The Last Battle of the Soul, Religious tract 1 · Part 3

The Last Battle of the Soul · Religious tract 1 · Part 3

p. 241THE THIRD DAYES Conference. Of spirituall temptations.

The Pastour.

THE Lord blesse you Sir, according to your…d sire I am come againe to visite you in your bedde of languishing.

The sicke Man.

I was looking for you, for since yee left mee yesternight I may say with Iacob Sleepe departed from mine Gen. 31. 40Gen 31:40eyes: My conscience all this night hath beene like a boiling pot: **NoteO but weake man is borne to manie sorrowes! his dayes are few and euill: The best of them is builabour and Psal. 90. 10Ps 90:10sorrow: But let vsus now begin where wee left.

p. 242The Pastour.

Our last conference, as yee may remember, was concerning Christ, in whose wings, I said, was health for healing of your woundes: **NoteI declared vntounto you, that he is so tenderlie touched with the feeling of our sores, that hee hath declared that these that touch vsus, touch the apple of Zach. 2. 8.Zech 2:8his eye: Hath this beene the matter of your nights meditation?

The sicke man.

That which ye hauehave said of Christ, Sir is true; There is indeed health in his wings, and helpe in his hands: But alas, Christ will not bee helpefull but to these that are of a strong Faith: My Faith is both faint and fectlesse, nothing but a smoke of Faith.

The Pastour.

**NoteChrist hath said plainlie, that Isa. 42. 3Isa 42:3hee will not quench the smoking flaxe▪ S. Peter was not a man of strong Faith, when in his voyage to Christ p. 243vponupon the sea, hee beganne to sinke: Said not Christ vntounto him, Thou man Matth. 14. 31▪Matt 14:31of little Faith, why hast thou doubted?

**NoteThe Lord reproued him for the weakenesse of his Faith, but neuer coost him off for the littlenesse thereof.

The sicke Man.

That was another matter, Christ was with his Apostle**Note There was vertue into that hand, wherewith he gripped the sinking man, as was vertueMar. 6. 56Mark 6:56 in his garment, while the hemme thereof was but touched: Such a weake Faith as mine, cannot reach vp so farre as to touch him into the Heauens.

The Pastour.

Though your faith bee weake, & that Christ also be bodily absent, yet be not for that disquieted, his Godhead is present: **NoteHee himselfe hath said, concerning his bodily presence, that it was expedient for vsus Ioh. 16. 7.John 16:7that hee should goe away: As for the p. 244weaknes of your Fa…th, pray God to strengthen it: **NoteFaith though it bee little yet it is of great force, a graine Luk. 17. 6Luke 17:6of it will cast a mountaine into y^e sea▪

The Sicke Man.

Let mee see I pray you Sir, anie particular example of a weake Faith sauing anie man.

The Pastour.

Of this in Scripture wee hauehave a cloud of witnesses: I shall let you see two, one in substance y^e other in type or figure: **NoteThat of Peter in the New-Testamēt is substantiall: Christ called him a man of little Faith, andMatth. 14. 32Matt 14:32 yet by that Faith, though little, hee was saued: **NoteThe other is in the old Testament, in the type and figure: When the Israelites were bitten with the fierie Serpents, their onelyonly refuge and remeede was to looke vp to the brasen Serpent: This was theNumb. 21 9Num 21:9 verie type of a Soule stung with sinne, beholding Christ with the eye of Faith: **NoteOf these who behelde p. 245that Serpent of brasse, some were bleared, and other some had weake eyes: But the weaknesse of their sight could not hinder the cure: **NoteNay, the old man with his dimmed eyes beholding as through a mist that type of Christ, was as soundlie cured, as hee whose eyes were in their greatest vigour: **NoteThe meate taken with a paralitique and trembling hand, will not refuse nourishment to the bodie, no more than if it were taken with a stable hand: Obserue Sir, what I say, **NoteFaith is the eye of y^e soule wherof the Israelites eyes were but a figure, Christ is the trueth of the brasen Serpent: **NoteThough this eye bee dimmer in some, yet if it see, the Soule shall bee saued: Faith is the hand of the Soule, Christ is the foode: **NoteThough this Faith tremble, Christ trembleth not: **NoteThe palsie is not into the foode: Bee of good courage Sir, feare not this trembling feare, the worke of Saluation p. 246cannot bee wrought out, but with feare and trembling: **NoteWhenPhilip. 2. 2Phil 2:2 the worke shall bee ended, all trembling shall cease, and Faith shall bee stable, then the Soule shall be made free from all palsie paine.

The sicke Man.

Oh, that I were but sicke of such a palsie paine! Oh, that I were assured to hauehave anie graine of true Faith! Alas, I am vndone: **NoteThis wretched heart of mine is so wrung with wrath, that there remaineth not within it so much as a droppe of grace: All my spirituall moisture is spent, all the faculties of my Soule are so racked, that my tongue cannot vtter my griefe and smart: **NoteIs there no Balme in Gilead for a sorrow▪ beaten sinner? Oh, through excessiue paine my Liuer is rolled within mee: If I finde no remeede, my Soule shall shortlie bleade to death, my paines exceed, my sorrow is extreme, thorow the tortours p. 247thereof my Soule is compelled to roare: Oh, Lord, turne thy wrath in merciemercy, and thy Iustice seat in a Throne of grace, and pardon the sins which more and more ripen thy wrath against mee: Mine heart is rent and harrowed with griefe, what salue can I finde fit for such sinfull sores? The more I thrust griefe out, the more it throngeth in.

The Pastour.

The soueraigne salue for such sores, is to get a sight of Christ, who bare all our sinnes vponupon his battered backe, which was torne with mercilesse strippes: Christ in that plight is the most fit object for the eye of a troubled Soule: **NoteThere is no salue for the sore of sin, but y^e sight of him who is the trueth of that brasen Serpent, Numb. 21. 9.Num 21:9the object of the faithfull eye: **NoteThis remeede among all others is like the master Bee, the best of all the hyue: * Though yee bee like Zacheus a man of little stature,Luk 19. 3Luke 19:3 p. 248so that yee cannot see Christ ouer the multitude of your sins, yet run before, climbe the tree of the Crosse, and behold him: **NoteNo, rather behold him now vponupon the Crosse fixed vponupon a mount high aboue, that all may see him, euen vponupon mount Caluarie: Luk. 23. 32Luke 23:32Behold him there treading death vnderunder his feete: * Though there be a mount of dead mens scules; there is no dead scule so high, but Christ may bee seene aboue it: **NoteChrist is euer nearest in the hotest skirmish: He is the sea & the seate of merciemercy: If yee can seeke, yee shall finde no scant of merciemercy into him, ye shall wonder at his louelove when yee shall relish his kindnesse.

**NoteTo Christ then, yea, to Christ alone must ye runne and forsake all, as the Mariner, while all his cunning Psal. 107 27Ps 107:27is gone, runneth to God in the tempest: **NoteIn him is Balme for all wounded spirits, there is no gash so deepe, but his blood can cure it: As all p. 249riuers lead to the sea, so should all comfortes guide vsus vntounto Christ: **NoteWhile hee was in the dayes of Heb. 5. 7.Heb 5:7his flesh there was no miserie that could with-hold sinners from him, neither lamenesse, nor blindnesse, nor deafenesse, nor deuils, could stay any from him, nor stay him to doe them good, hee healed them all: **NoteNeuer a man came backe from him, saying▪ I hauehave sought to this God in vaine, I came to him, but he could not helpe me: Or as the father of the lunaticke, said, I Matth. 17. 16.Matt 17:16brought him to thy Disciples, and they could not cure him: **NoteTo him may all heart broken sinners say with the Prophet, My flesh and mine heart Psal. 73. 26Ps 73:26faileth, but thou art the strength of mine heart and my portion: **NoteFlesh and friends, health and wealth, and all will faile vsus, but Iesus will neuer faile vsus: **NoteMans extremitie is his opportunitie▪ By him alone the Soule of man hath light, libertie, and life: All other helpes and hopes are but vaine: p. 250**NoteAs no water could wash & cleanse2 Kin. 5. 102 Kgs 5:10 the leprosie but one lie Iordan, so nothing can wash away the leprosie ofIoh. 1. 28John 1:28 sinne but the Blood of Christ, the Lambe of God, which is a spirituall Iordan for washing of leper Soules: **NoteIn a word in all our stormy troubles Christ Iesus is a firme Rocke of refuge which repelleth and turneth into froth, all the waues of most tēpesttuous temptations: **NoteBy his Blood alone our Soules are both healed & hallowed, vponupon the right of your redemption, sute the remission of your sinnes: Bee not abashed, hee who hath Christ, needeth not to feare.

The sicke Man.

If I were one of Christs, would he leaue mee thus wise comfortlesse▪ **NoteHe is the Sunne of Righteousnesse, inMal. 4. 2.Mal 4:2 whose beames as in a spring time I was wont to rejoyce: But now hee is gone downe: **NoteMy Soule is benighted, and I am affrighted with grudginges of despaire. Oh, that p. 251mine eyes of flint were melted into teares! O smite my flintie heart with the rod of thy merciemercy, that it may make teares the water of repentance to gush out at the Conduite pypes of my mourning eyes: O what a palpable darknesse!

The Pastour.

Comfort your selfe with hope, waiting till that Sunne arise againe vponupon your Soule: **NoteSuppose a man created vponupon the earth as Adam was at the first, if hee should see the Sunne set, hee would bee afraide at that first darknesse, thinking that the Sunne were gone downe, neuer for to returne: But knowing by experience y^t hee is ordained by God, a Ruler for to rule the day by intercourseGen. 1. 16.Gen 1:16 of the night, while hee seeth him set, hee is content, because hee looketh for his rising againe: If the yeare were euer Winter which maketh all things to die and wither, wee would all die for sorrow * But now p. 252in the deepest snowes and most hoarie frosts, wee hauehave some sparkle of joye kindled by the hope of the approaching Spring.

As is in these naturall things, so it is in spirituall: **NoteChrist the Sunne of Righteousnes will seeme to the SouleMalc. 4. 2. to set vnderunder the night cloude of some fearefull temptation: In such a case the sinner will thinke that hee shall neuer see God againe: **NoteBut for all that, after some houres of darknesse, appeareth Roseis aurora quadrigis, Christ that Day▪ spring from on high, Luk▪ 1. 17.Luke 1:17which the Soule like a Bird on a bush welcometh with a morning spring: After deepest discomforts come dearest comforts

HaueHave patience Sir a little, till the night of your temptation bee past▪ After a litle open the window, & ye shall s…e the Skie of day, then againe▪ beholde that Sunne, which seemed to bee lost▪ arising with his blessed beames, with a louing and life giuing p. 253countenance: Bee not discouraged, though Christ absent himselfe, it shall bee but for a space, vntill the Can. 4. 6.day breake, and the shadowes flee away, **NoteAll his absence from the godlie, is but like that which hee saide to his Disciples, Yet a little while, and yee shall not see mee, and againe, a little whi…e and yee shall see mee: **NoteIt is of his helpe, as of Habbakkuks vision, Though it tarie waite for it, because Hab. 2. 3.Hab 2:3it will surelie come, it will not tarie: Bee stout and couragious, the bitterest of your temptations are but the sweete gloumes of a Father.

The sicke Man.

I am pricked with the poisonous rarowes of Satans spyte: I doubt if God would bee so rough to one of his owne Children as hee is to mee: **NoteFathers strike with the rod, but I am scourged with Scorpions, wherwith y^e Lord is now auenging the quarrell of his couenant: Oh, thatLeuit. 26. 25Lev 26:25 euer I came to this wretched passe.

p. 254The Pastour.

Yee are impatient: * There is nothing in all your affliction, butPsal. 141. 5.Ps 141:5 the smiting of the righteous, which yee should account a kindnesse: Such smiting is but smiling, in effect a louelove token, Whom I louelove I chasten, Gods corrections are balme which shall not breake your head.

The sicke Man.

I am both bruised & broken, my paines surpasse my power, Satan with his snares and fetters hath confined me to a wretched slauerie, my soule is out of temper: Trembling of heart Deut. 28. 65 Deut. 32. 25.Deut 28:65Deut 32:25and sorrow of minde: And terrours from the Chamber assault mee on all sides: O but the passage to glorie is rough and boisterous. Behold how I sweate for paine, as one rosted with a fearefull flamme.

The Pastour.

In that heate is a comfort: The style of the godlie is to bee called▪ Brands pluckt out of the fire: Is … p. 255this a brand taken out of the fire? Zach. 3. 2.Zech 3:2saide the LORD, in Zacharie: This manifesteth that a godlie man for a space may bee scorched vponupon kindled coales, but God incontinent rescueth him, as a man will catch quicklie at that which he would not hauehave burnt: God will neuer leaue his own to the full rage of a stinging Conscience: Let all men hauehave patience while God worketh: **NoteIf for sinnes hee punisheth his deadliest enemies, why should hee not also for sinne correct his dearest Children? If man vncontrolled may sing Psal. 101, ….Ps 101of merciemercy & of judgement for to keepe his house in order, shall not God hauehave his will to sing what song hee pleaseth vntounto his owne creature **NoteLet the cracking Law-musicke of Sinai bee ended and then God shall rejoyce your heart with the sweete melodie of the Gospel: **NoteIf while God in this your trouble in a maner is mourning vntounto you, yee lament p. 256for your sinnes, hee shall in the end make you to dance at the piping of his Gospel: **NoteFrom Sinai he shall bring you vntounto Sion, where all your paines shall bee turned into pleasures.

The sicke Man.

All pleasures are farre from mee for the present: A world of pleasures are deare bought with one pang of Conscience: Gods wrath hath seazed vponupon mee for to dragge my Soule downe to the bottome of hell: It runneth euer into my minde that I am guiltie of the sinne against the holie Ghost: This I take to bee the marke, that such as once a…e guiltie of that sinne, cannot bee renued againe Heb. 6. 6.Heb 6:6by repentance, this marke seemeth to bee in mee, for as yet for all the holie wordes I hauehave heard out of your mouth, I find no renouation, though Gods goodnesse by you hath ledde me to repentance, I hauehave not beene moued: But after mine hardnesse and impenitent heart I hauehave treasured … p. 257vntounto my selfe wrath against the day of Rom. 2 5.Rom 2:5wrath: This spoileth mee of outward peace and inward joye: What can this bee but y^e sin against the holie Ghost, which shall neither bee forgiuen in this world nor in the world to come? I pray you Sir, to let me know what a fearefull sinne that is which Scripture saith, Shall neuer bee forgiuen: Let mee heare of its nameMar. 3. 28Mark 3:28 and nature.

The Pastour.

This sinne Sir, of all sinnes is the most fearfull, as being a sin of highest natu…e: In Scripture it is called Blasphemie against the holie Ghost: BecauseMatth. 12. 31Matt 12:31 there is no pardon for it, it is called, A sinne vntounto death: Christ1 Ioh. 5. 161 John 5:16 himselfe declared this plainelie▪ verilie said hee, I say vntounto you, all sinnes Mar. 3. 18.Mark 3:18shall bee forgiuen to the sonnes of men, and blasphemies, wherewith soeuer they shall blaspheme, but hee that shall blaspheme against the holie Ghost hath vers. 29neuer forgiuenesse.

p. 258The sicke Man.

These words seeme strange that all sinnes shall be forgiuen to the sinnes of men and also blasphemies wherewith soeuer they shall blaspheme, whether against y^e Father or the Son, but that there is no forgiuenesse for blasphemie against the holie Ghost: By that speach it would seeme that there bee blasphemies against God, which are not against the holy Ghost: By that also it would seeme that the holie Ghost is greater than the Father or the Sonne, for what euer blasphemie is vttered against them it may bee forgiuen, but as for that where with the holie Ghost is wronged, it is an inexpiable staine of it, there can be had no remission: Before yee proceede, cleare mee of this difficultie.

The Pastour.

The like of these wordes are alsoMatth. 12. 31Matt 12:31 in S. Matthewes Gospel, All manner of sinnes and of blasphemie said Christ, p. 259shall bee forgiuen vntounto men, but the blasphemie against the holie Ghost shall not bee forgiuen vntounto men: To this is subjoyned in the verse following, Whosoeuer speaketh a word againe the Sonne of man, it shall bee forgiuen vers. 32him, but whosoeuer speaketh against the holie Ghost, it shall neuer bee forgiuen him.

By this at the first blinke it would seeme indeede that it were not so dangerous to offend the Father, or the Sonne, as the holie Ghost.

Wherefore, yee must consider that this sin which is called, the sin against the holie Ghost, is no lesse against the Father, and against the Son than it is against the holie Ghost.

**NoteBut it is called the sinne against the holie Ghost, because it is a most high rebellion, and stiffe standing out against the peculiar worke of the Spirite, which is to inlighten the minde, and bow the will and affections, that man by repentance may p. 260bee brought home againe vntounto his God.

**NoteAs the Creation is ascribed to the Father, and Redemption vntounto the Sonne, so is illumination and conuersion of Soules … to the holie Ghost, though all these e…ternall Opera trinitatis ad extra sunt communia.actions of Creation, Redemption, and Sanctification bee common to all the three Persons of the Trinitie.

Vnderstand then, that the reason wherefore this sinne is called, the sin against the holie Ghost; it is because it is against that energie & efficatio…s working of conuersion, common to all the three Persons, but particularlie ascribed to the holie Ghost, as our Creation is to the Father, and our Redemption to the Sonne.

**NoteWhen man stiflie and stubburnlie sinneth against the remeede of sin, how can that sinne bee remeeded? It must of necessitie bee a sinne reremeedilesse. A sinne past all remeede is a desperate disease.

p. 261The sicke Man.

Let mee I pray you heare more clearelie what this sinne is.

The Pastour.

It is an vniuersall apostasie from a knowne Trueth with an eager, … nest & malicious persecuting of the same, by both secret and open hostilitie.

The sicke Man.

I know that manie of the learned call that sinne an vniuersall apostasie from the Trueth, but I neuer could well vnderstand that.

The Pharisees are esteemed to hauehave beene guiltie of that sin, yet I cannot read that they had made an vniuersall apostasie from the trueth of doctrine: Christ said, that they sat in Moses chaire, which did signifieMatth. 23. 2Matt 23:2 that they had kept some thing of Moses his Doctrine, though miserablie mixed with the leauen of their traditions.Mar. 8. 15Mark 8:15

Thus as ye see their apostasie was p. 262not vniuersall: * Saul did not altother renounce the religion of Israel 1 Sam. 10. 11 1 Sam. 22. 18.1 Sam 10:111 Sam 22:18though after hee had beene among the Prophets, hee killed the Priestes.

The Pastour.

Indeede Sir, that doubt is not without great difficultie:: **NoteMine opinion concerning that, is that who out of malice and despite renounceth and persecuteth any fundamentall point of religion, which he hath before knowne and approuen, is by consequence guiltie of that vniuersall Apostasie: **NoteMy reason is foūded vponupon the Apostles rule, Whosoeuer shall keepe the whole Iam. 2. 10Jas 2:10Law, and yet offend in one point, hee is guiltie of all: **NoteThat is, who euer he bee that maketh no conscience of one sinne, maketh conscience of no sinne: If for the feare of God you darre not murther, how darre thou then, if thou feare God, committe adulterie? or how darre thou steale or lye.

p. 263**NoteEuen so he out of malice & despite, renounceth any maine ground of the Trueth, which hee hath once knowne and professed, and after that contemptiouslie with a lifted vp hand persecuteth the same, hee in my judgement hath drawne vponupon himselfe the guiltinesse of an vniuersall Apostasie.

**NoteIf by this vniuersall Apostasie were onelie vnderstood an actuall, publick & totall renouncing of God & of all Religion, with railing and raging, such sinners should not bee (as indeede they are) most difficile to bee knowne.

The sicke Man.

I perceiue by the definition of that sinne, that it is not common to all the Reprobates.

The Pastour.

No not: But onelie to these who hauehave beene inlightened with some knowledge of the doctrine of truth, & after begin maliciouslie to persecute the same.

p. 264The sicke Man.

But thinke ye that any man would bee so beastlie as to persecute a knowne Trueth: I cannot thinke that the Pharisees who are said to hauehave beene guiltie of that sinne, did euer know Christ to be come from God, for had they knowne him, they had not 1 Cor. 2. 81 Cor 2:8crucified the Lord, the Lord of glorie.

The Pastour.

Indeede these words are true of many, but not of those doctours which made Christ to pronounce so manie woes against them: **NoteThey and their complices knew what hee was, and wherefrae hee came: Yee Ioh. 7. 28.John 7:28both know mee, said Christ to them, and yee know whence I am.

The sicke Man.

Mercifull God, how could they then pursue him with such spight & bitternesse? I thinke that by that knowledge as by a bit their most head-strong corruption should hauehave beene snaffled and curbed.

The Pastour.

p. 265**NoteMan doeth not despight to the Spirit of grace at y^e first, but by little and little like clay before the Sunne: his heart is ha…dened by the deceitfulnesse of sinne.

First, a man will know the Trueth, and will louelove it with some sort of feruour for a space, after a little this louelove beginneth to lessen and grow cold, while at last it is turned into hatred: man beeing fallen in louelove with lyes, which fill his bowels with a boiling hatred of the Trueth: From thence commeth a persecution and a finall desertion, a just recompence of reward2 Thess. 2. 102 Thess 2:10 due to all these that will not receiue and keepe the louelove of the Trueth, that they might bee saued

**NoteIf the poore Pagan for abusingRom. …. 25 his naturall …ite, by changing the trueth of God into a lye by Gods justRom. 1. 28Rom 1:28 judgement, was giuen ouer to a reprobate mind; what wonder if they whoHeb. 1. 6.Heb 1:6 hauing once beene inlightned fall away, bee neuer possiblie reneued againe vntounto repētance, seeing they crucifie to p. 266themselues the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame? Such men goe about presumptuouslie to grind the face of all godlinesse.

The sicke Man.

I see then that in the sinne against the holie Ghost, there must first bee a knowledge of Gods Trueth, and then a wilfull rebellion against it with a lifted vp banner.

The Pastour.

The Apostle is plaine: If we, saithHeb. 10. 26Heb 10:26 hee, sinne wilfullie after that we hauehave receiued the knowledge of the Trueth, vers. 27.there remaineth no more sacrifice for sinnes, but a certaine fearefull looking for of judgement, & fierie indignation.

**NoteThe poison of that sinne is in y^e word, wilfullie after a preceeding knowledge: While Peter denyed his Master it was not wilfullie, but for feare of his lif: Soule persecuted most bitterlie, beyond measure, said hee, I persecuted the Church of God, Galat. 1. 13Gal 1:13and wasted it, but God had merciemercy p. 267on him, for it was in his ignorance.1 Tim. 1. 13.1 Tim 1:13

**NoteThese two great men rode so neare vntounto that vnpardonable sinne, that betweene Peter and it was nothing but wilfullie, and betweene Paul and it was nothing but ignorantlie.1 Tim. 1. 131 Tim 1:13

The sicke Man.

Knew yee euer in Scripture or out of Scripture any that fell into that sinne.

The Pastour.

**NoteIn the Old Testament Saul fell into it, and therefore the Lord discharged Samuel to mourne for him: 1 Sam. 16. 1.1 Sam 16:1* In the New Testament Iudas was guiltie thereof, and therefore Christ would not pray for him: While heeIoh. 17. 12John 17:12 prayed his holie Father to keepe through his owne Name the other Apostles, he would not speak a word for the lost son of perdition: In that hee practised his precept, There is a 1 Ioh. 5. 161 John 5:16sinne vntounto death, I doe not say, that hee shall pray for it.

p. 268The sicke Man.

Is this sinne so great that Gods merciemercy cannot bee able to ouercome it.

The Pastour.

Some thinke that it is called, irremissible, because that it is forgiuen with exceeding great difficultie: But certainelie there is no remission for it: **NoteThe cause is this, God will not bee mocked with men, neither will he suffer his Iustice to perish for the saluation of anie, for seeing hee that despised Moses Law, died without Heb. 10. 28Heb 10:28merciemercy vnderunder two or three witnesses: Of how much sore punishment suppose vers. 29.yee, shall hee bee thought worthie, who hath troden vnderunder foote the Sonne of God, and hath counted the Blood of the Couenant wherewith he was sanctified, an vnholie thing, and hath done despite vntounto the spirit of grace?

The sicke Man.

I desire to know how men fall into such a desperati niquitie.

p. 269The Pastour.

**NoteSuch men hauing receiued some generall graces of God in a reasonable great measure, first vnconscionablie beginne to neglect them, suffering these sparkles of goodnesse to die out, after that they hauehave shaken out of their mouth, the Bridle of restraining grace while it is cast loose, lying vponupon their maine, they plod on from one sinne to another, till shame bee past the shedde of their haire, so y^t they bee passed all feeling.

**NoteThe Spirit being often grieued and the heart made hard with a custome of sinne, whereby as with a canker the noble buds of the Spirite are fretted and blasted at last the Lord in his justice rolleth vp y^e sinner, & wrappeth him into a reprobate sense.

**NoteThus men by neglecting the inward secret checkes of the Spirit, and by harbouring priuie inward r… pinings, boiling lustes, murmurings, grudgings, and vnthankfulnesse, the p. 270craftie empoysoners of grace, as at last come to this point, that all the good things they seemed to hauehave are most licentiouslie dissolued into a publ…ck prophanitie, whereby they vpbraid the Spirit of grace to his face, and that with base and scarrell jests, yea, and often with most filthie belghes of blasphemie.

That once done, all their grace clearelie melteth away like snailes, lik the fat of Lambes, or lik the winter yce which once beeing thawed floweth away, and is seene no more: All such thinges bee fore-runners posting before the prince of sinnes, euen the sinne against the holie Ghost, which is among all sinnesLuk. 11. 15Luke 11:15 like Beclzebub among the deuils.

**NoteObserue againe, I pray you, how the vnquencheable fire of this vnpardonable sin is kindled: While man suffereth diuers sins to lye dispersed in his heart at their naturall libertie, without controlement, Sathan p. 271most craftilie by some cunning slight as by an hollow burning glasse, so concentrats and vnites them together like fierie beames that they set on, fire the whole bodie of mans corruption, whereby as by a pouder plot the Soule is blowne vp in blaspheming, euen vp vntounto the veryEphes. 2. 2Eph 2:2 bosome of the prince of the aire. Well is the man who from his youth is1 Thess. 5. 221 Thess 5:22 sensible of all appearance of euill.

Let vsus then take heede, and consider how this sinne againe the Spirit of grace creepeth in sensiblie vponupon the heart of man, ordinarly this sinne followeth a long custome in sinning, as the head vncurable Scirrhus in the leuer, affected with the dropsie, cummeth after many surfites. Thus according to that olde saying, though a created testimonie.

Sero medecina paratur, Cum mala per longas invaluere moras.

**NoteO happie they who curbe their corruption in time before they get edge and vigour.

p. 272The sicke Man.

While a man is in this life may it not bee knowne if hee bee guiltie of this sinne.

The Pastour.

Verie hardlie: for as Agrippa wasAct. 26. 28Acts 26:28 almost perswaded to bee a Christian, and yet neuer came from almost vntounto altogether, so will a man almost fall into this sinne, and yet bee rescued, as a man will bee for a space in the hight of a feuer, that ye will neither know whether he be dead or quick: Many hauehave bene reuiued at the putting on of their winding-sheete: **NoteEuen so it will be in the sicknesse drawing vntounto this sinne, which is a sin vntounto death: Some will seeme to bee dead in it as a man into an Apoplexie, & yet it will be sene that they will arise and repent: Of this assertion I take Manasses for a warrand, for after that hee had knowne the trueth & had persecuted the known Trueth, making the streetes of Ierusalem p. 2732 Kin. 21. 162 Kgs 21:16to runne blood, yet saith the Scripture, while hee was taken among the thornes, and bound with fetters, and carried to Babylon, In his 2 Chron. 33. 12.2 Chr 33:12affliction he besought the Lord his God, and humbled himselfe greatlie before the God of his fathers.

**NoteA mans flesh whether on his cheeke or hand cutted to atacke being taken in time while the flesh and blood are yet warme, will againe sticke to and receiue the life almost lost: If such be the force of Nature, how much more powerfull are the workings of grace, except thē that a man after knowledge be as Paul wasAct. 26. 11Acts 26:11 in his ignorance exceedinglie mad in the persecuting Trueth, I darre not define his sinne to bee past remeede.

The sicke Man.

Indeed Sir, these be verie cleare similitudes which illustrat our purpose wonderfullie.

But seeing as yee thinke, no man can certainelie know the particular p. 274man, that is now guiltie of this sin, how is it y^t we are forbidden to pray for such a man: If any man, saith S.1 Ioh. 5. 161 John 5:16 Iohn, see his brother sin a sin which is not vntounto death, hee shall pray for him, but there is a sin vntounto death: I doe not say, that he pray for it, so soone as such a mā dyeth, without remeed he must in all post haste gallop from the land of the liuing vntounto the abhorred region of euerlasting death. To what end serueth this inhabitation, if no man can know assuredlie who is guiltie of this sinne?

The Pastour.

**NoteThe opinion of the most learned, is that in the time of S. Iohn, the gift of discretion was giuen vntounto the Church, whereby both sooner and surer they might discouer the damnable sin: **NoteAs for vsus wee can hardlie well perceiue it, but by finall impenitencie and most fearefull dispaire, whereby such miserable Apostats who hauehave reuolted from the Trueth, declare at last with Iulian, p. 275that the God of Galilee hath fullie and fearefully ouercome them: Till that appeare, let vsus beware to judge rashlie, seeing Peter speaking to Simon Magus, seemeth to set beforeAct. 8. 2.Acts 8:2 him a certaine possibilitie to be saued; a perhaps, that the thought of his heart might bee forgiuen him.

The sicke Man.

Now it appeareth by all your discourse, that the sinne against the holie Ghost is a reuolting from the Trueth, with a most wilfull persecuting: I thanke God, my Soule is free of that.

But tell mee I pray you, may not a man bee free of that most hainous sinne, and yet be damned? It would appeare that many Reprobates are free of that sinne.

The Pastour.

It is most certaine, for it is onelyonly the sinne of these who hauehave knowne the Trueth of Gods word, and hath made a fearefull reuolt from it with p. 276a persecuting hatred against the same: Many who hauehave liued in a true profession, hauehave denyed God in their life: There bee but too manie whose hollow heartes are couered with outwardnesse like a potteshard ouer laid with siluer drosse.Prov. 26. 23.Prov 26:23

The sicke Man.

Alas, that putteth my Soule in terrible feare, for this is my conscience in a qualme, I hauehave professed with great shew, and that without substance: I hauehave beene one of Satans reuellers, hauing a smilling countenance but a bleeding Conscience: Gods judgementes hauehave stayed till my sinnes was rype: **NoteWhen the fire is kindled, woe to the stubble: There is no place now for to escape: In Heauen, in Earth, and in the Sea, Gods hand will finde mee out: Fye now on all my greatest pleasures, the Darlings of account: Though I hauehave not sinned that sinne against the holie Ghost, which God cannot forgiue, p. 277I am guiltie of sinnes which God will neuer forgiue: O these eyes of fire, ten thousand times brighter than the Sunne, what sinne is able to escape them? what glistring golden shewes of outwardnesse, shall mak you to dazle, & ye euerlasting eyes?

The Pastour

Man had great neede to bee ware that his tongue walke not without a bit: There is no sinne, but God can forgiue it, if the sinner could repent, the Sea of his merciemercy is bottomles: As for that that God will or will not it is too great presumption for mā to define: **NoteYee continuallie flit from one temptation to another, whereon yee feede like a Flee happing from scab to scab: Yee often seeme desirous to shift the comforts of the Spirit for to goe seeke a knot in a rush, a difficultie where none is. Bee earnest in prayer, sigh to God, for the assistance of his Spirit, that yee may bee capable of comfortes p. 278which y^e Tempter most enuyeth vntounto you: **NoteWhen the sillie Soule would fainest heare the words of spirituall peace, then cryeth he red-warre, stirring vp temptations like the fowles that cumbered Abraham when heeGen. 15. 11Gen 15:11 should offer sacrifice: Take heede to your selfe Sir: **NoteThe Serpent now is more craftie than when hee pointed Adam to another tree, for to depriue him of the Tree of life: ResigneGen. 3. 24.Gen 3:24 vp your selfe in all holie obedience to the wil of your God: I can neuer perswade you to tak heede to that which I say: **NoteBetweene a good tongue, and a bored holy eare, is an happie harmonie, such musicke is melodious, but a deafe eare maketh a dumbe tongue: Beware of the Spirit of giddinesse, which maketh the Soule to runne round as it were in a Circle of needlesse doubts.

The sicke Man.

I intreat you Sir, for patience,1 Sam. 1. 151 Sam 1:15 for I am one of a sorrowfull spirit, as p. 279Hannah said to Eli, a fierie wrath lurketh in my breast, which maketh mine heart to grone: Pittie mee Sir, I pray you, for now I am come to the arraignment, and am called to the barre like a Crane or a Swallow, so Isa. 38. 14Isa 38:14doe I chatter: The voyce of the Preacher did often glide by my faults: But now Gods Spirit speaketh home, and setteth all my sinnes in Psal. 50. 2.Ps 50:2order before mee: Now must I end my yeares in the bitternes of my Soule: Isa. 38. 15Isa 38:15**NoteWell may I say with that godlie Matron, Call mee not Nahomi, that isRuth. 1. 2…Ruth 1:2 pleasant: But call mee Marah, that is bitter, for the Almightie hath dealt verie bitter lie with mee.

The Pastour.

**NoteThat which is most bitter is often most holesome: Gods course with the godlie is from the bitter to the Sweete: **NoteWhen Israel in their progresse had remoued from Mara, Numb. 33. 9Num 33:9they came to Elim, from a place of bitternesse they came to refreshing p. 280fountaines of waters, and to pleasant palme trees: **NoteAll this worlde is but a Mara, a place of bitternesse: **NoteLet vsus hauehave patience but for a space, till wee ariue in Elim vp into the Heauens, where wee shall dwell among most pleasant palmes, and drinke of the holesome springes of the well of Life, euen pleasures for Psal. 16. 11Ps 16:11euermore: The Amen, the faithfull and true witnes hath promised.

The sicke Man.

My troubles are farre from such pleasures: I feare that such troubles bee but the fore-runners of a greater tempest: This maketh all the bowels of my bellie to wamble.

The Pastour.

**NoteNay, by the contrarie take them as I hauehave alreadie said to bee messengers posting before the calme: **NoteIt is good as yee knowe to see euerie season like it selfe: **NoteThe Christian life in this world must bee like the Winter season, subject to frosts and to p. 281snowes for killing of weedes and of wormes: **NoteIf the earth and mens bodies bee not nipped with cold, great are the euil which ensue:**Note The earth becommeth barren, and mans bodie become sickelie and subject to many diseases: **NoteIt is euen so with the Soule, if it remaine not heere in a wintrous estate, laide open to the tempests & nipping colds of temptations profitable for to mellowe and to rot the fellow ground of the heart, there is no great appearance of anie good spirituall haruest: **NoteBut if the winter tempests of afflictions come whereby the weeds and wormes of the conscience are killed, then may we looke for a pleantifull haruest of Heb. 12. 11Heb 12:11the quiet fruite of righteousnesse: God in merciemercy shall step with his mercifull feete thorow the fieldes of our heart, and his steps shall drop fainesse: Psal. 65. 11Ps 65:11**NoteLet such hopes comfort you in this wearisome winter of your afflictions: **NoteAll Gods gloumes are p. 282but like winter cloudes, or like the louring of the Skye, faire weather will bee nixt, let such tempests fall but in there owne season: Happie is hee whose heart with such boistrous blastes is not swaide awry.

The Sicke Man.

O what a longsome winter is this, wherein I can not once see the Sun Mal. 4. 2.Mal 4:2of righteousnesse, neither feele the heat of his beames, the comforter that should relieue my Soule is farre Lam. 1. 16Lam 1:16from mee.

The Pastour.

Let not that discourage you Sir, heare what Christ himselfe the bottomelesse fountaine of all comforts,Ioh. 16. 22John 16:22 saith, I goe away for a while, and yee shall bee sorrowfull, but I will come againe, and your joye shall none bee able to take away: If yee finde Christ to bee absent, comfort your selfe with the hope of his returne: **NoteHis absence is but for a little: **NoteWhile the day is at the shortest, and the Sunne p. 283farthest from vsus in the dead of winter, we are comforted with this that the day at once will grow longer, and that the Sunne will returne to vsus by the degrees, by which hee went away:**Note Your day now, Sir, is at the shortest, tarrie but a little & ye shall shortlie perceiue a Spring Ianuar of joy, after this dead Decēber of distresses: **NoteThe more wintrous the Season of the life hath beene, looke for the fairer Summer of pleasures for euermore. Psal. 16. 11Ps 16:11HaueHave patience a little: The Euening of your sorrowes is almost past, the day is at the breaking, your reward is a bright morning starre ofReul. 2. 28. joy: **NoteAt the dawning of these joyes your night cloudie and darkest dolors shal decease: **NoteGod with some ray or beame of his reconcealed face, shall lighten you the way to heauens glorie.

**NoteThis sinfull life of man is like a surgefull sea, tossed with many blasts and billowes. Whiles the floodes p. 284and waues of wrath, so catch a man till all the bowels of his bellie begin to wamble, all that is within him will be in a strange stir while he is as it wereIona. 2. 2.Jonah 2:2 with Ionah, downe in the bellie of hell, at the rootes of the mountaines, hauing for his best garland the weeds wrapt about his head, in such a pittifull plight, hee will bee tempted to say to God with Ionah, I am cast Iona. 2. 4.Jonah 2:4out of thy sight, so darkened will the eye of his Conscience bee.

But if so bee that in the jawes of his anguish with Ionah, hee can say to his God in his deepest plunge, yet I will look againe toward thine holie Temple (which I may call the godlie mans Pole, the directer of the Christian course) hee shall be saued: If while his Soule fainteth within him, hee can with the weake eye of Faith behold that Pole of peace, and with the Mariners in the Psalme, cry vntounto the Lordin his trouble, thePsal. 107. 28Ps 107:28 Lord shall deliuer him out of his p. 285distresses: He who by speaking vntounto the Fish, made it to vomite out the prisoner, by a word of his mercy shall hale him out of such seas of sorrows, & shall softlie & swiftly bring him thorow the swelling surges to the hauen of peace, rest and quietnesse, euen of pleasures for euermore: Waite on a little, and your God shall storePsas. 16. 11 you with spirituall comforts.

The sicke Man.

But Oh, for the present, I am in the extremitie of anguish, which any created nature can possiblie endure.

**NoteMy sillie Soule is lashed with a seuere whip of double cordes knottie at the end: Gods custome is to hādle his own nicelie and softlie like glasses for feare of crackes: But I am crushed vnderunder the milstones of his wrath, which are readie euerie houre to settle downe vponupon my Soule, for to sinke it from the brimme to the bot tome of hell.

O the length and breadth of that p. 286flying roll and volume of wrath, that is comming vponupon mee for to curseZach. 5. 3.Zech 5:3 mee with the Theefe and the swearer.

There is such a freting canker into sinne, that in my judgement, if it could reach vntounto the verie starres, it should mak them to roust by staining their brightnesse and polish colour: I thinke that if sinne could attaine therevnto it should rotte these faire celestiall bodies.

In my judgement it should strike the Sunne and Moone the two eyes of the world with a catarict suffusion or with a sort of gutta serena, so that the world should goe blind. **NoteAll this woe is most justlie befallen mee, because while Gods long suffering inuited me to repentance, by delaying the day of my death, I turned his grace into wantonnesse, while I was threatned by his Iustice, I strained & racked his mercy beyond his truth and promise: I wonder not now that Gods judgements make me to reele p. 287to and fro, and stager like a drunken man: But heere is my griefe, and most piercing paine: I cannot think that GOD would suffer any of his owne Children to bee chaissed with such bloodie bickerings and not incontinent runne to his helpe: Can a Isa. 49. 15Isa 49:15mother forget her Childe? though shee should, God cannot forget these that are his: Gods wrath continueth still against mee, my sinnes are mounted vp to his eares with a noyse, and hee hath taken notice: Behold, and consider, if there bee anie sorrow like vntounto my sorrow.

The Pastour.

These bee the paines of new birth: **NoteIn such spirituall trauailing the Soule will bee in a wonderfull distresse, like Rachel of whom it is writtenGen. 35. 17Gen 35:17 that in trauailing, She was in hard labour: The hardest labour of the first birth is soft beeing compared to the labours of the second: No sorrow in the flesh is able fullie to expresse p. 288it: **NoteI see a shadow of such sorrowes in that mourning of Hadadrimmom in the valley of Megiddon.

This is a mourning joyned with fasting, making man and wife for a space to shed beds, that the man may mourne in one place and the wife in another. The familie of the house of Zach. 12. 12Zech 12:12Dauid apart, and their wiues apart: The familie of the house of Nathan apart, and their wiues apart: The familie of the house of Leui apart, and their wiues apart: The familie of Shimei apart, vers. 13.and their wiues apart: All the families that remainc, euerie familie vers. 14.apart, and their wiues apart.

**NoteAll this mourning is wrought in mans heart by a Spirit which Zacharie Zach. 12, 10Zech 12:10calleth, the Spirit of grace: Behold, & see Sir, what it is of this your great griefe: It is a sure token that the Spirit of Grace hath beene powred vponupon your Soule: Too too manie vndera smilling countenance hauehave a smarting Conscience, while the wieked p. 289laugh their heart is sorrowfull-Rejoyce in such a tribulation, after this short seede-time of sorrow, if yee can hauehave patience, ye shall reape the quiet fruite of righteonsnesse, after theHeb. 12. 11Heb 12:11 darke cloudie night of sorrow, the day will dawne: **NoteAt the breaking of the Skye a starre of comfort shall arise which shall neuer sette vnderunder a night cloud of waterie teares.

Man naturalliè is so impatient, that he cannot waite in a stayed temper, till the Lord hath ended his work.

The sicke Man.

I vnderstand not such working: **NoteI euer heard preached that God was mercifull to his owne, and that hee did proportion euen at an haires breadth, their tryals and troubles to their spirituall temper, neuer surcharging any aboue their force, in their greatest darknes his custome is to lighten them the way to relieue with some ray or beame of a fatherlie fauour: But mine heart is altogether p. 290soacked and sacked with sorrow: Mine heart is nothing but a gulfe of griefe.

The Pastour.

The hand of our God is wonderfullie in his workes: as for vsus, wee cannot worke vponupon a Creature but by the helpe of another: **NoteAs for God, while hee worketh, it often befalleth that either there is nothing or that which would seeme to bee contrarie to his working.

**NoteIn the Creation hee brought some thing out of nothing, from nobeeing hee brought a beeing: Hee would not make some-thing of some thing, but made all of nothing: God would not builde vponupon another foundation: **NoteOnce hee destroyed the world with raine, now saith the Lord, I shall neuer doe it againe: But how shal a man know it? euen by his Raine-bow, a certaine signe of raine▪ **NoteBehold, how in the Heauens hee setteth his raine armour for a signe p. 291of peace to the world declaring that he will no more shoote downe a deludge for to drowne the Children of men: **NoteBefore that God would send downe fire vponupon the sacrifice of Elias for the tryall of the true God, hee appointed the ditch about it, first to bee filled with water: God is… Kin. 18. 33. best known in the contrarie meanes: So Christ would open the blinde eyes by spittle and clay, which naturallie are more fitte▪ to put out the sight than put it in: By the heauing vp of Moses weake hands, helped vp by others: God made choise to ouerthrow Hamalek rather then by the sword of Ioshuah: By the bluenes of Prov. 20. 30Prov 20:30the wound he purgeth away euill: Christ by death ouercame Death and purchased life: In wrath hee remembreth merciemercy, where merciemercy would seeme to bee forgotten: Hee first killeth y^t after hee may make aliue: His strength is made perfect in▪ weaknesse: 2 Cor. 12. 9.2 Cor 12:9Out of the seede of teares▪ hee p. 292bringeth an haruest of joye, applie all this to your selfe: **NoteBefore that God make a new Creation in you, hee will let you see first that there is nothing in your selfe whereof to make it: **NoteThough God for a space hath opened the Windowes of his wrath and powred downe vponupon you deluges of troubles and as yet seemeth to bend his Bow for a new shot: If hee were of minde to shoote hee would not shew his Bow: Behold, and see a signe of peace, a Bow without a string: **NoteThough it were bended, as a token of warre by Gods merci…, it betokeneth peace: While the ditch about the sacrifice of the he…r is fullest of water viz when all is swimming with aboundance of teares, God then shall bee most readie to answere by fire.

**NoteBee of good courage Sir, let Christs morter lye style vponupon your eyes vntill his worke bee finished, that yee may recouer your sight▪ p. 293**NoteThough clay blind-foldeth, his spittle inlighteneth.

The sicke Man.

I am but a lumppe of clay shutte vp vnderunder vnbeliefe: I cannot practise your precepts: I hauehave a will to doe so: But I finde stronger powers within mee leading this Will into Captiuitie: What can this bee? can both good and euill tarie together in one heart that is Gods?

The Pastour.

That is most certaine, **NoteThere is both fish and drosse in Gods net, both corne & chaffe in his barne both Wheat & darnall in his field, both Sheepe & Goates in his folde: To will is present Rom. 7. 18Rom 7:18with mee, said Paul, But how to performe that which is good I finde not.

The sicke Man.

**NoteWhile I behold such floods of temptations my braine is so troubled with dizinesse that all seeme to goe round: My Soule is like a Land lying frin the sea, which is beaten p. 294with billowes and with waues on all sides, mine head is giddie while I beholde the strict streame of such tumbling waues.

The Pastour.

**NoteThe temptations and troubles of this world may well be compared to a Riuer that runneth with a quick streame: **NoteIf while yee ride thorow ye euer look downe vponupon the streame your head will waxe dizie indeede, so that yee shalbe in danger of a fall: But those who know what it is, euer behold the yonder brinke fixing their eyes vponupon that which moueth not **NoteIt is so that wee should doe while wee passe thorow the swift running streames of temptations, wee must not fixe our eyes vponupon the streame which runneth but vponupon yonder immouable shore of eternitie, where wee minde to land after that wee hauehave waden thorow the combersome foord of this life: In hope against hope relye vponupon Gods merciemercy: p. 295Challenge your interest therein thorow Christs bloodie merites.

The sicke Man.

**NoteWhile I desire to doe so the arrowes of fearful temptations come vpō me with poisoned points: I heare a voyce within me crying, What hast thou to doe with the shore of eternitie? thou who hast wearied thy selfe in the way of wickednesse, and hast spended thy whole life into blacke dismall dayes, by making others to mourne in blacke, thou shalt neuer weare the white garments of Christs righteousnesse, neither in grace nor glorie: Oh, that mine heart were in a true spirituall temper! Oh, that it were seasoned and softned with the dew of Grace! Oh, where shall I hide mee, vntill these calamities bee Psal. 57. 1.Ps 57:1ouerpast?

The Pastour.

**NoteYour Soule Sir, within you is like a man in a shippe tossed with a tempest as the Disciples on the Sea, p. 296fearing to drowne, cryed to Christ, Master, saue vsus, for wee perish… ▪ SoMatth. 8.Matt 8 doe ye; though for a space he seeme to sleepe, carelesse of your saluation, hee shall shew himselfe broad awake at your cry: Behold, hee that keepeth Israel, shall neither slumber nor sleepe: Psal. 121. 4Ps 121:4**NoteMy counsell is that yee wrap and infold your sillie Soule in his bloody merites, as in a close warme garment that shall keepe you safe and sure against the wind and weather of all temptations: **NoteI like your feares better than the securitie of these who thinking that they sleepe in a sound skin, care not whither judgements blast or merciemercy blesse: If the Hypocrite content man, hee careth not for God: All his best thinges are but forme and outwardnesse, hee hath a forme of knowledge, he also hath a forme of godlinesse: **NoteIn this forme hee sleepeth, not troubled with any checke or counter-blast of Conscience Waite ye vponupon Christ.

p. 297The sicke Man.

**NoteChrist hath forgotten mee▪ If hee had minde of mee, would hee suffer my Soule thus to bee eaten away with the bloodie gangrene of an euill Conscience? happie are thePsal. 73. 5.Ps 73:5 wicked, for they are not plagued like other men.

The Pastour.

Nay, vnhappie are the wicked vvhat euer their estate bee: while they studie to vvorldly joye encompassing themselues with carnall contentments it is for nothing but that as the deuils desired, they shouldMatth. 8. 29.Matt 8:29 not bee tormented before the time: In such false joyes they are ledde hoodwinkt to destruction: While God suffereth his owne for a space to bee afflicted, it is no token of forgetfulnesse, nor yet of vncomfortable strictnesse: Did hee not suffer his owne Sonne to suffer, till hee cryed, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken Mar. 15. 34.Mark 15:34mee? God in great merciemercy to p. 298vsus hath set out his owne Sonne as a patrene of patience, for to let all the godlie see, that seeing he hath torne with bloody whipes the backe and shoulders of his onelie Son, that no man should tak exception to drinke in the same Cup, as also that no man should despaire or take in euill part to bee chastened of the Lord: But 1 Cor. 11. 321 Cor 11:32when wee are judged, saith the Apostle, wee are chastened of the Lord, that wee should not bee condemned with the world: **NoteMany will suffer legs and armes to bee cut from them into a feaster, for to saue the rest: What reck what the body suffer if so be the Soule bee saued? what euer affliction ye suffer in bodie or mind, it is for the saluatiō of your sillie Soule, by such pangues, your God will preuent y^e paines of hell: **NoteIn your greatest griefes, God is but practising his owne precept of sauing Soules by feare, vvhereby they are pulled out of Iud. 5. 23.Judg 5:23the fire: The Sorrowes of the godlie p. 299end in joye: But as for the wicked they are like the Sea, whiles tossed, Isa. 50. 20.Isa 50:20whiles tumbled, but euer inwardlie disquieted.

The sicke Man.

Is this then the estate of the godlie heere to be betimes crossed with most fearefull temptations, whereby as vvith an Ocean sea they will seeme to bee ouer-vvhelmed?

The Pastour.

It is certaine, for many are the troubles Psal. 34, …Ps 34of the righteous: **NoteChrist deerest here are lik Lillies among the thornes: Can. 2. 2.**NoteThis life are the Winter of their affliction: **NoteThey are a groning genaration, Turtles crouding with sighes and grones vvhichwhich their tongues cannot expresse, vvhile Abraham began to sleepe, loe an horrour of great Gen. 15. 12Gen 15:12darknesse fell vponupon him.

The sicke Man.

But in such anguish of heart will they not hauehave some bosome comforts? salt Sea vvater strained thorow p. 300the earth becōmeth sweete: At the greatest sense of vvrath will they not aye hauehave some hope of mercy though for a space they hauehave swimmed downe the current of the times shifting their sailes to the turning of euerie wind.

The Pastour.

They will bee in great distresse: **NoteTheir Soule vvill be shaken like a sea full of surges, tossed with contrarie Tydes: **NoteAs for their comfort it vvill be lik the smoke of flaxe without a flamme: **NoteIn their deepest temptations they vvill hauehave some bosome secret graces into the heart as cmbers vnderunder an heape of ashes: Some times in all outward appearance they vvill bee so douked that they vvill seeme to be drowned: **NoteWhile they are all vnderunder the vvater vvith Ionah, as it vvere at the rootes of the Iona. 2. 6.Jonah 2:6mountaines they vvill thinke, and so also vvill others thinke, that they are in the bellie of hell: **NoteThis is their p. 301estate, vvhile for a space they are borne downe vvith the vveight of vvrath and vvith the burden of their sinnes, they are as it vvere many fathome deepe vnderunder the vvater: But so soone as it pleaseth God▪ for to remoue that weight, incontinent they come vp to the brimme of the vvater, because there is breath and life vvithin them.

**NoteSo long as there is life in a man, hee may vvell at the first plunge goe downe to the bottome of a Poole, but incontinent hee mounteth vp againe, because there is a Spirit and breath vvithin him. But if hee bee once deade, hee sinketh downe like Leade vntounto the ground: **NoteIt is euen so vvith the vvicked and the godlie, the wicked are dead in the vvaters of affliction and therefore vvith Pharaoh and his armie they sinke downe like Lead into the mightie waters: ButExod. 15. 10Exod 15:10 as for the godlie, though heauie vveights of sin for a space hang fast p. 302on, yet because the Spirit of God, a Spirit of life and of breath is vvithin them, they may vvell at one plunge or other douke downe, because of the vveight of their corruptions, but incontinent they come vp againe: **NoteBy vertue of the Spirit as by Corke they are caried aboue, & so at last swimme thorow all the waues of their troubles and temptations, till they come to the shallow, where they may set their feete vponupon a Rocke, euen the Rocke Christ.

**NoteWhen Ionah was cast into the Sea, who euer thought that hee should come out againe? yet heare: how the drouked man sang at last, Yet hast thou brought vp my life from Iona. 2. 6.Jonah 2:6corruption, my Lord my God: So litle was his hope once, that hee said, beeing in the bellie of hell, The earthVers. 2. with her barres was about me for euer

What hope of change can weeIona. 2. 6.Jonah 2:6 hauehave of that which we call, For euer? * See what little hope that Prophet p. 303had for a certaine space, before that God would bring his life from corruption: **NoteWhat out-gate could the poore man see into such a darke dungeon into the bellie of the Fish, downe at the rootes of the mountaines into the bottome of y^e deepe?

**NoteThat which the sillie man could not see, God saw: Hee whom the Shippe could not saue, was saued in the bellie of hell: He who could saue Ionah, in the water, could saue his seruant Sadrach and his fellowes in she fire: **NoteWhile these three poore men were bound in their coats, their Dan. 3. 21Dan 3:21hosen and their hattes, and cast into that fearfull Furnace, there came in One that afraide them all, a fourth man. euen the Sonne of God, which by an absolute soueraignetie loosed y^e other three, so that they all foure in the Kings sight walked vp & down together without any hurt: **NoteAll the miracles of the olde Testament were but types and figures of Gods p. 304merciemercy and spirituall blessings vnderunder the New: **NoteThe passage of the Israelites from Egypt to Canaan, was a type of our walking in this world▪ vntounto that Canaan that is aboue:**Note The Egyptians behind, the Sea before, the Mauniaines on euerie side were but types of our spirituall enemies: Some like Egyptians behind, are chaissing vsus, some like Mountaines on euerie side hedge vsus in to keepe vsus from escape: Some before like a Sea are before vsus, betweene vsus and Canaan: Christ is a cloudy Pillar whichExod. 13. 21.Exod 13:21 in the day time is darknesse, & commeth betweene vsus and the rage of the Egyptians of this world, so that for mist they cannot see vsus: **NoteIn the darke night of our tribulations hee goeth before vsus in a pillar of fire, for to be a light vntounto our steps:**Note At last, after we hauehave passed by many mountaines of miseries, and are come to the red sea of temptations, euen to the last temptations on our death▪ p. 305bed, where all our sins red like scarlet Isa. 1. 18.Isa 1:18stand like a red sea betweene vsus and the place of promise, God by the rod of his mercifull power, giueth that sea, such a blow that all its billowes make roome to let his people passe thorow: **NoteThen all mourning isExod. 15. 1.Exod 15:1 turned into musicke: Moses singeth with the men & Mi…ian with thevers. 20. women: Nothing is heard there but songs & sounding Timbrels: Manie a …ore sigh had they before they came to this Song: **NoteMany a pittifull looke gaue they backe to Pharaoh, breathing out rage behind them, they q…aked lik an Haire that heareth the barke of the Dog, breathing to bee at it: But while at last they saw thēselues bounded with an enemy that boasted them with drowning, then God in their greatest feares sent a powerfull deliuerance: **NoteBehold, here as in a Cart y^e draughts of the Christian mans journey vntounto Heauen: Read into it, That thorow p. 306manie tribulations wee must enter into Act. 14. 21Acts 14:21the Kingdome of Heauen, euen thorow burning Riuers of Brimstone.

The sicke Man.

But alas, they come thorow all their troubles & were at last deliuered: But I see none appearance that God will doe the like to mee: I hauehave beene prodigall of the peace of my Conscience, my sinnes doubled doe daylie ripen Gods wrath against mee: In all liklie-hood Gods decree is gone out, that I should porish: * My Faith faileth mee, Hope is flowne away: Oh, for that peace in belieuing.Rom. 15. 13Rom 15:13

The Pastour.

As by bitter Succorie the burning blood is cooled and refreshed, so by such bitter bloodie blowes, the pride of life is subdued & hemmed within a compasse: **NoteBy such to…turing and tormenting feares: The good Lord is working for your well that thereby hee may driue you from all selfeconceate…nesse p. 307& partiall ouervaluing of your own worth: **NoteIt is Gods custome by such means to doublem as zeale, to blow at the smoaking flaxe; Isa. 42. 3.Isa 42:3till the weak reeking sparkle of grace bee kindled into a bright burning flam. By such troubles and temptations the good Lord keepeth your Soule in watchfulnesse: **NoteMany in this world sleepe soundlie in their sinnes, beeing fullie stuft and swelled therewith, and for all that neuer waken, till they be wakened in y^e …re of Hell: **NoteOthers who are troubled with some inward checkes, runne… to Tauerns for to drowne their sorrow for sinne, by powring in of strong drinke: Others thinke to smoke it out by the …eeke of Tabacca: Some runne to the di…ne of the vvorld among loud laughters.

**NoteAs the Israelite… in Tophe… sounded their Drummes, that they should not beare the squeeles of their Infants burning in the fire, so p. 308so go some about by y^e noise of sports & worldlie joyes to deafen so their Soules, that they should not heare the shrighes of their troubled Conscience:**Note But all such comforts and companiourie are like that red wine, giuing colour in the cuppe, and mouing Prov. 33. 31.it selfe aright: But what is the end of all? **NoteSuch things may seeme to coole & refresh for a space, lik as when a burnt finger is dipped into cold water, vvhere one qualitie encirculoth another: But shortlie after that little an…iperistasis is past, in come doubled dolours with all the anwels of the principall summe, at last all such drunke comforts bite like a Serpent, Prov. 33. 32.and sting like a Cockatrice, as doeth the drunkards best claret wine.

**NoteWell is that Soule which God in merciemercy exerciseth daylie either vvith one crosse or other, not suffering it to be rocked and lulled with Sathans balowes in the cradle of Securitie.

p. 309Rejoyce then in tribulation, put all your trust in God, yea, though hee should slay you, inwarpe your selfe in the Mantle of his mercies: Relye vponupon him with vvhō nothing is imposible: He vvho can make the great Camell passe thorow the needleMar. 10. 25Mark 10:25 eye, can open the narrow gate, and let your Soule enter into his Rest.

**NoteLearne of the Father of the faithfull to belieue in hope against hope: Rom. 4. 18Rom 4:18God thinketh himselfe most glorified vvhen men belieue in him, while there is least outward appearance: His delight is to allure in the Hos. 2. 18.Hos 2:18wildernesse, vvhere is least appearance: Forget neuer that couragious words of Iob, Though he should slay mee, yet will I trust in him: **NoteNot to hauehave Faith, except vvee feele and see, is to be faithlesse vvith Thomas Ioh. 20. 25John 20:25vvhile hee said, that hee vvould not belieue till hee vvas assured by the tvvo vvitnesses of his senses, viz. Sight and Feeling: **NoteChrist out of p. 310pittie granted to him contentment of …enle, but with a sore & a nipping checke, Because thou hast seene mee, vers. 29.thou hast belieued, blessed are they that hauehave not seene, and yet belieued: If yee would bee blessed, belieue before yee either feele or see: Hee who brought meate out of the de…ourer and light out of darknesse, can inlighten your mistie minde.

The sicke Man.

What then would yee me to doe Sir, while within and without I can perceiue no token of comfort, none appearance of fauour? seeing hee hath hid his countenance from my Soule, what thinke yee best that I should doe?

The Pastour.

**NoteDoe as Isaiah did, I will, said he, waite vponupon the Lord, that hideth his Isa. 8. 17.Isa 8:17face from the house of Iakob, and I will looke for him: God is like a Mother Isa. 49. 15Isa 49:15that cannot forget her Child: **NoteShe may hide her selfe a little, and let it p. 311get a knocke, that it may feare and learne to beware of greater dangers: **NoteThough God gloume in outward countenance at the faultes of his Children, yet in his heart are euer thoughts of peace and of merciemercy.

Of this Dauid produced twoPsal. 72. 11Ps 72:11 witnesses, Once I heard, saide hee, yea, twise, that merciemercy belongeth to God: **NoteOnce in all appearance hee heard this read or preached by the Prophets, and another time by the Spirit the inward teacher of the Soule: **NoteBehold how the Spirit and the Word, once yea, twise, both outwardlie and inwardlie hauehave testified that merciemercy is with God, yea, as a thing which most properlie belongeth vntounto him: In your more sober moode and cold blood, yee shall confesse this to bee true: **NoteGod for a space will seeme to bee vncouth: Hee, as Naomie bade Ruth returne home with her Sister …rpah, will bidde a sinner goe seeke his comforts in his bypa…t p. 312pleasures: But if with Ruth hee see him stedfastlie minded he will incontinent leaue off such speaking.

The sicke Man.

I know that God is full of merciemercy; Of this the Deuils did neuer doubt: **NoteWithin the compasse of his compassions is merciemercy for a thousand worlds, but what is that to mee? How shall I come by it?

The Pastour.

The Scripture is plaine, Aske, saidMat. 7. 7.Matt 7:7 Christ, and yee shall receiue, seeke and yee shall finde: Sticke to him with a truely Christiā & vnshakē resolutiō.

What euer yee shall seeke from the Father in my Name, said Christ, hee will giuegive it vntounto you: If yee beleeue Christ to bee true, practise his precept: **NoteTake once but a proofe of his promise seeke in the Name of Iesus whatsoeuer thing may doe you good, and see whether or not God shall proue faithf… in his promise: * Before that a man will p. 313distrust another, hee will first at least bee beguiled once: **NoteVponUpon Christs words then with freedome of Spirit, Aske, seeke, and knocke, and see whether or not your Soule shall bee answered with these three viz, receiuing finding, and opening: **NoteThere is a worthie historie in the Gospel which pointeth at this that we should doe what Christ Commandeth, though there be litle appearāce of any good successe: After that Christ had teached the people out of Peters ship, the Sermon beeing ended, the Lord said, vntounto Simon, Launch out into the Luk. 5. 4. 5.Luke 5:4Luke 5:5deepe, and let downe your nettes for a draught, Simon answered, said vntounto him, Master we hauehave toiled all the night and hauehave token nothing, neuerthelesse at thy word I will let down the net: What ensued vponupon his obedience? they inclosed such a multitude of fishes y^t for the weight thereof their nette brake, the aboundance was so great that they beckned to their partners p. 314which were into another ship, that they shuld come to helpe them: And they came and filled both the shippes, so vers. 7.that they beganne to sinke: **NoteLet your wearied Soule learne of Peter to obey Christ, though they had toiled all the night and had taken nothing, and had lost all hope of any taking, yet at Christs word they let downe the net.

**NoteChrist in his Miracle would not cause the fish to leape into their Shippe, but hee would hauehave them to launch and labour, yea, and seeke helpe of others: **NoteMoreouer, before Christ did this, they had toiled all the night before, without anie profit: **NoteChrist came not to abrogat the Law by feeding idle men, but hee came to fulfill the Law, and to giuegive a blessing to these that did eate their bread in the sweate of their face: Gen. 2. 19Gen 2:19**NoteTrust first in God, Sir, and at his word launch in the deepe: **NoteLabour in the sweat of your face, seeke, p. 315aske, knocke, and bee assured to findeReuel. 3. … 14.Rev 3:14 and receiue, for yea, and Amen hath spoken it: **NoteThough your sinnes bee great, if yee belieue his word, hee hath giuen both his word and his oath to forgiue, two immutable Heb. 6. 18.Heb 6:18things wherein it is imposible that God should lie. O the vnlimited & boundlesse bowels of his merciemercy.

The sicke Man.

I hauehave alreadie rapped at the doore of grace, but I hauehave gotten none answere: **NoteGod will not cast vp his gates to let in such a rotten ra…call as I am: The dinne of temptations within mee is like the rumbling of a Linne, wherein waters rush with a …oise: I by my sinnes hauehave growne so heauie vponupon the Lord▪ that I presse him as a Cart is pressed that is full of sheaues: While I pray, Christ letteth not on him that hee either heareth or seeth mee.

The Pastour.

Though at y^e first prayer ye receiue p. 316not, yet cry againe, & againe: **NoteThe poore receiue not almes at your doore at the first cry, and therefore they cry againe, and againe, till their almes come: **NoteThat Cananitish woman that came from the costes from Tire and Sidon for to seeke helpe of Christ for her Daughter troubled with a deuill, was not heard at her first prayer, shee receiued none answere at all, at the secōd she receiued a verie hard answere, viz, That hee was sent vntounto others, than to the like of her, viz. VntoUnto the lost sheepe of the Matth. 15. 23. 24.Matt 15:23Matt 15:24house of Israel. At the third prayer shee receiued the hardest answere of all, viz. That shee and her Daughtervers. 27 were but dogs, to whom the Childrens bread, did not belong: What did shee then? **NoteShee tooke the buffet for the bit: Wee are but dogs, said shee, why then, let vsus eate the crumbes: At that worde Christ could refuse her no more, but gaue her all her will, O Woman, said hee, p. 317great is thy Faith, bee it vntounto thee euen vers. 28.as thou wilt: **NoteThough while yee cry, Christ make none answere, yet cry againe: If hee call you a dogge, cry for a crumbe: **NoteOften his comforts are folded in his Iudgements: S. Paul prayed th…ise before God gaue to him an answere: While the angel of the Deuill did buffet him, 2 Cor. 12. 72 Cor 12:7hee cryed for helpe once & againe, after the third time God made answere that his grace should bee sufficient vers. 9.for him: Iacob got not his blessing at the first sute, no not, at last it came to worsling, and weeping, and wresting, he wept & made supplicatiō, Hos. 12. 4Hos 12:4and then the Lord blessed him: Did not Christ himselfe in his great agonie pray, and after one prayer, pray againe for the remouing of the painfull cuppe? **NoteIf yee hauehave prayedM…tin. 26 42 pray yet againe, were it in the same prayer, as Christ did, of whom it is said▪ That againe he went away & prayed Mar. 14. 39Mark 14:39& spak the same words: God may p. 318let his owne cry, and cry aga ne, but hee will not let them cry …ill they be confounded: At last when his time is come, hee will arise to their helpe: **NoteHee can not sit the importunate cryes of wearied spirites: **NoteBecause of the importunitie of the seeker that neighbour in the Gospel could not get his friend refused, the one friende came to the other friendes doore, but for the lend of three loaues tor to set downe before another friende, who was in his journey, came late vntounto his house: A friend Luk. 11. 9Luke 11:9of mine, said he, in his journey is come to mee, and I hauehave nothing to set before him: From within the other answered, that hee should not trouble him, because the doore was shute, and his Children were with him into the bed: I say vntounto you, said Christ, Though hee will not rise, and giuegive him▪ vers. 8,because hee is his friend, yet because of his importunitie▪ hee willrise and giuegive him as many as hee needeth.

p. 319The spirituall vse of this is subjoyned vntounto the verse following, Aske and it shall bee giuen you, seeke and yee shall finde, &c. **NoteBecause of the earnest sute of the poore Widow, the euill Iudge who neither feared God, nor respected man, was forced to doe her justice: **NoteThese thinges are writen for our learning, not to take a refusell from our God in any thing that may bee good for our Soule, mans importunitie in seeking, is Gods opportunitie in giuing.

The Sicke Man.

These things cannot bee written for mee: What doeth Christ care for mee? hauehave not I treade vnderunder the filthie feete of mine affections that precious Blood? HaueHave not I counted that Blood f the Couenant as Heb. 10. 29Heb 10:29an vnholie thing? My Spirit is in a feare that it hath done dispight vntounto the Spirit of grace: **NoteThis is the chiefe gash and wound of my Soule, this is a gangrene, which eateth out p. 320mine heart, the temptation is come from the barke to the bone.

The Pastour.

**NoteIf yee were guiltie of that sinne, yee would not bee so grieued for it: **NoteThese who doe despight vntounto the Spirit of grace, mourne not for that siane as it is an hainous offence against God, but as it procureth the wages of euerlasting woe: **NoteIn such a man the feare of judgement is greater than the hatred of sinne: Iudas could say, Oh, I hauehave sinned in betraying the Matth. 27 4Matt 27:4innocent Blood: The feare of judgement, & not the louelove of Christ made him bewaile his treason: The sinne against the holie Ghost is not so great, but God could forgiue it, if the sinner could repent: **NoteThe bosome of Gods mercy is not so streightned that it cannot receiue a sinner because of the hudge greatnesse of his sinnes: There was no disease which Christ could not cure in the dayes of his flesh: But because of the vnbeliefe p. 321of men, in some partes hee could not doe manie miracles: **NoteObserue a strange word, spoken of God by God himselfe, Hee could not doe? **NoteVnbeliefe in a manner putteth the Almightie in a sort of weakenesse, so that hee cannot doe: **NoteAs there was no sicknesse but Christ could care it, if men could belieue, so there is no sinne, but God can forgiue it, if man can repent: **NoteIf any sinne vnpar doned lye still, & beare vponupon the Soule of man, it is because of his vnbeliefe: * Bee earnest with God, that hee would increase your Faith: **NoteBe of good courage, Sir, thogh many be the Psal. 34. 19Ps 34:19troubles of the righteous▪ yet heere is his comfort, the end of that man is Psal. 37. 37.Ps 37:37peace: Your Soule is trauelling in the paines of the new birth: Let the Spirit of Christ be doing, till he end the worke of your Saluation within you: **NoteThere is sweete in his gloumes, and louelove in his looke, euen while hee seemeth to bee angrie: **NoteHee who p. 322with a silent looke, first pricked, and then healed the heart of Peter, shall at last after your troubles wipe away your teares, and yee shall weepe no more: **NoteThe looke of our Lord▪ is a working looke: **NoteOur beholding is but by reception of spaces, but Christs looking is by emission of graces, which like streames of heate and light come from the Sunne, the worldes eye, with a most powerfull influence.

Bee of good courage, Sir, be not dismayed in your afflictions:**Note Such is the courage of Christes Spouse that shee calleth all her troubles butCant. 1. 6.Song 1:6 a looke of the Sunne, a litle black bleink wherewith the outward skin is onelie made duskie: **NoteChrists will is that wee suffer heere such flea▪bitings, that wee may know what hee hath suffered for vsus in sauing vsus from eternall woe. Fixe your Faith in his merites, which are the onelie Oyle that maketh all thinges easie, euen a most precious restoratiue for a languishing and sorrow beaten Soule.

p. 323Be wise and ware, by your doubting to confine the boundlesse mercies of your God, belieue and bee saued, this is the trueth of the Gospel.

The sicke Man.

But the Law of God is of a great stricknesse; it bindeth all the senses and all the thoughts and imaginations of the heart to a perfect obedience vnderunder y^e paine of Maranatha: This thought straineth hard mine heart, and wringeth it together into a narrow roome with a predominant power.

The Pastour.

**NoteIndeede Sir, the Law of God, striketh vponupon all that is in man, and oblisheth most strict to a perfect and sincere obedience, for not only dischargeth it actuall Murther, Adulterie, Theft, and such like, but also the counsels, and plots, and desires to practise such villanies: **NoteYea, not onelie such plots, which are forbidden in the Commandement, which p. 324forbiddeth the euill action, but also the least desire of ill, though detasted and abhorred with speede: **NoteThe tenth Command which is last, requireth such a puritie into the heart of man, that it will not onelie hauehave it to be cleane of grosse euill thoghts fedde and petted with yeelding and consent, but also it requireth that it bee free of the least impression of anie euill thought: **NoteThe Soule of man is like a Cristall looking Glasse: If a man but blow vponupon it with his breath, at once it is darkned with a duskie skumme, wherewith it is dimmed that till it be sweept, the image of a mans face will not appeare into it: **NoteSo it is of sin and of our Soule, the least affection or inclination to sinne is like a dimme skumme vponupon the face of the Soule, caused by the stinking breath of the deuill: What is a filthie temptation? but afflatus illius impuri Spiritus, a breathing of that vncleane Spirit? Thus as yee p. 325see God indeede requireth a great puritie to bee in his creature, for the hammering downe of the pride of flesh, puft vp with vaine and ouerweening conceits: **NoteHis Law requireth that his Children bee so cleane that there bee not so much as the breath of euill vponupon them for to darken or mak dimme the polish of their cristall colour.

**NoteBut heere is our comfort, there is an hand in the heauen▪ that is able to sweepe away all our sinnes whatsoeuer, and make our Soule were it neuer so roustie, to become cleare like gold new come out of the fornace:Psal. 68. 13Ps 68:13 Though yee hauehave lyen among the pottes yet shall ye be as the winges of a Doue couered with siluer, and her feathers with yellow gold. Let not the rigour of the Law affraight you: Christ is hee who hath fulfilled the Law: **NoteHee hath nailed that hand writing vponupon his Crosse, and so hath made vsus free of its rigour: Sinne p. 326reigneth not in a godlie heart, but so long as man is heere, sinne hath in him some poysonous and pestilent* Note rootes: If wee doe not what wee can to imploy his graces faithfullie, for to render his Talents with some profit, hee shall say vntounto vsus,Matth. 25. 23.Matt 25:23 faithfull seruant come & enter into thy Masters joye: Bee of good heart, after that Gods anger like the Moone is come to its hight, it shall beginne to waine as it beganne to waxe: After a full flood shall come a low ebbe.

The sicke Man.

What then thinke yee best that I doe while I am enuironed with so many troubles and temptations?

The Pastour.

**NoteYour best is to runne euer vntounto Christ in whom alone is vertue for to cure your filthie fluxe: Let nothing hinder …ou in the way till yee bee at him: **NoteBy his blood he shall present you harmelesse and guiltles before Gods Tribunall: Though p. 327swarmes of temptations wherein is Beelzebub the master flee buze about you, bee not astonished: **NoteHold on your course, till yee come to him: Thogh many troubles lye into your way, gird vp your loynes and run with courage through this snakie field, hauing your feet shod with the preparatiō Ephes. 6. 15.Eph 6:15of the Gospel of peace: Let griefe bee a whet stone vntounto grace.

The sicke Man.

**NoteIf I should now run to Christ, thinke ye that I would be welcome to him, after that I hauehave sported so long, and solaced my selfe in securitie, in the soft and greene way of fading pleasures: **NoteWhile his precious word was preached, I like the craftiePsal. 58. 4.Ps 58:4 Adder closed mine eares, as from the voyce of a charme: But thinke yee that hee can louelove mee, who is one so vnworthie to be loued, a lazie drousie drooping drone, altogether carlesse in the worke of my saluation.

p. 328The Pastour.

There is a great misconceit of God in most mens hearts **NoteSome there bee who with amplifying conceats, make the way to Heauen broader than the Scripture, like the Pharisees broad Philacteries or shaking ribbands:Matth. 23. 5.Matt 23:5 Others againe, as Balaams Asse thrusted his master to the wall inNumb. 22. 25Num 22:25 a roume way, with lesse reason than the Asse, they thrust aside vponupon the walles of doubts or despaire, as though Gods mercies were so narrow that no possibilitie were for to passe thorow: By this meanes they fasten vponupon God, an impossibilitie to forgiue: But to come to the point, your question is, if I think that God can louelove you, who is so vnworthie to bee loued

I thinke it verilie, and I am perswaded: **NoteGod, I confesse, cannot louelove sinne in man, but hee may louelove man in sinne: **NoteGod inuiteth not these whom hee loueth not: Come p. 329vntounto mee, saith hee, all yee that are Matth. 11. 28Matt 11:28wearied: **NoteYour wearinesse cryeth vntounto you, that which was said to the blind man, Bee of good comfort, Ma…. 10. 49▪arise, the Master calleth thee, an humble confession in the mouth, is the speach of contrition in the heart: God hath sworne that hee liketh not a sinners death. Hee is more glad to finde vsus for to helpe vsus, than we can rejoyce to find him for to be helped by him: **NoteWho can thinke but hee is glad to finde vsus, that tooke such paines to seeke vsus, that not caring for the vnwholesome and noysome night aire, came to our doore hauing his head full of dewe, and his Cant. 5. 2.Song 5:2lockes full of the droppes of the night? which is more, such was his louelove and liking of vsus, that for to saue our life hee would die a cursed death: The last wordes of your complaint are that yee are one who is vnworthie to bee loued.

* I had rather heare a sinner calling p. 330himselfe wretched and vnworthie with the Publican, than boastingLuk. 18. 13Luke 18:13 of his worthinesse with the Pharisee: **NoteThe swelled hydropie words of thankesgiuing that we are not lik other mē, are a sure toking of a deadlie & incurable disease: Man naturallie goeth about to lessen & impaire his faultes, yea, oftē rather than he will cry guiltie hee will fasten his follie by consequent vponupon his Maker: Adam said, The woman which thou gauest me, G…n. 3. 12gaue me of the tree, & made me to eate: **NoteMany are caried down the muddie streame of ouerweening their owne worth. Our greatest worthinesse is in the sense of our own vnworthinesse, and in the seeking of Christs worthinesse: **NoteThat man is worthie before God, who findeth himselfe vnable to doe that which is worthie, and vnwilling to doe that which is vnworthie: **NoteThe verie strife and battell betweene grace and nature in theregenerat, is a victorie in Gods eyes: p. 331A broken imperfectiō, if it be sincere without guile, is put vp in his merciful count book, for a perfectiō indeed, such is the merciemercy of God, while we mislike our selues: **NoteThese were the wisest words of Agur, in Gods account,Prou. 30. 2Prov 30:2 when hee said, I am more fool…sh than any man: S. Paul was neuer more dearelie beloued of God, as when hee hating himselfe called himselfe the first of sinners: **NoteCast your eyes off your selfe, and looke vntounto God your strength & your stay:Prou. …8, 10Prov 8:10 The Name of the Lord is a strong towre the righteous runneth into it, & is safe.

The sicke Man.

O that I could practise your precepts! O that my God would inspire mee with such a blessed and liuelie vigour of his Spirite, that might quicken my Soule to euerlasting life! O that it would please my God, stronglie to refresh mee with the comfort of his countenance! But alas, out of this most p. 332filthy puddle of my heart arise such filthie vapours which so ouer-cloud the Sunne of righteousnesse, that I amMal. 4. 2.Mal 4:2 not able to behold his face: while he did shine vponupon mee, his most bright and vnspotted beames were fullie darkened: **NoteThe more the heate of his word did beate vponupon mee, the more my conuersation became stinking and loathsome like a carion cast out before the Sunne, this I cannot denie, at the rememberance thereof I finde my selfe charged afresh vponupon the Conscience with terrours and vexations: O the dead slubber of securitie, wherein I hauehave sleept vntounto this houre! my custome euer was to post ouer my sinnes, in the lump with a generall slumbert confession.

There is nothing within me but matter of feare, I feele my faith fainting, I feare my sinnes, I feare the wrath of God, I feare the force of Sathan, the king of feare: **NoteI may be p. 333well bee called that which Ieremie called Pashur, viz. Magor-missabib, Ier. 20▪ 3.Jer 20:3that is, Feare round about, yea, I not onelie feare, but I feele a fearefull wrath: **NoteMy stubburnesse and stonie heart hath brought vponupon my Soule Gods brasen hands: **NoteNow is hee doing to mee that which of olde hee threatned against these that were like mee, If yee walke stubbornlie Liuit. 26. 27against mee, I will walke stubbornlie with you: In my youth I was guided by the guise of times, my delight was to goe with the droue, now I am lost, beeing cold dead frozen in the dregges of my vncleannesse.

The Pastour.

The force of temptation wringeth such words out of you, as thogh yee had none hope at all: **NoteYour Soule Sir, is like the Moone into an ecclipse: **NoteThere bee darknesse and changing of collours for a time, because your sinnes like an earth come betweene you and the beames of p. 334Christ, the Sunne of righteousnesse: **NoteI hauehave seene the Moone in her ecclipse for a space as though shee had not beene at all into the heauens, but as shee darkened by little and little, so after the greatest darknesse was past, the light returned by degrees.

Despaire not Sir, of an infinite merciemercy, let not your heart be wasted with wearinesse: Though the earth of your sinnes which in comparison of Gods merciemercy is but a point, ouershadow the Soule for a space, while it is in this low region, the time shall come that God shall mount your Soule aboue the circle of the Starres wherevnto the shadow of such an earth is not able to attaine: **NoteThogh God for a space walke stubbornlie with you, hee is not stubborn: Whē yee shall beginne to walke humblie Micah. 6. 8Mic 6:8with your God, God shall walke no more stubbornlie with you, but shall deliuer you from all your feares: p. 335Build your selfe vponupon your holie Faith.Iud. v. 20Judg 5:20

The sicke Man.

I may well say with Iob, My stroke Iob. 13. 2.Job 13:2is heauier than my groning: Whereon can my Faith lay hold? **NoteGod is armed with wrath, and Sathan is armed with despight: **NoteI see nothing for the present but blowes and bloody battels, most dreadfull feares teare in pieces mine heart strings, & sucke out the inmost of mine heart blood.

The Pastour.

Though there be many aduersaries, yet Christ is with you: **NoteMake all your boast of him who is the Captaine of your Saluation: Hee hathHeb. 2. 20Heb 2:20 winne the field, he hath tread vnderunder foote principalities and powers, and hath ledde Captiuitie captiue: **NoteHeeEph. 4. 8.Eph 4:8 whose Faith is founded vponupon him, shall neuer bee confounded: **NoteHis fresh bleeding wounds are cuer filled with compassions: * Though God by our sinnes bee moued to p. 336shew some wrath, heere is our great comfort, There is no condemnation Rom. 8. 1.Rom 8:1to these that are in Christ: Belieue yee not the Scriptures? I know yee belieue: If Christ bee with vsus, who shall bee against vsus? **NoteThese who thinke that their sinnes ouer-reach Gods merciemercy, make the Centre to compasse about the Circumference: Though hee should receiue a world of sinners in the bosome of his merciemercy, it will not for that bee the more streightned: O the vnspeakeable compasse of Gods compassions.

The sicke Man.

I doubt not of the infinite compasse of his merciemercy, but whether or not he will shew that merciemercy to such sinners as I am, this often troubleth my darkned and droopping Soule.

The Pastour.

**NoteTo shew merciemercy to most mise rable persons, is most familiar to Gods Nature: * Hee neuer executeth judgement till we egge him and p. 337inforce him vntounto: **NoteFor this cause, where he punisheth, hee is said, To …. 28. 2…doc his worke, his strange worke, and to bring to passe his act, his strange act: Hee hath sworne by his life, that he taketh no delight in our death: **NoteOur God is not rigorous against these that would faine doe well: No not, but lik as a father that pittieth his children, Psal. 103. 13. 14.Ps 103:13Ps 103:14so the Lord pittieth them that feare him, for hee knoweth our frame, hee remembreth that wee are but dust: **NoteOur God will not exact strictlie a perfection in the life of his Children: **NoteIf wee hauehave an affection to doe well, though wee cannot affect it, hee will accept it: **NoteA godlie Father hath said well concerning this, Deus magis delectatur affectu quam effectu, that is▪ God is more pleased with the affection of a man than with the effect it selfe: **NoteChrist thought more of the poore womans mites, than of rich mens millions, andLuk. 21. 2.Luke 21:2 that all because of her good affection: p. 338Well is the Soule in whose bosome it lodgeth.

The sicke Man.

**NoteBut the good affection must euer bee followed with some effect: * Mine heart hath beene nothing but a filthie puddle, a false Fox hole: The more I dig into this dung hill I am the more confounded: O what a jewell is a good Conscience co…ered vp into the heart of a Christian! It is like a precious pearle in a Ring: I am ashamed to come into Gods presence while I looke vponupon my sinnes.

The Pastour.

Shall the sicke man bee ashamed to lay out his sores to a secret and wise Surgeon: **NoteIt is good to think shame of sinne before wee doe it, for to abstaine from it: It is also good to think shame of it after it is done, for to repent vsus of it: But wee must neuer thinke shame to confesse it: **NoteThis is the craft of Sathan, hee ta keth away shame from man at the p. 339commission of sinne, and restoreth it againe to man at the confession of sinne. **NoteThat which hee hath once taken away from a man by forged cauillation like Zacheus, he▪ though in a worse sense, refloreth him fourefold: **NoteA wicked man after that he hath sinned, hath fourefold more shame to confesse his sinne before a Congregation, which indeed, should bee his honour; tha… hee had at the committing of sinne the onelie cause of shame: **NoteIf hee had beene as ashamed to commit sin priuilie, as hee is ashamed to confesse it publicklie, he had neuer taken pleasure into sinne.

**NoteMen of widest Consciences whose hearts are s…uft and engrossed with wickednes, will often I confesse seeme shame▪ f…st before men: **NoteIn the presence of a carnall… eye, they will straine the g…ate like …e Maidens, which cannot eate at Table where they are seene, their throat is so narrow, p. 340that hardlie can any meate passe ouer, quasi vero: O but in secret greatest gluttons, deuouring blacke bread embrued with yesterdayes broth.

**NoteShee that but pitissat sippes before the Sober can skip at the scols with her Commers, till shee bee sicke with healths.

Euen so it is of such sinners, most modest they are & shamefast while they are seene: The gnate of a light vaine word they cannot digest if men hauehave heard it, but in the meane time in the polluted thoughts of their prophane hearts, they are filthy Iud. v. 8.Judg 5:8dreamers, & if secret occasion serue; without shame of God they will swallow Camels, making no bones: **NoteThough their sinne bee neuer so huge in greatnesse, euen Adulterie, the wracke of most famous Families, if they can straine and passe it with a close conueyance, their heart will say of it as Lot said of Bela, Is it not a p. 341Gen. 19. 20Gen 19:20little one? **NoteWell is that Soule which while it is tempted to sinne, hath euer an eye vponupon its God, saying with Ioseph, Now behold, my God seeth mee, and hee is a witnesse of this my doing: How then can I doe this Gen. 39 9.Gen 39:9great wickednesse and sin against God?

As for that yee say now that yee are ashamed to come before God, while yee looke vponupon your sinnes: It is good sir that ye think shame to come into Gods presence, because of your sinne, but thinke not shame in Gods presence to confesse your sin: **NoteSin whether secret or confessed is euill, but the confession of sin is euer good, Gods word is true, If wee confesse our sinnes, hee is faithfull Ioh. …. ….and just to forgiue vsus our sinnes, and to cleanse vsus from all vnrighteousnesse: **NoteTrust in God, Sir, relye vponupon his mercifull bowels, who out of his great compassions hath said, I hauehave Iob. 33. 24Job 33:24receiued a ransome: God loueth those that are feelinglie affected, & wakened p. 342out of the slumber of Conscience.

The sicke Man.

But thinke yee verilie that God will bee mercifull to mee? whose Soule hath beene but a soile for weedes.

The Pastour.

**NoteI thinke that yee your selfe should thinke none otherwise: A good man, saith Solomon, is mercifull Prou. 12. 10Prov 12:10to his beast: **NoteIt is a beastlie thing for a man, to thinke that God will not bee more mercifull to his Soule, than any man can bee to his beast: **NoteGod was more offended at Cain for despairingGen. 4. 13Gen 4:13 of his merciemercy, than for killing of his brother: **NoteIudas kindledMatth. 27. ….Matt 27 more Gods wrath for the desperate hanging of himselfe▪ than for the betraying of his Lord that was hanged by his treason: **NoteHee who offered his mouth to receiue a kisse fromMatth. 26. 49Matt 26:49 that Treatour, had neuer refused him merciemercy, if hee had sought it with a repenting heart: Because p. 343prophane Ahab had but a shew or… King. 21. 27. outward scroofe of repentance, hauing Sackcloth neerest his skinne, the Lord spaired him all his dayes, to let men see what he will doe to true repentance, seeing hee is so gracious vntounto that which is but an outward likenesse thereof.

**NoteThere is no sinne that offendeth God more highlie as distrust: **NoteHere is the great injurie of doubt or despaire, it maketh the sinne of a little Grashopper to ouer-reach the infinite merciemercy of the most High, as though man a little clat of clay, could bee more sinfull, than that infinite Majestie can bee mercifull: Happie is that Soule which God hath singled out in time for to make it loath its best loued pleasures: God delighteth to take vp a seat in a bruissed heart, sorrow beaten for displeasing of its God.

Take a good heart, Sir, yee hauehave to doe with a God, whose Name and p. 344Nature is merciemercy, a God whose merciemercy Psal. 10…. 4.Ps 10:4is great aboue the Heauens, yea, and ouer all his workes: **NoteThat whichPsal. 145. 9Ps 145:9 ouer reacheth all Gods workes, may easilie ouertoppe all your sins & iniquities: **NoteGod will hauehave man with his narrow bowels of merciemercy to forgiue his brother seuen times in a day, if hee shall returne seuen times in a day, Luk. 17. 4Luke 17:4saying, It repenteth mee: **NoteIf God requireth such merciemercy of man whose bowels in y^e widest are not of a span breadth, what shall hee doe, whose compassions are rouled together into bowels broader than the Sea, yea, wider than the heauens? If ye can repent Sir, God can forgiue: When man ceaseth to spurne, God beginneth to spare.

The sicke Man.

I take God to witnesse, that I am sorie for my sinnes, and so ashamed▪ that with the Publicane I cannot liftLuk. 18. 13Luke 18:13 vp mine eyes to the heauens: **NoteI would be content to kisse the ground p. 345a thousand times for to get but one kisse of the feete of him, who is the on… lie helpe of the conscience, and the health of the countenance: I finde myselfe deepe to the Chine in a gulfe of miserie: Tell mee truelie Sir, I pray you: Thinkeyee that if with a mourning heart I confesse my sinnes to God, that hee will hauehave pittie of me? I am sore perplexed, the deepe thoughts of mine owne guiltinesse strike men with such a set silence that I am not able to vtter my griefe: My feare is that I bee of the familie of hell, an haire of horrour and vtter woe. Be free with mee, I pray you, Thinkeyee th…t such an hord of miserie as mine can euer meete with his merciemercy.

The Pastour.

**NoteIt is great ignorance Sir, to thinke that anie miserie of man can ouer reach the infinite power of his pitie, and boundlesse compasse of his compassions: It were more easie to p. 346turne the Sunne from his course, than God from shewing merciemercy to repenting sinners, both his Name and Nature is merciemercy: See wee not out of what myres of miserie Gods merciemercy hath deliuered repenting sinners: **NoteIn Scripture wee may read long Catologes of pardoning sinnes: Consider well I pray you, thinke deepelie vponupon the mercies of your God: **NoteLook well what hee hath done to others: Could the adulterie of aa2 Sam. 11 4.2 Sam 11:4Dauid, the incest of bbGen. 19. 33Gen 19:33Lot, the drunkennesse of ccGen. 9. 21Gen 9:21Noah, the murther of ddGen. 34. 25.Gen 34:25Simeon & Leui, the persecutions of eeAct. 8. 3.Acts 8:3Paul, the perjurie of ffMatth. 26 74.Matt 26:74Peter, or any other like sinne hinder God to be mercifull to the… so soone as they repented? * Wherefore wereall these pardons printed into God; Booke, but for to tell all ages that no man were hee neuer so sinfull▪ should despaire of the merciemercyEzek. 33: 11.Ezek 33:11 of his God: As I liue, saith the Lord, take no delight into the death of sinners▪ p. 347but rather that they should repent and liue: These bee his owne words: If words beare no weight▪ behold effects, God hath so loued the world, Ioh. 3. 16.John 3:16that hee hath giuen his onelie Sonne, that whosoeuer belieueth in him, should not perish, but hauehave euerlasting life: **NoteThis is not a verball louelove when a man giueth his best beloued for to die for another: **NoteGod hath not spared his onelie Sonne, that by his satisfying sufferings, his Iustice beeing payed, hee might shew merciemercy to man his poore vnworthie creature, not onelie the Father hath loued the world, but also the Sonne out of vnspeakable louelove was as desirous to die for man, as the Father was to send him: This out of his owne mouth hee declared that no louelove could ouer-reach his louelove, No Ioh. 15. 13.John 15:13man, said hee, hath greater louelove than this, than when a man layeth downe his life for his friend: **NoteThe highest of mans louelove is to die for his friend: p. 348**NoteBut Christs louelove was greater, hee died for vsus euen when wee were his enemies: **NoteIn another point, behold the louelove, of Christ scarselie, saith the Apostle▪ for a righteous mā wil one die, Rom. 5. 7. ….Rom 5:7yet per aduenture for a good man some would euen dare to die: But God commendeth his louelove towardes vsus, in that, while wee were yet sinners, Christ died for vsus: **NoteWho shall doubt of this louelove which the Lord hath registred on earth with the dearest blood of his onelie begotten Sonne? **NoteThere is such a louelove in the Father, and such a louelove in the Sonne, and such a louelove in the holie Ghost toward the Saluation of man, that all the heauens are filled with louelove of our well, so that at the conuersion of one sinnerLuk. 15. 7.Luke 15:7 on earth, there is more joy among the Saints and Angels, than for fourescore and ninteene righteous who neede not repentance.

* If Sir, yee would hauehave the heauens to rejoyce, cast your selfe into p. 349the armes of your God, with these words, Lord, doe with mee what thou wilt, though thou shuld slay me, yet will I true in thee: If yee would see the picture of Gods mercy, ye must draw aside the curtaine of all carnall surmises.

The sicke Man.

Oh, that I might cast my Soule into his Armes! But how can I doe this? The Lord hath turned his backe on mee, shall I cast my selfeHeb. 1…. 29.Heb 1:29 into a consuming fire? At the first sight of his angry face my Soule will die for feare.

The Pastour.

Men often are deceiued: So soone as Manoah had seene the Angel, heeIudg▪ 13. 22▪Judg 13:22 said, to his wife, Wee shall surelie die, because wee hauehave seene God: But his wife answered more wiselie, If the Lord were pleased to kill vsus, hee vers. 22.would not hauehave receiued a sacrifice from vsus: As shee said to him, so say I to you, If the Lord were pleased to kill you, hee would not hauehave giuen p. 350his Sonne in a Sacrifice for you: * I is a greater louelove token, that God hath giuen his Sonne in a Sacrifice for you, than that hee should receiue any sacrifice from you

It is the Apostles argument▪ that since God hath giuen vntounto vsus his owne Sonne, hee will not refuse vsus any other thing that may doe vsus good, Christ alone is the sinners refuge, hee is a Rocke of comfort which cannot bee shaken, a Rocke which commandeth all seas of sorrows the pole of our peace. Be earnest in prayer with God, cry till he hea…e.

The sicke Man.

I am wearied with crying to God,Psal. 22. 2.Ps 22:2 my prayers may be called, The voyce of my roaring: But what shall I say? I cry, but there is none that maketh answere, God hath couered himselfe with a cloude, that my prayers should not passe thorow, hee hath stopped his eares that my prayer should not bee heard▪ This is a most fearefull blast and blow in his bloo p. 351die battell.

The Pastour.

Deceiue not your selfe, often our prayer framed and followed by the Spirit of grace is heard, though the fense of grant bee not yet brought to vsus: God for causes will let a time goe betweene, seeking and finding: Dan. 9. 23.Dan 9:23After this the Angel spake vntounto▪ Daniel. At the beginning of thy prayer God heard thee, and now I am come to tell thee: **NoteSee how a space will interceede betweene Gods hearing of mans prayer, and mans knowledge that God hath heard him. Though yee as yet know not whither God hath heard you or not, yee must not infer that God hath not heard you at all: **NoteWaite on a little with Daniel, till God thinke it time to send you a Messēger for to tell you that he hath heard you, yea, that hee heard you at the beginning of your prayer: till th…s Messenger come, depend whollie vponupon Christs good will: Let all your trust bee in him, who is p. 352your most faithfull Aduocate for to plead your cause: **NoteHee will bee a Guide to all these that seeke him: and a light to all these that see him, and life to all these that louelove him: Though a Mother should forget her Isa. 4…. 15Isa 4:15Childe, the Lord will not forget his owne, whom hee hath printed vponupon the palmes of his hands: Many Mothers thinke it enough to beare and bring foorth their Children, that done, they send them out a fostering vntounto others: **Note▪But Christ not onelie is as a Mother beareth and bringeth vsus foorth by the second birth, but also feedeth and fostereth vsus vponupon his owne breasts as a louingOsea. 1…. 3 Nurse, I hauehave, said he, caried Ephraim as a Nurse in mine armes: **NoteBee of good comfort Sir, let the joye of Christ rellish all your sorrowes, hee was the man of griefe, that he mightIsa. 53. 3.Isa 53:3 bring joye to the world, he was beaten with stripes, that of his stripes hee might make physicke for sicke p. 353Soules, by his stripes wee hauehave health: **NoteIn a word his flesh was pierced and bored that in these holes there might bee a Citie of refuge for sinfull Soules, pursued with the tempest of Gods wrath, the auenger: **NoteWoe to him that maketh an idole of his own sufficiencie, as the Thunder chieflie beateth the highest steeple heades so doeth the fire of Gods wrath strike at the hight and top of proudest spirites.

The Sicke Man.

By the most part of your speach Sir, I thinke that your chiefe comfortes against Death and all other troubles, are grounded vponupon Christs Blood and his wounds▪

The Pastour.

That which I say Sir▪ is true: **NoteWhen as all things will forsake vsus & fall frō vsus, Christ will sticke & stand fast by vsus, that I speak truelie, I darre be answereable for it in the presence of my God: **NoteAs yee must one day p. 354make a reckoning to God, of that which yee heare, so must I that selfe same day giuegive an account of that which I teach: My Sermons must be read before him that sent mee to preach, for he will know how I hauehave fedde his Lambes: * If I build vponuponNote Christ the fundamentall Stone, the perles and precious Stones of Christes1 Cor. 3. 211 Cor 3:21 passions, I shall get a reward: But if I builde vponupon him Stubble, Hay, or vers. 14Wood: Because I holde fast the foundation, he will saue my Soule, when hee shall trye my Doctrine with the fire and light of his word: But because I builded vponupon him the combustible light Stubble and Hay of humane words, of wordlie eloquence, I shall bee saued verie hardlie, as by the fire of great affliction: **NoteFor this cause knowing the great danger, I wish that all my comforts to you and all others bee onelie of Christ, who is both our suretie and our Sauiour: **NoteHee in louelove swallowed the p. 355bitter pill of death, the cure of all our diseases: After that, for our cause his face had beene couered for our blasphemous, spittle & his backe battered with bruises, hee continued in his louelove, and for our cause would bee hanged vponupon that stinking l…ll Mount Caluarie, suffering a death which God had blasted with a curse.

**NoteI will tell you plainlie, Sir, that there is no meditation so comfortable to a wearied Soule, as that which is concerning the bleeding wounds of Iesus, the vanquisher of hell: **NoteHis wounds are as many windowes wherethrow wee may see the vnspeakeable aboundance of our Lords louelove.

**NoteLet men runne from East to West, from South to North, they shall finde no place of auoydance from the fie…ie wrath, but onelie into these his woundes, which well may bee called, The refuge or Sanctuarie of a troubled Soule. Heere is p. 356libertie for a Soule that is enfolded into the snares of Gods judgements: **NoteHeere is a hiding place against the euill day: Heere is the hole of the Rock the window of the Arke whereExod. 33. 22. Gen. 8. 9.Exod 33:22Gen 8:9 poore Soules like Doues, that can finde no footing, may enter in: * Heere is a Citie of refuge for chaissed sinners: The people that dwell Isa▪ 33. 24Isa 33:24therein shall bee forgiuen their iniquitie: There bee wide boundes within the compasse of his compassions. Seeing Christ is such an One, runne and hie you as fast as yee can vntounto this Rocke of refuge: **NoteHee who shall bee founded thereon, shall neuer be confounded: **NoteTake vp all the matter in a word, the righteousnesse of Christ Iesus purchased vntounto vsus by his Blood, is the onelie cure and couer of our sinnes: **NoteAll other things are but like fig-leaues too short and thinne a couer, like these cutted coats of Dauids seruants, which couered 2 Sam. 10. 4.2 Sam 10:4not their buttockes.

**NoteHow darreanie rotten stinking p. 357attainted flesh attempt to attribute anie worth vntounto it selfe, in the atchieuement of that Pearle & peerelesse work of mans Saluatiō, wherof Christ Iesus is y^e only Author & actor.

Manie who would seeme in this world to carie away the Garland of godlinesse, are hanged in this snare: Away with such a pang of pride and eleuation of Spirit.

The sicke Man.

I see now Sir, that Christ is onelie the Salue which is able to heale the sores of the Soule, the blisters and bitinges of our Conscience: I see that his Blood is the onelie liquour of that Fountaine of Dauid for sinne and vncleannesse: **NoteBut IEzech. 33. 1.Ezek 33:1 am so defiled with wilfull wallowing in the puddle of sinne, that hardlie thinke I that euer hee will daine to looke vponupon such a bemired Dogge as I am, who hauehave followed the swing and the sway of the most filthie: Of mee it is written, Let him that is filthie bee filthie still.

p. 358The Pastour.

Let not that discourage you: * Yee cannot bee ignorant in what estate he found his Church: At the first before hee maried her, he found her in her first birth, a cast away, a bloodie brood, a misshapen creature, with a long Nauell vncut, vnsalted;Ezek. 16. 5Ezek 16:5 and not swadled, lying in the open field to the lothing of her person in the day shee was borne: Yet all that made not him to loth her: **NoteBut after that by two cōmands of life, he had bidden her, Liue liue, whereby she gotvers. 6. strength, hee decked her, and sware vntounto her, and entered into couenant with her and shee became His: Behold and wonder at the louelove of our Lord, the Spouse of our Soules: **NoteAll our filthie and bloodie deformities could not scarre him from the louelove of our Soules: If any bee defiled with sinne and vncleannesse, let them come to him, who will not refuse to wash them: Hee is the p. 359onelie lauer of the Church: **NoteThere is nothing pure, but that which he hath purged: It is he alone who hath repaired all our ruines: Listen vntounto his voyce, crying to all sorrow beatē sinners, Come vntounto mee.

Thinke often vponupon this, Sir, if ye desire comfortes in your distresse: **NoteThe great worke of mans redemption finished by the Blood & death of God, is a worke worthie of continuall wondering: As for the work of the Creation, it cost the Lord but his Will and his Word: **NoteBut the worke of mans redemption was a costlie worke, it was chargeable to God, it cost him the best thing that hee could giuegive, euen the lif of his LoueLove, our Lord: **NoteO what a merciemercy! O what a liuelie LoueLove! The meditation of this worke should worke in our heart a louing compulsion and a compelling louelove: **NoteThe thought of this made S. Paul to say, The louelove 2 Cor. 5. 142 Cor 5:14of Christ constraineth mee: **NoteWhat p. 360shall a Christian man feare, hauing Christ his Brother to bee both his Aduocat and his Iudge, his Suretie and his Sauiour? **NoteWas not his blessed Bodie displayed abroad vponupon the Crosse, with his armes spred, a crying jesture, a jesture crying with a voyce, Come vntounto mee all ye that are Matth. 11. 28Matt 11:28leadened and wearied? **NoteOh, that we were sicke for the louelove of him, who died for y^e louelove of vsus! **NoteOh y^t we were wounded with louelove, vvhen vvee remember his precious wounds, from which gushed out the streames of our Saluation: **NoteFlee Sir, to the holes of this Rocke, flee to the bores of his woundes, runne not with Adam vntounto the shrubbes for to hide your selfe from God, heere is your hiding place in the Lords deepest wounds: **NoteHee is the fortresse of your Faith, our strength and our stay, the onelie helpe and ground of all our hopes, our warrantable justice: Hee onelie is the bodie of all spirituall comfort▪ p. 361all other things were they neuer so specious, are but shew and resemblance: Shroud your selfe vnderunder his protection, and throw no more your selfe vponupon temptations, whereby ye may bee disabled from manfullie fighting out the good fight, followed with a Crowne, filled with massines of glorie.

The sicke Man.

Now well is me that euer I heard tell of Christ: Blessed bee the day the Sonne of God was borne: But alas, where are the holes of that Rocke, where my wearied Soule may enter in?

The Pastour.

Lift vp your lumpish thoughtes, seek first to the naile holes in his feet beginne humblie, creepe in into these lowest wounds, and there for a space settle your abode, kisse his sacred Feete, wash them with the true teares of repentance, wype them with the haires of your head, p. 362from thence looke vp, and come to the naile holes of his Hands: **NoteBee busie there like a Bee, sucke out of them the Honey of Heauen, from thence goe to the Speare hole in his side: **NoteLet your Soule sit downe there, and croud like a Doue, euer till Christ let it in into the hole of the Rock, the place of its euerlasting rest: **NoteIf once the faithfull Soule Christs Turtle win in into the fortresse of his woundes, from thence it will boast all the enemies of its Saluation: Frō thence wil it cry to the flesh, crouch: There it careth not for the Serpents hissing, nor for the Cockatrices denne, Isa. 11. 8.Isa 11:8nor for the Graues gaping, nor for Deathes dungeon, nor for the Popes Purgatorie, his pardons, his dirges, and his Trentals, which bring fatte morsels to Baals Priestes: Christ is mine, will hee say, Hee is to mee aduantage both in death and life: **NoteAsGen. 8. 9.Gen 8:9 the Doue found no footing till shee came to the Arke, so the Soule can find no rest, till it come to Christ: I… p. 363euer totters, til it leane vpō his LoueLove. Happie is y^e Soule y^t is secured with y^e seale & secret impression of Gods fauour.

The sicke Man.

If I had faith, to belieue, all wold be wel: I acknowledg y^t there is sufficient helpe in Iesus, but such a helpe is only for these that are strōg in faith, my faith is both faint & fecklesse.

The Pastour.

Christ hath said plainelie, that he wil not quēch the smoking flax: S. Peter wasIsa. 42. 3.Isa 42:3 not a man of strong faith, whē he began to sink down into the Sea: SaidMatth. 14. 31Matt 14:31 not Christ vntounto him, Thou man of little Faith▪ why hast thou doubted? **NoteHee reproued him for the weaknes therof, but cast him not off for the littlenes thereof.

The sicke Man.

That was another matter: Christ was with him, Christ took him by y^e hād: * Ther was vertue in y^e grip of Christs hand, as was in the hem of his garment Luk. …. 44while it was touched: Such a weake Faith as mine cannot mount vp so high as that it may reach vntounto Christ into the heauens.

p. 364The Pastour.

Though your faith bee weake, and Christ also bee absent in bodie, yet bee not for that disquieted: he is present in his God-head: As for the weaknesse of your faith, pray God to strengthen and increase your faith: **NoteFaith though little, is of great force, a graine of it is ableMatth. 17. 20Matt 17:20 to remoue Mountaines, and cast them into the Sea.

I pray your Sir, to intreat God for a fixed heart, for as I perceiue, endlesse are the mazes of Sathans circular temptations, which vnavoidablie, if they bee not barred out by grace, wind themselues into mans heart with a slie and craftie insinuation.

The sicke Man.

O man of little faith that I am, if I had Faith, I would belieue that I had it, if I had Faith, I am perswaded that I should hauehave Peace: Being Rom. 5. 1.Rom 5:1justified by Faith, wee hauehave Peace towardes p. 365God: That Peace I seeke, and cannot finde: These troubles wherewith I am tossed plainly argue that my Faith is failed.

The Pastour.

I answere, that who euer are justified by Faith, they also hauehave peace toward God, though such a Peace bee not euer felt: That which a man feeleth not, is not euer absent: **NoteA man in a trance knoweth not that he liueth, and yet hee is not altogether depriued of life: The tree seemeth to be dead in time of Snow and frost, and yet it hath life, and sappe at the roote: These then that are justified by Faith, hauehave Peace, but their peace is not euer sensible, but often is disturbed with fearefull temptations.

The sicke Man.

I desire to know of you what is that yee properlie call the peace of Conscience.

The Pastour.

I take the qualmes of Conscience p. 366chieflie to proceede from a sense of Gods wrath kindled for some sins of commission or omission: **NoteSathan also with his billowes bloweth at this fire, yea, often while God is pacified, he assaulteth the sillie Soule with false feares and counterfeit alarums.

**NoteNowe when by the vertue of Christs intercession the fire of Gods wrath is quenched, the Conscience of man beginneth to settle and growe calme, and in stead of accusing vsus any further, it beginneth to excuse and acquite vsus before the Tribunall of our God: **NoteVponUpon this doeth ensue a pleasant calmenes, quietnesse and rest, in the Soule of a sinner.

Though this Peace bee sore enuied and often troubled by Sathans railing and …aging, yet the Soule hauing peace with God, is at last after a litle space made free of all its fear…, & is made sensible of that truce & atonement, euen of that Peace which passeth all vnderstanding.Philip. 4. 7Phil 4:7

p. 367The sicke Man.

I would earnestlie learne of you how a man whose Conscience is troubled, may recouer that Peace which once hee had.

The Pastour.

The best methode I know, is that a man ripe first vp his Conscience, and spy what mot of sinne is fallen into his Conscience, which is the eye of the Soule: **NoteThe eye beeing hurt will water & powre out teares, so must the Conscience bee sore grieued for offending of God: Secondlie, out of this griefe it must sigh before the Lord in feruant prayer, first, for forgiuenesse chieflie of that sinne, which lyeth heauiest vponupon the heart: Thirdlie and last of all, the Soule must sute earnestly for the restoring of that joye.

After this manner Dauid did proceede in that penetentiall Psalme: First of all, he was exceedinglie grieued, which griefe did burst out in p. 368wordes watered with teares, HaueHave Psal. 5…. 1Ps 5:1merciemercy, vponupon mee, O God, according to thy louing kindnesse, &c. Thus after hee had cryed for to bee washen, & purged with Hysope, hee cryed thatvers. 7. God would restore vntounto him the joys vers, 12.of his Saluation: Aboue all thinges let such a person bee often groaning to God in prayer, for to catch some blinke of Gods reconcealed face in Iesus his bloodie woundes: **NoteThat blood of sprinkling is the onelie Salue for the sores of the Soule. To all this let not these helpes bee neglected, viz. that such troubled Soules make vse of good Bookes, by whose helpe their deuotion may bee roused vp, for to remember the dayes of olde: **NoteMy chiefe counsell is that such persons fixe stedfastlie the eye of their Faith vponupon Iesus bleeding on the Crosse, wherevpon hee payed our ransome, and triumphed ouer all the enemies of our Saluation: This is the trueth whereof p. 369Israel had the typ in the brasen Serpent, which healed al the be holders: My counsell also is, that such troubled persons frequent the Sermons of powerfull Preachers, and seeke conference with them, whom God hath stamped with a powerfull gift of Teaching and integritie of life, men who hauehave had great experience in the wayes of God, and who hauehave smarted themselues at other times by such fearefull nipping checks, men who are not ignorant of the Deuils deuices.

It is said of Christ himselfe, the Orient and Day-spring, That in all Luk. …. 78. Heb. 2. 17Heb 2:17things it behoued him to bee made like vntounto his Brethren, that hee might bee a mercifull and faithfull high Priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sinnes of the people: For vers. 18.in that he himselfe hath suffered, being tempted, hee is able to succour them that are tempted. See how it behoued Christ himselfe for to suffer temptation, p. 370that hee might bee able to succour vsus in our temptations.

While the troubled sinner is in doing all these dueties, he must carefullie watch ouer all his wayes, that by no sin either in thought, word, or deede hee grieue the Spirit of God againe: For a new sinne thrust vponupon the hearte, will make all the closed woundes of the Conscience to gap and to bleed afresh: A Soule that is become relaps shall finde God harder, to bee intreated, than of before, not without much adoe shall it get peace, that after by any knowne sin it hath quarrelled againe the Spirit of comfort.

But indeede, hee or shee whose Conscience hath beene once well lashed with Gods whip, and battered with his blowes, had rather run throw a fire, than anger the Lord againe: At the first appearance of a temptation they will start for feare, and with a sigh will cry to God with a p. 371trembling voyce, O my God, how should I thinke this wickednesse, let bee to doe it? Who knoweth the power of thy wrath? According to thy Psal. 90. 11Ps 90:11feare so is thine anger.

**NoteToo too many in this Nation affect this sicknesse of Conscience, as beeing onelie the disease of the holiest: This they will vtter as ye would thinke with bleeding groanes before men; while indeede they are but scorning the world▪ sporting wantons, laughing vnderunder a painted maske of miserie: Their teares are praeficarum lachrymae, teares without trouble, water sold for the wind of mans praise: They are spots in the Church, which make the wayes of God to bee euill spoken of, such open a wide doore vntounto Atheisme.

The sicke Man.

Fye vponupon hypocrisie, God will not bee scorned, there is nothing so secret but at last it shall bee made manifest: I am assured, that who for p. 372to ca…ch mens applauses, faine a mourning for their sinnes, the Lord shall suffer them to fall either in some scandalous sinne, or other fearefull inconuenient, whereby they shalbe forced in earnest to mourne to their shame: In my judgment there is no such bitter and comfortlesse mourning as is that of these for their manifested sinnes, who once did most faine deepe groanes for catching of applauses.

The Pastour.

To such may well bee applyed that of the Prophet, Thine owne wickednesse Ier. 2. 19.Jer 2:19shall correct thee, & thy backslydings shall reproue thee, know therefore and see, that it is an euill thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God, and that my feare is not in thee, saith the Lord God of Hostes.

Let no man sport in secret sinnes, were it in a thought, for that which Eccles. 10. 20.Eccl 10:20hath wings will declare the matter.

p. 373The sicke Man.

I hauehave often beene seeking out the reason wherefore the wicked in the world for the most part, know not what trouble of Conscience meaneth: What thinke yee?

The Pastour▪

Their heauen is on earth: Dauid seeing their peace and prosperitie, did beare them at enuie, yea, so that his feete were almost gone: They are not in trouble, said hee▪ in trouble like Psal. 73. 5.Ps 73:5other men, neither are they plagued like other men, &c. Euen at their death he could perceiue no bands of any vehement paines, after that the whole space of their life, they had enjoyed morethan their heart could wish:

**NoteHow euer it bee that they prosper in this world, yet certainlie if a man will goe and seeke God in his Sanctuarie, there hee shall tell himvers. 18. that hee hath sette them in slipperie places, and that when hee awaketh,vers. 20. hee shall despise their image: There p. 374is a hell for them after the heauen of this earth.

The sicke Man.

I would gladlie bee instructed of you, that I might discerne betweene the true solide Peace of conscience which the godlie enjoye, and that senslesse benummednes of the wicked, wherein they beeing deceiued, cry, Peace, peace, euen while God is1 Thess. 5. 3.1 Thess 5:3 putting the fierie lunt vntounto the mosine of their sudden destruction. Let mee heare of the peace both of the one and other. I thinke all men should studie to marke the difference.

The Pastour.

The Reprobates who hauehave their portion in this life, will seeme indeede to hauehave that true Peace of Conscience, because nothing within troubleth them: **NoteTheir peace indeede is nothing but a dead benum nednesse of spirit, their Conscience beeing Seared, is not capable of feeling.

p. 375I shall giuegive you two speciall marks whereby yee shall discerne a true Peace and quietnesse of Conscience from the dead benummednes which the wicked hauehave.

First, a Conscience which hath Gods Peace is awfull of sinne, wittinglie and willinglie for a world it would not despite the Spirite of grace: **NoteBut the wicked who is in a false peace, flitteth from sinns to sinne, as a Flie from scab to scab, laying all his burden securelie vponupon the broad shoulders of Gods merciemercy.

Secondlie, the seared dead Conscience of the wicked hath but a part of that which is called Peace: Their heartes will bee senslesse of all euill, they will hauehave no warre within, no sorrow is there: **NoteBut as they hauehave no spirituall sorrow for their sinnes committed, neither hauehave they anie spirituall joye for the sense of their sinnes remitted.

Heere then know the true Peace p. 376of God in the Conscience: **NoteThe vnspeakable griefe for sinne is asswaged, the fearefull qualmes are calmed, the raging and roaring tempests are allayed, the swelling seas are fallen and ebbed, God is come in the calme, not onelie for to wype away the teares of sorrow frō their eyes but also for to fill their mouthes with laughters of joye: **NoteSo not onelyonly are they voyd at last of the sense of most terrible horrors, but they are sensible of a joye which will make them to daunce with Dauid before the Arke, yea, to laude the Lord at a Stake, amidst tarrie poudered flames of fire. This is that continuall feaste which cheareth the godlie Soule amidst the bloodie bickerings of Sathan, and burning persecutions of mercilesse missacrours.

Let all men try their Peace at this Touchstone, if not onelyonly they finde their former paines lessened, but also a joye in GOD, whereby their p. 377Soule is feasted with such contentmēt, that for all y^e gold of Ophir they wold not losse it, their estat is doubtlesse happie: **NoteWho euer hee be that findeth this, hee may sing to GOD, Glorie be to God in the highest heauens, peace on earth, and toward my Soule good will.

The sicke Man.

Blessed be God who hath inlightened your eyes for the spying out of that remarkable difference betweene the true and false peace of mens Conscience: Ineuer heard it so clearelie discussed.

**NoteO but Sathan is euer busie to mar this Peace of the godly, who wil not war & wage battel vnderunder his colours. I hauehave seen these who are now godlie before their conuersion to be verie vaine, light, and wanton sinners, while they thus did runne ryote in sinne with the wicked world, I hauehave seene them most mirrie and solacious companie, I often wondered p. 378to see them dance and sing, roare & reuell: I could see no bands of sorrowes in their life: They neuer complained of Satans malice against them.

**NoteBut so soone as once they beganne to louelove the Preaching of the Worde, and to loath the carnall pleasures which once they loued, I hauehave seene them againe so courbed downe with griefe and mainelie crossed, as though it had no more beene they: Sathan letteth them nor rest, neither night nor day.

The Pastour.

In that is no wonder, Sathan will bee verie loath to trouble his owne: So soone as hee hath lulled them asleepe into the credle of securitie, he will bee verie carefull that none waken them: Out of a counterfeit louelove hee will adjure the watch-men, by the Roes and by the Hindes, that theyCan. 2. 7. waken not his beloued, till he please: **NoteHee will say of him, as Christes p. 379Disciples said of Lazarus, but in another sense, If hee sleepe, hee shall doe Ioh. 11. 12John 11:12well▪ See how carefull Sathan is for the rest of his owne, lest that being wakned, they runne away from him: **NoteThis Christ himselfe in the dayes of his flesh made cleare by a similitude, When said hee, a strong man armed keepeth his Palace, his goods are in peace.

**NoteSo long as Sathan like a strong armed man keepeth the palace of a wicked mans heart his alone, so that none bee welcome but hee, hee will let that man bee, lest that by troubling and disquieting his peace, hee grow sorie and mislike his seruice: But if once hee perceiue the Soule to shrinke, seeking an occation to bee quite of him, hee will put all the powers of hell in armes and vproare, and will driue furiouslie 2 King. 9. 202 Kgs 9:20lik Iehu for to regaine it againe, into his kingdome: **NoteWhile a Theefe or a murtherer is in the stockes fast p. 380in fetters, the Iaylor will bee merrie, and will sing besides him, as though hee were his friend, but if the most secret houre of the night hee heare him knocking off his bolts, and perceiue him to hauehave escaped, hee will waken all the citie, and pursew him with▪ hue and with cryes: **NoteSathan is like the Iaylor, a peaceable spirit so long as the Soule is fast in his fetters and clogged with his bolts in a deepe dungeon: **NoteBut if once hee perceiue that the Spirit of Iesus hath, as the Angel did to Peter in the prison, smot him on the side and raised him vp, making all his chaines to fall from him, and that the man ariseth vp quicklie, and girdeth himselfe, and bindeth on his Sandales, and casteth his garment about him as Peter did, for to runne and follow his God, it is a wonder how that cruell Spirit will roare▪ and rage like a Beare Prou. 17. 12Prov 17:12bereeued of her whelpes: If hee gette a grippe of the poore man, hee will p. 381cause him roare with gasping groans, till God come with an helping hand.

The sicke Man.

Indeede Sir, yee by your both plaine and learned discourse hauehave dispelled y^e mist of many difficulties.

The last difficultie wherein my Soule did sticke as yee may remember, was concerning my Faith, which I concluded not to bee, because I had no peace of Conscience, This did marre and deface all my comforts: My ground was from the Apostle, whose wordes are, That beeing justified by Faith, we hauehave peace Rom. 5. 1Rom 5:1toward God: I hauehave heard you declare that a man may hauehave Faith & yet for some space not to bee sensible of that peace.

O my God, let thy merciemercy be closelie applyed to my Soule, strengthen my Faith, that I may grippe and apprehend it with a sure and euerlasting hold: Oh that my soule might lye downe in that peace that passeth p. 382all vnderstanding: I am sore troubled with a weake and wauering heart, which is yet tossed, and swayed to and fro with doubts and difficulties lik a feather in the wind.

Alas, Sir, I complaine of the weakenesse of my Faith: That Faith must be strōg, which is able to draw downe Saluation from the heauens, and batter downe strong holds and ouerthrow principalities and powers, and conqueare, and subdue, tame, represse, and repell our strongest corruptions.

Let mee see I pray you any partiticulare example of a weake Faith, wherby any at any time hauehave beene saued▪ by the Light of Gods word dispell this mist of ignorance: Make mee free of this shrewd temptation.

The Pastour.

That of Peter in the New-Testament Matth. 14. 31Matt 14:31is remarkable: Christ himselfe called him, A man of little Faith, and yet who doubteth of his Saluation? p. 383The other example in the Old-Testament was in type and figure, when the Israelites were biten with the fierie Serpents, their onelie remeed wasNumb. 21 9.Num 21:9 to looke vp to the brasen Serpent: All this was a type and figure of a Soule wounded with sinne, looking vp vntounto Christ with the eye of Faith: **NoteNow it is certaine, that some in Israel were bleared, and some of a weaker sight than others, but the weaknesse of their sight could not hinder the cure, nay, the olde man with his dimmed eyes beholding as thorow a mist that type of Christ was as soone and soundlie cured, as hee whose eyes were in their greatest vigour: **NoteThe meate taken with a paralitick & trembling hand will not refuse nourishment to the bodie, no more than if it were taken with a strong and stable arme: **NoteFaith is the eye of the Soule whereof the Israelites eyes were but a figure: Christ is the trueth of the brasen Serpent: p. 384**NoteThough this eye bee dimmer into some, yet if it see, that sight is Saluation: Faith is the hand of the Soule, Christ is the foode▪ Though this Faith tremble, Christ trembleth not, the palsie is not in the foode.

Bee of good courage, Sir, feare not this trembling feare, the work of Saluation cannot bee wrought, but with feare and trembling: Though yePsal. 6. 5.Ps 6:5 feare, yet despaire not, there is me… cie with God in a vnspeakable measure: **NoteIn one Psalme it is said, againe and againe, vntounto sixe and twentie times, that his merciemercy endureth for Psal. 136.Ps 136euer.

This merciemercy I confesse, is whiles concealed from the godlie, for ends best knowne vntounto their heauenly Father: **NoteWho is he that often shall not spie at diuerse times his minde to bee dulled or ouer-cast with some cloud of Milancholie: **NoteWhile this humour domineeres, Sathan maketh choise of it, for therein to set a seate p. 385for grimme and grieuous temptations. **NoteWhile he perceiueth the bodie to bee troubled and distempered▪ hee quicklie afresh representeth vntounto the veiw of our Soule the greatest & most greiuous sins of our vnregeneration, and that into their fullest and foulest shape: By this meanes deepe gashes and wide gappes are made in mens Conscience.

Bee strong in God, Sir, saue his honour, by putting your trust in him: **NoteShall Gods word cry to man, sixe and twentie times, that hee is a mercifull God; & shall man doubt of such a merciemercy? If such mercies were but for some dayes, …nners might thinke that in some dismall dayes of the yeare mercy by no meanes could bee found? But behold, the musicall twne of Gods merciemercy, is vponupon an euerlasting Note for his merciemercy endureth Psal. 13….Ps 13for euer.

Hee who doubteth of Gods fauour after so manie testimonies may p. 386prouoke the Lord against himselfe: **NoteMoses by his doubting at Meribah, made the Lords wrath to waxe hote against him: While hee should hauehave spoken to the Rocke he scourged Numb. 20 8.Num 20:8the Rocke more with these wordes of doubt, shal we cause water come foorth▪ vers. 10.than he did with the Rod: That Rock was Christ: Moses while by doubting hee scourged the Rocke, hee scourged Christ, for that Rocke was 1 Cor. 10. 4.1 Cor 10:4Christ: Who would euer hauehave thought that Moses with his Law Rod would hauehave scourged Christ the substance both of Law and Gospel?

Who euer hee bee that doubteth thinking that God either cannot, nor will not bee mercifull vntounto him, so farre as in him is hee scourgeth the Lord Iesus, as these who by their euill life are said to crucifie to themselues Heb. 6. 6.Heb 6:6the Sonne of God afresh, and to put him to an open shame.

Beleeue & be saued: God is both mild and mercifull: Is not his Command p. 387directeth vntounto man that hee shew merciemercy with chearefulnesse? Is heRom. 12. 8Rom 12:8 not called the Father of mercies? Is it2 Cor. 1. 32 Cor 1:3 not written, that hee is a God rich in Ephes. 2. 4Eph 2:4merciemercy? O these bleeding bowels of compassions▪ What said hee at last, while hee saw the great affliction of Ephraim? How, said hee▪ shall I giuegive Hos. 11. 8.Hos 11:8thee vp, Ephraim? How shall I deliuer the Israel? How shall I make thee as Admah? How shall I set thee as Zeboim? After these foure, How, how, how, how, MercieMercy in a manner did turne about h…s heart with such a force, that hee cryed out, Mine heart is turned within mee, my repentinges are kindled together: If merciemercy be not in his diuine breast, where shall it be found?

The sicke Man.

All that yee hauehave said, Sir, concerning the mercy of God in Christ belongeth on lie to repenting sinners, who hauehave bewailed the errours of their life, but not to such a varnished p. 388hypocrit as I am, who hauehave remained fast rooted in the rottenesse of must filthie corruptions, which I had neuer care to curbe or controle.

My secret sinnes like a consuming canker, hauehave freted out the verie heart of Grace: **NoteFrom my Youth I hauehave wandered from the way of happinesse, and hauehave beene like an idle Begger in the way readie to goe which way so euer the staffe fell.

My greatest feare now is, that I hauehave too long delayed the day of my repentance, what know I if God will forgiue a man so grieuous sinnes not repented of, till hee come to his death-bed? **NoteHardlie can I think that in so short a time a man can bind vp friendshippe with his God, with whom hee hath beene at feede his whole life time.

O mercifull God, melt my marble heart: Put into my breast the precious pearle of Faith: O that with vnspeakable groanes of griefe for p. 389my By past euill spent life, I might redeeme the time which I hauehave so lauishlie mispent: Oh, that the moisture of my body were all melted into teares, if therby I culd be perswaded y^t my sillie Soule were alreadie vtterly out of the reach of all the powers of Hell: I hauehave too long most vainelie sported my selfe in Mesech, and ruffled in the tents of Kedar: **NoteIf I had not so long delayed to returne to my God, my Soule alreadie in hope should be feasting vponupon the joyes of eternitie.

The Pastour.

**NoteIndeede Sir, it is a verie dangerous thing for to delay repentance to the last gaspe, or to one Gods merciemercy, as many doe, who neuer lay downe the weapons of rebellion, till they can sinne no more.

Oh, that men would vnderstand their danger! **NoteAre not our enemies both strong and neare? Hannibal ad portas, the Deuill is at the p. 390doore: **NoteBut such is the madnesse of many, were their Soules neuer so soiled with sinne, that if once they can get out but these few wordes, God bee mercifull to mee, they thinke that they shall be in heauen before their feete bee colde: Such men thinke that in death it is easie to consure the Deuill with a word.

It is but folie to put Saluation vponupon such hap-hazard as many doe: **NoteBut yet yee must know that hee that made the Time, will not bee subject vntounto Time, the King of Time is Eternall: GOD is eternall, and hath all Times at his command: **NoteThere is no Time that can hinder him to bee mercifull to a sinner, at whatsoeuer time he sha…l repent: **NoteFor this cause Christ for to let the world see that hee can forgiue when a sinner can repent, hee took from the Crosse the Soule of a condemned Theefe, and after that hee had absolued it, hee carried it to Paradise: God hathLuk. 23. 43.Luke 23:43 p. 391said, That at whatsoeuer time a sinner shall repent, that hee will put away his wickednesse out of his rememberance.

Fra once hee hath said the word▪ hee cannot take his word againe: He is constant in all his wayes, and therfore neuer saith and vnsaith one thing: Hath he said, & shall hee not doe Numb. 23 19.Num 23:19it: **NoteIf yee can but waite a little▪ ye shall finde all the fiercenesse of his fur…e to bee turned into the fulnesse of his fauour: * Hee who shall seeke him earnestlie, shall not receiue an emptie answere: There is merciemercy in heauen, for an hell of conscience vponupon earth: Cast all your cares aside, cast your selfe into the armes of your God: Cast thy burden vponupon the Lord, Psal. 55. 22Ps 55:22and hee shall sustaine thee: Be strong in the Faith of God: In hope belieue Rom. 4. 18Rom 4:18against hope, though for a space your Spirit bee distempered, yet still relye vponupon the merciemercy of your God: Goe not off this, that the Blood of Iesus p. 392was shed for you, & that Christ hath payed your ransome: What euer Sathan by his temptations suggest vntounto you, belieue him not: Take my counsell I pray you, Sir, that I speak the trueth, heere I darre take it vponupon my Soules Saluation.

The sicke Man.

I thank God from mine heart, that euer I heard you, your words are ful of comfort: O how indebted am I to y^e mercy of my God, who hath vnlocked the bowels of his louelove towards me At our first meeting I found my selfe inuolued with much miserie and mischief but since I hauehave heard you, I finde, I blesse God, some stirring of God, Spirit within mine heart, mine heart before this time hath beene lik that Altar at Athens, wherin was ingrauen in great Letters, TO THE VNKNOVVNE GOD: I heard oftenAct▪ 17. 23Acts 17:23 of God, but I neuer knew him truelie vntill now: This is the infancie of my regeneration: I hauehave beene p. 393too long a stranger from so good a God: My Soule now rejoyceth after many toes and froes: **NoteI finde mine heart loosed from the cartropes of my sinnes, and linked vntounto my Sauiour with stronger chaines than of before: There bee better motions within, than euer I did feele before this houre.

O thou who is LoueLove, let my Soule1 Ioh, 4. 8 bee possest of a sound and constant louelove to thy most mercifull Majestie: Bring my Soule from the shadow of Matth. 4. 16Matt 4:16death to the light of thy countenance, O Lord, my strength and my Psal. 19. 14Ps 19:14Redeemer.

O Lord of Hostes, giuegive me strengthIsa. 1. 9.Isa 1:9 and courage to fight out this Christian 1 Pet. 5. 41 Pet 5:4fight, whereof the victorie is glorious, and the reward a Crowne of immortalitie: Inspire mine heart with the life of Grace: **NoteIf thy care had not hitherto preserued my Spirit, my Soule had long since bene drowned in a sea of sin and sorrow: There p. 394hauehave bene such lecks, into mine heart that except the Lord in time had pumped it with repentance, my Soule long since had made ship-wracke of 1 Tim. 1. 191 Tim 1:19Faith.

O how much am I beholden to my God, who hath taken longer day with mee, than within any others, from whom before they were prouided, hee hath demanded his due: Blessed bee my God, who hath made mee free from the frenzie of Spirite, by appearing vntounto mee in a greater calme: The feeling of his wrath past, I hope shall be a sauce for to sharpen my blunted louelove towardes him in all times to come, with vndaunted constancie.

I perceiue nowe that the day is darkened, and that the night approcheth: Oh, that I might cōtinue conference with you, but least I should wearie you, from the best of my bowels my deare Pastour I bidde you farewell.

p. 395I looke to morrow for a new conference, for with many difficulties mine heart is yet troubled and tossed: I requeast you before yee goe, to helpe mee with your prayers.

The Pastour.

I blesse God, who hath begunne to intermingle the sweete honey of some comfortes with the bitter gall of painefull temptations: **NoteGOD who hath begunne to make you his his Prentice in Grace, shall an one mak you a free man in Glorie: **NoteAs Ministers must first sit at Gamaleels feete for to learne, before they sit in Moses chaire for to teach, so must Christians first bee humbled with temptations on earth, before they bee honoured with exaltations into the Heauens.

**NoteWell is the man that is truelie humbled by GOD, and made a foole in his owne eyes; for hee which thinketh himselfe wise, is a foole, ipso facto: **NoteAll naturall wisedome without Spirituall humilitie is like p. 396ouernights Manna which did no good, but mould and fust: God by diuers temptations, first carnall and after spirituall, hath besieged the corruptions of your nature, and hath battered downe the strong holds and fortified Castles of your imaginations and reasoning the high thinges which exalt themselues against the knowledge of GOD: Before hee leaue you, hee shall bring into Captiuitie 2 Cor. 10. 52 Cor 10:5euerie thought of your heart to the obedience of Christ: According to your desire wee shall bend our knees to GOD in prayer, that yee may spell his louelove out of such a Fatherlie correction, and learne in time to stay your selfe vponupon his kindnesse and good will.