a way for me; and of which all theſe light and momentarie afflictions are not worthie, nor in any ſort comparable thereunto.

The exceeding follie and vanitie of the wicked.

O The vaine and prepoſterous courſes of men! who doth not wonder that beholdeth, and conſidereth them? and how ſhould they not bluſh, and be exceedingly aſhamed of their follie and ſottiſhnes when they thinke of them? Let the flattering and deceitful world call them and allure them with the enticing promiſes of earthly and temporall things, pleaſures, profits, honours, euen thoſe things which are fading and tranſitorie; and they are readie to follow it preſently, and to ſhew themſelues ſeruiceable vnto it with all willingnes and readineſſe that may be; yea to vndergoe much labour and toile, and to endure great hardſhip, and to paſſe thorough many difficulties, in the earneſtnes of their deſire to attaine vnto that, whereof notwithſtāding they faile oft times, and come ſhort of their hope, and expectation: Let God (whoſe word is truth, and who neuer faileth any in yt which hee promiſeth vnto them, nor deceiueth thē that reſt vpon him, and giue credit vnto his word, but ſatiſfieth thē moſt abundantly, and returneth more vnto them then they did either expect, or could deſire) let God, euen that gratious and bountifull God (with whom is the treaſurie of all good things) call them, and promiſe vnto them the vnſpeakable riches of celeſtiall and heauenly things, ſuch as are moſt excellent and glorious, farre paſſing the moſt deſireable things of this world, and ſuch as ſhall neuer fade, nor bee any waies diminiſhed, or once ſubiect vnto any change or alteration; yet they haue no heart to come vnto him, or to follow him, but are exceeding heauie and drowſie, yea very vnapt and vntoward vnto yt which were ſo greatly for their good; and in which alone conſiſteth true bleſſedneſſe, and eternall felicitie, and happineſſe. O Lord, let me neuer bee ſo fooliſh as the men of this world are, in whom there is no vnderſtanding: let me be more carefull to ſerue thee, then they are to ſerue the world, euen that curſed Mammō which they make their god. Let me labour more for ſpirituall and heauenlie things, ſuch as ſhall remaine and abide for euer, then for thoſe things which are carnall and earthly, and ſuch as are of no continuance, but ſhall quickly periſh, and paſſe away as a ſhadow, and bee quite forgotten, euen as if they had neuer been. Yea let me alwaies preferre that ineſtimable price of glorie, that chief, that vnchangeable, and euerlaſting good which thou haſt promiſed and prepared for thy Saints in that celeſtiall kingdome which I daily expect and hope for, before all the alluring and deceitfull vanities, the ſeeming and ſuppoſed good, yea all the moſt pretious and glorious things of this world whatſoeuer, wherwith thoſe that are earthly-minded are ſo greatly enamoured, and wherein they place the height of their falſe and imaginarie felicitie and happineſſe.

The ſpirit of God is the life of the ſoule.

AS is the bodie without the ſoule, ſo is the ſoule without the ſpirit of God, which is the life thereof. If there bee a ſeparation of the ſoule of man, what is his bodie, but a dead, and a liueles corpſe or carcaſe, hauing no ſenſe, or motion? It cannot once breathe or ſtirre it ſelfe, nor put foorth any power for the performance of the leaſt action: So is it with the ſoule of euery one, in whom the ſpirit of God is wanting, or from whom it is departed: There is no life, no vigour, no power, or abilitie to doe any thing which is good: yea ſooner may a dead body moue it ſelf, and exerciſe the actions, and operations of a naturall life, then the ſoule which is without the ſpirit of God, and ſo deſtitute of the life of grace, can ſhew foorth any certaine ſignes and effects of a ſpiritual life. O Lord, I haue found by experience what a deadnes there is vpon me, if thou at any time withdraweſt thy ſpirit, and doeſt not cauſe it to worke effectually vpon my ſoule; without the continuall preſence, and aſſiſtance thereof, I am not able to doe, no not to will, or deſire in any ſort that which is good, but am euen as a breathleſſe and liueleſſe creature, one in whō there is no life. O therefore let it pleaſe thee to powre out thy ſpirit plentifully vpon me; let me alwaies finde it not only preſent, but alſo powerfully working within me, & quickning me vnto the willing and cheerefull performance of all thoſe things which thou requireſt of me: yea let it pleaſe thee, (in whō only I liue, and moue, and without whom I am as one whoſe ſpirit is departed from him,) let it pleaſe thee, O Lord, to breathe the life of grace daily more and more into me, and to inſpire me continually with good motions, with holy and heauenly deſires, that ſo I may delight in thoſe things which are pleaſing vnto thee, and bring foorth the fruits of the ſpirit abundantly, throughout the whole courſe of my life, to the praiſe of the glorie of thy grace (from whence alone is all my ſufficiency and abilitie) to the benefit of thoſe among whom I either now doe, or hereafter ſhall liue; and to the endleſſe comfort and ſaluation of mine owne ſoule, through Chriſt my Lord and Sauiour, who with thee, O father, and with thy holie ſpirit, bee bleſſed and praiſed both now and euermore. Amen.

The loue of the world and worldly deſires, baniſh all true loue of God from the ſoule.

HEE that ſuffereth any wordlie deſires, or the inordinate affection of any earthly thing whatſoeuer to take place in his heart, cannot loue God ſincerely, entirely, and vnfainedly; yea the more the deſire of his heart is inlarged vnto ye affecting of thoſe things, the more is the loue of God abated and diminiſhed in him; as much as the one increaſeth, ſo much the other of neceſſitie muſt decreaſe. O Lord, who haſt manifeſted thy loue ſo richly towards me, fill my heart daily more and more with the loue of thy maieſtie; let the ſame whollie poſſeſſe me: For this end, ſuffer me not to be intangled at any time with the inordinate deſire of any of theſe fading and fruitleſſe vanities; but free me, I beſeech thee, from the ſinful and immoderate affecting thereof; yea purge my heart, and baniſh farre from me the loue of al thoſe things, which might be a meanes in any ſort to alienate my minde from thee, and grant that my ſoule may delight in thee, and that I may loue thee with my whole heart, yea that the affection of my loue may bee ſet and fixed vpon thee alone, who only art worthie to bee loued aboue all things; and that if I loue or affect any thing elſe, it may not bee otherwiſe then in thee, and for thee, vnto whom I am deſirous to giue my heart with all the affections thereof.

The ſinfulnes of mans nature corrupted.

O Lord, what a fountaine of corruption do I ſee continually, ſpringing vp within me? and how much more doth there abound in me, which beeing hid from mine eyes is ſeene onely of thee, who alone knoweſt the heart, and beholdeſt the inward and moſt hidden ſecrets thereof, which the eye of man cannot pierce into. Doe thou vouchſafe to clenſe it daily more & more: Powre downe plentifully that cleane water of thy ſanctifying grace, which may waſh away that filthines, euen thoſe ſtaines and pollutions wherewith I am defiled, and which beeing lotheſome in mine owne eyes, cannot but be as an abomination before thee, who art ſo pure, that thou canſt not ſee euill, nor behold wickedneſſe. O let thy ſpirit purge and purifie my ſoule from that inbred corruption and contagiō thereof, which cleaueth ſo faſt vnto it; yea let it be as fire to drie vp thoſe polluted ſtreames, which flow continually from that vncleane fountaine; that ſo I may be found of thee without ſpot, and blameleſſe, in the day of that glorious appearance of thy ſonne my bleſſed ſauiour and redeemer; in whom though I ſee him not, yet doe I beleeue, and reioyce with ioy vnſpeakeable and glorious.

Blindnes of minde, a great miſerie.

IF any want the eyes of their bodies, they account it a greate miſerie, and would vſe any meanes, be at any coſt, to enioy the comfort and benefite of their ſight. And yet moſt want the eyes of their ſoules, and thinke it to be no miſerie; neither regard, nor ſeeke once for that wherein the comfort of their liues conſiſteth, and whereby they ſhould come to ſee the light of glory in the kingdome of heauen. O Lord, though others be wilfully blinde, and ſo moſt miſerable, whiles they ſee it not, yet open thou mine eyes euer more and more: Suffer not ſinne with the deceitfulnes thereof to drawe any filme ouer them; but giue me daily a clearer ſight of mine owne miſerie, and of thy vnſpeakeable mercies towards mee, who am vnworthie of the leaſt of them.

Hardnes of heart a fearefull plague.

THere can no worſe plague happen vnto any one, then a harde and obdurate heart; and yet alas, how fewe be there that complaine of it, although they be farre gone with it! How fewe, that ſeeke to be thoroughly recouered of it, although they haue preſent meanes continually offered vnto them, for the cure of it! Oh they know not the danger of it; or if they doe, and ſeeke not carefullie for the remedie, ſurely they are exceeding deſperate of their eſtate. Good Lord, breake thou this ſtony heart of mine, I humbly pray thee: Giue me to ſee, and to grieue daily more and more for the hardnes of it, and neuer to ſleepe in reſt, till I feele it ſoftned and mollified, yea till I be cured and altogether recouered of it. Howſoeuer it ſhall pleaſe thee outwardly to afflict me for my good, yet Lord keepe me alwaies, I beſeech thee, from that inward, ſpirituall and moſt fearefull iudgement, which thou vſeſt to ſend vppon the reprobate, who beeing paſt all feeling, ſeale vp vnto themſelues thereby the aſſurance of eternall perdition.

Feare of God.

I Haue oft wondered to ſee, in what awe moſt ſtand of mortall men, who haue power of their goods, life, or outward eſtate; how carefull they are to pleaſe them, how affraid to offend them: and yet in the meane while, how regardleſſe they are, and ſhew thēſelues to be, of that great, that powerfull and immortall God, whoſe name is terrible; yea, who is able preſently to caſt them both ſoule and bodie, into hell for euer, there to haue their portion among the damned. Either men are Atheiſts, and thinke there is no God (for they that beleeue that there is a God, can not but know, that his power is infinite, and therefore muſt needes feare him more then any man, whoſe power is but finite, when it is greateſt:) Or elſe they are maruellous deſperat, who though they know and will acknowledge the power, and the fiercenes of his wrath, yet feare not the puniſhment, and the horrible torments which he hath threatned againſt them. O Lord, let me not be either ſo blinded, or ſo hard-hearted, as the wicked and vngodly are. Let me alwaies feare before thee, and tremble at thy preſence, ſtanding continually in awe of ſo great, and glorious a maieſtie, which the Angels adore, and reuerence. And let this feare of thee and thy righteous iudgements, baniſh and driue out of my heart, the loue of all ſinne, ſo that I may not once dare willingly to commit the ſame, though I might thereby gaine the whole world. Yea Lord, doe thou plant thy feare in my heart; let it poſſeſſe my ſoule, and then it can not be, but that I ſhould ſeeke in all things to pleaſe thee more then men, and feare to offend thee in any thing, not fearing the feare of thoſe that bee thine enemies, and hate thee.

Feare of God ſpeaking in his word.

MEn we ſee oft times are ſtricken and amazed at the ſudden noiſe of a great thunder-clap; they tremble and quake: yea this cauſeth many, with the Heatheniſh Emperour to ſeeke for couert, and to hide and ſhroud themſelues for feare. And yet behold, ſuch is the corruption of mans nature; ſuch is their ſtupiditie, that although they heare daily a greater, & more dreadfull noiſe, euen the mightie and terrible voice of God which ſoundeth in his word, and whereby he threatneth them in moſt fearefull manner, not only with temporall iudgement, but alſo with eternall perdition and deſtruction, yet they are ſcarce once moued; they feare not; they doe not quake and tremble, but ſooth vp themſelues in the wickedneſſe of their hearts, and bleſſe themſelues in their ſinfull and vngodlie waies, thinking that al is well, and dreaming of nothing but of peace and ſafetie, when thir confuſion is neereſt, and ſudden deſtruction and deſolation ready preſently to ſeize vpon them. O let it be otherwiſe with me, & with all them that feare thy name O Lord; let me be touched, & rightly affected with the conſideration of thy great and glorious maieſtie, when I behold thy wondrous and maruellous workes, how thou caſts forth thy lightnings vnto the ends of the world, and thundreſt from heauen with a mightie voice; at the noiſe whereof, euen the bruit beaſts, and dumbe creatures, doe quake and tremble for feare. Let theſe things cauſe me, to acknowledge the greatnes of thy power, to ſtand in a holie and awfull reuerence of thy preſence, and to giue glorie vnto thy name, who art the mightie and glorious God of heauen and earth: but let me be much more moued, and inwardly affected, when I heare the voice of that mightie and powerfull Word of thine, which goeth out of thy mouth, and which thou cauſeſt to ſound in mine eares, by the miniſterie of men whom thou haſt ordained; and in and by whom thou ſpeakeſt both to the eares, and to the hearts of men. O let this word of thine, which in it ſelfe is mightie in operation, and whereby, through the working of thy ſpirit, thou doeſt maruellous things; let it ſtrike and break in ſunder this hard and ſtonie heart of mine: let • r cauſe me to tremble at the hearing of it, yea euen to fall downe before thee, and to adore thy maieſtie, to be afraid of thy diſpleaſure, and to ſerue thee with an humble, and with a contrite heart all my daies: Then according vnto thy promiſe, thou wilt looke mercifully vpon me, thou wilt deale exceedingly graciouſly with me; yea though heauen be thy throne, and the earth thy footſtoole, yet thou wilt vouchſafe to dwell with me, by the comfortable preſence of thy grace, and bleſſed ſpirit for euermore.

Knowledge and conſcience must goe togther.

MAny labour for knowledge, few for conſciēce to practiſe thoſe things which they know. Such knowledge is vaine, and bringeth no profit to him that hath it. •• e what if thou couldeſt repeate all the moſt pithie ſentences of the wiſeſt and graueſt Philoſophers, and the greateſt Sages that euer were? it were nothing. Yea what if thou couldeſt ſay ouer the whole Bible without book, and with the ſuperſtitious Iew, tell exactly how oft euery letter were found in the ſame; and withall, wert able to expound the hardeſt and moſt difficult places therein yt could be put vnto thee, ſo that al yt heard of thee did admire thee, as one very rare and eminent in thy kinde? All this were nothing, it were in vaine, and no waies auaileable vnto thee, if thou wert not as carefull to haue thy heart touched, thy minde ſanctified, and thy life reformed, as thy head ſtuffed and filled with varietie and abundance of knowledge & learning; if thou didſt not labour as much, if not more, for the practiſe of thoſe things which thou knoweſt, then for the bare and naked ſpeculation it ſelfe, without fruther profit. Giue me grace, O Lord, as to vſe all good meanes to attaine vnto all kinde of learning which is neceſſarie and profitable for me, eſpecially the knowledge of thy word, and thoſe ſecret and hidden myſteries, which thou haſt therein reuealed; ſo much more, with all diligence, carefully, and conſcionably to practiſe thoſe things which I haue learned; ioyning to my knowledge, vertue, faith, temperance, patience, godlineſſe, and vnfained loue and charitie vnto all men, euen mine enemies, and thoſe that are moſt bitter towards me, yea moſt wickedly and malitiouſly ſet againſt me: that thus the knowledge, which by thy bleſſing I ſhall attaine vnto, may not bee idle or vnprofitable, but I may abound and encreaſe in the fruits thereof, to the praiſe of thy name, the benefit of others among whō I ſhall liue, mine owne comfort in this life, and the furtherance of my ſaluation, in thy kingdome after this life, for euer.

Another.

IT is not without cauſe, that the Scriptures make the heart the ſeate of truth, ſinceritie and vprightnes, and not the head, ſeeing the heart is the ſeate and ſubiect of the affectiōs; the braine of knowledge, vnderſtanding & iudgment. A man may know and vnderſtand much, and yet be very ill affected; he may be of a large capacitie, and of a very deepe apprehenſion, euen of the greateſt myſteries of Chriſtian religion, and yet be of an exceeding corrupt minde, and of a moſt vnſound life. Knowledge is good, and to be deſired, and ſought for, and that with diligence; but yet good affection muſt be ioyned with it, and increaſed by it; or elſe it will not bee profitable, but hurtfull and dangerous, making the owner of it rather worſe then better. It is a good thing to know much; but it is better, and more acceptable to God, to affect the good things wee know, that wee might practiſe them, and to diſlike the euill we know, that wee might ſhunne and auoid them. God euer loued and delighted more in the truth and ſinceritie of the heart, then in the bare ſpeculation, and fruitleſſe apprehenſions of the minde and vnderſtanding part. Let it be my deſire, O Lord, my care and my earneſt endeuour, rather to liue well then to know much: let me labour for both, ſince both are neceſſarie; yet alwaies preferre this before the other, ſeeing that without this, is leaſt profitable, and more dangerous (not of it ſelfe, but through the fault of him that vſeth it amiſſe) making the life more corrupt, and bringing with it the greater condemnation in the end.

The worldly mans Idoll.

THat which euerie one moſt ſetteth his heart vpon, that doth hee make his God, yea rather his Idol. Thus the God of the couetous is riches, euen that curſed Mammon: The God of the voluptuous, pleaſure: of the ambitious, honour. O then how many vile and wicked Idolaters bee there in the world? Surely, as many as doe giue themſelues ouer to couetouſneſſe, ambition, and voluptuouſnes, euen the exceſſiue and inordinate deſire of the vaine and tranſitorie things of this world. O Lord God, thou only art my God; whom haue I in heauen but thee? or what is there that I ſhould deſire on earth, in compariſon of thee? O let my hart be alwaies fixed vpon thee; let my ſoule loue thee, delight in thee, & ſeeke and long after thee, aboue all things; which is that inward and ſpiritual worſhip and ſeruice, which thou requireſt of all thoſe vpon whō thy name is called, of all thoſe that acknowledge thee, the Lord, to be their God.

The miſerable eſtate of a worldling.

HE that doth once imbrace this world, can hardly be looſed from it, and brought to follow Chriſt and to cleaue vnto true religiō, in the trueth and ſinceritie of the profeſſion thereof; yea ſuch is the bewitching nature of it, that it will daily more and more faſten vpon him, and claſpe round about him, ſo that he ſhall haue no power to free himſelfe againe, except an extraordinarie grace be miniſtred vnto him of God. Of all men (of whom there may be any hope) a couetous worldling is in this regard moſt miſerable, and his eſtate moſt dangerous; ſince that it is harder for him to be reclaimed, then for any other; for of all ſinnes, (out of which there may be any recouery) that ſinne of auarice and couetouſnes is moſt irrecouerable. O bleſſed Lord, let not my heart be glewed at any time vnto the things of this world; Let not the immoderate care and deſire thereof, take hold of me, let it not be rooted in me; but let me alwaies enioy ſuch freedome by thy grace that I may willingly, readily and cheerefully performe thoſe duties which thou requireſt of me; yea that I may cleaue faſt vnto thee, and runne with libertie, the waies of thy commandements.

The vnpleaſant and diſtracted life of a carnall and wicked man.

WHat pleaſure is there in the life of a carnall and wicked man, who is carried away with the vaine and inordinate deſires of his owne heart? Before he hath obtained that which he luſts after, he is reſtles and vnquiet; All that he had before doth him no good, becauſe hee wants that: when he enioyes it, he is grieued & diſpleaſed, yea vexed, becauſe it doth not ſatiffie him, nor yeeld him that contentment, which he looked for in it. Afterwards, he is perplexed and troubled in minde, by reaſon of the guilt which he hath brought vpon his conſcience, through his ſinne; the ſweeteſt fruite whereof in the ende, is nothing but ſhame and ſorrow, yea much bitternes. Thus he is continually diſquieted, diſcontented, and diſtracted, whiles he followeth his vnlawfull deſires, and yeeldeth to his diſordered and diſtempred affections; he hath no peace, no eaſe, no reſt. Witnes the proud perſon, the couetous, the voluptuous, the ambitious, the enuious and malitious, and whoſoeuer elſe he be, that letteth looſe the raines to any vnbridled paſſion, any inordinate affection. It is a meere ſlauery, to be a ſeruant vnto any ſuch luſts; & the onely meanes to obtaine true libertie, hearts eaſe, peace and ſound contentement, to reſiſt them, and to get the maſtrie ouer them, and to be no wayes bound to them. O mercifull Lord, let me not be addicted to theſe things, which are baſe, earthly and ſenſuall: let me neuer willingly yield vnto any ſinfull deſire of my corrupt nature; but giue me grace alwaies to bridle, yea to ſubdue, and to mortifie thoſe wicked affections, which otherwiſe would preuaile againſt me; that ſo beeing ouermaſtered, and euen brought into ſubiectiō vnder me, through the working of thy gracious ſpirit in me, I may paſſe the whole time of my life hereafter, in reſt, quietnes and true peace and contentednes, and ſerue thee, with perfect libertie and freedome all my daies.

The life of the righteous as well to be ſought after, as their death wiſhed.

I Marueile not that all men (euen the moſt wicked and prophane of ye world) do, with curſed Balaam, deſire and wiſh for the death of the righteous, ſeeing the end of it, is true and perfect bleſſednes, and the want of it, extreame woe and miſerie. But this ſeemes very ſtrange vnto me, that they ſhould not as well deſire the life of the righteous: not onely, becauſe this is the meanes to come vnto the other, that neceſſarily depending hereupon; but alſo ſince herein is true happines to be found, and that which is to be deſired of all men, and without which, man cannot but be miſerable, and euen a burthen vnto himſelfe. For the righteous, the ſincere and vpright in life and conuerſation, they onely leade a peaceable, a comfortable, and a ioyfull life. They reioyce not ſo much in the face, as in heart; not ſo much to the teeth outwardly, as in ſoule, and ſpirit inwardly: whereas the hypocrite, the falſe hearted, and all that loue vnrighteouſnes, neuer haue any true mirth, any ſound ioy, but only a falſe & counterfeit image thereof, which when it is at the beſt, is but hollow, rotten, and vnſound; yea whē they ſport themſelues in their carnall and worldly delights moſt immoderatly, and break foorth into exceſſiue laughter, yet then their ioy is but the fit, as it were, of a frantick or mad man, they know not what they doe; and at length, their ſorrowfull dumpes, their troubled thoughts, and diſtracting cares, returne againe vnto them vnſent for, they break off their laughter with a ſigh, and end their mirth with heauineſſe, anguiſh and great perplexednes: yea the Lord filleth their ſoules with much bitternes; ſo that many times to bee eaſed of it, they could willingly be rid of their liues, in which they finde ſo ſmall comfort. Lord, let me be as carefull to leade a good life, as to make a godly end: let me hate all vnrighteouſneſſe, and forſake all the waies of the vngodly; and let me ſeek by all meanes to attaine vnto true holineſſe, and ſtriue after ſinceritie and vprightnes; that ſo the ſpirit of ioy and gladneſſe may reſt continually vpon me, and cauſe me alwaies to reioyce vnfainedly in thee, with that inward ſpiritual ioy and comfort, the ſweetnes whereof none knoweth but thine only, euen thoſe whom thou haſt giuen to taſte of it; and which being once giuen of thee (from whom alone it proceedeth) none is able to take it away againe.

The follie and danger of deferring Repentance.

IT is exceeding follie in men to liue careleſly and ſecurely, all their life long, and to put off all, vnto their dying houre, vainly ſuppoſing, that it will be enough for them, then to commend themſelues vnto God, and to deſire him to take them to his mercie. Alas, ſuch know not what they doe; they know not the price of their ſoules: for ſurely if they did, they would neuer put them in aduenture to the laſt houre: They conſider not the danger of loſing them for euer; for then certainely they would quickly be of an other mind; they would look about them; they would not ſet all vpon ſuch a tickliſh point, nor put themſelues vnto that hazard, no not for the gaine of the whole world; but they would preſently cut off all delaies (which in good things are alwaies exceeding dangerous) and ſeeke diligently by all meanes to leade their liues in that manner, and ſo to ſecure their eſtate, that in death they might haue aſſurance that they ſhould not die, but liue, hauing their ſoules tranſlated and carried (though not by firie chariots, as Elias was, yet by the hands of thoſe heauenlie Angels, which continually waite and attend vpon them) from earth to heauen, from this vale of miſerie, to that place of endleſſe glorie and happineſſe. O Lord keepe me from that extreame follie and ſimplicitie of the wicked, whom Satan hath ſo deceiued and deluded, that they ſhould be careleſſe of that which moſt neerly concernes them, euen their future and eternall eſtate after this life, which depends vpon the courſe of their life lead in this world, which is ſhort and momentarie. Let it bee my care and endeuour euery day to ſeeke by a holy conuerſation, to be aſſured of the certaintie of my election, and of my bleſſed and happie eſtate after this life, euen my future glorification in thy kingdom; that ſo I may be alwaies prepared, and reſt continually in a ioyfull hope and expectation of the accompliſhment and fulfilling of thy gratious promiſe.

Freewill.

IT is a vaine thing to thinke that a man hath freewill vnto that which is good: As well maiſt thou perſwade me, that a ſtone can moue it ſelfe, or that a dead bodie can raiſe it ſelfe out of the graue. Except the Lord put to his hand, wee can neuer moue our ſelues, no not to one good motion, one good thought or deſire, much leſſe giue our ſelues to the conſtant practiſe of that which is good. Except the Lord put new life into vs, except he quicken vs with his ſpirit, we are al but dead men, and ſhall lie in our graues vntill we be awaked vnto iudgement. O Lord (the fountaine of grace and life) doe thou quicken me, ſo ſhall I liue; do thou lift me vp, ſo ſhall I riſe out of the graue of ſinne and death: Doe thou draw me, ſo ſhall I come vnto thee, yea ſo ſhall I euen runne with libertie in all the waies of thy commandements. Heare me, O Lord, and help me, for in thee doe I truſt, in whom onely I liue, moue, and haue my being, and without whom all my life is but death. Without thee I can doe nothing: In thee, and by thee all things.

What worſhip God especially requireth.

MAny performe outward worſhip and ſeruice vnto God; few that which is in • ard. Both are required, but the latter is chiefly neceſſarie, without which, the former though commanded, is neither pleaſing nor acceptable, yea vile and abominable vnto him, that hath alwaies loathed ſuch dead carcaſes, ſuch liueleſſe ſacrifices. Lord, giue me grace alwaies to offer vnto thee a whole burnt offering, to ſerue thee as in bodie, which thou haſt made for that end, ſo eſpecially in ſpirit and in truth; ſo ſhall I not bee reproued, yea then thou wilt accept both of me, and of all my ſacrifices, and be exceeding gracious and mercifull vnto me, aboue that I can expect or deſire.

Christians are willingly to reſigne themſelues, and all that they enioy, to Gods will.

ALL thoſe things which wee enioy in this world, are not our owne, but Gods: he gaue them to vs to vſe, and at his pleaſure he may call for them, and cauſe vs to reſtore them to him againe, ſince he alone hath abſolute right and intereſt in them. Whiles wee haue them, wee are to haue a care to vſe them well, and not to neglect them, or to bee regardleſſe of them. We ought to vſe them, and yet not ſo to vſe them, as if they were our own, but lent vnto vs by another, of whom we haue receiued them. When hee taketh them from vs, we are willingly to reſtore them, and readily without any murmuring or repining to part with them, ſith they were but lent vnto vs for a time, for our conuenient or neceſſarie vſe, and are now called for againe by the right owner of them; ſo that to bee vnwilling to returne them at his commaund, is not, neither ought to bee otherwiſe eſteemed of vs, then as the vſurping or violent detaining of another mans goods againſt his will and pleaſure; euen theft and robberie againſt the higheſt. What meaneth it thē, that many are ſo loth to reſtore the things, which God hath giuen them the vſe of for a while, and now requireth of them againe? What meanes it, that many are ſo grieued to part with thoſe things which the Lord hath lent them, vntil ſuch time as he ſhould call for them? Yea, why is it that many complaine ſo grieuouſly, as if they were greatly iniured, or had very hard meaſure offered vnto them, when the Lord taketh from them, their wiues, their children, their friends, their goods, their lands, liuings, or their life it ſelfe? Are they their owne, and not Gods? Why then ſhould they ſinne againſt him, by repining that they cannot keepe them againſt his will? Hath he giuen vnto them the vſe of them thus long, & doth he now call for them, and require them againe of them? Why then ſhould they not with al willingnes, and thankfulnes reſtore them, acknowledging themſelues much indebted vnto him for the fruition of them, and the benefit they haue receiued by them hitherto. O Lord, thou haſt freely and moſt graciouſlie vouchſafed many bleſſings, and benefits vnto me, euen in the things of this world, the leaſt whereof I am altogether vnworthie of; thou haſt giuen me life & health, friends, and a competencie of theſe earthly things, which in wiſedome thou ſaweſt to bee conuenient for me; thou art the author and giuer of them, as of all other things which are good. Whiles it pleaſeth thee to continue them vnto me for my vſe, giue me grace to vſe them ſoberly in a ſanctified manner, ſo as may be moſt for thy glorie, and my comfort, both here and hereafter; whē it ſhall pleaſe thee to take thē away from me, and to depriue me either of any, or of all of them, grant that I may with a willing minde, and with a thankfull heart, returne them againe vnto thee, ſaying with that faithfull and conſtant ſeruant of thine, whom thou haſt made a paterne and preſident vnto me: Naked came I out of my mothers wombe, and naked ſhall I returne thither (euen into the bellie of the earth, which is ye mother of vs all): the Lord hath giuen, and the Lord hath taken it: bleſſed be the name of the Lord.

Forgiuing of others, how neceſſary for all men.

HE can neuer truely, and freely forgiue thoſe that offend and iniurie him, yt hath not firſt taſted of the infinite loue and fauour of God in Chriſt towards him, in the forgiuenes of thoſe manifold ſinnes, and innumerable and moſt grieuous offēces whereby he hath diſpleaſed and prouoked him. But he that hath a true apprehenſion, and a liuely ſenſe and feeling hereof in his owne ſoule, he cannot but freely, euen from his heart, forgiue others, as God for Chriſts ſake forgaue him. Either therefore manifeſt thy loue vnto thy bretheren, in freely forgiuing and forgetting the wrongs and iniuries which they haue done vnto thee, or elſe freely acknowledge and confeſſe (as indeed ye truth is) that thou neuer as yet taſtedſt effectually of the loue of God in Chriſt; that it was neuer ſhed into thy heart, and that thy ſinnes are ſtill vnpardoned, that thou haſt no aſſurance of the forgiuenes of them; which if thou haſt not, thou art a miſerable and a wretched creature, one that canſt haue ſmall ioy or comfort of thy life. Chuſe therefore which of theſe ſeemes beſt vnto thee? either to continue in this miſerie, and to be branded, as it were, in the forehead, for an impenitent ſinner, one vpon whom God hath ſhewed no mercie, but is ſtill vnder the curſe, euen the moſt fearefull curſe that can be, in a moſt comfortles eſtate: Or elſe (which thou oughteſt rather to deſire, and to be carefull of aboue all things) that thou haſt obtained mercie, that thou art in the loue and fauour of God, and that all thy ſinnes are freely and fully forgiuen thee, becauſe thou art louing and mercifull in forgiuing others, that haue ſinned againſt thee. O merciful God, cauſe me daily more & more daily to ſee the exceeding riches of thy grace, and to taſte of that infinite and vnſpeakeable loue, and kindneſſe of thine in Chriſt Ieſus ſo freely and ſo graciouſlie pardoning and forgiuing vnto me all my ſinnes, euen that great debt which no creature was able to make ſatisfaction vnto thy maieſtie for me, and thoſe hainous offences for which thou mightſt haue iuſtly condemned me. And let the liuely ſenſe and feeling of that incomprehēſible loue and mercie, which thou of thy infinite goodnes haſt freely vouchſafed vnto me, cauſe me, following thy example, to put on the bowels of mercie, euen thoſe tender affections of loue and compaſſion, that I may willingly and freely forgiue all thoſe that ſhall any waies offend me, euen as thou for Chriſts ſake forgaueſt me. Hereby I ſhall haue a ſure euidēce of thy loue towards me, and an infallible ſigne and ſeale, to certifie and aſſure me of the abſolute remiſſion and forgiueneſſe of all my ſinnes, which is bleſſednes it ſelfe, euen the verie gate which leadeth into heauen, vnto that glorie and ſaluation, which thy Saints hope for, and whereof hauing giuen them the firſt fruits here, thou wilt giue them the full poſſeſſion hereafter in thy kingdome for euer.

A comfort for ſuch, as are vniuſtly ſlaundered of the wicked.

A Good man that is vniuſtly ſlandered and reuiled, or any waies wronged of the wicked, hath many things to ſtay his minde, to comfort him, and to cauſe him not to bee moued, or diſquieted, but rather to be glad and ioyfull. Firſt, he is thereby made conformable vnto Chriſt, vpon whom the rebukes of many were laid, and who was more vniuſtly wronged and diſgraced, and more ſhamefully vſed, then he either is or can be. Againe, he ſuffers it of euill and wicked men, who alwaies hate them moſt, who God loueth beſt; and hereby hath an argument of Gods ſpeciall loue and fauour to him. And he doth not onely ſuffer it of thoſe which are euill, but alſo for that which is good, euen for his goodnes & for righteouſnes ſake, yea for Chriſtes ſake, for Gods ſake, whom thereby they chiefly diſhonour, and who will ſurely therefore take vengeance of them, but recompence him with a greater meaſure of glorie. O Lord, though the wicked of this world ſtudie how they may vexe and moleſt me, whiles they imagine lies, and ſpeake al manner of euill in moſt malitious, diſdainfull, and deſpightfull manner againſt me; yea hate and perſecute mee without a cauſe, as they haue done thy ſeruants heretofore, nay thine owne ſonne, whom thou in loue to mankind didſt ſend out of thy boſome; yet let not me bee diſcouraged at any time therewith, but rather looking vnto the author and finiſher of my faith, euen Chriſt Ieſus, who endured ſuch ſpeaking againſt of ſinners, let me ſuffer with patiēce the euill which they ſpeake of me falſely, & hauing not only mine owne conſcience, but thee alſo (who art priuie to all my actions, yea knoweſt all things, and wilt iudge vprightly) a witnes of my cleerenes and innocencie in thoſe things which they would cauſe to cleaue vnto me, let me deſpiſe their ſhame, and bee moſt ioyfull when they ſeeke moſt to oppreſſe me, and to caſt me downe with ouermuch ſorrow, anguiſh and heauineſſe, knowing aſſuredly that the ſhame which they would caſt vpon me, ſhall turne to my greater glorie.

Compaſſion towards others in their griefes.

WE ſhould be affected with the miſeries of others, as with our owne; and haue a ſenſe and a feeling of thoſe things which are grieuous vnto them, as much as if the ſame were our griefe, as it is theirs; or the ſame burthen lay vpon vs, that doth vpon them. This is that which God hath commanded, and which all of vs muſt frame our ſelues vnto, if we will not be guiltie of ſinne, both againſt God, and our neighbour. But, alas, ſuch is the weaknes & feeblenes of mans nature, that few or none are thus indifferently affected towards themſelues, and others; yea, moſt do little regard the euill which preſſeth others, and lieth heauie vpon them; whereas if the ſame, or a leſſer be laid vpon themſelues, they are ſore vexed and grieued; they complaine much, and thinke that none can bee compaſſionate enough towards them. Good Lord, I beſeech thee, to heale me of this infirmitie, and to free me from this corruption. Grant that I may haue a ſympathie and fellow-feeling of the ſorrowes and miſeries of others, as if they were mine owne; let me alwaies haue a tender compaſſion ouer them, and be affected vnto them, in that maner, as I would deſire, if I were in their eſtate, that they ſhould be vnto me. This is that which thy holie and righteous law bindeth me vnto, and which therefore I deſire to performe, that ſo I may pleaſe thee, and doe good vnto my neighbour, by helping him to beare the burthen which oppreſſeth him.

A comfortable life, how to be obtained.

ALL men are deſirous ſo to liue, that they may haue ioy and comfort of their liues: but few attaine hereunto. For either they know not the right way which leades vnto it; or if they know it, yet they •• haled and drawen aſide, either with t •• violence of the temptat • ons of Satan, or the ſtrength of their owne corrupt and diſtempered affections, to the ſeeking of it elſewhere. They are in an error, and farre out of the way, that thinke that either riches, health, pleaſures, honour, or any earthly or worldly thing whatſoeuer will bring them true, conſtant ioy. Nay, a man hauing all theſe, as much as his heart can wiſh or deſire, may bee in a miſerable, and comfortleſſe eſtate and condition, full of grief and anguiſh, yea euen racked as it were continually with manifolde vexations and diſtractions. The only way to liue peaceably, and ioyfully, is to leade a holie, and a religious life in al ſinceritie and vprightnes This bringeth with it that ſweete peace, and that inward ſolace and ioy, which the world cannot giue. O bleſſed Lord, the daies of this my pilgrimage are few and euill; make them comfortable vnto me, I humbly pray thee, by leading me forward in the waies of righteouſneſſe and true holineſſe: grant that I may alwaies endeuour my ſelfe to haue faith and a good conſcience before thee, and before all men, and to walke continually in ſimplicitie and godlie purenes, without al guile & hypocriſie, that ſo my heart may reioyce in thee vnfainedly, yea euen be filled with that ioy, which is vnſpeakable, and glorious.

How they are to liue that are redeemed by Chriſt.

IT is a ſhame for the Lords free man, to make himſelfe a ſeruant, a drudge, and a ſlaue to the world, to ſinne and Satan. Hee that Chriſt hath redeemed, muſt liue like one ſet at libertie, being alwaies very carefull and warie that hee be not intangled nor ouercome with any luſt, with any corrupt and vnlawfull affection, leſt thereby he bring himſelfe into that bondage and ſeruitude, then which there can be nothing more wretched and miſerable. O Lord, ſince it hath pleaſed thee of thy infinite goodnes and mercie to redeeme me with ſo great a price, euen with the pretious blood of thy deare Sonne that immaculate Lambe, graunt that being freed from that eſtate of corruption, vnto which before I was in bondage, and hauing eſcaped frō the filthineſſe of the world, wherewith I was formerlie ſtained and polluted, I may be carefull to renounce all thoſe vngodly courſes, euen that vaine conuerſation wherein I walked and delighted, before I knew thee and that ſauing grace of thine, which thou in the riches of thy mercies haſt reueiled, and manifeſted vnto me; and that I may daily more and more labour and ſtriue after ſpirituall libertie and freedome, liuing as thy ſeruant, as thy redeemed one, and ſhewing foorth the vertues of thee my God and Sauiour, who haſt called me out of darkneſſe, into that maruellous light of thine.

Gods loue and fauour to be ſought for aboue all things, and his wrath feared.

IF wee bee out of fauour with men, of no eſteeme, no reckoning amongſt them; If deſpiſed, and diſgraced of the world, and made as ſuch as are vile, and of no reputation: If wee bee but in daunger to loſe our goods, our riches, our lands, and liuing; or to haue our outward eſtate by any meanes impaired and decayed, or in any ſort diminiſhed: If any of our deareſt friends, and neareſt kinsfolke, die and depart from vs for a while; or if we our ſelues be in any perill of death, loe, then we are very ſad and heauie; we are exceeding penſiue, and grieued out of meaſure, as though no greater euill could befall vs. But if we be cleane out of the loue and fauour of God (then which there can be no greater miſerie); if we be not regarded of him, but are vile in his ſight, ſuch as by reaſon of our ſinnes hee doth lothe and abhorre, more then wee doe the vglieſt and the loathſomeſt creature in the world, and doth many waies teſtifie the ſignes of his hatred, and the deepe diſpleaſure which hee hath taken againſt vs: If wee be in continuall danger to hazard ye moſt deſireable goods (which are better then all things, which this whole world can affoord) euen thoſe pretious things of God, wherin onely true happineſſe and felicitie conſiſts. If wee be in neuer ſo great and apparent danger and ieopardie, to loſe the vnſpeakable riches of that glorious, and immortall inheritance, reſerued for the Saints in that heauenly kingdome, that celeſtiall Canaan, the Paradiſe of God; where there are ſuch ioyes, ſuch pleaſure, ſuch bleſſednes, as the heart of man is not able to conceiue, or to comprehend. If our neereſt and inmoſt friend, which reſteth continually in our boſome, and in the ſecreteſt lodgings of our hearts, vnto whom wee profeſſe the greateſt loue and friendſhip that may be; in briefe, to whom wee are ioyned and vnited, with ſo neere and ſtrait bands, that it is death for vs at any time, to bee ſeuered, and ſeparated for the leaſt while, for one moment; euen our owne ſoule, if that bee dead in vs, whiles it ſeemeth to liue; dead in treſpaſſes and ſinnes, whiles it liueth according to the fleſh, delighting in thoſe things which are vnlawfull; dead in regard of the life of grace, whiles it liueth the life of nature; yea continuallie in extreame danger to die eternally, euen that ſecond death, which of all euils is the moſt fearfull, & moſt wofull, aboue that any man doth thinke, or can imagine, though he haue • reſented vnto his minde, the moſt dreadfull things, and fulleſt of horror, that can poſſibly enter into the heart of man: yet behold (ſuch is the ſottiſhnes of mans nature) though wee knowe theſe things, yet wee are not inwardly touched, nor moued with them, as we ought to be; though we reade of them our ſelues, though wee heare of thē oft by others; yea though the Lord from day to day, and from time to time, cauſeth them to ſound in our eares, by the miniſterie and preaching of his word, in the mouthes of his faithfull ſeruants, whom he ſendeth, and by the inward and ſecret voice of his ſpirit, which ſuggeſteth theſe things vnto vs, yet our hearts are not affected with the conſideration of them; wee haue almoſt no ſenſe, or feeling of theſe euils and miſeries, wee make no account of them, we are little, ſeldome, or neuer troubled with the meditation and remembrance of them. The feare and danger of them doth not ſtrike our ſoules with griefe and ſorrow, nor make vs ſo penſiue and heauy, as the feare and dread of farre leſſer euils doe. Wee grieue more at the loſſe of the fauour and countenance of men, yea of carnall and worldly men, then of that glorious and immortall God, whoſe louing fauour is better then life, and the want of it worſe then death: we grieue more at the loſſe of ye things of this world, which are vaine, earthly, and tranſitory (and ſuch as can neuer make the owner of them trulie bleſſed and happie, though he had them in greater abundance, then his heart, albeit neuer ſo vnſatiable, could deſire) thē of the things of the world to come, which are moſt excellent, heauenly, and enduring for euer, in the hope and expectation whereof there is ioy, and comfort vnſpeakable and glorious, euen whiles they are not ſeen, but beleeued; and in the full fruition and poſſeſſion whereof, there is entire and abſolute felicitie and bleſſedneſſe. We are grieued more at the death and departure of our friend, then at the death and deſtruction of our owne ſoule; more troubled with the feare of the loſſe of this temporall life, which is alwaies fading, and whereof wee can haue no certaintie or aſſurance, one houre, no not one minute; then of that which is eternall, and ſhall neuer haue an end, but continue for euer, in ſuch glorie, the enioying whereof one moment, is better then all the glorie, pleaſures, and delights of this life, whereof any man is or can bee made partaker in this world; yea though hee liue long, and ſee many daies, and wants nothing of thoſe things heere below, which ſeeme moſt pretious and glorious in the eyes of men. What ſhould I ſay more? We are more troubled with the feare and dread of our naturall death, the death of our bodies (which if our liues were ſuch as they ought to be, would be more deſired then feared of vs, being the entrāce into that promiſed reſt and happineſſe) then of the death of our ſpirits, yea of our ſoules and bodies, euen that fearfull & moſt dreadful death, which is the ſecond death, when as the ſoule preſently after the diſſolution and ſeparation of it from the bodie, in the end of this life; and both ſoule and bodie, euen the whole man immediatly after the day of iudgement, hauing receiued their finall doome, ſhall bee deliuered vp vnto eternall death and condemnation in hell, where they ſhall be puniſhed with euerlaſting perdition from the preſence of the Lord, and from the glorie of his power. Surely many ſuch there be in al places, who haue ſo ſmall ſenſe and feeling of the greateſt euils both preſent and imminent; that are more grieued and troubled for the approching of ſome leſſer euill, then of the greateſt miſerie that can poſſibly befall a man; the very remembrance and conſideration whereof, were enough to breed a horror and aſtoniſhment in the minde of the hardieſt, the moſt obſtinate, and impenitent ſinner, if he ſhould haue a right apprehenſion of it. Oh the follie of ſuch men! who ſeeth not how Satan hath blinded and beſotted them, that they ſhould bee as thoſe, who haue no vnderſtanding, no diſcerning of things that differ ſo exceedingly? O bleſſed Lord, open their eyes, that they may haue a ſight of their greateſt miſeries; touch their hearts, that they may haue a feeling of that which ſhould bee their greateſt griefe, and wherewith they ſhould be moſt affected: And keepe thy ſeruants from falling at any time into that vaine and fooliſh opinion, and imagination of theirs. Let vs alwaies feare thy diſpleaſure, more then the angrie countenance of any mortall man whatſoeuer; let vs be more afraid to be deſpiſed and reiected of thee; or to bee ſuch as thou takeſt no pleaſure, no delight in, then to be diſgraced and contemned of the whole world, eſteemed the filth and ofſcouring of all things, men vnworthie to liue vpon the earth; let vs chuſe rather to incurre the daunger of the loſſe of our goods, lands, ſubſtance, and to bee content to haue our outward eſtate in this world much impaired, yea altogether waſted, and brought euen to nothing, rather then once willingly to hazard our euerlaſting eſtate in the world to come, by bringing our ſelues into daunger of the loſſe of thoſe vnſearchable riches, and treaſures of life, glorie, and endleſſe felicitie; euen thoſe farre more excellent and glorious things, which thou haſt promiſed and prepared for all thy Saints in that heauenlie kingdome. Let vs not feare the death of theſe mortall bodies of ours, which are but duſt, and ſhall returne to the earth of which they are framed; let not the remēbrance thereof trouble vs, or bee any waies grieuous and bitter vnto vs, nay rather let vs reioyce in it, and long for it, and that with an earneſt deſire, ſeeing it ſhall be a paſſage vnto vs, from this life vnto a better: but let vs feare & auoid thoſe things which might cauſe the death of our ſoules; yea let vs ſo feare hell, death, and deſtruction, that we may be full aſſured we ſhall eſcape them, and when this life of ours is ended, be tranſlated into that place, where thou dwelleſt in fulnes of glorie and maieſtie, and liue and raigne with thee in the heauens for euermore. Amen.

The Lords ſeruice the greateſt freedome.

TO be in the Lords ſeruice is the greateſt freedome, yea the greateſt priuiledge, and moſt excellēt prerogatiue that men can attaine vnto in this world. It is a verie honourable, and glorious calling; no earthly dignitie, office, or prehemencie whatſoeuer, to be compared vnto it. The Angells of heauen thoſe celeſtiall creatures account it (as it is indeed) their crowne, and their greateſt glorie; that wherein they finde cauſe of continuall ioy and reioycing: Why then ſhould any man (a worme of the earth) eſteeme ſo meanly of it, (as many do) yea thinke it to be a burden which he is loth to take vpon him; a bondage which it is grieuous to him to vndergoe, yea a diſgrace, and reproch which he is vnwilling to ſuſtaine? Oh that vaine man ſhould be ſo degenerate and baſe minded, as to haue ſo meane a • conceite of that which he ought ſo highly to prize; that he ſhould ſuppoſe the ſeruice of the great king, and monarch of the whole world the moſt high God, (wherein the moſt excellent creatures do glorie) to be baſe and contemptible; that he ſhould thinke it a diſhonour, and diſparagment vnto him, to profeſſe himſelfe to be a dutiful and obedient ſeruant vnto the Lord of heauen, the mightie poſſeſſour of all things, (to whom all knees are to bowe, and whom all creatures muſt adore) when as he accounteth it an honour, and a grace vnto him to be reputed an inferior ſeruant vnto his miniſter, and vicegerent vpon earth; and no ſmall priuiledge to be in any office vnder him: yea that he ſhould be ſuch a miſcreant, as to deſpiſe that, which if he were not ſtrangely blinded, and extremely beſotted, he would think himſelf happie that he might haue it once vouchſafed and granted vnto him! O bleſſed Lord, how great is thy goodneſſe and thy mercie towards me, in that it hath pleaſed thee to take me into thy ſeruice? how much am I bound vnto thee for this fauour which thou haſt ſhewed vnto me, who by reaſon of my ſinnes whereby I haue from time to time diſhonoured thee, am altogether vnworthie to be called thy ſeruant, or once to be reckoned amongſt the leaſt, and meaneſt of thoſe vnto whom thou haſt vouchſafed this ſo great a priuiledge, ſo glorious a dignitie, and prerogatiue. Oh that I were able to performe that ſeruice which is due vnto thee, and which thou requireſt of me; Thou art my Lord and my God, vnto whom I owe all dutie all homage, and loyaltie; thou onely art worthie to be ſerued, worſhipped, and glorified of all creatures, both in heauen and in earth. I acknowledge, that all that I can poſſible doe, is leſſe then that which my dutie, and thy loue and goodneſſe bindeth me vnto, and which thou mayeſt well expect of me; It is the deſire of my heart to be found euery way obedient, and faithfull vnto thee, yea to ſerue thee with al my ſtrēgth, with all my might, and that vnto the end of my dayes: O Let it pleaſe thee (who art able to doe all things) to make a gracious ſupplie of that which thou ſeeſt to be wanting in me; and wherein through weakeneſſe, and infirmitie, I am ſubiect to faile moſt, to helpe and to aſſiſt me through the powerfull working of thy bleſſed ſpirit, without which I am able to doe nothing.

The extreame follie of men in hazarding the eternall eſtate of their ſoules, for the enioying of the vaine pleaſures of this world.

O How vaine, how momentarie, and deceitfull are all earthly pleaſures and delights, euen then when any enioyeth all that his heart can wiſh, or deſire, or whereunto his minde ſtandeth moſt affected! They are all as ſmoake, or as a ſhadowe; they vaniſh ſuddenlie and come to nothing: and when they are gone, they are as if they had neuer been; euen the remembrance of them doth periſh, and paſſe away. And whiles that a man hath the vſe of them, yet doth he not finde any true delight or contentment in them; yea it may well be doubted, whether he taſteth of more ſowre or ſweet, more honey or gall, more pleaſure and delight or griefe and vexation, whiles he drinketh thē downe with a greedie appetite, and in an vnſatiable maner. For thus the Lord vſ • ally puts much bitterneſſe into their ſweeteſt cup, and mingleth trouble, anguiſh and vexation with their chiefeſt delights, which they moſt inordinatly deſire, and ſeeke after. And yet loe, ſuch is the follie & ſottiſhnes of many (vnto whom the Lord otherwiſe hath giuen vnderſtanding whereby to iudge, and diſcerne of things that differ) that like vnreaſonable men, nay like brutiſh creatures, that are deſtitute of all wiſedome and knowledge, for the gaining of theſe fruitleſſe and fading vanities, they ſticke not to loſe their owne ſoules, then which nothing ſhould be more deare or pretious vnto them. O Lord, let me not be taken in the ſnare of the wicked at any time; let me not haue a longing and inordinate deſire after thoſe things which pleaſe them, and with the loue whereof they are drawne away from that wherein their happineſſe conſiſteth (if they had eyes to ſee it;) but grant, that ſeeing and conſidering daily more & more, the vanitie, the vncertainty, & deceitfulnes of theſe earthly pleaſures, and worldly delights, wherein moſt are drowned, I may haue a true contempt, and holy diſdaine of them, in compariſon of thoſe things which concerne thy kingdome; and that beeing weaned from the immoderate loue and ſinful deſire of them, I may delite my ſelfe in thee continually, yea ſolace my ſelfe in thee alone; that ſo I may be filled with true inward and ſpirituall ioy, reioycing alwaies in thee, who onely art the fountaine of all heauenly comfort and contentment, and of all diuine conſolation.

Deniall of a mans ſelfe, how neceſſary.

MAn is alwaies to reſt in the will of God, and to yeeld himſelfe in all things to be ruled, and directed thereby: Thereunto muſt he frame his will, his deſires, yea all the affections of his heart, and actions of his life; he muſt in euery thing be ſwaied wholly, and only by that, or elſe he ſhall neuer performe acceptable obedience vnto God, that wherein he is moſt delighted and beſt pleaſed. O Lord, giue me grace alwaies to denie my ſelfe, and mine owne will, and to reſigne my ſelfe vnto thy holy and heauenly will in all things. Let me will thoſe things onely which thou willeſt, and affect, deſire, and enterpriſe nothing but that, which thou haſt either commanded, or warranted the lawfulnes of it, that ſo I may doe it of faith and without ſinne. Behold Lord I am thy ſeruant, deſirous to approue my ſelfe vnto thy maieſtie, and to pleaſe and obey thee in all things. Teach me daily both to know and to doe thy will better then I haue done heretofore; euen with all readines, willingnes, and cheerefulnes, as thoſe celeſtiall creatures doe, which alwaies attend vpon thy preſence, as miniſtring ſpirits, ready with all diligence and alacritie to execute whatſoeuer thou commandeſt. Frame my heart more and more vnto the obediēce of thy lawes, and let me with all reuerence, and humble ſubmiſſion both of ſoule and bodie, ſubiect my ſelfe vnto thee, following thee whitherſoeuer thou ſhalt leade me, and being content to be ruled, directed, and gouerned according vnto thy will and good pleaſure in all things: yea O Lord, deale with me as thou pleaſeſt, and as thou knoweſt may be moſt for thy honor and glorie, and for my greateſt good in this life, and the furtherance of my happines and ſaluation in the life to come, through Chriſt my only Lord, and bleſſed Sauiour. Amen.

The Lord is the light and the guide of his.

EXcept the Lord doe inlighten the minds of mē, they are as thoſe that walk in darknes; yea euen the beſt are ready continually to erre, and to go aſtray, if he be not their guide, if he be not preſent to direct them, and to leade them forward, as it were, with his hand in the right way. Daily experience and obſeruation maketh this ſo cleere and euident, that none can either denie it, or doubt of it. O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himſelfe, neither is it in man to walke, and to direct his ſteps, but if thou leaue him, he ſtarteth aſide, & wandreth like a ſtraying ſheepe: O therefore be thou mercifull vnto me; let thy grace and thy truth alwaies ſhine foorth cleerely vnto me. Be thou my guide in all things, going before me, and directing me aright, ſo that I may neuer bee plucked away with the error of thoſe that fall frō thee, and from thy trueth. Giue mee knowledge, giue mee vnderſtanding, teach me to doe thy will, and to walke in all the pathes of thy precepts with a right foote, and with all ſinceritie of heart and affection; yea let thy good ſpirit bee alwaies preſent to aſſiſt me, and to leade me in the way wherein I ſhould goe; that ſo I may continue ſtedfaſtly and conſtantly in the knowledge and obedience of thy trueth, and doe thoſe things which may be pleaſing and acceptable in thy ſight, and bring comfort vnto my ſoule and conſcience, both in life and in death.

The Lord neuer forſaketh his in the day of affliction or temptation.

IF the Lord at any time doth expoſe his children vnto any kinde of miſerie or affliction; if he ſuffer them to fall into diuers and grieuous temptatiōs, he meaneth them no hurt therein, neither is hee therefore to be thought an enemie, or to haue leſſened his care and louing affection towards them; but rather he doth all this for their good, yea for their great benefite, though they for the preſent cannot eaſily diſcerne it, (not beeing ſo well acquainted with the Lords dealings, and proceedings, with whom it is an ordinarie, and no vnuſuall thing, to proue, and exerciſe his, euen his moſt beloued ones, ſundrie wayes, and in diuers maners:) His loue is as great towards thē, when he ſeemeth to be their enemie, as when he carrieth himſelfe moſt friendly, and cauſeth his face to ſhine moſt comfortably vpon them: in their greareſt diſtreſſe and affliction, as when they haue plentie & abundance of peace and proſperitie; yea rather (if there bee any chaunge in the immutable and vnchangeable God) euen then when for a while hee ſeemeth to withdraw himſelfe from them, and to leaue them comfortleſſe in the middeſt of their miſeries, and greateſt extreamities, hee is moſt tenderly affected, and hath a moſt gracious reſpect vnto them, although it doth not ſo appeare vntill he manifeſt it. O my ſoule, why then art thou ſo caſt downe? why art thou ſo diſquieted within me? why doeſt thou not waite vpon God? why doeſt thou not reſt wholly on his good will and pleaſure? Why doeſt thou not put thy whole truſt and confidence in him, yea returne continuall thankes and praiſe vnto him, whoſe mercie and goodnes is exceeding great towards thee; who in euery thing ſeeketh thy profit, and the furtherance of thy ſaluation and happineſſe; yea who is euery way infinitlie gratious vnto thee, far aboue that which thou art able to thinke, or to conceiue? O bleſſed Lord, let mine eyes and my heart be alwaies lifted vp vnto thee, my God and louing Father, the Father of all mercies, and heauenly comforts; and ſuffer me not at any time to bee ſo forgetfull of thee, ſo diſtruſtfull of thy loue and gratious fauour towards me, as that I ſhould faint in the day of affliction or temptation, when it ſhall ſeeme good vnto thee, to trie and exerciſe me in that manner that it pleaſeth thee; but grant that I may haue as ſure hope and confidence in thee, and be as thankfull vnto thee when ſorrow and griefe ſhall lodge with me, yea when a multitude of ſorrowes ſhall compaſſe me about on euery ſide, as when I ſhall be moſt filled and repleniſhed with ſpiritual and diuine comforts and conſolations; knowing that thou art euer the ſame, alwaies faithfull in that thou haſt promiſed, and infinit in thy grace and goodneſſe towards thy childrē, moſt caring for them, when they ſeeme to be leaſt reſpected, and in a manner forſaken of thee.

The loue of the world and worldly things, is the cauſe of diſtraction, and much diſquietnes.

THE inordinate loue of any worldly thing, is the cauſe of much diſquiet of heart, and great diſtraction and vexation of minde. How many do hereby pierce themſelues thorough with many ſorrowes; how doe they trouble their own ſoules, when otherwiſe they might be at reſt? into what bondage doe they bring themſelues? yea euen conſume themſelues in vaine, with vnprofitable cares and penſiueneſſe? It is the wiſdome of a Chriſtian therfore, neuer to affect, or to couet after thoſe things which are vnlawfull for him; neuer to deſire or to long after any thing, which may hinder him in any ſort, from inward peace and freedome of minde, or be a cauſe of anguiſh, griefe and diſtraction vnto him: but to weane his ſoule from the exceſſiue, and diſordered loue and deſire of them; conſidering that they are ſuch things, as when he hath the full fruition and enioyment of them, he ſhall finde that they will not ſatisfie his deſire and expectation; and that they will quickly vaniſh away, and periſh with the vſe of them. O Lord withdraw my heart, I beſeech thee, daily more and more from the loue of the world, and the things thereof, ſeeing they are vaine, tranſitorie, and full of griefe and vexation, not yielding that delight and contentment which they promiſe and make ſhewe of, but rather much anguiſh and vnquietnes of minde: Seeing they are a cauſe of ſuch vnlooked for bitterneſſe, let me not ſo affect them as I haue done; let them not ſeeme ſo ſweete and pleaſant vnto me, as they doe vnto others, who haue not taſted of better things, and therefore finde ſuch reliſh in theſe; but grant that all the affections of my heart may be ſet vpon thee alone, and that I may delite and reioyce continually in thee, who art the onely fountaine of al true ioy, peace, and happines; aſſuredly perſwading my ſelfe, that hauing thee to be my God, I ſhall haue the deſires of my heart, yea more then euer I did or could expect or deſire, freely granted vnto me according vnto thy promiſe, wherein I truſt, and in which ſtandeth my comfort.

How Chriſtians are to iudge of their eſtate.

A Chriſtiā is not to iudge of his eſtate according vnto his preſent ſenſe and feeling. For the Lord many times is neereſt vnto them, when he ſeemeth to bee furtheſt off from them; when they ſeeme to be euen loſt in themſelues, then is he readieſt to be found of them, and to ſhew them his ſaluation. O heauenly Father, giue me with faith and patience continually to waite vpon thee, and to hold faſt that confidence, and the reioycing of that ſtedfaſt and aſſured hope, wherewith thou haſt heretofore vpholden me. Let me neuer thinke my ſelfe to bee altogether forſaken of thee, becauſe thou ſendeſt ſome griefe and affliction vpon me, or ſuffereſt Satan to aſſault me with diuers and ſundrie temptations; or elſe for a time withdraweſt from me the ioy of thy ſpirit, and the comfort of thy ſaluation; yea though thou ſeemeſt to abſ • nt thy ſelfe from me, and to denie that gratious preſence of thine vnto me, wherewith thou haſt heretofore comforted and refreſhed me exceedingly: but grant that I may cleaue faſt vnto thee, euen when I haue leaſt feeling of thy loue and fauour, and of the worke of thy grace in me, and yt I may alwaies haue ſure truſt in thy mercie, knowing that thou a • t wont to bee neere at hand vnto thy children, when thou makeſt as though thou wert a farre off, and wouldeſt not be found of them.

The preſence of God how bleſſed and comfortable a thing it is.

OH how bleſſed a thing it is, alwaies to enioy the gratious and comfortable preſence of God! For when he is preſent, all things are pleaſant and delightfull, the heart reioyceth, and the ſpirit of man is refreſhed exceedingly; and when he doth abſent himſelfe or hide his face (though but for a ſeaſon) then euery thing becommeth irkſome, and full of wearines and lothſomnes; the ſoule can take no true pleaſure nor delight in any thing, no more then the ſtomacke being diſtempered, in meates, in which there is no ſweetneſſe, no reliſh. O my God, the God of my ioy, the fountaine of my peace and happineſſe, doe not thou hide thy gratious countenance, nor depart farre from me at any time, but let thy ſpirit alwaies dwell within me, and comfort me. Let my ſoule taſte of thoſe ſweet delicates of thine, euen that hidden and that heauenly Manna, which how pretious and delightſome it is, none knoweth but thoſe only vnto whom thou haſt freely vouchſafed to giue it: let thy face euer ſhine vpon me, and manifeſt thy preſence alwaies, by cauſing me to feele the comfortable fruites and effects thereof within me. Oh when ſhall that bleſſed and wiſhed for time come, when as I ſhall bee ſatisfied with the fulneſſe of thy preſence, and drinke abundantly out of the riuers of thy pleaſures for euermore?

The old man neuer dies in this life.

EVery Chriſtian as long as hee liueth in this world, hath the old man liuing in him; hee is in part, but not wholly crucified and ſlaine; hee hath receiued his deadlie wound, and lieth a dying euery day, but will not bee quite dead, till the ſoule be ſeparated by death, from this earthly, this ſinfull and this corruptible bodie. O Lord, ſubdue and mortifie daily more and more, I humbly pray thee, the corruption of my nature; let mee feele the power and ſtrength thereof weakened, and decaying in me; put thy ſpirit into my hart, w • ich may ſtriue continually againſt it, and ſuppreſſe the force of it, ſo that although in ſome ſort it liue in me, yet it may not raigne at any time, nor haue dominion ouer me. And when it pleaſeth thee, make an end of theſe wretched and miſerable daies, and deliuer me from this bodie of ſinne, and of death which I carrie continually about with me; that ſo being wholly freed from the bondage vnto which I am now ſubiect, and reſtored vnto perfect libertie, I may ſerue thee with all cheerefulnes and alacritie, as thy holie Angels and Saints in glorie now doe, and ſhall for euermore.

A free minde how to be obtained.

THere cannot bee a free minde where the heart doth not continually reſt vpon God, and ſtay it ſelfe vpon him only. Hee that doth this ſhall quickly finde all ſinfull and immoderate feare, and the exceſſiue and inordinate loue of all earthly things much diminiſhed and abated in him, yea flying quite away, and vaniſhing in ſuch ſort as if hee had neuer bin annoied or encumbred with them. He that doth it not, it cannot bee, but that he ſhould liue and ſpend his daies in cōtinuall diſquietnes, yea in great miſerie, and vexation of minde and ſpirit, by reaſon of many diſtracting thoughts, ſuperfluous cares, and vaine deſires, which will euen pierce his ſoule with many ſorrowes, and oppreſſe his minde with much griefe, anguiſh, and perplexitie. Ah Lord, thou knoweſt the ſecret thoughts and deſires of my heart; thou ſeeſt what it is that my ſoule longeth after; how faine I would ſerue thee with that cheerefulneſſe of minde, and that freedome of ſpirit, which is the ſacrifice wherein thou art ſo much delighted; Haue regard vnto me, I humbly intreate thee: conſider my requeſt, which I powre out vnto thee from a heart vnfained. Giue me daily a greater meaſure of thy grace, whereby I may breake thorow thoſe ſnares which are laid for me, and wherewith I am readie continually to bee intangled; and grant that I may reſigne my ſelfe wholly vnto thee, and reſt, yea ſet and fixe my heart, & euen roule my ſelfe vpon thee; that ſo I may paſſe the reſt of my pilgrimage hee • e on earth, peaceablie, cheerefullie and comfortably, as one that is ſet at libertie from all ſinfull and inordinate affections, & from the vaine deſires, and the needleſſe and troubleſome cares of this euill and wicked world. Amen.

An effectuall motiue to true humilitie and lowlines of minde.

OH how meanly ought euery one to eſteeme of himſelfe? How little ought he to be in his owne eyes? ſeeing that in himſelfe he is nothing; notable of himſelfe, no not ſo much as once to thinke that which is good: If he were as wiſe as Salomon (ſo famous for his wiſedom and vnderſtanding) yet if the Lord did not continually guide his heart, and direct his ſt • ppes, there would be much follie a • d vanitie ſound with him. If he were a • r • ghteous as Dauid ( • man after Gods owne heart) yet if the Lord did not alwaies preſerue him, and ſtrengthen him through the aſſiſtance of his gracious ſpirit, he would fall moſt dangerouſly: yea, if he were as pure, and as holy as the Angels themſelues, thoſe heauenly ſpirits, yet if the Lord ſhould not ſuſtaine him with his eſpeciall grace, and continue him in that eſtate, but withdrawe his hande from him, he would quickly fall, as it were a ſtarre from heauen, and (all his glorie being loſt, and his light dimmed, yea quite extinguiſhed) become like vnto Sathan, the prince of darkenes; nothing but ſinfulnes and impuritie. There is no wiſedom, no righteouſnes, no holines, no ſtedfaſtnes but onely in God, and of God, who is the fountaine of all grace and goodnes, and from whom the ſtreames thereof are to be deriued into the hearts of men, or elſe there wil be nothing but barrennes and emptines in them. God is all in all; the beſt without him are as nothing, hauing no power, no ability to do any thing which is good. What is it then that men ſhould glorie of in themſelues? Or how ſhould they not alwaies haue a verie meane conceite and eſteeme of themſelues, yea euen annihilate themſelues, and giue the glorie of all vnto God, vnto whom alone it is due? O bleſſed God, giue me that meekenes of ſpirit, and that true humblenes of minde, which as it is a thing rare and pretious in it ſelfe, ſo of thee verie much ſet by. Teach me, conſidering mine own weaknes, of which I haue daily experience, and my inſufficiencie of my ſelfe, and of my owne ſtrength to doe, to will, or to thinke any thing which is good, to be lowly, vile, and abiect in mine owne eyes, yea to eſteeme my ſelfe as nothing without thee; and alwaies acknowledging mine owne feeblenes, and manifold fraileties and infirmities, to depend wholly and onely vpon thee; yea to cleaue faſt vnto thee, and to aſcribe the praiſe and glorie of whatſoeuer good is wrought in me, or by me, vnto thee alone, who art the God of my ſtre • gth, the author and giue • both of grace and glorie, and the beginner, and finiſher of euery good thing, which is wrought in any of thy children.

Another.

THE more that any one doth emptie himſelfe of his owne worth, and goodnes, the more will the Lord fill and repleniſh him with the abundant riches of his diuine and heauenly grace. The lower that he doth abaſe and caſt downe himſelfe, the higher wil the Lord aduance him, and lift him vp, euen farre aboue that which he did either deſire or expect. Thus his gaine wil be exceeding great, in that wherein to others he may ſeeme to ſuffer ſome loſſe, & much to preiudice himſelf. O Lord, grant, I beſeech thee, that I may euery day be more humbled with the ſight of mine owne vnworthines, of my ſpirituall pouertie and beggarlines, that ſo it may pleaſe thee, to inrich me with the greater meaſure of thy grace; let me yet be more vile in mine own eyes, that ſo I may at length be exalted of thee, aboue that which I deſerue, and be crowned with honour and glory in thy kingdome for euermore.

Vainglorie what a vanitie and follie it is.

VAinglorie, as it is a common diſeaſe in ye world, ſo the greateſt vanitie that can be; yea meere follie and madneſſe itſelf. It argues euidently, that he that is carried away with it, is not onely much diſtempered in his ſoule, but euen out of his right minde, and deſtitute of true wiſedom and vnderſtanding, ſeeing that it bereaues a man of true glorie, vnto which that is no waies comparable; and depriues him of diuine and heauenly grace, the moſt pretious iewell in this world, and moſt to bee deſired and ſought for, farre aboue all fading and earthly vanities: For whiles that any ſeeketh to pleaſe himſelfe ouermuch, in receiuing honour of men, he cannot but diſpleaſe God verie highly, and want that honor, which is from aboue; whiles he couets and hunts after the praiſe and applauſe of this world, and deſires to lift vp himſelfe in the pride and vanitie of his heart aboue others, the Lord reſiſteth him and denieth his grace vnto him, ſo that of all others he is herein (through the iuſt iudgment of God) moſt barren and fruitleſſe, hauing perhaps the ſhadow and outward appearance of ſome morall vertues, but wanting that which is the life and ſoule of them. O Lord, how little cauſe haue I to glorie of any thing that is in me, except it be of my infirmities, my weakneſſes, and manifold imperfections, vnto which I feele my ſelfe continually ſubiect? What is it for which I ſhould eſteeme my ſelfe to be any thing, or to bee once worthie to bee accounted amongſt the meaneſt of thy ſeruants? For behold, I am but a fraile and a ſinfull man, full of wretchednes and miſerie; nothing without thee; not able to doe the leaſt good but as I am ſtrengthened and aſſiſted by thee; readie to faile, and to ſinke right down, if I bee not continually ſuſtained and ſupported by thee. What ſhall I ſay? If I haue any thing, it is only thy gift, and thy gratious bleſſing, for the which I can neuer be ſufficiently thankfull. Farre bee it from me therefore, to bee ſo miſled with the vaine conceit of wicked and vngodly men, that I ſhould lift vp my ſelfe aboue that which is meete, or glorie in any thing of this world, leſt it diſpleaſe thee, and cauſe thee in iuſtice to bring ſhame and diſhonour vpon me; but grant that I may reioyce and glorie alwaies, and only in thee; yea that I may extoll and magnifie thy name continually, who art worthie of all praiſe and glorie, both now and euermore.

The Chriſtians Paradiſe in this life.

THe children of God liue continually in a paradiſe, euen whiles they remaine in this world, and ſeeme to others to be wretched and miſerable, ſubiect vnto manifold afflictions, and diuers kinds of calamities: They taſte daily of the fruite of the tree of life, and are refreſhed with thoſe inward ſpirituall ioyes, and heauenly delights, which are aboue all other ioyes, and in compariſon whereof, all the pleaſures and delights, which this deceitfull and enticing world can affoord them, are but meere vanitie. They are certified of their ſaluation; they know themſelues to be elected & redeemed by Chriſt their Sauiour, and that none can take thē out of his hands, who is ſo mightie and powerfull in himſelf, and ſo gratious and louing vnto them: yea by faith and hope they are aſcended into heauen, and in ſpirit behold that manſion place prouided for them, and that glorie which he (who neuer deceiued any that truſted in him) hath promiſed vnto them; the remembrance and ioyfull expectation whereof, doth euen rauiſh their ſoules, and cauſe them to glory in the Lord, and in the riches of his goodneſſe and mercie ſo gratiouſly & bountifully vouchſafed vnto them, when they were moſt vnworthie of it. O bleſſed Lord, open mine eyes, that I may ſee the excellencie of that eſtate whereunto thou haſt called mee of thy free grace; take away that vaile which Satan ſeeketh to ſpread before me, that ſo I might not ſee into that glorie, which thou of thy endleſſe loue and vnſpeakable goodneſſe haſt made me partaker of, euen in the middeſt of thoſe weakneſſes, thoſe infirmities and afflictions wherewith I am compaſſed about on euerie ſide. Thou haſt giuen me thy ſpirit to bee my comforter in all my ſorrowes, yea my faithfull guide to leade me along ſafely by the waters of diuine and heauenlie conſolations, and to conduct me with much peace and ioy thorow this vale of miſerie, vnto that promiſed reſt, that heauenly Canaan. Euery day thou cauſeſt me to taſte of thy goodneſſe, yea filleſt me with thy hid treaſures, ſuch as the world is not acquainted with: Euen in the depth of miſerie, thou makeſt me to ſee, and to enioy the bleſſedneſſe and glorie of thy Saints and choſen ones: And after that I haue been for a while toſſed in this ſea, wilt cauſe me ſpeedily to arriue at that hauen where I would be; yea thou wilt ſtretch forth thy hand, and receiue me into thine owne preſence, & cauſe me to behold thy face in that brightnes of glorie for euermore.

How the life to come ought to be deſired of euery true Chriſtian, in regard of the excellencie and glorie of it.

THat heatheniſh pagan (as is reported of him) reading Platoes diſcourſe of the ſoules immortalitie & eſtate after this life, was ſo rauiſhed therewith, that with the deſire thereof, he caſt himſelfe into the ſea, & ended his life. His act was ſinfull, and no waies to be imitated by any (for no man is to cut off the threede of his life, vntill the Lords appointed time) but yet his vehement deſire and earneſt affecting of that glory which he apprehēded, & conceited in his minde, may teach euen vs that are Chriſtians, to bluſh in our ſelues, when we finde our hearts ſo dull, and ſenſeles, that the remēbrance of that promiſed glorie and happine, swill no more affect vs, then ordinarily it doth the moſt. Oh it ſhould wholly poſſeſſe our ſoules, and rauiſh our mindes, and cauſe vs to labour by all meanes to get aſſurance vpon good euidence, that we ſhall at length haue our part and portion in it, being gathered togeher with all the Saints into that glorious kingdome, thoſe heauenly manſions. O mercifull God, how great is thy goodnes? how vnſearchable are the riches of thy grace, and fauour towards thy Saints and choſē ones, thoſe whom in Chriſt Ieſus thou imbracedſt before all worlds? Oh how bleſſed and glorious is that eſtate which thou reſerueſt for them in the heauens, and which thou wilt giue thē poſſeſſion of, as ſoone as theſe fraile and ſinfull daies of theirs are ended! Thou wilt cauſe them to ſhine as the ſtarres, yea as the ſunne it ſelfe when it is in the greateſt brightnes. All kinde of impuritie and vncleannes beeing done away, thou wilt clothe thē with the glorious robes of innocencie, righteouſnes, and holines; thou wilt adorne them with thoſe pretious iewels of all diuine and heauenly graces, and cauſe thy name to be written in their foreheads; yea thou wilt ſet them vpon thrones with thy Chriſt, with ſcepters in their hands, and crownes on their heads, and giue vnto them for an euerlaſting inheritance, that celeſtiall kingdome of endles bliſſe & happines. Thou wilt euery way ſhewe thy ſelfe maruellous towards them, aboue that we are able to thinke, or cōceiue in this frailetie of ours, which is not able to comprehend the brightnes of that heauenly light, which thou wilt cauſe to ſhine forth vnto them in a wonderfull and glorious maner, no more then our bodily eyes are able to behold the glittering beames of the Sunne when it is in the full ſtrength thereof. O bleſſed Lord, affect my heart with the due conſideration of that maruellous glorie of thine, euen that happie and glorious condition, which in thy vnſpeakeable mercie and kindnes thou wilt raiſe me vnto as ſoone as theſe wretched dayes of ſinne and miſerie are ended. And let the remembrance thereof, cauſe me continually to ſigh and to long after it, and to reſt euer in a ioyfull expectation of it, deſiring either to be diſſolued by death; or (which I rather deſire) to ſee my Sauiour comming in the cloudes with glory and maieſty, attended with thouſands of Saints and Angels; that ſo I may haue entrance into that heauenly paradiſe, and take full poſſeſſion of that rich, vndefiled, and neuer fading inheritance, enioying the ſweete fellowſhip and communion of all thy choſen and beloued ones; yea liuing continually in thy moſt bleſſed preſence, and beholding that maruellous light wherein thou dwelleſt who inhabiteſt eternity.

Who ſhall be citizens of that heauenly kingdome.

THey that will be citizens of the kingdome of heauen, muſt firſt liue as pilgrims and ſtrangers here vpō earth. They muſt paſſe by all theſe tranſitorie and earthly things, vſing them (when they haue occaſion) as if they vſed them not. They muſt not ſet their hearts vpon any thing which is here below, but aſpire alwaies vnto thoſe things which are aboue, deſiring and longing with an earneſt affection, to bee at home, euen at that heauenly manſion where the place of their perpetuall reſt and abode is, and where they ſhall continue for euer with that bleſſed companie and ſociety of thoſe glorious and celeſtiall creatures, which now continually deſire and expect their comming, that ſo they may reioyce together in the fruition and accompliſhment of the ſame felicitie and happineſſe. O Lord, let my heart, I beſeech thee, bee more and more daily alienated and eſtranged from this world, and the things thereof, which are but meere vanitie; and let me carrie my ſelf continually as a pilgrime and ſoiourner heere on earth (as all thy Saints haue been) not ſuffering my affections at any time to bee faſtened vnto any of theſe fading and tranſitorie things, but weaning them altogether from the ſame, reſting alwaies in a deſire and ioyful expectation of my returne vnto that bleſſed home of mine; that ſo when this weariſome and ſinfull courſe is ended, I may be receiued into thy celeſtiall manſion, and liue with thee in glorie for euer.