The Isle of Man, Part

The Isle of Man · Part

p. 1THE ISLE of MAN, OR, The Legall proceedings in Man-ſhire.

LAMENT. 3. 40.

Let vsus ſearch & try our waies.

THE lamenting Prophet IEREMIE in his daies full of lamentation and mourning, ſeeing and alſo partaking with others of thoſe miſeries, which befell the ſtate of the Iewes, p. 4iuſtly procured at Gods hands for their ſins, doth heere giuegive them aduice what was beſt to be done, that in this their diſtreſſe GOD might ſhew them mercy; and that was to repent and turne vntounto the LORD, to the effecting whereof, hee counſelleth them 2. things laid downe in my Text. 1. To ſearch out ſinne, 2. and to put it to triall.

In the handling whereof I will proceed as heere wee doe againſt a lewd and wicked Malefactor, legally, according to the lawes of this Realme.

The firſt part of my A ſearch to be made for ſin.Text is to Search: wee know, that when one hath p. 3offended the lawes, hath committed any felonic, murther, treaſon, or done any outrage, for which hee is to be apprehended, hee preſently flying & hiding himſelfe, is purſued, and ſought after; diligēt ſearch is made to attach him.

The Malefactor heere Sinne is the great malefactor.which doth ſo much harm on eueryevery one, eueryevery where without ceaſing, is Sinne. This is a notable Theefe and Robber, daring to ſet vponupon any. Hee robbeth God of Sinne robbes vsus.his honour, and man of Gods fauour. This Theefe ſtole from Angels their excellency of glory, from our firſt parents their innocencie. This is hee that robbeth vsus of our graces, the p. 4ſpirituall money which we hauehave in the purſes of our heart, to helpe vsus in our iourney to heauen. This Villaine bereaueth vsus of our goods, driueth away our cattell, ſpoileth vsus of eueryevery temporall bleſſing, of our health, our peace, our liberty, and plenty. He it is that vtterly vndoeth vsus, and maketh our eſtate miſerable, that we cannot thriue in any thing, Body or Soule.

This is a Murthering Theefe, whereſoeuer hee Sinne doth kill if it bee not killed.breaketh in, by day or by night, there will hee either kill or be killed; Man and ſinne cannot both liue together. Moſt bloudily cruell hee is, for hee will ſpare p. 5none. He ſlayeth the hoarie head, and killeth the tender Mother with the new-borne Babe. Hee regardeth no perſon, no ſex, no age, of ſo murtherous a diſpoſition is he, and ſo inhumanely barbarous.

He is a very ſtrong theefe, Sin is ſtrong.no human power can ſubdue him; hee taketh man and bindeth him: for Iniquitie Prou. 5. 22.Prov 5:22taketh the wicked, and holdeth him with the cords of his owne ſinnes. He will beare rule where hee commeth, all muſt obey him. He will command the Reaſon, reigne ouer the Will, and ſwagger ouer the Affections, and leade captiue Rom. 7. 23.Rom 7:23the whole man, and make him ſeruiceable to p. 6his luſts; yea, and make him ſpend his whole eſtate to maintaine him in his luſtfull humors; whether it be in Pride, or Drunkenneſſe, or Gluttony, or Idleneſſe, or Whoredome, or whatſoeuer elſe it is; he both muſt and will hauehave maintenance, elſe will hee ſet all on fire: for Wickedneſſe Iſa. 9. 18.Isa 9:18burneth as fire.

This is an vngratefull Sinne doth him the moſt hurt that moſt loueth it.and miſchieuous Theefe: for let any entertaine him and fauour him, he will worke their ouerthrow. Yea, ſo vile a Villain is he, that the more any make of him, the worſe hee is to them: for, hee with-holds all good from Ierem. 5. 25.Jer 5:25them, hee procureth miſchiefes to light vponupon them. p. 7Ierem. 4. 18.Jer 4:18Hee keepeth out Grace from hauing any entertainment. Hee ſmothereth The euils which ſinne doth.Conſcience for ſpeaking; hardeneth the Heart for feeling; blindeth the Iudgment frō diſcerning; ſtoppeth the Eare from hearing any good counſell; lameth the feet from walking in Gods paths; benummeth the Hands from doing duties of Charitie, and maketh the Tongue to falter in ſpeaking of holy things. Neither yet doth he this onelyonly; but he worketh Enmitie betwixt his Fauourite & his beſt friend, euen betweene God and his own Conſcience. And to make vp the height of his Miſchiefe; the more to p. 8ſtrengthen himſelfe againſt his fooliſh and vnhappie friend, hee, at vnawares to him, letteth in, and that into the beſt room, (euen the Heart) his great and moſt deadly enemy the Deuill.

Thus Couetouſnes did let him into Iudas heart, Mat. 26. 14, 15.Matt 26:14Matt 26:15and ſet him on work to betray Chriſt. Flatterie let him into the hearts of the 1 Kings 22.1 Kgs 22falſe Prophets, to deceiue Ahab. Careleſneſſe lets him in, to hinder the fruit Matth. 13.Matt 13of the Word. Loſſe of Matth. 12.Matt 12Gods graces lets him in, & ſeuen worſe with him, to ruine a man vtterly. Hypocriticall vain-glory, and Couetouſneſſe did let him Act. 5. 10.Acts 5:10into the hearts of Ananias and Saphira: for vain-glorie p. 9made them ſell all, to make a ſhew to bee like Barnabas: but Couetouſnes with vnbeleefe aduiſed them to withhold ſome of the money, leſt they ſhould happen to want: but how to do this, & keep their credit they knew not; therefore Hypocriſie, Vaine-glory, Couetouſneſſe, and Vnbeleefe called in Satan, to heare his counſell; who taught them to lie vntounto the Holy Ghoſt, but to the death of them both. Thus wee ſee, what an vngratefull Villaine ſinne is to his beſt friends.

Laſtly, this Theefe is a Sinne is very ſubtill. Heb. 3. 13.Heb 3:13peſtilent ſubtile Theefe. Sinne is deceitfull; it beguiled Adam, Dauid and p. 10Salomon: Yea, Saint Paul, one once rapt vp into the third Heauen, doth acknowledge that it deceiued Rom. 7. 11.Rom 7:11him. And whom hath it not deceiued? He is therefore carefully to be auoided and taken heed of: and this robbing, murthering, ſtrong, vngrateful, miſchieuous and ſubtill Theefe diligently to be ſought out.

But before Search can be made, a Watch muſt bee A watch ſet to eſpie out ſin.ſet to eſpy him out, that he may be attached.

The Watch-man appointed The watchman is one.for this purpoſe, is godly iealouſie, who hath euer an holy ſuſpicion of a mans owne waies, leſt in any thing, at any time, he ſhould miſ-behaue himſelfe.

p. 11This vigilant Watchman hath with him two Aſsiſtants, Aſſiſtants are two.euer to accompany him; the one is LoueLove-good, a zealous fellow for God & good duties: the other is Hate-ill, an angry and waſpiſh fellow, and of a fierce countenance againſt ſinne.

Theſe three euer keepe together, ſo as Sinne cannot ſo cunningly enter, but they can as quickly eſpie him, and as ſpeedily purſue him, and put him to flight.

The place where theſe are ſet Watchmen, is called Soules-towne, a towne The Towne watched.of great reſort, a thorowfare, neuer without Trauellers, Trauellers.ill motions, day and night; and the Poſts, p. 12Poſts.which are Satans ſuggeſtions, euer and anon paſſe thorow, and many at the Common Inne, the Heart, The Inne.take vp their lodgings.

This Towne is very ſpacious Towne large.and large, for beſides many Back-ſides, By-lanes, and Out-corners, there are foure great ſtreets: Senſeſtreet, Streets are foure.Thought-ſtreet, Wordſtreet and Deed-ſtreet; in ſome of which this lewd companion Sinne, and his Cope-mates will be found wandering.

When the Watch is ſet, they hauehave a Charge giuen Charge giuen to the Watch-men.them by one in authority, which is this; Keepe thy Soule diligently: and withall Deut. 4. 9. Preu. 4. 23.Deut 4:9to hauehave a watchfull eye to the Inne, and to take p. 13heedleſt at any time there be an heart of infidelitie to Heb. 3 12, 13.Heb 3:12Heb 3:13depart from the liuing God: commanding alſo the Watch-men to exhort one another daily, leſt their hearts be hardened with the deceitfulneſſe of ſinne.

Theſe Watch-men hauehave A watch word.alſo a Watch-word giuen them, euen a word of preuenting Grace; ſaying to them, This is the Way, walke Iſa. 30. 21.Isa 30:21in it, when they are turning to the right hand, or to the left.

To this Watch-word, Godly-Iealouſie with his Aſſociates doe willingly attend, keeping carefully the watch, ſo as the Theefe is deſcried, & preſently they make Hue and Crie after him.

p. 14This Hue and Crie is The Hue and Crie.written by the Bible clark, and containeth infallible Eleuen waies how to know ſinne.markes to diſcouer ſinne, whereby it may bee certainly knowne; and they are theſe:

1 By the Law of the ten Commandements: for by it commeth the knowledge Rom. 3. 20. 7. 7. 1 Iohn 3. 4.Rom 3:20Rom 3:71 John 3:4of ſinne: for eueryevery failing in that which is commanded, and eueryevery thought, word & deed againſt that which is forbidden, is ſin.

2 By eueryevery exhortation to vertue, and eueryevery dehortation from vice: being appendices to the Commandements, ſhewing what we ought to doe, and what ought to be ſhunned and auoided of vsus.

p. 153 By eueryevery Threatning Iſa. 1. 11. 18. 3. 14. & 5. 20.Isa 1:11Isa 1:18Isa 1:3Isa 1:14Isa 5:20which is the word of Gods diſpleaſure for Sinne.

4 By puniſhments inflicted, Act. 5. 5. & 13. 11.Acts 5:5Acts 13:11which is certainly Gods hand for ſinne; for Ier. 25. 6. Lam. 3. 33.Jer 25:6Lam 3:33were hee not prouoked by Sinne, hee would not afflict vsus.

5 By the humble confeſſion Ioſh. 7. 20. Pſal. 15. 5, 14. 1 Sam. 12. 19.Josh 7:20Ps 15:5Ps 15:141 Sam 12:19of ſuch as hauehave acknowledged their Sinnes in particular.

6 By plaine accuſations Mat. 27. 4. 1 Tim. 1. 13. 1 Cor. 15. 9.Matt 27:41 Tim 1:131 Cor 15:9laying Sinnes to mens charge, Iſai. 59. 3, &c.

7 By reproofes & checks 2 Chr. 19. 2.2 Chr 19:2for Sinne, 2 Chron. 19. 2.

8 By Places numbring 1 Sam. 2. 19.1 Sam 2:19vp Sinnes by name in ſundry Scriptures, Rom. 1. 29, 30, 31, 32. 1 Tim. 1. 9, 10. p. 162 Tim. 3. 2, &c. 1 Cor. 5. 11. Galathians 5. 19, 20, 21. Reu. 21. 8. Pro. 11. 1. Mich. 6. 11.

9 By the deſcription of Sinne, ſhewing what it is, as in 1. Ioh. 3. 4. & 5. 17. Ro. 14. 23. Pro. 21. 4. & 24. 9. & 14. 21.

10 By the Deſcription of godly men negatiuely, by ſuch things as they ought to auoid, as in Pſal. 1. 1. & 15. 3. 5. & 24. 4. Ezek. 18. 6, 8. Iſa. 33. 15. Pſal. 101. 3. & 16. 4.

Laſtly, by the Deſcription of wicked men, by their bad qualities and conditions, Pſal. 10. 2, 11. & 12. 2. 4. & 57. 21.

The Hue and Cry thus Who carrieth the Hue and Crie.ſet out, it is carried by the p. 17Spirit of Supplication, crying mightily to the Lord for grace & mercy to helpe in time of need, as Dauid did; who ſaw Sinne before him, and then made hee Hue and Cry, ſaying: HaueHave mercy vponupon mee, O Lord, according to thy louing Pſal. 51. 1, 2.Ps 51:1Ps 51:2kindneſſe, according to the multitude of thy merciemercy doe away all mine offences.

This Hue and Cry muſt not be let ſlip at any hand, but be carried along in the purſuit, leſt in following of ſinne, men be deceiued, and ſolid Vertues bee attached in ſtead of Vices. For this wee muſt know, as Vices hauehave not a few friends, (as after ſhall bee ſhewed,) ſo Vertues hauehave p. 18many enemies ready to informe againſt them, that they may be purſued after as Malefactors, that Sinne in the meane while may ſeeke ſhelter and eſcape: and the enemies are theſe:

1 One M^r. Out-ſide, in Vertues enemies.the inſide a carnall Securitan, a fellow that will 1. Outſide, and his deſcription.come to his Church, keepe his Sundaies and Holydaies: But yet in the Congregation while hee ſitteth among others, ſometimes he is nodding, and ſometimes faſt a ſleepe; and if he abide waking, then is his mind wandring abroad, ſo as he remaineth ſtill ignorant, without any effectuall power of the Word; and being out of the Church, p. 19hee is preſently vponupon his worldly buſineſſe.

This fellow cannot abide What he is an enemy to.any after-meditation, or Chriſtian Conference with others of that which he hath heard; and if hee eſpie any meeting together for this purpoſe, then he maketh information againſt them, and is readie to ſend the Hue and Cry, as againſt a priuy Schiſmaticall conuenticling, and vnlawfull meeting. This is a vulgar Ignoramus, and a blockiſh Aduerſarie.

2 The ſecond is, Sir Worldly-wiſe, 2 Wicked worldly-wiſe deſcribed.a very foole to God, a ſelfe-conceited earth-worme, whoſe wiſdome is from below, and Lam. 3. 15.Lam 3:15therefore ſenſuall, earthly, p. 20and deuilliſh, who proudly What he is an enemy to.with much diſdaine, condemneth and contemneth the wiſdom which is from aboue, pure and peaceable, ſincere and charitable; and is ready to ſend the Hue and Crie after it, as after fooliſh and doting Simplicitie.

3 The third is Sir Lukewarm: 3. Luke-warme his deſcription.this fellow is a temporizing time-ſeruer, Iacke on both ſides, he is all in the praiſe of moderation and diſcretion, one very indifferent between this & that: Hee cannot endure What he is an enemy vntounto.feruent zeale, but would hauehave Hue and Crie ſent againſt it, as againſt a fiery mad-brain'd raſhneſſe.

4 The Fourth is Sir p. 21Plauſible Ciuill, a faſhionable 4. Plauſible Ciuill, his deſcription.fellow, framed to a commēdable outward behauiour for ciuility, but in matter of Religion he hath no more, but what he hath by common education, cuſtome, and example of others. To the life of Religion What he is an enemy to.hee is a ſtranger: ſtrict ſeruing of God, and a more narrow ſearch of our waies, he holds to bee fooliſh ſcrupuloſity, and is deſirous to hauehave the Hue and Crie ſent out againſt it, as againſt phantaſticall preciſeneſſe.

5 The Fift is, Maſter Machiauell, 5. Machiauell, his deſcription.a miſchieuous Companion: all for policy, little for piety, and then in pretence only: Hee is a p. 22very Iehu, zealous againſt Baal, to root out Ahabs poſterity, for the more ſure ſettling of the Kingdome to him and his: but in ſtate Idolatry, a very Ieroboam, to keepe the kingdome from being reunited to Iudah. He cannot ſuffer What he is an enemy to.gainfull abuſes to be reformed: but if any attempt any ſuch thing, he accuſeth them for factious turbulent ſpirits, & ſo would he hauehave the Hue and Crie made againſt their endeuours as againſt ſome Puritanicall tricke.

6 The ſixt is one Libertine: 6. Libertine, his deſcription.this licentious fellow hath a Chiuerell conſcience, caring for nothing but how to paſſe on along p. 23his life in pleaſurable contentments. Religion by him What he is an enemy to.is held to be but a deuiſed Policy to keep men in awe of a Deity; and therefore when he ſeeth Religion to be made conſcience of, he preſently cauſeth Hue and Cry to be made againſt it, as againſt Hypocriſie. This prophane enemy laugheth at, and mocketh at Chriſtianity.

7 The ſeuenth is, Scrupuloſity: 7. Scrupuloſity, his deſcriptionthis is an vnſociable and a ſnappiſh fellow, he maketh ſinnes to himſelfe more than the Law condemneth, and liueth vponupon fault-finding. Weaker Apprehenſion is his Father, and Miſ-vnderſtanding his Mother, and an Vncharitable p. 24heart his nurſe. The vſe of What he is an enemy to.Chriſtian liberty, if it bee more in his conceit than he pleaſeth to like wel of, then would hee hauehave the Hue and Cry ſent againſt it as againſt carnall ſecurity. This is a riged and cenſorious Aduerſary.

8. The eight is the Babling Babylonian: 8. Babylonian his deſcription.this is a doating companion, and ſuperſtitiouſly fooliſh: hee boaſteth of Antiquitie, though his waies be Nouelty: yet hee will hauehave it the Old Religion, and if any forſake it as Idolatry, thoſe he Whom he is an enemy to.condemneth for Schiſmatikes, and labours to hauehave the Hue and Cry ſent out againſt all Reformation in Chriſtiā Churches as againſt p. 25Hereſie. This is a bloudy Antichriſtian Aduerſary.

Theſe are the principall Informers (for I paſſe by petty companions) which endeuour to miſleade the purſuer of ſinne, and to ſet him to attach very eminent and excellent Vertues for Vices. Therefore it is neceſſary to hauehave Sinne ſet out by marks infallible in the Hue and Crie: elſe this ſubtill Villaine Sinne will craftily beguile the purſuer, and will eſcape either by the ſhifts which hee can make to deceiue him, or by his many friends hee hath to keepe him from being apprehended.

The ſhifts which commonly p. 26a Theefe maketh to Shifts by which ſinne eſcapes are principally twoeſcape in his flying away, are two:

1 Is his Counterfeiting the habit of an honeſt man: ſo Sinne craftily putteth vponupon himſelfe the ſhew of 1 By a ſhew of Vertue.Vertue, as Iehu did piety, for the getting of a Kingdome, and eſtabliſhing of it to himſelfe: whoſe ſinne was couered with a pretended & hypocriticall zeale for the Lord. Ananias and Saphira made ſhew of liberality like that of Barnabas, not diſcernable till Peter diſcouered it. For as Satan can transforme himſelfe into an Angell of light, and his Apoſtles into the Apoſtles of Chriſt: ſo 2 Cor. 11. 15, 14.2 Cor 11:152 Cor 11:14can Sinne, the ſeed of p. 27Satan, put vponupon it ſelfe the counterfeit of vertue.

2 A Theefe will alter 2 By the name of Vertue put vponupon Vices.his name, and by aſſuming the name of an honeſt man oftentimes eſcape away; and after this manner alſo eſcapeth Sinne, Vice getting vponupon it the name of Vertue. And ſo What Vices get the name of Vertues.Drunkennes eſcapeth vnderunder the name of good-fellowſhip; Couetouſnes vnderunder the name of Good-husbandry; Filthy Ribaldry, vnderunder the name of Merriment; Pride of apparell, vnderunder the name of Decency and Handſomnes; bloudy Reuenge for wrongs offered, eſcapeth vnderunder the name of Valour. Fooliſh waſtfulnes, vnderunder the name of a franke and liberall diſpoſition; p. 28Superſtition vnderunder the name of Deuotion of Fore-Fathers and the old Religion. Remiſneſſe in puniſhing, vnderunder the name of Gentleneſſe; Flattery, vnderunder the name of Vnoffenſiuenes; Luke-warmnes in Religion, vnderunder the praiſe of Diſcretion; and many ſuch like foule Vices, do thus deceitfully hide themſelues, and ſo eſcape vnattached.

If by theſe his ſhifts hee cannot eſcape Godly-iealouſie, that conſtant purſuer, then will he ſeek to be holpen by his kindred and friends: for ſin hath many, Friends of ſin, and how they ſhew it.who will either ſo defend him, or excuſe him, or deny him, or hide him, or make him ſo little in fault, p. 29as will almoſt perſwade Godly-Iealouſie, that it is euen needleſſe ſo eagerly to purſue after him.

1 The firſt of theſe is 1. Ignorance, how a friend to ſinne.his Grandſire-Ignorance; for he knowes no ſinne, he cannot reade the Hue and Cry: he breedeth ſin, and bringeth him vp, and maketh no conſcience of it: if ſinne get into his houſe, he holds himſelf ſafe enough.

2 The ſecond, his brother 2. Error, how a friend to ſinne.Error, the ſonne of Ignorance; this fellow miſtaketh all, and miſconſtrueth the whole Hue and Cry, and can finde no fault with ſin, and ſo endeuoureth to ſend the purſuer another way.

3 The third is his Couſin p. 303. Opinion, how a friend to ſin.Opinion, and this will hold the purſuer with a long and tedious diſputation, queſtioning the Act, whether it bee a ſinne or no? And will endeuour by probabilities to make it no ſinne, that ſo hee might make the purſuer to deſiſt. Thus ſinnes of profit and ſuch as may preuent certaine dangers are diſputed, Pro & Con, as men ſay. The ſinne of Vſury by many is brought vnderunder Opinion, as lawfull ſome way.

So the Sinne of Idolatry, to goe and heare a Maſſe without inward reuerence, as it was diſputed in Queene Maries daies, to preuent the eminent danger of death then; p. 31Many ſins euident enough are made diſputable if they yeeld profit, or be delight-ſome to the fleſh, or ſuch as may helpe to keepe a mans perſon or ſtate in ſafety; for all theſe Opinion will be a Proctor.

4 The fourth is, one Maſter 4. Subtilty, how a friend to ſin.Subtiltie, his wit being attended on by little Conſcience of the truth. This man commeth with his diſtinctions to cleere an Act from ſinne; thus with his latria & doulia, he will hauehave Idolatry no Idolatry: ſo with his biting and not biting, and lending to the rich vponupon Vſe, but not to a needy brother, damned Vſurie muſt bee no Sinne. This Subtilty of wit with a p. 32chiuerell Conſcience, maketh foule ſinnes to paſſe along as no ſinnes.

5 The fift is called 5. Cuſtome, how a friend to ſinne.Cuſtome; this old Syre, patronizeth many vaine and ſinfull practices. By this Mat. 27. 18. 16. 21, 26.Matt 27:18Matt 27:16Matt 27:21Matt 27:26the Iewes held it no ſinne in them to demand, and in Pilate to let looſe to them, a wicked Barrabas, one Ioh. 18. 39, 40.John 18:39John 18:40worthy to die for inſurrection and murther.

6 The ſixt is a Popiſh fellow called Fore-fathers: 6. Fore-fathers.hee aduanceth his Anceſtors and their worth, and thinketh ſo well of them, that to imitate them is no ſinne. Thus the Samaritanes iuſtified their falſe Ioh. 4. 10.John 4:10worſhip.

7 The ſeuenth is one p. 33Sir Power; he maketh euer 7. Power, how a friend to ſin.that warrantable, which Law eſtabliſheth, ordaineth and decreeth. Great and capitall ſinnes in the Romiſh Synagogue are thus countenanced.

8 The eight is Sir Sampler, 8. Sampler, how a friend to ſin.who produceth for patternes great mens and learned mens examples, as if they could not doe amiſſe: Ier. 44. 17.Jer 44:17but whatſoeuer they doe or ſay, it muſt be good and lawfull, and therefore imitable without ſinne.

9 The ninth is Sir Moſt-doe, who maintaineth 9. Moſt-doe, how a friend to ſinne.ſinne from a generall practice, becauſe multitudes do it here, and there, and eueryevery where; & therefore p. 34no ſinne to doe ſuch a thing, which almoſt all, or the greateſt part doe.

10 The tenth is one Sir Silly, 10. Silly, how a friend to ſinne.one made all of good meaning, who will qualifie the fact by thinking no harme, or intending well. Thus would Saul hauehave iuſtified 1 Sam. 15. 15.1 Sam 15:15his rebellion, and Abimelech excuſed his Gen. 20. 5.Gen 20:5taking of Abrahams wife. And thus vaine perſons excuſe their wanton communication, laſciuious ſongs, fooliſh ieſtings, and ſuch like, ſaying, they meane no harme, they only make themſelues merry. Thus Sir Silly is hee that maketh ſimple ſoules plead good meaning for all their fooliſh ſuperſtitions, p. 35blind deuotions, and licentious merriments.

The eleuenth is Vaine-Hope: 11. Vaine-hope, how a friend to ſinne.this teacheth to put off the fault to ſome other, as Adam to Euah, and Gen. 3. & 4.Gen 3Euah to the Serpent, and to deny the fact, as Cain did, euen to God himſelfe, hereby hoping to ſhift off ſinne, and to eſcape puniſhment, who maketh God all of mercy.

The twelfth is the Lord Preſumption: 12. Preſumption, how a friend to ſinne.hee feareth not iudgement, he bleſſeth himſelfe in his euill waies, he maketh a couenant with Death, and a league with Deut. 29.Deut 29Hell, and ſuffers ſinne to be his daily gueſt, and will let the Hue and Crie paſſe Iſa. 28. 15, 16.Isa 28:15Isa 28:16along without any feare of p. 36perill, as nothing at all concerning him.

The thirteenth is Sir Wilfull, 13. Wilfull, how a friend to ſin.hating to be reformed: this is an obſtinate friend for ſinne, who will wilfully defend it, and bee careleſſe of all reproofes. This fellow in contempt will tread downe the Hue and Crie vnderunder his feet, and maintaine ſinne.

The foureteenth is Sir S^t. like, 14. S^t. like, how a friend to ſin.which vnderunder the ſhew and ſhadow of Piety, and pretended honeſty, wil couer much iniquity, and hide it for a time, that it be not taken by the purſuer with the Hue and Cry; ſuch were the Hypocriticall Scribes and Phariſes.

Theſe great ones, and p. 37many other moe, are the friends of this Theefe and Rebell: but yet for all theſe Fauourites, Godly-Iealouſie Godly-iealouſie will not be deceiued by theſeeſpies him out, and his harbour, and preſently goeth to a Iuſtice of Peace, to procure a warrant for the Conſtable to attach him, and all his Companions with him.

The Iuſtice is not one of a meane ranke, or any petty Iuſtice, but the very Lord chiefe Iuſtice of Heauen Lord chiefe Iuſtice.and earth, the Lord Ieſus: for it is hee that can giuegive the warrant to attach ſinne, no other warrant will ſinne obey.

The Warrant is the Warrant, and he forme hereof.Power of Gods Word. The Forme of which warrant p. 38is, (as you ſee in my Text) to ſearch out and attach ſinne with all his Aſſociates, and to bring him and them before Authoritie, to anſwer to ſuch things as ſhall bee obiected againſt them, in his Maieſtie the King of Heauens behalfe.

The procuring of this warrant, is by going vntounto, and conferring with ſome of the Lord Chiefe Iuſtices Secretaries, Secretaries to the Lord chiefe Iuſtice.the Writers of holy Scripture, ſetting downe this charge, as Ieremie doth here, to ſearch and try our waies.

This Warrant procured, Godly-Iealouſie taketh and carrieth to an Officer which hath Authority to p. 39make ſearch and attach ſinne.

This Officer, without which ſin neither can, nor The Officer to attach ſin, is Vnderſtanding.indeed will be attached, is Vnderſtanding, who knoweth what ſinne is.

Now as there bee foure ſorts of Officers which may attach Felons by warrant, The Deputy-Conſtable, the Tithingman, The Petty Conſtable, and the Head Conſtable: ſo is the ſpirituall Vnderſtanding fourefold.Officer fourefold.

1 The Deputy-Conſtable 1 Deputy-Conſtable.is commonly ſome Neighbour, intreated to performe the office in the others abſence: this is the very ſhadow of a Conſtable, and will not willingly intermeddle in any thing: p. 40ſo as the people where hee dwels, may do, for all him, what they liſt.

This Deputie Conſtable in this ſpirituall Towneſhip, is the Vnderſtanding Vnderſtanding darkned. Eph. 4. 18. 1 Ioh. 2. 11.Eph 4:181 John 2:11darkened, the ſonne of Ignorance, and grand-childe of Blindneſſe of heart: this is a blinde Conſtable, and hath neuer an eye to ſee with.

This ſuffers all diſorder Eph. 4. 18, 19. The euils vnderunder it committed.Eph 4:18Eph 4:19in the whole man or Soule-Towne-ſhip. Heere be ſuch as bee alienated from the life of God, paſt feeling, giuen ouer to worke all vncleannes with greedineſſe. All the affections are quite out of order, and no care taken for their reformation: for this fooliſh fellow p. 41imploieth himſelfe about his grounds, cattell, ſheepe and oxen, about buying and ſelling; as for the eſtate of his ſoule, he is to it a very ſtranger: He knowes the price of corne, oxen, and ſheepe; but what is the excellencie of Vertue, what the euill of Vice, what the price of his ſoule, hee neither knowes, nor cares to know.

2 The Tithingman, 2 Tithing-man.which commonly is a meane fellow, and ſo contemptible, as few or none care for him. And therefore hereupon is very little or no reformation where hee hath his dwelling. If any amendment be ſought, it is onelyonly for ſome p. 42notorious ſhameful miſdemeanours, and he muſt be much called vponupon for this too, elſe no reformation thereof; and as for many other offences, there is no care had at all.

This Tithing-man is Groſſe-vnderſtanding, like Groſſe-vnderſtanding, and the euill thereof.one purblinde, who cannot ſee a farre off, but only groſſe tranſgreſſions forbidden 2 Pet. 1. 9.2 Pet 1:9in the Law, according to the ſound of the bare letter only; as Theft, Murther, Adultery, and ſo forth. The ſpirituall meaning and large extent of the Commandement, hee is wholly ignorant of. This purblinde Tythingman ſuffers a number of diſorders in his Towneſhip, p. 43and muſt be much vrged to ſee very groſſe and foule miſdemeanours; elſe will hee not ſeeke to reforme them.

3. The Petty Conſtable, 3. Pettie Conſtable.which is ſome ciuill honeſt man of the Pariſh, and perhaps hath ſome Country learning, but yet is an one-eyed fellow, halfeſighted, and ſo paſſeth by many faults.

This Pettie Conſtable is the Vnderſtanding ſomewhat Vnderſtanding ſomewhat cleered.cleered: hee hath an inſight into the Morall Law, who by ciuill education, ſome Art and learning, & an outward forme of Religion, and reading in the Bible now and then, can ſpeake of the Goſpell p. 44Hiſtorically, and prettily diſcourſe of Religion.

But this his knowledge is onelyonly ſuperficiall, for neither in the Common-Law, which is the Law Morall, neither in the Statute Law, the Law of the Goſpell, or Law of Libertie, is he any profeſſed Student. Hee is no Innes of Court man, neuer brought vp in the Inner Temple. He maketh neither the Common, nor Statute Law his profeſſion.

As he is no Student in A meere ciuill honeſt man, who, and what a one.theſe, ſo he is no practitioner, but onelyonly aimeth at ciuill behauiour, common honeſtie, and careth to be held onelyonly a Chriſtian at large, and to profeſſe the p. 45Religion of the preſent State, without any more curious endeuour to proceede farther to finde out the power of Religion.

Therefore where this What he onelyonly lookes vntounto.kinde of vnderſtanding dwelleth, there care is had onelyonly to ſee to diſorders againſt ciuill honeſty and common Morall duties, and againſt courſes apparantly dangerous to his outward eſtate; and thoſe things which may offend the moſt or the greateſt ſort amongſt men. This halfe-ſighted Conſtable, a ſuperficiall fellow in diuine truth, aimeth at no more.

The ſinnes immediately What ſinnes he regards not.againſt GOD and againſt p. 46his Goſpell, as vnbeleefe, impatience, pride, diſdaine, enuy at other mens gifts, preſumption of Gods merciemercy, abuſe of his fauours, and many ſuch, he taketh no notice of, but permitteth them to liue where he hath to do, without controule.

4 The Head or chiefe 4. Chiefe Conſtable.Conſtable is a man of a right and good vnderſtanding, knowing his Office, and the duties thereto belonging, with care and conſcience to diſcharge the ſame: for he is ſtudious in both laws, and a good practitioner therein.

This Chiefe Conſtable Illuminated vnderſtanding, and the excellency thereof.is Illuminated vnderſtanding: this is one, that hath p. 47both his eyes to ſee with, of nature and of grace, hee is well read, both in the Common-Law, the Law-Morall, and the Statute-Law, the law of liberty, the Goſpell of Chriſt, he hath been a long Practitioner in both, and is called the ſpirituall 1 Cor. 2.1 Cor 2man, who can diſcerne and iudge of all things.

The place of his common His habitation is Regeneration.abode and dwelling, is in Regeneration, a very healthfull, comfortable & commodious habitation. Hee is no ſtraggler, but loueth to keepe home, and to looke to his office.

Hee hath an excellent His Family.Family, his Wife is called Grace, his two ſonnes, Will p. 48and Obedience; his three daughters, Faith, Hope, and Charitie; his two ſeruants, Humility and Selfe-deniall; and his two maids, Temperance for his Summer-houſe of Proſperity, and Patience for his Winter-houſe of aduerſitie.

This Chiefe Conſtable, The good he doth.where hee dwels, keepeth very good order, hee ſuffereth not the Rebell Sin to rule and ſwagger in the Towne ſhip of his ſoule.

If Drunkennes, as once in Noah, or Adulterie, as once in Dauid, or Pride of heart, as once in Hezekiah, or Enuie, as once in Mirriam, or ſuch like happen to bee found where hee hath to doe, he ſpeedily ſendeth p. 49them packing. For though they may at vnawares perhaps creepe in, and bee found where hee dwelleth, in ſome Street of his Towne, yet they get there no abiding place: Though hee cannot euer and at all times preuent their creeping in, yet hee alwaies taketh care that they ſettle not themſelues where hee hath to doe, but will diſlodge them wherſoeuer he ſhall finde them: for hee is very careful in his office, to diſcharge it to the vtmoſt.

This Chiefe Conſtable is hee to whom Godly-Ielouſie bringeth his Warrant, to ſeeke out the Rebell Sinne and to attach him.This is that which apprehendeth ſinne.

This Conſtable hauing p. 50receiued the warrant, preſently addreſſeth himſelfe to make the ſearch. But for that ſin is Maſter full (eſpecially eueryevery **Which hath intecedent, concomitant, & ſubſequent ſinnes.capitall Sin, which is attended on by many other) and will not eaſily ſubmit, but dare make oppoſition againſt authority, till hee be ouermaſtered: therefore this man takes with him ſufficient companie, to watch ſinne for eſcaping, to goe very ſtrongly to attach him, and to hold him when they hauehave him, ſo as neuer a friend may dare to ſide with him.

Firſt, he taketh his owne …ydants. Two Ser…ants.two ſeruants, Humility and Selfe-deniall, which euer in eueryevery ſearch neceſſarily attend him.

p. 51Then going together, 2. Neighbour. Godly-Sorrow, and his ſeuen Sonnes.hee calleth vponupon his next neighbour, Godly-ſorrow with his ſeuen ſonnes, ready to beare them company, 2 Cor. 7. 11.

The firſt of theſe is Care 1. Care.to finde out ſinne, that it may not be hid.

The ſecond is Cleering, 2. Cleering.which, when hee eſpieth ſinne, will not winke thereat, nor partake with it.

The third is Indignation, 3. Indignation.a fierce fellow, which can neuer looke vponupon any ſinne, but with a godly anger.

The fourth is Feare, not naturall or daſtardly feare, 4. Feare.nor ſeruile feare, all too baſe-minded to attach ſin; but ſuch a feare as maketh p. 52him to ſtand in awe of God, reiecting all fellowſhip with the wicked and partakers with ſinne.

The fift is Vehement deſire 5. Vehement deſire.to apprehend ſinne, to be in Gods fauour, in louelove with the godly, and free from his own corruptions. This is a ſtirring fellow.

The ſixth is Zeale, who 6. Zeale.dare ſeaze vponupon euen the moſt Capitall Rebell, for hee is like to Phinees, ready to thruſt him thorow, and to kill him whereſoeuer he findeth him.

The ſeuenth is Reuenge, 7. Reuenge.who anſwereth to his name; for hee deſireth to pay ſinne home for the wrong hee hath done him, and would hauehave him proceeded p. 53againſt to the vttermoſt. This fellow Iuſtily layeth hold on ſinne, and bindeth him at the Chiefe Conſtables command, to leade him away.

Theſe are able to take priſoner the ſturdieſt Rogue, the ſtouteſt Rebell, & ſtrongeſt Theefe. What Sinne in the ſoule is it, which this Chiefe Conſtable with his men, his neighbour Godly ſorrow, and his ſeuen Sonnes cannot ouer-maſter, and leade by Gods grace captiue, and make it the Kings Priſoner?

As the Conſtable goeth with theſe his many neighbours, and with his own ſeruants, to the number p. 54of ten beſides himſelfe, A couple of buſie fellowes.a couple of buſie fellowes vncalled thruſt in themſelues to increaſe the number.

The one of theſe is Selfe-louelove, a peſtilent fellow: 1. Selfe-louelove, what euill he doth.for he not onelyonly can hinder the Conſtables diligence in taking paines to ſearch, but in ſearching to be too partiall, and ouerreſpectiue to himſelfe, if the ſinnes ſought after be either pleaſurable or profitable: but alſo withall, hee can dull the ſpirit of Godly-ſorrow, and doe his ſeuen ſonnes very great miſchiefe, as by their confeſſions afterward it doth appeare.

Therefore when the p. 55Conſtable Vnderſtanding eſpieth him, hee commandeth forth with his ſeruant Selfe-deniall to put him out of the company for hindering Selfe-deniall remoues him.the ſearch.

The other is Selfe-conceit; 2. Selfe-conceit, and the miſchiefes therof.the former lewd companion diſordereth all the affections; this blindeth iudgement, by the ouerweening of a mans ſelfe, and will picke the Warrant out of the Conſtables pocket, and will blow out the candle-light which is in the Conſtables hand, if hee bee not preuented.

This wretched fellow of all wiſe men is held a foole: for The way of the Pro. 12. 5. & 3. 5, 7.Prov 12:5Prov 3:5Prov 3:7foole is wiſe in his owne eyes, p. 56and there is more hope of a foole than of him that is wiſe in his owne conceit; and therefore are we dehorted from being wiſe in our owne eyes, or leaning to our owne wiſdome; and a woe Iſai. 5. 21.Isa 5:21is pronounced againſt ſuch: yet is the foole a very dangerous foole, and a knaue too; hee will ſo deceiue by flattery. Hee will make a man beleeue his waies to be cleere in his owne Prou. 16. 2, 25.Prov 16:2Prov 16:25eyes, when the end thereof is death. Yea, can beguile a generation of men, and make Pro. 30. 12.Prov 30:12them to thinke themſelues pure in their owne eyes and ſight, and yet are not waſhed from their filthineſſe. Such as conceited foole was the Laodicean Angell.Reuel. 3.Rev 3

p. 57The Conſtable therefore commandeth his man Humilitie, Humility puts him away.to thruſt this foole and knaue out of their company, before they make ſearch for ſinne: for if theſe be ſuffered to goe along with the reſt, labour is but loſt, ſinne will neuer bee found out and attached.

Now when the Conſtable hath rid away theſe two troubleſome companions, (for they vſually go together) then hee goeth on to the place where hee knoweth that ſinne hath taken vp his lodging.

The place is a Common The Inne Miſtreſſe Hearts houſe.Inne, an Harlots houſe called Miſtris Heart, a receptacle for all Villaines, p. 58Whores, and Theeues, and for all diſhoneſt perſons whatſoeuer, none denied houſe-roome or harbour there.

And that ſhee is ſuch a diſhoneſt woman, is cleere and euident, as in her arraignment ſhall be fully proued.

But to couer her naughtineſſe as much as ſhe may, ſhee hath gotten into her houſe one called Old-man, Old man. Eph…, …. 22,corrupted by her deceitfull luſts, to become her husband, when indeed ſhe is his owne daughter; and ſo liue they in inceſt together, and keepe rout and ryot night and day. If any honeſt Traueller (a good and godly motion) p. 59happen ſometimes to fall in there vnawares, hee is ſtraightway denyed entertainment. Her anſwer is by and by, that her lodgings are taken vp for other manner of men, there is no roome for any ſuch troubleſome gueſts as theſe be: none can bee merry for them where they come, hindering all good fellowſhip.

The houſe which this Harlotry dwelleth in, hath many in lets, Fiue doores Fiue doores.open for their gueſts to come in at. Theſe fiue doores are the fiue ſenſes.

The firſt is the doore of 1. The doore of Hearing.Hearing: the firſt that euer p. 60was open to let in ſin, as wee may learne in the Serpents beginning to tempt Euah.Geneſ. 3.Gen 3

At this doore entreth What euils enter by hearing.in Lying, ſlandering, backbiting, filthy Communication, Flattery, Swearing, Error, Hereſie, Falſe-doctrine, Tale-bearing, Blaſphemie, and with theſe enter alſo ill Opinions of one another, vnchari table iudging, Ill-ſuſpicion, raſh credulity, and many other ſinnes, cauſed and committed by the tongue, through want of wiſdome and charity.

The ſecond is the doore 2. The doore of Seeing.of Seeing, at this enter in the luſts of the eye; Fornication, 1 Iohn 3. What ſinnes enter by ſeeing.1 John 3Adultery, Couetouſneſſe, p. 61Deſire of Naboths Vineyard. The marriage of the Sonnes of God with the Daughters of men: Achans Geneſ. 6. Ioſ. 7.Gen 6Josh 7Theft, who ſaw a wedge of gold, and deſired it, and tooke it: many are Pſal. 119. 37. Iob 31. 1.Ps 119:37Job 31:1the ſinnes which enter in by this doore, through want of Chaſtity and Contentment.

The third is the doore of 3. The doore of Taſting.Taſting; at this enter in Ryot, Gluttony, Drunkenneſſe, The ſins which enter by this ſenſe.Reuellings, and the fruits thereof, Chambering and Wantonneſſe, Prodigality, Quarrelling, and Fighting; and many other curſed effects of ſeeking Prou. 23. 2, 20, 21.Prov 23:2Prov 23:20Prov 23:21to ſatisfie the appetite: 1 Cor. 5. 11.1 Cor 5:11which the godly man auoideth, and alſo the very p. 62occaſion thereof, by Sobriety and Temperance.

The fourth is the doore 4. The doore of Smelling. Prou. 7. 17. What entreth here.Prov 7:17of Smelling; at this enter in fooliſh Niceties, Perfumings, and other allurements to daliance, Effeminateneſſe, and ſuch like.

The fift is the doore of 5. The doore of Feeling. Rom. 13. 13. What entreth here.Rom 13:13Feeling; at this doore entreth Wantonneſſe, Laſciuiouſneſſe, and other fruits of the fleſh.

Theſe be the doores by which all ſinne ordinarily entereth into the Heart, except Originall ſin bred within, and brought from the wombe; as alſo Sarans immediate ſuggeſtions, ſuddenly caſt into the Heart.

When ſinnes enter in, p. 63Degrees to the heart.at any of theſe doores, They firſt come into the Hall, where attendeth Hall-attendant, Commonſenſe.Commonſenſe to welcome them.

Then they goe into a Parlour attendant, Fantaſie.Parlour, a more inner roome, and there ſtayeth Fantaſie to entertaine them.

After this, they aſcend into an vpper Chamber, & Chamber.are there receiued of Intelligence, Intelligence.who preſently acquainteth Miſtriſſe Heart, the Miſtriſſe of the houſe with it, which is in her Dyning-room, what are the Dyning-roome.company and number of her gueſts come in: For this Hoſteſſe is a ſtately Dame, and is not to bee ſpoken with by and by. p. 64Thus as you hauehave heard, are her gueſts entertained and brought in vntounto her.

With her are eleuen Daughters attending her Miſtris Hearts Maids.as Maids, lewd Strumpets, and as impudent Harlots as her ſelfe.

Theſe eleuen waiting-Maids, 11. Paſſions.are the eleuen paſſions of the Heart, corrupt, diſorderly and immoderate wautons, which bee theſe.

The firſt is LoueLove, ſet all 1. LoueLove.on pleaſures, profits, honours, and wholly vponupon worldly and fleſhly Vanities; contrary to that in 1 Iohn 2. 15. LoueLove not the world, nor the things that are in the world.

p. 65The ſecond is Hatred, 2. Hatred.which is contrary to LoueLove, ſetting it ſelfe againſt Gods Word, good men, & good things, a miſchieuous maid euer ſetting one another at oddes, and diſquieting often the whole houſe and the table of gueſts.

The third is Deſire, neuer 3. Deſire.content, but would hauehave ſometimes this, and then that, now here, now there, neuer reſting, neuer ſatisfied with either riches or honours, or varietie of pleaſures.

The fourth is Deteſtation, 4. Deteſtation.contrarie to Deſire, which loatheth and cannot endure good counſell, good companie, godly conference, much leſſe reproofe p. 66or any oppoſition in her wayes.

The fift is Vaine-hope, 5. Vaine-hope.which poſſeſſing the heart, maketh it fooliſhly preſumptuous.

The ſixe is Deſpaire, contrary 6. Deſpaire.to Hope, which cauſeth acts againſt reaſon, againſt nature ſometimes: as it did in Achitophel, in Saul, in Zimri, in Iudas, who killed themſelues. It alſo maketh men runne into diſſolute and rebellious courſes, euen to walke wilfully Ier. 18. 12.Jer 18:12on in euill, as being without hope.

The ſeuenth is Feare, 7. Feare.which paſſion doth ſo ſlauiſhly captiuate the mind, as it will make a man forget his dutie to God, ſo as p. 67he may eſcape danger with men, as it did Peter, and Pilate: and is euer a falſe friend in aduerſitie.

The eighth is Audacity, 8. Audacity.contrary to Feare, which maketh a man foole-hardy, without deliberation to thruſt himſelfe into imminent dangers, as it did the Iſraelites.Numb. 14. 40.Num 14:40

The ninth is Ioy, which cheereth a man when hee 9. Ioy.hath that which he delighteth in, be it neuer ſo ill, as it did the inhabitants of the earth at the deſtruction of the two Prophets.Reu. 11. 10.Rev 11:10

The tenth is Sorrow, contrarie 10. Sorrow.to Ioy, which afflicteth the ſoule, cauſing weeping and wailing, lamentation and mourning, p. 68often with an out-cry, as in the land of Aegypt.Exod. 12. 30.Exod 12:30

The eleuenth is Anger, 11. Anger.which commeth vponupon a man, not onelyonly for apparent iniury, as on Dauid 1 Saw. 25.againſt Nabal, but vponupon imagined wrongs, as on Haman againſt Mordecai, Heſt. 3. 5.Naaman againſt Eliſha, 2 King. 5. 13. 1 King. 22.2 Kgs 5:131 Kgs 22and Ahab againſt Micaiah.

There is no paſſion contrarie to this: for though quietneſſe be contrarie to Anger, yet its no paſſion: therefore they are but eleuen, as Thomas Aquinas In his Summes.reckons them.

Beſides theſe attending very diligently on Miſtris Heart, ſhe hath a man-ſeruant Miſtris Hearts Man ſeruant.called Will.

p. 69This Will hath three at Will is made the ſeruant to all.command vnderunder him, the Feet, the Hand, the Tongue, like the Hoſtler, Tapſter, and Chamberlaine. All theſe are at Miſtris Hearts and her Maids commands.

If LoueLove in a Maid affect LoueLove.a young man, though all her friends bee againſt it: yet marke how ſhee ſets Will on worke for her. I Will hauehave him (ſaith ſhee) though I neuer hauehave good day with him. Will here muſt make the match againſt all gaine-ſaying. Iudah Geneſ. 38. 16.Gen 38:16he luſted after one hee ſaw in the way (not knowing it to be Tamar:) Will muſt here make the filthie bargaine. What, ſaith ſhe, p. 70wilt thou giuegive mee? I Will (ſaith he) giuegive thee a Kid.

As LoueLove ſets Will a worke, ſo doth Hatred, as Hatred.we may ſee in Eſau, I Will Gen. 27. 41.Gen 27:41kill my Brother Iacob. So doth Deſire, as in Adoniah, 1 Kings 1. 5.1 Kgs 1:5who ſaid, I Will be King. In Gehezi, greedy of gaine, 2 Kings 5. 20.2 Kgs 5:20I Will run after him: Will heere made the feet to runne, the tongue to ſpeake, the hands to receiue. So in Iudas, to betray Matth. 26. 15.Matt 26:15Chriſt, Will muſt doe it. What Will you giuegive mee, and I Will deliuer him into your hands? Thus to theſe and all other Paſſions, this Will is made a packe-horſe, a ſlaue, and without him they can doe nothing. Will is the man p. 71that muſt euer doe the deed for eueryevery Paſſion, though they bee contrarie one to another: miſerable is his ſeruice, that muſt bee commanded by ſo many Miſtreſſes, and ſo diſagreeing among themſelues one from another.

When the Heart hath entertained her gueſts thus as you hauehave heard, The hearts prouiſion for ſinnes.and receiued them into her Dyning-roome, prouiſion is preſently made for them, yea ſhee hath it euer ready for them, as neuer being without many gueſts.

The Table is ſpred, Table, Inſtability.which all muſt ſit at, and this Table is Inſtabilitie: for inconſtant are the p. 72thoughts of the whoriſh Heart.

The Table therefore is not ſquare, but round, turning about both for more company, and alſo that her gueſts may take their places eueryevery one of them as they come without diſcontent.

For albeit there bee degrees and differences of ſinnes, yet to her they are alike welcome, one as well as another: although ſome at one time ſit neerer to her than at another, as gueſts doe that ſit at ſuch a round Table.

The Table-cloth that Table-cloth, Vanity.couereth it is Vanity: for vponupon Inſtabilitie with ſuch vicious gueſts, what can p. 73there be but Vanitie? This Salomon found in all his Inuentions, Eccleſ. 1.

The Bread ſet on the Bread.Table, is the Fitneſſe of eueryevery Sins proper obiect, without which, ſinne Actuall can no more liue than a man without bread.

The Salt which ſeaſoneth Salt.ſinnes appetite to feed it ſelfe is Opportunitie, for time, for place, for perſon; this ſharpneth ſinne to bee working, as the appetite to receiue food, when it is well ſeaſoned.

The Trenchers to eat Trenchers.on, are Strength of eueryevery mans Nature to act Sinne.

The Napkins to make Napkins.cleane their hands and p. 74mouth in eating, are the pretended ſhewes of Vertue, contrary to theſe Vices, by ſome good workes (ſo they wipe their mouthes, as the Harlot in the Prouerbs) and by ſome good deed of either one kinde or other outwardly done: and thus they wipe cleane their ſingers, and will not bee thought to be the vncleane perſons which they are taken for.

The Diſhes of Meat ſet before them, are onelyonly Diſhes of meatthree.

The firſt is the Luſts of 1 Is the luſts of the Fleſh.the Fleſh, and this is ſerued vp in the Plate of Pleaſure.

Of this Diſh feedeth Who eats of this.heartily Adultery, Fornication, p. 75Inceſts, and all other of the like nature.

The ſecond Diſh is Luſt 2 Luſts of the Eies.of the eyes, and this is ſerued vp in the Platter of Profit.

Hereon feedeth Couetouſneſſe, Who feeds on this.Vſurie, Oppreſſion, Briberie, Extortion, Vnhoneſt gaine, and ſuch like. Of one of theſe two Diſhes doeall ſinnes taſte, except the ſinne of Swearing, in which is lewd prophaneneſſe of Heart, but neither pleaſure nor profit as in other ſinnes: though by ſwearing vngodly men ſometimes in buying and ſelling make gaine vniuſtly.

The third Diſh is Pride of life, and this is ſerued p. 763 Is the pride of life.vp in the Charger of worldly Eſtimation. This is a very windy meat, which puffeth vp the minde with vaineglory of an empty title of ſome honour, as a bladder is with winde, and yet is very coſtly feeding.

On this Diſh feedeth Who feeds on ….Arrogancie, Pride of ſpirit, LoueLove of Eminencie, Deſire of Superiority, and Outward Reuerence, and ſuch like, for which they are made to pay well.

The Drinke which they drinke to make them digeſt Drinke.their meat, is the Pleaſurableneſſe of ſinne for the preſent.

The Waiters at this Table to giuegive attendance that Waiters.nothing bee wanting, are p. 77the eleuen Maids, with Will their man.

Theſe Harlots humour How Miſtreſſe Hearts Maidens humour their gueſts,their gueſts, and are ready at a becke to giuegive contentment.

Where Incontinencie ſits, there Wanton-LoueLove will wait.

Where Diſpleaſure is, there Hatred will attend.

Where Couetouſneſſe is, there vnſatiable Deſire will bee.

Where Flattery, that baſe-humoring diſpoſition to get grace and fauour ſitteth, there Feare to offend will ſtand by.

Where Impatience takes his place, there Anger is ready waiting to doe his will.

p. 78Where Inconſiderateneſſe ſits, there Audacitie and Foole-hardineſſe will wait.

Where ſullen Malecontentedneſſe ſits, there Deſpaire will ſoone giuegive attendance.

Where Iouialitie taketh his place, there Ioy will bid him welcome.

Where Credulitie ſits, there Vaine-hope will be.

And thus they attend vponupon the Table, to giuegive their gueſts all content to the vtmoſt.

After full feeding followes Taking away, vexation of ſpirit.the taking away of theſe Diſhes of Pleaſure, Profit and Honour.

Now where Vanity was the Table-cloth, what can p. 79the taking away bee, but Vexation of ſpirit, as Salomon ſpeakes? for it is with Eccl. 2. 11.Eccl 2:11theſe, as with gueſts in an Inne, all merrie and pleaſant while they bee eating and drinking, till the Chamberlaine commeth to take away, and giueth them a round reckoning, and then they take to their purſes with almoſt a deepe ſilence: ſo vnpleaſing is payment on a ſudden.

After Supper, Miſtreſſe Heart prouideth them their Lodging.

The place they lye in, is Lodging.but one roome for all their Gueſts, but it is large enough for all: the roome is Naturall corruption.Naturall corruption.

p. 80In this roome lyeth Miſtreſſe Heart, all her Maids, her man Will, and all her gueſts together, like wilde Iriſh.

With theſe eleuen Harlots lye theſe gueſts in ſo many ſeuerall beds.Seuerall Beds.

1 In the Bed of LoueLove, lie Wanton thoughts, Laſciuiouſneſſe, Loues Bedfellowes.filthy Communication, Fornication, Adultery, Whoredome, and other ſinfull vncleanneſſes.

2 In the Bed of Hatred, doe lye Mindfulneſſe of Hatreds Bedfellowes.Wrongs, Ill ſpeaking, Back-biting, Slandering, Railing, Quarrelling, Fighting, Reuenge, Murther, and ſuch like.

3 In the Bed of Deſire, p. 81Deſires Bedfellowes.doe lye, Couetouſneſſe, Theft, Oppreſſion, Robberie, Fraud, Coozenage, and ſuch like.

4 In the Bed of Deteſtation, Deteſtations Bedfellowes.lye want of Charitie, diſ-union of Spirits, Diſcord, plotting of Deſtruction, and ſuch like.

5 In the Bed of Vainehope, Vaine hopes Bedfellowes.lye violent aſſaies, to effect what they hope for: ſometimes neglect of lawfull meanes, preſumption of mercy, abuſe of Gods fauour, and prophaneneſſe.

6 In the Bed of Deſpaire, Deſpaires Bedfellowes.lyeth Male-contentedneſſe, Vnbeleefe, ſeruile Feare, and ſuch like.

7 In the Bed of Feare p. 82Feares Bedfellowes.doe lye Cowardlineſſe, Flatterie, Faint heartedneſſe, Hypocriſie and Diſſimulation.

8 In the Bed of Audacitie Audacities Bedfellowes.lye theſe, Headineſſe, Raſhneſſe, Daring, Deſperate attempts, & ſuch like.

9 In the Bed of Anger doe lye, Impatiencie, Rayling, Angers Bedfellowes.Back-biting, Quarrellings Murther, and ſuch like.

10 In the Bed of Ioy lye Ioyes Bedfellowes.Wanton delights, Fooliſh ieſting, Leuity, and a world of Vanity.

11 In the Bed of Sorrow lye worldly grieſe, vnquietnes, Sorrowes Bedfellowes.murmuring, diſcontentedneſſe, and ſuch like.

Thus are theſe lodged in Miſtreſſe Hearts Chamber, p. 83and there ſhee lyeth alſo with the Old-man, and Will her man.

The Bed which they lye The Bed is Impenitency.vponupon is Impenitencie, and the Couerings are Hardneſſe The two Couerings.of Heart, and Carnall Securitie, in which they lye ſnorting careleſly, till the Chiefe Conſtable come vponupon them, and attach them all one after another, the greater villaines, and the leſſer Theeues, not ſparing any: He feareth not to attach the Capitall, neither paſſeth hee by any of their meaneſt aſſociates.

The attaching of ſinne What the attaching of Sinne is.is nothing eiſe but the Apprehenſion of Gods wrath, ſtriking vsus with feare, through the terrour of the p. 84Law, and our guiltineſſe of the breach thereof.

For in this ſpirituall attaching, it is as in the attaching of Felons, who knowing themſelues guilty of the breach of the Lawes, are ſtrucken with feare, in their apprehenſion of death, which they know they cannot eſcape.

Theſe Theeues thus apprehended, the Conſtable carrieth them to the next Iuſtice, by authority of his Warrant.

The Iuſtice is Wel-informed Iuſtice is Welinformed iudgment.Iudgement, able to examine eueryevery Malefactor, that is, eueryevery Sin, brought before him.

A Iuſtice of Peace muſt What a one a Iuſtice ſhould be.bee a man of wiſdome p. 85and experience: ſo this ſpirituall Iuſtice muſt bee a Iudgement well-informed in wiſdome and diſcretion, wiſely to proceed againſt Sinne.

It is meet that a Iuſtice be learned in the lawes, to know how to proceed legally: ſo muſt this ſpirituall Iuſtice bee learned both in the Law and Goſpell, to know what ſins are committed againſt either of them, and thereafter to proceed.

A Iuſtice is commonly to bee one in that Country where he is an Inhabitant: ſo this Iuſtice muſt be euerie mans Well-informed Iudgement within himſelfe, not another mans: p. 86for it is not another mans Iudgement, that can ſit downe in his ſoule, to try and examine his heart and waies, but his owne Iudgement. For who knoweth what is in a man, ſauing the 1 Cor. 2. 11.1 Cor 2:11ſpirit of a man which is in him?

The Iuſtices Office is to What his Office is.preſerue Peace, and to ſee the lawes obſerued, and to ſee to the ſuppreſſing of all diſorders, routs, ryots, robberies & conſpiracies: alſo to take order for all Vagabonds, ſtout and ſturdie Beggers; yea, to ſee the reformation of all vnlawfull gaming, and eueryevery miſdemeanour whatſoeuer, by Law prohibited; contrarie to the Peace of p. 87our Soueraigne Lord the King, and the quiet of the Weale-publike; ſo this ſpirituall What well informed Iudgement is to doe.Iuſtice, his Office is to ſee Peace kept betweene God and himſelfe; to ſee the Lawes of God obſerued, and to ſee all diſorders in his ſoule, as vagrant thoughts, ſturdy reſolutions, riotous behauiour, eueryevery miſdemeanour, in thought, word, and deed, forbidden by Gods Law, contrary to the Peace of a good Conſcience, and the quiet of the ſoule; contrarie to the dignities of a Chriſtian, and the honour of our Soueraigne Lord the King, CHRIST IESVS.

When a Malefactor p. 88is brought before a Iuſtice, How to deale with a Malefactor.the Iuſtice is firſt to examine him, then to ſet it downe, then to bind ſome ouer to proſecute againſt the Felon at the Aſſiſes, and laſtly, in the meane ſpace to ſend him to the Goale, if hee be not baileable.

1 Hee is (as is ſaid) 1. Examine.to examine the party apprehended and brought before him, and to demand his name, then to enquire after the fact and the nature of it, with the occaſions, cauſes and degrees, with the aſſociates, euident ſignes, the fruits and effects thereof; ſo this ſpirituall Iuſtice is to examine ſinne.Examine Sin in 8. things.

p. 891 To know the name 1 Name and nature.and nature thereof, and to what Commandement it belongeth, ſo that he may conſider what Statute of God is broken.

2 What were the Occaſions 2 Occaſions.offered, as Dauid, by looking out, ſaw Bathſheba waſhing her ſelfe.

3 What were the Cauſes 3 Cauſes.mouing thereto, as Enuie in the Iewes to put Chriſt to death, and in Cain to kill Abel.

4 What are the ſeuerall 4 Kinds.Sorts vnderunder one and the ſame Capitall Sinne: as vnderunder Theft, Couetouſneſſe and Coozenage; vnderunder Adultery, Fornication, Selfe-pollution, &c.

p. 905. What be the Degrees 5. Degrees.in the ſame Sinne; as in ſtealing, not from the rich, but from the poore; not from a ſtranger, but from a Chriſtian brother, from Father and Mother: So committing vncleanneſſe, not onelyonly with one of no kinne, but with one nigh in bloud: in killing not an vnknowne perſon, but againſt nature, his Father, Mother, his Wife, his Childe, himſelfe.6. Concomitance.

6. What ſinnes accompanied the ſame: as the making of Vriah drunke, and the murthering of him, accompanied Dauids adulterie.

7. What are the Signes 7. Signes.thereof, as the rouling eye, p. 91filthy ſpeech, and wanton dalliance, are ſignes of adulterie: all ſuch ornaments and vanities of which Eſay ſpeaketh, are enſignes of Pride.

8. What Fruits and 8. Fruits.effects did follow thereupon: as from Will-worſhip and Idolatrie commeth ignorance of God: from this libertie to ſinne; from this obſtinacie; from this contempt of Gods true worſhip, and ſincere profeſſours thereof; and from this at laſt comes bloudie perſecution.

2. In Examining, the 2. Write the Examination.Iuſtice is to ſet downe the Examination and Confeſſion of the partie: ſo this ſpirituall Iuſtice, after hee p. 92hath thus examined his waies, he is to ſet it downe: This is a Serious conſideration of all his ſinnes and offences, and ſuch a remembrance of them, as may make a man to forſake them, and to turne his feet vntounto Gods Statutes, as Dauid did. The Examination Pſal. 119. 56.Ps 119:56without this, will bee in effect as nothing: this muſt not therefore bee at any hand omitted.

3 The Iuſtice is to 3. Bind ouer.binde ſome ouer to proſecute againſt the Felon, at the next Aſſiſes and Gaole deliuery: ſo doth this ſpirituall Iuſtice binde ouer True Repentance to follow the Law, and to giuegive euidence True Repentance followes Sinne to the death.againſt this Felon, p. 93Sinne; which he is very ready to doe; for it cannot be, (if a mans iudgement bee Well-informed vponupon ſerious examination with a carefull and conſiderate remembrance of all his ſinnes) but that hee muſt needs perforce bee made to ſorrow for them, and vponupon true repentance, purſue them to the death with a deadly hatred.

4 The Iuſtice finding 4. The Mittimus.the offender not bay leable by Law, hee maketh his Mittimus to ſend him to the Gaole, there to bee in durance to the next Aſſiſes: ſo this ſpirituall Iuſtice doth: for hee knowes by the Law of God, that the Rom. 6. 23.Rom 6:23reward of ſinne (of what p. 94kinde or degree ſoeuer, Geneſ. 2. 17.Gen 2:17greater or leſſe, though but in thought) is not baileable by any man. No Ezek. 18. 20. Deut. 17. Gal. 3.Ezek 18:20Deut 17Gal 3man is able to anſwer God for the leaſt deuiation from Gods Law, for if hee continue not in all things which God commandeth, he is accurſed.

Therefore none being ſufficient to lay in baile to anſwer God for the ſinne, nor ſinne in itſelfe Pſal. 49. 7, 8.Ps 49:7Ps 49:8baileable, hee maketh his Mittimus, and deliuereth it into the Conſtables hand, to carrie him to the Gaole.

The Conſtable, you hauehave heard, is Illuminated Vnderſtanding.

The Mittimus giuen p. 95Mittimus.him, is the actiue power of the Well-reformed Iudgement, forcing the exerciſe of the Vnderſtanding againſt ſinne, to finde out remedies to keepe it vnderunder.

The Chiefe Gaoler is Chiefe Gaoler, Maſter New-man.Maſter Newman, placed ouer the priſoners, and made the Gaole-keeper by the Sheriffe; for the priſon is his, and hee is to anſwer Eph. 4. 24.Eph 4:24the King for them.

The Sheriffe is True Religion Sheriffe is True Religion.wrought in mans ſoule.

The VnderUnder-Sheriffe is an VnderUnder-Sheriffe, Holy-Reſolution.Holy Reſolution to performe what the Sheriffe commandeth, and what he is by his Office to doe.

If any Priſoner, Sinne, p. 96breake out, the Sheriffe, Religion, muſt beare the blame, ſaying, This is your Religion, is it?

The Gaole is Subiection: Gaole is ſubiection.for, ſaith the Apoſtle, (as if he were the Gaoler) I keepe vnderunder: here is the keeper: my body; heere is the priſoner: and bring it in Subiection; heere is the priſon. When ſin is brought vnderunder ſubiection, that it doth no more reigne, (as it doth in all naturall men, but not in the regenerate) then it is put in priſon, but not before.

Now the Chiefe Gaoler, Maſter Newman, hath with him three VnderUnder-Gaolers 3. VnderUnder-Gaolers.to looke well to the Priſoners, and all little p. 97enough, they bee ſo many and ſo exorbitantly vnruly, ready to breake priſon daily, if they bee not diligently ſeene vntounto.

This Maſter Newmans three VnderUnder-Gaolers are his Hands, his Eyes, and his Feet, without which hee can doe nothing, and they are theſe which are named by Saint Paul in his Eph. 4. 24. Col. 3. 10.Eph 4:24Col 3:10Epiſtles.

1 Is Sauing Knowledge. 1 Knowledge, what priſoners he lookes vntounto.This lookes to theſe ſorts of Priſoners: Ignorance eſpecially wilfull, Error, Vaine opinions, Iangling Sophiſtrie, falſe Doctrine, Col. 3. 10.Col 3:10Hereſies, Doctrine of deuils, and ſuch like.2 Holineſſe, what priſoners he ſeeth to. Epheſ. 4. 24.Eph 4:24

2 Is True Holines: he looketh to all the tranſgreſſors p. 98of the firſt Table: as to Atheiſme, Paganiſme, Iudaiſme, Turciſme, vnbeleefe, deſperation, preſumption, confidence in ſtrength, riches, places, policy, and multitude: ſo alſo to Willworſhip, Imagery, meere outward ſeruice without the inward, Papiſtry, and all corruptions of GODS Worſhip: likewiſe to Blaſphemy, raſh ſwearing, falſe ſwearing, curſing, idle talke of God, contempt of his Word and Workes, a Vicious life. Laſtly, to Sabbath-breaking, neglect of publike worſhip, prophaneneſſe, perſecution of the truth, and to an infinite number of other ſinnes againſt God & true holines.

p. 993 Is Righteouſneſſe: 3 Righteouſnes, what priſoners he takes care of.this lookes to all the ſinnes againſt the ſecond Table; as to rebellion, diſobedience, murder, malice, adultery, fornication, theft, and coozenage, to falſewitneſſe-bearing, to backbiting, to diſcontentment, and to all other tranſgreſſions, many and manifold, comprehended vnderunder, theſe Commandements.

Now becauſe theſe priſoners Sinnes be vnruly.be vnruly, if there bee not a ſtrict hand kept ouer them: therefore leſt they ſhould at vnawares breake forth, to the danger of the Sheriffe Religion, the Gaoler Maſter New-man hath Fetters, Gieues, Bolts p. 100and Manacles to hold them in, and to hauehave them at command:

And they are theſe: Reſpect vntounto the Commandements Spirituall Bolts and Fetters.of God in all our waies: Holy Meditations; lawfull Vowes, Religious Faſting, ſeruent Prayer, and conſcionable Practice of our Chriſtian duties to God and man. All theſe are ſtrong chaines and linkes, to keepe vnderunder and to fetter the body of ſinne, and all the fruits thereof, and to hold them in ſubiection, to keep the whole man in Obedience vntounto God, when they bee faſtned and knocked on by Gods Word an hammer.the Hammer of GODS Word, and the effectuall p. 101Ier. 23. 29.Jer 23:29power thereof.

But it is not enough thus to impriſon them, and to ſee them bolted and thus fettered, but alſo for him to ſee the Priſon bee Priſon to bee ſeene to.ſtrong: for the Priſons of the beſt Keepers that euer were, hauehave beene broken: Drunkenneſſe brake out from Noah, raſh and vnaduiſed ſpeeches from Moſes, Idolatrie from Salomon, Adultery from Dauid, curſing and falſe-ſwearing from Peter.

Therefore the Gaoler, Maſter Newman, muſt looke daily to the Priſoners, and to ſee the Priſon houſe ſure; and to do this,Doores of t… Priſon to be faſt locked with ſeuerall keyes.

1 Hee muſt ſee the doores, which are his ſenſes, p. 102to be ſhut, and to hauehave a care to locke vp Taſte (that Drunkenneſſe and Gluttony breake not out) with the key of Moderation in eating and drinking. To locke vp Hearing (that Credulity breake not out) with the key of Trying before we truſt. To locke vp Seeing (that Vncleanneſſe breake not out) with the key of Continencie; and to barre this doore faſt alſo with Contentation, that Couetouſneſſe breake not forth.

2 In the next place hee muſt take heede that no lewd Companions lurke Lewd Companions.about the priſon houſe, either by day or by night, leſt they caſt in Fyles, to p. 103file off the bolts; or picklockes to open the doores, to let the Priſoners eſcape.

Theſe lewd Companions are the Deuill, the wicked, and our owne Corrupted Reaſon. Their files and Files and picklocks.picklookes are Suggeſtions from Satan, euill counſell from Men, Worldly, and fleſhly Arguments of our owne inuentions, to make no conſcience of ſinne, but to file off all thoſe bolts, and to open the doores of Senſes, that ſin may breake looſe, and get out of ſubiection, to the Gaolers ouerthrow and vtter vndoing, if diligent watch be not kept.

3 Hee muſt ſee to the p. 104Walls of the Priſon, that Walls, whereof built.they be ſtrongly built with good ſtones cemented together. Theſe are Morall Vertues, and Euangelicall Graces, by which, as by Walls, our Sinnes and our naturall Corruptions are kept in. Though Maſter Newman locke and barre the doores, yet if the Walls bee weake, the Priſoners may get out.

4 And laſtly; hee muſt Foundation of ſubiection. Rom. 6.Rom 6looke well to the Foundation of the houſe, that it be not vndermined. The true Foundation of Subiection of Sinne, is the Power of the death of Chriſt, and of his Reſurrection, into whom by Faith, through the Operation of his Spirit, p. 105by the Word, wee are engrafted.

This muſt not be vndermined by the Popiſh Doctrine of Free-will, and Abilities of our ſelues to ouer-maſter Sinne.

All theſe things well and diligently looked vntounto, the Priſoners will bee kept ſafe in the Gaole vnderunder Maſter Newman, vntill the time of the Aſſiſes.

And thus much for the firſt part of my Text, the Searching, the Attaching, and Impriſoning of Sinne. The other part, which is the Tryall, followeth.