hys,ood7)hir>ity, Pre, ^'J floSi &""
34. Verf. 4. fVifdcftfe is tec high for afoole : by whom impiudentcs
throughout the Freverbes hee meanes a wicked man, funtmali.
Therc^isaconncxioninthe virtues, the way to bee »»/^, Keck-fjf ^-
is to he ge^d , and the way to be cohragictu , is to be »«/> . ^^^'^^ i^^- ^-f*?*
A Wife mzn f^ftrctigi ttndA wan ef k*>t>i» ledge ffaith Sale- |^^^ JJ^ j^
a 3 «f^»}
The E p I s t l e
mon) encreafeth P;rength, From all which it is cafic to
concluic , and hard to be gain-faid , that a cowardly per-
ion , let him AvcU never io big , let him ca ric his creft
never fo high , is neither wife nox gooi. The wicked flee
Prov. tS. I. Tvhen no ntAn ptirfneth,but the righteous are bold 04 a, Lyon,
The kitidly venting of thole two afFcclions of Anger
and Lov^hath made meclong 'wwX-iss argument, and rani
now bee ray excafe. That of Anger , at tlie prefent dege-
neration of mens mtndcs from t!?at noblencfTeof- fpiric
that was wont to bee 'w\ the fcrvants of G o d : the
other of love to you , in encouraging you to as high
refolutions as ever j though hee bee tAksn aivaj that was
to you as LMofes to lo/i^nah, your tutoar in your youth ,
your fingular inflrn^or by his powerfull Miniftcry in
your after-yeares : and ever your friend till hce went
hence , and was feene no more. Amongft thofe many
fpceches of his , which in his ordmary conference
palTcd from him by weight, and not by number j I will re-
fume one ill your hearing moft fitting my purpofe : /»«<;-
eencj and independency (faidhe) make the bravefi fpirits.
And it cannot be otherwife : for , that mans heart which
is upright with God, and depends upon him alone , is
of invincible courage , and becomes like the fpirit of
Martin Ltt^her , who, when ncwcs was brought to him
that both the Empcrour and the Pope threatned his
In vita Lu- ruine , anfwered thus in fliorc , bu- very ftoutly ,
'thcri. Contfmptns eJi a me Romanm faror c^ fervor , Ifcorne
Pfal. ii8. ^. ^fjg ^^^^ ^^^ cp^^g can doe : like that of Tf'avid , The
Lord is en my ftde , I will notfeare wh^t man can doe
unto me e. ^\ ,..
What you heard him fpcakc, you fawhim praflicc.
ladg. 8.2 1, pqj. ^ I may fay of him as was faid ofgideon , Sf*ch at the
mm if ^feis huftrength : hee was one of a thoufand for
jfiety and courage , which were fo excellently mixed
with Tvifedome , that they who imagined mifchicfe a-
gainft his Miniftcry (for, no other occafion could they
ever
Dedicatory.
ever finde againft him than touching the law of his Go d)
were never able by all thdr plotting to doc him any Dan. 6. j.
more hurt, than onely to (hew their * teeth.
And although hec bee now gathered to his Fathers, ^P(al. 37.1t.
yet he ftill fpeakes to youinthls exce/IeKt Treatife, of
which hee died in travel! ; encouraging you thereby ftill
to doe worthilj m Ephratah , and to hold on in thofe good Ruth 4. 1 1.
wayes of piety which you have ever loved. The very
Heathens could fay that a good man i^as n puhlike good : x?"^^'^ *''*'<'
but a good Magiftratc is much more; for, hee hatha g^y«'<=''*>*-
price in his hand to doc good , and is armed with power
and authority to bring it to paflc. Thefe times have
need of fuch ; up therefore and bee doing : put on
righieofijtte^e , and let it clothe you, and let J v s t i c e Job ip. 1 4,&c.
bee to you as a robe and a diademe ; to breakc the
/awes of the wicked, and to pluckc the prey out of Regiumeft
their teeth. And although tbcfe kindc of ircn will for cum bene' fecc-
this very thing piirfue you with envy , hatred , re- ^"^ "^J^J *
proachcs , &c. You need not care ; for , their teeth are
broken , and they cannot hurt you. Envj doth ever
attend goodnefe ; though not as a companion , yet as a
thing which deggs it at the heeles. / confidered f faith Ecd. 4. 4.
Salomon) fvery right rvorke , that for this a man is en-
vjed of his neighbour. This is your comfort ( and it is a
great one) a Goi> and the ^ K i n g fhall honour ^pfalme 91.
you for well-doing : Hee that ioveth pftrenejfe of heart , 14, 1 f, &c /
(though for this he be fcofFed and jeer'd at in the world ) ^iUfct him en
yet (faith Salomon) for the crace of his Zips the Kinjr Jhall ^^.^ \ ^^'^'"^
iee his c friends/ & J r ■ I J kehath r^no^ne
■' my name, Crff.
/ will deliver
him and honour him , eath
ther noyfe behind them , than the loud and
long continued cries of /pilling their inno-
cent bloud.
Memorable alfb are the Funerall Orati-
ons of the two Gregories , Nyffen and Na^i-
an9:jsn on ^afil the Great : And in later times,
to give a few inftanccs , ( for the number in
this kinde is infinite ) M.elan6thon and Came"
rarms wrote the life of Martin Luther j luni-
tis the life of Vrfine i Ben^^a the life of Calyin ;
Antonms Faiifs the life of Be:^a j lofas Simler
the life oi Peter Mmyri2Xi6. DMumphrey the
life of our nioft renowned Jewed,
This manner of honouring the Saints is
warranted by Gods ownc example^ who
(for ought is revealed to us) tooke order for
Mofes buriall , digged his grave , covered
him with molds ^ and made for him that ex-
cellent Funerall Sermon exprefled in the
firft Chapter of IoJhuab» And that all- wife
God who fwectely difpofcth all things ,
thinkes it needfull thus to grace his owne
people, that hce may hereby uphold their
fpirits amid thofe many preffures, fcornes,
teptQSichcs,crueBimckini;s^zndmn\xmcrMc
other
of Viy. Bolton. ?
other miferics which rhey endure of the
world , meerely for his fervice j bee they o-
therwifc never fo wife ,juft , mcekc, peacea-
ble, and unrebukeable amongft men : Wir-
neffe thofe many terrible perrecutions(men-
tioned in Ecclefiafticall Stories) againftthe ff«/^' h^/-
Chridians, though harmleflJe and innocent 5 ' "^ ^'
though they prayed for their Empcrours,
and God did miracles in their armies by *
their prayers,* yer for this onelycaufe, that
they honoured Christ, and called them*
felves Chriftians , (fo odious was that preci-
ous name untothciradvcrfarics) they were
put to the extrcmcft tortures that the utmoft
inventions of cruelty and rage could devifc
againft them , as lu^in Martyr and TertuBian
in their learned and eloquent Apologies for
them doc amply dcmonflrate : this caufed
Adrian the Emperor to ordaine,that thence- Eueb. nn ^.:
forth none of them Ihould be appeached ^*^'^*
barely for that name jUnlcffe they tranfgrcf-
fedtheLawcs,
According to thcfc examples^and for the
very fame caufes, I have adventured to
publifli to the world , the life and death of
this
The Life and Veath
this man of God , the Authour of this
Workc J now a Saint in heaven. I confcffe his
worth & pares deferved rarhcr an advance-
ment by fome fuch eloquent Orators as I
mencioncd before , thaa a dcpreffion by my
pen i but yet a pearlc may bee (hewed forth
as well by a weake hand, as by the arme of a
gyant, Ilhall doe no more. And let his ownc
worth and workcs praife him in the gates, (
knew him from the beginning of my youth,
being my firfl: Tutourin the Vniverfitie of
Oxford, and my felfc one of his firfl:
Schollers, and from that time tothc day
of his death, being above fevcn and twen-
ty yeares , none knew him better , or loved
him more 5 our familiarity was fuch, that
( alluding to tbatbetweene P^/and Timo-
zTim. I. 4. fij'^lmay fay, 1 knew his dodrine, man-
ner of life, faith,charity, patience ^ and now
vvil only relate what I have heard and feenc,
wherin I will not exceed the bounds of mo-
defty or truth,
A^ To begin with his birth . \ obfervc that
HU birth. throughout the facred Bible, and writings
on theperfonsof holy men , their places of
birth
c?/M;. Bolton. 5
birth arc ever remembred ; G o d loves
the very ground his fervants tread on: Ithe
Lord fbaU count ( fay cs David ) when bee p^^j^ g^. ^^
numbmb up the people, that this mm ypas^
borne there i whereas of other men there
Iball b^e no remembrance of them , they
fliall have none to lament or bury them, but
(hall bccaftforthas dung on the face of the
earth ; fo that I may fay of them^ as was faid
of Pope Boniface the eight, famous for no-
thing but his wickedncffc^ intraw Vulpes ,
regnaw Leo , exiipit Canis y the Prophet
Da'vid renders it thus in plaine Englifli.
They fpend their dayes in mirth ^andfuddenlygos
do'Sfne into beS,
Hee was borne at Blacborne a towne of -
good note in Lanc^/Ijire on Whitfunday, cam. Brit pag.
Anno Domini i'j7i. His parents being not of ^^**
any great mcanes , yet fiading in him a great
towardlineffc for learning, deftinatedhim
to bee aSchoUer, and ftrugled with their
cftate tofurnilh him with neccflaries in that
kind, apprehending the advantage of a fin-
gular Schoole-Mafter that was then in the Mr.Yate$=
Townc, Hee plied his booke fo well, that in
{hort
The Life andT)eatb
ftiort time he became the bcft fchollcr in the
fchoolc : and no marvcll j for , hec had
thofe fix properties of a fcholler noted by
Ifocrates and others , which concurring in
one, thruft up learning to a very high ele-
vation,
1. He was (Evjuiif) ofexcellcnt parts and
abilities of mind^and of a found conflitucion
of body.
2. Hee was ( ^tw/z^r ) of a very ftrong me**
mory i 1 meanc fuch a memory as was no-
tably aduated by his ready and quicke un-
dcrftanding. For , (as Phylofophers ob-
fcrve) that memory which tends to admira-
tion, being of a quite differing temperature
from the underftanding , inclines rather to
folly 3 and becomes the ground of that Pro-
verbe, The greateftCUrkesarenQtal'VPayes the
mfefi men,
J. He was ( zMk^^ ) a moovcr of doubts
and queftions j this was ever an evident
lhVci. 46. fignc of learning i by this our bleffed Savi-
our approoYcd His learning amongft the
Do(flours in hearing them and asking them
(jueftions: So did the Queenc of 5*^^410
King
cyTOii.
King Salomon, A dunce feldome makes
doubts i but (as Salomon faith of a foolej al-
waies boaftcth and is confident.
4. He was ( '^5:tcw) a. very laborious pain-
full ftudent,as (hall be more largely ilie wed,
for it is worthy imitation.
6, He was ( ?'^"J'-^°« ) a great liftner after
the fayings and Speeches ai others, and haih
been often obierved to beonly ahearer^and
to fit filei t himfelfc , unleffc hec was urged
with fomc importunity 5 and the things hee
heard , hee fuffered them not to bee loft (if
they were of worth) but alwayes put them
downe in a booke which he particular y kept
for that purpofe.
He continued long at Schoole^and came 6»
not totheVniverfity till aboutthe t' ventieth uuiiuHesin
yeare 01 his age. Hee was placed at Oxford leige.
in Lincolne Colledge under the tuition of Mr,
Randall^ a man ofno great note then, buc
b after-
8 Thiftife anclT>eath^
afterward became a learneol Divine and
godly Preacher at London. In that Colledgc
heefellclofe to the ftudies of Logickc and
Philofophie , and by reafon of that ground-
work of learning he got at fchoolcand ma-
turity of yearcs, hec quickly got the ftartaf
thofcof hisownetime, and grew into fame
in that ifoufc. In the middcft of thefc his
ftudieshis Father died, and then his meanes
failed , for all his Fathers lands fell to his el*
dcr brother now living : but thiscrofleby
Gods providence prooved a great advan-
tage to him for his growth in learning,
though it put him to monftrous paines of
body and mind ; for now wanting meanes
to buy him bookcs , he borrowed of his Tu-
tour and others the bed writers on Naturall
and Moral! Philofophy,andthe Politickes,
and read them all over, and abridged them
all in his note books, which arc now to bee
feene , and then returned the books to their
owners. Nay j fuch a defire bee had to at-
taineaperfe^ioninthethings hee i1:udied>
that though hee was very well skilled in the
Greeke tongue^ yet chat hee might attaine an
cxad-
exaulncffe in ir^ he did with intolerable pains
write out with his owne hand all Homer , (or
H^(?^lamfure)forihaverecneii (though
long fincc) in a fairc Grccke cbarader 5 for
hec wrote that language better than hce did
cither Englilh or Latine^ and asking him the
reafon of his paines, hee told mc,it was only
that he might accent perfcdly J his brought
him to iuch a readineflcj that hce could with
as much facility dijcourfe in the publike
Schoolcs (for he was a famous difputant) in
the Greeks tongue, as in the Latine or Eng-
lifli; ana in them all, hec wrote and (pake
Stiloimptrati rio^ as Lipfins cals it, eath
than that which was holy 5 hee loved Stage-
playesjm'^f anddiceyhe '^as a horrihlefwearer
and Sahbatb-breakeri and boone- companion 3 and
was ever §!ad (as 1 have heard him fay) of
CbriUmas-holj'dayes ^znd marvellous mclan-
cholie when they were ended, hee loved not
goodnefle nor good men, and of all forts
of people could not abide their companie
" that were of a ftri6i: and holy converfation ,
fuchhce would fetch within the compaffe
oi Buritans^ thinking that by tbatlawleffe
name he had deprived the ipjo faBo both of
learning and good religion. Such agenerall
fcorne hath this degenerate age put upon
the wayes of G o d, that the name of P«-
n^^» which is truly and properly the name
^Eufei.HijfL of the 'proud hcrcfic of No'vatus ^ or
ui^:^. r. els of the " vile fed of the AnabaptiUs , is for
\!^:Z l\^' want of feekiag redreffe by our Ecckfiafticali
EA2IAIK0N x^^^^j, become the honorable nickname of
the bcft and holieft men. This wretched hu-
mour Mr. Bo/fo« further difcovercd at Cam*
bridge , for being thereat a Commencement y
and meerely carried with the fame of Mr,
Perkins y went to heare him preach, whofc
ofW^ Bolton. j^
plaine but very found and fubftantiall
preaching meeting at once in him with a
curious palate and unfandified heart » quite
turned his ftomacke againft that good many
thathethoughthim (tofpcakcinhisownc
phiafc ) a barren empty feHoyo , and apafsing
meane fchoEer. I have heard many of late
(much of Mr. Bohons temper in goodneflc
at that time, but inferior in learning) fpeakc
the like of Mr, Perkins j but the eminent
learning of that man (fanaou* ' abroad as l.'^^^'^f
well as at home ) is lo farre above their ^^ipmus theo.
reach i that to traduce his worth is to quc" ^|/'pS'.i.
fjfiv« their owne. And that late learned ' Bi- ^dD^/jbhotm
fliop of Salisbury in the defence of his Jji^repiytoBi-
bookeagainlhhe cavils of Dr. Bi/hop^ hath
in many places amply commended his lear-
ning* So that the precious name of Mr. Per-
kins fhall like an ointment powred forth ,
fill all the quarters ofthis land with a frelh
and fragrant fweetneffe^ when nothing (hall
furvive of his Detra6iors , but their unfavou-
ry and unlearned fpight againft fo holy a
mani And Mr. Bohon himfelfe when God •
changed his heart ( which I will next write
b4 of)
1 4 The Life and Death
of) hcc changed his opinion of Mr. Perkins ^
and thought him as learned and godly a
Divine as ourGhurch hath formany ycarcs
e Hems but enioved in fo^ young a mao : But 1 pro-
Iictle above *o ' ' v» £-
yearesoldwhe Ceeci*
he did. ^j^g^ ^^^ ^^g ofBrafen-NofeCoIledgeM
Hiiconver[m. had familiar acquaintance wiihonc W.An-
dertonh\s Countrey-man,and (braetime his
Schoole f cUo w, a very good Scholler 5 but a
flrong Papifl, and now a Popifli Prieft , and
'f He was for oncofthe* Icamedeft amoHgft them* This
^'ii J G "Sr ^^^ ^^'^ knowing the good parts that were
mmthed An- in Mr.B(?to»,and perccivingthat hcc wasin
' tt^2^hlt^ fome outward wants^ tooke this advantage,
and ufed many arguments to perfwade him
to be reconciled to the Church of Rome and
to go over with him to the Englilh Semina-
ry ,telling him hec fliould be furnifhed with
all neceflaries^and (hould have gold enough
( one of the befl arguments to allure an un-
liable mindeto Popery) Mr. 5o/w» being
atthattimcpooreinmindeand Purfe, ac-
cepted of the motion j and a day , and place
was appointed in Lancai^hre^ where they
fhould meet 5 and from thence take (hip-
ping
Schollcr.
of M'.Eolton. ' 15
ping and be gone. W.^olton met at the day
and place , but Mr. Anderton came not , and
{o hee efcaped that fnare^and foone after re-
turned to Brafen'Nofe^vjhete falling into the
acquaintance of one Mr. Feacocke Fellow
of that Houfe , a learned and godly man ,
itplcafed God by his acquaintance to frame
upon his foule that admirable workcman-
fliip of his repentance and convcrfionto
etcrnall life, but by fuch away of working
as the Lord feldomeufeth but upon fuch
ftrong veffcls which in his fingular wifdome
hee intendeth afterward for ftrong in-
counters , and rare imployments. The
firftneweshee heard of God was not by a-
ny foft and ftill voyce , but in terrible tern-
pefts and thunder, the Lord running up-
on him as a Gyant, taking him by the necke
andlhakinghim topecces, as hee did lob;
beating him to the very ground > as hee did
Pauly by laying before him the ougly vifagc
of his finnes which lay fo heavy upon him ,
as hee roared for griefe of heart, and fo af-
frighted him, as Ihaveheardhimfay ,hee
rofc out of his bed in the night for
very
lob if^.ver.ii,
ij. 14.
J 6 • The Life and Veath
very angui(h offpirit. And to augment his
fpirituall tnifery, face was exercifcd with
fowlc temptations , horribilia de Deo , terribi^
iia dcfide^ which Luther called Colaphum Sat a-,
n for as he was parallel! with Luther in ma^
ny things ,as i fhalllhew anon^ : fo was he in
thefc fpirituall temptations which were fo
vehement upon Luther ^ that the very ve-
nome ofihetn drankc up hisfpiriis , and his
w MdSd bodyfeemcd dead,* VtneccalorynecfangiiiSy
nee fenfi^ , nee ^ox fupcreffet , th^z neither
fpecch/enfcjbloud or heat appealed in him,
as lufias Jonas that was by and faw it,report-
ethofhim: but this Iharpc fit of Luther s
lafted but for one day, but Mr. Boltons conti-
nued for many raoneths, but yet G o d gave
him at length a bleflcd iffuc , and thefe grie-
vous pangs in his fpirituall birth produced
two admirable cfFcds-in him (as well as in
Luther ) which many times enfue upon fuch
hard labour^ an invincible courage andrefo-
lution for the caufeof God, in the which
he feared no colours,nor the face or force of
any; fecondly, a Angular dexterity in com-
forting affli^ed and wounded fpirits , as
" (hall
e?/M^.BoJcona 17
(hall bee likewife further (hewed.
Vpon this hee refol ved to enter into the i o,
• AIinifl:ery,and about the thirty fiftycare of ^^-^l"'"
his age was ordained Minifter, after which
he wholly applyedhimfelfetothcworkc of
the Miniftery , and improoved all his lear-
ning and time to that excdlcnt end : A little
while after he was in the Miniftry^he was by
meanes madeknowne to Mr. luflicsNlcollsy
at that x\mQ Serjeant at Lan> , who obferving
thecomelineflcofhisperfonand the ftufFe
that was in him , had it alwayes in his
thoughts to advance him , and about the
thirty feventh y eare of Mc. Boltons age , the
pcrfonage oCBrou^btonia Northampton-fhire
falling void, hee did by my hand fend foir
him from the Vniverfity to his chamber at
Serjeants Inne^ and prefentedhim to that li-
ving, at which time Dr:,K.ing late Bifliop of
Lo«^(?» being then by accident at the ludgcs
chamber, thanked him for Mailer Boltotty
but told him withal! , that hee had depri-
ved the Vniverfity of a fingular Ornament;
Then did hee put out his firftbookc.co.ntai-
nlngAdifcourJioftruehappmJp^ which hee
dcdica=»
1 8 The Life and Death
dedicated to Serjeant Nicolls his Patrctti*
which for thegodiincffcof the matter , and
eloquence ofthe ftile therein contained,was'
univcrfaily bought up , and divers have con-
feffed, that at firft bought it out of curiofity,
forfomefweet reh(h in the Phrafe, tobke
C H R 1 ST to boote and thereby tooke the
firfl: beginning of their heavenly taft,
lU About the fortieth yeareofhisage^for the
belter fetlingof himfelfein houfe-keeping
upon his Perfonage, heerefolved upon ma-
riage, and tooke to VA^ife Mrs. Jnrie BqyfesL
Gentlewoman of an ancient houfe and wor-
(hipfuU family in Kenf j towhofeearehcc
conamittedihe ordering of his outward e-
ftatc , hce himfelfeoncly minding the ftu-
dies and weighty affaires of his heavenly
calling, in the which for the (pace of twen-
ty yeares and more , hee was fo diligent and
laborious, that twice every Lords day hee
Preached , and Catechized in the After-
noone, in which Catechifme he expounded
the Creed and ten Commandements in a
very exad Planner i And upon every Holy-
day, and on every Friday before the Sacra-
ment
of M.^. Bolton. 19
ment hee expounded fomc Chapter, by
which nieanes he went over the greater por-
tion of the Hiftoricall part ofthcOldand
NewTeftament. And in them alias was well
obferved by a learned and grave * Divine ^M.Eftwick
that preached at his Funcrall, hee prepared ^^/JmeZuT
nothing for his people but what might have
ferved a very learned Auditoryjand in all his
preachings , hee ftill aimed next to the glory
of God atiheconverfionoffouleSjthevery
crowneand glory of a good Minifter at the
appearing of that great day : and herein
G CD wonderfully honoured his Miniftery
in making him an aged Father in C H R I ST ,
and to beget many fonnes and daughters
unto righteoufneffe ; for I may truly fay^ma-
ny hundreds were either abfoluiely conver-
ted , or mightily confirmed , or Angularly
comforted in their grievous agonies by his
Miniftery : for he had fuch an art in this kind
of relieving afflided confcienccs , which
hee acquired, partly by great paines and
iuduftry in fearching into that skill,but chief-
ly by that manifold experience hee had
inhimfelfe and others ^ that he wasfought to
farre
20 The Life and Death
farrc and nccre,and divers from beyond the
Seasdcfircdhisrefolutionin divers cafes of
Confcience , which was the oncly caufc that
made him put forth that lad learned and
godly Trcatife of his, which hee ftiled; /«-
fir unions/or a right comforting affiled conjci-
ences,
12, And though in his manner of preaching
hcewzsa Some oi thunder ^ yet unto bruifed
recdsandthofc that mourned in fpirit J hec
wasasfweetabonncot Confolarion as ever
I heard, and with a very tender and pitifuli
heart powred the oylc of mercy into their
bleeding wounds, Hec (as was faidof Ltt-
ther ) was a mighty oppofire to the Divcls
kingdome, and had a Angular skill to dif-
cernc his fleights and that cunning crafti-
ncflc whereby hee lies in wait to deceive.
He ever thought thar there was no fuch way
to caft downe the lirong holds of Sathan,
and to batter his kingdome, than (after the
fteps ofiobn the BaptiU ) to lay the axe clofe
totherootof finne, and to (ct it on with
fuch power , as that the Divell and all his a-
gents were not able to reflft it« By this means
he
of M^.Bokon* zi
hcgotgroundofSatan and wafted his king-
dome ^ mi ^here'S^ere^aily added to his Mm-
flerylmh whofe hearts x&ere fjftned thereby. liviA
in all his SermonSjhee everufedto difcover
thcfiJtbineflcof (innc, and to prcQe rery
powerfully upon the confcience the duties
of Sandification.in expreflion whercofthree
things were remarkable in him,
I Such courage and refolution of fpirit
as is fcarcely to bee found in anyc 1 am per-
fwadedthatinthecaulcof God hee could
have bcene contented with Martin Luther ^
totiits mmdi odium tf impetum fu^irtere ^ to
ha^e undergone the hatred and ryiolence of the
Tiohoie world, v^hcrcby hee gave fuch vigour
unto the truth hee delivered , that it pierced
betweene the very joynts and the mar-
row.
2. Impartiality j he would fparenone in
iheirfinneseithergreatorrmalljhcknewhc
was to deliver his Mafters will, with whom
was no refped: of perfons.
J, His wifdome^ as he was of high cou-
rage , fo was it excellently tempered with
vvifdome^defcried in thefe foure things.t Jn
■■*A>
^^ The Life and Death
all his denunciations againft finne , he nevec
perfonated any nian whereby to put him to
ihame , unleffe his own inward guihines cau-
fedhira to apply it to himfclfe. 2, He would
never prcffe upon the confcience the guilti-
nefle of finne 5 or other ftri*5t point , but hce
wouldfortifieitby Scripture, by the ancient
Fathers, (in which hce was ripe and ready )
and the concurrence of the beft Orthodoxe
Writers , to ftop the mouth of all flanderers
thatlhouldaccufehisdodrinejCithcrofno-
vekic^oroftoomuch precifeneffe, % When
hce had fearch'dtheconfciencetoihevery
quicke ( as hee would doc) hee ever offered
Christ in all his beauty and fweetneffc , and
powred it forth upon the confcience v\ith
fuch a torrent of Eloquence as would have
melted the hearts of any , but thofe which
obftinatcly rctufed the voice of that power-
full charmer. 4 He would alwaiesprotcfi: un-
to his people,that it was a f rouble & grief to
him to preach againft their finsjhe delighted
not to vex any of their cofciences, he (hould
be glad the cafe was (b with them , that hee
might only preach the riches of the mercies
in
of^i\ Bolton. zj
in Christ all his day cs^ But he knew no
other way to pull them out of the fnarc of
Satan and ftate ofdarkenefTethen the way
hec tooke,without drawing the horrible fin
of Bloud-guiltineffe upon his foule.
But that which made his preaching more
illuftrious , was that burning & (hining light
which appeared in his life and convcrfation
in tbefe five particulars.
1. HisPiety,whercinIneednotfaymuch, « Euerteca
forthatfccondbookeofhis concerning ^i-fuVhoSm
regions for '%>alkwz with God, were framed ^"^"^""^ y ) who
carncftly perfwading him the t he would not
ptrdcre fubjlantiamprcptcr accidentL'^i, e. toloje
bis life Jorkarning^ he with a fwcet fmile fine-
ly anfwered out of the Poet, Nee propter rvi' ^"^"''*'-
pam *viyendi perdere c^ufas^
Nor jet for bye of life lo/e that dare 7,
Which is the caufe lli^e ^myinduftry,
2. For bis Gravity5he was of a very come- GrivUy.
lyprcfence, hee had a countenance fo fine-
ly tempered with gravitic and aufteritic ,
that hcc in a manner commanded refpcd
fromothcrs) in fb much that many forbarc
to fpcakc or z& unfeemcly things in his prc-
C2 fence,
i6 The Life arte/ "Death
fence,that would not have bccn^ fo modcft
in other company : Such a Majcftie doth
grace imprint upon the eouDtenances of ho-
ly men , that they draw refped: from the
greateft ; this made thofe perfecuting Em-
perors to feare the very faces of thofe poorc
Chriftians that appeared before them ;
And this caufed Conflantme the Great fo to
socTAtet lib. I. honor the countenance of Old Paphnutius ,
^•^» though disfigured by the lofle of his eye ,
that hec did often for his dehght kifle the
hallow of that eye which was loft for the
caufe of Christ. So true is that of Salo-
mon-i wifdomecaufcth the face to fhine, and
the rigour of the countenance to bee chan-
ged.
zcaie. J . Hce was very Zealous for G o d , not
onely by the power of his Miniftery in con-
verting many, wherein God had wonderful-
ly bleiTcd him , but in any publike or private
good that tended to the booour of G o d, to
whofe glory he wholly facrificed himfclfe &
A trut ^T7u. all his ftudies , which I can the more fafcly
■fou^hfnlt ^'' affirmc, in that I know tee hath divers times
himin"^^ refufed preferment from fome of rheNobi^
lity
e>/M^ Bolton. ly
lity and Prelates of thisKirgdome , and for
no other caufe in the world, but that hcc
might not be divorced from ihatCountrey
where his Miniftery was fo much embraced
and wrought fo good effects.
4. But zcalcis oft of fuch violent motioB, wi/hme.
that as the ancicmPhilofophers fuppofed of
ihcprmmn mobile, that if the motion thereof
u^erc not finely cooled and allayedby the
coelumCbriftallinum next to it , it would [tt all
theOrbs on fire j and therefore the zeale of
this Reverend man was alwayes tempered
with fingular Wifdome and difcretion , for
though in all his Sermons he preft mightily
upon the confcienceof his hearers, who ma-
ny times like babes childifhly wrangled at
the breads which (hould nourifh them , yet
were they never able to rcfift the authority
by which hee fpake , fo that fofthe fpace of
zz yeares, being the whole time that his
Lamp of light ihined in Northampton Shire,
his dodrine was never drawne into queftion
either for error or fchifmc: fo ftudious was
hee ever of the unity and peace of the
Church of England which hee dcarely
c J Joved,
i8 The Life and Death
loved that none could juftly quarrell with
him^butPapiftsand other Sewlaries, as alfo
others that were corrupted with error or
evilUife.
clarity, 5- Laftly for his Charity 5hee was ever u-
nivcrfaliy bountifull 5 butefpecia-lly hce ex-
ceeded in thofe publikc diftrcffcs of Germa-
ny > France , Bohemia^ i^fc, and to thofe that
flood in true neede: for the enabHng of him-
felfe hereunto, I have heard him often fay
( & he made it evident to m e) that ever fince
he was Minifter of Bm^^/;/^?;;, he fpent every
yeare all the rcvenewes of his Perfonagc
(which was of good vale w J in the mainte-
nance of his family and av^s of hofpitality&
charity 5 And that the eftate wherewith God
hath bleffed him otherwife,was meerely rai-
fed by that temporall eftate he had at firft.Lct
them therfore of his own coatefrom hence-
forth ceafe to traduce himjwhom they never
did nor dare to imitate. I am fare theTowne
of Broughton will ever have caufe to bleffc
God for his charity ; for when that lamen-
table fire was among them , September 21.
Anno Domini 1626, befidesthe many pounds
hee
ofy[}» Bolton. 2p
hee fpcnt out of his ownc pttrfca hee was a
chief e mcanesihat by the only fupply of the
Country without any Letters Patents from
above their houfcs which were burnt downe
unto the ground were all new buihjand their
outward cftatcs liberally fuftained and up-
held. Nay fuch was his charity, that though
Tome of his owne towne had not onely flan-
dcred his Miniftry , but wronged him in his
tithes, yet hee put it up, and never called
them to quertion as hee might , nor ever had
any fuite with them all bis day es. SothatI
may for conclufion fumme up all this in that
wittie commendation of N^^/<^«^^« on Bafil
the Great f Hee thundredinhis DoCtrine •, and ^'I'l^l^'J^'^''
lightnedinhis con^verfation, M'^'^-
This ineftimablcireafureitpleafcd God . M«
to put in an earthen veflell, and about the «»^ iw!*/
beginning of ^^^f^wfor Iaft,bcgan to brcakc
it by vifiting him with a §}Ufirtan ague • a dit
cafe which brought C^Z-rm to his end , and
by the judgement of the beft Phyfitians, by
rcafon of the long and grievous paroxy fmes
whereby itafflids , is ever deemed mortall
unto old men ; and fo it appeared to him ,
c 4 for
lo The Life and T>eat/:)
for perceiving after two or three fits that it
maftered his ftrength , hee patiently fubmit-
tcdtoindure, what by ftrugling hee could
not overcomcj And called for his Will which
hee had made long before, andperfeding
fome things in it^hcc caufed it to be laid up,
and afterwards wholly retired into himfelfe
quitting the world, and folacing his foule,
with the meditation of the joyes of heaven ,
which he had provided to preach to his peo-
ple, for having compiled an elaborate di(^
courfc, dequatuor Noyifsimis, of the foure
laft things, Death, Ivdgement, Hell
and Heaven, an argument that fome Ic-
fuites & Friars have bungled in , and having
finilhed the three former, told them that the
next day he would treat of Heaven ^ But the
day before being Saturday hecwasvifited
with ficknefle 5 and never preached after.
God thenpreparinghimfor the fruition of
thofe inexplicable joyes which hee had pro-
vided for his people in contemplation.
His fickeneffe though it was long and
fharpc , yet hee bare it with admirable pati-
ence, for he (aw Him that is inyifibk^ and his
whole
c/M^. Bolton* 51
whole delight was to bee with Him, often
breathing out fuch fpeeches as ihefe whiles
the violence and frequencie of his fits gave
himanyintertniffion. Oh ^hen mQ this good
houre comes when JhaU I bee difjohed^ when
(had I bee mth Christ? Being told that
it was indeed better for him to bee dif-
folved, but theChurchof G o d could not
roiffc hin) nor the benefit of his Miniftry.To
which he thus fwectly reply ed withD^i'i^; ^-Sim. ly.
Jfi (haUfinde favour in the eyes of the Lord bee * ^ ' ^ *
ypill bring mee agme and/hen^ mee both it and his
habitation , but ifother'9Pife , loe here lam , let
him doe '^hatfeemeth good in his eyes, &eing
asked by another, whether hee could not be
content to live if G o d would grant him
life, hec thus anfweredj I grant ths life
is a great bkfsing of God, neither y^ill I y^e-
gleB any meanes that may prefer being Saturday the 17 day ofD^-
cembery Anno Dom^ 1 6 5 ?i, it^the LX'*^* yearc
ofhisageyeeldeduphisfpiritto God that
gave it , and according to his owne ipeech
celebrated thertpnfuingSabbathin thjE:King-
dome oi Heaven, Thus in the fpace of fif-
teene weekcs wasthefirftand raoft glorious
lightput out mBrot^hon.thsLt ercihattowne
injoycd or tiiat many ages w(il tcJidcr againe
And
?^
The Life and Death
And thus have you Cgood Reader) the
Life and death of this very learned and god-
ly man trucly fet forth : If any man (hall
contradid any thing that I have written of
him i I (hall not bee carcfull to anf wcr him :
For,ifhebegoodjand well knew ,Vr. Balcony
hcewill not have the face to objed : if hec
bee * bad, 1 hold him not worth anfwering :
Khallonelyfay to him in the language of
Tacit t^Sydidicit tile mdedicere^iff ego contemner e^
He hath taught his tongue to (peakeiH and
I have learned to contcmne it.
There is onelyoneobjcif^ion which I will
anfwer and no more) which began to bee
muttered in his life time, and is now likely
to make a lowder noife,if it bee not put to fi-
lencc.
rhis preaching twice a Sabboth is more
than needsjhalfe of it is hut prating: And Mi-
niftersundertheGofpell may take more li-
bertic, and arcnottiedtofuchprecifenefle
and feverityoflifeas he ufed.
Iwillnotgracethisobjedionfomuchas
to bee long in anfwering it : The former
part of this obje&ion this learned Author
* Contri Sy- -
cophama:
morfv^rn noti
eft remedium.
Sea,
20*
ObjeB.
Anfmr.
in
of M^. Bolton* ^y
in his Book« of Walking yoith God, and in
bis Epiftle to his laft Booke dedicated to
that religious noble Knight^Sir Ri^ben Carre^
both by reafons and the conftant pradice
an dprcceprs of the ancient F^^/?irrx, preach-
ing twice a day , fometimes every day , hath
abundantly and unanfwerably confuted,
I will onely add two examples of later times,
ihcone , of renowned Cal'^in (the glory of fn vha catv,
Jiisage) who F^reached or Leisured almoft S'^ c^>/ea.
every day , and fome dayes twice , which ^'^^'
Preachingswcrefoexcellentjthat they were
the matter of thofe laborious and learned
Cowfw^^r^nVjof his upon the Bible, which
occafioned Dr. R^w^/^i aptly and truely to
call him do^ifsimus ilf fidelijstmus Scripture
interpresy the moft learned and faithfull ex-
pounder of Scripture. The other, of our
moft precious leweU^ who was a very fre-
quent and conftant Preacher, and haftned
his own death this way: f or^riding to preach
at Lacock in Wilt Ihire^ a gentleman that met
him perccivingthc fecbleneffc of his body ,
(which hce had wafted out in inch ^pint uall
labours) advifed him for hii hcaltls lake to
rciu^e
:58 The Life and Death
rcturne home againc. To whom this godly
Bithop by way of allufion to that brare
{pccch oi^Fefpaiianxhe Emperor thus excel-
lently rci^\ycdjOporte$epffcopum concionantem
* oportet im- wj^ri, which in the * ftorieof his life is thus
ftnmc°m moti. cnghfticd, if bsc0mmeth befiaBiPjopto dieprea-
♦z).HM«/)fcreyfgntly after the Sermon heewas by reafon
B,'/we//. of fickncffc forced to his Bed , from whence
hee never came off, till his tranfladon to
Glory.
For the latter part of the Objedion tou-
ching that prccifenes of life that was in him
and which ought to bee in the Miniflers of
God, Let him that objcdeth but well read
and minde thofe ftrid precepts of the Apo--
I Tim. 5. ftlc PauhoTimothy and Titus ^ the examples
of primitive times and thofe precife injun-
dions for the Clergy that arc difperfed
,, „ throughout the whole body of the Canon
cbrietucqux LaWjand to comcneererhomcm the Fro-
defbr, vinciall Conftitutions of Canterbury , But ef-
TiSri pccially in thofe excellent reformed Ecclefi-
O ClCUCl L J
"^ ? afticall Lawes compiled by the two and thir-
suph. M ctn-ty CommiUioners (whofe names I have
"'•"""• fccnc
corum
mam omnes
omnino
abftincant
vigilantci
c/M*Boiton* ^^
under * J[?"»g Edward the fixchi owne ^^^ g. s*.
tandappoincedbyhim for the purgatron Ro^ cotton.
of that toulc body of the Cannon Law) deformitas in
and I doubt not but hcthat/ocbjeaeth r'Xm't
will cither be afliamcd of bis ill t^npue, or "pf^^ff^^^^-
hisilMlfe, ^^'^^^ hone.
Thefc laft Laws were by Royall Autho- cu/Smifcet
rity printed in the Moneth of April! /mm cdSLm
Di^»ii»M57 uand are ar this Day fforoueht '"»*^"'^f«^^ ^opiofc ac falubtiur fancita
epifcopum, c^ui fucfunts eadcm inpofterum iifdemposniSyrvel ma-
lem mag.fti:t. jonbtfSy orbitrio Ordmaftf mponendis objer-
Xamfuna?- "VMUT I Yiec appeUatio executioHembanc qu^ad
Jt'^'fentTb ^^^^^ correkionempminet fu^endoPy Cone.
ofEctofum.no. Ttiden.feff izXapA.
^4l\if\\l^* If any man have any more Objefti-
ons againft this reverend and gracious A u-
ihor>
o/M»Bolton.
¥
tbor, F will give him no other anfwer than
our Saviour did to that cm\o\x% §lueflieni[ly Luk.10.3r*
G$eibu and do kkemf e^And f make no doubc
but that al thefe Cavils againft hi(n(for they
can be no other)\\ ill by a fweet and facred
exchange be rcfolved into earned contenti-
ons after that happineflTe which he now en-
joyes at his right hand where is> Fulnefe of
jojandpkafuresfouyermore»
f 5j
ftefd Rctder,
I S other -Works «f this incomparaWe jixtthcttr.hxYz
their fcalc/o in fpccial this Fo/^-i-tfwiw.hislaftand
hf&w&tk oaTkejaure la/f tlfmgs. Nofooncrwss
it put to publicke view, but prefently icwa«takca
up,and r«*d with imich contcat. \ AippoJc ihafurc
thatmuchwiong would be done bot"h to the de-
ccafed Author i^ni alfo to futvivmg iican-:xcd.Thetis alfo in thised.tion added, more then
inl the focnie r, a pious & powerful 5'erwJ9i» preached at theFnnerall
of this Worthy ^4Uthor^ which drewabiindancc of ceaics Jjom the
eyes of the then prefent >^«i/tf«rf,and may yet fiuther worf c on the
Readers thereof, I commend all(good Reader)to thy courteous ac-
3. Wherein wee
may confider, i. The Time, when the Song fhall
The ciuTcUs be fung ; I» that Day ] which w-e may underftand,
^'y- I. Hiftorically, literally, typically, of the Ifrae-
lites deliverance out of Baby lon,and the miferable
flavery
BEFORE DEATH.
flavery thereof. 2. Anti-typically, of thcblef-
fed enlargement of G o d s E le<9: out of the fnarc
and bondage of the Divell. 3. And myftically
alfo, (as fome Divines thinke)of the joyfiill corn-
mi ng ofChriftians out of fpirituall Babylon, Rev.
17.5. and from under the tyranny, of Ancichrift.
4. Complementally, of gathering the Saints out
ofthis vale ofteares^and from the eager purfuit of
thatgreat red Dragon,and the powers of darknefle,
into lerttfdem which is above, where they fliall
joyfully fing triumphant Hallelujahs in the higheft
heaven foreverandever,(7/i/.4.2 5. 2. The Mat-
ter of the Song • which is. Salvation^ Ver. i . Peace,
Vcr. 3 . Holy Compar^y , Ver. 2 . P ure pleafurc, com-
fort, found contentment,^^ .
3. An Exhortation, or exhortatory Apoftro- inheemeHu h
phctotruftin/^W^^. And there is added, for ''"JJ/^ '>» Jeho-
ever-^ left upon Gods delay ,andrefpitingreliefe, ^^ *
we iliould dcfpaire or have recourfe unto the arme
offlefh, Rcafons to enforce this exhortation are
three, i. In Him is ^^ch^f^x ru^esfecalorum, c-
verlafting ftrength,Ver.^ Arockofeiermty^upon
which we may for ever fwectly and fafely reft and
rcpofe our felves,amidft the many furious ftormes
and boifterous waves of this troublefome world.
2. He is able to tame, take downe, and trample irl
the mire, the in^folency and pride of the moft ra-
ging perfecutors, Ver f. 5. Andtoraife His, though
never fo low and languifliing, tofctthem upon a
Rockeoffafetyand falvation for ever, and to give
them the ncckes of their enemies to tread upon,
Vcrfe 6. 3. Hee yveig^js and ^watches over
B 2 ' the
4 PRE PA R ATION J
the waycs of thcj»/?, Verfey. See Uremie 1 7.7.
Now whereas the Prophet in the firft place
doth fumifh the people of Go d before-hand with
a ftrong counter-comfort and cordiall againft their
faintirgs in the fornace ofaffli(flion,we may thence
beinftruded,that,
PTdvijiQn to be Do cr, Jtis an holy wifdom!', andha^fy thingyU
male a^ain/t trcafureupccmfcrtahlefrovifionagainfitheDdy
theeviUday. ofcaLimty.
' It is good coun felly md aklejfed csurfe, tofioreuf
comfort agofnfl the evtllDay .
He that gathereth in Summer, (faith Salomon) k 4
fonneof under fan dng : But he thatfleefeth in Har-,
n/efiis a fonne of confufim, Trov. 10.5. If not by an
immediate fcrnre,yet by a warrantable analogy and
good confequent this Place will beare this Para-
ph rafe.
M'lfcVtt^t ofCe- That man which now in this fliire and feafonabic
^uy tn quiet. Sun-fhineof his gracious vifitation is lull'dafleepc
with the Sy ren-fongs of thefe fenfuall times upon
the lap of pleafure ; fwims downe the tempori-
zing torrent of thefe laft and lewdeft dayes with
full faileofprofperityandeafe, againft thefecret
wafts and counter-blafts (as it were) of a reclaim-
ing confcience, as thoufands doe, to their utter un.
doing for ever; mif-pends his golden time, and
many goodly opportunities of gathering fpirituall
M^tnnay ingrafping gold, gathering wealth, grow-
ing great, greatning his pofterity, clafping about
thearmeoffleih, fatisfying the appetite, and fer-
ving himfelfe : In a word, he that while it is called
Today,x\xm^s not on Gods fide^ and by forward-
ncfTc
BEFORE DlE^Arh. 5
neflcand friiitfak^ire in-bij^^bl^lTed'^^yeisi'trtf^
fures up comfort and grace dgairift his eftdin^
houre, Hiall m6ft certainly tijyqn'Risb^d of d«#h,
and ilUiminationof c'onfeicne^,' find ttothiftg M
horrible con&fidn ai^d fckrtf ,; tiaireanfef^ ^^tt&di
and infuppoitable bcivineSe oirMstti'hh foiife
maH prefently downc intx) the; kin^dome of dari-
ncflc, and bottomc of the burnifi^Iake, ttefdto
Ke everlaftingly in terttpeftuoui" and ffcf^/'tjdfc
mcnts, the (ling and ftrength.wheirdof doth ilbS
oncly furpafTe th6 pens and t6ngues of Men ;Jnd
Angels, but the very conccipcofthofethatruffej^
them, which if amanknevv, he would not indurS
one houre for all the f>leafares often thoufand
worlds: His body (the pleafing and pampering
whereof hath plunged him kiro fhch a fea|>REPARAT10H
corwjption^ c^f the tiinesj^ groW$ in gojdlin elFe^'
Gods favour, andfruitsofgoodlifc; purchafes
and pTcfervcs (though with the lolTe of all earthly
delights) peace of confcience, one of the richeft
ticafures and tareft^jcwcls that ever illighcned and
made lightfQme the heart of man in this world : I
fay chat man, though never fo contemptible in th c
eyes of the worldly- wife, though never fo fcoror
fully trod upon, and overflowne by the tyranny
and'^fwelling pride of thofe ambitious felf-flatte-
ring Gyants, who, like mighty winds, when they
have bluftered a while, breathe out into nai^ht,
fhall moll: certainly upon his dying-bed meet with
a glorious troupe of bleflrc4 Angels ; ready and re-
joycingto guard and condocfl his departing Soule
into his Majlersjoy . His body fhall be prefervcdin
thegrave by theall-powerfull providence^ as in a
Cabinet of reft and fweeteft,neepeA pcrfumediiy
the buriall pf our bleffed 5sa Viohvji:^ until! the
glorhM4 apf earing ef the gnat Q^o p^ Andthen^af-
ter their. Joyful left re-union, they flball both be
filled^and (liine thorow all eternity ,'w4^h fuch glo-
ry and bliffe, which in fweetenefte aijd excellency
doch infinitely exceed the poflfibility of all.hur
*^*J'J|8'^'[>raaneor Angelicall *conceipt.
u&nT^ czllr't Thus y ou fec in fhort, what a deale of confufi-
fnfficit ilia fu- on that miferable man heapes up for his precious
ITs'^anu'fmt ^^^^ ^^*^"^ "^^^ Day of wr^th, which: fpcpds
{audia ; An-
{clorura choris intereflc, cum bsatiflimis fpiritibus gloriae cpnditeris afliftcre,
prxfencctn Dei yultinn ccrnere, iucircumfciiptuna lanvp yidcrc, nullo
Biorcjs metu aiBci, incorruptionis perpe(ux munere Istari^ ^$. Grt^^r. Hom.iJ.
hEvmiT*
the
l&mOA'&^iii^tH.
thefpan of his traftfitory life after the waies ofhis
owne heart:andhow truly he is a fonne ofunder*
(landing, who in the few and cvill daiesoffhort
abode upon earth, trcafures up grace and fpirir
tuall riches againft the -dreadfull winter night of
.death.
For I would have you underftand, that by ^om- jf^at pfviji^
•/•/Lands, livings, or large ' polTeflions ; I meane , RiiUt,
•Hot weahh or riches : Alas ! Thefe mil not profit in -^
the My of wrath, Pro v. 1 1 .4 . They certainely make
themfil'vts wings y and in our grcatefl: need, wiil/r^
<0svdj as an Eagle toward heaven^ Prov .23.5.
- I meane not filver or go Id : they fliall not he able
te deliver in the day of the Lords wrath, Zefh. i . 1 8 .
Will he cfteemc thy richest no not gold, nor all
fthe.forces ofiftrength57i'^,36.ip.
-' : I meane not top of honour, or height of Place t x houutu
it were fomethingco
grow: rich, and rife by yile accommodations, and
(crying their turnc in the meane time. But fuch
a man (hall ccrtaincly ( is the day of his laft ahd
greatcft need) bee caft with horrible confufion
of rpirit, and iji^curable griefc of heart , upon WoL
fui rufull complaint* and cry out wh^n it)isto6
late : Had I beenc 4s carefuf tofirve the G on of he a-
*veH, as my greaf (J^dJierm e4rth 'j he had never lefi
fnet in f»y gray hdres. Favours ofgteatncflfe may
follow a man in faire weather, and fhinc upon his
face with goodly hopes and cxpecStation of great
things; butrnftipwracks even of worldly things,
where allfinke$, but the forrow to fave them 5 or
cfpecially upon the very firfttempeft offpirituall
diftrcffe, they fteere away before the Sea and
Wind, leaving bim tofinic orfwim; without all
poflibility of helpe pr i^fcue, eVeojto the rage of a
wounded confcience,' ^nd gulfe (many times) of
that defpcratc madnelfe, which the Prophet de-
fcribes
BEFORE DEATH. 9
fcribcsj /J4 . 8 . 2 1 ,2 2 , He paUjret hjmfelfe, and cur fe
bisKmg and his God, md looke upward, t^ndhe
Jhail loch unto the earth : and hchold trouble ofrd
ddrkmfiejdimnejfe ofAngmjhj and hejhalLbedrwen te
darknefc^ . .
By comfortablcProvijion therefore, I mean trea-
furcs of a more high, lafting, and noble nature.* irhat ^rovifi-
:.T;hc bleflings of a better life, comforts of godli- Z.^jf'*"^
'JQCjffe,. graces of falvation, favour ^nd acceptation
with the higheft Majefty,&c. They arc the riches
of heaven onely which we fhould fo hoard up,
md will ever hold out in the times of trouble, and
Day'bfthe L o r i) a wri&h.. Amongft which,a
found faith, and aclcare confcience are thcmoft
pecrclefic and unvaluable jewels 5 able by their
native puifTanec, «and infufed vigour, to pull the
very heart .( as it were ) cut of Hell, and with
cormdencc and conqueil: to looke even Death
and the Divell in the face. T here is no darkeneflfc
fo defolate, no croffe fo cutting, but the fplen-
dor ofthcfc is able to illighten, their fwcetncfTc to
mollifie. " i Ml ;
So that thebleffed counfcll of C h r 1 s t, iAUt. mu.6. 1 9,t«»
^.ip,2o. doth concurre with, and confirmethis fxpounJed,
Point: Lay not up fir your felvestreafures upon earth,
when nwth 4ndr»ftdi>th cor ruft 'j and where thecves
Ifreaketherorv and fieaU, Bui lay up for your fehes
Sreafures i» hennjen, v>here neither moth nor ruji doth
corrupt, and where theeves do not hreake thororv^ nor
By moth and ruji thofc two greedy and great
devourers of gay clothes, and ghftering trcafures,
two
.10 PREPARATION
^** ^"""i? *^ *^^ capitall vanities upon which worldlings
^tbingt!^ ^ dote, and two greateft inchauntcrs of mortal!
men, are infinuated and fignified unto us all
thoTe iron teeth, znd devouring inftrumentsof
mortality, by which corruption eaccs into the
heart of all earthly glory, waftes infenfibly the
bowels of the greateft bravery, and ever at length
confumes into duft the ftrongefl finewes of the
moft ImpcriallSoveraignty, under the Sun. The
Lord of Heaven, hath put a fraile and mor-
tal! naturCi, a weake and dying difpofition into all
worldly things. They fpring andiflourifh, and
ent? ui ^^^' Even the greateft and goodlieft Politique
aeTaita fccuii Bodles that ever the earth bore, though animated
corrimat, puU with the fcatchittg fpirit of profoundeft Policy;
unt^ NamTum ftfcngthencd with the refol'ution and valour ofihe
ftaieinhisflo- Hioft conquering commanders, fighted with Ha-
ribusriiumun. glc eyes oflargcft depth, fore-fights and comprc-
rcpentina foi- henhons of State, crowned with never lo many
tuna turbatur: warlicke profpcritics, triumphs, and vidorious
aut feftina, & atchievemcnts, yet (like the naturall Bodyofa
omnia deem- , 11/. 1 • -, r 1
bantc morce man ) thcy had ( as it were ) their Inrancy, youth-
conduditai. fullftrength, mansftate, old age, and at laft, their
SgJIfi g'^ave. We may fee (D^.2.35.) thegloryand
cu!i, quxqua- power of the mightieft Momirchies that ever the
blandiumur- ^"" ^^^^ fliadowcd by Nebuchodnc^^^rs great I-
fed" amator'es magejfink iuto the duft, and become like ^^(f cbAfe
fucg , cito of tie Summers tbrefhfftgfloores, uvonzwindy day*
trapfeundode-
cipiunt. Greg.in t.RegCap.ix.
Vnto aU'Dojttinions God hath ftt their periods : tvho, though }:e hath ^iventa man
the f^nowleJge tjthofi wiyesiy which ({ingdomes rife andfali tyet hath left himfubjeSl
ttnto the ajfe£ltont r^hich drait> on thefe fatai (banget in their times appointed^ Sr Walter
Rawleigh.P.i.Lib.y.Ctp.j.Seft.if.
Heare
BEFORE DEATH. ii
Heare a wife and noble writer fpeaking to this pur-
pofc, though for another purpofe : Who hath not ^^^^*,";
§hfervedy what labour , what pra^ice,feri HyhlBnd-fhed,
d/td cruelty, the Kings And Princes of the world have
undergone, exercifedytaken onthem,and committed-^ to
make themfelnjes and their ifues M afters oft he world ? ''^'^ .""*J^ •(,'*'
%^nd yet hath Babylon, Perfia, Egypt, Syria, Ma- f* ^I'He worii
cedon, Caithage, Rome, and the reft, no fruit, fort'jhmss tbt
flower, grafe or leafe, f^nngr^g ufon the face of the f£'lZ'J
tarth, ofthofe feeds: No, their very roots and ruines do
hardly remaine, ^Uthat the hand of man can make^
if either over-turned hy the hand of man 5 or at length
kyftanding and continuing confumed, Whattruft
then or true comfort in thearmeofflcfh, humans
grcatncfle, or eanhly treafares-^ Whatftrengih
or flay in fuch broken ftaves of reed ^ Inthetime
of need, the Worme of vanity will waft and wi-
ther theihall, Yiktlonahs gourd -^ and leave our na-
ked foiUcs to the open rage of wind and weather -y
to the fcouiges and Scorpions of guikineflc and
feare. It tranfcends the Sphere oftheira(9:ivity,as
they (ay, and'paffeth their power to fatisfiean im-
mortall foule, to comfort thorow the length of e-
ternity ; either to corrupt or conquer any fpirituall
adverfaries. For couldft thou purchafe unto thy
felfe a Monopoly of all the wealth in the world 5
wcrt thou able to empty the Wefterne parts of
gold; and the Eaft of all her fpices and precious
things; fbouldeft thou inclofe the whole face of
thecarthfromone end ofheaven to another, and
fill this wide worlds circumference with golden
heapes and hoards of pcarle; diddeft chou in the
mcane-
la PREPARATION
mcane time fit atthc ftemc, and hold the reincs in
thine hand of all earthly kingdomes, nay, exdlt
thyfelfi at the Eagle, 4tt(i fet thy nefi among the flats ;
nay, Vikcthc Juftofthe.msrmng advance thy Throm
even above the flanres o/God • yctallthefe, and
whatfocverdfc thou c^nft imagine, to make diy
tbtgZif^T worldly happincflfe compleat and matchlcfle ,
gMd ut the would not be worth a button unto thee upon thy
/^"'^ bed of death, nor do thee a halfe-pcnny- worth of
good in thehon'ourof that dreadfull time. Where
did that man dwell, or of what cloth was his coat
made, that was ever comforted by his goods,
greatneffe, or great men, in that laft and (brcft
conflid i In his wraftlings with the accufadons of
confcience, terrors of death, and oppofitibns of
heU i No, no : It is matter of a more heavenly
metall, treafures of an higher temper, riches of*
nobler nature, that muft hold out and heipe in the
diftrdfes of foule, in the anguifli of confcience, in
the houre of death, againft the flings offinnc,
wrath of G o d, and lafl: Tribunall. Do you think
that ever any glorified foule did gaze with delight
upon the w^edge of gold, that tramples mdterfoot
the Sun,and lookes All-mighty God intheface^
^htlefouit No, no: It is the focicty of holy Angels, and
blefled Saints, the fweet communion with its dca-
reft Spoufe, that unapproachable light which
crownes Gods facred Throne, the beauty and
brightncfleof that moft glorious Place, the fiii-
ning Body of the Sonn e of God, die beatificall
fruition of the Deity it fclfc, the depth of Eterni-
ty, and the like evcrlafting Fountaincs of ffirituali
ravifliment
BEFORE DEATH. 13
ravi{hmentand joy, which orcly can feed and fill
the reftlcfle and infinite appetite of that immortaJl
Thing with fullncffe of contentment, andfrclh
pleafiires, world without end.
Thrice blefled and fweet then is the advice of ^^^ .»«'»'^ '*
our Lord and Maftcr J e s v $ C h r i s t> who tlilgTbeimtl
would have us to turne the eye of our delight, and things above,
eagerneffe of affedion, from the fading gloffe and
painted glory of earthly treafures; wherein natu-
rally the worme of corruption and vanity ever
breeds,and many times the worme of an cvill con-
fcience attends; the one of which cats out their
heart when wee expe(5t an harveft j The other
feizes upon the Soule in the time of forrow, and
finks it into the loweft hell : And as Men of Gc d,
and Sonnesof Wifdome, to mount our thoughts,
and raife our fpirits, and bend our affedions to
things above 'j which are as faire from diminution
and decay, as the vSoule from death ; and can bee
no more corrupted or (liaken, than the Seat and
Omnipotcncy of G o i> furprifcd. For, befides TUferme u-
that, they infinitely furpafie in eminency ofworth ^^^xt things
andAveetneifeofpleafure, the comprehenfion oi^'^''^^''^'''''
the largeft heart, and expreiTion of any Angels
tongue; they alfo out- laft the daycs of heaven,
and runparallell with the life of God, and line of
Eternity. As we fee the Fount aine of all material!
light to powre out his beames, and fhining abun-
dantly every day upon the world withoutweari-
ncire5emptinefle, or end; fo, and incomparably
more doth joy and peace, glory snd bliflc, fpring
and plentifully flow every moment with frcfh
ftreamcs
14 PREPARATION ^
ftreames from the face of the Father of Lights upon
all His holy ones in heavenjand that evcrlaftingly .
O blelTed then (hall we be upon our beds of death,
if (following the counfell of our deareft Lord,
who ihed the moft precious and warmeft bloud in
His heart to bring our foules out of hell) wee
treafure up now in the meane time, heavenly-
hoards which will ever happily holdout, aftock
ofgrace,which never flirinks in the wetting, but a-
bidesthetriall of the Spirit, andtouch-ftone of the
Word in all times of danger, and Day of the
Heavenly trea- Lord: even that accurate,circumfpe<5l, and prc-
jurt, q\£q walking,prefled upon us by the Apoftle, Eph,
5.15. Though peftilently perfecuted and plagued
by the enemies of G o d in all ages : And that pu-
rity which Saint lohn makes a property of every
true-hearted ProfefTour, ilohn^.-^. So much op-
pofed and bitterly oppreftby theworldj and yet
without which none of us (hall ever fee the face of
God with comfort. If while it is called To Day^
we make our peace with His heavenly Highneflfe,
by an humble continued exercife of repentance :
byftanding valiantly on His fide; by holding an
holy acquaintance at His mercifull Throne with a
mighty importunity of prayer, and godly conver-
fation above'; by ever offering up unto Him in the
armesof our Faith (when he is angry) the bleed-
ing Body of His owne crucified Sonne, never
giving Him over, or any reft, untill He beplcafed
to regifter and r enroll the remiffion of our finnes
in the Booke of Life, with the bloudy lines of
Ch R I s T s Soulc-favingfuffcrings, and golden
charaders
BEFORE DEATH. 15^
chara(^crs of His owne ctcrnall love. If now,
before we appeare at the dreadfull Tribunal! of
the ever-living God, (and little know wewhofc
tui'ne is next) we make oui- friends in the Court of
Heaven : the blejfed K^ngels, in procuring their
joy andlove^ by avifible conftancy in the fruits,
tearcs^and truth of a found converfion. The Sfi-
tit 9f comfort by a ready and reverent entertain-
ment of His holy
our
16 PREPARATION
andcaftdowae: nay, why diould he not be 'ex-
traordinarily raifed and ravifhed in- fpirit with
much joy full hope, and fwcecaflurance, when he
throwes himfeife downe at the Throne of grace j
iich thed-earefl: Sonne of the eternal! G o d, the
Hcire of heaven and earth, the Mediator of the
great Covenant of endlefle falvation is his Advo-
cate at the hand of His Almighty Father in the
moft high and glorious Couit of Heaven ft
Wherefore when an humbled foule, and trenp-
bling fpirit is fore troubled, and almoft turned
backefrom hispurpofe of prayer, and proftration
at the foot of heavenly Majefty* by entertain-
ing before-hand a feeling apprehenfion of his
owne abhorred vilenefTe, and the holy purity of
Gods all-feeing and fearching eye, tvhuh cannot
looke on iniquity ; let this confideration comfort
and breed confidence, that Jesvs Christ the
Sonne of Q o d s love doth follicite and tender the
fuit, who out of His owne fenfe and fympathy of
fuch like troubles aind temptations, dothdeale for
us with a true, anaturall, and a fenfible touch of
j^ J compailionateneffe and mercy. Shall that bleffed
Lukc*23.34. Saviourof ours call and cry for a pardon to His
Father, for thofe which put Him to Death ; who
were fb farre from feeking unto Him, that they
fought and fuck'd His bloud ; and fhall He fhut His
cares againft the groanes of thy grieved fpirit, and
heavy fighs of thy bleeding foule, who values one
drop of His bloud at an higher price, thanihe
worth of many world^f It cannot be.
Thus that faying of Sdomonj and this counfell
of
BEFORE DEATH. i^
ofC H n I s T makes good the truth of the PoIrCj
which jnay furthef appearc by thcfe Reafons.
I. Taking this counfell berime, and hoarding' "Rm/o»^ /or
up heavenly things in this harvcft time of grac€, llt^^uftlHioi,
mightily helps to alTwage the fmart, mollifie the ut aUaies the
bitterneflc, and illighten the darkncfTe of the cvill ^"^'^ '^ '^'^''
Day. It is foveraigne, and ferves to take the vc-
nime,fting and teeth out of any croflc, calamity,
ordiftrefTe ; and fo preferves the heart from that
raging hopclefTe forrow, which, like a devouring
Harpie^drics up^dilTolves, and dcftroyes thcbloud,
fpirits,and life of all thofe who are deftitute of
fuch a divine Anti'dote. What vaft difference
may wee difcerne betweene lob and Itf^as ; Bazid
and K^chitofhel, wthedayes ofevill't The two men
of G o D being forma*ly enriched with his favour
andfamiliarity,fo behaved themfelves, the one in
the fhip-wracke of his worldly happineife, the o-
ther in the hazard of his Kingdome, as though
they had not bcenc troubled at all : The Lord Jot.i. .
gave , and the Lokd hath taken away, faith lob,
when al 1 was ^oncbleffed be the n^ne of the Lord.
ifl flail find favour in the eyes of the Lord, faith j^sam. ij. if.
DavrdyHe will bring mee a^aine, andfhew me both it, i^.
and His habitation, ButifHeethusfay-,lharve no de-
light in thee : behold, here am 7, let Him doe to mee, at
fecmeth gcod unto Htm, But the fpirits of the other
two falfeand rotten-hearted fellowes in the time
of trouble were fo overtaken, nay, over -whel-
med withgricfe, that they both hanged thcm-
felves.
3. This holy providence before hand may l^Vr'""'
C happily
^ PREPARATION
happily prevcnr agrear dcale of rcfUeiTe impaticn-
CV; reprobate fear ^.torlomediftraaions of fpirir,
h\"ir.g to the caves, crying to the mountaines,
boodelTe rclymg upon :he arme of flelTi ; Curfmg
thar Kmgajtdtkcir G o DjdfidI^k:figup:rj/-J,\:oai'
in^ou-v.ith h'vfco'.s sroanes; Who amon^ ia jhall
^5i-'^- d^i:-x::i :''?■: ai-. -^rmr fire f Whe among us JhMl
drc^eH xpuhth: tverijifiinghitrning? drc. All which
defperire re rr ours and rumultuations of confci-
cncearewontto furprize and feize upon unholy
and unprepared hearts, en>ecially when Gods
hand is fin.-.^!v :-,r.i:nn?!2Cj.b'v uDonthem.
^:.'^- ',:ry 3 . And wee rinll heereby excellently honour
t.fz tX^t. 2^ 4 advance the glory of ProfelTion ; when it iliall
appeare :o the v.'orld, and even the contrary-
minded are enforced to confctTe; that there is a
fecret heavenly vigour, undaantednefTe of fpirit,
■and noblenelTe of courage which mighnly up-
holds the hearts of holy men in thofe times of
coafuhDn and feare, when theirs melt away with-
in :h e .T. like v." ^: e r . 2 n i ^c -t^' the he:irt of a rvsmm tn
hir f.i^'£f. WorlaLnss v.'onder and gnalli the
teeth heeiea: : When they fee,as Chn fcfteme xxuly
fels us, :he Clirifrian to ditfer from them in
this; tha: hebesresall crofTes couragioully; and
v;i:h the v/ings ' as it v.-ere )of faith, out-fores the
height of ail hjr.ane miferies. He is like aRocke,
iocorporated into J e s v s Christ, the Rocke
.$f etCTTury, ftill erect, inexpugnable, unihaken,
though moft fjrioufly afTaolted with the tcmpc-
ftuous waves of any worldly woe, or concurrcflt
rage of all itifemall powers. But all the imaginary
man-
BEFOIRE DEATH. 19
man- hood of graccIcfTe men doth ever in the day
of diftrsffc cither vanifh into nothing, or diflblve
intodefpaire.
4 . Expreflion of fpirituall ftrengtli in the time ^.uan iucou^
oftrouble from former heavenly ftore, is a nota- ragemcntto
ble meanes to move others to enter into the fame °[ ^"'
good way, and grow greedy after grace ; to draw
and allure them, to the entertainement and exercife
of thofc ordinances, and that one necefary things
v;hichonely can make them bold and unmovea- '
ble like Mount Zlon in the day of adverfity. I have
knowne fome, the firft occafion of whole conver-
fion, was, the obfervation of their ftoutnelTe and '
patience under opprelfions and wrongs, whom
they have purpoiely perfecuted with extremefl
malice and hate. So bleffed many times is the
brave, refolute, and undaunted behaviour of
Gods people in the time of triall, and amidft
their foreftfufFerings,that it breeds in the hearts
of beholders, thoughts even of admiration and
love, nay a defire of imitation, and turning on the
other fide. When they reprefent to the eye of
the world their ability ropaffe thorow the raging
flames of fieiy tongues untouched, to portcfle
their foulcs in peace amidft fcorpions , thorncs,
and rebels, to pafTe by bafeft indignities from
bafeft men without wound or paifion, to hold up
their heads above water in the moft boifterous
tempefts, and deepeft feas of danger, to triumph
over all ad verfary power in the evill day 5 I fay,
by G o D s blefling, this may make many come in
and glorific G o d > marvelling and enquiring,
G 2 whence
20 PREPARATIOH
whence fuch invincible foititude, and bravcneffc
of fpiiit fhould fpring; concluding with iV/t^tf-
chad^e/^r : Surely, Thefervants of the mofi high
God. And fo at length their affcdions may be fo
fet on edge after the excellencie and amiablencfTc
of J Esvs Christ, who being The mighty
G o D, zndThc LyonoftheTrik of Indah, doth a-
lone-infpire all His with fuch a Lion-like courage^
that they may ferioufly and favingly fcek His face
and favour; faying with thofe, Cam,$.p. What is
thy Beloved more than another Beloved, O t hoi* fair efi
among women f — That wee may feeke Him with
thee. Whcntheybehold fuch a deale of Majefty
and mirth to fhlne in his face whom they make
the marke of all their fpitefull rage and revenge 3
their teeth with which they could have torneliim
inpeeces, may water; and they induftrioufly de-
(iretoknow, what that is, which makes fuch a man
fo merry in all eftates .
The folly of y^j^ j^ This may fervc to awakcn and rc-
ticm that take ■' n 1 r n "^ 1 1 rr
BO thougbtfor* prov€ all thole lecure and carelcfle companions,
tbedayofrecfio- who, if they may enjoy prcfcnt contentment, and
""'^' partake in the meane time of the profperity and
pleafurcs of the times, wherein they tumble them-
felves with infolency, luxury, and eafe ; take no
thought, make no provision at all againft a day of
reckoning, provide no food againft a foule day,
treafure up no comfort againft the Lords com-
ming, prepare no armour or aid for that hft and'
drcadfullconfli6^ upon their beds of death. Alas
poorefoulcs! Did they know and feelingly ap-
prehend what a deale of horrour, aftoniftiment
and
BEFORE DEATH. 21
and anguilli dogs them continually at the heclcs,
ready and eager after a few dales of filthy end fu-
gitive plcafures, to fcizc upon them like travailc
upon a woman with child, fuddenly, unavoidably,
apdin greateft extremity, and that fointollerable,
that they lliall never be able either to decline or
endure, the verywcakeft biting of the never-dy-
ing worme, or the Icaft fparkle of thofe everlalt-
ing flames; they would thinke all the dales of their
life few enow to gather fplrituall ftrength againft
that fearefuU houre. Nay, fome are fuch cruell Heapm of
caitifs zn^Cannihals to their owne fo'ules, andfo Jj^'lyTf '"^
accurfedly blinded by the Prince of darkneffcthat rftasit were into its owne bowells,
and teare open the very foiintaine of life and fenfe
to feed upon it felfe. For, the worme of confci- irhat is the
cnce (fay Divines) is onely a continuall remoife ^j'^^ojcon^
and furious reflexion of the foule upon its owne ^'^'^'^^'
wilfull folly;and thereby the wofull mifery it hath
brought upon it fclfe.
2. This may ferve fo ftirre up all the fonnes The benefit »/
and daughters of wifdomc to hoard up with all ho- ^^^^y^"^ '''^'
lygreedinefTeJnftead of earthly pelfe, tranfitory
toyes and fliining clay, the rich and lafting trea-
fures of divine wealth and immortall graces. For,
thefe heavenly jewels purchafed with'C h r i s t s
bloud, and planted in the heart by the omnipcrcnc
hand of the Holy Ghost, will (iuno comforta-
bly upon our foulcs with beames of bleflfednefle
and peace? ?.n:iid all the miferies and confufions,
the darlcnelTe and moft defperate dangers of this
prefent life ; nay, in the very va//ey offfjc Jlhtdow of
^(C'.W/, their fplendour and fpirituali glory will not
onely diffolve, and difpell all mifts of horrour
which can poiTibly arifefrom theapprehenfionof
hell, the grave, thofc laft dreadfull par^s, or any
other terrible thing; but alfo illighten, conduct and
carie us triumphantly thorow the abhorred con-
fines of the King of fe Are upon the wings of )oy,
aad in the armes of Angels, to umffroachdle light,
unknovvnc.
28 PREPARATION
unknowne plcafurcs, and cndlefTe blifle. It may
^^^°aj '* ^'^ ^^^' ^^ y^^ ' ^^^^ ftandeft upright without any
*^^' ' ' changes , unftir'd in thy ftate by any adverfc
ftorme/uppofing thy mountaine ^ojhong,t\\dz thou
flidt never bee moved. Thus long perhaps the
Almighty hdth beene voith thee : His cmdle hath
finned upon thy he gave,
and the Lord hath taken away, blejfed bee the name
9fthe Lord. Though, as yet, by a miracle of
rareft
B E f ORE ' DE A T H. ^
rareft mercy, calmenefTe and fcrenity reft upon the
firmament of our ftate 5 yet who knowcs how
foone, efpccially, fith many of Go d s dearelt
fervants beyond the feas have lyen fo long m
teares and blond, fome difmaU cloud and tempe-
ftuousftormemayaiifeoutofthe hellifh foggs of
our many hainous finnes and crying abominati-
ons, and breake out upon us,andthat with greater
terrour, and farre more horribly, by leafon of the
unexpedednelTeandour prefent defperate fecuri-
ty : Though the Sun of the Gofpell, and glory of a
matchlefft Miniftry fhineyet full faire among us
in the Meridian of our peace and profperous daies,
yet little know wee, how foone and fuddenly it
may decline and fct in a fea of confufion, calamity
and woe: And therefore hoard up greedily in the
meane time, and while the Sun ihines,arich trca-
fury of faving knowledge, grace and good life;
thatifneedrequire,thoumayftthen refolutely re-
ply with bleffed Paul againft all contradidions and
temptations to the contrary : / am ready not to h:e Aflsai.ij.
hound onelj, hut alfo to £e for the name of the Lord
J E s V s : Though at this prefent thou doeft per-
haps with much fweet contentment enjoy thy
God comfortably, and His pleafed fice ; many
heavenly dewes of fpirituali }oy, glorious re-
frefhings, and aboundance of fpirituali delights fall
upon thy foule from the Throne of mercy every
time thou con^meft neare Him ; Thou canft fay
unto thy Deareft out of thy prefent feeling, / am can.6.ij.
my Beloveds y and mj Bdoved is mine, and in fonK
good mcafurc kccpc a part with the Saints of old,
in
so PREPAjRATION
in fuch vicfkorious and triumphant Songs as thefe :
lob. 1^ 2j,»4, Q^ f^^f ^y words were now written, ohthdt they were
frinted in a booke ! That they were graven mth an
iron^enAndleadtn the rock for ever. For, I know
pril.46. »,>, that my Redeemer liveth, (^c. Wee will net fearer
though the earth be removed : and though the moun^
tMnes bee carriedinto the middefl of the fea : though
the waters thereof roare^ and be troubled, though the
mountaines Ihake with the f veiling thereof Selah. /.
1.0m. s 3 8 . amferfwadedthat neither death nor Ufe^ nor K^ngels ,
nor frncifalitiej nor powers, cjrc^ Yet for all this
that oncly wife God of thine may hereafter for
fome caufe feeming good to Himfelfe, and for thy
good, with-draw from thee the light of His coun-
tenance, and fenfeof His love, and leave thee for a
time to the darken effe of thine one fpirit, and Sa-
Meanei for fif tans foreft temptations, &c. Ply therefore in this
teufer^"'^ ^* profpcrity of thy foule all bleffed meanes s the Mi-
'"■'^ * niftry, Sacraments, Prayer, Conference, Medita-.
tions, humiliation-day es, holineffc of Hfe, cleare-
nefle of confcience^ watching over thy heart,
walking with God, fan6lified ufc of affiidions,
experimental! obfervation of Gods dealings
with thee from time to time, workes of juftice,
mercy and truth, &c. Thereby fo to quicken,
fordfie and fteele thy faith, that in the bittereft ex-
^ tremity ofthy fpirituall diftreffe, thou maift bee a-
blc to fay with lob, Though He flay me, yet will I truji
in Him, lob, 1 3 . 1 5 • A thoufand croffes moe, cala-
mities, and troubles may over-take thee before
thou takcft thy leave of this vale of teares : It wiH
bee thy wifdomc therefore now in this calme to
provide
BEFORE DEATH. ' 31
provide for a ft orme j trcafurc up out of G o d s
Booke many mollifying medicines and fove-
raigne antidotes againft all flavifli and vexing fore- gJTz)^" tw^-
thought of them in the meane time, and their bit- eth hu.
ternelTe when they fliall come upon thee. Thou Jn^b^ '^'
maiftbeairiiredjifthoubeea fonne^thy heavenly ifals.^^^&c^'
Father will ever corrcdthee 51.' Never kf ore 'ir^ 27.7*8.
there be need-: and alw ayes in 2, ^ Pf'/fdomc^. :^^^'^^^^'^\}^'
5. *^ (Jiieajure, 4. ** Lovc^ ma tendermjjc^. i.Cor. 10. ij.
5. For * a moment onely. 6. To *" try thee-^ what "*i'rov.j.i2.
droffe of corruption, and what found metall of RevT^^^9!'fra.
grace is in thee. 7. To s purge out finne. 8> To 6i.9.'Vh.ioi.
*» refine thee, and make the vercues of Christ in Ji^-'-Hof.ii.
thee more fliining and illuftrious. 9. To * ftirre A'nd^'l^j'/ii.'
up, quicken and increafe all faving graces in thy iT.Ands4.11.
foule. Of which fee my Expo/ition upon the 26. V2kuo^'< sc
Chapter of 7/i. Amongft all the reft, Faith ever lo^V.&uj.
becomes moft famous by afflivftions. Witneftc ^^^^^O'-^'-
thatcloudofwitncfrcSj^^^. ir. 10. To ^ make And/7.16. '
theeblefled. 11. To'favethec. 12. And Hee icr.j.n.Mic
" will be ever with thee in trouble. 13. He "will ^'^f' ^
deliver thee. 14. Nay, and never was Gold- pfiime. 66.10.
Smith more curious and precife to watch the very Proverb. 17.3.
firft feafon, when his gold is thorowly refined and [i^" | f ''*
fitted for ufe, that hee may take it out of the for- « id. iis.And
nace^'than ourgratious Go j> ^ waits in fuch ca- p; And 27.9.
fcs with an holy longing, that Hee may have mer- pr^uT^^ej.
cy upon thee and deliver thee. But howfoever, or '■Dan.u.jf.
whatfoeverbefals thee in this life, thou muft upon f ^^'^^^lach.
■' r 1J.9. I. Pet. I.
6,7.
* Ioh.iM.Rom5,Ja4,f.ira.z6.j>. Iam.i.2,?. ''Iob.j.17. lam.x. tz.And f. rt.Pfal*
94.1a, * I. Cor. 1 1.5 1. t.Cor.4 17. •ir.i 41.10,1 1. And 4 J. 2 - Pfal.91.1j, "lob.j-
i?.i9,PfaIj4.i7,iS,ip And jo.15. Andpi.i j. *Ifa go. 18,
necefllty
S2 PREPARATION
ncceffity ere itbe long,lic gafping/or breath upon-
thy dying bcd,an(i there graple hand to hand with
the utmoft and concurrent rage of all the poweys
^ of darkntfle, and that king of feare attended with
his terrours : and therefore let the whole courfe
Hmv to prepare of thy life be a confcionable preparative to die
aiainfi death, comfoixably : Suppofe every Day thy laft , and
thereupon fo behave thy fclfc both in thy generall
and particular calling, as though thou fhouldcft be
called to an exa(5t account at night for all things
done in the flelh, before that laft and higheft Tri-
bunall; In' all thy thoughts, words, avftionsand
undertakings in any kinci, fay thus unto thy felfe:
would I doe thus and thus, ifl cerrenly knew the
next houretobe my laft : In a word, fo live, thafi
upon good ground thou maift bring D^ids un'a
daunttdboldneftetothy bed of death : Though I
walke through the valley of the jhadow of de^hj IwiH
feare no evilL
speciau prtpa- Here, upon this fcafonable occafion, give mee
tames. leave to commend and tender unto youforae fpe-
ciall preparatives, rules, motives and meanes to
furnifti before hand, andtofortifie your fpirits a-
gainft all future evils, and terrible things that are
towards.
t. Preparative. j, Treafurcup Hchly and abundantly before
Get iatience. ^^^^ ^^^ precepts, pradicc and experimental!
rhe benefits 9 f fweetneifeofpatiencc^thatmoft ufefull and precis
ji4tience. ^^^ vertue, which may fervc (when time ferves) as
a fovcraigne antidote, to abate, and abolifti the
fting and venimeof all croJnrcs,affli(aions5 and mor-
tall naifcries j and as a comfortable cordiall to
fupport
BEFORE DEATH. 35
fupport and hold up thy heait in the bicterneflc
and extremity of the foreft.
Mighty and miraculous was theworke of this iobspatieHe<.\
glorious grace in blelTed loL By its heavenly -'.nd
invincible influence upon his humble foule, it did
not onely utterly extinguifh (which was a very ad-
mirable and extraordinary thing ) all that defpe-
rate anguifli and flaviih gricfe, which fuch variety
and extremity of greateft miferies, that ever be-
fell any mortal I man, would have naturally bred
in the hopelefTc hearts of impatient worldlings 5 * Quanta ad-
leall of which is many times enough to drive verfus eum ja-
them to dcfpaii-e and fclfe-deftrudion ; but alfo ^"^^ ""'^^^ •
* enabled him with the fweeteft calmnefTe of a Si'tT wrmen-
wcll-compofed and unfhaken fpirit, even to blefTe ta? jaaura re*
the L o R D his God for taking from him thefe fl'^jf ^''numer
tranfitory things, of which he was the true Pro- rone"'^foboii/
prietary, and which in much undeferved mercy orbitis irroga-
He had lent unto him fo long. The Lord gave, cenfJi^Domi!
C faid he ) and the Lord hdih taken arvay ykle^fed be nusj & in hbe-
the nam of the Lord. "^ ^^'" *^'"-
■^ or: Ncc Do-
minus repent^, ncc Pater eft. Accedit vulncru n va'ftitas,& tabefcentes,ac defluenies
artus rermium vjuoq^ edaxpctna con/uniit,ci;*c. Nectamen /o& giavibus & denfis
conflidatiombus frangitur,quo mTnus inter illasanguftias & preffurasfuas Dei bene-
diftio viiflricc patientia prsEdicetur. Cyprian. ie bono Pa kntU,
Nihil in Dotno remanferat, omnii in uno idii peiieruntj quibns opulentus pauIo
ante videbatur, Subito mendicus in ftcrcore fedet, a capite ufqj ad pedes vermibus
fcatens. Quid ifti miferia miferius? Quid intcrioiefoelicitatcfcelicius ? Perdideiat
omnia illaqux dcdcrat DBVs/ed habcbat Ipfum qui omnia dedcrat DEVM*»-»Ccr-
tc pauper eft, certc nihil habet. Si nihil rcmanfit,de quo thefamo iftar gemmae laudis
Dei profcruntur? — O virum piitrem, & integrumj O ^oedum & pulchium; O vulnc-
ratnm & fanumjO in ftercore f. dentem3& in coelo rcgnantcml j4ug.de TeTap.Ser.io<} .
With what infinite, implacable indignation, 2)*'^''*/^
aild bloudy rage would ^/'^»^Af railing have rent
D in
34
PREPARATION
Elies patience.
in peeces the heart of many a gracelcffe King! And
yet Davf^ by the helpe of this holy vertue, pafTcd
on along patiently without woundjOrpalTion.
That heavy newes which was fo horrible, that
it made both theeares of every one that heard it,
tingle, brought by Samuel to £// immediately
from Gods ownc mouth, might have made
many an carth-worme to have run mad with the
very fore-thought of fo much mifery to come :
But good old patient Eli ;whcn he had heard it all,
fweetly ejaculates : It u the Lo kd: Let htm doc
i.Sam.3.18. vphatfeemeth him good.
The taking away of two fonncs at once by a
fudden and violent death, with vifible venge-
ance from heaven, and in the middeft of amoft
horrible finne, is naturally matter of forrow
which cannot be expreft, and extreme/!: griefc :
yet KyiAYon in fuch a cafe having learned confor-
mity of his ownc will to the divine pleafure of the
oncly wife Go d ; when il/^y^-^ told him that the
Lord VDOuld he fantfifed in them that come nigh
Bimy and before all the people He vpould hee glorifed -^
He held his peace : K^nd Aaron held his feace. So
quieting his heart becaufe God would have it
fo. See further for this purpofe, 2.Sam,^.i'^yi6,
jfa.S9'^'^c.
By thefc few precedents you may eafily per-
ceive what fingular and foveraigne power patience
hath to pull the fting, and extrad the poyfon
out of the moft grievous calamities and grcatcft
troubles.
But now on the contrary : Impatiency andun-
pleafcdneile
Lcvit, 10.3.
Jmpatkncy
worfetkenany
(rofe.
BEFORE DEATH. 35
pleafednefTe with Gods providence in fending *j^lll'^^l\i
both good and nil, ( yet evcrinlove,andforour "^^ropomon^St
good 5 For ^ what foane ish:-, whom the Father cha- ^uji expeff as
fiemhmt? ) doth more affii(ft us than all oar affli- ^/f^f^l^
dions. Theftormcof Go d s wrath breakes out god. what?
fometimes upon the outward ftate of fome greedy (^^j^^ iob)axil\
fretting mammonift, andhejuftly fmiteshimfor go'u^d aT^t'hc
his wicked covetoufneflfe and diOioneft gainc, per- iiand of Go o,
haps in the height andhotgleame ofhisprofperi- ^"^ ^ccdyH*
ty andthriving, by fome fudden vifible confump- vili^cap.i. 10.
tion, or fecret wafting curfe : He ( as fuchcove- ''.^^^s* ^'^^'c
tous wretches are wont ) takes on extremely, farrc nuiuT,"ut pi"-
beyond the rage of the maddeft bedlam. Hee vis mtmiatio-
ftainpesand ftares ( as they fay ) roaresand raves, "^|^'" ^°<^ ^^'
gnafheth his teeth, teare; his haire, bites his nailes, q'jia g dT r s
almoft like a damned foulc,that hath new loft hca- fligeiht om.
ven ; untill at length the DivcU lead him to lay ^;^^ ^f^;^^
violent hands upon himfelfe. Now, are notthefe (ins dubio que
felfe-vcxing tortures farre more terrible than the "^" fl^gdiat,
taking away of histranfitories c' Is not the cutting ^^^ deTemp
of hisownc throat incomparably worfe than the senn.io^.
croffe i A bird that is intangkd amon^ft lime- * '^''}> '"'^'S"
o D u.irisr Querela
twigs, the more fhe ftirres and ftruggles, the more & indignauo
ihe is made furc, and doubles her danger : A ^re- n»iai>udquam
pining reludation, and angry ftriving ( as it were ) fu^t^^^niMl*
to get out of Go D s hands, doth everenvcnime mm tamexaf-
and exafperate the wound, and m akes us t en times P^";^^ fervorem
worfe, and more mift?rable, than if we fairely and fercndlimpati-
entia. Omnis
indignatfo in tormentum fnHm proficit. Sie InqucoS fcra dum jadat, aftiitvgit ; fie
aves vifcnm, dam trepidantts excutiimt, plumis omnibus illmunt: nullum tarn arftum
eft jugum,quod non minus laidit ducentem, qu.\m rcpugnantem. Uniim eft Icvamen.
tuna jnalomm ingentium etiam pati, & neceflicatibus fuis obfequi. Quid igitur mar-
bo corporis, animi morbum addcre ju/at, teqj mifeiiorem faccre muimurandoj&c,
D 2 patiently
S^ PREPARATION
patiently fubmitted to his omnipotent and moft
merciful! will. Neither doth want of patience only
iir.patiency em- mightily enrage a crofTc, but italfo embitters aU
titnn aHcom- our Comforts. Thcbarcomifldonofa meerecom-
fmf, plcment in Mordecai did not only fill Hamms proud
heart with many raging diftempers of hatred, ma-
liccrevenge, foolifli indignation and much furious
difcontenrment; but alfo turned all the pleafurc,
and kindly relifh in his counly pleafures, riches,
honours, offices, extraordinary advancements and
royallfavours, into gall and worme-wood, ^nd
Heflcr. ?. 1 1. Haman told them of the glory of his riches jandthe muL
*' ' ^' titude of his children y and all th things wherein thc:^
King had promoted him^and how he had advanced him
' above the Prin ces andfcrvants oft he King, Haman faid
moreover^yeaEjlher the ^ueenedtdlet no mm come in
With the King unto the Banquet that fJ?e had prepared,
but m) felfe, and to morrow am J invited unto her alfo
with the King, Tet all this availeth me nothingyfo long
as I fee (J\^lcrdecai the lew fitting at the Kings gatz^ .
Whereas novj Davidy a King, as I told you before,
by the benefit of this blefTed grace, did not fuifer
his Princely fpirit to be un- calmed at all, no nor by
the traiterous and moft inrollerable reviling of a
dead dog, and his bafeft vaffall.
^Preparation. 2. Keepe offchy heart from the world, in the
wlX. "^^^ greatet affluence ofwealth and worldly profperi-
Mifchiefes of ty. Earthly-mindedneflfc ever fharpentth and
*!2i*''*' keenes thefting inail diftreflfes. It gives teeth to
the crofTc to eat Ou^t the very heart of the affli<5led.
Had not Job beene able to have profefTed, that in
the height of his happinefTe he was thus affeded :
^/
BE>FORE DEATH. 37
jflhave made ge^ldmy hope, or have [did to the fine I^.ii.a4.
goldy Thou art my confdence : iflrejoyced kcaufemy
wealth fvof great, and kcaufe wy hand had gotten
fMtch : [_Herc "fky Divines, fomcthing is under- •Hicfubaudi©.
ftood,as^/?'^^4W,£henl€tnieperi{h, orthclike] dy"^P^-^*"i*°v
//b / heheldthe Sun when ttjhfncd, or the Moone rvalk- ^^^^g^jn he
ing in hrtghtneffe : ^nd my heart hath hcenefecretly ^ lob.j i .i *Applesof Sodom, Wells without water.
Heh Horn 9. And wheu.wegrafpe them moft greedily, wcem-
inquiramus, fi bracc Hotliing but fmoke, which wrings teares
Fun^Via prlT. iiop- ,iqur cycs, VX'^ .vaiufticth^into nothing.
fcntis'vitae prg- -,; •n- 7 •': • • T-fi^iTr^T hfn -n.-.or/'f ^ i' 1
clara? Divitis, gloila,p6(entj3, m?gnum exiftimari abhominibi'S ? Stdtidcbis nihil
illis cffe inceitius.-— Et ficut videii ncju t in roti, quae ccntiriiovcfptuv, aliqua
pars ejus, eo qwcd crebra ciicumferentia, fempcr fumma fiunt ima, & ima fumma : ita
& noftiaruni icium impetusdum continue vcituntiir fumma facit iifima ,Kt vidcrc
licet in divitijs, potentijs,& alijs. Nnnquam enim in eodcm ftatu manentjftd ftjtiper
inftabilcSjHuminum fluxusimitantur. JdemHcm.de Nomine Jbram.
• PomaGomorrhxapulchraquidcmfimt, fed cum franguntur, inyagum pulvercm
fatifcunt.
>* things be- ^, Vexation of fpirit. Bcfidestheemptineflfcand
BtkHtJ-^iriT abfcncc of that imaginary felicity which we hunt
after in them 5 there is alfo the preferce and plen-
ty of much mifcry and hearts griefe, which the
(laves
BEFORE DEATH. 39
fliwes of pleafure, atid lovers of the world little
lookc for, wheel they at firft refolve to fell their t Anacreon
foulesforfuchtranfitorytraOi. Divmasinvmijil? f^'^^^^^'f^';
( faith one ) Reqiuem perdldtfli. Had thou found nnus,ciim per
riches ^ Thiu haft loft thy reft. A man that will dms nofte.
be rich, takes no more reft, thanoneuponaracke, PJ°Set;red-
orbedofthornes; like ^ o//?*«<^''^^» vvith his five didit ea, inqui-
Talents, ftili diftraa:ed with worldly thoughts, cns;nontanti
1 . II -1 -1 J r „ efle quanta ip-
and concinually prickt with cares and teares. foiu.m nomine
3. They cannot fadsfie the foule. Gold can no cura (aborarct.
more fill the fpiritof aman, than grace his purfe. ^fi'^^s^'l^^
Betweene heaven and earth, fpirits and bodies, camet fimft
foules and filver, there is no proportion. And tUfouie.
therefore no earthly excellencies, nocarnall plea-
fures, no worldly treafures are fit matter, or a full
objed^, for fuch an immateriall, immortall and
heavenly borne-being to feed upon with any pro-
per delight, true comfort, or found contentment.
Not all this great materiall world, or greateft
mafle of gold canpolTibly fill the mighty capacity
and immeafarable appetite of this little fparkeof
heaven breathed into us by the infinite power of an
Almighty hand. A man may as well fill a bag
with wiiedome, as the foule with the world ;
a cheft with vertues, as the mind with wealth.
4. They cannot helpe in the evill day. Tkir Mor hsipe w.
Moud ( faith the Prophet ) (hall ke poivred 014^ as the evill day.
dttfl^ and their flelh as thz dmg : neither their ^=P'^'^'»7,i^
filver nor their gold fh^tH hee able to deliver them
in the daj of the Lords vorath. Put a man
into a pang of any painefull maladie, and bo-
dily toiture i as into a fit of the Stone, Strangury,
D 4 8 dcepc
40 PREPARATION
8 Mo torture of 6 dccpc Mclarichoty, Gout, ChoHcke, or the like:
boJy like unto It Jet fomc incurablc devouring Ulcer, Canker, Ele-
Z/ttTilu. phanti3fis,the Wolfe^the ^ pltca, &c. take hold up-
1 iri BulSyalfeare-^^^fiefs fi/Jpicianii, difcotitetits are fwaUo^ved up (3*ilroTci>ned tnthWBmi-
p.is,r^/i Irijb iea^ibii Oeenvt ^^mifery^MJo a^apyfninH hroof{S.Thu u theiiuintejieceofhu--
mam Uiherfnj/- all other difeafesrvhatfoe'vcr are hiitfiea bningsto Melanehoy in extent,
Ty the pith a] them all. ^ndamelanch9l)/ min h that true i^toREPARATION
^ by that laft and great dav,whicli the Lo r d in mer-
cy hafl:en;tiow vile thou then refcue thy free-hold,
when the whole Frame oFche world is on fire *?
Thingi hu^ ^^ ^}^ cannot pofllbly lead us beyond this
ttirnity. lite, or exceud to eternity. If we lee a iervant rol-
low two gentlemen, we know not whofe man he
isjbut their parting will difcover to whether he be-
longs; When death fliall fever the owner from the
world, then will riches and rcvenevves, orEces and
honours,ftately buildings,andall outward bravery
cleave to the world, and leave him to the world to
come as poore a vvorme and wretch, as when he
firft came into this worldrand therefore they are all
the worlds Heire-loomes,and none of his : Even as
Abfeloms mule went away, when his head was faft
in the great Oake,and fo left him h mging between
heaven &earth,as awofullfpedacleof mifery and
fhame to all beholders: So will all their wealth
and worldly felicities deale with their moft gree-
dy ingrofTers, and deareft minions upon their dy-
Proy.23.5-. ingbeds. Thejwillthenmoficertenly{2i^Sdom9n
faith) wake thetnfelves wings, and flie away as an Bo-
gle toward heaven : And leave their now forlornc
former favourites to the fury of a guilty confci-
I«r.t.ij. cncefor their Ci\rCc(\ for fikm^ the Fount iune of li-
ving waters y all their life long, and hewing them out
fuch cifiemesybroken cifiernes that could hold no water -^
norhelp indieevill day. Weall ftand atthe doorc
of eternity jif death but once open it naturally or vi-
olently, or by any of his thoufand thoufand waies,
we are prefently ftript of all, and immediately en-
ter upon it, either that of cvcrlaftingplcafurcs, or
the
I
BEFORE DEATH. 43
theotherofcverlaftinepaines.Andthcrfoieitwill f<»'«f'^'e»'#r/J
be our wildome in tilt I ncr.n time to value worldly ^^rice.
vanities at no more than their c\vn pricey and indu-
ftrioufly to ply all meanes which may enrich us
with heavenly treafures of that divine ftampeand
lafting tc mper, which may attend us rhorow all e-
tcrnity . And as all thefe things here below are thus ^••**''» ^fonaiitjf
mutable and fugitive, fo thy felfeart mortalland
fraile. A creature as it were but of one daies lading, j j^^ ^^ ^^^
like that • Flower and Bird which (as naturalifts re- meiocaiii's,cu!
porr)receivethcir being and birth in the mornings jus vua & pui.
but wither and die at night. Thy abode upon earth '^.^scd &X
is like a vanifliing^vifion of the night, a flying luais ad H.p-
drcame, thevery dreameofafliadowj&c. This pan™fluvium
•^ •' clt,ncnicrovi-
os difta, quae B on ultra diem vivitj fed czdcm cmnino luce, qua Uicem inchoat,
finit, moncntiqjSoli comrHoritur : codem d.e, pucu, juvcnis, fenisatatem expciia
mane nafcitur, mciidie & viget, vcfpcri coBfcncfcic & moritur. Animalculohuic
/iniillimaeft huniana vua. Ad fluviiim ilia eft f-cipcti.6 fliientis tcmpciis, fed &
voiucris dt magis quam avisulla, ycl lagitta,& l^pc omnisfuz pompse dicmuni»
cum', terminum habttj fKpchoram, fsepc paulopiodudiius momemum. Quid evg6
annos medjtnmur & faecula, fjepc' bicvicris Xvi ciusm flcrcs ant floium uirbiaj aut
fi quid umbra v^niuSj bievius. e/£rcrnif.Prodr€.Pag-\o. ^ Optimc lobm : Et qui
eum, inquit, vidcrantj diccnt ubi eft ? Vclut fomniiiin avolans non invcnieturj
(^fomniarc mamfiimum, vobrc ctlenimvim) tranfjct {icut vifio codurna. Vita quid
eft ? FloscftjfuniVJStftjUnibn cf,& umbra: iimbia,Bulla, ruIvis,Spuma,Ros,Stil-
lajGlacics tft .- Jiidis arcus dcficicns ccreus, furculus pertu!us/u:onola domus,cinis do*
lofuSj dies vernuSj Aprilis cor.ftant filmiss, unicus tcfiiidinis tinnitus eft ; Hydriafra-
6^a,fontisiotaj ijraneraum tela, maris omtula^vihs ft puin, folftitialis herb2,brevi$fa-
billajvcliicus, fcmtilla^triftis nebula, vcfica vento plcnajtutulansad folem columbula:
YJia, vitrnm lencrriinum, folium Icvrfi mum, filum fiibtilifllmum, pomum auicum
eft, (ed intus putridum, &.'c. Si njhil eft i-mbra, die quid umbrje fomnium ? Sex-
ccnta milk talia de tita humsna rc6fc pronunci.irtur. Mibi omnium. rcftifTmevi-
denturdixiflc, qurvitam \ocznt Somniumtimbrxlre'vijfmiim. C ompendior«nd>
caaius ; vita tft
. . r . Scmnuf-BuHa^ f^itrumyGlacief,Fl'js,Fahvla,F($f}um,
Vitaprasfcns figura «.ft & dectpiio, ficaf' mnijs ml u i.iffert ; Ergo mens ca eftpueri-
lis, quae ad umbra* fpc^at, defomnijS fupcibit, &iebus fliixis alhgatur. Chryf.in
fwift
44 PREPARATION
. fwift tide of mans life, after it once turncth and de-
clineth, ever runneth with a perpctuallebbc and
falling ftreame, but never floweth againe : Our
leafe once fallen/pringcth no more 5 neither doth
the Sun or the Summer beautifie us againe with
the garments of new leaves and flowers, or ever
after revive or renew us with frefhneile of youth,
and former ftrength. Not onely ^rf/«?w (Ecclef,
I, ) makes us in this refpedmore miferable than
the Sun and other foule-lefTe creatures 5 but even
the Poet alfo by the light of natural I reafon
(whom I urge onely to make Chnftians, mindlciTc
of their owne mortality, afliamcd, who have
thoughts of heaven and eanh, as though eternity
were upon earth, and time onely in heaven) tels us
CdTuitui. that. Soles occidcre ^ redtre fojfunt : Thus in
Englifli 5
The Sun maf fet and rife :
But we contrartrv'fcj
Sleepe After onejhort light ,
An everUftmg night.
Which we muft onely undcrftand of returning 3-
ny more to lifeand light in this world. Nay, in a
word, lay thy (cI^q loaden with the utmoft of all
earthly excellencies and felicities in the one fcale
of the ballance,and vanity in theother, and vanity
will weigh thee downe. Take heed therefore of
trufting to the world in the meane time,left it tor-
ture thee extremely in the time of trouble.
^.Preparative, $- Take heed of weakening in the meanc
ffreaiienmtthy ^jme , and unnccdTarily over- wearying thy
^*^' fpirit:
X. By
BEFORE DEATH. 45
1. By calking forc-thotght of future evils, *^ttvghtsof
which forty to one may never fall our. Many men ^T^en'^tke
lamperfwaded, (fuch is the naturall vanity of our ^?'^'f.
minds) do morevexc themfelvcs withfearcand
fore-conceipt of imaginary evils, which never be-
fall 5 then they have juft caufe, to take on and
trouble their hearts for all Other true, reall,a(5luall
troubles, which fall upon them. Thus many
times do men torture themfclves vainly with im-
moderate feare of forreine invafion, home-bred
confufion, change of religion, the fiery triall,
burning at a ftake, diftradion of mind, furprize by
the Plague, Small Poxe, Purples, Spotted Fever,
diftrcffe and going backward in their outward
ftate, lofTe of fome child they love beft, deftrudi-
on of their goods by fire, robbery, fliip-wracke,
the frownesof greatntfle, hurt and revenge from
thofc that hate them, hardneffe of heart, failing of
their faith, fpirituall defertion, overthrow by
temptation, defpaire of G o D s mercies, fudden
death, difcomfortablc carriage in their laft fick-
neflc, the ^.t/^ of f tare himfclfci what (hall be-
come of their children, when they are gonc,&c.
By thcfc and millions mocof fuch caufelcfTe and
carking fore-imaginations, the very flower and vi-
gour of mens fpirics may be much emafculatcd,
and wafled wofully. A godly care to prevent
them by repentance and prayer ^ and a careful!
preparation by mortifying meditations, and
Chnflian magnanimity to beare them padently , if
we be pl.t unto it, is commendable ard comforta-
ble : but in the mcanetimc to unfpirit and mace-
rate
4«
PREPARATION
i.Selfe-creatsd
crojfes we4^c»
tbe ^irit.
Vniuemoti'^ts
re mariage'
rate our felves with much diftruflfull mifery and
needleflfe torture about them, to our hindrance,
diftraflion ani difcomforcin any budnefTes of ci-
ther of our callings, or any wayes, unchearefuU
walking; by flivi(h pre-conceipcs to doubleand
multiply their flings, and to fuflPerthem fo often
before they feize upon us, is both un-nobleand
un-necefTary : moft unworchy the morall refolu-
tion of a meerenaturall man, and the generous fpi-
rit of an honeft Heathen; much more- the invinci-
ble fortitude of any of Christ s favourites,
and heires of heaven.
Of,
2. Selfe-creatcd crofTes, that I may fo call
them. For fo it often is, that many maried cou-
ples, governours of families (to inftance there) ha-
ving the world at will ( as they fay ) and wanting
nothing that heart can wifh from Gods hand for
outward things : and yet ( I know not how ) by
rcafon of pafliDn, covctoufneflfe, pride, waiward-
nefTe, frowardneffp, or fomething, they mutually
embitter their lives one unto another'with much
uncomfortablenelTe, difcontentment and jarring.
I would advife all fuch ( and there are many and
many fuch abroad in the world ) pundually and
impartially to examine their confciences; whe-
ther fuch fccrct fins as thefe,of which they take no
notice, may not be the caufes of it.
I. Matching, as being not mooved principally
and predominantly with poitioUiparentagcperfo-
nage, beauty, luft, riches,lands, flattery, friend-
(hip^greatneffe of family, forced perfwaiions y Pa-
rents
BEFORE DEATH. 47
rents covaous importunity, or fome bafeand ir-
religious by refpecfi and gracelefTe grounds . This
the Apoftle C3\\€ihw4rrjfrfgff9 the Lor d ; that is,
for noby-icfpc^l, but inthefcare of G o d, 1 .Cor,
J»39* Without which all matches arc milerable,
though they fliould be made up with hoards of
wealth and heapes of gold as high as hea-
ven, crowned with honours tranfccndcnt to the
ftarres. The bafeneffe^folly and iniquity ofthefe
times is not more vifible and eminent in any thing,
than in making, or rather marring of marriages.
How often may we fee by ordinary obfervationa
little golden glue to joyne faft in the deareft
bonds, pearlcs and clay < And filken fooles to ca-
rle away fufficiencies above their woithlc/re
weight in richeft jewels ^ The world is ftarke mad
in this Point. But they are rightly ferved ; noble
miferies and golden fetters are fit enough for fuch
couples. For from this bitter root of a covetous, Mifchiefes «f
carnall, ambitious, orany wayes unconfcionable ""^"^^^ "^^<^^"
choice, fprings a world ofmifery and mifchiefe^
overthrow and ruine of great houfcs, fcandalous
divorces, unlawful! feparations, diflionour^ diftur-
bance, jealoufies, adulteries, baftardife, braw-
lings, mutuall exprobration of each others infir-
mities, deformity, portion, parentage, or fomeo-
ther cutting and netting matter of difcontent • fin-
full diforders in families, ill education of children,
&c. And, without repentance, ofterafewand
wretched daycs tedioufly worne out with much
irkfomneffe and heaits-breake, lyingtogethere-
vcrlaflinglyinthelakeoffire, there banning each
other
4S PREpAHAtlON
other with much defperatc hoitour, and many bit-
ter defpairefull gnatogs of teeth, that ever they
entred into that eftate.
carnaHUvein 2. Predominancy ofcarnall love. Which may
vttrtage. ' ^^ juftly pumflied with many fits offrowardnefTc
and falling out, from fuch fmall occafions and
light grounds^ that the Parties may well perceive,
that the correding hand of G o d is in it leading
thera thereby to the fight and notice, to remoric
and reformation of the brutiih fenfuality and fin-
fiilnefle of their matrimoniall affci^ion ; which
fliould ever be re;5tified by reafon, and fpiritua-
liz'd with grace. Manage is rather a fellowfliip of
deareft amity, then disordered love. And love
and amity are as different as the burning fickc heat
of a fever from the naturall kindly heat of a
healthfull body.
immt^eftahufi 3. Immodeft or immoderate abufe ofthcma-
«jmartage, jiage. Which, though it lie without the walkc of
- humane lawes, yet divine jufticcdoth many times
defervedly chaftife it with variety of vifitations
upon themfelves, families, outward ftate, good
name : with mifcarriages, barrennefle, bad chil-
dren, giving them over to unnecefTary diftempers
and ftrangeneffc in their carriage one unto another,
and other fuch like difcomforts and crolTes.
WhichCthough they may alfo befall Gods chil-
dren for other ends, yet) let all guilty cou-
ples in fuch cafes conceive, that they fall upon
them for fuch fecret fenfuall cxorbitancies and
HegkHofholy CXCCflc.
t'i'iS*' 4- Want of a comfortable communion in
prayer.
BI&FOEE, DEATH. 49
prayer, godly ccnfeience, mutuall coBpmunica-
tion of their fpirituallcftate, and how they (land
to G c D wardjdaiesofhiimillstion, helping one
another towards Heaven, and that joyiull forc-
rhoi ght of moft ccitaine meeting together m the
everlafting manfions of glory, joy, and blifle
above. Such divine fellowfliip would incredibly
fweeten thatdcarcft indilTolublc knot, and make
that ftate a very earthly Paradifc to thofc fcvr -
black Swannes,that love forw€etly?.ndgiacioiiny
together.
% Ignoi'lnce, orncg*Jgencein the right un- Nciie^^fm*-
derftandirg and pradifing both of the com- J?^**'"'** '**'
mon and fevorall duties pertinent and pro-
per to that eftafc. In all other Aits, Profcffi-
ons, and Trades of life, the Pra(^irioners de-
fire and endeavour to be ready in, and ruled by
the precepts and direiflions thereof; but as con-
cerning this great myftery of man:iging the ma-
risgc-liate with wifdome, confciencc and com-
fort, the moft are ns ignorant in thofc Treatifes
which teach their Duties (of which there are
many excellent ones extant) as they ai« bafely in-
folcnt in clownifh frowardneflc, or imperious ty-
ranny, to create agrcatdeale of needlcflfe difcon-
tcnt and mifery, both to themfelvcs ^nd their
yoke-fcllcv/cs.
4. Hclpe alfo wee may have for the Point 4 Frcp:irative.
in hand, even from the wifer Heathen. Who ^^'^!ic^''
GiX of the very light of nature and grounds,
of reafon, did learne and labour to moliifie and
affwage the flinging fore-thoughts of ill to come •,
H and
50 PREPARATION
»ridcnt«r')m. aid to ' pr^pircfor a more cafic and patient paf-
gr'^v.orT""''' ^^g^ thorow thciti, by cntcrfaining a rcfolution
— Pr^cmedita. beforc handto lookc for 35 no uncouth thing, any
lio futuiorum calaM/jCrofTcor cafjalcy, incident to mortality,
Toi^n'^zdltn- ^"^ ^^^ condition of man 5 an^ if they efcap'd'
tu.Tu/f ^xfi.
Hi.f. Qiioniim multiiti poteft prorifio animi,& pratpintio ad minuenduTTj dof orctn
fiiat femper omnta homini hum.\na meditaca. Hx: eft ilia praiftjns & difim f»pien-
*'*• — Nihil ad in jraci Ctim accident : Nmil,antscjmna cveiurat, noa e/cnirc pofle
iihiixzti. /Jeu Ihid.
Nam qui hxc audita a dofto meminiflfc/n viro,
Futurasmecum comtncntabar mifcriis:
Am mortem 8cerbara,autcxilij moeftam fagam,
Aut fcmpcr aliquat/ molcm meditabac mail :
lU fi qua invc fit cafuSjqurrT\nonrriCditatiotua pcrvcniat.: rullus fit c fas qnitc imps-
rA*umnremat: Pioponc nihil effe quod tibiacciderc non pofljr. Bern tk interiori
'DcnCapA'i.
Mens folicitax'itcqu^m agere qund libct inc'piat, omnes fibi, qms pati poteft
contLnr.clias propanat; qu^tenus Redcmptoris fui probra cogitmi, ad advcrfa fe
piafparer. Qjx nimirum vcnicnti-itanto fortius excipitj quantole cjutiuscx piarfci-
tntu aimavit. Quicnim improvidus ab advcrfitate deprelicnditur, quafi .ib hoilc
tiormlcfls invcnitur, cumq; cinitt inimicus necu, quia non repugnant m pcrforat.
Nam qui mala imminentiaper folicitudinem pcrnot^tj hoftiics incurfuJ quafi in iiv.
<:d jj yigilans expcftans : &indead viftoiiam valentir accingitur, nndc ncfcicns
tleT.ehcndiputabatur. Solcrter ergo animus ante aftienis fuse primoidia, cunAa de-
bet advcrfa mcdirad . ut fcmpcr hxc cogitani, fcmpcr contra base thorace paticntix
munitus. & qviioquid accidcrit. providus fupcrct ; & qnirquid oon a(;feCcrit, lucrum
patct Grel.^forM^ ycap It.
them>
B^Ft).RE D EATH. jx
tlicm,roho!dit ag£ne and advantage, and as it
were, an exemption from ordinary frailrie, and
common mifcrie of mankind. If they fell upon
them, thcbitrcrncflc would bee much abated b/
their former preparcdneffe and expc(5lation. BiM:
wcwhoprofcfTeChriftianity, and to whom the chrt/iiaHsiave
Bookeof God belongs, have farre more fove- ^X^^%^^'^^;Z
raigne antidotes to allay the fmart, more facrcd {heMc$aidb4^^
and furer meanes to mitigate and take off the fury
of feared future evils ^cvcnthe7*'r^Ww^s^ of Go B,
many ^xceedihg great dndfredous frMtifist con- ,
firmed with the oath of the Almighty, 2^d fealed
with the bloud of His Son. Every one of them is
farre more worth (though the worldling thinkes
not fo) than all the wealth and fwcetncfft of both
the JHdics. God ufi^thfttHjwhomHnotfuferysff
to he tempted above th4t yoc* are ahU: hut wtil with the
temptatioff alfo make a way t9 efcapejthatjemay be wii^f^' ftcvci' puts His fcrvantsto fuffer, but He furnifli-
nijb thee ivith eth them with fpifituall fufficiency to go thorow.
Xrin^ub^t^'' IfHei*neanetob4-ngthce to theft-lice, He will un-
"^^ *' dovfctediy'giveffiee ao'J/^^r/jT/ftrength. IcisHis
fwecte'ft method and mercy, firft to fit His chil-
dren With divine ability and anfwerable endow-
nients,and then fbtft them on wor1s, an<} thofe of
greatcft experience and mod spprooved valour:
A difcreet Schoole-Maftcr gives not the longtfl
ieflbns and hardefttasketo dullards and blocke-
heads,but fuch asiire of prcgnantpft wits? j»nd b^ft
capacity : the und^rtoding f rmourer tries )f>pt
common An?itics with Musk«"-6x)r, but thmc pf
Proofe. TheskilfuII Lapidary doth npc trie the
render Chryftall or fofter fioi^s by tb? ftiddy ^nd
hamtr^^rj but the Adajp^Jnt, whicbis readier to
brmrctbGh^deftironoT Oeelc- tb^ q^f cMH^JS-
bandwan threficth »et thcftdei mth 4 th^-fhi^gtn'" iQ.zS.t7.
ffr,H7>*P^ \ neither twmth a cm-^M( (4^}^ th Ci^JWh-
min : But bcAts cut th fides xvith dfi^e^4nd the
cummin wh 4red. Ffir his God (faick the Pro^
fhcx.)d9th injimiihimt9 difcret:0n^ and dothtedch
i^/^^.Now if the L o k p ^fUofs^v/hpi^ vKmderfi^l
in cottjifelLAndexcellent in vf$rkin^y give this difene-
tionandwifdometofraile man* Himfelft is infi-
nitely iTiorc mercifully wife, toproportion and fit
His trials to the ftace and ftrcngth of His Patience;
fingling out His valianreft fouldiers for the ftrong-
eft encounters • His bcft fchollersj for the largeft
IdTons; His cboifeft Armour^ fpr the hjghcft
B 5 Proofe ;
54 PREPARATION
Proofc; His hardeft Adamants, far the moft
fteclyAnvill; the raofl couragious Chriftians,"
fortheforefl:confli<5l5: His abled Followers for
^bXlnaif^'^ excraordinary fcrvtce and Tuiferings. K^braham
the Father of the faithfull, and FrienJ of G o » •
Joh,i\\^ juftctl !Tiia upon earth j Bavid.x man ifter
Gods 'ownc heart ; P/<',abounding in the riches
of grace, snd the rareftrevdations: I iliy, thefe e-
mitient Champions thus highly favoured, and he-
roically lilted, were put to it indeed, as appeares
in divine Story. The Lord in mercy did firft
infufe an invincible mightineffe of fpirit and much
Hm Athana ^^^^1^0 ^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^ of thofe threc Chri-
fiiis woifumi- fti^f^ Worthies, ^thanaftm, Chr^foflomt^^ and
^'i- i/*/^tfr; before H;^imployed them in Hisfoglori-
per^ex'*Jnn^ ous fcrvice, and expo fed them to the rage of fo
vaiie affliatis, ^ many implacable perfecutions in their fcvcrall
d'em'tum""' ^S^^' ^^^ ^'^^^ ^ ^^^ atfwords point (I mcane the
totum "oiieii- Sword of the Spirit) with the whole world : The
tis loipeduin wholexvorld aga'nfl: K^thandJl^tSy ^r\6i AthA^dft'^ a.
fcusquoqj ad imreftig.nnduoi cum conduiSisquxrerctorj dclituit. Tahtas moUj •rit
C H a, I s T I confodcre fsrvum ; vu omnis Impcrij vis advetfus unii h homineaa;
«iui DiuM habebat defcnlbiemcommoverctur. Pi-oduus tanncn per ancili iTiiquaB
ciminiftribat, exdominorim fuoritii jiilTaj-qui \mc\)xa% AtbaMfio pr3ep--raveiant,di-
vino admonitus Spintu,ca nofte qua cum coajprehenderevcnic banc miniftrijauftigic,
J«>2(ra«a ^rc H R t s T I J 4 ? . " .^v^ . ■^' • -
Currcrear Cirj/^/^'j/TW/iappcilare MartyrCfnquitotin)iiri}s,tot contimelijS, tot
affliftionibiis, nee ad trnp.ttiehtiam pcrpclli, ncc a propaganda Chrifliani pictate
depelli potint. Non pcccul'uscft ficmijfed calucnnijs onni fecuri acutioribus ndn
fcrncl iiluj eft. Hoc pixmi) yir optimus pro tarn prsscUris in Eccltfiam merit s retu-
lir p.ii- E'Jifeopos Oithoioxosj & Tub ImperAt.oie.Chiiflrta'no. In vita Chryfttfi.pe*
Era'in Hhoierocl ■'".''"".. ' " "' •
Quisnon pu-a(retttffJer«>j|iO tanto cnnftaruni oduj,' Sc invidia, cui totus "pcuf
mundiH tu{id[i3bita;-,ecijmilk cujiis p^idibiis Itn^K'rMoret olun co^cl/armir ccmccs
fubjicrrcnon ;iid,U na,J'tes Q;:cubitarii.n ? Sec. BrightMi)iCap,$'A^c
BjEFpRE, DEATH. 55
ry; UAlfeanhundrcd_y€/tresfpefitindoubtfulltridl, ub ^-^agJ^.
which of the ttvo in the end ivould frevoiUy thejidc^
which had all) or els the Part which hadnefrtend^ bui
G. o D and D eat h : the 0»e, aD cfendeur ojhts im0-
cenc) 5 the other, the fimjher of all his troubles. After
thcChurchof G o d, (hunted likea Partridge on
the mountaines by the Airian Bifliops) wofully
wafted and wearied, had laid downe her head in
the boforae of this blc£ed man ready to breathe
out her laft, he had never quiet day. Heare ray
Author: Bythefpacccffxear?dfortyyeares,fiomthe "jf^S.^'i^
time of his ccnfecraiiert, to fuccced Alexander K^vch- % > .
3ifiep dfAlexandria.till the lafthoureofhis life in this
world :t hey nCoerfujftrd him to enjoy the c$mfort of a
feaceahkday. The fecond was a n:iighty Thunder- Wow chrfT*.
cragiirfl the corruptions ofthe times 5 feared not ^Xl*^** ^*''"'
the race of the greateft. woman in the world, arm-
td. as well with might, as enraged with malice, (I
.'mcp.v\<:EKdoxia the EmpreiTeO but told her un-
dauntedly of her raging, "dancing;, perfecuting " i^annes pe«
:cruelty,&c. Bcfidcsaworld of wicked oppofiti- [.'ij^condo-
ons, infidiations and envy -, (for by downe- right ncm in eccI«-
dealino in his Minifteiy, he had di^wne upon him ^^"^ '^"'""
thehai^redof« all forts, Court and Clergy,&c.) ot'ci.um "eft":
Hewas divers times filencedjdeprived and banifli- Herodias ^ic-
ed. But he was fo much honoured of Gods peo- 7'' }'^fi'"''^'
ple every where, that when became imoTauro- ^ai ;. demi
faltare pcrgit:
dcruo caput Joh^iinis in difco acciperc tjUisrit. Secrat. Ulfi. Eccl-l,b.6. cap. i6.
• Pcccats t.intJ feverit.-'.te aroucbat, ac (i ipfc ctiam per injuiiam lae^us cil^t: & om-
niurr ord nnm deli6ta magna dicendi libertatc taxab.K : ita ^uidem, at ctiam Du-
'cu^:\(^EJttrop'ij & Gaim) imbipfiuslmptratoris errata reprelicnderet. — -Omnespro-
pcmodum orJiiicsin fe concitavit. Llerici & Auiici occulte fuas & ipfi operas
adjangebi^nt. Ofta.nd Hifi.Eecl.cent. ylib. i .cap 6,
E 4 filfCtA,
^6 PREPARATION
» ubi auccm ^uodancc of Chfiftians, weeping and wailing
mc^ppa^ia moftbictcrly for his banifhinent, ^nd faid, PT^dt
provmciam vc- jfj. had hccft/yctter thot the ^anhadkene def rived of
fSlu'iTFa! htrlfght, mddlher ^^Ur) turmd into dxrkentif^,
irum diori.-. th^n that the motith <7/Cbryrofto:ns fhould he floft
maruTi ^iwcs from fredthing. In the laft banifhin :;nr, by reafon
cffimdentjum , of the b:irbarou5 ufagc andimmanitics of the foiil-
*aentiuQo,co ijicrs that Icd him aloHg, ^ hired for tha?- purpofe,
r nos ^tt He fwealy and bldTcdly breath'd out his laft. But
cfci yidebmtj howbrxvely he bore,and with what invincible di-
jlicebanq; to- -^ refolution hc paflTed thorow thefe indignities,
fe,SiSoirAdi. oppreikorts, and cixiell wrongs, we may well pcr-
c$ fu3s retrax- ceivcby hisownc words to another baniflied Bi-
filquat^!'^" ft^op I'Whenlw^ driven from the Cit^i.nmeofthcfs
OS IdhamHi ta-
cnit Epifi.t^ f Militos ^aefcfti pisetorij, qui illnw dcducfbanr, non Jifiimiilabant
fibi promifla primia magnificaj {i /ohannes m itinere moirretur. Icaq, Rj€«fibns rrL
bus pcrimbres^pcr atHus, fine uUa tctriger'tione coipiifculi dunfliiTiUfMiiCf pertuUt.
I.rafm.inviti Chryfofiy f Etenimcgociima civitate fu^.-.iei-j nihil hoium curabam,
fed dtoebaai intra mcmct ipfum : Si 'quidcm vulc Regina me exiiJetr, agat inexili-
Um. DoiiiNi eft UrtA (s" pieMni^ey-a Etfi v»\lt {ccarc, fecct.Idcm pflus e(l 4:
Mptiai Si vultin pcla^us mitterej/on* rccordibor : Si villc in caminum injifcrc, idem
paffi Turn tret illi pun. Si me fcris vylc objiccrr, obji.iat : DinieUs in 1 cun Iconi-
bui0b;eKuJui eiiamabtii.
h\t idmonzt jtpqftgliu^Er^ txtbwhunitnibjn plMtrtm,ftr -ui C h R i s t i s/r^ m«n
a^'iiH. Armat me & Z)i©ncm dedit. Duunr quoi c»m mulif re dormiycrim : Exmrc me,& invcnictis mem-
fcf«r«m VD'iOTxim mortificatiowtm. Scdh^c omnia per nvidiamexcog.triuBt. lotan'
nt: efcaljCjrUco Epiftepi txuli- Tom.^. Bpift.^,
things
BEFORE DEATH, 57
^lutme mV. ylet her ham^j wf; The earth is the Lords ^ Vnhi^i,
and the fullncfle thereof: JfJhemlljLet her faw me
nfuffder :\{mh fuffertd thefimejffl:e mUJet her cafi
memtd the feaj I wllrcwcmbsr Joriiih. iffhe wUt, let
her cafi me into a burning pcry fornace-^er amcKgft wild
ieajis • the three Children 4;?^ Daniel rvere fo denU
Withjffle mlljtet her Ji one me or cut offtmne head 3 I
have then S.5?f^/^^«andtheBaptift m-j hlejfedcom-
fanions.IfJJje mlljlet her take awaj all my fHbfiar.ce :
Naked came I out of my mothers wombe, and na-
ked fliould I retume thither. The Apfile tels me^lfCzi i.io.
I yetplcafed men, Ifhould notbcthcfervantof
Chris T,i^ndYy^n6.ev againft all the tempcftuous
ftormes and fwelling feas of the moft furious per-
fccutions that ever were rais'd by the powers of
hell againft mortall man : and did fo iliakc th€ '
kingdomc of Antichrift, that fincc that tinK,
the moft glorious light of the Gofpell,and rcfurre-
iftion of Saving Tmth hath broken out upon, and
bleffed th« face of Chrift^i>d©nie, that did ever
fhine upon earth, or was feenc amongfl: the fonnes
^ mcn.Hc3xin was hcc like unto K^PhmitBm.ks
he
58 PREPARATION
' invitisjiabd' hcoppofcdthcvv/m^/^^/o X«if/'^rthc wholc jifft$~
^bL pI'Iz/Ta" ^^^il^^^^ world 5 and they both in defplte ofall ad-
tiunaims V vcrfary malice, both from Man and Divell, ^gavc
uithtius.mbi- up blcfTedly their happy foules in peace into the
^piUcU^^^mi^^' boforac of J E s u $ C H R I s T J whom they had for-
Morte (X hac merly fei ved fo faithfully,and for whofe fake they
H^^ahfio!^'- ^^^ glorioufly fuffcred fo much. Thus ypu fee,
^thaJafmsp^A wheii Go d fingles outand defignesany of His foe
muiupiiciac^r- fomc fpcclall fervices, and extraordinary fuffer-
v'rrihLTEc- i"§S' Heeverfurniflieth them before-hand with
dcfr* Doao- fingularity of gifts, and fufficiency offpirituall a-
rmi fufiinuiflc biUtic to go thorow, and ftand to it to death. But
tili'ma mme HOW on the Other {ide,He will never hnakeAbm-
ex hac vita ex- fedreedynox. qf*€»ch [moktfig flAxejlfti,a[2.T^.h\Mv^\\\
ceffit: civil ab ^yjQi^ gather the Lambs with his arme^and carrie them
finem (iii Epif. '^ hii bofomc ,and gcntlj had thofe that are wtthymn^y
copatus Alex- /jQ.4o.ii.Imakcnodoubt,butthatinQueencii/4-
fii'^^P^cEfumbt '■^^^ ^^^^s He mercifully hid many a good foulc
qaidragint.i from the implacablc fury of thofe Popifh ?r,eymng
icx annis: ad jYnlves : who, thoush thev wcrg in afavin^ ftate,
vcriusqucm to- * , / / t t • f ^ t^r ^
ti;s penc oibis ^^o.ioved the LoYiH j-Bsus f^JiJiice/(ty,£pfjeJ. 6. 2/^,
eonfpimvit. yet thcy wanted ftrength to ftand in the faceof tlie
D aLr^eS) fi^^'y f^'^pcfts ofthofc times.
eum violcnta niorte ex hoc mundo exturb.ue potuic. Ofisnd H't/l Etsl ccnt.^ I % c.i6,
> 6,?reparativc. s. BcwJire left sny earthly contentment cn-
^digbt la/^'up 'croachupon,cmpaire, and eat up thy delight in
thj> delight, in hcavenly things. But let thy fpirituall joy ever ut-
hcaveniy tbtrgi rcrly over-wtigh all humane mifcries, and over-
top incomparably all worldly pleafurcs. And
'Diference he- ^^crc is good rcafon for it : In refpcd. Of the
tyvtxt ihc ob- I. ObjeA. The matter, whereupon earthly joy
i'f/ %ZtZ ^"^^^ feed,isbafe and vile, filth and fafliions, ga-
deiight. ' ' ming
BEFORE DEATH. 5P
ming ond good fcllowfliip, reijellin^^ and in our
daics, even roaring, luft and luxury,&c.and otiicr
fuch froth and fooleries, the very garbage of hell;
at the beft corne, wine,oYle,eold, ^rcarne(re, offi- * Nch.s.io.Bs
CCS, honours, high roomts, Prmceiy nvonrs,&c. jcyijthe l-ri>
as tranficory as an hafty head long torrent, ^Jhadom^ ayturptniih.
a lhipy2 b:rd, an dtrorv , a Poft thathafieth by^ or if you ^^l'^,^ \.a^ti
can nanrte any thing of fwiftcr wir.g, and fooner in Heaven but
gone. But the objc<5t about which fpirituall joy is ^h^'e^^^'fdtkerc
exercifed, is "^Jehovah bleffed for ever, " His eartb^'tha"^^^
free and everlaftinglovc,/' the light of His countc- ^(fire kfides
nance,His r fweet name, ^ That ournamesare writ- ^^f^. 'Hoi. 14.
ten tnheavert,mQ *Son of his L or,His Perlon,vvhoie thei.ijrceiyj^T,
glory,beauty, amiablcnciTe, fweetneflc and excel- i ^-i^ihave lo.
lency is fomething fhadowed (but infinitely ihort) 11 e-veri^\w
by outward beauties, C^^/. 5. 10. "^ The preciouf- /o-te. mul^o^
ncfTcof His meritorious bloud, ^ exceeding great I'./I^^H*"
and precious Promifes, •* pardon of finnes, y Exod.^4' V
• Christs glorious ima^e (liining in our foules, ^^^ Lo ri>,
' eternity or unconceiveable joycs. q^^ „^j^,_
^ fuU and gracious, (s'c.^'Lvk. 1 1-:^, ~- But rather rejoycghtfaufeyour names are rvnt-
ttninbeave».*Co\.i.ii.Cioi'ii^'>5 "'•
thehjfomtebut forAm9inmtJohi6.%.'^\\i{'^\x\x.\\'^\
joy is likcthe/r^ upon the ah or 5 it hath ever fewell
to feed upon, though wcdo not ever feclc it. ^ The " ^^ -^^ '4-^7.
Kin'q-chms
4o
*lfa.5f.i».
*PfaI ji.ii.
'Earthfy jcy em
himred.
Xarfhlyjfj ti»-
fn for hiyfy dn-
tisu
iiemembrance
9f corn all jvy
PREPARATION
Conn All joy
mixed rpitb
/trrtvp.
Ha carnalljsy
Kmgdcvae of Go d if righmufneffe^ Mtdfeace, out
jej mtffc Ho t Y Ghost.* 7%e ranfemed ^ tht
Lord jhall retiirneAndcimetd Zienwithfmgiid»d
ev'CrUsHng jej ufonthetr heads : theyJhMUif*a;^ejey
andgUdntjfej and f&'row and figking jhdl Jiie dwdj,
k Begl/idtn the hcviv,afjdreJ0yceye righteous : dftd
fh$utf9r jtf dlyee thst are ufrtghf i» heart
5. Sincerity. Earthly joy is cruelly embittered
with many flavifh, dinging and invcnimcd mix-
tures and marrc-mirths : but Go v gives joy to tijc
uprig tit heart, and no fonow with it.
4.Efte(fls.CarnaIl joy utterly unfits fey all holy
imploymcms ; but rpiriti,ull joy is to the faculties
of the foulc, a$ oyle to the joy nts cii the body 5 k
makes quicke, adive, and excellent for the dif-
chai'gc of any divine duty.
5, Calling to mimd, carnalljoy ib the cvill day
torments extremely, and turnes it into gall and
worme-wood : but remembrance of thoic fwcc-
tefl: glimpfcSjand heavenly deawes of fpiriruall joy
which were wont to fliine into, and rcficfli our
humbled fouleswhen we were confcionabiy bu^
ed in the waies and work of the Lor D,will fervc
as a precious cordiall, to rc-comfoit our fpirits m
fadder times, and furcft pledge of their moft ccr-
taine returne in due time.
6. Spirituall joy isniany times much enlarged
intitacs of tribulation: But the heart of the wicke4
is forrovvfuU in laughter,and troubled with melan-
choly amidft their greatcfl: miah.
7,Spirituall joy is ordinarily moft free, full, and
at the highcfi: in folitarineile, foliloquies, and the
moft
BEFOUE death; . 6\
"moft retired exercifes of the fouler but carnall
joy and" want of company are forthc moft pare in-
compatible. And it is kept in that poore little Ay-
inglife it hath, by good-fellowfliipj and Icnfuail
itnployments.
■ ^S.Cainall joy ever ends in bitiemefTe, fpirituall ffllfj^^i^^'^^
in blelTednclTe. As the rivers of frefli water run
their courfe with an hafty cuiTcnt to fall in the fak
Sea^fothepofting Son of all worldly pleafures
aftera fliott g4earae,and vainc gliftering/cts in the
Ocean of endreiTc forrovv.
7. Make thy peace with Go d upon sood y'^^epamhe.
•ground in the meane time, and ^racioully walkc -^ub gq^.
with him by a rule and daily diredion. Watch o-
ver thine heaiT with extraordinary induftry. Mor^
tifie thy members which ale upon earth; pride,
choler, covetoufnefTe, felfe-love, hankering after
thefalhions,&c. Strangle thy lufts, ftand at the
Swords Point with thy moft beloved finne. Beare
■thy yoke fiom thyymth^dxid 'exercife thy fpirituall ' ^"^^ "^^^
armes every day; Get a habit of heavenly-mind- fu,n"^er«lt*
cdnefle and holy familiarity with God afore- £]uomod6 aiu
feand; and then lliall we holdup our hi^nds and ^^"'^ ^". "'^"■
our hearts with boldneffe and undauntedneffe of tnt^sc '"c!u-p'!
fpirit in the evill day. The firongefi andfiduteft crea- (-"^is? Quis un-
turcs (faith a godly Divme, preflfing thisPoint) .^orabTniT.
te addtfcentiji
i«i Palxfira corrc^oratuspotuit inOlympicii, excclfo, .icmagnoanimo adycjfaiium
aggreJil' An nonopottct cpotidie luJtari atqj currcic? Nonne videtls eoi quos quina,
>>cmincic3nt, muha qu^e concupifcciuiae flammam inccnduBt. Infuigc
igitur contra paflione*, vinCiS ammi labores, at corporis quoq*, I.iborcspoflisperfeirc,
4rc
>, PREPARATION
Aft AJTMdef thofe things whieh art cOfftrary to thir
ndttrcsj wh'ch other creatures mver fs weake, feare
not, hetng of the [mm nature. No more fearefall crea-.
ture thai^afjlh flying at the fhaJow of a man., yet it
fiares not the Ocean Sea^ becaufe of its oxvne nature and
acquaintance : which Liens, and thepo.'ttefi creatffrct
feare — A p:eef e feare s not his Jhep heard, by rcafon
of ac(\fimnianceyVchomyet the heart andthe wolfefcan:
Whatfoevcr isflrangc ardunacquaimed^ts futreftdl.lf
we acquaint oar fives v&ith G o n , and walke with
Him (vs H is friends, -^ve j]j all have th:r»orehold»(S)vitk
Hiffij when wc have moft rccrd of Him. In a word,
Tit.iit, be wciy temper a' ey honejiyholj. For, thcmoiccon*
fcionable thou haft formerly been, the IcfTc power
will the crofiTehave when it comes. It was the fay-
ing of a reverend man, where finnc lies heavy, the
erode lies light ; and conrr.irily, that heart is like
to be tnoft 1 ightfome in a ftormc,which hath beea
theholieft in a calme,
n.FreparaTive, 3^ PofTcfle thv mind betime of many mortify*
Bee Jilted Tfitb • • ^ j j- • /i i •
meditariw: a- ^% motivesand meditations to maltcr tlie immo-
f^inji: death, derate feavc of death, ihtkingpfterrourj and then
thou wilt be able with f^tre more patience and rc-
folution todigeft all petty troubles and miferies in
the meanetime. For which purpofe pondei upon
az,i-nfi death. I- There IS almoftno man, but he hath fuffer'd
morcpainein his life, than ordinarily he (hall paflc
>»'d "'"J"^'' thorow in death. The pangs cf death (faith M.^W)
in^ cat .pig. ^g often leffethanof the toeth- ache.
2. The covenant of G o d is of force with us,
as we lie inthc duft of the earth, c^4r.22.3 1>32.
3. Our
BEFORE DEATH. 6^
5. Our union with Christ holds ftill, Ci//. r.
iS.AsthcHypoftaticall cIid,whcnC h r i s t Jay
in the grave.
4. Death is but a/? nitd made account sfHtm ou eur
^naphatleare S4viour : WenevtY dottked, but that He which m^tde
js a people of ^y " ^^l^ hav€ mtrcj on us , (Ire. But now rhcfc
no undeiflan- poorc deluded ignorants arc in the mcane time
Hc^twlrmadc ^^^^r^ ftrangers to any vvorke of the fpirit of bon-
rhcm,wiU n'A dagc, andpangsof the new-biith, which would
have mercy on have taught them with awitncffc to have rakjeti
tkir * formed notice wh'at a mighty worke and admirable
thcdi , will changethc glorious Sun of faving faith is wont to
STr^'^i? "° ^'^"^^ wherefoever it comes. They could never
I. ■ "' ' ycifcnCibly and hcmi\y cry, Wee are unckane, wee
are uncleane ; we a.rcjtcke, we are hfl, we are hea^
vy laden ^ we arc undone, we 6\c, we aredamn'd ;
cxccpiyj^ dnn\zc of the wa^er of Irfej wafh in that
Fomta^n^ opened fsrfinne andfr nncUannejfe-, and
have a blciTed part in the Paffion and purity of
rii hhth ani^ Esvs Christ, Src. Whereas hdw the
mi}kk-£e. ^^^^ believer can tell you readily and experi-
mentally, that he was fird enlightncd, convinced
:Mid terrified with lighr, fenfe, and forrow for
Hr^n - :, aixl fo on, a--' you (hall End it T.^firuct. for
comfort, afjii^.Confc.fa^.yi^. &feq. But cfpe-
cially
BEFORE DEATH. 65
cially faire fall one good token : ever when jufti-
fying fakh is infurcd, there is athorow-fale of all
finne. The Fear! e of great f rice will never bee had,
except all be fold ; which is a matter fo remarka-
blc,and makes fuch a miraculous change in a man,
that it cannot chufe but be ftrongly remembred,
and withgreateftaflonifliment, and that even for
ever, both in this world and ^the world to come,
Senfuall pleafures and bofome (innes arc notori-
oufly nail'd and glued to a carnall heart ; they arc
asneereanddcareuntoit, as the moft dainty and
delicious meat to the paktc , Wickedr*effe iS^ixth.
Zophar) is fweetinhis n2outh, hec hides it under hii Job ie.it,
tongue-^ he ff ares it yondfdr fakes itmt -, hut keefts it
fiill in his mouth : not onely as ordinary gar-
ments, but as the moft coftly jewels, and richeft
chaine ; Pride ( faith Vai-idycomfajfeth t hem abttit ds rfal.7 5 ^^*
achaine-^ n^olence cover eth them as Agarmtnt : as
the verylimbesofthc Body. M&rtife therefore^
(^^dkh. Paid) pur members tvhich are uf en earth : for- C0I.3.S.
nicatien, imcleaneneffe, i nerd: nate affect on ^evi II cm-
cttpfcence, covetoufneffe : nay, and as the moft ne-
ceflary and noble parts, the right eje, and the r/^^/
hand', If thy right eye offers dtheeifidth C h n i s t)
flucheitouty and cafin from thee: — \^ndif thy \j4t.j.i9,j
right hand offend thee, cut it offhand e aft it from thee:
yea dearer then very life it fclfeto fleiband bloud :
For -wee may obferve and fee too often fuch
fonnes of pleafure>andikves of luftto have no joy-
in this life, after they have loft the joy of this life.
Hence itis, that many times the wretched world-
ling being robbed one way or other of the very
F life
9.
66 PREPARATION
life of his life, his wedge of gold and hoards of
wealth, makcsancndof hi'-nfclfe: that the wan-
ton mining of his luflfu!! aim r and mxh defircd
choife, fiadsno plealurc iithis iik; but cuts off
himfelf by a violent and uncimjly death:that Achi-
tofhel being difgraced and ovotop'din a Point of
Policy, the crovvne and pride of his worldly hap-
pineflc, put his houQiold in order, and hang'd
himfclfe. Well then, if it bee thus, that parting
from carnallpleafures be aspaincfull and vexing,
as if a man fliould pull the meat from our mouth,
the chaine from our necke, clothes from our
baclcc,thelimbes from our body, the right arme
from our (houlder, the eyes out of our head, and
astheloffc ofour life; that happy foule which
bids adjeu cverlaftingly to all earthly delights,
muft needs take extraordinary notice, and be able
for ever to give a ready and mofl: fenfible account
of fuch a mighty change and marvellous worke.
a. 7>cc*it. 1 , Askc them, how they keepe their faith : and
hlut%fpiJ' ^^^y ^^^^ ^^^^ y^"' ^^^y ^^^^^ G o d, they are not
faith- troubled about it. They finde no fuch fcruples,
doubts, diftrufts, fcarcs, jcaloufies, tcrrours,
temptations, dcfcrtions, wantSjWeakeneflTcs.c^f.
as fomc precifcr fcllowcs, whoftand fo much up-
on their profeflion, ftridneffe, conference, and o-
ther fingularities above ordinary, fo much talkc
of, and take to heart. They fee no fuch neccfldty
of running after Sermons, fo much reading, pray-
er, poring upon precife bookes, rccourfc to Puri-
tan-Minifters, Humiliation-daies,c^r. They can
Wicvc quietly , follow their bufincffe, and goc to
Hcavca
BEFORE DEATH. 6^
Heaven without fomuchacW. Nay, they arc fo
farre from being troubled in any of ihefe kinds,
ibatifany?.morgft tbtni betroiblcd in mindjSnd
extraordinarily vifited with fpiritaall diftrcfTej the
portion many times of G o p s dearcft children 5
they prefently plcale and applaud themfelves,that
they are free 3 and conceive and pcrenipcorijy
conclude that thesffliificd is an hypociitc, hath
beenca rrcrehaincus (inner then others, ormed-
led too much with Scripioire-bufinefTcs and d'
with miuchadoe, difhculty and * doubtirgs. He is ■^ ^«' -^^
as care full and covetous (if it kc pcfiibkjtoprc- fTau'^lvcr
ferveardfave thisPearle, as the worldling his f^row,it is
^old. For this purpofc, he paflTcth tborow many *ti"uii'thLc
Jbieard bitter ccntTds with the fieiceft alTauJts ieiievingcbn-
and fieritftdartsoftheDivcll^ (for hee knowes /''^"'^^'iff''
full well, thst that is the arme and power of Gob fliH^dlw'
unto us, for all lound comfort and fpirituall well- trarinife tu
beine, ard therefore he is mofl furious to weaken ^^"^f/jf^'^'g
US there) wuhinnnite game- layings and temptati- hehaibafittng
onsofcur inbred infidelity, native ignorance, dif- /-*''* J ^^ff^i
fidence,wifdomeoftheflefh, ourownc fenfeand 7/nothiig^'
feeling, and aw^orldofoppofitions continually. Hm,iut/e(-
He is driven many and many atimc to the Throne C^''""'^'.*".
- _ -1 in « Down Chnft.
of Grace with prayers, teares, and Arorgeft warfcap4z.
wraftlings for auxiliaiy forces, and renewed
flrength. O how often doth he refort with extrc-
meft thiift, and dcarcfl longings to all the blef^
fed Fountaines, that feed his faith 5 the pcrfon of
C H & I s T,His meritorious bloud,thc Promifcs,
F 2 Gods
w
fecftte
<$8 PREPARATION
G ® .& s frccft love. His fwecteft nam? ; the cove-
nant oFgracc,all th^ Ordinances, thofe 0»es tf 4
tJ79nfaiidj who arc able to difcovcrboth the depths
oftheDivell, and the myftcries of Evangelicall
mercy ^ti^i:. and forallthis is glad many times to
fay urjro his G d ; Though 'Thrt jldj ms^ jet mil I
jT)b I J. I J. frufi in 7htt : Lord,/ heUeve^ helpe Thou mine nn-
M«:k. j,.,4. ygi^^f^^^^^ The difference then ftandsthiis: They
hDldit the eaficft thing^of athoufand; biit hee
finds it the hardcft matter in the world, 77? he-
leeve,
5 . TJeeeit. 5 , Aske thcm,what it hath wrought uponthem :
5^;^'""'" ef and they cam or give an account of any alteration
toany piarpofe^orfandification at alL Imaginary
Faith ii but an idle/^.fi, a naked Notion, a meerc
fancy, a groundleffe prefumpcion and true drearaej
and therefore it is not adive or produdiivc of any
reall effeiflSjOr true religioufneffe. But now faving
iTuits «if With faith doth ever beget a bledcd change inthe whole
man,body,foule,rplrit,cal]ing, company, conver-
iCor.5.17, fation,&c. //4/'?7 manbein Qmn tr/hseis anew
creature : old things arepaffed away, Beheld all things
are new. It is ever attended with thofe three great
workes of grace.
i,vniver/a.u j An univerfall repentance and returnc frona
epefttanfe. ^n fj^s : ftona groffeones in praftice and action;
and^from the moft unavoidable infirmities at leaft
in allowance and affcdion.
i.vniverfaa 2. An univcrfall fan6fcification in all the parts and
sansipatm. powers of body and foule^ though not in height of
^ . ^- dee;ree,yet without exception of pirts.
QbtdieitcL 3. An untvcrfall obedience toall G o d s com-
mands ;
BEFORE DEATH. 69
marids; though not to pcrfc<5tion, yet infinccrity
and truth ; and with an heavenly train e of glorious
graces : lo'ue-hofeyverttieJkyiCwled^ejUmferanceifdti- » P«- »• J j^-
f nee jgcdlinejfe, brotherly kindnejjcj charity , j>)i , pace^ ^'^^^ 5 • * *a * ^
long-[uffering,gentlemffe,goodneffe,m€ehiijje,^Q. . /^,
And even in the ioweft cbbe and greateft weak- weaiie/ffiitb.
nefle, it is ever wont to difcoveritfelfe at leaft by
poverty offpirir, hungring and thirfting after righ-
leoufnefle, ftriving againft doubting, bitter com-
plaints for want of former feelings, induftrious
feekingto be fetled in belceving,earneft and gree-
dy longing after grace, highly prizing the L o k d
J E s V s, and preferring Him infinitely before all
theplcafarcs, profits and felicities of this life, rc-
folving rather to die tentboHfand deaths, than to
returnc any more to folly 3 felfe-deniall, con-
tempt of the world, care to fearch out the finne
that may poflibly hinder comfort, and be rid of it,
continu^ll watchful Incflc and holy jealoufie, left
we fhould be deceived,and faithful] labouring to
fubdue corruption. ^ 2)^^?/?.
4. Fourthly^ askc them. How they prize the L{zhte)eeme
ob)e.but as droile, and dungf and duft in thebaic
knee. Our pa^it in the perfon of C h n i s t, with
the purehafes of His dearcft bloud, and poUeiHon
eft he Deity bleflcd for ever by His meancs, dot
more than infinitely cranfcend the utmoft of ail
earthly contentments-, ms'd above the highell
poflibil ity, by the moft invcmive and ftrongeft i-
Hiagination^ and to be enjoyed thorow athoufand
eternities*
Knffsm a Tlic fecond fort,> which are a generation of
jr«^9Mry/dwi n^oreundcrftandingmert ;. flsand thus for cheirfpi-
idkuallftatc, andchiisfcarefuHycourentlieirownc
fouksy and come flioit of falvation : They- aflfay
indeed to be religious, give up their nampcs to Pro-
ife(fiofl> and wouW goc to; heaven with all their
beam, (b farre as the way holds, with enjoy*-
mentof temporall happinefTe : and therefbre,tbc)r
ni-fl^thcnifclves with an artifieiall habit of t;dking
well ; take part in>all companies with* the better
fidtfj follow »nd frequent Seimons^ withfgood
foiwardneflcj kt up prayer and other rdigiout
exereifesin their families 5 put thcmfelvcs upoa
daies of humiliation ; Icavenaany {innes> do many
1^ things, hold aounivcrfell outwacd conformity toi
? '' aUthc ordinances ^divine Duties at theinftancc
ofthe. Mniftery. And if chcy be of ability, counte-
nance godly Pfeachcrsjftand for them, and cntw-
tainc
BEFOK£ BJEATH. 71
Kiiac them ioK>tI*eir -houfes wkh itmcb ^t^&iQh
iwrcncfTe and bomity^ efpeciAlly fuchas(ipcrliaps)
by rcafon of too raMchi^barky , utwcquaii^tededfe
withtbtirwivf ;$, iQthficfTc to bcc 3ccoBii^.toO
prOvgmaticall and rough, oi- fomething comply
with them in afalfc concept. of their rpirituaft
yfc\lhcmg,&c. Bm ppcflcthem further, o^ fJ^"'fJ^,T
andbcfid^s alkhis, to thcheart and life^^eli- «tfnw8«»M^
gion^^o the power and pith of ^odlinefTc, crticify-
ing of their Gorrijptions^ftrangling their kfts, mc-
itcring their palfioHs, pamRgwith aUfinnc, uftfa-
ihioniBg them -to ^hc times, abandoning for-ever
their darlii^g plejifurc,t!ci?iall of themfelves^coj^.
tempt of the worlds liailywalkingiwith G o D.^dc-
light ia the. w^ rf^dint^e, an holy .kecpifig'}i»
ving,byfaith> an uncowardly opjXDfekm ^totht
iniquities, of the ^xcfcnt^jc^. which^(th*dy *^^H
know)\f ill be nccelfarity acGonipaniedwi^i J^fun-
kdrds j&f*^, caiUag;s of ibc ijafeft^ ^ifeoimwnanec
from uiigpd ly^greatneflfc, .thc:Dho many times alfo moji j carefully andfcandilouflyjhame their Frojejfion, (^ eaufh
thegoodrvay to be eviUfpolien tfihy their worldUnes, pride, fa/hions,ili tonguednes.pajftis,
upiry, detaining Church duesycowardline/fe in good caufes, impaticncy of Minijletiall re-
froofe,rfit cro/e the Inthcir comodityrfirangenes ofappareB, ixtimate correfpondece tvith
the pTophanejSccirreli^ioufnes »j their fervants andfoSowersySccare to he fearchedtho-
roiftlyyandmofi feverely cenjuredithat they may befaved at the length, truly humbled Cbri"
fiians indeed^and not onely in their 6wn cenceipt,andfucb as Govsvtuld havetkem.
10. A ferious and fruitfull meditation upon ^° P^epara^
thefoHrelaftthings> hath becneeverholden very Me%ta!e o't on
matcriall,and of ^eciall moment, to make us (by the foun\afi
Gods blciTing) more humbIe,un-worldly,pro- '*^"^^*
vident and prepared for the evil] Day. Give me
leave therefore, to fclc(5l and propofefome profi-
table Confiderations thereabouts, and Conclufi-
onsthcnec, which may fervetp mortifie our aflfe. .
dions
74 OF iDEATH.
iaionsto-thcwarid, ^takcioff the -edge and wgcr-
flcfTcin purfuic after catrhly tbings 5 wollific, mi.
make Ht our hearts for a more cafie .cnttaf»C!<::, and
cfll^uail cnterramcnient ofalliaving iimprctllons,
and morions of t he Word and Spirit, for our fpii i-
tuallgood; tbatmti.ncsofterronr, weinay ftand
lilce ij^ioum ZfOf*, ruamoovcable and magmni-
mous.
«>M»Vfa^eT^ff About D a A T H, Confidcr ;
**'^' I. Thatallthc plcafures, trcafures, and cora-
forts of this life, wife, children, goods, gv>ld,
great friends,. lands, livings, poflelRons, offiecs,
honoui's, high roomcs, brave firuations, fure pro-
fpe(5is, fu mptuous bui Id ings, plcafant wal kes, and
even the world itfelfe, upon which- thou haft loft
fo much labour, time, care, thoughifullnclTe, and
^ doted fo long, holding a divorce, as death itfelfe,
cos a/tcTanI ™^ft ^^^ uponthe ftroke of death, * which not
Toca 5 p<»r enjoyed in this world
ce^rjubeV nen OT thc wotld to come. Whm vur breath gmh forth^
hi onanei vel
boruhrw ann stu s apponcot^ultra quam veUtDEvr f-JbarmacojioIia exIwutisSjiuvmn
3c.ua)QncS gUni^sut yiram extemli-Sjtimen tciminos^i^iii prjetcun iion prQtcn3nt,noa
promciyebfs Caurus Cs5qiiaiinim'veVig, yiti&pcnctila <»mni».T» pumci-
pi]i obllcs,,num?ruui.n.- cr»ljwB ru>t> angeUs. pprcSjVQTcjUjjroges, njhil ^gjs \ wta? tuac
termini jam conUitutifunt^ncc unqiusn, (;]uicqiu4 reOftiis) piJtxcxiti potcmnt- —'■Qi-
boiu:Tj libi prxAanriflimotam copiaGt8c fcle^« j viTiiflQrctD'b9r»aliseris$.&>ubi vtUB
tuc mctam conrigeiiSjage, r^Ieiic rebus nu!Dani$,& ad rctioaeoi teddKidaal tc para :
Tribunal tc vocat.
4md
tios
nas
tes
O F I>E A T H. 75
and met retttrrNrtB mr rarih^ aM. ou^thoitghu fcrffh .•
Even rhr thoughts' of the gitcatrft Ptinces, and!
mightieft Moirardis- upon eaith, who happiljr
Hiay haveinthrir heads wh^le common- wealths^
and the afTaiies^of many kingdoracs. r»t mtyaur
mtfttn Princes (S^aih King Dav/d) nor in th:finn& Pral.i46.j,4.
efman^ inwhomthenis m helfe, H if breath g^ith
firth^ f)eere>uynnht^hiseardxyin that very day hi f-
thmghisprijh. And thet'cfoTe Ictirbcc chy wif- ^f« leaned
dome, to rent and weane thine affedions fromthr i'^'^Q^^^^^^l^
wodd with an holy refblure violence in the meanc vivcns , which thou canfb noc, diou) p^tes. Diffial"
nuift not have in. the fecond life. And there is: f^.i^'O impof-
goodreafonforit. For they are all (as Ifaidbe- ^^ P;^;
fere) at the bed, and in the height: i.Butr^w- fmacur boms,,
ty. And 2. Vexatiin of f^;ru. ?. They can- j^/""'''^^ J i^*
not farisfie the foule. 4. 7 hey will net frofit in jii,'c^^'„^,aucm
the day of revenge, 5. They reach notroeccinity. i^'^cat, uc de.
^. There is no man foairured ofhis honourjWealrh ^ -1'^^ jp[,*'|"^"
crany worldly thing, burhe maybe deprived of utm unT^&i.
them, the very next moment. 7. Thou needs to ^". caelooio,i-
i^arenowant: There Un$maK^M\C^Tiisr)that Tr 'ZTrV)'
hMh lep hmfeiOr brethren ^cr fifierSyCr fathers, ormt- on'Dom ca^.
ther, or w fey er children^ or lands for rfkj fake and the ^^
Gefpeh ; Bat he [hall receive an hundred fold mw in
this tlmeyhufcs-andbrethrcn^ andfifiers y and mothers ,.
4fid childreniond la^, mthferfectttfons-, aid in the
ivorldttr come eterfj all (ife. Ofeternalllife, thepoinr
is ciccre : But how fliall they helb manifoldly re-
munerated in thig life :• fc^ v.J^
I. Iathcfkmekind^,rometimes> andxstrrtTTfVSc le^e'f^war'd
* 25 arergpforde^L
Mar. 1 0.2 i., 3 p.
" n6 OF DEATH.
\ ■ - _
as they fay, \^haham,^t God s command, left:
his comtreyJiindrediandfathersheufe:2LVid hewas af^
terwards (as you know) crowned wirh riches and
honour abundantly, and became agreat and migh-
ty Prince: Job for the glorifying of G o d, and
confounding of Satan, bore patiently sand blefled.
God for the lofTe of all ; and how richly was he
after repay ed with a large and fingular addition,
and excellency of goods and children. "*" Valen-
timdn the Emperour was put from his place of
*Fcrtur luiia- command in the armVjbv /«to, and baniiliedfor
mm cum turn. c r^ ■ x. c j
mam impciij the prorcmon or C h r i s t : but arterward was
Romam adm:- called backe from banifhment, and with much ho-;
vJentinim, Hourand applaufe advanced to thc height of the
qui piaefcdus
cohortis erat, ex Albomiljtum qui in cxercitu Joviniani vocab.mtiir, GJCcmiiTe. &
perpenio addixifle exiho: fimnlationc qiiidcm c^ub>l rnilites fibi fubjeftos, cum"
contra hof^es pugnandumefiec, paruira comraod ^ inftiuxeratj fed rcvcra bine indu-
duseft, Ciim lulianu/i adhucin Gillia, qux a<] occidentcm foletii vergit, xtatcm
ageiet, adqnoddam delubtum ivitfacrificatum : fimulq; cum eo fuk ZfalentiniatHti,
Nam Romanis vctuscrar mos, iit prxfcdi militumjqui Joviniani & Hcrculianivoca-
bantur Impcratoicm proximo a tcego pra;Iidij causa fequcrentar. Valentinianus
autem cumenetlimen dclivbri tranfgrcfliirus, &faccrdosritu Gcntilftio viridcsoliva:
iimufculos rr.adtfaclos manu tcnens, incrocuntes illos afpcigcret, gutta in fuam ve-
ilcmdehpsa, segic admodum &gravitcr tiilir. Chnftianus enim crac, & proptcrea
fjcerdotccn, qui ipfun aqiu afperfcrat, & convicijs adoritiir. Aiunt prctcrca
^€um etiam Imperatore luliano infpeftante tantum veftis fur cum ipfa gutta excidif-
fe, abjccifleqj quantum gutta madcfccerat. Unde luViania ci admodum incenfus,
iiacufqj non multopoft Gondcmnavitcxilio, utnimiium Melitinam, uibem Arme-
RJceperpetuo incolcrer, causa quidcm (Jmulata, quoi milttes (Jbi (ubjcdos ncgl:-
genter admodum gubernaffec. Noluic cnim vidcri propter rcligionem ullo cum af-
ficere incommodo, nc indc ant martyris, aur confeflbris honosilli tribucretirr ; fi-
quidem luc dccaufaalij? etiam Chnftianis peperccrat, quia videret cosex pcriculo- .
rum ftifccptionc (uti i'upra demonftratumicft) turn gloriam fibi confequi, turn reli-
gionem ac fidem C H a. i s x i vehcmenter confirmarc. Ac fimul ut impcriuni
Romamim Joviano delatam eft,rfte t^alentinianui ab exilio Hldeam rcvocatus, mor-
tuojam foi tc /uliano, &confilioab extrcitu & his qui turn primes magiflratus gc-
rcbant, inito, omnium fufHagijs Impecitor deligitur, StxofnJiifiQrjEccUfiift.Lib.S.
Cap,6,
• \ , Impcdalf ^
OP X):EATH. 77
— ' '■ - '
Irapcriall dignity. The ApolH es forfakirg ail for
C H R I $ T s fake, had afterwards for one ^ poore
cottage, the houfcs of all the faithfull Chriftians in
ihc world, to which they were far more welcome,
than ever atiy7/4W4» was to his proudeft palace;
and fo all godlv Miniftcrs in all ages ever Rnd hear-
tier entertainment, amongft the HmtfJ-jmldefFrnth,
(truly fo called) than ever any natural! father,?no-
thei-.^{ifter or brother could poilibly affoordj be-
caufe, as yet they can fee no beauty in the image of
Christ in others, oi* in their feet who bring The benefit ef
glad tidiPgs.nor love fpimuully. ^. 'r^^u,,
. 2. Or in equivalence; by ** contentment, which po%iim dc-
doth incomparably both in fweetncife and worth mi rehqu flint
furpafle & ova-weigh all worldly wealth.Witnes fiJeii'o' dTmu"
that worthy reply of the moft famous Italian Mar- eiant apcrtx ,
qucffc,GaleacfMCaracc!oluf (having left the rich ^ailX c"nr
andplcafant MarquefdomeofVico,allImpcriall hjbeiet domll
Popifh, Princely, Courtly favours, and other pro- "^s- omnefqj
portionable felicities attending upon fuch humane poftoiVfuot-
fuHm fruftum & ncccfTariaferebaRtjUt rede Paulm fcripfeiit,iCor.6. lo. Ap'jftolos
cfle tanquam nihil kabtntes,^ tamen omnia poJJUentes S c ubi oaurn patiem.uiiam ma«
tremjpAiiculos fracres, & fororcs icliquerunt, alibi centum fidelcsinvencrunt,,q(ii pa-
tcrnOjmateino,& fraterno animo eos profecutifunt. fiiTnton Evanr.Ca^. i j i.
•> Ctntuplaigitiir ifta, hoceftmulto plura animus rccipit, non centupio modo^
fed infiaitOjiriajore turn voliiptatc utens raodicis illtj, quxcunq j ad v.'tam prxfentcm
in perfccutione D o m i M v s dcdent, quantilibettribulationibiis circunditus, quam
ante cognituni Ev.ingeliuraj ufus fwcrat ijs, qua: rtliquit, Bucer.in Cap ig. Mattb.
Interim fuas exhilarat Deus, ut illis pluris fit, longrq; fuAvius t^intJUim boni
quo fiuentuv, qaam fi extra Christym illis affluercs immcnfa bonorum
copia. Calvin, /bid' CentuplicialKaTcyraTiheio-ia'ct. i e. Qnae centics tanti flntjnem-
pe quod ad rcium ufum, Sccoramoda hujus ttiam vitx attinct : fi ^nodoilla non ex
copijs & cupiditate noftra fed ex D e i naftri voIuQtate, (qu3B una eft ccrti<]]ma
bonorum Rcgulp) metiimur; adco ar fideles inmeuia ttiam e^tftate hu us pr mif-
fronis evcntumfentiant. Itaq; pcrndiculus erat lnliar>ut iHc Apoftata <^.mvn Ivmc lo-
cum cxagitanS5qujercrcni centum ctiani uxoics habiniri elkni rhiiftiani, BifO-in
€a^ lo.Marci,
great-
78 OF DEATH.
greatneffc for the Gofpcls falcc)to a wicked Jcfuitc
templing him with a great fumme of gold, to re-
« Tie nfc of tui ne out of Ziori to Sodomcfiom Geneva into Italy ;
^,'^'of^"* ^t ^ Lettheir money ferjh with thef9t,r9h9efieep:eallthe
'rnkkmrt^uefe ^^^^ in the world, mrth one daies feckty with Jisiis
of Vico in tU Chris t, and His Ho l y Sp i r i t. I make no
^^kTcaLz doubt but to any of our learned and holy men,
exiles for Christ in Quccne M dries time, of
whom many after returned, and received an hun-
dred fold according to the later of the Tcxr^h-owne
head and the Gfjj>eirm Gcvm^nyy.duv\ngt\\sth[ou'
Lofe ofiepirais dy five yeares, were irfinitclv more fweet and
Tecm>pcnce.i ^^^^ ^^^^ g|} ^^^ Bifliopricks of En o L A N D with
with a.iinasnce i r ■ » /» • i
9' fpirifuaUi. Stwjcfiftjon totbe ftxc i^rticles.
d Foredidt.ut 5^ £ven in ''an overflowing and tranfcendent
inn-ecJi)setiam • /r t 1 i_ j j
pcrfecution:- manner,m a prefiea and heaped, and even over-m-
bus cf.ntuplj larged meafure by fpirituall joy, peace of confci-
fi.it fceiiciorcs, ence,contentment of foulc, m.ore fimiliarit v with
''Goi>-
2 Ktngs 4. who upon the matter, and in the taic
meaning, denied himfelfe, and forfooke all for
Gods f'ikc. (^ For he doth fo alfo,who preferres • Rei mjucrc 3.
the glory of G o ©, the Gofpell, the caufc of '"i" "^ propter
Chr i^T,andkeepingof agoodconfcicnce,bc- ,"Tr7fiv^p"oju
fore any, or alleaithly things 5 holding faft un- ter ' ch ri.
fainedly arcfolution, if he be put to it, and times tJ^^ ' ^^
require really and adually to leave all for p^ponc'/oL^,
Christ.) Thisgood man might have '"applied n.bus, scfupa-
himfelfe to the prefcnt, ferved the times, fought "'^"^ira^'^cfl^'
the Court, and f -.teat lejaifels Table with her o- charum pc(ftol
ther temporizing trencher-chaplaires. But it is " "<^^i''o, ut .1.
faid in the Text, that he feared tkLcn d, and fo ^^ ^^^^^
difdained, and abhor'd to gainc by humouring rua rdm^jue-
grcatncffe, to grow rich and rife by bafenefle and, 'f qu^ntumvis
O c? J chara, quajnoi
alliciunt,aut ctiam cogunt.ut aliquiJ faciamnsj quod tit contra ejaJ gloriam Afufc.
' Colligemus ex hac panpertatc viriim lUum fuiife confbntcro in vera & fa na rtli^i-
oac : quiali dcficcre voluiffct.ad cultu-n /eiabclu^Sc im^ijvco-.s^xi^tui & julls facui-
tatef ei ns>a dcfuiil'ent- Fet.Martjn he,
fiatter}^
8o OF DEATH.
flattery .And therforc did chufe rather to die a beg-
ger,to leave hi«ftvifcin dtbc&expyfehis children
to the bondage of cmell creditouis,rhanany waics
to make fhip-wrackc of a good confcience^or con-
fent and concurrctothe adulterating of Go d « fm-
cere and purer worfliip. But innrk what followes :
rather than the wife and children of fuch a man,
who preferred Gods glory before his owncpre-
ferment,fliall fuifer wantj rhcy muft be relieved by
a miraculous fupply , as appearcs in the ftory .
^ l«al name y~. • j „ /• / • ^r
give^for lofe 5« Or m good s fJ4me 5 which ts rather ti
ofgood^, &c. het chofcn than grzat riches, faith Sdomen, For
InTrS/V^ inftance, compare together Bradford zxi6, Bonner,
name) kar jh ill The name of that bldfed man fhall bee of moft
not bee cut of. dcarc and glorious memory to all that love sur
pJol.ii.i, Lord Jns Us Christ wfi:?ccrity-,\\m\\\}r{\s
■• tisare CiUin fccond comming : and it is like we (hall looke up-
hifa, be ore his . ^^ . . ■ i i i r
commetary up- tyrsmQueene Manesume^ with thoughts or ex-
on the fir/i to traordinary fweetneiTeand lovein thc next world
Ecfi ^ neqi tu thorow all ctemity. But now the remembrance
piaufum ihe- of that Other fell ow, who (like a blood-thtrfty
no'tcib ^D e"J '^yS^'^) made fuch horrible havockc of the Lambs
contentas neqi of Chr I sT,{liaIlbe had in amoftabhortedj exe-
mihi propDti. crable, and everlaflin^ deteflation. The name of
Ts 'Irrarc! ^^^^ fore-named noblc MarquefTe, ^ who left and
C^od tamcn
cognitu utile eflac ffu^u'rfum,non ptorfus celandifimt LEferre.Quoi account With comtoit at that dreadtull houre cum inbc-
thypf everlafting life: but lalfo (abloudybutcher ""ctu^^o/iocu
to mine owne foule) all my few and evil! dayes, Johm cap.s.
bafcly and bitterly oppos'd His blefTed kingdome; "^'''^P^g J ^ »•
the purity, power, and holy precifenefle thereof,
as quite contrary to my carnall heart, and that
current of pleafures and worldly contentments
C 4 into
88 OF JUDGEMENT.
into which I had dcfpcratly caft my felfe: I indeed
wretchedly and cruelly againft mine owne foule,
perfecuted all the meanes which fliould have fan-
(ftified me,and all tlic men which iliould have favM
me. Happy therefore were I now, if I could increat
the greateft Rock to fall upon me,or be beholding
»Rev.6.i 6. to fome mighty mountaine to cover me ; there to
lie hid everlaftingly ^ fiom the face of him that Jltteth
en the Throne^ andfi^om the wrath of the Lamb, O that
I now might be turned into a beaftjOr bird,or ftone,
or tree,or aire, or any other thing I BlefTcd were I,
that ever I was borne, if I could now be unborne :
That I might become nothing & in the ftate I was,
before I had any being ! Ah that my immortall
infern^akTTu' ^^^^ '^^^'^ "^^ mottall, that I might "^ die in hell,
ilincbit uhi eft and not lie eternally in thofe fiery torments,which
flctus&ftndnr I fliallnever be able either to avoid, orabide! Let
ufuUtm jamf- us then betime in the name and feare of God, kifTe
tatio& Voeni- the Son left he be angry at that Day; and fo wee
tcntiafineuiio perifh evetlaftinply.
ijCmedio; ubi * ' ' '. mu -
cfl v'Cimis illej^uinon raoritm',5c ignis<{ui nuncj^uartrcxtinguitti^uhitnorscjiixutar,
&noninvenitu'. Quire in inferno mors qwxntur&iioninvcnitnr ^ C^i.aquibiis iii
hoc feculo vi:a ofFertU!,& noluntacciperc,in inferno qujeriint niorcem,.&non poteriint
inrsnue. U'ni critnox line die, amaiituda fiuedulce^ine, oblcuritasfiac lamine,&c,
u4iigufl:JeTemSeTm i-^-i-. .
Hotp t9 ad' Let US now, while the day of ourvifitation lafts,
^dtitTchrifi hdoxctheSunhefet upon the Prophets, addreflfe our
felves unto him: i .With hearts burdened and bro-
ken with fight of fin,aiid {cr\k of divine wrath,3//?^.
11.28. 2. Prize him infinitely and above all tfre
world, M4f. I :? .45. 3 .Sell all, part with all fin, /^/af.
Out of Egypt quite,leave not an hoofe behind,^;if.
10.25. 4.Take him as our husband & Lord,wher-
by
OF JUDGEMENT. 8p
by we hecome the fins ofGod,loti,i,ii.y.Ti(hhisyoh
nfon usy andk/irnetobe meeke and lowly, Mat, 1^.2%::*
6. Enter into the n^^j, which is caiedtk ivay ofhoU.
fjefejfi.^^iS' y.And.thcreconutiueProfcfTorsbf
the Truth> and of thepbwer of the Trnthj and of
the power of the Truth in truth .:' (for otherwife>
thou mayefl: be a Profefibr, and perifh eternaii^ :)
That Chri ST may ownethee,at^th5tDa^vMafiy
profefle the Truth, dud not tlie power 0^ rfiiaertfthi
fome profcfTe both) the' Tpotkam' th tj)m;Ci^bfib,
but are falfe hearted. Where then Mthe m>n-pi^ The /iris ac-
fcflbur appeare < Nay thePerfccutcr o-i-yhts^-. count of tUiafi
tfhich isjfokm /^nwfi emer^ luthti^ip^-i ^ ^]i4V^rro I day,
.,^vThattHdn,mufl^refeflriy^pa(ffertocfttiifip2^
fhi^jthe highefl & laft Tribunal, which c^nmv^t deniy, cUaniy,
be.appeal'dfrom,6i:rep-eal''dtt1ifefr(t>giveahekai0 'l"fadfj^P''%
acDountvof alithingsdonein-stbe fli^flr,^ VJ^^ dy^i^^jt "^fargj J^"^
thoil^^tofi^teeJicasjr^-.rvWpt^fbf^^tfeyti^ (xtrasrdwarie
every gtaJndfc'ofthineicy^, . 'cvcrpi^mitm i^^lhy ^^'atrj^
thiiejieyeryQniifliQofaaylioly dut^jorgoddde^d, t^cat me; ^
every adionthcu haft Eindertakeii/^ith'a'ihStedr- ^
^»^}-e
^titc enitii Of iVstnt t'eftibus txtc'tnh) {uoo«{tiua,tt onVncm I'tiam yi^OiW-.-ldcmiiidm
tem,vcl bonavel mnlaomnitusievel.intur.H/Va/1 /»J 2)d;;,7. ' '; *f ■ - ■•
. <^3edain igrtuc yss ttftlntettigtnlia, tfPwHtf j Tjlfel^^ft ''ttbieit-f^-'cf ^ilj fuai vtF^dna^
yel oiaLi-aiacta iamcmoniam^ fevoc^Jittiv^ ei:iff&Ms iftniitii'tniri' celeVffate eeriisiittir:
ucaccufet,vcl excufetfcicntiacunfcientiaiTi: atqjita fimulCfomncs 6c?^fi«»QU j^icem
tVT.y^u^36Ci'vk.7}etltk^o.Cap.i4. - ■ -- - ' '''- ' -- ■> i'--i c-i- - < ■ • ■-
- Ncceffeigiturnon enCJUt^nanife^at(ofi«(v0cefenGbili icF>umalhii';^ftd fetis crir^fi
menti cepexifeijtctii*,^ itiinif fftetar*. Bugo^f^lfdrftHLjb. i xleaniwa -tap. Vi'i -, • ' ■ " ' ' '
- : : i>>.»» li .
lataj & ultiinum illud judiciufn c6in%ina«'f)€ri$j & rnanifcftatio ejufdem fcntcntiae j
non f ffet confenianeum, ut ialuccaswfcnuo tum tempotis pioferamur. ^mef.Mfdul.
rheoltib.i.Cap.ii.Sea.ii.
* Qui raodo eft Advoeatus nofter,ipfe tunc erit Judex noftcr. • Si habcres cau-
famapud aliqaem judiccm agendam, & inftrueres Advecatum efle, fufccptus ab Ad-
vocate, agcret caufamtuamficutpoffct; & fi non illam finiflfct, & audircs ilium in
judicio f cntur«m,qttantum gaudcres,quja Ipfe potuit efle Judex tuus,qui fuit paulo an-
ti Advoeatus tuus?— — Quia Adyocatum praemifinms,fecuri Judicem vcnturumfpc-
xGm\xs. AugufiMTemp.Ser,iig.
J- chafed
OF JUDGEMENT^ 9}
chafed the 'pardon with His ownc hcarts-bloud,
ihallthenbcour Judge; . ^J^J"^^
3. That all the bcaftly ana jjr.pure abominati- day oj judge.
6ViS of thine heart 5 all thy fecret finnts and do- '"/"^•,
fet-villanics, that no eye ever looked rpon, 'but tim«TajSdi
that which is ten thoufand times brighter than the ommbus. ipfe
Sun 5 fliall all then be ^ difclofed and laid open be- \^^^^^^^^ , '^
fore Angels,Mcn,and Divels ;. and thou ilialtthen i"Ccto!p!o!
and there be horribly,uni verfally , and cverlafling- ced's, videds :
ly alhamed.Thou now ads perhaps fecurcly fbme ^"^^^.1'^^":*
hatefuU and abhorred worke of darkneffe, and videtteV Lu-
wickedneffenottobenam'd, in thine owne heart, •'^^'"^ cxtiinfta
oroncwayorotherinfccret, which thou wouldft (ublifYmtis"
not for the whole world, were knownc to the vidette.incorl
world, or to any but thy felfe, or one or two of ^^'^'^'"*y^*"
thy curfed companions curbed by their obnoxi- nmeriiiumcd
pufncfle: butbewellalTuredin thatDay, at that cma eft, ut vi-
grcataffize, thouihaltin the hct .of heaven and ti"endo oftui
pcccare vis,quaei:e ubi tc non videat, & fac quod vis. Hein de Verb VDomSerm. 16.
** Ini'jmtates tua: omnibus populis nudabuntur, & ciin^tis agminibus patebunt uni»
verfa fcclera tua, nen foliim afluumiVeium cogitatioiium, & iocutionum, Multa veio
tunc vcnieht ex improvifo, quafi ex rafidijs, quse, mod© non vidts, & forfitan pluia &
ter?ibiliora bis (ju:e vides. Undiq; erunt tibi angufliae, hinc ci;unt accufantia peccataj
trcmenda juftitia, fubtus patens hoiridum chaos, defupcr iratus Judex, intus vermis
confcientia', foris ardensmundus. Bern.de confc- ad fin. Scioqucd anima tam ama-
ram, non aequc fcrt mcmoviam, fed cogamus eam,& conflringamus. Melius eft nunc
cam ipfa morderi memotiajquam per illud tempus, fupplicio. Si nunc peccatoium fis
mcmor^ & ea continue proferas. &pro ipfis depreceiis, cacit^ delcbis: fi nunc vera
fucris oblitus, tune & inyitus coram cmm mundo commonefies : ipfis in mcd:iim fe fe-
rcntibusySc coram oftcntantibu$,& amicis,&inimicis,& An^dis.Clr)i/:ad Pop Jntioch.
Horn, 41. Cumhosrclinquatj&captosAngeli quidam invitos trahantj flclachrymis
perfufos,& dcorfum taccntcs in gchcnna: flammas, pniis coram toto termrum orbe
ad dcdccus produ&os 3 quantum dolorem ^S^ puc?s ? JderaHom.j^^. de trcmendo
Judic^ die.
Penfant fanfti viri quanta fit ilU vcrecundia ineonfpcftu tunc humani generis. An*
gclorwn omnivm Archangelorum^j confundi.
earth
9^
.OF 'JUDGEMENT.
earth,: be laid out wiithy colours to thine eternall
confufion. Never thcrfore go about, or encourage
thy felfbto commit any fin, becaufe it-is mid-night
or thatthe doores are lockt upon thee 5 becaufe
thou art alone, and no mortali eye feeth thee, nei-
dierisiitpoffiblc tobc^deveal'di (And yet Imuft
tell thee by the way ,fecret villanies have and may
be difcoVered, i. In fleepe. 2. Out of horrour of
confcienoe.or intimeof diftraifiiion.) Foivfuppofe
-itbeconceakd,and ly;e hid in as great darkneflcjas
;it was coramittedjuntill the laft and great Day: yet
then fhallit out with a witnefTcand be as legible in
thy forc-Jiead,as if it were writ with the brighteft
ftarres, ortlie raoft gliJlcFiag Sun-beame upon a
The terrdr of
Met.z5.41.
expounded.
^ Though the
wallofChriftall.
- . 4. In what awofull cafe thy heavy heart will
be,and with what ftrangeterrour, tremblBrtg, and
defperate rage, it muft needs be poflfeft, and rdnt
in pceces, when thou fhalt heare that dreadfull fen-
tencc of damnation to eternall torments ^nd
horrour, pronounced over thine head: Bepdrt
fentenctbe pro- fiomme ^thou curfed wretch into everlafting frey
nouHceJ gcHe- ^f^^^edfir the Divell and his angels : . Every word
reprfbatem/i breathes out nothing but fire and brimftone, ven-
ta^eittohim^ geauce and woe, bites deeper, and terrifies more
[elfe with inp- ^ *
nite anguifljoj^pint by pdrticulAr application. Qu^citlsafcholaflicis, utrumufta gcnc-
rali fentcatia, & eledi tccipiendi fint in coelutn, & reprobi conjicieAdi ingehennam.
Sane fie videtur, quia non nifi genecalis a Mattheo fentf ntia adfertur. Tatnen dixerit
aliquiSjOpus effe,utfm {ingulisfenTentia dicatur,quia & prsemiorum & poenaium certi
emat gradus.Ad hoc pleriq, refpoadent, fcnfibili quidem voce pronunciatijm iii fen-
tentiam gcaeiolein : fedeaoijquia.pirticulatiai omnflsf<:iant',quanmm'prJCmium,quan-
tavc pcjeaa maneat ipfos, id cujufq; menti cfT; repicsfcmandum, ita ut ejufqe mahifefta-
tionis non minus j^erta altjsfiituca func judicicc/quarn fi fingulij fua dkerctur fcntcn-
than
OF JUDGEMENT. 93
than ten thoufand Scorpions ftings. To ^/eparP
from that glorious prcicncc were hell enough:
but thou muft alfo goe with a cur/e : not onciy [o,
but intojf^"^ .• and that muft be evcrUfitngj fed con-
tinually with infinite rivers of brimllone.r.nd kept
ftill in flame and fiercenefle, by the unquenchable
wrath of the moft juft God, thorow all eternity.
And in that horrible dungeon and fiery lake, tliou
fhalt never have other company or comforters but
wicked Divcis, and they infulting over thee ever-
laftingly with much heUifli fpite, and ftinging ex-
probrations, for negleding fo great falvation all
thy life long; and lofing Heaven, for fomc bafc
luft, and! believing their lies. If the drowning of
the old world, fwallowing up oi Korah and his
compliees> burning up of Sodome with brimftone,
were attended with fuch terrours, and hideous
cait^cri^s : How infinitly tranfcendenr to all pof-
fibility of conceipt, exprelfion, or bcliefe,will the
confuiioHs and tremblings of that Day be ; when
fomany millions of menfljall be dragg'd downc
withailltheDivels of Hell, to torments without
end, and paft imagination. There was horrible
fcryking,when thofe five filthy cities firft felt fire
and biimftonc drop downc upon their heads;
whenthofc rebels iaw the ground cleai/e 4 finder ;
^nAthemfelves arfdall theirs gee down qui eke into the
fit'j when all the fonnes and daughters o^^dnrrt
found the floud rifing and ready to over- flow
themall at once: But the moft horrid ciy that e-
v^rwas heardjoreverftiallbein Heaven or Earth,
iBthis worldyOithe Worldtoconie,willbc then,
wh«n
, 94 OFJUDG EMENT. ^
^Bcid caeiitji ..Vii^rn ill th^ forloms coidefliird rcprobitcs, up-
noiico^uoa oar^a:-ri:eg->M,}iill b^ violeitly and unrcfifta-
fci njc puci- biy h.ilcrJ dj.vi:: to H.41, and palled prcfently
ta.i icTtpc-r fr^T^ rh:^ DTcf^acenoc oaelvof themoft glorious
ad u lau -nif^- OoD^t'ic LoRD J E s V s , A.figds,ana all tnebleiled
racioa^in He Oa^s, buc alCj of their Fathers, Mothers, Wives,
tcTL^t Husbands, Children, Sifters, Brothers, Lovers,
tu- jud. cun FnendsAcq.iaintaice;'^ who (hall then juftly and
videanc vindN dcfervcdly abandon them with all deteftation &
fua^iIvoMmtTn dcrifioi: andfjrgetting all nsareneflcand dearcft
fa't^uine pec:a obligations oF nacurc, ndghbour-hood, alliance,
mam Miiini g j^y thin^,rei,iyce in the execution of divine tuftice
Deuj omacOj; in thcit cvcrlaftng Condemnation. So that no eye
bom habibuu of G o D otman (hall pitty them;neichci'fball any
ims''' "qudci teares, prayers,proiiiires, fuits, cries, yellings, cal-
pietate u.ibcac ling upon tocks and mountaines, wifhcs never to
dciJacieiipoe- havc bcene, ornow tobemadcnothing,&c. bcc
^'^feim Isim- then heard or prevaile in their behalfc , or any ono
iuui.ca.p*z in Heaven or Earth be found to mediate or fpeake
urn s"!naos^fc- for them ; to reverfeor ftay that feai'cfali doome
ipfos, om lefcj; of etemall woe : but without mercy, without ftay,
fcelerij fjcios with 3Ut any fatcwell, they (hill be immediately
tionibus dc^/o- ^^^ irrecoverably caft downe into the bottome-
vcbant paren- lefTepitjofeafelefTe, endlslTe, and remedileflfe tor-
tcTi fii us, him n^ents, which then fliall finally (hut her mouth up-
filia, banc ma- onthem. Oh ! What then will be the gnawin^s
ter execrabi. pf the never-dying worme; what rag -of guilty
tx dTcT"* confcienccs; what furious defpairej whathorrour
nofq; & ipfa n of miud ; what diftraitions and feares ; what bitter
^^"^"^ Th^' '^^' ^^^^^"S backe upon their mif-fpent tine in this
miedi or out-houfc;
^omnia vcr5 b^^j q^q hourcs Company with all the crowned
piicu"fupe"al Saints, and glorious inhabitants of that happy
bit,Dcum non placcj but of onc glauncc upon the glorified Body
^^^ ofjE sv sChri sTibutofoHcglimpfeofthat
in potcftatc unapproachablc Light,and lehfivahs face in gloryj
habuifti obti-
nerc. Beru.de inter, 'Domo.Cap.iB.
Videtur una tantummodo poena cfle, combuii. Si vcro aliqais diligcntcr expendat,
duplex hoc inveniteflefupplicium. Qih cnim ingehcnnauritur & cGclorum regnum
prorfus amittic : quae cercc poena majoc eft, quatnciusiatuSiUcflammaram. (Inyfdfi,
iuMat. Horn 14^
Intolcrabilis quidem res eft etiam gehenna : Quis nefciat.flc fupplicium illud hor-
libilc } famen fi mille aliquis poni.it gehennas, nihil tale diftmus eft, quiUc eft a bea..
tat illius gloria bonoic repelli, exoTumq; effe Chrifto, & audice ab illtt : sen nori
voi.lW//.
I
OF HELL p7
I fay, the lofle but of any one of thefe would be a
far dearer and more unvaluable lofle, than that of
ten thoufand worlds, were they all composed of
pureftgold, and brim-full with richeft jewels.
What will it be then (thinke you) to lofe all thefe,
nay, the full and abfolute fruition of all heavenly
excellencies,beauties,glories,'pleafure$ and perfe-
dions,and that eternallyrl know full well that car-
nail conceipts and worldly-wife men will wonder
atthis 3 for, having no fight but by fcnfuall eyes,
they cannot poifibly apprehend, or will by any
meanes acknowledge any fuch thing. Eagle-ey'd
they arc, and fharpe-fighted enough into things of
earth; yet blinder than a mole (as they lay) in be-
holding any fpirituall or celeftiall beauty. But had
Vfchut thccycs of Aufiwj Bajllj C/jry/oflome, and
fome other holyFathers,Cand why fliould not ours
be clearer and brighter, confidering the greater
fplendour and illuftrioufnes of divine knowledge
inthefetimesOwefhouldeafily confeflfe that the
farre greateft, and (indeed) moft unconceiveablc
griefe would be, to be fevered for ever from the
higheft and fupreme Good : and that a thoufand
thoufand'rentings of the foule from the body , were
infinitely lefTe than one of the foule from God.
Nicofif^atus in JEli/m,hin-\M£c being a cunning arti-
fan, finding a curious pcece of worke, and being
wondred at by one, andask'd, whatpleafurc hec
could take, to ftand as he did, ftill gazing on the
pidure, anfwered •: Hadft thou mine eyes, my
friend, thou wouldeft not wonder, but] rather bee
ravilhcd, as lara, at the inimitable art of this rare
H and
5^8 OF HEL L.
*si vcro id non ^qJ ad mire d pcece. '^^ It is propoitionably fo in the
S^7mon(tr.i'- prcfcnt Point.Orwcre wevouchfafcd but OHC mo-
re, nihil eft ment o^Patds heavenly raptui'e, that we might fee
omnino mi- |^^^ ^ gUmpfe of that infinite glory, and drinke but
cnim noviinus one drop ot tholc cver-lpringing Fountames of
illoium Bcati- joy; tiienfliouldwefrcely acknowledge and fcclc
mfoZ^urin." ^1^^ ^^'^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^ ^ ^^y^ ^"^^ ^^^-t all I fay comesfar
foelicicit'em (liort of what wc {hall find.
quoq; de eotu
atniUionefcire pofltmus.Cxtenim PuH/^,qui ift.icompant, certiffimc novItjCjuoniam
cxcidere a D:i gratia omnium fit profedo mifenimum. Nos autem hoc tunc abfquc
dubio difcemus, cum expcrimento ccepenmus doceii. Sedilhid ut ne pariamur faxis 6
bcnioneFili Dci,ncqjexpctiamuiintolei-abileilluil, hortcnduinqj fupplicium, quam
grandefit: Namqaammalumiltoium bonorum portioneprivarij aperce qiudem cx-
primfnon potcft, Chry[. ibi.L
Loofenot kfi- If it be fo then, that the loflTe of the prefencc of
laiJFdlA. God, and endlefle pleafures be fo painfull, irreco-
verable and ineftimable ; and that it hath beenc
many times made manifeft unto you by Scriptures,
Fathers, reafons, convincing,familiar, eafie refem-
blances; and the fame alfo appearcs, and may be
clearely concluded by the third exhortation be-
fore the Sacrament in the Common-Prayer Book;
to wit,that living and lying wittingly and willingly
in any one finne agalnft confcience, robs us of all
thefe infinite cver-during, unutterable joyes, and
beatificallvifion, and fruition of Go n himfelfefor
ever : I fay,fith it is both thus and thus : Let every
one of us in the name & feare of G o d ,as wc would
not for a few bitter- fwcet pleafures, nay, fome-
timcs one vileluft in this vale of teares for an inch
of time,lofe unknowne delights thorow all eterni-
ty in another world, with an unihaken invincible
rcfolution oppofc all forts and ^Skiis of fin, with
aU
OF HELL. 99_
all motions, enticements, and temptations there- •stfimultige-
unto : Let us hold with holy Chryfepmc,'^ That n is nXum'" n.-
worfeand a, more wofall thing to offend Christ, than premnm atquc
to k vexed with the miferies of hell. Let us profefTe "l^i'^up"^^'"-*
with Anfelme: ^ That ifwe jhould feethe hatefallrjes of ccnfeo,'(ic aflL
fm on the one fide jandthe horror of hell on the other, and '^"^ p^^dicabo,
muft necejfardj fall into the one, we would rather choofe dTc^^ cbTftum
he II than fin. « It is reported alfo o^Edmundhis fuc- offedcic, quam
ccfTor 5 that he was wont to fay : J will rat her leape S^i^^"^^ ^^'^^
t r t 1 t 1 t z'' vexari, 2 dan in
into the per J lakej than knowingly commit anjftnne a- Mat. tim zj.
gain (I G o D c Let us refolve with another of the An- ^^ h- . . .
tieiits; Rather to be tome i n peeces with wild horfes^ "S' '""^>»"i"'c
than Wittingly and wilitngly commit ayiyjm. Sec for clorem,& illmc
this purpofe twenty curbing Ccnfiderations to keep "I'^^eminfer-
froni Cin.Inftr.fir comf.afflttf. Confcpag, i o 8- nectS'^lfi
illorum habc-
rem immGrgi,priu» me in infernum mcrgcrcm,quim peccatiiai in mc immittcrem.Mal-
icm eniai piirus'a pjccato & innocons gchcnnam intrare, quamfcccati fordc pollatus
coel mum legna tenerc. Anfelm.ilefinHituJ.cap. i j> a
,* Potuis,ajcba4:, in aidentcm rogam inIilu;rOj(juan ulluai peccatuin in Dcutn com*
mifcro. Jn marg,
' 2. ThePaineoffenfe. The exri'emity, exquisite- ^f^etommstH
neffe and eternity whereof, no tongue can poflibly
cxprcfre,or heart conceive. Confider before-hand,
what an unfpeakeable raifery it would be (and yet
it would not be fo much as a flea-biting to this)
to lye everlaftingly in a red hot fcorching fire, de-
prived of all poflibility of dying, or being ever
confum'd 1 I have fomewhere read of the korrid
execution ofaTraitour in this manner: being na-
kedjhe was chained faft to a chaire of brafTe or fom
other fuch mettall,that would burne moft furioufl
ly, being fil'd with fiery heat ; about which was
H 2 made
loo OF HELL.
* T rannis ^^^^^^^^ ^ "eighty fire, thatby Utcle and little caufed
prifca vfx ac^r- the chairc to be red and raging hot, fo t latthe mi-
biorcs cruciA. ferablc man ^ roared htdeoufly many houres for
ih, tuin'^^vt extremeft angiiifli, and fo expired. « But what ati
vum flA-ninis horrlblc thing had itbintohaveUeninthvatdread-
tradcrc, icnte £yjj tormcnt cteraallv: and yet all this is nothing.
Ignis fuppliciorutn ultitnumj graviffimun, Sed 6 mitctn gehennam, 6 ccmpcritW
flammasjvclmillicsvivumcombuii 1 Feralishajc fentcmia: millc haras col craic flam-
mas, captivis iafei-oaim longcclemencior videretur, quam fircojamjan pledtcndo
vitae fiat gratia.
« Tormentam hortibilc proifas, nee verbis cfFabilc, homiiicm ignc cminus ac lente
admato tribus horis toircci vivum. QiKjdnam igUur tormcntum,6 DavSj^uim infan-
d»iin,quamincomprehcnruna, nondudSjtrefve hcias, nonunumalccrumqj'diem, non
anaum,antiofq«e mille,fcd astemitate tota (-|ua2 tamen nanquam tota erit) & corphs
&animamuii,nccunquamcotnbuci 1 Hic vox & veibadeficiunt.
rire of heU For^iftheblackfireof hell be truly cofporall and
^tiertrT ^""^ ^^^^ properly jasfome of the Fathers fuppofe^yec
i Ignis in- it is fuch (fay they) that as far pafleth our ordinary
fernaiis & no- ^o^teft firc, as ours cxceeds the ^ fire painted up-
qiuntum"**dif- o^ the Wall. And it muft be fo, I meane, as farre
ferunt, &pri- furpaflfe- our moft Euious ordinary fire, immcafu-
mbquiicm u- ^^[^ unconceivably in decrees of heat, and
Noft«i- ignis nerccnclicor burning. . For,thc one was created
Augufiino ^•' forcomfortj the Other purpofely to torment; the
ftriiu^nitcr one is made by the hand of man 5 the other tem-
verus. Difcri- pctcd by the angry arme of almighty God, with
'"^" • tifrfi- ^^^ ^crrib^c 2^^ torturing ingredients, to make in
mUitlldovcra:', moft fierce and raging, and afitinftrumentfor fo
ac piaa: flam- great and mighty a God to torment evcrlaftingly
"ouicquidhk fuch igipcnitent reprobate rebels. It is faMtobc
leurit, fabuia frefandy'cHatth,2'y.£^i, //i.30.33. as if the all-
cf, jocuscft:
quicquid hicpatetis, metiflTimus ludxis eft: igniiim umbra fimt igncs noftri ad ilia
inferorumincendia; pcenas quas hk depcndimaS- idici* (iiw, ad ilia nunquam dc*
gtiura tormcma.
powcrfull
OF HELL. loi
powcrfull wifdomcdid ddibcntte, and (as it were)
nt downc and devifc moft tormenting temper for
that moft formidable fire : the one is blowne by
an zicry breath ; tht other by the angry breath of
the great God, which burnes farre hotter then
ten thouftind rivers of brimftone : T^e pfU thereof i^^^ ,^j,
( faith the Prophet) isfremdmuchweody tit breath
tfthe Lord, hkcA flreame ofbrtmflene, doth kindle it.
What (oule doth not quake and melt with thought
of this fire,at which the very di\ els trembled There if heit-fire Ue
is HO proportion betweene the heat of our breath, ^Hf^^^^i^*'
and the fire that it blowcs. What a fcarefull fire s**Dice^m qui-
then is that which is blowne by a breath diifolved ^'-"^ ^"^ ^"^^^^
into brimftone ^ which a greJt torrent of burning f "fjiduis^^^
brimftone doth ever mightily blow ^ Niti conveni-
If it be g metaphoricall, as K^ufiin feemcs fome !"^^'' '■^^p°""
*■ J J d(.ji cernercm,
talem fuiffe illam flammam, qB-iIe$ oculi quos Icv^vit, ^Layirurn viHit, qualis lingua
cu'i humorem cxiguom defiJeravit inhindi, qualis digitus La^ariy de quo id fibj fieri
poftuiavit, nbi nmcn crant (Inc corponbus anims . jipg lie Civil', Dei. Lib. 21.10.
Metaphonce loquitur dc exitio rcproborum, quod fatis aiioqtii complcdi non
poffumus, qHcm itlmodum nee beatam, Scimmortalem vitani pereipimus, nifi luh fi»
guris quibjfdaTi ingemo noftro accon^modatis adnmbrctur : inde apparct quamin-
cpti & ndiculi lint Sophiftae, qui de iiiiuJ: igrws natuia 8t sjualitatc fubtilias difle-
runt,atq; in eo cxplicando varic fe torquent. Explodcndz funt craflz hajufmodi i-
maginationeSjCumfigurat^ Prophctamljqui ihtelligamuSj&c. Cat. in/fa c.io.vuh
Quodigni ciucundos dicit miper metaphoiicam cffe locutionem admonui : idq;
ex membio adjundaapeiti liquet. Neq; cnim fingendi funt e terra & vermes, qai in.
fidelium ccrda arrodant, /Jem in Cap (>6.v ult.
Qni asternum lUum igncm, mataialcm & elcmcntarcm fingunt ; 'n^turse fnferi-
©liSj & fiiperioris 5 tcmpuns.& sRcernitatis modumconfundunt. Cum enim nihil
materintum & ph . (icHm capax (it proprietatum hypcrphyficaruirij fieri non poteft, ut
corporeusiinis, qucm Pontificij Schobfticorum auand add fum, 'cnldST,
befides all the moftexquifiteand unheard of tor- miferandam [
tures, (and if you will, even thofe ofthe Spa».'fi In- ^^^^^^^ ""'f^
^m^tiotf)-which ever were or fhall be infli(5lcd upon qJd 'ib Vtbc
miferablc men, by the ' bloudicft executioqers of condito f«va
thegreateft tyrants, as that of him in the brafen cTuJJSt^'^ex.
chaire mentioned beForcc^r. and colled them all cogitayit^quic-
into one extreameftanguilh^and yet it were nothing ^"id ad ufque
to the torment which fhall for ever pofTcffe and Sm fiviffimo,
plague the * leaft part of a damned body .' . And i^m Hominun
as for the foule : let all the griefcs, horrours and vTnTe""" '""
defpaircs that ever rent in peeces any heavy heart ; hoc autcm om.
andvexcdconfciencej asof//i!/n<,&c. And "*^ ^ veiw ia
let them all bee heaped together into one ex- tJ^'^cum xtl^
tremeft horrour, and yet it would come infi- nitate damna-
nitely ihort to that dcfperate rage and reftleflc '°'^"™ compo.
anguifli, which ftalleternally torture the leaft and ch^f^}'mopw.
loweft faculty ofthe foule ! What then doeyou ci.imabit:H2c
.' omnia qux hie
patii«ur,merus ludus ac rifus Innt, fi cum illis fupplicijs in. contentionem veniant.
Pone, fi libet, igncm, fcrrum, & beftias, & fi quid his difficilius; attamen *ncc
umbra quidcm fum iiKc ad ilia toimencs. . — Nonne videmuj tcrrenos militcs princi-
pibiisf;rvienres, quomodbligant, quomodb fli^ellant, quomodo per/odiunt coftas
q-iomodo faces tormentis adhibcnf: fed hxc omnia Indicia, & rifus ad fupplicia!
Chyfoft ad Psp. Aatioch.Hom. 40. rr* •
» (.anjideT here aUtbs horrible torturer ia/filfeJupon Chrifiians in the Primithe timet:
That man in the braien chme, RaviUa 5 torments ; French flory^ pa^ 1194. AU the
monfiroca cruelties thirove the Turli'Jh Story : the fiery andbbudy mrferies fxecutedupan
our blejfed Martyrs i 1 Qt^eene ^\^\ ics time : the barbarous and prodigious dutcheriet •/
the *!panijb Inquifition^rfhich lie Poet brings in as the fourth Ftiry.
'^Becaufe all the mer'jhers of the h.ly and powers of the fjule have beenemeapons of
»»ri^hteou/::e/re,r^anfbjUhep!azuedin all the parts of the body,andJaculties of the foule
by that horrible inflrwnent ofhelHfh torment j called h^ C h r i s t. Fire prepared for
the Divell and his angelsj Mar.i?.
H4 thinke .
104 OF HELL.
thinkwilbcthetorment of the whole body^ What
wil be the terrourofthe whole fouled Here both in-
vention of words would failc the ableft Oratour
upon eatthjor the highcft Angell in heaven.
A m^iMfe Mt Ah then, is it not a madncffe above admiration,
'»*« "••^^'^ and which may juftly amaze both heaven and
^'^' earth, and be a prodigious aftonifhrrent to all crea-
tures, .that being realonable creatures, having un-
dcrftanding like the Angels of G o i,, eyes in
your heads to fore-fee the approaching wrath,
hearts in your bodies that can tremble for trouble
of mind, as the leaves of the forreft that are flnken
with the wind,confciences capable of unfpeakable
horrour, bodies and foulcs that can burne forever
in hell 5 and may (by taking leflTepaines in the
right w iy, then a drunkard, worldling, or other
wicked men in the wayes of death and going to
hell ) efcape evcrlafting paines ; yet will fit hcere
ftill in the faceof theMiniftry with dead counte-
nances, dull earcs, and hard hearts, as fenfleffe and
unmooved, as the featcs you fit on, the pillai-s yoa
ieancto, and the dead bodies you tread on, andne-
verbcfaid, (as they fay) never warn'd, untillthe
fire of that infernall lake flame about your cares !
O monftrous madneffe and mercilcffc cruelty to
your owne foules ! Let the Angels blufh, heaven
and earth bee amaz'd, and all the creatures (land
aftonifhed at it.
TU angutfif of 3. When fentcnce is once irrevocably paft by
w'/Srlie'^ that high and everlafting Judge, and the mouth
TmepfffJse! of the bottomlefle pit hath (hut it felfe upon thee
winhthat infinite anguifli and enraged indignation,
tho«
OF HELL^ lof
tl^ilt takeon, tearc thy hairc, bite thy nailcs, nJiqufd.f^^,
gna(h thetceth, dig furioufly into the very roun- tu fcmper o«j-
taineof life, and ( ifit were poiribIe)fpit out thy ^^J^^
bowels : bccaufe having by a miracle ot mercy luc, ,am lue
bccneblcfTcdallthy " life long in this glonoufly najuims. En
illightencd Golhe-r^ with the faireft noone-tidc of "^^^^^
the Gofpell that ever the Sun fa^v, ana either did- cum tamen is-
deft, or mighteft have heard many and many a s^J^j^J^'^^^'^
powcrfuU and fearching Sermon; anyonepaf- '^J'''^^^^^
faecwherof(ifthouhaddeftnot wickedly and wil- vitjs. Enpcr-
fuTlyforfakenthineownmeixy and fufoed Satan d^^^^^^^^^^
inabafeandbeaftly manner to blindtold and baffle p^rdadifti rcg-
thee) might have beene unto thee the beginning mmi:Potiiiircs
ofthc ncw-birth,and everlafting blilTe: yet thou^n fl^^d^vo:
that refpe(a a moft accurfcd wretch, diddeft paflc luiflis: brevi ac
over all that long day of thy gracious vifitation, ^^^
like afiff^e rr ^au^ker ofconfufm^w ithout any pier- ,,^,,,^ ^.^i pa-
cing or profitat all ; and palTedby all thofe goodly ra0cs mojd
ooffl-rs and opportunities, with an inexpiable neg- J°lX'c,p^ro
camis vo'uptatula, piofpuic3, Smomemnnca obkaatiuncoU immenfag fendidjfti
voluptatcj.NimirCm tua tibi earo.q i.im coelum charior erat Sentis lam quas dclicias
fcftatus fucris ? Predixi,monui,vcliicavi. Scd adum cgi, nihil profeci oleum & ope-
rarti perdidi. Nunc vindico, nunc fpcs & res abs tc fcgregant^Tcd ma folms culpa En
i..npunmme ut deleaatiunculasp-'uxillo temponsretuures, perdidifti omnia. Piocul
nunc .^ tc honores, thefauri, voliiptates beaterum ; ad qii?.s orams tibi via mterccpu
eft. Wxc tibi tormenta libidincs tnaj pararnnt, in hos igncs tua te praiapuavit incon-
tinentia ; tinmillam hilarcm/ed bievem jnfaniam, nuRcluisXterno luau. Ddpera-
t floras ParadiG gaudijspiivntum ? Tu ipfe tepnvaftl. Acac.rbiffimc do cspcren-
ne ccrUftc epulum negle^um ? Tu ncglcxifti. -. Diftlrendo & negligendohiic fpon-
tc inuilti coe-us & amcns, hie nunqu.^.m exituruj ampiins. Nulla hic lihertas, nulla
falus. Defpcra ccntics, fex centics, dcfpera miUies, artcrn^.tn defperaturus, ctcrnum
momurus/& ad morcetn nullisfieculis proventurus< * Here lactvabit cor damnato-
rum quod graciam millies oblatam itcufarunt milHcs. Inde in fupfos furenter exar-
dcfcent ni-fcri, & affiduo fibi ipfis iH^nbrcm hanc cantilcnam occincn: ; o tempus
rerum omnium preriofiffimum I 6 dies 6 hora? plufquam aurex, quo cvanuiflis ^tei-
numnonredimtael Noscceci &cxcordes, obftcuais cculis & aunbus Iibidme ti«c.
bamus, & mutuis nofmet cxemplis trahtbamus ad intciituir.
105 OF HELL.
JJ^°J\^^""/_ le(a and hornblc ingratitude; and To now lieft
fccaninwcfal drowned and damn'd in that dreadfull lake of
gitabit, quia britTiftonc and fire, which thou mighteft havefo
fimS'^fp'a'i^: eafily and often cfcaped. p This irkfome and fu-
tcmpoiis non fious rcflcdion cf thy foulc upon its ownewilfull
ia?o*& S ^^^^y' whei-by it hath fo unneceilarily and fottiflily
biiihis Ton^i loftcverlaftingjoy, and muft now live inendlefle
privari nosin- woc, wiU vcxe andtorrtute more then thou canft
ctl>7«3far pofrxblyiniagine^continually gnaw upon thy heart
H9SI.77, "With remedilefle and unconceivable griefe ; and
Eft qui dc- in a word, even make an hell it fclfe.
eS miliia Phi-
lippcorum zC-
fcqui potiiilTet adeanda h^rcditatc, fed illc ignaviffimus caufx Cnx indormijtj itaq-
hxrcditatcm tarn opttlentam neglcxitj jamq ; talibus ferae poenitenti« furijs agitatur,
ut ipfe fibi itnmincat, velut ipfum difcerptmiis. Et nontiunquam mors i nde violent*
fequitur. Haud aliterdamnatorumquilibetfeipfumficallatrat : Potuiflem ; auxilia
non decrant, vocabat, PotaiflemjEhu ! Potuiflem j fed nolui. A fummo bono cxclu-
itffimus fura in omnc aemmj& ufq; in xrernum non videbo lumen, qaia nolui vidcre,
Scntirc tamo fc bono privatum effe, & qtiidem fua culpa inexplicabilis, infandus erit
ilolor mcerorqj
tb^^'da ^ tff ^ ^ ^^^"' having y cf zfricein thine hand, to get w'tf.
fface. ^ dom^yX.o go to heaven,lay it out with all holy grec-
dinefle, while it is called T«>^jf, for the fpirituall
and eternall good of thy foule ! Improve to the ut-
moft, for that purpofe, the moft powerfuU Mini-
ftry, holicft company, beftbookes, all motions of
Gods Spirit,all faving meaneSjcJ*^. Spend every
day,pa{fc every Sabbath, make every prayer,heare
every Sermon, thinke every thought, fpeake every
word, do every adion^e^c. As though when that
were done, thou wert prefently after to pafTe to
Tudgement, and to eive up an exad account for it,
and whatfbever els done in theflejh,
nm-mmnt a Thatthe cooceiptof the eTerlaflingneJnfeof
tnilefc. ^ ^\^^
OF HELL^ 1^7 ^
the torments, when they are riow already kii'd . ^
upon the foiile, and hopelefncfie of ever ccm- Ke^graauJ
ming outof hell, will be yet another hell. Ifthou aftiucie lupre*
once come there , ^ and there mo ft certainely muft ^^^ ^^Idi^^-
thou be this night, if thou dkft this day in thy na- hcie "mo &
turail ftare, andnctnew-borneslfay then (fotcr- pl"mis vos
ribly would the confideration of eternity toiturc forJifan' m"!
thee) that thou wouldcft hold thy felfe a right gendi flam-.
' happy man, if thou mighteftendure thofc horri- "^^^'•
ble paincs, and cxtremcft horrours no moe milli- faicem conce!
onsofyeares, then there be fands on thefeafhore, dereturuc are.
haires upon thine head, ftarres inthe firmament, "®^"* ^"'^P^*
rr -1 i_ J t . , . ' am tnons ex*
grafle piles upon the ground, and creatures both in toiierctur am-
heaven and earth. For, thou wouldeftftill com- pfitudinc ter-
fort thy felfc incredibly with this thoight.-c^^ f^ft-gSuS
mi fery mil once hanje mend. But alas I This word amngcns, ex
^ Never will ever rent thine heait in pceces with ^"°* P°p"""
much rage and hideous roaring ; and give ftill ^n^^^^ SJo-
new life to tbofe infufferable forrowes, which in- l^ns avkub
finitely exceed all cxprelfion or imagination. Let a°f/°^°"/'J"*
us fuppofe this great body of the eaith upon eftdecimJS
which wetread to be turned into fand, and moun- "« arenuia?
cainesof fand to be added dill, untill they reach ^oft dtaum
unto the Empyrean Heaven, fo that this whole centum anno-
mighry creation were nothing but a Tandy moun- r""» "^'He, aii-
^ ' ^ "^ am arcnulas
unhif deci-
mam part cm, & pari modoaliamatqjaliam, ita«t Tpatio dccies centum railliuman-
noiurn, tantum unicum arenulas unuis granum de monte illo anenofo miniieretur .•
qup.m Ixti, quam abcrcs ciTcrxiui, quod poft ultimano faltcm mentis totiusablatio-
nem, d.imnationis noHrx finem aliquem habetemus.
*" Ab, vcl mufcae, vel culicis punftiunciila, fi tamcn fit aetcrna, quam incxplicabilia
cruciatus pronunciabitur ? Quis igitur horror cxercebit damnatos, vel ob unam
hancj fed affiduam cogitationem) Hie ignij «t€rnJim fetendus, hicululatiisatcr-
aumaudicndus, hichoxrorfempiternus.
taine :
xo8 OF HELL.
fainc: let us then further imagine a h"ttlc wrento
camebut every hundred choufandth y^are,and ca-
' Damnati Hc away but the tentii pare of one graine of that
^on "^'^"1"'" imnicafui-able heape of fand ; what an innumcra-
Sdccem^mul blc number ofycircs would be fpcnt, bcfoj-ethac
libus anno- World of fiind wcrc all Co fetcht away ^ and yet
rial, adjiciea- y^^^ andalas that ever thou waft borne I Wht^n
tur centum i , « i- r • i z' • »▼ i*cn
itiillia,pofth«c thou haft hen lo many yeares m that fiery lake, as
centum miiha, all thcywould amount to, ''thou art no nearer
myriadcf'T commidgout, than the vcry firft houFc thou cntcr-
milliones quot ■''
iftfirmamentoruntftcUje, &inlittaie maris arenae. Poft qua? lonoiffima annonim
fpatia, quafi nihil depoenis noftris accifum cflet, fie itcrCim ab initio piti tormenta
incipiemas ; atqj ita fine interruptioae, fine fine^ fine modo, volvctur affidue noftro-
rum tormentorucn rota.
Ex quo poll flint jjerf c3f, Totus orbii animantcs,
Aude numero compledi Aer atomos volantes,
Stellas czlijftrllaj roris, Pilosfcr3B,pecus villos,
llndaiaqueifluoris. Vertex horainum capillos:
Guttas imbris pluvialis, Addelittoiis arenas,
Floccofvelieris nivalis Addc graminis verbenajj
Qupt funt vere novo flores, Tormyiiadcs annotutn
Quot odoreS,quot colorcs, Quot ntomenta faeculorumi
Qupt vinaccos AutiHTinus Hcusadhuc A:crntas
Poma legit & vicrtumnus; Foituj fugit k damnatis.
Quoj jam grana tuUt sftiis,
Frondes hi cmis tcmpcftas.
Metire fcmel, iteriim f«pius : poft decern annorum milliones, pofl: ccntuns mille my»
riadum annoruai, polt decics centies millena millia milloramai>n©rum; nccduHS
finem, necdum medium, imenonduma^rtr/ji/tf^ttprincipiumdefign^fti.' jungead
ilia omncs hominum & Angdoium cogitaiiones, omnes motus & mutatiOHes qua-
rumvis rerum creatarum: addc his arenulas, quotnon poflcnt miUenanimteirarum
vaftifllino finucontineri : coUigc deniqj in uaiin) omncs numcros Arithmctirx
quadtatos, cubicos quofvis : nunc imple his num^ris volumma chartarum hincad
fuprcmoscoe!-?su{que,non^um e/£^^er«fV(if« durationem menfusej, tar turn abcft, ut
fiseme.nrus, Quamdiu igituv durable ®^rtrwi/<«j Semper. Quando finietiir ? Nun-
quam Quamdiu coelura erit caelum j Q^amdiu jnferi erunt inferi ; Qaimdiii De v*
crit DeVs, tamdiu durab.t ^teinitas .• tamdiu coc'um bcabit Sanftos ; tanjd lU im-
piobostorcjusbantinfcii. Nequasfo, moleftior fis quxrendo : Apprcbendcfaltemjfi
contbrehc^dercnon potei.
O F HE L L. 109
cdft in. Now, fuppofe thou fliouldcft licbut one
night gricvoufly abided with a raging & of the
ftone, collicke, ftrangury, tooth-ache, pangs of
travailcc^^. T hough thou haddeft to hcipe and
cafe thee a foft bed to lie on, friends about thee to ^Sumamus
comfort thee,Phyritian.s to. cure thee, all cordiall "3°^'!;^^'":
and comfortable things to affwage the paine 5 yet cmis, aii)fvJ
how tedious and painfull, how terrible and intole- fodicamibus
rable would that onenight fceme untothee^ How Smn°cm aut
wouldcft thou toffe, and tumble, and turne from quam • ink-
one fide to another, counting the clock, telling the ^^"^-^ cakuio,
hourcs, efteemmg every minute a " moneth, and gra, tocmuiu
thyprefentmifery matchleffeand uniupportable ^ busaut dend-
» What will it be then (thinkefl chou) to lie in fire Tj^tvle;'!
tibus, rurba.»
tam exigiraus.Qulm haec talis nox longa,& Inftat hebdom3dis,aut menfis cfl ! Q_uid G
anno toto fie inter doloies jacendum,quid fi annis ccntum,quid fi Hiillc annis,fi fex aut
decern tnilUbusannorum ? Quid fi atternum & fine fine ?
* lt.wuldpr<>ove an extreme mifery (oi itfecmes) to lie etemalfy upright, and never
fiirre-i^venuponabetiofro/es: whatrpouUit betbeit^ to fit for ever in that fiery chaire
meHtioned hejore? Bat then above aU degrees of comparifon,ivbat wiUtt he to roare ever-
laflinglyinhcUifb flames IHeatemy AuthortMtmim rac legeie^nec fiae admitatione/u-
iJBTc hominem jqui ^teinitatem animo fie pcrfpcxciit : Quis mortalium eft^aiebat ipfe
fecum,qui quidem fanx mentis fit & ratione utatui-, qui regnum Gallia»,HifpaaiaJjPo-
lDnia:,regna fa»c opulentiUIma fibi vendieet ea padionCjUt qgadraginta conrinaos an-
nos inlcSulo rofis ftrato,coq; molliffitno refapinus jaccat? Et licet foifannondefutu-
Tos fitjqui ad banc conditionem defccndat j is tamcn non totum tricnnium (res cetta)
fie dccumbet, quin abrumpat & dicit : finite, fiirgam; malo carere regnis, non dicAOi
wibuSjfed omnibus, quam fie continue, licet moliiflime jacere, vd decern tantiim an-
nisjnccduaifiginti^aut triginta, vel uti paiSio g€bat,annis quadraginta.Itane res (e ha-
bentjUt nemo fanus repcriatur, qui uttriplici regno donetur, triainm vel quadraginta
annis didVa legg decumbere velit ? (^\tn ergo coeca^quam funofa dt infania^ob lacerum
Kj!«,obtrc$aviculas,obcrepundiaviliflimaj illud petulanttr fubirc periculum, &tale
dcfignare facinus,ob quod in candente crate, in ferctro flanameOjnoft. iolis quadragin-
ta, non quadringintis,nec quatuor raillibus,Ced nee quater ccntcnis millibus, fed ostcr-
mim torquearij fiirijSj k mortaIes,intemperatiflimis agimur,nin jam mature, & in rem
noftiamfapimus. In molliffirao ledo jacere,fed fempei* jacei-c,& xtecHa.'n jacere, fup-
plieium foret inexplicable. Quii jam omuium apadinicr^j fupplioior urn erit cumulus
ac congeries f«rau4abili£[ima ? .
and
iio ^FHBLL ___^
fiRiLbniw"^ and brimftone, kept in highcft flame, by the un-
cm om.eTtQ, quenchable wrath of Gqd,. world without end >:
pcrpctiai audi- whcrc thou (halt have nothing about thee but
retotcenteno- j^-ij-kneflTe and horrour, wailing and wrinpina of
rum millium , , - ^ ... W n p o '-'*
harribihiHmos hands, y dclperatqyellings and gnafliing of teeth :
mugitus, plan, thinc old Companions in vanity and fin to ban and
penndrif men ^^^^^ ^^ce with much bittcrnciTe and rage ; wicked
boves aifentur Divcls to infult over thee with hellidi cruelty and
ym, am lira- fcome; ths ncvcr-dying worme to feed upon thy
pidi canes catc- ^ , i n n c ir ^ ^ ^ . •'
nas rumpeie foule and fleth tor cvcr and tor ever. ^ O Eternity 1
luftmtur, ncc Eternity !, Etcmity-l
poifirit. Fiiiga-
miis quofcunqj
auiiumauciitus,clamorcshominum,latratus canum,1upor«m ii!u!atiis,rnuoitus boum,
rugitus leonum, aUaru;>i beftiaruai fremitus, frjgorcs nub.uni, dffjcdusaqeiarnm, &
quicquidinamoemimaufibus fingi poceft i ah quam id r-inac nihil eft aJ Orcim nx
plebisdcfpcratiffiiTium HctUin, ciijus aiiiflaiium eft ft idoi' dciniiirn.
* O ccecitas humans gentis nullis fat lachrymisdcplorand-i I Ex omnibus tcmplo-
rum Pulpitis clamatur, ^ternitas, ^ternitas, ^rernitas. Nos nihil ominus praffenti
ducimur voluptate. Adco pciirc fu.ive eft.
Q£!S exprinaatquid (ic jetcinJtas ? Quis concipint quid fit /Eccrnitas ? Eft'tlrruai
pcrpttuuni Sam, quod prjeccriro caret & futuro.Eftcirculus, cujusccntmm femp^ijCir-
cumfcientianunquam.Cogito mille annos, cogito tot annoiun millii quot funt mo-
menta/eupunfta in tototempore acondito munioufq; ad ejus coarumm3tionem'j&
dc artermtate nihil habeo O e/fccrnitas I Quis potent parefle ®/£:ternicati in tormcn-
tis ? Etfumus tormcntiipforum afcendct in fxcuU/^culorumi^poc i^^.Q^ia eft in [^ecula
feculorum i Volodicerc,& nefcio diccre, lUud tantilm fcioid ipfurn cfle,qood D E v s
{"olu* fya la^iiitaie ami>it & complcflitur,
Benotwearied Sithit isthus then, that Upon the little inch of
v/dfefff '" *" ^'^^^ ^^ ^^^5 life,depends the length and bredth,the
height and depth of immortality in the world to
come : even two eternities ; the one infinitely ac-
curfed,the other infinitly comfortable- lofTeofe-
verlaftingjoyes, and lying in eternall flames; fith
never ending pleafures orpainesdoe unavoidably
foUowthc well or mif-fpending of this fliort mo-
ment
OF HEAVEN. in
ment upon earth ; with what unwearied care and
watchfulnefTe ought we to zncndth^tOffe/^eceJfary
thinx all the d^es of our appointed time, till our change
jhaucome? How ought we as fir angers and pilgrims
to ahfiainefromflefijly lufis ? What manner offerfins
mght we to be in all holy conquer fatten and godlinejfe ?
How thriftily and induftrioufly to husband the
poore remainder oFour few and evil! daies for the
making our Calling and Election fare: In a word,with
whatrefolution and zeale to do orfuffer any thing
for ]esvs Christ:' "^ With what induftry and ^Q^,idagis
deareneffe to ply this monient,and prize that cter- mifcr, penre
-jj.^ I vis :" F.icillimo
""y ' jftudimpendio
fier : horula
unajimo vcl unlca partt horulsc j iino momcnto vel anico per iram vel libidiiiem pa-
.tras,qiiod asternum Jolcas.
Hie ferio cogitandum : Itanc homines eruiiti, & humano fenfu fanfli accufantur,
judicantufjdamnnntur ? Qiiid mini fitt mifcro ? ^rgo animutn quantis poffiim in^*
duftriis cuiabo.Alii fe/uamq; ciiticulam curcnt ccrernitatis obliti,vigeanr,f1orcant,cia3
forfan cini> & faviUa.Hos ego mores nihil mororjbanceooYiam non ingrcdior,nam &
alium vise terminum (\\\xxo.
Concerning the joycs of Heaven,
Let n:iee tell you before hand, that the excel- 3"^^ excc/Zacy
lency, glory, and fweetnefTe thereof, nomortall mterAbk."^
heart, finite braine, created underftanding can
pofTibly conceive and comprehend to the life.
For,
I. PWtelsus, I Or.2.p. Ih2it neither eye hath
feenCj ver eare heard, neither heart of man cmceived
the incomprehenfible fublimity and glorious my-
fteries of that heavenly wifdome, and inexplica-
ble divine fweetnefle revealed in the Gofpell :
(For I take that: to bee his naturall immediate
• meaning)
112 OF HEAVEN.
meaning;) How tranfcendently (then) unutterable
and unconcciveable isthe complement, perfecti-
on, the reall a<5luall, and full fruition of all thofe
Evangclicallmyfterious revelations, accomplifli-
ed to the height in the higheft heavens thorow all
eternity^ ,Where we lliall enjoy the face and bea-
tificall prefence of the moft glorious and all-fuffi-
cienc Go d, as an objecfl. wherein all the powers
of our fouler will be latisfied with everlafting de-
light.
The eye of maa hath feene admirable things :~
Coafts of Pearle, Cryftall mountaines, rockesof
^MaufiUu.'n. diamond, Golden mines. Spicy Ilands^^^r. (fo
Maufaii regis Travailerstalke, and Geographers Write.) * Mati-
Carix fepuU j0lmTomb€,I>iames Temple, the Egypt an ^ Pyrami-
teraTa' ux^re ^^■y>2ind all tlicwondersof the World,
extruaum^tan. The earckfeath heard the moft delicious, exqui-
nifi°r^tu'"T fite, and ravifhing melody. Such as made even
intei- feptem Alexander the Great tranfported with an irrefi-
©tbis miracuh ftablc pang of a pleafing rage as it were, and de-
nim!'"'^"'' lightfull ' dancing of his fpirits, that I may fo
»» Maximae {■pQ3,'kc,'^ Bxtl/reeconvhiOyScc.
hujus generis
in Agypto fuifle memorantur circa Mcmphim ftrufturx ex quidcatis lapidibus admi-
tandx/aftigiatae ultra omncm excclfitatcm,qnr manu fieri poflet,&c.
' Spiiitus qui in corde agitanc,trcmulum, & fubfultantcm recipiimt aerem in pedus
& indeexcitanmr: A fpintu mufculi movemur,&c, StaligExercit. 20 z,
* Cardan. SuitilM 13.
Mans heart can imagine miraculous admirabi-
lities, rareft pecces, worlds of comforts and
ftrangc felicities. In conceipt it can convert all
the ftones upon earth into pcarlcs, every giafTc
pile into m vnvaluablc jcwcil, the dufl into filvcr,
the
OF HEAUEN. n^
the Tea into liquidgold, the aire into'cryftall. Ic
can clothe the earth with farre more beauty and'
rweetnefTe^than ever the Sun fawit. It can make
every Starre a Sun, and all-thofe Suns ten thoufrind
times bigger and brighter then it is,yhr. .. f . , -j..
And yet the height and happinefle of Bvangdi-
call wifdome doth farre furpafle the utraoft
which the eare, eye, or heart of man hath heard, .
feene, or can poifibly apprehend. And this fo
excellent h'ghtupon earth difcovering theiheftin
mable treafurcs of hidden wifdome in Ch r i s t,,-
is but as agraine, to the richefl: golden mine, a'
drop to the Ocean, a liitleglimpfe totheglory of ;
the Sun ; in refpe^ of that fullnefle of joy herea^ ' -:
ter,andeverlaftingpleafures above: with what a
vaft difproportion then doth the inimaginablc ex-
cellency of heavenly blifTe'furpalTetjjpl tranfcend
the moft enlarged created capacity ^ Infinitely^in-
2. Our gracious Go d in his holy anfcarcha- ojh^aveniast
blc wifdome doth referve and detaine from the at fuu revealed
eye of ourunderftandingsafullcomprehcndonof .
thatmoftgloriousftate above 5 toexercifeinrhe
meane time our faith^ love, obedience, patience,
^^. As afatherfhewesfometimes, and reprefents
to the eye of his child, aglimpfe and fparkle (as
it were) offomcrich orient Jewell, to make him
love, long, pray and cry for a full fight of it, and
grafpingofitinhis ownehand: So our heavenly
Father in this cafe. If celeftiall excellencies, and
thofe furpafling joyes, arifing principally froin
the vifible apprehenfion of the purity, glory and
I beauty
114 OF HEAUEN^
beauty of G o d, were ckirely fccns aad fully
knowne, even by fpeculation, it would bcc no
ftrange thing, or tiiankfworthy for the naoft Iior-
aard'^uichr?- ^i^le Beliall, "*■ to become prcfently thcholieil
tu^cT Juftitir', Saint, the worlds greatcft minion, the aioft moiti-
tanta jucundt- fiddoi^n. But Inthis valc of tcaies we muft live by
tas lucis scter- r;^;^l, ^
commutabilis
veritatis, acq; fajsientias;, ut^tt.xmfi nan licei'ct amp\iu3 inea.manerc, qiiam«nius
dicimora, prepteiliocfelum innimerabilesannihujusvitx pleni dclic^jS & circciiTi-
fluentia tcmnocaltum bonorum reft6,rnmt6 ] j contemnercrjr. Au^flAt Lib. Arb,
L'-b-S-Capult.
How fmiU ca^ 5 . It IS a fruit of our fall with K^dam, and the
^I'Smijau!^ condition of this unglorificd morLall ftatchcrc up-
on earth, tokmw but in fart : From which our
knowledge above fliall diiFer.,as the knowledge of
a child frqptthat of a perfed man : as knowledge
'^°induci in t^y'^l3ffc>lforaappTeheniionofthe reallobfjejft:
nubes,pcnetra- askuowledgc ofa plaine fpccch, from that which
>e in plenitudi- |s ariddie-f-f/^./^^^^^^ (faith "^ or\Q)iHthefieart;Uy
?rrum ^z^'TZ M'eSytomoummtothe clmds, to.fitrcethtsfitlnejfe.ef
ritatis abyflbs, Itghty^oSreoke mf^this 'hoPtomcUffe defpkof^^kry ,or H
&lucem habi- ^^^eitm that tmapfroachahk bright mft : This is nc-
biletn^ncrtem- firvedto theUfi Day ; whfi Christ J e s v s
poris eft hujus jhaIlprefentU'$.glvmu4AndfuretoHuFnthermthfiitt
nee corporis Id .0,^^ QV wrmUc.
tibi in noviili- u ,
mis refer vatur,
cum te mihiexhibucro|;lorit)rum non'habeatcjnmacHlamautrujgana, aut aliqiiid'im-
jufmodi. Bern SufiT Cant. Strmi^.
Tbegiory ofhea :, ' 4. 0'urii?id^rftand»ngs upon necelfity muft bee
imTdwUhout fupef-nktural'ly irradiated and illightcned withex-
fupernaturau traordifiary enlargement anddivincnefTe, before
iUumnation. . -..^
OF HEAUEN. uj
we canpolfibty comprehend the glorious bright-
ncfTe of heavenly joycs and full fwcctnefife of cter-
nall bliffc. It is irapoiTibk in this life for any
mortall braine to conceive them to the life, as to
compare the heaven with a fpan, or containe the
mighty Ocean in a nut-fhcU. The Pfnhf§fher
could fay ^ that as the eyes of an Owle arc to the
light of the Sun, fo is the Iharpeft eye of the moft
pregnant wit to the myfteries of nature. How
ftrangely then would it beedazeled and ftmcke
ftarkebhndwith the exceffive incomprehcnfiblc
glory and greatnefTeof celeftiall fecrcts, and im-
mortall light ^
But although wee cannot comprehend the
whole, yet wee may confider part. Though wee
cannot take a full draught of that over-flowing
fountaincof endlcfle blifTe above, jwt wee may
tafle 5 though we cannot yet enjoy the whole har-
veft, yet we take afurveyof the firft fruits. For,
the Scriptures to this end fliadow unto us a
glimpfe, by the moft excellent, precious and de-
fireable things of this life.
Thus much premised •, let us (for my prcfenc
purpofe) about the joyes of Heaven, confi-
der 5
I. ThePhce,where God andallHisblefTcd ^^ePiateof
ones inhabite eternally. eremaugury.
But how can an infinite God bee faid to dwell
in a created heaven ^
God from all eternity when there was f^**^°^ ^^
nothing, to which Hee might maoifeft and
make knownc Himfelfe is not faid to dwell
I 2 *any
ii5 OF HEAUEN.
^ ^f ^or the * ^y where, eitherto have beene out of Himielfe,
pace ofGoD or in any thir^, bm onely in Himfelfe, He was
before the yporu therefore an heaven to Himfelfe. But when Hee
'ntt7wifdmeo- pleafcd He created the world ; that in fo large and
m&rta// men goodlv a Theater He might declare and conveigh
rli^uSr His power, goodneffe and bounty, fome^vay or
can it limit the Other, to ^11 creaturcs. Efpecially, Heepi^pared
/eattf infviite ^-^is glorious heavcn wee fpeake of, not that it
^tbarZfZl niightenclofe or enlarge His happinefle: But that
power it (cff can Hec. Hlight uufpcakably beautifie and irradiate it
HffSe «"/» ^^^^ unconceiveable fplendour of His Majefty
Himfelfe, tPho»i and Glory ^ and fo communicate Himfelfe beati-
no rnainituk fically to all the ElccH:, Saints and Angels, even for
laim^.'^^SAV. cvet and cver. I faid, not that it might enclofe,
RawieghLib. conci'ude and confine Him: For, He is' as truly
^'^j^'^\ J withoutthehcavens, asHeisin them: And Hee
Noneftqiiod . , , . ..,..,. _, ^ » "^ ix^.^
<]iixras ultra, IS whercno«fiing IS With Hmi, He was when nd-
ubi erat ante- thing vvas, and then Hc vvas,vvhere nothing vvas
fi^pTr'iter bcfide Himfelfe. ^f/^^(??^^ Creatto?, there rv as ^ro-
ipfuoi nihil e- perly,»^/><^^ when nor where, hut onely an incom-
lat, ergo m fe- ■prehcnfihU perfection ofmdivifible immenfity mdeter-
le ^conM Lib.\ ^^0* ' ^^^^^^^ wouldftHl bee the fame y though neither
cap.6, heaven nor earthy nor any thing in them fhonld any
f.ccm dTH ^^^^^^' "^ ^^^ ^^ ^^y ^^^fi f lace Him mthoHt the
calum & ter-
raoi, ubi liabi- J ~ ■':.| ';-
:ai)at :* In Se habitabat, apvii SeVabitabat, & apuJ Se eft Dev«, Aug. in Pfal,iii,
Ante omnia Dbvs crat folusip^e Sibi & muitdus, &• locus, & omni>i. Sclus
atitem ; quia nihil extnnfecu5 przterlUum. Tertuliajvcr^ut Praxean, nonpraculab
initio.
* Eft De vs itaubiquPjiunon tnntnin omnes hujusunivcffi partes permeet, fed
ctiamimmenraillafpatiaquaj furttfupracoelbs (quje/t natuvas infinicate) penctret:
nonrameh cxittimes D E y m ibi^de, tinquarnin loco poiitivorcpjetivrjfcd.tantum
per immcnfitatepi eflentis. Sitjlachiiis 2)e D £ o. q,<5.
Heavens^
OF HE^AVEN. 117
Heavcnsy^to death Himmth any imAgrnarj ffaceyor
give the check to His trnmenfity by any far ale II di fiance
localt He is faid to be without the heavens, in as
miichas His infinite ^//^w^ cannot be "^ contained heamn/th
intheiT.jbut nectffarily containcs them. Heeisfo heaven of bea-
without them^ $r (if ^o»wtU) hepndthcmj that albeit '^'^'^^ <^'^«"»^
1 r 1 11 1 1 1 -r^ ■ 11 ccntaiKeThec-
d ihoujditdmoe veorlds were heaped itp by Hts aU-porver' j |^„^a 3
full hand each above 0ther,and all above thLeut./^,S9^^ iQ.i^JoJh.2.ii,Prov,
* There ii a place beyond that flaming HiU,
* From vple/ice the ft arret their thin appearance Jhe J,
A place beyond a't place, yvherc never ili
Noiimpure thought rfofi ever larh^vrsd:
Eut Saintly H€t$cs are for ci erfaid
T^ l^epe an ev(r'ft/iiifg Sabbaths re/f.
Stilt w#'>^ ilatyofith^ tbey are/iiS p9£e^^
Enjoying but one joy, hut $ne ofa&joyes befi.
Flftchcr C H R I » T s Viaory,p3g.2.StA
1 3 af.j:
VCH.
ii8 OF HEAVEN.
i.^.dr 7,69* ^p^^f^'io, 2 Cor. 12, r, where it is
called the third heaven,
rbt tiree hear I . The firft is that whole fpace from the earth
WW. to the Sphere of the Moone i where the birds flie 5
whence raine,fnovv,haiIe, and other Meteors de-
fcend, See6'^;?.7.ii. Pfal.H.S, Ma^^.S.^o.Deut,
2 S .12. C^Ut»6, 26. where they are called ri 'TnrwA
2. Thefecond confiftsofall thevifible Orbs.
See GenA.i£^.^i'^, where he calls the whole m
fifitiiMt,Expaftfio^y Firmament, Heaven. And in this
Hee placeth the Sun, Moone, and other Starres,
Df»M 7.3. Within this fecond Expanjlonv/c com-
prehend three other Orbs, reprefcnted to our
knowledge by their motion. Of which fee * Etf-
ni.'qJiaero:/''^*'*' Tabic, atpag,p4.
pinio eft de-
cern tantum
effc ccelos mobiles ! nempe fcptcm cotlos Plinctaram, Cotlum Stellaium, Ceeltttn
iw Chriftallinum, Scprimum mobile. Vcmm mihi valdeprobibilisvifi cftrcccntioiurn
-M^ithcmaticorum fentcmia, undccim effc coelos mobiles ita ut inter firmanientu-H,
& primum mobile, pro unico CoeloChriftaliinOjduplcx coe lumconftituatur Nam-
que pro unico mom trepidationis, qui Coelo Chriftallino ttibuebatur, qucra adr.itti
non poflc demonftrant : ponunt dupliccm motuii libratioHis; altcrum abOrtu ad
Occafum, & e contra, qaemtribuuntneaa: fphcrai. Alteram a Septcntrionc ad'Au-
ftiumj& e contra, quern dccimacSpbcraJ aflignant. His additur undecima Sphxra,
feu primum Mobile Deniqj Theologi prxtcr Coelo$ mobiles, admittuiu luprcnmai
Coelum immobile, quod Empyreum appellant, quod fit fedcj Bcatorum, 2)« CceU*
3. The third is that, where G o d is faid
fpecially to: dwell; whither Christ afcen-
dcd, and where all the blcffcd Ones ihall bee for
cycr.
No
OP HEAVEN. 119
No * natutall knowledge can poflibly be had of j"*« H^ffl^
ibis Heaven : neither any heipe by hvmane arts, r/^" **'*
Geon^erry, Aiithnieticke, opticks, Hypcthcfcs, *Ncqjcx fenfu,
Philofcphy;^ants<>f thofe heavenly Palaces.
picndis : Tirft
vii'tus eft in afcenfvona C H n i s t i,ad pratpanndum loat^Ti irifinitisctiam mundis,
aediim omnibus homimbusqu: in lioc uno mundo iilnt. Sad cJadfaelft wi hominibus
jpfis qui defimt fibi, nequc ctedunt la illutn fanguinam ^lO prxparatuur^nGtbis ilia aa
ccx:\\s\oc:i. RaltsteM lohanXap I ^,
O F HEAVEN. m
5. By the incredible djftancc from the earthto '/V^fi^i ^^
theStarry Firmamcor. Ifllhould here tell you ^eV^
the fevcrall "^computations of AOronomcrs in * Mathcmatid
this kind, the fliinmcs would feeme to exceed all caiSX^
poflibilityof beliefe. And yet befidcs, the late Cm fiimamenf
learnedll of them place above the eiglu Sphere, " 'r.cuentcs,
wherein allthofe glorious lamps {hine fo bright, is^^T^e^miU
* three moving Orbs more. Now the Empyre- luna Gcrma-
an Heaven comprehends all thefe, howincom- ^'"^i, j/„'^ ^
prehenfiblethen muftits compaflTe andgreamejOfc Kofetu* nun-.e-
EccelTarily be ^ rat 65457 500.
A^c jgitiiri
^antum dtcis
jlflr(Aoge^ctKtro tenx^ ad ccelmn o^avum, fat frmamtntum vulp appeL'aiUfa^ M-
(icnii&m. <»
Vuljjb inteivalliim dicitnrcoHriacri'Diatpirttos terra: IOC40"
Terras vcro Dfnmttro tiibuuntur parres mo, Unicuig; parci mrlliaii 6i. Qux
duftaintoti:m Diamcrrum conficiuiu fummam milliaiioium 7440 Qnj numeriis
muUipUcatus per 10040 ". ^^i^cndit (iiflantiim teirae ab orbe oftavo, n<:mpe
7470^ 180. milliaiiorum. bes Cafinan.Ouranogra.
Beit jo, that the adventure of Mathematicians intlis Toint b(etQ$ auhciotu andfe-
remptdiy:fejJJc«i{hall/^;><^^/Y/if need bee, and the
Storm mn{xfighi : if Hecomeagaiift a people. He
will make His fword dcvoureflejjj, and His arroivcs
dr'inke yioud : ifHe be angry with the world, He
brings a floud over ihe whole face of the earth. If
HefctHis atfedion upon amortall worme, that
trembles at His Word, and is weary of iinne 5 He
will make him a King,give Mm aParadife,crownc
him with eternity : ifHe builds a houfe for all His
holy Ones; it muft needs be a None-fuch-^ moft
magnificent, ftately and glorious, farrc above the
reach of the thoughts of men.
^h'b"'l%f ^* W^'^^ afpacious and fpecious inheritance;
%gH. '*" what a rich, fuper-eminent and fumptuous Pur-
chs^fc and Palace do you thinkc was the precious
bloud ofche Son of G o d by its inelHmable price
and merit, able to procure at the hands of His Fa-
therjfor His Redtemed^
r/?k^4'^^' Let us here alfo lay hold upon foitie confidcra-
iteavca. tioHs, whereby wee may behold (at leaft) fomc
little glimpfes of the admirable glory of its light.
"^ ^^' ^'^f"''^"' I . To fay nothing of that glorious projedion
^y?jo p.i dp. 2^(jtf3n5fy(|gri of ^chereall Iighc,both oftheSun
ut in mil- and of thc Starres, of the fix magnitudes, which
' p^^,rur'""t by Aftrologicali computation, conftitute * three
V>;ncris, aut
Mercurij fyJcra, nee computcmus ftellas novc«n,qu2s obfcuras, aur <^uin'»''-
powringoutabundantly whole rivers, as it were, Dicuur; uon.
of pureft heavenly light,^<:. Hence with allufion ^gt^ so'.e ^
to brightcft things below ; it is faid to have a wall ^;;,^^;'; ^^'^
ghr'iA T>ii il-
luflrat f4.w; (^
Lucernaejmefi ^^ntis. Quid Fiinc riMPptiici :> Dc fentcntia lohanitii : ^UliaKi ij/^e
lucemcxleflUglorU ; aliamSolh d^' LunxiNonopui cjfeSile (ait) ^ Z,M»(i.'N.*.gat jo
eft fydcrcje liicis Opponitur ci affirmatiodiv.nas lucis &.gIonolx, qu3E progufcitur
a D I I gloria & Agno Filio Dei. /bid.
Neg^ urbs ifia eger Sole, O'c,^ Non negat, qiiin Scl & Lina in firriamento fiium
rctcntura funt iHtncnjrrd .nitfupremuni lUud coelun,long' piaelbntiori liicefplcndcie,
ncc opu» habere tali Sole & Luna. Gloria inquit Dei if^Ticitttv-rh, Difcrimcn facie
inter JTo^cti'gloiiam Dei, & inter (pai quo ipfa urbs illuftratur, Gloria Dsi majcUas
eft Dei, hixq; ilia, Deitas iplius, quam inhabitarc Dbus dicitur. Ea omnibus eft
iinacccffa3& corporcisoculisinvifibilis. Abhacmajcftare veto pro bencplacito volun-
tatis Dbt, lumen creatum proficifcitur, quo tota urbs fplendct : & quo eledis ctiam
communicatOjcflSc.t DEVS,ut ipfum plene,& quafi facie ad facicm cognofcant 2an(b»
deCee!obeat».Cap ^.
* Goelum Beatorum eft imprimis lucidiflimum, coq; vcrns oKvfji.'Troi : Hoc eft to-
»«m &omBi ex parte luminofumaclplendjdum. Non enim eft l)>;ut firmamentum
rarijs ornatum ftellis, eoqj ahbi lucidum : alibi veto non ira lucidum, (cd totum eft
ji[€ljacidum. Eft enim perinde atqj fi totum fit quidcm Sol. maximus^ & omnia fuo
ambitu corapleftcns.Ncq: lux ilia eft fimilis luci ftellarum,neq} etiamejufdem gene-
R«. Sed eft lux vere divina, licet areata ; idcirco quia lux eft alterius generis, & lux eft
glorir, noa penetrat hue ad nos ufq;: oculistamcn cwporeis faturo fecWo a ncbw
vidcbitw. Idem /hid.
of
124 ^P HEAVEN,
*
o^Tdfper, hiv.ldingofgoUya^£oundmon of pracfOfii.
i!ico:r>|n- Jto.^ssjand gates otp^arles. Being clearc as Cr/flaili
cftclmasx-er! fl^i^i^g^^k^ wwto gUffc '^ tranfparcrtt mbrightndTe
na : ubi viao- 35 a molten looking ^W*^- ^* ^^^y be> thofc places
ria,ubivcnr.i3, may alf® ill latitude of fenfe intimate and include
ubi faaS' ^^^s glorious vifible light I fpeake of, CoUJf. 1.12.
ubi VIM, libi PfaL^6,p, iTim.6,16.
xteinitas. 7): AncientDivines alfo cipprehcndcd this glorious
ohhoyv brave, bcauty and brightnefTe in the blefTcd heaven.
hoTv bcauT'fuU, The etemdl City (faith * i^uBm) is tttcomparahly
\Z imertg, bright and beauttfull I whcrethert wvictarj y -verify,
hotff ^gorgeo-ji', digmty yft^fCHtyJife, eternity .
havv a tmrrable
a City i! thi^ .' For,iftltgite; he of p?arlc, and the flrtets of gull ; lien Tvhatare tie
inner roome; ? IVhat are the diiing chambers-, Andrvhat are the lodgirgroomei I O
horv tinfpeah^able is tie glory of this iity,that Kings jba.Ut\)rfa> dotvm tter Cranvmsjinii
Scepters before it^counting all their pomp and glory but a* dufl in refpeU of it > jSnd the
raaznificence ani pompc ofaUthe Potentates of the earth fl)aU here be Hi I dotvne. ^nd
albeit none of the iQr^s andMobks of the Gentiles ni'if^t be adnvtedinkojheold Jem-.
C\\cixi, yet aft the Gentiles that believe Jhall be admitted into ibis wew Jeiufaltm," ^d
ie anfaterablc to our con^ittition, even at this ayre is,(3'c'\ But at I would ny fclfe by
itameanes confidently entertaine, fowiil I never ebtrude upon oihcrsany thirginthis or
avy other divine point t hut that »hly which iigronnded (cither direUly and immediately,
«rbjrooJandfiiWidconfeiU£iice)upQn Gods fure Word.
OF HEAVEN. 125
if the ft vehtch kcofiiiemrJed {faith Sajil) be CAHinto
fitter darknejfe -^ it is evident that thofe which walked
fverthy cf Gob, h^ve their reft wfuftrcele Hi nil light.
2. Bcfides the fupcrcxccllency of its native Ju- ^h highnefe
{lre,that I may fo fpeak,this blefTcd heaven wil yet gifrifcMy*
•be made infinitely more illuftrious and lefplen-
dent by all the moft admirable and amiable (hining
glory of that deareft ravifhing objecfi:, to a glorified
eye^the glorified Body of J e s v s C h r i s r.In
refpe(5t of the beauty and brightn elTe -whereof, all
fyderiall lightisbuta darkfome mote^and blackeft
mid-night. See A/4?. 1 7. 2 .
3. Adde hereunto the incredible and unfpeaka- ^.^^ fpjendour
bleTplendour of many millions of glorified Saints, ums!
whofe bodies alfo will out-fhine the Swn.Stc Mat,
i^.^^.Phil.S'2i. I>an.i2»^. Who arefaid tofhine
as the hrightnejfe sfthe Tirmnment^ as the Stars .pan,
12.^. Js the Sun^Mat,i^./\.^. To be like Christ
Himfelfe,r^;? 3 . 2 .And to appeare with ff/m inglo-
ry.Cd.s.^.
Now, what a mighty and immeafurablemvifle
of moft glorious light will refulc and arifc from
that moft admirable illuftrious concurrence, and
mutuall ftiining reflexionsof the Empyrean Hea-
ven more bright and beautifull than the Sun m his
ftrength,the Sun of that facred Pallace, and all the
blcffed Inhabitants^ All which every glorified
eyefhallbefupernaturally inlarged, enabled, and
ennobl'd to behold and enjoy in a kindly and com-
fortable manner with ineffable delight and ever-
laftingneffe ! ruhrighnefe
4. If the porch and firft carry be fo ftately and '/gods pe-
glorious, ^"^^-
126 OV HEAUEN.
glorious, gariiiihed and bcfpangl'd with fo many
bright ihitiing Lights and beautifull Starres ;
What workitianfliip and rare peeces, what majc-
ftyand incomprehcnfible excellencies may wee
cxped in the Palace of the great King, and the
heavenly habitations of the Saints and Angels ^
* How full of beauty and glory are the chiefe
roomesand Prefence-Chnmberof the great and
royall Monarch of Heaven and Earth g,f (^Pnn-
chiefes, what mining and c-ounter-mining, what ZulmL^lom,
snyileri©ii5 >plQts and machiviiian depths, what exercife.iytai^^
•fttaoge -^ventures ande£ifions fometimeseven ^^{themo'com'.
of bloudyifeas, no catch a Growne <: WitneflTe ilemfeive" and
LanuficrBViJ^T,erk€,nSiYVi\\ habitable parts of the their ij/Ues Ma-
^ixh, which from time to time have become i%"{l^i°[!^
!blou^ cook-pits iin this kind.
2. AnBeavedyKirfgd9me,MaLj.2i.Andi^,^. ^Kt^^dl'm'^'^
toiintimateithat itfurpaueth in glory and cxcellen- ^
cy all earthly kit5gdoa3es,.asfarre as heaven tran-
foendethearth^ndxunconceiveablv more.
3. rJie Kmgdome cf Got,, U^s 14. 2 ^ A ^ go'^J'^'^''''
Kingdomeof G o d s ownc making, beautifying
andi)ileiGLng; who doth all things like Himfelfe,
-asi faidbdfQite: repleniibed and (Inning with Ma-
jeftyy.pkafures and ineffabk felicifti^^^bcfeeming
theigioiious .'Rcfidencc of the King of Kings.
4. An
128 OFHEAUEN.
4, An inherit 4, ^w Inheritance^ (^dh 20.^2. Notatene-
^'*'"^' mentatvvill, to bzc polTdfeJ or left at the Land-
lords pleafure : but an inheritance fetled upon us,
and fealeduncousby tlie deareft and higheft price
that ever was payed^which will be as orient, preci-
ous and acceptable, after as many millions of
yeares, as you can thinke,as it was the very firft day
it was po wred out and payed .
4. ^gimm 5* k rich md gionofis inheritance^ 'Ef he f,\,\%^
inberitance. pit fot the Majefty and mercy of Almighty G o n
tobeftow ; the unvaluable bloud of His Sonne to
purchafe, and the dearely Beloved of His Sode to
enjoy.
6. Thtitihed' 6. Kw Inheritance of the Saints h light ^ Cohjf,
tance of saints, i. jj. Every Word founds a world of fwect-
neffe.
7'jd» iHcorrup' 7. knlnheritanccincorrupible^andundejiled^and
ttbie inherit ace. that fkdeth not arvay^ I Pet.i,/\.. There can never
poflibly be the leaft diminution, much lelTe any
aboliflimentofthe ie-aft glimple of heavenly glo-
ry. But all bliffe above willbeasfrefh and full in-
numerable yeares hence,as at our fift entrance, and
fo thorow all eternity.
8. A crome. ^ • <-^ Crovme of right eoufne(fe^ 2 Tm,^. 8 .Fair-
ly come by, and full dearely bought. A Crorvneof
life^ lam. i . 1 2 . A Crowne of glory .^ 1 Pet. 5.4. Glory
itfelfe,iJ(7»^.9.2^. Nay, an exceeding ex^:eedtnge-
ierna^ waight of glory ^ 2 Corinth, ^.ij. Which
Crownes, Kingdomes, Pearles, Jewels Feafts,
4i*c. do but weakely fhadow out unto us. Afoper-
Uttvetranfcendent Phrafe (Qiith one) fach as is not to
he found in all the Khetoricke of the Heathens ^hecaufe
they
OF HEAVEN. 129
_— — — ^ . ^ . — . J ' _ _ _ ' ■ ■ ■ iw n.
they never m^t^offuch^thewe^ner whhfuehdfpmt^
9. Fuineffcofjop everUfiin^ fk^fires^Pfalie, ?• ^»^«/e •/
1 1 . o^ fivfft fimmg river ^j^tmevf ^f)^e4fr9%s^ ■^^*
pJal.^^^X yi^ycty Jfijsif.Q,^^^^ Ma-.
:?. In'atliircIplacc^Uetiis .confide the l'>€auty gienfiedhd^et,
and blcflcdncflTc o^gloiified Bodies. .Cu^CuZ Z'
I doe not here cunouily Gng.mre with w cipiat quiT^u^
ScJ^oalc-men 5 whether t^e.^lpry of the body "'"^"'•^^jj
doth fpring originally out. oTxav-blcflTcdiaeffe ^ud bdTinTuvcn'
bcawtifull excellency ofthe jrpu.Ie,a;id fo redounds tatc,-tiamG u.
aponxhe body^by ^<:ommQd cpiiftant in^uence, "j^^^VSt
as {^qtiiff as thmiis^ <)d",.(\vbichIa;^therfoHow) habum-iK, -fi
chat thofc.exccUcat endowments ^nd heavenly ante eft d^fan-
fplendours are on|^nally aad di%ofitively im- ^(rf/.o^JLjl!
planted by Go p s hand in the reformed body, ti.caf^.i^.
or.clyperfc^^edand gfluated .(as it were) by-tlW . "^'"^ *"*
Glorious loule;, ^5 ^QAmmturc i!.ipp,aicxh. 5>.ure I ^c^nicmnt ef-
am in general!, they fhall be made U^z ihegloriatu ^-j «iam fccuU
WvefC H K I , ^,m>t.i,ri. AnatlMtishappi. tT'hotf„t
nelle and honour enoughs inexplicable, tupe^cmi- j-ivemutetn. /-
nent. •'fw '*^^-
Bcfides their freedorac from all defers ajcid im^ oiuie*^ "11m
ptrfc(Slions, Qifeafcs and difterapers, infirmities n^-g^' corpo-
and deforn[iities, "^ raaimedneffc and monflrous 'liTS fuwi
cr.iiir, vcl futuri eiant ia juvenili attatc. li^m IhU C4pi6,
Qliibus omnibus pro noltro modulo con^deiatis & tia«5tatisjh3cc fumma coniicitur,
ut in rcfurrctftione jcarnis in xternum eas menfuras habeat c jrporum magnitude, quas
babcbatjpcificicndx live pcifefte, cujufcunqj iadit.icorpou ratio )avcmutis,in mein-
broium quoqi ©mnium modulis congruo dccoic ferramr. {biiLCap 20.
^U the bo.Ue! of the Ele^fhillarife in thatpcrfci^ion of nature^ vheremti they ff^taU
hare attained ky their mimaii temper aniconfiitution^ if no impediment bad hindered :
tMil in that vi;:our of 0,?^e,t}:at aperjeH man is at about three and thirty yeares oUl^acb in
their proper fexe. 5o Cml^ feme worthy Divine^ wliofc nam? 1 forgot to note when X
♦poke his Saying.
K fliapes 5
I30 OF HEAVEN.
fhapcs, 'infancy, ot Becrtpitneffe of ftature^ ^c.
From want of mcatc, drinke, manage: tfor wcc
fliall hcL'kethe Angels of Go d in hcave/J, CHatth.
22.30. ^c^AlhunxiJ'rto mfre, neither thirfi any
ptdrejRev.j.16. of (Iccpcj for there fliallbccno
wearying of the body, or tyring the fpintsj for,
• Aftrnerc wc flnll Uvcby the all-fufficient Spiiit of Himfclfe, and run parallel! with the loj-
gcft line of eternity. In which rcfpcd alfo, our
condition
OF HEAVEN. 131
condition is a tboufrrd times more hsppy and
gloricusjthanif wcbad {\ocd f^ill with K^dam in
his innoccncy and felicity. If fo, he could but i Js^TJ^"
have convcjghed unto us bodies immortall *fitcr.- quadiifaxiam ;
ua Hfn mme^iif (X Hyfcthji^ zsihcy fay 5 that is, ^^®
endowed onely with power of rot dying, if fo tia'' Tom'Sl
and fo : but now they fhall be immoitall impcte»- abfoluta , sc
tikmoricndi, thatis.fhinc for ever in the hieheft T.*"'*: ^'*'.'*'
licavens with impoflibuity or ever p^riliiing. mortaiitatcm
faakct, I Tiai.
6. 16.
2. Impotcntia moricndi cxgrati^i cmtioais: 6c AngcU & anitn* bumsox Sknt
ii-nmoLtaks.
J Impotcntia rroriendi ex gratia donis fie ««Inm neviim, terra nova^ corpora
kcaterum immortal, tatem liabebunt
4, potcntianon moncndiexalitjaa Hypothcfi, licet in fefit mortak. Sic ko«»o
ante p^^catam crat immortaliscoipotejCX Hypstbefi oaionis ewaaasma sriginalncr
pcifeda, imraort-Ii.
2. jHcnrupibUnefey i drinth. 15. 44. 54. »'f«*
the body will prefently be there where the foulc
would have it] of extraordinary fpeed, andincre-
* Corpus diblyfliorttime; o^^//?/?.^ cals it * impercepible.
Yeiu ° iTtTm- So that I doubt not, but that a glorified Saint ^c^^
pore, fed im- ring to be in fuchor fuchaplaceathoufand miles
P^'^"^"''b[evi- <^^t)^ft^^* ^^"^^ very firft bent of his will that way,
V^crnsuppim would be there in an "^ incredible lefle time, than
3 pagA^-'^^^' thou wouldeft imagine.
* But mt in
an inftantxOi Aquinas hU argument demon/lrates unanjrcerahly thus.'Jn mom locali fpa-
tium & motiis &tempus iimul diviJuntur, ut deinnnftiativ.- prubauii in 6 Phyd'c.
Sed fpatium quod tranfit corpus gloriofum perfuum rnotum, cftdivifibilc : Ergo &
motHsdivifibiliseft, & tempus divifibile, inftansautena nondividitur. Ergo&tnotus
illc non eric in inftanti. Ibid. Sedcontra]
Bellarmine thn errs in hU Aft ojWeU- dying travJI^itei into Englijjj hyO E pag.i i f .
faying: The Saints having the gift of agility can in a moment pafle ftom place to
place — from Eaft to Weft,&c. {if he fpeake properly )
^.Thegioryof 5, Glory, 1 Corimh,i$.^^, The bodies of the
bodies inbesv?^ Saints in heaven fhall be palTingly beautiful!, fhi-
ning,andaimiable.
*omnis cor- Two things (according to "^Auftin) concurreto
Sn Xti- *^ conft«ution of beauty':
urn congruen-
tia, cum quadam coloris fuavitate. — Proindc nulla erit deformitas, quam fecit
incongrucntia partium : nbi & qux prava funt cotrigentur : & quod minus ett
quam decet, undc Creator novit, inde fupplcbitur : & quod plus eft qii.\m dccct,
materiae fervata integritatc, dctrahctur. Coloris ponbfiuvicasijuantaci it, ubi jufti
fulgcbunt ficut Sol in regno Patris fui ? Z)c Civif De i Cap 1 9.
I ExceHentpro' i. A dueand comely proportion-, an apt and
^nbeavfn. congruent fymmctry and mutuall correfponden-
cy
OF HEAUEM. 137
cy of all the parts of the body: or in a word, well-
favouredneffe.
2. AmiablenelTe of coloiir3a pleafing mixture tPerfen colour,
of thofe two lively colours, of white and red. I add
a third.
3. A chearefull,lively,lightfome afped. When sMveiyajpe^.
thetwo former materials (as it were j are pleaiant-
ly enliv'd and. actuated by a lively qricknefTe and
modeft merinefle of counrenance. Wheretfoft,
(f;iith the Moralift) it U not the red and white, which
giveththelifcand prfcBion cf beaut j: hut c?rtain€^
j^arklmg notes. and touches cf at?:' ab!e ci.ecrfulnejje ac~
comfanjing the fame . In hcau^y ( f lith another) that
of favour is mere than that ofcolcur-^andthat of decent
^ ■pleafingmot'on-,morcthan that cf favour. T^ hat is the
hef-part of beauty ywhrch a piiJure cannot exfreffe^ ^c.
Allthefeconcurre in eminency and excellency . ,
inglorihed bodies. ofexceilcnms
1. An exquifit feature and ftatute, beau- j?^'<"''i^^''^^
tified by Gods owne blelTed all-mighty hand,
with the utmofi: of created comlinefTe, and match-
lefTe proportion.
2 . Not onely fweeteft mixture of livelieft co-
lours, but alfoa bright fliining fplendour of cele-
ftiall glory.
^. And both thefe aduated to the life, prefer-
ved in perpetuall freflmefle and oriency , and
quickened ftill with new fupply of heavenly
a,5tivenefre and amiablenefle by a more glorious
foule j (for, if the brightnefle of the body fliall
match the light oftheSunj what, doe you thinke,
will bee the glory of the foule ^ ) and by an
infinitly
ijg OFHEAUEN.
*ytaninia infinitely more ^lorious foirit, which fhallplenti-
iftadum cxei- r 11 j*. j n • i t f r ^
cet fiinaioncs fuUy ^ dwell m them both tor cvcr.
fnasin corpore
impertitei colotCin & totam banc cxtera.itn corporis gloiaim • Ita turn cum D E v «
eric omnia itiomaibuSjSpiiitus Oh risti in nobis [labitanSjinduet corpora noftia
glorioSlfi na, quibuftji qualitatibus, RoUocin/jhr^in. Cap 5.
Amplification AmpUfie the glory of our bodies in heaven
hoTcitfeave. from fuch places asthcfe : Da^.n^i. OiUt.is.^5'
Phil ^,20j2i.Coly^,^.
From which the ancient Fathers alfo thus collcifl
and affirme ;
micant'bisl^. ^/ rvc JhouU Compare ( faith ^ chrifoftome ) ourfu^
lisradijs futu- ture bddks evcn with the mof gliflering kames of the
ra nobis corpo- Sun-^wc j})aII yet U^j mth'm^^ totheexpnf^mofthc^
ra contuleri- ,, r 1 ■ n ■ 1 £ J ' J '"— ^
mus, nihil ta- excellcmj of their jhmtng glory.
men pro illius
fpfendoxis dignitatc explicabimus. Sermde ml/ericordid.
* In iiid fi- Thebeautj ofthejufl in the other life ( laith "^ o/;?-
"^"uin do''^ )^/?»? ^^ullbeeqmlltothegloryofthcSHn, though fe-
faftorum Solis *venfild brighter then now it is.
putchritudini ,
qui feptemplicitcr, quam modo fit, fplcndidior eiit, adsequ.ibitur. Vnde fcriptutn
eftjFul^cbiinc jiidi, ficut Sol in confpc(Su Dei . 2?e fimlhui Cap.so.
* Hujiis j-^jg J*- hrtghtncffe ofaglorifcd body doth a^farre ex-
m claritas ran- ^^^^ ^^^ ^^^i ^ ^^e Sun oHr mortdl bddy .
turn Solem ex-
cellit, quantum Sol in claritate noftrun corpus praecellit. jlpui Auffijl Tom.^.p.z.
Mihipa^.ioS^.
-: Then fliall the righteous fhine forth as the
Sunne, in the Kingdome of their Father]
Not
OF HEAUEN. 139
Not ( faith "^ Chnfoficir.e) bccauje they ft: all no^ fir- * ^««c /«/-
pafet/je brightnepof the Stm ; but^ becaufc that be- %ut\d in
betngthe mofi ghttenngthnginthe %vcrlcl.j lee fakes a rigm fatru
refemblafjce thence towards the exfrepng cf their in- ^Z^^^^i^f^^^^
COmf arable glory. amfplcndorem
ron fupera-
bunt ; ka quntido nihil fclgen'.ius Sole vidernus, proptcrea re apcitiflima nobis ad
cxprimcnJurn ufiis eit. In liSat.Homi^ /)- 6/
But hov/ can th-re be fo mi;ch beauty afid de- ^'orifedejes
lightFull amiable nfpfd: in fuch intenfive and ex- ^^'^^^-^^ ^'
traordinary biightnefTe c' Or what plcafure can
we take in beholding fuch extremely bright and
Ihining bodies ! Sith wc find by experience, that
there is fane more content and delight in looking
upon a well-proportioned objecfi:, beautified with
a pleafant mixture of colours, than in feeing the
Sun, though it fhould not fo dazle, and olfend the
eyes.
For fatis fa (5li on herein, wemuftknow, that the
* glorified c3^c fhall become impalfible, elevated *Neq,ineo
farre above all mortall poilibility, and fortified by '°^°^i^"^cnd'
an heavenly Vigour, to apprehend and enjoy all ce- forte a nimio
lelftiall light and glory with much ravifhing con-^^P'^"'''°^^ ^^'
tentment and inexplicable delight. & '^ -"Jj ** "."Jj]
beati erunr, ac
per hoc impafl;bilcs & immortales ; qui cnim luminc glor/ar confortabit oculos.
mentis," nc vidcntcs Devm facie ad facicm^ opprimantui a gloria, jdem etiam date
imp-.iTibiluatiS confortabic ocalos co;pons, nt Gne laefione cernant non Solem
unuaij fed innumcrabilcs.
Secondly : that omnipotent mercifull hand of "'^^ hrigiMms
God, which will raife our bodies out of the duff, >^^ ^«^^'^*-^^-
and refcrm.e them anew, can caufe light and colour
to
140 OFHEAUEN.
to concurre and confift in excellency, in glori Red
bodies.
Thofe things which according to nature can
confift togithcrj the one or both htrngmgradu
remijfo, ( as they fay ) abated afthar height, can by
divine powerconfift togi:ther/>^r4^« imenfipmo
fux fpecieijin their excellencj : but it is fb with light
and colour according to nature : ergo^ ^c. as
W ^^.^'^' * Durandu'S one of the acuteft Schoolemen makes
* Corporis good by arguments. Whether (hall colour or
gloria natu- lightbefeene:' "*■ Why notbothin amoftdelici-
ram non tol- j • i t
let fedpcrfici" ous admirable mixtute cf
per
ct : unde color
qui debetui* corpori ex natura fuanim parcium, remanebit in eo, fed ftipcraddetur
claritas ex gloria animx. Si(?ut etiam videmus corpora colorat.i ex natuia fui, Sol:s
fplendore reluccrcj vclcx aliqua alia caufa excrinfcca, feu intrinfeca. ^quin. Sup-
In noftifucis fimul ftant color &lux, upapparct ad fcnfum, & (ic videcur qiiod
virtute divina corpora gloriofi poflunt limulefle coloiaca & luccntia. 'Din.Lib ^
Z)//?.44.i; 8.
Theexercifesof Hccrc the Sccolemcn according to their wont
the fenfes in do curioufly inquire, difcufTe and determine the
eaven. manner of the a(5ts5exercife and obje(5ls of all the
fenfes. They fay not only 3 i . That the eye fliall
delightfully contemplate C h r i s t 3 glorious
body, the fhining bodies of the Saints, the beauty
of the Empyrean Heaven, &c. 2. The eare
di'inkeup with infinite delight, the vocall harmo-
ny of Halelu-jahs, Sec. But alfo audacioufly un-
dertake to define without any good ground or
found warrant, many particulars about the other
fenfes, not without m.uch abfurdity, andunfpiri-
tualneffe. But let it be fuificientforus, without
fearching
©*F HEAVEN. 141
fcarching beyond the bounds of fobricty^ro know * i" '^^.^ t""-
for a cercaine that every fenfe fhall be filled with datioquxdani
its fcvcrall {insularity and excellency of all pofli- mtfiahiiis bo-
blc *- pleafure,and pcrfedion. & mcftnr Jii!
Jiilccdmc fm"
totof CDS Jnenarrab;li abandantia fatiabit. Quid dixi totoi ? Oculi, aures, aareSj os,
manus,guttar,corjiCCur,pKlmo,o{ra, medullar, cxtact;ata ipfa, & ciinCta figtihtini
fingulaq; membra eoium, incoiHir.unitam mirabiii delciTc. honis & uulccjinis fenfa
replebimcur, ut ver.^ torus homotorrente voluptatis' DSi potcttir, &ab ubcrtatc do«
mwxijiis inebrittur. ytMjclnt de fimiiitnd.Cap. 5 7.
4» In a fourth pi acc> let us take a glance of the TheSou'tsh-
unutterable happineflc of the Soule.
I {liould be infinite and endlefle, if I did under-
take to purfue the feverall glories, felicities, and
excelleRcics of every faculty of the foulc; and
when I had done, ended with the utmoft of all
both Angelicall and humane underftanding and
eloquence, conie infinitely fliort of exprelfing
them to the life 3 I will at this time butgive you
at'tafte onely, in the anderihading Patt r
And that fliall be extraordinarily and fupernatu- j^"'^ '^"^-
rally enlarged and irradiated with the higheftil- ^ ^^
luininations, largeft comprehenfions, and urmoft
cxTctit of all poifiblc comfortable knowledge, of
which fuch a creature is capable.
r. Humane knowledge of Ait9j Nature, erea- ^.*^«'^<^^«'^
ted things, is delicious and much defircd ; Wit- *^ """^ * ^^'
iJeflTc,
1. ThewifeftHeathens,3ndbcfl:Philofopher£,
who were fo ravifhed but even with a dimme
glimpfe of this knowledge, that in comparifon
tllcreofthey have contemned all the riches, plea-
fercsjand f^ermenf s of the world.
2. That
142 OF HEAVEN.
2. That wife faying : k^ learned mAn dsth as
farn excell an tlliterdte^ as a re^fonMe creaiure 4.
brute,
3. The extraordinarily exulting and trium-
phant cry of the famous Mathematician, hitting
after long and laborious difqaifition upon fomc
* I'tpw*, abftrufc excellency of his Ait ; * ihaveJoHndttj f
li;/^*. havefiundit,
4. That palTage in an Epiftlc of &mas Silviut
* Cuius fi. to Sigtfm. D. ofLyfuJlrJa : "^ if the face of humAne
««=*» ^ y ^<=';* learning could befeene^ tt is fairer and more beautifull
or ^^^^^^ayAmtfj'^'^^h^^ormngandEvemngStarre.
Liicfcr , & 5. Ferthcfleajure and delight 0f knowledge And
^*'*'^Mv.tnce' ^^^^^^^ (faith *anothcr) itfarre furpaffethalltther
m^nt of Learn in nature : for jhall thefleafures of the affUHons fo ex-
L'*.i.p.j^.t+. ceedthefenpSy as much as the ok dining of de fire and
victory exceedeth afing or dinner? i^ndm:*fi not (of
confeeiuence) the flenjures of the intelle6i or under flan-
ding txceedthefleafuresoflhe affeihom? We fee in all
other fie afures, then is afatietj -, and after they bez^
ufed, their verdour departeth ; which fheweth well, they
be but deceifts offleafure^ and not fle^fures ; and that
it vpds the novelty rvhichpleafed, and not the efudtty,
f^nd therefore wcjee,that voluptuo.is man turne Fri-
(rs ; And ambitious Vrincet turne melancholy. But of
knoxvUdgcthere u nofaUety : Bttt fans fatf ion Ahdap'
petite are pcrpeiUAUy interchan^^eable ; and therefore^
Appear eth t§ be goo din itfelfejtmply , without fallacy or
accident.
Now this learning ihall then be fully perfcdcd,
and raifcdto the higheft pitch : fo that the leaft
and loweft of the Saints in Heaven (hall farrc
furpafle
OF HEAVEN. 143
furpaflc: inclearc contemplation of the caufcs of
all naturall things, and conclufions of Art, the
decpcft Philofophers, greateft Artifts, andlcar-
nedft Linguifts that ever lived upon earth.
There arc many difficulties and doubts in all
kinds of humane learning, which havcfromtimc
totimcexcrcifedthcbraveft wits; but by rcafon
of the native dimncfTe of our underftanding, never
received cleare lefolution and infallible affent.
As^
Whether the Elementary formes bee in mixt '^i^cuitkiin
Bodies J Y.Corruped. 2. Remitted oncly^^. Or, Ert. J-„^^'"''*'"
tire? Whether thcceleftiall Orbs be moved by
K^n^els or int email. formes ? Whether there bee
three diftini^ foules in a man ; i. Vegetative,
2. Senfitive. 5. Rati$nall: Or one onely in fub-
ftance, containing vertually the other two :* How » pecuhat •
all the "^ (fauviiiiv Alchymte, caufe
ofCriticall daies.^
The myfts about thefe and many things moe,
^11 be difpcrd out of our mindSjby a cleare funnc
of a new and excellent knowledge: fo that wee
fhal be exa^ly acquainted with t he caufes,natures,
beginnings, of-fprings, and ends of all creatures,
and created things.
2. We
144 OV HEAVEN.
£rroT{ and j, \y^ (\^^\\ clesrcly fee add comprehend the
riruhr^ re, olveJ . , rrrnrT -iii a
in hcsvcu 'VaHity and rottenneilc or all Hereticall cavils, An-
tichriftian depths5popini trupoftiu c, the very botr
tome of tha5:Mioft wicked m4 abhoned Myfi^rit-i
tlict.rue, full, and fvvieftt meaning (of:aIl ,le:(ieid Boake s >viiet,ticr I^k ,wile bid her hvisi)^nrf
iblefle.or .curfc Go p-: '^\\tihe myjf.e^ ^.Wcfball with\Wondcrfull-ravil1-amcntofipirit,
ries iinswnc in {^nd fpirittiall jjoy , be admitted to t he ;fight of tiipf^
heaven. facr^d iecrct? and glorious ;fny (leiues: i .Of the ko
)ty T^rl^kyi into which fomc piv4ncs mg.y audaqi-
.oufly di^ye^but.flial never be able to explicate; 2. Of
ihc^nion of C H -R i s t s hqmanitytQtjrie divine
joaturej and of the fairhfuU to Christ: 3 . Ofrhe
caufesofGp d s ctcrnall counfellin Elei^i^nand
Reprobation: 4. Qf the Angels fail: 5. Ofthp
panner of the Creation of the '>vorld,&c.
K.nt)ii>ud^,e ef 4- Wc iliall knowonc anothCfr : JFor,
MtamthriH j, AUcomfortable knowlcdgcfhall befof*^frc
from being aboliflied/that it will be inlarge^, iar
cre?;fed^and perfcdcd :
But to know one another is a ,coHafortabl?
Itnowledge,
Therefore we (liall know one another.
Our knowledge fliall be perfcdcd : VoYyWf.fhdS^
k»9VP as ^e are knorvne, i Cor. 1^,17, Which is fet
out by comparifon of the lelle: That our know-
ledge then, fliall diifcr from that now, as the
knowledge
heaven.
OV HEAVEN. 145*
knowledge of a child (torn that of a ftrfeci inan :
by a^/4//^, from feeing xht thing it felfe : that of a
fUnfieech, from a rMle. Why then ihould we
doubt of knowing one another ^ cfpecially, fith
oar Saviour C h r i $ t fetteth forth the ftatc of
th e bleffed by the knowledge one of another, Af<<^.
1 7. And as the knowledge is perfc^ft, fo the memo-
ry. In nothing rauft out knowledge be empair'd
butbettei'd.
2. Wefhall then enjoy every good thing, mi
comfortable gift,which may any way incrcafcand
inlarge our joy and felicity ;
But meeting there, knowing then, andeonver-
Cn? forever with our old deare Chriftian friends,
ana all the glorious Inhabitants of thofc facred
Palaces, will mightily pleafc and rcfrcfh us with
fwceteft delight.
Therefore we fliall know one jrnother. ^rti * '
Society is not comfortable, without familiar pjaj^nw et^
acquaintance : Be affurcd then, it (hall not bee *ther.
wanting in the height aAd perfedion of all glory,
blifle, and joy. Nay,our minds being abundantly
and beatifically illuminated with all wifdome and
knowledge, wefhall be inabled to know, not only
thofe of former holy acquaintance 5 but alfo ftran-
gers, and fuch as we never knew before 5 even all
the faithful!, which ever were, are, or fhall be.
We fhall be able to fay, this was Father i^hrd-
ham, this King David, this Saint Tml : this was
Luther, Cdvin, Bradford Jkc. this niy Father, this
my Sonne, this my Wife, this my Paftour^thisthc
occafioHcr oi my cpnvcrfion, c^r. as may bee
L gathered
1^6 OF HEAVEN.
tft'-etUt u g^^^^^'^^ ^y proportion out of Go d s Bookc.
heaven' we Jbai !• If * oV^'WC beforc the fall had that mcafufc
k^ox» one ant- of illumination, that hcc knew Eve, and from
'*'* Rcftr hinc whence (he came, at thcfirft fight: much more
coiii^itur no$ ftiall out kflowledgc in heaven, and highefthappi-
in vita xtcrna, ^^^^ \^q cnUrged in this kind.
Ribus ignoran-
tiae & ccecitatis ncbulis ctiam not invicetn, & omncs Santos qtioi nunquAoi vidi-
Biusagnicurot.. Si cnim Aiamus virtuteimagiAi$divinaBconcrcatz£v<(^decorp»re
fuo fuinptatn, cam c fomno cvigilaflctjiUico igiiovis : Quomodo non ctiaiijfccundum
candctn imagincm tianfnuutati dc gloriain glanam, a D o m t n i SpiricUjSandoj fit
bcatoscjufdem corporis membra agaofccramusr I(^erHnit.Hariti,Evsag.Cap.Sj,
Suntne bsmines in viti ttternife mutua agnituri i
Utiq; qui plcni futuri fimt SpiRiTrSANCTO& fap'catiajficut jitUmzn^
lapfutB adhttc rctincri injcgritatcm imaginis D i i, E-ua-Tijqj'jam nunqiiam viderat. It
■ade;ume£«c^ncmiac dicentc,agnoyit,Ge;i.i.i3,0tfcNon vcn, knowcxa^ly all the blcflcd ones, though nc-
-tf erte ex imagi- vei acquointcd with thcm upon earth 't
aibus& flatu-
is, quibus uti Juilxisnen fwc conceflurn: ncc ex notitijs nacmalibas, quae in rcbns
calefiibus pcnicus funtcoecx : {j^d ex fola gratia Di i, quae incredibilcui bancra<«
vientrae & cogntuonis lucem animis Apofiolorum infadit.
Ut erg6^4/Stte/ex D 1 1 infpiratione j'tw/e^isagnovitnunqaaaiantc^ viTutn^i Sam.
•.17. Etquemadmodum/elrdnffri' in utero intra alvum B.Virginis, Ciiiii«ttm
Doininum fuum agnovit : ita S p i R i t r s S A n c r 1 radijt bnium etiim nacncet
Inerunt illuftratae, JQcmHiUoc/Upra cit.
Fetrta in montc ia mortali corpore Mofem & tliawi quos nunquam videiat^cvcL^
lione iiucroa cogoovit,Mac.i 1.34. Juc4s /«( /1f/>r« ci/.
^. Cm »i JT t€lsthcJcwc$>it«i^#i5.2S.Thflt
they
OF HEAVEN. 147
xhcypd/lfce K^hrahdw, MHilfaacandUcob, ttnddd
the Prophets in the kingdcme ^' G o d , and t hcreforc
know them : * And D/t^w is faid ro know K^hrA- * ^«»' ^""o*
hAm-mdi LAzarus info great adiftancc, Luke 16, ^^//'^/w*^
Whence I argue thus : i^ the darned know thofc fuppueto agnej-
who arc faved, though they have never feenthemj ^^^' ^' "I"™
much more (hall the glorified Saints, now plcnti- ^arupt mimme
fully endued with ill knowledge, and fupernatu- recogaoviflec ,
rally iUightcned by the H o l y G a o s t . d. v" T'" t
tormentiJ po-
fitumjdc tia/ifadacjus contmiont loqucretHr,tliccnj,
miiUis retiibutionis cxcrcfcit: ut & bom amplius gaudeantj qwi fccum cos lattari
confpicianc quos amaverHnt ; &maltdum cumcis tovqucntur, quo« in hoc mundOj
defpcAo Deo, dilcxtiunt, eosuonfoliim fua, fed ctiam eorom p«na confunnat.
Many of the ancient Fathers arc of the fame ^b fejiimo-
mind: (Whofe authority J never urge forneccffi- Irl pdtJuccd^
ty of proofe; Gods blcflcd Word is evermore
than infinitely all-fufficicnt and fuper-abundant
for any fuch purpofe : but onely, either, i.Som-
times in fome fingular Points to (hew confcnt : or
2. Incur controverfies againft the Antichriftians,
Antinomifts, Neopelsgians, &c. Or, ^. When
fome honeft pafTagc of fandification, or fcafona-
bleoppofition to the corruption of the times, is
falfely charged with novelty, fingularity, and too
xnuchprecifcaeflc.) •
La i» There
148 OF HEAVEN.
I. There was a Widow in t^uflim time, who
craved very importunately both by word and ;
V writing, fomc confolations from him, to fupport
her under chat incomparable croflTe of her hus-
bands lofTe and widow-hood :and,as it may fcera,
fhc defired to know whether ihe fliould know him
inthefecondlife. For the firft, he hits upon the i
fwectcft, mightieft, and moli foveraigne comfort !
f "la^m ^' Ire ^^^^^ could pofTibly be imagined. * Tm can hy n» ji
dcbes,"cum7ii ^f^^^tftcs (faith he) tf^nke yourfelfe dsfoUte 5 wh en- *
intenore ho- j$y fke frefei$ce and pofTeiJion ^/JbsusChrist
JJiifcntem^'^' i»theinm6flclofetofymrkartbyfaith. About the
c H E 1 1 TYM other, he anfwers peremptorily : * This thy hui-
p«r fidcm in ^4^^^^ y^ rvhfi (kcedfe thou art called a widow, JbaU
p!/f 6.j^
Point; thai this for themoft part is the curious ""^"'jT^^^J
^^/e of carnal 1 people- who feeding falfly their ^^^* and boaft what he will da in
New- England when hee comes thither; andycc
(pooreman) he hath neither iliip nor m£>ney, noj?
meanes, nor knowledge of the way, nor provifiofl
before- hand for his comfortable planting.therc. ^tf,^, ^„^ ^y?
To coole and confiont fuch lazie, idle, and ^ntge
C H R 1ST after thfjlefbyyet nffiv henceforth kne» wt
Htm no mere. Our mutuall knowledge one of ano-
ther in heaven fhall not be in outward and worldly
refpcds, but divine and fpiriruall, as wee know
them- in C H R I s t, by the illumination of the
Spirit.
L3 jr.Wc
ijo OF HEAVEN.
trejhasi^Hm ^. Wcc fliill ktiow the fpirituall fubftances,
teve"^^^^^'* ^-^^<^5» orders, excellencies of the Angels: the
• Sapientia Hiturc, imn^ortalicy, operitions and originall of
^im omnes QUr OWnefouleS,(:J'^. In a word, all things* know-
in hac vrti non ^U!^
Mtilitcr aiaant, *^*C»
tama in futura
Tita bonis cnt, ut eoram qn* fcirc volueriitt, nihil fit quod ijnorcnt. Bonuj enim
perfcfti quae Dbu» eft fapientia rcplebitur, earnq, face ad ficicm imucbitur,
«|aatndurn ita perfpexcrit, creatara? totius naturam vidcbit, qis in D E a mch*
AS quam in feipfa conduit. Tunc ctemin juUi cunifla faciit quat D t v s fecit (ci-
«ncla,tam caquas pixteriw, quani ca qu« poS.-Bodam fuac fiwura. jinfelm, de fi'
militud.Cap.^i.
Cumclediamiqiiospatrcsinillaaiterna hzrcdftitc viierint, eisincognftf pervifi-
onem non erunt, quos ia opcre femper novenint. Quia cnim illic omncs communi
claritate Db v M confpiciunt j quid eft, quod ibi nefcianc, uU fcientetn omniafci-
unt !> Greg/DialtgLib.^.Cap.is-
Neqjfola vilio Dfi i fanfiis hominibus in ccelo promittitur, f€detiam omnium
Krum,quas fecit Devi. Hie quidem in terrisccrnimus per I'enfun videndi, folem,
&lunam, &ftelias, & terras,& maria, Scfluaiina, & ani-nanna, &aibarc$, &; me-
talla. Scd mens noftra nihil oiwuinbcernit ; i e. nullam fubftintiam crcitam peiftftj
novit, non differencia$ elfentiales, non proprietatcs, non vires, ac ne animam quident
fuam homo videtjfed more coecorum palpindo tffeCta, 8c difcurreudo per rationem
aliquidcognitioaisacquirit. Quale ergogaudiumerit. cum mtelligsntia noftrarcvc-
lata facie manifcftevidebitnaturas ommum reium, difF^rentias^ proprietates, virej?
Et cum quanta exultationc obftupefcer, cum viJebit exercitum Angelorum innume-
rabilem, auorsm nuUus cum alio m fpecic conveiiit, & diftcrenuas omnium & fin^n-
loium pcrlpicHc intaebitur ? 7)e ittern Fxlicit Vh ? Cap.*.
Whem»e fbufl i^titrt G o & m beaven,i»e fijaUin Hiial^naw the manner of theworli
e^ Creation, the myjferiei »ftbe vxtrl^e oj owt KeJemption : jfea,fo muth f^o»leJge as a
creature canpo^ibly conceive andeoinprehmdofthe Creator andHu worths , P.P.
HoTvGovfbaa ^, Wc fl^ii be bcatifically illightned with a
^eaven.'^^ *'* clcare and glorious fight of G o d Himfclfcwhich
About which the Schoolcmcn audacioufly dif-
courfing,fall upon ditfcring conccipts.
I. Son^iefay, God lliall then be knowncby
a 5/>^r/^rcprclcnting the divine EiTcnce: and by a
OF HEAVEN. 151
Light dfglcry clev sting the iinderftanding by afu-
pcrn-ituiall ftrergth.
2. Others, 1 hat the divine Eflenccfhall be re-
picfcnted to the glorified undcrftanding, not by a-
ny 5/'^rw,bi;t immediately by itSelfe; yet they
alfo require light ofghry to elevate and fortifie the
underftandirg by rcafon of its weakenefTc, and in-
finite difproportion and diftance from the incona-
prehenfible Deity.
J, Others hold, that to the clearc vifion of ^"^SS^a.
God, there is not requiredai'^tf^/
who is pre>udicately and paflionatelytran {ported
with anger, malice, or hatred againft the party to
befcntcnccd. p^,^.
2. Patience to hearethe bafcft, both parties > all hzlring caujip,
diey could fay. And unwillingneflfe to lend his care
to the one,without the o^ers prcfcncc.
5. A greatand happy memory. tisppy mmsty.:
4* Singular fagacity in fearching and diving in- ^^ilico\ls» 155
handcdjthatthcy might deale honcftly in their pla-
ces. And his owne followers, to whom hce gave
a chai ge at his firft entrance to a j udiciall place^that
they fliould not meddle, nor make any motions to
him, that hemight be fecur'd from all appearance
of corruption. And,asl am credibly inform'd,his
ordinary reading of great letters, and rejc(5tion of
gratuities after judgement given.
3. With a noble and unfhaken refolution, and op^ofnbn a-
mighty oppofitionof Popery: and that without iZthfr^lT^
rcfpe^ or feare of any greatnefTe, as wee have evi- iuptms,
dent demonftration. Now of this wee need no
further teftimony (though there be very pregnant
and plentiful! befides) than the prefcnt triumph
of thePapifts; and barbarous infultaticns of that /, y .
bloudy andmarderousgeneradon. Andefpecial- ou^^^^-^^--^^'
ly in yonder Countrey of Lancafliire, and thofe
Northerne Parts ; where hee fliooke the pillars of
Popery more vaUantly and fuccefTefully^ than any
thcfe many yeares. Officers in thofe Parts ob-
ferv'd, that in his two orthree yeares, hce convi-
^ed, confin'd, and cdnform'd moc Papifts thc^^n
were in twenty yeares before. And that laft
charge he gave at Lancafier in his laft Circuit but
one,(for I meddle not with the laft of all) for law-
learning, earntftnefTc and excellency againft Po-
pery, prophanenefte, non-refidcncy, and other
corruptions of the times, and for the extraordina-
ry heaitning and encouraging all good men and Eneouraging
godly Minifters was fuch, that lam perfwacled, go^'yMmi/im,
it will beremembred with dcarencfte and love,
while any honcft man that heard i c or heard of it,^
is
ij^ FumctaII N&tes
is alive in thofe Parts. To go no further then: and
this I now fay, I fpcakc of him as he was grovvne
in his htter time j and ouc of hope he would have
continued: and Ifpcake it alfo in compailion of
mincownecountrcy; which I know by coo good
cxperiencchow piiitiiUy ithes bleeding undcrthe
infolency of Papifts, and multitude of Priefts : and
then I fay, the redemption of the life of fuch a
Judge;in fuch times as we livc,for the good of fuch
a country,if we go no fuirher, if that had confi ■ cd
with Gods pleafure, had becne worth a Kings
ranfonie. ^
""S^'°"^"* ^ ^^y ^^^ things thus together upon purpofc
" '^'^ ' to aggravate the lo&, that a compailionat e confi-
deration ofthegreatneffe thereof in thofe refpcdts
Ihavetoldyou, may be as powerful I in begetting
a godly and profitable forrow and taking ic to
h^'ait in all truly religious and loyall hearts: as-I
know rcjoycing in his fall will create in the in-
folcnt fpirits of the enemies to God and the
King, (I mcane the Papifts) barbarous infultations
and triumph. I am pcrfwaded, if we getasmuch*
humiliation out of the fenfe of a true lofle, as the
Papiftshardning and obduration by apprehenfioa
of their imaginary gaiae, we (Irall make a good ufc
of his death. lam a little more earneft, becaufcl
perceive the Papifts begin already to calumniate
and (lander,
Lo/e 0/ txcd' Here is yet another Point of profitable confidc-
knt men apre- vationfrom the prefent occafion. When any wor*
jtSilera.'"^ thy man in a S rate, efpecial ly who tikes a faithfull
difchargeof his place, and the publike good to
heart.
upim Judge Nicolls . 1 5 7
heart, is cut off by the hand of G o d ; itis in a
Chriftian jcaloufie, and out of fpirituall wifdomc
to beholden as a prcfage of fome more fcarefull
gcncrall judgement to fuccccd. I have my ground,
//i.3. i,2,3,&c. And therefore my counfell is,
and intheprefent cafe for one, when any good
Patriot which in fome high place like a ftrong .
Pillar oppofes the corruptions and Popery of the
-times: or any faitl^ifull Paftour, which by his pray-
ers (like zc^ofes) ftands in the gap againft the in-
dignation of G o D, is taken away 5 that we take
it to heaiT, as a CMemento, to make our felves rea-
dy againft an evill day. And to tell you ray mind,
I am much afraid fome heavy thing is preparing
for us, our finnes are growne to fuch a height. I
am no Prophet, northc.fonne of a Prophet ^ yet
out of a comparative contemplation of G o d s
proceeding with his owne people in all former
ages, I cannot but concurre with the judgement of
a great Dodor delivered in an high place: The /^^^>^pag*«>
finncs of this Land arc come to that elevationjthat nJjinne'svf
there is fcarcc left any roome for the mercy of tha lani
God tohelpc us.They are even full ripe for His
revenging Hand. Tohisfoure reafons I add two
moye : his arc taken, i. From the greatnefTc and
crying of the ftnncs, which are very horrible 5
Athcifmc,whoredome, Sodomy, bloud-flied, op-
preffion, fuyes he; I add pride, drunkennelfe, u-
fury,5dc. 2. From the generality of them. AH*
forts arc wrapt in them. 3. From their impu-
dency 5 with brazen browes, and whorifli fore-
heads they out-face the Suru 4. From their i:n-
paticncy
l$s
Funerall Nctes
WonhiiS tA^ea
cseeay.
theymni Lord
Haaiiigcon.
patiency of admonition and reformation : they
growfo upon us, that all the Pulpits in England
cannot beat them downe. Adda 5^ from 2 Cfjre;t.
36.1 f'. And a 6^ from ifi-S- 1,2,^. &feq. I
meanethe dropping away of many worthy men;
and few take it to heart, or confidcr that they arc
taken away from the evill to come. Wc have loft
many a godly man within this few yearcs. The
Princes Court was not many yeares fincc dif-
rob'd and bereft of one of the nobleft men that c-
vcr trod upon Engl i ill mould, be (Ides other noble
ornaments, his eminency of grace made him fo.
For, Chriftian Nobility is beft and trueft, where
God Himfelfe is topofthckin, and Religion the
root ; in regard whereof all the refl (I meane that
of riches,birth,lcarning, or morality) are but (ha-
dowcs andfliapcsof nobleneflc. And the other
yeare, a very worthy 'Doctor, and triumphant
Champion againft the Giants of Rowe. Againfl:
whom they have fincc fentout an illiterate libell,
cal'd^Whitc dy'd Black; fit for the foule and black
mouthes of fuch railing R/tb(ljAk:hs, And now of
luJge Nicollj, late, to fay no more, of a Chanccllour of rare and
remarkable integrity in his Place. I have not yec
done, and yet the time is done: onely a' word or
two therefore, and fo I'lc make an end.
And yet let no man think, that lam come hi-
ther;
Either iofinooth andmollificany faults or
FauHs mt to he
[mothered.
I.
frailties ; any fils or infirmities ; any perfonall
finnesor imperfe(5tions that might be in this great
Man. I dare not go about to cover them 3 that's
noc
H^on ludgt Nicolls.
X5P
not my office i I kave that to the precious bloiid of
the Son of Go d, and tender-hearted mercies of
our gracious Father. I would rather in this point- -
advifeo-rcat men to walkc warily. For,their great-
• ncfle makes their fins greatcr,and their mightinefTc
will make them mightily tormented, except they
ftand conftantly on G o d s fide. Height of Place
ever adds two wings unto fin : Example and Scan-
dall s whereby itfoares higher,and flies much fur-
ther.^ Ifthc Sun bcecclips'dandobfcur'd; athou-
fand cyesgaze upon it : a Icfo Starre may be dark-
ned,and no -.nan take notice.
2. Ortofaftenuponhimanyfalfepraifesina lf/X%,
flattering funeral IPanegy rick. I darcnot dawbc nt^^^anyj
foraworidofgold. Himfelfeabhor'dthatj And
not long before his laftfickneffe complained much
acainft flattery, as a j^ricvous iniquity of the times.
^3. Grtomakeafolemneand foimall narration ^r.'^J^r
of all his noble commendable parts. When I un- t\>% iivi»g.
dcitookc this bufinelTe firft, I ftudied onely, and
bethought my fclfe,how I might fpcake m.oft pro-
fitakly , and make the beft ufe ofthe prefcnt occa-
fion to my living Auditors. And had I not found
pregnant matter for th^t purpofe, I had not beene
here this day. And therefore for conclufion, and
as the laft and beft fervicc I can now doe unto hira>
to whom I owed as much as any man alive : I will
labour from the occafion to workc fomc heavenly
good (if Go D fo pleafe) upon the hearts, prc-
fcntcd here this day as n felecf^cd and choice num-
ber of his worthieft and dearcft friends. And to
this end give mc leave to fingle out, and propofc
° f0£
x^o
Funerall Notes
mte^r'tty in
difpofing EC-
clefiafiualiU-
vinis.
Keftiitttion to
the Ckurcb.
for imitation^ fome worthy and noble parts of hisr
and only tliofe which I conceive may be moft fea-
fonable and fucablc ro the exigency of my Audito-
ry. Ajid I mud alfo crave the aid of your loves unro
him,& thofe foftned thoughts of mortality which
are wont to attend thefe timesjthat I may convcigh
and commend them to your liking and pradice-
with more fucceffc and ftronger imprellion.
And the firft I fliall commend unto you,is,
I . His {ingiilar integrity and honourable pur-
pofe in difpofing thofc Ecclefiafticall Livings he
hadin his power. And in this Point I my iclfc C2X\
fay more than any, who tafted decplieft of his
worthy dealing this way. When I never fought
after, asitis famouflyknowne, nor thought up-
on any fuch thing, he fcnt fbi'me, and bcftowed
that which I prefently enjoy moft freely. Which,
though every Patron ought proportionably to
doe, yet the horrible corruptions abroad m' the
world in fuch cafes, doe (as it were) by akind of
Antipeiiftafis make a duty atranfccndent vercue.
And this was. not all. Though incrochments iip-
on the Church belike the breathes of the fef 5 a
thoufand to one never retume : yet did he reftore
to a farthing all that which had a long time beenc
dctain'd from the Church 5 and parted with- it
raoft freely; though hee had as much wit and
.power as any other to have continued it fo, if,
he had plcas'd. And I faid Ecclcfiafticall Livings,
though I inftance but in ones bccaufe I partly
knew hispurpofe for the reft. For, he gave mc
hiiufclfe this mcflage to as worthy and reverend a
man^
rfon ntf Patron. 16 1
man, as I know unprefcr'd in this Land 5 that if he
would come unto him, he would give him the
firftthat fell; and for no other reafon in the
world, but bccaufe he heard he was a reverend and
worthy man. Now lay thefe things to the pra- smonieaS^ra^
dice ofthe times, wherein there is fuch finfull and ^^fi^'
Simonicall packing together, compacfling, fecret
covenanting with the party or friends for prefenc
money, orafer gratifications: fome part of the
tithes, or hisowne muft be referv'd to the Patron,
or he muft be the Farmer at his owne price 5 or
pin a wife upon the fleeve of the Parfon, as they
contemptuoudy Fpeake, (a bafe alfo and unworthy
refpecf^) or the like fuch wretched combinations
to helpe one another towards Hell : my difac-
quaintance muft cxcufe my ignorance in the
tcarmes: andthentellme if this was not a noble
part in him worthy the imitation of the beft. J am
perfwaded in this Poinr,he might be a patterne not
onelytoallhereprefcntwhomit might concerne,
(though ] look uponthe faces of fome who have
d^" alfo very nobly this way) but to all the Pa-
troR inEHGLAND. Be pleas'd then you that ^^« '«;^'c/«
lov'd him to tread in his fteps herein 5 and the ra- "■' '
ther becaufeyour unconfcionablenefle in fo high
and important a point forthe glory of G o d, and
the good of the Church, may not only bring upon
your owne heads, your houfesand pofterity, the
curfeof G o n in the mcane time: but alfo a
company of poorc foules caft away by reafon of
your corruption, againftyou at that laftand great
day : who will then cry o!ic upon yoy before the
M face
j^j FunerallJ^etes
face of God, Angels and men; that you were
the men who for a httle bloudy gaine pur upon
them an ignorant, idle difToIuce, non-rcfidenr^ or
fome way unfaithfull Minifter; (For, it is too com-
mon, that thofe who enter corruptly , deaJc iincon-
fcionably in their places) whereby they mufl now
perifh everlaftingly j whereas if you had been ho-
ned and uncorrupt, there had been hope they might
have liv'd in the endltfTc joyes of Heaven. And
what a vexing cry in the cares of all facrilegious
Church-robbers 'iVill that be of a damned wretch
in hell ; when he fhall complaine everlaftingly,
that his foule had been fav'd,if fuch a man had not
been SymoniacalL
^JavdkVth 2- Wis forbearing fravell upon the Sabbath in
i^R D 4 day. his Circuit. Whereby he wan a great dealc of ho-
iK)ur to his name over all this Kingdome 3 pre-
vailed in the fame with others of his owne reve-
rend ranke ; and by his example (as hath bccRc ob-
ferv*d) wan much encouragemcntjincreafe and re-
gard to Religion in thofe Countries thorow which
he paft. I would I might fo much prevail^irh
you, as that upon this occafion you would b^on-
tenttotakcneerer to heart a more holy and hca-
cw/cietice in vcnly fpcndiflg of the Lo R D s Day. Not onc-
^L^'Xfd!^' ly in forbearing fin, the workes of your calling,
idlcncllcjvaincfports; this k but onely flying c-
vill, and privative good; butalfoto ply with con-
fcicncc and reverence all G o d s holy Ordinan-
ces > prayer, reading, finging of Pfalmes publike^
ly and privately; the Word preached fpccially,
6. An cafinefTe of acceflfc, affableneflTe of car-
%iiy, riagc: A faire,,loving, kind deportment towards
all. J never fa w a man of fuch worth and great-
neflc lookc more mildly upon a raeane Man in my
life. And yet with fo grave a prefencejthat ncithcf
the wchori^ of his Perfon^ nor due attributions
ufon Judge Nicols . 1 6j
to His Place rccciv'd any difparagcment or diminu-
tion. I omit not even this, becaife even in this alfo
He might have beene a notable Precedent to talcc
downe the haughty imperious carriage of many a^
broad in the world of tarre more inferiowr Worth
and Ignoble birth. For amongft all the degenera- g^c «<»):/ •%
tions of our gentility \ (I fpeakc not of all, we have ad £acm*
many truly fo called and woithy Gentkmcn)from
that true NoblcnciTe and Ancient Worth, which
dwelt formerly in the Gentle brefts of Englifh
Nobles, this is not the leaft ; That they thinke to
beare downe all before them with an artificiall ^f-
fcded impetuoufneffe, as it were of Countenance j
a difdainefuU negled and contemptuoufncs in their
Carriage, with a kind of outbraving and brow-bea-
ting of their Bretheren, As though brave Apparell
andabiglooke were demonftrations of a Noble
Spirit, whereas very often they only guild over a
worthlcfle, weake and gracelcs Infide. As amongft
Profeffors of Religion, Hee's the bcft Chriftian,
which is moft humble : fo in the Schoole of Mora-
lity hec hath beene holden the trueft Gentleman,
which is moft courteous.
7. Hishappineffcin having Religious Follow- ReUgiout m-^
crs. Follow Him alfo in this. Heetaftedthe f^i^'inu-
fruit of it in his laft extremities; Forbeingcaftby
Gods Providence upon that Place in the Country
where He had not fuchmcanes, and oppomnities
for thofc laft comfortable Spiritual! Afi'ftances,
which a dying man would aefirc : They were
both ablcand did pray with Him to the Occafion,
and prcfent necdTities^whercwithhc fceaicd to be
M 4 much
1^8 Ftmerall Nous^(^c,
muchaffcded,and fpoke feafonably unto Him out
of the Bookc of G o D. Whereupon ] muft tell
you 5 (Let as many prophanc fcorncfull Spirits
gybe orgnaih the Teeth at it, aswill) Thofe Fol-
lowers of His whofoever they vverc,call them Pu-
ritanes,or what you will 5 Howfoever they might
miffe in fome complcmcntall circumftances, by
reafon of thofe amazements and griefc which fate
fte/li upon their Heaits for the lofTe of their fo No-
ble a Lord, yet they did Him in thofe laft Agonies
more true fervice and Honour then all the fwaggc-
ring Good-fellow Serving men will doe their Ma-
ilers unto the worlds end : Let them follow you,
as long as you will,
tioveofpmer- ^' ^ right conceit and commendation of pro-
fuupnathing, fitable and confcionable Sermons. He hath beene
often heard of late times reply thus or in this fence
to contradi<5lions : ] cannot tell, faies He, what
you call Puritanicall Sermons 5 they come ncercft
to my Confciencc, and doe Mee the moft good.
This ofall the reft, I had purpos'd to have prcft
moft upon you. If you were but thus aflfeded, ta
fay theleaft ; you would begin to looke towarils
Heaven.But J have already trefpaft too much upon
your Patience. And therefore I conclude this
Point with that of PW, fhil./\ s 8 . Fm^U'j , Ixt*
A SER-
i69
'iJ'>vJ
V^
yj o'.-J mnr'
A
SER
PREACHED AT
LE3\(T' Assises^ ^Jnno
Domm,MDCXXX.
At J\(9rthampton^ before Sir
RICHARD HVTTON And
Sir GEORGE CROOKE,
H« Majefiies luflkes of A^i[e,&c*
TEXT. iCoii.Chap.I.Ver.25.
Far Brethren, you feeyeur calling, hew not mAny
wife men After thefleflh ftPf many mighty, not many
noble are called,
H E blefTed Apoftle Saint rbc coimne*,
Paul pcrceivingjthat his prea-
ching, and plantation of the
Gofpcllof C H R I s T recei-
ved ftrong and mighty oppo-
{itionintheCityofCm>?^/',d corinti itfctv-
Ufancious Marc Towne, feared ^^^
bctwccnctwo Scas^thcifij^^^wand lmm,^A£o fit
for
lyo A SERMON.
for commerce with otha* Nations, full of wealth,
knowledge, gloiy and the reft of caithly excel-
lencies, labours in this Chapter to abafe, and di-
(honour the pride, and vanity of all humane great-
nelTe, and to advance the ncgle»^ed Myftery of
his Heavenly Do<^rine,and the glorious power of
downe-riehc preaching, which the great men a-
mongft them efteemed fooliflineffe, yet indeed
fuch as by which the Lord of Heaven and
Earth favcth thofe thacbeleeve. And hee fo farrc
acquaints them with the counfellofGo d in the
point : that he gives them to underftand that upon
the m atter,whereas thnoble, the mighty ^and wifi^
after the fie flu with all the bravery and fclfe-confi-
dencc vanifh and pcrifli : Meaner men of lower
ranke,and more contemptible are converted. In
the words I read unto you hee appealcs to their
owne experience in the point,and bids them lookc
about,and view well, the workc of the Miniftcry
araongft them, furvcy, and fearch throughly that
foodly flourifhingbody of the Church, which he
ad there created, and colleded by his eightecne
months prefence, and paines : and they fhall finde,
that not many wife nfttr theflefh, nor mighty, nor m-
hie, gave their names unto Christ, or be-
came profeflbrs of the Gofpell. Butthe fbolifh,
and weake things of the world carry all away in
matter of falvation, and entertainemcnt of
C H R I ST. He renders two Reafonsinthe Uer-
fes following : i. That the wife men of the
wo rid may be confounded : 2, And that God
himfclfcblcffcdfor ever may have all the glory
The
A SERMON. ' ^ 171
The words then being plainer Npt tnany mfe mat
dfter theflefh , mt many mighty , mt m4Jiy mble arc^
sdUedy I build dirc(aiy, and naturally this point
«pon them: Fev;> greai men goe to BtAven : Or "DoUr'tne,
thus. Gnat men are feldemt good, I here under- %"*^'^^l ^^''
ftand grcatncffe according to the world ; In re- "^^'^
fpea I . Of exGcllent learning. 2. Worldly weakh ^^^^^'^'^ ^'"^'
and height of place. Both make mighty, nay many "
limes gold is the more powerfull commander.
5. Worldly honour and nobiUty, 4. Worldly
wifedome.
GreatncfTe in any of thefe kinds is rarely accom-
panied with goodnefle/ew fuch great men as thefe
arc called, converted or ever come to heaven. J fay
Few : for I find Divines, both Ancient, and Mo- ' i" Loc.
dernc upon this Text, to make iV(?rw4»y, and Fet^ n^^'tpkuTs
cquivolent : * PrimaJius,andxyif9felme,C4lvipj and damnantw .-
f>ifc4tOI^^ ita nee omnci,
•' qui e vul^o
fnnt.falvantur. Scd qui agnitionc fuar inrfignitatis humiliantur, reverentcrfc fubj'iciunt
vcrbOjdcChnftummEvaugelioamplcauncur; Hi r as long as we look towards it but
tenderly, and circumlpcdly : Wee warme our
fclvcs
A SERMON. 173
felves fafely, while we ftand necre the fire.Butifwc
fccke to outf ice the one, or enter into the other, we
fonhwith become blinde, or burnt. It is propor-
tionably in the prefent point.
Heere by the v^ay from our Saviours words Grumble not at
wee may extiaa: a foveraigne Antidote againft ^^f^'J/^^^J^
thofe temptations, and difcontcnted leafonings
which are wont to arife in our hearts fometimes,
when we fee thofe great ones of the world, who
looke fo big^and carrie their heads fo high, not
onely to carry all before them, to wallow, and
tumble themfelves with all bravery and ap-
plaufe in the glory, wealth, andpleafurc of the
world , to fwimme downe the current of the times
with full faile, and profperous winde, though ma-
ny times againft the fecret murmur, and counter-
blafts even of their owneConfciences. In a word,
inthefe worft times to have what they lift, and doe
what they will : but alfo lay about them with the
fift of wickcdneflfe, and fcourge of tongues, to
trample if it were poflfible the Jambes of
Christ even into the duft, with the feete of
malice and pride, by a plaufible tyranny, and aide
ofthe times iniquity to keepe them downe ftilJ,
and ftill in difgrace : hunting them continually
with cruelty and hate like a Partridge in the
mountaines, as the Pharifecs did C h r i s t : I
fay when we fee this, let us never be troubled and
take offence : let us never be grieved or grow dif-
content or out of heart. But pitty them, pray for
them, and poflelTe our owne foules in patience, and
peace. And after the preccdcncie of our bleffed l^J/'' ^''^'
Saviour,
174
A SERMON.
AdnireGods
love to thee.
lohn 7^.47,48.
expounded
Zxttmple of
^reat ones
dra»ei ma'y
axvay
Mat.7. 29w
Luk.4. 38.
Saviour, goe in private, and fay : / thanke thec^
O Father, Lord of Heaven and earth j becaufe thou
hafi revealed zhcWiydcrks of Christ, and fc-
cretsofthe faving way to mc a poore wretch,
and wormc, trodcn under foot as an object of
fcorne, and contemptible out-cafl, and haft hi^i
them from the rvrfe, and the noi/le^ and the mighty .♦
from the boy fterous Nimreds, and proud Giants of
the world. Even fo Father,forfo it feemed good in
thj fight. And there ftaying a while, ever magni-
fie, admire and adore with lowlieft, humbleft and
moft thankeflill thoughts that deareft and drcad-
fuU Depth of G o D s free and incomprchenfibic
love which made thee to dijfer. Which is as it were
the firft ring of that golden chaine, Rom,S> 2p, 30.
which reacheth from evcrlafting to cverlaftin'g,
and gives being, life, and motion to all the mcanes
that make us eternally blefled. Out of the rich,
and boundleflctreafury whereof, came that inefti-
mable Jewell Jesvs Christ bleffed for c-
vcr, and by confequent, all thofe Heavenly happi-
nefles which crowne the glorified Saints through
all eternity. For Jo God loved the world j thathc^
gave his onely begotten Sonne, that rvhofoevcr heleeveth
in him Jhould not ferifl), bt4t have e^erlafitng lifc^y
Toh.^, 16.
2. lohnj.^j,^^. Are yeealfo deceived^ hare
any of the Rulers, or Pharifees belecvedon himf
Here the chiefe Priefts and Pharifees boyling
with much envie and indignation aeainft
C H R I s T s preaching, ( for he prczchcd tvith
fower^ Mid mt ai the Scribes) And becaufe the peo-
ple
A SERMON. 175
pkfo flocked after him, (for there followed him ^^'^''^^'
great multitudes of people ) had Cent oi'ficers to
apprehend him, and bring him before them.
Who when they came to him, and heard him
preach , they were fo ftrucke and aftonifhed with
the moft piercing Majeftie of his Minifterie, that
they had no power to lay hands or hold upon him
at all. Upon their returne, thefe great men ga^
thcred together in counfell againft him; like fo
many morning Wolves thirfting eagerly for his
blood, calls haftily, and impatiently unto them,
before their officers could fay any thing: W^j
have ^ecfiOtbrmght him ? They doe not examine
them about his dodrine, or inquire whether he
be guilty or no : but like unjuft, and tyrannicall
wretches they labour to lay hold upon him ,
though moft innocent, to ftop his mouth, and
make him fure. But the officers anfvpered : Never
wa»[pake Itke this maff» Whcrupon the fpirit of
prophane malice being yet further enraged in
them, they reply : K^re ye alfe deceived ^^ What^
At e you turned Gofpellcrs too:* Will yec alfo
gad with the giddy multitude after this new Ma-
^Qt.&C': And then being frighted leaft they fliould
fall from them, goes about to take them oS with a .
veryfoolifliarguracBt, faith r^ ce with him before they goe into
Repmanc, too ^^? P^^' /"^ ^'^ ^^^^"^ '^^ J^^'-^' l^' O"^. ^ourc
late. wncrcot-, to ncarc but one Sermon after the irreco-
vcrublc day of vifitation is pail and expired, they
would
A SERMON 277
would be content to live as prccifcij and morafi-
cdlyascver man did upon earth (o long as the
world lafts, but it fhall nor be granted. A rhoii-
fand worlds will not purchafe it againe. And be-
fid cs,w hen your foules fhall (ben furioufly rcflccfl
upontheivownewil full folly in this refpe<5^, and
the woefull mifery they have brought upon them-
fclves thereby : it will (harpen infinitely the bi-
tings of the never-dying worme, and torment
more horribly than ten thcufand Scorpions flings.
Remember this ( I pray you) all ye that forget God:
before that wrath be kindled in hisbofome agaiaft
you, which will burne unto the very bottome of
Hell, and fet on fire the foundations of the moun-
taincs : before Hee gird about Him thofe arrowes
which will cirwke bhud^ and that/ivW which will
eat fleP',md come agaifffi yct*{?.sthc Prophet fpeaks)
like a beare robbed of her rvhelpes, and rent the very
caule ofyoi4rhearts-,mdtearejottinfeec€Sywhefi thereis
ncm to helper,
^. Nehem, 3. 5. But their Nobles fut n$t their Heh,
but the Nobles would do juft nothing. And thus
it hath beene in all times , - and is juft fo in our
dayes. Meanc men many times contribute very
liberally, andftrrc above their ability to the pro-
curement and maintenance of a profitable and
powerfull Miniftiy ; but the rich, worldly- wife,
and gentlemen thereabouts, will not part with a
N penny
I7S A SERMON.
penny for any fuch holy purpofe. Such great men
asthcfe will by no meanes put their ncckes, their
power, and their purfcs to any fuch blefTed worke
of the Lord: though it be for the ere(5^ing of the
KingdomeofJ esvsChrist amongftthem;
for the illumination and refrefliing of a darke and
barren place with the light of the GofpelI,and wa-
ters of life, where both their ownc foules, and
many more about them are ftarving and bleeding
to cternall death for want of heavenly Food and
minifteri.all helpe. Nay, too many of them de-
taining the Churches Patrimony, will neither re-
/lore it to the proper native ufe and end : nor
(which is very lamentable) parr with a little porti-
on of a large revencw in that kinde towards a com-
petency. Before you receive encouragement to
go on in this courfe with comfort, I pray you pro-
cure us (from your partakers,if there be any fuch)
Anfwcrs Co thofe many learned Treatifes extant
upon this argument, and(for any thing I know) ut-
terly unanfwered : cfpecially, M^ Bepyiardsy
D. Sclatersy and D* Fields. I know well fomc
excellent fpirits of late meerely out of the graci-
ous freenelTef of their truely noble difpofidons, to
their great honour, and adorning profcflfion, have
given backeto the Church for ever ( I meane no-
thing about buying in Impropriations, oneof the
moft glorious workesin that kinde(for any thing I
know ) that ever was undertaken in this King-
dome) divcrfc Church-livings, fomean hundred
pound fer amnm, fome fix or fevcn fcore, fome
threcfcore,fomc morcj fomany as anaounc to the
value
A SERMOR i7s>
value of above feven hundred pounds ycarcly. But
I muft tell you alfo^thcy areonely.fuch as you mif^
call Puritan-gentlemen ( for I neither heare nor
know of any other that ftirs this way)and how few
fuch are to be found in a Countrey, every ey e fpi-
rirually illightened may clearely fee, and heartily
bewail e. ForJ mcane none but fuch as are(in true
fearch and cenfure) Gods bed fcrvants^^nd the
Kings beftfubjeds.
I come in a fecond place to make the Point ap-
peare yet further by reafons. And firft,fuch as are
peculiar to the feverall forts of greatncfTeMlI which
(once for all)I undeiftand Cuchfecuua'um mundum,
fecundum hominemjecundum e^nsm,accorMng to the
rvorldj^ccordingtewaniaccordingtotheflefli. i r rj
And firft for excellency of learning underftood ii^^^^^ ^^^^
ftill afta* the flcfli, implied alfo by the Apoflle in
this place : as appeares by the former words :
where is the S crikly? Where is the Di/puter of this
mrld? Where are the learned Rabbins of the
Jewe^^ Where are the profound Philofophers
of the Gentiles 1 Let us takenoticc that learning
of it felfe is ,a very lovely and illuftrious thing,
which made Mnea4Silvim in his Epiftle to St^if
7?iUfjdDvi\iCof^uBri4y(zy,lftheface even ofhtt-
mane learning could be feene^it is fairer and more heatt-
tifu II then the UHorning or the Evening-fiarre. But
notwithftanding bent the wrong way, and fpent
upon private and pernicious ends, it becomes the
fowleft fiend the DivcU hath upon earth, and his
mightieftagcnt todoeaworldofmifchicfe. No Dcgencrado
corruption is worfc tbafi of that which is beft ^p^^^'fA'"**
N 2 mif-
ISO A SERMON.
mif'imployed.-lt is of vvofullconfequence, propor-
tionable to its native worth. And the longer and
more profperoufly it is imployed as an inftrument
of all,and in the fervice of Satan ever the more pe-
ftilently, which is for my purpofe, doth it harden
and enrage the heart againft nil means of graccthe
Bafe endi in powet ofgodhnefTcjand poflibility of converfion.
jieki.^ ham- Secondly, men of this world for the moft pare
^^' inthc atainemcnt and excrcife of learning and
knowledge propofe to themfelves, and finally reft
upon many baftard, bafe, and degenerate ends:
asjplcafureofcurioiity, quiet ofrefolution, refi-
ning and raifii>gthe fpirir^ability of difcourfe^vi (fi-
ery of wit, gaine of pyofeflion, ornament, and
reputation, inablementfor imploymcntandbufi-
nefTe.
The true ends of Thuswhereas variety and depth of know-
leamrg. ledge fhould properly and principally ferve to
prepare5fit,and fiirnifiithe foulewherein it is feat-
ed : Firfi:, fora higher degree, and a greater mea-
fureoffandification in it felfe; Secondly, to doe
God more excellent and glorious fervice :
Thirdly, ro doe more nobly in E^hratha^ and bee
moreftmousin Bethlehem: I meane, by an edi-
fying and charitable influence to illuminate and
better all about them ,* The moft learned men
havethefe worldly ends, and comply exadly
with the world : hunting onely after by their
knowledge, and afpiring towards (as their utmoft
aimes)certainerecond prizes: asthough they la-
boured onely by their learning to finde ( as one
laics well:) amtch xvhereupntorefi, afearching
and
A SERMON iSi
and a refllejfejftrit : or 4 tarrafifir a wandring and
variable mind, to rvalks up an.d dorvne rvith afaire pro-
jpeif : or a tower of ft ate, for a^roudrKitidto raife it
kl/e nvomor a fort or commanding ground for ft rife and
coritcntion : or a pop for profit or f ale : and not a rich
ftcre-hufc for the glory of the Creditor ^ and t he reliefc_j
of mans esiatc. And fo by the abufe and mifapply-
ing of it, they put theii great engine, very power -
full cither for excellency of good,or excefic of ill,
asittakes, into theDivels hands for the enlarging
and advancement of hiskingdomc; andturnethe
cdgeofittothe dangerous hurtoforhersrand fo by
confequent and by accident, it prooves a mighty
barre to kccpe Christ and His Kingdon>e out of
their hearts.
Let me in a word by an inftance intimate unto
you the traines and temptations to which they cx-
pofe thcmfelves, the fn^res and cuifes which they
incurre, who bend their abilities of learning, clo-
fing with the corruptions of the time, to raife and
enrich themfclves:thc two maine ends of the moft
in thefe covetous and ambitiousdaies.
Firft, there is a plant in the nurceries of litera- ^"f^c^l^^^^f'^
turcofgreatexpetoionand hope: which being
watered, and warmed at the well-heads of Acade-
mical! learning,and with the fruitfull heat of Pole-
mical! cxcrcifes and agitations in the Schooles,
wherein the true worth and excellency of a Schol-
let confifts, growes lipe and becomes remarka-
' He; fo that hee heares after him in the flreets a fe-
cret murmuring : This is the wan : Dignum eft mon-
ftrartcr cJ* dicier Hif elf: Now by this time he be-
N 3 gins
r$2 A SERMON.
gins to reflsifi with the eycof fclfe-lovc5and many
vainc-glorious glaunces upon his perfonall worth
and publikcapplanfe: and then cafts about what
conrfcto take. Gods principle and path is : Jc
is better to be good, than great 5 religious, than
rich : And therefore He would have him imploy
and improove all his naturall and acquired en-
dowmcntsj all the powers and poflibilities of bo-
dy and foule upon His glory and fervicethat gave
thera, and where they are more thaa infinitely
due. And that when the good hand of divine pro-
vidence fhall bring him to any place for the exer-
cifeofhis gifts and mini fteriall imployment, hcc
would there fpehd himfelfe(like a fhining and bur-
ninglampe) in the illumination and falvation of
Go n s people : and fo hercz^cv Jhins as the bright-
neffe of the firmament in the highcft heavens, and as
thefiarresfor ever and ever .^zy , (faiesthe Divell)
that's a rowre,ftriA,precire way : Jt is not meet,
that fuch admired cminency of learned parts
fhould bee confined to fuch obfcurity, that fuch
rare gifts and depth of knowledge fhould bee loft
upon high flioes, and amongft a number offudc,
ignorant, and uncapable clownes: and therefore
hce labours to raife his fpirit to higher hopes: and
would have him plunge prcfently into the current
of the times ,and become fomc body in the world.
Hereupon (his heart already raviflitwiththeplea-
fing apprehenfion of worldly glory and humane
greaEnefre,rcprcfented by Satan in the moft allu-
ring formes to his ambitious imagination) hcc rc-
folvcs fcarcfuUy againfthisownc foulc, to follow
the
A SERMON iSs
the ftreamc, to ply the prcfem ,and plot all mcanes
and waies of preferment: after which ordinarily
every ftep towards an high roomc, or to bee hafti-
ly rich, is a fnare and curfc unto hinn : and there-
fore at the height, hcc muft needs bee holdcn fail
in the clurchesof Saran. He now begins upon all £^',3^^^^^ ,r
occaiions to difclaimc all things that tend to pre- hi^b alvanw
circntflrc,and in his deportnient drawes nearer to »*»'•
goodfellowfliip ; he remits and interrupts his care
and conftancy in ftudy, and ftudies how ro under-
ilrand the world, negotiate for advancement, and
humour the times: He merily derides 'DoEHnt^
and v[et as thc;^ fccffingly call it : all edifying
plainenefTe zndfficltfhfieffe of preaching : and now
he digs with much adoe perhaps a whole quarter
ofayearcinrothe rottendung-hillsofPopifli Po-
ftillcrs, and phantafticall Friers, and from thence
patches together many gayiih and gaudy flircds of
painted babies, and frothy conceits and tricks of . , .
wit ; and at length comes out with a fclfe-feeking semons.
^Sermon: juft hkc that difcourfc which King
Jams s compares to a cor ne- field in harveft, pc-
ftered with red and blew flowers ; which choakc
and eat up all the good graine.For,hc well knows
this is the way to ingratiate himfelfc into the
times and gntific thofc great ones who defire
farre more to have their eares tickled, than their
confciences toucht^ and would rather have pil-
lowes fowed und«r their :*rmc-holes by fueh de-
ceiving daw bcrs, that they may lie more fofrly
upon the bed of fecurity 5 than the keenc arrowes
of righteoufncffc and truth faftncd in their fides
N 4 by
iS4 ASERMON.
by Gods faithfuU meflengers to drive them to
finceriry: and yet after this, hee muft fcrve his
time in ferving the times : and through many mi-
feries of fecular martyrdome,as Teter Blefenfu cals
it,and many fhipwracks of a good confcience, by
bafcneiTejflatteringjattending, depending, and un-
doing his foule. At laft(ifhc die not in the purfuit,
as many have done ) bcfides all thefe precedent
miferable meanes,by prefent fimony, or fome o-
ther vile fervices : hee comes into fome high
place, or at leaft becomes a negligent non-refi-
dent, orinfatiablepluralift. Which wicked] en-
trance being accompanied with G o d s curfe, his
heart already fo hardened,his minifteriall ftrength
and vetne of learning fo wafted and dried up by
difcominuancc, defuetude, and worldly dealings ;
having now attained his ends, hee drownes him-
felfe over head and cares either in fecular bufi-
nelTes or fenfuall plcafures to muffle up the
mouthof his horribly guilty confcience : cries
downe preaching, oppofcth the power of god-
HncfTe and fo becomes rather a wolfe than a flbcp-
heard.
Kichenhaiie i In a fecoridplace.The rich Worldling alfo is in
t e ivorcL. ^-wocRilIcafc this way,as appeares by Chris f s-
6wncwords,cJW4f//>.ip.25>24. which is further
confirmed by cafting our eyes upon Luke i6.i/^,
and iTim.6.9» Luk.iSnig, ^^ndthe Pharifees
whichwere covetom heard aH thefe thtn;^s , and de-
rided him. And what heard they from Ch ri s t ^
ThatitwasimpoflTibleto fervc Go d and Mam-
mon.Sothat there are fome pafTagescvcr Tn a faith-
full
A SERMON. 1S5
full and fearching miniftcrie, which covetous
worldlings dcridcjand will pot down with by any
meancs^butrefolutely reject in their carnall wife-
dome as veryfoolifb, unneceffary»p]jecife, and no
waiestobe given way unto. E-fpecially fuch as
thefe. I. That they muftrcftorewhatfoever they ^^ardnJt s<7.
have any waies gotten, or.dctaine wrongfully and ^(?«f.
wickedly. 2. That they niuft rathe?: themfelves
ftarvc, and leave their children in be^ery> than
put their hands to atiyunlawfull waycs or meanes
ofgetring: fo much as to tell a lie, ^tf-. 5. That
godllnejfeis greaf game, and that it is incomparably
bettertobereligious than rich, good than great,
4. That there isa life of faith which will kcepe
a manrin fweet contentment in any eftatc,
fhoulcth?^. bee, never fo poore. 5. That 7^^
was truly richer with Christ alone^than wlien
b^fom lie.was loaden with aboundance of thicke
clay . 6, That riches arc nothing, Proverhes 2 3 . 5V
Wihthoufet thine eyes ufon thaP whichis not^'j.'Xh.m.
they rauft leaveall for C h r i s t.B. That if they
part with all for him, they fliall bee recompen-
ced an hundred fold in this lij?.. 9, That if
they had no lecompence at all in this world,
yet the reward that they fhall have in the
world to come, willbcca fup'eraboundant recdrfi-p
pence.
Notwithftanding thefe fatisfa<5lory^nd uncon-
trollable principles, they mil k rich in the Apo-
ftles fenfe •, after they have gottert a golden heapc,
will bccmorc rich ftill : and therefore are cSifily
tcmptcdutito, and taken in the fnarc of that cxc-
Az^-y-->6^>— crabte
185 '-a-SBRMON.
crable ani moll abhorred crddfe of ufurf. ]n the
rfmy taxed. ^^^^^i^ whcrcofthcy ftill negotiate with the Di-
vell, and receive all their incrcafc at the Divclls
bands: and therefore how is it poifiblc they
ihouidturnfconGo D s fidc^ And that ufufers
trade with the Divell,and have their ufurious mo-
Haw. F#/t. ney from him. Heare the judgement of the
mm,i7p^.u churchofEH g l a t^ d, to whieh ordinarily all
Miniftersfubfcribe; rertly fi mmj m wcriAfi^
themfclves by ufurjy&c They Joavc thetrgctds if the
Vivels gift. Heare alfo the judgement of the State
even of the King, the Nobility, ^nd the whole
Bpdy-of the Kmgdome in Parliamcntj and in that
Stkute whence ufurers take very falfly fome en-
couragement, as though it were allowed; which
is moft untrue. Thefe are the words in ihc Begm-»
tyEiilcap.s. niilg of the Statute : Forjtfruch^AS u/t^fkm^
firhidden ky the Uw of Co i>iU dfme^AnddmJtA-
blc ^c,
^angtr^fbigh * VhirdIy,thoughanhighplaccbc holdeninthe
^ . falfeopinionofvainemen,the oncly heaven up--
on earth : yet in truth^and upon tiiall, by acci-'
dent it prooves S5tans fureft hold to hamper ihern
ln4iis ftrongeft and moft inextricable fnares,untill
he tumble them hence with a more defperare and
headlong downefall into the pit of hell . For, as
thofe of tr ueft woith are ever timerous, and moft
retiring in fuch cafes 5 lo the word men ordman-
ly arc moil ambitious and afpiring. Gonfider for
V the puipofc the usambitious modclty and mag-
^^"^^'' nanimityofthc olive-tree, fig-tree, and the vine:
butthe bafc and worthlcfrebrambk,adry,cmpty,
faplcuc
A SERMON. 187
fapleffc kex and wce4i,apr and able only to fcratch,
ccare,and vexc, nnuft needs be up and be hoi/cd in-
to an high roome,and domihecre over othci's.Mcn
of mod proftitutcd confciences arc for the moft
partthemoft pragmaticall prowlcrsafter undefer-
ved preferments-'and the only mentofervc ihem-
{c\vcsvijs(jrwodff, (as they fay) into offices, ho-
nours, and places of advancement. For,thcy,want
honeft wit to conceive and fore-fee the waig/it of
thecharge,and confcience to difchargc it faithful-
ly .Now then, where there is a concurrence of cor-
rupt times,a wicked wit,a wide confcience, and a
vaft gluttonous defire to domineerei What will
not be done to attaine their ends f They will not
fticketolie, difltmble, breake their words, for-
f\veare, machiavellize, prai^ife any policy or
counterpolicy to honeftie, rcafon, religion,to flat-
ter, raife afadHon, humour the times, fupplam
compeiitors, gratifiethe Divell, doe any thing.
We may proportionably conceive the malignity
of inferiour ambitions by the monftroufneffc of
higher afpirations.' Ntixvwhc hath iHt ohferv^d
(faith that learned Knight in his freface t$ the Hifiery,
of the X90fld) x$hdt labour^ fracticeyfertB, hh»d-Jhed^
and cruelty the Kings and? tine es eft he Vf9rldhavt un^
dergene, extrdjed-, taken en them t$ make themjelves
and their iffites mafterstfthe world? — oh bj what
fUts.hy pfhasferfwearings^hetrxyingSyOffrepcns, im.
prijonments, t^rtures^pcyfintngf, and under what rU^
fomofStAt€yandf9litickefmhtiky hofve thefe ftrt-na^
med Kings, (^c. By this time thcfe men by thcfc
mcancsare mounted ( I will (uppoie ) on horfe-
back«^^
1^8 •>. A S.£S.MON,
* • hackeufldhavTleftmany Brihccs "vfralking iis fcr-^
vants upon the earth : And folly is ict in great
dignity. And what then c'Then do they begin fo
to fwell with pride, untill they arc ready to burft
sgaine with over weening of thcic owne worth,
(elfc-opinionandfelfe-eftimation : and to toylc
cxcreaftiely with revcngfull inward indignation a-
gainft all good men : whofc hearts ( as they con-
ceive) and their confcicnces tell them (there was
juft caufc) did rife againft their growing great and
ri(ing. Being -thus empoyfoncd at the firft en-
trance with pride, felfeconcciptednefTe, preju-
dice, revengcftjll jealoufies, and other exorbitant
and bafc diftcmpers,they begin to confider and rep
folve how to behave themfelvcs in their new pur-
chafed place. Andwee muft know there is too
Nemo 'iiru much truth in that principle of policy in Tacit tu .• ,
•um^flaaTtF"'" ^^"^^^^j <^^^ ^^ ^^ hjghroome wrmifdly, a^td »/»-
qux fitum b®- worthily : hut he excrcis'dhis^orver andauthortt y wic-
c*cu1"h7?'^" ^^^h^^^^'^i^fih' They therefore pitch pvefently
"/>^.4i7.* ^ * upon fuch conclufions as thcfc; Wee will plea-
fure our friends, though wee prey upon the pub-
h'ke, or pinch fome peevifh precifc feliowes,
whichcan well bearc it : we will plague our ene-
miesjweemuftabove all, manage matters with a
fitcorrefpondency to accomplifh our owne ends 5
cfpeciallyto enrich our felves, raifc our kindred,
make way to rife hi^cr5andgreaten our poficri-
ty 3 wcmuft looke big, and fomctimes amaze the
multitude with fome ads of awfulincfic and ter-
rour,to procure and preferve fefpcd/eare, and all
attribut ions proper to our place : and let mec xcU
you
A SERMON.
you by'thc vvay 5 Beethat fufpedhthhisowne wcrtb,
or other mem opimsn^ thinking that lejje regard is had
9fhispcrfori, thdn hee belscves is due to his place, holds
itgoodiobc'jtofpcnd all the force of his authority in
furchdfr,:g the name of 4 fever e man . For^ the affelUd
fo^rentffeofav aim feUorv doth many times refemhlc^
the gravity of one th^t is wifcandihefeare v?herin they
live which are fuhjecf to opprejstony carries a flierv of
reverence to htm that does the rvrmgiat leaf it firves
to dazzle the eyas of underlings , keeping them from pry-
ing into the wcaken^feof ftfch as hAvejurisduHon over
them-^ crc, Beiidcall this, menin great place arc
liable and exposed daily to moc and Wronger temp-
tations, th:m men of lower ranks.Honour> wealth,
worldly reputation, earthly favours, c^'<^. are Sa-
tansfnarestocntangleandtiethem fafter to their
fooles paradife and admired folly ; and as golden
fetters, to chainethem unmoveably to their noble
flavery.
Secondly,great men are for the moft part (and flattery danger
it is oneoftheirgreateft miferies) foinclofed and
bcleager'd wirh"flatterers>the bafeft of riavcs,with
fycophants, falfe- hearted followers, felfe-feckersj
c^r.that very hardly (if atall)can any honcft man
ox^mhMl Micaiah haveacccire,conic nearcthcm,
or at any time bee heard with patience^ cfpccially
either to tell them the truth,or wifely and humbly
reprove them for their faults.
Thirdly ,thofe that are verft in ftory ihall findc
many and many a time this property put upon
men in high place ; to bee throwne into the grave
or from their grcatncffc, is both one to them. For
foft>
tCUA.
Great ones lilft
t9faU.
Mallear cadcrc
quatn Ioc» ce«
dere.
ipn . ASERMON.
firftjthey fo delight in domineering, and dote up-
on their high roome as their deareft Idoll : And
withall they know full well, that as in narurall pri-
vation there is no returnc to habit, fo it is very
rarely feene in the privation politique,and point of
prefermentithat they would even rather die, than
DC dejeded.
Lay now thefct\vo points together: and count
all the fnavcs from which poorer and private men
byreafonoftheir meaner condition arc happily
exempted: And no marvell though not many migh.
^jjcither in heapcs of wealth, or height of places ,
be converted jor goto heaven.
wofUiy wife. In the fourth place: whataftrong hold for the
dtmdangeroM powers ofhcll, and mighty barre to keepe out
grace, worldly wifedorae is ; may appeare by ta-
king notice of the nature of it, and fo of its noto-
rioufly peftilent properties. This wifdome of the
flcfbfpringing from the principles of carnall rea-
fon, and precepts of humane policy, and recei-
ving continuall influence and inftigation from that
old wily ferpent to go on ftill in his and the worlds
wayes,doth witha proud difdainfullnelTe and im-
perious contempt fcornc the great myfteries of
godlincfTc, fooliflincffe of preaching, fimplicity
of the Saints, and fociety of the brother-hood:
croffcth dire dly and contradid:s the counfell and
commands of G o d s spirit, in all motions to
good, and matters offalvation: accounts in good
carnefthoIineflTc hypocrifie, fan(5^ification fingu-
larity ,profcflion and praiftice of finccrity precife-
ndTcjthe great things of G o d s Law as a ft range
thing:
A SERMON.
191
thing
^
In all Its confultations concludes ever
thingspleafingtoflefhandbloud, and ends atllaft
with extremcft folly and utter contufion. Wit-
nefTe t^chttophd jwho was wife enough to fet his
houfein order, and yet wanted wit to refcue his
©wnc life out of his ownc hands: he was curious to
provide for his family after his death, and had no
care at all to preferve himfelfefrom erernall death:
was not this a madneffe even to m:r^.cle,zs Divines Amentia ufqj
fpeake-f Hee got him home to his houfe, purhis ^^^ F°^'S "™-
houfliold in order, and hanged himfelfej ^nd is tSamaz-^j.
hanged up in chaines as a dreadful 1 fpeitacleto all
pofterity,forallworldly-wifemento take wam^
ingbytothe worlds end. ^ ,
The Spirit 01 G o d intimates unto iis the pe- ^ouniel
flilencie of its properties, lames ^. 15, It is,
Firft, Earthly, Secondly, Senfuall. Thirdly, Dl-
'uellifb,
Dfveliijl) : for, it imitateth the Divell in plot-
ting and contriving mifchicfeandruine againltthe
glory of i G o D s Majefly, and Miniftry of his
Word. It tafts of his helhfli wilinelTe in clofe
conveyances and fccret infidiations,for the under-
mining, ftipplanting, and confounding of the paf-
fageoftheGofpell,and plantation of grace in the
hearts of men. Satan ( you know) is ever fierce
and furious, when hefpiesbuttheleaftglimpfeof
Gods truth, or fparke ofgracetopeepe out and
breake forth at aoy time, or in any place. When
the glorious fun-ftiineofthe Gofpell did in thcfe
latrer times of the world (according to thePro-
TphcdcinthcMe^eUtms) arifcouc of thed^rkc-
fomc-
IFcrWy w'tfei
192 A SERMON.
-»fc_
fomc mght,and dangerous fogs of Popery ;,and be-
gun gratioufly to inlightca many thoufand foulcs
which lay indarkcacfe, and under the fliadow.of
dcarh, with vrbat flrangc and prodigious rage did
the great Dragon prcfently afcend out of his bot-
tomk/rcpit.
EfeRi ef the Sin€c that time what furious martyring of the
^V^lf/-^'^"' Saints, what horrible murthering ofKings, what
^j ''^"' bloody MafTacres, what invincible i^rmadoeSy
what heliifli powder-plots, what devouring of
Maityrs, by thatblood-thirfty monfter the 5pa-
nifh Jnquificion, what hatefull imprifonings^what
defpcrate confpiracies, whatadeale of hell hath
vext and rent the face of ^/^r/j/c^, and fliaken the
pillars ofthis part of the world; as though all the
fiends in Hell, and whole armies of thole damned
/pirits were broke loofe, to caft the Chriftian
world into a new Chaos of darknefTccombuflion
andconfufion.And ail this hath bcene the Divcls
doings ofpurefpight and malice againft the light
ofthe Gofpcll,& power of the Word .The Pope,
Jefuites, and their wicked adherents have bcene
indeed the inftruments and executioners of all
thefe bloudy miferies,but Satan himfelfe was the
piincipall agent. The curfed influence of all this
wrath and rage was infpir'd from hira, and every
particular and circumftance ofal! thefe mifchiefcs
was firft plotted in hell,bcfore they were adlcd up-
on earth.
pmy againft 2. In GUI' ownc Kingdome alfo his fpitc and
%tlT^ ^ malice againftthclight of the GofpcU hathbecfle
notorious and trai3ccndcnt fince the Word of
truth
A SERMON ii.3
The Gun^fftf.
truth hath grownc powcrfull amongft us. With
whar ft range fury and malice hath Satan bcftlrrcd
himfcUVWhat a deale of dcatc and innocent blou4
did that red Dragon drinke up in Q^enc ^Maries
time i For five ycavcs fpar cthc fire of pcrfccutioii
did flame in thisland,and the facrcd bodies of out
glorious blefifcd Miiiyrs were facrificed araidsthc
mercilcfTc fury thereof: Afterward what a blackd
andbloudy catalogue of moft hatefull and prodi-»
giousconfpiraciesdid run paralell with that gol-»
den time of Qjecnc Elizabeths Ufc,that (now)
glorious Saint of dearcft racn:iory i But in all this*
hcllifh rage the Divcll never played the Divell in.
deed, untill he came to the Gun-powder-plot;thaC
was fiich a piece of fervicc againft the light of the 4e7pkt>
Gofpell,as the Sun neveV faw before; the fons of
men never heard of,hell it fclfe never hatcht. Since
Satan fell from heaven, aad a Church was firft
planted upon the earth, there was never any thing
in thatkinde which made the Divcls Malice more
£amous,G o d s mercies more gloriousjthat Prieft
Q^Kome and his bloudy fuperflirionmore odious;
or that caft fuch a (hame and obloquie upon the in-
nocency of Chriftian Religion. And all this was
the Divels doing of pure fpite and malice againft
the glory of the Goipell,the power of the Word,
and the Saints of Go d .] fay he was the arch-plot-
ter and firftmoover of all thefe mifchicfes. The
Pope, and lefuits, and their curfcd confederates
were indeed his inftruraents, executioners and a-
gents, asweewellknow,andforae of the Prieft s
themfelves confeflfe.J^r ^odL^.A^^^.fag. 199.
O Scarce
IP4 A SERMON.
Scarce was that blcfTcd Quecnc and incompara-
euzTbht?' l^le Lady warme in her Princely Throne; butSa-
tanfetsonthePopcP?/^^«/W/^, hee fends from
Msmetwo Popifh Priefts, miortort^nd Wehhe with
a Bull of excomniunication^ whereby the fubjecSls
and people of the Kingdome were in a Popifli
fenfe difcharg'd and alToird from their allegiance,
loyalty and obedience to her Majefty . They fol-
licit the two rraiterous Earles of the North, Nor-
thumberland zxid WertmerUndi tobeethc executio-
ners of this bloudy Bull, which indeed was the
fountaine and foundation of all the fuccecding
horrible plots and barbarous treacheries. See^
JSellst^rtatomy cfp6pij})tyramy, whisEfift.T>edic^
a little booke callea The executmer ofjujlice in
JEngUndy^c. I pray God now at length turne
thofe Popifli murderous hearts from whetting any
moe fwords to ilied the bloud of the Lord s an-
nointed : orreturnethefharpe fwords from tiie
point with a cutting edge on both C\dcs, even up
to th« very hilts into their owne hearts blond. (>
Lor D 3 let the King flourifh with a crowne of glo-
ry upon his head, and a Scepter of triumph in his
hand, and flill wafli his Princely fcerc in the bloud
of his enemies.
Rage cgdinft 3 'This fpitcfull rage & furious oppofition of Sa-
the pmejfuu tan agaiuft the power of the word,appeares alfo by
Mimfiay. jjjjjjy experience in thofetowns & parifhcs, where
by the mercies of G o D,a confcionableMiniftcry
is plantedibefore,while Satan ruled and raigned a-
mongft them, by his wicked deputies, ignorance>
prophancneSjPopifh fupcrAitions, finfull vanities,
lewd
A SERMON. 195
lewd fportSj prop hanation of the Sabbath, filthi-
ftefTcdrunkcnncfTcand fuch other accurfed Purfc-
vams for Hell : Why then all was wcll,all was in
quiet and in peace. O then that was a merry world|
and as good a Towne for good-feHowfhip,as was
in all the Countrey. And no marvelhwhcn a ft rong
armed man kecpeth his Pallace,thc things that he
poflTefTcth are in pcuce^Luh 11.21. WhileSatari
fits in their hcarts> and rules in their confciencesj
hee fuffcrs them to have their fwings in their furi-
ous vanities and wicked plcafurcs, without any
great difhirbancc or contiudi<5lion. And com*
monly hec never fets prophane people together by
theearesandat odds, but when his owne King*
dome may be more ftrengthenedjand their foule j
more endanger'd by diffention, than by their par-
taking inprophaneneiTc, and brotherhood in ini-
quity. Let it not fcemc flrange then, whcii
townesaad pariflics where confcionablc meancs
are wanting, live merrily and pleafantly; for,
they walkctogetherin the knot of good-fellow-
ihip, through the broad way, they follow the
courfe of their owne corruptions, and fwing of
their corrupt ai!edions, and fwim dowoethe cur-
rent ofthctimes^andareatSatansbeckto do him
any defperateand notorious ferviceat all affaies,
in all pafTages ofprophaneneiTe, and offices ofim^
piety and rebellion; but bring amongft fuch a
powerful! Miniilcrie, which takes a right courfe
forthcplantation of grace, andfalvation of their
foules ; and then marke how fpitefolJy and furi-
oufly Satan begins to beftirre himfelfc 5 befides
O 2 his
1^5 A SERMON.
his ownc malice and machinations, heeprcfcntly
fets on foot and on fire too all that belong unto
him in hisinftigation. They band and combine
themfelvcs with gieat rage and indignation a-
gainft the power of the Word, and the faithful!
meflengers of G o d . They fret,and fume^picke
unRecefiary quarrels, raile, flander, and indeed
foame oii filthily their owne fliame, in difgracing
thctruthof G o d without all truth or con fcie nee :
and if Satan fpies any poore foule amongft them
to bee pulled out of his clutches and kingdome of
darkcnefTc by the preaching of the Word, he pre-
fently fets all the reft upon him as fo many dogged
curres, or rather furious wol ves(for fo our bleffed
Saviour makes thecomparifon) upon a harmeleffe
lambe 5 he whets (like fiiarpe razors) all the lying
and lewd tongues in the towne, and tips them with
the very fire of hell 5 fo that they pleade for ppo-
phanenefrc,prophaning of the Sabbath, and many
finfull fooleries and vanities in all places where
they come. Hee makes thofe who have a little
more wit, hisclofe fadors and under-hand-dea-
lers: for that (lands not with Sacans policy, and
the reputation of the worldly-wife, that rhem-
fclveslhouldbeeopenadors in childifh vanities,
and profes'd enemies to the Law of G o d : they
do him fuflicient fervice by being fecrct patrons
and protedors of impiety, counfellers and coun-
tcnancers of the works of darkeneife : hee fils the
siadttsa^ainfl mouthcs of the ignorant with flandcrous com-
PM frw6 itg pijjj^fs and cries, that there was never good world
fince there was fo much knowledge : that there
was
A SERMON. 197
was never more preaching, but^ncvcr Icfle work-
ing : whereas (poore) foulcs they never yet knew
what grace or good worke meant, or fcarce good
word : but their naughty tongues, and hatred to
bee reformed, are true caufes why both the world
and places where they live, are farrc worfc. Thofe
that are defperately and notorioufly naught,hcin-
forces and images like mad dogSj Co that they im-
pudently and openly barke at, and with their im-
poyfoned fangs furioufly fnatch at their hurtlefTc
hand which would healeaad binde up their blee-
ding foules : they arc like dogs barking at the
Moone 5 for, Gods Minifters are ftarres in the
righthandof Ch R I s T, ReveLi.i6, If they
would doe them any deadly harmc, they muft
plucke them thence 5 but let them take heed
how they be bold and bufie that way, leaft at laft
they take a beare by the tooth, and awake a flecp-
ing lion.
Thus you fee what a ftirre the Divell keepcs wiysatm/o
when hec is like to be driven from his hold by the /?w" <^g and were there nothing
amongft
A SERMON 199
amongft them to breed diffcf ence and difTerition,
but Gods ferviccthey would never fail ouc^for
they arc all content to heare no mGre^ormore of-
ten of the affaires of Heaven, judgements ix)r fin,
thewaiesof G o Djand reformation of their life,
than they mull needs: they arc all willing and for-
ward to prophanethe Sabbath, inonekindeor o-
ther; fomeby abfcnting themfelves from the
houfeofGo D ^fome by worldly talke all the day
long, fonTiCby idleneffe, fomeby finnefull fports,
(^c. They arc well content to lie downe at night,
like wilde beafts in their dens, without lifting up
their hearts together utito that merciful! God
which hath prcferved and pro fpered them all the
day: torifeupalfo in the morning, prayerlefTe,
or only with formall prayers. They all joyne in
malice againft the Miniftery of the Word, in flan-
derous lies againft the mcflengers of G o d, in
b ife and reviling fpeechesagainft the profeffours
ofChriftianity. The reafonis, they are all pof-
fcfTed with the fame fpiric of prophaneneffe, love
of pleafures, hatred tobeereformedjand carnality
of heart. But if it once pleafe the Lo r d to plane
grace in the heart of the Mader of the family 5 (b
4a'/W troubled with the vanity of a fcornefull,
proud, and propbane wife, i,S,Am. 5.20. K^hd
with a bloudy brother. Gen. >f..8 . Ucob with a pro-
fane £/4», Cen.ij,/^!. ifdac with a mocking Tjh.
ptael : And many a gracious hean: in families
where grace beares not fway, with the IcwdncfTe,
malice, and ungodly oppofitions of thofe among
whom they live.
Mfiotu parets o r if it fo fall out that the power of grace feize
%tZ'^'''' on the heart of a fervant or fonne, fo that he begin
HtrMajiers to bee fenfible of the ignorance, diforders,pro-
phanenefTe, and finfull confufions of the houfc
where he dwcls : defiresto fpend the Sabbath as
Chriftians ufe to do : then prefently begins Satan
to put rage into the heart, and frownings into the
face of the father or mafter of the family ; he then-
takes on, tells him, that fuch prccifcneile is not for
his profit, hee'l have no fuch inferiour fellow to
be a reformer of his family s hec'l not be control-
led and contradidcd in his owne houfc? hcc'l go-
verned
A SERMON. 2CI
vcrnc his people in the old fafhion as his father did
before him^cf ^. fo that there is no longer biding
for that new convert under fuch a crabbed mafler>
without a very great dcalc of patience. All this,
and a thoufand more mifchiefes are the blackc
broods and bloody effeds of Satans malice a-
gainfl the power of the Word, andtheplantatioft
ofgrace.
God HimfelfeistheGo d ofpeace,CHRi jt Jrnpimperfm
Jbsvs the Prince ofpeace,and the blelTed Spirit ''"'f'^^^^f'''^
is the fountaine of peace,that paflcth all underftan-
dingjtheholy Word is the Gofpell of peace, the
faithful! Miniftcrs are the MelTengers of reconci-
liation and peaces the Saints of G o d are the •
children of peace: TheDivelland the rebellious
corruptions of prophane men are in deed and truth
the true caufes of all thefe ftirs and ftrong oppofi-
tions, which are raifed any where, at anytime, any
waies in the cafe and caufe of Religion. The fault
Jconfeflc, and imputation of troublefomenefTc is
laid upon Gods children by the lewd tongues
of graceleflc men. See Jrr.i 5.10. utterly without
caufe. I KfHgs 18. ij,K^^s 24. ^^drc butthefc
and the like are lies hatch'd in Hell, and managed
by the malice of camall men. And that was moft
true, which the blcfl'ed Prophet of G o d Elijah^
3nd the holy Apoflle Saint fatd anfwered in fuch
cafes, X Kings 18.18. ^^Bs-i^, 13, 14. and Co
proportionably may all Chriftians anfwer all pro-
phane wretches amongft whom they live : It is
you and your prophane families, yoi'r proud ig-
norance, hatred to be rcformcd,malice againft the
Miniftcry*
202
A SERMON.
Miniftry,&c. -vvhkh* trouble 7/5'4^/,'arefhd true!
caufes 'of all DifTentions and difquictneflc, and
bring upon ^us aU thefe plagues and judgemcncs
which any way tialiCt us. A godly Miniftcr ftands
at ftaves endwith all theworld, and harh the moft
^ ,..■ -a enemies of any man. He muft warre rtor only with
have jsanj/ene- dcfpcrate I waggerers and notorious iinners,but al-
nies, fo witliciviU honcft menjfoi mall profcfTors, coun-
terfeit Chriftians,unfound convcrcs^relapfcd crea-
tures :d"
difgrace^sndflander the palTage ofaconfcionable
Miniftery and the Mcflcngers of Almighty G o d,
of whom the Lo r d hathfaid, Touchnotmrnean- -
nojnted^an^ de m^ Profhets mhdrme. Pfalme 105.15.
They ever imitate and follow to a haires breadth
their Father the Divell in malice and pradife a-
gainft grace and good m.en; except fometimes
they forbeare for a time for advantage, for reputa-
tion, orfuchotherby-refpedsand private ends:
except naturally they bee extraordinarily ingenu-
ous, and ofvery lovingandkind natural! dijpofi-
tions ; or bee reftray ned by feare of fome remark-
able judgement, from perfecution of the Mini-
jflers.
2. As worldly vvifedome is divelliili, as Saint f^or% »'(^'
lames cals it, and ever mixed with a fpice of Hel- "'"^ '^ ^^^^ ^
lifh malice jsnd virulencyagainfttheKingdoraeof
■C H K -I s.T : fo it is alfo Ciirthly^ for it mindes
onely earthly things,and though that cafls beyond
the Moone for matters of the world, yet it hath
not an inch of fore- caft for the Vv'orld to come:
But though a man bee to palTe, per haps, the: next
c]ay,.nay the next houre, nay the next moment, to
thatdreadfullTribunallofGo d, and to an un-
avoidable cverlailing eftate in another world,
either in the joycs of Heaven, or in the paines of
Hell, yet it fo glues and nailes bis hopes, de'lir-es,
projcds, andi:cfolutionsfo tranfitory pelfe, and
things
^o4 ASERMON.
things of this life, as though both body and foule
at their difTolution, fliould bee holy and everlaft-
ingly rcfolved, and turned into earth, duft, or no-
thing.
To give you a taftc of this earthlinefle of
worldly wifcdome, give mee a worldly-wife man
and,
if^atuungtpro' I . Put him into difcourfe of the affaires of the
i^iyuTjhJi "^^^^^^ andthebufmeffcof his calling, and you
Uofinbun^n^ fhall finde him profound and deepe in this argu-
ment, abletofpeakewellandtotheporpofe; ific
were a whole day, and that with dexterity and
checrflilnefle : But divert his difcourfe a littlcjand
turne him intotalke of matters of Heaven, of the
great myftcry ofgodlinefle, the fccrecs offandifi-
cation.cafes of confcience,and fuch like holy con-
ference, and you (hall finde him to bee a very in-
fant, an ideot : it may bee, hee may fay fomcthing
of the generall points of Religion, of matters in
conrroverfie, of the meaning of fome places in
Scripture: but cometoconferre of pradical I dWi-
nity,experimentall knowledge, palTages of Chri-
ftianity, and pr3<3:ices of grace, and you fhall find
him,and hee fhall fhew himfelfe to bee able to fay
juft nothing with feeling and comfort : many a
poorencglcded Chriftian, whom in the fpirit of
Gifdainefulnefre,and out of the pride of his carnall
wifedome,he tramples upon with contempt, and
would fcorneto be'matcht with in other matters :
yet would infinitely furpafTe him in this cafe 5
quite put him downc> th^c he would have nothing
2. Let
ASERMOK. aoj
J. Let him come tofomc great pcifonagewith ^^,^/, ,«
a fuit, to inrrcate his ravour and countenance, or to temr petition
give him tlianks for fome former good tuine : and ^enthun God.
he will be able to fpeak wcll^plaLfibly.plcafingly,
perlwafively,snd le^- fonably ; 6in- put him to pray
in his family unto Ahnighty God for the par-
don of his finnes, and a crowne of life, for the
remoovall of damnation aiid an cverlafting curfe 5
to powre out his foule in thankcfullnefle for e\Try
good thing hce en joycth ( fcrhee holds all from
Him) andfuchawifeman ( which is ftrangeand
fearefull) in a bufineffe of fo great weightjWill not
bee able to fpcake fcarce one wife word without a
book,
$, Comeintohisfamily,examinetheftateof ZSuLr^
his houfe, you fliall find all things in good order, 'denithmtUir
every affaire marihallcdanddifpofed for the beft /"«'"•
advantage,a provident fore-caft,and prefent pro-
vifionofthingsneccffary fori heir bodies: Every
one bufie in their feverallimployments, and care-
ful] in theworkes oftheir calling : butfearch alfo
into the eftate of their foules, what heavenly food
is min fired for theii fpirituall life, how the Sab-
bath is fandified among them, how it ftands with
them for houfliold-inftruiSlions and family-cxerci-
fes.^r. And (God knowcs) in that regard, that
way there is noprovidence at all, no care, no eon-
fcicnce about any fuch matters.
Walke alfo amongft his husbandry; you fliall rr«rW/i'^f^
find his arable carefully dungcd,iillcd and fowne: ^bZy^ tetur
his paflurcs well mounded, iTankt and trencht; his i^a» ^intuan,
trees pruned, his gardens weeded, his catrell
watchfully
-ao6 • A SERMON.
. - . ■ : — . ■ . — , ■»■ •
TratchfuUy tended : but inquire into the fpirituall
husbandry at home in his owne confcience, and
you (hall find his heart overgiowne with finne, as
the wildeft waft with thirties and briars ; no fence
to keep the Divell out of his foule, many noyforac
hifts growing thick and ranke, Ukc fo many nettles
and brambles to be cut down and caft into the firej
fo that his fillieft lamb and pooreft pig is in a thou-
fand times more happy cafe,than himfelfe theow-
ner^and well were he if his laft end might be like
theirs, that is, that hisimmortall foule might die
with his body: but that cannot bej except in the
meane time he repent, and renounce his carnall
reafon, hee muft be dcflroyed with an everlafting
perdition,from the prcfence of Go n,and from the
glory of His power.
m'rf'c'ire for ^' Confider His care and afifeaion towards
S«r IhliJens Hls children; youfhallfindethattobe all earth;
tm^nan than for whereas perhaps with farre lelTe toy le and tra-
qinMi^aii vailcbythemerciesof Go D, by teaching them
the feare of G o d , inftrud^ing them in the waies of
godlinelTe, reftrayning them from prophanenefle,
and prophaning the Sabbath, by his owne exam-
ple of piety and godly converfation, hee might
plantgracein their hearts, andprovideacrownc
of glory for their heads hereafter: yet (wretched
roan ) hee doth not onely wickedly flegle(S thefe
meanes of everlafting comfort : but with too
much worldlineflc, variety of vexations (and per-
haps for his very wickedneffe that way, if there
were nothing elfe) with the great danger of his
owne foule J hchcapesupforthcm thofe hoards,
that
A SERMON. 207
that will hereafter hcapc coalcs of v^rigcance on
their heads 5 and purchafcs and provides for them
thofcgreenepafturesofa profpcrous flncc in this
world wherein they are fatted for the fame flai'gh.
ter, and thorow which they prophanely paflfe into
the pit of the fame endkfle deftrudion with him-
felfc.
5. Aslce his judgement about the Sabbath, and ^'fj^'f ^i,^
ordinarily you flial 1 finde his rcfolution to bee this^ sJLtb.
that hce fees no reafon but mens fervants and chil-
dren may enjoy fome houres of recreation and
fport even upon the Sabbath, efpecially with ex-
ception of times of Divine Service : what would
they have us to do, (will heefay) or what would
they make of us ^ I hope they doe not looke wee
fliouldbe Angels upon Earth : they know we are
but flefli and bloud .It is too true indeed,this cavil-
ling againft the keeping of the Sabbath favours full
ranklyof flefli and bloud.
God out of the aboundance of His ownc
goodneffe, and comp2ffionate confidcration of
our weakcnefTe hath allotted and allowed unto us
fix dayes for our ownc biifincfTe, and refcived but
one to be confecrated in fpeciall manner, as glori-
ous unto Him 5 ajid yet wretched men, th ey muft
needs clip the Lor d s coyne,encroach upon His
fan<5lified time, and unthankefully and accurfedly
fpend thofe holy houres in which they fhould
treafure up knowledge and comfort againfl that
fearefull day,inidlentfre, worldlincffe, and pro-
phane paftimcs, whereby bcfidts the particular
curfe upon their ownc foulcs, they many times
draw
2og A SERMON.
draw many miferics and plagues upon the place
where they Uve.This reafon is carnall indced,this
wifedome is earthly with a wirncfTe.
Addanotheroutof/'«^.i2. 39*40.
Thus you fee worldly vvifdome in all that coiv-
fultation and carriage inclines unto the earth,pro-
vidcs ever with greatcft care for the world, and fa-
vours rankly offlefliandbloud.
fmlZfuT ^ • ^^ ^^ SiKo fenfmH : for, ir doth fenflcfly pr^-
me/enfua . £^^^^ ^j^^ plcafures of fcnfe and pleafing the appe-
tite, before the peace of confcience and fenfe of
Gods favour. It provides a thoufand times bet-
ter for a body of earth, which muft (hortly upon
an unavoidable necelfity, feedc thewormes, and
turne to duft; than for a precious immortall foulc,
the immediate ilTue of Go d s Almighrineflfc, and
which can never poflibly die ; It doth with grea-
ter fwcetneflc and hold-faft, relifh, apprehend and
enjoy the furious delights of fome bofomc-finne,
which it hath in prefent purfuit, tafte and pofTeiS-
on5than fpirituall graces, Gods favour, joy in that
blefTed Spirit, andacrowneoflife hereafter; for
which it hath Gods Word and promife, if ic
would be wife to falvation. In a word : it doth
fo highly preferre a fewbitter-fweet pleafures^for
an inch of time in this vale of reares^ before un-
mixed and immeafurable joyes thorow all eterni-
ty in the glorious maniions of heaven : Is not this
wifedome ftrangely nailed and glued unto fenfe,
and ftupidly fenfeleffe in fpirituall things, that
though many times fore-told and fore-warned by
the Miniftcry of the Word, yet will needs for the
temporary
A SERMON 209
temporary fatisfaifiion of its carnall, covetous, oc
ambitious humour, with filthy vexing, tranfitory
pclfe,withvaniry5dung, nothing, run wilfully and
headlong uponeafelelle, endlefTe, and remedilefle
tormenrs in the world to come ^ And that which 4
isthe juft curfc and plague of worldly wifedome,
(thisfpirituallmadnelTe commonly called) it is
confident that it doth wifely, and takes the beft
way, and thereupon becomes incorrigible and
obftinate : For there is more hope ofafoole^ then of
himthatisrvifeinhis o^vne conceift, Prov* 26. 22.
hndijTh&ttghthou jhoitldefl if ray afookin a mi>rter,yet
will not his fool iflmejfe depart from him\ Prov, 27.22*
How fearefullthen is his cafe, that to his worldly
wifdomejoynes confidence in his waies ^ But the
day will come that hee'l fee and bewailerhe vanity
of his wifdome, and the truth of his folly, and that
with bitter gticfe and horrible anguiflieven in hell
fire,asit is notably fee downe in the book of f^rif
dome Cap. $. VmlZth,
But the Word which heere in Iam;s is rendred ^"x'^'^/l «>
Senfihill, isthcfame which is ufed, 1 Corinthians S^l^'vil^^^-nt
2. 14, The nattitiill man receiveth mt the things^ o^-fjrn«V/,i
So that worldly wifedome is In that fenfe natu- w^'^^U^v'^-^
rail: that it can neither rcliili nor receive the ^XiTy%lm
things of the Spirit: itc^nno: poflibly conceive reujiwb not
and comprehend the immediate meanes and my- ^^ritu^ tbiags
fteries of falvation : let a man otherwife be never
Co faire and comely in body, never fo proportio-
nable^perfonable, or goodly tS looke upon, and in
the eye of others, yetifhimfelfe wantcyes (the
P inftru-
SenTmU tthat
210 A SERMON.
inftmmcnts of light, hcc cannot polTibly behold
and gaze upon with delight the goodlineffe and
glory of this great frame of the world about him :
he cannot fee the brightnefTc of the Sun, the beau-
•wty of the earth, and the dclightfome variety of the
creatures : fo a worldly-wife man though hee bee
never fo gracefull for his other parts, never fo ad-
mirable to carnall eyes, or mightily magnified by
his flatterers or favourites: yet wanting the faving
fight of G o p s fandlifying Spirit, and the eye of
fpirituall undcrftanding,is ftarke blind infpirituall
matters, and cannot poffibly behold the rich Pa-
radifeof the kingdome of grace,thcfecrcts of San-
£l:ification,and the incomparable glory and excel-
lency of Chriftianity. This wifdome of the flcfb
ferves the worldling ( liketheOftrich wings ) to
make him to out-run others upon the earth and in
earthly things 5 but can help him never a whic to-
wards heaven : nay, is rather like a heavic mill-
ftone about his neck,to make him finke deeper in-
to the bottomleffe pit of hell.
The rcafon why thefe great politicians and joF-
lijgeVidfim ly wife men ofthe world (as th^y are called) for
vporidiivgi. all theif depths and devices, with all their wit and
windings, cannot underftand one title ofthe
things of G o d, is, becaufethis fpirituall know-
ledge is hid from them. For fo faith our Saviour
Christ, Map. 11.25. Igf've thee thankes o Father ^
Lord of Heaven and Earth, hecmfethou haft hid
thefe things fromthe wife and men $f under fandtng,,
gndhafirevealidthilnuntohahes. And this reafon
our Saviour rcndretb why hcc fpakc to world-
lings
A SERMON. 211
lings in parabks and to his Difciples plaincly> he-
€aufetothefe itwasgiijen to kmw thefecretsofth^^
kingdome ofheavenM^ to them it was not given. And
indeed it is juft with G o D,;Chat,
i.Sith they when the glorious Sun of the Word frorUiings
of life ihines furely upon their faces, doe wilfully f "JJf ;^/-^'*
fhuc their eyes agakift it,that He fhould^ftrike chena ^w^rd.
ftarkc blinde, fothat for matters of falvatien they
fliould grope even at noone-day, as the blind gro*
pethindarkenefle, and fturablcth in the darkcft
night.
2« Sith they depend on their owne policy, n'orUiwgs dt*
depths, and turning devices, God juftlyturnes 5^^/p"J^"
them loofeto follow the fwing of their carnall "*" ' "^
teafon 5 and fuffers them to lie and delight them-
felves in the fenfuall mifls, and felf-conceited foo*
Icries and vanities of their own naturall wifdomc :
while the Moonc lookcsdire(5lIy upon the Sunne>
from whom fheborrowes her light, (bee is bright
and beautifull, butiffheonceturneafide, and be
left toiler felf,(hc loofesall her glory, and enjoycs
but onely a fhadow of light w hich is her owne: fo
while men with humility and teachablenefTe turne
their faces toward the Sunne of RighteoufnefTe,
ChristJesv s, and thofeStarres which he
holds in his right hand, the faithfull Minifters, to
receive from them illumination in heavenly
things^andinftrudiion in the waies of G o d ,G o d
doth gratioufly vouchfafe unto them the glorious
light of faving knowledge: but when they turne
their backs upon Him, betake themfelves to their
owne plots and projeds, devices and policies, and
P 2 feekc
212 A SERMON.
fecke dcepeto hide theii counfcll from the Lord:
then they are juftly left to the darkfome giddineffe
of theii;^carnall rtafon, and walke towards feare-
fulnelTe and horrour, thorough the windings and
turnings of their worldly wifdome.
ivorinings ^' Becaufe they are proud of their earthly poli-
proud oj their cy>the Lo r d Will not givc them ptudc^ce in hca-
oivnsmt, venly matters.-becaufe they are wife in their owne
concciptSjthey are juftly given over to follow the
deceitfulncffe of their owne hearts : with an impe-
rious difdainefullnefle, they fcorne the fimplicity
of the Saints, and therefore they arc juftly blin-
ded, to thinke the way es of their falvation foali/h-
nelTe.
HiethetfLrl 4- Worldly men make an IdoU of their wifdome?
:ifi/dme. both in refpe(5t that they wholy repofe themfelvcs
upon it, for their provifion and protedion, and be-
caufethey fecreily defire to be admired & adored
for it^as men of extraordinary endowments,and o-
racles of difcretion and policy; andit may be,thac
they are fo by their favourites and flatterers i buc
they muft give God His Word^ and good men
leave to ccnfurc them truly and juftly to be the no-
torioufeft fooles upon earth, becuufe they are in-
fants and ideotsinthe matters and myftcries of fal-
vation. Now I fay >becau{e they make an Idoll of
their wirdon:ie,GoD and this earthly Dagon can-
rot polTibly dwell together in one foule5but in his
juft: judgement fufFers them with fuch doting de-
votionjfelf-conceittofacrificeuntoit, that they
want both underftanding and hearts to do him ^ny
acceptable fervice^
This
A SERMON 215
This naturall and fenfuall wifedome being thus
hood- winked from all heavenly light by G o d s
juft judgement, and by the pride,piejudice,wilftil-
ncffe, felfenefTeofchc owner doth proporrion and
meafure all its conceipts,and confiderations of Re-
ligion and religious men by the unfound and fen-
fuall principles of our corrupt nature, and by the
falfe fcantling of carnall" reafon.
We may fee this carnality of worldly wifdome
in cenfuring fpirituall things in Nicodemus^ loh.'^.
See alfo a carnall conceipt of worldly wifdome in
my Difcourfe of true ^appneJfe^ip2g.$S,s9-
Hence it is alfo that wee fiad it to be a con ftant ^^ridihgi mif-
I 1J1 T • cent art true pt'
property or a worldly-wile man to conceive or ^ty^
cenfure a zealous profeffion of G d s truth, and
found pradlce of fincerity, to be nothing but hy-
pocrite and humour, anaffedation of angulari-
ty, precifene{re,andakindofodnefrefrom other
men. The reafon is, when he lookes upon him-
felfe in the flattering glaffe of felfe-conceipt^ hee
judges himfelfe to be a very jolly fellow : thinkes
he within his owne heart; I go for a fufficient man Qu'Tq; in alio
in the world : the beft make good account of me : ^Z^nT >>&
I am well beloved of my neighbours : my fuflfici- quod non ha-
cncv for wifedome, moderation in Religion, civi- bet.neccurat:
i. V • • A /r • J f • 1 That ivhtcb he
lityforcarnage,jultnelle in dealings With men,are ^^^^^ „^^ ^^^
both knowne and w ell fpoke of by the moft : and feife , or doth
what would you have more in a man <: Hereupon, "'^^ e/ietme, kee
r i_' A- 11 r r 1 • ^ accounts fubet'
outofthispraaicallfurvey of his owne counter- puy, an idle
feit worth, and becaufe hee is ftarke blind in fp iri- quality, a meere
tuall matters, and t he affaires of Heaven, hee pre- f£iftcinanoi
fcntly concludes, whatfoeverzeale, (ingularities tier,
P ? of
214
A SERMON.
ofgrace and fpirituall excellencies are luppofed
by fome kind of men to be in others, efpecially , if
they be of lower rank and Icfle account for world-
ly wifedome than himfelfe, to be nothing but on-
ly outward fhewes, pretences and hy pocrifics : he
isfurnifliedin his owne conceipr with a compe-*
tency,ifnot an extraordinary fiifficiency of natu-
rall and morall endowments : and he never felt ei-
ther the power ofgrace, neither can pofifibly fee
or acknowledge thofe holy operations in others:
and therefore hee cannot be perfwadcd, but he is
fully as good as the precifeft of them ( for that's
the language of prophanenefTe againft grace) and
that there is no worth worth naming, or any true
reall goodnefle in thofe they now call Chriftians,
over and befides that which hee iindeth in him-
felfe.
5. Concerning greatneffe of nobilityjunderftand
that by Nobles I meane both the greater and leflc
Nobility ,according to T>.Smiths diftindion in his
Commoji-r^ealeofEn g l a n d. Andthis double
Nobility is of diverfe forts, i. Perfonall, 2. By
defcent.
6, There isyet another Nobility, whichis Di-
vine and fupernaturall in regard whereof all o*
ther kindes whatfoever are but fliadowes and
lliapes of Noblemfle.Here God istopof thekin,
and Religion is the root. Thefe arc truly and the
onely Noble indeed, and fo accounted by King
D^-y/^/, though of no account in the World at alL
How rarely is the glorious Image of the Lord
J E s V s (which oncly creates this cxcellencie)
' ' feene
Nobility grea-
terorleJfe^Cap.
SttpernaturaU
Nobility,
A SERMON. '215
feenefhine in their foulesj or fhew forth it felfein
their holy canverfation, who glider in outward
glory, and are lifted up above others by eniinency
of Noble birth, orindulgence ofhighell favours.
Such Noblemen and Gentlemen are black fwans,
and thinly fcatter'd in the firmament of a State, e-
ven like ftars of the firft magnitude. For,faith my
Text, Net mmj Nohl^^^ Sec,
And that no maivell, for many reafons. And ^HfJeducated.
yet I Vv^ill not heere trouble you Jn telling how mi-
ierably and extreamely ill thofe who bee better
borne are ordinarily educated. Alas,they arc too
often brought up in ignorance<, idlenefle, cxcefTive
purfuit of fports and vaine things: in drinking,
carnall loofenelTe, riotous exceflc, in fenfuality,
pride, prophanation of the Lords Day ; In
ftrange fafliions, healthing^gaming, good-fellow-
f^ip: in frequenting Playes, thofe grand impoy-
foners of many hopcfull plants, with univerfall
prophane, unnaturall difToluteneffe melting un-
happily the vigour of their fpirits into effeminate-
nelfe, lightnefle and luft. Andalmofteverina
conftancoppofitionto the good way, the power
ofgodlinefTe, and ftri(5lnclle of the Saints, who
arethe ordinary objeds of their greateft difta(l,je-
fling and fcorne : and whereas they (of all others)
have beft meanes,largefl: maintenance, mofl time,
capacity, and pregnancy of wit, and other encou-
raging advantages, whereby they might become
excellent fchoUers of eminent abilities, proporti-
onable to their precedency irj birth : yet for want
of a confcionaWe care in their cducation,of choice
P 4 for
^\6 A SERMON.
for godly and worthy Schoole-mafters, Tutors,
Teachers, CGnforts,Miniftcrs,and reftraint from
the coriuptions of the times ; and by reafon of
their perverting and empoyfoning by the fore-
named youthfull aberrations, or rather exorbi-
tancies. They pafle through thofe famous nurce-
rics of learning and law, without any materiall im-
prelHons of Academicall worth, or wifedome of
State. At length returning many times unto rich
inheritances, and faire eftates, and then refleding
wpon their loft time with late repentance, and fin-
ding in themfelves neither any^competent fuffici,
cncies to ferve their Countrey, or to little pur*
pofe, and very poorely ; nor any folid flock of
ibund learning for their working fpirits to bee ex-
ercis'din,and feed upon with contentment: they
refolvedly languifh and diflblvc into idlenefTe and
pleafures, as though they were put into the
World, as Leviathan into the fea, to take their
paftime therein. And foat laft in refped: either
of perfonall worth, or the publike good, they
become but unprofitable burdens of the earth :
and by their exemplary ill expence of time, if
not farrc bafer trickes; the very banc of the
Countreyes that bred them, and great dishonour
tothefamiliesthatownethem. Tor affureyour
felves,to bee well borne, and live like an humane
beaft, is a notorious blemifli to a noble Houfe:
and let never any bee fo vaine, as to brag of their
birthjcxceptthcy be new-borne; this honour of
birthCfaith Charron)mzy light upon a vicious man,
&c.
Neither
A SERMON. 217
Neither will I here take up a complaint of the ^^^,7;^, -^^^^
much lamented degeneration of our modernc No- Gentry degencf
bility and Gentry (I ever except the truly worthy ^^^^'
and noble)from even the civill worthineire5milita-
ry valour> and noble deportment of former times.
Now a daics, ifa man Icoke big, be firil in thefa-
Ihion, fliake his fhag-haire inaboifterous and ruF-
fian-likc m-anner>carrie himfelfe with a difdainfuU
ncglc(5tand proud bravery, and with an afFe<5led,
and artificiall haughtincfte of countenance, out-
brave others, and brow-beat his brethren, better
than himfelfe, he is the man. But alas ! How farrc
'diflantisthis, and degenerating from true gcne-
roufnefTe, and that fweet amiable courrelle and
affability which was wont to dwell in the gentle
breafls of the ancient Englifh Nobles ^ I am a-
fraid if wee goe on, our pofterity will finde in the
next age the bafeft generation of Englifli r/iat e-
ver breathed in this famous Kingdome. Sir
Walter Rarvlergh, I confefle in his excellent Work
having difcourfed and difcufTed of this Queftion,
whether the Bomam could have re(5tificd the
GveaZLy^lexmJerj makes good in a fecond place Lib^pag,i6t
tothemarchlefle honour of this Nation, chat nei- (^M-
thcr the Oliacedonun, nor the Roman fouldier
was of equall valour to the Bnglijh, But when
wercthofetimes^ When his Father fent to the
Blacke Prince, fighting (as it were) in bloud to the
knecs,and in great diftrefre,this mefTagc ; Let him
cither vanquifli or die. When VVarwickc^,Bed' «/^. of Trance^
ford^ and that famous Talbot, and fuch other p«^.»5«.
yiiftorious Englifli Commanders with their va- .
lianc
2i8 A SERMON.
liant armies walked up and do wne FA-^/^f^^ like fb
many invincible Lions. But oh the mighty,and un-
conquerable manhood and magnanimity of the
ancient Englijh ! Whither art thou gone^and where
art thou buried, that wee may vific thy Tombed
But I fay, to let thefe paffe, I onely lay hold upon
that which is moft pregnant and pundluall to my
purpofe.
TmaJ'^wnp. . ThcfeiV^^/^y iu my Text, and ordinarily inall
tationi. times fwallow down fo many baits from the divels
hands, are fo furrounded with variety and ftrength
of temptations : fo ill brought up, and fo vainely
puft up with infolency and felf-eftimation,becaufe
they are lifted up above others:They are fo limed
with inextricable infnarements, by pleafures,
riches, honours, eafe, liberty, earthly fplendour,
bravery, applaufe of the world, and pride of lifej
that commonly, by fuchtimeas they come to the
ftrengthof body and mmdacorruft ajfethon obtains
its full ftrength and height, and hardneffe in their
hearts: And then,and by that time,in what danger
they are for falvation, you may perceive by well
weighing the condition of this divcllifli engine,
and its curfed companion, which I am wont to de-
fcribe thus :
Corrupt affim- It is the ripened and aduated ftrength and rage
9n\de}ned, of Originall corruption that furioufly executes the
rebellious didates of the Divell, and dcfperare
proje(5ls of Mens fenfuall hearts : ftands at defi-
ance,profefres open hoftility againft grace, good-
neffe, good men, good can es, and all courfes of
fandificution^ feeds upon fo long, and fils it k\^c
fo
A SERMON. 219
fofiiU with worldly vanities and plealures, that
growing by little and little incorrigible^and hating
to be reform'd, it breeds, and brings foorth(asits
naturalliflue) defpaire, honour, and theworme
which never dies.
And this corrupt afFedion is of it felfcjand natu-
rally, Firft, iintameabkj Secondly, infatiablej
Thirdlyjdefperare.
I. Untameable. The heart ofman is naturally ^° ^^'^^''^J^'
ofthehardtft flinr,hcw'd immediately our of the ^Jl\r7atieTQ
fturdy and ftubborne rock of the race of k^dam, change the
Itsownecorruption,thejLiftcurreofGoD upon t'l^k^ri/
it, and the accurfed influence of hellifli malice, fill grace from God
it fo full of ironfinewes, and of fuch adamant and ^"^^^
prodigious hardncffe, that no crofTe or created ° '^^'^^^^
power, not the fofteft eloquence or fevered
courfe^ nay,not the weight cf the whole world,
orthe heav'neiTe of Hell, if they were all prelTed
upon it, could pofTibly bend and breake it, make it
yeeld or relent one^bt from it obftinaie and out-
ragious fury in it owne wayes : this is onely the
worke of the Holy Ghoft,with the hammer of the
Word. The ftubborne ifraelitcs were heavily
laden with.an extraordinary variety of moft grie-
vous erodes and affiidions : there was nothing
wanting to m.ake them outwardly miferable^ and^
no miferyiniiided upon them, but upon purpofe
to humble and take downe their rebellious hearts.
StQlfayi,'$y6,'j. How the Prophet paints out to
the life the rufull and diftrcffefull ftate of their
frefh-bleeding defolations : Thewholehead (S2i\th
he j i^fickeiandthe tvhok heart is heofvy ,&c. For the
place
220 A SERMON.
place is meant, not ( as fome take it ) of their fins,
but oFtheir forrowes. But all the blowes and pref-
fures were fo farre from fofcning their hearts, that
they hardened and emmarbled them more and
more. when foreiMihihc Pvophei)J])OuUje he finite
tenanj moye^feryefallawaj more and morz^?
chnfissermont What Created power can poffibly have more
little toTou^ht power upon the foules of men, than the facred Scr-
«,i the imes, ^^^^ of the Son of G o D , whojpake as never mm
Jpake .? And yet i hefe deare intreatics and melting
invitations which fvvcerly & tenderly flow'd from
that heart,which was refolved to fpil that warmcft
& inmoft bloud for their fakcs,moved thofefliffe-
necked ]ewes ncvct ^jov.lerufalemjlentfdlew, faith '
hcjtvhkl kiHesftk Prophets,^c.Mat,2^,'^'j, Ifaiah
that noble Prophet, whofe matchleffe eloquence
furpaflfeththe capacity ofthe largeft created under-
flanding; and to which the powcrfull elegancies
of prophane writers is pure barbarifme,fhed many
ana many a gracious and golden fhower of fofteft
and fweeteft eloquence upon a finfull nation and
rebellious people,which was fruitlefly and vainly
fpilt as water upon the ground, or loft upon the
hardeft flint : many a piercing and powerfull Ser-
mon had heefpentamongfl: them to the wafting
of his ftrength and fpirits 3 which yet was to them
as an idle and empty breath, vanifliing into no-
thing,and fcatter'd in the ayre. The Lord (as He
fayes Himfelfe)madc his mouth as a (harpe fword,
and Himfelfeasa chofcn fhaft 5 and yet that two-
Cap.40.4. edged fword was full often blunted upon their
hardeft hearts, and his kccnc arrowcs difcharged
by
A SERMON.
221
by a skilfull handjfcbounded from their flinty bo-
fomcs,asfhaftsflioragainftaftonewal]. And that
made that Seraphicall Oratourjthe unmatched Pa-
ragon of facred eloquence, thus to cowphincj/ay
^^j,/!^.! have laboured in vaine^ I have J^em my
ftrengthin vaineidndfor nothing.
A courfc ofextraordinary fevcrity and terrour pharaohhard^
was taken with Pharach-^ he was not only chaftifed «f^ oihtm.
wi' h rods,but even fcourged with Scorpions ; and
yet all the plagues ofJEgypt were fo far from pier-
cing and foftning his hard hearr^asthar every par-
ticular plague added a feveral iron fincw^and more
flintincs to his already ftony heart. And as the heart
is naturally thus hardened towards godlineffe, fo
alfo hollow towards the godly: See Sauls carriage
towards David, No materiall weight can more
crufli the heart of man, than braying in a morter 5
and yet faith Salomon, Prov. 27.22. Though thew
jheuldefi bray afcok.z defperste finner, a rebellious
wretch, in a mcrter amongjl wheat braced with a pe^
ftfl:>jct will not hiifoolijlmes J:\is finfullnes,whicn is
xhcgx^dXcik^depart frcmhim^no more than the skinne
from the Blacke^morCiCr thef^otsjrom the Leopard by
rvaf])inghim.
Shame an old obftinate beaten finner with his Nothing moves^
horrible ingratitude^ (how him the ugly face of his «« ^^'"^ *f«'''«
hainousfins, tell himofthelofTeofthehappinefle
ofHeavensaffright him with the feare of hell and
damnation : in all this hee is like a Smiths anvill
that growes harder and harder for all his hamme-
ring. Laftlyja dam.ned fpirit,though he lye in the
Idwcft dungeon of utter darkncflfe, laden with t hat
burdca
222 ASERMON. ,
burden of finne, which preft downc a glorious
Angell of light and all his followers from the top
of Heaven into that loweft pit, with the full
weight of the unquenchable and everlafting wrath
of G o D 3 with all the heavy chaines of that infer-
nail lake 5 and with that which ( meethinkes ) is
farrc worfe and more cutting than many hels, than
ten thoufand damnations, even with defpaire of e-
ver having eafe, end or remedy of chofe moft bit-
ter, everlafting, intoUerable hellifh torments : I
fay,though a damned foulebe thus laden,and thus
heavily preft downe with all this curfed weight,
and hainoufnefTe of Hell ; yet he is ftill as hard as a
ftone.So certain it is,that no curfe,or created pow- .
cr,nor the fofteft eloquence or fevereft courfe,
not the weight of the whole world or the heavines
of hell; if all were preft and laid upon the heart of
a man; could poflibly breake that ftubbornefTe, or
tame that rebellion. This is onely the worke
ofthebleffed Spirit with the hammer of the
Word.
The hard hear- Thls hardncfTe of heart had attained a ftrangc
tedaejfe of man height evcn in the worlds infancydnto what a pro-
f-m hujaU, Jigious rocke is that growne now then by length
of time,info many ages,fith every generation fince
by invention of new finnes, and addition of hai-
noufnefTe unto the old, have every one added
thereunto a feverall iron finew, and a further de-
greeofflintincflfe.
iT^t. What a heart was got into Cdins brcaft,
whowasfirftcut out of the ftony rocke of cor-
rupc man-kind 5 remorfcof itcdding the guilt-
ile/Tc
A SERMON. 223
lefTe blood of his murthcrcd brother, which was
able to have n^elted an adamant into bloody
teares, mooved hi«i never a whit. Nay, the prc-
fenceof Almighty Go d, at which the earth pral.114.7.
trembles J the hiUs melt like wax,wh:chturneththc^ ^1"^'*%
rockeintowater-pcleSi an^theflintintoafeuntahieof "^ ' ^ '
Jv^^^(asI>4^'/i^pcakes) yet made his ftony heart
relent never a whir. Nay, yet further, Gods
mighty voyce immediately from his own mouth,
which hreakes the Cedars iandjhakes the wilderHejfe^y
which was able with one word even in a moment
toturnethc whole World into nothing, and the
fonnes ofmen as though they had never beene;
'yet (I fay) this power full and mighty voyce did
notatallamazeor moUifie the unrelenting ftub-
borneneffe of this bloudy wretch : but in a ftrangc
dogged fa(hion he anfwers God Almighty even
to His face. For, when Go d mildly and fairely
asked him what was become of his brother ^be\
he anfwered, / cannot tell : Nay, further, as
though hee had bid God goe looke, hec faith,
K^m Imj brothers keener ? Where take this note
by the way 5 Let not Chriftians think much to re- Gen.4.^.
ceive dogged anfwers and difdainfull fpeechcs •
from prophane men : you fee how doggedly this
fellow anfwers even God Almighty: TheDjfciple
is not above his Majter,nffr thefervant above his Lord:
It is enough for the Bifcifle to be as the Majter and the
firvant as his Lor d:if they have called the M after of the
houfe Beelzebub Jjow much more them of his houfijold j*"
iU^r^Mo. 24,25. »t L I J
Whataftrangcftonyhcartlodged in the brcaft f/^**^'^^*
of
J24 A SERMON.
ohhety tint Pharaoh} WhentheProphet(ir/^^/
l3.)cncdtothealrarof/^r^^/?4;»,0 altar altar, the
altar clave prefently afunder at the Word of Go d
in the mouch ofthe Propher-,biit this mighty ham-
mer ot the Word, (/fr.23.29.) with ten miracles
„ aaveten mighty ft rokes at P^^is committed, he wiflieth there were ten
thoufand.He would have every finfull thought be
a firi of Sodomy: every idle word adefperateblaf-
phemy^every angry lookja bloudy muither,every
frailty, a ciying fin : every default, a damnable re-
bellion. Now as Satan himfelfe is thus infinite and
infati-
i
A SERMON 227
infatiable in the wayes of darknefTc ; fo doth he in-
fpire every limbe of his with a fpice of this finfuil
greedinelTe,and reftlclTe purfuit of their owne wic-
ked waies.
Togiveaninftantof trembling and terrour in ^fwearer tbat^
this kind,and of Satans merciles malice that way. I f/ipekiL^ill
knew a man which in his life time was given to that oathi.
fcarefuU blafphemous fin of fwearing, who com-
mingtohisdeath-bedjSatanfofild his heart with
a madded and enraged greedineffe after tha^ (moft
gainelefTe and pleafurelelTc fin) that though him-
felfe fwore as fall and furioufly as he couIdjyetCas
though he had been already amongfi: the bnnnings
and blafphemics of hell) he defperatly defir'd the
fianders-by to helpe him with oathes, and to
fwearc for him. Incredible rage,prodigious fury \
Now if Satan be able to beget fuch infatiablencffe
ahcr fin wherein there is no profit or delight at all;
how fiercely andfearcfully will he enrage carnall
men in the purfuit of gainfulljpleafurefulljand ad-
vancing fins c*
You fee then how the unfatiablenefTe of corrupt
affection fprings out of the fountaine of Originall
naughtinefle/rom the juft curfcof Go Dand malice
of Satan.
It is cleare and evident by ordinary experience, ^^r^h i'^^'f -
and obfervation in the world, with what infatisfi- •'^'^^ ^"^*^'*' '^'
able defire and greedincfi^e,corrupt affedion doth
feed upon that fenfual ob/e6l,and earthly pleafure,
upon which with fpeciall apprehenfion, and de-
lightfull tafte,it feazes and fets it felf e. . ^
I. If it fall in love with honour and high tmT'^^"^^'
0^2 roomcsi
228 A SERMON.
loomcs^ it begets ambition, which is an unfatiable
thlrft after glory 5and a gluttonous exceilive defirc
after greatnefle.
^tionpor,. Qf ^jj other vicious paflions which doe pofTeffe
^ the heart of man, it is the moft powerfull and un-
^ conquerable. Asitisfuperlativeandtranfccndent
in itobje(5land afpirationsjand feated in the high-
efhand haughtieft fpiritSjfoisitrefolute and def-
perate in it undertakings, furious and head- flrong
inits purfuits and profecutions.
Ambition ven- It IS ventrous to remoove any let, and hardned
trous. £q J ^jj meanes 3 many times without remorfe or
teares, it takes out of the way by fome cruell con-
trivance, their deareft friends, and tramples rhe-
neereft blood,as we fee ordinarily in the Turkifli
Emperors,to get up into an high place^and grafp an
Imperiall Crowne,
Ambition ma' It is vi(5borious ovcr all other affedions^and
^mm^" ^^^' mafters even the fenfuality of luftfull pleafures, as
wee may fee in many great men of the Heathens,
{Alexander, Scipo, Pom^ey^ and many others j
who being tempted with the exqi'jifitncfleand va-
rieties of choifeft beauties^yct forbare that villany,
not for confcience fake , or for feare of G o d,
whom they knew not; but leaft thereby they
fliould flop the current of their vi(5lorious atchie-
vements^and obfcure the glory of their remarkable
valour.
>j«ji;.,"« n.»j. It preferres a hi^h roome in the world before a
m upon life, temporall lircs yea, and eternall lire too. How
many great mens hearts have burft, at the difplea-
fed and frowning countenance of a King ^ How
many
A SERMON. 119
many cither by defperate pradifes or their ownc
violent hands have brought themfelves to untime-
ly ends,bccaufe they were impatient of the lower
places they had formerly enjoyed, i^chitophel,
when he was like to loofethe reputation and ranke
cf a Privy Counfellor,fadled his AflTejWcnt home,
put his houfe in ordcr,and hanged himfclfe. How
many daily run great hazards, to domineere for a
while in their undeferved dignities f And prepare
againftthc day of wrath, by an unconfcionable
purchafingofhigheftroomesamongft the fons of
menif
Laftly, it is uncapable of fociety,and fnarpened ^^^'l^onmuid
by the injoy ment of that it defireth . Give roome
to Cdfar, and hce'l ambitioufly purfue the Sovc-
raignty ofthe whole world : Let ^^lexander con-
quer the whole world, he'l aske for mocjiet thofe
be fubduedshe would climbe towards the ftarres,
ifhe could afpire thither, he would peepe beyond
the heavens. Fcr the froud and dmhitiot^ man en-
largeth his defire like hell^andis as death. and cannot he
jQ?Af/^^;C^^.//4^.2.5.Who can fill the bottomlelTe
gulfe of helljor ftop the infatiable jawes of death f
neither can the greedy humour of a haughty fpiriC
be fatisficd.
Letaconfidcrationofthat Crowne ofendlefle Hsavenacoun*
joy and glory, which the Chriftiart hath in purfuir^ ^er-poyfonto
beuntohimacountcrpoyfonto uphold his heart '*^^'"**-
in comfort and contentment againft the vanity
and venome of fuch endlefle ambitions ; and if
men be fo infinitely vcntrous for an earthly crown,
which (asoriefayes) if we well weighed with
0^5 what
23©
A SERMON.
CovetoUjTieJfe
injat table.
Covetoufne^e
in bafefi hearts,
Cavetoiifneffe
walies an heU
on earth.
Coveteufnejfe
mafies men neg'
kSl themfelves
whatfeares,jealou{ies,cares,infidiations, &c. it is
thick fet,if we found it before us in the way wc
would not take it up. I fay then^how eager fliould
we be after the glory of Heaven c*
2.. If coirnpt affedion fail in love with riches,
and the wedge of gold,it begets covetoufne/Te^ the
vileft and bafeft of all the infedion of the foule.
As ambition haunteth the haughtieft fpirits, fo
covetoufnelTe lodgeth in the moft dunghill difpo-
iition, it turncs the foule of man,that noble and im-
mortall fpirit into earth and mudrwhereasit might
live in Heaven upon earth, and by holy meditati-
on, by a fweet familiarity and acquaintance ( as it
were)with G o D,and converfing abovejand in that
cverlafting Heaven of endlelTe happinefTe hereaf-
ter. It lies in Hell upon earth,and by reftlefle tor-
ture of unfatiable greedinefTe, makes way by it
rooting to dekend into the hell of wicked Divels
in the world to come. This devouring gangrene of
greedineire,to get riches^doth not onely by a moft
incompatible antipathy,keep out grace and God s
feare s but alfo by it venomous heat waft and con-
fume all honeft and naturall afFe(5lion, both to man
and beafts,to parents^kindredjfriendsjand acquain-
tance,
Nay^it makes a man contemne himfelfe body
] and foule, wilfully to abandon both the comfor-
table enjoyment of this fhort time of this prefent
mortality, and all hope of the length of that blef-
fed Eternity to come, for a little tranfitory pelfe,
which he doth never enjoy or ufe; except it be for
ufe, which enlargeth his covetous thirftas mighti-
A SERMON 2;ji
ly,as it brings forth mony monftroufly .
Beiidcs,covetournes picrccth thorow the foule covetoufneft
with a thoufand tormencs,and the riches of iniqui- ^"xatlT''
ty ingender in the heart of man many tortures, en-
vies and moleftations^as their proper thunder-bolt
and blading.
And of all other vile affeaions it is moft fottifli- ^'^'c[°infh
ly and fenflefly unfatiable, Ecclef ^,2, Tor jhow is '"* '"
k polTible that earth lliould feed or fill the imma-
terial! and heaven-borne fpirit of a man ^ It cannot
bc:and the Spirit of Go d hath faid it fliall not bej
Ecclef,$ .9. He that loveth JilverJI^aH not be fat is fed
witfjfilverjScc. Hence it is, that the deeplier the
drowfie heart of this covetous nian doth drinke of
this golden ftreame^the more furioufly it is infla-
med with fpirituall thirft.
Nay, it is moftccrtaine, that if the covetous ^^^fo^rncj^g,
man could purchafe a monopoly of all the fiiSdeftres
wealth in the world 3 were he able Co empty the »'<^^'
Wefternc parts of gold and fiiver^, and the Eaft
of pcarles and jewels; (hould he cnclofe the whole
face of the earth from one end of Heaven to the o-
ther, and heap his hoards unto the ftarres : yet his
heart wouldbeas hungry after more riches, as if
he had never a penny, and much more : Such is
Gods curfe upon that man which makes his gold
his god.
And this infatiablenedein the covetous man be- coveicH^t.efc
gets cruelty and oppre{fion of others^and perpetu- '^^^P^ "^^'^y
al want of contentment and comfort in that he hath
already .Sweetnes of gainc makes him many times
drink the blood and eat the flefli of theopprclfed.
Qjt He
252 A SERMON.
He begins firft (if he be of power and place) to
grind thefaces of the poorc;then to pluck off their
skins, then totcarc their flefh, then to breake their
bones,and chop them in peeces as flefti for the por,
and at lafl: even to eac the flefli of G o d s people.
That is; firft to weary them out with peity wrongs
and extraordinary occafions, to vexe them with
new conditions, and unconfcionable encroach-
ments : and at Lift to wring their penfive foules
from their wafted and hunger-ftarv'd bodics^with
• extremity of opprcflion, and cruelty of covetouf-
nefTe.
covemfnejjfe And that which is a juft curfe upon the covetous
»ever mtm. j^^p . j^^ jg ^y^^ infinitely more tormented with the
want of that which he doth immoderately and un-
necefrarilyde{xre,then contented and comforted
withtheenjoymcntofthofe things he doth pre-
fcntly pofTefTe.
Ambition and The ambitious man,if he be difgrac'd and over-
Z^J^arl^f^ top'd by any grand oppofite and counterfcjdioniff,
or derided, and revil'd with bafcrand inferiour
contempt, or negleded by omifljon of fome due
obfcrvanceand ceremony of ftate: he (Ifay>)is
more grieWd,if he want grace/or fome fuch little
default in the attributions of his place,and want of
complementall refpedt in that meafure,and of fuch
menashedefires,thenhehath glory and pompe^
in his higheft place.This is cleare inffama/f^thou^h
he was compafled and crown'd with fuch undefer-
' vedand extraordinary precedency and pompe>
yet this one Jitle thingihecstufcMor^ecai would not
bow the knee and do reverenccto him at theKings
gate.
A SERMON. 235
gatc,did utterly marre and diflweeten alJ the other
excellencies of his new advancemenr,and extraor-
dinarinefTe of the Kings favourjSee Heshr 5.10,11
12,1^. Ar^d Bamm teld his wife and friends efaU his
gl6ry,(^c.Eut Allthis{{2\x.\\ hc)dot/j nothing availe me
as long as I fee Oil or deed the lew fitting at the Kings
gaie^. As it is thus in ambition,and in great men
that aregracelelle; they many times take more to
heart(outofthe pride of their hearts) the want of
fome one eircumftantiall obfervancejand of reve-
rence from fome one manjthen they heartly enjoy
all the other glory of their place : fo it is alfo with
the covetons man 3 though already he hath more
then enoughjyet fome greedy wifh of a new addi-
tion doth more torture his heart, then the rowing
amongft all his other wealth can rejoyceit.o^/'rf^, * ^^'"S ^^'4.
though he had already in his hand the riches^glo-
ry3pleafuies,and foveraignty of a kingdome, yet
after he had caft his covetous eye upon poorc iV^-
hdths vinyard which was neare his Palace,his heart
did more affli(5l and vex it felf with greedy longing
for that bit of earth.then the vaft & fpacious com-
pafTeofa kingdome could counter-comfort. He
could take no joy in the beauty of a crowne, and
largenesof hisroyall command^becaufe his poorc
; neighbour would not deprive himfelfe and all his
pofterity of the inheritance of his fathers, which
his anceftors had enjoyed time out of mind.
For a counterpoyfon againft the greedy gan- Meditations^ '»
grcnc of hoarding up riches^coniider in what ftead root m ear-
thy riches will ftand thee upon thy bed of death, "'*-'"^-^^'
confidcrthat fpecchofapoorc diftrefTcd woman
afflidcd
234 A SERMON.
afflidled in confcicnce, whom J heard thus fay in
thcagony of her grieved fpirit : I have husband,
goods^ andchildren,and other comforts s I would
give them all the Treafures of the Earth if I had
them,and all the good I (h ill have in this world or
in the world to comejto feele but the leaft taftc of
the favour of G o d in the pardon of my finne ;
Ihe would in this cafe with all her heart have given
the warmeft and deareft blood of her heart for
one drop of C h r i s t s blood to doe away her
fins.
Voiuptuoufnes If corrupt affeif^ions fall in love with worldly
infatiabie. pleafure, fuch as are furfeiting and drunkenncflc,
chambering and wantonnefTe, luft, and unclean-
nefife, unlawfull {ports «nd recreations, it begets a
Grange furious thirft and heat in the carnall appe-
tite, which cannot be fatisfied, butlikethetwo
daughters of the horfleech, which cry ftill, give,
givej which is fet on fire by Hell: and therefore
it is as unfatiable as that bottomlefle Infernall pit 3
every tafl: of fenfuality ferves as fewell to increafe
the flame and fury of concupifcence. We fee it
in drunkards, who by drinking doe not quench
their thirft,and fatisfie their appetite, but by their
immoderate fvvilling both increafe the burning
thirft of their bodies and inraged intemperance of
their minds. We heare it o^vjanzonSyWi fiome 2.
Come let m enjoy the fleafures that are frefent,^c.
Let us crorvne our [elves with Rofes before they wither,
let there be rio fleafant meadow which our luxuriouf
nejfe doth not fajfc over ; letm leave fome token of our
fleafurcin every f lace, for that isonrfortion^andthis is
Mr
A SERMON. 235
eur lot. Every Carnal i ft fceles it in himfelfe after
once he hath given the reins to his concupifccnce :
heislikeaftrong man running headlong downe
a fteepe hill, though he would never fo fainCj he
cannot ftay himfelfe, but runne ftill fafter and fa-
ftertill he breake his neckatthebottorac : If once
he fuffers the fountaine of originall pollution
which naturally flowes^3iit of his rocky heart, to
have that free and full courfe : it will fhortly ga«
ther in its palTage many ftrong and heady ftreames
offtubbornenelTe and rebellion untill by growing
by little and little in ftrength and fwiftneffe, it
fwell into a mighty and furious torrent, fo at laft
fall with fearefull noife and horrour into the gulfe
ofinecoverablemifery. In a word^after the heart
of a man be fet upon any fenfuall delight, it feeds
upon it as greedily as the hoifleech upon corrupt!
blood,it will burft before it gives over. It will by j
nomeanes part with its hold untill it either bee
broken with the hammer of the Word, or burft
with the horrour of defpaire. It drinks fo deepe
andlongoftheempoyfoned cup of carnall plea-
fures,untill the L o r d fill it unto its brim,full of
the cup of wine of his indignationjand bid it drink>
be drunken, and fpue and fall,and rife no more,/^r.
25.27. Mditati
A counterpoyfonsgainft this greedy wolfc of gainfi voilptu^
devouring earrhly delights; confider that at our oufnejfe.
conv ^xC\ov\,M tit amurgdudia^rtOft toUuntur jBeAvcnly
fucceed carnall J0j€S : SQcUckfon of lujl^Fatth^ fag,
340,341. ^^^^ . r .
4. If it fall in love with rcvcrge, it begets a bafe tmlf '*"'*'
a
235 A SERMON.
a cruell and vvolvifh difpoficion, and an unnaturall
thirft of blood; of all the finfull paflions of the
foule, d'■«
fuming to take vengeance out of Gods hands: It ^^'^^^i,^^'^^^^
is one of G o d s royall grerogativesjwe miift not
meddle with thar, or inc roach upon ii^V engeanc^^
is mlm-, I mllrefaj ity faith the Lord, Rem.12,
ip. -
4. He will not pollute fo farre^ and defile the saint ftptli mt
glory and nobleneffe of his Chriftian refolurion, f^ZZilbTai
as to be mov'd and difquicted with the rage of any hjng revenge,
dogged D(?f;^ or railing Shimei.}yy procuring tcm-
porall puniilimcnts to the fpirituall afPtidions : and
outward vexations to the inward wofull mifery of
the foule of his prophanc malicious oppofite : ex-
cept he fee it probable, that by fufiering juftice to
have its courfe,the party may be humbled,and o-
thers terrified. •
5. He
238
A SERMON,
s i shv p ti ^' Heknowes out of his Chriftian policy,
eTce tahjreveg that a couragious and undaunted infenfibility in
fuffering injuries, is the way to tame and flop
the rage and fury of thewrongcrs^and to make
them to returne and rebound wholly like heavy
blowes upon their owne pates. For, a prophane
malicious man cannot be poiUbly more vext^than
to fee himfclf dired particularly his hate and con-
tempt againft his fuppofed adverfary^a goodChri-
flian_,and yet hee is able to beareit away without
woundorpaffions nay with reputation and com-
fort.
As revenge is bafc, fo it is bloody and
unquenchable, and prodigioufly thirfty that
way : I will give inftance in the moft revengeful!
wretch (lam perfwaded ) that ever lived : It is
reported of a man, or rather a * monfter of cJ^?/-
lai»2 in Italy : when he had furprifed upon the fud-
den one whom he dead lily hated, he prefentlyo-
verthrew him, and fetting his dagger on his breaft,
told him ,hc would prefently have his bloud, ex-
cept he would renounce, abjure, forfwcare, and
blafpheme the Go d of Heavcn^which, when that
fearefullman (toofinfully greedy of a miferable
life) had done 3 in a moft horrible manner he im-
mediately difpatch'd him, as foone as thofe pro-
digious blafphemics were out of his mouth : and
with a bloody triumph infulting over his mur-
dered adverfary, as though his heart had
bcene poffeftof all the malice of hell, he added
this horrible fpeech : oh ( faith he ) this is aright
Revenge U
bloody.
^BodittdeRef
lib.s c, 6,
nobler and htroicdl revenger , which
doth not
onely
A SERMON. 239
onely de^ri've the hody oftemfOraB life^ hutvftng
alfo the mmortall fiule to en die ffe flames everlafi-
ingly.
3. D^^^r4/^.- corrupt afFeaion is ftrangelyde- cortupti^H u
fpcratcto run headlong upon the damnation of hel, deiperareto the
for a little earthly delight ; if we fhould fee a na- Z''"'^' _
ked man in Tome furious moode, as prodigal! of
his temporall life, run upon his owne fword, or
throw himfelfe from fome fteepe rocke, or caft
himfelfc into fome deepe river, and teare out his
owne bowels, we fhould cenfureit prefently to be
averydefpcrarepartandruefull fpe^f^ade: what
fhallwefayofhimthem who thorough the fury
of his rebellious nature, to the endlefle deftru^i-
onofthelifeof hisimmorfall foule, doth defpe-
ratly throw himfelfe upon the devouring edge of
Gods fierccft indignation: upon the iharpeft
points ofall the plagues and Gurfes in his Booke,
and into the very flames of everlafting fire : It is
^veryfearefull thing, to fee a man bath and era-
bruehis hands in the blood and butchery of his
owne body,and with his murderous blade to take
away the life thereof but of how much morehor-
rour and wofulneiTcis thatfpecf^acle, when a def-
perate wretch with the empoy foned edge of his
owne enrnged corruption, doth cut the throat of
his owne deare immortall foule,fo that a man may
track him all his Hfe long, by the blood thereofin
the finfull paflTages of his life,untill at length he be
ftaik dcid in finnes and trefpaffes, for how can a
foule all purple red with wilfull fhedding its owne
bloodjlookefor any part in that prctious bloud of
that
?4o A SERMON.
tffi^'^otleslJInbe^ Nay, afTuredly fuch bloody
ftubbornnes and felfe-murthering cruelty will be
paid homeatlaft, by the fevere revenger of fuch
curled defperatneflfe. He will judge fuch' a man
afcer the manner of them that flied their owne
bloudjand give him the bloud of wrath and of jea-
loufie.
Lorditisprodigiouflyftrange and lamentably
fearefull, that fo noble and excellent a creature as
man, prince ofall other earthly creatures, by the
priviledgeofreafonandenlightned with the glo-
rious beame of underftanding, nature fhould be fo
furioufly madded with its owne malice, and be-
witchedly blindfolded by the Prince which rules
in the Aire ; as, for the momentany enjoyment of
fome few glorious mifcries^bitter-fweet pleafures,
heart- vexing riches, or fome other worldly vanity
at the beft,dcfperatly and wilfully to abandon and
caft himfelfe from the unconceivable pleafures of
its joy full place where Go D dwels^inro an infinite
world of everlaflingwofulncfTe. For let a carnall
man confider in a word his prodigious madneffein
this point.
fThata dejpe- He might not onely in this vale of teares bee
'^ileshhnfei/ef foffcd with a peacefuU hearr,which is an incom-
parable precioufneffefurpalling all created under-
ftandings: For I dare fay this, I know it to be true:
One little glimpfeofHeaven {bed fometimes into
the heart of a fandificd man, by the faving illumi-
nation of the comforting Spirit, whereby he fees
andfeelcs, thatindefpightoftherage ofDivels,
and malice of men $ lecfinnc and death, the grave
and
A SERMON.' 241
and hell do their worft,his fouk is moft certainely
bound by the hand of Go p in the bundle of the li-
ving,and that he fhall hereafter everlaftingly inha-
bitc the joyes of eternity : I fay this one conceit
being the immediate certificatoftheSpirit of truth
doth infinitly more refreili his affeflions.-and aflPedl
his heart with more true fweetncfTe and taftefull
pleafure,then all carnall dclighcsjand fenfuali deli-
caciecanpoifibly produce, though they were as
exquifite and numberlc{re,as nature, art, and plea-
fure it felfc could devifcjand to be enjoyed fecure-
ly as long as the world lafts. Befides this heaven
upon earth, and glorious happinefTe even in this
world, he mi^ht hereafter goein arme with An-
gelsjfit downc by the fide of theblefTed Trinity a-
mongft Saints and Angels,and all the truly worthy
menthat ever lived, with the high^ft perfe(5^ion of
blifTcendiefre peace5and blefTed immortality : all
the )oyes, all the glory, all the blifle, which lies
within the compafle of heaven, fliould be powrcd
upon him cverlaftingly.-and yet for all this he doth
not only in a fpirituall phrenfiedefperatly deprive
himfelfejand trample under foot this heaven upon
earth, and that joy full reft in heaven, world with-
out end:but alfo throwes himfelfe into a hell of ill
confcience here,and hereafter into that hell of Di-
vels ,which isa place of flames,and perpetuall dark-
neffcwhere there is torment without end, and paft
imagination.
The day will come, and the Lord knowes yj^ ^^^g ^j- ^^^
how foonc, when he will.clearely fee and ac- fperatefinnen,
knowledge with horrible anguifli of heart, his
R ftrange
242 A SERMON.
ftrange anddefperatemadncflc. SceWifei.$,2,(!rr^
For after the moment of a few miferable pleafures
in this life be ended, he is prefently plunged into
the fieiie lake ; and ere he be aware, the pit of de-
ft rudionfhiitteth upon him evcrlaftingly : and if
fie^f foments oncc he find himfelfe in hcll,he knowesthere is no
stu ejie. Redemption out ofthat Infernal] pit; then would
he think himfelfe happie,ifhe were tofufFerthofe
bitter and intolerable torments no moc thoufands
ofyeares,thcnthere are fands on the Sea-(horc,
hairs on his head, ftarres in Heaven, grafle piles
on the ground,and creatures both in Fleaven and
earthiforjhe would ftill comfort himfelfe at Icaflr
with this thoughtjthat once his miferie would have
an end ; but alas,this word, ^^ever, doth ever burfl:
his heart with unexprelTible forrow, when he
thinks upon it:, for, after an hundred thoufand of
millions of yeeres there fuffered, he bath as far to
fufFer,as he had at the firft day of his entrance into
thofeendleffe torments: now let a man confider,
if he fhould lie in an extreme fit of the ftone ; or a
woman, if fhe fiiould be afBide d with the grievous
torture ofchild -bed but one nighty though they
lie upon the foftcft beds, have their friends about
them to comfort them, Phyfitionsto cure them,
all needfull things minift red unto them to afTwage
their paine y yet how tedious,painfull,and weari-
forac would even one night feeme unto them^
how would they turne and toifethemfelves from
fide to fide,tcUing the clock,counting every hourc
as it paffeth, which would feeme unto them a
whole day^ What is it thcn(think you)to lie in fire
and.
A SERMON 243
andbrimftone> inflamed with the unquenchable
wrath of G o d world without end i Where they
fhall have nothing about them but darknellc and
difcomfort,yellings and gnafhing of teeth: their
companions in prophanenefle and-v^nity to ban
and cuvfc themrthe damned fiends of he! to fcourgc
them and torment them : defpaire and the worme
that never dies,to ktA upon them with cverlafting
horrour.
If carnall wretches be fo defperate, as wilfully fTc oug^ to he
to fpill the bloud of their own foulcs.-let us fet light r^g^^^ fJS^
by the life ofour bodies ,if the cruelry of the times
call for it^ for the honour of the Saviour of our
foules.
Let me give one inftance of dangerous fnares Me^fapnm
wherinfuchasthefeare ordinarily entangled and hardy left.
holdenfaft,from which inferiours are for the moft
part free. Let us comcintoatowneorcountrey-
village, and we fliall find all the reft not fo exorbi-
cantjbut cnterinto the Noblemans, Gentlemans>
or Knights houfe, ( if there be any there ) there
fhall wee find a ncft of ncw-fangl'd fafliionifts ;
naked breafts^and naked armes, likebedlams/aith
that excellent and learned Gentleman, in his Oyle pa,,!©^.
ofScorpions, Buflies of vanity in the one fex,which
they will nor part with (faith c^/4r^«/7) untill the
Devill put a candle into the biiih : and cut haire in
the other,ftirsagainft the Ordinance of G o D,and
nature in both: & many other fuch d^ormed^loth-
fome and prodigious fafhions, cenfured by that
ftinging and flaming place againft fafliion-mon- .
gers,2'4f^.i.8.And thefe are the more pernicious,
R 2 be-
244 A SERMON.
becaufe it were many times more eafie for us of the
Miniftery(I fpeakeout of fome experience) to un-
dercakeby Gods h\c{\ing{c £ter/.< par fi>f^, as they
fiy)rhe driving of an impure wretched drunkard,
from his beaftly and fwinidi fin, which would be a
very hard taske, then to draw fuch as delight in,
and dote upon thefe miferable fooleries, from the
abhorred vanity of ftrange fafhions : nay, and
though fometimes they would be thought to look
towards religion.
And thus I have done with the reafons peculiar
to every fcverall fort of greatnefTc ; I now come to
thofe which are common to them all.
Great ones cne- j. All the great ones according to the flefh in
pfai.24,4. Jiny or tnele kmds; I lay, ye are alias yet deadly e-
Mat.5.8. nemies from the very heart-root to the profeflion
Heb.i a. I4- ^^^ pradifc of the holy men, without which ho-
linefiTc we cannot fqe Go D : you cannot indure to
Good Puritans be Called puritaus; much IcfTe to become fuch.-and
«Cf S'i«"cf i yet without purity, none lliall ever fee the face of
b K«, p>«c God with comfort.
^x^rr^rnt, ^ Miltakeme not. I meane L> h r i s t s ygM^oty
xX^IVt^tL Ch R I s T s puritans,and no other, » i^/^^.j.S.b lohn
Y>«i' Aste'Miica I ^.11. and c 15,3.
up.i.pag.isi. Secondly, I meane onely fuch as BellarmimL^
intimates,when hecals King Jam e s puritan : for,
hefo calls him, faith D. Harkmt againfl Carrkr,
becaufe in tl^ firft bookeof his BafdiconDoron^ he
sffirmesjthat the religion proftfTedln Scotland was
grounded upon the plaine words of the Scripture :■
And againein his fecondbook, that the reforma-
tion of Religion in Scotland was extraordinarily
wrought
A SERMON. 245
wrought by Go o.Gratious nnd holy fpeeches (as
you fee ) with men of the world arc puritanicall.
And ifa man fpeak but holilyjand name but refor-
mation. Scripture, confciencc, and fuch other
words which fting their carnal hearts,it is enough
to make a man a puritan.
Thirdly, Imeanetheveryfamcjofwhom Bi-
fhop Downam one of the greateft fchollars of cither
Kingdome, fpcaks thus in his Sermon at Spittle,
called {^hrahams Try all : And even in thefe ti?nes ^H- 1 ^^
(faith he) the godly live amongH fuch a generation of
rmn)(vs that ifa man doe but labour to keepeagcod con-
fcienceinany meafure^ ahhough he meddle not with
matters of St ate ^or Difcifline^or Ceremonies ,{^0^ for ex. ,
amfle^ifa tji^inificr dHigcntly Preach, or in his f rea-
ching feeke to profit rather then to pleafe, remerabring
thefaytng of the i^pofiky If I feeke to pleafe men
lam not the fervant of C h r i s t. Gal. 1. 10.
or ifa pri'vateChriftian make conference effwearing,
faniiifyingthe Sabbath J jrequenttng Sermons ^ or ah-
Hainingfrom the common corruptions of the time) hc^
jljallflraightway be condemned for a Puritan, andcoti-.
fequently be lejfefavouredthen either a carnall Goj^el^
ler^or a clofe P apiftj(jrc.
Fourthly, I meane none but thofe whom the
Communion-Bogke intends iotiiat paffage of the
prayer after Con^efCioniThat the rejt of our life here-
after ma'j be pure andhdy .
Now thefe come by their purity by preaching
theWord.Now faith Ch m s T,ye are x.t9^,?.*^cleane ^Z^cf^'^
by the Word which I have fpoken unto you, loh^
1 5. 3. The Word muft firftillighten^convincejand
R 5 caft
24^
A SERMON.
caft them downc : fo that out of fight of fin, and
fenfe of divine wrath, being weaiie, ficke, loft,
wounded, bruifed, broken-hearted, (thefe are
Scripture phrafes) and thereupon cafting their
eyes upon the amiablenelfejcxcellencic and fweer-
ncsofthe Lord ]e svs,andthe Al-fijfficiencieof
his blood to cure them, rcfolve to fell all, to con-
fcffe and forfake all rheir fins,not to leave an hoofe
behind: and then taking him offered by the hand
of G o D s free grace,as well for an Husband, Lord,
and King,to love,ferve,and obey him,as for a Sa-
VI ov Rto free them from hell. They put on with
the hand of faith the per fed puritie of his imputed
righteoufnefcattendcd ever with fome meafure of
inherent puritie, infufed by thefandifying Spirit,
and after entring the good way, their lives are ever
after pure and holy.
FuritansaU Thefe are Ch R i s T s KctU^oh and the Puritans I
meane. And thefe men of purity fome never meane
to be : nay,they heartily hate the very Image of
J E 8 V s Ck R I s T in them, they fpeakc fpirefully a-
gainftthem. D avid \v:is not onely the drunkards
fong , but thofe alfo that fate in the gate fpake a-
gainft him : they are your fr^nfcke/md matter of
your mirth 5 lamyotdr muficke, faith the Church in
the perfon o^Icremy^Lam^^.They w'ill many times
call upon a roguifli vagabond at your feafts ro fing
a fong againft them, whom they fliould rather fee
in the flockes 5 they are rranfported,and inwardly
boy le with farre more indignation and heart- rifing
againft their holincfre,purity3precife walking, and
all mcanes that lead tbercumo, though cnjoyned
upon
waies hated'
A SERMON 247
upon paine of never feeing the face of Go d in glo-
rie: thenmore fimple,poorer, and meaner men, Heb.12.r4.
and that's a reafon ihey ftkke fafter in the Divels Matif.^'a!'
clutches then they , and that few of them are called, lohn J j,
converted,and faved,according to my Text. Eph j .1 r .
Secondly, ye that are thus the worlds favou- iroruymfe
rites,are verie loth to become fooles s and there- '^^'>'/«"^^*
fore in the meane time lie iockt full faft in the Di-
vels bands, and cannot cfcape except ye be fuch. I
fpeakeaverie difpleafing thing to worldly- wife
men, but they are the verie words and wifdomeof
the Spirit of GoDyiCor*-^.iS, Let no man deceive
himfelfe : ifanj wan among y ou feemeth to be tvifk^
in this rvorld^ let him become a fooU, that he may bez^
Let no man deceive himfelfe; fuch caveats as l^pl^^^kd/
this are wont to bee premifed when men out of
their carnall conceipts are peremptorietothe con-
trarie,and would venture their falvation (as they
fay) that it is not fo. Sec Ephef^.e. iCcr.6,g.
to be tied
al the daie to fpiritual exercires,and reftraind from
ordinarie recreations,conceive of it,and crie out a-
gainft it as a puritanicall noveltie, and fooliili pre-
cifeneffe^ Becaufe you mention precifcnesandno-
veltiej couId(as I am wont,and to makeyou with-
out excufe) appeale unto, and implore the aid of
antiquitie,which will utterly take offfuch afperfi-
ons. And here (were it incident and feafonable) I
were able to procure Counccls and Fathers:,and o-
ther authorities concurrently to teftiiie and take
my ail
A SERMON. 249
my part^that upontheLoR d sDayitvearetorecreate
cuyphes mly with (}irituAll delights : onely then to
plie divine bufinefres,and to do thofe things alone
which belong to ourfoules falvaticn. Heare their
owne words.
We ought upon that T>z.y^Solummodo [prnttuli-
htis gaudijs rcplcri. Concilium Parifienfe. {^nno
82P.
Tantumdi'vinis cultibm ferviamus. Auguft. de
Temp.Serm.2 5 i»5tf// divino cultui vacemm. Idem
Ibid.^
£a^ tantufnfaciat qu£ ad amm£ falutcmfertinent,
Hieron.in Cap.56.ira.
Nay the whole Church of -E«f /Whath this 60
yeeres and above complied exaSly with antiqui-
tie in this point in the Horn, $f the f lace /tnd time of
frayer : Thefe are the words, G oD S people fietf/d
nfethe Sunda-^ holtly, and re si from their common and
daily hufnejfe: and alfo give themfelves wholly te hea-
venly exercifes of GODS true religion andfervicc^*
And yet for all this, you are fo wife in your owne
conceipts; ye will none of this faving folly, you
arc no fuch foolesjas after fo long libertie to fall ta
any fuch" ftri^ntife.
Secondly,fuppofeaMini{ierfhouldcouniellyou semont tok&
whenyou come home from thehoufe of G o D,to ^^^^^"^'^^ °"'
take your Bibles,and calbcth your wives and chil-
dren to the comparing together, and conferring
upon thefe thiiigs which were taught : That the
husband (lioukl cxad of the v/ife, and the wife ask
of the hufband thofe things that were there fpoken
3nd read,or at Icaft fomeofthemrThatyou fhould
fee
25© A SERMON.
fa this law to your felvcs to be kept inTiolably,
and not only to your felvcs,buc alfo to your wives
and children:that you would fpend that one whols
Day of the whole weekjWhcron you meet to heare
the Wordjin meditation of thofe things which are
delivered; I fay now in this cafe, your carnall wif-
dome would refolutely condemne fuch counfels,
as concrarie to the counfel ofgreathoufcs,as a way
to become a By-v/ord to the whole Countrie, and
as favouring too rankly of a foolifh ftricfbnefTe, and
needleffe (ingularicie. And yet this was ///W'e«^^'^r-
^^,wife,holyadvife above twelve hundred yeeres
ago:For in giving the counfell,! have butrendred
Chrjfojlome word for word in divcrfe places. Htf«;.
5 in Mat. In Efh.Serm. i o. Horn. % ,in Iom,B$m, 5 . ad
Fopul.Antioch,
Famify duties of Thirdlyjf Preachers fhould prefTeyou to plant,
piety. and preferve Family Duties in your houfe. Prayer,
and reading Scriptures, evening and morning,
linging of Pfalmesjef ^.and you of grcateft meancs
may beft fpare time for fuch blefTed bufineffes.
Would not yourwifdomesthinke this more then
need: Andthatitwouldbea foolifii thing, and
much againft your profit, to rob your felves, and
fervantsoffomuch time from your worldly af-
faires^ And yet here] could produce foure or five
Fathers above a ihoufand yeares ago, preffing this
point^and pundluall for my purpofe. Befides j^m-
brofe
A SERMON. 251
^r/^ quoted in myhookc fiftvMttg with Gtd,fAg, ^^ tcatius
e'jMcs^rcoihcrVaihctSfBaflfOrf^effjChryfiflomc^y cffe potent,
C^Uru/imc^. 1"am m teir^
'^ "^ . • tnpudium An-
gelorum imi-
tsrijtnox orto die aJ prccationcspropcnntem, bymnis & odis vcneran Creatoiem
8cc.B.tfi! Epi/^i. '
Doicns & admoncrs, atq.formara ofiendenSj& tunc filijs fiii'-, & tunc omnibus
nobis in pcrpetuum 5 ut confcftimdiluculoex nodis icqiue exfuroentcs ; nmeomnc
©pusjvel veiburtijante orane colloquium, vel convcntioncir., piimjtias lefurrcdionis
noikix Deo exhibeamas m (liiccris omtionibus, uq-, prccibiis, in matutinis deprecati*
onibuSjatq; gratiarum zCtiombusfir'gin lib. 1 ./« ljb.fol,7.
Ainenfa nonadUdiitn, fsdad depiecationem vcitamur, ne biiKis animantibiis
finaus inagis bruti, Novi foie muho<,quid3mnant ea,qu:E nunc dicuntur,veliiti qui
novam quandam & miram confuetudinem invcham concionandi 5. At eeo maeis
damnabopiavam cohfuetudincm, qua? nunc obtinuit. Ercnim quod poftcibum &
menfam non ad fomnum oportcat irc^nec ad eubile, fed oportcJt cibo pieces ac divi-
narum Scripturarnm Icdionem fuccedcic, maniftftiu? declaravit ipfe Chnftus qui
quuin immenfammultitudincm accepiffetconvivio in defcrto, non rtmifit jllos ad
leduin,autfomnam, fad ad audiendofcimonesdi vinos inYitavic.C/!rj/yo//.co«c.i«2?e'
La'^aro
Nccfoliim vobif fufficiar quod in EccleGa divinas leftioncs ^dits ; fed cjiam \r\
domibus vcftiis, nut ip(ilcgite,rut alios k rentes req^uiritej&libeatcrauditc,^a£iiyj=,
de Tem.Scrm 5 5 pag. 177'
Fourth Ivjf you were moved by til eMinifterie, ^ .. .
to reftore everie halre pcnnie tliat you have any ^
waies at any time got wrongfully or by any wic-
ked meanes,or that you dctaine unjuftly from any
man: And then cafting your ele backe and con-
fidering. How you are growre hdflily rich^ and by
what waies you are come to a great deale of
Wealth, fliouid find veiie foule wcrkes : would
you not force your fclves by a ftrong counter-plea
of carnall realon, not t© belecve the point, and
thinkcit extreame ni^idncfTe at the inftanc'e^ and
prating ofaprecife companion^ which undcrftands
not the world (for fo or in the hke manner would
you fpcake) to part perhaps with a good part of
youiL
252 A SERMON.
youreftate^ Andyai^sfjufims Rule of above
^ twelve harrdfed yecres {landing, and confirmed
concurrently by all Divines to this day> is. That
JV(?;? telltturfeccatum nifireHittiatur ablatumi^^oxc-
ftitution, no remilHon. And ourowne Church tels
us in the fccond exhortation before the Commu-
nlon:Th:xt without read/ ftejfe to make refiitutiony and
fatisfatfionfor wrongs done, the Sacrament as often
as you come, doth nothwgclfc but increafe jour dam-
nation.
Thus might I pafTe through all the points of
Sandification, and pafTages of holy life : And all
the great men in the World, either in Learning,
Wealth, Nobility, or Wifcdome according tothc^
fleJJjy would paflfethefeccnfures upon them, and
cntertaine conceits ofthem proportionable to that
oiNicodemm about the New birih.They will not
become fooles in the Apoftles fenfe : And there-
fore they are foakt, and faft fettered in the gall of
bittcrnefle^and bond of iniquity 5 and that above
ordinaric.
Gtzatmttan Thirdly, AUyegreatonesoftheworldin the
fouie-coufeners. fenfe ] have faid. As ye are very wife in your own
conceits,and it may be truly Co according to the flefh^
fo you are fclfe-conceited and foule-coufeners a-
bout your fpiriruall ftate. For you think e all bet-
ter then you, too precife, and all worfe then you
too prophanej and your felves onely to have hap-
pily hi: upon the golden meane, and pitch'd upon
that well tempered moderation in ReIigion,wber-
by you may enjoy temporall happineffe here, and
cternall hereafter. S leepe ma whole skime (as they
fay)
A SERMON. 255
fay ) and with a good Conlcience : Live the life
ofpleafurcs, and dye the death of the righteous. ^
Whereas to be fo conceited, istheveiy comple-
ment and perfedion of folly : And the very fame
attempt as to make two parallel lines to meet. You
thinkc ye have a reach beyond the Moont : To
lieinfomefweetfinne, andyet to nourifli in your
felves fome hope of falvation. To have two two Heavens.
Heavens, one in this World, and another in the r^'^'^^r^^'eard of.
World to come, which was never heard of: to
wearetwoCrownesof joyes; whereas Je s v s
Christ himfelf had the firft of thornes. But alas I
Beloved, ifyoubefaved in this condition, you
muft have a new. Scripture, and there muft be
found our another way to Heaven,than any of the
Saints ever went fince the Creation, or ihall do to
thcend of the World. Andrherforewemay fay
of you, as ^rttilian fome where of fome deluded
with an over-weening conceit of themfelves. That
they might have frooved excellent Scholkrs if they
had not hecne foprfwa^ed already /So if you did not
thinkefalfly, your felves fafe already, you might
be faved. But while you thus hugge the golden
dreameofyour miftaken ftates to G o D-wardlikc
the Pharifeesj the very Pttblicans and Harlots Jhall
goe into the Kivgdome of Heaven before jou^tJiL at. 2 1 .
Fourthly, you that are great in the world in the no7pmer{uU '^
foure fore-named refpcds,and meant in the Text; preacUng.
cannot poffibly downe with, and digeft downe-
right dealing, and thefeoUfhne(feoffreAching,2S it is
called, Verje 21. And that "utterly undoes you.
You
254 A SERMON.
You like well enough, nay and much approve,and
applaud fuch Sermons as King Ja m e s cenfureSj in
the redforis fifhis direciiens for f reaching, &c,vjh\ch
he there cals a lighrjafFci^cdjand unprofitable kind
of preaching,which hath beene of lareyears( faith
he)takcnup in Court5Univerfity5Citie3and Coun-
crie, whereby the people are filled only with
tiirie fiouri{hment,&c. and I warrant you,not efpe-
cially hating to be reformed or dlfquieted, for
thefearenot wont to difcovcryour confcienccs,
nordifturbyouinyour prefent courfcs, they ne-
ver terrifie you with any fore-thought ofthe cvill
day, neither torment you before the time;but now
let a man come with thefoolijhnefcofpreachingy by
which it pleafed God (faith the ApoftIe)/^i/c-»
themthat bekevcj, witlidemonftration of the Spi-
rit, and of power, and come home to the confci-
ence.'if he fuffer not Satan to revell in the blood of
yourfoules without refi (lance, nor fee you poft
furioufly towards eternall fire, but will tell you
that the pit of hell is a little before you; In a word,
if he take the right courfe to convert you, and (hew
you therefore onely your fpirituall miferie, that
you may be fitted for mercie,c^^. O fuch a fellow
is a dangerous man, a terrible and intolerable
Teacher, able to drive men to diftradion, dc(.
paire, felfe deftrudion s hee breaths ouc nothing
but damnation, and his fearching Sermons are as
fcorching as the very flames of hell ! Fit phrafes
for the Divell himfelfe, railing in a drunkard, or
fcoffing//^wbecaufethey
tell you the truth.to which truth not to have lifte-
nedinthis day of your vifitation, will hereafter
(when it is too late) torment yoamore then tenne
thoufand fierie Scorpions ftings, and gnaw upon
your confcienccs with unknowne and everlafting
horrour.Alas!Beloved,whatmeanc you^You wil
give your Phyfitiafl leave totel you the diftempers
ofyourbody : the Lawyer to difcovcr unto you
any flaw in your deeds : your horfe-keeper to tell
you the furfets of your horfes: nay, your huntfman
thefurrancesofyourdogs.'andfliall onely the Mi-
nifter of G o d not tell you that your foules are blee-
ding to eternall deaths Prepoftcrous and prodigi-
ous incongtuitie !
Ifit be thus then, that ofall the feverall forts of ^^
great men mentioned bcfore(by reafon that they oigat 'ones to
arebefct with fuch varierie of fnares, entangled in finve the more
fo many temptations, fo much taken up by the >'* **<»'v«m-
world,and for other reafons rendrcd alreadie) vc-
lie few are called, converted and faved^my coun-
fellinaword unto all fuch, is C h r i s t s own
word, Luke 1 3 .24. Strfve to enter in at thefiraitc^
^4r^,laie violent hands upon flcfh and bloud,ftran-
gleyourlufts, contend and *wraftle as for the * Ay^vin^,
fearland in the Olympian games, to which the
word fccmes to allude, become fooles in the
• worlds
255 A SERMON^ ^
worlds ccnfure,that you may be wife in the myfte^
ry of C H R I s T ,be little & vile in your own eftcem,
that you may bee great and gracious in the eyes
of Go D. In a wordjfubmit yourfoulesto thefword
of the Spiiic,and fooliflinelTe of preaching, (as the
Apoftlecalsit)that you may be wrought upon fa-
viugly^and brought into the gocdrvay, and that by
fuch works and waies as thefe.
tltifhZl ]t7o Upon which before I enter, give me leave to
good tiu Gods give you an account, why at this time I labour ra-
ivord hjndeiy therto worke upony our confciences for your per-
woriison t em. (-qq^ij converfion,tnan as heretofore to tender un-
to you counfcis and confiderations for a more
confcionablc deportment in your feverall publike
places. When I well weighed with my feife,the
truth of that principle and pofition in Hooker, That
it is mfecttliar conceip, but a matter of found ccnfc'
qnence^ that all duties are by fo much the better pr for-
medy by how much the men are more religion, from
rvhofe abilities the fame proceed: And finding by ex-
perienceof all ages, and moft of all in thefe worft
and woefull times, that men of publike imploy-
ment and in high places,untill there be infufed into
their foules by the Spirit of grace an internall fu-
pcrnaturall principle and divine habit to work by,
untill aliquidCvi r i s t i (as they fay) be planted in
them by the power of the Miniftery, they cannot
poflibly bee univerfally thorow, and unfhaken.
Some flrong affedion, feare, favour, or fome
thing, will make them flie out and failc in fome
particular very fowly. Upon exrraordinarie
temptation ihey will fervc the times, and their
m, own
A SERMON. ^57
own turnes:for,a!as!as yet their fpirits are not ftccled
with that heavenly edge,and mighty vigour,as to fee
totheirfliouldersagainftthetorrentofthetimes,and
rot to be ovei flowen with it. I fay upon this ground
Ihaveadvifedlychofenro alTay and follow this way
at this time:for,if once you turne on the Lords fide
in truth,y Gu are won for ever to an invincible conftan-
cie,and confcionablenes in an uniforme^regiilar, and
religious difchargc of your publike dutiesrand wil e-
vcr holdfaft without partialitie5Cowardlines>or feare
of mans face,that brave and noble refolution, Vtfat
juflitia/uAt ccelumMi heaven and earth be blundered
together with horrible confufionjbefore I make fliip-
wrackof a good confcience,orbe any waies drawn to
do bafcly. Being incorporated into the reck of .eter-
nitie Jesvs Christ blefifed for ever, you will ftand
(like unmoveable rocks) againft the corruptions of
the times,and ail ungodly oppofitions;and never be-
fore. For in the meane time (fay Minifters what they
will) you v;ill not be moved 5 but you heareour difc
CQurfes of a faithfull difcharge of your places, as ye
would heare a very lovely fong of one that hath a
pleafant voice; they leave no more imprelHon upon
your confciences, than a fwcet leffon upon the Lute
in the eare^when it is endedj for,then both the vocal I
and inftrumentall fweetnesdifTolve into the aire, and
vanifhinto nothing; Itis too truly fo with our Ser-
mons upon your foules,Heare your charader in Gods
ownewords unto the Prophet, They comemtothee,as e*<^^'33«3t.
the people commeth^andtheyfit before me as ?nypc0ple,and^^
they heare thy words ^ but they will not do them 5 for with '
their mouth they jhew much love, but their heart goeth af-
ter their covetoufneffe : andloey tho^t art unto them, as
258 A SERMON.
a very lively fong of one that h ath afkafant vorce,^ can
fUy well on An inUrument: for they hcarethy rvcrdsy hut
Deut I they do them not. Let us lift up our voices never To high,
' ' ^* orcrie never fo lowd: and rell Judges,Ti^4f they ought
not to be afraidofthefacecfman^for the judgement is
Go D s: that in judgemenr/Z'^j' ?nufl mitherrefpechhe
Lcvit.i 9. 1 5. ^erfon ofthefoore^dor honour the -per fin of the mighty • chat
they fhould nor onely hold their hands from grofic
Lanquet.chron* bribes with Epammondas, \vho{^s the ftory tels us)re-
J9/.J7. * ' fufed great prefentsfenc unto him, although he was
pfal poore/ay ing ,7/7^^ th^ng were good, he would do it with-
Pag*i4*4. out any bribe.,hecaHfigood:Jfnot honefljoe wouldttot do it
Bribery extendi for al thegoods in the fvorld,h\.\t they muft alfo be ofAu-
toaff0 tons, j^^^^ judgement ,that not only monie, gold and filver
or prefenrs(asthey call them) are bribes,but the guilt
of bribery alfo may be juftly imputed,evento any ex-
orbitant affection, which fwaies a man afide from an
ioipartial execution of juftice ; as love, feare, hatred,
anger, pufanimitic, worldlines, dcfirc of praife & ap-
plaufcjwhich isAufiins inflace.&c.Thatthey beware
of bringing morebloud upon the Law by fparing the
Num.3533, fpiilcrofbloud. For hlood'JakhGoD)itdefleththe
land dr the land cannot be clean fed of thehlood that isfhed
therinibut by the bloodofhim that jhed it :\\\2.i they muft
not look upo the caufes which come before them on-
ly through the fpedtacles of a favourite, &c. and tel ju-
ftices of Peace,that they muft be true hearted patri-
ots, and not fcrvers of rhemfelves, and their ownc
turnes: that they muft be ferioils, reall,and gravejnon
only formall 5 not cyphers,not unnobly light in their
behaviour on the Bench : that they muft ever aime at
the publike good, and never at their owne particular
^nd private cnds.chatthcy fhould difdainc & fcornat
*""'
A SERMON. 259
any time to combine ladioufly,or for a petty bribe to
uphold a rotten caufe, a peftilcnt ale-houfe, or lewd
companion; and ever joyne \vi h an unanimous mag-
narimitie to honourGo d3<&: do their countriegood.
And tell the Lawyers,that z/'d)' fbeuU not make hafi Lawyers faults
tdberichSox^o (2x1X1 Salomon jthcy JJiall net Be innoccHti ^^^'^ '^°'
nor fwallow down gold toogrcedily,leaft it turnc to
gr .veil and the gall ofafpswirhinthem; and they be
enforced to vomit up the riches(as/?^ fpeakeih) they job.io. i j .
lave heaped together fo haftily, either by rcmorfe &
rcilitution in the mean time^or with defpaire and im-
penitv Hi: horrour hereafcenthat to oppofe & wrangle *
againftagood caufe, or undertake the defence of a
bad^areboth equally moft unworthy the very moral
vertue of an honcft Heathen^ that they muft not learn
- to fpin out the caufes of their Clients from Termc to
Termejand wire-draw their fuits untill they be utter-
ly undone; that they fhould not now be taking inftru-
dtions from their clients, when they fhould them-
fclvcshere in the houfe of Go d be inftru^ed to the *
kingdome of heaven;had they this morning received
a meffagcfrom the Almighty, that at nightthcy fliould
appeare before that high & everlafting ludgeto give
an account for all things done in the flefh; if they be
not Atheifts or Papifts, O with what eagerneffe and
violence would they have attended, addreft,and ap-
plied themielves r o the prefent opportunitie! & liitle
do we know what the evening may bring forth. For,
aflure your felves, there is no manfoafluredofhis
richesjor life, but that he may be deprived of one or
both the very next day or hourc to come. y^^^^^ y^„;^^,^
And tell the jurors ai^d lworn-mcn,tha: they fliould
rather die then draw the bloud of any mans lifc,livc^
S 2 lihood
26o A SERMON.
lihood^or good name upon their own confciences^ci-
ther by acquitting the guiky, or hurraying the inno-
cent. H§re(had I tiine)I would intimate unto you a
myfticall, but tnifchievo'is packing fonecimes in
choice of jury-men. I have kcn{ I fpeak of that which
was long{ince,and at a Seflfio is)romc of the choiceft
drunkards in aCountrie chofen for thac fervice.Now
is it not a pirifall thing that Country bufineffes fhould
be put into the hands of fuch as labour induftrioufly,
' and with equall cunning,to plague an honeft man^and
deliver a drunkard.
on whom the J ("^y ^q^^ ^i\ ^his while, we thus difcourfe unto
pmrfur" yoUjcarneftly endeavouringjand with a thirfty dcfire
to doc you good, and dire(^ you aright, and by a di-
vine rule in the feverall duties proper to your places,
we do but plow in the rea,and fovv in the ayreCas they
fay)excepttheimmortalireedoftheWord hath firft
moulded you anew,and ye be brought hj tkfooUfj)-
nes cf preaching out of the wax m SunintoGoDs blef-
fing,and from the fools paradifc of worldly wifdome
into the holy path of fincere profeilours, and there-
upon prize and preferre the peace of a good confci-
cnce before all the gold in the Weft,and preferments
inthe world 5 which bleflfcd change from nature to
grace, is wrought by fuch ftirrings of the foule, and
foot-ftepsofthefpiritasthefe; lend me, I befeech
you, (while J parfe along them)fomthing more than
ordinary attention.-for J know they wil fceme ftrange
things to all fuch great ones as are intended in rny
Text, and thofe who live at reft in their pofTeflfions,
and have nothing to vex them. The naturall ftoutnes
of their fpirits will difdaine and fcorne to ftoope to
fuch uncouth humiliauons, and this mighty change.
A SERMON. 261
And the more they are men oftheworld, and wife
according to the fledijthe greater repugnancy and
reIu<5tationfliall they find in their affedions againfl
thefe fpirituail workings, which makes the point
good which was proved before. Bjl yet without
them in truth and cife<5t(l define not die meafure and
degree,Go d isa mod free agent) they can never
become either gratious mentor good Miigid rates.
They muft upon neceflity become fuch fooles, or
they can never be wife unto falvation.
1. If any of you then v/ould come out of Satans „ ^n ,
clutches mto the armes orC h r i s t ,he muit be ilhgh- wtbfin.
tencdjConvinced and caft down with fighr,fenre,and
trouble for (inne,as in my art of comforting afflided
confcienceslhave fliewed.
2. The point may teach us not to bee greedy of ^^ „gf ^..^^j^
greatnelTejnorhuntambirioufly after high roomes. ofgnatnej/i.
' 5. The point may ferve as a foveraigne antidote a- ^^^^ ^^^ ^j,
gainft all difconrent orfretting, when we fee men o^gainfi tie
the world carry al before the,&c.We may enta'tairi woMy.
an holy indignatio to fee folly fet in great excel! ecy,
fo many fervant^ on horfe-back,and Princes walking
as fer vants upon the ground . But I am prevented by
the time from profecuting thefe two latter Ufes. Let
me briefly fay two things more,and I have done. rh guilty to
I .The firft concerning what I have faidj have fpo- apply repmch^
ken much (as you have heard^my Text naturally and
diredly leading me therunto)of the truemiferieand
fpiriruall madnes of all great men in learning,wealth
nobiHty,wifdom according to the flefh.Leaft any be
unjuftly angry and miftake,or cauflcfly grumble and
gainfay,letme take up the words of the ancient holy
Father Sahimm about a thoufand ycares ago in ths.
- ■ S_3 _^ JU^c
^6■L A SERMON.
like cafe.He having imparl liilly diicoveredthc hor-
rible impieties of the noble & rich men in thofc coi"-
rupttimeSjtels them by the way,and it is iriy jad: apo-
logy at this time./ ^<>«<>/( faith \\Q.)f}cakthusofany,^ut
ortiyfuch as know theje things to betnthemjcives. iftbtit
cOfikkncts bejree^ nothing that I f^y tends io their defba-
ragement anddifgrace: butifthq know themfelves to he
■ gmlty, let them know alfoy that they ar::n(itmj words hut
.their oxvne confitences which 'uexe them. A*d in another
place hus- Sith I/peake not theft tkngs ej all^ hut thofe
who arefach^none ofyott ought to he angry at .ill which fin,
dethnothimjelfto beotmoxtoti^-^leafl t her by hemakehim^
fel/efeeme,a^id be fufpe^c'dto be of the 'number of ihofe thai
are naught. Rather let jo many m being gudlle(je and truly
noble yAbhorre filch unworthy courfes , be angry with them
who disgrace the numc cf nobility by their bafc andw^eked
behaviour ': becauje although others he much worfe and
fcandaliz/dby them, y etc (feci ally they brnga gr-at d<^alg
ofpameand dtfhoKOur'4tfoa thoje rvho tire ofthef,menvble
ranker. Take notice by the ^ay,that by rhe Fathers
wordsjthofemenare much to'oblame,whogo about
CO dawb over the diforders.and fmo her upcbe fcan-
dalousexorbirancics of delinquents in their own pro-
feiHon, or to bee concurrents for their deliverance
from deferv'd fhame &pu' iHiment.To giveinffance
iai Minifftn in the higheft caliing: A Minifl^r which fals to drun-
tohee wfl/ fe kennesand alchoulc-hauntingjAiould rather be pub-
.ereiy^umjl^cL ji^ely (ham'd and ccnfurcd, than a fellow of an infe-
liour calling We do not honour the Miniftrieby ha-
ving our hads in helping out fuch,bur by difclaiming
and not owning themjwel may we by fo medling in.
currefufpicionofobnoxioufncfle: but never bring
credit to our fo holy a calling, I knew a Knight did
'' [pen^nce^
A SERMON. 263
penance ztPaals-Cro (fey but at the fame time I heard
that many of his rankc in the City laboui'd to have .
him dif-knighted firft, before he fo pubhkely difgra-
ced their Order. Me thinks all well-minded fhould
be fo minded.
2. The other is to my Lords the Judges. My reve- 'Dutks of
rend and noble Lords, give me leave to clothe the ^U'k"'
thoughts of the Country in a word or two.We much
rejoyce in you,and bleite G o d for yoii,as men of tin-
gular & known integrity, fpecial friendsiothe Gof-
pellofjEsvs Chr I sT,and a great honour and hap-
pinclTe to thefe parts, and heartily pray that wemiy
hold you ftill : and therefore my intreaty unto your
Lordfhips is, that you would couragioufly advance
forward,and do like your felves,& nobly ftill.Draw
oiit your drcadfuU fwords againft the torrents of Be-
lial ,asl^4i//Vcalsthem,which even threaten a deluge;
andbeyourfclvcsas mighty torrcnf^, armed both
with juft and holy lawes,and the godly refoIu:ion of
your own noble fpirits,to beareback,and beat down
the common, crying^and r:iigning fins of our Coun-
try. In a word, be unto the opprefled& innocent as a
refuge from the ftorme, but as a terrible tempeft up-
on the face of every humane bead, and fon of Belial,
And O that you could help us,that Gods people ^if^fi -^^^
might not perifh fi-o/want of bread : is it not a pitiful! ^'^^^"'
thingjthat in fuch a deare yeare fpecially,it fhould be
almoft as hard a worke to get downe a wicked ale-
houfe,as to win Dunkerke ? That Maulfters fhould
fnatch(asitwere)the grainefrom the mouths of the
poor in the market placc,to uphold thefe hel-houfcs,
thefe nurcericsofthcDivell5thatMagiflrates fhould
be fo unmerciful], j^s neither for Go d s fake, nor the
2($4 A SERMON.
Kings fake, nor the poores fake,nor their owne foules
fake to take the utmoft penalties for blafphemies,alc-
'houfe-hauntingSjdrunkcnnefle and prophanations of
the Lords Day ^ And were it not an honourable
courfe,and worthy to have an univerfall contribution
over the Country to pull down fomething the excef-
five prizes in market-townes for the poorc therea-
bouts,during this extremity^ But I leave it to your
Lordfhips charitable wifdome to do the beft you can
poflibly;that the bloud ofthe poore this yeare be not
added to the already crying- fins ofthe kingdome,to
haflen Gods judgements upon us,and our long fince
defervedruine.Andinthemcanctimeyou need not
fearethe face ofthe proudeft DIvell, whether incar-
nate^or in his own fliape. For,while you thus advance
Gods glory,and truely honour the Kingjaffure your
felves,thc hearts, and tearcs,and prayers 'of all good
men (hall be for you, and yours fhall bee the
crowne and comfort 3 when all prophane-
nefle and prophane oppofites to the good
way^all the enemies ofGo D,and peft-
ilent packings and complotments
ofthe Divels agents againft
Gods people^ fliall be
buried in Hell.
iU: FINIS.
« 'H O fi* O^ Ji <& JS)
AN
ALPHABETICALL INDEX
OF THIS WHOLE BOOKE. BVT
where you (hall finds f» before the number
it coGccrnes the Meditations, and f before
. the number, is for the Funcrall Sermon.
A.
Things above differ from thing! bilow, i j .
Account See Reckoning,
AdamsfaU made capaci/j/fmaU. 1 1 4.
Adfocatc Christ. If.
Benefiti thereof. Ibid,
AdmiieG 00% love to thee. 174.
Admonition private tveU talien. t ^| .
Adrancemcnis iU effeQi, 1 8 j .
Affablepefle WW/ feith gravity . 166.
AfFcflions corrupt defined. 218.
Ah-hdufei burtfuU. 265.
Al\ mufi die. 7 4-
Amhiiionvaine.mt$.
Amhhionand covetoufiteffe compared 1^1
AwbitioDunfatiable. ztj.
Ambition abafe end of Uarnirg. 18 1,
Aoguini. ^ee Torment, a»^ Hdl.
Ai^Mvmcc of pardon to begotten. 90.
A fTu ra nee 0/ C H R I s T f begotten, fi%,
AffixtAnccofCviKM'Vfphatitivorfis.fii,
Atbanaftus haw fitted to croffcs. 54.
Attendants Religions, ley.
Bcatificall vifim. m 4.
Beatitude offnule in heaven. 141.
See Heaven, i'ce Glory.
Beauty efglorifisd bodies. 1*9.
Beauty vaine- mi 2.
Sefore- haadgtt grace.^.
BELOW.
Things Below raife mind above, x j.
Difference betwixt things below and 4h
hove. I J .
Things Below fdwe. s 8.
Thirgs Below T^ex. j 8.
r^cy cannot fat is fie nor helpe, 39.
r^cy exrc« ,ti.
Death «tfi(i£X the body loathfimCy S3.
Dea t h fa^c; not grace from thefouU, 8 j.
Death caAMor be avoided, f6.
Death »of to he feared^ fx 5.
Death notfimpfy deftred, f iB.
Death an immediate pajfage toChri/,/ 1 7
Therefore deftred, j 26.
Deatli /« be oft meditated on* f is*
In Death »Jb<»f (omfortt,fiB.
Death tvhat itjreethfrom, f^x.
t>caihof good Minijters to bee loomed,
f6z.
VfetarifitfgfroM the jytt^efUiniJlertt
Dcfcnc not repentance, f 11.
Dchght J'K loy
Delight in heaven^ m j.
D'fpairc hov prevented, 17.
Defpifci « ofMiniflen who, 24,
Bilcord akfrom impieta, 10 j.
DifiolmioD of vorldhitp fhewedyii,
Drjomc at lafi day terrible^ 9 a.
Douhts rejolved in heaven, 1 44.
Dti^onmfceHtoutofthepitt 19a.
tanh]ymindednejfe,^6. .
Earthly and heave{y delights hoyv dijfery'it.
Icclcfiafticall UvtngsimeU di^ofed, i6«.
Education ivorfi oj befl borne , z 1 5,
EVics patience, 34.
Encouragcmeni how given to othert ,19.
End\effctorment\inhc//,\o6.24i.
Engtaod endures much for the Go^eU, ip a
Ertortrefolved inheaven, 144.
Evi!l day provided againfl , 4.
Jn Evill /^fl)* »o btlpe in the world, 3^,
'Eyesglorified impaffihle, ijp.
Example of great onti, 1 74.
F.
FAITH
Faith not weSdtfcerned, c 3.
Faith ma)/ bee f^norpne in birth andgro»tt^
64.
Faith mixedwitbfeares^66^
Faith carefully l^ept iy beltevers, 67.
Faith to/ft /rwVr, 68.
Faith /fcott^t wcaj^ iAri/rw/rf,^9.
Faith highly pri^eth things beleevtdj 6p.
The Index,
Uithttrnf^rsry hnffane itgteti. 70.
Faith tcmfrao invhat tt fines jhort, 7 » •
Faitbjtf «f */«»*««« a/"CHRiiT,/3 z.
YzXUfnuui, Ml.
Families pwn* ^ifed,i9^-
Family duties •ffi9ty,%'i Cod fupcUnf 3 f i.
FuncralUemwf/fwitfW^i ' T9-
Future «»»f» they wtai;^en.tbe ^int,^^.
G.
Gentry. 5^^^ Nobility.
Glorified ioij^«/CH«rsT fco»*rrgiM if .
Glorified Sdiwff iw bnght:, 115.
Glorified i?»^/«JWWji>rr<8Z?, I5O.
Glorified e>cnwfd/;*/e, M 9.
Glory oj heaven vhy net revealed at juU,
113.
G]o\y grcatefi intthit ^Uce, uj.
Glory ofhighefl heav$n, 117-
Glory tf heaven to be mditatedcrij 116.
Glory o/fcefgMi/& w ie^?. 1 04.
GxActietnQtJlipy i®^.
Grace o?2«(>' cfcaw^cffc »ww i'<'<*r^ 119.
Ciirityrpiih afai}UneJfe, 166.
Great o«ef muft firivefor heaven. 2 5 f .
Great on*x/w»/«-«^t^'^'"f ' ^ 5 -3 * 5 }•
6rcat owsfddtaitgAid, 171.1^^.
Great o«w fo be prayed f4r, 1 75.
6reat duatv many ajttr them , 174.
Great on«J bacl(ivardt9go$d, 177 t^l^.
Gre»t ones tilietaf^ffyi&f.
Gan-p^vdcr phtj 19}.
H.
Heart cJbx^e^ ^ ^4ce Hf€^,tM9'
Heart ef Pharaoh hard, 22 1 ^a 13 .
Heart hardnednot mruedt it 1.
Heathens vertues to be obfervedy 49.
Heat he as not fmh antidotes as ChijtUw,
HEAVEM.
Health T^dwe, m ro.
H«aveM excellency umtt$rahley 1 1 r.
HcAvcn'gloiy ivhy not revealed tofuM, 1 1|.
HcaTCD Ughefi borpgloriOM, 117.
HcaTCQsrfcree, 1 1?.
Heavens I?/gfcey? excellency, 119.
Heaven bath many Inhahitantty ito.
}icivcm htghefi imraenfityyiii,
Hcarens wor/je, iiz.
Mctiyciiihrightnejfe, laz.
Hcavcns^/oryrok meditated My ii^«
Heavens m/er, 117.
Heaven »fca/- i^?M^ ojKs^^dont^ 1 27.
Heaven »fctf^ i^ind of inheritance 128.
Heavens crowwe, 128.
Heavens ^e/ig-^r, m^^,
Heaven ^irituaSpro^ifton. 17.
High ^/(jcef ufedforgainc hurtfuffj 164.
Highp/dcef <»nger«;' Chrifisfermons,
220.
lllnmination /iipernaturalt to comprehend
heavenly glory. 1 1 4.
\tt\mcn(iij of heaven- tti.
Inamortality ofgUrifiedbodies 1 J o.
Immortality ojfoules. f lo.
Impatiency wor/e then any crojfe. 34.
Impatiency imbitters conrforts. }6.
Impious endures norpiom. 200
locoriuption ofglorifedbodits.i 3 1 .
Indufiryrn caUing. 1^4.
InhabitaRts»2a»}'7n<&e4ve;i. iso.
Inheritance »Z» 5,66,
l&'ira^exine^rleSedwfodt afi».2i,2^.
}A\ti\(ke\% to be encouraged, f 5.
'^MmWtngooi have many euemieSiioz,
Miadhts bad to be punijhed 262.
lAiaiReTspowerJuUmaligy:ed 194.
Mioiftcrs
The Index,
MiBifter* efieem of theirfeoflesvelfare.fso
Minifters life propahlcf $ i.
Mini&iii convert fouUs. f5i'
Mini ftcis refiraine corwftions.f 54.
Miniflers»?«r/ijicrcZi^Mero/i»n./5 5.
Miaifl crs difcsverfecret finsfS 6.
Minifters revof-j men into the right >rrocMrc t/ej75»^./ S 8.
Miniftcis departure not lamented hy Many.
f6i.
UiaiRciS povoerftiUhated by rnavy-f^^-
Winiftcrs »fcen /fccy «iJe f« ^e lamented f6z
Wxaificxs to be highly priied. f66.
MinxRexitobeprayedjarr. f 67.
U'xnxRenpaines to be regarded, f 6U
Minds earthly dangerom. 3«^.
Moitalityof man. 43.
Mortality jj/r/t>r leaven, f 9*
Mortall men not to be depended on. ff.
lAomnittg for 4ead moderate. i$z,
My&encsdeepe f^nowncrin heaven. 1 44.
N.
"Nivne good for lojfe of goods. 80.
Negka hfgracereor\% angttifh in heM.iOj^,
New fafbiom hardly left. 14 j.
UohWity difiifiguifhed. 2.14.
Nobility y«rn»<2mrdi5f 114.
Nobility degenerate. 117.
"Cobles fubje£l to mavy temptations. ix8.
O.
Opportunity to be takca. 14.
Oppofitionsfii^aJ»y? (orruptions.i 5 $,
Oiiiexihov encouraged. 19,
P.
Paine ojh/e in heft. 9 «.
Pardon be ajfured of. 90.
Patience her benefits, jt.
Pjtienceo//afc. H-
'[>tncncc of 'David jj,
Paucoceo/£/J.34.
faticncc from fijort life, f i j.
Patrons iff, much hurt. 161.
Pauis/rar^/g.
Tharachshardheart. 221.
Peace »i/fc God tobel^pt. 61.
Vcopictvithout a Vafiyr gsjheepe.fi.
Pious wof endured by impioM. 200.20a.
place hQ» God in /Mi y.
Place but ene at once for gloriftd bodtM.
Places high dangerour I«y.
Plcafure unfatiable-it^.
VlcaCurtsof this life vainej mg.
Poflctity of Saints caredfor fyQoD> 79*
toxeticy of Saints in heaven. 13a.
VtziCcifalfe not to be given. 1 59^
Pray y\otfor the dead.f m.
Tray continually- f 3 1-
Pieachmgpomerfufftoielifaed, 16B,
Preaching much pandered. 196.
Preparatire. See Ptovifion.
Preparation. SeeProvifion,
VMcblind^iT).
VnvAieadraonitionveUtahytn. 1^3.
Profcflion iew^^Jcci. 18.
Profcffbrsjdrwd//. i^.
Prov ifion apainfi the evrS day. 4.
Prcvifion Tvhat fruit lejfe. 7.
ProvifioB rfhat mofi comjortable. 9.
Provifion {pirituaUto be hoarded.^?'
Prorifion again (l death, l^.
Provifion -with Qovfuficient. 51.
Provifion hom.z%,
Rcckoniwg at the laji dAyfiriff..S^.
T 3 Rcpent.inc?
Tht Index.
Jepcntaacc to be f^eedily renmei, / 1 j .
Repentance /MAj^e, I J tf.
*cftitution, 151.
^cRittttioatothe Church, 1^9.
Re ..
I^ichcsvjine, w 14.
R.ichesfc(»»>_^«i//e^j 7.
Riches c&t^^e rJ&e fTor*/, 1 84.
Rich men regard Mt Semens ^ 18 j.
S.
Sabbath, j'ec Lords day.
Sacriledgc, 178.
Saints fittedfor tryaUi 54.
Saints potency in heaverty ij«.
Satlsfaftion «mc i« things below, 3 9.
Satan tahji foftines a^iinfi the Wri^i^j
Satan hu band in every fin, ti6,
SezCon for grace to be t alien, f 1.
SciConvfdoi/iggrace to be talien,f6^.
Seerets difcoveredat lafl day, 9 1 .
Security w quietneje dangerous, 4.
Sences bew exercifed in beaveng 140.
Szn^aall wifdome, zo8.
Senfualln'^dfff is, tcp.
Sermons to be meditated on, 249.
Sermons funeraH for the living, i^9»
Sermons felje /eel^ingf i8?.
Sermons not regarded by rich men, 185.
Sermons »/ C H r i s T wroaght little $n
leYveti »20.
Short life agroundofpafience,fi y.
Simonicall^mfi^i/ef , 161.
Sincerityj/ j6.
Smne in the befl on earth, f^a.
Sinners rclat deprived of, %o 4.
Sinners end f ear e full, 241.
Sotrowcsfxpeernedi i.
Soule infefieiwith corruption, 159.
Soiilenogoodby rvorldly things, 1 1.
Soule boypfatisfied, Ibid.
Soulc caries grace after death. 85.
Soulc/«ngr»gr, 84.
Soulcs Meditation, m 20.
Souks beatitude in heaven, 141,
Souks immortality, fto.,
Souks^eepe not, fxi.
Soules immediatly after death fie GoJ,fu.
Spirit not to be weal^eneJ, 44.
Spirit how 'wea\ened, 4 $.
S^irituall pro-vifion to be hoardeiup,\7,
Spirituall ejlate to be tried, 6 j.
Spirituslls 4 recompence 9f lojfe of tempo-
rals, 7S,
SpirjtualneiTc of Saints in heaven, ij}.
S\^zdLttisdeftre belpe /cfweare more,zif,
T.
Temporary ^f/i&, 70,71.
Temporals lofi recompence Hfith ^iritu^
als,79.
Teftimonies •/ fathers tphy produced, I ^7
Thstnkes for redemption, fS7.
Thoughts of future eviUwealien^irit,^^:
Torments ojbelt, 99.
Torroent in heUnot fogteat as Uffe,g^.
T oumtms none fo great at in heSf loz.
Totmcnts in hell endlejfkf 106,243,
Trcafurc ietf-ucw/K} *4'
Benefit thereof, 27.
Trials fitted to Saints f 54.
Truftiw Jehovah, 3.
V.
Vaine-glory (hcc\ed, f io
Valuation of world, 4? .
Van:ty of all worldly thingf, lo.
Vanity of things below, J 3.
Vimty may loofeeternity, 98.
Vmitf.ofplca/ures,(^c m^.(^c,
VilianbeatificaU, m 4-
Voluptuoiilntfle unfatiable, 154.
See Plcafure.
yCuiy taxed, iSc.
W.
VValke in the way to heaven rather then en-
qaire after the glory of it, 149.
Wuch [firituall, f J4.
Weaken not i^irit, 44.
Weakened
■
i
The Index.
Weakcnet! hov the Ifirit 4 j.
Weaned be from thetvorld, 7^.
Wicked tremble at chrifts commirtfy S7.
Wicked onesfhaffnotbevitb Chrtfi^ /30.
Wife tvoTldlyjoilifih 247.
Wifdomc tvorldly AangnoHiiis^ '
Wifiome worldly divelijb , 191.
Wifdomc worldly in Satans right hand,
lot.
Wifdomc wwW/y U earthly, 105.
Wfdonac worldly /enftkiUjzei,
Woidiightly efieeoted, 176.
Word cheated ly riebti, 1 84.
Word why opfofed^ 1 97.
Word how tt ptdiicetl fcemert , 224,
Word makes dead morefiinJit, »24,a2^.
Word onwhomf«werjuM, ZQO,
Wodd vaine, ra iz.
World to he kl^^t off, 3 6.
WotUhvw\eftoff,i^,
World haw tob^vc^iiei,^^^.
World te weaKedj'rem, 7 5.
World wht leave be» rewivrded^ 7 y,
WerUsdtffolulknhttrJht-tred, 11.
Worldlings not to be en-vied. 1 7 <•
Worldlings how profound, lowjhafffiv,
204.
Worldlings itfae no ^irttvaU l^MiPiedj^ey
210.
Worldlings »/)i^f<7^4/;fy? thefTordi an.
Wotlilmgs iiel>end on ewnewtt, zii.
Worldlings mifcenjure true piety, 21 j,
Woildly /i'M|,x fame, j o.
Woildly /fciw^i Hotgoodto/oule, 1%.
Wor[d\y great nejfe, 171.
Worldly wi/dome danger Ota i 150.
Worldly wifdome divelijb, 1 » i .
Sre Wifdomc.
Wormc of confcitncej 17*
Wiat J) Jbctf^r^^ aguinft d«^ 0/wratIii 2 2.
FINIS.
TWO
SERMONS
PREACHED AT
NORTHAMPTON
AT TWO SEVERALL
ASSISES THERE.
The one in the time oftheShrevalty
of Sir Erafmus Dryden Baronet.
The other in the time of the Shrcvalty
of Sir Henery R$binfin Knight,
By R»krt Bolton Bachelourin Divinityjatc Miniftcr of
Broughton in Northampton-Jhirc,2nd fomctimcs
Fellow oiBrafen-nofe Collcdge in Oxford,
]Publi/bedhjE.B.
London,
Printed by George tJiitHerdvfeWmg in the Black-
Fryers. MDCXXXIX.
1
TO
THE READER.
HE ancient Impcriall
La wes gave to an Oyer'-
feeroUWiUynotonly a
protection over /f, but
an Adionfor i^,in cafe
ofabufe. If I had not
had this intereft in theAi/?»;/7/of thisAuthor;
y ct as a ""Fidei Commijfaritis to hiai,and fpc^
ciallyintrufted by him for the publiSiing
thcfe two Apfe Sermons^ I durft not but
performethistrufttomy deare friend. I
ncedc notaffurcthei^^^i^r, that thcfe Ser-
A 2 mons
PM Aimmfii
Tutor. l.i.%.u
*Eft We cujiu
fidtiUgatum
•vel reliGum
committitur.
Ant.l^oherg. in
f^ocab, utriu/^
luris.
To the Reader^
monsarc irucly his owac, for whca hec
Ihallobferve hoy they arc cloathcd and
a^parrclled hee wHl quickly difcover who
w4s their Father. Bellies, there ace hua-
drcds^of people yet living who heard him
preach them, andean with race futficiently
atteftatethcit legitimation^ But I cannot
fay fo for fome other Sermons that are au-
dacioufly vented under his name.^ox I mufl;
fay, that i he /^jaft^ called ih^XarndJlProfef-
yir^printed for R^Da'^lman^xS^M none of
Mafter Bolton Sjneither ^oadmateriam^
nor quoad formatii, as they fay in Schoolcs.
I goe notabouj: to qiicftion it, or to draw
any partie into punifbment, and therefpre
Iwill not ventilate a queftion in the Ci'vill
l?Je^mtit, LoTHfyV/hctha'^A^iodedoIoydQrh not lie in
thtscafcil only note theinjurie and protefl;
againftit.
In the former Workes of this Author
you may obfervehis Eloquence for God ;
in thisfor bis PnfJ^^ in vindicating the So-
veraigntie of Kings^zs the immediate Ordi-
nance o£Gq;1> againft thoTe proud ufurpa-
tions
To.^tEfiad^rl
tions upon them by that Mj« a//»»£j>and
iniextaHing Pictie, whrcfe is then fee inthc
higheft place, whcn.it wifely rules and di -
reds in t^Qheans and ypayes oirighteoits Go-
yernoursn
I will fay no more of this Worke, nor of
the Workeman, for neither he nor it ftand in
need of my praife,ic onely contents me that
I have lived, to fee himliveagainejto per-
forme his iJpi//, to execute his frwiif commit-
tcd/rome^thoughit might have beene bet-
ter done by another if hee had fopleafedj
The law ofreafon and right pardons fomc
aberrations in the Worke where there is a
ncceflityofOe^/w^, and 1 doubt not but a
hying Reader will pcrforme this right to
mee, that am content thus to expofe my
felfe for his fake. From any other I exped it
not i it being a common humour with men
that live at ^^^^.tocenfure other men, as
toobuliethQU^ they workefor ihQ puhltkc^-y
of whom I may fay, as Erafmr^ fpake of ^rafm cou.ds
the Friersin his time, They aremore thea '" ''^'^"^^'
men at their meatc, and lefle then wo-
A 5 men
To the Reader.
men at their worke. And as 1 contemner
the flouts of the one , fo J ccds
creature; elfe had Daniel newer fpoken thus to
Nebuchadnez^itr , an ungodly King and fcoarge^'^'^-*'j7.
of Nations > Thott (0 King) an a King of ,
Kings, for the G O D of Heaven hath given thee
a Kingdomc^ power , and flrength, and glory .
And hence it is alfo, that K^tipin^ that renow- '^^G'^'^i^ate
ned Father tells us, Hee that gave Sovereignty to ^'^'^***
Au^i\{iws^gave it a^fo to Nero. Hee that gav: ?>
to theVQ^'p^Sxms, Father and Sonne, fweetefi Empe-
rours, gave it alfo to Domitian that blotidy monfier.
In a word (faith he) He that gave tt to Chriftian
Conftantine, ^^4T^tf7> alfo to Julian the K^pofiata.
That infinite wifedome of G o p, which hath di^
ftinguifhed his Angels by degrees 5 which hath
given greater and lefTe light and beauty to heaven-
ly bodies, which hath made difference betweenc
beafts and birds, created the Eagle and the Flye,
the Cedar and the fhrub, and among ftones, gi-
ven the faireft tinifture to the Ruby, and the
quickeft light to the Diamond, hath alfo ordai-
ned Kings, Dukes or Leaders o^ the people,
MagiftrateSj Judges, and other degrees amongft
men.
Secondly, Government is the prop and pill.?r ^t^foni^
of all States and Kingdomes, the cement and
fouleof humane affaires, the life of fociety and
order, the very vitall fpirit whereby fo many mil-
lions of men, doe breath the life of comfort and
peaces and the whole nature of things fubfifl. Let
thchcaitinamanfurccafc from the cxcrcife of its
prin-
lo K^n Afi(e Sermon,
principality and prime motion, and the whole bo-
dy would prefently grow pale, bloudlcfTe and livc-
IcfTe. If that glorious Giant in the skie^ fliould re-
tirehis light into himfelfe, and through alangm-
. filing faimneiTe ftay his -courfe, and the Moone
fhould wander from her beaten way,whom God
hath appointed rulers over day and nightjthe times
and feafonsoftheyeare would blend themfelves, '
by difordered and confufed mixture. This goodly
frame ofthe world would di(rolve,and fal into con-
fufion and darknelTe. Proportionablyjtakc Sove-'
raigntie from the face ofthe earth, and you turne it
into a Cock-pit. Men would become cut-throats
andCanibals one unto another.Murders^adukeries,
incefts,rapes, rcberies, perjuries, witchcrsfcs, blaf-
phemies^all kinds ofvillanies,outrages and favage
crueltie, would overflow all Countries. Wc fliould
havea very hell upon earth^and the face ofit cove-
red with bloud,as it was once with water.
'Ru^on 3 . 1 hirdly,It giveth opporrunitie by G o d s blef.
fingjforthe free exercife^and full improvement of
all humane abilitieSjto their utmoft worth and ex-
cellencie.Trades,traf!ike,lawes,learning,wifdome,
valour, policies of State, religion ; all Arts and ex-
cellencies thrive and flourifli with much happinefle
and fucccfre,under the wings and warmth of a god-
ly government. Some fliadowes of thefe notable
and worthy effecf^s appeared, even in the Heathe-
ni(h Statcjas in that ofthe Romnnes^xo what a match-
lefTe noonc-tide of earthly glorie and greatneflfc j to
what an incredible and uncomparablc height of
humane felicity did that people afpire, by mana-
ging
*^n A fife Sermon. \ j
ging their myftcries of State,and guiding the raines
of their commanding power, by afaire, ingenious,
and noble hand,and that out of the mecre illumina-
tions of reafon, and principles of narurall policy^
But I muft tell you by the way, they were notably
alTifted inthislmperiallrife,by their ftrid: and fe-
verelawcs againtt thofe two grand impoyfoners
of the ftrongeft, and moft flourifhing States,
firft,3ribcry,fecondly, bafenefle in comming to Sec Go^»f»jc
high roomes.They had many hvjesdiaml>ftu, ^ de R9.Leg'p.i6i,
fecunijs repetundi^. If a Senator were found to have
ufed unlawfull mcanes for the attaining of any O f-
ficeihc was to fuffer ten yeares banifhmcnt, and fo
proportionably of bribery. No Kingdome under
heaven harbouring thcfe two cut-throats, can ftand
long without bafenefie or ruine.
If Government then hath fuch power,and works
fuch wondersin Pagan Kingdomes, what heavens
upon earth,what worlds of happinefTe by Gods
mcrcie,miy be comfortably expeded, when ir is
feafonedand (inewed with the truth of Religion
and power of Chriftianity, which is thechiefeft top
andwell-fpringofall truevertues,evenasG o d is
of all gooci things. For all other ornameqts and ex-
cellencies of Nature, Art, PoUicy, are as but a
dead and liveleffe carkafTe, except they be anima-
ted and quickned with the true feare of G o d, and
religious forwardnelTe for hisglory. Nay, a gracc-
leflc Magiftrate is a grievous plague, for when he
folio wes the publike adminiftration of Juftice, on-
ly as a trade, with unquenchable, and unconfcio-
nablc third of gaine, and attaining his owne ends,
C being
I2 ^» ^Pfi Strmn,
being not in heart perfwaded that Juftice is G o » $
owne worke, and himfelfehis Agent in this bufi-
• nefTe ^ the fcntcnce of right, Gods owne vttd'{6t'^
and himfelfe his Minifter to deliver it, formalities
ofjiifticedobutfcrvetofmoother right, and that
which was neccffarily ordained for the common
good,is through fhamefull abufe^made the caufe of
common mifcry, which is too manifcft by too ma-
ny wofull experiences.
See B4£. X 5 J I
*ThrtSerm(»n
was preached
tefore Kmg
CAdrfef'raig-
ntA j.yearcs,
dedjorjfourthlyjthcfcvcrall formes or meanes by
which ix. is attained.
The queftion is not, by what meanes, whether
by hereditary fucccifion, oreledion, or any other
humane forme,a Prince comes into his Kingdome,
but whither by the ordinance of God weought te
obey him,when he is eft^liflied J hope the Pope is
hoifted into his chaire of peftilencc,by the elc(^ion
of the Cardinals or worfe meanes,and yet that hin-
ders notour adverfaries from holding it a divine or-
dinance.
Thirdly, Yea but there is no expreffc comman-
dement fct down by Go d to obey Henry yOt Lewis t
ov lames jov "^CfurkSiOx to acknowledge this or that
man more then another to be King.
SolMo^ befottcd and infatuated Sophiflry !
By the fame reafon Bellarmineis not bound to be
an honcft man,becaufe there is no particular and ex-
prefTecommandenicntin Gods Book, thati?.^.
ought to be an honcft man.
Neither is there any fpeciall charge from God,
that Btllarmine muft obey ?auI the S . yet I hope he
holds himfelfe {vk))tdi unco him by the Law of
GoD^thoughno exprcffe word faith, this or that
King rules by me,y et know thcrfore that that Scrip-
ture which faith, Bjme Kings mgneS2Axkiz\{oj by
me King lAmn raigrres, that precept which bids us
hcmm ihtKtng^i F^/. 2. 17. Binds usalfo to honour
King Urms^ox generall rules in Go d s Book,whi-
cher about precepts, prohibitions,orpromifcs, bind
aod belong xq partiodar perfons without naming
them,aQd particulars are ncceiTaftily ,and pcrfonally
contcined in the univerfals. Firft>
\^n Aftfi Seamon, 1,7
Firft,Now this falfe foundation being thus Jaid
inthedifgrace a i J abafeaient of fecular Soveraign*
ty,as they call itimarke the progrcfle and bloody
giadation.
Second I yjHence they have proceeded and d-a-
red to rob, and bereave Imperiall thrones, and the
crowned Majefty of Kings of that native reverence,
due attributions andobHgations ofState^ which di-
vine ordinance,and pureft times appropriated unto
them.
Thirdly, They have beeneheartned to fly even
inthefaceof Majcfty,and with unhallowed hands
to decrowne the Princely heads of the Lords an-
nointed.Thac great o^W^;? in this ftreine of rage SceHi/?.ofth«
and pride, hath fet his foot upon the very necke of ^ouncdi of
Emperours,and fpurned off tlieir Crowncs with "'^'^3'4.
hisfbooe.
Fourthly,they arehardnedCprodigious and exe-
crable villany ! ) even to kill,and cut the throats of
Kings ; upon this bloudy ftairc they now ftand^ha-
ving lately revealed it in the royal blood of the two
laft Henries of Trancz^.
] have difcovered and already done with the
foundation which they have laid for a 54^^^of con-
fufion and bloud.
Now for their fecond affront upon Soveraign-
xy^ feeafele(5kd Catalogue of unworthy and bafe
afperfions caft upon Kings Crownes by Cardi-
nal 1 Bellarmine^ and purpofely collc(5ted by his ^S'S*-
Majefty, towards the latter end of his \ moft Royal!
Aw^logy.
Letmcalfohcreinavirord tell you, how that
late
xS
K^n Aftfe Sermon,
P.i InflMar.
/Jir.io.inhis
Trcatife,