lt> o A-' ;.A'^ DUKE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY I'reasure "Room ^ "■■!:l^ INSTRVCTIONS For a Right comforting AFFLICTED GOMSGIENCES: With fpeciall Antidotes againft fome grievous Temptations, Dcliyered for the moft part in the Lcdure at Kettering in Nortbamp- t$njhire» By Robert Boltom, Bacchelor in Diviffrtte^ and Preacher of Gods ward at Brought ttn in the fame Countie. TheficondEditiony divided into Chapter s^ with a Tabic of the Contents annexed. London, Printed by T.^. for Thomas wuvcr. 1635 'Kjii L^' TO THE HO^ NOVRABLE AND WORTHY KN1GHT,SIR Robert G a r r e^ Gentleman of the Kings Bcd-Charabcr, &c. all holy wifcdome to walke in the way to eternaU Blijfc^ SIR , Onr cxcraordinarjc ap- probation,and acceptance of my DireSfiins f$r vpal* king with Qod^ falling \vi>' to your hands, by Gods good prouidence, I know not how ; accompanycd with fuch noble clrcumftances, and cxprefli- ons of much undcferaed refpcv^ to the Au- thor; but cfpecially of your affe£lionate loue to the "^gloriom Gfijpell of the blejftd Ged (farrc * Tim.i.it. dearer to euery gracious heart , which truly taftes the rayfteric , and mercies of Chrifl in it 5 then it's dearcfl bloud , or wharfbeucr is moft dcfircablc under the Sunne, or admired mofi amongft the Sonnes of men ) , hath en- f 5 couraged THE EPISTLE couragedme at this time, to take the bold* nclTe, to prdcnt this prcfent Trcatifc more immediately , and by fpeciall intcreft into your ownc hand. And I am the farrc better pleafcd with my choifej becaufc I hold it a matter of Angular comfort, and fpeciall con- fcquencc, to have an hand in diverting the eye of any , that attends upon earthly Majcftic, from too much gazing upon the outward il- luflrious fplcndour, which is wont to gliftcr in the Courts ofgrest Princes ^ to-the admi- ration, and cmbracemcntof the glorious, and cuerlafting beauty of the Lord itfm : In re- fpeft whereof, all the faircfl beamesoffclici- tie and joy, which (hinc from the moft orient Impr riall Diadems , that crowne the face of the Earth, arc but a Moare of darkncffc , and Lumpe of vanity. And that for divers rcafons- I. Firft, Such as ftandin the prefencc ofmigh- tic Kings, are, or ever (liould bee, men ol grcatcft parts^, deepeft underaandings, and moft eminent abilities eucrie Way : Which being happily fanaificd by a fruitfull rnflu. encc from Heaven ^ and by the hclpe of the holy Ghoft, bent to the right end , and fpent upon the Obieas, they ought; become glo- rioufly fcruiceable to the King ofKwgsy prc- portionably to their native excellency above ordinarie gifts, and the vulgar fort of fuffici. cncies. Great endowments, in what kinde fo- cuer, guided by a divine hand, in their excr- dfe and agitations, do ever, a great deaJc of good, To give lafiaacc, a.id not ilirre from DEDICATORI E. theCourc:Thc Lord of Heaven vouchfafed to Khg laiues^oi (ixnous mcmoric,and One of the Icarncdft Princes , that ever wore a Crownc upon Earth, fuch a ftroug and enlar- ged undcrOanding, that we (bould havemag- nified;ic , as admirable^ even m a private man. The fame good hand of providence in great mercie , direded it upon the right Objed; even the dcfenfc of thcCb)^tf/y 7-f«r*of our (;6)But«forihcho. bkff^dly reformed reiigi 0ft , and deftru^ion of ly rrmh profcflcd by K^nticbriftiamfme, thataccurfed Hydr4 oi'zW »f y fcJ/«,«d tjop of , f, t ^ ' n ' r 11 ihc reformed R.cligi- hcrclics'and notonouily infamous » both to on,&c. King jmes this,andthe other World, for horrible Maf- «£«»»«/?. pa^a 76. facres, and (c)murthering of Kings. Where- L^/f^^fA^ upon, befides that, He hath by his Princely sttatius . M»ianay Pen, given fuch a deadly wound to that Beaft ^"V"l^ ^^'i?"** /n u tt- iL /\ J teach the Doftiine of Rome, that He IS Dcver Iiketoitand upon of Parricides i^ /»«.$. His fourc Icggcs againc: He hath alfo left in His ^/^*> ^^"P^' *«^/^^ ; learned Labours, fuch an immortall monu- doLTs^ .'^HeJe'KiH ment of Demonftrative light, and invincible hmts af(erwMd.u the Remo»firaftce z^mnikthitbhudy fupcrftition. pr^'o^.tfind^Kkc*?; that I am perfwaded , it will proove a moil praaife of King wn^ Ijngi wherefore hath not bisHoImefTe impofedrome ferere cea(urtr,with AfearefdIfiowne,upontbcBooke oiMamna tlicJIefuitCby whoro Parricidci are commended. Nay, Viighly extoUcdJ) when hiiHolinefTe hath been pleafed to call in (ome other of MaridM/iM books. Again, wbcrefore did higHolmefTe adyife himfclfcjto ccnfure the decree of the CoAirt of Par- liamen t in ^Pwris againft lohn Cba^tU ? Wherefore did he fuffer Giratt and Oldtorny my Powder minersjboth by Books and Pidures, rcndible under his nofc in Rome, to be inrowledin theCanon of haly Martyrs? And when he(aw two great Kings mardered one after another; wherefore by fome publike declaration did not his Holineifc lelUfie to all Chri{lcndome,hit inward lenre,and trueapprehenHon of fogrcat mliforiuae,at •II Europe hadjuftcaufe to lament, on the behalfe of France ? Wherefore did not bis Holincffe publilh lome L«w, or Pontificiall Decree, to provide for the fecurity of K Bgs in timctocomTw[rtira ning,andPol€micall Parts i which being tur. ecrtainc influenccto ncd the tight Way , have happily produced a workc great change p^ffjiyatUjuch vidorious Volames, and fo and alccration m tne -' » u n -n World: Neither is uninfwerably triumphant over all Pcpilh thcit expeftation Sophiftric ; thai not all the Icfuites in Chri- we b?v?Se wifh ilendoine,thoughthey ftiould rake Hell afrcfb, our eyes the Opera- forfomeDcw, rottcn di Atndions , to uphold jionofHisMajcftics their tottcilng ^4^ hcatbc«ii(h,tyTanokal],and able to Tec ArtthtsLtciMi Machiavtl,»ni theDivell hiinU\kjn a Ibrr, to Schoolc. Jbid. ^odl^.^.Art 3 pa%6%. The lefuites roanagcmattersniotc M3chiave]U3n]y,th3nVI^(;f6{di^«i/binQfelfe>/4a/a'(r/o/&e7«/«f;rti GttU.fA% 70 Icfuitcs arc fathers of mifcbicfe, friends to ihemfcIvc?,benefadours to fcditi9USpcirons,Ma{lersofMachuivellirnie, Traytors to England, and to their Prince. AHanfwerbyantofour Bteibietti&!rrcIigousCalumniatoit,(hat crcr lived oneanhjUnwor* thy that crcr the earth fhould bearc them ^odl 4,Art zp 99* (h) But Umanalket bettcr,to Wauc a Tyrant poyfoncd by his Chaire,or by his Apparel], and Robes, after the example of the M^untaoiaa Kings;that being fo poifoned only by feotjor by con- taSjHe oaay not be found guilty of Self-felony^and the 5ouIc of the pooityranr,in the flight out ofthebody,may be innocent of the faft; O Hell- bounds / O Diaboltcall vneubes ! O infernall Monfters ! How long then? How lopg (hall Kings, whom the Lord hath calkd his Annointed j Kings, the breathing ioaagcs of God upon eattb; KingSjthttmth a wry,or frowning lookc,are able to crufh thefeearth-wermesinpie. cetjHow long {hallthcyfuffer this viperous brood (cotTtee, and without puQiHiment, cofpit in their faces i l{ii^Iamt Remwifl.fai.ai^, Such is the Religion of chefe Reve- rend Fathers,the Pillars of the Ponti£cia!I Monarchy. In comparife n of whofe re. ligion & holine s^all the impiety iha t ever was pradifed among the infidels, and all the barharoai cruelty,that ever was perpetrated among the CanibaI^,ioay pafi« henceforth in theChtifiian World for pure deroency and humanhy. Jbid,pag23^> Adue reUgion of the lefuites: for to fpeake truth ; To deale in State'matterf,and o praSife the . death of PriBces,arease(rciitiall parts of their fundioa, as their confelTien it felfe* lefuC»ttibMbt^.Caf-ii, (i) TatOmReligiepatuiifuadeiemlorutnt But what would fachavedone,ifhcehadknowoeihe Maffacreofifrawei or the Powder- Treafca of Eagtand ? &c. They make the caafc of Religion defcead , to the execrable aSions of murtheriag of Princes^batchery of peoplc,aad £ciiog of Sntet; Sir Tranek iMn, B[~ and THE EPISTLE and Blowers up of Parliaments , as former Hiftorics never hcard-of. Thus,whcn men of Place, and imploymcnr» mighty and remarke- ablc in the World, improove the i}tmoft pof- fibiktics of their Wit and Art 5 of all their natarall , and acquired Parts, to ferue their owne turnes, and attaine their private ends^ to rife, revenge , grow rich ^ or more imme- diately by fome fpeciall fervicc , to advance the Kingdome of darknede . and dominion of K^ntichrift ; O the Luciferian pride , the injuftice , the crueltie , the Machiavellifmc; the putting of faire pretences upon peAilene plots ; the drowning of iimocency in the Depths of State ; the craftie and mercileffe prciTures of Gods people , and thofc , over vrhom they domineere / It is then a workc of grcaiWeightand Worthincffc, to winne a great man tothewayes of God. Hereby the common ftateof goodncffcis mightily ftreng- thened ^ at)d which is an equall bappinefle, the Divels fide goes downe, and Belials bang the head. For according to the eminencie of his Gifts, and grcatncflc of Place, is the excel- Icncieof good,or cxcefTe of ill, that He doth. It wei'e to bee withed therefore, if God fo pleafed, that all the incurable, and impla* cable enemies to the grace of God , good men, and power of godlinefTe, were Dunces and Fooles •, that they might not bee able to manage their malice and power , with fuch Depths and dexterity, to the more dangerous under- DEDICATORIE. undermining of the kingdomcof Chri§\zn je^ to great temptations j And therefore, it is the harder Taske^ and more honourable triumph, to curne them on Gods fide. Had not an All-mightie hand maftered the tem- ptation , fteeled his Faith , and reprefcnted to his eye, the matchlcfle glorie of an im- mortal 1 Crowne ; (J^ofes had never bcenc able to have parted with the magnificent ftate,3nd pompe of Pharaoh Gouft: where Hcc might have wallowed in varietie of all worldly delights • and to take part, with His afflitflcd Brethren , of a world of mifcrics, in a vaft and r^4r//;^ wHderneJfe. There was never carnail man fince the Creation , but in fuch a Cafe w(nild have followed the Court, and forfakcn Gods people. Hefter , a wcakc Woman , could never pofflbly have holdcn out,againft the fury of fo mighty a Favorite, the hazarding of Her high place, the favour of fp great a King, and even life it felfe \ bad She not beene upholden by an extraordinarie ftrength from Heaven. No great Woman in the World, wanting Grace, would ever have runne fucb a hazard .• but have fuffered the fcrvanisof God to finke , or fwimme j fo that She might fwimme downe the Current of the times without croflGng, and enioythe prefent without perill. It was a fore tempta- tion to IcfiatlM», and a very cutting Pikmma: Eirher^ THE EPISTLE Either, leave to adhere to DavU, or rcfblvc to lofc a Kingdorae. But the hope of an earthly Crot?ne,could not hire Him to hold His peace, and betray the innocencie of His heavenly Friend : ^Sdnd londtbatt snfwerei SahI his Fd^ ther^ and /aid unto Himyvhertfore (hall Hee bee fiatnef What hath He done f The dread of dif- countenance from two angrie Kings , whofe indignation is as the rtf4W»^#/ii Z^^», was a terrible Motive , to have made u^ichajab temporize : ( not a Server of the Times, aod His owneturnc in the World, but would in this Ca(e have tuned His Pipe to Ahabs plea* fure, efpecially enccoiragcd by the flattering concurrence of fo many falfe Prophets). But the (ightof the mightie Lord of Heaven and Earth fitting ufon His ThrenCx and all the Heji 6f Heaven ftanding by ^i«i,infu(cd fuch an . holy fortitude into the/pirit of this Man of God ; that no greatneflej terrour, or Majeftie of any crowned Potentate, could poffibly daunt His courage, ordaQi Him out of coun- tenance : And therefore Heanfwcrs with are- folurion, as high as Heaven, and out of a facred pang of feraphicall zeale : o^x the Lord Is. veth, whatfeever the Lwd ftith unto mte^ that wiH I Ifeike, So that Hee may difcharge a good confcience,and do as God would have Him^HeisataPoint. That MefTage, which the Almighty had put into His mouth, oiuft forth • Though itexpofc Him to a cenfure of Ongularity,fordiireotingfroro fo many of His owne dedicatorie. ownc Coat ; to a fufpicion of difloyaltic , for croffing fo peremptorily tbc Kings Plot i to fmiting, botii witii the lift of wickcdocffe, and taunts of the tongue » from His fellow «y^rr/.- Nay jt hough His faithfull dealing throw Him into a Dungeon, there to bee kd with the Bread of afflidion, and Water of affli6li on i until! the full wrath of an enraged pro- phane King fall upon Him to the uttermofl. Thus, let the World fay what it will , what- ever Ikfh and blpud fuggefl to the contraries Howfocuer unfan^ificd great Ones florme .anddifdaine^yet afTuredlyjCucry true Friend 10 Ufi^ Chrifty mufl bee content farre rather to bedifcourcedsthen defcrt a good caufe ; or jietto defend the innocency of a gracious Man, though in difgrsce ; and to fpeakc for Gods people, though Haman rage to root them out quite , as a company of fingular exorbitant iellowes , who ferue God as they lift , and keepe not the Kiffgs Ldwes: As is unanfwcrably *^«^* s*'* euidenc , by the precedencie of thefe newly named , noble, and holy Saints. I confefTe^ this may f oeme precife Po^rine, and a divine Paradoxe to all the great Maftcrs of pleafure» and Minions of luxurie and pride | whofe rbloud runnes freftiin their veines, and roar- row is yet ftrong in their bones 5 Nay, who having attained the height of their ambitious aymes, fit now aloft in the verie top of their unblefTed brauerie and greatneOe , drunke with the pieafanc wine of worldly profperi. THE EPISTLE tic, and holding in fcorne, the holy precife- ncffe of the good way, the finccritic of the (er- Cc) TiwdAK s - ^^"^' ^^ C^'^^fit ^nd focictic of the (c^ Bro- t1«6>to?6 i.S. thcrhood. Yet I can afTurc them in the Word !?♦ of Life and Truth, the now embracemcnt, and tff'Ji^f"' ?"*<"<=<>« X^)f"cifi v,alki»s,m\\ incompa- Cd) A;te^ftrf ^TO. rably more comfort them upon their Dying- '^''■^ Beds, in that great and laft encounter with all jnfernall powcrsjabout the immof talitif , bliflTc and glorie ; or the cndlede, and unfupportablc paiaes , and mifcrie of their Sooles • then if they had beene the fole, and (bveraigne Com- manders of all the Kingdomcs of the Earth, all their life long. But no marvell in the meanc rime, that^ as the Spirit of truth tells us, and punctually to my purpofe ; Not many Wife wen after tbeflefh^ net many Mighty^ not many Noble are called : Not for any impofCbilitie- For the irrefiftable might of the Spirit, work- €th upon whom it Willi and fome Great Men are good : but by reafbn of the diflScultic. Be- ing befet with fuch varietie , and ftrength of temptations, they are rarelier , and hardlier wrought upon by the Word, and wonne out ofSatans enfnarcmcnts. High roomes, tem- porarie happinefle , and abilities above ordi- narie, fo puffe them up , and tranfport them beyond themfelues, with fuch a dcale or* Selfc- lovc, Sclfc-opinion, Selfe prizing 5 that their proud and obftinated fpirits, will by no meancs ftoope to the fimplicitie of the Gofpel, fingularitie of the Saints, and the f ooliOinefle of DEDICATORIE. ofprcaching. But if at any time, they hcareof zNathdn^Ieremy^ t^moj^ ChryfifiemCi L4tu fntr, itc„ They arc very loath to lend their attention, lefi thereby, they (hould bee made Melancholicke, put in minde of the Evillday, and tormented before their time. But if they have the patience, They are readie to Aartle in their feats, and whifper One to an Other: rcn^ fee nowthefe frecifer FfUcwes wiuld dAmneus 4iUto Bell; Let mbreake their bonds asunder, and cdft arvdy their C$rds from us. Such adoc there is, and a world of worke, to bring fuch noble &dlams into their right minds ; and to Itigbt fuch Idoliiers of their owne fufliciencics; and wilfull grafpcrs of their gilded FetterSt from their admired follies,and honourable fer- vitude. 3. 'Thirdly, a gracious Man about a Royall PerfoQ,is a goodly Sight ; and full ^t\\ worth even a Kings Ranfomc. M For never (g)Fidiiwf«4/m^;« any, except himfclfc truly fcare the great God p^,^ propter qum & oi Heaven, can poffibly bee cordially, and y«, qmbut commigiM confcionably fcrviceablc-to any of our earth. omVi!"' "*^'"' ly Gods* A Principle To clearc , and unque- At qm 'pnpur vim? iUonablc , that no Man of underftanding, and ^J?'l^. f I*": Maiter of his owne Wits, except himfelfc be ^ptfam, ut ejw man- notorioufly obnoxious, can have the face to dauftnttutfideitibu dcoie it; Pleafc they may , bee politickly ^j""^ '"^' ''""' plaufible , flatter cxtrcamely , and rcprefent tbemfelues to ordinarie obfervation, as the onely Mcnfor loyakyand love ? But if wee could fearchi and fee their heans, wee fiiould iindc them then mofi laborious to f erne them- fduesd , THE 5PISTIE (e)ues* and advance their owne ends , wheo they fcerac moft zealous for their Soveraigms fervice. i^biftphel , ia the Suane-ifaioe of peace , and calnfiencfle of the Kingdomes, did accommodate himfclfe to the prefcnr, both in Confultations of State, and religions conr<»rmitie:But no fooner had this hollow bear ted man efpyeda dangerous tempeft , rai* fed by i^iffoUms unnaturall treachcrie ; but Hetijmed Traytorto his naturall Lord: when Hec obfcrved the Wiade to blow another way, He followed the blaft , and fet his fayies according to the weather : Which made 2)^- 'vU after coroplaine • But itwasthatt^ O Man^ even my Companion ^my Guide and fdmilUr: Wee tBokefweet counftU tegether , and walked mito ihe Houfc cf God in companii. Where- fore let Great Men , without grace, profcfTe, and pretend what they will 5 and proteft the impoffibilitie of any fuch thing^as Hazael did in an other- Ca(c j yet ordintrtiy.^ ( I know not what iome One iDorall Puritan amongfl a million might doe^ in fuch tumultuous times, and of univerfall confufion, for the/<:« curing of their temporaii happioefTc ; which, without timely turning on Gods (ide , is all the heaven they are like to have in this World, or the World to come : I (ay, upon a Point of great advantage, and advancement with fafety , tbey would fiie from the decli- ning State^nd downe-fall of their old Mafter- though formerly the mightiefl Monarch up- on DEDrCATORI E. on earth, as from the ruincs of a falling hGufc. And it can be nooihcrwife 3 for they have no in- tcrnall Principle, or fapcrnaturall power , to il- lighten and enable them , to fct tncir (houldcrs againft the Torrent of the times, and to be ovcr- flowne with it; But now, Hcc that truly fcares God, would rather lofe His high Place • Nay, his poftcritiei As much hearts-bloud,if Hee had it, as would animate a whole Kingdome • then leave HisIawlullSoveraigneLordjin fuch aCare,up. on any term$,though He might have even the Ira- periall Crownc fet upon his owne Head. For con- fcicnce, that poore neglected Thing; Nay, in thefelaftyand loofer times, even laughed at by men of the World- yet a ftronger tye of Subie6b hearts unto their Soveraignes ^ than Man or Di- vell is able to difToIve • ever holds up his loyall heart ere A aod unQiaken, when all Shtbnaes, Ha- mans, and AbitefhelsySiouXd hide their heads, and ihrinke in the wetting. Which conlcience of his, if upon fuch occafion Hee flaould unhappily wound^ Hee knows full well,it would follow Him with guiltie cryes, for hisfo bafc temporizing, and trayterous flinking,all the dayes of bis life. Where- as gracelefTe and i^lfe-fceking greameOe, can well enough, in the meane time, conquer fuch clamo- rous accufations of an ill confcicncc , with the boy fterous excefle of carnall contentments, even as the Sacrificers of their Sonnes to Moloch in the fire diowned their lamentable cries 5 with the louder found of Tabrets and Drums. Ambi- tious Nimrodsy are able by the inordinate heat af- * A ter THE EPISTLE ter humane greatncffc, to digcft , and drive away the aftcr-ftingsof bribcriCjbafcncflcj if notclofc bloudfbedCchcir ordinarie meanes of mounting) with their delight in domineering , and being adored above others. It is a fit pafiagc therefore iTiOmCommenPrayer'Booke.'That it mAj fUafi Thee to endure the Lords of the CounceU , and all the Nohilityytvith^racetWi/edome^and under ftanm ding, Grace is fitly put in the firft place : For, un- derftanding and wiredome,witbout this heavenly jewsll, do but prepare their Owners , to do the greater mifchiefe ; To opprefic innocencie with Hner tricks , and more unobfervedly j to plague Oppofites more plaufibly ; to compaile their owne ends more exa6):ly ^ and at ]afl,for the abufe, and mil imployment of their great Parts and Places, in ferving themfclucs, and not feckiDg Gods^loric, to be damned more horribly- With- out fanflification by rpeciall grace ; the rareft en- dowments ( 1 ) degenerate : Wifcdome into craft J (m) Power into private revenge • Valour into violence | Prudence into plotting their owne ends ; Courage into foole-hardineffe , to (^cTih'/vaSii'y of ophold 3 fa^licn j Policic , into plaftcring over great men, who foulc-bufincfrcs With faire colours: All of them Jbi?fe fruh of ttk 3re bafely , and unworthily made fubordinate,and gteatnc0iD, toabufe iciviccable, o^ely to the fetting forward, and fafco their power iRfo- Icntly, to theruine of their inferionrs .' Not rememfcring (bceing blinded by their padion) that they htTC • Supciiovr over thenij to maVe theoo yccfd an account of their aniufl proceedlngi,forcing to make leftiiution with inicrcfi. liifiw. ef FrMH, inliwU tbt tenth. (OAIifcrtnesturne to?ice«,whenthcy becooaethc feiv^nts garding DEDICATORIE. Sarding their ownc outward fdicitlc. Without ^hisceleftiall^Load-ftarrc, to ftccrc aright in a!l iairsjthcre wil ever be fomcwarping. A grcatman, a Friend, an cneraie, fcarc, co wardlincffc , affe^i- on, faflion, partialitic, covetoufncffc, malice, or fomeihing, will certainly fway, and tranfporta- wry. Buc now, a godly Man, befidcs his prcfence, Cn)exemplary precedency in piety, and prayers, (ny^tgtmt dignl which arc ever pleafing and prevailing with Godj ^-^^^ pr*^^t& authiti, the difchargc of his Place with integrity and trath, ^e'fe-mDelmfd^ improving induftrioufly all opportunities, high gere^quoMteru exew- favours, intcreft in great Ones, and utmoft poffi- g^'/^^i'jXTJi'^ bilitic every way to advance Gods glory, pro- /i,w«di.cyi.Aicxaiii mote good caufes, prote^ good Men ; Hcc may iib.8.in io«n. alfb, by obferving the calmneQe of a Roy all coun- tenance , and openneffe of a Princely eare unto Kim, wilcly and humbly fuggeft fome things, and (pcake thofe words for the publikc Good , and good of Religion, whereby not onely a King- dptne, but the whole Chriftian World may fare the better. Vpon tbefe, and the like grounds, I hold it an high happineflc, and great honour, to have an hand in working fpirituall good upon thofe excellent fpirits, which hold high Roomes, or ftand in neare attendance unto mighty Princes* ^ And by this time, you eaBly difcerne my drift, and rightly apprehend the top of my ambition in this Dedication : even to do your Soule good. Which is much more worth than the fVhU Worlds and muft never dye. To which I con- ceived a dore opened, when it pleafcd you,in more than ordinary manner, to manifcft your likings A 2 and THE EPISTLE Ecfler.ii.j. and allowance of my laft Bookc. And therefore (o)Par'" Sir,I befccch you,outof tbcgcneroufoeflc ofyour nmm^giZpn nobledirpofitioModocmcthat favofinay, that ammis vtftnt ; tmeift right 5 Nay,that honour,ror fo I (liall account it : frmiam^ m diciujn ^^ ^^^ ^^ conccivc thc Icaft thought, that hereby I dm retkibi'hum <• goc aboui to/eeke gred t things t0 my ftlfe\ or ever »;w comminmoitis to comc neerer the Couft, than by the contkiu- SJfoTw anceofmydailyharticftprayctsforthsfalvaiion -TTw-ms -rns d'^nhm and life of King Charles yVay dread and deareft so^ ctiJJi^i K&TAo^H ^ff^innc, I atti dfawing aDBce towards tDy lonz' De rac«dot7iib.fi in Htf W(f ,and muft Ihortly appcare before that High princ. and Everlafting ludgc . and therefore I defire to Sf«S«i,«« lofenotime.botioply.all Ican,thebufuieire God mimmrtddnuriHic- bath fet mc about,for the ftiort remainder of thefe cmexiiuMtmuU- r ^„j eviUdajes', that by the mcrciesof God, I wfEquJde ilium, qua- may hniUi my couric with icy 5 and give up that m [tt.virhu txpnmert |aft,and great accouot,with favor and comfort, in c;y™i^l-"tt the name of/(/« Chrifi. Me thinkes.befides ma- tuj-rCwam^'f ^h- ny ocher,and mighty Diuinc Motives, that one. XS'Taliri^v (^^ ^P"*^^ ofchryfofleme, who bimfclfemany Totna^^ iJrlcZ times preached C p^ every Day , and gave- a- *flf<«u, kJ)£ Tc/7n»ira*, tfJV-r/i/eT' l%i\v\jjj TniPra. ci>{xCovh<^'u)V.Pritnum igtmr fujuftdta-. mutyut iuramentorii fuga in melius mutttmemfaciai:lalmiy ie qu9 inmtiwunoUeuiifft0Hit*nimtmmenditto (q) precept DEDICATORI E. ^q)precept for it.and yet profefTeth , that the Cq)^;.«/e & npifco- drcadfulneffeof.hofewords,«.^.i3,,7. f>r Z'T&^ftft they rvatehforyettrfoulSf as they that muftgive menum fjcere-.uttffa AccoumM ftrikc a great tcrrour into his heart, ^^j^^ "fZlnmZl (houldmake all GodsMiniftcrsrcfoIvc, to doe dnarufmnmi minert nothing dfc almoft,but rcade,meditate,prc3ch, {fl'^^f^^f^^^- ^? '^ and pray. WherforCjNoblc Sir J (hal have my plrfetft%mDee^pu. fuldcfirej&utmoftendjifyoubebut pleafcd, f^^t^inurm tammt^ to make me the happy Inftrument of helping ^^"-""4 you towards Heaven • 5c give me leave to gain ^^ obmxium-, m qno tbisadvanta2e,foryour fpirituall good,by your ^'*^^'f'*nuon.raCrea. love unto my Miniftcnall Labours ^ that they dutfthmauB f,venm. may thereby leave a more kindly, and deeper '^^ui^pr^apuenegg- impreflSon iayowt appreRcnfions of hcavcniy 'g^^^f% things«and workc with more life and power, wris^ri/tapaiu^atiijii^ for a found ereaion, and fure fctling of the T'T- ^«^«i*«»f; Kingdoms oue/usCbrtft myour ownefoule. antmutenda. ^uim YouftandinaCr) flippery place,thoyou ftand ^uu confirm i^mvt- in the prefenceofthe mightieft Defender ofthe ^r#S5t* true Religion, of any Monarch vnder Heaven. eMiemcumcbri^o ex- For altho Satan be moft foiicitous, and ftirring ^VTi'^Vc ? f^ '" rodU contemptftiy 'lUuftu & ptrcuffus full, ^al mtitulofut efit & ingratiam Magnatum i rtgula veritatis & jufii. tM recedltfiifuiiime in abntgaimtm Cbrtfti incidit- Gerhard in Har mo.hift.Eri ng-cy. In Aula f qumuU cotrup'm msfibuitaut corrumpentUr muneribuiy go beatior, Sarisbur. InPolicraC' Bernard ytuviont to complAinci That the Cuun retilvid fuchasivere goeitbut fiMdetbembad. Curia bonosfacUiMreclpere,qumfacereccnfMvit. f lures m ea defuife btnos^quam mobs frofecijfeprobavimm.Dc Confid,! 4'c.4'Af«flr»« effepettr'n {pes noftraiftpalgtio/juamutamici JmptratorU ftmUi?Et ibi qmi nonfrtgileyplepumq.pericuUii Etperquotpericutaptrvenituradgrand'mpericulum?hugu&.CoTi(li.c.6' Hot enim ipfos^ quosbeavittperdldlt- How glorioufly then doih a lofeph^t l0Ha{ban»9 Dg»iel,i M^dtcai, %liebemubiinHe^erfinEbeeimiltcb{hinem»KiDgsCQUTt? A 3 in THE EPISTLE in all Places,ancl now more than ever (ihc long Day of Mankinde drawing faft towards anE- vcning*and chc worlds troubks,8nd time neere at an end j to doe all the mifchicfe He can pof- fiblyjyec you may be affured, Hce rcfervcs his moft defperate fcrvices, ambuQimcnts, furpri- fc$,pra6tifc8, and Powder plots, for Kings Courts : Becaufc he findcs there, an extraordi- nary Confluence ot Grcatncffe, Power, Wit, Policy, noblcft Parts, and other mighty En- ginesjihc edge and excellency whereof, if Hee (ball be any waies able, by improvement of the iitmoftskilljinhisold Trade of tempting, to turnc the Wrong wa J ; Hee gjynes far more, than if Hee Qiould winnc to His fide fome millions of private Men, IfHeprcvailcs there, He knows himfelfein a faire way,to make foulc worke ^ and is often wont thercupon,to impoi- fon and plague even a whole Kingdomc. Fo? your fupport therfore,& furer (landing in fuch a cafc,and that you may trample opon,with an holy conteptjSc Roble difdain,thefair,(sjdure- (t) TxkaaiU sccidii Icffc, peftilent fwcetneffe of worldly pfc^fures, S^ril^^rXl and vanilhing glitter of all earthly glory i there fedt & abikt'tHfeiicm i$ DO way in the world, but to embrace the lufl %/?^p. Lord lefus, irf the armcs of your humbled Scrm. *3. i^id per Soulc, fallen out.for euer (t) with cuery finnc, mamtin hommt nifi ffwdquirque mi U^ende^Aut'orMdOiaut bona Optra faimdo pr» nflm^e/Aluta^ in thifturo cert' jckntitefHaracendiderh ? Ji^fciU^ mm voiuptas , iafalhm cupidit4s atqut kxuriOfper' vtn^xariainduUtd'mtmpraparam fcmphernomamantudinmldcm. Ibid, Scriuon. 55» CO ifii t(i fi^ioliy vera fxrmenua,qiiandoJicconvinhnrquiSiUX von rivmaxhry quandtfic /«- »iict,iit mn reptxat. Ibid. Scrm. j- and.. DEDrCATORI £. and fallen in louc unfainedly with al! Gods bicded wayci. For by Faith, and Faith alone, f which how it is brought into the heart by the Holy Ghoft, you hauc in the Body of the Booke) we overcome the ivjrli^ And that in all rcfpc£ls 5 Not oncly in regard of the furious en- ticements, and kccnc baits of carnall dclighfs> riches, and rifing; butalfo, ofcomminations of cruelty and torturcjNay, of the flinging pro- vocations of contumelies, and cruell mffcki^gs. May you plcafc to take notice of the power, and property of it this way 5 and in what man. ner this glorious PrinceflTc conquers , and fcts her tridmphant foot upon the necke of the World,a$ upon her vanqailhcd Vaflall,in two or three padagcs. i Firft, While as yet the Soule, tho never fo admirably, and univerfally endowed with rareft ill unainations of humane Wiftdomc, Naturall, Morall,MetaphyficalI Learning, and Myfteries of State, is wholly guided by the eyes of fenfc,and carnall reafon ; it lookes upon the world, and worldly things, is upon the onely Patadilc of fwccteft contenc- ments,choyceft plcafurcs,and chiefcfl Good ; ofthc favour and fruition whereof, it Would rather be damned,thcn difpoiTefli But upon the Kingdome 0^ cinfi, and its fpirituall glory, as upon a thing not worthy fearching into,and fecking after^a fowerjflriftjand uncomfortable conditionjfit only for fome few precifc foolcs, 6c thofe,fcorned,contempfible underlingsjwho UQderfland not the World,but want Wit^ and A 4 Art, THE EPISTLE Arr, to grow lich and rik ; to render ihcm^ fclvcs rcmarkcablc to the cicsormcn,and grca* ten their poftcrity. Bnt let that glorious Eye of Faith be once planted in theSoule , and the Cafe is quite altered. Thofe former fading Lights of Icnfe and rcafon, areobfcured by the presence of this heavenly Sunne, and vanifh with all their vinities-For now this new, bcau- tifull Lampe, fliining in theface of the Soulc, doth rcprefent to its apprchenfi6n,the World, fet out in greateft bravery ,and to the uttermoft worth,as worth (u) nothingias a dead rotten Si^wr^'S C3rion,a very Dunghill, full of all loathfomc- o-anmidaem &vi' ncflc,deformitie,and filth. Which heated by gmi&wginta, & the fircof mcHS furious lufts,fcndsup continu- etkmyqujdeiiimpoftiii- ally luchfumesof vanity , and hellilh milts; ie.imojivohs,ponmwi which Unhappily hide their fight from any '^J^ZZri glimpreatalLofaiUhatincDDiparablc beautic,. 2^«ti/.Chtyf:ft. in E- whicb fliincth m the countenance of Chnli\ pift,adphiiip.scr.i3 qj p|ory of thcjovcs above, which lafteternak (ummundumpffiiiw, \y, But It now lookcs Upon thc ICiDgdomc of totquefe^vi>s babtnt, prace,asupon a Rockeof Diamondsj or Cry» S^'rit'"'"; ftall Mountainethicke bcfet, and gliftering full biqiatermumadiSyci fairc With Variety ofrichcft Pearks, and truely «";'S':^,\tZ: Orient ; I m«n,as upon the moft amiab!., and vijauro (sbipro cnm aomirable Obicctundertos Sunne ^as the btit; fiifTtnntrUmceru.bo, gnJ blcffedeft thing to be loved,and looked af- u»»cHmdivifmfuis,nifi ter m this lifc. 2. Secondly, Every roan is n a. adcaium eipiraret, dig. turally,and Hotorioufly greedy of hearts, cafci To'yiZ''HZu!^^ ^"^^^y ^" onekinde or-ot^er.: of which, rather than they will mifTe, they doe not flicke, many uiracsjto light a candle at the Divell himfelfe, for DEDICATOR IE, lor fomc ioviall lightfomcnelTe and rairtb, fuch as it is i a madnclTc above admiration, and foU lowed with inlioice mifcrics. And thcrcfore,un- til they lay certainly hold upon, and tcally pof- fellc fomcching more precious, furcr comforts, foander ioycs, which may out.bailance the weight of al wordly rreafures,and over-top the height of all human happincflcs, both in excel- lency and fwcctneflcithcy will by no mcanes, upon no terroes,fuf&r their hearts to be drawn and divorced from poffeffion ol the prcfent, and the Bird in hand,a$ they fay •! mcanc.from that poorc,liitlc, leanc, imaginary noihiagof Gontcntmcnt, which they fccra to extract, with much ado,& moft certain loffe of eternal bliffc, from earthly things. They will, in the mcane time, fticke to the world as fafi , as Pberecidei the K^tbenian, to the (hip ; who held it on the (bore with his hands 5 and one of them cut off. He held i? with the other ; and both being cut off. He held it with his teeth. But let once the weary foulcs ofthcfe former Worldlings,truly wounded, and broken in pccccs with weight of (inne, and fenfe of wrath ; leane upon, and lay downc tbcufelues in the bofomeof the Lord /(?/«^,blccding upon the Croffc, prizing his pu- rity as well, as His Paflion jand fo taking Him upon (f) Gods termcs: And then rcflcftiog (i;)Anihow that u Itarwi, Chcmniciira ^ellftwi OrdoiUnnuitfi., quodvultquUtmSvmgtll^rre^ fist pnyirihu^ i vuUfancreftd ccfituus J vu't prttdicart d'mtj^nem^fedcaptivii -^vulc tductre & I'dfirare, M vincleiy hoc . r/2,/«6 piceate c9ncl»fet j vuU confol«ri,fed eontnflalos^& lugenta, Vu't rtSjHtere, fid adu-A'> mium fpirUsi : Btniplmtum tfl Domino fedfuptr iimenteieumi& in eis,quifpennt fupiY m- ftrimdia tjuiiVuU rtficere, fedlabiramts & omratai ; Vult cmnart mjfiumdia & rr.ifm- tionibiii/td caput bumillaium,non turgid um;Vuli infundtre oltum miftriw4i«}f(d vulneratiit ■&c* Ext!r.Dccr.Tridcnt,p,i.De Contrit.Cap.4. THE EPISTLE with a fcnfibk and fcrious contemplation, up- on that Pearie of great priee^ofvvhkh they now ftand polTcft i by the worth whereof, they have fcalcd,and made fure unto thenija full difchargc frocn the endlcfncffe of Hcllifli torments, and a moft undoubted right tocternitie of Heavenly joyes; Nay, poffcQion given them of the thrice glorious, and ever blcilcd Dcitic , and all His perfe«^iotis,cxcellcndcs, felicities, fo farre as an (t)Hiiarlmis nolif'Kt mei ficut Unbra (feclinaverunr,& ego ficQc fanum arui, :^Mdft hiec etiam bicpojptmut dime ,«W qiawoh bre'uii^tamen quiapri/',f;r«»' 11- Cap. I, jiffitEledConfciences, ^5 limit, like a) himfdfe, infinite; fo immeafurable,that «^,p.M;«g''-;;>;'^;*^ It reacheth J^m f cj everUfitng to everU^mg ; lo ten- ^^^ ^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^^^ ^^ ^ der that it lurpafleth incomprehenfibly the compallio- ^^ ^^ .^,g^^^^ ^wms;, nate meltings of the lovingeft {a) mother ; and Ipared «r caufaenamnsbi^, not thedeareftbloud ofhis onely (^j Sonne. Who rMi^tveiint, mcm- hath ever in a readineffe for the recovery oj his chil- ;- /^;;;«-- dren out of the moft defperate danger , and to reicue t^.ts^diviTsaj^ptma them out of the hands of the deadlieft enemy ; befides }f,ft_uas iikrum ad m^ his owne omnipotent arme, the leaft finger whereoj (i> am faittm Denver- can beat the greateft mountaine to powder, and rend ««^^^-^^^^^^^^^ ^^^. ^^^^ the hardeft rocke in pieces ; innumerable noits or nn- ^^^^ ^^. ^^^^,-^^f^^ gels, one of which killed ( f ) an hundred fourefcore j^j, p^^, and five thoufand in one night ; charets of fire , evena (c) Pial.io j .17. thoufand charets in the whirl winde ; that faire glorl- ^^r^jj^^^g'' ^^ ous Giant, which with incredible fwiftnefle runnes j^j'^.^j^^j'^g^^^^ poft, as it were,thorow the skie, tofiundftillox retire; the impetuous current of the raging fea to recoylejthe mercileffe flames of the himgry fire , to become a foft and refre/hingayre J the implacable fury of the moft enraged lions, to couch at firft word for his fervants fake and fafetie. Nay, if need be, he hath Caterpillers andFrogges, Wormes and Lice,cven the moft impo- tent ac^vileft vermine, to fetch bloud,and take down theheartbf the proudeft Tyrant upon earth, carry he his head never fo high ; to cate out the bowels of the bloudieft Nimrod^ or mfghtieft Monarch, that weares a crowne upon his head, if he oppofe his people. He hath the very (g) hands, and confciences of all that rife [f^^l'^J^^l up againft them,to bring their owne bloud upon their g^g fixJ ftoly of owne heads, and even Hell and extreameft horror GodspuniaimetCip. upon their hearts in this life. What then fo dreadftiU on Pcrfccutors,&c. afaceof prefent confufions,or fore-imagined formes ^f ^,,^^';\~"'' of fnturc troubles are able or ought,flavilhly to de;e(ft, ^ ^ ' ' and terrific, that holy heart, which with a fwect and fefercpofc is happily, and everlaftingly hid n^der the {h) Kvings of that mighty God ? Who for the delive- ^i,;Rmh 2. u. ranee of his, can workes pfaim.91,4, J By i.Wuhwcake.' JfffirftSiioKS for aright comforting Seft. I • j.Wnhweakc; j. By weake meanes, Seeliid.7. i, Sam. 14. Gen.' 14- i.Sam.iy. Iudg.4,2i,andp. 53. t Wid-out ^' Without meanes. See 2. Chron. 20. Exod. 14. siAga'iDftmcJnc!. Io(u. 6. 2.King. 19. 2.Chron. 14. . . 3. Contrary to meanes, See Dan. 5. 23. Ior.3. 1 S, Rc-f.».Thc Ctca- Dan, 3.25. 25. Jonah i.d.Iofu.io.u,! 3,14. mtcj noi'oncly- 2. When the heavenly beames of Gods pleafed countenance begin to breake out upon a man, thorovv the dark asd Hellifh mift of his manifold and hainous finnes, the unquenchable heat of His everlafting love thorovv Chrift diflblving them into nothing ; and fairely fliine with a comfortable afpedl upon His hum- bled Soule ; ipfo faBojZs they fay. Heaven and Earth, and all the Hofts of both arc everlaftingly reconciled unto him, and become his friends; theftormesand tempefts raifed by all the powers of Hell are prefently canno; bust it, but Calmed for ever doing him any deadly hurt. All the ^^^^ creatures then, pull in their homes, retyre their flings, . bite in their poyfon,fnib'd, and awed by thofe divine * impreffions of thcip Creators blefied image ftamped upon them by the Spirit of grace ; and dare no more • offer any violence or vexation to him (except upon particular difpenfation for his fpiritual good and quic- kening) then to the Apple of Gods ®wne eye. Heare the promife from Gods owne mouth : exf«<^ »'» that iiay I wtllm^ks ^ (covenant for them with the hfsff^s of the fie Id^ and rptth the fotvls of Heaven, andwith the creeping things of the gronndiand 1 viU'breake the borv^ nnifth€l,jjt,aUIio!i^h and the fveord,andthe hattell out of the earth, andwiU itb:c6ntr2r>.toih:ir ^:^l^^themto he downe fafe/y,UoL2, iS. Nay, they are lo tarre f ram chargmg their leverall ihngs upon the Saints, that they will change their very natures, ro do them f ervice. They will rather become an afto • nilhment and horror to the whole Creation,then they be hurt. How often have they fufpended and put off their native povver,and properties, for the protecflion An^i .'.^oad ofGo.fs people ? The very fca, that moft ra- ging Part I .Cap, 2 . AffliEifd ^ on, was content ro fatisBe the languilhiog foule with a miracle : the glafie rebounds again e, and comes fafc onto the ground ,which iKe Minifter having gotten into his h»ndi;(ayth»Oh repent of this finjblWTc Godfor hism:rcy,3nd never diftruHI him more cf his prcmife .for now^ave you His voycc from heavsn in a roitacle,telling you plaindy of your eftate.Thii was cuiionty,and might have brought defpairciyec it was the Lords mercy to remit thti B ftonej InflruSlions for aright comforting Se<3:. I» faulr and grant an extraordinary coKfirmatiunof her faith. Tmti* Gods arraigncmtnt of H>poctitcs,f or- faften his hellifh fangs upon their redeemed fouls. ''^ C H A P. 1 1. Three other Reafons proving the former Do^ine, Ilcaf.s.Iti prayers are 3 §m,M^!^k^k Efidcs all that Other exoellent,cona- verypowcrfuiJiwheie ^^^\^ pleatc, impenetrable armour of proofe mentioned, Ephef.6 »vjh\c\\ is able to beat backe vidoriouily all earthly oppofitions, and the ve- rie Ordnance of Hell, every one of Gods "Favourites is alio bleffedly fumiftied with a (m')Vtf^cailDi EccUf. mighty rpirituall (m) Engine, which is able to batter muru^iqui rumpi ton fof^t^mmmmum Jntoniufm»d*mor4bui qti'uim fofmidAbiU. Gb*yfD(l. T)e crando Deum /i.«. Deprecati$,atmaiurtlilm militmiVtl mumf»biiia hojitm mUia.ibiiiM . parti I . Cap . 2 . eAffH^ed ^orfcieKces. downeall the bulwarks of the Divell , to (hake the whole kingdome of darknefle, and all hellifh powers; nay, to oflFcr an holy violence to the very Throne of C«jGodhimrelfe:vvitne{fe,Hisrnoft mercifullincrea- ^ .^ , tmgMofes*To/ethtma/o»e,Exod.^i.lO. AsthoHgh 4 pncauo.ut m hmi. tfeemedfationoFaman , could binde as it were, I nn pttijtuemcnatmu fpeake it with lowlieft reverence to thai highefl Ma- <»^ «*"« cwmi, & jeftie, the hands of his Omniputency, from doing his ^"o^^'i'erypiumre'. people any hurt ; and were able to extinguidi that un- g^tscutt .epr^cat^ap, quenceable wrath in the conception, which once on \<^.npninh mines foot would burne unto the lowefi Hell^ andfet on fire taatumeft ifia pneaxi' the foundations of the Mount aine s : I meane that finitv'j.fedeta'mbeUu. (.) moftprecious,andalmoft.if notaltogether^mni- ^fi^^^l^^'^r^". potent Grace 01 Tray er^ Tnjs great M after of mira- dirj^mdeumipfa ibid^ cles hath wrought from time to time many and very * faundiliceniiam remarkable wonders both in Heaven and Earth. It quxrit ^ AUft, quifccit made the Sunne, that mightie creature, the Prince of ^f^^^^^Vf dT all the Lights in Heaven , to ftay and ftand /till upon mummcum Deo An^e- thefiidden,intheheatof his fwifteftcourfe: Itlanded lorum/upmt mak^t- /(j>«rfi& fafely upon the fhore, out of the bellieof the teffi»(>e pneaU 2, Whale,and bowels of the Sea: It drew refirefhing Jo'io«^>3* ftrcames out ofa drie bone, for the laving of fervca,/tf»»», IJ88 o InftrHSlions for a right comforting SeA . I ■ lifli Seas tofwallow up the Spanifh invincible Arma- do: And which is none of the Icaft wonders. It brought Prince Charles out o^Spaiue, A doubi concerning But you inftance, may fome fay, in extraordinarie the pcifons praying" examples of extraordinarie men, endowed with an extraordinarie fpirit. j$ rcmooTcd yet fure I am,they arc rcgiftred by the holy Ghoft, to reprefent unto us , and to all generations of the Church to the Worlds end, the Almighty and won- der-working power of Prayer. And I am as lure, that th€ Petitioners were mtn*fHl>je^ to tikepaffi9ns as we *Vl^Ui Av^9a'!iri(h aye. Perhaps, if thou bee a true-hearted Natha»''^«i/w: eftSong o^wiaoxy O death Tvhereu thy fiing ? In 2 ^'^Jl?CmZicqZ word. It can do all thmgs. ( d) AU things are fojjible q,udtt aliud tUU^at^ tohimthat heleeveth, centemnt pre me. Ecu * Fifthly, and laftly j and in a word Grace in its ctmtmpfiiiiy Parumtfi owne nature, beine the moft glorious Creature of r/> and in an higher proportion. For our vifiblc light doth (pring but from a finite and materiall Fountaine, the Sonne, it (elfe a creature : but the Spiritual! light, I fpeake of, flow^ immediately from the glorious face of the onely true , incomprchenfible and eternal . ., , ^ . * Light, the Sunnes creator, »?/»* dwelleth m the light ^^®l\\'^''^ *^* that no man can approach unto , and is an everlafting well-fpring of all Life and Light ; which it doth (b farre reprefent and rcfemble in Divine excellencie, and miphtinefle, that it thence receives by a lecret and facred mfluence, frefh fiiccelTions ftill of an infinite triumphant power, ^nd prevailing againft all fpirituall darknelTes for ever. Suppofe all the men that dwell within the compafle of our Hemifjihere (hould ad- drefle themlelues with all their wit and weapons, with all their power and policie to keepe backe that univerfall darknefle, which \^ Wont to feize upon the face of the earth at the fetting of the Sunne; yet by all this ftr^oDgandcombinedoppofition. they ft.9jdbut W^«^^^^^^ beat theayre : But now, upon the very firlt approach mmmrotmperufiae of that Princely light, but peeping up intheEaft, it u'dacomprehinGim'^re- would all flye away in a (e) moment, and vanifh into ti^nftrgetu dielj^^en- nothing. Semblably, if all the underftandings upon i'[\^*^^^l^t\^^^'* earth, and all the Angels in Heaven thould contribute cUtAmfi^Me&A. B 4 ^^V,wpi>' It InfirHEiionsfor a. right comforting Seft . I all their abilities , and excellencies to illighten with chearfulnefle and /oy , a guilty confcience furprifed fotnetimes with hellirh darkneffe and clouds of horror upon fight of finne, and fenfe of divine wrath ; yet all would not do, they fhould all the while, butwaQi a Blackamoore, as they fay : but now, let but the leaf! glimple of the light of Grace fliine into that fad and hcavie Soule, and it would farre more eafily and irre- (iftably cha(e away the very darkefl midnight of any fpirituall mifery, then the ftrongeft Summers Sunne, the thinnefl mornings mift . Give me, if you will,?«- das his heart , or Spiraes horrour j or a vexed fpirit tome and rent in peeces with the raging guilt o f both thofe wofull men ; and let that fuppofed rufull Soule^, weary of its hellifh burden, and thirfting finccrely for the waterofLife , but caftit lelfeupon the mercie, ^^^^r/' truth, and power of the Lord lefus, fo (weetly offer- *^^P.' ing himfelfe in that pretious fromife, Matth. 11.28. refolving to take him for an everlafling husband ; and ipfo fa^o, as they fay, it might be put into a very Hea- ven upon Earth. For this glorious grace of Faith, the Prince of all fpirituall light and lightfomenefTe in the truly humbled Soule, thus flied into fuch a darke and grieved fpirit, doth enkindle and fet on fhining all ("OFirfei t^ \n Chrifii- thofe (f) gracious heavenly Starres, that are wont to mManima fundamin- beautifie the hearts of holy men j hope, love, zeale, Tm7i'DeZZ'eT ^onne-like feare, humility, patience, felfe-denyall, uni- u.scettM ctixiffc vxftu- verfall obedience, fruitfulneffe in all good works , &c. tvn»n mt peinhet con- Which make them ( g) /tght itjelfe,X.o (h) tvalke in the fidennttm congruend- Ughf , towards the infinite and (i) unaj>proacha(?le «rnfmUmdm.^o ^ (^^ . ^^ therefore they never need to want light- a* lucent' (Ic vera v'lu lomenefle ; but have perpetuall pregnant matter of fpi tWiqute (fpe inpb^itU rituall mirth,and mightineffe of fpirit. adverfi w ■ 'S^rp vhrtui efl ftdiu^&bmo virtatum eafu.ldem fuper Cant-Sv m tiy. (e.)T^v^v Ghap. g Part. I. Cap. 3. Afflt^ed Conjeiences , 13 Chap. III. .^-^ Three f aire of infiances confirming the former T> 0- ^i»ai greatly dtflrejfed : for the people Jpake 9ffi0' Ttirtg Him, becaitfe the Souleofall the people rvai grie^ vedf every man for His fonnesf tind for HU daughters: Ifut David encouraged Himfelfe in the Lord Hii God, &c, ijobi flreogih. What a bitter Sea of unmatched mireries,did breake out upon bleffed loBy which with a fudden unexped- ed violence, bearing downe that Hedge of proteAion, which God had fet about Him, fthe raines purpofely letloofe by divine difpenfation to Sathans malice in the meane time j did fearfully overflow him to that height and horrour i that He ftands regiftred in Gods Bookd as an unparalled Inftance of extraordinarie fuf- (^:>yimoquifcium\n ^'erings and forrows; calamities and conflids ; to all uila Hi(i0m tot unt. fucceeding ages, no (<.j ftory bemg able to afford the ^e gyavibm trumnis like; The natnrall death of one dcare chiide , ftrikcs fimuiai^°^"\*™»' •• B^-^'^wasrobd of qntum (ucHrmuntt »i- al» • fo that It IS a Proverbe to this day. As poore as lob : quiquamfciiicettaatum Many wives are paifionatcjand peeviQi in time of pro - n^arortm firtmis. fperity, whofe hearts notwithftanding will melt in ^ivy/.jw MAittham.2^ compalTionjand kindenefle,over their husbands,in any ^ftcraStwpr^m! I 6> //« terrours in array again fi them ; and command the ^ 4 foyfon of his arrowes to drtnkjif their fpirit as loh com- plaincs : It is no ftrange thing, neither fliould it much move,but onely make us walke more watchfully , to he-are men of the world, and drunken Belials to belch oat from their rotten hearts upon the Ale bench fiich bafe (landers as thefe , Thefe Prefejfours for all their fayreJheweSydrecertainely dU ofthemnfftorioHS Hypo' critej. Tho they looke never fo demurely, they are not the men they are taken for, Cfc, But to have a Mans ncarefl, familis--, underftandingChriftian friends to charge Him with Hypocrifie, is a moft cruell cut to a troubledconfcience: And this was (. 1^,23, 24,2 5 . Oh that my uxcra afftCtHntiad roords yoere now written, oh that they were printed in ''^i'^VlZ.tTJ:^ a'Booke IThat'thejwere gravenwith anironvenand pobmM Mci'iaium tead,tn the rockefor ever. For I know that my Redee- conumpiimatque mer /ifeeth,^c.Ch^ip. i 3 . Though hejlaj me, yet will I fetverum cbr)j in Mai truft in him;did fo ftrengthen and flay his fpirit with a *'"'" 3+* divine mightjthat he bore valiantly, and flood upright under the heaviefl weight, and greatefl variety of ex* treame affliflions,that ever were laydupon any meerc Achltophili wcakncflc, man. But now on the other fide, the tyth, nay the ten hundred part o^Ioh troubles, cauledgraceleffc ^yfchi- tophellytofaddle his.A^e^get himfelfe home,pftt hit hou- jholdin order yand hang himfelfe. So true is that which the blcfTed Prophet tells us, ler. 1 7,5 ,^r. Curfed bee . the man, that trnfieth in man, and maketh fiepj his arme, andwhofe heart departeth from the Lord, For Hejhall be like the Heath in the defert, and Jhall not fee when goodcommeth ; but Jhall inhabit e the parched places in the fVtlderneJJe,in a fait land and not inhabited, Blejfed is the man that trufieth in the Lord ,and whofe hope the Lord is For heejhal be as a tree planted by the waters, and that ffreadethottt her roots by the river , and Jhall not fee when heat commeth,bHt her leaf e Jhall begrcene, ttndjballnot hee carefull intheyeare tf droHgnt^ nei- ther Part.l. Cap. 3. jifflt^edConfciences, 1 7 therjhallcea^efromyetlditt^ fruit. This impregnable comfort fpringing from grace, 3 i*'/^«'s ftrength. andagoodconfcience, even in evill times, did fteele ^^^'^,^Lt^f^g^ l„. thefpiritofbleffedZ^f^^r, with iuch fpiriruall float- [^eram tatMHto cun- neffcand fo hardened his forehead Ag^iin^ a world, nay ^ rum tdio & invldts, an horrible hell of moft reprochtul and raging oppofi- ««* totusptntmundm tions,thathebecamea Speaacle, a Miracle of r.ireft '^l^^l^^!^' Chriftian fortitude , and invincible courage to the torllllim mSttr whole world,andto allpofterity-.I am perfuaded,that ctrvkti [ubjMre nun holy truth of God, which he logloriouflyprofefl:, and miUe marui mubxiw that power of godlinefle, which heefo faithfully pra- rum^atfiJmconcUa- aifed^didinfufe into the heart of that Man as much '^'^^tlT^^^'Til;, unconquerablenefle of refolution, and tearelefnefTe of tfftpotHuimmopir thefaceofMan, as ever dwelt in any mortallbreaft, trigtnu ptm anno in fince the Apoftles time. Witneffe amongft the reft, "(uptrftw, iacdmU that one extraordinary expreffion of His incompara- «'=/'''''^«/i«« f "«'««*; ble magnantmitie : when his- friends were earneft, yejeiet bmims, qm and eager upon Him,not taventure himfelfe,amongft apem Marte debnUart a number of Per fidious Papifls, and bloud-thir ftie Ti- »«» pffa 1 « tandm gets ; He replyed thus : 9^s tenchincr mee, faith Hce, '^g^rdtcumbeniinieda, %ceIa^fentfor,Jamrefol.ed.an'k certainly deter. :;;:ZZI^" mined to enter JVormestn the name of the Lord fefm Chniioobdem.vit. Chrtfi \yea tho/tghlknewy there "were at many Divels Brighm.tnc.^. Apoc ioreftfimee, at there are tilet to cover the nonfes in Funommo vir mag- fVormes, This Man of God did upon the two Pillars %°J'"Z1lt^miTai»r of His Herokall heart, courage and patience, moft no- crbii^&qui Tot^Stu blyfuftaine tfee malice and hatred,aimoft of the whole adverfia ipjum csnjpi- world. The I>»'z/tfi5f,and theT(? did concurrently nmbMunumfeofpy countermine with all their, cmeltie, and cunning a- (^it- Bttcolc.chmtiug, gainftthisviaoriousa4«;^.'.;,ofHeaveii,andmi^^^ *jS'icftoVy of tie underminer of their dark and damned kingdomes. ^^^^j^, iuibir,^,S^9, Almoft all their Princes, Prieife, and people of Chri- ftendome, did breed and breathe out nothii^ but thoughts of indignation and threats of Death againft Him. Millions of lafic, andluftfullMonkes,having like ib manypeftilent Locufts of the infernall Pit, ftiz'd npon the face of Surofe, with their envenomed fwarmesj i8 InfirtiBions for a right comforting Se(Jl. I • fwarmes, and lying at eafe encloyftered in Sodomy and blond, gnafticd their teeth at Him with HellilK furie, and like true Fiends fpet fire in His face. And yet for all this, this holy Saint (which, I more admire, -camUifeceS-umscrl and prizehigher, than the vidories of a thoufand C*- btntii &om q'uerunt : f^^^t or the mod renowned valour of the grear^ft ayf- CMe MareyVttvmiiy lexander) having fo many incarnate Divels continu- mt fnaiattat byem. ally roaring about Him, with open mouth,ready every ^/^r^'Tl^?" houre, and enraged with implacable thirft todrinke \Armn. upHisbloua,and/M'-«//, never had mortall man fuch experience of Gods anger and hatred againfi him as I have,*- *Jf I could con- ceive but the lea/i Jparke of hope in my heart of a better ftate hereafter, I would not refufe to endure the mofl heavy wrath of the great God, yea for 2000 ^yeares , fo that at length I might attaine out ofmifery.^—-'~-Hee profe^ed that his pangs were fuch ,04 that the damned ffiights in Hellindure not the like mifery: That hk ftate •moi worfe than that of Cain and ludas, and therefore dejired to dye^ that God wtuld let loofe his fjand from J 9 InftruUions for aright comforting Sedl.i from mey artdthat it were with me now, 04 in times pafi , Iwouldfcornethe threats of the mofi cruell Tyrants, henre torments with invincible refolution, and glory in the outward frcfefpon of Chrifiy till I were choaked in thejiame, and mj body turned into ajhes. Chap.IIII. Afrfi ufeofthe former *T)oBrine far exhortation i to. flore uf heavenly comforts in our hearts. Two conji- derations which prejfe this exhortation upon tis , I. Vfc. Treafore up yfes j . ^^^^y©^^F it befo then, that an heaven- rpiritu.ll corofons ^S^H Iv hoard of graccgood confci- ^^^ l^^g cnce,Oodsravour,&c, happily treafured up while it is called Today, hath the lole, and fa- cred property,and priviledge, to bold up our hearts, in times ofhorroun inabling us in the meaae time patiently, and profitably to matter ' all miferies, pafle thorow all perfecutions, conquer all Commers; and at length by the helpe of God, to pull the very heart, as it were , out of Hell ; with confi- dence, and triumph to looke even death, and the Di- vellin theface,andto ftand with boldnefle , before the terrour of the laft Day,like an unmoveable Rock, when the Sonnes and daughters of confufton , who h^veflept inharvejt, and mifpent the gracious Day of their vifitation , fhall intreat the mountaines, and Rocks to fall upon them ; I fay, it being thus, let every one of us Mkt Sonnes and daughters of wifedome, in this fhort Som mers Day of our abode upon earth, and in this glorious Sunne-fliine of the Gofpell , and pretious feafons of grace, imploy all meanesj^improve all opportunities, to gather in, with all holy greedi- nefle. part I ,Cap.4 . AffiiEied C^nfciences, 2 1 ncffe, and treafure up abundantly much fpintuall {Irengtk and lafting comfort againft the evill Day, To which, let us be quickened, by fuch confide rations as thefe : I. This wire,and happy trealuring up, of heavenly hoards, and comforts of holinefle aforehand , will diftrafeT^" ^^^ fweetly mollifie, and allay the bitternefie, and fmart, of that heavinefle and forrow ,* of thofe fearefull a- mazements, and oppreffions of fpirit, naturally inci- dent to times of trouble, and fcare, which ordinarily cfo very grievoufly fting,and ftrike thorow the hearts of carnall and fecure World ings, with full rage, and the very flafhes, and fore- taftes of Hell. Of all other palTions of the Soule, ladnefle, and griefe grates mofl: * upon the vitall (pirits ; dries up fboneft the frefheft marrow in the bones; and moft fendbly fiickes out the pureft,andrefinedfl:bloudinthe heart. All the Ob- jeds of lightfomeneffe, and joy, are drowned in aa heavy heart, even as the beauty of a Pearle,is diffolved invineger. Now the onely Cordiall, and Counter- poyfon againft this dampe of light-heartednefTe, and Cut- throat of life, is the fecrec fweetnefre,and Qiining pleafure of that One fearle of great f rice j three orien t TiycswkQrcoiiHTtrfghteoftfKeJfe and peace, and joy itt Math.rg.4^, the holy Ghofi treafur'd up in the Cabinet of a good Rotr.14.j7. conlcience. The glorie, pretioufneile , and power of ^^*'l'"'«44« which hidden treafure, purchafcd with the fale of all finne, doth many times fliine fairelieft upon the Soule, in the faddeft times; infpires for the moft part into the hearts of the owners, the greateft courage , and con- ftancy of fpirit even in the day es of adverfitie,and vex- ation ; inables them todigeft, and beare without any great.woundjorpaiTion thofe croffes, and cruelties, which would breake the backe, and ctuQi the heart ot the ftouteft Temporizer. Was there not a great deale ©fdiflPcrence thinkeyou, betwixt the heart of H^-^*?- jf,^ .g^ kiahy who hadvpalked before Godin truth , and with a C ferfe^ ^2 InflruHiottsfor aright comforting Stdi, i ferjeEi hearty when He heard the news of death from Pj^^ j the mouth ofthe Prophet ; and the heart ot BeljhAK.- Kjiry when hee faw the hand-yvrmng upon the wall, ' Give mee a great man, who carries away , the credit and current ofthe times jwith all bravery,and triumph wallows, and tumbles himfelfe in the glory and plea- fures of the prefent : Throw Him from the tranfitory top of His heaven upon earth, upon His laft bed: pre- fent unto His eye at once the terrible pangs of approa- ching death; the ragefiill malice ofthe powers of Hell; the crying wounds of His bleeding confcience j the^ griefely formes of His inHumerable finnes j His finall farewell with all worldly delights ; the pit ©f fire and Brimftone, into which Hee is ready to fall : And I tell you true, I would not endure an houres horrour of His wofiill heart, for His prefent Paradife to the worlds end. But on the other fide, let me be the man, whom the corruptions of the time confine to obfcuritie, who mournes in fecret for the horrible abhominations, and crying finnesj that raigne amongftus, who thinkes that day beft Ipent, wherein Hee hath gathered moft fpirituall ftrength , againfl that laft, and foreft com- batc ; and by the mercies of God, and humble dcpen- dance upon His omnipotent arme, Iwill looke in the face, the cruelleft concurrence of all thole former ter*' rors, with confidence and peace. a.Tal'eawayaJlpaffi 2. Secondly, By this fpirituall hoarding of comfor- onase dificinpcrs. table provifion againft the Evtll day, we may prevent a great deale of impaticncie , dependance upon the j4rrne offlejh^ bafe feares, finkings of heart ; unmanly dejeclionsof ipirit, defperaterelolutions, and many pafTionate diftempers of fuch raging and diftracfled nature, which are wont to feize upon , and furprife, unholy and unprerared heartsjwhen the Hand of God ishcavie upon them. How bravely and Heroically did patient loh beare and breake thorow, a matchkfle varieti* and extremitie of calamities and conflicts? The "part. I . Cap. 4. ^ffli^ed (^onfciences. 2 3 The foftefl: ot whofe fufterings would have ftrucke full cold to the heart of many a Carnahft, and made it to dye wichin Him like a ftone as Nabals di J. One of the leaft, the lofle oF His goods , I am perfvvaded, would havecaufed many covetous Worldlings to have layed violent and bloudie hands upon themftlues. For inftance: Ahttofhel , ondy becaufe the glorie of his ftate-wifedome was obfcur'd , and overtopt at the Councell-board,/^^/^^ His 4jfeygi:tre Him Home^ put His houfhold in order, and hanged Himfelfe. The one- ly caufe of His fainting in the day of difgrace, and dif^ acceptation was His faUe, and rotten heart in matters of Religion. While the Crowne fate with fecuritie, and fafetie upon Davids head ; He walked with Him as a companion unto the Houfe of God. But when the winde begun to blow a little another way , and upon (tAbfeloms fide, like a true Temporizer , He fol- lows the blaft, and turnes his fayles according to the weather, /^nd therefore His hollow heart, having made the Arme of flelh his Anchor, and a vanifliing Blafe of honour His chiefeft bleffedneffe , fhrinkes at theveryfirft fight, and fiifpition of a tempefl, and finkes this miferable Man into a Sea of horrour. But now on the coatrarie : what was the caufe, that loh heart was not crufht into pieces , under the bitter concurrence of fuch a world of crofTes, of wh ich any onefeverally wasfiiA'cient tohave made a Man ex- treamely miferable? The true reafbn of His patient refolution, amid fo many prefTures, was the fpirituall riches. He had hoarded up in the time of His happi- nefTe. Amongft which the divineft, and dearefl /ew- cU lay nearcft unto Hi- heart , as a counterpoyfon, to the venome and fling of the Divels deadlieft malice. I meane a found and flrong faith in lefiis Chrifl, the Lamb e Jlaine from the beginning of the tvorld : which now began to fhine the faireft in the darkeft Mid- night of His iHiferies ; and i weetly to dart out many C 2 heavenly M Irtfirn Bionsfor a right comforting Se tefimiferie.xhty'hy.to have beene happie. The other was that, which moft nettles a generous nature. Hec being a Man of (o great hon* ur and worth ; whofe rare, and-insomparable wifedome , even the Princes and iVo^/?/ adored as it were with afecret, and (ilent admiration, as appeares Chap. 29.^.10. was iiow contended of the moft contemptible. The children of fooles^and the children oj bafe men'^ that were viler than the eartk, make hifu tlieir fcng , and their By- ypord. Chap, 30.8. 9. For when true noblencfle, and worth is downe, and any one of the Lords Champi- ons dej'cded , it is ordinate with all thofe dunghill difpofitions,tp whom Hisiincenrie was an-^S^j^-fore; His power and authoritie, areftraint to their lewd- neffe; the glory of His vertues, fewell to their envy; to runncasa Ravtn to the falkn Sheep.e, topickeout His eyes ; I meane-, which yet taftes of a truly co- wardly, and mercik-fle conftitution, to wound his very wounds, andto vexe his vexations.This was lobi cafe, Butwhat now minifters comfort to lobs heart, a- ga^nft thefe corrofives? Evea confcioufnefTe «f His graces^ Pare I .Cap. J . AffliEled (^onfciences. ^ y graces, and integrities treafur'd up, and exercifde in tliedayesof His peace. He reckons up fourteene of them, Chap. 3 1 From confideration hereof, Hee ga- thers, to wards the end, this triamphant refolution a- gainfl the foreft of hislufferings : f-prouideveM cr«WMe mine head with the bitterefi inveSlive of my greatefi odverfAry: whence it is cleare, that the two potent pillars ot/o^/ftrong and ftrange patience, which all generations will admire to the worlds end, were a found faith,and thefan<^ified fruits thereof, prepared and pradifcd in the time of his profperity. Chap. V. A third conJtderHtion }r effing the former exhortMton defended againfi Machiavels Pofttien, Hirdly , by fore provifi^n of ,.Makeu, grace out Gods favour,grace, good con- prefeffioa. fcienccjand luch fpiritual ftore, we fh all bee able worthily to grace, and honour our pro- fcflion ; truely to CBoble, and winnea great deale of glory and reputation to the State of Chriftianitie *. when the ambitious Rufflers, and boifterous Nimreds of the World (hall fee and ob- ferve. that there is a gratious invifible vigour, and ftrengtJi of Heaven,which mightily fupports the heart ofthetrueChriflian inthofe times of confufionand fearc, when theirt/hall be like the heart of a woman in her pangs,a nd fallafunder In their breafts,even like drops ofwater. IhsLtUeis zs hid as a Lytn, andun- mooveablelike Mount Z^J?ozwtf fpeakcstothcpcoj)l€ of . , Antioch like himfelfe,a Man of an invincible fpirit, a- AdfoptdmMmh gainftthetyrannicsofhistiincs:/« this, faythHce, ^**' fboftldagrAcioHi diferfrpmagrAeeleffeman, that bee fhonldbeare hii crones couragiouflj \ andsu it i^ere, vith the wings ofFdith, oHtfoare the height of aU bn- m/tnemiferies. Hee fb^uldbee lik£ m M.9ckS9 beeing »»• corf orated intoltSiS Qhn^yinexfugHdbUy andunfha^ kenwiththemofifnpioMs incftrfionsof thewdvet atfd formes of worldly troubles, fr enures tutd ferfeimions. And blefledbeeGod, that even beercupon earth, in this vale of teares, there is fiich a vifiblc and , vaft dif» ference,betwixt a wicked and godly man. The one ii like the raging fea that cannot rdft : the other ihndff fall like a Rocke,whichlhall never be removed. An umegenerate heart is ever reillefle, commonly in thefe three regards at the Icaft : Hrft, by reaion of an cndlelk,and unlatisiiable appetite aher pleaiiires, ri- cbes,honours,revenge,or what other Darling delight Ix hath iingled out,and jmade fpeciall ehoyce of to UA-^ low. Part. I .Cap. 2. ttAffiBed Confciences. 27 low, and feed upon with grcateftcontcntmcnt, and /cnfuall (wectnefic. God hath iuftly put that proper- ty ,or rather poifon in^o all earthly things doted upon» anddcfiredimmoderatly, that they fhall plague the hcart,which (o purlues them ; by filling itftill with a forious and frefli (upply of n ore grccdincflc, /ealoa- fie«, and many miserable difcontentments : fo that they become unto it, as drinke unt« a man in a drop- fic,or burning Feaver, ferve onely to inflame it with new heate,and fiery additions of inlatiablc thirft, and inordinate longings . Secondly, bccaufe of the many fecret grumblings,and dinging reclamations of a gau- led confcience againft its prefent guilty courfcs , and forbidden pleafures. Thirdly,in re(ped of a continu- al! ebullitioH,as it were.of confiifed and contrary lufte out of the empoyfoncd Fountainc of originall corrup- tion,which fill it with many damnable diftradions, and tumultuations of Hell. But now, if befides this inward boyling, it bee alfb toffed with outward trou- bles, what a miferable creature is a carnall man ? E- venastheSea,if befides iis internall agitations; by the reftlefle motions oiEfluAtio»,de/cennoH,revolHti' •», and reflelfion; it bee alfo outwardly turmoyled with ftormcs and tempeftuous winds. How ragefiili and roaring will it bee ? but the other is like a (trong unmovcable mountaine , that (lands impregnable a- gainftthe rage of windc and weather. And all the cruell incurfions, and ungodly oppofitions made a- gainlt it, either by men or Divcls,are but like fo many proud,andfweUing waves, which da(h themfelvcs a- •ainft a mighty Rocke. The more boyfteroufly they beat againft it, the more are they broken, and turned into a vainefoame and froth. Come,what come will. His heart i? ftillin his breall:, and Hisrefolution as high as Heaven. Peftilent then is that Principle qf yl/<«rit/f/,a fellow not to bee named, but byway of deteftation, and favours rankely of curfed Athcifme; C 4 whereby iS InftrH Ehionsfor a right comforting Se//'/dw«//iW'//»- •of Antichrift, with a vaft degeneration from primitive P'"^ unqHmful'i'vli. purity and power, Chriftian Religion,though empoy- foned with Popifh fuperftition,yet did io farre infpire ub-i.Thetr.-^. it's Warlike Profeflours with extraordinarie (pirits, * Th'r F.x;>edition,i that in point of manhood they did wonders-, to the corf.iTc, wasadcvife aftonifhmentofthewhole world, and all fucceeding ;^f,;"'XTc'by Hec Ages.* Godfrey of BuHoigne, that famous VVarriour, „°^hrcomeiobein. with his followers, conquered in lefle than foure f.oftivUn the Kr,g- yeares, all the goodlieft Provinces of Afia , and drave c'osncs of chriftian ©utthe Turkes, In that dreadfull and cruell conflid J'':*"^"- \l ^';-|^ p , ^ , 1 • ^,r ■ ^ His Pitt ihicproieaT in *io/(7z«<7»^ Temple, as himfelfe reports m a letter to ^.sp.ft.ier.t. AsK. -go/;re'ved,in^,is/2<- ron.pag.i66. Vox ncwe the fpsct of JOo. yercJ, She,mc5nin? Rotn^m^dc the torcc and- flourc of the WoTjd tofall by miilions, in the fooliih Conqueft <^hru(a tm. ForDU up. on the Revelation. Chip i8. The zeah of the Holy Land, w.^i ihePop^i orduiary co lourto conjure the ftormei r^vfedbythe Empcrours, and in lending tbem tar.ca^. 6lo. c/esi. 3 o Jnfiru^ioHS for 4 right eomforting Seft. I cles. At that terrible and bloudy battcll at AfcMon^ as moft report, they flew an hunared thoufand Infidck, &c. The valour and vidories of Hnnmndet ^ whofc mighty fpirit, and incredible courage,for any thing I know, have no parallell in any precedent Story, were fo great, and did like a violent tempefl:, and impetuons torrent (b batter and beate downe the enemies of C c) AppeliatM eft ful- Chrifi, that He was rightly reputed the (c) BulwArke minm terror Turcarum o( Eftrope, and thundring terror of the Turk/; amongft 5"'^ ?!7 »"'""''''* "^ whom HfJKame became fodreMdfuUythztzs the Story quit.Mhivomm, fed W reports, thejfufed the fame to fesre thetrcrytng totim reliqua Europe children with/tM. Hee fought {e) five times with the murtmiCummmvir- Turkes upon one day, and five times foyled and put tm&ftiicita»tyranno. them to flight : f with the loOe of three thoufand, SS mllKx- He killed that valiant Viceroy of Aria,^e/?/^/ ^4/4, uttdam jlumtmcart 5. with Hisfonnc, and twenty thoufand Turkes moe: (d^Hift.of ihc Turk* (g) at that famous battell of Vafcape , wherein he got pag.x6^. tgg greateft vidory that ever any Chriftian Prince be- cllrJllullTlul ^°^^ ^^^^ ^^^ obtained againft the Turki(h Kings, tecongrcg'uiy qtt'wque with fifteene thoufand Souldiers, Hee overthrew ji' vidtrm ptrtit, vc. ifedin Bajfa, fent againft him moft ragingly, by reafon Car./. 5. of a late (hamefull lofle , accordmg to Amuraths in- (i )TmarH vlgenti mil ftfudions, by thejlauahter of the Hunaarianf^to facri^ (ircitcrmmadeftdi.-a' fi^'^^»f'> ^^^ Ghofts of their dead frtends and eovtpanf i^'^^^» f""'*^ "«'/'« fcornc,anaisthegrcateft, andcrHelleft fcourgeof it, T«/^''''«f «'"'»«'" 'f.^ that ever the Eartlbore.Andbefides,thatthe!«;ido:'^«^S£74:c ^ ^ . . . , ^ , tnim pr'mum tteltr* tpmHy uruftps d- mtma tvm barbsrt tyranldia; cuJM tthvl difolvemurprorfuij & pud* dsmitr,fopqitm a Htm* nef^m fctlmbtu fuprtm inumiciotie eiui Chriftianm irbit expiaiutfu- mt,utApccM^pfisflMmfacit.Btighim,Epin.T>siic.. (n) Ex quibiu lues clariui conftat. qimt tx 9ccidentahbuimcMfa/untmiferrimxhmk4(alMmitMtucxTuxcis,vbl enim reptrimm haw Idololiiriain / Eqmdtn Protcftantc$,»/ v.Mfl/,^i^ reformat* EcdcGx tuUufn omem,vtn('> mmm&faermhonoTtm Wai^xTaxmaiinftroinUiwuHtyUndeprimm vtnit. Ertoilla.qu* ftfOat CatboLEcd c»}m capm tji Romanm Pontifex,(tt;«a umphfulgtm aurei$,argenici«, ft wicis I mag imbut. Imm que mc lapid U Tj^annU fint ullo mgo tionoji'udeirusliiurininftrntimynccqia'^Mam m Ultyt mtiueadum unquom etitahtdlii em re- /i^ajs.ldcmin cap.1S.verl.19. latry of the Romifli Church moft principally and with fpcciall curfe, blafts , and brings to naught all undertakings of the Chriftian world againft that wic- ked Empire ; the pradife alfo of fome peftilent Prin- ciples proper to that Man of finne hath plagued the mofthopefullenterprifes inthiskinde. Forinftance: The King ofi Hungary, by the helpe ofHunniadesyVj^L^ in a fa ire courfe, and for wardnefle, to have tamed,and taken downe, nay to have for ever cruflit , and con- founded the infolency and ufurpations of that raging Nimrod;b\xtt\\tn comes in the Pope with a beaftly trickeand utterly dafhes and undoes all. For He, out of His Luciferian pride, by the power ©r rather poy- lon of that Ancichriftian cut-throat PofitioH j Of keep' ing no oathy nor faith, with Infidels, and Heretickl, un- happily undertook to {h^S abfblve Vladifiaw the King, rbitn eoncia (lon,ha • ^^^ the reft whom it dicl concerne, from that folemne »ing much fpokcn, oath for Confirmation of a concluded peace, taken of Cojcanin?: ulxn ihc Him, Upon the Holy (c) Evangclifts ; and of ftAmU" Sorii'."a^d''^GW '*'*^'^' ^y ^^^ EmbafTadours, upon their Turkifh Alca- «lirgIe.uBi(bair,H« ron- Whereupon they refolutely breake the league; in his name difanul- Taife a great Armie prefently, and againfl their oath, ed the League what- and promife fet upon the Turke with perjury , and ^^^j"'- u' |'^"J^'?^ per fidioufndreaccompanyed with Gods curfe, expo- Tnd aWolved Him! ^^d the Chriftian partie to a moft horrible overthrow with thfc reft whom It in that (<:/) bloudy battell of Varna ^ and caft upon might conpetn, from thc Profefllon of Chrift, fuch an afperfion,and fliarae, thcoaifeibeyhadgi- that not all the bloud of that rope of Popes , which S had m'S^fl- conftitute Antichrift, could ever be ablcto expiate. Yjdftht r«rij,p*29i Look upon the Story, and confider what a reproach (c) pr(t(iitum i^ ab u traquep:irtejuraf»entMm;Cbri(ikau quidtpt libra Evangeliorum,Turcii vtr» codiei Mcoranif&» gim inter ]t(r(mduvt impaneitibui Chrun.BucoIc pag.701 . (d) CertMtHtn eft tolas aksjM^itf- que tres^diu fortmit ancipiti,fcd lanto ammofum ardort ytrmq-j tantsqite iv>pet»,ut c^forumftM- gttlne tatfipl fia^narintt Car. J«5. and Part.I. Cap.^ , ^ffltSledConfciences, 35 and inexpiable ftaihe doth reft upon the face of Chri- ftian Religion, by this wicked ftratagemmeofPopifh treachery, and that even upon record to all pofterity : Vox rimfione, and the rivers Burning fitch ; where they fliall meet with whole Armies of tempeftuous and fiery plagues , and the envenomed Arrows Part. I. Cap. (5. AjfiiEiied Confciences, 35^ Arrows of Gods unquenchable anger, {hall fticke faft for ever in their Soule and fiefli ; where they (hall ne- ver more fee tbe Light,nor the Land of the living,bMt be drowned ineverlafting perdition,in the Lake,even a boyling Sea of fire and brimftone , where they can fee no banke, norfeele no bottoine. What will thefe Jleepers in Harvefi fay f when they (h^iW be awaked at that dreadfull Houre out ot their golden dreames, and in their hands fliall finde nothing; but the judgement of God growing upon their thoughts as an impetuous ftorme, death (landing before them anrefiftable , like an armed Man ; finne lying at the doore like a bloud- houndj and a guilty confcience gnawing at the heart like a Vulture? When they {hall lye upon their lad Beds, like wi/de Bulls in d-net^ as the Prophet (peakes, full cf the wrath of God^fayingy in the morning, ypould Godifuvere Even : and at Even ^ •would God it were M.orntng^for the feare of their heart , yvhereypith they JhaU fear e, and for the fight of their eyes , which they JbaUfee, I fay, in what cale will they be then? Then, But my words do bile me here, and fo doth my con- ceit. For as none knows the fweetneffe ofthe Spoufes kilTe, but the Soule that receives it; fo neither can any one conceive this damned horrour, but He that fufFer» it. The Lord of Heaven in mercy awaken them in the meanetime, with the piercing ?/??/z«^fr of His facred Rcv.«4*i' and faving Word, that they may be happily frighted, and fired out of their amazed Soulc-murdering floth, before they feele in -Hell, thofe fearefiill things, wefo faithfiilly forewame them of. To roule them out of this cruell carnall fecur ity, let them entertaine into their mofl; lerious thoughts fuda confidcrariens as thcfe s Confider, I. Why thou cameft into this werld. There is not ,^ vvby 'bey fsme fomuch as one Age pa ft , f!nce thou laye{l hid in the intoihii WoiU, loathed ftate of being nothing. Above five thoufand yeares 36 JnjirHElions for a right comforting Seft.i yeares were gone, after the Creation , before there * Po/«/? T>etti facere wasany newesot Theeatall. And thou mighteft ne- ' multa^ qMnonfacit : ver have beene ; God hath .'no need of Thee; Hec iwmo'mmfinkumu'tra gave Thee a B ef ng only out of His ownmeerboun- mnia^qu^unquamfa. ^j ^ , Infinite millions llvaU never bee, which rjuenonmodojecundum might have beene, as well as Thou: Gods omnipoten- indtviduasnrumratif cie is equally able and adlive to have produced them MSjledftiam/tcundum as Thee : And no parts of that vaft Abyfle ofNa- jpiiifi((u,&genericasy iA/»^, can pofTibly make any refiftance to Almichti- atqui adeo fmpluuer ; «^ f j J fa rrobn-urqm ultra qu€ And befides bemglo, that Thou muft needs have cunq, fa£ia , fum dia a being, there is not any Creature,that ever ifliied out pefjibiiiafine uUo fine ofthe hands of God, but thou mightefl have beene ^c.Grcg dcValcnt that, either for the kiride , or for the particular. All is One to Him, to make an Angell, or an Ant i To cre- ate the brighteft Cherub ,. or the moft contemptible Flie : For in every creation, no leflfe than Omnifoteney muft needs be the Efficient,znd no more than Nothing is ever the OhjeEl, Now what a miraculous mercie wasthis, thatpafling byfuchan((7j unnumbred va- adio mnqum (ft ita riety of incomparably inferiour creaaires. He fliould vdida,&mten(a,qum make Thee an everlafting Soule like an Angell of 'f'J'Vtt' "^ God,capableofgrace,andimmortalitie;ofincorpo. irafe fiunqui tmpo. ^^tiori mtochrift , and fruition or fehovA, Himfelfe tenKragitiqttinfivei'tt blefled for ever? Nay, and yet fiirther, though thou pottmm eperari p ftt, wafl to have thebeeing of a reafbnable creature ; yet ^.RefptBu Obieaornm ^j^gj-g ^^g ^q^ a„ homz from the firft moment of time unto the worlds end , but God might have allotted that to The for thy commihg into this world. And therefore Thy time might have beene, within the ^ compaf!e of all thole foure thouland yeares, or there- "r;r4r^"™ '^n- *nl' CKationumUl the commingof mur, qu'm pejfitpiura Chrifl m the flefh; when as all without the Pale, and operariy fivelit' Alft. Lib. I. Thcol. N^f Cap. ij. (o) Mifcregoinqttaa'um deberem diligere 'Deumme- um, quime fecU^cumtion cu»i ?■ NoaenimeratHi & de ftibila fecit me >. non arbotem, MM avtmy uttMliqMi de ammaiibiu bruiisy (ed hominem me voluit ej}e : dedit mibl v'mre, fcnun^ ^di(wntrt. Auguft.Iib.Dc Contrinonc cordis. Partition Tom«i. Djfp.^.q.ay punft ?. PottntiaDei tli infinha ir'ibm modii, t.liaturafut, & pet' feyquia e(i ipfamet tfftn iladivinayZ' RtfptSlu a£fisnii,qiia agit aut a- gtrepou^. Hae twm in qiueextendituTy^ a- gir^pcteH qudi infinita funt : feu qmd idem < /? , refptffu efftCluum^qim p^ttfip oducerC' Nam Partition-wall, were without the Oracles and Ordi- nances of God, and all ordinarie meanes of falvation: Orfince the Golpell revealed, under the reigne of ^mi'Chrifi-j And then a thouland to One, thou hadft beenechoakt, and for ever peri fht in the damned mifts of hii> Divelli(h Dodrines. What an high ho- nour was this, to have thy birth and abode here upon earth appointed from all eternitie in the very beft and bleffeddeft time; upon the faireft Day of peace, and which is infinitely more, in the moil glorious Light of Grace , that ever flione from Heaven upon the Children of men? And i^o of the place ; Be it ibj that Thou muft needs be in this golden Age of the Gofpel, and gracious Day; yet thy lot of living in theworld at this time might ha velighted(for any part ofthe earth, might have received Thee, where Thou couldfl: have kt but thy two feet) amongft Turks,Pagans, Infidels, a whole World to (^j Chriftendome : Or if thine ap- pearing upon Earth, muft neceffarily bee within the )tl^'^^^^^^^ confin|sofChriftcndome; yet Thou mightefl: have ^^^^ ^ri^ij* habuabm fprungupinthePopifli parts of it; or in the ichifinati- Cbnfi^nommdtdmt ? call, orperfecuted Places of the true Church in it. Jt SufFra coUcg. p- 23; wasaveryfingular favour; That thou ihouldefl bee ^^''a'^/J^^nTfilt'are berne, and bred, and brougbt up in this little negled- noKucha/chr?- ed Nooke of the world,yet very illuftrious by the pre- ftjan. BunonofMeian- fence of Chrift in a mighty Miniflry;where thou hafl, cbolfypag.y 17 or mighteft have enjoyed in many Parts thereof the glorioHi Go If ell of our lie fed God, and all faving Truth with much purity aad power- Now put all thefe to- gether, and tell me in cold bloud, and after a fenfible andferious ponderation thereupon, Doeft thou think, that all this adoe was about Thee, all this honour done (c)2{eq',pmiei'ea cruu unto Thee, and when all is done , Thou art to do no- tifumia^ uttiiremust thing, but (ceke Thy felfe , ferve Thine owne turne, a'.q\bibtrmm, vcfteq-, and liveienfuaUy ? Cameft Thou out of iVof/;/»ir into tegeremur, fed ut pirn- this world to do j«ft nothing, but (c) eate,and drink, ':::::^^^^^,, and lleepe ; to game, go in the faihion ; and play the incs-#.Mat.Honi,2a D good « litftrnBionsJer a right comforting Seft.I :c. If any after fo muck iUightnmg,be fo prodigioufly mad, as to continue in (uch a conceit , I have nothing to fay to Him, but leave Him as an everlafting Bedlam, aban- doned to that folly,which wants a name to exprefle it. Turne then thy couriefor {liame,nay,as Thou haft any care to be laved, and to fee the glory of the«m' feru- falem j as Th©u defireft to looke the Lord fefw in tVie face with comfort at that great Day ; as Thou feared to receive thy portion in Hell-fire with the Devill, and His Angels, even moft intolerable and bitter tor- ments for ever and ever: 4t Uaft in this thy day, in this heat and height of Thy fpirituall Harveft, awak« out ohhy fcnfuall fleepe, come to thy felfe with the ^ro- dtgall ; ftrike upon thy thigh : and for the poore re- mainder of a few, and evilT dayes, addrcffe thy felfe with refolution, and conflancy to purfue the One ne- cefarie thing , and to trealure up much heavenly flrength and flore agaijift thine ending houre. Get thee under confcionable Meanes, and quickning Mi- 3iiflery , aud there gather graee as greedily as the moft griping V/urer grafpet^h gold : contend with an holy ambition,as earneftly for the keeping of Gods favour, and an humble familiarity with His heavenly High- nefle by keeping faith and a good confcience , as the proudeft Haman for an high Place, and pleafed face of an earthly Prince. And why not infinitely more? This was the end,for which thou waft lent into this world j This onely is the way to endleffe bliffc. And this alone •will helpe us ajud hold out in the EviH day. ^^^^ Part I, Cap. 7' AfpEied C<^nfciences. ^^^ Chap. VII. Afecond and third conjiderationfor the admonition cfthofe ypho are carf/efje. »Hat,upon the little ynch of rime in '• ."^^'f *^*^' °"^^* thislite, depends the length »nd l^jrKfe" "°" breadth ot all eternity in the world ' to come. As we behave ourfelues 1^* »''» would fit here, wee fliall fare everlaftingly ,t!!,"t\ '"? "111? hereafter. And tnertore how ought buc for one hal-s wc to ply this moment, and p^izethat eternitie.* To houre, and confider decline all entanglement in thofe inordinate aflfed:!- tHi^rcrioufly: I have onstothepoffeffions, and pleafures ot the Trefent, but a very little time __t- . 1. V c 'CM- ^ c- ^L L rL ro live here; It tsati- which hinder a fruitmll improvement ot ir, to the beft oj^gp pi^j^^ ^herc i advantage for the Ipirituall good of our Soules; Let us muft live ihorow all be moved withfuch reafonsas thefe, which may bee eternity : as I fjjcnd colleded from the words of a worthy Writer, which 5^;* ^""[^ "™5>^° ^'^ runne thus with verie little variation :* i .IfweconU jr' Tc!h5?«lr!!J.? ajford ourjelues but Jo much leajure Xi to confiaer^That rowly confiderei , I hetvhichhathmo^ inthevforldyhath^in re^eEl of the wonder that any rvorldy nothing in it : and that he rehich hath the lougefi thin ^ (houid take op time lent himto live in it, hath yet no proportion at all tic lotcmions , and therein Jetttngtt enher by that whtch u pajti when tve hgjff ^ but oncly to y^erff not ; or by that time in which wee Jhali abide for makefurc hisCiIvstlo evtr :IJay, if bothy to witt oftr proportion in the world. The little point of and oftr time in the world differ not much from that jj'"?^^"^*'" ^^'* which u nothing\it is not out of any excellence of under- ^^^ duration *"&orc /4W>»^, faith Hee, but out of depth of tolly, fay I, it^erto the etcrni^ that we fo much pruce the one, which hath (in ejfe^) no following it : It as ireing : and fo much negleSl the ether, which hath no en- tlw«torc moft fir,aiid Mng: covetinct the mortaX things of the world, Ai if out \^^ . wi^edomc to r, ^1 ^ , . . S/ / t a- t r 'P'-'J^d If, were it ten itouLef were therein immortally and negletttng thoje cimcj longcr,tn thafc th^gs which are immortally as if ovr felues after the conifej, whic'i raay may make the everla- fling rime to comcjendlcflc and un-uttcrably comfortable unto us. * i. The longeft li^ cr,isbuc oflhortcontinuanc&i *P 2 world 40 Infiruclionsfor a right comfartif*^, Se<^. j a. That cmic p-aft o{ vporld were hut wortAll. 2. Let adverfity feeme what •our lie is \o^> it rcill ; to hapfj men, ridiculoui^ roho make themfelves R it be fojThat t'^cre ^gf.yy ypith other mens miferies ; and to thofe under the w no o.ftcicnc': /t arievoHi ; t? r r^i^ zi? f r«^, That for all that is pall. fpcdofpains &plc^- tothe very tnjtanty the forttonsrematntng are e^uau.ta lures, bccwccnetbu either^ For heit,thatwe have livedmany yeares, and f.liow, which barb ^according to ^ye^/ow^w) in them all, vve have r^r;*?^^^^?'. w:iiio\ved»il his liU' ^^ ^^-^ ^^^^ ^^ ^^^^ meafured the fame length of time, 1 I aid Him ' who **"" therem have evermorejorroroed : jet looking backe hath been cxe'rcifcd from eur 'pre fent being^roee fnde both the one and the 0- wi h variety of sffli- ther^, to wit, the joy arid the woe fay led cm offtght ; and ■■' (ft.ons, and.irkcP.*mc ^leath , which doth pur fue ui^and hold m in chafe, fi'om ** fmkfings : what a q^^^. ^^(^.^(.y u^^^^ /ratheredit. * JVhatfoever of onr a?e prodigious madrtcHe- . n j -^ 1 1 ti ■ c t r 1 i 1 "^ Ui: to prefer tlie ten- ^ paft^ death holds ft, ooaswhofeeverhebe^towhem 'all cafe of a vaina Profperitie hath beeyic afervant,andthe Time a friend: ; ff,before the f»vee let him but take the account of his memory, {for we have reft pajnc of a ra.of ti- ^^ other keeper ofourpleafures paft ) and truly examine, t.id coot c ^ 'P , ^ what it hath referved, either of beauty And youth , or she one ends in end- jore-gone delights \what tt hathjavea, that it might l;flc pains.'and ihe o • lafi, of hii dear eft affe[lions, or of whatever elfe , the sher incndlcircplea jovia.ll Spring-time gave his thoughts contentment, then. turcs AndaKo jnihe ft„y^Uable;andhe fhal!finde,that all the art, whichhis tr"c • Tliji tbi) lbs elder yeeres have, can draw no other vapour out ofthefe (sy'-e which coitfpsffi^h dijfolutions, then heavy ,/ecretj and fad fighs. Hejhall advtrfity, be vaj eh' fnde n&thing remaining, but thofe fnrrows, which grorf fcu'cytttbiien wi- m ^^p ^ff^y ourfaf-Jpringingyoath; overtake it, when it «> '^^ .L^^^n^- ',*/;.{,, at a fl-and\ an i overtop it utterly, when it benins to Tid' ■^ImbUvironah wtrld ther:tnJo m'Acit ds looking backe fom the veryinjtam iy^'i\, through which , time, and from our now being j thepopre , difeafed, and- fa,- ih. dunitffiikin- captive cr eat Hr£.f hath as Utile fenfe of all his former ^ »f, tb:re is n'r^nuy, yniferies and paines : as he, that is mo/}. ble(i in cormtton •. whuh efcn;>cih. ear. < . , , ri ■ r rr j t r j j r 1 ^ fj,i^^^ . ' opinion, hath of his jorepajjed ple^Jures, and delights, *". ^icq'^id ata:l»i'S: Forwhatfoeverii cafi behindeHS,is juft * nothtng, 3, iro.tfl,r(Hifitf.7iA. I' '*Q3iii^itcivc4ufttaiiiffUfiuit\i,qutftJtmuttiSavm<,v\dibi^ iaWy txtn; fMainvicanif amfinanimortvQlv^^ Tiontitvidebituitihi unthra qntt^am ftaff'i^qvod npn- Jijiiij' v'ftar fcwii] unm mitrtum c[fe otfwquodviditur ? UtcidLK & dicrepiui^(e--cx fcnii- ■-■{. (sdicn^'irtU glmeUir^PrfphiHii^ki mt\ fiiatumbriL d'.clinavt>mi'., & egoficutfanum arui. 7 To Part I, Cap. 7 • AffliSied (^onfciences, ^l ^Hfi ft h fh^iiotfcrhave fhort moment upon eatth,thatit may go well with '"'"** us for ever J let us take notice of, and fenfibly to heart, this one quickning paffage, confidently averred by a great Writer. (2i) IfGod,(2:\l\\^Q,JheHldjpeaketh'^ (a)Sl Dmdiceretd^- to a damned Sonle : Let the whole "world he jilled vfith natis^ImpUafur terra a- fandjrom the earth to the Empyrean heaven, and then ^enn miHW.iffi'aa , i:a let an aAngell come every thoHfandth yeare , and fetch f^iio-iuerbjhifceann^ onelyone g-raine from that nthhty Candy moHntaine'^^^V^^Tltf^^ I"' tvhen that tmmeafurable Heape ujo jpentj and Jo many p^^tm • & nJHtSmy thou/andyeares expired, I wiff deliver Thee out o( Hell, quoqito anKt Kiti/lus Andthofeextreamefl horrours 'ythat mofl miferahle for- vsn-a:, dtmnqHt ex lorne wretch, notwithfianding, that he rvere to lye tho. ^ocartna^ tmaUumrn roiff that unconceiveable length of time in thofe intole^ VtrnVkmrU^ammm rableHeUifl) torments ^ yet upon fuch a promtfe -ivould quitfuntgi-Anula^eafX- infinitely rejoyce, and deeme himfelfe not to be damned, hauferit^ltberabt vn i But alas lnvhen all thofe yeares are goneythere are thoU' &^ben»» Oqmm exul' fandsnponthoufandsmoeto be endured,eventhorov> all t^rmid^mnm.damm- ' < ' J r J u t J f. -LI • . ioift n))t t\limarent i eternttte and Beyond, How heavy and horrible is the „ujtc autem.po^tms waight of everlaftingnefle in that barning Lake , and hosmWenar'm reflMt thole tormenting flames, when a damned man would aiij.&aiijmiUenmj in thinke himfelfe in Heaven in the meane time , if he 'jf'jj'j^'fjj^' T7ndZ might have but hope ofcomming out of them, after fo gravZ^JLV^^'quZ many infinite millions of yeares in them ? opprimit dmnatos. Co- 3 . That it woald not profit a man,tho he fhould gain ptafi ptctntor^mcpon' the yfhole Tvorld,ifhe loofe hii owne foul, and that a man <'«< ^'''' mmmre, nfi can give nothing inexchanfefor his Soule:Chrifi him- '''^5^^'"*^S-!1.£' />tr'^r-j/ c-^ n \. A/5 J -u L quid tAVJ rarOftam mo- lelrelaidio, Suppofe thy felfe crowned with the con- lice tamebiter, dee» fluenceofall worldly felicities, to have pnrchafeda eogittfmi? Monopolie of all pleafiires, honours, and riches upon * ?« Thn they . giin the whole earth, to bee attended with all the pomp npthingby exchm- andftate, thy heart could defire. Yet what were f^l^'S. this momentany golden dreame unto a reall glorious D 3 cter- Infiru^ionsfor a right comforting . Seft. i cternitie? How ftingmg would the moft exquifite de- light bee,curiouflyextrad:ed out of them all, accom- panied with this one conceit ; the Soule is loft everla- ftingly. Allthefe payntcd vanities, might feeme per- haps a gaudie Paradife to a Spirituall Foolc , who. hath his portion in this life ; Bat what true pleafure can a Man, in his right wits, but morally and il- lightned no further than with Philolbphie, take in them, fith, fetting other refpefls afide, they are fo fading, andHee fofrayle . For the firft: God hath purpofely put a tranfitoric and mortall Na- ture into all things heere below. They fpring, and flourifti, and dye. Even the greateft Kingdomes, andftrongeft Monarchies, that ever were, have had as it were, their infancie, youthfull ftrength. Mans ftate, old age, andatlaft their grave. Seethe end of the mightieft States that ever the Sunne (aw, flia- dowed by Ne^uchadtujz^ars great image. Daniel 2« 35. There was never Empire upon Earth, were it never (bflourifhing or great, was ever yet foaffured, but th?tin revolution ot time, after the manner of other worldly things, it hath, as a fickc bodie, beene fub/efl to many innovations and chan- ges, and at length come to nothing. Much more then> the pride and pompe oi all other inferiour earthly glory hath fallen at laft into the duft, and lies now buried in the grave of endlefle forgetfhlneffe . For the fecond ; Imagine, there were conftancie and eternitie in the forenamed earthly ba- bies, yet what Man of brayne, would prize them worth a Button, fIth his life is but a bubble ; and the very next houre or day to come, hee may utterly bee cut off from them all, for euer. To d^y Hee u fet Hpy and to morrow hee po all not bee found: for hee it tHmedinto duft^ and hit purpose pertjheth. Take them both together thus : Set upon the head of the Wor- thieft Man> that the earth beares, yet wanting grace , in P art. I . Cap . 7. ^ff.i^ed ^w^j. 4 1 in his Soule, all the mofl: Orient Imperiall Cro.wnes that ever high eft ambition aymed at, or attained un- to J put upon him theroyalkftroabes, that ever en- clofed the body ot the proudeft Lucifer \ fil him with all the Wifedome, and largeft comprehenfions, which fall within the, wide compare, and capacity of any depths ofPolicie, or myfteries of State ; fornifh him to the full with the exaiineffe, and cxcellencie of all natural!, morall, and mctaphyficall learning ; put Him into the fole pofleflion and command of this and the other golden World. In a word, Crowne Him with the concurrence of all created earthly excellen- cies, to the utmoft and high eft ftraine : and lay this Man thus qualified and endowed upon the one kale of the ballance, and vanity upon the other, and vanitie will ovcrwcigh Him quite. Men of high de- gree are a lye : to bee layed in the hallance, they are 4/- together lighter than vanitie, *Pfalme 62, 9. The rich Foole in the Gofpell teacheth us, that there is no man £0 afliired of his honour, of his riches, health or life ; but that hce may bee deprived of either or all the very next night. Befidcs, by a thoufand other canles, means, and wayes, Hee may alwayes be /hatched away from thc&ce of the earth in anger, forfeiting his heart and reftjUpon fuch rotten ftaves ofreede, tranfitorie fha- dowes,and indeed that which is nothing. fVilt thof» cafi thine eyes upon it yvhichis nothing ? for riches, ("conceive the fame of all other worldly comforts) ta- kethher to her wings as an Bagle^ and flieth into the Heaven, 'Proverb. 23, 5. How truely then is that mad and miferable Man ^ Sonne of confufion , who fpendes the ftiort fpanne of his mortall life in wooing the World, who was never true to ttiofe that trulled in her,ever falfe-hearted to all her favorites , and at length moft certainely vndoes fpiritually and everla- ftingly every Wretch that is wedded unto f Her ; who paiTeth thorow a few and evill dayes in this vayle of D 4 tears ^ . InjirnBionsfor a right comforting Seft . |. tearesjin following feathersjpurfuing fhadowes,'ray' fing bubbles and balls, like thofe which Boies ©uto* fpittle and lope in their paftimes , blowing up with their quills, ere they bee toffed three times, burft of themfelves ; I mcane worldly vanities, but in the meane time fufFers his immortall Soule, more worth than many materiall Worlds, aud/ut alas ! what will be the conclufion of all this, or ra- ^^qta^M cmm imI § ther the horrible confufion? Even all their joviall re- vivtrepudet, quipu- vcllings^roaring Outrages,and finfullpleafuresjwhich canuumirmmy & fi tton verb'ii^quk tacenr, tmcn ipfo vi-t gentre difim'ili ftr'mi & verhhant, — ergo latiqutm fceitrufi* & muhtue fu« itfieitxtirparefunditui miuatftr ^. tellmi^riMtfque (ibipufant, latquam vita (orummrguom W,U.aaotl.j,c,9.. arc 4^ InfiruSiions for a right comforting Seftrl are iofweet in their momhesyznA they fw allow downe (b)iop.ao. fo infatiably, fhall turne to gravell, and the (d) gall of Aff>es in their Bowels, and to fiery enraged Scorpions in their confciences. Where lurking in the meane time, on the mudde of fen&alitie, and luft, breed f uch a ne- ver-dying worme, which ifGodthinke fit to awake upon their laft Bed, is able to put them into Hell upon earth, to damne them above ground , to gnaw upon their Soule and flelh , with that unheard-of horrour, U) catmm vultu & which feizde uponSpir^M wofoll heart. (a)Who pro- taciefawvalensymn- tefted, being fully in his right minde, that He would tiffimui n tmerk pom rather be m Catn s or fttdas his place m Hell, than en- leniiftmm nunajMiaai dure the prefent unfpeakable torment of His afflifted vtrbabtitepenf.veai' fpirit. enteiomneiaaferecipjt jq beat them from this bedlam defperatc courfe iZTLtf:^'^- of S^^f^ hoarding up fuch horrible things unto fmjejufto Dti ]uAicit themfelvesjagamit their ending noure: Let them con- dtmnatiim/ejaminia. Gideri ferno ijje &indifmenttr * j . Befides the eternity of joys for the one , and of e'ueim'—-opiartfeJn torments to the other hereafter, the vaftand unvalua- GribaIdi.cpiQ.dc ire. ble difference in the meane time, m refpeiftof true incndo divini'iadicii fweetnefleand found contentment, betweenethe life cAcroploj&c pag, 3 8 of a Sdnt and a Senfualifl ; a Puritan , as the World immifit Dm tx tHa ^.gjjg Him, znd a good-feHow, as hee termes Himfelfc. 'ZZZTiZ:. Letuaforthepurpofeperufethe different paflage, of txtingiubiitrnMhom. one day, as (b) Chryfoftome excellently dehneats te^confu^one, difpera. _ >.« fioneifubiiorepkretur.^ivemu &iffiisnunqudmexinsle ilium dmliqutruntyttft iMgedetemi inflitutfft te[teturiqusmfifeparatadcorpoiaawmacunji4da Cain, & catetis damymiii effit j dtfidcram fe Isco cuiujvismortMt & daifmati efepotiu', quzmfn iacarporevivere. Ibid, pagi^j. *i. The difference bciwecnc their liTCSjSnd the liris of holy m^n. (b^ToOT.y.Serm contra Gulam &czteras cerporii volupi* "Prediuamm homines du»i in medium, quorum alter bfavinfit & vdluptatibm dtditU4,tlier vfroptor/wfttbis rtbta demontiM &c. Adeamui ifisrum domoi.'-^-*]mtrutmuA arte atterum, libris incurnbtniem, victfiUm rei it. vina,abfli!neniitejVflrebu» nueffaryt mumbentemjbgtememqut cumDeo fertmnem, de nbui CMie* fiibus dlil[mr)t>.m,& AnitlumpetiM agentem^quam bomintm. Alttrum ven> madtnttm mtrt dtmum optram lafcrv'm- m d tbaubantem — diiiiM incumbentttnf non [olum v'tvendo ebjke mmtnif fed eft mortuU bnge inferiortm,permio loren.qiH Tynmont agUiiio,&fuvih.7Jin mutm. vtro dieiiluxUi amitth omntmj quam ex Ufcivtt ctpirAt,volupuittm ■ fiqiitdem Famiiitm cbmur. tint, & iwft^mtemft iurgla conwgmy*bnfigimi m\coi,'tmmkoi ludil/riofe babemes recopufct them Par C.I. Cap. 8. A^iUed Qonfciences. 47 them, and reprcfents to the life. Let us produce two men. (aith He, the one drown'd in carnall loofeneffe, fenfualities,anJ riotous cxcefle: the other crucified and ftarke dead to luch finfuU courfes and worldly de- lights : Let us go to their houfes and behold their be- haviour. We (hall finde the One, reading Scriptures, and o- ther good Books, taking times for holy Duties and the fervice ot God: fober, temperate,abftemious: diligent alfo in the neccflarie duties of His Calling,having ho- ly conference with God , difcourfing of heavenly things, bearing himfelfe liker an Angell, tlTan-a.Man: The other, joviall,a vaflall of luxury and eafe,fwagger- ingup and downe Ale-houfes, Taverns, or other fiich conventicles of good-fellow (hip, hunting after all the wayes, meaner and men to pafTe the time merrily, plying his pleafures with what variety,he can polTibly all the day long , rayling and roaring as though hee were enraged with a Yy^s'^^^though He yefiarke dead, r^hile He is alive, &c. Which is accompanied , with murmuring of the family, difcontent of the wife, chi- ding of friends, laughing tofcorncof enemies, &c. Whether of thefe courfes now do youthinke were the more comfortable ? I know full well the former would be cried downe by the greateft part,as too pre- cife: and the latter Jwould carry it, by a world of men : but heare the Puritan Fathers impartiall holy cenfore, quite crofle to the common conceit , and hu- mour of flefli and bloud. It is excellent and empha- ticall, arguing His refolute abomination of the wayes of good-fellowfhip : and infinite love and admiration of the ^o/jr F4r^. Having given to the Good-fellow His hearts defire all the day Ions in all kindes of vo- ^ /o,,;, :,;,„, ., • -,.- luptuoufneffe, and delight: yet for all this, * fVho n he, ^^t tempos, nm p9fr faith He, that is in his right minde, andhath His hrains ju eput n/illt-obire tnor' tK His headfthatrfiouidftotchfffe rather to dye a thou- 'ci, qitam ditm unutn fanddeaths, thanjpend but one dayfo? This perempto- ^^«c^»'»« H*^^ ^ ric 4.8 InflruBions for A right comforting Seft.i tie paflage would be holden a ftrange Paradoxe fro m the mouth of any moderne Minifter , and (o appeares , to the carnall apprehenfion of all thofe miferable men, who are blind-folded and baffled by the Devill to the eternall loffe of their Soules. But befides that, it might be made good many other wayes, it is more then ma- nifcfl by comparing that three -fold fting , that dogs every finfuU delight at the heeles, &c. See my Booke of JValking with God, pag. 171. with the comfortable contentment, and fccret fweetneflTe, which might and fhould attend all well-doing, and every hoi v dutie done with uprightnefTe of heart. The very Philofo- phers do tell us of a congratulation, a pleating conten- tednefTc and fatisfaftion in doing vcrtuoufly accor- ding to their morall Rules. What true, lolid, and An- gular comfort then, do youthinkemay be found, in thofe godly anions, which fpring from faith, are gui- ded by Gods Word, direfted to his glorie, and whole bewayled defeats and failings are mofl certainly par- doned by thebloud of his Sonne ? Now what an ex- treme madneCTe is this, for a Man to fell His falvation teralifeof pleafures : abhorring the wayes of Gods Childc, as too precife, and paincfull : whereas befides Hell for the one, and Heaven for the other hereafter: in the meane time every day fpent fo fcnfually ,is a true Purjatory: And every day pafled in the coitrarie Chnftian courfei \s an earthly Paradife. C H A P^ Part.i. Cap.p. AjfiiEled Confciences. ^ 49 Chap. IX. The fecond and third co^^Jiderationfor the rt-form^^ i$9n of thcfenfualtfis, Econdly , Let them marke well z'fhe^ft'wrencc hc- the different Ends of thefemen.. twcenc sIkk end-. Though the one now carries and the wit's oi holy away the credit and current of '"*"• the times, and with all braverie and triumph tumbles Himfelfe . in the pleaiiires, riches, and glory of the world ; and the other is kept, as they lay, under hatches, negleded and contemptible to carnall eyes, . trampled upon with the feet ot pride and malice by the prouder Pharifecs, and hunted with much cruelty and hatejby men or this world: Yet watch but a while; and you fhall fee the End oi this upright man , what- foever his forrows and fuflferingSjtroubles and tempta- tions have beene in this life, to be moft certainly /'^ould,anddone rohatyou ttfiy dtjpeo-pled Parijhes andfUines fo ryonr O re haras and •xvalks : pttffddorpne many houfes, tofet one up : fi-om Bettveene ychofe battlement s^ and turrets at the topy you can fee no end of your me adores, your fields y and your lands I themeafuringKvhereofy as the Poet freaks {wouU ypeary the very roings ofehe k}te : when your Client ary trainehath beenetoo long for the ftreety and your hi^rc rejpeei hath fhooke the hat fom the head, and bent the knee afarre off : ivhenyou have clapt whole Manouri on your backs ^ er turn d them downeyour throats: yvhc;i you havefcouredtheplaines -with yoOr horfes, the fields Andrvoods with your hounds : and the heaven withyour hawkes : when with Pheafants tougues you have fur- nijht whole feafis : and with the J^eene of zA^gypt drunkedif^oivedpearle, even fifty thou fand pounds at a draught, and then lay ed your head in Dalilaes lapper Pfhen^ifit werepofible^you have j^ent your whole lives, tn^all that royall pompe^ andpleajure , which that moH magnificent King and ^eene did, Hefier i.for an hundred andfourefcere dayes : In a word, -when you T^^lowedm alldelightSy and flood inpleafures up t^ the ehtnne . Then even then, the pit is digged^ and death, of r^hom yo^ dreame not, flands at the do0re, where are y^ouno-w? Or what ii to be done? Come down e, faith J^^^thyfromyourpleafantProfpeSls : Alight from your Jades: Hood your kites : Couple up your curres : Ind a- aewto pleafure : out of your beds oflufi : Come naked forth, and do-^ne with me to the chambers of death: ^^^^nioftpeftilent,arethofe,whodo ftiould confider, that W^JL\^^ .1 /i u • u • i^^^^MT notonely not labonr m the time ot harveft to treafiirc up comforta- ble provifion againft dayes of dread , and mifpend the Day of their vifitation wickedly ;but alfo out of a tranfcen- dent ftraine of impietie, labour might and maine , to put out and utterly extinguifli the heavenly Sunne, that creates thisblefled day, and makes the leafon of our fpirituall harveft moft glorious,and incomparable: J meane to {upprelfe and quench the faving light of a powerfull Miniftry, wherefoever planted , and pre- vailing; under the facred influence, and fovcraigne heat whereof, all Gods hidden Ones are wont to ga- ther that heavenly ftocke of grace, Comforts of godli- ncfk, and good conlcience, which is able to holdup their heads invincibly in faeavie times. Thefe are the vileftofmen, and oi the mo{i'^ for lor ne hope : for * Let us not c or. , ^^^ Unhappily tranfported with extreameft ma- nerKieflcn, ana ue- J j n - r> r. »-i ridcUj for that is ihc lice , and ftormc agamft the very meanes, which utteimoa token ard fhould fandific them, and Men, which fhould fave ihew of a reproba; c, ^ u,ejii. They do not onely make their owne foules fure G a^nhhwSme'' ^^^ damnation; but alfo hinder the power of the mm'.^of]7mpfscetef Word all they can,** left others fhould bee faved. Scriptitrei, by iv'okh Whatfoever thou doeft,do not become one of this foMtakeo^eKceiP^^.^ damned crue : who heartily defire , thattheSunneof **J'"a^°^ .TOf i!/^? fincere preaching were quencht.and put out,though it ^i'J&.-ahS were with thebloudof Gods faithfulleft MefTengers; 2 , s 6 . as did the Men of Anathoth in Jeremiahs ttme^ ler . 1 1 • Part I ,Cap. I o . AffiiSled C'onfciences, 5 p ig.2i,(a) Her-odioiw phn Bapifl- time^ and that (i^sht^nki'diohn (^^) other Herodias improperly called EucLoxta in w-j/^/i/Jj head bcfoic ^Qhn (^hrjfoflomes time, and many thsufands , even t'^chalfe of Hefoh within the Pale of the Church at all times. Above all, ^^Ym^^xtut^l I fay, Beware of that crying finne of {e) perfecnting faSil'u^tu^hTmt- the power of godlinefle , without which never any ipfam tramfrt & illm heart knew what true comfort meant : Profeflion of verba qmft ad em ig. thetrath, without which Chrifl will not owne us at '^'^^^'^^^^[l^^^^^ thelaft day; confcionable Minifters, under Whofe TpTf^oporlm cZalm painfull labours, we gather our ipirituall and heavenly cogmdum curat, ^a re Store, againfl evill times in this harveft of grace .- And inteliecfa loannes per- that either with thine heart, by hatred, malice, heart- ?*''^''*'"- ''^'^'^ concmi barningi with thy tongue, by nanders/coK,raQ, cen- i:/,^-^^^^^ fures : With thme hand , by lupplantmg , oppreflion, diaid(moinfamre,de. wrong: with thy purfe,policie,power,mi(-informing , nuo cmnavert , dtnua or any other way of vexing, or violence. If thou wilt Z*^''""' P^W^' «'«»«'' ««* needs be wicked, be fo more moderately : If there be f "'.Jj'^^iJ'' ^socmJ. no helpe, but thou Wilt to Hell, poft not fo f uriouHy : Hift.EccIcfiaft.Lib'tf! Ifnotning will worke, but thou art wilfully bent to cap.'ie- be damned, be damned more tolerably. For Perfeca- CO Let none marYcU tors are fr/««/?^W^»r/ in finne, and fhall hereafter be "'i'^^ 'l*'*^ arcddle paid home propertionably. Be none of them for luch JJ"cially in^ thu'nmc reafonsastbefe* of peace andprofpc- I. All their malice and rancour, all their bitter iityofchcGoipdl,4t words and fcornfull /efts : all their bloudy, mercileffe '^^ "were unneccfla mifchiefes, and machinations againft the power of '^^""^^n^ts!^- preaching,and Gods people,ftrike immediately at the jy . nu ,aax'mi perfe- face o^^efus Chrifl. Afts p. J . Sanl, Sunlj-Pfhy ferfecn- quuntur Ecclefiamt qui teft thoH me ? And at the pretious Ball , and Apple of cbrifiiaiti, nolunt bene eodsowneeye:Zd Martyrs before) -wa^ brought to a wretched end. For further inlargement of this Peint, iopk into the Stories of the primitive Church > A^s and M^^t^ms, Theater ofQodsptdgfmem. Chap. 6i InjiraBions for a right comforting Sea. I 4.God it ftill called tipon for vengeance againft them. f.They draw downs Chap. XI. Tonre other Reafons diffuadingfrom the former Jitt, Crytarrc louder than the noyfc of ntatHy water SyOX voyce ofgrea- tefi thunder ]inock^s continually, with ftrog importunity, at Gods jufl: tribunall ior a (howreoi fire andhrimfionCy SiC an horrible tem- />?ith the i&«>/y 6*^0/ from Heaven,did at all dif-enrage or tam^e thofefellows,which wcrepofleft with this foule fpiric of fcornefull contradiction. See Z»r.4.28,29 And 1 6 i4.^ff.7.54.And2. 13. Not all thofe horrible mi- raculous plagues of <^gypt,y^zxz able to quench Pha- raohs fury againft the. people of God ; untill hee was choaktinthe red' Sea. No kindenefle fromZ)^W, though extraordinary,and matchleflTe. i .Sam. 24.1 1 • And 26,9 .could turnc Sauls heart from hunting himj as TV hen one doth hunt a Partridge in themountaines. And no marveLtho they be not moved by all or any of thefe meancs ; for they fcorne,perfecnte, and con- temne the very meanes, which ftiould amend them, and the onely men,who ftiould convert them. Whe- ther of the two, thinkeyou,is likelier to recover '^ That man,who being dangeroufly ficke ; yet enter- taynes ^4 InfiryMions for a right comforting Sed.i 7 Such are in the wsy totbe finnea- gainfttheho]/ Ghofl ("d^ Cumqmidie no- Pram fan^ificatknera bUffhtmant^quid aliud Uafphmant quamfpi^ ruitmfM6tum.A\ig. Toai,ici.par.i.p.45. taines the Phyfition kindly, and takes patiently what isprefcrib'd : or Hee, who having a potion prefented unto Him very foveraignefor his recovery, throwes the glafle againft the Wall,rpils that precious Receipt, and drives the Phyfition out at doores? Conceive pro- portionably j-betweene the Perfecutor,and the leffe pe- ftilent finner, who meddles not malicieufly againft the Miniftry. 7. They are already in the pe ftilcnt path, and very hie-way,that leads to finne againft the ho/j Ghoff. The horriblenefle, and height oi which dreadfull villany may bring upon them even in this lif cimpolTibility of pardon. -^^4^^.12,31,32. and liableneffeto that fla- ming judgement and^^rj indignation threatned,Hp^. io,2d,&c. A nd that they are (d) growing towards thisfinne,if they be not quite gone that way,appears, becaufe they defpitefully traduce; with much malice and mif chief e perfecute the very works of Grace, and graces of Godsfpirit fhed into the hearts, and ftiining in the lives of the children of Light, i .Ioh.'^,i 2. PJal, §8,2o.i./'^f.4.4. If a man would drinke, fweare, fwagger,revell and roare with them : If hedurft be an Ignorant,an Vfurer,a Sabbath-breaker, a Worldling, adoterupon, and defender of hcathenifti iuperfti- tious cuftomcs ; a pradifer, or Patron of Old anni- verfarie fooleries , and rotten vanities ; an inclo- fer, gamefter,good-fellow,&c. Oh ! then feee ftiould bee the onely Man. with them ; entertained into their hearts and houfes with all affedionate embrace- mentsofkindeneffe and acceptation: but if the fame man,by the mercies of God, once beginne to breake from them,and out of the fnares of the Divell ; to dif- reUifti, aaddeteft his former wayes of nature and naughtinefre;to love and reverence the moft (earch- ing Miniftry jtoreade the Scriptures, andbeft bookes ; to fandifie the Lords day,to pray in his family ; to re- nounce refolutely, his rnnmng with them to the fame excejfe Part, I .Cap. I I • Aff,iSled Confciences^ ^ ^ excejfe of riot, to abandon and abominate their lewd and licencious coiirfes ; In a word to tiirne ChrifiiaM; Oh / then He is an arrant Puritan,a Pricifian , an Hu- morift,an hypocrite, and all that naught is ; even as (e) bad, as the falfe tongues of the Divels Limbes can ^^^ Et nidH mcmthts make a bkfTed Man. Hee was a good-fellow,wil they babentwr , qnm qui fay jbiit hee is now quite gone : a proper man, and of /«»^« ommbm mng. gcod parts,buthis PuritanifmehathC/jmar'dahwhile 'IJ^l^Xi^^!;^ Paul humour'd the Ph.m/es.ln perlecuting & plague- )^-^ fg^ f^aim tanium ingtheDifciplesoftheLord, Hee was a principal and qukCbrl^iMM.Tttm* much honoured man amongft ihera : but when Hee ^^p"^ M ' . turned on ChnfisC\dc, He was holden a feFiilentfel- lorpMvtxy{g)fUgHe, Sothatitisplaineandpal- (.^^^^,^^,^y£f. pable,whatloevermay be pretended to the contrary, ^^^a^t^-nvKotfMV^ that thofecurfed C4<»/,dogged I>flf^/,andlcoffing //- w^.2^.5. maelsy that fet tbemfelves and fpend their malice a- gainft the Minifters and people of God,hate, flander, and perfecute the very workes of Grace, and Graces ofGodsfpiritin them. Even their zeale,holinefie,ha- trcd of rin,reformation,&c.are an Eie-fore,andiiearc- iore to fuch hatcfull wr€tch€s,and Owles of bell, who annot indure any heavenly light. Ch ap« ^6 InfiruUions for a right comforting " Sed. Chap. XII. Six other reafons dijfwading from the former ftnrif, 8. ThcirwickcincfTe 8 I^^C^^gS ftigmaticall Rogues burnt in the I* recorded ro ihcit |J^aV^* hancl,curtard of their cares,branded B""* V^^»I^IS ^" ^^^ forehead,are in the common- J^i^mi\f wealth ; fo are Perfecutors in the <^^^^^ Church. By mutuall intelligence, and information of Gods peop]e,or fome more publicke lading record and Monument of the Church, they have many times fuch aMarkefec upon them;that they carry it to their graves, yea, to the judgement feat oi God j that it may bee knowne afore-hand to that glorious Tribunalland all thetri- (b>.Tim.4,t7. umphant Church, what fh) beafllymen, ftinging £z«k. 1,6. * ' Scorpions,and pricking thorns they have been among Gods Cbildrcn,and in the fides of the Saints. Such a brand had Alexander the Copper Smith fct upon him by T^atil. 2.Tim.4. 14.1 5 • ^^^ ^^^^ ^ brand was fee upon D to trephes that malicious prating companion, by Saint lohn. ^.lehn i o. So are thofe bloud-thirfty Tygr€S,Gardi»ery'Bonner, and the reft of that crqell litter,andperrecuting packe,branded,that their names fhall rot,and their memories be hatefull to the worlds end. So too many in thefe times,though they be ve- ry J oily fellowes in their o wne conceits, adored as I- dols by their flattering dependants, applauded gene- rally as the Principal! Patrons of revelling amd good fellow iliip;yet in thecenfureof the Saints, and by the doome of divine wifedome,they areclearely known, and juftly reputed enemies of ail righteoufnejfe , and Satans fpeciall Agents to doe milchiefe againft the raIfc7on tSea^th P- ^"^ it is to be fcarcdjthey will finde no mcr- bcdi. cy upon their beds of death, and in their laft extremi- ty Part. I. Cap. 1 2 . AffliEied Conjciences, 6y ty,cry they never {o loud, or promife they never fo fayre. God in /ufl: indignation is woontto dealelo with thofe,whodrinke up iniquity like wateri with- out all fenfe or feare of a glorious dreadftill Ma/eftie a- bove.See Ezek^%. 1 8. with thofe, who rejufe to (loop to Gods Ordinance,& (iibmit to the Scepter ok Chrifl, whenthey are Fairely invited by the Miniftery. See Proverbs \ . 24.28. Ter.j, I 5 ; i S.and i i . I I . with great Ones, who grinde the faces of the poore. See Aficah. 3 .4. with abufers of the riches of His goodnejfc^ and longfuffering. S ee Rom, 2-4.5. How much more doe you thinke, fhall impenitent Perfecutors be paid homcinthis kinde ?See2.Macchab.5).i 3.17. There that great and cruell perfecutor, Antiochm ^^m2^ feizd upon by an horrible fk:kenefl€,promifeth very glori- oufly upon that his laft bedjbefidesmany other ftrange reformations,even that he alfo , ypouldbecome a lew him[elfe,andgo thorow aH the World that tvm inhabit ted, and declare the power oj God. But for all this,heare what the (i j yVriter ok that ftory faith of his Ipiritu- all ftate,and of Gods refolution towards Him.verf.i 3 CO^l^newt^eBooke Thi^ Tvickedperfonprajedairo unto the Lordjtvho ypould " "°^ °f iivfdie»datkncifUdQ})biur^ butcndyfo^ buotvmulawin^andmijtry.cnAihrtitncouldnot obtaine mrcie, to Hmjftm of hU ^nnci^nor reUaltof ths pmilhmesi -.^a'.fothe dmnedinHiU, ^«w, and con fe[fe, 'hatibcyarepumjhedforiheirfmnii, buthavfrmirinf toihjperfccutorf, ^ of ^8 InfirHCtions form right comforting Scdt.I of all perfecuted patient Profeffors. i . Pet.^, 1 4. a^i!«r kmMibui ventris ttrmmbM , UxaUqw. a!vo pmit Utrinamy in qua ft Jens anicum excrentiatii fffudit jtcur, meftimy'mpu- famqntanmimyioniimf ^ pj^^ ^ fj^^ j j^^ g flandering, even in t«i/iryy<»ifiM«i«cr. ons of naturall confcience,and acquired manhood of a meeremorallPuritane. Many fuch morall Martyrs have beene found amongft the more generous, and well-bred heathen. It is ftoried of a brave and valiant Captaine, who had long, manfully, and with incredi- ble courage with-ftood Dionjfim the elder in defence of a Citie; that Hee fuftained with flrange patience, and height of fpirit the mercilefle fury of the Tyrant, and all his barbarous cruelties : moft unworthy of Him, that fuffered them, but moft worthy him that inflicted thefame. Fir^ theTyr.int told himyhotv the day before ^hehad caufed hisfenne, andallhis kinsfolkes to be drown d.ToKvhom the Caftainefiomly out -flaring Him, anjrpered nothing, but that they mere more hat ~ fy than himfelfejby the jpace of one day. After-K>ard hee eaufed him to befiripped, and by his executioners, to be taf^en^and dragged through the (^ity mofl ignominioHfly, cruelly whipping Him, and charging Him befides, with outragiousandcontHmeliottiJpeeehes: All which not- TPtthftandingf as One no whit difmaide, Hee ever /hew- ed a confiant, and refolute heart, cy^nd with a cheer e- full, and bold countenance, went onflilly lowdly recount ting the honourable and gloriom caufe of his death -^ which was, that he would never confent to yeeld his Country into the hands of a cruellTyrant. With fuch ftoutneffe did even meere morall vertue fteele the an- tient Romane fpirits, that in worthy defence oi their liberty^ for prefervation of their Country, or other fuch Boble ends; They indifferently contemned gold, ftlver, Part I. Cap. 1 4.. j^. jffJUSled ^onfcienccs, 71 filver, death, torture; and vvbatfoever elie miferable worldlings hold deare,or difmall, 3 .In fonie,from an 3 An extrcamc hard- extreme hardnefle of heart, which makes themfenfe- n^ffcothc«t. jefteandiearelefseof £hame, mifery, or any terrible thing. This we may ibmetimes obf erve in notorious malefadors. A long rebellious, and remorfelefse con- tinuance, and cuftome in finne,raging infeflions from their roaring companions; a Ririous purfuit oFoutra- ges, and bloud ; Satans hot iron fearing their coi/ci- •- ences, and Gods juft curfe upon their fearefull, and fbrlorne courfes, fo fill them with foole-hardinefse, and with liich a fcrall difpofition, that they are defpQ- rately hardened againft all affronts and difafters. So that though fuch favage-minded, and marble-hearted men be to pafte thorough the ftreets, as (pedlacles of abhorrednefse and fcorne, as hatefiill monfters, and the reproach of Mankinde; to be thro wne into a Dun- geon of darkenefse, and difcomfort, and there to bee leaden with cold irons, coldnefle, and want ; from thence to bee hurried to that loathed place of execu- tion, and there to dye a dogges death, as they fay; and finally to fall immediately and irrecoverably into a Lake of fire : yet, I fay, for all this, out of a defperate hard-heartednefle, they feeme ftill to be in heart ; and to reprefent to the beholders , a great deale of un- dauntedneffe, and negleft of danger in their carriage, and countenances. O the prodigious Rocke , into which the flone in a graceleffe heart may grow ; both in refped of defperatenefle in finning , and fenfelef^ nefle in fuftering ! 4. In others,from an enraged thirfl ^ j^ ^^^ ^^^^ after humane praiie, and immortall fame , as they call praife; it. Which may be fb prevalent in them,and tranfpbrc them with fuch a vaine-glorious ambition this way; that it may carry them with much feeming infenfi- bilitic, afFeded patience, and artificiall courage tho- row the terrours, and tortures, of a very violent, and Martyr-like death. Heare what AnfiiH faith to F 4 this 72 InJiru^ivHS for a right comforting^ . Sed. i. Pu'ath Caihdkes dc this point, Thinkeye there never were any Catholickf^ fufjettuiditije pofjey ^^ thfit noyv there may net he [ome , that vpoHldfufer (u, tauji bumui^ii.. .g^^iyfg^ f^g p^^:r^ ^1^,„ ? jfr^gy^ were not C^ch lAnde tfcnt hu]tjmdd,hom:- ofmen.the ApTlle iron Id not have faid. Though I give jjof^Tion ditifCi Apvtio' my bodie to be burned^ and have not charity , I am no" liitiJitradid'.iouTpiu thing. He did knotv rightivell^that there mitrht be fame, mum,utard,am.(,bA fphichrpoptlddo it ottt of vaine -gloria ^ and felfe-love^ TaL^ ^^^S^. «^^ fi"- ^^■^'■'^^ ^^^^' ^^"^ '^'^^'n 'f ^°^' ^ ^i^e bot- dtft. *Stiibat oib cfe tomlefle depth of helliOi hypocriiie, which lyes hidde pcffe qucfdam, qui hoc in our corrupt hearts 1 O the blinde and perverfe jaclansntfacennt^nen thoughts of tbolilh men 1 O the murderous malice oF Pfaf"""' ^"^""' '" Jthatoldrr^ Dragon, which exercifeth fuch horrible This "^humour Yuo crueltie both upon our bodies and ibules ! j.Infome, haunicd the Hca from falfe grounds of a fuppoled good eftate to God- thcn, imongft whom ward ; from an unfound perfwafion of their prefent ihc moQ wicked did fpJTituall well-beins;,andfiiture well-fare. Such Pha^ leave fcmercmem. ^'A-^»/^''^^-^^^''i*''-^'2"^/''''*^'*^'^/'^*M^ ^^^ to branceof the irfclvc 5 be found in all ages of the Church, efpecially, in the to poftericy w.-tnciTc faireft, and mofl flourifhing dayes thereof, and when that unknown fellow, th^ Go(pell hath the freeft pa{Iage,who thus many whocffctf urporcdd ^^ -j^ ^^g greateft of all earthly extremities , even barnthe Tcmplcof i • i ^ r i t r n t i Di & bdU dtfandunt IxowU In ihe Preface to his Hiftory of the World. Many conceit as great an efficacy in iheTe fivewordi, hotd have mtnj upon wc, fpokenwitb theirlaftbrcathjfor their trJrfl)tion of theit foules into heaven, asthe Papiflsdocof their five words of confccraiiooifor the tr«nfubftantiation of their Hofte. T>ik!i, ejaculations. 74 InfiruEiions for a right comforting, Stdi. i . ejaculations, did they fpring from a truly broken, pe- nitent, and heavenly heart , and were they the peri- ods, and conclufionsoFawell-fpent life, might blef- ledlybreake open with unrefiilable power the gates of heaven ; unlocke the richtrcafures of immortality, and fill the departing foule, with the Hiining beames of Gods glorious prelence : but unto them fuch good- ly and glorious fpeeches are but as fo many catchings and fcrablings oFa man over head in water -.-he ftrug- gles, and ftrives tor hold to fave him^elfe ; but hee grafpes nothing but water j it is ftill \vater which he catches j and therefore finks and drownes. Chap. XV. 7. A fixth f^lfe ground, of confident htduringmife^ ries, J I, A conclujion of the firji DoHrine, ^Amiftuidsd zeale ^ ftich at in AncicBtly^the 2)«» by^' y ting, and pradiifing treafons, patricides , affafinates, " "a" ^n.^y of ih"r empoyfbnings, ruines of whole Nations , barbarous rdioion^forthepcr- Maflacres, blowing up of Par /laments, and a world of fomianceihcrcofj as bloudie mifchiefes , which caft an inexpiable ftaine, ^^^ prodigal] of and obloquie upon the innocencie oi Chriftian Reli- ;'^''^,''^"'*^'*P^'."^ Ainu .-n- / r 1 ly aaventurc thcm- gion. Atlaft,tbeycometoT)^;/r»f , or lomeother j-jycsuntoail kindc place ofjuft execution; and then they will needs beare of dangers. Hi^tr.cf the world in hand, that they are going towards hta- /^f7"Ar>i«,5fl^.ii9. ven, to receive a Cronvne of Martyrdome. They leeme there alreadie to triumph extraordinarily, and tocon- temne tortures: with an affeded bra verie, they tram- ple up6n the Tribunals of j/^/^V^jkiffe the inftruments ofdeath,inligneofhappinefleat hand; and throwe rhany refolute, and rcjoycing fpeeches , amonglt the people, as though they had one foot in heaven alrea- die. When alas 1 poorc, blinde, mif-guided Soules, while they thus wilftiUy & defperately abandon their lives upon a groundlefle, and gracelelTe conceit , that they {Kail become crowned Martyrs ; they are like a man, who lying afleepe upon an high and fteep Rock, dreames that he is created a King , guarded with a goodly traine of ancient Nobles/urniflied with many princely .houfes, and ftately palaces,enriched with the revenews, majeil;ie, and magnificence of a mightie king4ome,.attended with all the pleasures,, his heart could I 'J 6 InfirH Slions for a right comforting Se(^ i . could defire, &c. But ftartingupupon the fudden,and leaping for joy ; falls headlong, and irrecoverably into the raging Sea ; and To in lieu i of that imaginary hap- pinefle he vainely grafped in a dreame , hee deftroyes himfelfe, and lofeth that little reall comfort , he had in this miferable life. That damned paire of incarnate Devils, the Englifh Fawk^s, and French Ravi/lac; the one, after that m the Popes caufe, he had embnied his hands in the Royall bloud of a mightie King, and the greateft Warriour upon earth;The other having done his utmofl: to blow up at once,the glory, power, wife- dome ; the Religion, peace, andpofleritie of the mofl: renowned State under the heavens ; were both pro- digioufly bold, confident, peremptory. But was this courage, think you, infpiredinto them,by the Lyon of the Trih offudah,a\rcdidy triumphant in the heavens j or by that roaring Dragon of the bottomleffe pit ? A man of an underfl:anding,impartiall, difcerning ipirit, would Icarcely wifh a clearer demonftration of the truth,and orthodoxnes of our Keligion,than to marke the different ends of our blefled Martyrs in Queene A/aries timeySind thoCePepifh Traytors, which are fometimes executed amongft us .They both ordinarily at their ends exprefle.a great deale of confidence : But in'&it Pfeudo>^Catholickes Antichrifiian Afartjrs , it is fb enforced, artificiall, ambitious, affedled ; Their fpeeches fo cunning, andcompofed uponpurpofe to feduce the fimple ; Their laft behaviour io ploy:ed be- fore-hand, and formally acfled; Their prayers foun- heartie, plodding, and perfundlory ; Their whole car- , riagefo unfpiritualljand unlike the Saints of God, dis- covering neither former acquaintances with the my- (leries of true fandlification, nor thofe prefent feeling elevations of fpirit, which are wont to fill the (bules, which are rcadie to enter into the joyes of heaven; that to a fpirituall ey e,to a man verft in the purity, and power of godlinefle, it is mofl: cleare, that their com- fort Part I. Cap. i s- AffUEled Confciences, 77 fort in luch cafes, is of no higher ftrainej nor flronger temper,tban the morall refolution of an Heathen, and head-ftrong conceit of Herefie can reprefent, or reach nnto. ItisotherwifewiththetrueyI/.^r/^y/of /^«, ilaine moft cruelly by that great whore , the M O- T H E R of H A R L O T S, drunken with a world of innocent bloud, as with fweet Wine : As we may fee and fecle in that glorious Marty riology of our Ay^/w/j, inthemcrcilefletiniesofQiieene-^^r/. The conftantprofellion, and power of our moft true, and ever-bleried Religion did create fuch an holy , and humble Majcfty in their carriages; fuch a deale ofhea- ven, and fober undauntednefTe in their countenances; fuchjoyfull fpringings,andfpirituall ravifliments in their hearts -lUch grace, and powerfull piercings in theirfpeeches; (iich zeale,and heartie meltings in their prayers; fuch triumphant , and heavenly exultations amid the flames: that it was more than manifeft,both to heaven and earth ; to men and Angels, that their caulej was the caufe of God ; their Murtherer , that Man efftnne ; their bloud, the feed of the Church; their foules, the jewels of heaven ; and their prcfent paflage,the right and ready way, to that unfading and moft glorious Crojvne of Martj/rdomeJXhzx. which in fidion, was fathered upon Father Campien, was moft true of every one of our true Martyrs : That everie one might fay, with heavie heart that flood: . Herejpeaks a Saint, here dyes a Lamhe,herefiorpes the gHtltlejfe bloud. Thus you have heard, upon what weake props and 1 1. Conclullon of : fandy foundations that confidence ftands,and is built, thcficndoaiine. which carnal! men feeme to lay hold upon with great bf averie in times of trouble,aiid diftreffe.Butthe com- fort which fweetly fprings from that fpirit,! fpeak of^ liipportedjoutoffpeciallfavoar, andmtereft, by the hand of God, All-fufficient , and the unconquerable calmneile . . g InfirH^ions for a right comforting StOi. i , calmneffe of a good confcience is grounded upon a iJo""»;- impregnable. Nay,Witisof that heavenly metall, C«. Eos non vu tern- K ,.^. Y • j- i l • poris^nonprincipisur. Sinddwrneum^QTythat it ordinarily gathers vigour rer^notttmioyjionlni and puififance from the w^ortds rage; and growes in vidia, wm mtwy mn ftrength and relblution together with theencreafe of Mcufator,nonca'uniiti- ^n unjuft oppofitions : Perfecutions , and refiftance SIK^^tcTJ/Jf-^erve as a provocation, andfeafoning to it'sfweet- noiinfidiasftruemjnon nefle. It is not enforced, formall, artificiall, affected, infptcitmm(ier,no»(i- furious, defperate, mifgroundcd, ambitieus , upon an lienuit nm aumm^ hoc humour, in the face onely, onely in hot bloud, out of a «/?, «J^^«^*'^J>J*«2 vain-glorious pang,&c. Such may be found in Aliens^ f^lTmdiBrlTtrKqite.ve' and refolute reprobates. It were nothing worthie, if tut In talorum tiidoja- ftrangers might meddle with it : If men or devils, or ilantur, nonverbomm the whole world could take it from us ; If it were fu- Itlccebrte^non tnm^.nfn ftajng^ oncly by any created power, or arme of flefli. S(r.«t JK ThisPearle that! praife.andperfwadeunto is ofan rnm profit i?tioni in eoi higher price, and more tranlcendent power, than any prepuy wagtiai i/'^^ unregenerate man can poiTibly compafTe, or compre- d'tvitias, qua infau-- hend. It hath for it's feat, afandlified Soulejfor the ptrtatefita/mtjmbU pountaineof it's refrefhing, the Spirit of all comfort; fim ahjent'mm , aut for it s toundation,the favour of Godjtor it s warrant, prteftntjumj aut inex- thepromifes olAmen, thefaithfull, and true fVitneJfe; fdtatme poftmum for it's objed, an immortall Crowne ;for it's conti- extuUt^ aut adduure. nuance, the prayers of all the Saints ; for it's compa- totmt, ttt determes • • ^ ^ ^ • • -ui l i /- v^j^j' ^^^^ -g_ nions, inward peace, invincible courage , an holy le- trd,exiplIsptricu>U v> curitie of minde ; for it's end and perfedion , fttlnejfe resmtjorts coUegtrunt^ of joy,andfleafHres at Gods right hand for evermore, atque atmri m'mo In a word, this couragious comfort , and true noble- SS"^dX- "^^^""^^P^"^*^^^^^^"^^^^^^^^ ^^^'^ ^^ thetrue- fm(m mubuouitt. hearted Chriftian doth differ as much from, and as Hujufmdi enim vim farre (iirpafies all the groundleffe confidences of what babet temmna pro Cbri(linmiae/ufc(ptajUt ardtniiores amori ftetsjubdatt vitifque ia animi magniiudiite priC' ftaniibui adjeqi e»:ia artamimqueji ar>at6T.is iuJifftf}odivicemprttbtat,>iizan.O!:at.^4, carnali Part. 2, Cap. I. AfjiiEiedConJciences^ ^ ^p carnall men, or religious Counterfeits fbever ; as the reall poflefllon of gold, an imaginarie dreameof gold; as the true nacurall lively Crape , which glads the heart, a painted juycelefie Grape , which onely feeds the'eye; as a ftrong, and mightie Oake,rooted deeply ill the earth, which no ftorme or tempefi can difplant or overthrow, a ftake in a dead hedge, or ftafFe Ilucke lightly into the ground,which every hand may fnatch away, or blaft of winde fiipplant, and overthrow. Sedl. I. Part. 2, CHAP. I. *The DoSlrineofthe intolerahlene^eef a. vtonnded Confcience proved, ^Econdly, the trouble "oFa wounded The atiribtjte of confcience,is further amplified by it*s « wounded fpirifj Attribute, intolerableneffe. ^«/^ <« w^«n" *^« yvoundedfpirit whocan ^eare^'Whence n6te; Do^r. That the torture ofa trou- Doarine of the tor- bled Confcience is intolerable. ture ofa troabkd con- , £eaf,j. In all other afflidions, onely the y^r«(r(?/j;"cnce with u'srca- fleji is our adverfary ; we contend but with creatures °j^^^ adverfarics ir* at moft ; wee have to do but with man , or at worft, rcfiftablcneflc. with devils : but in this tranfcendent miftry, we con- flid immediately with God himfelfecFraile man with Almightie God;{inhill man with that moft holy God; JVhofe eyes are purer than to behold evilly andrfho can- ^ l^'^^^h not looks upon iniquitie. TVho then can ftand before his ® ""'* * indignmonf Who can abide in thepercene^eofhis an- ger? when hisfnrie u powred ottt li^efirt^andthe Rocks ^e throvf^e dayvne by him: When he comes agalnfi a Hofcais.Si. Wan M A Beare that ii bereaved of her fVhelpSy to rent g(> JnfiruBUns for aright comfortmg Seftl. the very cahU ef his heart yanA to devour e him like a Lion. No more than the drieft fiubble canrefift the fiereft flame ; the ripe corne , the mowers fliarpeft fythe ; or a garment,lhe moath: no more.nay infinite- ly Icflecan any power of man or Angell withftand the mighty Lord of heaven and earth, whenheisangrie ^j. . for fmne. Tyhen thou, faith David, with rebnhes corre~ *Scd prima Intuifuab. ^eft man for iaiquitte, thou as a* moath makefi his fmdavidmpfltt com- (feauty to confume, Alas ! when a poore polluted faraiit 'Dei cum tinti, ^vretch, upon fome fpeciall illumination by the Word, ^utdenmaffine haoet g^traordinarie ftroke from the rod, doth once be- tnajefias ? Rtfpandeo, gm to behold Godshownmg tace agamft him, m the apiiffimi DAv'tAm hdc pure glafle of bis moft holy Law ; and to feele divine fimiiitudint fttSe «- juftice by an invifible hand, taking fecret vengeance fum, utftiammyquam ^^ j^- ^ confcience : his heavie heart immediatelv i^JT^C^S -/"aw,y inhis breaft and^,«»« ^^.ur. h4 tamn tcculta imma- faints and failes, both in the ftrength ot his bodie, and Udihione «»/«wi re- ftoutneffeofhisminde. His bones, the pillars, and probosy M tinea cm mafter-timberof his earthly tabernacle, are prefently ZmVbZT&fiml broken mpkcts,znd turn'd into rottemejfe : Hisfpi- nfpicJ ad txcelkmi- fit the eye and excellencie ofhis foule , which (hould m, qtam dUit ^aa^illighten, and make lightfome the whole man, is quite futredineconumfiyuiii put out,and Utterly overwhelm'd,with exceffeoflior- Dmmu$ tli^ficHU ^^^^^ ^^^ fl^^^gs of defpaire. O this is it, which would ^vlff/fTtabTcotfi. notonelycrufli the courage of the ftouteft fonne of €h t'tm. Calvin. Adam, that ever breath'd upon earth jbut even breake the backe of the moft glorious Angell , that did ever {hine in heaven, fliould he lift up but one rebellious thought again ft his Creatour I This alone is able to make the talleft ^edar in Le&^non, the ft rongeft Oake inMa/att;I meane the higheft looke, and the proudeft heart; the moft boiftcrous Nimrod, or fwaggering Beljhazx^r^ to bow and bend, to ftoope and tremble, as the leaves of. the .fyrrefii that are fhahen jvith the mnde, •' -' ''' '■.'.•,.•..' V .'■ % Ottf owne punini. 2. In aU other adverfities,a man is ft ill a friend un- ng our rohch to himiielfei i& vours himfeUe, and reaches out his beft confi- Pare 2. Chap. I . AffiiHed Confciences, g I confiderations to bring in comfort to his heavy heart. But in this, he is a fcourge to himfelfe, at warre wi th himfe]fe,an enemie to himfelFe. He doth greedily and induftrioufly fetch in as much matter, as he can poffi- bly, both imaginarie and true, to enlarge tlie rent,and aggravate his horrour . He gazes willingly in that falfe glaffe, which Satan is wont in fuch cafes, to fet before him ; wherein by his hellilh malice he makes an infi- nite addition both to the alreadie unnumbred multi- tude, and to the too truehainouihefle othis finnes;and would faine, if he will be led by his lying cruelrie,mif- reprefent to his affi-ighted imagination, every Gnat as a Cornell ; everie moat as a mole-hill; everie mole-hill as a mountaine ; every luftfull thought as a Sodomiti- call villanie ; everie idle word as a delperate blafphe- mie ', every angrie looke as an a(fluall bloudie murder; every intemperate paffion, as an inexpiable provoca- tion; every diftradion in holy duties,as a damnable re- bellion ; every tranfgrelTion againft light of confci- ence, as a finne againft the holy Ghofi, 8cc. Nay , in this amazedneffe of fpirit,and difpofition to delpaire, he is ■apt even of his owne accord , and with great eager- nefle, to arme everie feverall finne,a3 it comes into his minde with a particular bloudy fting,that it may ftrike deepe enough, and fticke faft enough in his alreadie grieved fbule. He imploy es and improves, the excel- lencie, andutmoftofhislearning,underftanding,wir, memory, (^) to argue with all fubtiltie, with much (aJsedFraucifcusspi^ Sophiftry, againft die pardonableneffe of his finnes, ''* fnirifagadtMt ad and poffibilitieof falvatiGn. Hee wounds even his (^^jl'^^^fpindeht--. wounds, with a conceit,they aremcuraole,and vexes J^^ torguebat agekdt- his very vexations, with refufing to bee comforted, queia contramm far- tern magna. violtntU ^rgumin'.o''U,^ txdmvTA'iiif oration^A mpctii—^'^-'il pgtukadanpiifrp n'unibil tam acctm- modaie adfirri, qnodtionilkve( rBftUentarptuJfml^vildudeet callidiffimiy vel diffolvertt pr0WpnJJi'Ne.Siepiinirat?iefpfu}aisgitav't,eum nequaquimfuijfe itM ptrfpUacem in \udki$ dogmaium, itapono exm'mnim in difputatienibm thtdogidi^ amfamu efet. Hift- Dc Fran- ctfc Spiral, p. I to 121, G Not 8 i JnflruSlionsfor a right comforting S e^ . I • (y^ It js (aid of the Not onely crofTss, af}ii<5lions, temptations, and all Ismc p;ra; thac In matttcr oFdifcoHtentment ; but even the mod defira- Td^fiforTM^m ble things alio in this life, and thofe which minifter n9n6ntcr'*'*vn'iii'& ^^^ outward comfort ; wife, (^) children, friends; nanuitqf.atttion9rnr/i gold, goods, great mens favours: preferments, ho- fmptr exberrifctre. nours, otiices , even (f j pleafures themfelves everie Ibii. p. 84. . . thing : whatfoever is within him, or without him> or ^bic'^ZlZT^Tq^L (4) '-^f^o'^ic him : whatfoever he thinkes upon, remem- csrpam hibliumwmu- feers, hcares, {cts, turne all to his torment. No marveil taty ttiam indlk:'s,'iK then, though the terrour of a wounded confcience be iripudyiy in fym^ofi]i. (^ jntolei able. &i. camfumrnixir- ^^ ^^^ exultation, of the foule,and fpirituall rc=- (ct. Lcmauus lib, 4 ^ ui r n i l • 1 ^ap j,^ trefhments do mcomparably lurpafle , both in excel- (i) Contra mtqiiacun lencie of objefl, and fweetnefle of apprehension all qusfuntufpiamjincce pleafuresof fcnfe, and bodily delights tfo affliflions- k&fub Calojonjt4'-^Qf-^i^ fo^^j^^ and fpirituall pangs do infinitely exceed, j^ctnlZM^'clem^ ^^^^ ^" bitternefib offenfcand intenfion oflbrrow the ta^mmdiuy Dtuif An- moft exquihte tortures, can poQlbly be inflifted upon^ |f/j, hemines, duboh the* body For the foule is a fpirit,very fubtile,quicke, Hift.dcSpirapag.»2» aiftive, ftirring, all life, motion, fenle, feeling : and ^ct^m^^^xlt"^^^ therefore farre more capable and apprehenfive, of all * Muitojavw I'ongeq, kindes of imprefTionSjwhether pafTions of pleafure,or tttmior t(l anmi , infli6Vions of paine. ^uant corperii crucU- ^. Thisextreameftof miferies,/^ w'o^W^^^/V//-, is tM. Ummm'5. lib. i . ^gmpgred with fiich ftrong,and ftrange ingredients of Tmb'paaAintoUrtbi extraordinary feares, that it makes a man a terronrto liar, quanio fpintm himfe/fe, and to all his friends : To fee ivhen nonepHr- terporcfubitliijr. fues^at thefonndof a Jhaken leafe : To tremble at hfs 4 The cffcds arc owne fhadow : to be in great feare^ vehere nafeare is: ?""o*°°"' Befides the infupportable burthen of too many true ProT z?! f. and caufefull terrours , it fills his darke and dreadfull Lcvifi 16. 37. fancie with a world of fained horrors, gaftly appariti- Kal. 53«$. ons, and imaginarie hells , which not with (landing, have reall flings ,. and imprefle true tortures upon his trembling and wofull heart. It is empoyfoned with fuch rcftle(reanguifli,and defperate paincthat though li^ be moft fweet,and hell uioft horrible^yet it makes a Part 2 .Cap. I . nyfffliUed C^fifciences, 8 3 a man wilfully to abandon the one , and willingly to embrace the other, that he may be ridde of it's rage. "Hence it was, that Judas preferred an halter and hell, before his prefent horroiir. That S^ira. (aid often, (what heart quakes not to heare it?) that he envied (k) C^/;?,i'/?^/,andA'^*«^:wil'hing rather any of their C^^^^pi dixit infcFi, roomcs, in the dun-ieon of the damned , than to have ^'^^^ spimfernvki:^ his poore heart io rent m pieces withfuch raging ter- ^^^ ib;d.p«a.j, rours, and fiery dclperations upon his bed of death. Optars isih'leca ludie Whereupon at another time being C/) asked, Whe- & cainnj}t\b\d p.j? ther he feared more fearefull torments after this life: ^^ '^'^ ^"^^ immlftt Yes, faid he: but I dcfire nothing more, then to be in f '*** '■'' '"H "^ ^"'« thatplace,wnere I lliall expeet no more. Expectation, nm iaexiagMm as it feemesjof future, did infinitely aggravate and en- «/ bonore, cor/ujionel rage his alreadie intolerable torture. defpiratlota [ubue r«- 5. The Heathens, who had no fuller fight of the ^'"'":- ^^f.vliftp^rstd a tor, mate unto us, the infufterable extremities of a minde ^^^J '^^^^.cumjud*^ troubled inthisliicci Laurent in /Jexi- pharniaroadreifus dcipcraijcrj* ptrt e advtrfui Spiraum fanclum peuav'h ntc uU* ytl m hac vita vil in tuna pctcnu mti ctn- doaai'tofpinrdA efi. Seddiabdi & ccrpcre & axirxd ptrpttuumfum mamcijium, iddqui ;»r(fa/ua diJiu- puratayU^um fkumlaihymii piedffarium, animam fuam lurbatum, rt,}^ ring-^ilderneS'eofwoe ypos within heryis. {hc confe£-]^'^['*^'*^^'* *"*'"' fed of her felf e.She (aid , herfinnes had made her a prey to Satan'^ andwifhed^ thatjhe had never beene bome^ or tbatfhe had beene mn^e any other creatnre, TAther tha» (7-3 ^.; g z Infiru Bionsfor a right comfort hg Sed. i . 4wtfw4». Sbecryed out many times , TVoe^vDoe^woe, (^c. A tveakc^ a -rvofull^a, roretched^ aforfaken fpoman't with teares continually tricklif^gfiom her eyes, Mafter (p) In the narration ^p j Peacock^ that man ot Godwin that his dreadfiill vir ofhis drcadfull defci- (-jj-^j-jon and delertion, recounting fome fmaller fins, 5°°JP^ ^'^'^''^burft out into thefe words. And for the fe, faith he, / fetlemyp an hsllinmy confcience. Vpon other occafi- ons, he cried out, groaning moft pittifully : Oh mee reretch ! Oh mine heart ii miferablel Oh, Oh, miferable And Tvofull I The burthen of my finne lyeth fo heavie upon mey I doubt it vill breaks my heart. Oh how wo- fullandmtferable is my fiate^ that thus mufl converfe Kfith hell-hounds ! When By-ftanders asked, if Hee would pray:He anfweredi I cannot, Si]ffeT us/ay they, t0 pray for you. Ta^e not, reply ed he, the Name of God in vaine, by flaying for a Reprobate, what grie- vow pangs, what forrorvfull torments. fVhat boy ling heates of the fire of hell that bleJfeeC Saint of God, xNAQ -J Un (r )lohnG[oycv,felt inwardly in his JhiritfGdth Fox, nwn. In thcftoryof »o^'^^» outwardly stable to exprefe. Being young, Mafter Rft^vii GUHtf, faithhQil remember Iwoi once or twice with him^whom p. US I. partly by his talke I perceived, and partly by mine ewne eyes f aw to be fo worne, and confumed by the jpace of ■ five y ear es, that neither almofl any brooking of meat^ ^uietnejfeof jleepe,pleafurc of life,yea,andalmoFi no kinde of fenfes was left in him. Upon apprehenfton of fome backzfii^i'fgi he wasfo perplexed, that if hee had beene in the deepefi pit of hell, he could almofl have de- Jpatredno more of his falvation : faith the fame Au- thor : In which intolerable griefes ofminde, faith he,^/- though he neither had, nor could have any joy of his meat,yetwai he compelled to eate again!} his appetite, a.s the endto deferre the time ofhis damnation, fo long ot he might, thinking with himfelfe no lejfe,but that he mufi needs be throwne into hell, the breath being once cm ofhis body. I dare not paffe out of this point , left ibmc childe of God (liould be here difcouraged , be- fore Part 2. Chap. I . A^iUed Confciences, 87 fore I tell you, that everie%ie of thefe three laft na- med, was at length bkfledly recovered , and did rife moftglorioufly out of their feverall depths ofextrea- meft Ipirituall miferie, before their end. Heare there- fore alfo Mifb*is Bretterghs ({) triumphant fongs,and (-q i„ ^j^^ /. . . ravifhmentsoffpirit after the returne o^hexTFelhU- D;(couifc. ''^*'^" ved: O Lord '^efu doe^ thou fray for me? O hlejfedand frveet Saviouryhowwonderfull I how voonderfull ! how Tfonderf till are thy mercies I Oh thy love is Hnfpeakable^ that hafl dealt fogracionjly with me ! O my Lord and my God, blejfed be thy Name for evermore^ "which hafl Jhewedme the path of life, Thoudidfi; O Lord, hide thy face from me for a little feafon, but with everlafling mercie thou hafl hadcompaffion on me . And now blejfed Lord thy comfortable prefence is come \yea Lord, then hafl hadreffeSi unto thy hand-maidyAnd art come with fulnejfe of joy, and abundance ofconfolations : O blejfed be thy Name my Lord and my God : O the joyes ! the joyes! the joy es, that Ifeele in myfoulel Oh they be -won^ derfull! they be wonderfulll they be wonderfull! O Father , how mercifull , and marvellous gracious art thou unto me ! yea Lord, I feele thy mercie, and lam ajfuredofthy love, andfo certaine am I thereof, as thou art the God of truth ^ even fo fur e do I know my felfeto be thine, O Lord my Cjod^ and this my foulekpoweth right-well. O blejfed be the Lord-, O blejfed be the Lord, that hath thm comforted me, and hath brough t me notv to a place morefweet unto me, than the Garden of Eden, Oh the joy, the joy, the delight fame joy that I feele i - O praife the Lord for his mercies, and for thigj^y which my foule feeleth full well, praife his Name for evermore. Heare with what heavenly calmenefle, and fweetcomforts.Mafter Peacocks heart was (if)r€- frefht and ravifht when the ftorme was over: rr«/y, %T^^^^^a^'^^' 7»7^f<2;'^4»£//o/*crcie of God for them all. Afterward by lit- tle and little, more light did arife in his heart , and he brake out into fiich fpeeches as thefe : / do^ God bee praifed^ feele fuch comfort, from that, Vfhat Jhatt I call it? Agony y faid one that ftood by ; Nay^ quoth he, that is too little-^ that had I five hundred yforldsy I could not make fati^aUion for fuch an ijff*e. Oh the Seats not more full ofveaterynor the Sunne of light, than the Lord, ofmercielyea, his mercies are ten thoufandtimes more, what great caufe have I, to magnifie the great goodnejfe ofGodythat hath humbledy nay rather exalted, fuch ^ rrretched Mifcreant, & offo bafe condition^to an ejtate fo glorious andfiately ! The Lord hath honoured mee "jvithhisgoodnejfe. I am fur e, he hath provided a gloria otis kingdomefor me. The joy that I feele in mine hearty, («) Adi and Monuns. u incredible. For the third,neare («) M. Fox: Though ^^'"' this good fervant of God fujfered many year esfojharpe temptations , and fifong bujfetings of Satan : yet the Lord, "who gracioujly preferved him all the yvhilcy not onely at lafi did ridhim out of all difcomfort y but alfo framed him thereby to fuch mortification of life y as the like lightly hath not beenefeenei in fuch fort yOS he being like one placed in heaven already, and dead in this world, both in KvordandmeditatioHy led a life altogether cele- ftiatty abhorring in his minde allprophane things, 7. It ii irremediable. 7- ^'o arme offleih, or Art of man; no earthly comfort, or created power can poffibly heale or heipe in this heavieft cafe, and extreameft horrour ; heaven and earth, men and Angels, friends and phyfickejgold and filvcr,pleafiires and preferments, favour of Prin- ces; nay the utmoft polfibilitie of the whole creation muft let this alone for ever. An Almighty hand,and in- finite Part. 2 . Cap. i . AffliEied Confciences, gp finite skill mufl take this inhand;oreIfe never any cure orrecoverie in this world, or the world to come. Bodily difeales may be ealed , and mollified by medicines : Surgery, as they fay, hath a (alve for e- verie (ore : Poverty may be repaired and relieved by friends ; There is no imprifonment without fome hope of enlargement. Sute and favour may help home out of banifhment.Innocency and negleft may weare out difgrace : Griefe for lofTe of a wife , a childe , or other dearefl fi'ierid, if not by reafbns from Reafon, that death is unavoidable , necelTarie , an end of all earthly mifcries, the common tvay of all mankinde, &e. yet at laft is leflened and utterly lo ft by length of time. Cordialls of Pedrley Safhyres^ and Rubies, vfhh. iuch like,may recomfort the heart poflcft with mclan- cholie, and drown'd in the darknelfle of that fad , and irkefbme humour, &c. But now not the moft exqui- fite concurrence of all thefe^nor all the united abilities, which lie within the ftrength and (inews of the arme of flefiijcan helpe any whit at all in this cafe. Not the exad:eft quinteffence extraftedfrom all the/oyes,glo- rie, and pleafures, that ever the world enjoyed, can procure, or minifter one /ot of eafe to a foule afflidedl in this kinde, and thus trembling under the terrors of God. InfuclianAgony^ndextremitie, hadft thou theutmoft aide, and an univerfall attendance from Angels and men ; couldeft thou reach the top of the moft afpiring humane ambition, after the excellencie and varietie of all worldly felicities : were thy pol^ feffions as large as Eaft and Weft;were thy meat con^ rinually Mannnfrom heaven ; every day, like the day o^Chrifts refHrreSlion: were thy apparell as coftly and orient as Aarons Efhod j nay, thy body cloth 'd with thebeautieof the Sunne, and crownde with ftarres; yet for all this, and a thoufand more, thy heart within thee would be as cold as a ftone,and tremble,infinite- ly above the henrt of a rvonMn^ entring into tr^vtU of hsr p o InfirptEHonsfo* a right comforttHg Seft. i • her firfi childe. For alas, who can ftand before the mighty Lord God? Who dare pleade with him, when ^P °. '"''^Hf^l^T ^e is angrie? What fpirit of man hath might,to wra< tadjnt hunc metbum 1"^ With his Maker ? Who is able to make an agree- eiufmodi effcy c,uipbaf- ment with the hells of confcience?or to put to filence mcii,aui epebumakd the voyce of desperation ? Oh I in this confli(5t alone, ^"r'^^lvfd ■ «S ^"^ wofull wound of confcience, (f) noeleduarieof f? "mdWiMa. ^0»pro P^^^^^ ^^ prctious Banlme,no Beioars ftone, or Vni- dtliaAammairitHii corneshorne, Paraceliian quinteflence, or potable «x, ptccati cognitione, gold: no new device of the Knights of the Rofie-croffe, &p£ Dei pandtnfn^ ^or the moft exquifite extrape!tiv^kc}pia. u called (t)To day. For aflhredly in the meanetime* Zl::^^^'^::;!^ ^^l fi«"^^ ^^^Z ^ave heretofore committed ia tjigratue, qui vuintn - thought, word or deed; at any time, m any place, with ta C9nf(ittttia fanari any company ,or to which they have beene any wayes potififuavijjimu chri- acceflarie, are alreadie upon record before the pure jml^TmuZ^ ^y^ ""^^^^^ ^'^^ ^"^ everlafting Iudge,writtenexa(5Hy tml&c. RoUoc. in ^X ^^^ hand of divine juftice in the bookc of their Ioa0.5.pag. 1S7. conrciences> Pare 2 . Chap. 2. uiffii^ed Confciences, p I confciences, with a penne of iron , with the claw of an Adamant", with the point of a Diamond, or if you can name any thing, which makes a ftronger, deeper, and more lafting imprefTion : and there they lye, like fo many Lions afleepe, and Gyants refrefliing with wine, gathering much defperate poyfon, and flinging points: that whensoever hereafter, they {hall beeffe- d:ually and finally awaked by Godsangriehandj they may torment mofl ragingly, and tcare their wofull foules in pieces everlaflingly, when there is none to helpe. Nowwemayfceandobfervemany times, one lit- i One finne will fting tie finne^atleaft m the worlds account, and conceit of .^'*^"^"3^1y ^''^" '^ carnall men, to plunge a guilty confcience into the" *"*^ depth of extremeft horrour, & a very hell upon earth ; As I have heard of, and kno wne in many : One for a fiidden, unad vifed imprecation againfl her own foule, in cafe fhe did fo or fo : Another ,ft)r a thought concei- ved ofGod, unworthy fo great a Ma/efly t Another,, for covetoufly keeping a thing found, and notreflo- ring it, or not inquiring after the owner : Another for an adulterous project, without any a<5luaU pollution : Another, by concurring with a company of fcoffing IJhmaels onely once, and ere he was aware, by lifting up the hands, and cafling up the eyes, in fcorne of Gods people, &c. Yet afterwards they fadly revifing thefe mifcarriages in Cold bloud, fome of them fbme five or fixe yeeres after, God being then pleafed to re- , prefent them with terrour, and their native flings; were cafl into that afflidion of confcience, and con- fiifion of fpirit, that their very hones were broken-, their faces flld with ghafllineffe and feare; their bodies pof- feffed with Itrange tremblings and languiihing diflempers ; their very vitallwo7y?«r^^»r«^^ into the drought of Summer : In which dreadfiill perplexity ; , ^ " they'were in great danger of deflroying themfelvcs, : .^^ ^'^ andofbeingfwallowedupofdefpaire. If the guilty ' ^^ "' fenf§ ' y g% JnjirHliions for a right comforting Stdi.V fenic than of one finne, when Godfets it on,and faycs unto iXf Torment, drawes fo many fiery points of ftinging Scorpions after it;charg.es upon the excellency of theunderftanding with fuch hideous darkeneiTe, rents the heart in pieces with fuch defperate .r age, grindcs into powder, the arme & finewcs of- all earth- \y (iiccour; melts, like Dew before the Sunne,all thofe delights and plealures which the whole world offers, or affords to comfort in fuch a cafe; In a word, makes ' amanfoextreamely miferable, that he would make himfelfe away; wifhes withunfpeakeable griefe, that he had never been; that he might returne into the ab- horred ftate of annihilation; that he Were any other creature; that hee might lye hid world without end under fome everlafting Rocke, from the face of God; Nay, that he were rather in hell, than in his prefent horronrtl fay it being thus, what unquenchable wrath, what ftreames of brimftone, what reftlefle ang«i(h, whatgnafhing of teeth, what gnawing ofconfcience, what defpairefoll roarings, what horrible torments, what fiery bells feeding upon his foule and flcfli for ever, may everie impenitent wretch exped:,whcn the whole blacke and bloudie Catalogue of all his finnes Ihall be marfliald and muftered up together at once againft him ? everie one, being keened with as much torturing fiirie,as the infinite anger of Abnightie God can put into it : after that hee hath accurfedly with much incorrigible flubbornnelTe out-ftood the day of his gracious viiitation, under this glorious Sun-fhine ohhe Gofpell: wherein he either hathi or if he had (u) As jf a fo&lifli beene as (u) provident for his immortall foule , as vnetch (hould chafe rathct to fiarve at the Bakers StaU, than liy out his penny in bresij. So God knovres many a wretched naan fami(hcth hu foole to fpa/e his purfe^ contented to live in a bar- ren and dry wilJcrneflej where there Isneither bread nor water of life; where there is no villicn, no preaching; tather than to fcedc hi»Kidsby tlie Tents of the Shepheards^tbat is, CO dwcJl, where he nay heare, or fwbicfa wereoaore charitable) to procurethat h ce m\\\ oihcrt may heaze, vrhezc he d^vcUeth. 5« Cft9\t, ~ carking Part 2 . Ciiap. 2. ^jJliBed Confciencet, p -, car king for his rotten carkafle, might have enjoyed verypowerfiillmeancs all his lifelong; And yet all the while negleUed fo great falvAtion :forfooke hi^ own mercy :2iXidiio judged himfelfe unworthy of everlafiincr Ifa lighter finne many times light fohea vie, when » A Ifghtfinac will the confcience is illighrene ^"^ fo ^'^^^^ "^ ^'"^''^' is a moft defperate fecuri- catumlonmmim.fcd tie : To have all this miferie towards, and to be confi- quoi an'ma pucansfu dent,andfeareleffe,isthewi/^r»>of «?/y>mj. mfenfata. — . — •?« The reafons, why thou art at reft fro m their guilty M»fij»0M(fr p^ IrjfiruUionsfor a right comforting^ Sed. i , hearts to delight in the Word ; Not finding happinefle upon earth, might make them enquire aher that which is in heaven. That crofles and crofling their courfes, being fanftified for that purpofe, may haply heipe to breake their hearts , and bring them to re* morfe for finne; which he mainly feares,and oppofeth with all the craft and power,he can poffiblyjleft there- upon, they breake out of his fooles-paradife, into the Garden ok Grace; out of the warme Sunne, into Gods blcffing. In managing this maine policy, for the more fecure detainment of his vaflals in the invilible chaines of darknefle and damnatioft, and in an everlafting diftaft and dif-afFedion to ^t good way j by holding up their hearts ifthisfinfuUfer vice, and woing them, to go on •quietly towards hell without any grumbling ; hec works many wayes. 1. Promotes all thy I. He plots all he can to procure them fiiccefle ia enterprifci *againft their wicked enterprifes, and unlawfull attempts, ef- oiheri. pccially, againft the ftithhiU Minifters, and people of Godjfor that doth infinitely confirme,harden,and en- courage them in their prophage courfes , and oppofi- tion to grace. Herein he doth many times mightily prevaile,by improving the opportunities,and prefiTing the advantages, which he gain€s,by cheexecutions of Gods jufl:ice,and rebellions of his children.The finnes even of his owne people doe many times provoke Gods juft indignation againft themjand enforces him, to raife up their adverfaries, as (courges, and to give themluccefle/or the humiliation, and chaftifement of his chofen; See P/4/.8 1 . 1 4. i ^-Ifa. \ o. 5 .^.&c.c«juTe$ of cir. tcntment: as to Taverncs, Ak-houfes,Play-houfes, ^"" wniencuhich H Whore- p8 InftrftSthnifor'a right comforting Seto Dan- (ur^M tonUbtnt ^"S'* ^^ ^^^^'■' Wakes, Mif-mJes, Drinking-matches, fitMm nulibenurvi, *''and a world of fuch finfull haunts, Bedlam- vat(tcumy /cflfAw/« fooleries, and Good-fellow-meetings. Wherein He cen[ortiaquarat &jo js mightily furthered , by Wicked Mens impatiency daliiiahominmvolup- offolitarineffe; and their enraged ea^erneflfe of carry- fojjit umpHifuUe^e sfi i"S With them toheIl,as many as may be.For the firft, emm Jolitari* inaa ^ThoHgh a good man^'AS Solotnon^uthyhe fati^fied jrom ftrmaefiap'irtimp.ip himjelfe; darefiiil well, and defires full often,ro bee a- ter recordauomm fcile bne ;becaure the bird oi thebofomefingsfweetly to r;:r,:r;:"« Ws fo„le ,„ (olirarmeffc:yet all the fonnes%nd daugh- fie?itq;quiafcit.qub(ife- ters otplealute^ nave no pleauire at all, nay ordinarily row non conftntm, & are moft loath to be by (a) themfelves . Solitarinefle quod cottfdeniia tv'm- pQts them into their damps, makes them extreamely ^StimaUtmrc'i melancholicJ in PUl. 1 4. Part 2. Cap. 2. why many are not hiadeadflcej>f,asiu ®SI4,^SB ^ " ^^ "^^^"^ ^^^^ * though ihe ^m f.^^ Xmk there be in finite caufe , and a world of woe to come,is, becaufe their coh- fciences by reafon of forfeit in finne, . and being drunke with worldly de- hghts as with fweet wine, are caft into a dead fleepe: And thwe lulled ftill,and lockt full faft in an imagina- nc Paradifc of golden dreames and tranfitorie fancies, by Pare 2. Chap. 3. ^ffliSted^^onfciences, lOi by the charines and enchantments ofearthly pleafures. Andif at any time, any noife of terrour found in their eares from the Lords Trumpetters in the Minillerie of the Word, Co that they begin to ftirre, then the divell begins to beftirrehimfelfe , and to rocke them faft a- gaine with his J)'r^butnot efuiet; when the pleated face of God 'nChriftidu$,fcakd doth ftiineupon it through thebloud ofChrift ; and ""'<^'''em by the tc- yet it feeles not the comfort of that bleffed reconcilia- of Go7rL«' ^^'"' tion : As in many new Converts, who being truly (d) inthe broken and humbled for all finne, caft themfelves upon the Lord contrite fpkiti which fefus, and his fure fromifes^ for fpirituall and eterhall ^^^ . ^'"''' *'^ never life J and yet are not as yet fenfible of any aflurance. h^g'jjj "^ "^" *"*^ 4. That which is ^uiet but not good ; when it is as fiill uprishtiygood.Sbkh of finne as a Toade of venome, as Hell of darkneffe; ispaincfuliyeviJI,for and all thofe innumerable finnesunrepented of, un- * good mansconfcu pardoned, likefo many mad Ban-dogges,andfell Ma- «"ccmay becunquicc (lives, though adeepe for the prefent, will in the evill ?o ilS^i^-AL day, elpecially of ficknefie, death, judgement, (e) fiie tia e(i mfiArfim aIuu. in the face of the proudeft Nmrod,tedidk to plucke out M ?«* quamdiu Aor» his very throat & heart,and to torment with unfpeak- *"'* "^ideturefe c'uur, ablehorrour ; andyetfor all this, it is untroubled, tch2''7n'lfm-Im fenfeleffe, and fecure. Thiskindeofconfcience, is to io^^r &Simt be found, I feare me, in the moft that heare mee this cemtHr. Diiigenttrita- day, and fo generally over the kingdome. It doth not ?«« eavemta eft talis in the meane time, trouble and terrifie. cov/lientia ; quipfe qua. Ksnriunquiim per t§- tum oitte cumculiim qu'uta manety & alto Utha*go opprelfajacet: fed itgritudiae tliqui graviort.veletiam mme apprtpmquante excmiuri Veot & trucuUntdfua. inmmmt htm^ «ffi>f£rr<^ Alft.Theol.C«ruu(B. Cap. z. H3 i.A 102 InftrH^ionsfor a right contorting %^di.i. j.Ignorant. I . A great number,by reafon of their ignorance in the Booke of Godjand by confequent un-acquainted- nefle with the finfijlneffe antljCurfednefTe of their fpi- rituall ftate, revealed thereby. This is the very cafe of a world of poore ignorant befotted foules a mongft us: more is the pittie, efpecially now, when the glorious Sunne of Chrifts Goipell ftiines (b faire, and fully in many places ! For want of light in Gods Law , they looke upon their finnes, as we do upon the Starres in a cloudy night ; fee onely the great ones of the firfl magnitude; and here one, and there one : But if they were further illightened, and informed aright , they might behold them,as thofe infinite ones in the fairefl, frofty Winters mid-night. A worthy Divinejets out excellently the quietnefife of this ignorant confcience by a very fit refeaiblance,thus: Men judge of their ignorant conferences, faith he, iu they do of their hlinde, dumbe, and ignorant Minifters : Such neither doe^nor can preach\can neither tell men of their finnes ^ nor of their duties . Aske fuch a hlinde-guide^s people, tvhat their conceit is of him, andwhata^inde of man their A^inifler u^ andyouf)all have him magnified for apaf- ftng, honefl, harmeleffe man^ ypondrom quiet amon^fi his neighbours. They may do tohat they yp til for him ; he is none of thefe troublefomefelloweSy that tvillbe repro- ving their faults^ or ccnipiaining of their diforders in the Tulpit \ Oh fuch an one is a quiet good Alan indeed. Thus judge many of their confcience s. If their eonfcien- ces be quiet ^ and lye not grating upon them^ and telling them, that their courfes are ftnfull and damnable y and that their perfons are in a danger om condition : but ra- ^ ther by their filence^ ignorance^ and vaine pretences doe julfifie them, and tell them, allyvillbe tvell enough. Oh then rohat excellent conferences have thefe men I They nutke no confcience of Family-duties ; once in they ear e to come to the Sacrament ferves the turne : they are €9mmon fnurcrs in their $rdinitrj eommHnication: maki Part 2 .Cap. 3 . AffiiEied (^^nfciences. 103 make no confcience of fanBifying Sabbaths f &c , And their confciences let them alone in all thefe, do not give them one fy liable of ill lanvHAge : Oh what gentle, and good-natured confciences thinke thefe men they have! But alas ! what evill confciences have they ? 2. Norothersjbyreafonofa covenant with death, j.Securc. and an agreement with hell. Such as thofe, Ifa .28.15, ^f^ pc'ce there is aW who negotiate by their plaiifible Agents , Eafe^plea- "^' depofitioa, both Cures, pro/ferity i^nd conclude fome kinde of concord ^nrnT^i" !S.-" and corapofition tor a time with Satan,iinne,and their ons are put off : In a owne confciences. But to tell yon the truth , it is no truce, there is but a truepeace, but a politicke truce.T'or thefe implacable, fu^pcnfion, and a defoerate (pirituall enemies of theirs, are ever in the ceTauonof Armsfor '^ . ' . . r\ jy 1 afealon, loas during mcanetime preparing Armes, Ord nance, and many the fame ihcrcisftifl fiery darts, ftill levying of frefli forces , whole armies provifionofmorcfor. of fiery Scorpions, and flaming terrours, with which ce$,and apreparation as foone as the truce is ended, they will fet upon them °^ S''««"r ftrcogth. with more violence, fijry, and fiercenefle than ever before. 5 . Nor otherSjBy reafbn of an infenfible brawned- j. seared* nefle growneover,and a defperatefearednefle impreft: upon their confciences by extraordinarie villany, and variety in finne. Such as thofe, 7/^.5.19. By drawing iniquity a long time with cords of vanity ^and finne, as it tvere with a cart-rope,by waving the glorious light of the Word under wnich they fit, and which fhines on their faces.as a fooU/h thinzx by villanoufly trampling n^'rr:^ <^* -^ under toot the power or It With defpite, and icorne, pj toI^ ^ a^aWiy. many times againft that light, which flands in their (ip'ois fmeia, "Q^i confciences like an armed man ; Nay, and by treading » Cor. i . 1 8. out with caftome in finne , the very notions that na- AuTox«7*»f /ra*. ture hath engraven in their hearts , as men do the en- gravings of Tombe-ftones which they walke upon, with foule ilioes j I (ay thus, at length their confcien- ces become,fo utterly remorfelefle,and paft all feeling; fi? brawned, fo feared , fo fealed up with a reprobate fenfe; that with an audacious, and Giant-like infolen- H4 cie. jQA JtjfirHci tons for a ri^ht comforting Sed. r . cic,they challenge even God Almightie himfelfeto draw His Iword of vengeance againft them. fVoe tittto them that drnrv iniijmty with cords of vanity ^a.ndfinves^ di ft were with a cart-rope : That faj^ Let him make fi^eedy and hafien his worke, that we may fee it : and let the counfell of the holy One of Jfrael draw nigh and Ko W jUacr/. gering Belials, in this refped: have confciences, worfe lames 1. ly. than the Divell himfelfe. Per he keleeves and trem- bles, Eventhofealreadicdefperate and dimned fpi- rits, tremble at the fore-thought of that fuller wrath which is to come, and yet further-deferved damna- tion. 4. Worldl'mg. 4. Nor others,who,when it begins ever and anon to grumble, mutter, and make a noife, lull it afleepe a- gaine with fongs of pleafures ; and ftill the cries of it with outward mirth,as ^i«/// was wont to lay the evil Jpirit with AfNfcke.'Vhtie mens confciences are quiet, not becaufe they are favingly appealde; but becaufe they are fenfuaily pleaide: Not becaufe they want matter to trouble , and terrifit ; but becaufe they will give them no leafure,to fet their finnes in order be- fore them.For this puPpofe,and to keepe thefe furious Maftives mufl'd in the meane time,tJiey have recourfe unto and improue, both variety of delights , and mul- tiplicity of imployments. For the firft : This ii the reafon, as one laith wittily , that many are fo eager in thepttrfuitsef their pleafures ybecAufe they would make Gods Sergeant , their owne confcience that purfnes theWy drunken with thefe pleafures : jufi at many men ufe to doe, getting the Sergeant that comes to arrelf them into the Taveme, and there tpaking him drnnke, thatfo they may efcape. For the fecond : How was it polTible that yihitophel [jaould hold out fo long from hanging himfelfe,and horrible conftifion oflpirit;efpe- cklly fith he harbour'd in his bofome fuch a falft rot- ten abhominable heart, as appeared by that villanous counlell Part 2 . Chap. 3 . ^ffii^ed Confciences, X^jcy counfell bee gave Abfohin , to ly^ with his Fathers Concubines, in the fight <7/^////^ withthofere- vercr cogitations in coldbloud, which are wont to correct and condemne the enormitie of exorbitant courfes. And thus in all ages, many great men,of great wifedome, being great oftenders , purpofely put and plunge themfelves into multitude of buiinefles ; that they may have no leaiiire, to Uften unto that, which their confciences would fecretly tell them m their eare, of their Mnch'tveUiany^\oxs>igxod\^\Q\x^ lall:s,and plaufible cruelties. The noil e oFattendants, vifitants,. Dependants , and great employments drowne the voyce of Confcience in fuch caies, as the Drummesin the facrifices to Moloch, the Cry of the Infants. But while the men of the world are thus wholly detain'd, and-do fb greedily vpon purpofe entertaine the time with cares of this life,and dealings in the world; their confciences deale with them>as Creditors with their „. Debitors; while they have any doings^s they fay ,and are in trading^ift policy let them alone & fay nothing; but if once downe the winde , in ficknefle, poverty, difgrace,&c.Then comes Sergeant after Sergeant; Ar- refl: upon Arreft; Action upon Adion: All their (innes are fet in order before them, and fall full foule upon the now diftreifed Soule, as Ravens upon the fallen Sheepe, to picke 9||t the very t'^zs and heart of it, and to keep it downe ih- the Dungeon of defpaire for ever. 5 . Nor othersjbecaufe they coufen themfelves with y, sdfc deceWflg. a formall faUe conceit of a comfortable fpirituall ftate; as did the Pharifie^Luk. 1 5 . 1 1 .with a groundleffe pre- fumptiGn,that they are in Gods favour j as did thofe, Matth, • InjiruCiions for a right comforting Sedl.iJ Matth. J.22, And the five foolifh VirgmsyMatth. ay . When as God knowes they are meere ftrangers to the Myfterie of C^ri/?, and farre enough from any found Humiliation. Thus the blindeneffcfecurityjfearedneflejflumber, Selte-deceitjor feme other fuch diftemper of the Con- fcience conceales,and keepes in, the ftings of thofe fins in fenfiiall men;which without turning unto the Lord, in truth, while it u called To daj^ will hereafter tor- ment with intolerable and re ftlefleterrour thorough all eternity. 3. Sinne h in it*« 3 . A third rea(bn,why thy anlamented,and unpar- GWBc dcmcot. doned finnes,tho every one of them be armed with a feverall bloudy and fiery fting, and of their owne na- ture fo heavy with horrour, that they are able to finke Thee into the bottome of Hell; doe not as yet ftirre, nor preffe upon thy Soule, with the infupporrable weight of divine vengeance, is this : They are in their native foyle,where they were born, bred and brought up, in their owne Element,as they iay : I meane in a carnall heart, (baking in fenfualitie, and not refolved to be reformed. We fay in Philofophj, An Element U not heavy in it's orvne T^lace, One Bucket full of water upon the Earth would be burdenfome to the Backe of that Man, who, were Heein the bottome of the Sea, would feele no weight at all from all the water there, though it were three miles high over His head. A fen- fuall heart, fettled upon it's lees can beare without fenfe, or complaint, a world of wickedneile, which out of it's Element and hHmour,would be crufiitinto Powder, and tremble with hon-our upon the fad ap- prehenfion of the leaft finne,efpecially fetout by Gods juft indignation. While Bellhas:,zar was in His Ele- ment, revelling and ryoting amongfl His Lords, Hia Wives, and His Concubines, drinking wine fwagge- ringly and comemptuoufly in the golden and filver VeSels of the Temple, Hee felt no touch in point of con- Part. 2 . Cap. 3 . AffitSied Conjciences, 1 07 confciencc, or terrour at all. But, put out oi" His hu- mor, by the hand-roriting upon theplaificrofthe JVall^ his countenance -was yreCently changed, and his thoughts troubled him, fo that thejoynts of his ioj/nes were loofcd^ Mnd.his k^ees [mote oneagainj} another. 4. Fourthly, The never-dying worme, that natu- 4. Sinne hach other raHy breeds, and {d) growes biggein every unregene- things to fc^d upon, rate conicience,which beates backe fcill the fearching (d) voluptas perpetui power of the Word,and (ecret warnings of the Spirit, vemUnumxy adtem' is like a Wolfe in the foot : Feede it continually with P^'tj^fiodif'^ bnve fren, fupplyofnw flelT, . and it will let the Body a- ?i|S:,/rl"- lone ; butwith-draw that, and it devoures upward. rUexUHm trifiiti.< f9r- While thefonnes and daughters ofpleafure, andalln^*?"' Bafil. Exhorr, thoie who have their portion and Paradife in this life, ^^ Baptifmum; flop the mouth of this hellifli worme, with variety of carnall delights, they do well enough, and findepret- tie eafe, and exemption for a time from the rage and bitings thereof: But they may afliire themfelves in evill times , when the dayes are come upon them, wherein there is no pleafure; when the Tlay is done; when all worldly comforts and comforters like run- away fervants , and drunken Serving-men , are to feeke, when they have moft ufe and need of them, I fay, that then the time , and tnrne is come : that the worme of confcience, deftitute now for ever of any fiirther fatisfadlion from fenfuall fweetnefle , will ra- gingly turneupon the Soule, devoure like a Lion, gnaw like a Vulture, vex eternally. 5. Fifthly,Ifthe weight ofthe whole world were y.Thefinncrii^ki- now laid upon any of thefe Bodies here lately buried, ^"^^'y *J«»d, it would not flirre orgroane: And why? Becaufeit is naturally dead, Proportionably, Though the bur- then of fin, f arre heavier than a moimtaine of(oor,X.O the broken-hearted:, to the captives, to the blinde,lo the bruifed. Luk.^,i 8, That He onely who confe^eth^and forfaketh Hisfinnes, Jhall have mercy .Prov , 28.1 '^JYh.Ztcxceptwee repent^ ■wee fhall all periflj.Luki I 5. ;?.That except wee be borne AgAtne, wee cannot fee the Kingdome of God. '}oh, 3.3, Ihsit Godwin wound the he ad of hii enemies, and the hairy fcalpe offuch an one,ai goeth enflillin his trefpaf- fes,Pfal 63.2!. That if wee regard iniquity in our hearts, the Lord will not heare hs, Tfal, 66, 1 8. That fto fornicator, nor idolater, nor adulterer , nor effemi- nate,nor abufer ofHimfelfe with man-ki»de,nor theefe^ nor covetous man, nor drunkard, nor reviler, nor extor^ tioKer,Jhall inherit the Kingdome of God, i . Cor, (5.p. I o. That without holinejfe no man Jhall fee the Lord. Heb,i2.i^, Thsit every one that calleth on the Name »f Chrififavingly, mufi depart from iniquitie, 2 .Tim, «,ip. &c. Compare now thefe and the like Places with thine heart, life, and prefent inif)enitent ftate, .and tell mee in cold bloud, and impartially, whether any mercy at all as yet belongs unto thee upon good ground, yet lying in thy linnes. Chap« jio InfiruSiions for fi right cofnforthg Seif^I. Chap.IIII. Thefecond Vfe of the former doElrine for the cott" vertedthattheyftrtneftomoreyitfid to keepe them from finnefeven confiderations are given them. Vfe I. sinnc no Cp^^'^^^^^^ a fecond place, the Point may fcrve rn:ne;,and to that end jp^^T^^^ f^^ Warning to tliole, who are alrea- conridsr thai tlimcis |j^^ iMWS dit waOied from their finnes; that they defile their Soules no more:who having beene cured , by cafting their eyes upon the braz^en Serpent , from thofe many fiery ftings; that they rebell no more: who wounded formerly at the heart-root with grievous horrour, and now healed with the bloud or C^rifi^ that in the name ck Chrifl , they tume not againe to folly. Let them call to minde, and lay to heart the en- fuing c^nfiderations , when they are firft tamper*d with, and tempted againe to any finne : which, mee thinkes, (hould be ofpower, not onely to keepe Gods bleffed Ones from putting their hands to iniquitie; but al(b to reftraine , or at leaft to coole the courage even of the Divels fUves, in the very heat of the moft furi- ous entifement to their befl-beloved finne. I Moft hatefu;! ^ * ^^""^^^ "^°^ hatefull . It is the onely Ob/ed of (b^ Tt'mim tnt'm di all Gods infinite hatred. His Love is cut,a8 it were,m- viiti ameru obyRunty to divers flreames, & carried upon variety of(^) Ob- efiipfaDeitaij atFiU- jeds .He loves in the firft place^in finitely ^ad-xquately 7r!at!c tiumt \\fl "^' ^^"^ ^^'^^'^ Selfe^Vii^ owne Sonne,who is called HH. 4 Gttitub'uwut' ^G* Sonne of Hpi Love, His Angels, His Saints, His num. 5« sie^i. Til. p. Servants, His Creatures, All things Hee made : Thou I . Syntag. Tbc. 40. lovefl all things that are^ and abhorrefi nothing which «*c' '1? '^ /9 ' ThoH hafl made. Tor never tvouldeji Than have made ColofTi.ij: (0 T>e6mbiUfl In odio^nifivulumM eH.nibUellei imifum,9diiifm,txecrabik,»i^ mdm Hoe Mttm efij/MOififpfumi&frgtirca nibil.Z aach.Dc naiura Dei. Lib.4.C«p,7. thing Part 2. Cap. 4' AffliEicd Confciences, III ^thing at all,properIy & Formally, but finne.The whole infinitenelTeof all His hatred, is ipent wholly upon finne alone ; which makes it infinitely and extremely hatefull. Now what a thing is this,that an infinite di- vine hatred, like a mighty undivided Torrent fhould with all it's united forces,and deteftations runne head- long, and reft upon every finne; bee it but an officious \yc,* foolijh talking, jefitng,revelii>tg^2i-(vanf on glance, * Ephef 5.4! a vaine thought, an idle word, & fuch like lighter fins GjJat. j.at. in the worlds account: which to reprove in fome Mauh.y. a?. companies,nay almoft every where, would be holden to be a lb wre and unfufferable precifenefle : So despe- rately impudent are the times , both in difgracing of finceritie, and dawbing of finne ! And what a wofull wretch is every impenitent Sinner, who hath fuch a world ofunpardoned finnes lying upon His Soule,and (iich an immeafurable weight of hatred lying upon every fevcrall finne ! And what a prodigious Bedlam is Hee, who will wittingly , and willingly put His hand toanylinne; which once committed,is infepara- bly,and individually attended with the infinite hatred onb great a God : For which thepainesof Hell murt upon neceflitie be fuffered; either by the Partie Him- felre, or his Surety: Either it mufl: bee taken off by the bloudof ^^/^ Chrift ; or elfe the Delinquent^ muft burne in Hell for ever ! a It ismoft foule. Even fouler than the fouleft 2. MoRfonJe. Fiend in riellj than theEHvell Himfelfe. And let none ftamble at this truth; it appearcsunanfwerably thus % Sinnemadehima Divell, andfunke Him into HeUj and therefore finne is more rancke Di veil, and horrible Hell it felfc. For it is a ^principle in Tbilofophy of un- queftionablc truth; (\i) fVhatfoever maketh fuch^ is it (^) a^; jy % -^up^ felfe THHch more fueh. The Sunne that lightens all 0= i'K*$ovt iK^vo amK' ther bodies, is much more lightjThe fire which heates ^''^ ^^?;^- Arift. aU other things, is much more hot: So that which de- i^^J^'J'^; ^"^ ^''^■^ files another thing,is much more fuUbme:Sintie alone J I 2 InftrtiUioni for a right comforting '■' Sefl.I. {\)ilfudqusdinaxi 't brought all hellifh mifery upon Satan, and made him videtMrVtuiodifft.fa- fofoule, therefore is it farre Fouler. If any could drip dTnif*^alkm- m^\ ^^ ^^ ^'^^ ^^""^^' ^^ ^^"^^ re-inveft himinto the Oii- e^ ^(urnamm/"fi Ice "i^g foabes of allhis former Angclicall excellency and cammnon t(ftt, ten perkdionjandreftorc him into height of favour a- 5WW crMt«rrr4r(iy.erihc putriEcd matter of Ibnie peftilent Vlcer: (f) laiBcs I . ii. (0 Toth.e very cxcren:ents, which Nature having le- A-jTofliVAo/ ^rrii. vered fi-om the purer part ot the meat, thrufts out of /yTTrtfi^, V-j'srQ'i, the ftoniacke, and calb into the draught : (u) To the Pvmxpix. lord, s : fi/f/jjfjejfe, pollutions, and impuritfis of the world, fo • 2iy/«l|r^> called by a fingularitie, for finne is' the tranfcendcnt uvgHtbui coUigundirifilth of the world : To alltheuncleannefliesjor which r~Ht,fecuniiiim athu \l- the Purifications,cleanfings,wari-iings,and fprinklings .vi« qt4n, • that were ever fince ; and will ftill by the unrefiftable ftrength of the fame contagion,empoyfon all their na- tures, to the Worlds end. Nay, at the very jRrft brea- king out, it fuddenly blafted, as it were, both Heaven and Earth : And fo ftained the beautie of the one, the brightnefle of the other,and the originall,orient,new- lyburnifht glory ofthe CO '»'^''^^<^^^^^'*^«; that from (c^ uot^m. » x,7/ay of the Lord. If but one finne, tUy etiam brutk & in- bee doted upon, delightfiilly, and impenitently, like a '»''J'«« acdpere^ puti lumpe of Leaven, itfowresall the Soule, defiles ^^^ AmT^''^1'Z whole Man^and every thing,that proceeds from Him: ^^^ j,f^^ boJmkprC His thoughts, defiresjaffedtions, words, adions/and miulifmmtADeade* that of all forts ; naturall,civill,recreative,religious. It ^'mau. . ho- doth not onely unhallow his meat, drinke, carriage; ^.'L '^^' p^^^^n-' Hisbuying,felling,giving,lending,andallHis other ^^'^l^'JI^. tn'ifer'^Si morhU^mwti, & \r firdiiiom. Par. [rtituufub- jeSla tfivmtati: &cad€ntt hominty qmm ccitfiituirat Domrm Dommnm Demm fiitt & prmiptm emm poffc^onis jiti , tota fimul htertditoi corru^ta tjl. Inde di^tm- peratus aer, wta, in opiribus Ada mikdwiay & amnU fubdita vanitati : Nee faJU rep^rabitur hterednas} dome repirentur IxredeStBein* (d) a Pec.j.io.ii; 1 2 (e')d€a- J I ^ JnfirfMicfttfor a right contorting SeA. i . (cjtht'o'fyDfthew.c. (e) dealings in the world, even His plowing; T'/jd- ktiniitiev -ploTf/tng of thervicked isfmne. Prov. 21.4. But a'fo w ihe L9rd, Pro. 1 5.9. j^^j-nes all his (/ ) fpiritiialfervices,and divineft duties: Comal fenfum «»».'- .,. l • j- -..1,0 mm H/w proverv^ His prayer,hearing,reading,receiving the Sacrament, bune tS'e : QHodque &c. into abhomination. If but one raging corruption, vepi^umf & mum- jn a.Miniftcr, Magiftrate, Mafter of a Family;as lying, qutmque pcdcm, qum f^ggring, filthie talking, fcoffing at Religion, oppofi- 'ZZ^T'd'", tiontogodlineffe , Sabbath-brcaking , an humour of quedextnet, five co Good-fellowfliip,or thehke,reprelentit(€lfe to the guand9f five leqaendo, eye of the World, in His ordinary carriage; and hang /iHtliniqaefaiundom q^^ 35 a rotten fruit in the fight of the Sunne; it is ^^umr"^ dTo7x2 wontfearefiilly toinfedoroftbndbyacontagious in- "rabiU%' Cam o! finuation^and ill cxample,all about Him ; to diftufe it's (() rheiacrifice cftbe venome to His Family,amongft His Sonncs, and Ser- wkktdiian abhomina vants, ever the Pariili where Hec lines, all companies Uon to the lorrf. Prov ^fjgj.g ^gg oomcs, the whoIe Coiintrey round about, llHm)^?%eZt efpecially if Hee bee a Man of emincncy and Place. fartisjro tuUu Del, $. C^j It is extremely ill. A farre greater ill, than G*ive tfi, fivanmfit the eternall damnation of a Man. For when Hce hath impierttm(u(: ^^ verydcftruaion of all the creatures in the mfSmMT^c- world;of Men and Angels,Heaven & Earth, is agreat tiMifit; &iUm fum- dealeleffeill, than tooftend God with theleafl tranf- m abminetu^. ^'od grefTion of His lawes.For all the creaturas often thou- cumditit,omntm,gra' f^^^ worlds, were they all extant, come infinitely r,t"d'r7' (KortinexceUencvofworth. of the Hearts-bloud of eiufit, Cariro. M*^ ChrtFf, And yet without the effufion of it , no 5. Moft ill. (A\ undcrftandillina gencrallnorion, ardnotas rcfttained unto, or rcfidentin any (kfciti. Aad I know, that divif>$ mali, in malum culpt & tnafum f aj»• ^^pfving u$ of and lov^eGfGod,tbeonelyFoujitaine of all comfort. hcV«hcl7"^^°'* peace and happinefle: which is incomparably the moft invalueable loffe, that can be imagined. 2. Of his per- ».The grace of Chrift« tion in Chriftsbloud ; of which, though the drops, waight,and quantitie be numbred, finite, and mca(ii- rablc, yet the Perfon that Ihed it, hath ftampt upon it, fiich height of price, excellency of merit, unvaluable- nefle of worth ; that he had infinitely better have hi« portion in that fweeteft well-fpring of life and im- mortalitie; than enjoy the riches, pl^ures andglorjr of the whole World everlaftingly ;For a bitter-fweet tafte of which , for an inch of time , Hee villanoufly trampleth under-foot,as it were,that blefled bloud,by wilfiilly cleaving to His owne wayes,and furious fol- lowing the Twinge of His owne fenfuall heart (even againft the check and contradiction of His grumbling confciencej. 3. Ofthe moft bliflefiillprerence, free- ^^ The communio« dome,and communication of the Holy Ghoft^and all of the holy Ghoft. thofe divine illuminations, fpirituall feaftings, fiidden and fecret glimpfes and glances of heavenly light, fweeter than fwectneffe it felfe, where-with that good Spirit is wont to vifit and refreHi the humbled hearts ofholy men. 4. Of the fatherly providence and ^ Tfteproieftionof proteflion ofthe blefled Trinitie, the glorious guards iheTru.iiy. of Angels,the comfortable communioH with the peo- ple of God, and all the happy conlequents of fafetie, deliverance aijd delight that floweth thence. 5 .Of the ,.Thc pleafures of an unknewae pleafures of an appealed confcience,a jew- appealed cocificn«c. I3 ell jjg InftruBionsforarightcomformg Seft. r. ell ot deareft price , to which all humane glory is but duft in the balance. Not the mod exqnjfite extra'^ion cf all manner of Muficke, Sets, or Confor ts, vocall or Inftrumentall , can poiTibly conveigh fo delicious a touch,and tafte to the outward eare of a Man ; as the found, andlenle of a Certificate brought from the Throne of mercy by thebkfled Spirit, feal'd with Chrifts bloud,to the eare of the Soule, even amidft the moftdelperateconfufions, in the evill Day ; when Comfort will bee worth a World^and a good Confci- 6 The contentment et}ce,tcn thoufand earthly Crorpnes. 6. Of all true of this life. contentment in this life; of all Chriftian right, and re- ligious intereft to any of the Creatures. For never was any lound ioy,or fandified enjoyment of any thing in the world, found in that Mans heart , which gives al- lowance to any luft, or lyes delightfully inanyfinne. 7. The glory of iliat 7. Ofanimmortall CrowHe, the unfpeakable joyes of cocenae. Heaven; that immeafiirable , and endlefle comfort, which there fliall be fully and forever enjoyed, with all the children of God,Patriarkes,Prophets, Apoilles, Martyrs, Chriftian friends ; yea, with the Lord Him- felfe,and all His Angels, with ChriJ} our Saviour, that Lambe flaine for us, the Prince of gjory, the glory of Heaven and Earth ; the brightnciTe of the everlafling Light,&c. In a word,ofall thofe inexplicable, nay,un- conceiveableexcellenciesjpleafures^perfedlionsjfelici- tics, fweetneffes, beauties, glories,eternities above. %. Expofir;g a finnts 2. It doth everie houre expofe Him to all thofe e- to all cviJs. ^ jjg^ which a Man deflitute of grace divine may com- mit ; and unproteded from above, endure. It brings 8, Iniernal.1 all plagues. i./^r^-r^^Z/jBlindneffeof minde, Hard- nefle of heart, deadnefle of affed ion , f earednefle "of confcic-nce,a reprobate fenfe^ftrong delulloiis, thefpi- ritofflumberjflaveryto luft, eftrangednes from God, bondage under the I)ivel],defperate thou';:?ht3,horrour of heart, confufion of Ipirit, &:c. And ipirituall mif- chiefes in this kinde,iHoe,and more dreadfulUban ei- ther Parc2.Chap.4. A^itledConfciences. Up ther Tongue can tell, or Heart can thinke. Leaft of which, is farre worfe than all the plagues of jEgypt. 2. Extermll. See Deut. 28. 1 5. &c. 3 . Etematl, See 2, Externall. my Sermon of the four e lafi things. j . Eternall, 3. By it's peftilent damning Property & poyfon, it j. Tum.ng ali good turns Heaven into Hell, Angels into Divds, Life into inroaHcTill, death, Light into darkneflejfight into blindnefle. Faith into diftmft,hope into defpaircLove into hate,humi- litieinto pride,mercy into cruelty ,{ecurity into feare, libertieinto bondage.healthinto fickne{Ie,plenrie into fcarcenefie, a Garden of Eden into a defolate Wilder- ne{re,a fruitfuU Land into barrenneflc,Peace into war, Suietneffe into contention. Obedience into rebellion, >rder into confijfion,vertues into vicesjbleffings into curfes, &c. In a word,all kinde of temporall,and eter- nall felicities , and blifle, into all kinds of miferies, and woe. 7. Whatheart,exceptitbeall Adamant,andturn'd 7. Agilnft the Lord into a Rock of flint, but poffeflingitfelfe with feeling of hc«vca and earth; ehoughtSjand a fenfible apprehenfion oftheincompre- henfible greatnefre,exceUency and dreadfolnefle of the mighty Lord of Heaven & Earth, would not tremble and beilrangely confounded to tranfgreffe and breake any one branch of His blefled Lawes, efpecially pur- pofely,and with pleafure:or to finne againft Him wil- lingly, but in the leaft ungodly thought ? For alas! Who art thou,that lifteft up thy proud heart,or whet- teft thy prophane tongue , or bendeft thy rebellious courfe againft (uch a Majeftie ? Thou art the vileft wretch that ever God made, next unto the DiveU,and His damned Angels; A ba(e,and an unworthy Worme of the Earth, not worthy to licke the duft, that lyeth under His feet ; A moft weake and hraile creature. Earth, aChes, or any thing that is naught ; the dreame ofafhadow, the very Pidure of change, worfethan vanity, leffe than nothing ; Who, when thy breath Is gene, which may fall out many times iaamoment* I4 tllM I20 JnflruEiions for aright comforting Sedt.i, thou turncft into duft, nayjVottennefle and filtb,miich more loathfome, than the Dung of the Earth ; and all thy thoughts pertpj . But now on the other fide, if thou caft thine eyes feriouflyjind with intention upon that thrice glorious and higheft Majefty,the eyes of who(e ^lory thou fo provokeft with thy filth andiblly, thou maieft moft /uftly upon the com million of every finne cry out with the Prophet : O Heavens be aHoniJhed at thi^ : Bee afraid, and mterly confounded i Nay, thoil mighteft marvell,and it is God's unfpeakeable mercy, that the whole frame of Heaven and Earth is not for one finne fearefully, and finally diflblved, and brought . to naught! For He againft whom thou CinnQ{\.,inhaiff^ (g) 2)arf ah.( aU quu ^^^^ eternity, and unapproachable lurht. The Heaven » tUiijdkayt, leAfticUs ^^ Thro»e,andthe earth hi^feotjtoole : He is the ever- quiim fiilgormihum l^fiif^g God, mighty, and terrible y theCreatourof the Dei fuftiHtre po[fe,(i (jj ends of the earth^dicTht infinite Iplendour of his gla- * imipeiPmOeUen ^y and majeflie/odazles the eyes ofthe moft glorious jpltr^JL Tn?HtriZ ^^raphimsMt they are -Ud to adore Him with cove- bmtti.titque tamtn ita ^^d faces (g). The Oivell, and all the damned fpirits, tegebara Aa:eii fackt» thofe f^ubborne Feinds tremble at the terrour of His fum quit aliquo hue- countenance, (h) All the Nation, before Him^are but YMur Dei mfpMii. ^ ^y ^ r^ y^, y^^ ^ thefm^Jldufl of the ha. Cal.inli3.cap 6. , ' -', ». tt- r- t ; ,, # The raoflholy Aneel* ^^^^^> "^V, they are nothing to Him, laith the Prophet, withouifpot of finne yezlejfe than nothing, (i) He fitteth upon the circle of in natureand confci the earth, and the inhabitants therofare as grajhoppers: f *"«' ^as abl" 'dT '^^^ hh^^y and Princes, yvhen Hee bloroes uponthenty Ws^refcnce,^ bough ^^^ ^^^ ^ (lubble before the fVhirle-winde: And (k)He f ^{e'^^efromfi^^^^ ourundcrftanding, reafonable dtftaut <»«/ MoRhornbie. waight Part 2. Chap. 5 . Jffli^ed Confciences, \^l weight,an Omnipotent ftrength, which dothfuftainc the whole Frame ot the world , is not able to beare? Almighty God complaines I fa. i . 1 4. even of the Sa- crifices, and oilier fervices of his owne people, when they were performed with polluted hearts ^ and pro- felTes, that He rvas vpeary to beare them. And how wWq is it,that llirs up in thedeareft and mofl: compaflionate bowels of the All-mercifiiU God, fuch implacable an- ger, that threw downe fo many glorious A ngelicall ^irits, who might have done Him To high honour for ever in the higheft Heavens,into the bottome of Hell, there moft juftly to contmue Divels, and in extremeft torment everlaftingly ? Caft all mankinde out of His favour, and from all felicitie for y^^^^KJj-finne? caufed Him, who delighteth in mercy ^ to create all the affli(fl- Mica!) 7.18; ■ ing miferies in Hell; eternall flames, ftreames ofbrim- flone, chaines of darknefle, gnafhing of teeth, a Lake of fire, the bottomlefle Pit, and all thole horrible tor- ments there? And that which doth argue, and yet fur- ther amplifie, the implacablenefle and depth or divine indignation,- theinfiniteneffeof finnes provocation, and defert : Tophet is faid to be ordained of old : £ver- ^^^i^^ 30,33. iaFitngfire to be prepared for the Dtvell y and H;^ ^«- Matth. 25 ^i- gels: As if the All-powerfull wifedome did deliberate, . andasitwerefitd^wne, anddevifeall flinging ter- tible ingrcdients^a temper of greateft torture to make that drcadfull fire, hellifh paines , moft fierce and ra- ging,and a fitinftrument for the /uftice offo great and mighty a God to torment eternally all impenitent reprobate Rebels. God is the Fatherof Spirits ; our Soules are the immediate Creation of His Almightie Hand ; and yet to eveiy one that goeth on impenitent- ^^^^,p ^^^^^ ,^,^.^^ ly in his trelpafles , Hee hath appouited , as it were a ho^mU imdmatio.at. threefold Hell. There are three things confidetable in -jas pcrvtrfitaSfid cjf, finne: i. (V) Averfionfromaninfinite,{bveraigne,un- fipr^hntimcondiiwt changeable good : 2. Convcrfion to a finite, mutable, ^T^^' ^ '^^ f ''f *^ mom entany good : 3. Continuance in the lame. To gjj^^ ad simpiician. thefe Lib. E.q.».pas,0;i, 124 JnfirHSlions for A right comforting Sedt.i. thefe three feverall things in finnc,therc arc anfwering three fingalarflingboFextreaineftpiiniQiment. Toa- veriion from the chicFeft Good, which h ob/eLlively infinite.there anfwereth Taine of hfe as they call it, Privation of Gods glorious prefence , and reparation from thofe endlefle joyes above, which is an infinite lulTe. To the inordinate converfion to tranfitorie things, there anfwereth Paine offcnfe, which is inten- fively finite, as is thepleafure otfinne \ And yetlbex- rf ) A' i-tqimnt She ^"^^^^^^j ^^^^ "°"^ ^^" conceive the bitterneffe thereof, ^«/>«flivi non dcba but the SoLile that fiiffers it, nor that neither ; except it cH^&cum fine /«;7«4 could comprehend the Almighty wi^edome of Him wj«ir«w e^ ommponm xh^it did create it. To the eternity of finne, remaining peui ^'l^^'f'^'^IJ^'^'^ for ever in (taineand guilt, anfwereth the eternity of Tfi, ^ititTM ^mnd!htt punifhmcnt. For we mufl know ( f) that every im^ fmrX lormenio. Qui feniteyit finnertvoHldfrnneever , if he might live ever; ^Mi citmrejpandtmw. and ca ft: ethhimfelfe by finning into an imfoffibilitie of quoi rtcle dicmjit; ft gypfccafing to finne ofHimfe/fe : as a Man that cafieth judex ]4u4 J^firm- f^i^r^if^ i„f, a deete Ttt, can never ofBimfelfe rife out lominHmftdf^a* pen- oftt agatne : Andtherefore naturally etermtj ofpum/h- faret, imqui tnimideb ment u due to finne. How prodigious a thing then ii tunc cum fine deiique finne,and how infinitely to be abhorred,and avoided, runti quia '^"J".^"* that by a malignant meritorious poyfon and provoca- . q!^p^intfi^e\htrt tion, doth viofently wreft out of the hands of the Fa- uifme fine potui(f*ni ther of mercies^ and God of all comfort y the full vials of in iniquitatibniper>na that unquenchable wrath,which brings eafelefre,end- nere. Tiam magu *ppe ^^^^ ^^^ remedilefle torments upon His owne crea- SI S'(,1T»f Ir tures, and thofe originally moft excellent. vivtfe tupii*>:t, ut nun 1 o. Tenthly ,^ The height and ineftimablenefle of qumit^nantptccare, thepiice, that was paid for the expiation of it, doth tumvivntAddiftriai clearely manifefl,nay,infinitely aggravate the execra- ^r^7mmaZlant ^le milerie of finne, and extrearae madneffe of all that 'jupptk^^Hwitmmvi meddlewith it. I meanc the hearts-bloud of }efw ' in b»c vud nut.quam Chrifiy blefied for ever : which was of (uch precipul- volult carere ptiiato\ ^ uuliui deittrinicjuourmnui uUionUj qui quamdiu valuit, habere no'uit tttrmnum cnmmn, 6reg Expot Mor. lib, 34 cap. i6. in cjp.4>' 'o^. JO That vfhich cannoi bee wJp'ioMcbut by the hearts blouil of Chrift. '?art 2 . Chap. J . ^gliBed Confciences, 1 2 5 jieffe and power,that being let out by a Speare,it ama- zed the whole Frame oF Nature ; darkened the Sunne miraculoafly (for ar that time ir ftood in direflf /}op- (\) Tunc tmpom duo pofition to the Moonej Oiooke the Earth, which Luminaiiafwu.t dt- riirunkoand trembled under it, opened the Graves, (i<^^^'8i'»^fi<^>^'^oie. clave the Stones, rent the Vaile of the Temple, From u^ & Uinaing-adu thebottometothetop,&c.Nowitwasthisalone,anJ io'. ubrx. iflasune- nothingbut this could pofliblyclean(e the filth oFfin. i^ra^y liquet nen fuife Had all the dnftoF the earth beene turned into filvcr, ".^'*J,^'?j^ ^fit^''^ and the ftones into pearles ; Should the maine and ?«T^LV*!?c*ji?re! boundlefTe Ocean have ftreamed nothing but pureft mtu^mm ludti paf. sp\6. ; would the whole world , and all the creatures cha ex kgk prafaipro in Heaven and Earth have offered themfelves to bee ^tlelnabaitt, ndtwaitm annihilated before His angry face ; Had all the blelTed ^..f^f '^ ""^''' Angels proftrated themfelves at the foot of their Cre- ator: yet in the Point of redemption oFMankinde,and purgation of (inne,not any, nor all of thefe, could have done any good at all. Nay, iFthe Sonne oFGod Him- felfe,which lay in His bofomejfhould have fupplicated andlolicited (I meane, without f^ fijfferine and ^'^f""'^"'''?''^*''^ fheddmgHis bloud)the Father of all mercies; ^c fuiQ-tpoffibU-emmeUigi could not have beene heard in this cafe. Either the voiumm de pcftMiute Sonne of God mufl dye, or all Mankinde be eternally '^bfoiucd , quoad rd ipjU- damned.Even then,when thou art provoked to finnc, ^ "'''f^'^'./' ''^'"* thinke ferioufly, and fenfibly of the price that upon .^^'.^^fiS neceflity mult be paied tor it,betore it be pardoned, detiaa cendonart milo 1 1 . Sinfull pleafures are attended with a threefold kvt^u auepto ■. vci pO' bitter fling. Whereof fee my Z)/>^5w»/>r >r^/>^/«^ <«'/« ««»»»« chrm ^i,hGa,fas.,n. Which thoughthe Divdl hides ^£»-;««;,,t; ftibjeclfftt: fid ff teiermm Pti deerttum (psdema de Hberando humanog'ntrtpir mortem f!i/y turn txbac bypQthcjtAv'iwprteQfdinamniSyVete^aYia full mors C^nfl't ad redtrnptionem humane m : T^nm impejjiil'.e efi, vd utfalUttut divina provideniia^vtl ut muttniur divina decrtta.DAvci\»n- liusExporEpift.adColcfTioc.i.verfio. /atORosiwwoni^AiWftr, aa Deusallo mode quam per fathfaQiontm Chrifti mifervarepotuerit. Fatemar tmm mt,fiec diffiiitur CL MoL quicquid hk obycu mllam aliim v'lam in verba Dei,ac proi^de, & tmtredt alia ah homlniluidifputari^ trc. Rcfponf, Anthon.WaJiii.ad c? nfuram loan Arnoldi Corvini. cap. 2$. ^U negetpo- tuiffi Deum alio quevU modo providtrefalmi bemlmm}/ed hoc vuluit, nee mjt bac, Chamicwis. Tom. 2. lib. 5. Cap. zx. Sefl. €* i !. Attended with a three foldf^ing, from 1 ^o InfiruEiiom for a right comforting Sefl r from them in the heat ot temptation ; yet in His fea- fons, to ferve his owne turnc, He fets them on with a vengeance. I i.Thai wniclibrings j 2. Compare the vafl, and imvalu;ible difference, a great difference in- bg^weene veeldinj; to the entifementjand conv -r.erinf; which arc guiicy of it ^ "^ temptation to finne. For which purpolv Jooke up- fconi cthcis. on fofeph and David, two of Gods dearefl fervants. And confider the confequents: what a deale ot honour and comfort did afterward crowne the head, and the («) PlaJ.5i«?. ;^f, heart ohhe one : And what horrible milchiefes and ^neatver I'/orew?. miferiesfelliipon'the famiiie, and («) grifly horrours (x)See ihc life of upon the conlcience of the other. Survayalfo thedi- Galeacim CamciolM, j^i^^ (^x) Stories of Galeaciu4 Caracciolta^ and Fran-^ VmSXTol ^fi^ Spira, th,n which in their fevmll kindes, there verfionfcom Popery, is nothing left to the memory or the latter times more and his furfakmg of remarkable. And you fliallfinde in them as great a His Marquc(d3ttie difference, as beD-veene an Heaven and Hell upon for die Gofpcis fake; ^^ Theonewithftanding unconquerably varietie written hrfl JO //aiM^, r • u^ -r - ^ ^ ^ . ^i? /^ /"^.i tn tranflaicd into Latme of mighty entifements to renounce the Gofpell of 7^- hy B£^a;ind'into Sng' /f« Chrifi, and returne to Poperie, befidesthefweet ghjh by MiCt.Crfi.pimi peace of His Soule,attained that honour in the Church And the Rftory of of God,that He is in fome meafure (j) paralleld even Sii?by?cyerScn- With ^^7?^, and recommended to the admiration of and thus intituled by Poftcrity by the Pen of that great and incomparable ihcfirft: Framifci Spi glory ofthe Chriftian Worldjbleflfed (^) Calvin.Tht r^chitatulani barren ■ other Conquered by an unhappy temptation, to turne ?'t^?{'";l'" '^*'^' from the Truth ofGod and our true Religion, to the tarn tn jti^icn^coim- „ .^ ^ , , , . . ^/ 1 ^ , lam Evangdij vtrka- Synagogueor Satan, and abnommationsotthe/r^r/*?? imin mjt'amm'iiit whore^ befi^es the raging and defperate conhifion he dtfptrai'mem. (y)'icc brought upon His own fpirit% became fuch a fpedacle fw/Jw in His rc-j.Qj|^g cyeof Chriftendome, as hath beene hardly cond Dedicatory hpi 1 j t ftJe before the booke. '^^^^^ ^^' (z) Calvin iU His Dedicatory Epiflle before His Commentary upon tlic firft to theCorin< thiam.Tiontelandum tflyHomia m^dmia'dfemHiinuum, honore & op:biu {lorentemy nebi- liffimA & ca^sffi^na uxorty nmmerefa. lubolo^dofriedy.a, qiiiete^& Concordia, lotequt vii^ (tain bea- turn i^iroy ui I'l Cbrifti caflra migraret^ ^:iCriu ci$^e\ dftiommfcrlilm, & amaiam, lauUint pum trimsnitim^commoiummn nunnsyqtdm voiupiMj'dm h iblutieatm ncglexifc: ixii fjt (piendmn ftomt^itumy Paired conjiegf,libeiis, cegmtisj a0nil>Hi feft prlvdjfe^ &c. V 13. Com- l"art2.Cap.5. Affli^ed Confcienccs. 127 15. Coiriparethepcorc, iliorty C<2) vanifliingde- 13. But a vanunnc^ IiVbt cf the choiTeft. fenfuall, Vv^^rldly contentment, if ^"^H^"'* ^"'^ ^" <^^"- thou wiir, ottny Iwceteit (inncwith the cxqiufitneffe (^.-^^roifumt^mvo- and eternity oF Hcilifn torments. Oat ofwhicii,might u-^t'^ejj'a, qnld cdvi^ an impenitent reprobate wrctch,be afTured of enlarge- 1'^«^ q'-^i'i abj'Muu ? nicnt,ahtr'Hehad endured them fo many thoufand, ^■(:ftml&vimi,& thoufind year;:s, as there are fands on the Sca-foore, ^"^^^''^^^^^IZ haircs upon his Head, ftarres in the firmamcntj grafle pr^h ndnmr: & five- piles upon the :^:Oiind, Creatures both in Heaven and corpommdixeYU vokp- Earth • He would thinke Himieife happie, and as it f^nrnjwe deVumHin^ vyox in Heaven nlrcady,Seebct-orc?.x-4i -But when ^^"^^^^ all that time is pait, and inhnite muhons or yeeres be- flat 'cum autem ^pa- fides»they are no nearer end, than when they begun; m, & fupplicim urn nor Henearer out, than when He came in. The tor- comeiar,quldejui/e' mcnts of Hell aremoft horrible; yet I know not whe- ch"?^ jr^"^. therthis ince{rantdefpei--ate cry in the confdenceofa ^sver^nh^ummif]' damned Soule, Imnftr.ever came ottty doth not out-go randa,& pUgeuh coa^ them allin horrour. Whatanheig'ntofmadnefle isit dnioe^,ubici'bp:au- thenjtopurchafeamomentof fugitive follies, and fa- '*'^» qnod dcUajt, &■ ding plcafures, w.th extrcm.cy of never ending pains? SrifSr f 1 .] . ({7) VV ben thou art itepping over the threrhold Lbidrnu imptm irars" awards any vile afl,le wd Houle, diflblute companie,/^,eJ>p;rwa»fi?/»^cd vad.muid rmdkuvi.Heu mifer bomo) nefck c *biun' uiboriepitn£tovhUHiaii'!pUkr,fedvixiifng)iU>rij>i}fta(ilmiatempiipnamrivx Augul>, Tom 9 p 'g.f 3 1*^. i 4 Ta^c sg.uuft whii-h 1! hrift intreaies thee, (b)^orieitefen- tie Uirp\iii!>cojitiUo-nhmpu'[ar)yr.utiUUid{ki6Uu6nsa^ totics pent ante mmtis oadds^ qtiomedk cthcf.xus eft Dius turn pn te Intucre quomoitQ-a htda tradim ludttia &qiiini v'l'Uur ftxtYa[l>itiii\bi'j:^h(mAiur&cdlof.hi'x^U{r-^C6ndcmiiit!i/', &expr-obratuTi &'flAi^t'M.Hi'yad ul- iimumve/b uniurmltjs & ppprobri^s af'Jtiii, inttrdms Latroius fuQ)endhm\ clavis cenfixta, ^!4tU.d'Mftic,fpbiis t-jranaiicfi lincia.paforAiuit, tx omuilus pfittibrnfuKguii emanAvU:^ & iv- liimiocaputiradidUfphitim^ &c, Bern, lib. de Confc. Ca^ta ruindc O finfull creature, and fci before thine eyes Chtift cruciivrd* Thinke thou fecft his Body Orcjched oat in length upon the Crofle, His Head ctow^ed wiili Hiarpc thornes. His Hands andhisFeerc pierced with nailej. His heart opened with aloag fpcare. His fle(h jcntind tome with whips, His Bro wet. fweating water and bloud. Thinks ihmheareft Him now crying: MyGodyMyGodfVpljykaftthoitf^/akea^ce? O my Brethren, let ihi$Tm3g«of Chria cruciffed be alwzici primed in our hcarti,ktit ftirreustoihe ha- ired of fmne, & c Hoia, upo» C,F, bid. 128 InfiruSlionsfor a right cotfjforting Sedl. I . bidjftippofe thou feeft 7efm Chriji comming towards Thee, as He lay in the armes oifofeph of Arimathea, newly taken downe from the Croflfe, woFully woun- ded, wanne and pale ; His Body all gore-bloud ; the beauty of His blefled and heavenly face, darkened and disfigured by the ftrokeot death ; fpeaking thus unto Thee : Oh ! Go not forward upon any termes. Com- mit not this finne by any meanes. It was this, and the (c) 7t»n»f T>t\ ^ilut like, that drew me downe out of the '' c) armes of my cH'neffetinfimpatrii, Father, from the fulneffe of joy, and Fountaine of all i tegali^ fedibu«y pro bjiflg . t® put on this corruptible, and miferable Qe(h - liberaret a pnefttie ^ hunger and thirft ; to watch and pray ; to groane 'Diaboii ? ^^m cum and figh; to offer up ftrong cries and teares to the Fa- vidijfet peccawumfu- ther in the dayes of my flefh : To drinke off the dregs nUfiu imtitm, jm of the bftter cup of His fierce wrath ; to wraftle with Sr^jr«jf;j'p'r>l^^he forces of infernall powers; to lay downe my petiddlmnireiur, fit- hfe in the gates of Hell,with intolerable, and,fave by vUfuptr iUvn, qud fit- my felfe,unconquerable paine : and thus now to lie in re(t ntfcitbAi. Nee jo- the armes of thismortall Man, all tome and rent in ^'^!^idf7t'* [rL'f'Z P^^*^^^ ^^^^ cruelty and fpite, as thou feeft. What an 'pmiofo' fn^iiufiu h^^'^^ haft thoujthatdareft go 0n,againft this dcateen- prtt'u earn rdiOT«y«r. treaty of lefiis Chrift ? Bern, dcdignituea- 15 When thou art unhappily moved, to breake "»"*• . any branch ofGod'sblefledLaWjlct the excellency & mercies^'which thou y?r^etie of His incomparable mercies come prefently haft tailed of, and ^^^^ thy minde : a moft ingenuous fweet and mighty that motive,to hinder and hold oft'all gracious hearts from finne. Howisitpoffible, butaferiousfiirvay ofthc riches of Gods goodnejfe,f orb eArance^And Long- fufferin^ leading thee to refentitnce^ to morc forwardneife and fruitfulnefle in x!c\tgoodfVay : The publike miracles of mercy,w hich God hath done in our daies,for the pre- fervation oftheGofpell,this kingdome,our felves,and ourpofterity, efpecially, drowning the Spanifti invin- cibie Armada, di&ovcvmgy and defeating the Powder- ploty fhielding Queene ElucubethythQ moft glorious Princeffe of the world, from a world of Antichriftian cru- Parti. Cap. J. ^ffi^ed ^onfciefsccs, I2p cruelties: laving us from the Papifts bloudy expedati* ons at Her deatb,&c.The particular,and private Cata- logue of thine own perfonal favours from Gods boun- tifiiUhand, which thine owne conlcience can eafily leade Thee unto , and readily run over from thine in- fancy to the prefent : wonderfull protections in thine unregenerate time : that miracle of mercies, thy con- verfion,f if thou be already in that happy ftate) all the motions of Gods holy Spirit in thine heart , many checks ofconfcience, fatherly correflions, excellent meanes of fanftification^as worthy a miniftry in many Places, as ever the world enjoyde : Sermon upon Ser- mon ; Sabbath after Sabbath ; bearing with thee after fo many times breaking thy covenants ; Oportunities to attaine the higheft degree of godlineffe , that ever wasj&c.l fay how can it be,but tliat the revife of theie and innumerable mercies moe, (hould fo moUifie thy heartjthat thou fhouldeft have no heart at all, nay infi- nitely abhorre,to difpleale or any way difhonour,that High and dreadfoll Majefly,, whole free grace was the well-Head and firft Fountaine of them all. Let this meditation of Gods mercies to keep firom ^ ^^^^ ^^^ worthy finne, be quickened by confidering : i . That thou art ^f torment not of farre worthier,to be now burning with the moft abo- mercy, minable Sodomite in thebottome of Hell ; than to be crowned with any of thefe loving kindneffes : That if thou wert able to do Him all the honour, fervice, and worfhip,which all the Saints both militant and trium- phant do jit would come infinitely fhort of the merit of the leaft of all His mercies unto thee in lefus Chrift. 3. How unkindly God takes the negled of His extra- - p . . ordinary kindnefleS unto us.2.5'<«w.i 2.7.&C. i .Sam, nepUa ci^ bh mcr^ 27,20.31. £^ef(. 16, gjg, ypjy unkindcly. 1 6, Marke well,and be amaz'd of thine owne fear- j ^ ^[^^^ ^j^j^jj ^^^ fiill and defperate folly; when thou failed deliberately fooies ihcc. into any finne:thou laieft,as it were,in the one (bale of the Balance, the glory of Almighty God, the cndlefle K /oyes r J o Ifrflru Elionsfor a right comforting Seft, i . /oycs of Heaven, the lofle of chine immortall Soule,thc pretious blood of Chrifi, &c . And in the other, fbme rotten pleafure, earthly pelfe, worldly preferment, flefhly lull:, fcnfuall vanity : and luffers this Cprodigi- OUS madnefle \ Be aftemfhed, O ye Heavens at thia, and he horribly afraid'.^ to out-weigh alltho(e. 17. That which will I ?■ Vpon the firft affault of every {inne,fay thus un- coftthec dcare. to thy felfe : If I now yeeld, and commit this finne, I fhall either repent,or not repent: If I do not repent, I am undone^ If I do repent, it will coft mec incompa- rably, more hcdrtJ»-griefe,than the pleafure of the finne \& worth, t. That for which 1 8. Confider,that for that very fin, to which thou many millions arcal- artnowtempted,{iippo(e lying-i IftfijOver-reachingthy ready damBcd. Brother, &c. many millions are already damned, and Rc?d. 11.8. gygj^ „Q^ burning in Hell. And when thy foot is upon I Thcffal4.6' thebrin!/W. Men,and Oivels,utterly,univerlaUy,andeverlaftingly dhiA conffuSiu tuja iliained and confounded. bumam^gtMritf Angt. 2o. Confider the refoluterefiftanccand mortified ^"'"'^ "»'««'«». '^''f*^* refblutions againft finne,and all entilements thereun- ^^i^^^^'*^'i*onfm^ to oFmany,upon whom.the SnnneoftheGofpell did ^n tv^rcfiHiJ not fhme with luch oeauty and mlnelle, as it doth up- with a wonderfull re- on us ; neither were fb many heavenly difcoveries in Tolution. the kingdome of Chrift, made knowne unto them, as our dayes have feene. f For upon our times , which makes our (innes a great deale more finftill, hath hap- pily fallen,an admirable confluence ofthefaving light and Iearning,experience, and excellency of all former Ages, befides the extraordinarie additions of the pre- icnt; which with a glorious Noonetide of united illu- minations doth abundantly ferve our turne, for a con- tinued further and fuller illuftration of the great mj- fiery ofg0d/i»efe,znd Secrets of fandificationj.Hcare (f) ChryfoSiome^ But I thinks thus, and this vpHI I ever (Q £*<, j^ ^^^y^, c^ ^^ preach; that it is r»uch bitterer^ to ojfend Chrifi^than to fiiui fieing innocent^^ and free from ftnne ; than polluted toith the filth thereof, pojfe^e the kingdome of Heaven. It is re- ported of another ancient noly Man , that Hee was wont to fay : He yvould rather be tome in pieces with yvilde horfes , than tvittinglj and willinglj/ commit any fmne. Jerome alfo in one of His Epiflles, tells a {h) fto- rie of a young Man, of moft invincible courage, and conftancy in the ProfefTion of C^^^fi > under fome of the bloody Perfecuting Emperours,to this lcnfe:They had little hope as it feemes^to conquer him by torture; and therefore they take this courfe with Him ; They brought Him into moft fragrant Gardens , flowing with all pleafijre and delight; there they laid Him up- on a Bed of Downe foftly enwrapped in a net offilke; amongft the Lillies, and the Rofes,the delicious mur- mureoftheftreames, and the fweet whiftling of the leaves ;they alldepart,and incomes a beautifiill ftrum- pet, and ufeth all the abhominable tricks of Her im- pure Art , and whoridi villanies to draw Him to her defire: Whereupon the yong Man, fearing that Hee fliould now be conquered by foIly,who was Conque- rer over fury, out of an infinite deteftation of finne, bites offa piece of his Tongue with his owne teeth, and fpits it in the face of the whore: And fo hinders the hurt of finne, by the fmart of his wound. I might have begun with ^ofeph, who did fo bravely and bleC- fcdly beatbacke, and trample under his feet the fenfii- allfolicitationsof his wanton and wicked Miftris. He had pleafiire and preferment in his eye, which were flrongly oflx^red in the temptation -, but he well knew, that not all the offices and honours in j£gvpt, could take offthe guilt of that filth;and therefore he refblved rather to lie in the duft,than rife by finne : Hew can I do this great wickedne^e^and finne againfi God?l might paffe along to the Mother and feven brethren. 2,Jilac, 7. who chofe rather to pafle thorow horrible tortures, and Part 2. Chap.5 . AffiEted Confdences, I J T and amoftcnielldeath^thanto M/<^/»i»«jZtf/5 ^^4»»/? the L4a» : And fo come downe along to that nt^U Armj ^Martyrs in Qiieene Marie s timejwho were contaitcd with much patience, and relolution to part with all, vvif e,children, liberty, livelihood,life it fclfe; even to lay it downe in the flames, rather than to (lib- init to that Ainn offinne ; or to fubfcribe to any one -Point of His DivelUfh Dodrine. Thus as you have heard, I have tendred many rea- that He may more folemnly vow, and refolve that e- ver hereafter, when he (hall be fet upon, and aflaulted by allurement to any finne,He will firft have recourfe unto ^tii& twenty confiderations, I have here recom- mended unto Him, to helpe in fuch cafes ; and with a pundluallferioufnellejletthetti finkeinto His heart,be- fore He proceed and pollute Himfelfe.I could be con- tent, if itwerepleafingunto God, that thefe lines which thou now readeft, were writ with the warmeft blood in mine heart, to reprefent unto thine eye, the deare affedionateneffe of my Soule , for thy fpirituall and eternall Good; fo that thou wouldeft be thoro wly perfwaded , and now before thou pafle any further, fincerely promife lo to do ! 3 . Thirdly, The point may ferve to fet out the ex- h Vfc to f« out the cellency of that high and heavenly Art,ofcomfor ting *f Jo^f^'^^^'^J' ^ f' afflided confciences. The more dangerous and defpe- 2,^^^ °"'"^ ' * ^ " rate the wound is,the more doth it magnifie, & make admirable the my ft ery and method of the Cure and recovery. Which were it well knowne, and wifely K 3 pradifedi J 2 4 InflruEHoHsfor a right comforting Seft.2 . pradlifed j what a world of unneceflary flavifh torture in troubled minds would it prevent ? So many thou- fands of poore abufed, deluded Soules fhould not pe- rifL, by the damning flatteries , and cruell mercies of unskilfall Z>^w^^rj;what an heaven of fpirituall light- fomnefle, and joy might fhine in the hearts,and Hiew it felfe in the faces of Gods people? Vntill it pleafe the Lord to move the hearts of my learned and holy Bre- thren in populous Cities and great congregations, who mafl: needs have much imployment,and variety ^ of experiments this way ; or fome fpeciall men extra- ordinarily endowed & exercifcd herein,to put to their helping hands , and fiirnifli the Church with more large and exacS difcourfes in this klnde ; take in good part this Ejfay of mine. Seft.2. Part. I. Cha p. I. Thejirfierrourin curing Confciences is the ftnfea" finable af flying of comfort to them that forrow not at all, (Herein I firfi dcfire to difcover and ' redifie fom^ ordinary aberrations a- bout (pirimall Cures. Which fall out, when the Vhyfitian of the Soule, Vnfcafonable opplj. ^[^^^K ^ ' ^PP^^^^ unfeafonably the Cordi- carionof comfoiiis ^^^^^W^^^EP^ als of the Gofpell, and comforts ok contrary ro Mercy; when the CoiTofives of the Law and commi- nations of judgement are convenient and futable. Were it not abfiird in Surgery, to powre a moft fove- raigne Balfam of exquifite compofition,and ineftima- ble price upon n found part? It isfarre more vnfceme- ly and fenfeltfle, and of an infinitely more peftilent <; conie- Part I. Cap. I. ^jfiBed Confcisnces, IJJ confequenceinany Mintfleriall paffages,to prefer the Mead oi C/;n^yinfl^omiies oPiife to an unwounded conlcience, as belonging unto ir,as yet. It is the onely xvAii evcrlafting Method to turne mzn from darknep to liaht,from the power of Satan unto God : and all the Men of God and mafter- Builders, who have ever fet themfelves fincerely to ierveGod in their Miniftery, and to fave Scales, have followed the fame courfe ; to wit, rirft to wound by the Latv, and then to heale by tlie Go^elL Wee muft be humbled in the fight of the Lord ; before he lift m Hp,Iam./\. l o . We muft be f en- fible of our fpirituall blindneffe,captivity,poverty ;be- fore we can heartily feeke to be fa vingly illightned en- larged from the Divels flavery, and enriched with ^^ Thcwaaicc of grace. There muft be fenfe of mifery, before (hewing Qod the Father, of mercy; Crying, lam uncleane^I am uncleane, before * zJThc office of God opening the Fountainefor uncleanncjfe ; Ringing, be- the Sonne. fore curine by the Brafen Serpent-, fmart for rinne,be- C*;'Z>« utraqueapmU foreaPlaifter ofChriftsblood ; Brokennefle of heart, ZhhtZ- 'JlS before binding up.*God himfelfe(^) opened the eyes ds mfiimtU & fenf» of our flrft ParentSjto make them fee & be fenfible of immnB nudtMis, hoe their Cmnc and mifery ; nakednefle and fhame, &c. ^fiy *^'f(I^ imgma. GenA.i. (b) Before He promifed Chrifh. (c) vcr. i j . ^"» &taichohom m * Chrtfilefus tels us,that he was anomted by thcLord, i,^„f^ts averfionU , in to preach good tidings: But to whom ? To the poor e,To fenfua. litate & motibu* interm oma'modd pra* vUa!is& dTA^id^.Dcinde^deafpcciH it'iam externa nut^haiiiy qu^ prim fuerat decorfiy &e^ btatim aHdiveruni vocem Dei, hoc ili,(iat':m b€c irifiU cGgitatlo divexavk ttrum animot '. Him quid fecintu!? ^rboremvethsm gufttivipiMi & Ddprteceptmi contmpfimuit Diabolo obttmpe- raviwm: turplitrdccepti/umm vtflm innoce-ntjie amifimm, pudtndam nuditatem inmbiS'Cemi- fiiUi. HiC paiHtn cj?: Dcta verax & jitftm e^i dixit: Mortc rooriemini: mamt-igitur mifeWt pat ineviubile mortis (upptu vm. Par- in 5 . c. Gen, ("b^ Concioncm graiite feu veni§ ommbprte. a^t Itgalii territam, & fulmenira divirite quod immniabilittr ftquitur peccaiHm, &quo ««- cejl'etfi piccatortm kHmiUariy & ad grtitkm piepanri. De hue fcquitur, v ly. Ibid. (c) Hac yrom'iffiom cudita Parems puitfacli a!p titt iarpijjlw§ tutditatis fM, & eonfckn- lia. piccaiiy aiqne fenfu irte Dei, Jiecnoa meiu aterna martii^ mpidi, aiqus deje^if baud duhih • lierum irecii junty ut concepia fiducid graiia, & remijponU peccatorum propter promijfuni StmtVy (quod caput Satanx^ hoc e(i, peccatumj merttmy infernum & Dubolum ipfum cou' ter(nt)Deum, quern priiisfaget ant t at judicemi iurim mare incipertaty atquc requirtrtnt, Mpatrtnu Ibid. * K4 the . ^ InflrHEiioKsfor a right comfort ing Seft, 2 . the broken-hearted-. To the captives; To the dindei To the brmfed, Ifai.6 1 . i . Luk^/\ .18. That the rrhole need not the Phjfttian^but they that areficke ; And Hi? came (3^ too prccife* Their- fo thofe(^)?W labor dr are heavy laden. Mat. 1 1 . 2 8. fclvc s the onely men . -j-j^^^ ^^^ ^^j^jf. ^hich He would fend,fhould convince )^n^MmrerU: the-^orld: ^i,j^,offinne ,^nA then o? right eoufnefe; /qui tanqum iufli ft to Wit , of Chrtfi ; It IS ordinane With the Prophets; jtttermt coram e»i& Tirfl to difcover the finnes of their people, and to de- tanvetttrunt ad tondm-' jounce judgements '.And then to promife fhrifi,\i^on ''"■^'*'"Z^'Tfc!inru7it ^^^^^ comming in , to illightenand make them light- lSTconlcuZlf& ^on^e, with raifing their thoughts to a fruitfiill con- tondmnati: muiur au- templation of the glory, excellency , and fweetne/Te of tm,qu* in medio (ia- His bleffed kingdom e.7)^/4^ in his firll Chapter/rdm ut:bMtuu& reaperagc. ^j^^ ^^^^^ ^f q^^ ^^^^.^ j^ t^^e firftplace behave kim- J'riiJ-ic^^^^^^ lelfelikea^.«»../r/;««^..,premngupoii;theconfci- qutdaUbididum Ugi. ences ofthofeto whom He wasfent, manyhainous musin Sv&nge'io prin- finnes; horrible ingratitude,fearefull felling away/or- npibM sactrdotum & niality in Gods worfhip, cruelty, and the like t after- fcdukcstrS ^^^^ ^'^^•^- ' ^' 1 7.He invites to repentance: And then . voi m rtgnum lahrum ■ l\2t,i\tii. Atqtu ii quequevtrumf^yoiurm d'.t.V.o]\cc. in loan, rap 8. (o)recauthr ad Chrifium itii piccatorei,qui fitifu p^ccatiprtmuntur, & pro pacific.indd (Ottfaea'fa hbrrant. jiique it^ifolt/ktttiquicfitaf'U^Uiid CbriliHmvenmitt. Mnic in u.c. Mat latoranca^ oaeratoiititelligi' ChriftiH, qui mDrtiSiettr»tereatuconJcit»t!as tfjldoi ha\)tnt\ & itt fuis ma- iiiurgtntwfy utdtficiantiliam blc dtftdfi: hos nd nopiindem t]m graiiam idomntiddn Olv. 3. The >ciin©ni of *//'«?«*, foUowes Part I , Chap, l . j4ffli6ied Confciences. 1 3 7 Ibllo wes,verf. 1 8 . Come mrv and let tu reafon together^ iftith the Lord : Though your finnes be asfcarlet , they fjallbe tvhitefOs frtow j though they be red likecrimftn^ 'theyfhall be at vcooU, Nathan to recover even a rege- T(atban» nerate man,convinceth riim firft foundly of hisfinne, with much aggravation and terrour,and then upon re- •morfejaflures Himof pardon.2;J'^w.i 2,1 3. Confider fiirther for this purpofe the Sermons of our blefed Sa- cbf'tfl. viour Himfelfe ; who taught at one having authorities and not as the Scribes : With what power, andpier- cingjdid our Lord and Mafier labour to open the cies, iearch the hearts , and wound the confciences of His Hearers, to fit them for the Gofpell , and His owne deare Hearts-blood? See Matth.^ . &c. And 25. And 2 5 . &c.Of fohn Baptifl.'Vfho by the mightinefle of his iob» Bapnu. Minifteriall fpirif, accompanied with extraordinarie flrength from Heaven , did ftrike through the hearts of thofe that heard him^with fuch aftonirhment about their fpirituall ftate ; with iuch horronr for their for- mer wayes, and feare of future vengeance , that they came unto Him thicke,and threefold,as they (ay: jind the people oikid Htm, faying , What Jhall wee doe then? Then came alfo Publicanes t» be baptiz.ed, andfaidun- to Himy Mafier, tvhatJhaUuve do ? And the Souldiers likewife demanded of Him, faying ^ Andrphat fhallyte do ? Luk^ 3 . 1 o. 1 2 . 1 4. Of Peter : who ASt, 2 . being pde,, now frefhly infpired, and illuminated from above with large and extraordinarie efflifions of the holy Ghoft, (hadowed by cloven fiery tongues : in the very prime and flower of his Minifleriall wifedome,bends himfelfe to breake the hearts of his hearers. Amongft other piercing Paflages of his fearching Sermon , hee tells them to their faces.they (landing before him ftai- ned with the horrible guilt ofthe deareft blood, that ever was fhed upon earth,moft worthy to have beene gathered up by the moft glorious Angels, in veflels of gold J that they had crucified and fiaine that juft and holy i jg Iji^ucHons for a ri^t comforting Se(5. % holy Ofle,die Lordof iife, '^efw ofNax^eth. verf.s j. And^gamc,attfeecloleaTid conclufion ver. 36. leaves thefame bloody fting in their confciences: which reft- lefly wrought andboild within theiri,untill it begota great deale of compund:ion,terror,and tearing of theic (b_> Tl,€ wrrd in the hearts with extreame amazement and anguilli. No-w OrijiniU fignificth, yphen they heard tkm ^ thejr were (h) pricked ift their *° ^nd^* "autll"'^ ^^^^^.ver.2 7. Whereupon they came crying unto Ptf- eren ere?y "the *leaft ter,and the reft of the Apoftles \Men and Brethren rvhat part,and point of the Jhali Tve do ? And fo being feafonably led, by the coun-, heart. If the fliarpsft fdl of the Apoftles (^i^ to heleeve on the Name of feftu points of many cm- ^^^-^ . ^^ \^y hoj^j up^jj ^he promife^ tO revent Evan- n be" ne .it af 'once g^lically : They had the remifTion of finnes fealed un- faftcned in their to them by ^^f r*/w«', and were happily received into hearts, in ihte cruel- the number of the Saints of God, whofe Sonntthey left manner could be had f© lately flaughtere.' * Of P^«/; who though Hee 6*5'thc*^hou'famh «! ^^^ ^ ^ Prifoner at the Barre,and might perhaps,by fo torturM Jhem^^as ^ generall plaulible difcourfe,without piercing or par- did now the fting of ticularizing, have inlinuated into the aflFedions, and confcicnce for their wonne the favours of His Hearers , who were to bee sinnes, and the fcnfe fjjj judges;and fo made way for His enlargementjand :['«X?'"h= P""""'" ^']"^^^' yetHeforallthis.veryrefoluteIy Sonne of God. Salt- andunrdervedly, croflethandoppoleth their greedy, }um & prod'/tionis fib'i UiftfiiU and carelefle humours with a right fearching>' tanfcpi cum cffent^max- terrifying Sermon of righteoufnejfe, temperance, and ml ^^'J^^f'^^^^^^^ judgementtocome.AEl,z^.24,.lS.lh2ilun\\2i^^YFelix 7rimtnTw!mfcon^Hn-- "^^^s a fellow polluted with abhominable adulterie, iuntur cerdly tcrmt and very infamous for his cruell and covetous oppref- maximo afic'mtur.bor' fions^and by confequent unapprehenfive, and fearleflTe ubiii timortprce'Jun- ^f j^^^ dreadfull TribuoaU, and the terrours to come: '^i^lZ^- Whereupon ^Panl having learned in the Schooleof duntur^ Buc, NJ tww , Chrifl: , not to (/^j teare any mortall man m the dil- fun£lm (ddo fen vul- • ' . nerg,K'^/?^^f*f» "W^ " entertaine the time with a generall dKcourie of the wonderfull birth, life, and death of ^eft^ C^rifii now fo much talk't of abroad in the world; with a pleafin^ difcoverie, onely oF the many mercies, pardons, ana glorious things purchas'd to the Sonnes of Men,by his Blood{hed;notmedling at all with thtit mimon-de- d'Jarumgintre [jprkm lights of beaftly luftjand other finnesjO then,they had fuhomaviu qtHiii^ '«- liftned unto Him with much acceptation,and delighti nocin'^s ad novoi nup- all things had becne carried faire,and favourably :P4«/ Jj*". *^^ J^^^^'ff" had notbeeneinterrupted,and{bluddenly filentjNor f^l Sq 'l^^^I^ Fe/txCo fi-ighted , and diftempered. But this Man of ^o) scc E«ch. \. 1 8. God, knew full well that that was not the way ; nei- ^m eves perdidmt, therbeft for them, nor for His Mafters honour , nor ^^{ '«/"* rap'mnbu6^ for the comfort of His owne corifciehce ; And there- fore He takes a courfe to caufe the Tyrant tremble; that thereby Hee might either, bee fitted for Chrifl, which was beft of all; or at lead made inexculable: but howfoever,that in fo doing His duty might be difchar- %td^,2itidi SohU delivered :\io\A\n%\t farre better, that HisBodie (hould be in bonds, than his Soule guiltie Q^(o)i>lood, Orthodox Antiquity was oftbe {ame minde^nd for Q.')Tanta ttAt verba- turn futuli viij ut & Vrinc'ipemtcrreatit. i« bid. (m) Magm tonai^ magitM nngas agunt' CjO T»u^Ua foemini cumcifoad hunc TdU ctm paSantis Tieronis llbtri't fratrtm^prefa- mm boftfinemfiranpt. Nam hie ^ngular'i t]ws ptdchrlthdlm cifttn S'monem quendam Iff vel latronlb'iu adsrh entihuSi vtl tut aH- qUiif dut alio idgf.nki cnfa f^vmte; fottaf- fis vtmam no^i^am » Damhio gTto^ 'm^e' treti [ia& pct^saiVJt exigfty dmnum f;^_ niftptCiini^ion%it\ At vtro cut hominti ip/i, rationxUs f^hnfiigr'ex^ cofffredhi fu^tt, huHc §vtbm sfepifditis non pccuniarumjtd Mimje pnprla ieliuratn faieii (?/'om<. ChfjC dc Siccr- <{ociot Lib. ft. 4, The opinion of the Anclcms; the- I ^o InfirttBionsfer 4 right C9inforting Se^ % . the {acne mediod. Cp) Anftm, C9 «fafat- (p) Aufiin^ that &moas DifpQtcT in his rime coun- iUnMdign*e^f«iU'i^ (dkthto this piirpole in this Point: (I exprefTe the ^utrk^tldcas mini ^^^^^ ^"^ liimme, and no more than may be coUeiied m dt'oto, vtnttiiHm and concluded from the Place ; I will not ever tyemy judKium nan t ices jpra- lelfe grammatically and pedantically to the words, t^ptum Oil monci-y ab precilelvj and to render verhanm, lave onely in fbme bu rebus njn ?«»e/c« : ^^,^5. ^^ of Controverfie , or fome other fuch like ne- t!7- -T."; ceffitvofmorePunauall quotation) ran ifi dignui fanari. The Confcience t6 not to be healed, tftt be not woun^ ; »AuditaUu4, tMvttur^ ded. ThoH freacheFl andprc^efl the Law^commimuim ^tmulatur, ftUiis tun- ^^^^ the judgement to come^and that mth much earnefi* Alt, lachrymasfundu: ^.fr.andimportHnitie : He which hear esy if He h not quoalm motui tft. In terrified, tfHe be not troubled , u not to be comforted, plal 59. Another heares^ii ftireiy 14 fiung, takes on extreamelj'. Cq) pojlqiiam verb ^ure Hi^ Contritions, becdufe He iicafi dotvne andcon^ mntti wum coney fic founded in Himfelfe. ;Sf;^;4'^' , ^/-; ^hat ^^; BaftifiMfC^Chryfofiome^h^ ntm'me fecurii &ip[0' thorowly fright ed the minds of tits Hearers^ Wfththe fim re^itljintei & «'"- terrour of judgement, and exf elation of torment : and rum mirtitu fiUorum, ^,>^ the name of an ^Axe, and their rejeEhion , anden^ & femiMiune pana, f^^i.^„,^„(. gf other children : and If j doublincr the pu^ tmLfLimii- cumq; un- »ifhment, to wit^ of being herded downe andcafl mo the diqiti wum dunmm fire: when Hehad thus every tvay tamed, and taken mtlUviffitf atqnt ex tot downe their fiubbornnejfe , and from feare offo many mslitrun t'^^vttai li- gyHf^ hadjlird them up to a deftre of deliverance : then i'r^!^. f'^ZZ atlenitth HemakssmentionofChrif^, dt Chr"(i§ iniuUt mtn n^9i9 adtiatfin* Dei bomnibiu (tSauif & pecutum qiud committunti preaching. Part I . Cap .' i . y^ffii&ed Confcier,ces, 141 preaching, andcommendtJ it to all the Miniftersoi: violare Ugemy gravt tft God .He firfl propofeth a Parable,as we do Doarines, "'• ^?^ ^»^ "^^'f** for the illiimination,andconvid:ionoftheunderftan- 1,?^'!!'.,,.,; JHuit ,._,-, I- • -11 1 f Item p'ccaii (ipuit in ding. Then He appues it more particularly, and to the hat[ua. metkodtinimi' prelent : where he.doth notably exagitate and aggra- nin quad David cm^ vate the Sinne,by recounting,and oppofing God's ex- ^t^pftrit Deum:& gra- traordinary bounty and moft mercifuU dealing with ?"*' ^"^ *^% ^"*'^ David^hy the caufe of it, contempt of the Lords com- \Tm\'Ae peccaiumpate'. mandement,and dreadfiill things enftiing thence : Af- facit. Ad txtnmm terward that He might ftrike the heart thorow with ctmmiwMtmes adj/cit, aftoni(hment and dread, he threatens terribly : At lafl "^"'*/i''*i' peccatori. uponcomp.naion.& crying /W./Whefweetly ^^SSSfT^S comrorteth and rayiethtotne alluranceor Gods ta- exttmUmfolatmiiB' vour againe. cmdttur.la z Sam.i », If this courfemuft be taken with relapfedChrifti- CaJvin. iji folk ans; why not much more , with thofe who are ftarke P^''^^"»fjf^fyf dead tn tref}afes andfinnes ? ^^^ fiorumfenfu Chrift is fromifed to them 4/y Kmzti/oHV.Iiludi(i nitM^kouorttUll' ludetu impioiUyhec mn mppmii.q.avU b-cdifcamtn mn funpei' obftw iW.Hoc/enfu pos/iitentia prior tjlfde&ji4flificatidne.Aq.ii hue ujplcu Scti^'ura.cuiiiam prieponiti[liMiu 1 1 s,&c.Qjii?4 deficit . umhm, q,^ f>untad j^ ^^^^ exhortations tofollor? rhrtfiM^ M RoIIoc. ftrpiim func vrnpirtin ■ ^"^ minds oj men are ever to be prep/tred with a feKje of di animi hominun. fm- miferji, and their darke ejhate: and afterward with a de- (umiftri(t & tf rubra- fre of enlargement and light. ru-m,acp mk delidmo j^ ^ ^y ^^^^ ^jr ^f^^jy Mmiflers , which divide Gods fn lohT c^r's '■ ^o^d aright, iay our {a) great Divines of Great Bri- (a) Divines of Great t&ines, firfi fitly and wifely to wound the Confciences of Bnt^ine. Mini'Ms their hearers with the terrenrs of the Lawy and after to verbumVei reai fc- raifethembfthepromifesoftheGoIfeliy&c. catfiucuramumbu, .^. The Spirit firfi terrifies t'hofe,who are to bemfli- ditorum cofijcienuas ped,wtth the Law : breaking and humblmg them with pritno Icgii ttnmibm threats, fcourges, andlajhes ofConfcience^that thereby fauc'iaftdi,dmdt Svan^ despairing ofthemfelves they may fiie unto Chrifi. gtlicis Vroml(jij f«ge»- We cannot learne out of the Gofbell, faith (c) Chem- cd^^nLiiomSdm- ninusyhatwearetobe blejfed m Chrifi, except by art qiteperpr:cii & lach>j~ antitheus, as Luther ipeakes, we alfo acknowledge, that mas a Deopctmddfn (i we are accurfed by the Law. change oncly the fhe Dodrine of the Law/aith (d) Davenam^ is to Ji°one VcSr but ^^ propounded to the impious and impenitent — to kecpc the ici\rcOSuf. fttike terror into their hearts,and to demonftrate their fragiumConeg.The. juft damnation, except they repent^ and flie teldas ologotura Mag. Bri- Chrift. ^(hfnmmt^enim iu ^^^ P^kins that great Light of our Church , both fiificanZlTiSltr. for foundneffe of learnmg/mcerity of ;udgement,and ret UgeymiHu, fiagtUu, infight into the My fiery of Chrifi, teaching, how Re- «&• (on/ciemite vtvbt. r'tbuiy tosfiiWgens atqttt humiiiantquodefeipjis dt^erantet (onfugmt ad Chrifium Par.in cap.g. sd.Rom. (O Chemnitius. EvangHiumgtnttatm^&protetd dil^tini C^ri^iiACCtflum^t^ pnt' dfcatiopxment'ne & ftmifponis peecalorum. T^equetnim exEvtingeho addifcere polfumui notitt Cbrifioefjebenedicenddijntft perantithefiityUt Luther us loquitur, fipiul aptofcamuA nos per U' gtmefemiilcdiCl«s.—''Priedtcatiep(enUenthe(ivt agnitionupeccatomm necejfario pramitii debet, ft fides derecmtUiatisae heum babire debtat. Harmo. Evaog cap. 73. (^d^ Davenant, Vo^rimleguprepoMndMefi'mpys adterrerem matiendumf ad demonftrandam jnfiam iUorum damnatifiKeaif n't rtftpif canty & ad Cbnfikm Medlatoftmionfug%ant. In cap. i. ad Coloff. Ce) 'P«fi(mu Of the nature and pia^ife of lUpcntance. Cbtf. 3. Koouins Si 1 5. pentance Part. I . Cap. I . ^ffltSledConfciences, I^j pentance is wrought, tells us, That/^/ of aU. a Man mufi have knorv ledge of four e things : Of the Law of Cod: Offinne againfi the Latv: Of the guilt offinneiand ef the judgement of God againfi finne, rphich ii Ha eter- nail yf "rath: In the fecond Tlace mufifolloro an of plica' tion of the former knowledge to a Mans felfe^ by the ivorke of the confcience ajjified by the holy Ghofi, which •for that caufe is called thejpirit of bondage\in this man- ner. The breaker of the Law is guilty of et email wrath ^ faith the Minde: But lama breaker of the Law ofGod,{kv^ the Con- fcience as a Witnefle, and an Accufer: j Therefore I am guilty of et email death Xd^^ the fame Confcience, as a judge. ^very Lyar Jhall have his part in the Lake, which Burneth with fire and brimfione: Revel. 2 1,8. But Jama Lyar : Therefore ifhall have my part in that everUfling fiery Lake, And fo of other finnes : Covetoufhefie , Craeltie^ Drunkennefte, Whoredome, Swearing, Defraudingj Temporizing, Vfury, Filthinefse, Selfe-uncleannefse, JPo olijh talki»^,jefii»gyEphe, 5 . ^.RevellingSy Cjal. 5.21. Prophaning the lords lL>iy,flrange appareU,Zeph, 1 , 8. And innumerable finnes moe^which being allieveral- lypreft upon the heart, by a difcourfe of the guiltie' confcience,as I have faid, muft needs foil ferely cru/h it with many cutting conclufions : from which feton by the fi'ir it of bondage, is wont to arife much trouble of miiide ; which^faith Hee, is commonly called the fiing of the confcience^ox penitence ^z\\^ the compunElion Ads 1, 3 7. of heart. And then fiicceeds feafbnably, and comfor- tably the worke of the Gofpell. The Soule being thus ftnfible of,and groaning under the burden of all finne, is happily (/) fitted for all the glorious revelations of /q 5^^ ifa. 57. j r the abundant riches of Gods deareft naercies ; ior ail Mat. m . 1 g. &'^, i ji* '" " ■ ^' ■ the l^^ JnfirnBiohs for a right comforting Se(fl. 2. the comforts, graces, and^:fevours which fliinefrom the face of Chrift ; for all the expiations , refrelliings, and exultarionsjwhich filing out of thatblefTed Fom- Zict\. I J . t. taine, opened for ftnne and for uncleannejfe, Cg^ Greexebam. Of Never my of Gods Childreny faith {g). Greeneham, ' Repentance Scrm 7. tx) ere comforted thorovlj, hut they tvere firfi hnmbhi for their Sinnes, The conrfe rparranted unto m by the Scriptures^Caith (h) Hieren. - The y^^ Hieron, u thuc Firfi, to endeavour the foftnin'_, '. 1 1 • • 1 1 r t-' . /> -i aof.zoi.aoj.io*. ourHearers hearts, by bringtngthem to the fight 0'fenfe of their orvne wretchednejfe, before ype adventure to Mp" ply the riches of Gods mercy in Chrifi fefus,Thepreach~ Maiib. 13, ing of the Gofpell is compared by our Saviour himf elf e unto the Sotving of feed : as therefore the ground isfirji _ tome up jvith the plough, before the fsfd be committed ^* untoit :fo the fallo-PD ground of our hearts mufi firJi be broken up with thejbarpnejfe of the Law, and the verie terrour of the Lord, before we can be fit to entertaine 2 Cor. 5. 1 u the fweet feed of the Go fhelt-^I -would have a, Prea- cher to preach peace, and to ay me at nothing morey than the comfort of the Soules of Gods people : yet I would have him withally frame hu courfe to the manner of Ged^s appearing to Elijah. The Text fait hy that firii a I King.19. 1 1. 12. flighty flrong winderent the Mo untaines^nd brake the rockes : then, after that came an earthquake i and after the earthquake came fire \ and after all thefe, then came <^flill,and afoft voyce. After the fame manner, I rfould not have the fiill and milde voyce of the Go^ellcomcy till the flrong tempefl^ of the Law hath rent the fl any „, , ^ heartsof men . and have made their bellies to tremble. and rottennejje to enter tnto their bones , — Or at leajtf ^ecanfe our Auditories are mixt, confining ofr^en,ofdi' vers humours, it Jhallbe good for Htm y to deliver Hu doSlrinewith that caHtion, that neither the humbled foules may be ajfrighted with thefeverity of Gods judge- ments, nor the prophane and unrepentant grow prefump' Proy, 17. 7, tHoM by the abundance of Gods mercy.— The perfbn that Par 1 1 . Chap, i . Ap^ed Cofifciejtces, 1 4 5 that is ftill, defpifeth the hony-cornhQ^ faith Solomon: And-rvhat doth a proHciVhrnCt^y or a churlifh Nabal, or rt Politicks G^\X\o,or afcoffing Khm^tUcare to heare of the hreadth^andlengthyanddepth, and height of the £„{,-{;, jg^ love of CJod in hli Sonne Jelfu ? Except kbe to fettle them fafter upon their Ices. The DoElrine of that na- ■tur&is as unfitting fuch uncircumciied eares, as the Aftij-yi' ihow the Summer, and the raine the Harveft. Vntd^ ^eHcrle belongs a whip, to the Afle a bridle, and a BroT.iS.f.j. tod to the Fooles backe, &C. — Hee that intendeth to do any goodin this froxicn generationjoad need rather to 'he Boanerges, one of the fonnes of Thunder y than Bar- ^^^^^^ J* '7' lonzh the Sonne of a^ove. The Word of God Jaith(i)Vorh&s,hath three de- Ci)F#r*«. In His greesofoperationintheheartsofmen.For,firfiitfa/leth ^^^^^"{^''^ "^°''* TO mens cares as the found of many waters ^ a mighty vreat, and confujedfound^and which common ty^ Bring- eth neither ierr our, norjoy,I>utyetawondring, andac" knowledgement ofafirangeforce , and more than hU" mane power. This is that effeSi whtch many felt, hearing Chrifl, when they were aftonifhed at his Do Arine , as ^*^^^« ^' »***7' teaching with authoritie. What manner doi:lrihe h \^\^^^^* this? Never man fpake like this man.7l?« <'jfdrff/vi//es , that once they did receive it, namely, in the very frfi preparation unto converfiony that then the Spirit of God m the Law didfo heare wttne^e unto them^oftheir bondage and mifer able favery, that it made them to tremble. Now there,under the perfon of the Romans,?/;^ ApoHlejpeakes to all Be- /p 3^/^^ ^f ^^g Of. leevers,and foJheysies,thatitis every Christians com- ficeaddufc of rhe won cafe. moralltawofGodl (p) The Law hath his ufe to workeuirAui\Huv^pc£iu- in the ^ycs of the tentiam. The Go If ell his force to worke w-mioioM , refi- ^^O'cU pag 104, pifcentiam ; and both are needfoll for Chriftians even ^ZZtMath.zy^t at this Prefent, asformerly they have ever bin. * tIhi. 2.' ay. b«^. In (q^ God^s mercy may not be fuch, whereby his Truth Mat. 3.2.& in Aft,j, in any fort Jh OH Id be impeached; as it Jhould , if it be ? '; ^ ^ he rather name zrofituted indtferently andpromifcuoufly to all,as weU ^l^" Bookc,becaufc I \.L • r r . J • ^' ./ / / / J could wift aJl ihofe, thetnjolentyand tmpemtentyOi the poore humble y and who arc ionorantiv broken-hearted fmner. For unto thefe latter onely is the and lewdiy tairpQ- promife of mercy made.Andifto others, the gate ofmer- ring and mcdling a- cie Jhould be fet open ; Gods mercies (as Solomony^«>^ ^°"* *" °"«'' *^fo- of the wicked's, that they are cruell mercies) Jhould be l'''"S.^ «^°^'^'°g i ir Jrt •T>^j ''/ J r ^^ whole Law of falfe and unjuFi merctes. But God never yet learned fo ^ofetCmcc the death to be mercifull,as to make himfelfe falfe and unfaithfuU. of Chrift,would read * Thefirfi thing that drawes unto Chrifiyis to confder « over, and r^tume cur mifer able efiate without him. — Therefore we fee ""'*^ '^eir rightmind that the Law drivesmen to Chrifi : And the Law doth ^"^^ 7*}K'^^hP^ it byJhsTffing a M*in hisjinne^And thteitrfedug unto the Heart, rap.if .p.tf . Z2 fame,* DP, J ^g JnJimEiionsfor a right con^ormg SeA. 2 . fame, — We mt^fl kriov?,that ncthir(r performed of m can rive fntufaCl ton in this matter oj humiliation.^—^ fet it iifuch a thing -without which wee cannot come tif Chrifi. It ii as much 04 if a manfjouldfay^the Phjjitian is ready to he ale Thee, but then it is reejuircdythat Thou mufi have afenfe of the difeafe,&c^- No Man will come to Chrif except he he hungry.Onel) thofe that are troH' bled^receive the Goffell. No Man will take (^hrifl for his Husband^ till hee 0ome to know andfeele the Waight ofSatansyoke^ Till that time, he wtlt never come to take upon him th e yoke of Chrifi. To all yoH I fpeakiythat are humbled: Others that minde not this DoHrine , regard not the things of this nature: But you that mourne in Zion, that are broken- heart ed^you that know the bitternejfe ofjinne, to you is thefalvationfent, ^0 Cttlvin»iU In His (r^ XJnder the caufes I comprehend all that workje of Treaiife of Faith, God,wherebj heworketh F aith in any, which fiandeth P* *'• ejfecially in thefe three things : 1 . That ^od by his Word, and Spirit fr^ illightneth the under flanding, truly, to conceive the T>oUrine of Mans mifery, and of his full recovery by Chrifi. 2 . Secondly, by the fame meanes hie worketh in hit hearty both fuch found forrowfor his mifery , and fer- vent dejtre after Chriji the remedy ; that he can never be at cjuiet, till hee enjoy Chrifi. 3 .Thirdly y Godfo manifefieth his love infeely offer- ino- Chrifi wtth all his benefits to him a poore finner^that thereby he drawes himfo to give credit to God therein, that he gladly accepts Chrifi o^ered unto him, Thefe three workes of God,whofoever findeth to have beene wrought in himfelfe, he may thereby k>tow certainly hee hath Faith. But without thefe, what change of life fa- ever may be conceived^ there can bee no certaintie of . Faith, his 1 «a«i^of IpaUh, TO ^^^ ^^'^ fi^^ brenkfs us, and kills nt ycith the Part I. Cap. I. AffUBed Confciencet, 1 49 fight ^and guilt offinne, before ^hriSi cures tts^and binds us up. The holy Ghofl tvorketh and maketh Faith effeU:uall by thefe three ^Eis : D. P. ;i 1 . Firfi, it put an efficacy into the Law, and makes that p&tverfulltoTvorke on the hearty to make a man poore injpftit'.fo that he may be jit to receive the Gojpel^ • — The IP ir it of bondage muft mal^e the Law effeStual: AS the Spirit of adoption doth the Goff)ell^(^c. 2 . The fecond worke, is to rev e ale Chrifi, when, the loeart is prepared by thejpirit in the firfi worke, then in the next place, hee Jhe-wes the unfearchable riches of Chrifly what is the hope of his callings and the glorious inheritance preparedfor the Saints : what is thecxceC' ding greatnejfe of his power in them that beleeve, I fay we need the Spirit tojljew thefe things, ^c, 3. The third AU of the Spirit, is. The teflimonie Tvhich hee gives to ourfpirit , in telling us that thefe things are ours. When the heart is prepared by the LaWy And when thefe things are fo fhewed unto uSy that wee prize themy and long after them , yet there mufi bee a third thing : To take them to ourfelves^ to beleeve they Are ours . and there needs a works of the Spirit for this. Tor though the promifes be never fo cleare, yet having nothing but the promifesijeujhall never be able to ap- ply them to your felves. But when the holy Ghofijhall fay, C^nfl is thine. All thefe things belong to Thee, and G od is thy Father : when that fhall witns^e to ourfpi" ritby aworkf of his owne,Thenfballwe beleeve,^c. \t)This is the order obfervedinonr juftif cation :\, r{y p. tiCmlVi kt Tirf;^ There is a fight of our mifery , to which wee are Scrtn. upon Ioh,$, brought by the Law . 7 . Secondly fThere is by the Gofpel U* P« S 9» an holdingforth ofChnJiry as our redemption from finne and death, 3. Thirdly , there is atvorktng of Faith in the heart to refi on Chrifi^,ai theranfome from finne and death . Now when a man is come hit her ^ he i4 truly and really fttft, Z 3 fVe J - ^ InfirnBionsfor a right comforting Se^0bers reprehended, Faithfulneff'e in preaching *nddawbing compared, |Y this time it doth moft clearly, and plentifully appeare; what a foule,and fearefoU fault it is; for men, either in the managing of their Publike Mini- ftcry,-or more private pafiages,of con- ference, vifitations of the (icke, con- fultations about a good eftate to Godward, and other occafions Part I . Chap.2. AgliEi-ed Confciences, 1 5 1 occafions of like nature; to apply T^efus Chrifi and the Dawbcti dcfcribc4, promifesjto promife life and fafety in the evill Day, to Soules as yet not (blindly illightned and aftlidled with fight offinne,andfenfe of Gods wrath; to confciences never truly wounded and awakned.I infifted the lon- ger upon this Point, becaufe I know it foil well, to be a moft univerfall, and prevailing Policy of the Divell, whereby he keepes many thoufands in His curfed fla- very , and from falvation : To confirme as many Pa- flours as He can polTibly, willing enough to drive their Flocks before them to damnation, in an ignorant, or affefted Pre/udice,andforbearance,of that faving me* thod of bringing Soules out of Hell, mentioned be- fore; and made good with much variety of evidence: And to noiirifli alfb in the hearts of natural! men , a ftrong and fturdy difconccit , oppofition and raging, againft downe-right dealing , and thofe men of God fable as they fay, but falfely and forioully againft their owne Soulesjby their terrible teaching to drive their hearers to diftradion, felfe-deftrudion , or dcfpaire^ who take the onely right courfe to convert them and to bring them ^ojefw Chrifi as He himfelfe invites them, to wit, tabourhg and heavy laden with their finnes, Matth,i I.28. *Dawbers then, who ferve Satans craft in this kinde, and all thofe who difpence their miniftery without all fpirimall difcretion and good confcience, of whom there .'»re too many,as great fh^angers to the right way of working grace in others, as to the worke of grac6 in themielves;! fay,they are a generation of dangerous men: Old excellent as they fay inanaccurfed Art of conducing poore blinded Soules, merrily, towards everlafting mifery,and fetting them down in the very midfl of Hell, before they be fenfible of any danger, or discovery of their damnable ftate. Great men they arc with the men of this world, with all thofe wife fooks and f enfuall great ones, who are not willing to L4 be 1 5 1 JrtJlrH^iomfor a right comforting Sedl. * * be tormented before their time, or rather who defirc impoffibly to live the life of plealures in the meane time, and yet at laft to dje the death of the righteous. (yYidbot cu'pptpu'. They have ftiU ready at hand, hand over head, mercy, viaui ^niurfUi mlli' and pardon,Heaven and lalvauon rorall commers,and m quitfcatur. ^if- all that come neere, without fo much as a defire to put quuergo male aginth g^y difference, or divide the pretiom from the vile. fc» ««fa^/Aj-, plvil^ Which is a prodigioufly-arrogant folly, pernicious in bUoUcmU \nii. % the higheft degree^both to their own foules, and thofe qui cortipl ex culpa de- they delude. Heare how they are branded in the Book tueratineafulcui ku- of God; Calling them: P illow-fotver j undQt mens d- AbM tooUner q'/ief- boes;£*fi^. 1 3.1 8.That being laid fy) foft, and lockt lob f«p 4!" "^* '^* ^^ *'" ^^^ ^"^^^ of fecurity, they may finke fuddenly Comptmit duritia into the Pit of defl:ru(!^ion,before they be aware: Cri- ftfcanti fubtnbiiur , ers of peace, peace-j'whtn no peace is to wardSj/e-r .($. 14, iiqiu mtU'nitt fuverh j^m- horrible flirs, tumhling of garments in blond-^ hum-- ^''mTueT 7u7m '^^ and devouring offre'.Men-pleafers^Gal. i . 1 o.who wnTaiperUas 'JmZ chufe rather to tickle the itching eares of their car nail didlonu puiftu idm. hearers with fome frothie , Frier-like conceits out of rtfinjtwr*. p.2. cfp.% . Dung-hill Poftills ; And fo fmooth Great Ones in their ('7)^05 /cilk«t_<^«||^wj humors,by their cowardly flatteries,efpecially,if they SI«& tlt'iupt any waies depend upon them fbr maintenance, rifing, fitlum meum: frat andpreferment^rathcrthanconfcionably todifchargc laendm non taniUm that trufllaid upon them by their grett Lord and Ma- tcribm medieammU , ftg^ in Heaven, upon anfwerablenefle for the bloud of t^HlTITrL'lh thofe Soules, which ftiall perifli by their temporizing ttiam cauierijs, &fe- filence, and fiattermg unraitnrulnelie : Healers of the &'tenibus : vrs eu'em hurt of their Hearers with (^)fweet words, ^er. 6, 1 4, trntHm adhlbe'U im- whiletheirfbulesarebleedingby the wounds of finne Z^omJendt'cilr''' ^^^^ ^^^rnill death I. Preachers of {2.) fmooth things, Ca)Tbcfefcl-'ov»c$wouldhivethcfcrecurCjand fcnfuall- times, wherein fo many foulc Fwndjof crinnfoR and crying finncs arc broke Ibole wiih theraines upon their nockcj^co hcareofnoihing but pkafurei, peace, anoprofpcrity 10 the worlds end: telling them ftili outofthcflarteringviiions ofthcirownc unfan^fiiFcd braines, of a filken Gofpcll, a Church of VclfCtjOf feeding upon Manchet and Manna, ircadingupon Violets and Ro- fes,and of being carried to Hear en in a Bed of Downe^whereas God knowcs, if they liad their due and defcrtjchefiety rajne, whicli confumed Sodome into cindcrt, and iht great baiUfioues in Godsgreatefl fury mt^ht rather tnoA julrly drop upon the Heads both of the VaTi9btfs,9nd the Dap^gd, Scr £t^i|[ 13. ]m j.ler. 14. 1 5« i^Jfa. 30.1^,1^^ Part I. Can. 2. ^fjli^ed (^onfciences , 153 jy^.30. 1 o.whicb kinde of Men,the greatefi: part,and all worldlings wonderfully ( ^j affed and applaud, C^) They are equally though to their o wne everla^ing undoing.They fwell ^frlri^r^^d do ?n " . under fuch Teachers with a Pharifaicall conceit , that upoa'^uch Daw^"f they are as fafeforfalvationjas the precifeft ofthem alj aod, with indignati-' but alas \ their hope is but like a hollow wall, which o.iand hcartrifing j- beingptrttoanyftrefle, when thetempeft of God's ^ojf„''fhcfflo"o'{a fearching w rath begins to fhake it, in the time of a fi- wJckcdVn/^X kil* nail trial lofit's truth, and foundnefle; it ihatters into ling Mil.conceit, 10 piecf s and comes to naught. Hearc the Propheti^iV-Jw be roo terrible Tc a-^ a 0, -write it before them tn a table, and note it in a booke^ chcrs,and their Mini- *» I r 1 • r J nere intolerable. that tt may bee jorthettme to ceme for ever and ever: \ ^ db Xhat this is arebelliopu peofle, lying children, children s-^chiti that will not heare the Law of the Lordxwhich fay to the * Ifa. 3 ©. 8- &c Seers, See not \{c)a;idtotheTrofhets, Propheftenot (O PgputM nihil dd» unto w rioht things ; (beake unto mfmooth things, pro- ^^'l^^^* "«*"«" ^'J*" r r J ^- ^^ \ r t rj bat: proPUTta tnjtfiui fhefie deceits, get yon out of the way : turne afide out ^.^ Vrspbetis, quU of the path : cattfe the Holy One of Ifrael to ce^fefrom dumvitia t]u* accuji' before fi4, fVherefore, thus faith the Holy One of If- rent,&t(wirpungt' rael: BecaHfeyedelftfethisfVord^andtruFiinoppref- '''"/> ^'**' prcpinqm Ron, andperverfnelfe, and fiay thereon : Therefore this f '' *'!?^'^ .f '^^^ «■ ■ -n 111 L I J r 11 r I rant. Hue peTimnite' tnt^mtte fifallbetoyouas abreach ready to fallyfwel- jufmedi verba: nohie ling out in an high wall, rohofe breaking commethfud- vidcre, nolite pr ofpi- denly at an inftdnt. zAnd He fjall breake it at the brea- ^erc refla : ?(p» qmi. kinq of the potters veffell, that ts broken in pieces, hee *'* Joquerentur , fed ^ ,t n.' r I I n It I r J- t q»Sd Ha off £lt tn^etU, Mil not fpare:fo that there Jhall not bee found tn the ]^ modtiatmemre^ burfUngofit^afheradto take fire fromtheharth , or to qumnnt'xn prophtiU take water withall outofthePif. Dayebers with uft- mctam actiboi torum tempered worter: E^kz 1 3 . 1 1.Who ereft in the con- obiwrgaiomaqHo a«i- ceits of thole who are willing to be deluded by them t ^foT^'^*'^' ^'^''' P^<*ri/?f/ at the beft, a rotten Building of blfe hope, imfmvU & ifficath vrb'idcttit&exa^t' rjtiUt taxquitn immznci bellua ferociam & imcukniimfuam promant : Ltbenter quidem elude- rent'Jed vdint, no'ini, ■Dcftmi queutm audire, t\itfqni Majtliatem riformidare ccgunttir Hanc amarukmhm (equitur odium Prophetarunty infidia, ttrrerei, perfcctttmes, exilia, cruciatiu^ mor- t(squHuide{lrmamcnmdo5lorib;iifumr»ovmacdtUrifpoffeexipimaati Cpphntenim bem'mts •- fitiipotm furnrari fmrna, &fnulti mgas^ quam fidtliier rfs^rj, Ibid. like , J J. InfiruEiionsfor a right comforting Scft. 2 . (d) ^Qn metapborici \i\{c a ('d) mpidde-Tvall without flr aw , cr tnorter made (ttmiitiun Uuriiium ^„^/y of /and -without lime to bmde it ; v^hich in faire %^^'Ta>t"rdlm weather makes a faire Oiew for a while i but when &7mwAtn!^!^(iZd abundance ot raine falls, and Winter comes, it moul- adi^utur , {ttuClut* dersaway, andturnesto myre in the ftreets. Their ftrum firna fit^ & dw vaine confidence in profperous times , before it come TMbilU. Pagn, Hon du- ^q ^he Touchftone of the fiery triall by God's fearch- w«T«i M&^^^ i"g T"^"^^' n^ay ^^^"^^ ^""^^^"^ > ^"^ i'^ ^^e tempeft of Lutm abfqut faitU God's wrath when the ftor my winters-night of death ■". qHibM firmatuY & appToacheth, oratfurtheft, at the judgement Scat of ftrngUur-y ml t obom the Juft and Higheft God, it proves to be counterfeit : ptttft adhere pmtti, whenatthelaftthey fliall cry,i:or^, Zor^, like the m'^Tt i» & »f.ii fi<>^^J^ Virgins, And thofe Mat.-z/m ftead of imagina- ' * * de comfort, they fliall bee cru flit with horrible and everlafting confufion. Heare the Prophet; Saj unto Execb* I J . n .&c. them which dawbe it with untemfered morter , that it Jhall fall: there JhaU be an over-flowiniTjhowrejand ye, Q great haile-fiones,jhall fall, andafiormj windefhak rend it, Loe^when the waUyfallen/jhall it not be faid untojttH,where is the dawbing wherewith ye have daw- bed it? Therefore thus faith the Lord God, I will rend it withaflormy winde in my fury : and there fhall be* an over-fiowingjhowre in mine anger, and great haile- flones in my fury to confume it . So will I breaks downe the wall that ye have dawbedwith untempered morter^ and bring it downe to the ground^ fo that the fottnda^ tion thereof Jhall be difcovered, and itjballfally and ye /ball be canfumed in themidfl thereof: andye Jhall know that I am the Lord. Thus will I accomplijh my wrath t*pon the wallf and upon them that have dawbedit with untempered morter^ and will fay unto you. The wall is no more, neither they that daw bed it : To wit, the Pro' phets of IJrael, which prophefie concerning Jernfalem, and which fee vifions of peace for Her , and there is no peace, faith the Lord God: Such as with lyes make the heart of the righteous fad , whom God hath not made fad\ and flrengthen^e hands of the wicked , that Hee Jhould not returne from His wicked way by promifing part I . Chap. 2 . JgiiEied Cenfciencet, 1 5 J Him life, £<,ek^ 13.22. Thefe fcllowcshold and bcarc C*^) ^«»' «'*"» ^M meere avill men in hand, that their cftate is found e- ,7t)2",|,^|^^'/^^i^ noiigh to G od w a rd, whadbever the purer and pr ecifer ^^^ '"iX*"i?rffS Brethren prate to the contrary : (^y and yet the holy vabi untntur: i(i«t Ghoft tells USjtbat without holinejfe no man (Jjallfee the bominti mnqnam tg9 Lord. Hd. 12.14. That formall ProFeflburs are very J^^^ifica-M dixetim , forward men;whereas le/u. Chnfi profefieth.that He ,7'„,^™ ,":;'";,'; will fpeTf the iHke-nvarme out of his mouth. Nay, and ir vmatum uwbrM dun^ there be talke even of a good fellow efpecially of lome texnt^ & pmuUchra^ more commendable natiirall parts, and plaufible carri- tum fine fanffificatione agetif Hee be fo but moderately, that I mayfo fpeake, t ^'^""P'""'"/ fj-] and not jiift every day drunk:well,well,will they fay, ^^^ ^^^^ ^i,^^^ ...g^Jj. wehaveallourfaults,andthatisHis, But as concer- lociniohc g.Time ning the faithful! {ervant of God; they are woontto hathbccne, pcrbap*, entertaine the fame conceit of Him, which j4cha6 did *j[^'" . ^"u i,*^*** of e/^ah, to witjthat (r) He was a troubler of Ifrael : ^^ "J bc7cg«ncMd^ Which one of the captames had of the Prophet fent to on: Godforgircus: annoint /f^^,that He was a (f) madfelloyv: which the I» o^Jft be more than falfe^rophets had of g)Micaiah';Cc\2ii he was a fellow *''!?"• '^*' ^'■'■»§» of a fingularandodhumoarby Himfelfe, and guided SSi"""*u" by a private fpint of His owne: which TertuU a ChiifliaDje^-f. D': /w hadofPrf^/, thatheewasa ijo) feflilent fellorp x Sclatir, stclie Seuks which the Pharifes had of Chrifts Followers i that ^^^-^f-F^g »«• they were a contemptible and (») curfed generation, iU *j^^"2* » «•' ?• a company ofbafe, rude, illiterate underling';. Nay (gji Kji)glu'24. fometimes, when the bedlam fit is upon them, they Cb) Ads 24 y, will not fticke to charge Gods people in ibme propor- 0^ ^f h. 7 48. 49 ■ tion mofl wickedly and talfely, as the ancient Hea- ^^^ ^fi *^ ^"''«''« thensdidthe primitive Chriftians, with conventi- iZlLciZttht cles and meetings or hatefull(^)impurities,taaion,dif- ^ cbnfto ptndmem, aftedion to C^y^r, and many other horrible things, Ei-^^rct^.-miHajJn' whereas poore Soules 1 they were moft innocent, and ^"•'^^ boctfiy ^ubmaie^ infinitely abhorred all fuch (/; villanies : And they '^^jT&TZtmM hicandij — W*c efl IfamU Ev.mgrluie dcClrlnieyquamftrre ccgiturafudpotenusyec prudenies hujm ftculhqiibdfcth (nti babeaibo»in.ti plihtmyOb[iuroi& impiiUoi.qui fidcR^ liadh^terent fAuU-.(\) &ui'rurf'.i!erii/JJtmlid(/acrafreiOwfa»tkiiiy^&pitfulo'wd<&po!lce!t' viv>Mi^c((l4i^q:,bAive,f6rei tumhii .canni lenomsfcidat, ttntbrai U ^ hbidinum impiarum inve- recufidia jrs urext.Te'tiil Apok>2,.cap 7, Stdqutdomni crucia'ugr&viiu iraiyitijigniit dais mendacia ^jygebjn'.Hrj'JCH'abaiur m humam carmbut vt/cij?tfg»usdtjifuis mmtlan^m^iiibHi • ftfepoPmef & m[»nAijfi"5">»5''l»« r/? Dtl given unto us for that furpofe thati^emay enjoy h. tmfgnojut^cmm- Jftvefay thefe thingSyperadventure ypefhall havegrea- te ves rojss enUquam ter multitudes applaude and adhere unto our ^oEirine. finefcant.lpiplemin'i And if there he fome, -which thinke, thatjpeaking thefe "^^>^ Vino in vcftrii. thimrs.ype are not-well advifde.t^e offend hut a fewymd f/'"" ''"'» ^"^^t^ tnoie precifeOncs, £m tve -winne thereby a -world of putminl' . people. But ifrofifiall thus do,Jpeaking not the words of Hcecji dixer'mus» forti Gody not the -words ofChrifi, hut our o-wne ; -we Jhall he congregtblnm iHtbds Pafiours feeding our Selves, not onrfocke. mplma : & fi fiHt TheJuthour of the imperfeSi commentary in nry- lTZr^!!LTfJ'''T foftome forted by ((.])Jome Body mtf Homtltes upon n(itfap':u paum «f- Matthe-w, feemes to intimate, that the caufe of the 0- fndimm, fed multiig. ver flowing and ranknes of iniqiuty> is the bafenefle qf ''""^'^ cmcliiawu4. thefe Self-preaching men-pleafers.' f f) Tolle hoc vitiu Si{f 'ScX ChTiflidkratcs^ftdnoftrninmiiiPffforeinofmctipfoi pafcenUSyiieficvei. Lib. dc Piftohbus, Tcjm.9.ijaa I ^ ^a. Aii horx.f ilic HomiJics upor;S, Matthew, (q) Nonfimt Hcmilia, Jed Vifcio quit id difftcutit epm. Eraftn ("r ) / olle h«c vJmnt de ctere,ne vdint bemlnibm p'Mcrt^&' Jim taOore cmnia v'uia refccantur. Ex he vim nafiitur «' »e vtlinr inttr fe md'tortm habere^ (i(nt lucUi'^hiflim.l^owu^l Ex cap 2? 7«/w vttb». Omniaauiem opera fuafaamt^ ut ab ho- tttlftibfuvideanrur ) I am p-rlwsdc'c', it was no fmall n)ouve to enrage the Scrihcj atid ^harifes agsinft Cbfifl, becaufe Bee taught wkb pmtt to the aftomjhmm t] fiii im^ I e 8 InftruBioHS for a right comforting Sedl. 2 • rm. Luk- 4* } *i but de Cleroy (aith He, Take this fault from the Clergy, to their teaching was wir, that they be not (Q meft-vleaferSyand allftnnes arf hcartlcflc, cold, fro- ^^ji^y ^^^ dcwne. But iFthey blunt and rebate the edge m'^ml'^'^i^'i °^'^^^ S^'^^'f^^' ^P'r^' ^^^^ dawbing,fjattery,tem- jimmo vigort, (amrnA porizing ; or ftrike with it in a (cabbcrd garifhly and que uttUatii v;; chri- gaudily embroiderd with variety of humane learning, (tifermams futlfe pra- tricks of wit,Frier-hke conceits,&c.it cannot pofTibly 4titoii qtium interna cut toany purpofe;itkillstheSoule,butnotthefinne, ^ZZ'atJZ- They are the onely n,e„howfoever worldly wift- dt €fth6imbis,&fri- dome rave,3nd unlanctihed learnmg be befides it fclf, guU. Apud Ma lorat. to beat down finne,batter the Bulwarks of the Divell, in Mai cap. 2».x?. g^d build up the Kingdome of Chrift j who fetting a- (i) jtff;^'«cshyrhi^ fide aU private ends and by-refpeds, all vaine-glori- word, €77, aabtics tn r j l- • ^ n r • ° t Fharifaimo v'tdilctt ous, covetous, and ambitious aymes j all fervmg the tdbucperfeveraas- Ga- times, pro; eds for preFerment,hope of rifing, feare of lac. t.io. That Paul the face of Man, &c. addreffe themfelves, with faith- msAinicdwithtk* fulneffeandzealetotheworkeof theLord, feekins fault, while Hcc was ^ i c u- ■ ^- c i * yetaPharife, & fct- nncerely to glorihe Him m converting mens Soules, vcd the times: But (t) by the foolijhnejfe of that Preaching which God when Hce wai con- hath (andlified, tofave them thatbeleeve : In a Word, verted,, Heeturn«d who labour to imitate their Lord and Mafter fefru Apn ^ ei^amof havMg{x) authority ',m* demonjtrationof the Sptrit, '23-«'3a), « T 0eoi/j and forcer'. And not as the Scribes, "By embroidered « {x-jw (ui^u'Toii Scabberd, I meane the very fame , which King ^ames *-wTo/' " «^. flant and comfortable courfe of Chriftianity. Do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly ? Alica. 2.7. It makes them dill more humble,2ealous,watch- full, heavenly minded, &c . 5. Hardens the rebellious and contumacious. See < w, j • 1, rf)7A.chap.6. In which faithful! Minifters arealfo bciw"'"^^ ^^' Hnt9 God a fweet favour ofChrifi. 2 . Cor. 2 . i j . (f) Promnckt forty ut 6. And the Man of God himfelfe (hall hereafter pop'^^i^ ftione, & in^ blefledly (%)Jhine as the brightneffe of the firmament, '^^"''"^ dtftUum, and as the Starresfor everandever. And all thofe hap- pfrCSi^'S-' pie Ones which he hath puld out ofHell by his down- tmtn fmul admontt, right dealing, (hall (h) raigne and rejoyce with Him opmmprophettt^quam* in unknowns and unfpeakable Bliffe through alleter- ^^«*"'^w/ay7/, «/»«•- •• "^ tiftraludtU,ftbigra. " ^' turn fare facrificium. Calv.inlfa. cap 6.Efiqttidemhocdl£lu antrum dlvinUui prtphetamtniiti, qni aures ebiuref, oculoi oblmt.& COY pepuli $b[tineu quia vldeniur htct minime comftUre in Dei -/jaiuram, adto . que alitna tfje ab e]us vcrbr» Sed abfurdum videri non debet, ft dim fopuU malhiam uU'ma. excai' cationeuUifcitur. • — Ta'iiixceeauoaiqueinduramnanproficlfdiwf ex naturd verbiyfedacciden- talis {(i^r^UquehominMwpfuvUati tribuenda, ib:d. liecdsusinecverbum^ nee frepheu^ perfe qnenqui txcxcmi. De propbetd. turn & virbo hie dtcitur. Immo & de ipfo Deo } oh.i 1.40. Ca ufaj quiavtrbum.qtiodper prepbitoi covdonatM ejlVeiiCy quibufdam ex auidentefii odor mortifiTi. Ln/liofta clmffimd fuce fib't oppofitd magis ucutief. Canora vox lick.ed,thatheJhoHld}70tretHrnefl'omhis-)vicked voay^ by fromifinghim ///:iimromotio.ns under Heaven , they would not offer a great deals of pains, that injury to one Soule , that noro they offer to many and tortures his hundred Soules. ButyLord^ horo do they thinks to give ^'^ cxtrcmeIy:Thcn, ^p their(jp) reckoning to thee,who in mofifiriB account trnTt^li^M^^i coramitting it fa punflually and prccilcly to meanory; The fcarefulneflc in dcllTcry, and danger of being oaf, Vaine gloiious, doubring that they I'hsU not be applauded, as they ^werc wont.Feare, lew the next time fhoi/ld kiren^hcir former reputation of wit, reading, &c Ifay,fL'chconfi.ietatioosasthcfe, arc many time; notable curbes, to keepe them from appealing tco often in th:: f ujp;c. ("o^ ^n H^s Godly Obfervationt, concerning di- vers Arsumcnis,and Common Places \\ Rciigion. Cnp. 15. ("p) Vaiiiwm qitotidii nO' b'lfcum raiiofiesiquM cum no^roindice habih;m:'^. . — Penlcmw quod lucrum Dtofic'imui nos^ qui accepto talento ab ce adn(ZpUumm:lfn'umtu. Stsnimdicit: Hsgotiimlm dumvmio. Ecu jam ve- nlt^ (cce de nofira mgoth lucrum requirii.^na's el an'mztii lucrum de noflfa negot'vLtione tngnfira- bimui} ^dstiiuicenCpiQuianimarummanip'ttoi dtpftedkatmlsTioflrie ftgut ill atari ftimii^? Ponnrnm antt etu'.oi nnfiios ilium tame difthMionk diem qw judex vinlet, & raiicmnty cum fer- visquibui tatenta o edidit,p»net.Ecce in maie^izteterribilii inter aTtgelammatque archangelorum chores vide bit ur- /a illo tanto examine, eltilorum omnium & reproborum muliitudt deducet ur, & uxufquifque quid (it operatiu oftiadeiuK Ui Petrus cum ludted. convtrfi^ qu-m po^ ft traxit apfd.. r:bit.lbiPMlmco«uarjHm,utiiadixerim^madmiMi9S, Ibi Andreas po^ fc Achaimi iti M3 mH , ^A JyifTrticlioKS for a right comforting Seft. i . Itumn Afiim^ T^ho -will take the anfyeer of every Soule com:n'ttted unto mas Iniu.ini, in an thtm one hj one? Or with tvhat eares do they often heare ^aumfui ]4dkiscon ^^^^ -vehement (beech of our Saviour Chrtll.Feed^Feed. S.«».«;« r'g-'i- ^''^' yrtth^bat eyes ao they fo often reade that pter^ titi '.urn inmarum In cingfpeech of the Apoft/e,I-eed taepccke committed nn- ifU atp^rtbuMi, qh'i to you f But if none of thefe Trill move them, then the fcn^k prddicationUiis £ord open thetr eyes jo heare the grievous groanes of Uilfr tot ft^ti cam <"?. ^^^^ comfUintng agatnB them; Lord the revenger grigibui jVu ante titr- of blood, heboid thefe men, vhor/i thou hafifet over hs to si p.t^#/« iCttiaJ i^fxc- giijg Hi the bread of life, but they have net given it w: rmt, nes mifai qwJ q^^ tongues, andthe tongues of our children havefiucki ^Ourtfxnw, qui ^^ ^^^ ^^r^ of our mouthesfor calling and crying- , and mgetium vacut ndi. ^hey ypould not tai^epttty on mtWe have given them the Ktui, qui pafioium no tenths vhich thou appointedfh us, but they have not gi- men bsbuimM, & evi ■^f„ us thy truth; which thou haft- commanded them: Re- quastxnuwmnio no- ^.^^^^hem, O Lord,as they have rewarded usiLet the tiro dtbtamus eflctee , j / j ■ i /r . . ^. -,«. u.f:,n„s 3 Hie bread betweene their teeth tame to rottenneUein their pafioris vocati fumuf, bowels . Let them be c loathed with Jhame, and confufion &i\ii greiimnonduci- of face, as with a garment : Let their wealth, Oi the jww.Grcgor in £var- 'X)ungf-om the earth,befwept anvay by their executors; g€l. Horo. 1 7. ^^^ ^^^^ their geld and filver, yohich they have falfely treafured up, let centirjually be written , The price of blood, the price of blood : Tor it is the value of our hlood,0 Lord, Ifthoudidfi heare the blood of ^^^ being but tne man, forget not the blood of many , when thougoefi into judgement. Chap. Part I .Cap. 3 . AffliEled Qonfciences, i6s CHAP. III. 9yf ffenerall dire ^ ion for avoiding the former err our. Now returne to re(5lifie and tender a remedy againft the firft aberration. Which I told you was this : When mercy,Chrifl-,diepromires,raIvation, heaven,and all are applied hand over- head, and falfely appropriated to iin- mui quterere Cbriflum, mfi'mpulftfetifUaliqua miftrye^ ac indigtHM mfira. Qui valciit, non egcBt medico, feci male afFcflij j»^«ic Cbriftuij Venire ad hambled Tinners : whofe Soules were never rightly illightned with fight of finne , and waight of God's wrath ; nor afflided to any purpofe with any legall wound, or hearty compun(5l:ion by the Spirit of bon- dage: In whofe hearts, (^) fenfe of their fpirituall mi- me omncs, qui fati- ferie^and want,hath not yet raifed a reftlefle arid kind- |'" ^ oQcrati edit, ly thirft after fef^ C^^rifi. L?rcatt"SJJ m *In this cafe mine advife is^that all thofe who deale iguur chrl^um JUdi' with others about their Spiritual ftates,and undertake cant^ chrifii txtmplt to direfl in that high and waighty affaire of mens Sal- **^ ^fc"« mimHlandos effeip- .Sonne, the Apoftles, and all thofe men off r) God in ff^P'^^f « miftr!^ all ages, who havefet themfelves, with Sincerities a^JittJm^mZ du( partes deHrintefewptr con]urigend* finty DeSriaa miftrle) & DoClr'tnM mifemwdue in Cbri- fio Itju. Rolluc. in loannemxap 4. Cr), Let none fpcake againft the preach- ing of the LaWjfor i t is the wbolefonae way ihat God Himfelfe, and His Servants in all A* geshavc taken. ^-Jc did reprn?c,convincejandcurfe.<4^«andEi;f, and after he prca died, the Seedofthc Woman fliallbreake the Scrpcntshead.' — ^So lobii Bap:i(i dah withHu hearers And our Saviour Cfo-i/? Taith, Hf canr.e to feeke, and to fave the loft. Pr:w God makes Him take this 10 Himfelfe, and to app^y & approprine f^allwe do? Sirs, what mufifvedo to befaved? &c, As they fhouldhave faid : Alas! we fee now, we have it,atifthc Minidcr Ipo whom, pait with the righ^ you have told us, and we now beleevcG'^^sf^^f^ made andthle^ardintaeft; I ^i T ] ^^A ru^ifl. si^r> th^t aminbathun- both Lord and Chrtft: &c. ^^ j^. ^1^^ ^^^^^^ ^^j inward love roir,aHd the euiwjrd and comncnnpraSircofit. Hec that would cnjsy ibis heavenly treafurcjw! ich the Lord dothfo freely and gracioufly tander unto u«, bythe prcachingof iheGjfpcU, muft rcfolvc to mike a through- fale, and to foriake not (one, but every finne, evcty conuptionj every breach of the willof God, whatfocvcr, Hhron In bii third Sermon up9u Maitb, ij.44. WhatntuAth^nnnerfe]]? Ail that Hee haji. Wh;B it chat?His Goods, Lands, Children ? No, Thcfe be noneof his owne, God ha; h but lent hitn the(e to r.le^ and lome th it would have Chrii^, and (hall, have no goods to fell: Whac then js our ownc? Our finncs and nothing clfe. He that will have part in Chrift, muft pirt with his finnes; He cannot have Chrift,and kcepc any O.se of them. Rogers is \m 2>f» Rrim ( ^^« ^"^ ^^^ ^^^^ in truth : I tabilonicum re(lwigen- fay thenjand in this ca(e, we imy have comfort to mi- ^anouejje^dixhqmpc.. nifter Comfort. Then, upon good ground we may go tentlatiffmt.&dcCtfl- about our Matters command, i/^.40.1. f which man- Zdi^tt'i^^lTP: Ple^i'ers many times pittifuUy ^bnic)Comfon :^e,Co^r.. dfue eftvU i(U c^nfo- firtye my people; ( (u) I meane in refped: of fpirituall ^ndi S.)itiemmcll,t- bondage) —Speakeye comfortably to '}erHf(ilem,and rigiH affliSios & pro- cry unto Her, that Her warre ii accomplijhed, that Her pam,tm£iah &f(re Iniquity m pardoned . We may tell them, with what a ^6i Uvure triftnid. compaliionate Pang, and dearecompellation , God Calvin, Himlelfe labours to refrefli them . Jfa.<)^. 11. Oh thou Qtfiti (^aptivloi & li ajfliEied, and to fed with tempefi , that hafi no comfort • bcTAtio ilia cffrporalu behold, I mil lay thy fi ones wtthfaire tolours , and lay Th Tl^TZ. (^)thyfoHndationsmthSaphirsy^c. Wemayaffurc fpirituaiii', nex in U- ^nem m the Word or life and Truth, that fe/us Chnft tcrabanndumnobisjtd is theirs, and they are His : And compell them , as it ad (apivnatis Q)'mtui Were, by an holy violence, not without a great deale %itrmU"^m^ ofjuft indignation againft their lothnefle to bcleeve, itmq,Hd(mpmmfem- ^"^ holding offin this cafe to take his Perfon, His me- piunupercbrilluvifi. rit, His bIood,all His Spirituall riches, priviledges, ex- {lie ccpiatmem ajjur- cellencies: And with Him pofleffion of all things,even gjndum tm. Scuk, of the moft glorious * Deitie it felfe, blefled for ever: rorolymaUqfiitHt.cuSwi ^ee I. C^'r.?. 21.22.23. /o^.iy.Zl. ./Jer to thru ft his pro- phane hand into the treafurie of God's mercie, and there hand overhead, without any allowance from his higheft Lord tofcatter His deareft and mofl orient pearles amongfl Swine ? To warrant falvation to any unhumbled Sinntx'^Tofirengthen the hands of the wic- kfd, who never yet tooke finne to heart to any pur-= pofe , and thirfl farre more (inch true Gadarens are they) after gold, fatisfying their owne lufts,and perk- ing above their brethren, than for the blood of^/^r*/?, . hy fromifmq them life? To afTure meere civill men, and Pharifes wno are fo farre from the fenfe of any fpiritu- all poverty, that they are already fwolne as full as the skinne will hold , with a felfe-conceit of their owne rotten righteoufnefle, that they i]iall \^ laved as well as the mofl puling precifian ? Efpecially, fith there is fuch a cloud of ypitnejfes to the contrary , as you have heard before. Befides all which, upon this occafionj take two or three moe. Hearc a moft faithfull and fruitfiill workeman in the Lords harvefi,oFgreat skill, experience and fucceffe in the moft glorious Art of converting Soules, which make&me more willing to ujg,e An expehaacntal! Divine. lyo JnfirHB:ions for a right comforting Sedl. 2^ urge his autboritie , and efteeme his judgement in fy^Rogwof Dedhatn Points of this nature. None, (y) faith he, can prove or in hi» Doftrino of fherv frefident , that faith wm wroHght in an Infiant at Faiib, pag. 63. f'ffh^ -without any preparation going before : Nor can it be conceived how aman fljottld beleeve in ChrififorfaL vationjthatfelt not htmfelfe before in a miferahle eftate, and wearied with it, anddefired to get out of it into a better. As the needle goes before 1 9 pierce the cloth and makes way for the thred to few it : So ii it in this cafe. Afterward Hee tels us how and in what manner and order,thefepre-difpofitions, and preparative A(fls, re- . . „ quired for the plantation of faith, and fo fecuring us of friLnto^SlowLe: the right feafon , and a comfortable calling to aflure gall tcrrour,and pre- men of Spirituall fafety,are wrought in fuch,as God i$ cede that repent jnce drawing unto 'j-efas Chrifl. He requires from the law, which !$ the Dangh. ^{rB:, Illumination : SecondW, ConviSlion : Thirdly, tcrofFjithj and in L^^allterrour, FromtheGofpeUby thehelpeof the order of nature fol- ^ ^. „. „ * ,■ ^/ ^ j 0^ ji^ m ir lowes after it. Sec Spi"t ; Firft, Revealing the remedy : Secondly, Teltefe ibid.pig III. IIS. of it in gener all :yhira\yi Support in the meane time I > 3 • s «4 . fromfmkirfg under the burthen,and falling into delfaire, Secalfo Mi&cT H$e fourthly, (z) C(fntrition -, Which is attended, with &r/ad:d'°n"e fo-^e kinde of, Fird.^f «• Secondly,..^«y? Third- fccond Edition. ly, C^(t9, 125,1 %6 where He tels m of three kindcs ot them: Firftaforae common to Elect, andKeprobaic; as knowledge in Scripture, Prophecy, Tongues, Miracles, and fuchlike. Secondly, fomc fpeciall, belono* ingtothcEIcAonely, asFaiih, by which weare juftincd, a renewed heart, a good con- fcience, the fcare of God, ard fucli like graces. Thirdly, fomc middle onci, wrought in ihcheartofthofcjiliatbenotyctaflually thechildicnof Godj ycr certainely fball brj And which whcfoeycr have wrought inihrm, fliallfurcly have Faith, and cannot goc long without itj Such IS thii contrition, and fuchxlilpofitionsasbc in men before Faiib, which yet are wrought by tac Gofpcll. Thcfe .ue better then common Gifts, yet not aSuallGracrs, and yet gracious inclinations to Faith, which are in thofe that are to bee juflificdjand which ("if wcfpeakepropefly^ cannot be wrought in any that fliall perifli, at JUafitr Hooker in the Vnface to the fkmt Bcpfie. brings Part I .Cap. 3 • ([M i-i:.y complaine. Somay wrcf.y pro- rt^ 1 • r^ J • • n J- • • r portionably of other As this man ot God m expetimentall divmity, fo graces, in tcUmA«£ comfort from thcinj and yet that oi/lk^'nt is niofl trucj^i dixlfil fujficit, pfrijfii: If any fay, he hath grace e- nou^hj be haih juft none. Mimmi certe bonm (fi, qui melior ijje nen vuU, Bernard. ■ our 1 7C Ir.^tTMiiiin: :':- .^ ■'■^■.i':: ::m'rrting Se(5.2. 1. Boksval DrnAf t. our reaowiKd and invincible (f) Ci^mpions in tfaei^ i^\ ^— ' !■■*— f^ Pcdemialidi&oiiHesapon other occafions , ipeake to MrXrraBimr» tbciamc purpoie, telling tis alfo of fbrne antecedent ■ojiSufr'T^ "A(£b faombling & preparing tbcfooletbrconveriion. M»«»iB, fiii^f There 4arCy^^ ^Sae^; yCertJune iMermMM eftBs pinr ke- ji^tf*^ ftretwmverfemer re^enerjaieti, which by vertne cf the ~ Wardmmd Sfirir, Mre wr^mght in the heisrts */ tbofe ^^^ which jKre m»tyet yijHjied : Snch m: Jlbamtuttion oftfte Jafm ptuau, simir muadttadcn^ciewce with the kjf^wUdge efthe Wvrd pmmJtSbe- smdwiil0f^dyk>rjiat^^aipo(£, Se^e •ffimie^fesre '^ S^SSl ^fiF*"^""*'*^ erlegmii terrtmr ; juhnfiMgMgd Cdfiinr ^ ^^^^J"T^J2i himf»reMl^gememtfivmfMchMwnferMhleefime,fime htktmm tf^THjKm hefceffjerdem, &c. Letmcbat ackie one otfacr,aiid fvOJCsi^C^ Healibofexcdlent leantiBg;AxidtfaenIhavedone; *j" Jjj^UJ^ omreeeiveMtrmejmfUfyimgfMith^heimmftMitwerehe tMwmmiM — fnr hr^kf^i^fiecct ^ the Lew : /rr. 23.29. fVee4ore ts 1% \i wimTwmkmm ■■' heUdfeemAefedtrteffUmes^thremghthefesreefVe' pam vati fiittb^ vitemts^tethefe^eefjfhimes: Amdimdeedyemeefthefe ^yy**- *^ *•: au^ T^fi^ Miether, and the ferfeS Uve thtufts omt ISJd^Samim f^^e-yetmmfifeJOrhrin^imtkMi'ferfeU Uveytu mwee^ «nrrt «■■ ff'om^ \ dUer-BrisliedrMwesiK-tbethred difter it^ enu the pp. mamt dUac, fii»«- izo Am^ he^ith. In AcfrefMTMieu tuidfttimg ns for * *— *#*'""'» fr°? Mr^ca^MCAr^^reqmretfatwodviKS:Firft,:7l^ iwI'^i^iZiLm?^ <^«Krtt^#f «r efssit werejhm the wilde OUve-tree. jaOif.ij Sofim kei m hnftwXi nrnf ut iT ifmrn unit Cm-j &- Hxsrut ed punm^ &rtS' fmjifi^^^mfT»jns,fmdfitkmmfHMiffAramavMTtf»kki Vemfnitmsmnm' m fmmm m • •m di, mdiepaa/nesae itififrmnt ^aefmme mluS^ m im p ^nd mn t, iu& immkkmtferweMtx twtiuitmmgimwmihm 1 mfikiissiem I j a tm^ e m ftrocntar. Hit Ami f m if f i n f l i i i| l if i 1 nj^mtm ■ mm fV ii td fi — 'ra r r rr;nir r o4i r Viitmrmmmim- §tx M I—I— <» atgwacn nerfe. j ar.4 )5.r&£nasF&Mie5>mflaw. ^mifDam mmeUt -v JkM lamw im'mjkm ifffmeren, ^jt^imt, mS* apuimg f —g# d^mt, aab ifcjarir^m^'i — '^^'J — 1 — Ti— . iirliiBi— ■iiynii.T-r'^fT'^'i'f f" — rr'nrr Twmw^atmmfrmilq^UTierimfmsaaa^DeimlefTmei^rtmjfR enffmit^ u afim i',tnj9diedfmmtmiam,fitmm * J>i* fer fme%& k J m jmm fet e id ^m be£rag,CoBcg. I Ma^BS B'TTMHTj ^qoxqae cmtTCrvcxfit icBcofttaodMB Ardcolts, de ti caoTdfieraLTfeel 2. Cnttiin Im MtidltfDivimfj &. x.c 16 By By vehich\ic meanetb^»<> things. Ffrft, A violent pul- ling of us out of the corrHpion of nntHre^ora cxttir.ix^s it vcere^hy the kr^tfs of the Lazr'. of an unregenerare r/san fom HtifecHrtty,^c.StQond{\'A violent artrailion ro Chriftjor eafe\ man nt the frfi flainlj reftsfn^ it. The hnnted beifi jites to hii denne, the vnrfne:' ^:9ur to the homes of the ttltar^ or city of refuge . _ . . . ;, ^ery, Rom. 7. 14. drives him to Gods mrrcy. The Kraelites are drw en into their chambers b't the defhroyiytr myfn- f^//';Balaam ts made toleane h.tckt bi the naked S^iKfrd'^ Agur to rnnne to Ihiel and Veall, that is C^rift : Vrru, 30. 1,2,3. ^^f» ^^ is confofindedivithhii cmrne brH^ tiJJjneffe. Godmuft let loi^fe his Law, Siime. Ccnfci- cnce, and Satan to baite us, and kindle hell-fire in our Soules, before we will be driven ta leeke to Chriii. J^T^^/jiZ/jr, Aparingandtriirming of us, forourput- ting into Chriil by our humiliation for finne, rrmch is thw Tvroucht: Gcdgiveth the (inner to fee, by the L*trp, hisfmne^Aiidthe ^unifbment of it: Thedeteciicn yrhersr- cf drives Him to campu-nc}io>t,a/:da fricking of heart, 'pi-hichis irreateTyOr lejfer, and carries vith it divers fjmftomes^andfsnf.blefafjionsofgriefe. Andyrorkf Yet are not ke»fi a Seijite fhratianfrom his former comfeSyand flakes Him tcriOora iBeTicork)ii.s IdAth Himfelfcy Crc. mcano, (kfenriag And yet by the way, and once for all, take this Ca- ^^ ^SEH^JHf"^ v€a!t, and forev/arning : If^ any fnould tbinke of thcfe fQr^c^L* ^^ " p recedent Kdcsy {e j thefeprcparanve workings of the ce_) Nddicr ktaa^ Law, and Gofpcll, which make way for the infuilcnof d:eamc^KhattlicfeaR: faith, as anv meritorious meanes to draw on Chrift; *°7 FioAiaioos of it were a m'oTt falTe, rotten, fooli{'h,execrable, popith, ^^^^ ^"' p^, abfurd, Luciferian mifconceit ; and might juftiy merit ijj-.snjIiDe a^alJc- never to obtains merD.- at God's bountifull hands^or ncmici to ;be Gra« oiGod-. backDov^ tharchcyaretbcESegs of tbc Word ami Sptrit '\mt^iitm tftH* ttuna oAimoaft' ntrr.^ (kt riguerjiid^.tK prtvia, qua v'-riuie vati, Spkriijrffte imamAmjafifutmam orii- b,ii ixdtsntuji qu iliafunt Kotkli '^»hntttk divpigjafkifau^y limn pfrnf* ctfffukJkfikim Hqze^ff i»l:qkdverue SuSnigColIcgTbKA^gpxam M3g Biiuo.&c Dc aBCCcedocb adcoaycitgaciD* Thdi. a. t5art ^«^M^ Sed. 2 . ijoA JnftruSlio part in the merits of Ciirift : I Ipeake thus to fright every one for ever , from any ilich abhorred thought. God the Father offers His Sonne mo ft freely. God Jg loved the ivorid^ that he gave His onely begotten Sonne j, thAt yehofoever beleeveth tn Him Jhouldnotfertjh, but have everlafiing life. Ioh.^.16. Vnto ti^ a childe is' borne, unto U4 a fonne is given, Ifa.^,6Jfthou knewefi the gift ofgodj faith Chrift unto the woman of Sama- ria, and who it «•, that faith to thee. Give me to drinke, loh.^. I o. Much more they, -which receive abundance of grace, and of the gt ft of rtghteotifnejfe, 3cc. Rom. 5 . I7. Chrift calleth Himfelfe,a Gift; And it is culkdytht gtft * ^odnm jithocdo^ ofrighteoafneffe. And nothing fo free as * Gift. And mm ^ll^'/'l^''''^^^ therefore thofe Divines fpeake norunfitly,who fay,/f qui dicit tibi: DoHm ^ g^ven unto ns^as fathers give Lands and Inherttance igitur f[tip[e Cbr'iftui to their childrenias kings give pardons, to their fubjeSls. filim^^utm dtditnobii having merited death'. They give them, becaufe they Pater. Rolloc. in lo- ^^/^ ^^^ ^y^^^ freenejfe ofthetr minds. Ail thofe who han. pig. !?«# would come unto c ^^*/?, and defire to take him as thQktvifedome^righteoufnejfe, fan^ification , and re- demption, muft be utterly unbottomed of themfelves, and built onely on the rich and free mercy of God re- vealed in the Gofpell.They muft be emptied, Firft,Of all conceit of any righteoufnefle or worth in them- felves at all; : Secondly j Of all hope of any abilitie or poffibilitie to helpe themfelves. Nay filled, thirdly, with fenfe of their owne unworthineflejnaughtinefte, nothingnefle: Fourthly , and with fiich a thirft after that water of life yl oh. 4^. 1 4. that they are moft willing to f'e/la/l^orit, and cry heartily. Give me drinke^or elfe I dye. And then when they are thus moft nothing in thefclves3& do Co long for thcrivers of living water, they are certainly moft welcome unto Icfus Chrift; and may take him moft freely; Heare howfweetly He cals them; Ho, every one that thirfieth , come ye to the waters ; andhee that hath no money. Come ye, buy, (indeate^yea come, buy wi^eandmilke^ without money, find and ^^^^^4|BPH^HP^ t p*^ f^/f^F^ay, that great day of thefeaftJjTf^^ooX^and ' cry ed^ faying ; If any man thirft^ let him come unfijney anddrinke^ Hee that heleeveth ohrHe^aithe Scrjittire hathfaidy oat of his belly fii all f 01V rivers of liz:ng water Xq\\,'j. 3 7. 3 8. /r /if done: I ^m zAlpha, and ^ r^ega^ the Be ginning and the ■ End. I n'illgtve unto hirt^tha^is a thirft,ofthe Fouk- taine cfthe yrater of life fee ^^ Revel. 2 1 .6. t^And let htm that is a thirfi come, am Tvhdfoeveftvilljet him take the ypater oflifefieely, R^m. 22.17. Wee miifl: therefore bynomeanes con;.ivc of the fore-named preparative hnmiliations andrjrecedent works of the Law and Go(pell, as of any'n(;ritorious qualifications to draw on. Chrifi (for he is g^en mod freely j but as of needfuUpredifpofitionSjtC) u-i'veus unto Chrifi.Vor a Man muft feele Himfelfe in m^erie, before He will go about to finde aremedie ; be.ilcke before He will feeke the Phyfition; be in Prifon btore He will fuefor a pardon; be wounded before He v'll prize a Plafter, and pretious balfam. A finner muft o weary of His former wicked wayes, and tyred with le^^I| terrour, before he will have recourfeto-/«?/^ C^tfi fo ^efr.ejh- i»^, and lay downe His bleeding Soule in hisJeffed BofomejHe muft befenfibleofHis Spiritual! pov». ty, beggery, and flavety under the Divell5beforehe thi ■*■ kindly for heavenly righteou(iieffe,and willingly take^:; up C^ri/?x fweet a[nd eafie^oi^^. Hee muft be&caft iiowne, confounded, condemned , a caft away, and loft in Himfelfe,before He willlooke about for a Savi- our ; He muft crie heartily, I am uncleane y I antm cleane\ before he will long,and labour to walli in J*^^ ^ -1 ihoft foveraigne,andSoule-faving -fo//»f4/» (ecretly, in- timated by Chrifts words, unto the woman of Sama- ^"*^^' rU,Ioh, 4. 1 S.Seemes to have ftrucke her to theheart, verf. I p. So the lewes having Idolatry prefled upon their confciences by Samuel^ i . Sam.'j.6. The finne of savmU asking a king; iifid. 12,19 . Vfory by Nehemah, 5.12. Nebcmhh. Strange wives by Ezrat chap, i o. p. were thereupon ^^^* mightily moved, and much mollified in their hearts, as appeares in the cited Places. Confider for this pur- pof e, that worke upon Davids heart, by Nathans Mi- T^athAM. nifterie, And Felix trembling, when Pattl ftrucke him 'P^i*^- on the right veine. The reafbns, why this more particular difcoverie, and denouncing of judgement againfta Mans princi- pal! finne, is like, God affifting with the Spirit ofhu. dage, to put fuch life into the worke ot the Law, are fuch as thefe. I. The Sword of the 4$'/>/n>,which is the Word of God, being welded by the hand of the ^o/yG^nfcitntkpetcau&'tr(Deiad^tifu4piCcaiim,utmftA\kRl fuivi aliquo mi/ir'icordite Del la ibri(tefe„fH, nunquam vehmmcrtdtre »« ««i»,wf «/ f«w f tf»f«ig;r<-,RGlloc. in lohan, cap.y, vcif. ao. pag, 170. * I Kings io.?i. Ni moft I go InftrH^ions for aright con^ortin^ Sed.i. oiofV'defperate Rebels heretofore, upon prefent true remorfefor their former rage in finne , refolving fin- cerely to ftand on God's fide for ever hereafter , may faftly & upon good ground thus reafon within them- felves: Alas ! we have done very villanoufly, we have ferved Satan a longtime : we walkeup and downeas condemned men, ripe for deftrudion long agojHell it felfe even groanes for us , we may juftly looke everie moment for a Mittimw^ to cafi: us head^long into the dungeon of Brimftone,and fire: and yet we will try^ we will go and throw downe our felves before the Throne of grace in duft and aihes, and cry as the Pnh- lican did unto the great God of heaven : for Hee is a mfrcifHllGodfgracioM , long-fuffering, abundant in goodftejfg, and truth y keeping mercy for thoufands, for- giving ini^mty, tranfgrejjion and. finne. And then, not onely feradventure^ but moft certainly, they (hall be received to mercie, and hee will fave the life of their Soules; 1 fay for this point, of preaching mercie onely to hearten men to come in , and to nourifli in them a bope of pardon, in cafe of penitency, &c. See my dif- cqurfe of true happinejfe :pag, 1 73. And I will onely adde and ad vile at this time this one. thing of great im- portance in the Point:That after a plentiftill magnify- ing and amplyfying the mercy of God,by it*s infinite- nefle,eternity,freenefle, and incomparable excellencie every way , onely upon purpofe to affure the greateft • finners of moft certaine acceptation, and pardon, if they will prefently turne with truth of hcart,from Sa- That no impenitent ^^" to the living God, from alltinne to his holy Ser- finner may Jay bold vicc; I fay that we then take heed and make fure , as on k. much as m us lies , that no impenitent unbeleeving wretch, none that goes on in his treffa^esy or lies wil- lingly, and delightfully in any one finne , receive any comfort by any fuch difcourfe , as though, as yet, Hee had any part or intereft at all in any one drop of all l^that boundkfle and bottomlefle Sea of mercy fthat were Part I , Chap.4. Jjfi6led Confcienees, I g I were a meanes to naile Him fafl: to His naturall eftate for ever j But onely thence conceive , that if He will prefently lay downe acmes againft the Majeflie of Heaven, and come in with a truly penitent humbled (^\^x)iYhay qua dixi- ibule, thirfting heartily for feftfs ChriH, and relolve h'tptafttnt, & div'mk, unfainedly to take His yoke u^on Him,thQrQ is no num- "uihoritatibia emia en ber or notorioufncffe of finne,that can poffibly hinder ^^'^^fSX his gracious entertainment at uod s Mercy-leat. For gr,iimu,& muUiim mi- this end let us tell all (uch , that though the mercies of fcricon, t^venx; mul- God be infinite , yet they are difpenfed according to '«* deUiln omeipec His f*) Truth. Now the Oracles of Divine Truth tell j^X^wt Z'^T us, that thofe who fhall finde mercie, are fuch as con- ricfl«,^^wi/«X 23?- feffcand forfake their finnes : ^^ndole}itium.A\igi\i!t- Totn 9 pag, ii^S,([i)^i male cgirtTtffnctJfant.invanHmmferkerdiam Dei expt^iintj quamre&eexpMarent, (i dmah «cf(/i.rf/»t. Bern. Dcmodo bene vivcadj. Scrm ». Col. 1141. (jj vtex Dei parte datur uni- te/ falls umjfif} ptcci!9fum, fu debet eticm in nobis tffe uuiver falls dettfiatio peccaiorw^t uqne it* IndptQcuMubieytrifimim e(i, inotrtit hnmmvtre reconciliAto, fempiruperirl odium omnium fusrump'ttotarum^ p/opo^tum etiam & (lafium ditjcipi ab^mendiab omnibttSiMmquiremiJJta* nem omnium accepit,'iBfufion()ngratitt fmulaccepitt qmiUltmatmat, & munit contra omnia^ friiflra, igiiwrblandiiurftbidepsccam rmiffis, quiamaremptccati cuiufiunque & propofitum in eodempermanmdi, cjtaftin fim cordis luifmtt. Davenant. cxpof. epift. ad Coloff. in cap a, N 3 feverance. 1 82 InftruEHonsfor Aright comforting Se<5l.2. verf.ij pag.x7i fi feverance. No finne (w) raignes in fuch a One, &c. dti & t>eni confcmtia ^^^ y^^ ^l^s j ^ow many mi(erable men , will needs r;:"::;r':?«;,: moftfalMyperfwadetljemfdvcs, .nd others that cam propfuo feuandi they have a portion ni the mercies ot God, and hugge & d.JP'.iendi 1)67 I- with extraordinarie applaufe, and embracement, the bid. f»3g 67. Om'-i formall flattering meflages o^ Mcn-fleafers and Time- qui mtM e(l ex Oec, y^;.^^,^^^^ Co dawbe overfiich rotten hopes ;who yet Vo^^vhvdmm notwithftanding,^^^« pH in their trelfajfes : who non, inqiiir, pucatum were never yet Icnfible of the burden of their-corr up- fMiii quhdptUur pyt't tions, and fpirituall beggery ; never wounded in con- »j qu^ jaciti qui na- fcience, or troubled in minde to any purpofe for their (!? pffSrf ^r/S- finnes, never moiirned in fecret and fincerely for the do jiiticet in p kchq. abhominations or their youth; could never yet finde m Bern, dc Nat. & Dig. their hearts to fell alitor the buying of that one pearle Anaorjs divim, cap.tf. of great price, nor ever yet Co prized 9efus Chrift, as to p-Wnofocver hvcs Jea/e their darlini? pleafures , though very bafe , and in any One knowne . , . , , ^ ^, , r 1 li j 1 • finne let Him know abhominablc, to enjoy the unlpeakablc and glorious toHisfacr, He Haih pleafijres of His gratious kingdome? Nay fuch as hear- no true Faith. Ro- tilyfervefomeCaptaine, and Commanding finnc in gersisfcM DoHrintof heart,or life, or calling, as their owne confciences, if >i -Let me difcover a notable depth of Satnan , whereby Davenant .loco lupi i he doth baffle and blind-fold His flaves mofl grolTely : axato peccaummhac you know fuU well, and heare often the common wu qmmum ad fa^ '^. q ^p ^^ ^^^^^^ efpecially under any con- pereiityinAl a petit Hk fcionable Mmiiterie,againft preaching of judgement, regnum ptrda^ qumo and for preaching of mercie : See the caufes why they fo^ comHpfantias no- firasnonimui Ibiauum p£rii^quandodksiut;ttbitm^ O mortf vi^'tona ? Au£,uft. dctcrhis Apoft. S cf m 6 Miud f^, non peccare, aliui non habere pttatum T^^am in quo pcccatum non rig' natytteapeci'Jfidtftfqulmnobtditdefider^i. Auguft. in expoQ cpiil, ad Galatas, cap. y. (n) I uft as in the Proplicts timei Tbit is a rtbeUiom paflt^ Ijini ChilcreH, CbUdrtn tbatwlH not heare the Law of the Lord) ivbicb (ay to'jbs Seers^ See ttoi, ttulto tbe Tttp^tlt, Prophecy not Mf9Mr>ibi tbiftgt, fftalfe mto usfmotb'tb'miit&c*. I^ 30b 9.10. cannot Parti.Cap.4' AffliEied (^onfciencet, 18} cannot downe with down-right dealing,and power- full application of the 1.ZVJ i\nmyT>ifc .of true Happi- neffe, pag. I J9, Cic. But what do you thinke is the rea- -j^, .. fon,that they gape fo greedily after Preaching of mer- ior/thc7r«chioTof cie? Not that they can endure the preaching or it, as I mercy. now have taught, and as it onely ought, to thofe that are without ; to wit, to have firft, the deareneffe, the fweetnefle, thefreeneflfe, the full glory of God's im- meafurable mercie revealed onto them,onely as a mo- tive, and incouragement to come in ; but ever at the clofe and conclufioi^, to bee made to underftand and know certainly, that not fb much as one drop of all that bottomkffe depth ofmercie and bounty in lefw Chnfi, doth as yet belong unto them, lying in any ftate ofunregeneratenefle, or in any kinde ot Hypocrifie; (^) ^ ^^f abdlmri while ft they recrard any rvickedneffe in their heart, and ^/<^*'f '» ^««« «»• arenotwilhngto/'/^r^o^f thetr right eyes ^ and cut ^^, Sknt ocJ^, luce, off their right hands ^ I meane, to make an everlaft ing emmfidmi abjii-y e^ divorce from their former deareft fenfual delights/and >imamy vita priva- finnes of their bofbme: for onely they -who confeffe and ^hJ^olePum efl. Bafil. forfake their finnes,Jhall have mercy.Prov.i^.i 5. This q^^"^ g''^** way of preaching mercie would nettle and gall them, pUciafuperabit' Dtlm as much perhaps as prclTmg of judgement. Nay, why «« vidtrey& bonk m- not more ? Proportionably to that which (0) Divines ^^''f* ?*f w potefiate hold. That the privation and loffe of heavenly joyes, f'^^'^fi "btinett. Ber- and beatificallprefence of God is farre bitterer, than Multi hommtm Gt- the torments of fenfe, and pofitive paines of Hell. But hinnm trntHm formi- to tell you their true meaning, and their very hearts: «'«»'j egoautmiUiui Their ayme in fo complaining , and calling for mercie f """^ i"»'JJionim, Ge- from our Miniftry, is, to have it fo,and in liich a man- rZeg-Idkl^ !£a. ncr propofed,and prcached,that they may thence col- bilis tft Gtb'nna&itl le6l, and conceive,that they are in ftate good enough, ^i pcenj-, tamn lieh quis ianumtrat fcnat GebemaSf tale nit dicetiqitAleillafxlkicxcidtregloria^icWifloedioha^tfitAudhreiTiiluovoi^ Chryfoft. ad Popul, Antiocbenam. Horn. 47. Intokrabilu quidemrcs efi, eiiam GebenMa^ quii nefciat &(uppUcium ittudhombilei Tcmtn /? miUt aliquU ponat Gehemtai, mbil tak diSiu* ru6 t^y quale tfly a beai^e illiia ghriie b9n0rertptlliiixofum ^ Mdkttib i/?*,2^ Kwi Fts, IdcHJ, in Matib. Hona. 24 N4 to i«4 I^firnBioHS for a right comforting Se(fl.2. to go to Heaven as they are ; though in truth, they be meere ftrangers to the life of God, and holy ftricftnefTe of the Saints ; were never truly humbled withfightoF finne, and fenle of wrath,nor experimentally acquain- ted at all , with the myftery of the New birth ; That they may conclude,and fay within themfclves: How- foever lome Minilters of the purer and precifer ftreine, fright us continually with nothing but judgement, terrour, damnation, and will not fufter us to be quiet, no not fo much as in One (innejyet it is our good hap, fometimes to meet with fome mercifull men, who will helpe us to Heaven without fo much ado, and up- on eafier termes, &c. In a word,they would upon the matter have juftlo much mercy, as might afTure, and warrant them to carry fecurely their finnes , in their bofome to Heaven with them ; to live as they lift in this life, and to dye the death ot therighteousjWhich is a conceit moft ridiculous, abfurdjand more than ut- terly impolTible. What a hatefull tricke then is this, and horrible impofture, which they (ufFer Sathan to put them upon. In propofmg of Chrifi, Let the Man of God,fetout as much as He can poffibly, the excellency of His Per- fon, the unvaluable pretioufnefle of His blood, the ri- ches of His heavenly pur chafes, the gratious fweetnes of His invitations,* the generality ^and freene^e sf his offers^thc glorious PriviTedges Hee brings with Him; reconciliation to God, Adoption, forgivenefTeoffins, The third jrarticular juftification,righteoufne{re,wifedome, fandification, dircflion lo fct out j-edemptionj&c.PofselTion of all things. For all things Chiitt as ncuch ai ^^^^^^^^ . j^ljgfljer Taul, or A folio, or Cefhoi ; or the rfiorldf or life^ or death ; or things prefent, or things to come'j All are jours t And ye are Chrijls , and ChriFl is Gods. I. Cor. 3.22.23. Let him tell his Hearers, that the bloud of Chrift, is called the bloudofGod. A Si, 20, 28. and therefore of infinite merit and unvaluable price. It fprang out of His humane nature, and there- fore ♦M»tlf.i6.I5. Mautb.iT4 28 loh 7 57' Revel, la 17 onay be. i.ThenfiCTU of bloud. his Part I . Chap. 4 . ^ff.i6led Confeiences, 185 f u< , _^ , but of vertuc,and valuejtnat the infinitenefTe of it's merit, j was ihc nature ai and ineftiiinablenefre of it's worth lafts everlaftingl^. n*- an, not cf God It will be as frefh,orient,and eftecliiall, to wafn away yvhcrein He dicdjand thefins of thelaft man that (hall be called upon earth: God^'nd infinite ex. as it was thole or the Penitent Theere y who law it cjllcncy of the fimr, with His bodily eyes giifhing out of His blefled lide vi^hence thepricf,va- upon the Crofle^or the firft man who did firft (avingly ^^-^^^ wof th of His .apprehend that firfipromife: The feed of the yeoman l^^Tchm^ l!b,\ Jhall bruife the Serpents headXtx. him aflfure them it is ^^^^ 15. q^^^^l y-^gg^j, fo foveraigne,That in a truly broken,humbkd,& thir- wm Chrl^.i propitt Hj' ftie foule,it turneth the mofl: Scarlet ^ and C^imfon popikmuim/quKa- finnesintoyi.^,and»>W/. That upon co.^punaion «;-,«„ -" f,f* and commmgin, it walhed away that horrible , and ^^^^^^^ comtmnicatk. bloudy guilt, from the foules of them that (^) fpilt it. ntm idiomatm, veri AEi,2Xtx. them know alfo: in how high a degree,and did pofft, mn jtUm hainoufly they oftend from time to time, whorefofe hrpmmfil^bcp^.m, to (r) take W^^ Chrifl offered moft freely, and with- ^XlZl^'^ZTft outexceptionoranyperlon,every Sabbath,ev€rySer- guinem ipfttn Dei. mon, either in plaine, and dired termes, or implyed- zanch.in i. EpSfi lo- ly,attheleaft. Oh ! Little do people thinke, who fit ^an. cap. i. fcif.j. undercut Miniftry unwrought upon by the Word .^i^'^^^XX": what a grievous, and tearemll Imne they commit, and ^^^^ mfequi omm 9 . Carrie home from the Houfe of God, day afrer day j in pirationcs ufu Cbrifli ttegle^ing fo great falvation^in forfaktrtg their owKe iffetimifuppo^iijOc mercy.v^\\xi\Hd(iins themfetves unworthy ofeverU- P'!''"'f^ dwinas kmU fting hfe-, I meane, by chufing, upon a free Offer of his ^^^^ ^^^^^ p-,-^^ Soule-iaving blood, to cleave rather to a Luft, Horri- hmmii defcendtjfe i Cce'iSj & Dettm iffe mortuum^ C6vc:m pirc(p(runtj'p[b nd mptif3sguJne,quemfudty,in(- Au.uft.Expoi in EyangcJ. lobar}. Trflft.^?, (r)liacane withahcarty willingacIfcto/t/Zd/^ iopxn wiibd^fi'/iKe^ 1 85 InjlruEiions^f or a right comforting " Se6t.2. and with a finccrc le ble indignitie I than to f Q ^efm C^rifi bleffed for ever: folutioa for after o- rather to wallow in the mire , and mudde of earthly Hfm«"saviQu"nd pelfe, m the filth, and Froth of fwiniflipleafures, in a Lord. Ncrcrdida- idleneffe, pride, worldlineffe, whoredome, driinken- ny take icfus Clirift nefle, ftrangefafhions, (corning ProfeflburSjCont^mpt favinglyj who tookc ofthe power of godlinefle , railing againft Religion, him not as an Huf- revelling, felfe-uncleannede , &c. than abandoning f«yc,l?vcNndobcy thefe filthy harlots, to take the Sonne of God for their him for cvcraf(ef,as deareand everlafling Husband. This not Beleeving, well as a Saviour, ts This refufing Chrifi,'This not taking Him,in the man- disburden Him of ner,andfenfe, aslhavefaidjisfuchafinne^thoughnot I;'t°" e"e" Him b^ ^° thoughtupon, and taken to heart, that (t) Divines His Word and >pirit,as wellasa Pricftto waOi him in Hisbloud. Never was any truelyju- flified, who was not alfo in fomc mcafure truely fanftifi^d (i) Tiignittu & amflicitdo turn ferftrutfilif Del, turn beneficy, ac falutis tAnu, p:r tantatn perjomm compMratie, tugibunt fupra m»dumln£redulitattmnc[iram,ut qui muliomtltiffi loco fmffzmuSjfiaihUuriquaminviiadeChn^ fto audijJtmWj qua (iattditntti utgltxiffemui tamen tan.afduiem acquiptam nabii, & annuftcitti « tantdpeffoni.Kolloc.'m loan. cap, 3. ("0 Arcuct ir.undum Turn aufam rtddw^ti inqmty quod non crcdanc in mr. Pcccatum i^jf«r tte^g^ac incrcduliutk nomint, qtiam Kat' i^o^)^ itainfigmtilicetnonfttuniCHmi^uiincrednt'.uiiiptccatHm, Suntenimath pucata varifgcnerii vttiimpeccatum omnium g-ivifJimHtn efi incredulttas, qiueftcum una. trahit feAiummaximum^^ condtaaniionsmgravilJimamfimul & vdnciffimam Idibdicium tftfuprdy Qui n(m credit m fi- lium, jim condemn atus eft- ConirdverbfiiUs p^it'uip$tij}i'nae(l»ade6qutffla.2{ameiitii4fert reaiumemtimmpeccatorum, & liberal dcondefnnatme- Nulla eft condemnatio ijs qai fuse la Chrifto lefu. Aique b'mc ufurpaia tfi prteclna ilU fenteatiai XiuUum pcccatkm nifi lefiielitM^ nulla jufiicia nifi fides Non quedfcla infidtluatfit piccatuK; fed quod infidelitatty ut ait ^ugu(U» Tins, manentty muntat pcccatum tvt«e-y & ea ru'Jui duedente, aboUatur. quoad reituw, pucatum aliud qu9dci(»que, Ei eerie peccan'ibus lamclirj. luu Evangciij^ quovit medOy fivepcr adu'.terium^ five homicidiu^iffive perfartuvt, &c, afcrieniwn t^ maxime i>ifidsli:a:i, S- difiimiiotu coiiisy qn^tahttelucirefiliitur, Rolloc.inlohan. cap. i6, D" pcccato quidcm, inqui'^ quanon crediderunt in nic; hot enim peccatunty quajifdum fiffpne cattriipofmt. ^ia hoc manente, ctt- UraYttininiury& hic difcedmte, cattraremittuntur. Auguft.Expof.in Bvana;* lohsn.Trad, if. Siminifeftumift, pfteierhanc mfidelitatim, ati* viuUa bomtnuifieffepeccatayCurdehot fUomundumfpnituifiriiuf-argUii? jinqu'iaveccatasmniapef infideliiatem teneniur, perfidtm ditniUMntiff ? Propter to. hoc uhum prte mttrii imputat T)e:u,per quod fit, ut utera non felvantkr\ dum non credit in hiimi'cm D(um homo fuptrbui — '.um dicitur; Arg'i'it mundum depeceatOy noti tlio quam quod non credidtiunt m Chri^e, Hoc detitquC pcccatum fi non fit, nulla pcccata remant' fctf»f, quii]u^oex fideviveaiecunclafolvanlur.SidmitliHtninteHfl ulrumquilqutcredatipfiM tft Chnftum, & ut-um crcdat in Chnflum. Tiamipfum efje ibnflum^ & dxrr.a m crediderunt; lUt enim credit in Cbriftum, qui &fpcratia Chrillum, &diUgu Cbufium Idejr, de verbis Dom,' in Evani?. fccunduro lohan.Scrm.^ i. Take all rhe finncs that ever wtrc commit tcd,uone like cotbisjne grcjcertbin^can belaid to our charge, than torefufe the Sonne, to lefu^e fpeake Parr. I . Cap. 4 . AffltSied C on] c knees. I TT- - • cotttimptit Eva?igtl9 f hereof. He v; as wroth, and He [ent forth tiu armi^s^ «dmtt!tur,)iotatur par- anddeftroyed thofe murderers, and burnt up their City, ticuld , 7v\ty^Tti( Matth. 2 2 . 7. He meanesjthole who were invited to '^'^exas,^ tanta fain- the Sonne s marriage^ andmad.e light of it. He that be- He^j^os'cap 2' « jg- leeveth not is condemned alreadie^ becaufe^ he hath not ^^^ ^j^^^^ crimen in- Beleeved in the Name of the onely begotten Sonne of trtduhtatU , qHoniam God. 9oh. 3 . T 8. When the Comforter is come,^ •-— «Hei» foin3imcd with the lovethercof, thaiHcrefolvcs He will have u, whatfoevcc it coft Him. — 'Yea but there is a price put upon itj it muft coft ihcc dearej a great dcale ©fforrow, trouble, and oihei'croflcs.Tufh, tell me not of the price; whatfoevcrl hare fiiail goefor Jt,I willdoc any thing for it. Why,wilt thou carbe thine affedionsJWiltthoO give up thy life? Wilt thou be concent to fell all that thou haft,and begge all thy life time, fo thou mayeft have this trealurc? I will doe ic wit h »l\ my bearr^ I am content to fell all that I have; nothing isfodeare unto me, but I will part with it; my right hand, my right cycj nay^ifHellit felfe (hould ftand betwcenc me andCbriA, yet would I pafle thorow the. fame unto him. This ik that violent afFcdion which Godputtcth into the hearts of His children, that they wilJhaveChrift whatfoeverit coft them Although I confefle, all that repent andlay hold on Chtift,fhall have mercy; yet what is this to thee, thou wretch- ed Man.** So long as Gnne hat h dominion over thee, what art Thou ? So long wc are not onely dead, but alfu rotten in (innc,fo that it may be faid of us, as it was of La-^uiftob.t x. Lordj faitii Manha, bt ftin^eib airiady. So we are nor ondy cfcad and lotten in (inne, but e- vcn ftinke thereof, fo long as any fmne or finnes have dominion over us, D. f , Chrift re- ceives none, but them that deny xhemfclvesj arc willing to take up iheCrc (r<,andfollow Himjihatrnvfrific -hedccdioftheBody by tht Spirit. To luftification nothing but Faith isrcquir -it ur his caution muft beaddcd;It muft be a Faith that jurifics the beart,thai may w., rke • n u n : vcrl?lj change, tb at may (hew it fcifc in ftuits, and bring forth frniic worth) amendment of life. D, F, the ipo InftruEiioHsforarightcomfortiH^ Se(3:.2' the Divell would give you leave to fpeake out, and in plaifie termes:One would fay,! had rather be damned then leave my drunkennes: Another,! love the world better than fefm Chrift: A third, I will notpart with my eafic and gainefull trade of Vfury, for the treafure hUin the field: And fb on. So that upon the matter, you muft needs all confefle,thatyou \itx^'^ judge your felvesmroonhj ofeverUfting lije^ that you are wiifull bloody Murderers of your ownefeulesjthat you com- mit (iich a wickedneffe, that all the Creatures in Hea- ven and Earth cry fhame upon you for it. Nay, and if you go on without repentance , you may exped: that the Hellifli gnawing of Con(cience for this onefinne Q^refufmg Chrifi, msiy perhaps hold (bale with the uni- ted horrours of all the reft. What is the matter I mar^ veil, that you will not entertaine the Match? If wee ftand upon honour, and noble familie ; He that makes love, and fute unto our foules, hath on his vefinre and Rcrel If. IS. «nhu thigh a riAme ivritten^VA^ of Kings,and Lord of Lords. If upon beauty : Heare how hee is defcribed. Cant. % . My beloved is tvhtte and ruddy ^ the chief efi of ten thoujand : His head is as the mofifinegold-Jhis locks are bujhie and blacke as a Raven, His eyes , are as the eyes ofDoveSy by the rivers oftvater^wajhedwith milk^ ^nd fitly fet. His cheekes are as a bed of Sf ices, as fnveet flotvers. Hii lips like LillteSy dropping /weet fmelling tnyrrhe.His hands areas the gold rings fet rotth the Be" rill: His belly is evs bright Ivory, overlaid ivith Saphires, His legges are as pillars of marble , fet upon Sockets of fine gold : His countenance is as Lebanon , excellent as the Cedars, His mouth is ntofl fT9eet,yea,he is altoge- Cy)Se6G>Jfcri/upon t her lovely, -f^; Now you muft underft and, that the the place. Spirit of God by thcfe outward beauties and brave- Alfted Theol. Of ^[^^^ labours in forae meafure to fliadow out , and re- r*^^''^l^!,u!!l'!!X prelent unto us, the incomparable excellencie ofin- mi, qua efl lefus cbri- Ward graces; the dignme,the glory,the fpirituall taire- jljj / . nefle o^^efw Chrifi^ that we may know > that Hee is wholly Part. I . Cap.4 . ^ffltSied Confciences, I p j wholly and altogether lovely,dele «' ^^ M /'<«''« feredgrkvou, thing, both in BoJy and Soule. from STfll^t Heaven, Earth,and f-iell. Hisbltiled Body was given tame mn fitfi-'katy us upas an Anvile to 'v. beaten upon, by the violent, and ^b nttmbui cos^ici i villanous hands of wretched Mifcreants, without all ^#'- meafure or mercie ;uritill they h^d left no one part /, \^ ?^'.^' 8.48, ; free. from fbme particular and fpeciall torment. His i Bgdy/'^' skinne . t ^ » InfiruSiioMS for a right cotnforti Mg Seft . 2 skinne and flelli were rent with fcourgcs ; his hand* and feet pierced with nailesjhis head with thornes;his very hea'-t with the fpeare point. All his (enfesjall his parts,indeed his whole f acred body was made a rufiiU ipedlacle to Angels and to Men , of all the moft bafe and barbarous ii^ge, which malice could devife, and crueltie execute. But all this yet, was but a fliadow of his fufFering, the fubftanceot His fuffering , was the «. Soule. (d) Agony of his Soule ; Give mee any affliflion Qlvq ii^^.!TJ!!elJZ ^^^ ^^^^^^on of the mind. For thefpirit of a «,4«,(aith funt a Cbrijlo', Atfot Solomoriy T»tlljujtame all hn other tnfirmmes ; but m. meanlnne erimt&nebis wounded jpirit.ivho can bearef Yet his Soule>though ummtrU'e.ergbpaKM he Was the Prince of glory, and Lord of heaven and **^ Cili^rai "''^'^* ^^^^' "P°" ^^^ Crofle, was even as zfcorched Hesth^ Tom 2.de'*def€e"nfu "^^^^^^^ Co much^Manj drop of comfort either from ad inferos. Lib. 5. heaven or earth.The grievous weight of all the finnes ci *.Sea. i.NcJthcr of all his children, the leaft of which had been encvugh doth Hcc, or I to have preffed them do wne into the bottome of hell, BDcanc, thac Chrift lay now heavy upon him. The powers of darkneflc foftcred in Soule one- ^ . . .^ ^ ci\'Q.v.- u /13 j '^**^/»^ ly by Sympathy wuh were let loole to afflitt him ; He wraftled even with the Body; But a!fo the fierce wrath of his Father, and all the forces of the immediately ficm infernall kingdome,with fuch anguifli of heart,that in therjraih of God for ^^ Garden , it wrung out of his pretious Body, a our finncs Heare hira „ . ' s r li j r ir j ^ alittieafter Sweaty as it "were great drop oj blood falltngdovrne f CMtr4 luA fopbifmati the ground : with liich agony of Ipirit , that upon the ttUarmwui tamtn csn- flHcHtjCbriflum paffum anlmi &corpore. Qtiod ipfttm Calvhut CBnttni'u, & nts aff'er'mitit ^Idlgiturfrultrd labannt Sophiflie in ofpugnaftdi vtr'ttate^ qtsnm ip[i tandem, i^fi, iaquatrif ft' ttricogantuf ? Nijl forte ma/ilmipatitntef nihiWludcortftdtrant^ wfi'ipfui dolores corparistan' tumJ^ia:rf)?,theholy and the righteous, doth turne all the finjies even the very fsarlet and crimfon,o^2L truly broken heart, and every true Mour- ner in Z.ion,into/»9?p,& n>ooll,{o it wil never wafh a- way the leaft (ii^ill ftaine from the proud heart of any unhubled Pharifee. That hereby no ftrangers unto the love and life of godlineffe, may be deceived by appro- priating unto themfelves any of thefe glorious things, which are onely proper to the fealed Fottntaine : but onely conceive of them as excellent motives tocanle them to come in.I would have the Preaching of Chrift fill the fouleof everie true hearted Nathanael everie time with nnlpeakea^le andgloriom joyyVi'wh all thofc Evangelieall pleafures, which neither eye hathfeene, nor eare heard, neither have entred into the heart of man : But I would have it onely make- every unrege- nerate man fenfible of what infinite blefledneflc he be- reaves Himlelfe by continuing a Rebell ; that there- upon He may be moved to make hafte out of His pre- lent Hell, into this new heaven fo fairely opened, and freely offered unto Him. A lounh pmicuTw Befidesprefiingthelaw,promifingmercie,propo- Jh^'foTixdw fing Chrift, &c. to ftirre men in their naturall ftates, mo fis M. to make them cntertaine thoughts of comming iH>to humble them in the fight of the Lord under the heavy burden Part I . Cap . 4 . jfffliSied Confciences, 19% burden ofall their finnes,aflure them alfo of pardon,in cafethcy will leave Sathans lervice, and fo prepare them for Chrift; Let Gods Minifters lay hold upon all warrantable wayes, which they fliall finde, and feele out of their Minifteriall experience, & holy wifedome to be availeable,and prevaile for that purpofe. So that the worke be done in truth: And that they do not like the Divels dawbersy^Q.c6.\'& them to the eternal ruine, and damnation of their Soules, byteUing them that they have Chrifi already,and are fafe enough for falva- tion, whereas indeed, as yet, there is no fuch matter. ^ ^^ ^^ ^^^j ^^^ Such points asthelc, are wont to make attentive the putting of ihcfe raturail men, to ftartle in their feats , to looke about former diicdions in- them fomething more than ordinarily; To wit, to di- to praaifc. vide the pretioPf^, from the vile: To diftinguiOi that j2fnIe\T[i!'^me'i One true happy ftate of grace, from all ftates of unre- luZllZmfum^lf' generatenefle,and all kinds of Hypocrifie:to tell them uj virb&canpos avi- out ofthe Booke of God, How farre a Man may go in mas hommMm,j'emina» gcnerall graces, and dotngmany things, tec. and yet "^'** *'^"* ^"/'/"J* come iliort of Heaven : To deliver Markes ot fincere %^'f'^^fi, frriji Profeflburs, of a (aving Faith, oftrue repentance, of a ptrdiia ptnibmiuna, found converfion, &c. But I would have this done tantummodo fihuwr* with a great deale of fpirituall wifedome , and hea- ChryUjft. In M«t. venly anderftanding,with much godly dilcredon,and 2i";Ii./iJ(r"^»«ir caution;lelt thereby ,€ither the tormall Profeflour may ^^cuh & rxercair, ut be incouraged, or the weakeft Chriftian diOieartned: ttfi p'uu torum^ qui To difcourfe ofthe feivnefle, and fcarcitie of thofe p *di(at'mm Af4»' which n-iaU be f aved;& that even (f ) under the light, '^T ^"^"Z"*" *'■'';^ rent animify cum U etiam in Dom'tnt a'que M^iilfirn par'n^r f*£lum recofdaren'ur^ Tifq^ ta.mti tff.yq»amviSyiiaiffemnapr»^ctre negltxlt. Ib)d t/wa»i tXmni /?»'- iMty €xtertie,per vt bum EUdi txXiKTvilcil Adyiiam telernam ChriftiuLquiur dt vocitisne extntid qvd per Evang'lij prtedicactonrm vecaulur tarn reprobt,quam etiiliy f^C. Pifcat.in Mat< ci»p-»o, /(if p»piilud,qui tn medio p-puli dnfitfcep'u mifenc0tdfiim. Dti^quanum nume>it>n h*- bei^^drnpaucifunt? fptinvmiumui-altq'ti^ iHifnecanttntm Ottti trit <^ ptvdei tantatn muU tmdimm? nicunt hoe, qvi (:i>i p'omittunt hoCy qutd a Veopromitcente non aHd.httnt. — • ^ai junt itliy qui videnturfetvare prucepta Dei? Vix imttnitur unm vel dno velpvKtffi ni, lpf»i johi Dtuilihtratwfiti fji, uteres damnstu^m ? Abfiiy inqui-tnt, cuvt venertt, & vidtbn taniam mu'ti* tudtnem, tul Jinifiramy miftrtbititf, & dsbic indulgeamm. HocpUn^ etiam ferpttu iUe pt«m pt prim»htmni.2itimm»»M9ratT)tiammemffigu^itiet,l&eMtem, AbCit inqalt, mQ:U ma O 2 and Ip6 IftfiruSisoMsfor a right comforting Sea. 2- >."Placc$of Scripture lo be prcflcd msrimivi Crediderunt and within the found of the Gofpell ; See Matth. 20, etfint'i, ivvemrunt, j^^ Many are called^ ^ut few chofen. Confider /y^? fverumtjj'e.quodmina fj^^^iyie of the Scvoer^ Matth. 13. There is but one 'rl^'S^'S: g°°^ '"°''^„> "P°"u"''''* 'he'eedofthe Word falls tHi. it^ & nunc fntni. profpcroufly; bat three reprobate groun:ls,as it were, &i. Auguiv in Plal. upon which ip is loft, as water upon the ground. Sec 48 pag. jx?. uiy fix^^'DoEir.HpenGenef.e^^.^c, Thus let the Men of God acqu?.intthemrelves,with fuch Points,as they conceive, tlielikeUeft, and moft pregnant to pierce their Hearers hearts, and come clofeft to their Con- fciences j that To, by the helpe of God, they may pull them out of Hell. And there are fbme places alfo in the Book of God, which being rightly handled,and powerfully applied, CO An^ i^^^y ^^^"^ leeme to have a fpeciall keennefle to ftrike at, and cut findeHim ""/*"/^|^ afiinder the iron fi^jewes of the moft obftinate heart; 'llfwfrt theiT-^Nay. And of more aptneflTe to ferve for the rowfing and a- ilicirowoe hearts an- waking of meere civill men,formall Profeflours, Pha- Iwcr thcmfclves Go, x'lCits, and foolifh Virgins out of their defperate fium- whom you have fpent ^^^ of (pirituall Selfe-deceit, Such as thefe. Deut, 2p. He w%bcm now! IP'^<^- Andtt come to pap, t^hen he hear eth the words Let ihcm five you, at cf this curfe^ that he hlejfe Himfelfe in His heart, fay- iBi$,whoro yc fought ifig, JJhallhave peace, though I walke in the img.gina- at all other times. As ^•^Qy^ of mine heart, to adde drunkennejfe to thirfi : The for mec,ir ^^^^^^^^^^ Lord will not jp are him, hut then the anger of the Lord, l^d'yoi woaW not' ^^d' ^^ iealoufte,fhallfmoke againft that wan, and all hcarej So you Ihall the curfes that arewritten in this Rooke,fhaU lye Hpon cry,and/«Jif-snd(hall him, and the Lord fhall blot out hit name from under not fii^tJ, or tejicard, Ueaven. Pfal. 78.21. Godjhallrpound the hairy f calf e (faith ibe Lord)Yei ^ ^^^ as goeth onflill m his trefiaffes, Prov. I . ihty found Him, bui ■'-'_„ ^%, •' ,, j j ^ r r j r t with a dorc (hue be- 24.28. Becaufe I have calle(L and ye refujed, I have twcencHim&rhcni. firetched forth my hand, and no Mat$ regarded, drc. Butwhatfoundihcy? Then fijall they caR uponme, but I wilt not anfwer : they ^llVvai^ds^iv^^a MH feeke me early, but they JhaU not (cJfindeme.Vvo. T^tfc'it voi. — He kuowcih thtro not:thcy took too fl^oi t .i time to breed acqaaimancc in. Jisfciovonhcy find,that fo fccke P>eft{Id adbocn>nhru,&c. Acthisciip, He that wakcth notjis r»ot aflecpc,but dead. ^imhtfUn Sermons, pag. 1 g i . I dcroartdj Will any time fci vc cofeckeC«d'tsCcid<>t3]lpn)(*tobefv>und?Itiscert«nc, Net. The veryliaiication. Part I.Cap.4 . AfpEted (^onfciences. IP7 2p , I . He that being often reproved,hardeneth hii neckcy C<^^ ^'^^ kvm'ire po • Shall fuddenly be deftroyed, and thatreithout remedie. f-^) ftcwcih plaine- Ezek.24.i3. Inthyfilthineirei^ier^dnejfe, becaufe I ^JTI^!^^ have (di) purged thee^ and thou wafi not purged , thon ifghg uif^ yoy m^y, /halt not be purged from thy filthinejfe any ntore^ till I buc fixidc him you have caufed my fury to reft upon thee . i . Pet,4. 1 8. If the ^^ '^^ "oc* 'rf^Wj '^»^' righteoui fcarcely hefaved\ where Jhall the ungodly and ^^^^ 'Z^' thefinnerappeare? i.Ioh. 3.p. Whofoever nborneof ipfoiSivh%cS, God doth not commit Jinne, i.Pet.2.17. Lovethebro- tumve/bo fno prtecc' therhood. Hebr. ll.l^.JVithoutholineffe no man Jhall pii,ui/e;KUf>dc:r£ytc.& fee the Lord. Urn, 2.19. The'Divelsalfo beleeve and ^^''« <'<^ "^^'^'w ?«" tremble, Luk. i 3. 24. Strive to enter in atthefirait ^^0^^.4*^1X1! gate : for many J fay untoyou^ ypillfeeke to enter inland \s. vm aqua (^fx- Jhall not be able. Matt. 10.14.15. And tvhofoeverjhall pone affliClienum ablU' not receive you^ &c. Verily, I fay untoyouy it fljall be ^'i '^ ^"^f"'" cdamitA' more tolerable for the land of Sodome, and Gomorrah in J^foi^^^^-cuureftii^ the Day of judgement, thanfor that city. Andll.12. puri manfmwt . lefa. Andjrom the day es offohn the BaptiH, untill now, the i . y. <^ fequentilm'j kl»gdome of heaven fuffereth violence, and the violent Pdan.in Locum. takeit by force. And 5.4^. Andif you falute your bre^ thren onely, whAt do you more than other s?^Xi6. verf.'20. I fay unto you. That except your righteoufnejfe Jhall ex- ceed the right eoufne^e of the Scribes y and P harifeesyve Jhall in no cafe enter into the kingdome ofheaven.Thcfe fellowcs rcprelented to the eye of the World,a good- ly and glorious fhew of freedomefrom grofle finnes; I am not, faith the Phari(e€, Luk^ iS.as other men are, extortioners y unjuj}, adulterers, ^-c. Of works ; Firft, Of righte©ufne{fe ; / ^ii'^ m^i?/ of all that Ipojfejfe.. Secondly, Of Piety ; He went up to pray. Thirdly, Of mercie j Befides fafiing, and prayery they gave almes, Matth.6. 8cc. And yet Chrift fpeakes thus perempto- rily to his hearers : Except your righteoufnejfe exceed therighteoufneffeofthe Scribes and PharifeeSy^c.ye Jhall in no cafe enter into the ki»gdome of heaven. He faith not fimply, ye ihall not enter : But ye fliall in na cafe enter. And yet how many who come ftiort of O 3 thefe. ' g InftrHBioHS for A right comforting Se(5l.2. tbefe, will bee very angry, iftHeMiniflerstell tbcm, tbattbey (hall certainly come (hort ot the kingdome of heaven. I have done with dawbing and plaiflcring over rotten hearts with plauiible periwafions , that they fliall not be damned: I meane that moft eruell, and ac- curfed trade o'ifirengthemng-rvith lies, the hands of the n'ichcd, that hefjouldmt returnefrom his nvickcd way by pron^ifing him life,Szek^ i 3 .2 2. Whereby thoufancls are fcnt hood-winkt to hell, more is the pity ! even in this bkffed time of the Gofpell : And I come now to another errour, about comforting afflidled Confcien- ces. Wbich is this. Chap. V. Thefecend errour is the indjfcreet fif flying of eorrt' fort to them that are not grieved aright : tyvo cafes ivherein men grieved are not to hefrefently comforted, •Hen the fpiritnall Phyfition promi- " feth comforr,applies the promifes, affiires of mercy, acceptation and ^ r r- B88>i*rv VA T*,r*^ pardon : JiufcVrTr™ 1^^. I. When the ground of griefe. iinne, buc cutward vj^srw®**^^®*' is not m truth troubled tor finne, trouble. but fome outward trouble. Some, iniiichacafe may caft out by the way fome taint,and formall complaints of their finnes, and feeme to fecke diredion, and fatif- fadiion about the ftate of their Soules;when as the true root and principall spring of their prefent heavinefle, and hearts-griefe, is fome fecret earthly difcontent- ment.the biting and bitterneffe offome worldly fting. It may bee the loffe or defperate courfe of iome over- loved childe J decay5&: going backward in their eftate; feare of falUng into beggery 5 fome unexpefted dif- contents Part 2 . Chap. $ . Affii^ted Co»fcien€es, I pp " contents and difappointments after marriage ; Some great difgrace, and fliame fallen upon them in the eve of the world J Some long and tedious fickneffej pinch- ing th^m extremely for want of peace with God, and patience to pafle thorow it. Or the Hke. In this cale, after the Man of God by his beft wife- rhcfe are to be jn< dome,and fegrching experimental! trials,and Interro- fttufted, that worwi gatories fitted for that purpofe, whereby he may give lyforfow a ftrong conje6lure,if not a peremptorie cen{nre,hath difcovered the Impofture : Let his defire and endea- vour be, to turne the torrent of worldly teares (and taking on for tranfitory things j upon finne. When a veine is broken, and bleeds inward , or a man bleeds cxceffively at the Nole, the Phyfitionis wont to open a veine in the arme , io to divert the current of the blood, that it may bee carried the right way , for the fafetie and prefervdtion of the partie. Do proportio- nably in this point. Let fuch know. Firft, That Ce)/^rrw<7/^^^ii^,r°pter imn,ortallSouktobeputthasoavoftime,andtempat""«SrC- with mortall thmgs, and molt unworthy it s heaven- dum mundum-y idcb &- \y birth, breeding under the Miniftery,and everlafting mortem facU. i^am qui abode. Secondly,Thatforrowfpent upon the world, ^'""^"^ gkriamcomrl- is like a pel fum'd precious water", throwne into the ltke*c£r%^Zl channell, or finke-hole , which would makeafweet mt trWn'o^^ fentin an humbled fbule,and help excellently againft £/>«: banc iriftitiam the noyfome favour of finne .Fire put into the thatch , ^"'^^^ fccundum mim- dum, qu^ty'ijIibiMper' a Ccr cap.7. 7. VnproHrablc Smt tmca cnmedrt vtflmtntum, & fimt vtmUrodit Ikmm^ tta lui.iiM nocet cardi Bern dcroodober^ vivendi, cap.ii. Itpiercctb even to theraarrovj xi^^T.i ' " '"'^^*'' ''""'^ °"' ^'^°^^ ^'^'■"^ ^"'^ P°3'fon"li «n our aa^^^ 3 ' . W oildJy forrow workcih a change in the body, it bringsgray hayrcson the hcad,and furrowcs and wriakksin thcfacc U turnes youth into old agr, and ftrength into weikc-^ O4 would 200 InftrH Elton sfer a right comforting Sedt , a , Co Tn^iiia enimfic would turneallintocombufl:ion;(^j Diinf^ placed in % quomdo ftercm. ^^ Parleur, would iinpoyfon all; But lay the one up- fitnm mmundma i(i ^^ ^"^ heartn,ana it would warmc, and comtort ; the sitrm nan locofuopo other upon the land,and it fatneth and makes h-uitfuU; fi:um, mmundmjattt So forrow mifplaced upon earthly things, fills a man i\omuw-, loLo fitopjt- withl"warmesofcarkingconfLillons,and brings many r^^-triSi; devonnng /■/..;«. i,«o the tort; bnt being turned qu:m t\(lm\ fiiYCiu upon f^j (nine, and former fintull courfes , which is -jid'.o^lmm quxn Die, the onely right, proper, pro fitable ufe thereof, it may tm'utj unde tii^uui? procure a great dealeoFeafe, and enlargement to the Terdtdi, irqml,ficmi ^ ^ -^ ^ ^ j^ | ^^ ^^. f^^^y ^.. ^ am. Lomimmmduii • f^ ' . ,, ^_, , '^. , ■', / , .' fmUus nullum, Audiat repentance. Thirdly, 1 hat the tithe perhaps or taking /ifofisimi Trt^'ili on,troubleofminde, vexation of Spirit, fadnefle and mndmortemopcraiur. fbrrow, about worldly things in refpecfl of the bulke, l^Vdmne"1m7ts ^"^ quantitie,iffincere, and let upon the right obje^, sic&dt^"aurLVtbHs niightfervef/jto drive US unto Chrift,and afterwards aigtidiafeculamptr' in Gods gracious acceptation, for faving repentance. tintntlkuii quas rei Me thinkes it fliould be a very quickening motive to iongum eft enHVitnrf* ttm,gtmmHmf fl.nttm: r^iKUum fteyterit video , & ih'i lac/m qunfo. Et cum vldenmtyi(iem,fleif- temin^exi & orantem Ornn^^wftkquid mihi bo-^tefignificationii ivgejji . Sid cdhuc locum qiitro, j^mde»imfi(leoram)g^ffJ('t3s,>nignefl?tutK0ri{mrogHiKlmkifffM. Eiiar/tfit]amplorat,iam rogatfJAiH orat', Lotm immunitUiffutim nuUiu. • — lnj]>(xi atium rufM^gemcnitm jl^ntmiOYatt' tem'iftercM agnofco.btwn qu^ro. Inttndiauiim oratianupii &anA;t9dictn!tw^tgadixl,domm^ mftrere mt\, fam an'mamPteamy qulafeccavi libl.Gemit peccatum: agnofcoagruvif txpflepw ilufn Dto^aiMi. Bono loco eji ftircm, non tbi vacant ^frdhm pariurlt. Aug. de terop.S cr. 151. J. Might, if rightly bcftowcd, be accepted of God. (h) TrifliUa't'Ja(olm ad peccaUHtUis tfi;qut)dh'iK' mmfiflatur ^'rpromtjjls divitifs coHtrfiUtur-y dammm non felv'a i ^i p,-o imertu$c^uiYi(iaturyjacaitim»mexcUat: ^ipYeplermB^bnmconin^A'ut, non foliimnoTtctira- tWy (et etkm auget mOYlum- ^-ti vere in peccatis centriftatur, his folum utiUtam aliqitid ampliiif ^trifiiiid acupit-y abfunm mm & cvantfcerefaiit ptccata. Chryfofl. hi % Cor. cap- 7. Mortem lugert miuenSf 'jfg'peceatct^ ut ipfa deUtu: propter hoc enm triliitiafaClii ffl^ nonut in m»rie, ntc in uUa alia re tali dol'umui, feducipfd ad delenda uianur piccata; Et quodhtc vtrnm fityexefiipb facto manifcfiiia>^fieff.«dia mtdicinalia prepter iUn tamiim morbaty fafia/untyquos toUti e paffunty nsiip'-opter illes^ quos nihil adinvare peffunty &c. MulClaitti efl ^wfpUm ptcunyty triftaiai eft, malfiam non mendavit fifmm amifitydokity mortuun tton refufcitavity ntc dtfiin£lop/ofmt:Fla' pi!ctu4 f i5 quKyOlapis citfuSy iontumelyi affeUui.doluity non rtvecavit contumtliamy &c. vidts hvHttt nuUi proiiffe trifiitiam, Feccavit quis, trifl&tHi e(i,peccatum dtlevit.Idtm ad Popul. An- tiochcaum,Hom.5. (i) I meane boih rcpetitanccc LegaU,wh'ich is bred by bclceving the threats ofthe Law, and by accidcDcIeades unco C6ri/2. Evrngelktlly which fpnagsfroru Faiibin (hepromif^soltheGofpclljafKrwehavc lak^nChriAJor Faith miA goc before make Part. a. Cap, 5 , ^fflt^^d ConJci9m€s, 2 c j make a man (V) heforriefor nothing but fmne , and to f^''* rep? ntaofe , z% turne all his grieve and groanes.figns, and teares,npon *^^ ground and .'ooe bis tranfsrefilons ('I) o»f/y ; To vvir, to ccnfider, that p'^'uf". I" ''"\v an impeniten.tcarnajl worldling dotn pafle thorow call icpcnt^nce are even in thib life (where he hath all the heaven hee h bo- h together, but .n ever hke to have j incomparably more comfbrtlcfTe '^'5 order avi- dU: Si vscerit, adbue egtLixgiorm vlvm, Cbufai ctuftlio vidtbiiw v'lcijfe. - —'l^olftlt pomsmrifqu4mi?!gloriHivhtret Pet.Mart.insSano^cap. 17. C"3 Heft y.ix,i 2,11, . fftfiff^ a02 iKfir-HSiionsforarightcomfomng Se^.2, fitting at the Kings gate. Now whether do you tbinke was the moft grievous thing to beare ; the bare omiC' (ion of a meere complement, or an univerfall diftafte, and dir-in/oyment of all outward comforts heaped upon him to the height, and in excellency ? The hun- (o) ^mvii quid til- dreth part of }ohs loffes , and lefTe , hath many times ^itia. ms'.eft'm ? Std {ince.made many a covetous worldling.to cut his own ir^»K2iJS ^^^'^^^' Ihaveknownefome,fortheloffeofanover- ort^V^denimittJi- loved childe, to have languifhed , fallenlntoa con- hllumdt(inU',h0ieautm fumption, and loft their owne lives. But now on the peetiitemiam bwi pte- other fide,befidei> many other gracious effcS:s, foryoy^, nittndam in falwem according to Godyis more deliciom^andfyveeter than anj SlSn^ ^'rldlydeligh^ : AsCo)p.^A/.«., truly teUs^m in «^, eiuod. nullum pani. ^"^ny places. To whom Moderne Divmes accord.The tetfic doluljfe, id quod very teares,that a good CoKfcienceJhedsy (aith (p) one, wuniaM trifiitUpro- have more joy^and pleafurein them, than the -worlds pmmefl Qs'i^-gtma- greatefijoyes. This is certaine, faith (^) another, that qmimmt \Um mx]o. ^^^^^ " ^"^^ hghtnejfe of heart, and true delight tn the remdolorm infiri^ At forrow of the Saints, thanin the lorvdefi laughters of the tamm partntts fe ipfoi world. For un^eakeablejoy is.mingled with unmtera' pA dulm plMgeniti yu aroanes. ZZt:iSr':::l , ^. Whenitis„otanykmdlytouchofconfcience Utatm, '^tmt% p»fl rorfinne wrought by the Mmiltery : but terrours, and tempuA.pttmentiam r- affrighting diftemptrs arifing from the darke mifts of gunt qMi'mmed'il dc- a melancholicke humour in the braine, which caufe a lutrunt. Mi worldly man tocomplaine. In this blackejandradhumour.Sa- noournmemuit Dec r^ i r re • i • /^ :i C • r \L ir • • mourned for, snd tan, God fuffermg him (and ot it ieltealio it is preg- fucb tcires 'Muvepr, nantenough this way j hath great advantage to raife, with a aewruDpivof and reprefent to the Phantalie many fearefull things, re*rc>.3 sum ■ " titith ifidaida! , ,'imb & (em-'gli afflixmntifedrontalUc^trifUmffcundum Deuniyfei babet gtrnme: rM,i:} v,?: e^ quo:! qms fe tisn mcufat ob doknm^ & quod trifiitia infalutem definitt Amhobu4iiiiiC'>inaifi'iiii^ip'lviiAvn.\^.Sicuten'mmundi gmiiiin* t4flitiithfadne jfe, and anxiety of ^u^ bttjus repellaiur cura, flftcffes, overwhelmed roith grief e ; Bnt prefentlj he A' S* rL^Sr Pr^p- ''^''l ^^' Prophet, faying, (a) Why art thou caft down, undf''^f^rt'utfi4b- ^ my {bule ? and why art thou fo difqnieted within inde 'buc'ventatisy & me? Hope thou in God, for I will yet praifc him, who imntfcnptura U£lio- jj the health of my countenance,and my God. He re- ntnt auftulitik: nou ceives abundance of comfort , and abandons all heavi' folim, cum hu venstu, ^ ^ , federdomldivlmbib ^^h' oj heart. lia m mtimu fumUe,& ttAnother ps pnched wtth extreme poverty ; takes it utilitatm w iUispofi- heavily, and grieves, feeing others flowing in riches- urn, wdgaa fludio fuf- fyoelltngrvith pride , attended with great pompe, and tipMt, inAtmmm^l. ^^^^ , Bftthee alfo heares the fame Prophet^ fayinjr^ mmqJ;d£l7uL (^) Caft thy harden upon the Lord,& he ihall fuftaine ne I'mgHn rejotmctur. thee : i/^nd againe^ (c) Bee not afraid when one is diinde anlm pmruu made rich, when the glory of his houfe is increafed:foc ajfmit, & titvAtHr, ^\^q^ ^g dieth,he Hiall carry nothing away; His glor? j^barequt foils ^uflttK (hall not defcend after him ^ i//Af/f>'a/«r,|»ir4«ielln, and the mouth of the deceitfoll are opened againft ch'yfoft. in Gcn. me.'They have (poken againft me with a lying tongue. ?«Tpi *l'* t 1 1 '^^^y compafled me about alfo with words of hatred; (b) t'lal.^s s*. 21. ^"^ fought againft mse without a caufe. For my love, (c) r>ial 49. 15 17. they are my adverlaries; But I give my felfe to prayer. Pfal 109, 1. J 4. Another is fleighted, and contemned by fame bafe con- temptible underlings ; andforfaken of his fiends ; And that ii it, which moji troubles his minde^andgoes nearefi to hii heart : Bftt hee alfo, tfhee will come hither , doth heare that ble^ed man faying , My lovers and Hiy Pfal j8.ii.xj.n'«*« fi'iendsftand aloofe from my fore; and mykinfinen I J. ft and afarre ofE They alfo that feeke after my life lay (hares forme: and they that feeke rny hurtjfpeake mii- chievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long. But Part I. Cap. 5 » JfjliEied C^wfciences, 2 op But I, as a deafe man heard notjand I was asa dumbe man that openeth not his mouth. Thus I was as a man that heareth not,and in whofe mouth are no reprofes: for in thee,0 Lord,do I hope: thou wilt heare,0 Lord my God. He concludes thus :' Thoft hafi feene , hon> that any vtifery fre^ng enr mortality i a convenient Antidote may bee taken out of Scripture^ and alithe carding of this life may be cured-^ neither needwe to be grieved for any thing which befals us. Therefore I befeech you that henceforward , yon Tvould come hither ^ andlifien diligently to the reading of divine Writ, ^ndnot onely when you come hither , butalfo take the'Btbleintoyou hands at homCy and re^ ceive -with great ajfen:ion,the profit to be found in it. For from thence fprings much gaine : Firfi^ that the tongue ' may be reformed by it:Thefoule alfo takes xvings^feares aloft ^ and is glcrioufly iUightenedrvith the beames of the Sunne of right eoufne^eyand that while is freed from the entifements of impure thought Sy enjoying much calme- nejfey and contentment. Furthermore, that which cor^ porall food doth for encreafmg bodily flrength: the fame dothreadingperformetothefoule. „ -. All Scripture is given by infpiration of God. and is q^] 'y^^ ^^fj 3,. profitable: and writ by thejpirit of God for thispurpofe, 07rvd^7& j^' aiudiumfetf^tiurl nam? Mulitrm judiwe dt ScrtprnrU ? Ofctbd I audtciaml P whom 2it!v '^'^ heart, the 3 The Soule may bee leized upon with terrour of t^oi^ghtsand affedi- confcience, and fpirituall diftemper, the body bein? Ta* ^"^''"V"?,'^® . jj- j^ T II n-if ^ judgcmcm of difcrc- lound and m good temper jln excellency of:health,pu- ijon in it felfc hue rity of bloud,fymmetry of parts,vivacity offpirit,&c. giving credit to the But the horrours of melancholy are wont to haunt in'ft-'''«n report o£ corrupted conftitutions ; where obftruiflions hinder ^^'^ braincjis afF.ac4 thefreepaffageofthe humours, and fpirits;the blood SSM isover-grofle, andthicke,&c. fiare, ». Without reafon. Cd)TrtV)M«3»c/^»££^,Ephef.6 iura^fori(ActTa, sCor.z.il; TdBoi^y Revel. %,3^i j.Ioyncdwithdiftefcpcrinthebody. ~ P3 4Me- 214 InfiruBUnsfar aright c»mfortittg sca.2. 4. Full of ftranjc i- maginaiions. (e)H4eetfirati9j cur tliqul t'lment nta ti mnda:cur Urufpicio- na minbUti & faifif- qttenttf trtpidanits ti mffe, u'>i non efi tmor. Cepiovi talm ttm^ore 4 Melancholy makes a man almoft mad with ima- ginary feares,and ftrange {'hymaraes of horror, which have no Being,but onely in the monftrous compofiti- ons ©f a darkened and diftcmpered Braine.He is many times by the predominancy of that cowardly humour, fmat cadunt t ita ut afraid of every man, of every thing, ofany thing; of a "tTJ'wmm''itl ^^^oW' <^^*^ making of a Icafe, of his owne hands, ITiHcmtZfeMm.Vei ^f his owne heart. Hee (»hatfnem, & inde where there is no probabilitie, no poffibility, even in fHgiuni vem'me p rft' the very midft of l^curitie. His feare fometimes is fo extremely fooliflijthat be can {f) heareofno fearefull .,v, .-.»« ..n, .,» thing fallen upon others,but he thinks verily, the very iwV,V«iJ»S«wA^^w fame thing fliall befall him : lo prodigious, that(^}, tmtt &fmtmyaidi fome of them, thinking their feet to be of glaffe, have n mtdkina, qui tan- beene afraid to walke ; Others imagining themfelves Srt U'lbTS to be noted for lepers, durfl not come into any com- f4r«ir .Geifon «!e paf- pany,&c.But now a troubled confcience is ordinarily fionibui aoia)x Con feartlefle ofany thing, bnt the anger of G od . Bodily M.1Q* tortures, outward trouble, tyrants threats, even the (f) Lei a mchncholy Cafts0fC9ftfcitnceifap.it. fed, I. (g) Sic aliquis exifiimabis le gallum, &m»rt galli tantahat: Alitu muvVegun, &ft^leais mutts qntftbat. Aluuinngtuimi ft haberttornua in f aft- Ut^ertcundabatifirquatiefcHKqucviclcbatfaitjfpici, &fYOitttmtfgtbu. Aliuiim^gmans ftttatari dt inft^ione Itfrtt^ vtl dtmorbo caduca^ imH!sfH(.i(bat,& trcpidabut efpeClui^ & (tmones Aliua itHiginam ft habire pedes ferrets caLabat vtlidffimi (uperttrram. Aitm ambuhre nanaudtbat fhantafmniptdtifmt tffe vitreos. G erfoo. loco (upi d cita to. 5. Me- Part I .Cap. 6 , AfjUUed ^onfciencef. 2IJ • 5 . Melancholy may be lomething abated, the braine cleared, the heart eafed by the aide and excellency of the art of phyficke: But in the cafe oFa wounded con- cience, there is no helpe under heaven to be had ; No f riendsjor phyfick,(i>) no mirth or muficke,no prince- ly favour or dainty fare,&c. can poflibly give any eale atall.Nay they will allfarre rather enrage the wound, then weaken the rage. It is ^-&)^»/?,^/&r«/,and nothing but Chrift^ which can comfort in this confufionof ipirit. ^ AhatedbyPhyfick &c. Not all KiogDMtf dainty fate, Can plta^ngtaflc for then) prepare . Nofongof Birdj, no muiickes found, Cjh lallab^ co fleepe ptopound. Chap. VI. Ttvo other cafes n>herem jpiritMall Phjjitians vmH take heed of thefecond errour. 3. ^S^^^^S^ Hen complaint of finne is confu- 3- Cafe When they fedly onely & in generall: Ci)/!/^- conf[iam ^^^^^ ^^^ fpeciall mifchiefes ; which at this time X &X:;ilt. ondy mention, becaufe they fervefiri^^^^^^^ mui intmtbrU, lon^i, tion of the pomt. tirlt. Ignorant people ftickmgfalt imriinlipimii » tnk^o in his clutches, fland all,as they fay , at the Divels mer- thrimm luc.tn habe cie,anddevotion,todo with them what hew illjcven T' f'fl V Tlir as a poore helpelefl'e Lambe in the bloody paw of a tUum Infinite. tsiJiioc, f ^u inr • ..u i r v> in lohan.c. i. p.j 89 . I-yon, or a filly Wren m the ravenous claw of a Kite; 0) Per igmranm ma- to flafh and mangle their wofull foules at his pleafure, ium d mfdinnbw ».- with a curfed variety of (I) innumerable finnes ; they, tmmtrabUiA pnpetm.- ^^ ^^^ meane time,which is the perfecflion of their mi- Z^hbltmnTpcl iery, neither fearing nor feeling any hurt at all,by rea- Pare 2. Chap.<5. A^iBed Confciences, 217 fon of tbehellifh mifts,and miferable lethargic of ipi- rituall blindnefl'e, which makes them fightlefle , and fenfelefle. Secondly,when times of forrow come up- on thera , when melancholy and old age growes on, and they fay unto the world , upon which they have doted all their life long, I have no pUafftre inthee-^ when lofics,crofles, and heavie accidents befall them; when hideous in/e(5lion£,temptations to felf-murder, defpaire, &c.pre{re them full (ore ; and they thereup- on begin to caft about ferioufly, and to conceive with ^reat terrour and anxiety of fpirit, what is like to be- come of them in the other world: Then in fuch extre- mity, and forced by necefTitie, they are wont to have recourie to Minifters for eafe and helpejand alas ! then we are at our wits end, as they fay, and in mucbper- plexitie how to deale, and what to doe with them. For upon the firft entrance into a difcoverie of their fpirituall ftate, w e fee evidently with grief e of heart, that their (w) ignorance hath betrayed them to the Wf ^o^c that hsTfr Divell, and now in the evill day expofed them to mer- J° "g" ^^ ^^^^ J^^ tilefle crueltie and cunning ; even as if a man fhould Word* if at any time commit a fhip without failesj rudder, pilot,&c. to the through the rcmorfc rage, and roaring of the tempeftuous devouring lea; °f *'?*''" D^ftfoy thy fore hee doth brinj; them too of ten thus blind -folded 5'^*" ***[* ^'f/ ^'^^ and baffled^to perifli themfelvcs, as they {ay,in a moft ?*« i^icTiS; bloody and defperate manner, both temporally, and there mj never mote eternally. The T^harifieSy P apift s,^nd our ordinarie Ignorants^ are all foulely faulty this way. Tliey love, and labour to enquire,and looke no further into Gods Law, then to the grofle ads, and greateft tranfgreffions onely. If tRey findethemfelves free from thefe, they out of a mofl abfurd, and fottiiL felfe-conceitednefle , juflifie and applaud themfelves , as no luch dangerous and damnable Delinquents. Hence it was, that Chrifi teaches, arid tels the Pharifies,that not onely the grofle ad of adultery was to be taken notice of,but alfo,that . even a (p) la(civious,and luftfull look after a woman, was a tranfgrelTion of that Law ; and to bee taken to heart as adultery before God. That not onely killing ^^ ^^^^^*' ^' <'*' */'« a man with a bloody hand, but alfo raOi anser in the ""^ ?^ *'."'-^^. 'Tv" hcart,raihng,and revihng fpeeches; Nay,even a frow- arMaucufartfiws^u- ning face, a contemptuous geflure , difcovering in- I'queammamjpedm- ward rancour and rage, kill the foule , and caft into ^0 ?*/«"■<, & obfcan«s hell &C pitlchmtmm vultibia Hen^it was,that^^/*.»,«,asthe grand Impo- r:'Sj,TH^^ll;. ltor,and Impoilener,fo the great Pharme of Chriflen- BeHarmige found guH- dome,upon his bed ofdGSith,C9u/d hardly finde what to ty. cenfejfe, or any matter of a6folHtion.Vvod\S^io\x& Phari- faifme ! Of which,heare fome paflages from the repor- ter of his death: (q j Shch TV as the innocency of the msn^ (to wit, Bftiar' (p) lam mttchittti e^ e*m in corde ftml hoc C<^ BtUarmmu deatb^ by C.J; alcfuitc, p. 34j. a 2 o ItjfirHElions for a right comforting SecJl. 2 . BelUrmine) that albeit he nvas in his perfeH: fenfe, yet conld he hardly fndevphat toconfejfe -^ Infomtich as hU ghoflly Father woi in fame perplexity, as -rv anting mat- ter of abfolmion-, till by recourfe to his life pafl^he found, fomefmalldefeUs, efrvhich he abfolved htm. (r) Nol mu:!i ualkc Now nothing troubles my confcience. Tor God (JjU the Phanfic, Lu\t -. i. goodnejje be fiill (r) thanked therefore^ hath fo prefer- Godltbanke tbtij that qjedmee hi^rto^ as I doe not remember in the -whole 1 am not Mother courfe of my life jever to have committed any CcandaUtu onjuft* adulterers. aBton-^^p^^. 355. How {{) holy vi> as his life, not flained ("i) If BeUamlne was n>ith\mortallfnne? How fecure a confcience^that had at Ip notorioufly holy, his death nofcruple j ^ut for the exchange of one good tow came it to paflc, ^orke for another, &C.pag. 3 67. This holy man beaan icft hecTtftlUlfo his Prayers,{t)faidthe Pater nofier,and Ave Maria, thistpccch : Toy my and began agatne the Pater nofier : which being ended, ftlfe, I P3 by writing and bcIccvingfofQit»fliIy,^and ridJ«uloufly, Hki Part. I . Cap. 6 . ^ffltSled Conjciences, 221 His (u) Ufiword i were, vitam }on>nefinnesis never fonnd and faving' But onely common , formally perfunElory , and that of counterfeit Converts^not truly touched tvith fenfe of theirftnnes, nor heartily refolved toforfake their fie a- fares. If they can bee firft brought to the fight, fenfe, and acknowledgement ofibmeone fpeciall notorious finne, which hath moft reigned in their heart, life, or calling^and be in fome good meafure illightened,con- vinced, and terrified about the hainoufiiefle, and hor- rible guilt of it, it may bee a good meanes by Gods bleffing, to brifig in tne reft. For ordinarily true re- pentance is firft occafionedby (bme one fpeciall finne laid to heart. The Apoftles,uld ml returnefrcm His wic{(c.d r^ay^ bj^romfng him Ofe, But dealingfaithfuUy, !^c ddivercd His own€ Soule. Coughj . 224 JnflrHniottsfor a right csmforting Sea. 2. Cy3 Mtrb'i lattraia nottt fuHt.dohr pmUt' rhtif dijfiubi QiiratiOj jtbrti ientituaj tujfiiy de Matb. Cogn. & Cut,lib.x.cap.7. (z) IndefiniWPrppofi- tic vMt umnerfaUm in rnaurU Kectljarid. P^ulus ab Fiizcn* Ub. % pag.Ii6. Cough,& intreat His helpjconcealing other (j)Ci^t^ and fymptomes , which ordinarily accomp^liy that difeafe ; as His lliort and ditiicult breathing, the ding- ing ftitch in His (ide, &c. The Phyfition may addreffc Himfelfe to cure the Cough, and yet the Patient dye of an inflammation feized upon the membrane gird- ing the ribs and fide. It is proportionably fo in the prclent Point. A man may complaine, and cry o]jr, houle and take on extremely for fome one horrible hainous finne,and that may be well jbut except he pro- ceed to a further difcoverie,and Ibrrow proportiona- ble for his other knowne fmnes, they will be thede-- ftruftion, and death of His Soule . If a dozen Thee ves be entred into thy houfe, it is not enough for Thee to lay hold ©n the Captaine Thief e onely,and thruft Him out at doores : If Thou faffer but one of them to lurke in any corner andifcovered, and not turaedout, rice will ferve the turne to cut thy throat , and take away thy treasure. Crying out of one capitaE finne onely is not fufficient: we muft confeff'e andforfaks* all, if we looke lofinde mercie : Prov.lS. I 3 . And yet here I would have no true Penitent de/e- Aed, or miftake; the bare omiflion of fome particular iinnes,in this cafe is not ever damnable. Tor we muft know, that if a man deale truly with his owne heart in a fincere acknowledgement,confeflion,and repen- tance for difcovered and knowne finnes ; (and Hee ought to labour, by clearing the eye of naturaUconfci- ence,and induflrious inipe^ion into Gods pure Law, to know as many as may bee) and for all thofe that come into His minde , when He fets bimfelfe apart, folemnly to humble and afflid His Soule before God; (^and He ought to remember as many as Hee can poC- (ibly j I fay, if fb, then for fecret and unknowne finnes, which are committed in weakneffe and ignorance, the Lord accepteth a gcnerallconfelfion, as we fee in Davids ^ladiCe^P/alm, ip,i2. ffho can under fiand Uii Part I .Chap.^. Aff,iSied Qonfciences, ^ —J;!!. tiis efyiurs? Cleanfe thon me from fecret faults, S]xiX\^ there are many, & that in the beft m en, which are not i. Koovrkdgft? onely unnoted of others,and free from the worlds ob- iervation, but even unknowne to a mans o wne felfe; andinvifibletothewatchfulleft eye of the moflwa- kins confcience ; which notwithftanding are clearely fubjed to the fearch of Gods All-feeing eye , and to tife cenfure of His pure Maj eftie : For Hell and defiru^ Bion Are before the Lord, horv much more thefecretefi 'gvayes ofthefonnes ofmen^Sinncs there are alio, which even in the zealous exercife , and holy worke of Re- ** Kcmmhtiaie'; pentance , may not come into the confideration and remembrance of one truly Penitentjwhich if he could recover into his memory, Hee would heartily , and with much indignation acknowledge , bewaile and deteft: So unnumbred are the curfed by-paths of mens crooked wayes: But for both thefe forts of finnes , I muft fay thus much for the comfort of the true Con- vert ; that both thofe unknowne finnes which Hee commitsof ignorance, if He truly repent for all His tnowne finnes, and labour with fincerity and zeale for fiirther illumination of conlcience,and fuller reve- lation of every corrupt Paflage both in heart and life,in judgement and pradile ; and thofe fins of knowledge alfo,which came not into his minde,if with diligence, and without diffimulation, with hearty prayer, and beft intention of fpirit,He endeavour to recover them into His memory, that He might al(b mourne for,and mortifie them with thereft^carrying ever in His heart this rcfblution, that as any finne iliall bedifcovered to His confcience , or returne into His minde , He will abominate and abandon it • I fay, both thefe kinds of finnes (it is a Pearle for the true Penitent, let no ftran- ger meddle with it) to fuch an one, upon fuch condi- tions are moft certainely wafiied away by Chrifts blood, and Gods free mercie, upon His generall con- fefllon and repentance. Davids petition, deanf&_ H26 InfirnUionsfor a right ( Sea.2: thoH mee frommj fesret faults , did,afluredly p^evaile with God^For the rorgivenefle of all His unknowne finnes, and ihall bee powerful! for that end, to the worlds end, to all thofe that lo pray, with Davids {j)t- rit and finc^rely . Befides thefe two cafes ; firfl:, want of knowledge; and fecondly, want of remembrance in the fenfe 1 have faid : There is alfo a third, and that is, thirdly, •want of time : v/hich if truly fo, doth alfo fometimes excufe the omiffion of fome particular finifes. As we mayleein thcThkff upon the Croffe. For want of leifure , Hee could not polTibly puncflually revile Hi* vile abominable life , nor perufe with remorfe all the particulars of His former ,wicked,and abhorred cour- fes.^But He had infufed into His Soultbyf^eff^ Chyifi anhabituall (<<) grace of true Repentance ; which if He had lived, would have carried Him faithfully along over all the notorious paffages of His lewd and loath- fbme life, with a truly contrite, broken, andtleeding Soule.So thatJfHehad not (pace, I doubt not, but He wonld have proved a very eminent , extraordinarie, and exemplary Penitent, And therefore the Lord in mercie, did gratioufly (b) accept the defice and pur- pofe, the inclination and preparatibn of His heart that way. But to returne to the Point, and give my advife in the Cafe propofed : * Let the Party, who fo takes on for fome notorious finne onely, and there takes up His reft, be toldi That fmh fruit meet for ttpintHHce. flitwcs, that f cpcnrancc it felfe is not an outward aSion, but an inward grace to be cxprcflTcd in outward adions. Dilietf Rtptntance^Mp. i. (b) It is tlie inwaidand habiiuaL Repentance, the inwardframc, bent, and difpofition of the Souk thatGod rcfpcfts mo. c, then the outward Afl; as wc may fee by ^hat of !)<«;{j>W the Bcuft «/ Dtvidi and VftH the inhabitants $t ltru/iUtm,kctD€i to ■rgueitto beaquali- {y,or infuCed gif t,ro Ai Faith and Charity ar«. So alfo that f hrafe of gWing Hc' pentancc, Aft.s* ?«j apdii.i8.For if God give it, wc receive it. ^low wc cannot pro pcrly be faid to re- ceive ana^iion,wh]ch wedoe, bar ibcp w er> gift, or grace, vrhctcby wee doc it. That fptech slfu, Maitb. 3. 8. Bring Part I. Cap. 6. Aff.iEi€d Confciences, 227 though He dwell withdeepefl: fighes , heavicll heart, and lalteft teares, uponfomeof His greateft an J inoft fpeciall finnes ; yet the reft muft by no mean, s be neg- kifled. That which is mo ft crying, and mw,'^», muft ferve as a Cryer, that I may fo Ipeake, to (ummon the reft into the Court of Confcience , and as a Remem'> hrancer to bring them to minde and remorfe: As Da^ -uids murder and adukerie brought even His Birth- finne into His memory: Pftlm.^ i . And that (inne of ftrange wives many other finnes to Ezras minde, Ezra p.When a father beatcs His childefbr fom& one fpeciall fault. He is wont to remember unto Him,and ' reckon with Him for many former mifdcmcanours al- fo. When a Bankrout is once clapt up for one princi- pal! debt, the reft of His Creditours ordinarily come thicke and tlireefold upon Him. When once thoix begin ft to reckon with thy confcience for fomeone extraordinary rebellion , never ceafe nnriH thou haft fearcht thoro wly, and ranfackt it to the bottome,that it may fmart (bundly, before Thou haft done> with pe- nitent anguifti, and true remorfe for all thy other fin- fiill corruptions alfo. When horrour for (bine one hai- Dousfinnehath feaz'd upon thy heart, follow. Gods blefled hand leading thee to converfion, and thorow the Pangs of the New-birth to unfpeakcable and glo- rious joy, by giving way to all the reft, to hnn^ in their (everall inditements againft thy Soiile. And bee not afraid thus to arraigne, caft, and condemne thy Selfe as guilty of innumerable finnes, and worthy ten theufand Hells, before Gods juft Tribunall. For then fhalt thou there moft certainly finde a gracious Ad- vocate at His right hand;To whom if Thou make lute, and feeke in truth , Hee will^by the plea and price of Hisownepretiousbloud, fue out a pardon for thine everlafting peace. When the guilty rage of thy raign- ing corruption begins to prefle upon thy confcience, lay onload, and more weight ftill by a penitent addi- Qj^ tion. ^ o JnftrHUicnsfor a right comfortittg Sedl, 2 ; ' ^< tion, and painfull apprehenfion ot all thy other finnes, that growing very fenfible of thy fpirituall flavery, wearie of the Dungeon oHewdnefle and luft,fenfuaU- tie and death,wherein the Divell hath kept thee long; and thine hearr being happily broken and brui(ed to the bottome, and fcorch'd, as it were , in feme mea- ^c) li quoi prmiim ^^^^ ^j^^j^ Hellifh flames of guilty horrourj (c) Thou Ti'^tM^'acVefi mayeft fee, and feele the greater neceffitie of ^e/iu J!Sh!cgmi^» eji C/;r/y?,fet Him at anhigher price : with more eager- /Mfui pecetti, at miff- nefle and impatiency thirft for His righteoufneffcand r'm no(ir0. Rolloc in ^jood ; long for fpirituall enlargement, more than for lohan.cap.7.pafi +74 ^^.orlds of pleafures, glory, or wealth ; rellifh the/?/V~ den M^»»^ of the promifes moft kindlily,and caft thy t wounded and bleeding Soule with more delight and fweetnefle, into His blefled armes of mercy and love. For, O how accepAble is the Tountaine of living w^- ?(fr/,faith a worthy Divinejf « the chafed Hart faming, andhrayirg} Thf hlond ofChrifl to the tveary and tired Soule f To the thirfly Confciencefcorched with theferfe of Gods wrath? He that prefects Him with it^Haw weL come is He? Sven its ajpeciall choife man^One of a thou^ [and. The deeper is thefenfe of miferie^the froeeter is the fenfe of mere j. The Tray tor layd downe upon the blocke, (d) The Lord will iifnQYg.reyiriyieofHisSoveraiqnesmerc^intiardoninVy XMJt part trom any , tt ; •* ^ ^. 1 J r "^ ^ 1 j r ^ drop of His recrcy to ^"^'^ He, who ts net yet attached, — In our deadfecu- theni, which firfl: rity before converfion^God isfaine to let the LaWySinne^ have not bcene fw^l- {^-onfeience, Satan^ a deepe lenfe of our abhominable lowed up of His judg- and curfedftate/^tf/f' »/?|]g^ dori hand ovtr-headj' Without that beds : for wc may ob. .^| WW^^ fpirituall difcretion, which is con- ^'^^'^^^ '^^J^^^S' venient for a matter of fo great ^B^m^^^J^ confeqiiencejand requiring fuch a deale of dexteritie in difcerning , to a man upon H^ Bed of death, who hath formerly becne notorious, or omely civill,howfoever a meere ftranger to the power of godlinefle, and the truth ofProfefIion,becaule now in the evill Day, He takes on extremely, byrealonof His extrcmitie ; cries out of his finnes ; O I am anhai- nous, horrible and grievous (inner I If I were to live againe, what would not I t3o ? A World for comfort now, and to dfe the death §f the right eow: becaufe He HoKvles upon His hed, as the Prophet fpeaketb, and breakes out oftentimes into a roaring complaint of ' finne, and cry for pardon, by reafon he now begins to feare, and feele the revenging hand of God readie to leizeupon Him for his former rebeIlions,&c.Or when Heeaffures Him, having beene a formall Profeflbur onely , and foo/ifi Virgine, of blifle and ^lory ; becaufe out of a former habituated ipirituall Selfe-deceit, He criis, Zordy Lord I feemes to byr Zanders very con fi- dentjthat He /hall prefently receive a Crowne of life, thankes God that nothing troubles Him ; ProfefTes to every one that comes to vifitHim , that He beleeves and repents With all His he^rt,' forgives alhhe wcirld, S To mak^a makes no doubt of Heaven, &c. godly endjaad Here by the way, wc miiii take notice, that mariy , having Part I .Chap. 7. ApSfed Confciences, 2^1 having out-ftood the day of their gracious vifitation, having negleBedfo great falvation, for fake n their oven mercie, and judged themfelves urmorthy of everUfling life, all their life long, by ftanding out againft the Mi- niftryof the Wordjin refpedt of any. laving worfce upon their foules; and now at length being overtaken after thefliort gleameof worldly profperitie, with the boyfterous winter-night of death, anddarkneflfe of the evill day, may keepe a great ftirre upon their * dying-beds,or in fome great extremity,with grievous complaints of their prefent intolerable mifery , and former finfuU courfes procuriag it, with inceiTant cries for eafe and deliverance, being now caught /^j^«"m//fl^ect/j and vp'tjely. And yet this , as it doth yet prejudice His falvation, neither lliould it His Chriflian reputation.Heare th^t great {g) Doc1:or in the Art of rightly comforting af- (g) Sreembm m Hi» flicfled confciences. But what if you Jhotild dye in this grare Counfdl and difcomfortfFor my- fart (m I my felfe looke for no great go^^X Obfcryation, things in my death) I tveuld not thinks f^°f^ haraly pf ^"'8 ^' you'yneitherjvould Iwijh any to judge otherrvife of Gods Childe in that flate of death : For rpefhatinot be judged Accordingto that -par ficular snfiant of death, but accor- ding to our generall courfe of life ; not according to pur deed in that prefenty but accordtng to thedejlre of our hearts ever before: And therefore rte are not to mifhufh Gods mercy in death^be we never fo uncomfortable, if fo be it hath beene before fealed in our vocation andfan~ Sifcation. On the other fide, a notorious wretch t^potiftmltmri which hath fwummedowne the current of the times, quibtxivixait, Tr»r* and wallowed in worldly pleafures all his life long, /«J«»j&wo, audcodi^ may feeme to dye penitently and refolvedly to here- "''> ^^t<^"^i pytpier formed, if He recover J and yet His fbrrow of minde, I'^alT^Zfll butfuchonelyas the terrours of" an awaked guil tie ^j,^ vim'tu Augi^t conieience produce I and His refolution to cafl away lib. di Difcipiini.v Hisfinnes, onelyfuch, as a man hath in a flormcto Chna.cap.a, caft away His goods, not becaufe heedoth not love th§mj , ^34 ' InfiruQions for aright comforting Se "po" ^^^^^ ^^^^ ^^ death. Luther, that blefled Man of rtbrmryiie^Lutbertit God, dyediweetly (^)and triumphantly over Hell, aefit tegmare grAvlm txpt&sft & quavquamerat im'aeciliior,prandit tamen cumfil^iy&familiaribuifmyatque CKHa- t/i*. Inter (cenMudum argimenii aff^truitfere, ut in alitra vita iHd beaU alter durum coimfcai. 7>oiicen*tfifump'^ounkor)iu ex vimpromtiUammoy & adquktemfe comfoaens, filuiaiis ami- tisquiadttMtjOraieyhqiiiDeumiUti'vangdii doHrinam nobis C9nftrvft. Poniifex eni/n & Ciritiiium Trldtntimm liira tmlimitfr. H(c t^i dixit, facie fikntio domit iltqumdM:, (cdhtg'n- tt v'i n9/bi, pod mtdiam mSlttn txcitaiM qntritUT de pedorii txytfiiai & prtefenticm jam ind^' re poem, bii verbis Dtumardtmer InvosAi: Pater mi cceteftii, Dtus & Patcr Dorrmi 'tfu Cbtifl':, Vetu oma c&n/bUiioniSy age tibigratiM, quod fiUum luuin lefum Chrifium mibl reviM[U : cm crtdidiyquemfumprofe[fus,qucmarnavijqutmcfUbnvh quern Potitifex T^emanui, & rtliqiui mp'mam turbaperftquitur-j & afficit MninmtUa. T{pit te, mi Demine Lefu Chriflt, fufcipe amtnu- km mwn» Hi Pattr aelepijttiwfi^vtliw ex bac vUd^lUii torpui hoemihi fit ]»m depomnduro, the Part I . Chap. 7. ^ffliBed C^nfcihicet^f- 23^ tbe Pope, and ttie Direll : (i) Mj heavenly Father (r^id He at his death j eternall And mcrcifnll God, thou hdjl jftanife fled unto me thy deare Sonne ^onr Lord ^efm Chnfl. I have taught him, I have knovenehimy I love him as my life^ my health, and my redemption: whom the wicked have perfecffted, malignedy 'andtvith injury af- fliBed. T>rarpmy Svnle to Thee, After this,He (aid as infiied thrice. / commend my (ptrtt into thine handsy thou hafl redeemed mee, O God of truth . Godfo loved the -world, that he gave his onely Sonne ^that all that be- leeve in Htr/i fhould have Itfe everlafiing, ^oh. 3.Heare how another blefled (kj) Saint of God ended his dai^s: Having the day Before he dyed continued his meditation and expofttion upon Rom S.for tbe (pace of two houres, or more, on thefudden Hee faid ; O ftay )'our reading I What brightneffe is this I fee ? Have you light up any candles? To'which I anfwered^ No ; It is the Sunne- Jhine,fcrit was about five a clocke in a clear e Summers evening, Sttnne-Jhine, faith He, nay, my Saviour-Jhine, Now farewell world,welcome Heaven fThe Day-flarre frsm en high hath viftted my heart, O jpeake tt when I 4m gone, and preach it at myfunerall, God dealeth fa- miliarly with man. Ifeele his mercieJfeehisMajefiy'^ yphether in the bodie, or out of the bodie , / cannot tell, Godhe kpoweth ; but I foe things that are unutterable, •So, ravijhedjnjpirit. He roamed toward heaven^'rvith'^ ihettrefull loohe, and foftfweet voyce, but yfhat Hee faid, we could not conceive. — With the Sunne in the iteming followmg,raijinghimfelfe, as Izcoh did upon hiaflaffe, he Jhut up hii blejfedlife, with thefe bleff'ed words : O what an happie change fhall I make? From night to day ?Froin darkntfle to light? From death to life? From fbrrowto folace ? From a fadious world to an heavenly being ? O my deare brethren, fifters, and freinds I It pittieth sne to leave you behinde : yet remember my death when 1 am gone , and what I now f eele, I hope you fhall finde, ere you dye , that God c&ih umenfcifit tnt tf- ctfin iffe permanfurum in (irafittrntim, mque p3(fe me tuis ex ma^ibm a qitoqitam avelli.2{p}2 multdpo^ eampremi- omm, ubiipiricfimfU' am in mamu DeifcKtet & itetumcemmtndaf- ftt, tanquatfi dormitu- ri{4, pauiAtm ^ viti decidit, tsm'Jo cum tit' porii, qui quidtmani- madvirti poffet, crucid" tu. Ofiand. Hift. Ec- cltf. Cent. i6,Lib2, cap. $6. (i) Adsand Monum. vol.* png. i>94. I no more weigh Cochlnus his cutfcd lyes to the contrary, or of any his fellow ftigmaiicall Knight I of the Poft, as Bolfec. &€. then I would do the bark- ing of a Dogge, the braying of an AlTc^or bellowing of a Di- Tell. ^ /aad, a fafliftfuirMini-. ftcr of Gods Woxi. 2^6 InfiruUiotiS for a right comforting SeA. 2^ God doth, and will deale familiarly with men. And now thou fiery Chariot,that came dowHe to fetch up Eliah, carry me to my happy Hold : And all ye bltfled Angels, who attended the Soule of La^cartHy to bring it up to heaven,beare me,0 beare me into the bofbme of my Beft-beloved. Amen, Amen, come Lord lefus, come quickly, Andfohefellajleefe. That this is true, CO In Hh Sermon ^^^ (i) reporter and By-ftander, that ancient learned intitule*!, t;« sauUi reverend Miniftcr of God, Mafter Zi^y^Aaddeth: //^^ lolau cgAin^ forrorv, the truths my Brethren^ I lye not .my confcience If earing paj. 17. &c. „,f witnefe in the holy ghofi, &c. * Vncomforiably, *' ^^^5^ "^^Y end their dayes very uncomfortably m ravings,impatiencies,ana other itrange behaviours. Nay , the fiery diftcmpers of their hot difeafe , may {bmetimes,even in the Saints of God,produce furious carriages, fearefull diflraflions,and fomc defpairefull fpeeches. But thefe being the naturall effeds and iflues of melancholike cxceffes, Phrenfies, and burning Fe- vers, are finnes^f infirmity in fanftified men. For which, ifthey come againe to themfelvcs,they actual- ly repent; ifnot,they are all undoubtedly,by a general! habituall repentance, and Gods gratious acceptation thereof^ pardoned by the Paffion of Chrifl:,and buried for ever in his bloody death. Thatlaftandunreverfa- ble doome,at ths dreadfull Tribunal of the ever-living God muft pafleupon us; not according to the violent, and unvoluntarie diftempers at our laft houre, but ac- cording to the former PafTages of our life ; the finfiill, or (andifiedexpenfe of the dayes ofhealth, Heare that Co) Perkins In his other (n,ivtpjed that Jhe had . " Tiever beene borne ^ or that fie had beene made any other creature^ rather than a Tvoman: But when that Hellifh ftorme was over-blowne by the returne of the glori- ous beames of the Sunne of righteoufiiefie into Hei' Souk; She turn'd her nme , and triumphed thus; Oh happy am /, that ever J was borne , to fee this ble^ed ^ay ! Iconfeffe befor.e_ ths^ Lord hi^ loving kindneffe, and • ^ 2 J InjlruBions for a right comforting Se(51:.2. Mxftcc Ptacotkn 4. Oiitti^Wyo his rvonderfitU rvorks before the fonnes of men : For hee hathfatisfledmj Soptle^ andfilledmj hnngry Soulcwith goodnefe. Mafter PJ?4f^f)^ff in the height of His dreaJhilI De- sertion, told thofe about Him, that hee converjl with Hell-hounds ; That the Lord had cnrfed him y'Vmx. hee had n({grace;lih^t it was agatnfi the cotirfe of Gods ^O" ceedtng, tofave him, &c,But when that horrible tem- peft of fpirituall terrours was happily difperft ; and > the light •f Gods comfortable coontcnancc begun to fhine againe upon His moft heavy and afflided fpiritj He diC-avowed all inconfiderate jpeeches , as he called them, in his temptation, and did humbly and heartily aske mercy of God for them all; And did thus triumph what piould I extoll the magni^cence of God^ which af unfpeakealftei and more than any heart can conceived Nay rather let m with hnmbU reverence acknowledge Uu great mercy , what^£^*^^^f*P ^^'^e i to magnifie the great goodnejje ofGod^ that hath hum^led,Nay ra^ ther exalted ftich a wretched mifcreanty of fohafe con^ dition to an efiatefo gloriom and fiat ely I The Lord hath honoured me with his goodnejfe: I amfure^he hath -provided a glorious Kingdomefor me : The joy which I feele in my heart is uncr edible. < 4. Some of Gods worthieft Champions, and moft zealous fervants do not anfwcr the unreprooveable fandity of their life, and unfpotted current of their former converfation , with thofe proportionable ex- traordinary C0mforts,and glorious Paflagesupon their beds of death,which in ordinarie congruitie might be expeded, as a convenient conclufion to the rare and remarkable Chriftian carriages of fuch bleflfed Saints. So bottomkfle and infinitely unfathomable by the ut- moftof all created underftandings are the depths of Gods moft holy wayes, and His infcrutable Councels; quite contrarie many times to the probable conclufi- ons ©f Man's beft wiledome. But every one of His, fith fith he certainly pafffstborowthofe pangs into plea- furesandjoyes endlcfie end unrpeakabTe, miift bee content rogicrf fie Godjand to be fervfceable to His fccret ends, with what Mnde of dtath He p'eafe: whether it be glorjous and untempted : or difcom- fortable, becauie oF Bodily diftempers, and confe- qiiently interpretablc by undifcerning fpirits .* or mingled of teojptations.andTriumpbs: or ordinaric, a»id without any great iliew,or rcii>atkable fpee- ches,afterextraordinarie fr^gularitics of an holy l/fe, which proniifcd an end of Ipcciall notc,and admi- ration. Why may not fomc worthy h eavenly minded Chril^ians,rcmctimes by ftrong mortifying medita- tk)ns,and many conquering fore-conceits of death in their hfe time, make it before-Iiand To familiar and eafie unto them, and by continuall convcrfing a- bove,andcon(iant peace ofGonfciencCjCaftefo deeply of fpirituaIi,joycs,thatthat dreadful! Paffage out of this life, as it may breed no great fenfc of alteration in themfelvesjlbno cxcraordinarie matter of fpeciallob- fervation to others* CHAP. VIIL The div( rs kitides of death in "kicked metu p the wicked, and thofc, who were Oc i VVIclcej; vA ever ftrangers to the myfteric of th^ydyc,fome Chriftandtruth df godlincfle : »^Of oi'Rc1U«« Some dye defpcrately. Though ^^3^ jye, inSTc^ m:)(S^^^^^^m\ ^"^'"^^nds periih by "prcfumption, fpairc and tcrment •£ ; — S^^^^Sjd to One of thefewho defpaircj yet confcicnce, there bee fome there are,to whom iipon their beds ofdeathaU «n>"'ons that dye in without fenfe o' fiane, or punifliment : The reason wbeteo7 "s" b«rirfe "«»5 whokncwts he hathtinic little cnoiighin thii life to drswmen to fiBncjandlooee- ncughaJtcrituSjUlc to wrment them forit, doth iherc/brc oidiwuily Keicxve the R ~ their 2 ^ O InflmUisnt far 4 right comforting ^t6i, I • TT^'n"^ of finncrs their fins ^refet in order before tbepn,aidreprercn?ed «cm!and'iH %'; '^^^^ eye oftheir awaked cotifcicices in fiich grcifly it^ Hell J left ii iiti^^^^^^y^^'^^iottniblyythdX^^^thQ very nrlt and fear- fhoulddeale Co rough- full fight, they are prefcntly ftrucke ftarke dead in ly with all finncrs in foule and fpirit, ittterly over- whelmed, and quite hSaffo' ^hey might, fvvailowcd lip With guilty and dsfperatehorroiir.So terr ows! (T^lzhn^t ^^^^ afterward,No counfdl, orcomfor t j no canfide- nieineiorfalyation,as'''atio'i**^fhcisimtafurablcnefreof Gods mercy, of did the /4yo«r,andthetheunvaiuiblcnefleandoninipotcncy,tbat Imiy Co ievp!s. Ad, 17.50. a"'* rpeake,of Chriftshlood-flied,ohhe variety and cx« i//7/^^r '.A^^f •''"'•^"'"'cellencyof gratious promifes, of the loflfe of their ^70. owns immortauSouleSjCanpombly drive and divert in) We fliouM never fi'om that infinitely •» falfe conceit, and ciirfed Cry ; Bce ifi fucha foriorne My fnnes are greater Jthancttn be pardoned, Where- there(£°"ldbe**^^^^'!5 "^^^ ^^^^ mifcrable, and foriorne wretches, they ofdcVa°re,conEng''^'">'^*^^^^^y^ '^^^^^ themfdves into our fins bee the finnej Hell,asit wi^ere, Upon earth , and are dananed above of Men,His mercy chc ground. Thus the Lord fometimes for the cerrour of ?"F n ^/^" "finite others, gbrifying his ownejuIHce, and bringing ex- aothcKcader, and wilrull oppoucion to grace, doth in greatcit in* dignarion by the hand of ^Winz vengeance, unclafpe unto them, the booke of their owne Confcie:ice,and: of his owne holy Law. In one of which they findc,, nowatIength,alkheirinaiimcrable iniquities.trant- greflions,a id finsengraven with the Point of a Dia- mond, enraged with Gods implacable wrath, aggra- vated with the utmoft malice of Satan; And never to be razed out,or remitted, but by the blood of the Sonneof God,in which they peremptorily profelTe themfelvcs to have no part. In the other, they fee the fiercenifie^and fulneflc of all the curfes, plagiies>. ai'.d torments denounced there, and due unto all iaa- penitencfinners, ready to be poured upon their bo- dicsandfoules forever; And no pofiibility to pre- ycnf them, no waycs to decline them, but by Gods aafinite. booacy through lefas Chrift, in which they Part.l Cap 8. JffiUed Confciences, *4' alfo utterly difclaimcall right and inrereft.AndtlKTe- fcre they &re now finally, and defpieratcly refo'vtd to icokc for no mercy .* Butin the I'r own e judgement, 2nd by their oune confc flion, ftand re pro(>ates from Godscovetiant, and voidc of all Hope of his inheri- iance,cxpc£ling with unrpeakeable terrour &nda- maz. ment of fpir it,ihe confuramation, of their mi{e- rk',and fearefiiil fcntcnceof eternalldamnatioO.They are cotrmonIyfuch,° as have been grcflfe Hypccritf s o Out of the curfed ■ like /»^^j and lien in fomefecret abomination againft Nurccry ot fuch (orw the knowledge of their hearts, all their life long^ ^^fhTw^rnd^ht^nl that have followed flill their owne renfuall wayes, giceut(ome,andbang ^r dccurfe of the world agair.ft the light oftheMini- them up a$ u were ia fir y, {landing like an armed man in their concienccs cbaines,aswofuU Spc- to the contrary j who have been Sccrnsrs and Per- ^'^^^ Jo^^u ' fccutcurs of the power of godlir.eflc, and the good ^*^""*o — - vcay ; who have abjured the Gofpellof lelui Chrift, and forfakcn the Truth for honcnr, wealth, or ' worldly happinefle : To whom the Lord in their life-time vouchfafed many mercies, much profpcri- ty, great meanes of faivation, long forfaearance,&c. And yet they flood rtit flili,they ftill hated to be vZ' {oiw.td.,fet fj naught all His coutofell^^nd wonid mne of Hts re^roofe. WhereforCuhcDay of graticus vi- fltation being once expired, a thoufand WcilJs will not purchafeit againe ^ Heaven and Earth cannot re- call it. No mercy, no comfort, no blelTIng can then be had, tho they fceke it with teafcsand yelling.They (hail nevermore be heard, tho with much violence ihcy tjirow their fcrikings into the Aire, they cry with fighes and groanes,as piercing a? a fword. Net, but that the Gates of Heaven, and amies of mercy may ftand wide open, untill their laft breath : But alas.' They have already fo hardened their hearts, that they cannot repent, ^fter thtne hardne^e, faith Rom. zji Panl^ ar.d heart , that canrnt repent. They now hut ^ hov^le fi^on ^j^r^ £eds, they doe hoc crj Hm9 God ^ith ^^^ JnJhntSHmsfgrarigift eomfartfag Se^Z. tbffr hearty as the Piophtc fpcikcs,H9/y 14 Their carKftand#4r/T crj'ingin this laft exrrcmiry • is onc- Ijr beoofe, Thar feare « cffmr u^ tbfw as dsfslMti^m; md iheir dtfirmHsmM m ^htrlewi^e, \Vhen tbcy caft our dsircoDfifkradons for comfort, Itisrjotthe wbeie Crcattoo can poflBJy helpc thtirii for they moftftand or fall to die Tribonall of th^ ever luffing Gcd *»i^fj tndtfmble^ani Crediar sf the ends ff the S*rth, if they looke up to God the Father ; that Frov.i,i^.z6. comes prefently into thcirheads with xnich borrour^nd quite kills thdrhearts : Bscaafe Heeimth called sJlouj hfc longjaad all that gcodiy tinie wee refu/ed j Hee-'^ul l^^gh now 4: cxr cjUamTm tj, 4md wftc^ wkcn 9Hr feuxe is come. Jefnt ChnJ}, as tfacy ftrongiy coocdTC, and in-oijoveab! y concludfc ^^aft thcffi&ivcs^ixach now to cheiD hr ever ck^ed op His wounds as it were, and will not afturd theji aic drop of His blood ; becatrfe:b?yhave lo often, by commiag unworthily, fpiic it in the Sacrament,. pcrfecnted Him in His mcmbsTSjjnd defpifcd Hi.-n in the MiDiitry. The bleffed Spirit, becaufc in cfae Day c^ vifeadon they repcJied a'l his inward war- ning and holy motions, preforing Satan 5 impure fiigeeflioas, before His{acrcdnfpuati3ns,dorhnow so tbdrowoe acknowledgement, by the equity of a IcflpropomoBpnthis Day of vexation, leave them tof*f;6ir_/y«# of their former wilfolnefle, andr.ape tberewafd of their own waves. Thusthefeforlornc wietcfaesare difclaimetJ, forfaken, and abandoned of Hearcnaod EanbrGod a :d Man i ofaii rheccmforts 9 Ta wfct rcn& i-. ^n this Iifc,aiidbldB»gsorthe World to come. And ffixK is the gr«:icft fo by fiaaildcfpanog of G^ds^mercy^thc ^geateic Sniie ; f Of ir n no: of finncs,thev m< ft uDb^ipily,2!)d curfediyfollow fcnply fo, Em the y«:e irorefc-' abcve^oflrict account to bee giuenirp there for ali ^^'«nr's ^^<^ <-ppcG«e th-ngsdorein theflcft.no cvcrlafiiag cft.te in ^^li^^T^:^ worldrocorae ; wherein everyone mult cnhcr iie in £nnc thcnrXpfrationi unrpeakeahIep3ines,orliveJnun-urtcr2bIepIearure5. bccaulc .he Lcve cf Lithcirliferimejthey werer.ever wocnt to tremble po^ i* a a ore /»- rpintua;Ithir,gS:andGodnctopeiiL'ig their eies,they ffoui't, euimakU d^ are neither a fflided with any fearecf Hclljcr atfecled "^"_«»;m^rHieicD. wth aiiy hope of Heaven ; they are both un-appre- '? f '^^■i^S.L.d'xwft'^- hcrnnveof theirprefencdanger.and flarekiJe of the ^w.T '?>'"" ^'''" fiery iake,in:o which tfieydre ready to toil. In tn;ie eu.'gouuJef;cr4tufect» regsrdSjthcy are utterly un:ouchcd,die moft caktly^ptnuit-i murtrc, hptSt. aad without any troubi cat all. And it is their ordina- ^ic uf»lf Tcecit Q^ri ry Anfwer, when they arsqueftioned abouttheir fpi- ^"•*'^''A^'^«>f *-'»*» ^ ^ J ^ r Viitmf^niKffTdnii-m ^i itffiiuC /»**»* nequitUm Dei^ietnti icrt.pird:,§him mfthit tLr^4 -mur, dam fiii'jn'.jt^mio^C-^trjtBiontm (i.ytnitiiu d»f(rCKi Va- (ui K:bi. eaR.qutS en> m ctfiteri ffcM/'rff^ Idem dc vera & falls Pcer.ic. cap. 5. Eut dec no: mif^itc ihtgcc^Fa;licr,or upon His words prefHme jbut hesr? what He addes ; Stnu diii imtr.ui £.t'^,(f/ii.6itit,aui ddco prxrMir»nnt,& dtDto cinf.duntu^uid i^udniUm fiifi iuzxtum accu. ur.: .tccAVfii'.Q'hnt fSKtenn*exftai*t yenidm :auid credurtt, ^twdm Cbrjiuini (uat^cn /(i^itwrtir- x*. l4ntej (i^^/yci 1H'-flaad.-rs, and fiich as wifh well fifr,w[?haH^fl,acJ 'i' ^?^hdrS.ules , B.tratheraf.arcfull can^rmirion, curityatdeath And.bc^^^^^^^^"^^ ^^^^^^ givci^pvcr to the fpiritof fl i.n- Lordfe(^estofiy,a$ ^^-^sn^^aledupbydi./iae p jjfticc, ia tlie fo.'cifli- oncc to the Prophers 'lefTcandfecurityof chiir ownc fenfcIelTc hearts, for Goe.mike tbe.r con. ^nf} dffervcd ccideiunition. Thus thefe men, as dcafhT^ ^y'lu'e ^^- ^?-^'^tS,h'V'i^i^ P'^k^,^^ddie l,keblockf. ^nd made It aflcep all iher /'^^ '^'^ '?'**'*'*'^' p<'<7;»/hen Ui^yzIjJlTh^^^t^^'y. '"'^^^ "^ »'.'///47,r^«/^^' their feathcvbed, mi ^- .. I. I-A-— ._^ Oxeinaditch. 3. Some die formally. ' 3, Ochers die foi'mally ; I meane they maikc very Y^'T^r^ goodly ihewes and rcprcfcntations ef much confi- /trfj^ctfotfiflilywilh- ^'^^^^"^^^°^^*^^^* Having formerly beene formall out comfort and fee. Pi"ofe{roar$,and fofumiilied with many formes of ling of Gois lovej as godly fpeeches, and outward Chriftian behaviours } MdLDjks of Con- Andtheipiritofdelu(ion,and fpirituall Selfe-coufc- ience,cap.i2. n age, which ia their life time detained theaa in con- ftancy of fecurity ,and felfc-coaceitcdncfle about the q Whom Satan fceth fpirituall fafcty of their foulcs, 1 without any fuch cut of Gods favour, doubtSjtroubleSjfears, tcmptations,whicharewoo t ^I,^jJ?^fl'*"°'^"|}fohanntthofe who are true of heart, (forordinaiily leadyto bee caft*into ^^^^ isthcpcaccof unfonnd Profeflbrs) continuing Well fire 5 thofe doth ^ ^^^'^ 'n^^S'fi^ry groundlefle psrfwafion and pre- ilce falfely perfwadc, fampiion m the height and ftrength unto the c id,for thatthey areoutof all their very laft breath may be fpcnt in faying, Lord, ceiye their lamentable ^"*^'^* ^^^ 7' ^ ^^V ^"^" *"^'" ^^ thefe, thus WohiUy inHee deluded and fearrfuUy deceiving others, may catl out feeth Goddoth favour, upon their laft beds many glorious fpeeches, intima- whom Hecknowetbtoting much feeojiug Confidence of a goodeftatc to Part.I.Cap 8. Jp^edCoiifcieKces. *4J God-ward, contempt of the world, willingncfleto »nd JcUow-hcires c» die,rcadine(rc to forgive all the wcrid,hope to be fa- ^^^ ^'^^^''^-^^ ^^Tc vcdjdefirc to be diiroIvcd,and goe to Heave r,&c- tempt very often to They may cry aloud with a great dcale of formall f^a c, to do. br, yes, cond^criCCyLerdXcrd^^ Mercy^Mtrcy in the name romctincs eventode- of ChriI>,Lord kfus receive cur fpirits^c And yet ^P^i" of the.r fahrati. ,.,/.' II ■ 1 fi • t «• on, JoMcbfimt for a all the fe goodly hopes, and earneft ejaculations, ^^^^^.^^^ ^^^ ^{ growing onely from a/orw?,and not from the fower^ ExhoclcoCro\Xly£oeto tiell mth a vame hcpe cj H>aven'. ^^^^^ ymttesy muUot "^hofe chieftfl CAfife of damnation is thetr falfe perfypA- f^t yecaivs ,Jtd pa::cos fisnand grot^ndleffc preftmptioM efjaivation ? Of aU ^/^^o- ' u"o«'«Devcri the foure ki.des of death, which ordinarily [ cfal l^'^^Zmi^^ac fuchasarenctfaved, thisisthcfaircft in (heu i^'^'^ /p^'^a^ ^tcrms Uhotet yet ofgreatt ft impoAure to thofc about them, and o-e- yelia. J^/fenduntf moftptftikrtconf qnencc to hardctiefpecially allot Haw many goe to the fame humour,thathf arc of ft. * ^ 7» 4. Somcdic P.nitently: BaflineanefeemingJy if^*^'^^'Jf!"j!:;• f >,notfayingly. Many having fervcd their appetites hcII wiih^is hope? all thcirlivcs^andlivcd in pleafure; now wheuthe ♦^ Doao: Ff^tty. Sunneof their fcnfualldehghts btgmsto fct,a;id thf ^'"^' D,» iAcnttm in ked,and then die the dtarh of tl e righttcus : if they leBontenqt^tdyidtiinth might have th€ earthly KeavcnoftheworidsFavou- ^'P'**"* "'^ sthttmmi R4 r,tes^"S"'**?^^-i^' 2^6 InJ}rfi£l$«Hffor aright comforting Se^«?^ t o^eudimr mhn /"fr rites hcre,a!idthc Hcavcfi of Chrifts Martyrs in the h.tc yerb* , quoi iUo i» ^orld to comc. f Thcfc Men are woont in this Uft *'JT';Z''..^"^"!l'Cl extremity, to take on extremely; But it is but like ^e«rf//*/'^ff4;o/^r,^«.tf- then- H^Wm^ «/>/?»«/<«Wj«^>f;o,C"«f- would now be gladiy acqiuinted with Him; But i((^^u:}butar^sfMfef4--,-^{)^\\^Q them, Pfal.y^J fp hen he fler^ them, then li^syeH^ntiius.cHmnon , . . ^^^ mdtheyrettirncd.mi c^amred early tembHif4ck)idx]u^tti/e,^P^^^<'dt ^'^d they remembred that God roat their dut tgmdd foenitehti/i, Rocke, andthehi^h God their Redeemer. Neverthe^effe, fejlitt^io torum y^ni they did flatter Him with their month: And they Ijed '':\':^'' 'J"''" f''"f'- unto Him -a^th their TonzHesx For their heart V^asmt ^otidihmm/4(erdoUi '"'g^^ »^^^ »'^« They promifc very faire,3nd protelt cUmdntinEccltfid :Qjti glofioufly, What mended men they will bee, if the ^ffwwf,/'fl?«««/^'<»»^- Lord re (lore them .• Hut all thefc goodly pronvifes ^4t : — tieque fedHC4M ^^^ j^^jj. ^^ ^ msrmng cloudy and as the early den> . They ,™,'X;»t f;:;» "= "ke thore of.-, Mtfeor murthcrer ac the Barre. -0e^iMmpro}eefi\ Et p co}ifftmm4iio ytftta tardayierityWors yej7r4r.o4 tJrd4ty& nemo credit^netm h4ndit : ciim aw t(fKye»frit/utef iL'osmors •jfefifn4nt,^anxicr!tnr, yorant f4ctrdnieti>ire qu4ndo ]4mpanitenUal0Cwmnefl, It4q:tt ^um exponnnt feci4ri fua, & c4pit.ir 4ti}m4eorum, & y4dunt y4:m,magts dhtitnligatt ]ufio \tidicK> Da ; q:it4 nm propter odiu:n feccAtorum dtf^liientes jtf/i yolebam paenttent:4m agerc^/ed pr pttr mart it tmorem. /^dhu,c tMtmfiyi-vmefotKiJffKt^nonfibidfplkuiflmt.lactttUi author. Hom. 51. in cap. Mat 2^.. yitil4titqi(idimtH CHl>ilil>i4Syidyer$ do'orU im^4tienti^ flccimityquem expcemfcofteipiunt, yirnqhed pei(4ta /iid dt^Unntt Gualt.incap 7.Hof, FnturM eji it fenlM^cd confdtntid ret(4ti& mi/'eri/fprxfertimyoo con/(ieiitta i4nti cortiemptM eblatx lucit ^idqtte ex judidis, mtibta ixercebuntur^ Mtum qnidfrnferio cruciAndi pnt aefiderio thrijii : Nori q lidem, quad iddtftdsrium (itfittunnnlhrtfttifropter ipfum chrilium^- — uut propter oduon Pecc^ti^fed frupttr finfHtn miferiXfquemferre: mnpotirunt.9. olloc.in cap. 8, f ohan . ( An d to .ei kp Him then, is not tofrckeHiw, Hon quttrebam Eum.'Ho : tliey fccke Him nor, thf y difiembic with Him (faith ^/'A in the next verlcO^or^wnen God to trie thtm.rcprived them ne- ver folittle timejthey fell to their old byasj an J when as Hcc ceiled A/Z/Vw?, their fcekhtfr wasatancndk So ate a\l forccd/eekings rlilictoi Bowi^riag brought to his full bent, but rcmityou never foUtiL",itflartechbackeag2ine. Nay, it is npr<7v<«»'5^4fj',no kind- ly fesking j bu: a bafc ignoWc creepingto,yvithout ail ingcfmity,vvbcmve muft eithec die, . Mda«it» H^incht jlert Sermons, ^dg.i^u which. Part.i.cap.S* JgUtledConfeiences, 247 which being now caft, and feeing there is now no way but one: O what a reformed man would Hee bee, if Hee might be reprived.* repent affeciis.iatelj t^ Aa»geroMt ficknep, ddultimim & retsrci- ^bs-i th:y have recovered^have keenc rather ^srfe thM lidtH* , fi ftcurnt hinc Before, It it true, that true Repentance is never too late, txityigo nenCum ftcH- ^^^ j^^ Repentance is feld^me true : For here our fins ;TASofEXn\'2*^«hcrIeaveus,rhcavvechcfn,4/Am poenitent. ^^^ Heeaddesy^ oc oe unro thcno, whole fia& life end jSjioaudo dgit fgt'iten. together. This received Principle among the ancient tiamwext/e^tM yitafi" Yg^ili^rSyTtutUte Repentance is rarely true ^ implycs, ''^unZ^'ul'^bTi^r^^^^'^'^'^ unfour.d, and fo by confe- ^itmr^t^rnutSaenu. qucnt confirmcs the prefcm Poitit. Too manifold temUqua i OToriwrfCxpcticnrcalfo makes it good: Amongftmany foe ■^ my part, I have taken fpeciall notice of two: The Dedaredbytwo in. o,-je being labourcd-with in prifon, was (eeniiogly " fo extraordinarily humbled, that a reverend Man of untumfttrtur, timont Godwas moovcd thereby, tobsc a mcan^sot hisrs- iffit rmridtur, Auguft. prive,whereupon a Pardon was procured. And yec -f, againe^^notoriousa 5r/w/as Hee wasbcfore. Ano- iamP»nitt,iththcu*u«n ther, having upon His Bed oi ficknefle rcceiued in tfi — ^untn propter j^jg ownc conceit the fcntetKC of death a^ainft ^2^fS^ZTJt: "*a^^«^^^ 5 and being preiTed to hu:ni:iation,and bro. mttntiamaiere/edprfi- kcn-heartcdnsflcj for Hee had formes ly bccna ftran- termntif tmmem. In- geratid an enemy to purity, and the power of god'i- j^ to bee a Vcttnejfe sf thefe things betypcene thewcrla axd Him, ^nd yet this jifan upcn hit rrre- very, became the very fame , if no$ worfe then Hee wasbefore. i^ CHAP. IX. The remedie in this fifth cafe* 1 * Admonitioft to the Minifies 10 bee ear efull in comforting at that time: ^.Tothe people ffot to defrre repentance till that time, bwfith upon this Perufalloftbedifft^ rent deaths incidcnctothe godly andthe wicked, it appearcs ; that fome men ne- Adv/ce upon dre fotS ver foundly converted, may in refpe^t of^^^^o^i^wwowg^ all outwaid rcprefentations,die as confi- *'^"* dently and comfortably in the conceit of the moftjas Gods deareft Children; and that Chriftsbcftffrvant ^^j ^j^^^ ^. fomtimesmay depart this life y uncomfortably to the deji^e fcrvantsof GoS cy e,and in the opinion of the grcatcft part ; And we are ofrcmimc* gric- hcard before, that ourlaft and everlaftingDoomcvou^perplexedjtrou- mnftpaffeupon us, accordmg to the fynceritie, or Wedmft)irit,gauledia fcnruality,thezealousforwaidneffe,orformalit^of,Xi|:"^^^^^ our former courfesj and not according to the ice- andfiadingnonc,con^ mingcf our I ail carriage upon Bed of death,and en. dcmning thcmfdves, forced behaviour in that time of extremity: I fay,*^« *fa«y a^e the very thcfethingsbdng fo, I holdmycondufionftill.and .tnSt'f" ™^°5? reioiutiou; not much to alter my ceniure and conceit many times they doe of a mans fpirituall ftatc, for the manner of His eren die with fpeeehet death. I except the Theeves upon the Crojfe: }i/iy inthdtoiomhis^nhich meaning is, that there mav be feme, ( I know not ^''^^ j'*^'"'r °^. ^^ howfew.butlam fure there is none, except Heetrw'^/^^; nave in Him the perfeftion or the madneflc of all the Mtkerers,^!, Bcdiamsthat ever breathed^ would run that hazard ) who-- a^O InJlrHciionsfor a right comforting S ^ft. ft. who formerly out of the way and imreformed, may nowatlaft, being very ex^raordin5ri!y,and mightily humbled under Gods mighty hand, and cleavinoto xSxz Lord Icfus with truly broken hearts indeed, fol- low by a miracle, ar it were, the Thiefe upon the i.TothcM/nifter. Croffe,toan everlafting Crowne. And here now, I require the carcconfcience, heavenly wiredorne,ex- per imcntall skill,and all Hisrainifteriall dexterity ia the Phyfition of the SouICj to difcerne aright be- t weenc thefe, and feeming PeniLcnts : and th ^-n to ap- ply Himfelfe proportionably with aUholy difcretion and feafjnablenefle, totheirleverall different cftates. 2.T0 the people, rea- • But to fright and fire every Oie for ever, from lonsto diflWadc from that extreoieft "^ folly of hoping to follow chatmi- prefuming by the ex- racu'oufly penitent Thisfc j and frcrg going on ia Slre°^ penitent finnc,and deferring Repentance upon luch adecei- i Tei'mfottl (,Wi/.v''^Sa'^^^e^P^2teground;letusconaderj jimi)Al!qiKmnthips feiU' " rumfacut^t^tremilfumt4mmv4 feelUifMcfeJuHutiS 'yT:{e forte Meat alitjitis in corJe fm^ Nonmeftfqi4e*deZc«H'Hrlfet& crpMet re* eon/cieati4'^KonmtufqfttaJeoc6ni7if(tculpal>i. lisyitafyiaeo/Mlf momeHt9,yideo fub txiguo fpdcio Utromcrmm* fu4 donit^.^—^Deterreant tl»^fonosa& hicperfk iffoHe, inniimer4i>i[es popn^i fuh tiU fecuritAte nudi & -vxcui l/jnis, & m4lupUmexhdcluteprxrepti'-—~.lmmitt'tDuMMfecuritatem,titinf't\ratpetditieiteque dirtiimtfarlpo^int, quAntos b/tc indnk j^el ttnthd deeeperit.^—^Dei^de fti4ltif?im!imej7,Mt caufd^qH/t denece^itdti^m dgttHt /iternH.inutihtdtibtu y'ltx depcieMU commntatHr extxe- t»i*,...m^Od'l>iie^.fidpitd Deutn^quando homo fub fidntU pcemtentU in /entciHtemrefervdtA /;im«jAecf«r.Aiiguft.DeTemp.Scim i2o. a GrffwferfOT, pag 1. I. Firft, whataholyand learned * Mm of God cap.3 2 Edit.j. ^^^^^ j,Q ^i^jj Point : In great wifedome^hat men at ths r Jt 1$ a linglc exam- ^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^^^ ciefpaire,the Lord h^th left Hs but one ex Ample of exceedingyand extraordimrj mer- fTj byfaving the Thiefe on the Crof[e.-^—7tt the per- verfenejfe of all our naturs may be feene bj thii^ «« th^t ^. thidonefervethuiioloofens^eoflifeyinhope of thelikfii b Le^nqnit ^u^Jif- jy/j^^^ ^emohtbetterreafont That it i^ but one, and ram-.O-nemtneminytm that extrairdiiarj^and that befides this One ^there ts not induobHi millibui^no^ ** one vt9e in all the Btble^and that for this One thatfped, rvm/dlydt»m in f^^h a thoftfandthofifavdi have miffed : ^d. ivbatfolljfii.it to Part.lxCap.9# ji^bied Confctences, 2ji fetMt our fehes inavfAjy^here fb< many have mifcuT' «*fi Utrtmm in truetl ried f To put ottrfehes imo the hand of that Phyfition, N'cohus Laarcmias that hath murthtred fo many \ going cleane agatnft our „g„^pjg ^ ^ , / fenfea-ddreaf on '.^hereof in other wee ai^ates leane to c That, that may bee that tvhtch it mofi ordinary ^ and conclude not the Spring faid, is this, and it ic tf cnef^allorv ? It u m if a Man Jhouldffurre His nothing. Tme, totac ^S/ull m.Jf,^M».fi B.d.m, Me 4,d »«« S.'XnA^.tS fpeake :fo grefely hath the Dmell temtched w, that have. How theii * Shall we not therefore follow our inftruf^ien, and feckeHim before?— Some going a journey, have /oaii4 aPurfeby*heway:Itweremad counfcU, to advifc us to leave our money behind, uponhopeof likchapinours»&c. Wmchifltrs Sttrnmi^fAg i8o. Si miUe htmintstt^ ri]j[entexcibi dUcmmyeae»ati ptrctpthne^ UH» dint4XAt miracftitse /~eryMOy tune Abum iUnmgufitLrti i H3rm0a.Evang.cap. i j.pag. 182, 2.Secondly,thefingulariticsabout the good Thiefe: a.It is a /ingularon© firftjHis heart was broken with one fhort Sermoa,as *" ^^^ re4>ea». it were ^but thou baft,or mightcft have heard many, . * • and'art yet hard-hearted. Secondiyjthe other Thiefe ^ fawalfo that fovcraignc Scule-heaiing bl<>od guHi frefhly and abundantly out of Hisbkfled fide,«nd yet was not flrucke,or ft ird at all.Thirdly jHis exampleis »; onely for trut Pt^nitcntsjbut Thou upon this p;-cfump,- tion defpifing in the meane time, the ricbet^f Gods goodnejfe, and forbearance^ar.d long- f ujfe ring ^ ieadtnv Thee torepentaneeybardenefi thy heart yt hat thou canfi pot repent. Fourthly, H is cafe was fingul ar,and fucb, «||| that the like isnottobe found in the whole Scrip- ture. A King fometimes pardons a Malefa^lour at the Place of execution ; wilt thou therefore runne defperatcly into feme horrible villany, de- j vVedfeeftnot them ferving death , hoping to bee that One amongft that call onus for the many thoufands •' Fifthly, // ^04 a ^ miracle, /eeh^ingof Gody butfeek faith an excellent « DivinQy'^tth the glory ^'^^'^e^**'* JVS^'ga^s^^ij'iJ^^^ Sautourv^culdhonourtheignomtnyof the Croffe ; rree c^J^^ 2fi/t^i!!!!'{^t VfayalmoftoivfellexpeSiafecond crucifying of Chrifi^ mayentcnaiaeuswith asfuchafecondThtefe. Qhrtfl then triumphing on r^^ fpeculations, ot what Croffe ^did as Princes doe m the triumph of entring into may Redone by^»r«fe 252 InfirhEiions for a right comfortiftg, diit^,8ct\hov9-roomc mif ted, fkch as thc^ fardannst aftgnvards. <». Having AkT/^ ni?o^£kc at^^^ye upon this Thiefe, that thou mayeftoiDre fully up'"Sf/i;V°^ into *I^-^^^''^.^^y^'^^'°w^^^P'^3^ures, thou makeO: a cove^ narrow time at on^ **^^^'^^^^ ^^''^f^i^^^'^^^^g^fsment'^ith HeUanipnt'ji £nii-i and tell lu tims theevill Day fdrre isomtheQ: ButtheLordhachpro- enou^hth-n. mnche- ^^{(^^iThoit thycovenantrnth death pjall be dif-anml- fifrsS rmm^pag.ng. i^Aandthy aircement>)fith Hell Jhdll not (iand 1 when e Dykt upon R.peo- ' n^ -^ r n n r 1 J n , I tance cap. 17. ^"' °'^c^P''>^^i'^glcourge JhAUpaJse thorow^thenjhalt th&a heetrodien dorvnehyit* 3 .Ordinarily it is ins- % * Thirdiy»the ordinary impoITibilities of follow-. poflSbleto follow hin, fng the bieflsdTbiefe in His miraculous Repsnt^lpf. as is (hewed in eight Firft,thouartcryedvnto continually by Gods Mef- ^^'^ ** ^ fengerstocomein,now while iciscalledtoDayiyct f 1 b ' d i^ vn t^o"ft2ndefi:outftill> out of this ^ conceit only, or triniM^^l*^ Rapujil ^^^^^^^'C^^^>^^ takcthy fillofpleafureinthenieane SifiejMmgraJam, vrr?* timc,andtofeekeGod fufficiently upon thy Bed of te in diyerfim, toyifiere death, by repenting with the Thiefeat laft.But know Dw gratUr»,eiHodH(m forthy terroLir,and timely turning, that the longer [^l-y/.'fg/awjv/wrf/fo^f- be to repent. Thy cu Home in finning will exercife rerts. Hntti qmm J4»t more Tyranny ouer Thee : The curfeof God Forthy atjtidimHumfraudttU>t- going on ftill in thy trefpafTcs will be more heavy u- IcrfacerentMnopert- ^^^^^^^ The Corruptions that lurke in thineowns ytdkiumaHfierunt.rime DOlome, wiU bc more Itrcngthenedagainftthee. And ne &tnhoc patUre in- this threefold cord is hardly broken •• Thefc three excufMt'M.-sed muitii, GisntswiU bemaftcTcd with very much adoe. The i»^/«j, ddit Deu4 hoe further thou walkeft in the wayes of death,the more SS7;iL"/»r^ unwilling.and more unable wilt thou beetorctunie, ^^uid 'igitur ? An till ai^^bc reformed. Thine undsrftanding will be more ^uoqtte coneedet Sconce ihvkQncd with Hellifli fliifts, thy judgement more iietfsrtal?eywquif.^uid tck forti^^y et interdum,&'e. Co^taqttodtt d: 4mm4deli&er.n ,pvoinde ctiatnde contv4~ tiocoii»a,et die, :^id autertt (tmndefi &c. Tain belinM egrejlufymn diets, non e/i optit nt teftatTtentum condam^fortx^is redibo j Kaqite di nnptift deliberMS dices, uxorem egenten (tcctfum,mu\ti enim et Ik prxter fpem ditati f^nti Heque do.ttitm extruensy fubijciatn fundamsntd putftd^ mtthx ettm & fn ct^titere dstrnv : Dl dnimd auten dgeni, Ap^fehendU, mdgis putrid , dicens , f«rta(!is, ^ fspiitt evenit ^ ^ cwtingit diquan'^ pcfvcfted. ■ ■ '■' . «^- ■■ I I !.■... I l l . !■ I ■■ I . 1 . 1 ■— , Part.l.Chap,8.' jSffli^ed Confcienees. ts$ perverted , thy will more ftubborne, thy memory lEoreftuftwithfcnfuan notions, thinfaffcftionswitt ' become more rebellious, thy thoughts more earthly, thine heart more hardcned,thy confciencc more fea- red, thy felfemorcfold to (inne,and every day that comes over thine bead in this ftatc of darkenefle, much more the Child of the Divcll,then thou waft before. To rcfufe ChriB upon this Point fo freely artd fairely offered^ is to receive Gods curfe under Seale ; and to mal^efure thy covenant with Hell,and League with death, untill thou be flainc by the one, andfwailowedupofthe other, without all mercy, or recovery. Forinthistimeof delay, God growes more angry, Sstan more ftrong, thy felfe more una- ble to repent, finne more unconquerable, thy convcr- fwn more bard,thy la! vation more unpoflible. A rui- nous houfe,thebngerthouletteft it run, the more labour and charge will it require in repairingjf thou drive a naile with an hammer, the more blowes thou givcfttoir,thcmorehardwiIlitbeetopIucke it ouC againc. Itisjuftfo in the Cafe of continuing in fin: and every new (inne is a new ftroke with an ham- mer, that drives the naile in further. SccondIy,with whatpoflibility art thou hke to pafle thorow the great worke of (aving repentance .'or with whac heart canft thou addieffe thy feife unfo it? when upon thy ficke Bed, thou art fct upon at once^if thy confciencc be waking, with the ugly fight of all thy finncscharging upon thee with infupportable hor- ^ ^^-- i^rthKtyii rour, with the pangs of dcath,with s Satansutmofl Ismahriiiue doio tentdt malice,and His very Powder- P!ot, and with the ter- (t eenfiigit -j/aenj fttunt rour of that approaching arickt Tribunal), Which Hfcem^ftntihs (efm^ dreadful! encounter is able to put to it, the ^pi"tuaIi^^'*^^^^ it'^^a! ftrcngthofmanyyearcs gathering. Thirdly ,RefoIii- j, * tiontodeferre Repentance, wbeli grace is offered, doth juftlyineritjtohe deprived for ever after of all opportunitjr,and ability to upciit Jou«hly,it is juft ^. with 354 ItiflrHcl't99isforarightC9mfortmg \S^£t.Z,' -^ J I . with God .that th it inan, who doth purpnfely put oflF rtpenta!ice,andprovi!ion f )r his fouJcuntillhis Jaft ficknefle, Qiuuid for thac fin'K a!nnc, bee fnatcht out of the wond m great anger, even ftiddenly, fo - that there bcfcarceamoncje-tt betwixt the height of His timporaliliappinvfTejand depth of his fpirituall inifciy* That His foolifii hope may bee fruftratcd, and Hisvaiiiepurpofe come to nothing, Heeoiaybe cut of, at the Top of an eare of corne^ atid pm o»L\like. a cundU, when hec lead thinkes of death,& drcSbs of nothing leffc, then departure from His eaitWy h lob 14-14^ Paradife. '^ They are exttlted fur a little ^hite, faith i Kepenttn^mettnfj^eM. loh^y^t are 9one tinihrouqht loro^the) are taken om of ffmutntut,immt.Mttc. '«^ ''^^7^ ^^^ ^^^^^^y ^"^ ^«^ * <#^ '^^^ f^P^ ^f ^^« inLoc. eares of come, FiftWy, a long continued '^ cu- Miev4ti/u»t dd modi' ftome is not woont CO be fliakcn ctf in an inftant. Is ^j^lltum {ntf'fy^^ itlikcthata BUckamre Jhouldehange hli sktnne, and /SZ7wC'!!!HnquTa ** ^'"f^^^ ^""ff'*' in t^/e« ^^ ^o"f« ^ay"> which niinirtimcArmlH gloria thcy havc contradcd in forty Or threefcore ye^rcs-? dumHitetycadit'.dum ^. Therefore I marvcll that any lliould bee fo blindfol- fud/e extolIiturref>e>u. Hed,and baffcldby theDivcll, asto embolden Him- tm^mcrccj,taj„etcr. felfetodrivcoffuntiUthcIaft, by that Place before ptumAltum/fij,ul4r4. Confejftotiy^t mat ttme foever a ftnner doth repent fitur^ fedcafu cmcit4 him of hii ftttne^ from the bottonte of his heart^I i»ill ddim* reyocatHri Sic put all his mckedneffe out of mj remembrance ^ fatth the fuTad\{TnTuTr ^'"■'^' Efpecially.if Hcelookcupon the Text from ium tHwZ"r>l%riif4\ whence it is takeni which Mce-thinkes,being right- tur-.sicdhmfmiinehw ly undcrftood,andtheconditions wcUcoafidercd, is U defcendendo fe erigiti moftpunftualljand prccifc,to fright any from that Uitx^u^hmcfdistA, defperate folly : The word? runne thus, ez.ech.\%. dtui 4c (Inon fumty Butifthe kicked \>i>tll turne from aU his finnes ynvt/HperfciemBurniremhumord^ergituryfeddiurni luminU ffd>it0 C4lnre /tcedfur ' ^ie fpt4mo/44^u4rnml>uB^r^« WW />•/}/>, Auguft,dctempore.5cgp45 8. ParM.Cap.p. y,tted^niidk,cepe <%ll my Sttntmes^find dr.e that which is Urvji^itl and right ^ he fhall furely live» hee pidlmtdie. All hii tranfgrej]ions,f^^. Hcnccic appeares,thatif anymanexpcft upon good ground, aiiyporrfcnintbispretkus prcniife cf meicy and grace, Hce mufl: Uaveall hit fmnes^^ViA k^epe alipeds Sti'.t Sites, Now hew perfornu'fl: thou the condition of leaving all thy finncs;vvh£n as in this laft extre- mity^w^ing received the fentence of death sgainft thy iqJK't'Thj fin»ei leave thiCyiiKdnnt'T hen thy Jinnes^ thar Imay fpeakcin thePhrafe of an aiicient ^ Fa- ^ ^*' '-' ^* f^'" ^^'- Kr ? And what fpaceislcrt to come to comfcrtjby elt,ey4dere>^gepee»i^ keeping all Gods Statutes 5 vvhtn thou art prefently tmtiamdumfAnMes.si topafTe to that higheft and drcadfuU Tribunail, to f^'w*^** >"'''« pani^ givcanexafland Ptrickt account for the contiiiuali "**'^*'" ^*'^** A**** ^^> b.cachcf all Gods Lawesallthy life long? S/xth- 'l^Z"["^^^. Iy,many fecmc to be pamngly penitent, and proniife Etioturu ut teccmilie^ exceedingfaiie,intheeviiiday,and upon their ficke ru i^fio^iitifetH.u, es, Bedsiwhobting rtcovcred^and reftorcd to their for- ^^^refecurtts ei^q^uia iiicfftate,9retheveryfamethty were before, if r.ct}f;flJ''l'X"'^^^^J^' vvorfe. Ineverknew,ncr heard of anyjun-wrought^3^''l?*!«-Mf»^>2'l! upon,Bnderconfcionab!emcancs, who after r ccovc- gere fcemrextt^m tffAm ly perrormedthe vowes and promifesof a new life, t»nc,^H4Kdopeicafcne>t which Hee made in His (ickncircand timcsoFextre- /"^^ »/'«<■'«"'* « dimyg. mity. For if He wil r.ot be moved with the Miniilry, TnT^'T^- ^ *!?" '^' G\ .,, • I I. I rr ' lorn lO.Uc vcrePoe- od Will never give that honour unto the crofie, to nkentibus. Hom. 41. do the deed. Nay j Father Abraham', faith die rich ex ^o.Ambrof.Exhoit. GIutton,^«? if one went ur.to them fro the deady they will adPanitcnt, refent.And hefaid unto him J f they he are nst Mo(es and the Profhets, neither mil they be ferf^aded^ tho ene rofe ■fromthedead,Z»kff 16,^0,^1, It would amaze thec inucbjif oneofthygood-fcliow companions ihou[d now rife from the dead, and tell thee, that Hee wh o was thy Brother in iniquity,isnov/ in Hell, & if thou follow thefame fenfuallcourlcs ftii1,thou mu flfhort- ly moft certainly follow Him to the Place of tor- ment. And yet even this would net workc at all« S i£ 25^ InftrtiUisAS for a right comforting Ssfl, t if thoiibe adcfpircroFtheWord. !tmaybe,whiie the dead Man ft)od by Thee,Thou wou'd/i be extra- ordinarily moved, and promifemucb ; but nofooner /hould He bcc in His Grave; but thou wouldft bee m This time, i, th€3*gfacdefie,as thou wad before. Seventhly, what time vviicn all Hj.;-*- Wife man feeingafdlow, who never gave his name erhesyMmlis^ tagge to religion in hiS life time, HOW only troubled about nnl/^FJ com.' in, finne, when heisfurv%Hce ^ muft'die, will not fu- And Hull nor wee bee fpe^ It to be whcJy navifn, and cx:orfed for reare coiif:unded to fee our of Hel^ ? lM^ [enteKce «,fairh Greenham,f^f-4«8i«;>/>rniniftrcd to our '^beSoulcs operations J nay,rom:times to aittra(fl,and Soulcs and fo fenc a- wttcriy overthrow them. Many even of much know- way, mncheftert Ser^ Icdge, grace and good life, by rcafon of the damj> T,A.i\k^li' f i . 3nd dcadnelFe, which at that time the extremity and JStnJsit? Woultj wee .^ r \ • t n r i • \^ ' r ' • ^iwfeek^t H,m. when ^'^o"^*"^""^!''"^^-^^^ bnn^s upon. their fpirits,arc wee ar» not in cafe to 3bleto doc no great matter, if any thing at all, cither fceke any thing die? in meditation or exprcflioii. Ho>v then doeft thou Would wee turnt to dunke to paflb thorow the incomparably greateft "fni'sirto turn: work:-, thiiever the S.ulc cf Man 'was acquainted our felve* in our Bed ? With in this lif ', I meane the Herv-binh, at the " Point Orji-i/e edAy to leeke of death I It imwofall thing to have my.ch worke to Him,whcn vvee are not doe, ^hen the poresT of working fet a/mofl done. When vfe ^Z'llLrut!^!^^nf''^^^ onrflrengthUgone, our Our breath failerh ui i^^^'^^^cteane fptHt^cur Jenfes appalled, and the po^trs and ws are not able to of our Soules as nnmbe as our fenfes : when there is a fpcake three words to- generall pro/hation cf all onr peters » atsd the fljAdoW f^^u^r^^'^c^^^'u "f death upon our eyes, then fomethi^P "^e "^ouldfaysr butthchoureofdcath. I ^ . t- un 1/ j c \ ^ j « / # Notime,butv«heaHce'*'''^>w»icnlhou]d doe our Soulcs good. But alas' takerh time fiom us, How ftiould it then bce i ikmMf4g^,ilo. - -- CHAP.X. Part. I Cap XO. A^tBed ConfcuHces, T^ CHAP. X. The third errour of apflytm ccmfert Vi'hich U indi* fcrset Afpltcatnii, The fi/j} cafe y^hcrcin it hafptHS^ y-htch istoo fuddericp^ltcdtion^and the demorftrationcf thattrrsf^r. S M^P^^'ff^^^P»'^f"3'^P''^y''^^^^"P°f^«Thf third mor,v.hm ^^WMm ^"^^a^^imect me:cy,2ndoy!eof comfonis applied in- Cr CitbltintO a wounded COiSci- «ii(cre t!y,vvhichccir.cs cncc : top.ifiefevcrallwaicss I. Too foone^The « Surj^con, ^ ^^j^^^toofoone. that heales up a dangerous Sore, ,,„, U, ,1,^,^,,^^ ^nipi. anddrawesaskinne over k^ before Hi^ ccivo^ivc entilmf^'serejcdnme^ have confuttied the dead fit fli, before Hee hath ope- difs faUuATikutpi^i^ ned it with his Tents, ranfacKt it to the roctc, and '^^'"^* impemui tfi w- rent out the Core, is (o farre ffoin plesr-zring, th at he ^~o.jr ihi^J^ procures a great dcaleof mifery to His Patient. For i.By fimiliwde. * the rotten matter that reiraines behind, will in"^ -v — ■- — "^ the meanetimerankleaiid fefter iindcrr.eachjand at dicta , qui mm emei yuL length breaks out asaine, perhaps, botli wich moic '*''""' (in>u m^^^^jar. extremity of anguillhand dijiicuity oFcure. Tney ^/^„ utif^ihw-rifatHm are but MoHntehankes ^^^ they call them', Sii^atterers yhui indffun*^ dum/cr- iv, Phyfickeand Surgery j upon the matrcr, butpiaiiie ynffx^ggerat.jptntn- Cheaters and CouVcrers, who a:c fo ready and 'f*'^^*'^^^^^/"'^"- rer.;utefor P cxtc^poury , and paiiiatc Cures. ^Sf^ir*:,;- tUY^ndum P^ocferftUfyO' clam ft luh j Cr cortq^^er^ttuy ;/A-''/'ag iz.outof CyprtAn. p The true Mali ftcrs of Clirift never coie, sui coirfortihe ficke hafH y.as V\ izards an d Iirpoiiors doe. Gicenhim karting to dedt lfpithdhershuftd;Ud CsnfdinceStHeevfOj.id rrtjlif^ethsin^thit vfcttidmt ahide to tarry the Lordski/ure, ^ut they ma ft needs he he'pid at wce^cycn hy and l_y<6f foom as theyht^rd turn fped^e.orel/ethejwcuU thentkinhs jarvei^feof Him dta eyi^ itf"'^', rmwthjiAndttg the goedopinim conceived of Him : I ctl^efid: },Ht thatlelee-vah nAk^thaci hnjiyihti ii actmmmg raihr.di ittverejo a Mx^ttiin (vrhoS'ya» tucart.iiien oj vro: d mah* j'diy fjuUs lbi/e sver-heah theconfcierice^ayidabtnte fcms prefent griefe ^but fo^ as Aftqf^ards the fmartmaj bee the for errand the grtefe way grow the greater : hereof enfpteih this eJfeSi, that comfort feemethtocure f&r a -while ^ bat for war,t of wifedome in theright difcermngof the CAufe^Menmini' fier one Medicine for another '^and fo for want of s\illy ^ For mine owne pare, the Utter grindeth forer then the former, C divine al- faith Hooh^, I tbinkc fojtliat ^ great Pillar and glory of the Chriftian ^;^'''«« incomparably V/offId for fy ncere and found Orchodoxe dodlrine vc^^hfr^cnch cl'i^ch did enioy.lincethehourc \t enioyed Him. in Hii Fref4ee,fag.^. Though thoufands wcredcbtcrstoHim, as touching Divine kr.owledgej yet hce to rone, but orclyto GoH>the Author of thicmoftbicfied Fcuntainc, the Bookcof hfe,sndofthe admi- rable dexterity of wit, together with the helpcs of other learning, which were his guides, Ji^.'^. VVeefhouIdbe injurious unto Tcrtue itfelfe, if wee did derogate from tfaenijwhonuheir indufiry hath made Great. Two tiling* of principall moirient there are, which hive defervcdly procured Himfaonour tbroaghout the World : theone,His exceeding paincs in compofingthe Inflitution'i of ChnftianRehgon j the ether, Hi» nolcffeinduftrioustravailesforsxpofitions of hoIyScriptuje.^ ^ In which twoihmgs whoGaevertheywetCjthataftrrHinibeftowed their labour, Hee gained the advantage of preiudice3iiiinftthera,(ftheygaine faidj afid of glory above thetn, if they cofifcnicd. md.fag.^, Thcmorc learned andholy any Divine is, the more heartily Hce iublcrilcfi t& Fauita~[bitria*yh.\i tint ccninx^ oit\'nln(littttion: " VfMter Jpo^elitas, p ofi l hri^i tempo idych^rtdsy Hfttcfeptrereltbro fketd4 nuditpitnm Be fides the holy Writ, Nobookcisliketoit. Or, No age fince Chrift broughtforth A b o^c of /b or eat worth. Nomarvailethen,thataIearnedBifhcp ofLondonin Quetnt Elitalaht timcbfguQ His Speech thus againHa lewd fellow, whichhad railed agaia&.CAlyinc: QHtddixtjiiim T^a/*^ Pf/,C4/Ww;w, w*/«wg*/»f ffov potts rt^imret&f* 5 5 '~ ^9^^^^^^^ 2 ^O Infirticlims for a right comforting Se<5i. 2 concurrcs in judgement with this bkfled Man of fsif iptttr hie prlmui God,andro,Idoubcnot,dasalltheraithfull Minirters feen,tht4 gr^dut , Jum of kfus Chiift ; f Letthii bee the (irfl degree of Re* bmiutsfenumt, q^m pgrjtance .r^hen 0\€en feele that they have been arie^ lUtc non ft4timcur4ndM '^^^^ offenders ; and then the grief e u not to hee immedi^ efidolor, quemddmodum ately cured j-onte cur- ' Another excclknt and skilfull Work-man in tfHtes, ut fi&i preponant lYicgTszt myftcrie of fsving Soules, tells us truly 5, W/.V Dei -judicium, xhatthe promife of falvation ii not (iraiaht belonztnj HHdientur. Calvin in ^"^ terrtjisdm confcience,bnt to one that ts not onely locljCap.i, terrified for His pHfiifhntent , htit « contrite- hearted for ft Maftcr K«gers o\ fme^ Vohich is the worke of the gofpell, Lft not Dedha.Ti, Dodrine of f}^,r^ y^ rvearyof the joke of Gsd and the Larv, and fraith, pag. 108. lOfl. ; ■' 1 1 n ? > ■ n , r sro.ijx, make over-mnch hajte out of thit ftate^ for fo maj- they nndoe themfelves : For fome rvithfianding thetr ter- rour , have withBood their falvatien^f^-c. Even at an impatient Tatient gets the Chirnrgion to pull out the Tent and CorrofivCyOr pulls itof him(elfe as foone as it begins to ftnart a little ^and fo ihinkes it is fearcht enough, and now layes (faith Hee') on healing plaifters: But afterward breakes of againe rvorfe then ever j whereas if the Corrajive had beene let lie on^till it had eaten out the corrtiption indeed^then it might have beene V?hole long agoe* : m Part. I Cap 10, JffliSiedCofifcieKces, l6i If Dawbersfn this kind aiA rightly underftand 5. By Scripiuw. and acknowledge, or had ever had any experitncn- taj) Fceh'ng in their ovvnc Soiiles of Chrtjis Rule^ and thcHdy Ghf'fls method, which is firft, To convince of Jinne; tode/eftandhumblc in the fight of the Lord wit:happrch€nfion,and fcnftof a moli abominable andcuricd flate, before there follow a conv!(ftion of the rigteofifncffeof Cbrifi to raife up ; See Ioh.16.^, cr of the nccefiity oF the U'orf';e of the fprrit tf bcn^ dage, to fit and prepare for Ckrifl and comfort j ITay then, they would notdf ale (b ignorantiy and overly in a matter of fodearc and cverlafting importance. They v/ould not £0 haftily hand over-head, without all warrant and wikdcme, without any further fearchjdifcovery or df j-zdion, offer merc}, pardon, and.dlthepromilestoaman formerly wicked jonc- iy for fome faint and enforced confelTlonof finnes.or bccaufenow being overtaken by the tvill day, Hce hvples upon his ^ed,not forany true hatred cf fit ne^ butforprefentfmart, and rxp{:<5led honrrj&c. But would labour to let the fpirit of bondage have it's fill/ workc,and lay Him open mere at large in the true colour cfhisskarktfinncsjandnot ondy caufe a bare confefRon of them, but fuch a conviftioa which may flop his mouth,thar Hee bath not a word to fpeake,but trembles to fee fuch a finke,Sodom a-id Hell of (in and abomination in Himlelftj&c, Ohcw oft have I heard many a poore ignoiant (oule in the Day of {brrow,being moved to hr.mble Hfmjelje m the fight of the X(7r^,that He might lift Him upjfirll, togetHisheatt broken with the abhoirtd t^u-den of ail His finnesi and then to bring it thus bit eding to the Throne of Grace , that ChnJ} might bind ic up ; I fay, being thus intreated : Toanfwer, Yts,yest with all my heart j I am forty for my finncs with ail my heart j I truft in lefus Chnft with all my heart ; and thus vvbatfoever you can counlcU or advife. ^ " ?4, " Hcc 2^1 hprHlliant f or d right comforting Seft»2» ll Hee doth it with all His heart ; wb ereas alas .' Poorc hcart,as yet,His anderftanding is as darke,as darke- ntffe it fclfe,in refped 6^ any, I fay not ondy, faving knowIedge,buta!moftof any knowledge at all j and Ills heart in refpecfl of any true rcoiorfcas hard as a Rockcof flint. NowthofeunskilFull Phyfidons of theSoLile, who in this and the like cafes, will needs without any more adoe, without any further illight- ning or labour, threape mercy and couafort upon tt InJiJs E y^M/^/^tf?-^, as » Marhury pfal.32..pag.5. callsthem, rpho when they "^^cnt skill to helpe their foore Jheep£ out of the dttch , are driven to flay the mi' ferahle comforters, and to take fotne other indireEi courfe (as many ufe to dee in ftich cafes) to cut the Jheepes throat e in time, to make htm LMans meate^ left ft fboald be faid, Hee diedin a Ditch^ They are DefoUterSy not Confolaters, as Auftin fometimes calls them : Not found Comforters^ but true Cnt-throates, Befidcs that which I have faid before, of the pre* cedency of the working of the Law,siid of the fpiric of bondage, to make way br Chrift ; let me further tell you upon this occafion,that it may app^are, that much more is to be done herein, then is ordinarily imagined, befoiecomfort may upon good groundj andfeafonablybes applied to the Confcience awa* kedjwhat an excellent Divine, both for depth of learning, and height of holinede, delivered fome* where in this Point to this purpofe •• r^ n r - No manmufi thinks this flranae, that God dealeth taod terrifies men." with men ajter this Jirange manner', as it were to IqU ' them^ before Hee make them alive j to lei them pa^6 throHghyor bj^as it rsere, the gates of Hell^to Heaven ; ro/^j^^-z^f ipin"tofbondage^as threatned By Credttours to take away -her two Him in higheft pcrfc- fonnes, and put them in prtfon : fo iree having no- tlion; and their infi« thincrto. pay^the La^ix let loofe m^nns, to /W4/^« "»""^^^^^*^««"«^ . ^.- * ■' i \ /ri ■ } \ r cy admired and magni- tmprijoAKtem and domination; to Ajfnghtana ^errtpe : ^^^^ j^ ^-^^ former and all this^ for the mamfefiing of His wflice, Fnr- there appeareth glori- thermore, the Bookie of ^od ts full of terrible threat- oufly Hi« infinite nin^ againpfwners : iVeW fhall all tb^fe he to no Wiredome,GoodnelTe, furpefe} The^tcked are tnfenftble ofth^m, to /^^^ ^^and j^t l^th^S therefore in that refpeti^they are in vaine. Some ^^f''^ of Rcdemptioa, which rffufi needs i>ee^ upon whom the J r,mfi wcrke^ Shall the was the greater, they \Aonrozx€y faith t he ProphetyZnd no m7iahQQzSr2iid}^^^^^ '° ^^^^ *^"^ Stth then, they Vfho Jhould, V^tll not; Some there bee ^orefweetnefl-ejamia- / a ri rr-i • 1 r\ l 1, r r blcnefle, and excellen- TvhomMjt tremble. Tbts the Prophet excellently Jet- ^ For in it appeared teth forthj]{ii,66. tiwhere the Lord fjewethj whom ill the treafures of flee will regard. But to this man will I looke,eve;itowifcdome and know- Himthatispoore>andof a coi:trltefpmt,andtr£m- *^s^».*^' .^^^ ^ bicth at my Word. Neither is tt withsut good eaufe^ ChurThln-ftHisWiTel that ^od dealeth thus with his ow/te in this manner^ dome there 'aopeareth though it be (harpe in the experience. Frrfl^ive muft feare^ infinite wifedome , in tremble^andbe htimb-led: and thenwee piall receive a ^^^^^Z ^^^ ^"ch a >>«-"'/"—.-'-• . Sl^pL'Sii'n* ainocreatcd underftanding could poffiblyiraagine, or thinkeof. Secondly, His Mercy imn: eafurablylwtct and admirable, mnotfparing His.owne Sonne, tVe Sattte efHpt love ; that Hcc might ipare us, who bad (o gricvoufly tranfgrefled againft kim.Thirdly, Wisiulhcein its higheft excellency jinfpariiigus, notto fparcHis ownc onely Sonne : liying.asit were. His head upon :hcb.ocke,and chopping ic off; renting and tearing tharblefled Body, even as the Vaiieof the Temple was renr, and making His Souleao O^^iOg £orfin«e,Sc^.Tfaisyva« tbe pcifc^iou of iuliice. '7" "^^ I, Hit a54 InfiruEiions for A right comforting, S:(fl.2, i.Hismerc/. 2» Hii mercy alfo u thereby mnhtily magmfied. which ■would never be fofweet, nor relifn fo rve lienor be foefieemedef ui\ if the an'fttll terrour of iu^ice httd not formerly made us fm/irt, A Kmg femettmei doth not only fnjferthe Law to pajfehpon feme grievom mA' fnQor for high treafon j but aljo canfeth him to bee brought te the place of execKtton^jeA^and lay do. vnehii y A man, who other- keadmoyi the blocke.ere Hee pardon : a^d then mercy $4 Wife woald not cry,nor ■ , j , „ / l / . / j / ■ / ilied a teare for any ^^^^J i'^ii^'d, am Y melts the heart abundantly vnxth thing i defpi^ctti death, amjiz.€7ns/'t and admiration of it* So Goddealeth with aa(J woald not feareto pu many times : Lets the Ltvp loofe a^ainji us, pttts luin meetanhofto^menjl r^^^- ^^/^^^^^^^p^^r^ ^^^ threalnsth condemnmm fay, fuchanOncjnow-'. tt ,, r r t t t t havint» at the h& m. ''*""* '<^'' ^'^^^ J /<» ^hat when mercy commeth to the ilant a pardon brought Sonle^being nowlojiin it felfe^ and at the Ptts brin^e, from the King, it wor- tt appeares tobe awonderfull mercy, the riches of cxceem keth wonderfully upon din(r mercy ^moftfeafonable^mofl « f^eet, m'>fl ravifh^ neflrof £fand '«/ ^^-^^^^ /^ ^«^"7 -/^"^ «^ /^^^«^ '« '^^ ^^^K'^ tearcs to come many ^^ tt beCAHfe there u no matter of fWeetnejfe or deltght times, where nothing mit? No^it isbecanfcthey havenottafiedof net been cl'C could. Hce is [9 foHndly tonchtandterrtfed by the Law^ and the fpirit ftruckcwith admirati- of bondage ; They have not f mar ted, nor as yet beene on Ot io great raeroy, -^ m n f^ ■ r n , r 1 r- rr r- r ,r fofvYcetandfeafonable #'^^^ »''^ ^ J^'^U of the bttternefe offtnne, nor of in fuch an extremity, j*^^ ptinijhment due untothe fame. God therefore fends thatbeftands amazed, into our hearts the fpiritof fear e and bondaae^to prepare and^knowes not what mtorelijh mercy . And then the fpirit of adoption, Sls'Twc^cprgypi^Iy *"'**" fi"^^^ '»^^'«'^- «-^^^ ^^^ bythUorder^theoneU for joy of His deiivc- r»agntfied^and highly efieemedy by the fore-going fenfe ranee J and partly alfo of the other. otit of indignation a> gainfthJmlclfCjforHijbarbarousbchaviour towards fo pittifulla Prince. This was to be fecne in fome great men, at the beginning of King /^ww His Reigne, condemned for triafon, and pardoned at th'.Blocke. z Exaudi me Doraine. quoniam fuaviseft in.(ericordiatua:M«///)iifWT,*s^Ht mihidiilcetffetiqyodfHhytmeb,is A\x2\x{i.Qonciont iXn Pfal,68. a.In rcfpcAof good to 2. Secondly Jor our good ; and that two ttWw -.firfl^ i-OuTjuftification, ^^H^fiff^tion- Secondly, andtnS^^^^^ %• Fonhc firtt 5 ^ge are fnchfirangers mo Gody Part. I. Chap, 10; AffiiSled Confcietices, 26$ thdtTfee Vet// never come unto Him, till v^e fee no ether remedy I being at the Pits brink e, ready to flarvc, hopeIefle>&c. Wee fee it in the prcdigall Sonne : He would never think of any returns unto hisFather, till all other hclpes failed HimiWSftejJriendSiacquaift- tance^all forts of food ^ A^^Jj '/ ^^^ might have fed fffoKbHikes'^ith the Smnefieewould mt have theught if retnrning, any more to "His father : Thifhi»g denied him J the Text Jatth^ Hee came to Uimfelfe : fhevoing us^ that -nhen Men runne on in (infull ceptrfes, they are mad men^out of themf elves j even 04 wee fee thofe in Bedlam are heat en, ke}>t under ydenied canferts, till they come to themfelves ; Andrfhat faith He then ? I will arife, and goe to my Father, and I will fay unto Him$ Fa- ther, I have /inned againft heaven, and againfl; Thee,&c. So it is ^ith us^ untill the Lord humble^ and bring us hro sn our cwne eyes, fljefv us our mifery and fpirituall poverty, and that in us there is nogoodthing | that we heflript of all helfes, inland without our felves^ and fee that wee mufl ferijh^unle^e wee heg His mercy ; I fay, untill then, ypce will notfeeks his face ar.dfavoar^ nor have reccurfe to lefus (fhrifl, thi rocke of our falva- _ , g - • tion, it is with us in this Cafe, as it was ^'ith the JVoman^ - * ^'*' "^'hom Chrifl healed of the bloudy ijfue. How long ^'oi ifyCre /became to ^hrifl} She had beene ficke twelve ye ares ; She had jj>ent all her Itving ufonPhyfitions^neim ther cculd fhe hee healed of any. NoVC this extremity brought Her to lefus Chrifl, This then is the meanes to bring to Chrifl : To bring us upon our knees, to drive us out of cur felvesjoopele^e, as Id^ as may be ) Tofhe^ us, where helpe is onely to bee foundy and make us runne un* fo ft. The hunted Bcaft flies unto his Den : The Ifra^ elites beingdmg by fiery Serpents, made haft to the Brazen Serpent, a Type of Cbrift, for helpc: Th« Han-kiiler under the Law, chafed by the avenger of blood, ranne apace to the City of refuge. loab being purfued for bjis life, flfd to the Tabernacle of the l66 hJirHciionsfor a right comfortwg Stft. *♦' Lord^and laid fa ft hold upon the horncs of the Altar; A wounded man hies unto the Surgeon : Proportio- nably a poore Soule, broken and bruifed with the in- fupportableburdenofa! I his ab'jminations, bleeding at heart- roote undcrfenfe of Divine wrath, by the cutting edge of the Sword of the Spirit, managed a- right by fomc Mafters ofajfemblies^ chaced furiou fly by theLaw,Sina?,C(3n(cience,and Satan, romtimcs even tothebrinUeofdefpaire,&c. will bee willing withawitnefre,tocaft it felfc into the fweet com- panionate invitingarni<.s,andea3braccnientsof/iniiMtio»e t^makeamHfir^tfrehoij.and"^ hate fin the more, rke '"^**^'^^ ''%"*' 'f' cure df the Stone tn the heart ^{zxm ^ ^»c(''^,ip<^^y^li'''§ cenyerft /mtiddiHferes, rothe fsme purpofe, ^ lik^ that of the Stone in the j4m ^rimnm detrudendi Bladder. God tn^fi ufeajharpe incifion^ and come yfiib >«'. '^'^ hoc ut infpt^Z his pHl'inaand pluchnf in^rfiments,andrend the heart P«>'^p((-'*thdifi'*r,t 4k ' ^ t r ^ f r ■ o '" abmrnre, am tempt' fn ptecss^ ere that fin canine get ofitef ft,— Svenoi m a n yutur* /eje oUtEiLt. iethargj it u needffillthe Patient Jhottld he ctifl into a RoUocinlohaB.cap.j. ffftrnino Vevcr^becaufe the fenfes a- e benuiikmtd^ a^.d pag.133. thiiwtllypake them^anddrieup the hefotting humours '^ ^ D*^fofReptntancca Jo in oHr dead fecurity hefere onr converfion^ God i^faine P' * to let the La>v, Sinne, Confcience and Satan looje upon us • and to kindle the fire of Hell in our foul eSy that fo tve might be roazed : Our finnes fltck^ clofe unto »/, as the Prtfoners bolts^and W^ are fhut up und»r them, as in aflroKg Prifon : and therefore knlejfe, as once in Paul und Sihs their cafe, an earthquake, fo here there conse c ^umio feceatl^outi awightj heait-quake, violently breaking open the d-Mm iegk efi yioUtio, Prifon doores,and fliakingoff our fettcrs,nevcr fhall con/cientia jiimH'Mmur , wee get our liberty,&c. lX7r*^im7eriec!a Thus we fee, what a mighty « wcrkeoftbe Law, I^^TeZZfh/m/j, an d of the fpirit of bondage there muft be, to prepare cfr^f />»«»» .(^jaw, gy^. y:^i mimque Viyini »«. rninii ofenftonem^ at que indipiit'tonem tncurrifftimtrddemque atquefiipendiunti qnedpeccAm turn rherett»r,elJe,utn9nfoiitmtmnilrmcaUmitatibm atque tn'>fer^tbu]tit >ifet4muf Cr expelrie/MH*. Alex. Nowellas loft. Chriftian. Pictatis De Legi$ ufu. Hoc loco dsantp aenitent'dm effe, qu.f ex peceAtwrttm GrirAdtyittddgnitiene ndfcittVy qudper legem Detpnr/.ii' » dolores& itrreremt.nfcientid incutidt. Sctlicettttmyerbo Dei tntns drguuntur fC'.CAtay^ reddttur mens n^ae to»)(.U(ihi, inquietdy pYdtrijiifyet defrtTdkundd/of atixinm^ ccnfr-Bum.et pdyidum^u hono fcr fe Hullare p) orfi^s erigipcfit ydtit csn/oUtionemnaneif.. defied lotH-r Affl:EiiiJiitf4^ ef, fpptttu^ejeffo ae tripiddntey O'ingenti hprrere enncufjm a tm- fpeHuirx Deiy^c. — itt.tqut fie djjeftig dtymt promt^hnts jmtiUdndK^&c^ Harmon, Confefi.p.i.bohsemica Confefl.Ajrt.f.pag.z^o. for > 26g Infiru^iontfor a right comforting, S :(^ . 2i forpjrifi. An-.ihow requifitcitis bodi for the glori- fying of Gods jofticc and oiercy ; and alf<) for the furtherance of our ;ufl:ification, and faa^lificacion. For iliudration of which Poiat, be fides all that hath been faid before, I have more willingly in this lafl PalTagepreltat large the authority of fo great a Di- vjne,(in which, I hope, I have not fwarved from bis {enfQ ) b:caufc Hee is without exception both for holincfiTe and learning : and fo his fyncere and orthodoxe judgcmeut more currant and paf- fable. ObJcAicrfagainft the fdrracrdoft-inc. Anfwerte the ob;eSt< on. CHAP. xr. Ohji^ion agKinfi the former doShine, "Differeneet ketrfeemlegnQ, terroun in the Elc^ andethert^ 0^je£iiaft, iVt hence , it may bee, fomc troubled Sonic may take up a complaint, and fay •• AiaSjif itbethus, what fhall I thinkc ofmyfe!fe? I doe not remember, that everltafledfodeeply of fuch terrourf, and legall troubles, as you feeme to require : I have not been ib humbled and terrified,nor had fuch expe- rience of that ftate under they^tr*'/ 0/ ^Wrf^^,asyou talke of,&c. And therefore you have caft fcruples into my confcience,aboutthe trath and foundn.ffcof myconverfion. tyfft/^^ I anfwcr, in this workc of the fpirit of bondage ; in thisCafe of legall tcrrours, humiliations, and other preparative difpofitions, wee doe not prc- fcribc precifcly jaft fuch a meafure and quantitie : We doc no; determine peremptorily upon fuch or fuch a degree, or height : Wee leave that to the Wifcdomeof ourgrcatMaftcrin Heaven, tbe^»<'{? Part. 1 . Chap. i o. JpQed Confciences, l6 g yptfe Gcd, ^ uho fsa moft free Agent. Butfure wee ^ I gfan«. «te Lord, are, a man muft have fo much, and in that mesfurCjas^^^^^" Mle^libcrtT to bring Him tcChrJft, Inroftmake him ^'^'^^ of 3„|yyerkesasit plea! alIhisfrines,anciofSatans bondage wholly ; willing fcthhimj and thtreis to flttckectithk right eye, and cut ejfhii right ^^W, ods, and diffeitacc for I meanc, to part with hisbea-bdovcd bofcme-lufts 5 Jjn^^^^/^ftjK^jndju^^^ to fell «//,and not to leave fo tr.Kch as an hoofe behind. \^^^ * alvvaVs fhe Jtmuflbee fomucb, astomakehimfee his danger, fa^e / by humbling andfohafltothc Cltie of Refuge , to beefcnfible of firft^then comforting, hisfpiiituali inifery, that lite may heartily thirft for *«• ^^fi**" Roge" /f mercy ; to finde himfelfe loft and caftaway.in mm-^f^'*^^'-''f^-^^ ftlfe, that Chr lit may bee a/^// in c/ill unto Him -J ^^ ^' And after aiuft follow an hatred of all faife and evill wafes for the time to come ; athorow-change of for- .* uier ccurfes , company, convtrfatiops j and fettfng Himfelfe in the way and pradifc offdrietythonefiy and holifie^e. If thou haft had experience of thefe afJ-cdions, and effccfls in thine owne ioule, whatfoc- verthcmeafureof theworkeof \ht fprit of bondage hath been in thee Icffe or more ; Thou art fafe enough* and may ft goe on comfortably in the holy T^*^^, with- out any difcouragement, either from fuch pretended fcruplesinthyfclfe,crany of Satans crucll cavills, and oppofitions to the contrary. Vpon this occafjonjit will not bee here uofeafona- Diftrcnces betwiene bictoteli you, How that Legallterrour,which God t^t terroor which is appoinrsto be a preparative in hiscled,for the fpi-^^^"^8> ^^ '^^''l* « rit of adoption, and a true change, differs from that"°'^j^.j j^ ij ^^^^^ which is found in * Ah'ens,andnotattcndedwitba-aBd ^irit of fearc, i« ny fuch faving confcqucnts : that every one, who but a common workc hath had trouble of confcicnce for fiane, maycleere- of the Spirit. Such aa lydifcerne,wh«b£rithathbrought Him to Chr.fi, ^^-^^'^^^^^ erJert Him unconverted. .j\^ _^ I. That happy Soule,which isundtrthe terrifying Titftekcs after lefus. hand of God, preparing by the woike of the fpirit of*- \r ^ bondage, for the entertainment of Chrift,and a found nocomfort. W6T«ytfia converfion upop that fcarcfulUppreher^cn of Gods ;;^^^^ lyo InjlrHclionsfor a right comforti?tg Sc£t. Z» ftUitdru, fAiTAixixiict wrath, and ftridt vifitation of his ccnfcicrxe for Gn, >«^tf ejl peenitemia,ciuK caftsabout foreafe and reconcilement, onclvhy the fdcejifrw,UeoqHe>,or: j^j^^^^ o£ thc Lord 7r'/«j,andchoaSouIe-heaIfngpro. docet txtmplmn luda niilcsituhe &{Jokcot lii:e,wich a reioiiKc Contempt JMatth 27.3. ' cf ciU other mcanes and offers, f3r pacification: fce- TsenUemict du'ituY mr- lip.giiow5and findingby experience, that no other /m & yuhtuj^qHidAni- ^^yy^ no earthly thing, nzt this whole wor'd, were it '"«'">*"?'>''^*"/^'*/ dl diffoived imo the niolt curJous,and e jcqiiift fitia fuundtm Dettm ^u^cSjthat evetanv cavnall heart conceived, cananj^ S,^gmt MsTccvoictv. i. way affvvagc the Icaft pang of his grieved fpiric Corimh.7,io. Sin mi^ Glad theretoreisHj to take counfdlandadvifejWich »«jj«f>'e^/tflj»^x;»flythatisab!c,orUkely to ieadehioi by a wife and l^m^'Z^tflialio^m'' ^^^^^^^^ ^^'^^ ^'^ ^ well-grounded comfort and re- «/!../ J;^;2«S!^fe^"^^n^"'^ • Aiidfejolveth greedily, what-ever the Jw^rimr4we«;^ej'CJM- prefer! ption and diredion bee, to give way unto fhrefin Mgiavotec /'« It maft willingly in his performance and pradift*; AlgretjUsAetot ponitur. ^nd the feeble tuked hint^fayiy}gt fVhat Pjall -iree dog Alfied. Thcol.PoIem. then? Then came alfo Tublkamtdye haftized^andfaid p.4h Dc Poenitenc. & f^fffo Him, Mafier.what pidlX^edae / Andthe SonldL Iqdi»Ig.contioy.i. ^rs Ukemfe demanded of htm, fajing. And "^^hat foall ^eedsef Thus were lohm hearers affv;£led, Zi^^.j. ''10,12,14 being afflided with the piercing paflages Y)f /(?WthundringS'-rmon; mfenandhethrenwhat Jhall rveedoe} fay thePcnitcnt lew eSfprkk^din their hearti\ A^is 2t^j, The lajlonr, zy^Eis i6*lQ. came tremblingyAnd jell doi»-ne bejore Paul and Silas, and faid,Sirs,'^bat mufl [ doe to bee faved^ As if they had faid : Prefcribeand enjoyne what you will $ be it it never fohsrfh anddiftaftefull to fleflb and blood, aever fo crofTe andcontrary to carnall reafon, profit, pleafure, preferment, acceptation with the world, eafe, liberty , Iife,&c. having warrant out of the Word, wte are refolved, and ready to doe it, Onely informeus firft,how to partake, and bee afliired of^ the perfon andpaffion of Chrift leftts 5 how to have the angry face ofourblefled God,to whom we have continued fUbds To long, turned inco calmnefTe and / ' " "' ^ favour Part. I . Cap .11. t^ffi&ed Canfcienccs. 271 favour unto us. But now a Caft-away and Alien thus But the other does not; iegally terrified, and under wrath for finne^is never went to come to this earneflneffc of care, eagei nefle of refolutionjftcdfaflncfie of cndeavour.wiilingnefff upon any termes toabandon utterly all Hisoldwaics, andtoerrihiacenewjftricland holy courfes. Thefe things appeire unto Him ttrrible Puritanicall, and intolcrabit'.He commonly inTiich caies,hath rccourfc fc/r cafe & remedy to worldly cpmfortSiand the armc oFfitfh. HeelabfAirs to relieve his heavy heart, by a ilrongandfcrious cafiing his minde, and nefth'ng his <:onceitupon hisrichesjgold^greatneflejgreat fiiends, credit amongft Men,& (uch other traniitory delights, ^ fading flowers of His foolesParadife. ForHeisat a Pointj& refolute with a fenfual impenitent obftina- cvjnot to pafsforward thorow the Pangs ofthe New- birth by rcpeDtanceandlandificaticn, into the holy Trade of hcw-obedience.'left Hee fhouId,(asout of a fbolirhandpbrautickbafeneffc.He h apttofeare)bc engaged 6«: enchained,as it were,totoo much itnft- neffejprecifencfirejholineitc of life, communicn with Gods pecplCjand oppofition to good fcllowrhip. 2. Hecjthat is favingly-wounded with Lc gall ter- z. It loves the Miniffer ronrjis wont in cold bloodj^: being fomething come who terrified it. to Hiinfelfe,to entertaine the very fame conceit (or rather mingled with a great deale more reverence, affcdionarenefle andiov^Cjas far re as the life of an im- inortaliSouledoth furpslfe m dcarcnelle and excel- lency the cure of a fraile and earthly body) of that Man of God, which by a right managing the edge of hisfpintuaIlfword,hath pierced his heart, fcorchcd hisconicience,andbruifed his fpirit j I fay, the fame in proportion, which a wife and thankful! Patient would have of that faithfull Surgeon.which hath fca* fonably and thorowly lanced fomedecpe and dange- rous Sore, which otherwife would have beene his death. Vpon the fearch and difcovery, Hce cleai ely, T " fees 2 7 > Inflfhcliom for at right comfortiftg Se{5>. t fees snd acknowIedgeth,tliat had not that holy inci* fijnbeersemadeinto his rotten and ulcerous heart, it Buttbcothsr dothnot. hadcoft him the eternal] life of his Sonic. Butnow the Alien put out of his fe:iriiall humour with horrour ofco'ifcience, is ordinarily tranfportcd with much ra5»cfull difcontentment-, againft the powfcrfull Mini- ftery ofGodspainefull MeiTcngers,\vhoput Him io fuch torture, by troubling Him for Gnne, and frigh- ting Hicn with Hell. And thereupon cries out againll them, at k aft with fccret indignation §nd fretting,as the Di vels did again si ^A>i/? : why doe jon thm tor^ went ns before the time > 3". The other feekcs 3. Aliens in fuch c^ifcse'itertainc no other thought, onelyforeafcj and call: about for no other comfort at all, but onely how. they may recover their former quictneflc of mindjcamall eafcand freedome from prefent terrour. Biuitforamcfldmcnt. But hec that is fitting, by the fpirit of bondage, for Faith, ^nd the fellowship of the Saints, will never by any meanes, whatfoever come of Him, relapfe to his wonted fenfuall fecurity. Nay, of the two, Hee will rather lie ftill upon the Rackc, waiting for the Lord /(f/z^/allthedaycsof hislifcjthento returns anymore unto foolijhm^e , ot hunt againc after any content- ment in the miferable pleafurcs of good feilow- himth h^^h ^'^"°"" 4' ThnMe^efiger,aft Interpreter, * One Amovig a ted it/' " coiJfor- f^jj^^y^w^^whoiniuchacafecanfcafonablyandfonnd' e Si aMt peccatorl ca- Ij declare unto a favfngly-wounded SouIcHa^ riglote^ lumitdte aliquk frrffo , pPifncjfe ;-Si^H\Q iriim^it was Chrifi Icfus onely bu(i- W lethxhter agmanti Qcffdn commingfrom Hssvei, to disburden al/that ZlflZmmDT&"x ''^^'^»-''.'«»^'^^'?^^^'^7'^'^^^«f andeafe fuch trembling. t^yuMJ^^/^pifceMi^m ^earts,&G I fay, fuch a blcfTed Man of God to fuch a cr mHt.itienem yiu in brokcn-heart, jsfor cver after moft deare and wel« meliMf,c!uupmdi mnci- comcj Hi^feetare^eautifft/lin his eye,evcry time He ^^imcrpresUisyo- comcs nccrc Him. Comfort offo high a nature, in ':Z^^^^. extremity ef fuch horr^le cor^equence, doth in ff- Momim xqHitaiem^.^^^^^y ^nd endlelly endears the dsUvcrcd S'iule to Pa r t . 1 Ca p 1 1 . yl^'Med Cc nfcU^ces. 1 7 5 fuch an heavenly Di.-clour. But Aliens comironl) /<« re&itudin(m ilUus ir.akcnogreat: account of gedfy Mimfttrs^ny Ion- KiThhwn v^hec eft^iw eer.thenrhey have rrtlentnecd oFthcm, andthar '^Ta^ ^,h.rAZ.ulL *^ I I r • J I L »* 1 L CI J Uut ihc othtr doth fo trcubleotmindci-naKcsthcm MdancnoiiKe,and out onelyforthe prcient. wiihmirrh. They fee mc to reverence them, while ^^ -v--— — ^ fromthnVccnerall diicourfes of mercy, and Gcdsf'^P''"^'<"i'^^'^^'^'f''^^'»> ffee^race,crm€rcifu!ii!witationstoChri[hai!dcer.f^^''^-'^"""^'«f^'V?«* .-'f' . ,.,, ,, ..'_-, tile ev^a omnes hcmtnet. taintyof scccpfatjon (it they v,nli come in)w\-c.Thcy ^i„p,,„;^ajpffos util fucke into their faife heal ts before thetimCjand truth »«>. Poian. m Ezccb, ofhumiliation, feme (liperficis'l glimtEeiings, and cap. 20. fialhesof cooifort and cooling. But if once tlie hcace f>ftheir guilty rage begin to aiTwagc,and they find a- gair.e fome eafc frcco their farmer tcrrours^ and won » ted rellifii in earthly delights, they turns (uch holy mn out of their hcartSjCaft thtm out of their confci- ences,a'id hold no higher, or further conccitof them, then of other, and ordinary men 5 if they foibeaicto pcrfecute the in with thoughts of difdaineand con- tempt. 5. The true PeniteBt^ having {mzxicd under the j-Ic isever after fcarc.; fenfe of divine wrath,3nd frighted with the flames of '"^^' horrcur for fin.doth grow fearfuUfor ever after to of- fend,and with much gracious care dreads that cenfu- mingfire. Biitthe Alien.whilc heeisupon th-s Racke ^»"h« ®t^«»^'« "«^ **' indced,and hath the hainoufneflc ofhisfins^ and Hell frtflilyinHiseye, wiUeafiiy make n^.any glorious proteltations and promifes, what a rare and refolnte Convert Hee will become upon his recovery. But if once the flonne bee over*blowne,Gods hand wit h- drawncandhispainefullconfciencecafl again into a dead llecpe by the power, or rather poifon of feme Icnfuall rtccitjHc per formes juft nothing : But like a filthy fwine, waliowesagaincinthe mire and mud of earthlinefle and carnaiityjand againe with the beaftly dog, returnesunto,and re fumes his vomit. 6. Hce that hath favingly paffed thorow the ^ i j^h^ cth,nthii i drigsof luch Ipintuall aftiiCtioas,is wont £0 be very ar*. in ihe like caf«. " T a kindlily " 27^ InfiruSikftffoy Aright comforting SeA,2. kifidiily affe£^ed, moft compaffiorrare, and tendcr- heartcdto others, affli fled with the fame wofull tcr- loursandtrcKiblcsofconfcicnce. A woman, which hath her felfe with extraordinary paiae,ta(kdofthat exquifitc torture of child-birth, is wont to bcc more tenderly and mercifully difpofed towards another in the like torment j then fticc, that never knew what thatmiftrytBcant: Andisraore ready, willing, and skilfull to relieve in fuch diftrefTes* It is proportiona- E rfi h " d th not ^^^ ^° '" '^^ prefent Cafe : But the Alien being tain- ^t eot a o tedinfomemeafurewiththe Di vcls hateful! drfpofi- tion.isbythe heateof his fl3vifhhorrour,rather en- raged with malice, than refolved into merey •• Hce is rather tickled with a fecrct content, then touched With true commiferatioti. to fee and heare of others p'ungcdintoth:' fame gulpheofmifery, and plagued HkeHimfcIfe* Hee is much troubled with folenefle m fufftring, and the fingularity of any fcrrowfull Accident. Companion-fliip in crclfes, doth fomc- thing allay the difcomforts of carnal I men : So that fome times they fccrctly, but very liofuily re Joyce, * E'3jcxoi//exetxi*,*/- (fuch is their dogged, * divellifh difpofition) even fecitu ex odto & gdudio ^q fee the hand of God upon their neighbours. Nei- wixtM iCumodiotm^klJi jj^^^ ^,3,^ j^^^ ^^ p^j^l^ ex!:remities minifter any mcancs t'X«ri/tLwT.«fheIpe,ortruecomfortataU,eitberbv ius : Eftafefiufpropri- fell,or any cxperimentaliskili ibecaiife the evUlfpirit uiVtaOoiortm* Propie- of his vcxed con(c!ence,was not driven a Way by a- xramtpfiy carnall advile, Souk-flayirg fluteries of like Him in this pefti. Maa-pleafing Miniflers.plungingdi'lperat-ely into vsH lent propc»ty,aiif Hce hetyof fenfuail plca(iires,&c. had^fputhemout of his y^ He,which after tlic boiaerous temped of Legal! "^°"^ ' terrours,hath happily arrived at the Poit of Peace ; I meane^tliat bkfTed peace Tvhkh pn^th aU mder- flanding, made with God himfelfc m the blcod of hisSj>?me,entcr5 prc(eatly thereupoii into the good Parr.i Cap ii. AffliSied Confcienccs. 175 xr^^Tj, take^ f-'p ^^ hJm the yoke oj Chrtjl. 2nd fcrves him zhtv\V2i\diin heliKeff'e n'/id riohteoufr.e^e all the dayes cf his life. And ordinarily His deeper humih'aticn, is an occafion of his more humble, precife, holy, and ftridwa'kingjand of more watchfuhieffe over his hearr,andt:cnderncfleof confcicncfj about lefTafins alfo ; ailcccalionsof rcandall, appearances of evill, even aberrations in hisbeft ad:ions,andholicfl: dii- ticsj&c. But Aiieiis, when once they be taken otf the But th€ other not i^ Racke, and iheir torture determinej cither become juft the fame men they werebefore; ore'fe reforn^e onely feme one, or other grofle (\nn^, which ftiicke moft upon their cox\{'c\<:\\cq^, but rcmaine unamen- ded and unmortificd in the reft : or eliCj which often comestopafTcgrowa great dealc worfe. For they areas it were,angrywithGod, that he fhould give them atafte of Hell nre before theirtimc ; and there- fore knowingtheir time bu::fhort, fall upon earthly delights more furiou(ly,cngrofle and grafpc the plea- sures of the World with more greedineffe andira- portunitie. CHAP. XII. InflrttUions fer the Avoiding this fanlt of affljiftg comfort too foeue. Hefe things thus prcmifed j I CounfcII to avoyde come to tell you, that for the re£ii- the foimcr error. Tying of the foremcntioned Er- rour, and prevention of the danger of dawbing and undoing forever in a matter of fo weighty impor- '-' tance,T would advifc the Spir ituall Phyfition,to labour with the uimoft improvement of all his divine skiH,beaveDly wifedome, beft tx- T 3 pcricnce. 2^6 InjhfitHo-fis for aright comforting Scft,2. pcrience, heartieft praiers, nrjoft piercing pcrfwaG- • ons,pr€{]: ouc of the word for that purpofe, wifely to I The time ©f apply- '^^^'^^^ ^'^'^* ^^^^'"^"^^^ ^^ "^^^^^^ ^^^ fcafoD, when iag^ he may, warrantably and upon good ground^ apply unto the woundedfl: foule of his fpiritually-nckc Pa- tient, affured comfort in the proinifes of life, and that fovcraigne blood, which was fpilt for broken: hearts ; and affiira him in the Word of truth, that all thoferichcompafliio^:is, which lie within the com- paffcof that great Covenant of everlafting mercy and love, fealed with the painefiiU fufferings of the Sonne of God, belong unto Him. Which is then, when his troubled heart is ioim^l^ humbled under Gods mighty hand, and brought at length to,firft,a truly penitent fight, fenfe, and hatred of all fifine; fccondly, a fyncere and unfatiable thir ft after lefus Chrift,and righteoufnefle both imputed, and inhe- rent : thirdly, an unfained and un-re(ervcd refolution of an univcrfall New -obedience for the time to come,&c. Here I had purpofed to ha ve beene large % but I am prevented by that which hath been faid al- ready :and therefore to avoide repetition, I muit rs- mityoutotheconfiderationiiofthore Lc-gall and'^E- vangelicall preparations for the cntcrtainemcnc of Chrift and true comfort, which I handfed before, which may give fomc good dircdion and fatisfadi- on in the Point. See Pag. 131. l.^j* to the end o£ pag.t4"'('*' & "'' r o. r^u- « r J rr u: ^t'fuifttid Dei.net ttiter inrefpeacfthc <> excrcife,and expreffion upon His ^^ rctpfUfcru^uUon creatures,and abroad in the world, there isfomedif- abtflentia,.j«Myj'c/«»t fcrence. But for my purpc(e,and our Minifttrialkm- »« tffmia,ut fmipf^ef- ploiment and commiffiotijtake notice; Z*''^'*-* ^^^ inter fe, Thatasthe revealed effcds of Gods mercy, arc E*l^yi'''"^"'^' love, cender-hesrtediiefle, compauion; HiS ownc ummuauomnuvnrfu* deare Sons pretious heart- blocd. pardon of Gns,peact M'^ fntiA.owmfqueHu* of confcicnce.unfpcakcablcand glorious ;V)y there "">'**' ^^fjje debet. Po- upon,Evang€licallplearurcs,conibnablcprfclenceof ^^jj; ^S^mag. Theol, thcSpirir even in this life, aud in theochgr World o Pro');r//rJ/«z)«'vo•<- plcafurcslnfiaitclymocth;ntheS£3r^esoftbl firma- uiZsfuttt Aau4'ts U intotinnuinber,evcnforevcrandev£r; Andalithefc vefyviTJxSg ifiA^i/aigs, uponalUrue pcnitcms. Al«ed.ThHk,e With fifimes of fire ^ that meeting which is,as of a Beare bereaved of her rAselpss^torent thec4Hle of thehedrt,anfi devoure /ikea Lj^n^^-c, All plagues with the exrremiry,teTiporaiI .rpiritualljerer- nalljailthecurrcsinthis Boo'^e of His, a!l the tor- meni-s of Htll,to the utmoii iparkeof thoniiiifernall flaoics;AndaU thefc, npnn all impenitent (iimers. Now God will be glorified both waieSjand by tht'iH both : Givcusleave theiijtogive them both their due : Wee are moft willing , and ready, ^s olt great * Now wee his Mini- * Mafter in heaven would have us, //^.40.i i. a\d fters His Almoner* to ourbleflcdSaviour by his example dotn teach usj dillnbute his c<»"- /:«^^. I,. Xo convey by our Miniftry into cveiy tru- lorts.even as many, as , » , ^ , 1 i- (^ \ > r» bcinthcScriptnre,dare 'y^broken heart, ana bleeding Soule, the warmeft not Uvifli them out, blood thatcvcr heated Chrifts tender heart 5 and to and promiie th-m to keepe backc from the true Penitent , not any one fuch (axy indffcren's g|.3Jj^g ofthat immeafurablc Mine, of all the rich rny^r«dy"o faTn'for mercies purchafed with that pretioasblood. want, faying, Give me Bee contcH!: therefore on the other fide, that wee drinlr,orelfc r dicjthen open the Armory of G )ds juSice, and reveale hii wee reach the cup of wrath from heaven againfi all ftngodlinejfe and nnriqh' felvation to hira. and ^coftnteffeof Men • That indimatioHand \^JrathXrU». neither dare we to give Utton atid angmJfj^ihzXbc f