The Young Mans Warning-Piece, Sermon – Title page 2

The Young Mans Warning-Piece · Sermon – Title page 2

p. 1THE YOVNG-MANS Warning-peece. OR, A SERMON Preached at the Buryall of William Rogers, upon Pro. 4.19.

The way of the wicked is as darkneſſe, they know not at what they ſtumble.

YE know my uſe. As Laban ſaid to Jacob in caſe of marriage, Jt muſt not be ſo done in our place: Gen. 29.26Gen 29:26ſo ſay I; It is not my cuſtom on funerall occaſions, to weare out the time upon the dead. Though p. 2I grudge not Davids mournfull Ditty at the death of Saul;2 Sam. 1.19, 20, &c.2 Sam 1:192 Sam 1:20 nor Ieremies Lamentations over Jeruſalem, for the untimely death of Joſiah; nor the ſhewing of Dorcas her Coates,Act. 9.39.Acts 9:39 given to the poore Saints at her buryall, (for ordinarily, thoſe that deſerve no praiſe themſelves, love to give none to others: Magis vi vorum ſola tia quam mortuorum ſubfidia.) yet Saint Auguſtine hath ſaid it, that theſe ſolemnities are rather the comfort of the living, than the helpe of the dead; and I have beene willing to follow this rule, in ordinary caſes. Yet now the caſe is altred. I have ſomething to ſay to the perſon, before I ſpeake to the Text. I am intreated, earneſtly intreated, by the miſerable young man who lies dead at our feet, to Preach to all the Young men of the Pariſh, eſpecially to his wicked companions (as hee called them) p. 3ſomething at his buryall, to warne them, by his example, to take a better courſe, that they bee not burned in hell with him for ever and ever.

This I cannot doe, except I firſt tell you his example. Heare; therefore, that firſt, and GOD open your eyes to ſee the danger.This yong man is called miſerable. I call him a miſerable Young man, not in reſpect of the devouring judgement of GOD upon him for ever▪ for we have nothing to ſay to that. What are wee that we ſhould ſit in GOD's chaire? He did riſe and fall to his owne Maſter,Not in reſpect of Gods judgment final. whoſe judgments are alwaies juſt, often ſecret: and to Him we leave him, with feare and trembling, though not without ſome hope.For from him are many arguments of hope. For as hee was in his generall courſe a man of a ſweet and pleaſing temper, it beginning to grow proverbiall, That the Divell never abuſed p. 4a better nature; And as he was obſerved (ſo farre as I know or have heard) never to ſweare or curſe, in all his life, till one curſe dropped from him in a diſtempered fit the night before he died: and alwayes to carry himſelfe in words inoffenſively to all; except only once to my ſelfe, and another who had ſtrugled with him from time to time, to pull him out of the ſnares of Satan;2 Tim. 2.16.2 Tim 2:16 for which yet he was wounded in ſoule in his ſickneſſe, and asked forgiveneſſe: So, for his worſt part, how freely did hee confeſſe his ſinnes? how earneſt were his deſires, that hee might live but a Yeare, or a MonethMonth, that he might manifeſt to the world the Truth of his heart, in his promiſes to GOD, for amendment of Life? How carefull was he to warne his companions, or at leaſt, to wiſh that p. 5they were by him, that hee might warne them, that they might not bee burned in the furnace of Hell, whither he (ſaid he) was going: Theſe things in him, give advantage in us, to ſome charitable hope, that it may be better with him in the iſſue, than God would let us ſee. Though God would not let us ſee one drop of peace to fall downe upon him to his laſt gaſpe, was it not rather to bridle our preſumption, and to make us to runne from the ſtinking dens of ſinne, than to ſettle our judgements about his finall eſtate, which is farre out of our reach▪ Though we could not ſee that hee apprehended CHRIST,Phil. 3.12.Phil 3:12 might he not bee apprehended of CHRIST IESUS? Though we could not perceive that he knew, GOD (to comfort) might hee not be knowne of God? Gal. 3.9.Gal 3:9Therefore have nothing to p. 6doe with Gods finall judgement upon him; it muſt bee put over to the higheſt tribunall, to declare him miſerable before the GOD of Heaven.

Neither doe I call him miſerable in reſpect of his repute amongſt men. He was loved of all that knew him, hated of none, and deſired of all that ſtood in need of his skill or practice. Ye know that he was an Apothecary, and practiſed both Ch…urgery and Phyſicke. How ſucceſſefull hee was, where he would ſhew care and diligence, you know too. As hee had put himſelfe to it to gaine ſome skill by his own induſtry, and by conference and complying with the learned in that Science, and with all famous practitioners where he came▪ ſo was hee mounted to the height of ſame, ſought to p. 7farre and nigh was he. The ſober ſought unto him, becauſe of his ſweet temper ſeaſoned with ſucceſſefull skill. The looſe ſought to him, becauſe of his prodigall and bibbing courſe. The thriftie ſought to him, becauſe of his gentle rates upon his care and cures. He would not ſuffer them to ſpend all they had upon Phyſitians. Mar. 5.26.Mark 5:26And the covetous ſought to him, becauſe of ſomthing pleaſed them not, he would (for the moſt part) take nothing for what he did. He would confeſſe, that he could by his practice get an hundred pounds a yeare, and ſpend an hundred pounds a yeare: yet he ſold his owne inheritance, and ſpent it; and did ſo exceed in laviſhing, that hee ſcarce left enough to defray the charges of his owne buriall. Some ſought to him for one cauſe, ſome for another; p. 8ſo that as one was called for grace, he might be ſo called for place and practiſe, Luke the beloved Phyſician. Col. 4.14.Col 4:14Therefore he was not miſerable in the eyes of men.

But in reſpect of his own feeling.Yet I call him a miſerable young man in reſpect of his own feeling & apprehenſion. To preſent this I ſhall ſhew you the ground, and his opening of it. The ground of it was thus laid; He had bin religiouſly trained in his childhood. Few youths with me would have given a better reaſon of the hope that is in them. 1 Pet. 3 15. This had a deepe ground.1 Pet 3:15He had alſo lived in a civill way, till he beganne to looke out into the World for himſelfe. When hee had ſome few moneths beene ſeaſoned with the flatteries of his followers, and, (alwayes leading a batchelours life) being uſed to make up ſome of his confections at an Alehouſe p. 9fire: the fire of the High Prieſts Hall was not more banefull to Peter (ſave in the height of Peters preſent ſinne) than this was to this poore Young mans ſoule. Firſt, delight in vaine company crept upon him, next drunkenneſſe, next neglect of Prayer, Word and Sacraments; and laſtly a ſetled obſtinacy in theſe ſinnefull and bewitching courſes. I, willing to performe the dutie of a Shepheard, and friend, timely faſtened my eyes and heart upon it. I went to him, and warned him againe and againe. I told him what fearefull worke hee made, in ſuffering the Wild Boare to come in, to lay waſte his former Conſcience. He would ſtill anſwer mildely, Indeed I will doe otherwiſe. I had ſo often preſſed him to amendment with ſo little ſucceſſe, that he p. 10grew weary of it, and mee. He utterly avoyded my company: if I had come in at one doore, he would have gone out at another. He hath many times profeſſed, that hee could not abide to ſee mee, or bee in my compan…: not becauſe he hated mee (for hee would doe any th…ng for mee with all his heart) but becauſe I ſtill told him of his bad life, and hee could not amend yet.

In this ſtate he ſtood one, or two yeares, or more. At laſt, as one cloathed with the ſcales of a Leviathan, hee kicked againſt the prickes, and contrary to all admonitions (againſt which cuſtome in ſinne had now armed him) he wilfully forſooke the Church, together with Prayers, Word, Sacraments. Thus hee continued about a yeare and three quarters. In this ſpace (as I could ſlide into his company, p. 11or as he fell into mine) I admoniſhed him ſtill, wiſhed him to beware leſt the juſt ſentence of GOD went not out againſt him, that he ſhould never ſee GODS face in the congregation more: I told him that he truſted his flatterers and drunken companions, more than mee, who loved his ſoule: and yet withall, that I would proceed againſt him by Articles and Preſentments, which would end in excommunication, which was a forerunner of GODS ſhutting him out of Heaven, without his willing and hearty Repentance. He anſwered mildly ſtill, that hee would come to the Church, receive the Sacrament, and change his courſe. He gave mee day, and day, and day, and yet his place was empty. VponUpon ſome of the promiſed dayes of appearance, I ſent ſecretly to p. 12his houſe, to call upon him to be as good as his word: he would make ſome idle excuſe or other, and ſo ſtill perſiſted. At the length, the Church Officers preſented him for his neglect of the Church, and Sacrament, an whole yeare. Halfe a yeare after they preſented him againe, for his neglect a yeare and a halfe. In this time I ſtill told him what was done, which yet (ſaid I) ſhall eaſily be taken off with an admonition, if you will reforme. Hee ſtill mildly promiſed amendment. At laſt, aſcited he was to anſwer; and hee knew that I had perſonally appeared againſt him to the Iudge of the ſpirituall Court: for I told him ſo, (as I remember;) and that it would not bee ſo eaſie for him to get off without mee. Hereupon he was more hearty p. 13(as I thought) to come to the houſe of GOD againe, and he ſet his utmoſt day,Chriſtmaſſeday. 1635. and yet hee failed. At my inſtance, and fearing the dreadfull ſentence of excommunication, which now (after his many ſhifts) was thundering out upon him, hee peremptorily ſet another day, which was the LORDS-Day ſeven-night after, and a Communion Day. Then he reſolved to come to the Church, and to receive the Sacrament, to give ſatisfaction to the Pariſh and Court, and in the meane time to prepare himſelfe.

The Lords-Day before this, in the morning, when (as he ſaid) hee was ready to come to the Church, hee was taken ſicke, and betooke himſelfe to his bed. It was but as the fit of an Ague, which being over hee was the next morning p. 14in his old courſe againe. About the middle of the weeke after the meſſenger of death came, and I heard of it. I forthwith addreſſed my ſelfe to him, came up into his chamber unawares, and ſaid, Oh, how often have you deceived God, your owne ſoule, and mee! what is now to bee done? I feare you will die, and then what will become of you? I expect your excommunication, and then you will bee cut off from the Church of GOD by Iustice, which you have cut your ſelfe from by wantonneſſe. Hee anſwered, hee had but a ſurfet of cold: and, if I would be pleaſed but to write to the Court, to ſuſpend the ſending forth of his excommunication till the Court day following, he would the next Lords-Day come to the Church, and receive the Sacrament, and then goe up with my Certificate, p. 15and ſatisfie the Court. I did it, and prevailed: but his ſickneſſe prevailed that Thurſday, Friday, and Saturday upon him. It had emptied him of hope of life: and no hope of life had filled him with thoughts of this preſent guilt, and future judgement before that great God who is a conſuming fire.

Now therefore, you,And next his owne apprehenſion upon it. having the ground of the apprehenſion of his owne miſerie, ſhall ſee how hee opened it, and made it knowne both to me and others. There was too great a fire within to bee ſmothered: it burned in his owne ſoule, and lightned from his heart and lippes, into the eares, and hearts, of thoſe friends that were about him.

One while he cries out of his ſinnes,Manifeſted by many fearefull ſpeeches. I have beene a fearefull drunkard, powring in one draught after another, p. 16till one draught could not keepe downe another: and now I would be glad if I could take the leaſt of GODS Creatures which I have abuſed. I have neglected my Patients, who have put their lives into my hands, and how many ſoules have I thus murthered? I have wilfully neglected Gods Houſe, ſervice, and worſhip, and now though I have purpoſed, God ſtrikes me thus, before the day of my promiſe comes; becauſe I am unworthy to come among Gods people againe.

Another while hee falls to wiſhing, O that I might burne along time in that fire, (pointing to the fire before him,) ſo I might not burne in Hell! Oh that GOD would grant me to live but one yeare, or but a monethmonth, that the world might ſee with what an heart I have promiſed to GOD my amendment! Oh that GOD p. 17would try me a little! but I am unworthy.

Another while he plyes his companions, praying that all may be warned by him to forſake their wicked wayes, leſt they goe to hell as he muſt do. He forgat not his ſervant who was young: He calls him to him, tells him that he had bin a wicked maſter to him: but be warned by me. You have a friend that hath an Iron furnace which burnes hot, a long time: but if you give your ſelfe to my ſinnes, you ſhall be burned in the furnace of Hell, an hotter furnace, millions of millions of ages. Therefore looke to your ſelfe, and be warned by my (your Maſters) example, who muſt bee burned in hell for ever.

Laſtly, all his cryes againſt ſinne (to his ſee…ing) would not ſufficiently ſet forth his eſtate, nor all his wiſhes, p. 18nor all his warning of others: but he comes to a plaine judgment,And plaine judgments againſt himſelfe. and condemnation, and leaves nothing for after times, but execution. Hence againe and againe hee doubles it; I have had a little pleaſure, and now I muſt goe to the torments of Hell for ever. And having ſometimes (being preſſed by others) prayed to God that hee would forgive his ſinnes, and have mercy upon him: hee would adde, but I know GOD will not doe it, I muſt goe to Hell for evermore Whatſoever came betweene whiles, this was the cloſe, I muſt bee burned in Hell, I muſt to the furnace of Hell, millions of millions of ages.

Thus hee fearefully wearyed out the moſt part of Saturday, both day and night. Early on the Lords-day (that day appointed) I went to him againe. I found him deepely p. 19mudded in horrour and perplexity. I asked him then whether ſome great ſinne (not yet thought of) did not lye behind, to hinder the beames of Gods ſweet grace from ſhining upon him? And becauſe he was ſuſpected of whoredome, and uſing cruell meanes for the covering of it, I layed it befor him, and asked him in the ſight of GOD, and his owne Conſcience now, whether he were not guilty? He conſtantly denyed it both to mee, and three godly friends before, ſeverally: and therefore I heartily believe him to be not guilty: eſpecially hee conſtantly profeſſing it when his Conſcience was moſt active and nimble. I then began againe to offer unto him the comforts of the Goſpell. I opened to him the promiſes of the largeſt ſize. I ſhewed him that GOD was delighted p. 20to ſave ſoules, and not to deſtroy them: and that his ſweet promiſes were without exception of time, place, perſon, or ſin, except that againſt the Holy Ghoſt, which I aſſured him, was not committed by him.

All this could not faſten (ſo farre as I ſaw) I could heare nothing but that it is too late, I muſt be burned in Hell. Yet then was hee willing that I ſhould pray for him, (and therfore hee was not without hope,) and I did. In which hee was carefull to goe along with mee many times with ſighs. After this he was ſomething quieter for a time, and I went to my Office in the Church, where I forgat not him, that GOD would reſpit him the dayes of repentance, that he might performe the dayes of promiſe.

When Evening Prayer was done, I went to him againe: p. 21and when I had ſecluded the company, I preſſed him with teares; not to caſt away that ſoule for which CHRIST dyed: ſhewing him that CHRIST rejected none that did not reject him. He anſwered, Hee had caſt off CHRIST, and therefore he muſt go to hell. But yet (ſaid I) pray with me that Chriſt would come againe: there is yet an houre in the day; and if Chriſt (God and Man) comes, he can an will aſſiſt you to do a great deale of worke on a ſudden. He would not heare of that; he turned away, and ſaid, hee was unfit to pray. Hee often complained that former counſels and Prayers might have done him good, but now it was too late; as if that fearefull ſaying had ſtucke in his ſoule, Becauſe I have called, Prov. 1.24▪ 25, 26, 27.Prov 1:24Prov 1:25Prov 1:26Prov 1:27and yee refuſed, I have ſtretched out p. 22my hand, and no man regarded; but have ſet at nought all my counſell, and would none of my reproofe, I alſo will laugh at your calami…y, I will mocke when your feare commeth, as deſolation and deſtruction as a whirle winde.

By this time he began to diſcover ſome idle diſtemper in his braine, for want of ſleep: for this was now the fourth day and night (as I remember) that hee had taken no reſt. And had not his reaſon beene ſo vigorous, and his diſcourſe ſo piercing, I ſhould have thought want of ſleepe a great cauſe of the whole combate. But when I conſider his reaſon, diſcourſe, and life, contrary to knowledge and Conſcience: doubtleſſe (whatſoever GOD hath done with …is ſoule, (and wee are bound to hope the beſt) this example is a warning-piece ſhot out by the p. 23GOD of Heaven, to warne all Young-men with us, to ſignifie that it is high time for them to leave off their riotous courſes, leſt a worſe thing come unto them.

It is not bad enough to have theſe horrors and perplexities for ſinnes and puniſhments? He was no ſwearer, no whoremonger, no thiefe, no ſcoffer at Religion, no perjured wretch, no wilfull lyar, no proud and ſ…rley reſiſter of good counſell and reproofe, like too many other youngmen now a dayes: yet when conſcience is awaked, and ſits as a Iudge on him, OnelyOnly for drunkenneſſe, neglect of mens bodyes, and neglect of Prayer, Word, and Sacrament, he paſſeth this heavie doome upon himſelfe, I muſt bee burned in the furnace of Hell millions of millions of ages; and at the laſt, in idleneſſe of thoughts p. 24and talke he ends his miſerable life.

This is your example which he intreated me to lay before you, that ye may be warned by it to keepe you from Hell. The living God preſent it as a powerfull example to your Conſciences that it may work that good which this miſerable young man wiſhed. And that it may the more prevaile, ye ſhall have a rule now, as well as an example, ſhewing the miſery and horrour of a wicked life from this proverbe.

The Text Pro. 4.19. 1. Connected v.1. & 10.Prov 4:19Prov 4:1The way of the wicked is as darkeneſſe, they know not at what they ſtumble.

Salomon had preſſed in many words, (becauſe all words were not enough) all Young-men, in his ſonne, to avoide the needleſſe and vaine ſociety of wicked men;Verſe 14. Enter not into p. 25the path of the wicked, and goe not into the way of evill men. Verſ. 15.Art thou allured? Avoide it. Is the way delightfull? Paſſe not by it. Doth thy way lye that way? Turne from it. Art thou call'd in whitherſoever thou goeſt? Paſſe away.

This exhortation, being thus preſſed with words, is further urged by reaſons. Firſt, from the perſons and ſtates of wicked men;Verſ. 16. They ſleepe not except they have done miſchiefe themſelves, or made others to doe it: for how can they, when they eate the iron bread of wickedneſſe,Verſ. 17. and the Sodome Wine of violence? This breeds no ſweete flegme to binde up the ſenſes. Secondly, hee urgeth it from the courſe of wicked men, which he ſets downe comparatively with the godly;Verſe 18. The path of the juſt is as the ſhining light, that ſhineth more p. 26and more to the perfect day. The deſcent of grace is from heaven, as the light ſhineth: the degrees of grace are not all attained unto at the firſt, but more, and more: but the proſperitie of grace, where it is nouriſhed by a godly life, is not to goe out to the perfect day. Therefore it is excellent to be in ſociety with the godly. But for the courſe of wicked men:Verſe 9.

2. Divided.1. It is as darkeneſſe, there is the danger of it.

2. They know not at what they ſtumble, there is the ſigne of it.

In this courſe of wicked men there are two propoſitions,3. Expounded. which I ſhall labour to open, and apply unto you.

Propoſ. 1.Firſt, That the way of the wicked is darkeneſſe.

That ye may conceive this, I ſhall open unto you (thorow GODS helpe) foure points.

p. 271. What is the way of the wicked?

2. How is it darkneſſe?

3. How it comes to be ſo? and,

4. Why it is darkneſſe?

1.1. What the way of the wicked is. Pſal. 1. ult.Ps 1 The way of the wicked is the whole courſe of a wicked man, to death, and Hell David ſaith, The way of the wicked ſhall periſh: that is, his thoughts, words, deeds wherin he pleaſeth himſelfe, till at laſt he ſees and feeles the empty vanity of them, when the comfort of them leaves him, and he fall into hell.

2.2. How it is darkeneſſe. Negatio lucis primitivae. This way of the wicked is darkneſſe, by an abſence of that firſt light which GOD gave to ſinleſſe, and obedient man. Before man had ſinned, hee had the light of knowledge, the light of grace, and the light of comfort. He could fully and fairely ſee what was fit for a creature, to keepe him p. 28in perpetuall communion and fellowſhip with GOD. He had the beames of GODS grace in him and about him, keeping out the darkeneſſe of ſin. He had ſweet comfort in the injoyment of GOD, and himſelfe, and in the beſt poſſeſſion and uſe of all the Creatures. But when hee fell from the Principles of Life, the Lord and his Law, he quickly was overwhelmed with the darkeneſſe of ignorance, the darkeneſſe of ſin, and the darkneſſe of miſery.Luk. 1.19.Luke 1:19 Our bleſſed Saviour came to give light to them that ſit in darkeneſſe, and in the ſhadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of Peace: the light of knowledge,Ioh. 9.39.John 9:39 That they that ſee not; might ſee: the light of grace, that they that follow him,Ioh. 8.12.John 8:12 might not walke in darkeneſſe, but have the light of life ▪ And the light of comfort, p. 29that he might give beauty for aſhes,Eſa. 61 3.Isa 61:3 the oyle of joy for mourning, and the garment of gladneſſe for the ſpirit of heavineſſe. All wicked men that miſſe this, that are in hunting with Eſau, while this bleſſing is given, following the luxurious courſes of the world in wickedneſſe,2 Tim. 1.10.2 Tim 1:10 while CHRIST brings life and immortality to light by the Goſpell, doe fall into darkeneſſe,Ioh. 3.19.John 3:19 darkneſſe, darkneſſe:Eph. 4.19.Eph 4:19 Becauſe they loved darkneſſe rather than light: therefore their cogitations are darkened through ignorance, Rom. 1.31.Rom 1:31their fooliſh hearts are full of darkneſſe: they looke to the earth, and behold darkeneſſe and ſorrow: Eph. 5.30.Eph 5:30they fall to the darkeneſſe of horrour (for there is no peace to the wicked, ſaith my GOD,Eſa. 57.21. Mat. 8.12. Pſal. 69.Isa 57:21Matt 8:12Ps 69) they goe downe to the place of darkeneſſe and the horrible pit ſhuts her mouth upon p. 30them. O woe unto them, they have rewarded evill unto their ſoules.

3. But how doth the wicked mans way become to bee darkneſſe? As outward darkneſſe doth grow upon men three wayes, ſo doth this, Firſt naturally, by ſome defect in naturall generation. So there being a naturall defect now in mans propagation, through ſin he brings forth blind Whelps. Though more or leſſe, for naturall excellency man bee not borne blinde: yet for morrall rectitude to improve his underſtanding to the beſt advantage for his happines in Gods way,Epheſ. 5.8Eph 5:8 hee is darkeneſſe. Secondly actually, by too much gazing on the excelling ſenſibles of the world, or by too much heate or cold, which checke or chill the ſpirits. So when wicked men doe too much gaze upon the deceitfull p. 31glories and pleaſures of the World, when they are cold in Religion or religious duties, and doe hotly purſue the pleaſing vanities of this life, they become clouded in the thicke ſmoake of darkeneſſe. This blinded that rich foole from ſecuring his ſoule:Luke 12. Luk 19.2.Luke 12Luke 19:2 and Zaccheus before his converſion from going the right way to heaven. For they that will bee rich fall into temptations,1 Tim. 6.9.1 Tim 6:9 and ſnares, and into many fooliſh and hurtfull luſts which drowne men in perdition and destruction. Thirdly, penally, when it is inflicted as a puniſhment: as when Zedechias his eyes were pulled out as a juſt puniſhment upon his wicked life; ſo when GOD ſees the courſes of men to be foule and deteſtable, contrary to the light of the word, and checke of Conſcience, which he hath given them; then GOD juſtly, p. 32ſhuts their eyes, Eph. 6 10.Eph 6:10ſtoppes their eares, and takes away the key of knowledge:1 Ioh. 2.11.1 John 2:11 and ſo they are in darkneſſe, walke in darkneſſe, and know not whither they goe, becauſe that darkneſſe hath blinded their eyes.

4. Why the wayes of the wicked are darkeneſſe. Venebrae à tenendo.Now if you would know why the wayes of the wicked are thus ſaid to be as darkneſſe? The grounds of that ſpeech may be ſuch as theſe: Firſt, their ſights are hindred from ſeeing the right way to Heaven. They grope at noon day, running headlong in their owne courſes all the life long day, and at what time the night of death, or the ſun ſet of ſickneſſe comes, and they begin to recollect them, ſaying, where am I now? Is this the way to heaven? Then they ſee what they did not ſee, and the whirlewind and tempeſt takes them, and they are carryed whither they p. 33would not. Secondly, their 2footſteps are troubled from going about the workes of GOD.Exod 10.Exod 10 As the Aegyptians choaked▪ in their palpable darkneſſe, ſaw not what they did, or what to doe: ſo when this darkneſſe is come upon the wicked man,Ioh. 12.35.John 12:35 Hee that walketh in darkeneſſe knoweth not whither hee goeth. Here he goes and meetes with a blocke, there he turnes and meets with a buſh: and after a thouſand calls of GOD to doe this, that, and the other duty of Repentance, faith and holineſſe,Vivant aliud agendo, nibil agendo, aliter …gendo. he is ſo inwrapped in darkneſſe, that many things are gone about, and few things are done: thoſe few that are done, are not done as they ought. 3.3. foreign, à foreign. Nox a nocendo. They are drawne on to many a fall, even to the ruine of bodies and ſoules. As men in darkneſſe (if they will be doing) ſtumble and fall: p. 34ſo wicked men in this eſtate ſtumble into a thouſand pitfals. Here they fall into pride and niggardize, there into pride and luxury, on this hand into covetouſneſſe, on that hand into prodigality, here lyes the drunkard, there the lyar; here lyes the worldly old man, there the regardleſſe young man. Lord, how doe they fall in darkneſſe, till they are turned backe into perpetuall rebellions, Ier. 8.4, 5.Jer 8:4Jer 8:5till they fall and riſe no more? Fourthly, they are ſmitten with feares & terrours when they will give leiſure to Conſcience to worke. They are taken with feare where no feare is. Pſalm. 14.Ps 14As men in a darke night being a waked by fearefull melancholy, ſight of ſin, or laſh of Conſcience, doe thinke every buſh a Thiefe, every gale of winde, the moving of Satan, or the wagging of every leafe a ſummons p. 35to the Devils approach: ſo is it with wicked men in this darkneſſe. Fifthly, their ſhame is taken from them. They are foole-hardy and confident in the darke, becauſe no eye ſees them. It is ſaid of the Aſſe, that being purſued by the Wolfe, he puts his head into a buſh, that he may not ſee the Wolfe; as if, becauſe he ſees not the Wolfe, the Wolfe therefore ſees not him▪ So is it with wicked men; they put their heads into a darke corner of ſin and ignorance, and then, as if he that pierced through the darke cloud could not ſee, they goe on without feare, wit, or ſhame.Lamen. 1. Eſa. 3.9.Isa 3:9 They lay their iniquities on their skirts, and declare their ſinnes as Sodome, they hide them not: as if they hurted not them, nor would bring ſhame at the latter end,Appli.

Thus have I plained the way p. 36in opening this part of the Proverbe:1 Ioh. 2.13.1 John 2:13 and now I write unto you young men, that you may overcome that evill one. Suffer therefore firſt a word of conviction, and next a word of exhortation.

1. Hence wicked men are convinced of their miſerable eſtate.Ye may be convinced hence of two things:

1. Firſt, concerning a wicked mans eſtate, that he is in a miſerable caſe, whatſoever he thinkes of himſelfe. If thou wert ſhut up in a dark priſon, where thou couldſt not have any fellowſhip with light, wouldſt thou not thinke thy ſelfe in a wofull plight? Much more art thou thus, if thou be in the darkneſſe of ignorance, ſin and miſery.

Ob. Though they ſee it not. Sol.You will ſay, I ſee no ſuch matter. If I am in miſery, I ſee it not. It may be ſo, and yet your miſery is not the leſſe. As Chriſt ſaid, becauſe yee ſay yee ſee, Ioh. 5 41.John 5:41therefore your ſinne remaineth: p. 37ſo ſay I, becauſe you ſay you ſee not, therefore your danger is the greater. If in a deſperate diſeaſe a man ſay he is well, its a certain ſigne death is comming on a pace: ſo is it a ſigne that miſery lies at the doore (though you have ſhut it out a while) becauſe ye ſay ye ſee it not.

Put caſe it be ſo (ſay you) yet you feele no hurt by it for the preſent.Ob. And though they feele it not. Ye goe on in ſinne, and thrive, and are merry, and what evill can come? Take heed; while a man is luſty and ſtrong,Sol. a man can endure hot and cold, night and day, and never ſhrinke; but when hee is downe, by age, ſickneſſe, ſurfeit, or the like, then every blaſt pierceth through: ſo while you are in health and proſperity, you are like a Church Wardens Bill, which anſwereth all is well, when too many things are p. 38amiſſe: but when ſickneſſe, and death comes, downe you ſink with ſhame and horrour, like the fiſhes of Jordan which fall into the dead-Sea, and are no more alive.

Object.Yea, but you are not in this darke ſtate; you heare the Word and underſtand it, and have a power to underſtand more: therefore certainly you ſhall not be darkneſſe for ever;Potentia eſt dispoſitio rei ad actū. for a power doth diſpoſe you to the act and exerciſe which ſhall follow. Be not deceived. For though it be true of a naturall power, Potentia naturalis, vi principii interni.which comes into act by the power of ſome inward principle, that if you have ſuch a power, it ſhall bee brought into act, more or leſſe, according to the power, as when Grapes have a power to drop Wine, and Apples Cydar; and ſo, if as men, you have a power to reaſon, it is more or leſſe ſhewed by diſcourſe, either by p. 39inward conceptions, or outward expreſſions:2. Potentia obedientialis, vi principij externi. yet is it not true of an obedientiall power, which is drawne out by a power from without; as when the waters of Aegypt are turned into bloud, and the water at the marriage of Cana was turned into wine:Ioh. 2.John 2 and ſo, though you have a naturall power to know (according to your meaſure) and ſo to be acquit of humane darkneſſe, yet amidſt your hearing and underſtanding;Act. 26.18.Acts 26:18 you muſt be turned from darkneſſe to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that you may receive forgiveneſſe of ſinnes, and inheritance amongſt them that are ſanctified by faith in CHRIST. If therefore you would be freed from this darkneſſe, you muſt depend upon God (whom you cannot command at pleaſure) to give the increaſe, and to acquit you from this miſery.

p. 402. Therefore thinke it not ſtrange to ſee the wicked doe, ſhamefull things.Secondly, ye may be convinced hence, not to thinke it ſtrange to ſee poore ſinners to doe that, of which they are afterwards aſhamed. The adulterer watcheth for his twilight: the drunkard ſeeketh his cl…ſ ſcorners to couzen his ſoule and purſue in: the lyar deſireth his ſay-nothing: and all luxuriants hunt out their coverts and thickets: and when they are rowzed by the Iuſtice of GOD and man, they cannot indure the light, having ſuch evill deeds; for they are aſhamed and confounded.Ob. Though they doe think their darkeneſſe not the cauſe of their ſhame becauſe they know much. Doe not wonder at all this, and much more in this kinde; becauſe what they wrought, was done in darkneſſe, and now it is brought to light.

But why ſhould I thinke darkeneſſe to bee the cauſe of their ſhame, ſeeing many of them have a great deale of p. 41knowledge? It is true in truth,Sol. ungodly men may gaine a great meaſure of knowing knowledge:Surgunt indocti, & rapiunt coelum, & nos doctores trucimur in innum. Iudas preached for Chriſt, and Julian writ for him yea, unlearned men, whoſe cure is to feel divinity beating in the pulſe of their hearts and lives, above the flowing of it in their braines, may take Heaven by violence, while the more learned (carefull to know and careleſſe to doe) may bee thruſt into Hell. But let them gaine what knowledge they can the underſtanding ſingly taken is not that which God moſt delighteth in, to keepe them from ſhame by it,Eſay 66.2.Isa 66:2 but hee dwels in a contrite and broken heart, to keepe them from the power of ſin,2. Therefore be exhorted to avoide the wayes of wicked men. & horor of ſhame

Secondly, be now exhorted to avoyd the waies of wicked men, which will bring you to ſuch ſinnes as darkeneſſe breeds, and darkeneſſe feeds. p. 42Ye ſhall one day find that this darkneſſe breeds carleſneſſe, ſinful delight, feare, and doubting. 1In darkneſſe men are careleſſe of their goings and doings: So, while yee are in the wicked way, ye are careleſſe of your duties to GOD and man: and yee regard not though ye walk naked (without the garments of faith in Chriſt,Apoc. 16.15Rev 16:15 and the obedience of faith and your ſhame lyes open. In darkneſſe ſinfull delights are moſt welcome: when drunkards were more modeſt, and aſhamed of the noon-day, the Apoſtle ſaith,1 Theſ. 5.1 Thess 5 they that are drunke are drunke in the night: And Job ſaith, that the Adulterer hunteth for the twilight, and flattereth himſelfe, that GOD cannot pierce thorow the darke cloud. So, while yee are in this blacke way, yee freely drinke of this Cup of the pleaſures of p. 43ſinne, even to the dreggs. In darkneſſe, they eſpecially that are apprehenſive are full of feates, whether they ſhall receive hurt, full of doubting whether they are, and doe, right or wrong. So while ye are in this pitchy way, in the midſt of laughter your heart is heavie: yee ſome-times feare the hurt yee may ſuffer, what if I bee ſicke? what if I die? what if divine Iuſtice ſeaze upon mee? what ſhall become of me then? Ye ſometimes doubt whether that bee the way to Heaven or Hell, wherein yee walke. If it bee the way to Heaven, which of the Saints of GOD have gone before mee in it thither? If the way to Hell, why doe I walke in it ſtill? Beſides, yee ſhall one day finde that this darkneſſe feeds and nouriſheth ſin. For as men in darkneſſe, being ſet upon a courſe, will p. 44be reſolute to doe it ſtill: So while ye are in this way, ye will be fatted in obſtinacy againſt God, and in reſolution to doe what ye liſt. This Chriſt lamented in Ieruſalem, Luk 19.41, 42.Luke 19:41Luke 19:42Oh if thou hadſt knowne in this thy day the things that belong to thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. This alſo may you lament in your ſelves (if you could) with teares of bloud.

Ob. Sol. To your hurt, though you thinke it will doe you little or no hurt.Perhaps you may think that all this will do you little hurt. But GOD open your eyes in time that you may ſee to your amendment, that it will bring you to the darkeneſſe of Hell, where ye ſhall finde horror without the leaſt comfort, and torment without the leaſt eaſe. None of the plagues of Aegypt were ſo afflictive to Pharaoh, as darkeneſſe was. This extorted from him this ſpeech, which was not heard p. 45before, Goe you and your children, and ſerve the LORD. Exo. 10.24.Exod 10:24How much more will ye be preſſed with the darkneſſe of Hell, which is the proper place of torment! This makes theſe poore darke creatures, before they come there, to cry out, I ſhall bee burned in Hell for ever and ever, what ſhall I doe, what ſhall I doe?

If therfore there be any feare of God before your eyes, if any bowels of compaſſion to your miſerable body, and ſoules, avoid theſe helliſh wayes of wicked men while ye are yong Suppoſe that Ieſus Chriſt, and Satan ſtood before GOD to plead for you. Chriſt could ſay, Behold bleſſed Father, I have taken their nature upon mee, I have done, and dyed for them, I have preſented thee with a full ſatisfaction, and have offered to them this great p. 46grace to heare my Goſpell, and beleeve it: yea, I have beene aſſiſtant to the miniſtery of the Church to convince them of their wicked courſes, to move them to come to me, to aſſure them, that I and mine are all theirs, if they repent and believe the Goſpell, yet have they not honored me by faith and love. But Sathan plead…, Behold thou great God of Heaven and Earth, I never tooke their nature upon mee, yet they love me and my courſes better than themſelves. I never did any thing for their good, but for their ſnare and ruine, yet they cleave to mee and my works of darkneſſe, my pleaſures deceitfull pleaſures of ſin for a ſeaſon, more than to thee and thy Word. I never died for them, yet they live and die in my cauſe and quarrell: drinking, dicing, drabbing, night and day: revelling p. 47with thy good creatures, reviling of thy vertuous ſervants, and reſolving ſtill to doe as they have done. I never offered them grace, but ſinne, and they have reſiſted & ſpurned at that, and accepted this with greedineſſe. All this and more, may truely bee ſaid by that Lion of the Tribe of Iudah, and that roaring Lion that ſeeketh whom hee may devoure. Set your ſelves to preſent ſuch a plea to your ſoules, and thinke whether the devill hath not powerfull reaſons to move that GOD, who is a conſuming fire, to deliver you up to his hands, ſo long as you are in darkeneſſe. What an hell will this be to you before you come to hell, if you repent not? What an hell will it be to you to ſaile by, before you come to hell, if ye repent not, and forſake not your ſins? Will yee not thinke of to day, p. 48while it is called to day? Will ye ſtill goe on in the wayes of ſinne, though ye cannot proſper? GOD forbid, the ſafety of your ſoules forbids it; your Covenant in Baptiſme forbids it, and all the mercies wherewith the Lord hath renewed you from your youth up hitherto.

Ye may thinke your ſelves ſafe enough, and that all your darke and riotous courſes ſhall end in a ſun-ſhine of glory and happineſſe: but (alas) in your way there lye many things at which ye may ſtumble, and ſo tumble into the pit of hell unawares, which is the next conſiderable proportion in this Proverbe, to wit,

Propoſ.That wicked men know not at what they ſtumble.

Do ye deſire to gaine to your ſoules from this?

Then weigh with me theſe three particulars:

p. 491 What it is to ſtumble?

2 Whereat they ſtumble? and,

3 That they ſtumble, becauſe they know not at what. To ſtumble is to take an argument of offence at ſomething,1. What it is to ſtumble. to make them fall ſtill into the wayes of wickedneſſe. As when the Iewes took theſe arguments againſt Chriſt to conclude againſt faith in him,Mat. 11.19.Matt 11:19 He is a man gluttonous, Ioh. 8.48.John 8:48a wine bibber, a friend of Publicans and ſinners: Wee ſay well that thou art a Samaritan, and haſt a Divell. Acts 6.11.13.Acts 6:11Acts 6:13And when the Iewes took theſe arguments againſt Stephen, We have heard him ſpeake blaſphemous words againſt Moſes, againſt God, againſt this holy place, and the Law. And when the Corinthians raiſed this foundation againſt Saint Paul, Acts 18.13.Acts 18:13This fellow perſwadeth men to worſhip GOD contrary to the Law: and p. 50Tertullus in a ſlanting ſpeech before Foelix, Acts 24.5.Acts 24:5wee have found this man a very peſtilence, a mover of ſedition among all the Iewes in all the World. Theſe are arguments of offence, to make them that doe receive them ſtill to fall into ſin, new ſins, old ſins, all ſins.

2But whereat ordinarily doe wicked men ſtumble? Ordinarily at ſixe ſorts of things, when they would flatter themſelves in their wayes of darkeneſſe. Either, Ignorance; or, preſumption; or, deſpaire; or, the World; or, ſcandall; or, the peaceable end of ſinners, and the contrary of thoſe that have lived more ſtrictly.

1They ſtumble at ignorance on both hands. Sometimes they ſtumble at the ignorance of ſin, and ſo they fall to ſin, and care not, feare not, When Ioſiah knew not ſin, his ſweet nature ſtumbled with the p. 51times: but when he heard the Law of God read, he rent his clothes, and melted to the very heart. When Saul lived a Phariſee, the death of Stephen was nothing, it could be ſwallowed up upon a full ſtomack: but when the Law came and ſhewed him what ſinne was,Rom. 7.Rom 7 when hee ſaw ſinne revive, to pricks, wound, and kill, then he mourned under his captivity. Sometimes they ſtumble at the ignorance of Repentance:Iohn 3.John 3 They are like Nicodemus, who cannot heare of a new life, but hee dreames of entring his mothers wombe againe: and like Peters hearers, who when they ſinned knew not what they did; and when they were pricked at the heart for ſin, knew not what to doe,Acts 2.Acts 2 Men and brethren, what ſhall we doe to be ſaved?

They ſtumble at preſumption, 2that God will any time p. 52accept of them upon any termes. Therfore, at what time ſoever, ſaith one: GOD deſireth not the death of a ſinner, ſaith another: Chriſt ſaith, Come unto me, ſaith a third: God will that all men ſhould bee ſaved, ſaith a fourth. Every preſumptuous wretch layeth ſome ſure foundation (which might be ſound and ſweet to a true penitent) which yet will not ſerve his turne when he is to try the ſtrength of it, no more than Sampſons ▪ greene Cords could binde him, or a rope of ſand can pull down an impregnable Caſtle.

3. At deſpaire of their owne ſtrength.They ſtumble at deſpaire, and at that on both ſides too. Sometimes they deſpaire of their owne ſtrength. Alas, all the waies of vertue, grace, and glory are too hard for me. I muſt lie downe in ſhame, confuſion, ſinne, and ſorrow, but not move a foot to Heaven. p. 53When Chriſt preached that no man could come to him, Ioh. 6.65, 66, 67.John 6:65John 6:66John 6:67except it were given him of his Father; many of his Diſciples went backe, and walked no more with him: in ſo much as CHRIST complained to the twelve, Will yee alſo forſake mee? If Chriſt bee ſuch a manner of perſon, that acceſſe to him is ſo hard, ſo much above our power, that we muſt be beholding to a Father whom wee are not acquainted with, then farewell Chriſt, welcome world who are more familiar.2. Of Gods ſtrength. Sometimes againe they deſpaire of GODS ſtrength and mercy for them. Chriſt cannot ſave them, GOD will not ſave them. Let ſtrength and mercy bee what it will on high, it is too high for them. What is that to me? I am the worſt of unworthy ſinners. This caſt out Cain, hanged Judas, damned p. 54both, and any other that delight in ſuch a downefall.

4. At the world.They ſtumble at the world of honour, pleaſure, profit. The ſtony hearers ſtumbled at the care-cloth, the thornes of cares for worldly pelfe.Matth. …3.Matt 3 The unworthy Gueſts ſtumbled at the new bought purchaſes of Farmes, and Oxen; and ſo much as at the new married Wife,Matth 22.Matt 22 I cannot come. The rich worldling at the new Barnes, and ſtore for many dayes. His ſoule did ſo alwayes live in them, that hee thought hee ſhould alwayes live with them. Thus they ſtumbled and fell. The huge blocke of the World was too great for them to leape over into heaven, and therefore downe they fall, and breake their neckes into the wayes of ſinne.

5. A… ſcandallThey ſtumble at ſcandall, and at that they trip dangerouſly p. 55on both hands.Being loath to offend their wicked companions. Sometimes they are loth to offend their wicked companions; what? ſhall I forſake them, ſcandalize them, goe without them, (though) in a better way, make them that are my friends my foes, to neglect and ſcoffe at mee? This made Nicodemus come to Christ by night.Ioh 3.1.John 3:1 This made many of the chiefe Rulers believe in him, but they confeſſed him not, Ioh. 12.42, 43.John 12:42John 12:43leſt they ſhould bee put out of the Synagogue: for they loved the praiſe of men more than the praiſe of God. And being offended at the lives of profeſſors.Sometimes againe they take offence at the lives of thoſe that ſeeme to bee more godly than themſelves, and are ſo (at leaſt) by profeſſion. Indeed, theſe ſhould bee very carefull to adorne the doctrine of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt: Tit. ….and therefore many excellent exhortations are ſpent upon them, in the moſt ſure Word p. 56of GOD. Sometimes they are called upon to behave themſelves wiſely to them that are without: Sometimes to walke honestly towards them that are without: 1 Theſ. 4.12. 1 Cor. 10.32.1 Thess 4:121 Cor 10:32ſometimes, to give no offence neither to Jew, C…ia…, nor Church of GOD: yet are they not ſo carefull in the workes of holineſſe righteouſneſſe, and ſobriety, as they ought. This is ſoone eſpied by wicked men, and ſo made an argument to ſtumble at.

which they eaſily eſpy though they are in darkneſſe.You will ſay, They are in darkneſſe, how then can they ſpie ſuch a hole in the coat of him that is better than themſelves? Ile tell you: when men ſee a thing that may further them in the way to Heaven, they do receive it inward by the meanes of the ſpirit, and the ſweet beames of grace which ſhine about them;Iames 1.Jas 1 For every good giving comes from p. 57the Father of lights: From a light not from without but from within.but when they ſee any thing that helpes them onward to Hell, they have a power of ſeeing from within. As a Cat ſees in a darke night by fyring the aire to her ſelfe, and for her owne uſes: ſo wicked men being ſet on fire of Hell,Iames 3.Jas 3 can in their darkeſt ſtate eaſily kindle a light for their owne uſes to find fodder for their ſoules in their way to Hell-ward.

They ſtumble, Laſtly,6. At the peaceable end of ſinners. Pſal. 73.Ps 73 at the peaceable end of ſinners. Truly, they dyed like Lambes, There are no hands in their death: juſt like the good thiefe upon the Croſſe, which with quiet and ſweet reaches after grace and glory, breathed out his ſoule to GOD; notwithſtanding all the wickedneſſe of his fore-paſt life:And the troubled deaths of the Godly. whereas many of thoſe who have lived better, have died with little reſt, p. 58and no comfort. Hence they ſtumble thicke and threefold, and make no queſtion to dy no worſe than they, though they doe as bad.

3. They ſtumble becauſe they know not at whatThus they ſtumble and ſtumble; and the cauſe or the ſigne of all, is this in the Proverbe, They know not at what they ſtumble. 1. They know not who they are that ſinne.As for ſinne, they do not know who they themſelves are that ſin. They are the creatures of GOD who hath bleſſed them a thouſand wayes, and therefore they ſhould live to the honour of him, and not as if the Devill had made them.2. Whom they ſinne …gainſt. They doe not know whom they ſin againſt. It is againſt an infinite GOD, who is an infinite good, and therefore the leaſt guilt will not ſo eaſily bee taken off as they dreame. Can much Niter and much Sope doe it?Micah 6.Mic 6 Can thouſands of Rammes, and ten thouſand Rivers p. 59of Oyle? Sinne againſt a private man, and it is a treſpaſſe or battery; ſin againſt a King, it is ſedition or treaſon; but ſinne againſt God, and no name can expreſſe it,1 Ioh. 1. Rom. 3. 2 Cor. 5.1 John 1Rom 32 Cor 5 nothing can cleanſe it but the bloud of the Lambe, which brings to us the righteouſneſſe of GOD, which is of infinite worth.3. What ſinne will worke. They doe not know what ſin will worke. It is the wilde Bore of the Wood that laies waſte the Vine of our ſoules: it woundeth the Conſcience, defaceth the Image of GOD, and writes upon us Satans Image and ſuperſcription: it brings feare, pit, and ſnare upon the inhabitants of the earth and at the laſt the vengeance of eternall fire. All this and much more, about ſin, theſe poore wretches doe not know, and hence they ſtumble upon ſinne,2. They know not and ruine.

As for Repentance they p. 60know neither the neceſſity, worke,1. The neceſſity of repentance. Luk. 13.Luke 13 or worth of it. Doe they preſent this to their ſoules, that except they repent, they ſhall periſh? Yes that they doe, and therefore they will repent hereafter. Yea, but are they not deceived in the worke of it?2. Nor the work of it. Doe they not thinke it to bee the worke of an houre, when the whole life of a man were but enough for us to walke in that way? Doe they not thinke it to bee nothing but a conviction for ſinne, a ſorrow for ſinne, and a crying God mercy? Doe they know that it implyes ſorrow for ſinne ſeene, purpoſe to forſake ſin ſorrowed for, and to returne unto God? Or know they that it is accompanied (if it be ſaving) with an holy courſe in godlineſſe and righteouſneſſe? No ſuch matter.3. Nor the worth of it. It is ſo ſlenderly looked after: and ſo poorely prized by them, that p. 61they take it up as old ſhooes, when they have none elſe to weare: when they have not a day to live, and an houre to ſpend in ſinne, then they will repent, what ever come of it. Thus theſe miſerable wretches, when they have built a Caſtle of their owne Repentance, not Gods, do ſtumble at they know not what.

Now,3. They know not the power of GODS wrath. Pſal. 91.Ps 91 for preſumption (woe is them) whatſoever they dreame of Mountaines of mercy, They know not the power of GODS wrath. They thinke him to bee made up of nothing but mercy, and that hee ſhould doe them wrong, if they ſhould not have it. They ſee the light of his countenance ſo long in their health and proſperity, that they preſume hee cannot bend his browes,In the workes of this juſtice. and turne his backe in after daies. Doe they remember that after God had made the p. 62world, his firſt act was an act of juſtice upon lapſed Angels, who, though they were in Heaven, were caſt downe into Hell, 2 Pet. 2.4.2 Pet 2:4and delivered into the chaines of darkneſſe, to bee reſerved unto judgement? Have they forgotten that his next worke was a worke of juſtice upon Adam in Paradiſe; and the third that wee reade, of a worke of juſtice upon Cain for committing murther but once?Geneſis 4.Gen 4 Have they not read that GOD drowned the firſt world,Gen. 6.5. Gen, 8.21.Gen 6:5 firſt for imaginations? Or that he burned with fire and brimſtone Sodome and her wicked ſiſters,Gen. 19▪ Ezek. 16.Gen 19Ezek 16 for pride, fulneſſe of bread, abundance of idleneſſe, which hatched plenty of luſt? Is the juſtice of GOD upon the world cleane gone out of minde, when his Church was in a Corner, and but a little flocke? Or will they not ſee p. 63the juſtice of God upon Chriſt, Hebr. 9 Rom. 8 3. 2 Cor. 5.21Heb 9Rom 8:32 Cor 5:21Our ſurety, in the ſimilitude of ſinfull fleſh; that hee did not eſcape it, being made ſin for us (that is, by being a ſacrifice for ſin) that wee might be the righteouſneſſe of GOD in him? They have forgotten all prints of Iuſtice, that they may put farre from them the evill day, and ſinne without feare. But that God that is a God of mercy, for the veſſels of mercy, Rom. 11.Rom 11is for thoſe who by wilfull ſins make themſelves the veſſels of wrath, a conſuming fire: yea, and when his hand takes hold of judgement,Deut. 22.41, 42. 2 Pet. 3.Deut 22:41Deut 22:422 Pet 3 hee will make his ſword drunke with bloud. Then ſhall they know what now they willingly know not, that hee that bleſſeth himſelfe in his heart, ſaying, Deut. 29.19, 20.Deut 29:19Deut 29:20I ſhall have peace though I walke in the imagination of my heart, to adde drunkenneſſe to thirſt, the Lord will not bee mercifull unto him.

p. 644. They know not what they can do in good becauſe they try not.Doe they ſtumble at deſpaire of their owne ſtrength: It is at they know not what ſtill. For doe they not ſhew great ſtrength in ſinne? Why then will they not try what they can doe in vertue? Hath not CHRIST promiſed his aſſiſtance in the Word of GOD,Eſa. 59.29. 1 Cor. 11.24, 25. Tit. 3.5. Eph. 6. Phil. 4.13. 5. They know not what is the power of Gods m…y. Si peccantibus, multo magis poeni…atibus. Eſa. 66.Isa 59:291 Cor 11:241 Cor 11:25Titus 3:5Eph 6Phil 4:13Phil 4:5Isa 66 and Sacraments? Why will they neglect CHRISTS hand, which is put under to helpe? Why will they not be ſtrong in the Lord, and in the power of his might, that they may be able to doe all things through him that helpeth them?

Will they more impotently ſtumble at the deſpaire of Gods mercy? Surely they ſtumble at they know not what. For God is good unto wicked men, much more to thoſe that truely repent. Doth not his Sun and raine bleſſe obdurate ſinners? much more hath hee the bleſſing of peace for thoſe that p. 65tremble at his Word, Matth. 11.Matt 11and are weary and heavie laden with their ſinnes.To embrace penitents. Eſay 1.Isa 1 For will they forget how willingly GOD reaſoneth with the rebellious Iewes, and promiſeth that upon Repentance he will make their twice dipt ſcarlet ſinnes as white as wooll? Mic. 7.18. Eſa. 7.20.Mic 7:18Isa 7:20Or doe they not regard that GOD tels them that mercy pleaſeth him. If hee come in a work of juſtice, hee ſhaves with a Raſer that is hired (as if hee had no inſtrument of his owne to execute wrath:Eſa. 28.21. Opus juſtitiae eſt opus alienum.Isa 28:21) but if he comes in a worke of mercy, it is his own work, his proper worke. But they forget this, as if Chriſts bloud did not triumph over all the ſins of penitents,Acts …. even to the bathing of them that turne to him, who ſhed it by murther: this they forget, and ſo doe ſtumble at headlong deſpaire.

Doe they ſtumble at the p. 66world?They know not how weake all the world is if it were on their ſide. 1 Cor. 7.1 Cor 7 Alas, they know not at what. What is all the world if wee could graſpe it into an handfull? It flattereth while it ſmileth, and the glory of it paſſeth away. Have wee the confluence of all worlds goods? They cannot keepe off a thouſand miſeries; Gowts, Conſumption, Fevers, Stone, Strangury, death are the portions of this worlds wantons. And when that goes from us, or we from that, it gives a bitter farewell to the lovers of it.Eccl. 11.Eccl 11 Though a man live many dayes, …t let him remember the dayes of darkneſſe, which will come firſt or laſt, and then farewell profit, farewell pleaſure, farewell honour: the white ſticke muſt be broken, worldly comforts muſt vaniſh, and if yee have not built your neſt in the Rocke Chriſt,Eſa. 41.16.Isa 41:16 the wind will take you, the world will ſpew you out, and whither then?

p. 67Doe they ſtumble at the offence of their companions?7. They know not how little their companions can do for them. It is at they know not what ſtil. Call for them all, whom you are loth now to offend in pleaſing GOD, and what can they doe? As the Winter brookes they paſſe away, faith Iob. Are they touched for ſinne? They will bee glad to bee rid of them:Pſalm. 119.Ps 119 away from mee yee wicked, I will keep the Commandements of my GOD. Doth the wrath of GOD come? They can ſay, alas my brother, alas his glory;Iames 1.Jas 1 but as the wrath of man cannot accompliſh the righteouſneſſe of GOD;Pſalm 6.Ps 6 ſo nor the power of man can ſtand (with comfort) againſt the wrath of GOD. Doth poverty come as an armed man? Prov. 6.Prov 6A worldly friend will help once, a godlie friend will helpe twice, but daily to hang upon the pockets, and purſe-ſtrings p. 68of others, is like a curſt wife, a continuall dropping; away with ſuch a like fellow from off the earth, the land is not able to beare ſuch a loathſome gueſt. Doth death come with this Iron Law, You muſt goe and make your bed in darkeneſſe, where they muſt ſay to corruption, thou art my mother; to the Worme thou art my brother and ſiſter? Where are their companions now? One ſtands by and weepes, but cannot helpe: another would come, but feares the flaſhes of reproofe for godleſſe courſes: but let them all come, can they deliver their bodies from the grave, and their ſoules from the hand of Hell? Pſal. 49.Ps 49The Redemption of a ſoule coſt more than ſo: they muſt let that alone for ever. What matters it then to offend ſuch, ſo they may pleaſe God?

p. 69Doe they now ſtumble at the lapſes and falls of thoſe that ſeeme better than themſelves?8. They know not that the falls of Chriſtians is, becauſe they are not Chriſtians enough. Is it not ſtill at they know not what? If a Chriſtian ſinne, it is not becauſe hee is a Chriſtian, but becauſe hee is a Chriſtian no more: it is not the profeſſion, but the perſon that is in all the fault. Hee that is a good Chriſtian, ſhould anſwer like that bleſſed Martyr, who when hee was asked what was his name? hee anſwered. Chriſtian: what was his Countrey, anſwered, Christian: what were his hopes, thoughts words, and deeds? Hee anſwered Chriſtian. He was a Chriſtian all over: and if it bee otherwiſe, Chriſtianity muſt not bee blamed, but ſinne in him, and Sathan out of him, that put on that faire hood to cover their deformitie. Beſides, ſinne p. 70ſhall condemn them, not juſtifie the wicked ſtumbler. They ſhall goe to hell for that without Repentance: the wicked ſhall not goe to Heaven for being worſ…, becauſe they are bad.

9. They know not that ſinners end is not alwayes peaceable.And what doe they ſtumble at now? Is it at the peaceable end of ſinners? It is ſtill at they know not what. For it is not ever true that wicked men finde ſuch a calme when death approacheth: ſomtimes Hell fire flaſheth upon them then:And when it is. ſometimes they miſerably cry out, I am damned, I am damned, Durities hominis peccatum ob duratio judicii Dei. it yeilds no comfort.I must to Hell: and when it is true, GOD, Satan, and themſelves, have an hand in it, God juſtly ſeales them up to hardneſſe of heart, and then like the Leviathan, they laugh at the Speare. Satan covers their ſins, and lockes in their thoughts to dreame of golden Mountaines. Hee labours to p. 71make their life and death to be an heaven here, that hee may the more cunningly bring them to hell hereafter.Conſuetudo peccandi tollit ſenſum peccati 1 Sam. 25.1 Sam 25 Themſelves have accuſtomed themſelves to ſinne, and cuſtome in ſinne takes away the ſenſe of ſinning, and ſo like Nabal, their heart dies like a ſtone. And put caſe that Gods good people be diſquieted when death appeareth; They draw neere to GOD,And yet the unquiet end of the godly may. Eſay 6.Isa 6 and ſee themſelves abominable as Eſau. They have a circumciſed heart, and ſo are tender at the leaſt touch: which Satan perceiving, hee drives home with all his rage, and skill, to ſlander his godly courſe, becauſe his time is but ſhort.

Thus now ye have the whole Proverbe, which ſets forth a rule to your miſerable example to ſhew the miſerable eſtate of thoſe that are, and walk, and ſtand, and ſit, in the p. 72darke wayes of ſin and wickedneſſe.

Appli. Therefore let this proverbe ſinke into your harts.What ſhall I ſay to you Young men? O that I could ſpeake to your hearts ſo powerfully, that yee may be rowzed from lying under the dominion of ſinne any longer! Oh that my Doctrine might drop as the raine, Deut. 32.2.Deut 32:2and my ſpeech might diſtill as the dew, as the ſmall raine upon the tender herbe, and as the ſhowers upon the graſſe! Yee have heard the woe, woe, woe, to wicked men. Sometimes this keepes them off from vertue and grace, and ſometimes that. Here they ſtumble, and there they ſtumble, before, behind, on this ſide, and on that, and at laſt tumble into deſpaire, and Hell for evermore.Many have thus ſtumbled. Francis Spyra ſtumbled thus, when hee cried out, I would faine be in Hell, to try the worſt that God can doe. And that outlandiſh wretch thus, p. 73who would have given all to his ſoul, not to forſake him: but when nothing would ſerve the turne, but he muſt die, he commended his ſoule to the devill to be carried into everlaſting torments. And that Engliſh wretch thus, I give my goods to the King whom I have cozened, my body to the earth, and my ſoule to the Devill. And that other wretch (not worthy of a name) thus, My ſoule I bequeath to the devill who ownes it; my Wife to the Devill who drew mee to my ungodly life; and my Chaplaine to the Devill who flattered mee in it.But do not you young men ſtumble thus. But (deare young men) doe not yee ſo Lay hold of eternall life; and pull your ſelves (by the mighty power of GOD) into that way. Vſe no arguments to pull your ſelves into, or keepe your ſelves in the way of ſinne. Quit your ſelves like men, p. 74and the God of Heaven ſtand by you for your helpe and ſuccour. Now is the accepted time, now is the houre of ſalvation.2 Cor. 6.2 Cor 6 God hath ſhot a warning peece from Heaven, ſtand not out; but vaile to him, before he ſhoot the vollies of his vengeance againſt you irrecoverably.

Conſider your motives to look about you. Your age is moſt unſetled.Yee have many motives to make you look about you now for grace and glory. Firſt, your age is a moſt unſettled age, peſtered with many luſts of youth, which drop by drop may fall upon you, till you are ſuddenly over head and eares That which hath been formerly fained of Hercules, that he ſtood in two wayes, ready to take either, is true of you. For as a ſtrait tree which is looſe at the root ſtandeth trembling, and being unſetled, with a little ſtrength is pulled this way, or that way: ſo is it with you p. 75who are ready to bee ſwayed with winde and tyde every way.

Secondly,2. You will eaſily ſavour ever of your firſt liquor. you will eaſily ſavour ever of that firſt liquor which is put into you. Receive the diſtilled dewes of grace from the Spirit of God, and what a ſweet ſavour ſhall yee be in the noſtrils of God, and man? Receive the bloudy ſhowers of devilliſh and worldly temptations, and how will ye ſtinke like Sodome and her Siſters? If a man, by his owne, and others diſorders, have his body made crooked when young, he will be crooked in bud, bloſſome, leafe, fruit, and age; but if hee bee ſtrait th… (hee by the grace of GOD) continues ſtrait ſtill. So will it bee with you:Eccl. 1.15.Eccl 1:15 that which is crooked cannot be made ſtraite, and that which is wanting cannot bee numbred.

p. 763. Yee are now ſubject to the horribleſt ſinnes,Thirdly, ye are now ſubject to the horribleſt ſins. That natural corruption which is rooted in all mankinde, hath in your age more inſtruments to bring it to outward appearance, as flour…ſhing wit to invent, and dexterity in other members to put in execution. As therefore, they that are ſick of burning feavers have need of cooling things, and ſtomackefull Colts have need of ſtronger bits: ſo the fury of your age muſt bee held in, as with a bit and bridle, leſt it run upon you, and lay your honour in the duſt.

4. Your ſins will cry loudeſt. Pſal. 25.7.Ps 25:7Fourthly, your ſinnes being committed will cry loudeſt. Theſe made David cry out, remember not the ſins of my youth, when my ſervice would have beene moſt acceptable. Theſe made Iob complaine,Iob 13.26.Job 13:26 Thou writeſt bitter things againſt mee, and makest mee poſſeſſe the iniquities p. 79of my youth. Theſe made Paul ply Timothy, 2 Tim. 2.22.2 Tim 2:22to flee the luſts of youth. And theſe will make you pittifully cry out too late, We have wearied our ſelves in the wayes of wickedneſſe, when our paths were ſpred with butter. When we were ſtrong, luſty, and able to doe God ſervice, wee ſerved the Devill:Iob 21.17. Iob 20.11.Job 21:17Job 20:11 and now when God diſtributeth ſorrowes in his anger, our bones are full of the ſinnes of our youth, which ſhall lye downe with us in the duſt.

5. Laſtly, you think that you have a priviledge by your age:5. Your age hath no priviledge to ſinne. youth muſt have its courſe, they muſt ſowe their wilde Oats. But the counſell of the Spirit is otherwiſe,Eccl. 11.6.Eccl 11:6 In the morning ſow thy ſeede, and in the evening with-hold not thy hand, for thou knoweſt not whether ſhall proſper. Therefore Salomon thinkes ſuch more worthy to be laught at, then to bee anred, p. 80Rejoyce O young man in thy youth, Eccl. 11.5.Eccl 11:5and let thy heart cheere thee in the dayes of thy youth, and walke in the wayes of thy heart, and in the ſight of thine eyes: but know thou that for all theſe things GOD will bring thee to judgement. And David doth tie up your untamed age to the hornes of the Altar, ſaying, that even you muſt clenſe your wayes, Pſal. 119.5.Ps 119:5by taking heed thereto according to his word.

If therefore there bee any feare of GOD before your eyes,Therefore ſtumble not at any of theſe blockes. if yee have any bowels of compaſſion to your poore ſoules, walke not in the darke waies of the wicked. Open your eyes to ſee all the ſtumbling blocks of wicked men, and ſtumble not into their paths. O thinke what may come hereafter;Think how ſoone yee may dye. Iob 21.23.24, 25.Job 21:23Job 21:24Job 21:25 how ſoone you may die, goe hence, and bee no more ſeene. One dies in full ſtrength, p. 81being wholly at eaſe and quiet. His breſts are full of milke, and his bones are full of marrow: and another dies in the bitterneſſe of his ſoule, and never eateth with pleaſure: And then what danger will follow.and then without the grace of Repentance, the mercy of pardon, I muſt to Hell, to millions of millions of torments. Farewell companions, farewell time, farewell pleaſure;With fearfull complaints in vaine. Mic. 6.7.Mic 6:7 farewell friends, farewell all your perſwaſions, &c. and ſhall I ſay welcome Hell? O no: I would give thouſands of Rams, and tenne thouſand Rivers of Oyle; yea, the fruit of my body for the ſin of my ſoule: Luk. 13.7. Mat. 7.25. and 25, 12.Luke 13:7Matt 7:25Matt 25:12but the juſt Iudge will not accept it, cut it downe, why cumbreth it the ground: depart from me, I know thee not.

Thus you have had your example and your rule, both ſhewing the miſery of a wicked life: you have had my p. 82charge and diſcharge. Shall it fall like raine upon the barren Rockes and Mountaines without fruit? Shall it not move one ſoule to goe from the dens of ſinne to GOD? If not, as noble Terentius, when hee had petitioned for the Chriſtians, and ſaw it torne in peeces before his face, gathered up the peeces, and ſaid, I have my reward: I have not ſued for gold, ſilver, honour, or pleaſure, but a Church. So ſay I, in the middeſt of your neglect, I have not ſued for your gold or ſilver, for your houſes and lands, for your drinkes, dice, or drabs, but for your ſoules, your precious ſoules. If I cannot or ſhall not wooe them to come to Chriſt, God raiſe up ſome child of the Bride-chamber which may doe it better. If neither I nor others can prevaile, feare that ſpeech of Elies ſons,I Sam. 2.25.1 Sam 2:25 they hearkened not unto the p. 83voice of their father, becauſe the LORD would ſlay them. Ier. 9.1.Jer 9:1In ſuch a caſe, Oh that my head were full of water, and mine eyes a fountaine of teares, that I may weep day and night for the miſerable young men of my people. But GOD grant I may have no ſuch cauſe: God grant you may not bee in ſuch a ſtate: God grant you may bee now wiſe to ſalvation. For it is your ſalvation God would have, it is your ſalvation I would have: and woe unto you if you bee enemies to deſires ſo good, and no leſſe uſefull than for your ſalvation, your ſalvation for ever and ever.

GOD guide your hearts to the love of God, and to the waiting for of Chriſt.

FINIS.

A POST-SCRIPT TO THE READER of this Warning-peece, of the uſe of examples.

LONDON, Printed by T. B. 1639.