1. THe thoughts of Death are not alway plea­sant: alwayes profitable. What Medita­tions more needfull, (O my soule) or neerer allyed to wisdome then those of thy latter end? what more uncertain then Life, or more sure then Death? Mine age is too little to learn to live, not enough to learne to Die. 'Tis good then by frequent thoughts of Death, to make her familiar, that when she comes, she may not looke strangely.

2. And what is Death but the wink of life? the rest of Na­ture? the sleep of flesh and sence? the taking downe these few sticks thy earthly tabernacle was built with? the putting off and laying up thy garments of flesh and blood for a night, till the great and joyfull day come? the Farewell and goodnight of two old friends parted for a season? Our journey and passage into that other world, for which we, and this world were made? our souls Gaoles delivery from the prison of the body, or birth delivery into a better world? and so the way, the gate of life?

3. And this is that which we commonly call Death: though there be others also of her name. As, There is a Death in sin: Ephes. 2.1, this is a miserable, and yet this is thy condition (O my soul!) Dead in trespasses and sins, till thy mercy (O God!Col. 2.13.) in thy Son hath quickned me by a full remission. And thus we come to ano­ther Death; a Death to Sin, or a Death of sin: this may well be called the first Death, for it is the best Death: Happy is he that hath his part therein,Rev. 20.6. for over him The last Death shall have no power: And well may this be called last, for it is lasting, ever­lasting: it is so great, there can be none with it; so infinite, there can be none beyond it. The horrours and terrours of this Death, no mortall is able to see and live. Oh! what horrour then is it to those that feel them! But O Lord most holy, O God most mighty, O holy and mercifull Redeemer, deliver me not unto [Page 2]the bitter paines of eternall Death. Thy death (O Christ) hath saved me from this: and thou wentest downe to hell that I might not goe thither: [...]m. 6.4. and my first death and buriall with Thee by Bap­tisme (which is my first Resurrection too) shall be my passe port through and over the worst of Death.

4. [...]. 1.13. Thou (O Lord) mad'st not death, but Man found it out by the works of his hands: Man brought forth sin, and sin brought forth death; and no marvaile if the child be uglie that is begotten of such parents. And this generation of vipers hath so thriven in this world, [...]n. 1.18. as if Increase and multiply, and Replenish the earth, had been onely spoke to them. What thing is there in the world that is not sin, or oft-times a provocation thereunto? What thing is there in the world that is not Death, or oft-times an instrument thereun­to? Nothing so small but is big enough to hide a Death under it. A Flie hath choakt one, a Grape-stone another, an haire of the head has done as much to a third: A prick of a thorne hath let in Death, a point of a Sword could doe no more. Death lurks sometimes in our meat, and sometimes in our drink, and sometimes in the very aire: Man hath not more helps of living, then he hath means of dying. But (O Lord) how sweetly did thy Wisdome and Justice accord, when thou madest Death the revenge of sin, and so plagued us with a brood of our owne begetting? But as the wages, [...]om. 6.23. so the end of sin is death: Thy Justice (O God) hath made it the wages; thy Mercy hath made it the end: Death came in by sin, [...]om. 5.12. and sin goes out by death. Sin is a Viper descended of the old Serpent, and Death is her off-spring born to the destruction of her Mother. Thy mercy (O Christ) that took away my sin, could al­so have taken away my death; but thy wisdome chose rather to alter then abolish it.Cor. 15.55. Thou hast cut out the sting, crost out the curse, and now with Esau it meets not with frownes, but kisses: surely the bitternesse of death is over. Gen. 33.4. Thou (O Saviour) by thy Death hast so sweetned Death,Sam. 15.32. and perfum'd the Grave, that it shall not grieve me when my Sun is set, to sleep a while in that silent bed.

5.Cor. 15.26. And thus our last enemy is become our first friend we meet with in our passage to that other world: who as she leads thy bo­dy through corruption and rottennesse, so she guides thy soule to life and happinesse: as she closes the eye of thy body, so she opens much more the eye of thy soule: if thy friends mourne to see thee [Page]dead, thy soule rejoyces much more to see him who was dead, Rev. 1.18 and is alive: Psal. 41.5. thy Name and Memory perishes perhaps among the sons of men, but is everlastingly recorded among the sons of God.

6. Surely it is but the worst part of Man that is in the reach and power of death: our soules are so far from damage, that they gaine more then the body loses. The worst of Death is but cor­ruption, and that works but upon a carkase that neither feels nor cares. We carry heaven and earth about us while we live, when we die, each part returnes homewards. Kings and Prophets, Pa­triachs and Apostles, have all gone the same way, and who can be so fond as to hope exemption? Whoever is cloathed with flesh and blood, is engaged unto death for those garments, and Death can distraine no farther then her owne, (these garments.) Tis true, she desires and a spires higher, faine would she ravish the soule, but our Joseph is too chaste for her embracements,Gen. 39.12 and flyes away with­out his garments.

7. The time of Death for her comming is uncertaine, because she would alway be expected: for sometimes she takes advan­tage, and strikes suddenly, though most times she sends her har­bingers (age and sicknesse) to give notice of her comming. The time of Death for her continuante when she comes is but guest-wise for a night; and her first word is, To bed: she must be our bed-fellow for a night, and the earth our bed, where claspt in her cold armes we be til we be as cold as she. This is cold news thinks flesh and blood, who seldome bids her guest welcome; fain would she make delaies; she thinks the night will be long, and therefore desires to sit up a little longer. But Death (though sometimes she seeme to admit of discourse, yet she) resolutely holds her conclu­sion, and will not be denyed, though still we desire (such is our weaknesse) to hug our diseases, till they ravish us of all that is flesh and blood, and leave us fit for none but Death. And now Death will forbeare no longer, but thrusts out sicknesse, and enters the bed her selfe. Yet she stayes not long there, she and her bed-fel­low are soone removed one Story lower to the floore, and then one Story more to the grave. And yet there is no abiding: That which is to full of alteration cannot be permanent.Psal. 30.5. Death may en­dure for a night, but lift commeth in the morning. When that day breaks, the shadowes fly away, and Night and Death shall be no more.

[Page 4]But what company shall I meet with in the house of death? What? [...] 17.14. Corruption and Wormes: These are my neere kindred. Curruption was my mother, and begat me; she is now my daugh­ter, I beget her. The wormes are my sisters by the mothers side; they are now my children: as a Mother I breed them; as a Father I feed them: a lusty kindred! Surely they cannot but bid me wel­come and be glad to meet me there: Why should not I be so to them? However I may be coy of their acquaintance here, yet there we shall be more then intimate, I shall embrace them in my armes, and hug them in my bosome; I shall feast them with my flesh, yea with all my heart and my Liver too: I shall give them free quarters; for should I grudge, they would be so bold as to take it: But much good doe it them, it is the last banquet I shall ever make them, and the last time I shall ever meet them; after this supper, good-night kindred.

8. We doe not then indeed, (and but scarcely in appearance seeme to) lose by Death, for what is the World and all that therein we leave behind us? her best things are vanitie, the rest vexation. [...]. 107.34. How is she falne since our fall, from a fruitfull Land, to a barren wildernesse? how is she fruitfull now onely in thornes and troubles? how are all her pleasures vaine, and but in appea­rance? while her sorrowes are reall. What are all her pomps and honours, but empty bubbles and baubles to please fond children? And what is our flesh, but a bundle of diseases, a bladder full of muddy water, a lumpe of rottennesse? And what was that thing which we once call'd Life, but a perillous pilgrimage, a sea of trou­bles, a labyrinth of perplexitie?

But that which is worse then all the rest, without which the rest were not evill;Rev. 4.40. that which is the death in the pot, the leaven of the whole lump,Cor. 5.6. and that which imbitters the whole life, is sin, and a necessity of so doing: so that while we live, we cannot but sin: we are plunged into such an inevitable habit of mischiefe and and miserie, that to live and to sin are of like necessity, and we must leave off both or neither. And that which makes full this part of our misery, we delight in our prison, we sing in our cage, we are proud of our chaines, and too often take pleasure in the jingling of our fetters. Death now is our freedome from all these. Why dost thou droop then? [...]ke 21.28. (O my soule) lift up thine head ra­ther when thy redemption draweth neere; when death shall open, [Page]thy prison dores, be not loath to goe at liberty;Exo [...] [...] dote no longer on thy old master (the World) thy Wife and Children (thy flesh and corruptions) as to repine at the year of Jubile, or refuse thy Free­dome: away with these base follies, and mount thy thoughts to higher wisdome; yea, I shall sing and rejoyce, when my Soul is esca­ped as a bird out of the snare of the fowler,Psa. [...] the snare is broken and I am delivered.

9. What is Death but a sleep, and the Grave a bed? all these are so near of kind, that oft times they are called by the same names, and the very feature of their countenance give them to be of near alliance. It is the weaknesse then of flesh and blood that desires the one, and abhors the other. When we are weary of a dayes labour, we desire to goe to bed, and rest at night, why should it not be so with us here too? All our dayes are labour and sorrow, and we may well be weary:Psal. [...] 10. Why should we, when night is come, be like froward children, loath to goe to bed? especially to that bed where we shall sleep in the Lord,Rev. [...] 13 and rest from our Labours; to that bed, that shall be more easie, and freer from disturbance then any beds of Down; to that bed where we shall sleep more securely, and rise againe more surely then from any other bed we shall take up in our strongest health. Away then (O my soul) away with whatsoever may nourish distrust or distraction! The Tempest is almost over, and thou art entring the harbour, and haven of safety! This present Earth-quake shall break off thy chaines,Acts [...] and open the prison dores for thy delivery: thou shalt passe through the iron gate of Necessity, and the earthen gate of Mortality, to the gol­den gate of Liberty & Eternity: Thou art now trimming and making ready (O my soul) to go to bed to thy spouse, thy Bridegroome: give it some other name, it is not modesty that makes thee unwilling; either foolishnesse, or fearfulnesse, or at least want of affection makes thee draw back. Why art thou so sad then, (O my soul!) Psal. 4 [...] Cant. [...] and why art thou so disquieted within me? make cheerfull speed to meet thy Bride­groome: Thou art thy wel-beloveds, and thy wel-beloved is thine: The first sleep ever man had, got him a wife, the last steep he has,Gen. [...] gets him a husband.

10. But the names of things, oft-times, are more terrible then the things themselves: How many great things have some great Con­querours effected by the power only of the Name and Fame!Gen. [...] 2 Reg. [...] 24.13 Death is this Conquerour, this Nimrod, this mighty Hunter: more justly then Senacherib can she boast, where I set my foot I dry up rivers, (rivers [Page]of blood in the veines, of milk in the breasts, of marrow in the bones) where are the gods of Heva, and Iva, and of Sepharvaim? yea where is proud Senacharib himself! and of the Kings of the Earth she saith, It is [...] that make you lick the dust of the Earth, and the slime of the pit; Let not your idols of gold, and greatnesse wherein you trust, deceive you. And yet what is this Death more, [...]. or beyond a Name? More est mor­sus, quia mordet. Death is a biting, and it is called Death because it doth Eate: it takes a Morsell, and it swallowes a mouthfull, but it shall never digest it, [...] 2.10. like Jonah's whale it shall cast it up againe safe and intire. [...] m. 15 Death is called a departure, a parting of two old Friends for a season, [...] 15. [...] 9. [...] 47. [...] 25.8. that they may receive each other againe for ever. It is called an expiring, a giving up of the Ghost, a sleeping with our Fathers, a ga­thering to our people: And are not these fearfull Names, (ô my soul!) doest thou not tremble? or not blush rather, that thou hast been frighted with these bug-beares! why shouldest thou be either coy or fearfull? 'tis but a Mawkin, draw near, it will not, it cannot hurt thee.

11. Neither doest thou want witnesses of comfort or incourage­ment; holy Scriptures are frequent upon this Theam. [...]. Solomon that was as famous for his Wisdome as for his Wealth; who had as much as this world could afford to make a man in love with this Life, yet plainly tels thee, [...]es. 7.2 That the day of Death is better then the day of thy Birth. And nature seemes to say as much, when Heathen (guided by her light only) would mourne at the Birth, and Feast at the Funeral of their Friends and Children. Heathen knew but the one half of the good of Death, (a cessation of miseries) thou (ô my soul!) knowest the other, (a fruition of felicity.) Let not an Heathen then out-die thee in cheerfulnesse. Blessed indeed are those that live in the Lord; but that is not all;Rev. 14.13 Cor. 14.13 Blessed also are the Dead that die in the Lord, even so saith the Spirit, for they rest from their labours.

12.Ins. 1. O Death! how bitter is the remembrance of thee to a man that lives in pleasure, in his own possessions, and hath nothing to vex him? But ô Death! how sweet, how acceptable is the remembrance of thee, and how welcome is thy presence to him that dwels in miseries and vexations; and hath hopes of glories hereafter in everlasting possession? how sweet is that refreshing thou givest to weary Pilgrims? how welcome art thou to those that know whence thou commest, and whither rendest? who but he that is all flesh and blood, would desire to lurk and hide himself among the stuffe and trash of this vile world, [...] [...]am. 10. rather then goe to [Page]that Crown and Kingdome thou leadst unto? who but he that has quite lost his judgement, that shall consider the miseries of the present, and the felicities of the world to come, but will say out of choice, what the Prophet spake out of passion, It is better for me to die, Ion [...]. [...] then to live.

13. But what is the matter now (ô my soul!) that thou art so loath to die? Why art thou so fearfull, ô thou of little faith? Mat. [...] how often hast thou thought in thy Meditations, that thou couldest welcome Death? And yet when it lookes upon thee, and offers thee service, thou shrin­kest back, and thy face is pale, and thine eyes looke wilde, as if thou wert amazed: doe thy longings now languish? thy hopes and expectations now end? how often hast thou prayed,Mat. [...] Thy kingdome come? and now the gates are opening, art thou loath to goe? How often hath thy ravished heart cry'd out, Come Lord Jesus come quickly? Rev. [...] and now he comes and calls, art thou loath to goe? Doth thy Re­deemer send for thee, and art thou loath to goe? Doe joyes, and crownes, and everlasting possessions now expect thee, and art thou loath to goe? Doe Saints and Angels, Patriarchs, and Apostles, Mar­tyrs and Confessors, and all the Quire of Heaven desire thy company, and art thou loath to goe? Away, for shame (ô my soul!) away, rouze up thy self, and let it never be said, that Heathen and Here­tiques have imbraced Death more cheerfully then thou: let it never be said, Thou hast incouraged others, and art thy self a coward. A­way then with all unchristian diffidence, and addresse thy self with joy and thankfulnesse to thy glory.

14. But (O Lord!) it is thou only that canst make me willing; thou, by thy Mercies canst draw me, and by thy judgements canst drive me; thou canst wooe me to a better world, and weane me from this. Oh prepare my Soul so far for thee then, that it may bid thy messenger welcome. Now, that thou O Saviour hast tasted Death, and so sweetned that cup, let not me be loth to pledg thee. Thou that givest both to will, Phil. [...] and to doe, give them both to me, that I may not only die, but doe it willingly.

15. But (O Lord!) though the spirit be willing, yet the flesh is weak: Mat. [...] 41. my soul would draw near with courage and comfort, but my body boggles: so many hindrances and hang-backs; so many clogs and temptations within me, without me, about me, that if thou O Lord leave me but to my self, I shall shame my selfe, and that name of thine that I have professed. Oh! I cannot welcome Death so heartily, so [Page]worthily as I ought; instead of cheerfull imbracements, I shrink in­ward, and am scarce ashamed to let Death hale me, as if I would make the world belive, that I durst not die. Lord how shall I shame and befoole my self, if thou but leave me to my self!

16. Now whither shall I goe for succour but unto thee O Lord? O God of all Spirits, and of all Flesh too, make thou willing both my spirit and my flesh to come unto thee: Oh! weaken my flesh to receive, incourage my spirit to contemne Death: The nearer I draw unto my end, let my joyes be the clearer, and my desires inlarged. Oh draw this dark veile a little, that I may see my glory, and then I cannot but desire it. And O God most holy, O God most mighty, O holy and mercifull Redeemer, suffer me not at my last hour for any fear or paine of Death to fall from thee.

17. [...] 4. [...]. O Lord, thou seest how soon I sink in these waters, unlesse thou help and hold me up. Oh! shew thy strength then in my weak­nesse; help him that cannot help himself; and let all the praise and glory be thine owne. I aske no more then what thou hast given to others, and promised to me, and hast given many earnests by many for­mer deliverances: perfect the work thou hast begun, that thy praise, and my happinesse may be consummate together.

18. Yea, O Lord, I know it shall be so, I cannot only build upon thy promise, but prove by former deliverances that thou wilt save me now. I cannot fear drowning in these waters while my head is a­bove. O Saviour! thou hast conquer'd and triumph'd over Death, how can I then fear a vanquish'd adversary? Thou hast overcome Death both for thy self and me, how then can I miscarry? O Death, then where is thy sting! [...] 15. [...] 55. [...] 21 [...] 4.7 [...] 4.8. O Grave where is thy victory? O my soul, thou hast marched valiantly! Thou hast fought a good fight, and hast finished thy course, henceforth is laid up for thee a crown of glory. I will lay me down therefore, and sleep in peace, since thou O God makest me to dwell in safety.

19. [...]. 15.57. And now thanks be unto God who hath given me victory through Je­sus Christ our Lord: And blessed be that Redeemer who hath bought off the bitterness and torments of my Death with his own: Blessed be he that hath made the bed of sickness tollerable; of Death, easie: Blessed be that strength of my salvation who hath covered my head in the day of battell: [...] 140.7 O Lord thou art my God and I will thanke thee; thou art my King, [...] 1.8.28. and I will praise thee.

1. WHat wilt thou muse on (O my soule!) what imploy­ment shall I find thee, or thou find thy self? what meditations more worthy thy self next the glory of thy Maker, then the glory of thy self? Ascend then (O my soule!) in thy thoughts to that Nebo and Pisgag, Deut. [...] whence thou maiest descry a glimpse of that Land of blisse and promise, which thy faith believeth, and thy heart desireth.

2. And what is that life of glory but a full fruition of God and thy self, with the society of Saints and Angels? the blessed vision of the all-glorious Deity: Thy union to him, thy enjoying of him, and re­joycing in him: A life that is all life, and hath nothing of death or sorrow in it, where are fulnesse of joies and pleasures for evermore. Psal. [...] A life whose glory cannot be described till it be injoyed,1 Cor. [...] for eye hath not seen, nor eare heard, nor hath it entred into the heart of man to conceive those treasures of happinesse that God hath laid up for them that love him: A life whereunto not our light afflictions onely which are but for a moment,Rom. [...] but whereunto the best things of this life, yea our life it self is not worthy to be compared.

3. And this is the last of lives, and is a life everlasting: Our first Life is a life of Nature, the marriage of soule and body together: Our next Life is a life of Grace, an espousing of the Soule to Christ: Our last Life is a life of Glory, when Soul and Body are married unto God for ever. The Soule is begotten to this life, at our regeneration; it is borne at our death, or separation of Soule and Body: from thence to the resurrection, and re-union of the Body to the Soule, it is in its childhood; and then enters it into its full perfection. In this glory there may be degrees, there can be no imperfection; though some shine like starres of greater, some of lesser magnitude, yet all shall shine: some shal hold more glory, some lesse, yet all shall be full: he that hath least shall neither want himself, nor annoy him that hath a larger portion.

4. And whence is this life eternal but from him who is the fountain both of life, and of eternity? The Father hath made it and decreed it: The Son hath merited and procured it: The Holy Ghost hath sealed and delivered it. Not thy Free-will in doing good, but his free Mercy in Electing thee is that which gives thee title to this Glory: Thou art [Page]not happy because thou hast been holy, but thou art holy because thou art ordained to be happy. And as this Glory, so all things tending thereunto are from God: he that ordained thee to Glory, hath given thee a Saviour to give thee this Glory; he hath given thee Faith to bring thee to this Saviour; he hath given thee his Word to bring thee to this Faith; he hath given thee his Merit, he hath given thee his Spi­rit, he hath given thee the hive, and the honey too. Look up unto God then (O my soul!) as the beginner and the finisher of thy Glory; and when thou art ravished with the glory of the worke, forget not to magnifie him who is the Authour. And indeed, he is both the Authour of thy glory, and thy glory too it self; in him is all thy happinesse. Canst thou want any thing then (O my soule!) that injoyest him who is all perfection? Canst thou thirst while thou dwellest in the fountain, and well-spring of living Waters? Canst thou hunger whilst thou art filled with Manna, and bread of life? Canst thou be naked, whilst thou art wrapt in glory? [...] 6.11. Canst thou be sad (O my soule!) whilst thou art in his presence where is fulnesse of joy, and pleasures for evermore? yea, thou thy self art now sufficient in him who is All-sufficient.

5. But what are the commodities of this kingdome of Glory? surely the fruit must needs be both wholsome and pleasant that grows upon this Tree of life: if the kingdome of God upon Earth be righ­teousnes, and peace, [...] 14. [...] 17. and joy in the Holy Ghost, oh! what is that kingdome then in Heaven? All things must needs be pure there, where no un­clean thing can enter; and they must needs also be as peaceable, where there is no roome for jarre or discord; and shall they not also be as pleasant? [...] 21.4. when sorrow and sadnesse shall be no more? shall not our eyes stand full with joy when all tears are wiped off? When our hearts are then so merry, how shall we chuse but sing? or how can our mirth but be melodious? and how can our songs but be continuall, since our joyes are everlasting? Our Hosannah's and Hallelujah's shal never cease, because our joyes shall never end; and our joyes are everlasting, be­cause our glory is eternall: nor can we be weary of hearing, or ma­king that musick which none can beare a part in and not be happy.

6. Who now are the Inhabitants of this happy Land, the Inheri­tours of this blisse, the Citizens, and Subjects of this City of God? who are they but Saints and Angels? glorious Spirits, or bodies trans­formed into a spirituall perfection? Christ is King and God, and he makes his subjects Kings, [...] 1 [...].40. and (as it were) Gods too, that they may reigne with him for ever and ever. These bodies of ours which were earthy are [Page]now heavenly, this terrestriall is become celestiall, and this naturall body is made a spirituall. And thus are we made fit to accompany Angels, and hold fellowship with Prophets and Patriarchs: these immortall crownes of glory are not onely prepared for us, but we are also prepared for them, and made able to receive that blisse of which before we were not onely unworthy, but uncapable. Our soule and body are not onely reunited, but improved to such an inlarged perfection, that they are able not onely to receive, but retaine their fill, their full of glory; even of that transcen­dent glory which is so pure and bright, that it would rather astonish, then delight the best of mortalls. What this blisse indeed is, we doe not, we cannot know untill we have it, then shall we comprehend it as well as be comprehended by it: here we know but in part, then shal we know it fully, and it is not lesse then half our happinesse that we are made so capable of knowing and receiving it.

7. Nor is that a small blisse or glory that arises from the very place wherein we enjoy it: The majesty even of earthly Princes is oft seen in their stately Palaces; they have had their houses of Cedar and Ivory. What is that Palace then that the God of Majesty hath made for him­self? when we say, that this City of God hath her walls of Jasper, Rev. 2 [...] her buildings of gold, her foundations pretious stones, her gates pearle; these are but low expressions stooping to our weak capacities:Psal. 8 [...] Oh! how excellent things are spoken of thee thou City of God? and yet all short of thy Excellency! Even this world hath some glimpses and reflexions of glory; her greatest is in her Canopie, her sealed roofe that is so bespangled with glorious starres; and yet even this is but the pavement of that City; What then is her Canopie? Blessed, thrice-blessed, ô God, are they whom thou shalt count worthy to come under thy roofe.

And as the place, so the Company much more adds to our felicity: it is but halfe an happinesse to be happy alone: Gen. 2 [...] When Adam had a Paradise to dwell in, and a world besides to encompasse him, yet he was not perfect till he had a Partner. It is not so much a comfort to have Companiens of our miseries, as of our joyes; of which we lose the better part if we have not some to beare a part. We have Friends and Companions in this life, with whom sometime we have distasts and discontents, yet when Death calls us, how loath are we to go and leave them! Death oft times hath not a greater grief then this, to leave our Friends behind us. Oh! how glad shall we be to meet again in that other world, where our joyes and loves shall be redoubled? to meet them in the midst of Myriads of Saints, and Legions of Angels! to meet them with God our Father, and Christ our [Page]Saviour, and that blessed Spirit who is the God of joy and love: all which, have their full of felicity, and yet we have ne'r the lesse: Their joyes and glories shall not over shadow or eclipse, but adde to ours: They shall joy in our happinesse, and we rejoice in theirs, for none shal think others much or their owne little. The joy must needs be answerable to the glory of the sight, to see the antient Kings and Patriarchs, Prophets and Apostles in their glorious mansions: to meet familiarly with the Fathers of the pri­mitive and present Church! to see those valiant and renowned troops of Martyrs and Confessors! to see those squadrons of Angels marshalled in their glorious orders! nay, to see and be able to looke upon God him­selfe! Oh! my soule! how canst thou think on this and not be ravish'd with desire to be added to this Company? But that which crownes our comfort, and fills our joy unto the brim, is, this our happinesse is eternall, e­verlasting: That is not halfe an happinesse that hath an end, a period; nay, it adds unto our grief if we might have been, to our misery if we have been happy, and are not. In this life our wine is mixt with teares, our mirth with mourning; [...] 14.13 we oft laugh and cry in lesse then an houre; yea sometimes even in laughter the heart is sorrowfull, and the end of mirth is heavinesse. But our joyes in Heaven are as perpetuall, as they are pleasant; our glory as permanent, as excellent: Nor can they but be e­verlasting since they spring from a fountaine that cannot drie. [...] 84.1, 10. Oh how amiable are thy dwellings on Earth, ô Lord of hosts! how doth an holy soule long to go into thy courts! for one day in thine house is better then a thousand otherwhere. Oh! what then are millions of yeares in thy courts in Heaven? yea, what is Eternity? in comparison whereof mil­lions of yeares are not a moment.

8. Now this life of glory will seem to give the greater lustre, if we doe but compare it with those other lives of the middle and lower re­gions. And first, what is this World but a ship of vanity, floating upon a sea of misery? whose richest fraught, and best commodities, are not better then those of Solomon from Tharshish, Gold and Silver, and I­vory, and Apes, [...]ng. 10.22. and Peacocks: Riches, honours, pleasures. And what are these at the best but vanity? what is Gold and Silver but red and white clay? what is honour, but a bubble? what is pleasure, but a squib? or worse, an Ignis fatuus? And if this be the best, what is the rest? if this be her Welcome, what is her Farewell? if when she meet us she be vanity, she cannot be lesse then vexation when she leaves us. When the rust and the canker hath consumed thy gold and thy silver; [...] 6.19. when Theeves have plunder'd thy goods, and worse then Theeves, have se­quester'd [Page]thy Lands; when thy State is wrack'd, & thy Credit crack'd; when thine honours are flowen, and thy pleasures gone, then, thou shalt not need an O Edipus to tell thee, what this World is. And next, what is our whole Life on Earth but a vast composure of sinne and mi­sery? A couple of Harlots that can accord together to worke our mis­chief,1 Kin [...] [...] onely here's the contention, which of the twaine has the grea­test right and share in us; each pleads hard for all, and will not be contented with an half: and surely sinne would have the greatest part, were it not that sin it self is a misery. What are our bodies but bundles of diseases, every member having more infirmities then arteries? it is almost as impossible to know them, as to cure them, and more impos­sible not to have them; if we could, yet it would be more then tedious for to name them, how tedious then to feel them? And yet who is he that is not continually accompanied with some one or more of them, our diseases (which is strange) being more diverse then our Deaths: and (which is more strange yet) our grounds of grief within our little world (our selves) being more then all the great world beside can give us? Now then (O my soule) thinke seriously on thy joyes above, and thy miseries here, and then neglect Heaven if thou canst, and dote on Earth. But if neither sorrows within thee, nor troubles about thee doe not throughly affect thee, thinke on those horrours of that lower world, if thou thinkest those thoughts will not affright thee.Isa. 6 [...] Where the damned are ever dying, never dead; ever burning, never consumed; ever tumbling downe, never come to the bottome; where the Worme dieth not, but her continuall gnawings make way for continuall gnashings. Mat. [...] Where dismall feares and terrours, frights and amazements, utter darknesse and fire unquenchable, with rivers of brimstone; where roarings and howlings, Mat. [...] yellings and shriekings, Isa. 3 [...] and cursings of ugly Fiends and gastly Ghosts are but parcels of torments; and all that men can say are not halfe expres­sions of those woes which none can know but those that feel them. And that which is heavier then all the rest, this infernall Vault is so thick seeled with Despaire, that there is no getting out for ever. Think on this then (O my soule) and then think again, that there was but one step between thee and this Death, and if thy gracious Saviour had not stept in that step, and catch'd thee, thou hadst fallen irrecoverable; yet this not half; he not onely redeem'd thy life from Hell, but crowned thee also in Heaven with mercy, and glory everlasting. Ps. 10 [...] Thinke on this double mercy (O my soule) and be double thankfull, double happy.

[Page]9. [...] 30 But whereunto shall we liken this Kingdome of God, or unto what shall we compare it? It is like a Sea-scourged Marchant, that hath been long tossed on the raging waves by the churlish windes; beaten with many a billow; dash'd on many a rock; threatned with many a wrack and catarack; that has gone over many a gulf; past over many a pool; fought with many a Pirate; and now at last richly fraught is entred with joy, and triumph into the safe haven and harbour of his own City. It is like unto a Joseph imprisoned in a dun­geon, in stocks and irons; and at last brought forth and set among Princes, [...] [...]4. [...] 2.2 and made to inherit a throne of glory. It is like unto a Da­vid, hunted, persecuted, banished, and at last returne home, and be crowned a King in Hierusalem. [...] [...]5.9 It is like a year of Jubile after fifty years bondage. Like a return from Babylon after seventy years cap­tivity, to a Temple more glorious then the first. Or like a Sabbath of holy rest, [...] 6. [...] 20 after a week of hard labour. It is like a beggarly Lazarus full of sores, that fain would have some crums of comfort from the seeming riches of this world, but can get none tell he have his fill in Abrahams bosome. [...] 1 Or like that other Lazarus, sick, & dead, and buried, and perhaps stinking in the grave of this Earth, the cold, and hard, and heavy stone of Misery and Necessity pressing him down, till the voice of God cry, Lazarus come forth. It is like liberty and pardon to a condemned prisoner. It is like a sumptuous Wedding-feast at the marriage of a Kings son, who hath married not the rich and beauti­full Daughter of a Noble, nor the homely Daughter of a Citizen or Artizen, but the deformed Daughter of a miserable Beggar; for such were we, whose first parents, by their fall, bemired both them­selves and us, who since have made our selves more filthy by continuall wallowing; [...] 16. [...] 4. thus are we naked, and wounded, and in our blood, even to the loathing of our selves; no eye pitties, neither Priest, nor Levite can help us, [...] [...]0. [...] 1. till the Son of God come, who has compassion, who washes off our mud with his blood, who takes our infirmities, and cures our deformities, wraps us in the garments of his own righ­trousnesse, gives us his grace and comelinesse; and then lookes, and loves, and marries for ever, and keeps an everlasting wedding, at which all rejoyce, but devils and damned. These are glimples of our glory if so much, sutable to our shallow fancies; here we know but in part, [...] 33. and see darkly: even the Apostles themselves, though they had seen the transfiguration; yet when they began to speak thereof, talk they know not what: And S. Paul, when he had been in Paradice, [Page]and returned, though he wanted neither memory nor expressions,2 Co [...] yet he can tell us only, that he had been there, but what he saw or heard was impossible toutter. Content thy self then (O my soul!) with thy glory in that manner, and measure, and method as God shall give it thee.

10. How sweet a thing is Life! even the naming of it invites to cheerfulnesse, and its contrary, is of a dull sound; even this Life, which is not only temporall, but miserable too; yet because it is a Life, how loath are we to leave it? How shall we joy in our life, then when temporall shall be changed to eternall, and misery to glory?Eccle [...] [...] How sweet a thing is Light! how pleasant to behold the Sun! how near are light and life of kind! when even stones, because they have light in them, are said to be lively, and are held for jewels! How excel­lent is the eye! which is not only the beauty of the face,Mat. [...] but the light of the body, what could we doe without it? how much of our hap­pinesse consists in light, even here! how much more hereafter! How sweet a thing is glory! even the painted glory of this world, which most time is but a bare name and shaddow, yet is oft preferred be­fore life it self. And yet how little a place doth this glory fill; how short a time doth it last? how hardly is it got! how quickly forgot! how subject to be mistaken! fond man, oft thinking he imbraces his honour when he hugs his shame. Our glory here at beft, is but a gloe­worme, hereafter it shall excell the Sun. How sweet a thing is our Country! and is preferred before our Parents, our Children, or our selves: How beloved a thing is our home! he is senslesse, or worse, that doth not highly prize it: And yet even in our Country here we are but Pilgrims, at our home we are but strangers; Heaven is our Country, and our Home, in comparison whereof, the richest Palace on earth is homely. How sweet a thing is a Crowne! how desirable a Kingdome! How eagerly doe ambitious men indanger their bodies, and damne their soules, to have a pull at one of them! And yet what are Earthen Crownes, but wreathes of thornes? clouts stuft with cares? and how oft have those weighty Caps broke the necks of those that wore them? Not so with our Crownes of glory, who as far ex­cell these in security, as they doe in majesty: for none shall ever envy them, but those that shall never come neere to trouble them. Let the thought of these glories then (O my soule) be thy joy, till the time come thou shalt enjoy them.

11. We can but glance and guesse at these stately glories; as eye [Page 6]hath not seene them, nor eare heard them, neither can the heart conceive them, [...] 1.9 what good things be those that God hath provided for those that love him, [...] 1.19 even before the sons of men: to please the sense, but cannot fill our little heart. But what better things are those he hath provided for them before the sons of God, to fil and satisfie their inlarged soules! whereunto not our light afflictions only which are but for a moment, [...] 8.18 but the greatest blessings this world hath, are not worthy to be compared. What can the heart desire more, then to be rid of evil and enjoy good? both are here; [...] 6.11 here is fulnesse of that which causes fulnesse of joy, and pleasures for evermore. Here is none of that which may cause sorrow: not onely all teares, [...] 21.4. but all cause of teares shall be wiped away. nor can any thing enter here that is soule or hurtfull. Cease not these thoughts (O my soule) till they have raised thee to joy and thankfulnesse.

12. Now farewell then fond pleasure, thou painted Witch: Fare­well base earth, [...] 13. [...] 46. thou unweildie bulk: and farewell Flesh with thy fil­thy lusts. Fly away vaine-glory with thy Peacock-feathers; Avaunt sin, Avoid Satan, I have found a prize, a Pearle, I will sell all and buy it. Oh come then into my armes (my Deare!) draw neere, my Joy, and ravish him that cannot ravish thee. Oh let my ravisht thoughts at­taine some glimpses (though at too far a distance) of thy rare beauties. Who can think on thee, and not long for thee? Who can hope for thee, and not think those longings long? Who can love thee, and not be happy? But how happy those be that enjoy thee, no tongue can tell. Oh beare me on thy wings, (Dear Love) while I lightly trample over the dung of this world: Smile but upon me, and I shall cheerfully passe the gates of death. He knowes thee not, that loves thee not. He loves thee not, that will not die to come unto thee.

13. [...] 26. But alas, though the Spirit be willing, the Flesh is weake: what­ever the matter be, my soule is heavie, as if there were some earth in that too: Mine eyes are dim, I cannot see those glaunces of thy beauty which I might see: Mine ears are deafe too oft to thy sweet motions: My pallate is dull, when I should taste how gracious my Lord is: My smell is not well taken with the favour of his precious ointments: And all the Arteries of my soul are oft time so benummed, they can neither feele themselves nor thee. Oh heavens! whence is the cause of all this coldnesse? is my soul so much in love with my body, it cannot leave it a little to enjoy it self alone? is my body so much of kind unto the Earth, that it must needes be more heavy then it? and must my soul needs be heavy too for company? Are the treasures and [Page]pleasures of this world such goodly things, thou canst not sequester thy thoughts from them? Or are the joyes of heaven so poore, thou art loath to spend thy thoughts upon them? Or dost thou beleeve there are none there, or none for thee, and therefore wilt not labour in vain? Surely these are not the causes, God and my soule know: but either the graces of heaven withhold their dewes, and veyle their beauty, and their influence; or else my stony, leaden, or at least my fleshly heart, drawes not in their blessing: Or else God that made heaven, and gives it, will give it freely, we shall not be suspected to deserve it, so much as in a strong desire: Or else the Divine wisdome and goodnesse sees that if we should have these blessed visions and revelations in a­bundance we should be exalted above measure, 2 [...] and therefore sends this ballast in the flesh to humble us. This is thy condition (O my soul!) thou complainest not without a cause, and mai'st well be sorry for thy heavinesse.

14. Thou seest (O Lord!) that I am so weary and heavy laden, I cannot travell upon this holy hill; Oh! that thou wouldest ease me, Mat. [...] 2 as thou hast promised! Oh! take off my burden, adde to thy strength: pluck off the plumets of my flesh, and put to the feathers of thy spirit, whose wings are silver, and her feathers gold:Psal. 6. [...] 57. Oh! that I had the wings of that Dove, then should I flie away. Oh! that I could but get up this Nebo, and see my Canaan; how dearly should I love,Deut. [...] and long for her! how boldly for her sake should I bid defiance unto whatsoever this wildernesse, or world can tempt me with!

15. But (O Lord!) thou knowest my soul neither hath this happi­nesse, nor can deserve it: yea, neither can deserve to have it, nor to de­sire it. But look not on my merits, but on thy mercy: if I had my desert, I should have been long ere this past hope or help of Mercy: That thou hast saved me from Hell, is a Mercy no lesse then infinite; but that thou shouldest also give me Heaven, is a Mercy every way like thy self. How can I deserve so great a Glory, that am not able to aske, or worthy to beg the least of thy Mercies! How is my soul benummed with Flesh! bemired with Earth! besetted with Sin! Lord thou art my hope, my help: help then thy servant that cannot help himself; and as thou hast prepared glory for me, so Lord prepare me for my glory.

16. O God the Father of Light, and Life, from whom every good and perfect gift descendeth; take this work into thine hand,Iam. 1 [...] and the glory of it: perfect what thou hast begun: O save my soul that putteth [Page 8]her trust in thee. Wean her from the frothy milk of this world; feed her with that Mannah that came down from Heaven! thou that put­test Clay into the blind mans eyes and cured them, [...] 9.6 wash out that clay in mine, wherewith they are so bedaubed, they can neither see Hea­ven, nor thee. It is thine hand that made the Heavens, and it is thine hand that gives them, and it is the same hand againe that lifts mine heart unto them: O Lord! though thou makest not mine heart heavy, yet thou findest it so: thou hast it in thine hand, turn it, and tune it as please thee: make it light by the light of thy counteuance: quicken it by thy Spirit: take out her earth; put in thy fire: carry her up to Nebo: shew her Canaan: make her weary of this wildernesse: and inlarge her longings after Heaven: leave her not till thou make her pant after thee, [...] 42. as the hart after the waters; nor let her thirst ever be abated till she be filled with the presence of thee, O God.

17. [...] 18 [...] 27. And since I have begun to speak unto the Lord of glory, who am but dust and ashes, pardon thy servant, if while he plead with thee, he urge thee with thy promise. Hast thou not said (O Lord!) that thou wilt give me life? [...] 6.10 hast thou not bid me pray, Thy kingdome come? and hast thou not promised to give to them that ask, and open to them that knock? hast thou not alway declared thy self, a God rich in mercy, and delights to shew it? I beg that which thou knowest I want, I perish without it; thou hast in abundance, enough to spare, to make Millions rich and happy: I can have supply from none, from nothing else, the whole world besides is Misery, if thou give not, I shall never have it: I beg no more but what thou hast given others: how many thousand Saints and Martyrs hast thou crown'd with glo­ry? And (pardon me O Lord, and I shall speak once more) hast thou not bought Heaven for me, and paid for it? a good price too, and sufficient? Oh! let these perswade with thee, and let thy mercy in thy well-beloved Son prevaile; in him look down on me, and make me look up to thee; with his blood cement and link all thy gra­ces in a chain, and let them down to me, that laying hold thereon, I may be drawne up to my glory.

18. Yea, be thou confident (O my soule!) it shall be so: Faithfull is he that hath promised, [...]or. 1.9. [...]or. 1.20. [...] 3.3. even God that cannot lie: all thy sinnes cannot make his grace of none effect: he counts his promise as a debt, and will surely pay it; yea, he hath not onely bought Heaven for thee, but bought thee also for Heaven, and given earnest for thee, the graces [Page 12]of his Spirit. Be thou sure (O my soule!) thy King and Saviour that hath fought so valiantly, and paid so dearly for thy redemption,2 Cor. [...] will not now lose thee. Who shall separate thee from this love of God?Rom. [...] who can pull thee from thy glory? if thy sinnes cannot, thy afflicti­ons shall not: Go to thy rest then (O my soule!) and there be thank­full.

19. Now praise the Lord (ô my soule) and all that is within me blesse his holy name. Blesse the Lord (O my soule) and forget not all his benefits. Ps. 103 [...] 2, [...] Who pardoneth all thy sinnes, and healeth all thine infirmities; which hath redeemed thy life from destruction, and crowned thee too with everlasting mercies. Oh! what shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards me? What shall I? what can I render?Ps. 116 [...] What can I give thee (O God) which is not thine owne already? Thou askest mine heart; thou hast it; I give it thee, and thanke thee too with all mine heart. Oh!Pro. 23 [...] that it were worthy thy acceptance; O Lord thou dost accept it as it is, and therefore My soule doth magnifie the Lord, Luk. 1. [...] and my Spirit rejoy­ceth in God my Saviour; for he hath highly exalted the low estate of his servant; he that is mighty hath done great things for me, and holy is his name; and blesse be that God who hath made me blessed to all eter­nity. Amen.