The Last Battle of the Soul, Religious tract 1 · Part 1

The Last Battle of the Soul · Religious tract 1 · Part 1

p. 3The first dayes conference. Of carnall and worldlie temptations▪

The sicke man.

MY Bodie is sicke, my Soule is wounded: Gods wrath is fearefull; it burneth to the Deut. 32. v. 22.Deut 32:22bottome of Hell▪ The heate thereof already maketh my Soule to sweate: I can find no Skrine or Sconce to set betweene mee and this fire: Oh, in all appearance I shall shortlie…ee dissolued, for to be brought before that great Tribunall: **NoteAlas, p. 4what terrours are these, Sinne, Sicknesse, Death, the Graue, and an vnprepared Soule? I tremble all like Belshazzar: Mine heart is entangledDan. 5. 9.Dan 5:9 with feares: my knees shiuer, and smite one against another: Mine heart is pricked, while I remember mine euill spent life: **NoteWhile I had time to doe good, I was of the frozen Generation: Nowe Gods glowmes like Boanarges, Sonnes of Thunder, armed with fierie furie, make heart and Soule to melt, and to fall downe in droppes within my bowles: Oh, for a drop of water for to coole the boyling heate o… mine heart: Is there no man heere that can affoord me a word of comfort, for to vphold mine heart into this heauie houre?

A spirituall Friend.

Sir, I thinke it expedient that ye send for your Pastour, the man of God, that beareth the keyes of …he Kingdome of heauen: It may bee that p. 5the good God shall put some words of comfort into his mouth whereby your wearied Soule shall bee refreshed* while the chosen Servants of God speake his words to the fainte heart, the Lord putteth foorth a power to enable them to doe all that wherfore they are spoken: So soone as S. Peter had spoken to the lamed man, his feete and ancle bones receiued Act 3▪ 7.Acts 3:7strength: Though miracles cease now, yet this shall bee true, so long as the world standeth▪ The effectuall feruent prayer of a rightcous man auaileth Iam. 5. 16Jas 5:16much: Will it please you Sir that I goe for to fetch him?

The sicke Man.

Hee shall bee welcome vntounto mee: But alas, while I might I frequented him too little: **NoteI haunted rather the cōpanie of these that delighted mee with sportes and jests, whereof now I hauehave no comfort: **NoteBecause I thought I could repent heereafter, I did that whereof I may p. 6now repent, and whereof indeed, as I feare, I shall repent but too late … This now puts my Soule into the dumps: now al my foolish laughters are turned into mourning, for I feare exceedinglie to die, I tremble and tosse within this bed, GOD alone knoweth what shall bee the end of this lingring tryall: Goe Sir, I pray you, and desire the man of God to come and visite a bruised reede, and Isa. 42. 3.Isa 42:3a smoaking flaxe.

A spirituall Friend.

I goe for him presentlie: I hope before hee leaue you, yee shall find this tempest of temptations to growcalme: **NoteIn the meane-time till hee come, I pray you to remember that all your paines are but a crosse sent before to crucifie the louelove of the world: In your greatest distresse, striue to bee a Disciple of Iesus, the Author and finisher of our Faith, who Heb. 12. 12.Heb 12:12for the joye that was set before him, endured the crosse: Bee not discouraged p. 7in your greatest smarts▪ **NoteFor reproofes Prov. 6. 13Prov 6:13of instruction are the way of life: In your greatest feare remember the joy that is set before you.

The Pastour.

Sir, hauing knowne of your disease by your godlie friend I am come to see you, and to impart vntounto you some spirituall comforts▪ **NoteWhile the Soule is sore troubled, thereis danger in delay: A bruised Spiritis like a bone out of joynt, the longer it be let alone, the hardlier it is set. If I had knowne of your sickenesse sooner, I would hauehave visited you ere now.

The Sicke Man.

I rejoyce Sir to see you, my Soule euer loued you: But alas, not as I should hauehave done: If God should but at this time spare my life, with the helpe of my God yee should see mee at once a farre changed man.

The Pastour.

Come Death▪ come Life, God p. 8maketh all thinges to worke to the best of these that louelove him.

Gods corrections are good directions: **NoteWith one crosse hee can worke two cures, first a correction for by-past corruption, and after a direction for times to come: If God should not scourge vsus betimes the reigning of the flesh should proue the ruine of the Spirit: **NoteThis was the vtter ouerthrow of the Sonnes of Eli, God would not correct them, because the Lord would stay thē.

As for that which ye speake concerning1 Sam. 2. 251 Sam 2:25 the changing & amending of your life, your resolution is good: But seeing the houre of death is vncertaine, it is good that yee bee presentlie prepared: Death commeth vponupon mā with stealing steps: Let no man put far off the day of his death There is great danger, that any man sooth himselfe with the vaine hope of this mortall life: No man can tell how soone hee shall be arraigned to p. 9compeare before Gods Barre: None said a Pagane is assured to liue vntill the morrow.

**NoteNemo tam diuos habuit faventes,Senec.

Crastinum ut possit sibi polliceri.

**NoteIt is good therefore daylie and hourelie to bee vponupon our Watch-Tower, preparing our selues for death, which shall either be the end of all our miserie, or the beginning of our euerlasting woe, delay to prepare for death, is a strong threed in the Deuils net. A man will not die the sooner that he prepare himselfe to die: If a man bee prepared to die, and yet die not, hoc sibi ponat in lucro, that preparation is great aduantage vntounto him: But if hee die, hee hath done that which hee should hauehave done: **NoteWhat a dangerous venture is this to a man to delay to prepare himselfe to die, because it may bee that yet hee may liue? But may it not also bee that hee die? It is a dangerous thing to perrell our Saluation p. 10vponupon a may be, which may as well no bee: It is fearefull to bee hanged ouer Hell with the euill twined threed of a life that must end, none can tell, how, where, nor when. No man is exeemed from this necessitie.

**NoteThe post Pale Horse wherevponRevel. 6▪ 8Rev 6:8 Death is mounted, caries his Rider thorow all Nations, Cities, and Houses; pulling out of their beds Princes, Prelats, and priuate men without any respect of persons: thus are their hopes cropped in their fairest flower: It is good therefore that wee euer bee vponupon our gard: God offereth grace to day: To day if Heb. 3. 15Heb 3:15yee heare his voyce: But who promiseth to morrow? well is him that feareth alwayes.

The sicke Man.

O the terrours of Death and of the Graue! mine heart quaketh while I remember of these last strugglings that are in death: It was not without reason that the Pagans called p. 11it terribilium terribilissimū, of all fearefull things, the most fearefull.

The Pastour.

**NoteIf men knew what Christ hath made of Death, the liuing would not be so afraid with the feare therof, Isaiah saith, that hee hath put it into his Stomacke, hee hath swallowed Isa. 25. ….Isa 25it vp in victorie: A wife man will not swallow ouer that which hee is not able to digest: Christ hath swallowed Death and hath digested it perfectlie: **NoteNowe Death after Christs digestion, hath lost all its poyson, and is turned into a sleepe: The name thereof is changed, for to tell vsus of the change of its nature: Dead Lazarus in Christs language is called sleeping Lazarus, Lazarus Ioh. 11. 11John 11:11Our Friend sleepeth, said Christ, speaking of his death: Hee that liueth and Ioh. 11. 26John 11:26beleeueth in mee, said Christ, shall neuer die: Death is not death to the Friends of Christ, but a sleepe to their bodie, & a translation of their p. 12Soule from a prison to a Palace:**Note As by the grace of God, it is made an Exodus of miserie, so is it a Genesis of a better life, the corruption of one thing beeing the generation of another:**Note What is this, that men should so feare Death, which is the end of the foule & cōbersome way of our Pilgrimage? **NoteHath not God made death like a Chariote to a wearied man, for to carie him to his euerlasting rest? This was seene in a visible figure, when Elijah in a firie Chariot 2 King. 2. 112 Kgs 2:11went vp by a whirle wind vntounto heauen.

The sicke Man.

All that is true Sir: But yee know that death is fearefull to all flesh: So soone as it commeth, it maketh a Soule lyable to yeeld an acoūt for all the actions of the by-past life:**Note The bodie and the Soule are of olde acquaintance, and hauehave not wil to part one frō the other: I cannot expresse what a worsling I finde within mee; there is such a working feare about p. 13mine heart, that I tremble to thinke vponupon it: This maketh my words to wade in teares, mine heart is cut with sobs of sorrow: O death, the enemie of Life, is there no comfort against thee? Is there no Balme in Gilead? Of force then must I die?

The Pastour.

The woman of Tekoah said verie well, Wee must all needes die, and are 2 Sam. 14. 14.2 Sam 14:14as water spilt on the ground, which can not bee gathered: Death is an vnauoidable passage, there is none entrie vntounto Heauen, but by it. I will striue to let you see before that yee enter in at the doores of Death, that your Soule hath no such cause to be afraide: Indeed I confesse, that death to these that know not Christ, is indeede a most fearefull thing▪ according to this Sathan said, Skinne for Iob. 2 4.Job 2:4skinne, and all that a man hath he will giuegive it for his life: **NoteSee how a Naturall man would bee content that his skinne were pulled off him, if it p. 14could bee a ransone for to saue his life: Such is the feare of death, that for to bee free of it, a man would giuegive his skinne: **NoteAgag called it a1 Sam. 15 32.1 Sam 15:32 bitter thing: Surelie, said he, The bitternesse of death is past: **NoteThe wilde Gourdes shred into the Prophetes pottage, for bitternesse, were called Death: So soone as they had tasted them, all cryed, Death is into the 2 King. 4 40.2 Kgs 4:40pot: The bitter torments of Hell2 Cor. 1. 102 Cor 1:10 are called, so great a Death: Dauid speaking of the pangs of death, calleth them waues: The waues of death cōpassed me: See how death is compared2 Sam. 22 5.2 Sam 22:5 to a raging Sea, with rolling waues: To this Dauid subjoynes, The snares of death preuented mee: vers. 6.Death indeed is fearfull, armed with waues & snares: **NoteWe in our weaknesse make it also fearfull, painting it with bare bones, with a skul, girning with its teeth, and with its sting, like a flooked Dart, for to pierce thorow the heart of man.

p. 15**NoteIt is true that death is bitter in it selfe, but hee that made sweetnesse to Iudg. 14. 14.Judg 14:14come out of the strong, and meate to come out of the eater, can bring both meate and sweetnesse out of death for the Christian Soule, though no thing bee stronger than death, the greatest eater of the world. One saith well, that there is in death but one bitter morsell to swallow.

The cheefe course that wee hauehave to tak for to win to an happie death, is that aboue all thinges, wee striue to make our acquaintance with Christ, the Lord of life: **NoteTill a man know Christ, who hath disarmed Death by taking away its sting and its dart, hee will tremble at its buzze: **NoteA Bee that wāteth the sting, will afray a Childe with its buzze, but the man of vnderstanding is not afraide for a sound. **NoteI am assured that the excessiue feare of Death in a wicked man, is a most powerfull meanes for to make him die before p. 16his day, that is sooner than by course of Nature hee should hauehave died: Though a mans day bee set, yet God vseth meanes, Death is a distresse2 Sam. 14. 142 Sam 14:14 vntounto the wicked.

Let him thē that would die in peace Luk. 2. 29Luke 2:29make his peace with his God: **NoteNo man cā be willing to die, before his Conscience bee at quiet, till God and his Soule hauehave shaken hands, & beene friended: **NoteA man that is at feed with his God, will say to death Gods messenger, as Ahab saide to Gods Prophet, Hast thou found mee 1 King. 21 201 Kgs 21:20mine enemie. But as for the godlie mā whose Soule is prepared to meete with his God, he will say to Death, welcome Friend, take my Soule by the hand, and draw it out of this prison, Oh, but it is wearied. O, but it longeth to be free from these bonds of mortalitie, combersome clogges of claye. **NoteHee that is assured to goe to Christ, cannot die vnwillinglie, what careth hee to die p. 17an houre, for to liue for euer? **NoteI will Nazian. in vita Basil.neuer feare Death, saide a Father, which can doe no more than restore me to him that made mee **NoteTo change a life that is mortall, for an that is eternall, is an vnspeakable profite.

The sicke Man.

But alas: By what way may I come vntounto that Life?

The Pastour.

I am the way, said Christ, None Ioh. 14. 6.John 14:6commeth to the Father but by mee: **NoteThis way is thorow the valey of death: In this valey yee neede not to feare, if Christ bee with you. In the valey of the shadow of death, Psal. 23. 4.Ps 23:4said Dauid, I will feare none euill: his reason was this, that God was with him: For thou art with mee.

The sicke Man.

I finde my selfe Sir exceedingPsal. 1…7.Ps 1:7 weake, and that I drawe neere the doores of Death: I take great delight to heare you: I requeast you to continue your comforts: I intreate you p. 18to call to remembrance these speciall comforts yee hauehave had, either by your owne experience, or by reading, or by Meditation: I am assured that yee hauehave some laide vp in store for your selfe, against the houre of temptation: Let me heare I pray you, what yee thinke best to be said to a man in his greatest feares.

The Pastour.

First of all, that yee may bee capable of comforts, striue to bee patient in your trouble: Acknowledge in this sicknesse the great merciemercy of your God: In this affliction hee hath giuen to you, the wish and choise of Dauids chastisement: You are not fallen into the hands of men, whose compassions are cruell, but in the hands of God, your Father, whose bowels are full of mercifull remembrance: **NoteThough a Mother should forget her Childe, wee are printed vponupon his Palmes: It is true,Isa. 49. 15Isa 49:15 that no afflictiō for the present seemes p. 19Heb. 12. 18Heb 12:18joyous: **NoteYet afterward the bitter seed of sorrow, bringeth foorth the sweet & quiet fruit of righteousnes.

If yee would bee armed against the feare of Death, my counsell is, that aboue all things in the tempest of your temptations, yee hauehave recourse vntounto the bloodie wounds of Christ, wherein as in the holes of the Rocke, your Soule like a Doue may find a place of refuge:**Note His wounds well may I call, The secret of the most Psal. 91. 1Ps 91:1High: He who lodgeth there, is vnderunder the shadow of the Almightie: **NoteAn afflicted Soule is like a Bee in a tempest, tossed to and fro: Frae once the Bee hath winne to its Hyue-hole, it entereth into rest: The poore Soule of a man for a space will be wonderfullie tossed with tempests, and long will it wrestle: But so soone as it can once win in at the holes of Christs wounds, then it enters into Rest: **NoteOut of these wounds, as out of its Castle and fortresse, it will boast the p. 20Deuill, Death, the Flesh, and the World: In these woundes is the Soules strongest Tower, the secret place of the most High, where none enemie of mans Saluation shall bee able to reach vntounto it for to hurt it: Let your chiefest care bee to creepe in into these wounds.

**NoteAgaine, after that yee hauehave shaken hands with Christ, and made him your friend, consider well what hee hath made of Death: Christ hath made it a friend of a foe: Is not Death now a sleepe? Christs friends sleepe: Sleepe as yee know is ourIoh. 11. 11John 11:11 great friend: Hee must bee a great friend without whose friendship we can not liue: As wee can not liue without Sleepe, neither can we liue without Death: Except that wee die on Earth we can not liue in Heauen: Thou foole▪ said S. Paul, That 1 Cor. 15 31 Cor 15:3which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: **NoteThe whole course of a Christian is contained within the p. 21compasse of these wordes, I liue to die, that I may die to liue: If man will not resolue to liue for to die, hee shall not die to liue: **NoteThe course of a Christian is from a good life to an happie death, and from thence to life yea, to life eternall: Well is the man that runneth not without this compasse.

The sicke Man.

But alas, O my God, take mee not Psal. 102. 24.Ps 102:24away in the midst of my dayes: Alas, Sir, must I die so soone?

The Pastour.

**NoteThe Apostle saith, That we die 1 Cor, 15 31.daylie. Tunc quoque cum crescimus vita decrescit. It is certaine, that so soone as wee beginne to liue, wee also beginne to die: What are all the dayes of our life, but a progresse vntounto Death, which is the putting off of 2 …et 1. 14our Tabernacle? **NoteWhat is this body, but a mire of mortalitie? Hominiquid vita? cylindrus: What is mans life, but a rolling thing.

p. 22The sicke Man.

But will the Lord take mee away in the midst of my dayes? Hath not God promised to the godlie man that his dayes shall bee long in the land? Long life is a thing whereof God hath made promise vntounto these whō hee loueth.

The Pastour.

I answere, that such a promise is vnderunder two conditions: First of Gods glorie, secondlie of mans well: **NoteIf God louelove a man dearlie, hee will whiles take him away in his youth, that hee may hauehave him neere to him selfe: Moreouer God seeth that which no man can fore-see, viz. the euill to come. The righteous saithIsa. 57. 1.Isa 57:1 Isaiah is taken away from the euill to come: God hath indeede promised many dayes to the righteous man: But if God shorten them, and take him away sooner, what wrong hath he done vntounto him?**Note If a Lord should giuegive to one of his seruants some cottage p. 23house of clay, with some little piece of ground for Colewort or Cabbage for to liue vponupon, saying, This will I giuegive thee for thy lifetime: But if afterward this Lord should say, Fetch mee my good feruant out of his clattie Cottage, and bring him to my Palace, that he may eate at mine owne Table for euer: Tell me, if by the change that seruāt hath lost: Would that seruant think yee, say, No Lord, I will not come to thy Table, for thou hast promised mee this Cottage-house for my lifetime? **NoteWhat Lord in the Land was euer troubled with such an answere?

And yet indeede it is so, that God doeth with his faithfull seruantes, when they die into the midst of their dayes: **NoteWhen men are departed from this life, it is the Lord that hath sent his messenger Death for to fetch their Soules from their bodies, which Scripture calleth Tabernacles p. 24Io…. …. 19.of clay, vntounto his heauenlie Mansions, there for to banquet eternallie at his Table with Abraham, Isaac, and Matth. 8. 11Matt 8:11Iacob.

Now tell mee, O man, what hauehave yee lost, for to goe from the Earth to the Heauens? Is there any thing in this world of such worth, that should make you desire to liue, for to stay from your God but an houre?

The sicke Man.

That which yee say Sir, is verie true: But how few are these who in this world can gladlie condescend to depart out of this life? The life is sweete.

The Pastour.

I confesse indeede that eueryevery one hath not attained vntounto this high degree of grace, as to say with S. Paul, I desire to bee dissolued, &c. Yet all thePhilip … 23. godlie will subscribe to this that all the faithfull are happie who are dissolued: **NoteThough euerie man can p. 25not wish to die yet euerie man of God will say, That Death is better than life, Death is a salue which healeth vsus of all our sores: Is not Death Gods messenger, sent for to pull the troubled Soule out of this sinfull world, as Gods Angel pulledGen. 19. 16Gen 19:16 Lot out of S…dom? Is not our life heere a warfare? **NoteAre we not here as Daniel was in the Dungeon among Lions? Are not vvee hereD…n. 6. 16 11 with Ieremie sticking fast into theIer. 38. 6.Jer 38:6 myrie clay? Are not wee heere with Israel, into the House of bondage Exod. 20… 2.Exod 20:2ouerburdened vvith sinne as they vvere vvith bricke? Are we notRom. 7. 24Rom 7:24 heere with S. Paul, vnderunder the bodie of Death? And with Ioseph in the Psal. 105. 18Ps 105:18stockes, not of tree, but of sinne?

If it were well tolde a man what is heere, and what hee may looke for in the life to come, if hee had but a graine of grace, as great as of Mustard seede, hee should easilie discerne vvhereof to make choise: Is p. 26not our life heere a wind, and a vapour Iam. 4. 14.Jas 4:14of vanitie? But which is most of all to be considered: Is there not heere a necessitie of sinning laide vponupon all the liuing? Who should not bee glad to bee fredde and ridde of these sinfull bondes? **NoteIs not this life continuallie sicke of the filthie flooxe of sinne, a most lothsome disease? When wee seeke our daylie bread, wee must immediatelie subjoyne,Matth. 6. 11Matt 6:11 forgiue vsus our sinnes: First, as wee see heere, wee must begge our bread, and then pardon. **NoteWhat then are wee heere, but daylie beggers for the bellie? The King must begge his bread from God: In the Heauens there shall bee no begging, but thanking of God for his benefites: Who should for all that he can beg on Earth, desire for to liue out of Heauen but one houre?**Note Are we not all heere vnderunder a corruptible burden, a burden of corruption, vnderunder which the Soule is pressed p. 27as a Cart full of sheaues? SoAmos. 2, 11Amos 2:11 long as wee are heere, our Soules are laden with sinnes: **NoteA Soule burdened with such baggage runs on wheeles, as it were downe an hill all post haste, except that God stay it, it shall neuer cease, till it arriue in Hell, where God shall breake it in sunder by the tempest of his wrath.

The sicke Man.

But Death is the wages of sinne, Rom. 6. 23Rom 6:23who shall not feare?

The Pastour.

**NoteIndeed Death is such of the owne nature: But God in great merciemercy hath made death to the godlie like the Raine-bow, which being naturallieGen. 9. 13Gen 9:13 a signe of present raine, by Gods Couenant becommeth a perpetuall signe of faire weather to come after that raine:**Note As throgh Death Christ wrought our Life, so must wee bee killed for to bee made aliue: The glorious Resurrection must bee through dust and corruption: Our p. 28paines must goe before our pleasures,Psal 16. 11Ps 16:11 and lashes before our laughters: After that, in come pleasures for euermore.

If wee had the faith of God, wee should not much feare the smart of death which by Christ is made transitus ad vitam, a passage vntounto Life: **NoteLet vsus once passe thorow this Iordan, and behold, wee are in an instant in Canaan.

The sicke Man.

All that is true Sir: No man can controle you: yet naturallie all louelove Life: The Life is sweete.

The Pastour.

How sweete is it? I pray you: Is not our whole Life trouble and wearinesse? **NoteWhat is our sleeping, our resting, our eating, our drinking, but a seruitude to the flesh? Who should not desire to bee rid from such seruile necessities? who for to bee free of such bondage, should not renounce his deare selfe, p. 29and all the louelove of this irk some life? To bee with Christ, is it not our best? Yea, is it not our rest? what shame is it for Christians to dote so after this present life, who should hauehave learned to long after the life to come?

**NoteChrist came downe, that wee might goe vp: If wee desire not to goe vp, wee know not wherefore hee came downe: Hee came downe to bee a Seruant, wee goe vp to bee Lords: Hee came downe to bee hungrie, wee goe vp to a perpetuall Feast: Hee came downe to bee banished, where hee had not wherevpon Luk. 658to lay his head, we goe vp to dwell in Palaces of pleasures, into euerlasting Luk. 16. 9.Luke 16:9Tabernacles: **NoteIn a word, hee came downe to distresse, to sorrow, to paine, to miserie, to fight against our enemies, Deuils, Death, and temptations, yea, hee discended vntounto Hell we goe vp to Ioy, to Honour, to Light, to Life, to Libertie, to our Father, to our Friends, to our Sauiour p. 30and Comforter. What shall I say more? Euen to vnspeakable Glorie in Paradise with God & his Angels: **NoteWhat a folie is this, that a man should desire to bee depriued of such Comforts for a puffe Isa. 2, 22.Isa 2:22of breath? Bee glad Sir, to quite the ranke Onions of Egypt, for that heauenlie Manna Sweete like Wafers Gen. 15. 31Gen 15:31made with honey.

The sicke Man.

If a man could bee fullie perswaded of that which ye say, I think that hardlie could hee with-hold himselfe from putting hands into himselfe, that so hee might change for the better: If all that be, why should any desire to stay from God but an houre? If I may desire to bee dissolued, why may I not dissolue my self. The working out of a lawfull desire cannot bee vnlawfull.

The Pastour.

No man liuing Sir, may absolutelie desire to be dissolued, but vnderunder p. 31condition, that it bee for the glorie of God, and the Saluation of his owne Soule: **NoteFor two respects a man may desire to be dissolued: First, for to bee deliuered from the bondage of sinne, which the Apostle calleth, A bodie of death: Rom. 7. 24Rom 7:24Secondlie, for an earnest desire to bee with his God, a man may desire to bee dissolued. But for no reason must a man dissolue himselfe, that were selfe murther: **NoteIf we may not kill our Neighbour whō we should louelove as our selues, neither must wee kill our selues, who are the rule and square of neighbourlie louelove: **NoteMan in this world is as a set Watch, hee must not remoue, till it please him by whom hee was set, to command him to come: **NoteThough lawfullie wee may desire death, that we may bee deliuered from the bodie of death, which is sinne; for to bee with Christ, which is meekle better Philip. 1. 23Phil 1:23for vsus, yet wee must not cry for p. 32death for some triflles of worldlie troubles, as Ionah did for the lossingIona 4. 8.Jonah 4:8 of his leafes: Our desire of Death should bee chieflie grounded vponupon a desire to bee with Christ, and to bee fredde from the spirituall bondage of our sins: well is him that can sincerly say from his heart, Miserable man that I am, who shall deliuer mee Rom. 7. 24Rom 7:24from this bodie of death? **NoteThat Soule is happie, whose desire is vponupon that which is meakle better for it: To bee with Christ, in Scripture stile is called meakle better: What say yePhilip. 1. 23Phil 1:23 now Sir, doeth not your heart grone vnderunder this burden of sinfull death? Doeth not your Soule long to bee out of this bodie, for to bee with him, where it shall bee meakle better for you?

The sicke Man.

I take vp the matter better than I did: I see by your reasons, that there is no reason wherefore a man should desire to die, but for to bee p. 33with his Christ, and to be deliuered from the bodie of bondage, which is a death: But alas.

The Pastour.

I see you yet Sir, into a plunge, I heard that word, Alas: Wherefore say yee Alas? Yee looke yet as one who desireth to liue: My wordes are not gifted with perswasion; yee seeme to be afraide at that word, dissolued: What aileth you? There bee doubtlesse some thing within that troubleth you.

The sicke Man.

I am sorie to goe out of this world, wherevnto I am chained by diuerse respects: In the cutting off of my dayes, I will mourne with sicke Hezekiah in the words of his doole: I Isa. 38, 10.Isa 38:10am depriued of the residue of my yeares, &c.

The Pastour.

I see Sir, that yee are taking vp the Lamentations of Hezekiah: I will striue to make answere to euerie p. 34sentence apart: Yee are depriued, saye yee, of the residue of your yeeres: **NoteHee is not depriued that hath changed for the better: **NoteThe residue of your few yeeres shall bee turned into eternitie: **NoteHee who seeth many yeeres, seeth many miseries, and which is worse, contracteth many sinnes, the cause of all our woe: Moreouer, what is a residue of life? Death is not farre, when it is farthest.

The sicke Man.

But if I die, I shall not see the Lord Isa. 38. …1Isa 38:1euen the Lord in the land of the liuing.

The Pastour.

This is your ignorance: What can man see of the Lord, in the land of the liuing? **NoteWhat can a sinner see of that great IEHOVAH here? What is to bee seene on Earth, but the Backe-parts of IEHOVAH? Into the Heauens wherevnto yee now approach yee shall see that great and glorious IEHOVAH, face to face. p. 35What are all men on Earth, but a number of wormes crawling and creeping vponupon a clat or clod of clay?

But againe what is this that ye call the land of the liuing? What is all the Land yee see, but a dead lump of earth, where the most part of men are dead in their sins? Doe not the best part die daylie, vntounto Sin, which death is our best life, and yet ladenRom. 7. 24Rom 7:24 with a bodie of death? **NoteCan ye now call this earth the Land of the liuing? Call me not Nahomi pleasant, said Nahomi, Ruth. 1. 2…Ruth 1:2but call me Marah that is bitter, for the Almightie hath dealt verie bitterlie with mee: So may the Earth say, Call mee not the Land of the liuing: No, rather call mee a dungeon of death, a place for the burying of the dead a place where all must 2 Sam. 14. 142 Sam 14:14needs die, and bee as water spilt vponupon the ground, which cannot bee gathered vp againe.

The sicke Man.

But alas, if I die, I shall behold p. 36men no more with the inhabitants of the world.

The Pastour.

This heere is your griefe, that death will strik you with a blindnes, so that yee shall not bee able to see any more the faces of these whom yee louelove best into this world, as of Wife, Children, and of Friends of your old acquaintance: This is your d…lour thē, that ye shall see them no more: **NoteLet such thoughts Sir, moue these to mourne, who know not Death better than that Pagan, who speaking of a slaine man said,

In eternam clauduntur Lumina noctem.Virgil.

That is, Death closeth mans eyes for euermore: This is most false▪ **NoteA true Christian knoweth, that though both his eyes should sinke …owne into his head, or droppe out like blobbes or droppes of water, yet that with these same eyes runne into water, hee and none othér for him p. 37shall see his Redeemer: Though after Iob. 19. 26 27.Job 19:26my skin, said Iob wormes destroy this bodie, yet in my flesh shall I see God, whom I shall see for my selfe, and mine eyes shall behold; and not another. **NoteLay this comfort to your heart: Though your eyes were eaten out with the wormes, if you die in the faith of Iesus, yee shall see God and none other for you, and that with these same eyes yee now looke vntounto mee… **NoteIf yee bee perswaded that yee shall see your God, in the Heauens, in whose face is fulnesse of Psal. 16. 11Ps 16:11Ioye, yee hauehave little cause of doole that yee shall no more behold man with the inhabitants of the world: What are all the creatures of thi… World, but things that dwell in d…st? Isa 26. 18.Isa 26:18The Sainctes and Angels that dwell into these vpper Chambers whose feete are aboue ou… head are so fa… in glorie, aboue all the glorie of the world, as the Heauens are aboue the Earth: **NoteAs Zebah and Zalmunah p. 38said of Gideons brethren, so may we say of all these that dwell there, euerie one of them is like the Sonne Iudg. 8. 18Judg 8:18of a King: What are all the Creatures below, but beggerlie things?

The sicke Man.

But alas, if I die, mine age is departed Isa. 38. 12.Isa 38:12and remoued from me as a Shepheards tent.

The Pastour.

What is your doole? It is all then, that yee must quite your shepheards tent. **NoteNow poore man, What hauehave yee lost? Yee shall change a poore shepheards tent for the most pleasant Palace of your God, a life mortall, for a life that is eternall: **NoteA man brought from age of yeeres vntounto eternitie, is like Dauid, a shepheard brought from the Ewes, for to bee made a King: What regretPsal. 78. 71Ps 78:71 should a man hauehave, for to change a little Lodge for a London? **NoteWhat is this life. but a daylie dyeing?

The sicke Man.

p. 39But alas, I hauehave cut off like a weauer Isa. 38. 12.Isa 38:12my life: Hee will cut mee off with pinning sicknesse, from day euen to night hee will make an end of mee.

The Pastour.

Take heede Sir what yee say: Your meaning is, that by your sins yee hauehave abridged and cutte short your dayes, or that yee hauehave prouocked God by your sinnes, to take away your Life from you: **NoteIf it be so, that like a weauer yee hauehave cut your dayes by your sinnes; breake off now these sinnes by repentance: If by your sinnes yee hauehave cut like a weauer the threeds of this mortall life, beginne now by repentance to spinne the webbe of a new life, some threeds of life eternall: Let now the rotten thrummes of the vices of your life fall downe to the ground:

**NoteWhile yee hauehave time, weaue into your life graces thorow graces, as warpe and woft: Weaue on still, till from grace yee worke in into the p. 40eternitie of glorie.

The sicke Man.

But alas, Hee will cut mee off Isa. 38. 12.Isa 38:12with pynning sicknesse: I feare greatlie that the paines of Death put mee out of all patience.

The Pastour.

Take courage Sir: The paine shall not bee so great as yee feare: God will lay no more on you, than yee shall bee able to beare: He shall weigh all your paines in his mercifull Ballance, before that hee laye them vponupon you: Hee knoweth that your strength is not like the strength of a Whale, hee breaketh not the bruised Isa. 42. 3Isa 42:3…eede **NoteGod is so bent vntounto merciemercy, that while he scourgeth sinners for their faults, hee is said to bring to passe, his strange worke and his Isa. 28. 21Isa 28:21strange act.

The sicke Man.

But I feare his cutting: Gods cuts are verie sensible: I feare to bee… cut off with pyning sicknesse.

p. 41The Pastour.

Feare not▪ God is cunning in his cutting **NoteHee will not cut into the quicke like an ignorant Surgeon▪ The mercifull God taketh no pleasure to cut you off with pyning sicknesse but hee will cut off your corruptions with such paines: In such paines should bee pleasure; **NoteThe bluenesse of the wound purgeth away Prou. …0. 30euill Pleasant should be that paine which is Gods Raser for cutting off mans …ptions▪ Away with the pleas…es of this …otten flesh **NoteSuch in the beginning though lawfull, …re burning and bloodie pleasures: vnlawfull end into hellish torments, feare not pyning sicknesse.

The sicke Man.

But alas, from day euen to night he Isa. 38. 12.Isa 38:12will make an end of mee.

The Pastour.

I know Sir, that the night is wearisome, and that sicknesse some what light in the day, waxeth heauy p. 42in the night: From day to night, the sicknesse increaseth: The remeede is this, bee strong in God, whose strength is made perfect in 2 Cor. 12. 9.2 Cor 12:9weaknesse: **NoteIf dolours increase in the night, heere is a comfort, The night time is a most fitte time for prayer: The time of silence is most conuenient for speaking vntounto God: **NoteThe night time is a speciall time whereof God hath made choise, for in it to speake secretlie vntounto men: It was in the night that Eliphaz saw the vision and heard the voyce ofIob. 4. 13 14. 15. 16.Job 4:13 instruction: In thoughts, said hee, From the visions of the night, wh… deepe sleepe falleth on men, feare came vponupon mee and trembling, which made all my bones to shake: Then a Spirit passed before my face, the haire of my flesh stood vp it stood still, but I could not discerne the forme thereof: An Image was before mine eyes, there was silence, and I heard a voyce, &c.

See how in …e visions of the p. 43night, while there was silence, Eliphaz heard the voyce of God: **NoteLet no sicke man be afraid for the night, it is the time of silence, the chiefe time of cōference with God: **NoteWhē Creatures are most silent, then is a time for man to speake to God, and for God to speake to man: The din of the day marreth our meditatiōs.

The sicke Man.

But alas, from day to night he will make an end of mee.Isa. 38. 12Isa 38:12

The Pastour.

It is better that hee make an end of you, than that any other should doe it: If hee make an end of you, pray earnestlie for a good end: If the end be well, all is well: Your complaint is that, from day to night hee will make an end of you: **NoteBee thankefull to God for his merciemercy toward you, in that he hath giuen you so long a time to repent as from day to night: **NoteHee might hauehave made you sinke downe thorow the EarthNumb. 16. 32.Num 16:32 vntounto hell in a moment with Dathan p. 44and Abiram: Hee might hauehave burnt you with fire from Heauen in a thunder clappe with Corah: Hee might hauehave drowned you into the Sea with Pharaoh: Hee mightExod. …4▪ 21Exod 4:21 hauehave slaine you vnderunder a Tower, with these eighteene at Siloe: HeeLuk. 13. 4Luke 13:4 might hauehave sent a winde for to smite the foure corners of your house, while yee had beene at a banket with Iobs Children: WhatIob. 1. 19.Job 1:19 if the goodnesse of God had deserted you, and taken his free Spirit frō Psal. 81. 12.Ps 81:12you? What if hee should doe so to the best of vsus? Certainelie we… should either make away our selu… with Saule by the sword, or with Iudas 1 Sam. 31 41 Sam 31:4and Ahitophel by the cord, o… Matth. 27. 3Matt 27:3with Zi…rie by the fire. Many others2 Sam. 17 232 Sam 17:23 hauehave in an instant beene snatched away in the verie swea…e of their sinnes.

First then, I say, That is a grea… merciemercy of God vntounto man, that God himselfe maketh an end of him, and p. 45not suffereth him to fall into the hands of his mercielesse creatures.

Secondlie, in that, from day to night hee delayeth, it is a mercyfull patience: Take heede Sir, what I say: Count this a great merciemercy of your God, though yee should die this night, thanke God for his patience, that it was from day to night, before that hee would make an end of you: **NoteIt is a great benefite of God, to get but so much time wherein wee may once cry, Lord, hauehave merciemercy vponupon mee▪ **Note.No man can sufficientlie esteeme the high price of a dayes laiser vntounto night: Heere is the patience and the long suffering of God.

Now Sir consider, and weigh well what hath beene said: Is it not now your desire, that yee bee dissolued? Are yee not as yet resolued? It would seeme, that there bee some thing that yet troubleth you: As for the wordes of Hezekiahs chattering, p. 46which hath beene the wordes of your mourning, I hope that in some measure ye hauehave beene cleared with some contentment.

The sicke Man.

I confesse Sir, that yee hauehave pertinentlie made answere to all these difficulties: But, alas, what shall I say?

The Pastour.

What aileth you? Bee plaine with mee, I pray you Sir, thinke no shame to tell mee what is into your minde: **NoteIf the Patient couer his sore from the Surgeon, the greater will his danger bee: It is an hard matter when the Patient playeth false with the Physition: Lay open your wounds, if yee would hauehave salue fitte for your sores.

The sicke Man.

I think shame Sir to tell you what aileth mee, yet seeing I hauehave neede both of instruction & of comfort, I will be no stranger vntounto you, **Notewhom p. 47I know to bee a man of God, that is not curious for to ripe vp secret sores for your owne curiositie, but rather for to cure them: I vvill not conceale the matter from you: It is this: I hauehave filled my Barnes, and I desire to enjoye the fruites thereof: There is no man, but hee would desire after great paines, …o r…ape some fruites of his labours: I vvish that Death would excuse mee for some yeares: This is my griefe, for I must bee plaine with you, mine heart cannot well accord to forsake such comforts.

The Pastour.

That Sir is but a worldlie temptation: What are Barnes of corne on Earth in comparison of Gods most pleasant Palace in Heauen, vvherein are pleasures for euermore? **NoteFyePsal. 16. 11Ps 16:11 vponupon Barnes, a nest for Myce and Rattons: Would yee desire to liue for to enjoye the leauinges of vnbeastes? They beginne, and as it p. 48vvere sit at the first messe: Thus after that the Fowles of the Aire hauehave gotten their share, and the Rattons hauehave gotten their fill, poore man as it vvere commeth after all, and sitteth downe at the latter meate. **NoteBut vvhat are all these thinges, though man should enjoye them all his alone? What can hee get of them all but a bellie full of meate? **NoteWhat is the Bellie to that spirituall Birth-right and blessing that is laide vp into the Heauens? What is the Bellie, but a thing ordained for destruction with all that is in it? Meats for the Bellie, and the Bellie for the 1 Cor. 6. 13.1 Cor 6:13meates, But God shall destroy both it and them. Cast out of your heart the care of your Bellie: **NoteThe Bellie in the Heart maketh a man a monster: Let this bee your chiefe, care, that shortlie your Soule may sitte downe at Gods Table with Abraham, Isaac, and Iacob in Gods Kingdome: What grieueth you now S…

p. 49The sicke Man.

God hath blessed mee, my Moneyes are increased; and now my life is but comming to the best.

The Pastour.

**NoteThe richest life is not euer the best life; aboundance of Moneyes is no sure token of Gods mercies: If it had beene otherwise, Christ had neuer cast the Bagge vntounto Iudas.Ioh. 12. 6John 12:6

That churlish Carle in the Gospel, that would not let Lazarus Luk. 16. 20Luke 16:20dyne with his dogges, how soone was his Purple pulled from him, and hee made a begger into Hell, seeking a droppe of water from him, whose scabs his dogges had licked on Earth? Nabel like a foole is feasting1 Sam. 25 36.1 Sam 25:36 to day, and tomorrow he shall become sicke, and die with an heart vers. 37like a stone within him: What fatter then shall hee be of his Feast? **NoteBeware Sir, to marrie your mind with your Money, lest yee bee thereby diuorced from Christ: S. Augustin p. 50said wiselie,

Matrimonium inter aurum & arcam est inter Deum & animam Divortium.

A marriage betweene our Minde and our Money, is a diuorcement betweene the Soule and Christ its Spouse.

**NoteIt is good for vsus, lest that wee should louelove this world too well, that like a curst Step-mother it misuse vsus, and rather strike vsus, than stroake vsus, as it doeth with these worldlie brats, who neither liue, nor louelove a Life but this. What thinke yee now Sir of this world?

The sicke Man.

I desire yet that God would grant mee some space to liue, that I might make some better prouision for my little Children: I wish that I might liue till they were better prouided, within a few dayes if God would spare mee, I hope that I should make a conquest.

p. 51**NoteFye vponupon that conquest that maketh a man to desire to tarie from God but one houre: Solomon afterEccles. 2. 18.Eccl 2:18 all his conquests said, that hee hated all his labour: I said hee, hated all my labour, which I had taken vnderunder the Sunne: The reason is subjoyned by himselfe, Because I should leaue it vers. 19.vntounto the man that should bee after mee: And who knoweth whether hee shall bee a wise man or a foole? Yea, hee proued a foole indeed, by forsaking the 1 King. 12 131 Kgs 12:13counsell of the old wise, for to follow the folie of his young fooles: **NoteWhat folie is this I play you, for a man to desire to liue, for to conquise sparinglie for one that will spend it all lauishlie, crying among the drunkards, Fill the pynt againe? **NoteMany children will at one cast of the dyce, cast more from them into a night, than their fathers were able to win into a yeare: **NoteWhat is great riches to the most part of Heires, but fuell to their follie? **NoteIs it not commonlie p. 52seene, that after the Father hath pined himselfe with scraiping togetherHabuk. 2. 6 this thick clay and pelfie dung, in cōmeth a forelorne deboched Heire with his drunkē musick, singing Veri vades, Wee hauehave spent more than our Philip. 3. 8Phil 3:8fathers hauehave winne. A little with GODS blessing is much worth: **NoteHardlie can men conquise much with a good Conscience: From thence is the prophan prouerbe, Well is the Heire whose fathers soule is in Hell: The glose is this, hardlie can the father inrich his children, but by lossing his own Soule: What a woefull bargaine is this? Neither doeth it euer come to passe, that the euill conquist come to the hands of them for whom it was appointed: **NoteAfter that the Worldling by hook & by crooke hath taken with the angle, and hath catcht with the net, & gathered in his dragge, all that is about him: At last it commeth to passe, that after he hath well ladned p. 53his Boate, and is come neere the hauen, there commeth a blast of judgement which ouer-turneth all into a moment: **NoteThus in the highest of his hopes in sight of the Shore, ladned and fraughted with the fruite of all his labours of his lyes, his guile, and deceite, he goeth downe to the bottome of the depths, so that none is able to rescue him: Thus after that, first he hath made shipwrack of his conscience, he also maketh shipwarcke of all his goods, and so is he depriued of his imagined profite: **NoteWhat though his shippe should come in? What though all should prosper for a while? **NoteLet Micah steale his mothers siluer and turne it into gods, and get a Priest, & blesse himselfe, when hee hath done, thinking that all shall prosper now: ButDanites. ere it belong▪ some of the race of the Gen. 49. 17Gen 49:17Adder by the way, shall come and tak away his gods: And if hee run out to follow for his owne, they shall p. 54either scorne him with what aileth Iudg. 18. 23Judg 18:23thee? or shall boast him to keepe silence, saying, Let not thy voyce bee vers. 25.heard among vsus, lest angrie fellowes runne vponupon thee, and thou losse thy life with the liues of thine house-hold.

**NoteLet no man blesse himselfe with Micah because hee hath gods at home: **NoteThough men by manie meanes may become rich, and think that they shall leaue great wealth vntounto their children, God can by as many meanes disapoint them, as by blood, by shipwracke, by fire, by water, by warre, by banqueroupts, by plea, and by piracie, &c. He who to day was swaggering in his Silkes and swimming in his wealth speaking of nothing but of thousands, within a little space behold him againe, and loe, all is changed: The poore man he goeth and no man regardeth him, he is hungrie, nacked and colde, but not so colde as the charitie of these that may helpe him: p. 55These who were wont to eate at his table, desire no more to see him: The thoughts of olde obligations are to them lik letters of Caption for to enforce thē to giuegive some what to their olde distressed friend: But cold are such comforts: Heere, beholde Sir, as in a glasse, what vanitie into these transitorie things, which men think to make permanent to their posteritie: **NoteBut let a man be rich till he die; After that he hath spoiled others to make himselfe wealthie, shall his children bee his Heires? No, not: The wealth of the sinner is laide vp Prov. 13. 22.Prov 13:22for the Iust: See how God maketh a Worlding to be as it were a drudge or a packe horse for to gather with the sweate of his browes, that wherwith the righteous man may bee sustained: **NoteAs hee made the Rauens to flee and fetch flesh for the nourishing1 King. 17 161 Kgs 17:16 of his Seruant Elijah: **NoteSome tims also it wil befal otherwise, that thewe alth of the sinner shall be laid p. 56vp for one worse than himselfe, that all the world may see, and beholde, what vanitie there is in such carking care: **NoteO, wil some say, if hee that is dead saw such a man in his house, Master of all his labours, What would hee now thinke? **NoteThus God in a manner making deboched bare men like leane Kine prey vponupon theGen. 41. 3Gen 41:3 wicked, who while they liued, woldIudg. 9. 9.Judg 9:9 not with the Oliue leaue their fatnes for to be Kings in Heauē, letteth the world see what folie it is to put their trust in such transitorie trashes.

What say yee now Sir? Are yee now free of such earthlie temptations?

The sicke Man.

I am miserablie vexed with this world: Worldlie things, doe what I can, runne euer into my minde, and trouble mee with carking cares.

The Pastour.

**NoteSo long as a mans heart is clogged with this clay, hee hath no power p. 57to stirre hand or foote to heauen-ward: There is both gall and guile in earthlie mindednesse: Well is him, whose Soule can sore farre aboue this Region of corruption, for to minde aboue all things the things Col. 3. 1.Col 3:1that are aboue.

The sicke Man.

My minde alas, is like Martha, busied Luk. 10. 41Luke 10:41about manie things, or rather buried in manie things.

The Pastour.

But Christ said, One thing is necessarie: **NoteHee that said it, is that which hee said; euen that, One necessarie thing. **NoteWee may passe to life eternall without any other thing: But there is such a necessitie in Christ, that without him wee can doe nothing: Without mee, said hee, yee can doe nothing: Christ is thatLuk. 10. 41Luke 10:41 Best part, Maries choise: Well is that Soule, that maketh him its part: He is onelyonly that which shall neuer bee taken from vsus▪ But what worldlie p. 58thing is that, that as yet troubleth you?

The sicke Man.

Mine heart Sir, is ouer-burdened with the weight of manie cares concerning this Life.

The Pastour.

**NoteOur Sauiour hath set downe a particular Precept concerning that, Take heede, said hee, to your selues, Luk. 21. 34.Luke 21:34least at any time your heartes bee ouercharged with surfetting and drunkennesse, and cares of this life: **NoteSuch cares may snow downe white haires vponupon our hairie scalpe: But it is onelie the godlie care, the care of the Life to come, that worketh Repentance neuer to bee repented of: But come to the pārticulars.

The sicke Man.

I hauehave latelie bought some heritage, my seruants are plowing it, before I die I would wish once to reape the fruites thereof.

The Pastour.

To bee worldlie minded is death:

p. 59**NoteThe command is gone foorth', none can plead ignorance: LoueLove not the world, nor the things of the world: Ioh. 2. 16.John 2:16Well is him that so liueth heere,Luk. 20. 35Luke 20:35 that he may be counted worthie to enjoy that world: **NoteIt is no time now Sir to thinke of ploughes, yee must now leaue all, for to follow Christ,1 King. 19 21.1 Kgs 19:21 like Elisha, who left his plowing for to follow his new vocation: Take now a kisse of your dearest friendes, and follow this great Elijah, the Lord Iesus, the Chariot of all his chosen, and the Horse-men of his Israel.

The sicke Man.

My Lands are laboured, the Haruest draweth neere, there is a plentifull croppe vponupon the ground, Cornes and wheat, and all abound.

The Pastour.

There is no solide comfort in Wheat or in Corne, but onelie in Gods countenance: **NoteI compare all worldlie things to the Tallow of p. 60a Candle, and spirituall thinges to the flamme thereof: If the Candle bee right set, that the flamme bee vpmost, the Candle will shin clearelie, and giuegive light: But if yee turne the Candle, and holde the flamme downe, it shall at once drowne in its owne tallow: Euen so if the Soule of man bee well set, that spirituall thoughts bee vpmost, and worldlie cōsiderations sanctified, which hauehave beene melted & strained from their drosse be vnderunder, that Soule will shine in holie life before men: But if the flamme of the Spirit bee turned downe, it will drowne vnderunder the droppes of such earthlie tallowe: By this at last, all our light dyeth out like a Candle, so that our hearts that were once enlightned, become lik a dampish dungeon.

**NoteI confesse, so long as wee are here the fire of the Spirit within the best of vsus, is like ignis in materia, fire in an earthlie matter, from whence p. 61commeth euer some filthie reeke: But when once wee shall bee aboue all places, wherevnto no reeke can reach, this spirituall flamme abstracted from all earthlie matter, shall shine most clearlie into the presence of God for euer. Are yee not yet Sir resolued? Is not your desire now to bee dissolued?

The sicke Man.

The world is yet still in my mind: I hauehave takē much paines into it, & am now but beginning for to get some ease: I hauehave builded an house, gladlie would I dwell some space into it: Mine heart is sore, yea, it bleeds for to leaue this Lodging, and neuer to come to it againe: I had trimmed it for my pleasure, and now behold, shall I bee disappointed?

The Pastour.

There is no great matter of griefe Sir, when a man changeth for the better: **NoteWhat are all the sieled Palaces of Princes on earth, but like the p. 62house of a Spider? How soone areIob. 8. 14.Job 8:14 they all sweept away with the besome of vengeance, when God is angrie? What are all our dwellinges on earth, but Dungeons in a dunghill? Let not your heart Sir bee on your house: It is now time to mind the things that are aboue: Eye vponupon clay and stones: **NoteWhat are all the royall Palaces of the world to these statelie houses aboue, whereof the floore or pauement glisters with thousands of Starres, as with as manie golden nailes, o… twinkling Dya…onds: There the Sun & y^e Moone the two great Iewels of Heauen, shall bee vnderunder your feete, which are now aboue our heade. What is within, no mortall tongue can tell: S. Paul saw there some-thing, but2 Cor. 12 42 Cor 12:4 hee neuer reuealed it, neither was it lawfull for him to declare what he had seene: **NoteThis one thing wee may know, seeing the out-side of Heauen is so beautifull, how pleasant p. 63must it bee within? Heauen is like the Kinges Daughter, whose whole beautie is within: There is profite,Psal. 45. 13Ps 45:13 pleasure, health, wealth, honour, happinesse, beautie & blesse: In a word, there bee thinges that eye neuer saw, neither eare heard, yea, which neuer could enter into the heart of man.

The sicke Man.

But alas, must I then forsake all my wealth, and so leaue all my treasures behind mee▪

The Pastour.

**NoteSuch treasures are but traitours, though they bee counted gods: God said to Magistrats, I hauehave called Psal. 82. 6Ps 82:6you gods: But hee neuer called gold god: To call gold god, is Ashdodien language: Gods of gold must be forsaken, for to goe to the God of Glorie: **NoteWhat are all these worldlie thinges whereon naturall men so doe gaze? What are they, but idoles lying vanities? To ouercome p. 64the louelove of such lyers, is the triumph of Trueth: **NoteIf Gods Arke be within our heart, such Dagons will fall downe: Turne therefore your eyes from such clay, and minde the things that are aboue: Manie gather richesCol. 3. 1.Col 3:1 as hee that earneth wages to put it into Hab. 1▪ 6.Hab 1:6a bottomlesse bagge: **NoteThe first lesson of Christianitie is selfe denyall.

The Sicke Man.

How is it then Sir, that a man must goe through this world for to come to Heauen?

The Pastour.

**NoteEuen as the Israelites desired to goe through the Land, of Sihon the King of the Amorites, for to come to Canaan the figure of Heauen▪ Let mee goe through thy Land, saidNumb. 21 21,Num 21:21 Israel, Wee will not turne aside into the fieldes, nor into the vineyards, neither drinke of the waters of the wells wee will goe by the Kings high way, vntill wee be past thy Countrey. **NoteIt is so▪ that wee must passe through this p. 65world, for to come to that heauenlie Canaan, we must not turne asid into the faire fields of pleasure, nor drink our selues drunke in its vineyards: But wee must follow directlie the rule of Gods Law the King of Heauens high way, that so we may enter into Canaan. What say ye Sir? Is it not time to bee resolued?

The sicke Man.

Mine heart is pined within mee: It is like to breake for sorrow, when I looke to my little Children, Who shortlie shalbe fatherlesse: Alas hard shall their estate be, when I shall bee away, who will take care of them?

The Pastour.

That which Christ said to Peter, Matth. 14 31Matt 14:31may bee said to you, O man of little Faith, why hast thou doubted? Hath not God promised to shew merciemercy vntounto thousands of these that louelove him? **NoteIf the King of this Land should now come himselfe to your bed-stocke and say Iames, or Iohn, p. 66heere I giuegive to you mine hand befor God and good witnesse, that I shall bee a Father to your Children after you, and shall so prouide for them, that they shall want nothing that may doe them good: If yee heard such a man make such promises, I thinke that yee should not bee in paine for the estat of your childrē: And yet what is a King but a man? But so it is, that all men are lyares, Psal. 116. 11.Ps 116:11or may lie: But God who can not Heb. 6. 18Heb 6:18lie, hath giuen his Hand and his trueth to the faithfull man, yea, hath oblished himselfe by an oath, and hath taken Heauen and Earth to bee witnesse, that hee shall neuer forsake the godlie man nor his seede, his promise is to thousands: If yeeExod. 20, 6Exod 20:6 beleeue God to bee true, relye vponupon his promise: Let not the care of Children trouble you any more, prepare your selfe for God, and let Death bee welcome: Put your house to an order in time: Discharge p. 67your selfe of all worldlie burdens: denude your hands and your heart of all temporall affaires, that your Soule hauehave nothing to doe, but to waite vponupon your God: **NoteIt is not time to bee combered with the world, while the whole heart should bee taken vp with heauenlie meditations: It is now high time to thinke earnestlie vponupon that life, wherevnto yee are going by Death: It would seeme Sir that yee are not contentas yet for to remoue: What can this be that troubleth you▪ shuld not your heart rejoyce to goe vntounto your God?

The sicke Man.

I finde contrarie draughts within mee: Your wordes indeede Sir beginne to worke vponupon mine heart, and to draw vp my Soule toward the pleasures that are aboue: **NoteBut againe I finde the desires of this life like weightie paisses drawing mee downe to the ground againe: This p. 68is my regret: Alas, must I then leaue this world, and the light thereof, and neuer see it againe any more? Shall I beholde man no more Isa. 38. 11Isa 38:11with the inhabitants of the worlde? Shall I neuer see after this into the Land of the liuing any of all these whom I hauehave loued so well?

The Pastour.

**NoteSir, it shall bee your farre best to suffer the louelove of Christ swallow vp the louelove and all other considerations of worldlie thinges, as Moses his serpent swallowed vp the serpents Exod. 7. 12Exod 7:12of the Magicians: **NoteWhat euer seemeth pleasant into this world vntounto the naturall eye, it is but by juggling of the senses: If we hauehave the grace of God, this grace shall be indeede like as a foure nooked Clauer, is in the opinion of some, viz a most powerfull meanes against the juggling of the sight: If wee could seeke this grace, it would let vsus see the vanitie of such thinges which beguile the p. 69naturall senses: **NoteThe eye of a mans Soule is betimes like the eye of a man come out of a bilious feuer, all things seeme to him to bee yellow, because of the bile which hauehave peruerted his sight: **NoteSathan can forge temptations like glasse, of whatsoeuer colour hee pleaseth, wherethorow all things seeme to bee of the colour of his temptations: Thorow one glasse a mans owne spouse will seeme to be filthie: Thorow another a bordel-whore will seeme to bee pleasant: Thorow one the world will seeme to bee glorious, thorow another the brightest heauens will seeme to bee but cloudes: Thorow one, fables will seeme to be Scripture, thorow another, Scriptures will seeme to bee but fables▪ Thorow one if a man feast as Christ did, hee will seeme to bee a glutt…n, Luk. 7 34Luke 7:34thorow another if hee feast with the Baptist, hee will seeme to bee a deuill: vers. 33.The chiefe gripe of your temptation p. 70is in this, that if ye were once dead, yee shall beholde man no more with the inhabitants of the world: Yee are far beguiled into the sight of the wo…ld, wherewith yee are so rauished: **NoteChange your Spectacles, and all that is below shall seeme to bee of another colour: **NoteIf your Soule could once sore vp towardes Heauen, the louelove of the Earth and earthlie things would fall from you, as did the Mantle of Elias, when he2 King. 2. …32 Kgs 2:3 was rapt and rauished vp vntounto glorie.

The sicke Man.

**NoteBut ye know Sir, that it is verie hard not to bee sore grieued to goe out of this world, Non amplius visur us neque videndus, neither for to see anie more, nor yet to bee seene: **NoteWho without teares can say his adewes to all his joys, pleasures, and contentments that are here? Whē I once shalbe caried out of my house, yee shall see mee no more: Hencefoorth p. 71yee and I will speake no more together: I departing from you, must goe to the place of silence, among stinke & wormes: Who canwithout displeasure say to all worldlie joyes, farewell?

The Pastour.

It is best that ye turne your backe vntounto such naughtie things, as Hezekiah turned his backe to the stocke, and his face to the wall, that hee might conferre with his God: It is great folie to bee so fond vponupon such transitorie trashes: What is so pleasant in this world that should allure vsus to it? Are not all thinges inconstant heere below? **NoteThere is nothing that standeth at a stay, but either it is comming in or going out like the Tyde: **NoteThere is no creature but while it beginneth to waxe it also beginneth to waine: A child of the age of a day hath lesse time to liue at Eauen, than hee had in the morning: Since hee came out of p. 72the bellie, from the morning vntounto eauen hee hath made a dayes journey in the way to his graue: In ipso ortu vergimus ad occasum: Our arising vp is but a course to our fall: **NoteThe degrees of a mans life, are as as manie stepp vntounto his death: All that wee see below is in a continuall whirling from a beginning to an end: The course of all the Creatures below is in a trance of transitorie trashes: **NoteI can but teach you with vvords▪ as Iohn baptized with water: Luk. 3. 16.Luke 3:16It is onelie the Lord vvho can perswade.

The sicke Man.

I take delight to heare you, I pray God to perswade mee: Continue I pray you into that discourse concerning the vanitie and inconstancie of vvo…ldly things, ripe them vp, and open them wider, that I may see them within the bowels.

The Pastour.

The vvisest among men preached, p. 73Vanitie of vanities, and all is vanitie: Eccles. 1. 2Eccl 1:2All things are vaine, and all things cry vntounto vsus that wee are vaine, So vaine a thing is man: **NoteThe Trees, the Herbes, the Flowrishes, the Fruites, the Fishes, the Beastes, the Spring, the Summer, the Haruest, the Winter, the Aire, the Water, the Earth, the Heauens, are all appointed teachers by God, to tell man of his changing: **NoteTheir line is gone out Psal. 19. 4.Ps 19:4through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world: All that hauehave eyes & eares may heare, & read their doctrine, that heere is nothing permanent: **NoteOne creature calleth to another, Let vsus leaue this World: See wee not how vvee melt away by droppes, for to bee dryed into dust: Moses saith, that wee spend our Psal. 90. 9.Ps 90:9yeares as a tale that is tolde; a strange speach for to declare the vanitie of lōg life so much desired: while a tale is in telling, it seemeth to bee something, but when a tale is once told, p. 74these that hauehave heard it will in end say, That it is but a tale: So long as mans life is lasting, it is like a tale that is in telling: But so soone as Death the end of all commeth, it is but like a tale that is tolde: Thus as yee see all mans life in Scripture language, is called but a tale: **NoteAll the times of our life past, present, and to come, are turned at last into a fuimus, wee hauehave beene: Wee that liue now, let vsus remember our case, Ecce tempus nunc futurum quo dicen… nos fuisse, The time shall bee shortlie that man shall say of vsus that wee hauehave beene: And thereafter a time shall come that none shall know that euer wee had a beeing: **NoteOur life is like a sparkle fleeing out of the fire, which dyeth out into the flight, it failleth before it falleth.

The sicke Man.

These bee wordes of great power, I finde now some working thereof within mine heart: I pray you continue.

p. 75The Pastour.

Wee hauehave none abiding heere, **NoteWe all both yong & old post swiftlie away to the graue, the last bed wherein euerie man must sleepe, we are long of comming to: But how soone are wee pulled downe? Our strength saith Moses, is soone cut off, Psal. 90. 10Ps 90:10and wee flee away: **NoteWee are like the Yee which thaweth sooner than it froze: **NoteThis is the Law of all flesh, Prince, People, Poore and Rich, all must goe to Golgotha: The Preacher saith plainlie, There is no discharge in Eccle. 8. 18Eccl 8:18that warre.

**NoteThough a man in the morning bee proude like a Peacocke, with lifted vp feathers, if Death come before the night come, hee must lay downe his head among dead mens Skuls: What a thing is this, that within an hundreth yeares not one of vsus all that are heere shall bee left aliue, no not in this great Citie, wherein wee liue? **NoteAre wee not p. 76all as water spilt vponupon the ground, 1 Sam. 14 141 Sam 14:14which can not bee gathered vp againe▪ What memorie is now of these tha… are past? And what shall bee said o… vsus, when wee are gone? It is o… farre best then to follow our God▪ and to turne our backe vponupon all suc… lying vanities.

The sicke Man.

I requeast you Sir, not to be wearied: Proceede I pray you into tha… purpose, that I may learne what vanitie is into this life, which is so▪ much desired.

The Pastour.

**NoteMans life into this world is but a Pilgrimage and a race not of great length; for man that is borne of a w… man, 2 Tim. 4. 72 Tim 4:7Iob. 14. 1.Job 14:1hath but a short time to liue: **NoteIacobs answere to King Pharaohs question concerning his age, was few Gen. 47. 1Gen 47:1and euill hauehave my dayes beene? **NoteWhat is man saith one but Vermis crasti… moriturus? a worme that will die to▪ morrow: **NoteDauid putteth the length p. 77of his dayes betweene his little finger & his thumbe: My life said he, is Psal. 39. 5Ps 39:5like a span long: some get but an inch, consider well I pray you Sir, seeing it is so, what is it then of your life, which is but of the length of a span what thogh it were an ell of length? **NoteIs not Methusalah with his many hundreth yeeres as well in dust, as as hee that liued but a day: **NoteOther hauehave giuen place to vsus, and we must also giuegive place to others: To mee to day, to thee tomorrow: There is no lodging for immortalitie vponupon the Earth▪

The sicke Man.

My Soule rejoyceth to heare you Sir, proceede I pray you.

The Pastour.

Wee hauehave no great cause to desire to sojourne on earth: **NoteWhat are we heere on earth but like poore beggers shute downe to the lowest chambers of the world? This lowCabul, that is dirtie. contrie may well be called Cabul, as Hiram, by disdaine called the dirtie p. 78cities of Solomon: Be glad no… Sir for to leaue this earth, a dirti… dwelling: **NoteStep vp the Staire eue… Gen. 28. 17Gen 28:17the Ladder of Iaacob, that yee may mount vp to your God, for to see what hee is doing aboue: Well is you who shall heare shortlie the musicke of Angels into that Palace whose pauement is the roofe of al… mortall dwellings: O if yee kne… what is there! Fye on our ignorance **NoteThe Childrē of God in this worl… are like Lords children, sent out to bee fostered into little Cottages o… clay, when they are sent for by sicknesse and death; their Fathers messengers they weepe to come home to their Fathers Palace, because they know not these many pleasant Mansions that bee in their Fathers house▪ But after that they hauehave once trye… what it is to bee in Heauen with their God, they shall wonder … their childishnesse: **NoteBe not Sir l… these fort of men that cannot abid… p. 79to heare speake of Death, but euen sicken at the name thereof, or waxe wroth at the speaker, as Ahab, fumed1 King. 22 8▪1 Kgs 22:8 at the Prophet, because hee spake not good thinges vntounto him.

The sicke Man.

Hezekiah spake more wiselie, while hee was threatned by the Prophet, Good, said hee, is the word of the Lord: 2 King. 20 19.2 Kgs 20:19I pray you to continue your purpose concerning death: **NoteIt is good that wee remember our latter end.

The Pastour.

**NoteIndeed Sir the thoghts of Death are helpefull and healthfull to the Soules of men, to bee corrections for their corruptions: Such thoughts keepe euer God in our sight: They are like a strainer, wherthrough the thoughts, wordes and workes of men are purified: Hardlie can a man thinke of a sho…t life, and thinke euill, as hardlie can hee d…eame of a long life, & thinke well: **NoteAll the sinnes of Gods Church in p. 80Icrem…es dayes vvere imputed vntountoLam. 1. 9Lam 1:9 this, that shee remembred not her end: **NoteWee for the most part deceiue our selues vvith the opinion of long life, and so did they vvho are dead alreadie: O how gracious vvould one day bee to these novv, who vvhile they liued, did scorne at these vvordes, Redeeme the Time! ButEphes. 5. 16Eph 5:16 their ma…ket time is now past: Gods Faire vvas ended before they could vnderstand vvhat it vvas to buy without money: Well is the man vvho,Isa. 55. 1.Isa 55:1 vvhile he hath time, so liueth to dye, that hee may dye to liue: If our life be good, our death cannot be euill: **NoteTo the godlie man death is a comfort, as beeing a medecine for all his diseases; a cure for all his cares,Reuel. 14 13Rev 14:13 a rest… from his labours: But in this is his greatest joye that by it the filthie flooxe of sinne is dryed vp into an instant: * By it also the prison doore is opened that the Soule like a Doue may flie vp to its p. 81God: The consideration of suchEccles. 7. 3.Eccl 7:3 things made Solomon to preach, The day of death is better, than the day that one is borne: Hee spake the trueth, for the one is the beginning, the other is the ending of all our woe and miserie.

Now Sir, before that I proceede any further, I pray you to tell mee what yee thinke now of this world. In this as I remember was your last temptation grounded, that going out of this world, yee should no more see nor bee seene: **NoteI hauehave let you see as in a glasse, what vanitie is in it, yea, that all is but vanitie of vanities, the verie abstract of an abstract, or for to speak so, vanitie fined and quintessenced out of vanitie, which I may call the spirit or quintessence of vanitie. Now Sir tell me what ye thinke of this world, wherin gods must die like men? No worldliePsal. …. 7. thing below in the day of neede will bee able to keepe touch vntounto vsus.

p. 82The sicke Man.

Fye, fye on my faultes, and my folie: **NoteI foolishlie once thought that I should feather a nest into this world, that should neuer bee pulled downe: Mine heart hath beene so bent toward this vanitie that I hauehave neither moued foote nor finger toward eternall Life.

**NoteIt is true that I hauehave beene nourished and brought vp into this world like a Child into a rurall cottage **NoteI like a Child thought that there was no better: Ionah wasIona. 4. 7.Jonah 4:7 angrie for to quite his Gourd: **NoteThe greatest pleasures that are heere beeing well weighed, are but like the shadow of that Gourd, euanishing and worme-eaten pleasures: All such comforts are but slender, they faile man in his greatest neede.

The Pastour.

**NoteThough worldlie pleasures be sweete for a space to these whose portion is into this Life, yet as p. 83Abner said of the deuouring Sword to Ioab, It will bee bitternesse in the 2 Sam. 2. 26.2 Sam 2:26latter end: In all the gourdes of worldlie pleasures are wormes of paine, which shall make them to wither.

The sicke Man.

That is most certaine: **Notewell is him that hath turned his backe to all such lying vanities: So long as a man is in nature, not reformed by grace, hee is but a stranger from heauen: The louelove of the world in his heart like a moth, cats out all liking of Heauen. **NoteI hauehave beene too long alas, sucking the breastes of this Nourse, whereout of I hauehave drawen nothing but the swill of wickednesse: Blessed bee my God, who hath sent this affliction for to waine my Soule from the louelove of all things below: I beginne now to incline for to returne to my Fathers house in Heauen, where, as I heare, it shall bee much better for mee. Oh, forlorne Sonne that I am▪ who hauehave p. 84wandered so farre from my Father!

The Pastour.

I thanke God, Sir, for these good motions, flesh and blood cannot teach such lessons: But one word I hauehave obserued into your speach, yee hauehave said, that ye beginne to incline to goe home to your Father: Are ye not as yet fullie resolued? Desire yee not indeede presently to be dissolued? **NoteIs it not your greatest desire to flitte f…om this bodie which is but a Booth, a Shoppe, or Tabernacle Iob 4. 19.Job 4:19of clay? **NoteIs not your Soule wearied to sojourne into such a reekie Lodge? Is not your heart panting after God, l…ke an Hart, panting after the water brookes? He are yee not your Soule crying withinPsal. 42. 3.Ps 42:3 you, O when shall I come and appeare before God? **NoteA small feeble inclination to goe to God is not sufficient, ye must now come to a stedfast resolution: He who is not resolued, is not readie for to be dissolued: Ta… p. 85courage, bee not dashed into this danger, declare your mind freely, be not nice, there bee none heere but friendes.

The sicke Man.

I am so pyned with sicknesse, that hardlie can I make answere: **NoteOh▪ but I am pressed with an heaui… hand: I feare much my last houre: My Soule is sore troubled.

The Pastour.

Learne of Christ in his trouble: Now, said hee, is my Soule troubled, Ioh, 12. 27and what shall I say? Father, deliue… mee from this houre: But for this cause vers. 28.came I into this houre: Father glorifie thy Name: As hee did, so doe yee: **NoteHee fearing the houre was earnest with God in prayer for to bee deliuered from it; and yet most humblie submitted himselfe vntounto his Fathers will: So doe yee: If ye feare greatlie that houre, pray feruentlie, that God deliuer you from it and yet notwithstanding, let God hauehave p. 86all his will of you: His will shall eu…r bee your well.

The Sicke Man.

But alas, my paines are grea…: **Notemy breach is like the sea: Gods rod vponupon mee is torne with stripes, and worne to the stomps: In my torments I both feare and feele his wrath: If hee loued mee, would he scourge mee with such scorpions?

The Pastour.

Whom God loueth hee chasteneth, and scourgeth euerie Sonne whom hee Heb. 12. 6.Heb 12:6receiueth: By this yee see plainelie▪ that hee will receiue none to himselfe, but those whom hee is minded to scourge: **NoteThis scourging whereof yee complaine, is Gods louelove-token, telling you that hee is minded for to receiue you: Woe …o the Childe whom the Father will not correct: God commandeth louing Fathers to chastise their children till they cry: His command is also, that they bee not hindered for p. 87their cryes: Chasten thy Sonne, saidProu▪ 19. 18.Prov 19:18 God, while there is hope, and let not thy Soule spare for his crying: So long as there is life, there is hope: While God chasteneth you, it is a token that there is hope: **NoteWoe to that man, whom GOD disdaineth to strike: It is a sore word when a Father or a Master saith to a Childe I despaire of him, there is none hope, I giuegive him ouer, & will strik him no more: It was a fearefull vvord that God said to the rebellious Israelites, I will not visite your Daughters when Hose. 4. 14Hos 4:14they are harlotes, nor your Spouses when they are whoores: That is, I will correct them no more, but let them runne head-long to their owne destruction: Woe to him vvhom God vvill not correct: **NoteCerte tunc magis irascitur Deus cum non irascitur, God is most angrie, when hee seemeth least to bee angrie: The wicked are most fearefullie plagued, when God spareth them most: Let p. 88not therefore your sore paines discourage you, but rather comfort you, as beeing a speciall token that God will receiue your Soule **NoteWhat reckes what this Carion suffer, if so be that God receiue the Soule? Shall I not drinke of my Fathers Cup? saidIoh. 18. 11John 18:11 Christ: * To drinke of a Kings cup it vvould bee thought an honour. See then vvhat honour is in the affliction of the godlie, thereby they drinke of the King of Heauens cup: This is also a token of our friendship vvith Christ, vvhen wee drinke vvith him of one cuppe: Men will not drinke of one cuppe with their enemies. Rejoyce then Sir, to drink vvith Christ in your Fathers cuppe **NoteThough this cuppe bee bitter at the brimme, the bottome will hauehave a pleasant farewell.

Thinke vvell vponupon this Sir, and possesse your soule in patience despare neuer of Gods merciemercy, though hee seeme to bee angrie, depend p. 89vponupon him, trust into him, though hee should slay you: **NoteIn confidence of h…s LoueLove rest and sleepe in his bosome, hang on him, saue his honour by trusting in him: If this yee doe, I assure you, that yee shall dye sweetlie, resting into his armes.

The sicke Man.

I finde Sir my paines greatlie to increase.

The Pastour.

Bee of good comfort: **NoteIf your paines increase, God will increase your patience with your paines, he is mercyfull, and will surelie strengthen you in the weakest houre: Gods strength is made perfect in weaknesse: 2 Cor. 12. 9.2 Cor 12:9In the meane time, bee fighting out the good fight manfullie: **NoteHold vp your hands with Moses against Amaleke: Pray feruentlie to your God, that hee would cast intoExod. 17. 11Exod 17:11 your memorie all the good thinges that euer yee heard or reade, wherewith your Soule as with a rempart p. 90may bee guarded against the houre of temptations: Pray oft-ten with Christ, Father deliuer mee from this Ioh. 12. 27John 12:27houre: What say yee Sir? It appeareth that there bee some thing into your mind yet that vexeth you.

The sicke Man.

This Soule of mine is verie loath to depart from this bodie: **NoteThey be of olde acquaintance, haplie long shall it be before they meete againe, Friendes cannot bee but sorie while they shedde.

The Pastour.

That is naturall to all: But grace in the Godlie must rule Nature: **NoteWee must gladlie leaue all for to goe liue with Christ, we must deny our selues for to confesse him: we must desire to be dissolued, for to bee with him; hee who loueth any thing better than him, shall not bee found worthie of him: Your Soule, say ye, is sorie to goe from the body: **NoteWhat are our bodies for the p. 91present, but prisons of clay? Let them goe to clay, till the day of the Resurrection come, when those painefull prisons shall bee turned into pleasant Palaces: **NoteWhat reckes of an inch of time heere on Earth▪ in respect of eternitie in Heauen? Should a mans heart so itch after an inch of Earth, that hee would desire to tarrie from Heauen but an houre?

The Soule must turne its backe vponupon the bodie, for to turne its face vntounto the God of Glorie: This is but a childish temptation: **NoteIt is for women & children to weepe, at the taking of adewes, chiefelie while these that depart are going to a better condition of life.

Because the day draweth towards Euening, it is now time for mee to remoue: I hope God willing to come againe the Morrow, and to visite you, that I may minister vntounto you some Spirituall comforts: In p. 92the meane time, seeing your minde hath bene so perplexed with carnall temptations, concerning Life, Lāds, Children, and Riches: Cause read vntounto you this night in mine absence the Book of Ecclesiastes, from the beginning vntounto the end, where ye shall see as in a glasse, the vanitie of all these things, wherewith your Soule now is most enamoured. If ye hauehave time, cause also reade vntounto you Iob 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Before I goe Sir it shall bee best that I recommend you vntounto God by prayer.

The first Prayer for the sicke Man.

O LORD, in whose hands is the gift of the Spirit of groanes, inspire our heartes at this time, that with an heauenlie disposition wee may fall downe before thee vponupon p. 93the knees of our Soules, quicken our dead and drowsie heartes to the performance of this duetie of calling vponupon thy Name: Thou is not close handed to these that seeke thee in sinceritie, wee are ashamed, O LORD, euen wee all who are heere before thee on the Earth thy Foote-stoole, wee are ashamed for to face the Heauens, the Throne of thy Majestie: Our heartes are so fullie fraughted with all sortes of sins, which like most filthie streames flow from the first fountaine, or rather puddle of our originall sinne, which wee hauehave from the Loynes of Adam: Wee are all infected with this spirituall Leprosie; there is nothing that can wash vsus and make vsus cleane, saue onelie the Iordan of the blood of Iesus; Besprinkle our consciences, O LORD, with the vertue of that Blood, which cryeth for better things, than the blood of Abel: Seale vp thy LoueLove in our p. 94heartes by the blood of the Sealed man, whom Thou the Father did seale and appoint to bring Life eternallIoh. 6. 27.John 6:27 to the world: In him thou art well pleased: In his Name, and for his LoueLove wee begge thy fauour: He himselfe hath tolde vsus, that what wee shall aske thee in his Name, we shall receiue it: O Father of mercies, remember the promise of thy Sonne.

In confidence of his Command wee take the boldnesse at this time particularlie to put vp our prayers vntounto thee, for this thy diseased Seruant toss…d to and f…o with diuerse temptations: Sathan the enemie of his Saluation, the feare of Death, the louelove of the world and of worldlie things hauehave set themselues in Battell-array, like armies betweene his Soule and the entrie of Heauen.

They hauehave maliciouslie ensnared his heart, and taken his affections captiues with the immoderate louelove p. 95of perishing thinges: Oh, how hath hee beene bewitched with the seeming sweetenesse of such vanities!

O Thou LORD IESVS, the LORD of Life, encourage him so with thy liuelie Spirit, that he may be bold, couragiously to face Death and the Graue: Put these interrogations in his mouth, O Death, where 1 Cor. 15. 551 Cor 15:55is thy Sting? O Graue, where is thy victorie? Cause thy Spirit whisper in his eare, that thou hast put out the life of Death: Cast into his rememberance the words wherewith Thou boasted Death, and the Graue, O Death, I will be thy plagues, Hose. 13. 14Hos 13:14O Graue, I will bee thy destruction.

Let his Soule knowe that the Graue is a Bed of rest, for all theseIsa. 57. 2.Isa 57:2 that die in the LORD, wherein they rest from their labours, beeing at ease in peace, without any toile or turmoile: Worke in his heart a desire to be dissolued, for to bee fred from the sinfull bonds of mortality, p. 96for to goe dwell where hee shall neuer anger the Lord againe: Let the LoueLove of Christ waine his heart from the desire of anie abiding heere.

O deare IESVS, who was both buffeted, slaine, and buried for to saue man, set the print and stampe of thy merciemercy vponupon this Soule. Seuer all his thoughts from all that is earthlie, whether it bee Life, Lands, Children, Houses, or whatsoeuer other thing may allure him for to sojourne heere in a strange Land, wherein wee are all strangers from God, whom wee cannot see heere but behind: Vntye his heart from the louelove of this his natiue soile: Purge him of this out-bearing humour.

O LORD, flesh and blood will neuer teach a man to renounce his deare selte, and such other carnall things, wherewith hee is in phantasie: The earthlie minde is so lumpish, that it wearieth to thinke of p. 97thee, and of the pleasures of thy Palace: A carnall hearte is euer rouing and wandering heere about this worlds businesse: Martha is a mother of many Children, who trouble themselues about many thinges: But few are these that with Marie can fold their heart for to sit downe at the feete of IESVS for to make choise of that best part, which should neuer bee taken from them: Thou to whō nothing is impossible, draw this Soule vntounto thee, make the bent of his affection to bee vponupon thee.

O great IEHOVAH, thou hast heard and seene how carnall temptations hauehave teared the Soule of thy Seruant this day in the bedde of his languishing: Immoderat cares for thinges below hauehave depriued him of all rest and joyes which he should hauehave in thee: Wee must confesse to thee, and from his heart hee acknowledgeth to bee true, that his p. 98minde hath beene too bent vponupon such perishing shadowes, which can not bee gripped: Such trashes of no worth hauehave taken too much roome into his heart.

Hee who is not content to quite all for to come to thee, is not worthie of thee.

But, LORD; if mans Saluation were grounded vponupon the sand of his owne worthinesse, such a building could not stand against the winds & floodes of temptations: But his Saluation shall neuer bee branled▪ because it is builded vponupon the euerlasting and most sure Rocke the foundation of thy Church.

O LORD, wee faile all in many things: If hitherto this thy Seruant hath not as hee should, minded th… thinges which are aboue, but lodged in their place, the desire of thinges below, now in thy grea… merciemercy inlighten his mistie mind…, and bee mercifull to him in th… p. 99thing: Make the flesh now to cede and giuegive place vntounto the Spirit: Let the heauens come in with the pledges of thy LoueLove, which no mortall armes can fadome: Come with thy Spirituall and diuine motions and fill therewith the chambers of his heart where earthlie thoughts had their abode: Make his Soule to inuite thy Spirit, to come in, Saying with Laban, Come in thou blessed of Gen. 24. 31Gen 24:31the Lord, wherefore standest thou without?

O deare IESVS, direct so all his thoughts, that hee wearie himselfe no more with the desire of that which sooner or later heee must …orgoe: Why should thornie cares for dust and clay choake the good motions of thy Spirit? Let no such care cumber him any more for foolish fáding commoditie: Dissolue this glew by which his heart is tyed to the ground: In thy Light let him see Light, whereby hee may perceiue p. 100how fraile & fickle are all such transitorie trashes, which beeing too much loued, both coole our zeale and clogge our affections, so that they can in no wise soare vp toward thee.

O blessed Sauiour, in whom is the very pith & sweetest marrow of Gods mercies, make thy seruants heere to louelove thee aboue all things, in heauen or earth: Make his heart to say, Whom hauehave I in Heauen but thee? Make him to louelove thee for thy selfe, and not for thine onelie, which is but an hyred LoueLove: Put in thine owne hand at the hole of the doore of his heart, and let some droppes of the Mirrhe of thy merciemercy this night fall vponupon the handle of the Barre▪ that his Soule beeing affected therewith▪ may runne out of the Chamber of sleepe for to seeke him, who loueth his Soule, euen his blessed Sauiour, the LORD IESVS.

Bee mercifull to all thine afflicted p. 101members in the Church militant, fighting vnderunder the bloodie Banner of the LORD IESVS CHRIST: The Church is thy Spouse keep her as the Apple of thine eye, make all her members with one minde and one mouth, to glorifie thy Name.

Blesse our gracious Soueraigne, the Kings Majestie with thy best blessings: Adorne him with spirituall Graces and giftes, wherewith hee may please thee in his whole carriage, both Ecclesiastice and Ciuill: Make Iustice and Iudgement the habitation of his Throne; make MercieMercy and Trueth goe before his Face: Blesse His Royall Match, make thy merciemercy to bee shed abroad in Her Heart: Cloth Her with the Royall apparell of Christs Righteousnesse: Let readinesse to heare the Preaching of the Word bee Her Eare-ring, and good Workes in Her Hand like golden Rings vponupon Her Fingers: Write vponupon the Tables of p. 102Her Heart the LoueLove of true Godlinesse.

The LORD bee mercifull to the Common-wealth of this Land protect It from the rage of forraine Enemies: Let neuer thy protection depart from this Land: Let it bee like that Bed of Solomon, Threescore Cant. 3. 7. … 8Song 3:7Song 3:8stronge men are round about it, of the valiant men of Israel: They all handle the Sword, and are expert in warre▪ euerie one hath his sword vponupon his thigh for the feare by night.

The LORD be gracious vntounto vsus all, whō are heere vponupon our kneees before Thee: What wee hauehave said to Thee on earth, LORD heare Thou in Heauen,: Let this afflicted Soule hauehave a proofe of thine own Trueth, that the effectuall prayer of the Righteous Iam. 5. 16.Jas 5:16auaileth much, LORD hea… vsus for the sake of him who is righteousnes it selfe, in whose most perfect Prayer we close vp allour sutes, saying, Our Father which art, &c.

p. 103The Peace, Grace, and MercieMercy of our GOD, bee with you Sir for euer: I hope that by Gods Grace I shall see you earlie in the Morning.

The sicke Man.

The LORD render to you according to his gracious promise made to all these that serue him in sinceritie: A great blessing requireth great thankes: I neuer deserued such kindnesse at your hands: The lesse deseruing bee in mee, the more deeplie doe I hold my selfe bound vntounto your louelove: I pray you Sir be as good as your word, come againe earelie in the Morning: The Spirit of IESVS goe with you.