The Right Way to Heaven, Prayer 1 – Title page 2

The Right Way to Heaven · Prayer 1 – Title page 2

p. 184A SACRED Spirituall Awakening, or Morning Sacrifice, to ſerve for the awaking and rowſing of the carnally ſecure.

The eare that heareth the reproofe of life, abideth among the wiſe. Pro. 15.31.

He that despiſeth the Word, ſhall periſh by reaſon thereof. Proverb. 13.

It ſhall be more tollerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha. Mat. 10.14.15

29. IT is our over much ſtouping unto and our ſetling upon the lees of p. 185our vanities, that the fooliſh affections of the fleſh dragge us deeper into their diſordered appetites: It is our overmuch thinking on the things here below; let us remain no longer curb'd on earth, let us rouſe up, addreſſe our ſelves toward heaven, and let us not defraud it of what belongs unto it: ſhall not the examples of the creatures without reaſon (yea without ſenſe) lead us unto this reaſon? We ſee water commeth forth of the water, and returneth unto water, the earth drawne from the earth, re-inclineth to the earth, and ſo every thing p. 186tendeth to his place: and ſhall we that are borne for heaven flie from it? The knowledge that our bleſſedneſſe is there, eternall bleſſedneſſe which already we poſſeſſe thorow the aſſurance of our union with Ieſus Chriſt, into whoſe death we have been baptiſed, to the end to participate in his reſurrection, and to be in time ordained by God fully co-heires of that celeſtiall heritage: ought it not to make us lift up our ſenſes on high, and to pluck them wholly from the earth?

But alas! We confeſſe that this knowledge appeareth p. 187to be almoſt altogether obſcured in us: for our converſation is like unto that of them that have not knowne God, walking as having no feare of the Lord, and doing the things, which indeed ought not to be ſo much as thought on or named of us: it ſeemeth to appeare by the courſe of the moſt, that man is but only for the fleſh, to the end to glut his diſordered paſſions. O wonderfull brutiſhnes!

Where then ſhall this knowledge be? Or the feeling or expectation of the heavenly joy? Rom. 6. Col. 3. For this union not performing p. 188her functions, ſhould we not walke in feare and trembling all the courſe of our life? mortifie our old man and corrupt nature? Otherwiſe where ſhalbe the fruit of our baptiſme? Or the efficacie of the paſſions and ſufferings of Ieſus Chriſt? and if we be deſtitute and deprived of theſe things, abide we not ſtill in death, yea eternall death?

Wherefore let us here enter into aſtoniſhment, let us be terrified with feare, Rom. 2.4. We ſee the anger of God threatneth us, if we turne not away from evill. His Patience inviteth us to p. 189repentance, let us not deſpiſe the riches of his mercy. Eccleſ. 5.5. He hath borne with us untill this day, let us not ſay any more, the mercy of God is great, he will have pitie on the multitude of our ſins, to ad ſinne unto ſinne, and let us not ſtay till to morrow to convert our ſelves, for mercy and wrath come both from the Lord, and his day ſhalbe, and will come when it ſhall not be thought on, no man knoweth the houre: And this is it which is meant by the Parable of the evill ſervant, who ſaying in his heart my Maſter deferreth p. 190the time of his comming. Math. 24.48. And therefore I will lead an evill life: That his Maſter will ſurpriſe him, and will come in a day, when he looketh not for him, and will caſt him thither, where there ſhalbe weeping and gnaſhing of teeth: Let us feare, let us feare then ſuch a ſurpriſe, let us awake thorowly, and ſlumber no longer in our ſins.

O halfe Atheiſts! infamous Monſters! that ſay, let us ſinne that God may forgive us: otherwiſe, what uſe ſhall there be of his mercy, came he not for ſinners? Oh how you deceive p. 191your ſelves! and thoſe alſo that glut their brutiſh and irregular luſts, giving the full ſwing to their fooliſh deſires (prophaning likewiſe the mercy of God) promiſe to themſelves afterward to have the ſame all the courſe of their lives jollily, heaped up their iniquitie, to ſay at their laſt day a peccavi, whereupon they heape and pile up in this manner, as much miſchief as the moſt perverſe can do: As if it were in mans power to have repentance, to ask and obtaine mercy at any time or moment hee ſhall aſſigne himſelfe, and as if it were in p. 192his own free habilitie, and power, and not a ſpeciall and ſingular gift of God, as it is manifeſted unto us in Ieremy 31.8. when he ſaith, Convert mee, and I ſhall bee converted, for thou art the Lord my God: ſurely after I was converted, I repented. That ſuch grace commeth from God alone, according to his good pleaſure. It is y^e ſaying of the Holy Ghoſt, Act. 11.18. God gave to the Gentiles alſo repentance unto life. Which is alſo clearely ſhewed by Saint Paul charging Timothie to teach thoſe that were contrarily minded. 2 Timoth. 1.25. To trie if at any time God p. 193would give them repentance to the knowledge of the truth, that they may awake and recover themſelves out of the ſnare of the Devill, according to that we gather Eſay 1.15. That man ſomtimes cryeth unto the Lord in vaine, and without that he anſwereth him.

Conſider then now unto whom, when, and how mercy is graunted. Pſalme 18.41. And we may acknowledge all in that behalfe, that we have not the morrow to repent in: Let us not grow elder in our iniquitie, leaſt (as wiſdome admoniſheth us) That malice having taken deep root p. 194in us, our heart can never be changed: Wiſdome the 12.10. So the tree long ſince planted is not eaſily ſtub'd up, and let us ever beare in mind that threatning Apoc. 3.3. If therefore thou ſhalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou ſhalt not know what houre I will come upon thee.

But what, ſhall we not grow wiſe thorough the frequent examples which daily occurre, and preſent themſelves to our view: That the luſtieſt man, he that buildeth his deſignes (as it were) farre from the grave, and who thinketh of nothing leſſe, then on the p. 195tribute he owes to death, in the ſame inſtant ſinks downe: And therefore no man knowes the houre, nor how he muſt diſlodge from out of this lower earth; Every moment both of night and of day, ſhewing that God hath a thouſand and a thouſand meanes in his hand to cut off (when he pleaſeth) the thread of the ſoundeſt, and ſtrongeſt life. Whereupon one hath ſaid very well:

What act, what time, what place exempt can ſtand?

From dreadfull dart of Deaths fell hand?

Is not unpartiall proofe Pope Adrians flie?

p. 196That laughing, eating, drinking man may die?

Stay a little thy mind and thoughts in this place, O thou temporiſer! that deferreſt unto another ſeaſon to amend and become better, let not this paſſe thee without thinking on it, and it ſhalbe an entrance unto thee to profit by the admonition which our Saviour Ieſus Chriſt gives us, Mat. 24.44. Therefore be ye alwayes ready, and watch for feare of being ſurpriſed, not knowing the houre of your departure. Let us not here make as though we were deaf. If we give eare to an inſtrument which affoords p. 197us ſome recreation, ſhall we ſtop it from hearing of wholſome counſell? No, no: leaſt it may be ſaid to us as in Proverb. 1.24. I have called and ye refuſed. I have ſtretched out my hand, and no man regarded. Ye have ſet at naught all my counſell, and would none of my reproofe. I alſo will laugh at your calamity, I will mocke when your feare commeth: when your feare commeth as deſolation, and your deſtruction commeth as a whirle-winde, when diſtreſſe and anguiſh commeth upon you. Then ſhall you call upon me, but I will not anſwer: For you have hated p. 198knowledge, and not choſen the feare of the Lord: you would none of my counſell, but have deſpiſed all my reproofe: therefore ſhall you eat of the fruit of your wayes, and ſhalbe filled with your owne deviſes. For the turning away of the ſimple ſhall ſlay them, and the proſperitie of fooles ſhall destroy them. Remember what I did to Sodome and Gomorrha, 4. Eſd. 2.8. So will I deale with them that have not harkened unto me. Pſal. 95:7.8. ſaith the mighty Lord. Let us then be better adviſed, harkening to the voice of God. Let us not harden our hearts: Let us listen to his p. 199counſell, and receive reproof to become wiſer: and profiting by theſe admonitions, may not procraſtinate nor delay any more from day to day by ſaying (every one) I have ſinned, and we muſt repent. But even now inſtantly, without putting it off, let us no more prophane this ſo ſpeciall a gift of God. This moſt precious gift I ſay, of repentance, (which Eſau beg'd yea even with teares, and it was not graunted him Heb. 12.17.) For feare leaſt that befall us which was ſaid to the five fooliſh Virgins, who becauſe they wanted oyle, when they had leiſure to p. 200have made their proviſion thereof, entred not in with the bridegroome, and let us ſtand on our gards, walking in newneſſe of life, as having already left this world, not knowing the houre when we ſhall be called out of it: Witneſſing that we are dead unto ſin, and liuing unto God thorow Ieſus Chriſt, Col. 3. in whom we are made new creatures, to ſerve unto righteouſneſſe: And doe ſhew that truly we have more care of the things above then of theſe which are upon the earth, by renouncing and utterly abandoning the covetous to his p. 201coveteouſnes; the ambitious worldling to his inſolent and vaine ambition; the voluptuous perſon to the laſcivious affections of his fleſh: for from thence is it, that ſpring and iſſue forth all impieties. Hence is the root and the ſpring, this is that which produceth them, and which foments them. What wil not the covetous man do to augment his heape of wealth? The ambitious to enjoy his ambition? The voluptuous to accompliſh his deſires? Their hearts being in theſe things, as if in them conſiſted their ſoveraine happines.

p. 202Not here to deſcend to the particular enormitie of theſe vices (wherof he that is fullieſt fraught, maketh himſelf ordinarily believe, that he is altogether exempt from them, or els glorieth in them, as in moſt commendable parts) nor particularly to lay open, how deteſtable they are. To wind up all in brief; appeareth it not that they that take their pleaſure in theſe things, ſpare not the very honour of God, which they annihilate and utterly aboliſh, as much as in them lyeth, to give place to their irregular and diſordered affections? For although p. 203they know, and are informed of his will, and how he ought to be obeyed and ſerved; they voluntarily ſeduce and miſlead themſelves out of the way of ſalvation, and hold (though againſt their conſcience) the great and wide way of the world: the way of thoſe, which in their hearts they reproove, and know they ſerve not the Lord as they ſhould: And with them often ſerve the creature (yea their owne work) in ſtead of the Creator, call upon it (or faine to call upon it) committing Idolatrie with all ſuperſtition, (at y^e leaſt in hypocriſie) & p. 204ſo harden the poore ignorant, and by that meanes, not onelyonly impeach Gods glory, but even withall fight againſt it to the uttermoſt of their poſſibilitie. Why then, theſe vices, draw they not after and with them this full meaſure of all wickednes, for what is this but ſo to renounce God? Yea often times to make warre againſt him? Can man with all his perverſitie conceive a thing more abhominable? No, no; it is not poſſible, this is extreame iniquitie.

But leaſt it ſhould fare with them, as with a pleader which ſhould be condemned, p. 205unheard before he had put in his anſwer to his adverſaries plea: let us heare what defence they make, who will excuſe themſelves in this caſe: God requireth (ſay they) rather the inward man then the outward; the inſide then the outſide. Then if to remaine in good concord, and better fellowſhip they accommodate and comply in themſelves (in regard of outward appearance) with thoſe whom otherwiſe they ſhould thwart and be croſſe unto, it is but onelyonly to maintaine peace and unity: and ſo to retaine the meanes to ſettle themſelves, p. 206and to thrive and proſper ameng men, not ceaſing nevertheleſſe to condemne the actions of thoſe, unto whom ſeemingly they conforme themſelves, and in their hearts hold themſelves unto that, which GOD requireth of the faithfull.

A doome it is moſt certaine, and truly remarkable of all other: That the way of the foole is right in his owne eyes, Proverb. 12.15, Silly ſots, to think by your humane wiſdome (fooliſhneſſe before the Lord) to take Sanctuarie, and better to ſhelter your ſelves from p. 207the wrath of God, then thoſe whom you condemn? Heare what Saint Paul ſaith to you, Rom. 1.21.22. Whilſt you think your ſelves wiſe, you are become fooles. Becauſe when ye knew God, yet you have not glorified him as God. Luk. 2.47: We learne, that hee that knowes his Maſters will, and doth it not, ſhalbe more grievouſly beaten, then he who not knowing it, hath not done it. Why, is not your hypocriſie here moſt manifeſt? Whilſt you endeavour to make men believe another thing then that which you have inwardly in your heart: that deteſtable vice, p. 208which our Saviour Ieſus Chriſt never ſpeakes of without expreſſion of his anger: the high way of Atheiſme. For he which ſtrives to counterfeit a Religion, which he condemneth in his heart, can never have any reſt in his conſcience, untill he give himſelfe over to believe that all things are indifferent, nor hath he any other meanes to free himſelfe from that dread and from thoſe horrours, which the juſt judgment of God inflicts upon that miſerable and wretched conſcience of his, as to be perſwaded that God will not look ſo narrowly p. 209to mens demeanours, and then is he truly a ſpirituall leper: For having loſt the feeling and feare of Gods juſtice, it is a ſure teſtimonie, that ſuch an one knoweth not God; becauſe to denie God, and to denie his juſtice is all one. Indeed appeares it not that the moſt of them, who at the beginning but fainingly ſhall adhere to Idolaters, at length become wholly Idolaters, or fall into that blindnes, that there's no longer any religion at all in them, having altogether forgotten God, and live as though there were no God, of whom many that would p. 210have men eſteem better of them, do as the Cameleon, and according to the object they encounter, they reſemble one while one thing, another while another: And unto ſuch the Prophet Elias cryeth out, ſaying: How long will yee halt between two opinions on both ſides? If God be God, why do you not follow him? If Baal, Baal? But if they have yet any ſparke of knowledge that there is a God, a God terrible, to be feared in his judgments given in his anger, ſhall they not be aſtoniſht to heare the Lord ſay to them in his diſpleaſure? Apoc. 3.16. p. 211That becauſe they are neither hot nor cold, but lukewarme, that he will vomit them out of his mouth. And hearing, that by his Prophet Ieremie, Ieremie 48.20. Hee curſeth him that doth the work of the Lord negligently: for what is there more fearefull, ſaving the execution?

O you the beſt of theſe, that ſay you conſent not in mind to that you do? Lamentably wiſe fooles, whoſe wiſdome conſiſts in folly, know you not that he who is the Creator of the ſoule, is alſo of the body? Can we ſerve God with the one, and Mammon with p. 212the other? Dan. …. If you can carry your ſelves in that manner, why then did not Daniel to avoid caſting into the Lions den, following the decree of King Darius diſſemble and faine to obey that was enjoyn'd him? Why did not Sidrach, Mi…a…, and Abednego (outwardly at leaſt) yee…d and ſubmit to what Nebuch…dnezzar required of them, rather then to cauſe him to caſt them into the fire? Why have not ſo many Martyrs ſpoken your language, and made ſome faire ſhew to be delivered from that infinitenes of horrible torments, and even from p. 212death it ſelf? But who by reaſon of many, of whom ſometimes there was no more required; but a yea, or a nay, without any further profeſſion of Religion (ſollicited by them that thought to doe them a friendly office for their eſcape) choſe rather death, and forſooke their life.

No, no, we muſt a… Saint Paul ſaith, not only believe with the heart, to juſtification, Rom. 10.10. But alſo confeſſe with the mouth unto ſalvation, for God require to the inward par…s, with the outward, and will have our light ſo ſhine before men, that they ſeeing p. 214our good works, may therupon glorifie him. It is the inſtruction of our Saviour Ieſus Chriſt. Ceaſe then and leave off this evill cuſtome, ſeeing God by his Holy Spirit ſaith yet, repent you, Math. 5.16. Who addeth, for otherwiſe I wil come against you ſpeedily, Apo. 1.16. and will fight againſt you with the ſword of my mouth. And let us ſay all henceforth with David, Pſalm. 34. Henceforth ſhall our tongues ſing aloud the righteouſneſſe of the Lord, and the lowly minded ſhall heare that we boaſt our ſelves of the Lord, and ſhall bee glad thereof. Even as p. 215Saint Paul exhorteth us, 1. Corinth. 6.20. Let us glorifie God, not onelyonly in our ſpirits, but alſo in our bodies which are Gods. And in emulation one of another, let us give teſtimonie to every one of the adoption which we have in Ieſus Chriſt: that all may know and take notice, that thorow him we are heires of the kingdome of heaven: let us boaſt of this glory, a glory to be paralel'd by no other, being a ſpeciall benefit which is unvaluable.

That our pietie may ſhine forth ſingularly to the inſtruction of our families. Let us not be ſo lukewarme p. 216in following of Chriſt. And let us not a little cheriſh the riches of his opprobries, as to take our chiefeſt care to make them capable of ſharing in the vanities of the world: For if we have no other care of their ſalvation, we are the executioners of their ſoules; worſe then the bruit beaſts, that are carefull for the good of their young: no leſſe lewd then they that ſacrificed their children to Baal▪ yea, if (ſay I) we conſent that they be brought up with the milk and poiſon of the ſpirituall ſtrumpet, as much as in us lyeth, to make p. 217them one day partakers of all the curſes of the Lord, as if we had vowed to be inſtruments to deliver them over our ſelves unto Satan. This we ſhall witneſſe to be thus, if againſt our ſcience and conſcience we bring them not up in the wayes of the Lord. Let us then herein place all our ſtudie, dealing in ſuch ſort, that they whom God ſhall have committed to our guidance, may be as it were trumpets by their good and holy converſation, to publiſh unto every one the truth of our profeſſion, as the thing wherewith wee account our ſelves p. 218moſt honoured.

I pray you, where is he, who being deſcended of ſome illuſtrious and noble familie, is not jealous unto the end to be held and known by every one to be iſſued of that race? What Lord of ſome goodly poſſeſſion doth not divulge his titles, beareth not willingly his coats of Armes? Yea, doth he not ſet them up in ſight on the higheſt places to be ſo much the more conſpicuous and better diſcerned? A thing nevertheleſſe bu… of ſmall continuance: and which in very deed, when all comes to all, is but meere vanity: and p. 219whereof there can no compariſon be made to this ſo loftie a title, and ſo full of glory; the higheſt pitch of all honour: this title, ſay I, of Child and Servant of God, Coheire with Chriſt. A quality, O the nobleſt, and moſt magnificent, (which maketh happy Monarchs) not for a ſeaſon, but eternally in compariſon of which, ſurely all other even the greateſt and the moſt precious that are under the coap of heaven, and compaſſe of the earth, are leſſe then nothing, yea moſt wretched, if theſe be not adjoyned unto them. And then if a Noble Perſon…ge p. 220ſo much affect his ancient ſcutchions of armes for ſo ſmall fruit; if he would not endure that ought ſhould be detracted, or any thing added, leſt his linage might either be queſtioned or unknowne? How much more carefull ought we to be, to take good heed we do not any act, which may not ſuit with thoſe that are truly the children and ſervants of God? And in contempt of the world, to enforce our ſelves to walk in that integrity and uprightneſſe, we ought to be by ſo much the more remarkably ſuch? Seeing otherwiſe eſpecially, we exclude and ſhut out p. 221our ſelves from his grace; Rom. 1.16. Let us not then be aſhamed of the truth of the Goſpell of Chriſt, which is the power of God unto ſalvation unto all that believe. For alas, if it be ſo, that we are ſo brutiſh and beaſtly, that to poſſeſſe the world, to pleaſe it, or for feare of it we diſſemble the knowledg we have of him, the Son of God himſelf tels us, That as we have denied him before men, hee will denie us alſo before his Father, and will bee aſhamed of us, and that worthily. Luk. 9.26. Let us hold (then) the confeſſion of our hope, without varying for any thing p. 222whatſoever: According as Saint Paul teacheth us, Heb. 10. And with him we ſay, Neither that which is preſent, nor that which is to come, nor height, nor depth, poverty, nor nakednes, perſecution, affliction, nor death, nor life, ſhall ſeparate us from the love of Chriſt. Rom. 8.34. Prepare alwaies in every place and before all men to give a reaſon and an account to every one of the hope that is in us, Peter 1.3. Yea as true faithfull ones let us take eſpecially our neighbours by the hands, ſaying to them, let us go up; let us aſcend up to the mountaine, unto the houſe p. 223of the God of Iacob; and he will teach us his wayes, Eſa. 4. And let us ſtir up one another unto charity, and to good works Mic. 2. Not forſaking the aſſembly of the faithfull: For (as Saint Paul ſaith) if we ſin willingly after we have received the knowledge of the truth, Heb. 10. There remaines no ſacrifice for that ſin, but a fearfull expectation of judgment, and the vengeance of fire, which ſhall devoure the adverſaries: Setting before us, that if any one had deſpiſed the Law of Moyſes, he was put to death without any mercy: and thence concludes, p. 224how much more grievous torments ſhall he deſerve that ſhall eſteem the bloud of the Sonne of God as a thing of no holines, thorow the which he had been ſanctified, and had done injury to the Spirit of Grace?

Yea, but what ſay you to this, that by making open profeſſion of this knowne truth, men ſhall deprive themſelves of the favour and good will of the great ones: It is a courſe that will bring an untimely iſſue to our beſt deſignes, and we ſhall run a hazard to fall from our honours; yea, we ſhall be in danger to be p. 225brought to the loweſt ebb of the greateſt miſery (the ordinary condition of thoſe that will be followers of Ieſus Chriſt) and ſome will ſay more; they who earne me the bread which my family eats, will not henceforth ſerve me: and what ſhall then my condition be? how ſhall I live.

It is here high time to ſound the alarum, the combat is at hand; but before we give the on-ſet, let us take better notice of our enemies, to wit, the world, and the fleſh. Shall we demaund of him that maketh warre upon us, the things that are fit to deſtroy him? p. 226No, no: this were all one as if we ſhould caſt flax into fire to quench it.

To ſhelter our ſelves then from the firſt encounter of the aſſault, let us ſet our ſelves in battell-array with Daniel, Sidrach, and Abednego, let us march forward in their ſteps, and uſe the ſame weapons with the Martyrs, Epheſ. 6.11. Let us have our loynes girt about with truth, and have on the breſt-plate of righteouſnes, and let us have our feet ſhod with the preparation of the Goſpell of Peace; and above all let us take the ſhield of Faith, and the helmet of ſalvation, and p. 227the ſword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Let us deny our ſelves to follow Chriſt, as every true Chriſtian ought: ſo ſhall we paſſe thorow the greateſt conflict, which ſhall preſent it ſelfe, if he encounter himſelf, and we ſhall remaine conquerors as they have done, that have known, and withall have followed the will of the Lord, and not the ſenſualitie of the fleſh, and the world. A gift of God, which he giveth to them that aske it in faith, without wavering. Iames 1.6. They know that the Almighty curſeth the man that maketh p. 228fleſh his arme, and that trusts in man. Ieremy 7.2. That ſurely men of high degree are vanitie, Pſal. 62.9. and a lye: and that he that ſhall put into the ballance the grandes of the earth against nothing, ſhall find them yet lighter then nothing. Wherfore they have not expected ſalvation from any other but from the higheſt, relying wholly and truſting in him only. And ſee we not alſo indeed, that there is no Monarch ſo great, but God when he pleaſeth, out of hand brings him to nothing? Want we proofs for the uncertainty of the performance of mans promiſes? p. 229Now when it was in his owne power to perform (which he never hath but as it is given him from above) ſhall there be any found that ſaith he hath not found as much by exp…rience? The thing is too too frequent. So alſo do we not ſee, that not only it is in vaine, but withall draweth down the wrath of God upon himſelf that depends on man, how great or mighty ſoever he be in appearance? Let us then forgo for ever ſuch a thing. Pſalme 60.11. Give us helpe from trouble, for vaine is the helpe of man. And following Davids counſell, let us p. 230ever put our truſt in God alone, he is good and gracious to will what ſhall bee expedient for vsus; mightie in his power, true and immutable in his promiſes to accompliſh them: And let every one of us ſay with him, Pſal. 28.7.

He is my ſhield and fortitude,

my buckler in diſtreſſe: My hope, my help, my hearts reliefe,

my ſong ſhall him confeſſe.

To dive yet deeper into this matter: Thou that feareſt thine honours, and art afraid that thy earthly goods will leave thee, after p. 231the which thou ſo breatheſt and barkeſt, thou verifieſt that which cannot but be moſt true: That it is impoſſible that a man ſhould ſerve God and riches. Luke 16.14. He which is truth it ſelf ſpake it. But it ſhall not be amiſſe to ſet a glaſſe before thee, that thou maiſt ſee how thou art disfigured, and that thou mayſt know thine own deformity, if thou haſt ſight enough to diſcern it. O foole, that ſeekeſt after, and priſeſt at ſo high a rate the glory and treaſures of the earth, as if therin conſiſted thy happines. (horrible Idolatrie) If thy ſoule be required p. 232of thee this night, what ſhall become of the totall? And put the caſe, thou liveſt the longeſt age of man, that length is but a moment: What profit have they gain'd by it, whom thou haſt ſeen go before thee, who are now in the grave? Pſalme 90. thinkeſt thou they are much more happy therby? Alas, the danger is great, 'tis contrary. Luke 18.24. For it is a very hard thing for the rich to enter into the Kingdome of heaven. What hope therof wilt thou draw from out of that which S^t. Iames ſaith. ch. 5.2. Weepe you rich men, howle for your p. 233miſeries which ſhall come upon you: your riches are corrupted, your garments moath-eaten: your gold and ſilver is cancred, and the rust of them ſhall be a witneſſe againſt you, and ſhall eat your fleſh as it were fire: Tim. 6, 9 Then what ſhall make thee deſire abundance? For they that will be rich, fall into temptation, into the ſnares of the Devill, and into many fooliſh and hurtfull lusts. Wiſdom. 5. Which plunge men into deſtruction and ruine. Which the Wiſeman knowing, made his prayer unto God, not to give him riches, but only his daily bread.

p. 234And withall what are all other things, but moſt vaine vanity? Which not ſo ſoon have taken their being, as they are glided away, and paſſed by, as if they had not beene at all. Nor is there any more appearance left of them, then of a bird that hath flowne thorow the ayre, whoſe track cannot be found: flying away from him, who ſo greedily and with all carefulnes had heaped them up together, or if not, he himſelfe leaves them by death, and unto whom? Surely he knowes not: as ſaith the Prophet, Pſalme 39.6. He heapeth up riches, and knoweth p. 235not who ſhall gather them.

But when this ſhould obtaine ſome continuance, wouldſt thou ſo abaſtardiſe and curtall thy felicity, as therin to limit thy ſoveraign good? Tell me, how many yeares thou haſt already paſſed, and what a portion of thy age is glided on, which is no more to be reckon'd on then when thou beginneſt therin to take pleaſure, and if it were not ſo, but rather that man might rejoyce in and enjoy his pleaſure even from the day of his birth, wouldſt thou then eſteeme it a profit, that for to poſſeſſe p. 236even the whole world, he ſhould loſe his ſoule? Hearken unto, and conſult with Ieſus Chriſt in this queſtion. Matth. 16.26. We ſhall know, that whoſoever ſeeketh after and loves theſe things, cannot pleaſe God: For there is his heart, and not with the Lord, and therfore let us contemne them, Matth. 6.9. And following the inſtruction of Ieſus Chriſt, Let us lay up our treaſures in heaven, where neither the ruſt, nor moath corrupt, and thinke on thoſe things which are above, and not on theſe that are here below: for whoſoever is not ready to forſake p. 237all he hath in the world, and which he poſſeſſeth on earth, (as he himſelf ſaith) he cannot bee one of his. Now if this be once found in us, ſurely then we will ſeek rather to glor…fie God, then to poſſeſſe the goods, which oftentimes the very wicked injoy: We will prefer the riches of the opprobries of Chriſt, Heb. 11. before the treaſures of Egypt, after the example of Moyſes, nor will we commit ſuch an errour, as to deprive our ſelves of the hearing of Gods Word, and of the meanes to ſerve him according to his already known will, thereby the p. 238more commodiouſly to heap up wealth as we are wont to do: But we had rather as David, Pſal. 48. dwell ſimple doore-keepers in the houſe of the Lord, then to enjoy the delights of the fleſh: Yea by ſo much the more willingly, if as we hold them happy that dwell in the houſe of God, praiſe him without ceaſing: And on the contrary for moſt miſerable thoſe that are eſtranged far from it. Amos 8.11. There being no greater evill, then to have a famine of the Word of the Lord.

It remaines to ſatisfie more particularly him, p. 239who doth not already ſee himſelfe cloſely purſued with miſery, but hath his eye fixt on thoſe by the meanes of whom he thinketh to live, that regardeth nothing more then to conforme himſelfe to their humour, even to the turning of his back unto God, for-feare of diſgrace, preferring this temporall life before eternall life: having more care of the body then of the ſoule, as one that makes more of his apparell then of himſelfe: Yet ſuch a one in truth is brought to ſome tryall, by reaſon of the defects which are in man thorow his infirmitie p. 240and baſenes, when as he hath not yet taſted of the promiſes of God, but that he may commit a thing yet more horrible, nothing more deteſtable, and which may make more for his condemnation, no: And ſay we what we will to palliate ſuch ſinne, ſo it is, that to ſpeak properly, we muſt know that we ſet man in Gods place: For wee make lying man true; and God who is power it ſelfe, a lyer. Man that is meerely impotent we make powerfull, and God, who is power it ſelfe, impotent: in repoſing our truſt ordinarily (as in this behalf) upon p. 241man, and on his promiſes: And on the contrary, there is nothing but diffidence and diſtruſtfulneſſe in that which is promiſed us from God, do we relie more upon him in our need? Is not this his voice? Mat. 6.25. Take no thought for your life, what you ſhall eate, or what you ſhall drinke, nor for your bodies, what you ſhall put on. If God (ſaith Ieſus Chriſt) feed the birds of the ayre, and cloath the graſſe of the field, will he not much more do it for you? O you of little faith. Aske then (ſaith he) and ſeeke you firſt of all the kingdome of God, and the righteouſneſſe thereof, and p. 442all theſe ſhalbe miniſtred unto you withall: and be not carefull for to morrow. This is the Word of God, theſe are his promiſes: and yet in ſtead of retiring our ſelves unto him, and towards him, who hath promiſed never to leave us, and never to forſake us, whence Saint Paul, Heb. 15. Drawes an argument to bid us to be content with things preſent, we turn our ſelves unto men, and hope from them, as from them, that which we want: if any man mighty in poſſeſſion hath made us proteſtation of friendſhip, and hath promiſed us his purſe ſhall p. 243be open to us in our need, forthwith we make an account of it as of a thing moſt certaine, and which cannot faile us, and we ſo cheriſh this in ſuch ſort, that we take good heed in no wiſe to diſpleaſe ſuch an one: Yea with the diſpence even of Gods honour, as he whom we leave out, as he of whom we had not received ought, and from whom we could not hope for any benefit: and what is this? but (with marvelous and deteſtable ingratitude) to accuſe God of impotencie, or of want of will to make good that which he hath promiſed, and ſo to make p. 244him a lyar? A thing infinitely (as the offence is infinite) horrible to think onelyonly. And on the contrary, ſetting man in his place, by attributing unto him, what appertaineth unto God alone. Pſal. 42, 1.50.12. Yea we ſo preferre ma… before God, him, whoſe all things are, that brings the wealthy to beggerie, and raiſeth up the poore unt… glory, making him aboun… in wealth.

It ſeemeth, that he… ſome may ſay we will ceaſe then henceforth to take paines, and trample upon all care, truſting and repoſing our ſelves wholly upon p. 245the promiſes of God: Now know we, that this would be truly to tempt him: which makes us not theſe promiſes to make us careleſſe to employ our ſelves in that wherunto we are cal…ed by him, and which our calling requires, ſeeing he himſelfe hath ordained (for a badge and by reaſon of our ſin) that we ſhall eat our bread in the ſweat of our browes. Gen. 3.19. all the time of our life; Which made Saint Paul ſay, that he that labours not (if he be able to do it) ought not to eat, 1 Theſ. 3.10. This is it alſo why the Pſalmiſt conſidering p. 246we are neceſſitated unto action, ſaith (ſpeaking of him that feareth God, and walketh in his wayes) Pſa. 127.128.2.

Bleſſed art thou that feareſt God, and walkest in his way:

For of thy labor thou ſhalt eat happy art thou I ſay.

But the end of theſe promiſes is to the end wee ſhould not be diſmayd, when by the providence of God we ſhall be deſtitute of all poſſeſſions, and even deprived of drawing any fruit from the labour we can undergo; labour truly vaine, unleſſe he extend his bleſſing to the ſame, without which in vaine wake p. 247we late and riſe up early, Pſalm. 146. and that we might know, that from mans induſtrie his wealth proceeds not, but from God onelyonly, who advanceth and caſteth downe when he pleaſeth. From him, I ſay, that knowes no want, to give proviſion whereof to live unto them that need. And that thus we might be led on forward to walk in his obedience and feare, as of him on whom we wholy depend, yea even the mightieſt and higheſt that are amōg the creatures.

But let us returne, let us yet further diſcover our owne filthines, Luke 21.18 p. 248Appeares it not that albeit that God aſſures us, that no man ſhalbe able ſo much as to pluck a hayre from our head without his will (which is the ſame S^t. Paul ſayes, Rom. 8.3. If God be for us, who ſhall be againſt us?) and although he ſay he will keep his people as the apple of his eye, ſeeming to expreſſe himſelfe after our imperfect manner, to make us the better to comprehend his love, yet for all this, how great are our diffidences and diſtruſts? That if it happen, that we be threatned with baniſhment, or otherwiſe to make any attempt p. 249upon our perſons by reaſon of the confeſſion of the Name of God, and of his Truth, we be altogether appaled with feare and terrible apprehenſions, even to the renouncing of him, and to be diſpoſed to ſpeake ſuch language: And to be ſhort, to do that which they would do, that in appearance ſhal have ſtrength in their hands? Yea the greater part of them which follow the great and broad way, Ma. 7.13. of deſtruction, and who as they ſay, houle when others yell, wil follow the faſhion, be it never ſo vile, do not they act it before they ſee it, out of p. 250a foreſight of the feare they have thereof? Howſoever for a matter of this nature, following our SAVIOVR CHRISTS teaching, we ought not to feare them that can kill the body, Mat. 10.28. and are not able to touch the ſoule; but rather and only to feare him, who is able to deſtroy the ſoule, and to ſend the body to hell, Matth. 10.19. Having elſwhere ſaid unto us, that whoſoever will ſave his life, ſhall loſe it: But he that for Gods ſake ſhall loſe it, ſhall ſave it.

And what ſhall we ſay? Is not this all one as if one ſhould affirme the promiſes p. 251of God were every one vaine. Could we make leſſe reckoning of them then of ſome poore begger deſtitute of all meanes, who had promiſed to lend us at our need a great ſum of money? even thus fares it with the confidence we repoſe in man, a thing execrable.

If we be not now ſufficiently convinced to lead us to paſſe the ſentence of condemnation upon our ſelves, let us put the caſe h…re ſome miſerable fellow had offended one that was greater then himſelfe, who had the will to be revenged on him; if he that hath offended findeth grace and p. 252credit with the Prince, in common, both to him, and to the offended; and that the Prince promiſe him with all true affection to ſtay his evill willer that he do him no hurt, declaring in proceſſe of time unto all his ſubjects that he loves that perſon, will keep and cheriſh him as himſelfe; will we not then ſay, ſuch an one is well aſſured of a good Protector; ſhall we not think him exempt from all occaſion of feare? For ſhall we not acknowledg that Prince of power eaſily to protect him? And that great God, who is the Prince of Princes, p. 253who hath power above all the powers (much more ſoveraignly without all compariſon, then hath the greateſt Monarch of the earth, over the moſt forlorn and moſt deſolate of all his Dominion, Rom. 13.1. there being none of them in the world but by divine diſpenſation by Gods appointment) unto whom nothing is impoſſible, true of his word, unchangeable, cannot he keep us? What? So great, and ſo many numberleſſe benefits which we have received, and daily do receive from him, fulfilling his promiſes, ſhould it not be ſufficient p. 254to carry us to put our whole truſt and confidence in him, and not to doubt in any wiſe of the certaine effect of his Word.

O perverſe diffidence, and diſobedience, more then ingratefull to have preferred the prop and protection of men before that of God, to have had more feare of their diſpleaſure then of him, 2 Pet. 21. Yea ſo much as to have turned their backs unto him for their reſpect to follow Baal, as Balaam, who for the wages of unrighteouſneſſe turned from the right way.

Many will not confeſſe p. 255the debt; but will ſay (although their conſcience ſpeak to the contrary: without feare of the curſe pronounced by the Lord, Eſay 5.20. againſt them that will make evill to be believed to be good, and good to be evill) that they walk according to God, and in all integritie without diſſimulation, who to palliate by ſo much the more their hypocriſie, will take heed to obſerve even unto the groſſeſt ſuperſtitions, and notorious abhominable idolatries, they wilbe very glad to make knowne unto every one, they omit nothing of what p. 256is required to be done, by him that is ſuch, as they counterfeit themſelves to be: namely, to the end men might not doubt of them, and to make them believe they have ſincerity in their courſe (they which have children, make them ſuck in this poiſon, and will nouriſh them, and bring them up with this venome, for which they ſhall anſwer one day before God) they will freely and openly make warre againſt the truth. See how from theſe impieties and wickedneſſes they fall into other, which at laſt do plunge them into a reprobate ſenſe, Wiſdom. p. 25711.15. Man being puniſhed by the ſame things where in he ſinneth. Thus is it, as it happeneth and falleth out with them that think to mock God, 4. Eſdr. 16. That knoweth the inventions of men, what they thinke in their hearts, when in ſinning they would hide their ſinnes. 2 Peter 21. O how farre better would be the condition of ſuch people that they had never knowne the way of righteouſneſſe, and of the truth: ſeeing after they have ſo knowne the ſame, they turne backe from the holy commandement: Eſay 1.14. A ſinfull people, loaden with iniquitie, malignant ſeed, p. 258corrupt children, thus to forſake the Lord, to provoke in that manner the Holy One of Iſrael. Alas: What wilbe the retribution for ſuch lewdnes?

They that commit theſe impieties, may deceive men, but God they cannot, who is the ſole ſearcher of y^e heart. Act. ….44. And from whom nothing is hid: Hee will diſcloſe them in due time, for there is nothing ſo ſecret, Matth. 10.26. which (when he pleaſe) ſhall not come to light, and be publiſhed even upon the houſe tops, yea when there is the leaſt appearance: And he will one day ſay unto them p. 259(it may be much nearer then they think) if they repent not ſpeedily, no longer abuſing his mercy, Matth. 25.41. Goe ye curſed into eternall fire, which is prepared for the Devill and his angels: And in vaine then ſhall they cry, Lord, Lord, Eſa: 2. For he will anſwer them: I never knew you, you workers of iniquitie, that have loved better the praiſe of men, then of God.

O how fearefull a thing is it to fall into the hands of the living God; he, who not only ſees our actions, but alſo is judge of our intentions: and in a word, he unto whoſe eyes all things p. 260are knowne and open: let us not defer then to repent, let us ſeek to do good, as having to walk before the Lord, Pſal. 44. Who beholdeth all our actions, yea who ſearcheth our reines, and examins our thoughts, Proverb. 21. there being no wiſedome, ſtrength, prudence, hid, retired, nor ſhrouded from him, knowing that it ſhall not be any deale the better for us for having our iniquities concealed from men, which ordinarily ſeemeth to ſuffice us: and ſo we take no further care. And in all feare let us apply and imploy our our members unto righteouſneſſe, p. 261and according as Saint Paul exhorts us Rom. 12.1. Let us offer up our bodies a living ſacrifice, holy, and acceptable unto God, which is our reaſonable ſerving of him. Let us not any longer remaine aſleepe in our vaine converſation, from the which we were redeemed, neither with gold, nor with ſilver, but by the moſt precious bloud of the Son of God: And let us awake up, let us awake, I ſay, unto holines of life, leſt it prove the ſleep of eternal death: let not the world nor the things of the world any longer retaine our affections to enforce us any p. 262longer to continue in this horrible hypocriſie: being content with that condition whereunto it ſhall pleaſe the Lord to call us, ſeeing all things turne to the good of them that feare God. Rom. 5. And ſo then that poverty make us not afraid, when it ſhall find us, that perſecution daunt us not, when as for the Name of the Lord it muſt be undergone: but let us ſuffer chearefully with Chriſt that we may raigne with him, Heb. 11. Wiſd. 2. Let the diſ-reputation and diſhonour wee ſhall reape from worldlings (grieved becauſe we will not follow their traine) p. 263be ſleighted of us: To conclude, let nothing (no not the loſſe even of life it ſelf) make us warpe or decline from the wayes of the Lord: For the ſufferings of the time preſent are not to be paralel…d with the good things to come, which are laid up for us in Chriſt, Philip. 1.21. Who i… gaine unto us, not only living, but even alſo in death: And in our neceſſitie let us have recourſe no more unto unlawfull meanes to ſhelter our ſelves under, but unto God alone, who giveth both good and evill, to wit the evill of puniſhment, life, and death, poverty and riches, p. 264Eccleſ. 11.14. VntoUnto him, I ſay, who having ſo much loved us as to give his onelyonly begotten Sonne unto death for us, Rom. 8.31. Will not let us want any thing, though never ſo ſmall, as farre forth as ſhalbe expedient for our good. Yea hee,

Whoſe ever watchfull eyes,

O're his, beyond all hope:

Their needfull wants in time ſupplies.

His feare, his glory, is their guide, their ſcope.

He ſtill their life exempts,

From what even death it ſelfe attempts:

And fils them with the things they want;

p. 265When times of famine brings them ſcant.

And by his bounty ſtill recals,

The Lord his owne backe from their falls:

To wait on him in their distreſſe,

To him to make their firme adreſſe.

Who ever is ſure castle, prop, and ſtay,

To thoſe that wander not from out his way.

And let us remove farre away from us all vanitie, let us ſtrip and quite diſveſt our ſelves of this fooliſh and curſed confidence and reliance which we ordinarily have in the arme of p. 264duplicate page p. 265duplicate page p. 266man, and in riches. And henceforth for the remainder of our courſe of this earthly pilgrimage, let us not ſeeke but to glorifie God to the edification of others, and in him let us place our who…e expectation, for as David ſaith, Pſal. 40.

Thrice happy hee his truſt doth place

In God the giver of all grace:

And him alone his refuge makes,

And not vaine man for patron takes.

Renouncing our owne wiſdome, Eſa. 5.21. which is but fooliſhnes. Beſides, the Spirit of God pronounceth p. 267a curſe upon thoſe t at are wiſe in their owne eyes, and prudent in their owne conceits. And let us not any more imagin our happines to conſiſt in affoording our ſelves the fruition of our carnall luſts, the totall of bruit beaſts whoſe bodies and ſoules both die together: For there is a ſoveraigne eternall happines for him that walks in the feare of God: let us value it above a…l things, knowing that the world and the concupiſcence thereof paſſeth away: And that all the glory of man is fallen, Pſalm. 62. But that the Word of God abideth for ever. And p. 268therefore let us ſay with David, That our ſoule reſteth onelyonly in God for in him onelyonly is our ſalvation: Remembring daily this prayer, Pſal. 90.12.

Inſtruct us Lord to know and trie,

How long our dayes remaine:

That thus we may our hearts apply,

True wiſdome to attaine.

Then teach us ſo our dayes,

Our waſting yeares to count:

That wiſedome true our thoughts toward thee,

Our endleſſe end may mount.

Attending and expecting to be fully endowed and poſſeſt of all the benefits p. 269which are purchaſed for us by the death and reſurrection of Ieſus Chriſt; unto the participation of that eternall bleſſedneſſe, and of that union, which we have thorow him with God. To whom only wiſe, onelyonly good, onelyonly mighty, infinite, and true, our Creator, and gracious benefactor, be all glory and honour for evermore, thorow the ſame Ieſus Chriſt his Sonne, our onelyonly Saviour, who in the unity of the holy Ghoſt liveth and raigneth with him eternally. Amen.

A FAMILIAR INSTRVCTION to comfort the Sicke.

With many Prayers on the ſame ſubject.

Philip. 1.21. For to me to live is Chriſt, and to die is gaine.

LONDON, Printed by G. MILLER, for GEORGE EDWARDS, dwelling in Greene-Arbour without New-Gate, at the ſigne of the Angell. 1630.