Timothys Task, Part 1
First it preserues against the deceits of sinne.
Watch,Math. 26. …1. and pray, to begin (with Christs owne speech) lest you enter into temptation. What other is the drift of the Prophets demand (directing the whole Church in one mans person) wherewith shall a young man clense his way?Psal. 119… by taking heed thereto according to thy word; this seede is rife, and many whers ranke sowen, yet growes reformation but thinne and rare, because little or no heed is taken of the stonie,Math. 13 4. 5 6 7. thornie, and high-way hearers. How often is attention commanded and commended vntounto vsus by our Sauiour against intemperancy and worldly cares?Luke 21. 34. by Saint Peter, 1 Pe…. 5. 8.that the life breake not out into licenciousnes? By the Authour to the Hebrewes,Heb. 3. 12. that the heart with the seuerall affections, may from time to time be held in awe? What was Pauls counsell to the Corinthians?1 Cor. 10. 12. hee that stands, let him take heed lest he fall: either it was the Apostles purpose to bring men into a needlesse feare, or too much heed cannot be had. But good men hauehave fallen, Patriarkes, Prophets,Iude 5. 6. Apostles, yea (better once then th… best of men) the Angels kept not their first estate. This Apostle writing to the same people,1 Cor. 16. 13. wills them to watch, and hee puts on the Thessalonians in the former Epistle,1 Thess. 5. 6. lest they sleepe as others doe, who were rockt in a cradle of deepe securitie. By immoderate sleepe, the humours of mans bodie are so dissolued, that naturall heate is thereby much abated, and in time quenched. So fareth it with the drowsie and slouthfull soule, wherein wicked thoughts being bred and multiplyed, quench the heate of holy affections, and so separate man from God.Wisd. 1. 3.
Christ doth checke his heauy-headed Apostles, Math. 26. 40.Math. …5. 12. And those foolish girles fore-shewing the time of their preparation, leaue a caveat to all, that they spend not these houres in idle adoes, which God hath giuen to gaine their blisse. Of vapours that arise from the stomacke or heart, (say Physitians of the body) and ascend vp into the the braine, proceedes sleepe: so the vapours foaming and reaking out of the secure and carnall heart, send a spirituall slumber ouer the whole man, as the Physitian of our soule infallibly defines,Verse 19. Math. 15. Against which the wise man giues this prescription,Prov. 4. 23. Keepe thine heart with all diligence, for from thence commeth life. Whereunto adde that of Paul in the latter to Timothy, 2 Tim. 4. 4.and it will adde great strength vntounto our ward. Evigila t… i… omnibus, watch thou (saith he) not in some few onelyonly, giuing way to other, nor in many, omitting some, nor in most, passing by the rest; but in all watch thou in all things. A hard saying, who can heare it? What action is heere excluded? What occasion is not meant? What place can bee exempt? Or who are the persons for whose presence wee ought discontinue or breake off our watch? But to whom speakes the Apostle this? A man meerely? If so, then watch in some things had beene enough, and scarcely allowable, but Timothie was more, a man of God. To whom speakes the Apostle this? a Christian? if so, then watch in most things had beene enough, and hardly tollerable, but Timothie was more, a guide to such: to whom speakes the Apostle this? some Angell? if so, then watch in all things were charge enough. A taske best fitting those pure spirits, which most approximate God in dignitie. To Timothie then a keeper and teacher of his brethren, in him to vsus, in vsus, to others is this precept giuen. Let vsus first amend in ourselues the contrarie securitie, and so commend this duty to others.Reasons of heed▪ fulnes drawne from Christs t… ing the houre whereof is imminent but not▪ knowne
But they must be motiues of no small moment that fasten such strictnesse on vsus, or them. Take heed (saith our Saviour Christ) watch and pray for you knowe not when the time is.Mark. 13. 33. Be sober and watch (faith S. Peter) the reason followes, for your adversarie the Divell as a roaringly on walketh about, seeking whom he may devoure. Satan is an enemie, and such an enemie as admits neither truce, nor attonement. The houre of Christs comming is vncertaine,1. Pet. 5. 8. & as vncertaine,From the nature of our adversary. Who is. as is the onset of the theefe: is it not then high time to take heed either that Lyon devoure vsus, or this houre come vponupon vsus vnawares?
Epaminondas (a renowned captaine) hauing foūd one of the watchmen fallen asleepe thrust him through with his sword,Sedulo…. and being chid for so severe a fact, replied: Talem… eumreliqui, qualeminvent. I left him right such a one as I found him.Mark. 13. 37. That which Christ our Captaine said vntounto his Disciples hee saith vn to all that lie in this field of christian combate, watch. Sure we are that he will come (as did Epaminondas) in his owne person to search and see how wee keepe our watch. Wee must therefore attend and looke to our stand, least comming suddenly, hee finde vsus sleeping, which if he doe, relinquet tales, quales invenit, he will leaue vsus such as he findes vsus. Since he h…th threatned to cut such in sunder,Luk. 12. 46. and to appoint them a portion with the vnbeleevers. Were the adversarie onelyonly sedulous in pacing this earth and had no power, or strength to hurt, our case were other,Powerfull. but he is like that Leviathan whom Iob describes,Iob. 41. 17. when the sword toucheth him he will not rise vp, nor for the speare, dart, nor habergeon. Had he force only and no fraud,Politike. or power without pollicie, we need the lesse suspect him: but he is as politike, as powerfull, being that old serpent, whose wisdome is perfected by long experience; could he be satisfied with some small revenge, or were the body alone, to beare the smart of all, it were another matter, such warinesse were lesse needfull, but as he was a murtherer (aswell of soule as body) from the beginning: so his inveterate rage keepes him in continuall motion, causing him not only to prey on such as he vsually meets, which lions for hunger sometimes doe: But this Lybard of meere malice pursues mankinde,Malicious and seeks out of rage towards God to teare his image. What made the Romans so carefull and circumspect waging warres in Italie against Hanniball? the nature and disposition of the enemie: for in him was courage and boldnesse to vndertake dangers, much counsell and policie in the midst of perills: hee had a body indefatigable by labour, a stomacke invincible, the foremest in conflict, the last in retreat, there was in him an inhumane crueltie, more then Punicall perfidiousnesse, no truth, no holynesse, no feare of the Gods, no respect of oath,Iob. 7. 1. no religion. Our life is a warfare on earth: the masterie for which we contend, and striue in this warfare, is a matter of more moment then was theirs▪ the things where with their enemie was furnished, are much more found in this hellish and infernall Hanniball, who for his power, is not to be matched, for his wisdome, not to be sounded, for his malice not to be appeased, and vnweariable in all his endeavours. He hath more gainefull advantages of vsus, thē Hannibal had of them:Wanting no war like advantage, nor will. to vse it to his best furtherance. First Personall, we being flesh and therefore weake, he, and his complices, moe for number, since a legion possesseth one; more mightie, being powers more maliciously bent, because spirituall wickednesses, they invisibly repaire,Mark. 5. and retire at pleasure, hauing personall accesse vntounto our spirits;Ephel. 12. we sensible, and sensuallie alwaies open to their assaults. 2. Reall hee profers so faire howsoever he performe, pleasures, profits, preferment, and what not? all these will I giuegive thee, if thou wilt fall downe and worship me.Mat. 4. 9▪ 3. Formall as better discipline, and order of fight, no mutinous sound is ever heard in Satans campe,Math. 12. for he is not divided against himselfe. In ours the frogge contends with the mouse till the kite himselfe become vmpire, we being not only at ods with our fellowe souldiers,Rom. 7. but fostering dissentiō within our own bowels. The manner of his fight is secret, and manifold, such as no man throughly can vnfold generally with the Polypus (that to compasse his prey) carries a semblance of the rock neere which he lies, he applies his temptations to the state, temper, and inclination of every man. With the Panther he hides his deformed head till the sweet sent hauehave drawne other beasts into his danger; I meane he allures men with the sweetnesse of pleasures, masking the monstrous and deformed head (1) the end thereof vnderunder some guilded shewe of goodnesse,Gen. 3. 5. or some disguised shape of sin.aCloathing vice with a vi…grd of vertue … drunkennesse with brothe…ly fellowship, covetousnesse with christian providence, &c. Sometimes hee assaults vsus fiercely,2. Cor. 11. 14. as a lyon in the open field, other whiles he seemes to sooth vsus in our good intents,Iohn. 2. 16. transforming himselfe as the Apostle saith.bWhen his … is to frustrate that intention, and depraue our good purpose by perverting the manner, corrupting the meanes or altering some circumstance to marre the whole worke and make it worthlesse. If he cannot conquer Attalanta by speed of foot he will goe about to giuegive her with golden fetters, casting out three bals of gold (the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, & the pride of life,) for her to gather, whilst he gaines the prize, and depriues her of the garland of eternall happinesse. This cursed Chameleon turnes himselfe into all colours, to the end he may infin…ate vnderunder some. 4. Accidentall, as place, time, sun, winde. They are aboue vsus in the high places, wee beneath and faire vnderunder them: they assault vsus when we are solitary, secure and (which bewraies greatest cowardlinesse) when we are asleepe. In the sunshine of prosperitie, who sees not how subiect man is to pride, presumption of Gods louelove, loosenesse, coldnesse in profession, contempt of others, cō fidence in outward things, & hope of too much assurance? If any adverse winde blowe cold on his patience by crosses, on his continuance by tribulation, or on his peace of conscience by inward guiltinesse,Eph. 6. 12. as prone he is on their side to doubt of Gods favour,2. Sam. 12. distrust his providence, grudge at his designes,Psal. 30. 7. and seeke redresse by vnlawfull meanes.Ion. 4. 4.
Besides the world is on his side,1. Sam. 28. 5. 7. 8. and there lye vires & virus, much both power, and poison to infect some Acham, to entice some Balaam, From the world which is 1. deceitfull.and withdrawe Demas from the worke of the Lord. Who walkes in this wildernesse, and wanders not? Quando que bonus dormitat Homerus, the most watchfull,Iosh. 1. 21. sleepe and slippe sometimes.2. Pet. 2. 15. A whole navie of ships may surrow the Ocean,2. Tim. 4. 10. and scarce one bee endangered, but of soure, or fewer soules failing on this glassie sea of the world,Dangerous. hardly one can make escape in this desert, we are beset on every side. On the right with faire faced shews fit to allure; on the left, with cares, and crosses, of force to dismay; before with example, strong to seduce; behinde by censure eagerly pursuing, he that is not puf… vp with her favours, nor danted with her frownes, that can picke good out of the evill of example, and burye her censures in a christian contempt, so that no one of these, nor all these teare his saile, or turne his helme; Hunc dignum spectatu arbitramur. That he shrowdes a great wonder in a little world, and may safely beare a pea…elesse treasure through perilous pathes.
But the malice of the world, & of the God of the world, Satan,From the flesh which is false & fraile. might both be borne, if a domesticall and inward friend, with whom we repast daily, and nightly repose our selues, the flesh I meane, wherewith we are clothed, and clogged, did not conspire, and partake with them against vsus. This is the Delilah which reveales Sampsons secret to the Philistines. It is not an open enemie that doth vsus this dishonour,Ps. 55. 12. 13. for then we could the better beare it, neither is it a professed adversary that doth magnify himselfe against vsus, for then peradventures we could hide our selues from him, as looking for nothing from such, but adverse and enemie… like dealing. But it is a companion, a guid, a familiar frend, with whom we take sweet counsell together, and repaire to the house of God as friends: one nearer & dearer, then alter idem, a second selfe, now a kingdome, or house, that is devided against it selfe, cānot possibly stand. Who more mortified then he who chastned his owne body? &c.1. Cor. 9. 27. Notwithstanding with diligence hee vehemently exclaimes, O wretched man that I am who shall deliuer me from this body of sinne? so hot is the skirmish, so fierce the conflict, betweene the flesh and the spirit.
If then we hauehave such an adversarie as is for power, vnmatchable, for wisdome vnsoundable, for malice implacable, and vnweariable in his indeavours. If besides the siege of forraine enemies, wee beare a Sinon in our bosome, that opens the gates of our sences, for troupes of temptations to enter in▪ the counsell of our Apostle here seemes (I had almost said) more then necessary that good heed be taken, to decline such mischiefs as they meet withall, who take not heed. This lesson we might learne in natures schoole did we but marke the face, & fashion of brutish creatures, which hauehave this ingrauen & giuen of god, to beware of mischeife, & defend themselues from annoyance. What prudence is showen in civill gouerment? What policye or successe in Martiall exploits? What foresight or prudence, in secular dealing? What progresse in the affaires of faith without heed? what man is he that desireth life, and loueth long dayes for to see good, that (to attaine a tast & experience of such things, as may make his dayes delightfull, and his delight good) would discharge dutie to God aright, & carry himselfe vpright before men? Let him with that princely and royall Prophet, invre himselfe to take heed vntounto his waies. Such warinesse is good wisdome though it be as manicles vponupon their right hand,Psal. 39. 1. to the worldly wise. Can a man touch pitch without defilement? walke in the world without worldly affections? Liue in the flesh and warre against the flesh, except hee attend and take good heed?
Ha…d facile est, tribulos & spinas inter euntem,
Illaesos habuisse pedes, illaesa que crura.
It is hard for a man walking amongst thistles and thornes to safegard himselfe from sharpe gratulations.
Imagine two men fraught with some knowne treasure, were to passe through as dangerous and suspected a place, as our border hath sometimes bin, would they not, if they were circumspect, looke warily to their way, and cast their eies on each side, least suddenly they were surprised? would they not prepare themselues, sometimes by fight, other whiles by flight, to escape danger? Vita haec via est, our life is the way wherevnto we are to look, the soule is the treasure, then which (of all things that are had in price) what is duplicate page duplicate page more pretious? Here Divells lie in ambush by legions, to bereaue vsus, and disordered appetites giuegive many onsets at times,R…sist the Divel Iam. 4. 7. Fly fornication. we must purchase safetie by resistance, sometimes by giving ground we gaine our peace.
That thing would surely be had in great request which could eyther prevent sickenes,1. Cor. 6. 18. or remoue it with least danger, yet cannot that secure (which rescues for a tin) the body from death. But the prevention of sinne, b…ore it ceaze, or the abandoning thereof before it come to perfection, causeth not only a momentany health, but a perpetuall safety of the soule. And yet see how our corruptiō misplaceth our care.Ier. 6. 20. To saue the one, men will seeke remedie be it never so rare, never so deare, were it to be fetcht with incense from Sheba, Vt corpus redimas ferrum. &c. arida nec sitiens ora &c.or sweet Calamus from a farre countrie. They will sustaine, and abstaine: Sustaine what lancing, searing, mangling, and mutilating of their bodies? They abstain from that they most desire. But for the health or safegard of their soules,Take heed men thinke it a bondage to take heed. Wee will not conquer our patien…e to disgest two syllables though the receit promise as happy an effect, as is the salvation of our selues and others. Must it not needs be a speciall good thing, whose contrary (to wit carelesnesse, or security) is such a mother of mischief?Gen. 19. 33. Solomons wisdom, Lots integritie,Gen. 9. 21. and Noahs sobrietie felt the smart of this Serpents sting. The first was seduced, the second stumbled, the third fell, whiles the eye of watchfulnesse was fallen a sleepe. Sed cur ist a dicimus, cum maior a noverimus? Heauen and earth, and (sometimes a heauen on earth) Paradise, can all record, what want of attention hath wrought in them, transforming Angells, disparadising our Parents, & gleaning Iudas from amongst his fellowes. If any calling whatsoever could priviledge, Iudas was billed amongst the twelue, If inward perfection, or original excellency, Adam was armed with the righteousnesse of his creation. If any place or presence could secure, then heauen, the throne of God, his presence there, whose brightnesse they beheld, had kept those aspiring spirits in their first, and best estate, but Nusquam est securitas, fratres, nec in eoel…, … in paradiso, multo minùs in mundo, in coelo enim cecidit Angelus sub praesentia divinitatis, in paradiso Adam, de loco voluptatis, in mundo Iudas, de schola salvatoris; Securitie (my bretheren) is found no where, neither in heaven, nor paradise, much lesse on earth. Satan fell as lightning from heaven, the deitie on looking; Adam out of Paradise, the place ingrossing all earthly pleasures, and Iudas slipt out of our Saviours schoole into Satans cell. I could tell you here why Sampson so strong,Iudg. 16. became so weake, as to bee inveigled with a woman.Mat. 26. 6…. Peter so confident, proued such a coward as to be shaken with the breath of a Damsells mouth.2. Sam. 11. …. Why Dauid soe holy slid so vnhappilie, Whilst his eye bewrayed his heart, and his heart gaue eare to that hastie message. Nemo securus esse debet in vita, quae tota tentatio nominatur. No man must be secure in this life where temptations bid perpetuall battle, le…t that inversion proue subversion, vt qui fieri potuit ex deteriori melior, non fiat etiam ex meliore deterior, that he who of worse might become better, do not fall from better to worse. Wee must not bee like to Agrippa's dormouse which would not awake, till beeing boyled in lead, the heat caused her to vnseale her eyes; but rather wee ought to resemble those who were wont to sleepe with brasen balls in their hands, which falling on vessells purposely set at their bed sides, the noyse did disswade immoderate sleepe: So, and more watchfull then. was he,Ps. 119. 148. who (to keepe his heart in vre with God) made the Commandements his meditation;Psal. 5. 3. not in the morning only, and that early, and all day long too, but (when hee should hauehave taken his rest, as others doe) his eyes prevented the night watches: yea his manner was to rise at midnight (when others slept) for to giuegive thankes.Psal. 119. 62.
It is storied of Sampson, that when Delilah was set on worke by his enemies,Iudg. 16. from the 5. verse to the 22. to knowe how he might bee bound to doe him hurt, he dallied a while first with seauen withs, then with new ropes which he brake as threds, &c. In the end importunitie made her mistris of his minde, and him miserable: for when shee had caused the seauen lockes of his head to be shauen, hee was afraid, and troubled at the voice, which said; The Philistines bee vponupon thee Sampson. Then awaking out of sleepe, and thinking to goe out, and shake himselfe, as at other times, hee could not doe as hee had done, therefore they tooke him, and put out his eyes, bound him with fetters, and set him to grinde in the prison house. Mutato nomine de te fabula narratur. Change but the name, and each christian is the man whose strength lies in the lockes of heed-taking and attention, which so long as they are preserued and kept in vre, the Philistines, his fore-named enemies, cannot prevaile, but if a rasor of securitie come over his head, and shaue his haire, (the Divell I meane secretly stealing his heart from his true treasure, and set it on other strange delights) then Sampson like, he becomes weake as other men, the voice of pleasure allures him, the voice of profit intangles him, hearing that voice,Vers. 17. in the 6 of Ieremie, which saith; take heed to the sound of the trumpet; hee answers as they say there. I will not take heed. Then the enemy of the soul takes him captiue, puts out, or bleres at least, for some space,1. Ioh. 2. 16. his eyes, his affections are then fettered, and grinde he must to that lust of the flesh, that lust of the eye, & pride of life, which he before had in subiection. Satan sent a Delilah to lull Paule in her lap, and binde him with withs of greene delights,…. Cor. 12. 7. but his watchfull soule displeased deepely with that flesh-pleasing force complained thereof, shaked himselfe, and so found ease. Lot so long as his soule was kept waking by the city of Sodome, brake with ease those ropes of vanitie, which drew destruction on the cittie. Sed qui in ipsa ciuitate peruersa i…stus fuit, in monte peeca…it, he that walked vprightly in the midst of that peruerse, and forlorne place, fell downe right in the mountaine. Sinne is that to the soule,Ioel 2. …0. which putrefaction is to the natural bodies, as in nature three things preserue therefrom, heate, cold, and motion: so the same through heedfulnesse preserue the soule from corruption. First, intensiue heate, and drynesse hath a hindering hand in this businesse; so whilst attention keeps the heart frequent, and feruent in prayer, no aire of temptations can corrupt the soule. Thereupon Christ tels vsus,… Math. 26. 41. that if we watch and pray, we shall not enter into temptation. 2. Cold that is outward is another let, or preseruatiue, because it resists extrinsecall, or outward heat, which hath the chiefe stroke in the worke. The aire of affliction is cold, and causet… many to fall away. yet warily drawne in,Math. 43. 21. and wisely referred to the right end, it breedes good blood in distempered bodies, causing them with diligence to seeke the Lord. Againe,Hosea 5. 15. the neighbour-hood of cold Christians, and cohabitation of lukewarme professours (by a spirituall antiperistasis) warme some the more. Lot was the forwarder amidst theGen. 5. 19. frozen Sodomites: Enoch walked with God alone,Gen. 5. 22. when others went from him. Noah in his generation sought the Lord, by the practice of faith and repentance, when all the world forsooke him, and made way by their wicked practice to their destruction. The third preseruatiue in nature, and naturall things, is motion, which hath the like effect in our soule affaires. For this cause the Apostle exhorts vsus not to be wearie of well-doing,Gal. 6. 9. wherein also this text requires continuance; the aire doth euer moue in his Region, so ought we in our seuerall stations, alwayes be exercised in the course of godlinesse. No mosse stickes to the rowling stone, which if it laid still, would be ouergrowen: standing ponds gather skumme, whilst murmuring brooks runne filth-free. The neglected plant, (be it of the best) either dyes, or frustrates hope. An vntilled field (be it of the fertillest) brings forth weedes, briers, thistles. You wote why Aegistus became an adulterer; Desidiosus …rat, he was entomb'd before his time,Otium viv… hominissepultura. for idlenesse is the graue of a liuing man. The crabfish is desirous of Oysters, but because she cānot perforce open them, she watcheth the time when they open themselues, & then thrusting in her clawes shee speedes her selfe. There is a time when mans heart is shut vp, and kept so close, that sinne cannot ceaze thereon, nor enter therein, a time when it is more open, and apt to receiue the infectious impressions of lust, anger, envy and the like; Which Satan obseruing by his diligent attendance,… Sam. 11. ensnares the soule, as he did Dauids, who first slept securely on his bed, then paced it idlely on the roofe of his palace, when he should hauehave gone forth to the battell, and displayed his banner against the enemie. Hee that lookes to his feet, and numbers his steps in a slipperie path shall set the surer, whereas he that sets he lookes not where, must needes-slip, and fall the oftner.
Secondly, as it preserues from sinne, so it is an antidote against crosses,Prov. 9. 17. the fruite of sinne, as Moses makes them, Deut. 28.cWhere the curse of GOD …aunts the wicked (as it were a fury) in all his wa…es. If he bee in the Citie it attends him there, in the field it hovers ouer him, comming in, it accompanies him, going forth, it followes him at the heeles, and in trauell it is his commorade. If it destaste not his doughe, or empty his basket, yet will it fill his store with strife, or swallow the wrath of God with his sweetest morsels. It is a mothe in his wardrobe, murraine amongst his cattell, mildew in his field, rot amongst his sheepe, and ofttimes makes the fruite of his loi…es his greatest …eart…break. Stolne waters are counted sweet, and hid bread is pleasant, but this pleasantnesse ends in painfull accusations, and secret checkes of conscience, those waters coole louelove, quench the spirit, and both may breed that distresse of minde,Prov. 18. 14. wherewith no worldly crosse may compare.Prov. 14. 17. For the spirit of a man will sustaine his infirmities,2 Sam. 2. 23. but a wounded spirit (a burden importable) who can beare it?Prov. 13. 10. Vers. 16. 17. &c. To proceede from inward troubles which are lesse seene to those which are outward and better discerned; Some finde that true in proofe, which Solomon speakes by way of Proverbe, he that is hastie to anger, committeth folly, and folly sometimes commits him to be cooled within the prison wals, and the busie-bodie is hated. Can Elyes education but breed ill blood in his prosperitie? Is not pride the Mother of contention? contention of discontentment? and shall not he that loues pastime be a poore man? What dilapidations and alienating of states, doe prodigall and intemperate Heires make, causing auncient houses to spew out their owners, and teaching their lands to deny their names? Hell should hauehave no suburbes on earth, if rash and and vnripe contracts did not maintaine marriage broyles. The malefactor on the ladder, taking his farewell of the world, leaues this Cave for the best Legacy he can bestow, take heed (saith he) of this or that vice (naming some) whereon he layes the guilt of his vntimely death. To whom is woe?Prov. 23. 29. 30. to whom is sorrow? to whom is strife? to whom is murmuring? to whom are wounds without cause? search and see if these bitter fruits doe not follow such as delight in drunkennesse, the beggers burden. If David had beene as circumspect at that one time, walking on the roofe of his house, as he was at other, hee might hauehave walked free from that anguish and reproach,Psal. 51. 3. 8. which afterwards did find him out. It must needes be seene by this time, that by heed-taking, some escape the crosses which enormous demeanour draw on others. The Saints in this life hauehave no supersed…as against all incumbrance; for sometimes troubles come towards them in troupes,Psal. 34. 18. multae tribulationes iustorum, many are the troubles,dWere these troubles not many, or that many, no troubles, 1. fewer, or more affecting nature, they should distract the lesse; but many troubles may perplexe a weake mind, possesse a wicked with opinion of being a good thing, not to be a good man, therefore the spirit elsewhere appeaseth the one, and spites the other. The righteous shall escape out of trouble, an… the wicked shall come in his stead. Prov, 11. 8. If then troubles dismay, yet may hope of deliuerance bearten, 2 Deliuerance more certaine, that from the Lord. 3 From the Lord more acceptable, that out of fauour. 4 Fauour more gratefull, that findes riddance out of all. And 5 (which graceth all the more) the wicked shall come in his stead. of the righteous; but the right manner of taking, and entertaining them, and how wisely to mannage them to our best aduantage, is a mysterie worthie light and labour, a priviledge enioyed by them alone. Euill tidings throng vponupon Iob, Iob 1. 14. 15.as if they had striuen which should come first. Whilst one was speaking of the stealth and slaughter of the Shabeans,Verse 16. an other Messenger, hotter then he comes, the fire of God is fallen from Heauen, and hath burnt vp thy sheepe, and seruants, and hath deuoured them &c. Neither had the third ended his rueful relation,Verse 17. till the most mournefull accident dispatched the fourth.Verse 18. 19. Thy sonnes and thy daughters were eating, and drinking wine in their eldest brothers house, and behold there came a great wind from beyond the wildernesse, and smote the …oure corners of the house, which fell vponupon thy children, and they are dead &c. See what a table of euill tidings was prepared for a righteous man. A single crosse lesser then the least of this kinde, hath disquieted, yea euen amazed some; imagine then (in my silence) what one more then tripled, and without respit would worke with the strongest patient. How was Baltazar daunted, when in the height of his royaltie, and amidst his mirth, that fearefull hand writing was seene of him? was not the Kings countenance changed?Dan. 5. 6. did not his thoughts trouble him, so that his ioynts were loosed, and his knees smote one against the other? What if an inferiour, nay no true, but a fained affliction be found of force to disorder the ranke of vnarmed passions?Esth. 3. 5. Though Haman be promoted by Ahashuerosh, and placed aboue all the Princes that bee with him, though all the Kings seruants bow their knees, and do reuerence to the man whom the King will honour, yet cannot all this honour, and promotion please and content him; if Mordecai, but one, a meane one, and a stranger, deny him homage.1 Sam. 25. 37. If Nabal but heare of his wife Abigail, how nigh death he was, and neere to hauehave left all, his heart will dye within him after the retreat of death, his feare will transforme him into a stone. Contrary, the forewarning of Agabus did forea…me Paul, I am ready (saith hee) not to be bound onelyonly, (for these being assoone digested by him as named by the other, hee singled out in his owne conceit,Act. 21. 11. 13. and there hearing a harder, and more terrible encounter, to wit death) but also to dy at Ierusalem for the name of the Lord Iesus. See you not that some one disturbance dasheth all other delights and maketh their life i…ksome, perhaps loathsome? witnesse Achitophel inferring that cursed conclusion vponupon crossed premisses when hee hanged himselfe.2 Sam. 17. 23. Againe attention, and expectation of change dulls the edge, abates the force, and allayes the tartnesse of suddaine vexation.eAffliction wee …ffect not (for there is no tast in the white of an egg) yet doe our affections increase our afflictions, throu…h securitie in not preueting, whilst we may, way… wardnes in not entertaining them as wee ought, or want of wisdome … not entertaining the as we might doe onelyonly the watchfull are wise, and the wise watchfull, to p…event some before they fal…, Math. 28. to welcome other by preparation Luke. 23. to reape a ioyfull haruest after a teary seede…ime, by taking thankfully, disges…ing patiently, and burying all in the hope of a good issue. Let here retire your attention, and my speech to visit Iob, in those sharpe visitations of his, we shall neither finde him a Stoicke so much as to feele vacancy of passions; (for he rent his garments, shaued his head, and fell vponupon the ground,) nor so little a christian, as to entertaine deiection of minde, in so sore trialls. †Iob. 1. 20.The Lord giueth, and the Lord taketh away, euen as it pleaseth the Lord, so come all things to passe, blessed bee the Name of the Lord. It wrought stupiditie in secure Nabal, which wrung praise and patience from watchfull Iob.
To all these things there is an appointed time, and one thing must be in request at all times, to wit, that one which is necessarie; the former as men wee gather by obseruation of things naturally accomplished, voluntarily done, or necessarily endured; the other we must beleeue as Christians. In a quiet state wee forget God. In a troubled, wee thinke God hath forgotten vsus, Psal. 77. In a calme, wee are too prone to presume, in a storme, too too abiect to despaire. He that said; In my prosperitie I shall neuer be moued, was presently troubled vponupon the change, Psal. 30. not vnlike the bladder, that is forth-with swolne with a puffe▪ but incontinently shrunke with a pricke; how needfull now is heed-taking, and circumspection in all estates? in aduersitie against vnsettling, and backsliding. in prosperitie against loosenesse, and too much hope of assurance. There can be no stabilitie in our affections, no stayednesse in any state of life, no constancie kept in a Christian course, before we hauehave learned this briefe summe, and summarie abridgement of all dutie,*Heb. 3. 12. to take heed.
Thirdly, this heedfulnesse puts life and strength as hath beene said, into all other parts of Gods worship. The skilfull Pilote beholds all the parts of Heauen continually, that so hee may at all times accordingly, guide, and direct his ship; so ought the carefull and wise Christian, giuegive diligent attendance, to all such meanes, as God from Heauen hath reuealed, to land him in the hauen where hee would be. Take heed to thy foote (saith Eccles.)Eccle: 4. 17. when thou enterest into the House of God. Our Sauiour giues further direction for our carriage, and abode there, when hee saith, Take heed how you heare.Luke 8. 13. Men weare Gods threshold, without looking to their feete, that is, what affections they come withall, they wearie him with their idle presence, not caring how they demeane themselues. The proud enters, and profits not, because he takes not heed to his feete; for God resisteth the proud,Iam. 4. 6. and giueth grace to the humble. The malicious and wrathfull enter too, but without fruit; for the wrath of man doth not accomplish the righteousnesse of God.Iam. 1. 20. Vnbeleeuers ioyne themselues to others, in the exercises of Religion, but with so ill successe, that the word which they heare, profits them not, because it is not mingled in their hearts with faith.Heb. 4. 2. The conceited Laodicean (being full afore-hand) enters heere, and is no more edified then the other,Luke 1. 53. for God fils the hungry with good things, as for the rich and opinatiuely righteous, he sends them empty away.Psal. 42. 12. & 84. 2. Few come with that good thirst, and holy hunger which Dauid had; few with Maries care, to lay vp in their hearts.Luke 2. 19. 51. Many banish attention out of their eares, most bring no purpose to practise ought. What maruell therefore though such depart as emptie of heauenly wisdome, as they came voide of holy desire. Sobrietie is a commendable, and seruiceable vertue in the life of man, to order and keepe the same in frame; yet this without attendance, and looking to, may be lost,Gen 9. 21. or at least depart for a time,1 Pet. 5. as it did from Noah. Therefore Saint Peter, to backe and strengthen the moderation of affection, and conversation, requires the attention of the minde, that so the enemie, through his vigilancie, neither withdraw vsus from the good which we would, and he impugnes; nor draw vsus to the euill we would not,…phes. 6. 13. and which hee importunes vsus to. Pauls Panoplie or Christian armour, is so necessarie a furniture, as no man can with safety want this; Notwithstanding when we hauehave put on, not a part, but the whole, and hauehave had proofe thereof,Verse 28. by withstanding the enemie, yet are we warned to watch withall, that we may stand fast: So necessarie is vigilancie, euen to an armed and weaponed Christian, that without it, he may be driuen from his stand, as were our first Parents, in that state wherein they were likest to hauehave with stood. Prayer is the highest linke in that golden chaine,Rom. 10. 13. coupling saluation to the soule of man, yet will prayers be few, and those frozen too, where no heed is giuen to our selues;Math. 26. therefore doth Christ ioyne invocation, and attention together,1 Pet. 4. 7. saying, Watch and pray. And his Apostle exhorts to be watchfull vntounto prayer. Wandring thoughts flye rife, at such times chiefly, and distract the minde,Gen. 15. 11. as the fowles did hinder Abrahams sacrifice, these, attention must restraine. There are times wherein wee are more willing, yea desirous to talke with God, then at other, those oportunities must attention take; the force of invocation is much abated, if it be not accompanied with attention,Alterius sie altera posci… ope…, &c. and the eye of attention would close oft-times, and steale a nap, if it were not kept waking by the voice of prayer.
In the principall parts of Gods worship, either he speaks to vsus; as in the holy assemblies, or we to him, in the language of prayer. We must avoid Hypocrisie, as the bane of both. In our conference with God, lest the fault of these auncient hypocrites, and hypocriticall Pharises, be laid at our doore (whose mouthes and mindes,Isa. 29. 13. went sundry wayes) we must take heed, to ioyne these two together, the lippes nigh,Ier. 38. and the heart farre off, and then the King will deny vsus nothing.1 Iohn 5. 14. Concerning the latter, Gods speech to vsus, lest that complaint of the Prophet, or the Lord rather by his Prophet, (my people sit before thee, and heare thy words, but they will not doe them)Ezek. 33. 31. rise in record against vsus, we must be carefull to ioyne obedience to our audience. If ye know these things,Iohn 13. 17. happie are you if you doe them,
Hitherto hauehave I shewed a threefold vse of Christian heedfulnesse or attention. The first, that it keepes vsus from sinne, viz. grosse and enormous, such as Dauid calls the great offence, Eccl. 27. ….otherwise there is no man iust in the earth, that doth good, and sinneth not; and this is a blessed thing, as the Prophet affirmeth in the first Psalme.Verse 1. Secondly, it prevents many troubles, wherewith others meet, & teacheth duplicate page duplicate page cheerefully to vndergoe such as God shall see meet for our exercise,1 Pet. 1. 6. the way whereby we come to the Crowne of life, and this can be no lesse then a blessed way, for it leades to Canaan, though it lye through the wildernesse. Thirdly, Act. 14. 22.that it hath the tuition & ouer-sight of all other meanes, to set and keepe them on foot, that which Christ himselfe pronounceth to be the true happinesse.Luke 11. 28. Seeing then there is no diuision of languages, in this triplicitie, but each doth seuerally promise blisse; I may (to close the whole point) seale vp all with that saying of the Spirit; Blessed is he that watcheth &c.Reu. 16. 15. He shall weane his heart from vnlawfull liberties; enlarge his libertie in heauenly affaires, fill his heart with sollid delights, free himselfe from much in cumbrance, and safegard his soule from deadly wounds.