The Last Battle of the Soul, Religious tract 1 · Part 7

The Last Battle of the Soul · Religious tract 1 · Part 7

p. 922THE SEVENTH DAYES Conference.

The sicke Mans last wordes to his Pastour, Friendes, Wife, and Children.

The Pastour.

THE Lord blesse you Sir: According to my promise yester-night I am come againe earlie: All this night mine heart hath earned to knowe of your estate: How hauehave yee passed this night?

The sicke Man.

O the merciemercy of my God towards mee, that hath moued you to take such paines for mee an vnworthie worme: By your most holy Sermons p. 923yee hauehave furnished and supplied my minde with store of holie and heauenlie meditations: Ye hauehave beene both a Paul for to plant mee in the true Faith, and an Apollos for to water mee: Christ the Master builder by the Finger of his Spirit hath laide the foundation of his Temple within mine heart: Hee hath made choise of you, a skilefull Workeman to aduance the worke, till in merciemercy at last hee shall roofe his graces in mee with celestiall Glorie: By the word of God yee hauehave comforted mee, that is onelie the word of comfort: **NoteOf all other words were they neuer so eloquent, I will say with a Father, In a thousand talents of worldlie wordes a man shall hardlie finde an hundreth pence of spirituall & heauenlie wisedome: This life is like the Haw thorne, more pricking than pleasant: Ye hauehave rauished my heart with desire of immortalitie aboue: I blesse God Sir that euer I saw you

p. 924The Pastour.

All these good things are to bee ascribed to the working of GODS Spirit: All the juice and sappe whereby the branches spring and liue, ensueth and riseth from the roote of the tree: We who are Pastours are but y^e Lords Spouts and Cocks of his Conduits, wherby his graces are conuoyed vntounto the heartes of our hearers: If the Spirit of God mak not a mans Saluation sure, hee will incessantlie reele from one doubt to another, from one temptation to another, like a drunken man from wall to wall.

It is good therefore that yee summon your hearte and your glorie to giuegive praise vntounto your God: Let not a thought of your heart absent it selfe from this point of seruice: God must not bee serued by halfes: As for mee: I am but the Lordes weak Instrument for your well: GiueGive God the glorie.

p. 925The sicke Man.

Blesse the Lord, O my Soule, & all that Psal. 103. 1Ps 103:1is within mee, blesse his holie Name.

I desire now to come with Dauid to my last words.

A speach of the sicke Man. to his Pastour.

First of all, I addresse my speach to you my worthie Pastour: Gods merciemercy in you toward mee hath beene great, for yee hauehave soundlie vnfolded all the intricate difficulties wherwith my Soule hath beene fearefullie entangled: Yee are one of these that may well say, Wee hauehave the mind 1 Cor. 2. 161 Cor 2:16of Christ: God by his Grace hauehave made you that one of a thousand: youIob. 33. 23 Iona. 1. 1.Job 33:23Jonah 1:1 hauehave I found to bee like Ionah the sonne of Amittai, that is the sonne of trueth: Happie is that Preacher who is ledde in all trueth.

O the Majestie of that message: O the wisedome of these that gaine Soules vntounto Christ: Wisedome hath said, That hee that winneth soules p. 926Prou. 11. 30Prov 11:30is wise: O but my Soule loueth you: **NoteMy louelove toward you assureth mee of Gods louelove toward mee, for by this wee know that wee are translated 1 Ioh. 3. 141 John 3:14from death to life, because wee louelove the Brethren.

I louelove you Sir in the dearest blood I hauehave, for yee hauehave beene the good instrument of God for my conuersion: ye in all my troubles, while mine heart was toucht to the quicke and my Conscience ransackt to the bottome, hauehave beene to mee a Barnab as a sonne of consolations, where with as with splents, ye hauehave bound mine heart: God in great merciemercy hath giuen vntounto you the tongue of the Isa. 50. 4.Isa 50:4Learned, with lippes touched with a coale from his Altar for the relieuingIsa. 6. 6.Isa 6:6 of my wounded Conscience with words of comfort.

O but that is true, a whole some tong Prou. 15. 4Prov 15:4is a tree of life: By the sword of the Word ye hauehave cut the twisted bonds of my greatest temptations wherein p. 927my Soule lay fast fettered. Mine heart hath beene greatlie rejoyced to heare you resoluing al my doubts and difficulties: O howe beautiful Isa. 52. 7.Isa 52:7are the feete of these that bring go… tydings! Now I finde that of Solomon Eccles. 12. …Eccl 12to bee true, The word of the wi… are as goads and as nailes fastened by the Masters of assemblies, which are giuen from one Shepheard: Christ that great Shepheard of the flocke … with your words, as with goades … nailes so fastened me to himselfe that Death it selfe shall not bee able to seuer vsus: **NoteYee hauehave wonderfull… Cant. 7. 8Song 7:8restored my sicke Soule with flagon… of the most sweete juice of the cluster of wine: Ye hauehave bound vp my bro… ken joynts with the spirituall splen… of diuine comforts.

**NoteO in what woefull plight, O in what seas of gall was I plunged when yee came first vntounto mee! there was nothing sound into my Soule… All was full of botches, boiles and pu… trifying p. 928Isa. 1. 6.Isa 1:6sores: But yee like a cunning Surgeon in curing tumours hauehave broght the matter to an …ead▪ and at last with great skill ye hauehave launced the boiles of my corruptions, whereof nowe▪ God in merciemercy hath made mee free. I tremble to remember these fearefull temptations wherewith yee found mee at the first beset and besieged: **NoteThese were indeede such temptations as Bernard called.

Terribilia de fide, horribilia deBernard. divinitate.

**NoteSathan hath assaulted mee both in a blacke shape and into an Angel of light: By your sweete comforts my Soule hath beene reuiued like that dead man that liued by touching2 Kin. 13. 21▪2 Kgs 13:21 the bones of Elisha: Yee hauehave fed my Soule with the doctrine of your breastes bigge as Towers: Yee hauehaveCant. 8. 10Song 8:10 strengthened and sinewed my weake Soule with comfortable words wouen and wrought out of a feeling heart by the strength of holy meditations.

p. 929And now happie are yee who hauehave beene the instrument of my conuersion: I hope to bee one day one of these that shall stand at your backe,Isa. 8. 18.Isa 8:18 when yee shall say to your Master Christ, Behold, heere I am, and the children that God hath giuen mee.

Account me Sir one of these Talents that yee hauehave gained with the Talent of your gift: Your wordes hauehave stricken home vntounto mine heart with powerfull and particular applications of comforts, whereby my disaffected Soule hath beene wooed and wone vntounto the louelove of my Sauiour Iesus: account me therefore a seale of your Ministerie: Ye know better than I what God hath promised to these that with a readie minde shal1. Pet, 5. 2 conuert a sinner from his euill ways, such (as God himselfe hath promised) shall bee like the starres in the Firmament for euer: From yourDan. 12. 3Dan 12:3 lips is come the sweetest balme that euer dropt from the penne of God vponupon p. 930the leaues of the Booke of life. Blessed bee my God, who by his good Spirit into your mouth hath breathed most sweete comfortes into my Soule: **NoteWoe to all Doctours of dispaire: Blessed bee your lips whereinMal. 2. 7.Mal 2:7 God hath placed the preseruation of knowledge: Your tongue to mee hath beene like a siluer watch bell to rouse and waken vp the gifts of God within my Soule: God by his words in your mouth declaring vntounto man Iob. 33. 23▪Job 33:23his righteousnesse, hath blowne vp hisIsa. 42. 3.Isa 42:3 Graces which were weake into mine heart like a smoking flaxe, or a sparkle of fire vnderunder greene wood: Blessed bee my God, who by your diuine instructions hath made mee to bee acquainted with himselfe: Your comforts hath beene cordials and lenitifes to the ranking and festered sores of my Soule: To God bee glorie, who hath made you moste cunning of that great Arte of sauing sinners.

O my deare Pastor, by the refreshing p. 931Balme of your consolations ye hauehave infinitly indeered my soule, you to g…sIob. 33. 23Job 33:23 one of a thousand: **NoteI am assured that God hath made you faithfull with Ieremie, for to take foorth the preciou… Ier. 15. 19Jer 15:19from the vile.

Nowe my God, with whom IA prayer thinke to bee shortlie, bee with you in your Ministerie, & make you his faithfull seruant vntounto death, that ye may bee a worthie wooer for Christ, for to bring home manie straggling sinners vntounto him the blessed Bridegroome of our Soules.

Farewell now my faithfull Pastour: My Soule now is glad to flitte from this house of clay: **NoteAs for my bodie it must goe to the graue where for a space it shall bee confined but not confounded, for I looke assuredlie for the day of the Resurrection.

O Lord, seale vp in my Conscience A prayerthe discharge of all my sinnes, that I may gladlie lay downe this Tabernacle.

p. 932The Pastour.

Mine heart rejoyceth with an exceeding great joy to reape such fruits of my labours: But this know, that what good yee hauehave by mee, it is not from mee, but from him that sent me: * It is God that giueth life & SouleRom. 1. 16Rom 1:16 vntounto the Word that is powerfull to Saluation.

Paul may plant and Apollos may 1 Cor 3. 71 Cor 3:7water, but it is God who giueth the increase: **NoteThe best of all Preachers, are but like Iohn the Baptist, the voyce Luk. 3. 4.Luke 3:4of a Cryer, who could not make all the crooked straight, nor the rough plaine.

If any good bee conuoyed vntounto your Soule by mee, I am but the Instrument or Channell wherethorow the Spirit of Iesus hath made his Graces to flow vntounto you: To Him alone belongeth the Glorie and the Thankes: **NoteIt is not humane eloquence which conuerceth Soules: One word quickened and enliued p. 933with his Spirit, is more fruitfull than all the glorious eare-pleasing pompe of mans wordes, which like Agrippa and Bernice are full of phantasie: AllAct. 25. 2…Acts 25:2 the good that man can doe either by word or worke is like the honie in the combe gathered out of many flowers: But the euill is lik the Spidders webbe drawne out of our owne bowels.

The griefes of your heart Sir hauehave bene very great, but now ye are mercifullie comforted: **NoteManie in this world plod on from sin to sin marching merrilie & feareleslie towards y^e plagues of Hell: But O, how much are yee beholden vntounto your GOD, who in all your wearisome mazes hath supported and sinewed your Soule by his sauing Grace.

Because Sir there be here diuerse of your Friendes and other acquaintance vntounto whom it may be ye wold desire to speake, I giuegive place to them that now they may learne something p. 934of you: **NoteThe last words of a godlie man are verie forcible vntounto the liuing: And therefore Sir, while ye hauehave breath, spend your short time vponupon this, that by your good counsell yee may doe good to these that are for to liue after you: That once done▪ commit your Soule to God as a faithful Creator: 1 Pet. 4. 191 Pet 4:19He himselfe hath said, I will not leaue thee, neither will I forsake thee.

A speach of the sicke Man. to his Friendes.

And now yee my trustie Friends whose age God hath crowned with ripenesse of judgement, I turne my selfe to you: But first of all, let mee speak vntounto you my spiritual & special Friend, who in my deepest plunge while I was fast sticking into the myrie clay, did vphold me with your comforts: **NoteYour counsell to sende for my Pastour hath prouen a speciall salue for my sore: God by that man of whom yee spake hath now healed my Soule of all its harmes. p. 935O blessed be that vnspeakable mercy of my God: **NoteThough Sathan had bereaued mee of my puritie he could not bereaue my God of his pittie: **NoteThe Lord of light hath brought my Soule out of that long and loathsome Psal. 23. 4.Ps 23:4night which is in the valley of the shadow of death, in comparison whereof the most palpable darknesse of Egypt might hauehave beene esteemed to bee day: O that pleasant Sunneshine wherewith my Soule is nowe inlightned: O my God, breath more A prayer& more into my Soule the life of grace.

The spirituall Friend.

Glorie bee to God for his wonderfullA prayer mercies towardes you: The Lord, now set your Soule on wing that swiftlie like an Eagle it may flie vp to its God: **NoteMany a sore assault hauehave yee suffered since I spake with you at the first▪ Satan & his temptations with the world & the corruption of Nature had gathered themselues against you like Gebal, Amon p. 936and Amaleck against Israel: Of themPsal. 118. 12Ps 118:12 may yee well say nowe, They compassed mee about like Bees, they are quenched as the fyre of thornes▪ To Sathan may yee now say, Thou hast thrust sore at mee that I might fall, but the Lord hath helped mee.

When I mette with you first yee were compassed with a chaine of calamities, one linked into another: **NoteTo mee yee appeared to bee hanging ouer Hell by the slender twined threed of a lifelesse hope: Yee were plunged deeper downe than Iona… was, when hee went downe to the bottome of the mountaines, where the weedes were wrapt about his head▪ Now let your Soule say with Ionah, Iona, 2. 9.I will sacrifice vntounto thee with the voyce of thankesgiuing, I will pay that that I hauehave vowed: Saluation is of the Lord.

The sicke Man.

Blesse the Lord, O my Soule, and all Psal. 103. 1Ps 103:1that is within mee blesse his holie Name: Blesse the Lord, O my Soule, and forget p. 937not all his benefites: Farewell my trustie Friend.

Now as for you mine other friends I turne my selfe to you: **NoteHee that is conuerted with Peter should labourLuk. 22. 32Luke 22:32 the conuersion of others: Hee whose weaknesse the Lord hath helped should strengthen his brethren.

It is nowe time to take our last good night▪ Heere in your presence, I say, Farewell O world, wherein I hauehave liued which I hauehave too much loued: Learneye in time to set your affections vponupon God: None of you can tell if God shall giuegive you such laiser to repent as he hath granted vntome: **NoteIf yee forsake not in time the sweete pleasures of your sins, feare lest at last that that be found true which Abner said to Ioah▪ Knowest thou not that it 2 Sam. 2. 262 Sam 2:26will bee bitternesse in the latter end.

**NoteThere is no sinne so sweete to man in his life but before his death it shall bee dissweetned and turned into gall and wormewoode within p. 938the bellie of the Conscience.

I speake by experience as one who hath knowne the terrours of the Lord: **NoteO my deare friendes looke ouer your shulder back to your bygone life, and consider how grieued yee shall bee for the sinnes of your pleasures when yee shall bee warded into your death beddes, readie to compeare before the great Iudge of the world: As yee see mee this day, so shall others see you ere it bee long: I hauehave often beene glad among you: Yee see now by mee what it is of all worldlie …oye: **NoteWith a little blast of sickenesse such comfort like chaffe are chassed away: Your time is fast comming: Your Glasse is running my sicknesse cryeth vntounto you, Learne of the estate of this your olde Eccles. 11. 3Eccl 11:3Friend, to make your selues readie for another world: To mee to day to you to morrow: Where the tree falleth, there shall it lye: Whether the Glutton and the Begger are gone, thither p. 939must wee all; that is, either to … hams bosome or to the Deuils … Luk. 16. 22Luke 16:22**NoteThe death of one is like a … charging all others to bee readie … flitte and remoue.

Happie, yea, thrise happie is that man who in these … and desperate dayes is not dulde with securitie: Bless…d is hee who is for… warned, striue to bee forewarned.

Blessed is that man who is eue… vponupon his watch, hauing his loine… girded and his Candle in his handLuk 12. 35Luke 12:35 waiting for y^e comming of his Lord. A dew my louing Friendes: **NoteSeeke in time the friendship of your God▪ Striue to be worthie y^e stile of Abraham y^t was called, The friend of God.…am. 2. 23.

O my deare Friends let mee now tell you what the Lord hath done to my Soule: **NoteHee hath at last beene sensiblie gracious to my poore Soule, which Sathan hath long hunted vp & downe like a Patridge on the …: The Deuill like a dogged p. 940Doeg hath sought to sucke out the heart blood of this trembling Turtle: Blessed bee the Lord for euer who hath disappointed him.

The Pastour.

I feare Sir that long speach trouble you: Your affection carrieth you aboue your strength: Contract your speach in as few wordes as yee can: What counsell will yee giuegive to your Spouse heere? It is good that she heare your directions; for I see y^t Gods Spirit is mighty in you.

The sicke Man.

If anie naturall man were heere for to heare mee, hee might willinglie thinke that I were Verbosus, a man of manie wordes: **NoteBut alas, that I hauehave spokē so few of this sort: From Morning vntill Euening my tongue in health like the penne of a readie writter was swift to speake of too manie things, whereof now I repent from the bottome of mine heart: If Nature bee so windie in p. 941vaine pratling, should grace want wo…ds in that which may be profitable to the hearers?

I care not what carnall men thinke for my manie words: **NoteI am shortlie for to compeare before him, before whō mans improbatiō or approbation is of little weight or worth: My strength so long as I can speake, shall bee spended into that which may doe good to these whom I shall leaue behind: **NoteI shall doe what I can both feelinglie and faithfullie to warne others to flie from the wrath to Luk. 3. 7.Luke 3:7come.

Bee not offended I pray you Sir, if I bee free with you: The last motions of Gods Spirit in this mortall life wold be verie charitablie thoght of: I pray you Sir to pardon mine hastie and cankered Nature, if I hauehave spok…n anie thing amisse, whereat yee may take exception,

The Pastour.

The Lord blesse you Sir: Praised p. 942bee his Name who hath touched your lips with a liue coale takē with aIsa. 6. 6.Isa 6:6 tonges from off his Altar: The Lord is with you; speak so long or so little as yee please: Glad am I to heare the motions of that Spirit of Grace which is lodged into your heart.

Heere is your Spouse, Sir: Let her heare your last directions.

The sicke mans speach to his Spouse.

As for thee my Spouse, now shortlie thou art for to bee a Widow: I counsell thee that first of all thou marrie thy selfe to Christ, let him be thy spirituall Spouse.

* As for other marriage the word1 Cor. 7. 8.1 Cor 7:8 concerning widowes is plaine: It is good for them that they abide so: But if they cannot containe, let them marrie, for it is better to marrie than to burne: **NoteNo marriage, as thou seest, is directlie appointed for Widowes, but for these that cannot containe: Otherwise the Apostles wordes are p. 943true: It is good for them that they abide so: **NoteIf so be that thou marrie, plant not a Thorne where a Vine should grow: Dishonour not the fi…st bed, and preferre not purse or portion to the worth of the person: If GOD call thee to marriage, see that thou call GOD to thy marriage, if Christ bee at thy marriage, that is, if thou marrie in Christ, thy water shall bee turned into wine, which was Christes first miracle: **NoteThe water Ioh. 2. 11John 2:11of wearinesse of trouble and of sorrow which thou hast drunke with mee, shall bee turned into wine of joye, gladnesse, peace, and prosperitie. But if thou marrie not in Christ, but make thy choice by thy sight, and not by sighes to God in prayer, then shall thy wine bee turned into water: God shall manifest a new miracle vponupon thee to the worse, that is, All the prosperitie, peace and contentment thou had with mee, shall bee changed in miserie, pinch, and pouertie, & p. 944manie a woe is mee: Then had thou neuer such cause to put on thy doole weeds at when thou shalt put it off.

Take good heede to thy selfe: Now is the last age of the world, this life is full of dangers: Sathan hath laide moe snaires on earth, than there bee starres in heauen.

Remember well this watch-word,Mat. 13. 33Matt 13:33 Watch and pray, hauing euer thine eye vponupon thy God: Keepe thy selfe from all apperance of euill: A flee Eccles. 10. …Eccl 10great of wickednesse will cause all thy perfume to stinke: **NoteSinne is like a Riuer which at the source is but small: A scandell is like a scab that beginneth with itching, but endeth into blisters, boiles & putrifying sores Tak good heede to thy cariage & to thy, companie, euil cōpany vaine cō municatiō, & rotten words, wil work vpō the conceptions of the mind, lik Iacobs pilled rods set in the gutters and Gen. 30. 38Gen 30:38watering troughes before the flockes: The flockes which conceiued before p. 945the rods brought foorth Cattell ringstroaked, vers. 38.spekled and spotted: In euill companie at the hearing of vaine, idle or rotten words, what can the heart of man or woman conceiue but that which after it is brought foorth shall appeare both spekled and spotted? An euill thought is a sinne which besides its owne particular sting, is able to trouble sore the Conscience by awaking the old sinnes of our vnregeneration.

Let my counsell bee acceptable vntounto thee: **NoteHaunt neuer the man whose name is pitched with a blacke report: It is hard to touch pitch, and not to be defiled: It is not good for men were they neuer so good to be haunters of women: Christs Disciples wondered that hee spake vntounto a woman Ioh. 4. 27John 4:27apart, a great argument that Christ was neuer with that Sexe but in companie: It is no better for women to haunt the companie of men: Fire and flaxe are easilie kindled, the p. 946least sparkle of fire will kindle Tinder: **NoteGood outward meanes are helpful to inward motions the mothers of our actions.

Some I know will say, that they feare none euill, and that they are cleane of all such pollutions: If it be so, it is a benefite of God: But yet learne the lesson.

Caute & casiè.

None stand so well but they hauehave to take heede lest they fall: **NoteWere1 Cor. 20. 12 thou neuer so holie thou hast neede to say the Lords prayer, whereof Lead vsus not into temptation, is a petition: Enter neuer into that, whereinto thou desireth not to bee ledde: None at the first dash be brought to the height of corruption: S. Peter 1 Pet: 3. 2.willeth y^t womens chast conuersation bee coupled with feare: Feare alwayes if thou bee wise: Hee or shee that would auoide a sinne, must shune the occasion: **NoteThe least shewes or appearences of euil are these litle Foxes p. 947Cant. 2. 15Song 2:15that spoile the vines: How little leauen will sowre the whole lumpe? What is the best of all sinfull flesh, but like Gun-powder? a sparkle of temptation may kindle in a moment that which in our whole life time we shall not be able to quen…h with many teares, no more thā Esau could recouer the blessing which after it was solde, hee sought with manie teares: That which we may be tempted to, wee may fall into. Let all flesh suspect its owne frailtie: Scorners may speake as they please, but daylie doolefull experience will subscribe the trueth of my words.

**NoteIn this last age, alas, many godlieSidera volentia. persons in appearance lik shooting starres fall downe in diuerse places with their blazing profession from Heauen vntounto Earth, a most sure token of a tempest to come: **NoteToo manie, alas, shame goodnesse by seeming good, like Frogges infro…kes Vice in the habite of Vertue. While p. 948inwardlie the heart is rotten, nowe or then corruption must burst out into scab & scandel: Many with their faire profession are like Rowers in a Boat, who look one way but goe the cleane contrarie. For this cause I intreat thee to studie the substance of godlinesse, and not to bee like these whose chiefest care is spended vponupon shewes: S. Paul speaking of the lifeColoss. 3. 3.Col 3:3 of the Godlie, saith, That it is hidde with Christ in God: **NoteIt is so hidde there that none shall bee able to find it for to steale it away, or to take it by force, but not so hidde but that it must also appeare in all the effects of godlinesse.

**NoteWhen God commanded Ezekiel to p…each vntounto the drye bones, that they might liue, hee ordainedEzek. 37. 9Ezek 37:9 for him this Text, Thus saith the Lord God, come from the foure windes O breath, and breath vponupon these slaine that they may liue For to apply this, where there is a life after slaughter, p. 949I speake of a spirituall life, a life hid in God, the…e must appeare foure effectes from the foure winds: From the East, the Orient of that life, there must bee an arising from sinne: From the West, there must bee a dying to sinne, euen a setting and going downe of wickednesse: From the South, must come the heat of zeale moisted with showers of teares of true repentance: At last from the North, must come a chill colde of trembling feare to offend God, whereby wee make an end or worke out the worke of our Saluation with feare and trembling: These bee the foure partes of godlinesse wherein all Christian Soules must bee carefullie exercised: In this is the substance of true godlinesse▪ It is better to bee starke naught, than to double our sins by seeming good: It is easie to juggle the outward eye of flesh, but that inward Eye which seeth our thoughts a farre off, nothing shall escape: There is p. 950not a Crowne of life for carnall liuers.

Hearken vntounto mee mine heart: Bee busie in prayer, joyne fasting therevnto, lest that the high feeding of the flesh make the bodie to kicke against the Soule, which is too farre in louelove with the bodie: **NoteOf a pampered bodie may the Soule often say, in some measure as Christ said of Iudas, He who hath eaten bread at my Ioh. 13. 18John 13:18table hath lift his heele against me: **NoteAll fleshlie pleasures are both vaine and vile: They are like blisters which beginne with itching, but end in swelling sores: Beware of such succred poyson.

**NoteMy counsell is that often thou reade the holie Scriptures, and particularlie the thirtie one Chapter of the Prouerbes where thrift and godlinesse are joyned together: Bee carefull and painefull in thy manag…: Think surely that Idlenesse is the mother of all mischiefe: Seeke Gods grace both earnestlie and earelie: A p. 951little with Gods blessing is a rich heritage: An handfull of meale and a 1 Kin. 17▪ 121 Kgs 17:12little oylein a cruse was sufficient for the Prophet and the Widow of Sarept… till the famine was past: That blessed handfull was better, than the best prouided Barne or Girnell in the Land: **NoteThe grace of God is an heritage of greatest and surest rent: Vnsanctified prosperitie is but a seeming Sun-shine which vnauoidablie must perish: Blessed is the woman who with Marie in some measureLuk. 1. 28.Luke 1:28 is receiued in grace.

Tak good heed to thine heart watch well ouer thy thoughtes, though thoughts be called light, the sinne of thought is heauie: from the inward thoughts spring and sprout all outward mischiefes.

As for thine outward carriage▪ meddle not in other mens matters: **NoteCurious searchers of the life of others are often carelesse correcters of their owne: Manie neglecting the p. 952hudge beame in their owne ye, must needs bee tampering with the little mots y^t are in others▪ A slacked tongue and a slacke hand keepe other companie: An idle woman must bee a pratler, when the hand cannot practise, the tong must prattle: To such it is scorne to preach, that for euerie idle word wee must all bee answerable.

My deare Spouse I must tell thee all that I thinke concerning thy wel, for I desire thy Soule to bee knitte with mine into the bundle of life: Take good heede to thy selfe, these who in this world hauehave a name to li…e, hauehave great neede to rule well their life: The nearer a bodie bee to a lighted Candle the greater is the shadow thereof, so the nearer the bodie of sinne bee to one that is inlightened, the greater is the Scandale thereof: **NotePut the breadth of thy finger hard neere to the Candle, & it shall make a shadow greater, then all your bodie: but the farder it be remoued the lesse p. 953it will appeare: Remember I pray thee how neare thou art to the Candle of a bright & glorious profession, a little Mot of euill will bee called a mountaine in thee, because thou was my wife, and because wee hauehave liued with good report: **NoteThe wicked are most faine to take the Godlie but tripping in a lesser fault, of their infirmities they make bucklers for the defence of their maliciousnesse.

V…e my counsell for feare of scandale, and for to flee all appearance of euill, Hatte the verie garment Iud. v. …3.Judg 5:3spotted with the flesh: Watch well ouer thy selfe both alone and in companie: Striue neuer to seeme to bee that, which thou art not indeede: **NoteMany hauehave much more than they shew; but moe shewe much more than they hauehave: The Religion of the greatest part for all their pretences, is but a smoke, a shadow, a blast, or a sound: **NoteSubstance without appearance p. 954is better than appearance without substance: **NoteThe Soule which hath but a forme of godlinesse is most deformed in Gods sight: Ordinarlie shee who is most farded is most filthie: **NoteVices are most vile when they are shrouded and ouer-cast with a countenance of Vertue, a vizard of pietie maketh one a monster in Gods eyes: **NoteThere is no such villanie as that which is varnished ouer with colours of godlinesse. Sinners may cloake sinne and couer it for a space, but they cannot stand long, for wickednesse shalbe broken as a tree.

Let therefore thy Faith within, appeare in thy life without: **NoteAll the Faithfull should be like the roule of that Booke which Ezekiel saw in a vision which was written within Eze. 2. 16.Ezek 2:16and without: If there bee no Letters of life written without, there is no liuing Faith within, but a dead carion of Faith for Faith without works …am. 2. 20.is dead. For this cause flee the foggie p. 955lithernesse of the flesh, and striue for the fruites of Faith: **NoteAboue all be earnest in prayer the preseruer of honestie: Heare Gods word with reuerence as good newes from a farre Prou. 25. 25.Prov 25:25Countrey: Let this word be a straight rule to direct thee in all the cariage of thy life: let no worldlie businesse with-draw thee from it, while it is preached: **NoteThese who eate their bread with greatest sweate eate not the sweetest bread: It is not earlie rising, nor late going to bedde that enricheth: **NoteThough for a time Marthas toyling and troubling her selfe Luk. 10. 41Luke 10:41about many thinges, seeme to bring much profite, it shall bee seene at last that it is the grace of God that enricheth.

**NoteThis is most certaine, the …urest fastning in this world is but loofenes without God, in whom alone is the certainty of that which shal neuer perish.

**NoteIn all thine affaires, in all companies remember that in the secrete p. 956closets of thine heart thou hauehave frequent ejaculations vntounto thy God, that hee may guide and guard thee while thou shalt encounter with temptations, hardlie shall shee bee caught that feareth the snare: Sathan with his baites & lures is euer waiting for to catch his prey: **NoteHee hath three great gunnes, three great impoysonners whereby hee wasteth the graces and good names of many, viz. The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life: It shall bee thy best to arme thy selfe against these three, by holding continually a wakening and jealous eye ouer thy whole conuersation: **NoteIf the euill thought be stiffled so soone as it beginneth to stir into the heart, it shall neuer bee able to produce an euill action into the hand▪ For this cause wise Solomon gaue a precept which I may call a spirituall Cordiall▪ which is, that aboue all watch and ward men Prou. 4. 23Prov 4:23and women should keepe their heartes:

p. 957**NoteManie with Hypocrites may seeme to hauehave their hands in heauenLuk. 18. 12Luke 18:12 by giuing almes with the Pharisee, while indeede their proude loftie & faithlesse heartes are in Hell, God looketh not so much to the outward action as to the inward affection▪ **NoteThe Lord cannot away with the painted superficiall flourishes of holines of these that are false hearted and meerelie formall: The Israelite indeede, in whose heart is no guile, is theIoh. 1. 47.John 1:47 Lords delight: Studie therefore I intreate thee to the puritie and power of godlinesse: Bee carefull to write all these heart precepts vponupon the palmes of thine handes, lest that vnawares thou bee woefullie caught and ensnared in some scandalous sin whereby thou shalt shame thy profession: All mortall feete are feeble and stand in a sliperie ground. O what danger is in giuing way to our first sinfull motions, while sin is least feared it is most to bee feared: Sathan is p. 958most dangerous while hee is transformed 2 Cor. 11 142 Cor 11:14into an Angel of light: Poyson confected with Sucre is moste piercing and deadlie: Smiling Ioabs are most cunning in smiting, faire alluring & tickling temptations oftest preuaile: **NoteManie are like the Larke, which while it playeth with the feather and stoupeth to the glasse is suddenlie enwrapted in the Fowlers net.

There is nothing more dangerous than securitie: While Peter thought himselfe stronger than all men, Sathan was hatching three abominations in his heart, which at last brake out, first in lyes and last in perjurie: stand in awe and sinne not: One sin draweth on another lik links in a chaine. Wee hauehave sinned, wee will goe vp, that Deut. 1. 4…Deut 1:4is wee hauehave sinned, wee will sin: Keepe euer GOD in thy sight, and bee humble.

Bee carefull in all thy cariage to liue in good example: Allow not thy selfe in that which is euill, flee p. 959the folies of this age which is wonderfullie giuen to new guises of decking the bodie, most womens hearts are sowred with this leauen. **NoteLet spirituall joyes be thy jewels, & the good works of thine hands, let them be the gold rings of thy fingers the matter of thy pleasures: There is nothing more pleasant than to doe wel: **NoteFor this cause good workes are in that Song of songs called, a gathering Cant. 6. 1.Song 6:1of Lillies and flourishing of the Vines: She who is too curious of y^e outward decking of the Backe, cannot bee carefull of the inward trimming of the heart: **NoteFard and foolish vaine fashions of apparell are but▪ Bawds of allurement to vncleannesse: **NoteAway with these dyed Dames whose beauty is in their Boxe, such dawbinges are soone washed off from these painted Iezabels, such melting faces are not meete for marterdoome, for the cause of Iesus, vnderunder such false faces is no lodging for true and honest hearts.

p. 960In all things striue thou to be sobe…: **NoteBeware to out▪ runne thy rank or to out weare the fashions by attyring thy selfe too gorgeouslie: Soft Matth. 11. 8Matt 11:8appparell is but for Kinges houses: What are such Cuts and Cordons, Silkes and Satins, and other such superfluous vanities, wherwith manie aboue their ranke and place are so disguised, but infallible tokens of an vnsanctified heart? **NoteWith such follies often are joyned libertine eyes & wandering in wanton▪ glaunces. Let my counsell please thee, Idol not thy bodie with these who habour in their bosome the snake of pride: **NoteLet thy chiefe care bee to decke the hidden man of the heart: A meeke and humble soule is a great ornament in Gods eyes: This is Scripture, The ornament 1 Pet, 4. 18of a meeke & quiet spirit is of great price in the sight of God: Shee whose heart is truelie godlie, will be most carefull to put on that which most will please the Lords eye: Consider p. 961well what I say: Follow not y^e fickle fancies of vaine womē, whose minds are like the Moone in a continuall change, but rather bee a Schooler of these whose wisedome is constantlie contrarie to all new fangled follies: **NoteToo curious busking is the mother of lusting lookes, the Iuy-Bush hung out for to inueigle vnsanctified hearts vntounto folie.

**NoteWhat are these finest silkes the fairest feathers of our pride? What are they, but wormes worke & moathes meate? Striue for the power of mortifying grace: while the flesh is lusty and at a full sea, the Spirit is at vnderunder▪ euen at a low ebbe: The pampering pride of life is the bane and poison of spirituall graces, beware of it: It is an high treason against the most High, it is a sinne which first lifteth vp, and after bringeth downe with a shamefull fall that which it hath once lifted vp.

**NoteThe heart of man is lik the shellfish, p. 962which pride as an Eagle taketh vp into the aire, but while it is come to a great hight, it anone letteth it fall vponupon the rockes of shame and disgrace; where after that it hath dashed it in pieces it greedilie deuoureth it: **NoteHee who in Heauen could not dwell with Pride will neuer on Earth harbour in that heart wherein it lodgeth: Outward counterfeit humilitie may for a time jug▪ gle the eyes of the beholders, such a varnished pride is a double abomination: O howe detastable vntounto God are these who beeing vainlie puft vp in their fleshlie minde, hauehave noCol. 2. 18.Col 2:18 lodging for humilitie, but into their mouthes: And yet who can hauehave patience to giuegive …are, shall at last heare a Sibboleth some swelling word, which by the accent, shall giuegive notice▪ that they are not such as they say.

**NoteCertainelie Humilitie is one of the fairest flowers in the whole garland of spirituall vertues: Whereas p. 963Pride a spirituall tympanie bloweth vp the heart, and maketh the Arteries to swell with vncleane spirits, Humilitie tempereth the blood, and quieteth the Spirit with such a calmenesse, as that wherein the Lord appeareth to Elijah.1 Kin. 19 121 Kgs 19:12

Some if they bee not Whoores or Theeues, they thinke that they cannot faile, and yet in one sinne are all sinnes, for who faile in one, faile in all: **NoteThat which God said by his Prophet is notable, If a man beget a sonne that is a Theefe or a Murtherer, Ezek. 18. 10Ezek 18:10or that doeth any one of these thinges: Obserue the words, Anie one, Thogh hee doe all these things, Shall be liue? vers. 13hee shall not liue: He hath done all these abominations: See howe hee who hath done but any one is heere also said to hauehave done all these abominations: See how all sinnes by a little bore creepe in with a deceitfull pace: If one poisonfull herbe bee in the Potte death is there.

What shall I say more of Humilie, p. 964the rarest vertue in women? This I will say, The lowliest heart is euer in highest in Gods account, it euer hath the best share of his fauours: **NoteAs streames of waters runne to the lowe valleyes, so doe the graces of God flow to the humble Soules: Shame and confusion of face is the ordinatie end of all the puffes of pride and of all vnlawfull daliance: This sentence neuer lighted false, Pride must gette a fall: This is Scripture,Psal. …38. 6Ps 38:6 Though the Lord bee high▪ yet hath hee respect vntounto the lowlie: But the proud hee knoweth a farre off.

Bee constant in all thy wayes: striue to keepe peace with thy neighbours: **NoteFor this end set a porter at thine eare, for to hold out fal…e reports: an open eare and a loose tongue are two deadlie foes to all sacred friendshippe: Where such are, triffles are taken for truethe after that a matter it throughlie sifted, most mens r… ports are found to bee but babbling.

p. 965**NoteLet the true feare of God harbour in thine heart continuallie: The feruent zeale of many is agueish lik feuers which come & goe by fits and starts: Ahab could crouch whē 1 Kin. 21. 27.1 Kgs 21:27hee heard that the Dogges should licke his blood. Till Pharaohs sorcerers wereExod. 8. 19Exod 8:19 fearefullie plagued, none of them could pronounce, This is the finger of God▪ Bee not like the wicked who neuer feare God but when hee is in a tempest: Fooles are so stiffe and steelie that for God they will not stir an inch, till his judgement cause them to stagger.

Striue to liue by precept & not by example: Many thinke themselues to bee well, beause they are not so euill as many others: **NoteIn this they are like the Drapers who giuegive luster to a Karsey by laying it to a Rugge: The deeper damnation of some in the poole and puddle of perdition, shall bee a verie small comfort for these that are in the shallow foordes p. 966of the floodes of fyre, kindled with the brimestone beames of euerlasting burnings: **NoteThe fore-skinne of an vncircumcised heart is so thicke and brawnie that no precepts can pierce through it, till the Spirite himselfe make a way.

Oh then, seeing wee are all a broode of corrupt loynes, it standeth thee in hand to bee earnest with that Spirit of grace, that he would teach thee to keepe watch and ward ouer all thy wayes.

**NoteIf any creature offende thee, bite not at the stone, but lift vp thine eyes to God: None euill is in the Citie Amos. 3▪ 6Amos 3:6but that which hee hath done.

At diuine Seruice be not chill nor colde: Bee feruent in thy prayers, while thou speakest to God with thy mouth, suffer not thine hearte to wander vponupon toyes, it is more difficile to pray than to preach, wicked men may preach, but they cannot pray, God hath branded them with p. 967this blot they call not vponupon God: **NoteThe Lord put into thine heart the juice A prayerand sappe of his Grace.

My Spirit is so wearied that I am not able to expresse my minde.

The Pastour.

The Psalmest said well, The Lord will Psal. 138. 8Ps 138:8perfite that which concerneth mee: Hee who hath begun in you his graces, shall perfite that which concerneth you, yea, and shall make his grace to 2 Cor. 12. 92 Cor 12:9bee made perfect in your weaknesse.

The sicke Man.

O my Lord, lead mee in the land A prayerof vprightnesse: O God, with Thee Psal. 143. 10Ps 143:10is the Fountaine of life: In thy Light Psal. 36. 9.Ps 36:9wee shall see light: Reuiue mine heart, O Lord, with some new supplye of strength from aboue: Let the wordes Psal. 19. 14Ps 19:14of my mouth and the meditations of mine heart bee acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength & my Redeemer.

Aboue all thinges my louing Spouse, beware of euill companie, the corruption of good manners; p. 968and fuell of folie: **NoteIt is good to vse companie as Moses did his Rod, so lōg as it remained a Rod he remained with it, but so soone as it became a serpent incontinent he fled from before Exod. 4. 3.Exod 4:3it: Bee not like these most vile persons, who for to varnish their appearances of euill with alledging innocencie, say, That they care not what men say of them, and that they cannot hinder men to speake: Away with such wordes, such vaine partlings cannot secure the Conscience, neither content the scandalized beholders of euill appearances: If thou doe not euill, doe not euill lik: Be not altogether carelesse what others say of thee, but in all securitie of life striue for a good name, which is better than Eccles. 7. 3Eccl 7:3precious oyntment: There is no such folie as folie practised with profession of wisedome: Hypocrites may warilie watch ouer their words and outward actions, but none but Nathanaels, hauehave hearts without guile.Ioh. 1. 47.John 1:47

p. 969Consider well I pray thee, that wee are now come to the dregges of dayes, and extremities of time, and also to the extremities of sinne, for auoiding of the sands, we rush vpō the rocks: We liue in the last and most corrupt age, wherein the verie confluence of all the corruptions of former ages hauehave made their Randie-vowes: So, (as all may see) it is vtterlie impossible, except the Lord work wonders that anie keepe themselues so passinglie pure from all spice of contagion, but some one infection or other shall sticke vntounto them, vntounto Gods dishonour, and their owne disgrace: O how manie rubs are in the way to life eternall! My best beloued let such instructions sinke deeplie down into thine heart, that thou bee not like Hypocrites, who are more thoughtfull for plausible conueiances and outward plastering appearances, than for anie substance of godlinesse: Bee truelie godlie, and p. 970not prophane, like these who say what the Prophets will, must into y^e house of Rimmon, one thing or other must they doe, wherein God must bee mercifull vntounto them.

**NoteAs for thee bee a Church wife and also an House-wife: It is not seemelie for women to bee gading heere and there shee is most happie* Note who in this sinfull time is least known of the world, so that shee truelie striue to know God and her selfe: Wise Solomon who in his wisedome excelleth all, as also in number of wiues spake by experience, y^t wandering Women were not chast, by this special marke hee brandeth the whoore, That her Prou. 7. 11Prov 7:11feete abide not in her house, but nowe shee is without, and now in the streetes: vers. 12.By Solomons record, shee that gadeth abroad cannot bee well thought of: With Wisedome shee hath cracked her credit: If Dinah had taried at home while shee went abroad, shee had not beene deflored, which was p. 971the cause of great blood-shed, which made her brethren Simeon and … Gen. 49. 7Gen 49:7afterward to bee diuided in Iaakob, & dispersed in Israel: The occasion of all that euill was from the vanitie of the Damosell, her folie is registred in Gods Chronicles for all Ages to come, that women chieflie may read it, and bee wise by her example: The wordes are these, And Dinah Gen. 34. 1Gen 34:1the daughter of Leah, which shee bare vntounto Iaakob, went out to see the daughters of the Land.

Remember well I pray thee these few p…ecepts: Bee carefull & sincere at the seruice of thy God: Serue him not by halfes: **NoteHee who is onelie holie, must bee serued wholie: Take good heed to thy self, beware of clawing flatterers, who for gaine wil varnish thy vices, for to make them seeme vertues. Labour for a good name, perrell it not for trifflles: If for light matters it bee mainelie hazarded it shall bee easilie cut off, where euer p. 972thou bee, bee content with thy lot: See that in anie wise thou neuer harbour in thine heart a discontented mind: Beware of an euill tongue, which is an vnruelie euill, within the compasse of the mouth wherein it is, is aIam. 3. 6.Jas 3:6 vvorld of vvickednesse.

Bee carefull both for the inward and the outward of thy conuersation, for many eyes will looke and spye what shall be thy life after me: Bee therefore euer vponupon thy guard, sinne neuer in hope of secrecie, for none can sinne without a witnesse: Sequester thy selfe from all occasions of euil, if thou wold hauehave grace to bee dearelie and deepelie rooted in thine heart: Where euer thou art, thinke God thereto be present: Tak him at all times to bee an eye-witnes of thy thoughts: **NoteThogh ali be barred out, y^e Lord is within: Feare God & liue in peace with thy neighbours: **NoteLet the good thoughts of thine heart put the ouer in the handes of practise, p. 973first know & thē doe, which is compleate Christianitie: Grow in grace, grone for sins past, escape relapses, haunt the godlie, flie these that are of a prostitute Conscience: Sinne is like a Ring-worme of a contagious and spreading nature, from lesse to more ouer Shooes ouer Bootes like Hezekiels waters from the Ankles to the Knees, and so higher and higher from scabbe to scandale: Shune all appearance of euill, so shall thy conuersation sauour like oyntment, and most sweete perfume. Now the Lord bee with thee: Kisse mee, and so farewell.

The Pastour.

Heere Sir are your little Children waiting for your blessing, it is good that yee say some-thing to them for their instruction: The last words of a Friend or of a Father are often of greatest weight, and beare most into the rememberance of these to whom they are spoken.

p. 974I feare that ye faint in your weaknesse, and therefore bee as summar and short as yee can.

The sicke Man.

I thanke God, though the strength of my bodie decayeth, my Spirit is become stronger like Samson, afterIudg, 16. 22 that his haire beganne to grow: My force & courage within is renewedPsal. 103. 5Ps 103:5 like the youth of the Eagle by casting of its bill: Blessed be he who giueth Isa. 40. 29.Isa 40:29power to the faint, and increaseth strength to them that hauehave no might.

O Lord, mould mine heart after the A prayerheauenlie modell of thy Law: Emptie mine head, and disburden mine heart of all earthlie cares, that my thoughts may be whollie and entirelie spent vponupon thy selfe without any turning awry from holie and heauenlie meditations.

The Pastour.

Seeing God is with you in such a spirituall power, spend your short time the best yee may for his glorie and for the well of these whom p. 975yee desire to bee best in this world after you.

**NoteThat new strength which appeareth in you at the sight of your Children remembereth me of old Iaakob lying on his death-bedde, when it was tolde him that Ioseph whom he loued was come to see him▪ it is said, That Israel strengthen himselfe, and Gen. 48. 2Gen 48:2satte vponupon the bed.

The sicke Man.

I finde the like merciemercy, though not in such a measure.

O my God, fit and furnish my Soule A prayerwith the sanctifying grace of thy spirit: Rouse vp my Spirit, whet vp my minde to feeke the thinges which are aboue: Lord, put a liuing Soule within this dying bodie.

A speach to his Children

And now yee my Children gather your selues together and hearken vntounto your louing Father, that ye may remember well his last words.

Come neare mee I pray you, and p. 976receiue your old Fathers blessing: Let mee lay both mine handes vponupon your heads that I may make my last prayer for you.A prayer

The Angel which redeemed mee Gen. 48. 16.Gen 48:16from all euill blesse the Lads, and lette them grow in multitude as fishes, God make you as Ephraim and as Manasses. Behold▪ now my deare Childrē, I goe the way of all the earth▪ keepe the charge 1 Kin. 2. 2.1 Kgs 2:2of the Lord your God▪ to walke in his wayes, that yee may prosper in all that yee doe, and whther soeuer yee turne your selues: By instant prayers to God hemme in the folies of your youth: **NoteIn this wicked euill world striue to bee like fishes which keepe their fresh taste while they liue in saltest waters.

Bee carefull to consecrate the first yeeres, euen the flower and pryme of your life vntounto the Lord, which shall bee a meanes for sanctifying the rest of your age: **NoteThe first borne▪ and the first fruites vnderunder the Law of ceremonies p. 977were the Lords: The substance thereof in the Gospel, is that wee giuegive the Lord the best of our yeeres and the flower and strength of our age: **NoteMost men in the prime of youth are both hote and headie: Happie is hee who in a sober moode and colde blood passeth the time of his sojourning heere chieflie, while hee is in the strength of youth: By carefull culture & manurance the fiercenesse of Beares and Lyons will be mitigated and tamed: It is a great slight of Sathan to make young men sport in their sinnes, vnderunder hope they may repent when they are olde: But alas, who is so young that can say, that he shall liue vntill morrow? **NoteIs it not seene that there bee as manie little as great skuls in Golgotha? As soone, say wee, commeth the Lambe skin to the market as the olde Sheepes: **NoteBut thogh they who are yong were assured to become old, they could not be assured of repentance which is y^e gift of God, which hee giueth to whom p. 978and when it shall please his Majestie: That which is the gift of Gods good pleasure, is not a thing which a man may hauehave whē he pleaseth: Youth isIoh. 5. 4.John 5:4 lik the time of y^e stirring of the poole, a gracious time, if it be wel imployed: Christ I knowe may cure a Soule that hath beene sicke of the palsey of sinne eight and thirtie yeeres, but that must bee counted a most rare miracle: **NoteLate repentance is seldome sound: But alas, though a man were assured that in his olde dayes he should repent truelie of all the folies of his youth, how bitter a thing is that which Gods word calleth Repentance? **NoteA Pagan hauing gotten some little glimpse thereof, while he conferred y^e pleasures of sin with y^e paines of repentance, refused to bargaine for his pleasures, saying plainelie, Non eme…im tanti poenitere, that hee would not buy repentance so deare: Most men in the heat of their sinnes lay about them to finde p. 979some pretence for the lessening therof, lest they seeme vgelie.

Oh, that youth would bee wise, our youth is either a great friend or a great foe vntounto our olde age: If we get a fill of Gods merciemercy in the morning Psal. 90. 14Ps 90:14of our age, wee shall bee glad and rejoyce all our dayes: **NoteThe rememberance of a well spent youth, is in olde age lik the casting of the Eagles Psal. 103. 5Ps 103:5bill whereby its age is renewed: **NoteO the siluer coloured gray head of that olde man, who from his youth in the maine of his life, hath walked in the wayes of righteousnesse! Grace frō the Cradle is of great expectation: **NoteHappie is that youth which is old in grace: If yee get grace to your youth, yee shall get glorie after age: God it is who giueth both grace and glorie. which two I may call the **Noteeuerlasting twinnes conceiued into the breast and bowels of that MercieMercy that is aboue.

Take heede my Children: In your p. 980first dayes striue to bee like the Auncient of dayes: **NoteA good Conscience well kept in youth is a perpetuall feast for olde age: That mans youth is a great friend to his old age who can say with Obadiah, I feare the Lord 1 Kin. 18. 121 Kgs 18:12from my youth: A well spent youth is a blessed seede time for Heauen: A well spent youth is spirituall physicke vntounto olde age, which of it selfe on Earth, is a sicknesse drawing vntounto Death.

As the well spent youth is a friend vntounto old age, so if it bee euill spent, it is a most fearfull foe; a foe full of woes: **Notewoe to him whose old bones are sores with the sins of his youth: thePsal. 25. 7.Ps 25:7 Lord hath taken the penne in his hand wherewith after he y^t hath narrowly searched his wayes, hee shall write bitter thinges against him, and shall make him possesse the iniquities of his Iob. 13. 26Job 13:26youth: * Beware therefore to set your corruption to worke, for to giuegive the Prime of your life vntounto pleasures: Bee p. 981wise in time, lest Sathan shely foist in and closelie conuay corruptions into your young and tender heartes by tickling and tempting you to folie: **NoteIt is more easie while it is time to spend well the time, than after to redeeme the mispent time: Why would yee trouble your olde age with young folies? If yee sawe the seede of folie in your youth, ye shall vndoubtedly reapesheaues of sorrows in your old age: It is a sore troublé to sow in laughter & reape in teares: **NoteIn the best man that liueth, there is sufficient mater of mourning for his cloudie and rainie yeares: The old man hath enough to suffer vnderunder sicknes, though hee had no cumber of his sinnes: **NoteO how pleasant is the bitter haruest of a foolish youth! O folie, hath not olde age paines sufficientlie in the bodie, though it bee not surcharged with the troubles of the Spirit: What wisedome is this to surcharge the weakest age with the heauiest p. 982burden? **NoteThinke chieflie vponupon this, seeing the goodnesse of God followeth the whole life of man from his mothers bellie to his buriall, it is reason that his whole life as well youth as olde age, bee framed for to expresse his thankfulnesse.

My first and chiefest direction to you is, that yee giuegive to God the first fruites of your age: **NoteSuffer not sinne in your tender yeeres to get hold & haunt in your heartes: A godlie Youth hath a speciall promise … God, these that seeke mee earelie … …. 7. 17finde mee: This parable was forged in Hell, young Saincts old Deuils, that is, A good Lad will bee an euill man: And this is turned ouer againe by the prophane world, viz. An euill Lad will bee a good man: Nay, but an euill Lad is in the way to proue an olde wag-string: A young scoffing Ismael will become an olde swaggering reueller. Children in Scripture are p. 983called Plants: If in the MonethMonth ofPsal. 128. 3Ps 128:3 May a … bee without leafes or buddes, we conceiue little good hope of anie fruites to bee had in the haruest time thereafter: will a tree bring foorth fruites before it flourish? When flourish time is past without anie blossome, shall wee looke for anie fruite for that yeare?

Learne of the trees to know your seasons: **NoteSolomon sent the sluggard to Doctour Pismires schoole for toProu. 6. 6.Prov 6:6 learne wisedome, to prouide for the euill day: Striue with the trees in your youth to get a spring of grace, which may app…are in the sprout and blossome of dispositions vntounto vertues.

Mu…ium est ass…escere a teneris.

**NoteTo beginne well or euill is to bee in the midst of the journey: Most powerfull are the first impressions lik the louelove of women which ordinarlie is greatest towards her first Match the guide of her youth, who tulit primos Prou. 2. 17Prov 2:17amores, hath gorten the prime of p. 984her louelove: It is hard to fall from her first louelove: **NoteSee what a liking these who are in Kings Courts will hauehave to remember of the Cottage or rurall village whereinto they were borne and brought vp: The secret draught is so powerfull that hardlie can anie expresse the cause: This made a Pagan to say,

Nescio qua natale solū dulcedine cūctos Ducit, & immemores non sinit esse sui.

By this yee may see how by a certaine secret instinct wee euer louelove the places where wee hauehave beene borne & brought vp: **NoteObserue the lesson of this, if yee passe your youth in sin & in the pleasures therof, hardly shal yee euer forget that company, doe what ye can, ye shall euer hauehave a certaine secret louelove, which your Soule darre not auouch, toward that which yee once loued while ye were yong.

**NoteIf your sinnes bee your Companions in your vouth, they will bee your Counsellers in olde age: p. 985Rehoboams fall was in this, y^t he took counsell of the young men that were growne vp with him: If sinne bee1 Kin, 12. 10 brought vp with you in your youth, there is danger that ye take its counsell in your olde age: The time of youth is most dangerous, for in it the affections are boiling, in it reigne and rage vnhallowed heate, and passionate distempers, which except they bee repressed with the strength of grace, breake out into the thunders and tempestuous stormes of vncleannesse, of ryot & of drunkenesse, and such like, which make most fearefull breaches and deepe gashes into the Conscience.

Beware therefore at the first to sinne, lest at last ye sinne by custome:Isa. 48. 4.Isa 48:4 The hardening custome of sinne is in Scripture called, An yron sinew in the necke, and a brasen brow: **NoteIf custome of sinne make you impotent in well doing, it shall at last mak you impudent in euill doing: **NoteHee who manteth or stammereth in his p. 986speach while hee is young, will in all appearance speake so vntill his dying day: **NoteFooles dreame that man is like March, if hee come in with an Adders head, they thinke that hee shall goe out with a Peacoks taile, as if an euill beginning were the way to an happie end.

Bee wise in time my deare hearts, from your youth consecrat your selues Nazarites vntounto the Lord, that is, Bee pure and holie, touch no vncleane thing, giuegive not prouocatiō to the flesh, but rather abstaine from all 1 Pet, 2. 11fleshlie lustes which warre against the Soule: What shame for Gods sons to bee sinnes slaues.

If ye wold liue long, liue well: **NoteThe wicked, saith Solomon, shall not prolong Eccles. 8. 13Eccl 8:13his dayes which are as a shadow, because hee feareth not before God: **NoteFor this cause it shall be your best to take the first handsell of time for well doing: Resist the Deuill in the beginning of sinne: **NoteFight against iniquitie p. 987as against a foraine enemy at y^e borders of your heart, euen at the first landing, before it get fitting in fast and stable groūd: While it is fleeting, fight it off the shore: **NoteSinne is like a Cockatrice it must bee killed into the shell before it come out with piercing venemous lookes: **NoteSatan in this last and most corrupt age hath with manie blots branded earelie holinesse: As for you my counsell is, that with great care yee striue to beginne well earely in the morning of your age, and that thereafter yee constantlie goe on till like a Sunne yee come to the Noone of grace in glorie.

**NoteIn three times of our age wee should striue to three degrees of holinesse: In Child-hood wee must bee good, in Youth head wee must grow better, in olde Age wee must bee best: **NoteHee who is not best at last in mine opinion, was neuer good at all.

In all Ages tak heed to all your ways p. 988be neuer wedded vntounto any sin, thogh it seeme like Zoar but a little one: There is no sin so base that it wil goe alon without a Page at its back: while yee heare of others faults, practise Plato his Precept, Numquid ego tale? HaueHave I done any such lik thing my selfe?

Striue in all your affaires to be vpright before God and man: Be euer of these that stand on the Lords side for the good cause: Let no consideration of profite or preferment mak you to stiffle the voyce of your owne Conscience: Shute not your eares at its cry like the Adder at the voyce of Psal. 58. 4.Ps 58:4the charmer. Bee not loth to know your selues, trye and examine well your inward parts. Doe neuer with great confidence that which yee can not doe with a good Conscience.

If yee sinne, delight not in sinne, such pleasures are too deare, & bought at too high a rate.

In your whole like reuerence your Pastour though subject to manie infirmities, p. 989for wee faile all in many things: Elias refused not his meate1 Kin. 17. 61 Kgs 17:6 because a Rauen an vncleane fowle brought it vntounto him: Best men often are signes and wonders euen in Israel.Isa. 8. 18.Isa 8:18

Oh, that I had words of motion, that might stirre you vp to all Christian dueties: Beware I exhort you to follow anie euill example giuen by mee: **NoteStriue by grace to bee better than the Rocke wherout of ye hauehave beene hewen: Manie a time hauehave I started aside and stumbled in the way: It is a rare merciemercy of God that hath brought mee thorow this world with honesty: It is only Gods guarde euen his sauing grace which hath kept my life from scab & scandale, for in trueth, I speake it to my shame, that God may hauehave the glorie: I hauehave beene like a foolish Flee that flutters about the Candle: It is by the meere merciemercy of my God that the winges of my profession hauehave not beene scorched with the flammes of p. 990some one temptation or other, which should hauehave beene to me the cause of some filthie downe-fall: **NoteA scandalous sinne is like a dampe which quencheth the bright Candle of a glorious profession.

Let these that are forwarned striue to bee forearmed: Happie is he who in time beateth downe his own corruptions, and tameth his wild heart like an horse whom the Ridder breaketh, that hee may trauell him the parts and the pace as he best desireth: It it onelie Gods merciemercy which hath stopt the torrent of my corruptions: Learne therefore of mee to passe the 1 Pet: 1. 17.time of your sojourning heere in feare: The euill which man least feareth, he is nearest to fall into.

Take heede my deare Children, and giuegive eare vntounto my counsell: * Where euer yee bee, thinke shame to commit that which yee would think shame to confesse: In all things striue to have a cleare Conscience toward p. 991Act▪ 24 17Acts 24:17God and man: Respect more goodnesse than greatnesse and its sway: Bee alway courtesse: **NoteCut not a man in the current of his speach, bee not selfe conceited, but bee little in your owne eyes: Striue rather to bee good, than to seeme to bee so: Obey your betters, hearken to the wise, reuerence the gray haires found in the way of righteousnesse: **NoteSuffer rebuke patientlie, for it is better than secret louelove; faithfull are the wounds of a friend: Haunt euer theProu. 27. 6Prov 27:6 companie of the godly: In all affaires be like the Bee, such out of all things the best, and leaue the worst, seeke out the honie, leauing the venome to the Waspe: Let euerie day bee to you as your last day: **NoteBefore you goe to bed at night make your score euen with your Iudge: Be daylie carefull to fit your count▪ so shall ye hauehave the lesse to account for at your finall reakoning: In all things be vpright and doe well, for as Iehosaphat said, p. 992The Lord will bee with the good: If ye2 …hro. 29 11 would dye, the death of the righteous, Numb. 23. 10Num 23:10striue first to liue the life of the righteous: **NoteIf ye would come to the end, ye must not leape ouer the meanes: While yee are young, kill your sinnes in their youth, euen in their first motions, while they touch but the spirit Eph …. …4of the minde, before they bee hatched out from vnderunder the affections: Isa. 59. 5.Isa 59:5Breake betimes the Cockatrices egge, lest at last it breake out into a Viper: Beware to conceiue mischiefe, lest ye bring forth iniquitie: **NoteBy the corruptiō of our corruptions, is the generation of our regeneration. Pamper not y^e Carion: **NoteBeasts fed on y^e bare commons are not so neere the slaughter as these y^t goe into fatter pastures: B… ware of all vncleannes: Make a couenant with your eys not to behold wine & women: keepe carefullie your vessels cleane in sanctification and honour: **NoteIf yee slippe in anie sinne, beware to sleepe in it, for that is death, p. 993Vita in vigilia est: **NoteGodlie men in olde age regretting their former haunts, are lessons from God to teach Youth not to plot the pleasures wherewith God is displeased: Manie sinnes of Youth be called tricks, but it is a terrible tricke to goe to Hell: **NotePeople foolishlie cloake Fornication with a tricke of youth, but the Spirit of GOD giueth it a scarlet cloake dyed in red with the blood of 1 Cor. 10. 101 Cor 10:10three and twentie thousand.

Bee yee wise in time, let the rememberance of the shrill sound of the last trumpet euer hold your heart in a stirre so soone as yee see the least appearance of euill: **NoteThinke no sin litle, seeing it is against so great a Majestie: For eating of a tree Ada… was banished out of Paradise: For touching the Arke shaken with the Oxen, Vzzah lost his life▪ For looking2 Sam. 5. 72 Sam 5:7 into it fiftie thousand three score 1 Sam. 6. 191 Sam 6:19and tenne men were slaine at Bethshemeth: For gathering sticks vponupon the p. 994Sabbath, God declared that the manNumb. 15 39Num 15:39 should bee stoned vntounto death without the Campe: Such thinges are written for our learning: As for you, stand in awe to sinne in a thought: To clippe the Kings Coyne were it neuer so little, is an high …reason: Be affraide at the first gloumes of your GOD: Crouch so soone as hee beginneth to shake his rod at you: In all companies be constantlie godlie; like the Sunne in his light: Too manie like the Moone, now glister with reflexes of light, and anone are darkened: Now and then they appeare with diuerse faces, now with Saul, they are Prophets among the Prophets, and anone as reuoking all former godlinesse, they runne rȳot with gluttons and reuellers: O my beloued, thinke neuer shame to be godlie among scorners: Care not that by your conscio…able cariage the wicked bee gauld and grieued, in their madde moode they will call all godlinesse but outwardnesse p. 995and formalitie.

Tak good he…d to all your ways, set a guarde about your thoughts, and a watch before your mouth: **NoteSeeing the tongue is mans glorie, let it not bee abused with rotien Psal. 57. 8.Ps 57:8words: Let not your eares bee open for to receiue the scowring of other * Notemens filthie mouthes.

Bee calme and quiet in all your wayes: Bee not rash or hastie, looke before yee leape, bee not selfe-willed, 2 Pet, 2. 10proude contemners of your betters: Aspire not aboue your pitch: **NoteCare not so much for mans d… spight as for Gods displeasure: Let God be the caruer of all your car…s. Abhorre to be idle like these who sitting in the Chire of sloth: passe their time at handie dandie: Loyter not while yee should labour: **NoteThe first word that Pharaoh said to Iaakob & his sonnes was, What is your treade or Gen. 44. 33Gen 44:33occupation? Be painefull and faithfull in your calling, liue not litherlie as p. 996these that are giuen to sleepe the sluggardes lingring sicknesse: Hee is of a base spirit who sluggishlie gaping and stretching himselfe, lyeth lusking on the downe: Vp, vp from the feathers earelie in the morning striue with the Cocke in watchfulnesse, and rise with the chirping of the birdes: Ioyne watching against euill, with wishing and prayers for that which is good: **NoteIt is good that the bodie bee moistned with the morning dew, earelie rising bringeth health to the bodie and increaseth the number of mans dayes: **NoteI remember of a verse which while I was young serued for a wakener for to rouse mee from my morning sleepe.

Sanctificat sanat, dit at quoque surgere mane.

That is it maketh holie, whole and rich to rise earelie in the morning, for this cause earlie buckle your selues to your businesse: Bee wise and watchfull: In all your enterprisses p. 997hauehave an eye vpō your God, doe all as into his sight, bee not too cast down in aduersitie, nor too puft vp in prosperitie: **NoteIf mans applause make you to ouerweene your selues at anie time, chasten your loftinesse with the memorie of manie infirmit es which are nested within you, in all thinges feare the worst, and hope the best: **NoteThat which seemeth to man vnliklie, is not with God impossible.

Let your life in a godlie sober, & ciuill cariage shine before men that they seeing it, may glorifie your heauenlie Father: Striue not to bee called Doctours and Rabbies though ye bee men of letters, but aboue all striue to bee teachers of others by good example and not by word onlie, lest yee bee like the Fyle which smootheth all other thinges, but it selfe remaineth rough: **NoteBeware of all sinfull pleasures which like faire Ladies come with alluring propines to woo and catch the vnstable soule: p. 998**NoteIn the verie throng of all your adoes draw your selues to a set dyet of priuate deuotion.

Mine heart beginneth to faint, of force I must make a pause: After that I am refreshed with a little rest, I shall declare to you all that is in my minde and memorie.

O my Soule, seek & sigh for grace: Be carefull for a neerer acquaintance with the Lord of Heauen: Shortlie thou shalt embrace him whom the Fathers by faith saluted but a farre off.Heb. 11. 13Heb 11:13

The Pastour.

Lord, heare thou in Heauen the A prayergroanes of thine humble supplicant, mak him fullie & freelie to taste and partake of the pleasures of thy graces til he come to glory: Roll his wearied Soule within these compassions, which in thy merciemercy are rouled together: O deare Iesus, besprinkle thou his heart with thy precious Soule-sauing blood which is euer louelie to the mercifull eye of the Father.

Take breath a little Sir, that yee p. 999may continue in such precepts: such heauenlie sentences were neuer bred nor brewed vponupon the earth: The LordEzek. 3. 1.Ezek 3:1 himselfe hath put the Roll of these things into your mouth which yee hauehave eaten, and which make your breath to hauehave the sauour of life vntounto 2 Cor. 2. 162 Cor 2:16life: Certainelie in some measure the Lord Iesus hath breathed vponupon you, as hee did vponupon his Apostles, when hee said vntounto them, Receiue the Ioh. 20. 22John 20:22holie Ghost.

The sicke Man.

Lord imprint thine Image into my Soule afresh.

My Spirit is reuiued, a new power is entered into mee: BlessedIsa. 40. 29Isa 40:29 be hee who giueth power to the faint, and who increaseth strength to them that hauehave no might.

GiueGive eare now againe vntounto my speach. O yee my deare Children: Incline your eares vntounto the wordes of my mouth: **NoteSee that yee liue in louelove; a rent is the forerunner of a p. 1000ruine: If yee would liue & die in honestie, practise all Christian dueties: Feare God, louelove the Church, honour your King, bee faithfull to your Countrie, reuerence your Mother:1 P…t. 3. 8 Bee pitifull, bee courteous, liue in louelove together: **NoteYour strength is in vnitie, like a sheafe of arrowes: A Eccles. 4. 1Eccl 4:1three-fold cord is not easilie broken: **NoteOur Lord after that he had ended his last Supper prayed fiue seuerall times, That his Disciples might be one: Ioh. 17. 11 21. 22. 23. 26.John 17:11The smallest graine of discord will at last grow to such head & heare, that it will part these who are most intire in louelove: Let the falling out of Paul and Barnabas that blessed paire of most worthie worke-men, teach all good men to liue in louelove: **NoteMen of a waspish nature cannot worke Honie with the Bees: Bitter poyson is onlie to bee found in their Combes.

So farre as is possible hauehave peacePsal. 34. 14Ps 34:14 with all men: Seeke Peace, and follow after it: **NoteBee not braggers nor brawlers p. 1001like Ismael the wild man whose hand was against euerie man, and euerie mans hand against him: Returne neuer euill for euill, lesse euill for good, but rather good for euill: Be not like Lyons, which while they are young are gentle till their tallons grow long: HaueHave peace with all so farre as is possible, and the God of peace shal abide with you. **NoteBe not busie bodies in other mens matters for feare of after-claps if anie thing bee amisse: **NoteOne saith verie well, In little adoe much rest, in much adoeno rest.

Learne of Peters fall to flee all euill companie, lest in the end yee come home with a weeping crosse: It were better to suffer colde without, than within to bee warmed with such as S. Peter met with in the high Priestes hall, such warmenesse is but a colde comfort: If yee fall in louelove with any sinne striue not onelie to leaue it, but also to loath it.

The Lord giuegive you wisedome in p. 1002all things: Be neither giuen to much company neither to sancie singularitie: Enterprise nothing rashlie without conferring first with God and with some godlie friende: **NoteBefore yee intend a worke, cast first the costs lik the wise Builder in the Gospel, hold euer your minde vponupon God and honest things: **NoteIn most secret places thinke on Gods eye which seeth our thoughtes a farre off: Bee feruent in prayer: Grieue not the Spirit of Grace: Neglect not his graces within you: What euer they be, let them be carefullie imployed: See that ye be faithfull in traffiqueing with your Lords Talents. for to returne them with profite: Away with these who louelove to lurke in a lazie luskishnesse.

This age is defiled with filthie Belghes of blasphemie: To sweare and roare is counted good fellowship: Bridle yee your tongues, beware of the language of Hell: **NoteBy little and little in oathes the tongue is p. 1003inured till it strike at Christs wounds with bloodie blowes: **NoteCursed shal they bee who dye their tongue red in that blood, which is the ranso…e of the world.

Consider this I pray you, stand in awe and sinne not: **NoteBee not like the worlds fooles who beeing loose without anie bridle of feare, care not what bee their end, so that their way bee pleasant: Belieue not all reportes: **NoteTry before yee trust: B…e not like the blind whelpes which sucke euerie thing that is put into their mouth, thinking it to bee the teates of their mother: While ye liue in the world bee not worldlings: The most worthie are not most wealthie: Eutrapeles heaped riches vponupon these whom he hated, for to burden them with cares. Vse the thinges of this world rather with hand than heart: Consider all things with a nature & impartiall suruey of all circumstances: Let neither LoueLove nor Lucre mak p. 1004you to sway from the square and rule of righteousnesse: **NoteAll things below are but tottering and transitorie trashes set vponupon a whirling wheele: There is none earthlie thing of such worth for which a man should mak a breach in his Conscience: If yee studie to be rich, ye will fall into manie temptations, it is hard to win much soone and well: **NoteA short care is fittest for a short life: **NoteMost mens heartes so are curbed with carnall that spirituall meditations take vp their heartes but at reuersion by fitte and starts.

Bee in good example one toanother: **NoteYee who are elders bee like the great wheeles of the Clocke whereof if one be set a going, it will moue its fellow, & that y^• other which is next vntounto it: **NoteLet all your strife bee in this, who in the Christian course shall out stripe his fellowIoh. 20. 4.John 20:4 in well doing, as Iohn and Peter ran a race who shuld be first at the Lords graue.

p. 1005**NoteIn all affaires see that your hearts bee euer downe right for the good cause: If yee would walke circumspectlie in all your wayes, hauehave euer an eye vponupon your compt: None of you can tel how soone ye must compeare in judgement.

While yee are tempted vntounto sin, aske first your heart but these two questions, 1. What answere shall I make for tbis to my God at that great day? 2. Would I bee content that another did the like vntounto mee?

Bee wise like Serpents and innocent like Doues: Let your life bee harmeles; for in that day Righteousnesse shall beare & weare the Crowne.

If God spare your dayes, & blesse you with yeares, beware to celebrate new yeares with olde sinnes: * An old Father said of himselfe that when in his tender age hee had once lost the tenor of an holie life gray haires were got about his head before that hee could recouer it againe: Gray haires in the p. 1006way of righteousnesse are called, a Crowne of glorie: But seeing whileProu. 16. 31Prov 16:31 yee are young yee hauehave no particular promise of long life, dreame not of manie dayes: It is hard to sit fast vponupon a sandie foundation: Delay not your repentance in a loitering lasines: But as a man that hath a set time for his taske daleyes not, but carefullie listeneth to the Clocke and counteth his houres, so doe yee: Bee euer vponupon your watch vntill the time of your Iob. 14. 14Job 14:14changing come: In the prime of your dayes bee thinking on your end: Be instant with God, like Moses that he wold so teach you to number your dayes Psal. 90. 12Ps 90:12that yee may apply your heartes to wisedome and to well doing: **NoteWaste not the short Candle of your life at idle playe, which God hath allotted to light you vntounto bed: There is no such foe to repentance, as to thinke that we hauehave time enough to repent, or that we may repent when wee please: **NoteHee that will not while hee may, shall not when hee would. p. 1007Be not prophane like Esau: Liue not in a customarie grosse sin: Loose not the reines to your corrupt affections: If yee fall with the Sainctes, striue also with the Saincts to bee recouered out of your falles: **NoteManie speake of Dauids fall who neuer remember Dauids rising: The repentance of the Godlie is set downe not to teach sinners to sinne, that af…er they may repent, but rather to driue them from sinne, by letting them see howe a short sweete is followed with a long sowre: **NoteWhat a foole is hee, who seeing his Neighbour breake his legge in breaking of an Orchard for an Apple, would leape the same loupe, beeing assured of as much, and all because hee seeth that now his neighbour is soundlie healed, and feeleth no more paine?

If yee wander from God, hasten your returne: A man out of the way must come back againe: The soone… hee returneth the lesse is his labour: p. 1008If yee fall in sinne and rise againe, beware to bee relaps: **NoteAn Horse comming by the same place where hee caught a fall, will starte a backe: Neither for Spur nor Wand will ye get him into the same hole againe: Dauid no doubt after once would not count the Tribes againe, neither would Peter after that awefull looke of Christ, denye his Master againe; neither would Iob seck anie more to dispute with his God againe: They all know by experience how bitter a thing such sins were, and therefore abhorred all such things at the verie rememberance thereof.

**NoteRemember well I pray you that olde age will inquire what youth hath beene doing: This now know, that all youthlie pranking pleasures are followed with pages of paines, which cry vntounto others, that they listen not to the allurementes and deceitfull charmes of their filthie flesh: While Dalilah lulleth in her lappe, shee is p. 1009armed with Sissers for to cutte the haire of our strength.

It is good that both old & young hauehave their loynes euer girded & their Candles in their hands, waiting for y^t comming of their Lord: Learne of the foolish Virgines, how dangerous a thing it is to sleepe without oyle in your Lampes: Let neuer sinne reigne in your mortall bodies: Subdue the flesh to the Spirit: **NoteIf yee liue in Gods feare, looke to die in Gods fauour: **NoteHappie is the man that keepeth a Calender of his days, wherby hee may bee roused vp to thinke euerie day his last: **NoteIt is certaine that our life like a shippe vponupon the Sea is caried with a strang gale: There is none abiding heere; our Sunne is fast posting to the West, as hee arose so shortlie must hee fall.

And therefore though yee dwell one earth mind the thinges that are aboue: Let your Soules here in earth, Col. 3. 1. Luk. 16. 19Col 3:1Luke 16:19& on earth soare vp toward y^e euerlasting p. 1010Tabernacles. **NoteToo manie Soules bee Trewands from God, onlie minding the thinges that are below: Beware that thornie cares choak in your Soules the seede of grace: To be worldlie minded is death: Aspire not aboue your pitch: **NoteThrust not yourselues in offices: An office is well called, A Calling, because man should waite till hee bee called vntounto it: It is better to bee haled by force of others to great offices, than to rushrashlie vponupon them vndesired: It were to bee wished that rather men want Offices, than that Offices want men answereable to their discharge.

Affect not to bee singular in glorious shewes of profession without substance, like Pedlers who hang out more than they hauehave within: There bee none so peeuish as prattling professours without the power of practise: **NoteThe new creature in actions is the truest outward witnesse of the trueth of the inward affections: Affection p. 1011bewrayeth the euill affections.

Malo esse probus quam haberi.

It is better to bee good, than so to seeme.

Among all humane dueties bee carefull to keepe louelove with your Neighbours: So farre as is possible winne the good word and will of all men: Bee not contentious nor stirrers vp of discordes: God hath blessedMatth. 5. 9Matt 5:9 the peace makers, The Apostles Precept is plaine, Let brotherlie louelove Heb. 13. 11Heb 13:11remaine.

Forget not the poore: Hide not yourselues from your owne flesh: The rich and the poore will meete together, Prou. 22. 2Prov 22:2saith Solomō: That is, One good turne may bee requited by another: If they cānot recompence you, they will pray for you: **NoteThough that which yee giuegive vntounto them at the first seeme to be lost, like seed sowne into a running water which carrieth it away, the Lord, who brought backe the Iordan shall bring back your lostIosh. 3. 16.Josh 3:16 p. 1012seede with a plentifull increase: Cast then your bread vponupon the waters, for Eccles. 11. …Eccl 11yee shall finde it after many dayes: Christs counsell is, that rich men mak Luk. 16. 9Luke 16:9vntounto themselues friends of the Mammō of vnrighteausnesse: If ye receiue the poore in their neede into your earthlie mansions, they by their prayers shall receiue you in your greater neede into euerlasting Tabernacles: **NoteWhen Diues hath dyned let Lazarus hauehave the crums: **NoteCursed Adam was couered but with figge leaues, and Christ cursed the fig tree for hauing leaues without fruites: While ye giuegive almes let all be done without a desire to be seene or praised of men: Let not your left hand know what the right hand giueth, and God shall reward that humble secrecie with open honour: What euer bee done, see that it bee done in Faith, without which most glorious workes are but glistering sinnes, and Pharisees almes, beggers of praise, things done to be seene.

p. 1013Bee meeke and gentle toward all: **NoteThe Spirit of God cannot light vponupon a Soule but in the shape of a Doue: Euerie way of a man is right Prou. 21. …Prov 21in his owne eyes: But the Lord pondereth the hearts.

My Spirit fainteth, my breath shorteneth, mine heart sickeneth, I finde Death now besieging my Noble partes: I cannot tell how soone God shall fetch away my Soule: It is most certaine that I drawe neare to Psal. 107. 18Ps 107:18the doores of death.

I hauehave yet some-thing in my mind for to tell you, O my deare Childrē; but for weakenesse I cannot, till I be refreshed with a little rest: Within a little space I looke to bee lockt in my graue. O Lord, say vntounto my Soule, I am thy Saluation: Refresh mine heart, rejoyce my Soule with a sight of thy reconcealed A prayerface, before that I goe hence, and bee seene no more.

The Pastour.

Lord, heare thou in Heauen.

p. 1014O how much fruite groweth off one stalke: GODS grace in you hath brought foorth a large haruest of comforts to all that hauehave heard you.

The Lord renew your strength, and A prayerput his Spirit within you: The Lord sanctifie your Spirit, which is the Candle Prou. 20. 17Prov 20:17of the Lord, searching all the bowels of the bellie.

The God of all grace hath cleansed and purified your words throgh the stramer of his great merciemercy: * So soone as ye hauehave gathered strēgth let vsus heare the rest of your counsell to your Children: In it is wisedome for to be learned of old age, recouer your force a little, that yee may conclude that which yee hauehave begunne: **NoteIt is good in good things to goe throgh stitch.

The sicke Man.

O Lord, perfect thy strength in my great weaknesse.

My deare Children hearken vntounto mee: It is not possible but in this p. 1015euill world yee shall bee troubled with great and grieuous afflictions: In my great griefes I was euer wont to comfort my selfe with that wise speach of Solomon, When a mans Prou. 16. 7Prov 16:7wayes shall please the Lord, hee shall make euen his enemies to bee at peace with him: If anie man offend you, or is offended against you, perswade yourselues that some of your wayes please not the Lord, and therefore if yee would please good men, or hauehave good men for to please you, walke in the wayes which will please the Lord: All mens hearts are in hisProu▪ 21. 17Prov 21:17 hands like riuers of water: Hee can make a foe of a friende, and a friende of a foe: **NoteIf yee neglect this counsell, yee shall at last be forced to stand at staues end with the whole world: Hee who is at variance with his God, will neuer agree with himselfe, and so shall bee in discord with all, for as the Pagan said well,

Conveniet nulli qui secum dissidet ipse.

p. 1016Hee who is not good to himselfe, can bee good to none: Though commonlie men say of some, Hee is, or was euill to none, but to himselfe: A wise man in this land hath made a good replye to that speach, viz. It were almes to hang him that is not good to himselfe.

Now yee are young, yet breath is in the bodie, Worke while it is light: **NoteBee carefull to keepe a Callender as it were of your dayes which may call vponupon you hourelie, bee diligent for the time is short: By years, dayes, and houres, our life is continuallie cut and sklised away.

What shall I say more? The Lord giuegive you wisedome in all thinges: Godlinesse is true wisedome: Best spirited men are not euer most spirituall: As for you▪ striue truelie to bee religious Nathanaels Israelites indeed. Ioh. 1. 47.John 1:47Euerie night before ye goe to bedde, set before your eyes the mercies of y^t day: Muster them orderlie p. 1017and take a view of them carefullie, that vponupon your knees from your heartes yee may giuegive God his praise▪ While ye are gone from the publick prayer of the Familie vntounto your priuate bed Chamber, remember Gods mercies afresh: While yee remember them, let this bee your last collation drinke before yee goe to bedde;Psal. 116. 13.Ps 116:13 take with Dauid the cup of Saluation and call vponupon the Name of the Lord: **NoteAs trades men hauehave a day Booke for daylie receites, it were expedient that all the godlie hauehave a register wherein may bee written the noble actes of the Lord, for to helpe ou… weake memorie, lest wee suffer his mercies to slippe out of our minde: **NoteIf yee either forgette your sinnes or Gods merciemercy, remember that yee hauehave a Conscience which is a daylie obseruer, a night watch, and a secret spye into your Soules.

In all your adoes striue to be righteous before God, and vpright before p. 1018men: See in a short verse what shall bee the end both of the godlie and wicked

The memorie of the just is blessed:Prou. 10. 7Prov 10:7 But the name of the wicked shall rotie.

O my deare Children, lay vp carefullie these wordes into your hearts which I your olde Father hauehave spoken with much paine: **NoteThinke vponupon this, one day Death will inquire what Life hath beene doing.

As for my worldlie affaires, as Rents or Goods, if they bee great lippen not to them: If they be little, little with Gods grace is enough: If yee bee godlie, God shall bee your Father and your feeder: If yee abound bee not prodigall: Make not a god of your Bellie: Beware to tipple or quaffe, or with the glutton to feede delicatelie: Care not for panch pleasures: Luk. 16. 19Luke 16:19Iohn liued on locusts: **NoteIt isMatth. 3. 4Matt 3:4 better to liue on Cake and water with a godlie Elias than to feast royallie p. 1019with a foolish Nabal: Though feasts bee pleasant they are dangerous: When the dayes of feasting were ended Iob sent & sanctified his children, Iob. 1. 5.Job 1:5& rose vp earelie in the morning for to offer burnt offerings for them al: for Iob said, It may be that my sons hauehave sinned & cursed God in their heart: Single feasting is fittest for the Soule and most wholesome for the bodie: God sendeth sluggardes to the Pismire as to a Master of worke for to direct them from loitering to labour.

**NoteLet gluttons whose dearest delightes, are in panch-pleasures from morning vntill euen learne of the Swallowes who sit not down to dine but feede while they flee: As they feede on flees, so they flee while they feede: What should man doe with his Bellie, but feede it as in a flight: Let the winges of sobrietie carrie you from glutting plentie before yee bee ouer-taken with that which shall make you to be ashamed to morrow: p. 1020While yebegin to drinke, beware of after-clapes: Men by a litle distemper at the fi…st contract easily an habit of sine: **NoteS. Augustine speaking how his Mother MONICA, learned to tipple, …aith,

Primoribus labijs sorbebat exiguum:August. Confess. lib. 9 c. 8 Ita que ad illud modicum quotidi…na modica addendo in eam consuetudinem lapsa erat vt prope jam plenos mero calices inhianter hauriret.

That is, At the first shee began but to kisse the cuppe, and to sippe a little of the wine while shee filled the Cup to her Parents, but anone shee came to this, that shee made no bones to sucke drie full Cups of wine: See how from sipping at last shee came to carousing.

Oh, but that is a deare drink, which costeth a man a Spot in his name & a blot in his conscience: Experience telleth that pleasures is more dangerous than paine, and feasting thā p. 1021fasting: Remember Iobs children, see in what a feare that godlie Father was concerning their …easting: Certainelie his feare was not a foolish feare without anie ground: It is set down in Scripture for to teach men feare in feasting: **NoteToo manie at such times turne themselues into barrels and beastes swinishlie ouerturning all reason & judgement that is within them: As for you, be yee sobber if yee would bee holie: God will not tarie into y^t heart which hath a god in the bellie: **NoteHee who would lodge the Arke must chasse Dagon to the doore like a dogge:

**NoteManie who neglect the bellie▪ hauehave pride printed in great capitall Letters vponupon their backe: Bee yee not sumptuous in apparrell: **NoteLet God giuegive you the coat according to the cold: Follow not new fashions: Beware of euill example: Woe to the world for scandales.

As yee should not bee prodigall, p. 1022bee not also misers, pinch-pennies: Defraude not your selues of your graunted good: Bee thankfull to God for all his giftes: Away with these who after they hauehave receiued that which they sought, hauehave done with God, till they neede him againe.

In all the course of your life striue to hold the Ballance equall, vertues in the midst: **NoteExtremities are like Border Theeues not subject to the Lawes. Bee neither too nice, nor too pert, too scurrile nor too silent: **NoteIn worldlie wealth trye before yee treasure: If yee bee rich, glorie not in your riches; if yee bee poore, pray God to keepe you from the extremitie of pouertie, lest that yee put foorth your hand to steale: **NoteIf God send pouerty be not discouraged: Though it bee sore, it is no sinne: Lazarus with his ragges was welcomer to God than Diues with his purple: Hee who begged from that rich man on p. 1023earth, saw the rich man a begger into Hell: Hee is rich enough who hath the fauour of his God: **NoteIn good life is long life.

Nequities vitae non sinit esse senem.

The wickednesse of life abbridgeth the life.

Bee more desirous to liue well, than to liue long: Too too manie liue to spend their grace-right with their Birth▪right: Such like wanton Widowes are dead while they liue▪

If yee fall in sinne, vp, vp, make haste to returne vntounto your God: Repentance delayed in youth is a strengthening of sinne against the olde and weaker age: The least sin entertained maketh a way for more: **NoteThe least drop of the juice of euill is lik leauen that sowreth y^e whole lumpe▪

If in this world yee prosper, bee not taken vp with selfe foolish conceit: Take not outward prosperitie to bee the ell and measure of Gods p. 1024louelove: **NoteWhether yee wither or yee flourish in worldlie thinges, thinke vponupon this, that your miserie or happinesse can be in nothing but in that which is eternall: **NoteGoe where ye please, the justice of God one day shall try the foote-steppes which ye hauehave troden.

The chiefe Legacie which I leaue to you all is the Charter of Gods promise, which I hauehave receiued by the hand of Faith: In it is an Heritage of lines fallen in pleasant places, VIZ. That not onelie hee should bee my God, but that he should be a God toExod. 20. 6.Exod 20:6 my Childrē vntounto thousand generations keepe fast this promise into the Charter Chists of your heartes: In confidence of this promise depend vponupon your God in well and in …oe, in wealth and in want: Though hee should slay you, yet say with Iob that yee will trust in him.

Nowe for to drawe to an ende, for my breath faileth, and mine p. 1025heart fainteth, I desire you aboue all things to bee earnest in prayer with God: **NoteBy prayer morning & euening dresse your Soules like the Lampes of Gods Tabernacle: Fill them of the pure oyle-oliue of his grace, that alwayes they may shine. **NoteEliphaz charged Iob chieflie with this, as beeing the chiefe cause of all his woe, that hee restrained prayer before Iob. 15. 4.Job 15:4God: With this the Psalmest hath branded the wicked, They call not Psal. 14. 4. Psal. 5 3. 4.Ps 14:4Ps 5:3Ps 5:4vponupon God, and againe, They call not vponupon God: **NoteIt is obserued by the most cunning Physitions that paine in speaking and loathing of meate, be two symptoms of a diseased & distempered bodie: A Soule while it prayeth, it speaketh; while it heareth it eateth. If there be paine in the one and loathing in the other, that Soule cannot bee well: Thrise a day Dauid was wont to pray, at morning, Psal. 55. 16Ps 55:16euening▪ and at noone: **NoteThis zeale also wakened him while others were p. 1026sleeping: At mid-night he arole forPsal. 119.Ps 119 to pray vntounto his God: Happie is that mā, who shal so spend the short time of his life in this valey of mortalitie.

Let this in all things bee an awband aboue your heades, that the eye of the Almightie God is euer vponupon you, and that hee is acquainted with all your wayes: Where euer yee bee thinke your selues euer to be in that most awefull presence: make Conscience of all your thoughts, for theProu. 24. 9Prov 24:9 verie thought of foolishnesse is euill.

Beware of the lustes of youth: Striue with God in prayer, that hee would so ingage you in his grace & louelove, that your corruption proue not strongest while your wittes are weakest: Intreate earnestlie the Lord that hee woulde make perfect his strength in your weaknesse.2 Cor. 12. 92 Cor 12:9

When yee finde anie good beginnings of Grace within your selues, waite stedfastlie vponupon the due accomplishment thereof in Glorie: p. 1027Whom the Lord loueth hee loueth to the end, his calling and gifts are without repentance.

If this yee doe carefullie, ye shall bee like twigges which hauing a vigorous life, sprout and flourish till they come to trees.

And now at last for to conclude and summe vp the whole brieflie: If ye would hauehave God to dwell into you, bee yee an holie Sanctuarie for his Spirit: If yee would hauehave God to rest in you as hee did into his holie Temple there must bee in you as was in his Temple an Holie of holies: **NoteAs were within Gods Arke so must yee hauehave within your heartes, the Tables of Gods Law the summe of the Olde Testament, and with them the potte of Manna, euen Christ the bread of life the substance of the New Ioh. 6. 35.John 6:35Testament. LoueLove this word; honour this word, bleed for this word, yea, & die for it. Manie in this world be like these Pultrons and base spirited p. 1028men of Thessalonica, who had noAct. 17. 11Acts 17:11 courage for the t…ueth: As for you, striue to bee like these of Berea, who were better borne & of a more manlie breeding in that they were couragious for the Trueth. Striue to y^e keeping of Gods Commandments for like friends they are so linked together that if one bee offended, all the rest will interest themselues in its quarrell, faile in one, and faile in all Pray feruentlie, that ye may practise all these my precepts This doing ye shal neuer find your selues fatherles: The great God shalbe your Father: To this Father now I giuegive you, irtreating him to bee a Father vntounto you in all times to ensue.A prayer

The Father of mercies, the Sonne of his louelove, and the Spirit of c…mfortes, so guide you in all your cariage that ye may carie an incorrupt Conscience to the 1 P…t, 5. 10Graue. The God of all grace mak you perfect▪ stablish, strengthen, settle you, & leade you in the Land of vprightnes: Psal. 144. 10Ps 144:10The Lord blesse you all with his best p. 1029blessings: My blessing I leaue you: Kisse mee, and so fare well.

Now the day is fatre spent, and my strength beginneth to faile mee, seeing all things as the Apostle saith, are sanctified by the word of God and 1 Tim. 4. 51 Tim 4:5prayer, let vsus conclude this dayes conference with our humble supplications vntounto our God. My deare Pastour offer yee vp this Euening Sacrifice: The Lord perfume it with the spirituall incense of Christs merites, that thereby our Soules being perfumed, the Lord may finde a smell as the smell of a fielde which the Gen. 27. 27Gen 27:27Lord hath blessed. Pray earnestlie for me, y^t the Lord giuegive me both strēgth and courage for the fighting out of this Battell, that in the ende I may bee crowned with the Laurels of an euerlasting victorie.

The Pastour.

My Soule rejoyceth to hauehave heard so manie good wordes from your mouth: Solomon said verie well and p. 1030wiselie, A word spoken in due season Prou. 15. 23Prov 15:23how good is it?

According to your desire wee shall conceiue a Prayer to GOD for you. The Lord powre vponupon all our SoulesZach. 12. 10Zech 12:10 that promised Spirit of grace and of supplications.

A Prayer for the sicke Man. Sore weakned with sicknesse.

MOst gracious GOD, mostPsal. 19. 24.Ps 19:24 deare & louing Father, Let the word of our mouth, & the meditations of our hearts bee acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, our strength and our Redeemer. By thy Spirit banish all stragling thoughts, and keepe our mindes steddie and p. 1031attentiue in this chiefest worke of deuotion.

Beholde, LORD, and consider heere thy poore Seruant fainting in great weaknesse of bodie, But thogh flesh and friends, health, & wealth, and all should faile him, thou, LORD, will neuer faile him: Hee is thy Seruant, he is thy Seruant, the son of thy hand-maide: Thou hast most powerfullie hitherto supported and vpholdē him by thy mercifull hand: Now leaue him not while he is drawing neare vntounto his long home.Eccles. 12. 5Eccl 12:5

It is easie to perceiue that his age is departing from him, like a shepheards Isa. 38. 12.Isa 38:12tent, and that thou art readie to cutte off his life like a weauer: His desire, LORD, is to bee with Thee, Thou hast heard the sighings of this prisoner, and thou hast vnderstood the groanes of thine own Spirit: As thou hast begunne the good worke in him so perfect it in due time: As thou doest with the yeare crowne it p. 1032with thy goodnesse: with-draw not thyPsal. 65. 11▪Ps 65:11 Grace from him till it bee made perfect in weaknesse.

Thou, LORD, hast manifested thy louelove to him wonderfullie, by putting into his minde and mouth such diuine preceptes and counsel… to his Friends, Wife, and Children, that all that hauehave heard them hauehave beene forced to wonder at the glorie of thy grace.

Now deare Iesus let thy force be with him in his fainting, but the nearer hee draweth vntounto his end, l…t thy Spirit the Comforter enable him the more, till victoriouslie hee hath put an end vntounto this Battell: As the strength of his bodie shall beginne to decrease, let the comfortes of thy Spirit increase in his Soule: Seale vp in his heart that peace which thou hast purchased by the blood of the Prince of peace: Assure him of the rest of these joyes which are to bee reuealed, whereof hee hath alreadie p. 1033receiued the earnest: O, say vntounto his Soule, that thou shalt bee his Saluation.

In the silence of the night while deepe sleepe falleth on man, make thou hisIob. 4 13.Job 4:13 reines to instruct him: Suggest vntounto his heart the sweetest wordes of thy comforts which may bee vntounto him like apples of gold in pictures of siluer: Prou. 25. 11Prov 25:11Waine his heart daylie more and more from the louelove of things below: Make thou his Soule to soare vp with Eagles wings towardes the heauenlieIsa. 40. 31Isa 40:31 Mansions. Prepare nowe his Soule to the last conflict: Put vponupon him all the Armour of God: StrengthenEphes. 6. 11Eph 6:11 his Faith, that hee may holde fast by Thee, yea, so resoluedlie, that though thou should slay him, yet hee may trust in thee.

When the force of sicknesse shall tak away the vse of his tongue, make his heart to groane vntounto Thee in the secret language of thy Spirite, …hat in thine hands he commen… … his Soule p. 1034and that he desireth thee to come quicklie for his reliefe.

Let not the increasing throes and pangues of death discourage him: In greatest anguish vphold his enfeebled heart with the hope of Glorie: Look on him, Lord, with the eye of thy merciemercy, incline thine eare to y^e sighes of his heart, make haste to come for his Soule is longing for his appointed Iob. 14. 14Job 14:14time, till his change come: As thou art the Lord of life, so vntounto thee belong the issues of death: Let strength proceede from thee like vertue from Christes garment, whereby hee may bee encouraged against the fearefull assaults of death, which shortly in all appearance shall besiege his noble parts, for to bring him vntounto dust frō whence hee came? Make thy Spirit to enter into his hearte for to vphold him against this feare & smart of his last and most heauie houre.

Let him know that if the earthlie 2 Cor 5. 12 Cor 5:1house of his Tabernacle bee dissolued p. 1035that he hath a building of God, an house not made with hand eternall in the heauen: Make his Soule more and more earnestlie to groane for to bee cloathed vponupon with his house, which is2 Cor. 5. 62 Cor 5:6 from Heauen: Seeing while hee is heere at home in the bodie, hee is absent from the Lord, make thou him confident and willing rather to bee absent from the bodie, that hee may bee present with Thee in the Heauens.

Let the hope of the Resurrection vphold him against all the terrours of the Gra…e: Perswade his Soule that at the sound of that shrill celestiall Trumpet, his bodie shall arise, and with these same eyes shall beholde his Redeemer, and none other for him.

Innumerable euils, Lord, hauehave compassed him about: Nowe the time approacheth that thou wilt deliuer him from all his feares: Make haste, Lord, Come Lord Iesus, come.

Rebuke Sathan wee intreat thee, p. 1036that in the darksome night he interrupt not the comforts of thy Spirit: Suffer neuer that slie and craftie one, to bereaue him of the pledges of thy louelove: Make him to holde fast that which hee hath, that none bee able to take his Crowne: O mercifull God, take notice of all his wants and necessities; and bee thou to him SHADAI GOD all sufficient for to supplie them: Let him not want that Grace without the which hee cannot serue thee: Through thy selfe make him to push downe all the enemies of his Saluation: Through thy Name make him to treade them vnderunder foote that rise vp against him, for he hath not forgotten the Name of thee his God, neither hath hee stretched out his hands to a strange God.

While his eye-stringes shall bee broken, and when the throes of death shall make his heart to tumble within him, then bee thou the strength of p. 1037his heart, the health of his countenance, and his God. In his greatest griefes anoynt his Soule with some droppes of that oyle of gladnesse wherewith thou once anointed our Lord and Sauiour aboue his fellowes: Let…sal. 45, 7 thy Graces like that precious ointment that ran downe vponupon the beard of Psal. 133. 2Ps 133:2Aaron flowe down from thee aboundantlie vponupon all the powers of his Soule: Let spirituall vertues drop downe vponupon him as the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended vponupon Psal. 133. 3.Ps 133:3the mountaines of Zion. O thou the perfection of beautie shine vponupon his Soule: Indue him with a melting and relenting heart.

Bee mercifull to thy distressed Church, comfort Her in all Her teares and troubles: Pittie Her deformities: Adorne Her with Puritie and Vnitie: Though Shee bee1 Cant. 1. 6.Song 1:6 outwardlie 1. duskie because the Sun hath withered Her, yet Shee is the Kings Daughter whose 2. whole glorie p. 10382 Psal. 45. 13Ps 45:13is within: 3 Awake, O North 3 Cant. 4. 6Song 4:6Wind, and come thou South blow vponupon Her Garden, that the spices thereof may flowe out: Declare vntounto Her enemies that if they 4 touch Her, they shall touch 4 Zach. 2. …Zech 2the Apple of thine Eye. Let them all know that it is 5 hard to kicke against 5 Act. 9. 5Acts 9:5prickes, and that if they perlecute thee, Thou wilt throw them to the ground.

Bee mercifull to our gracious SOVERAIGNE the Kings Majestie, as by thy Grace thou hast made him a King, so by thy Grace make Him a good King: Powre down a princelie Spirit vponupon his Soule, that Hee may hauehave courage for the Trueth: Make Him answerable to his most honourable Style, Defender of the Faith.

Vouchsafe thy merciemercy vponupon his Princelie Spouse: Let the beautie of the Lord Her God bee vponupon Her, Make Her like the Kings Daughter Psal. 45. 13Ps 45:13which is all glorious within: Make Her a Mother in Israel, a Nurse Mother p. 1039to thy Church, an happie Mother of blessed Children.

Be mercifull to all the Nobilitie of our Land, fixe fast their heartes vponupon the thinges that are aboue,

Blesse our Pastours, make them painefull & Faithfull at thy Seruice, that they may gaine with the Talents which thou hast committed to their keeping: Make them to striue more then for states to bee in thy fauour: Let their chiefest care bee to winne and wooe manie Soules to the louelove of Iesus, the blessed Bridegroome ofIoh. 3. 29.John 3:29 the Church.

Good LORD, bee mercifull to vsus that are heere humbled before thee: Encrease our Faith, and better our feeling and apprehension of thy louelove Look graciously vponupon this our euening sacrifice which wee doe heere render vntounto thy Majestic perfumed with the merits of thy Sonne in that prayer which hee by his most sacred wisedome hath taught vsus saying, Our Father which art, &c.

p. 1040The sicke Man.

Before the market time of my lifeA prayer be ended, O my deare God, let me hauehave a rich pennie-worth of thy merciemercy: Thou who biddeth vsus buy without money, giuegive vsus grace to tak the aduantage of the Market, before the Sunne of our life bee set. O that in this our day wee could know the things belonging to our peace, that in an holie zeale the corruptions of our affections wherewith our hearts heere bee in…hralled and sold vnderunder sinne, may bee justled out and tread vnderunder foote.