The Christians Defense Against the Fears of Death, Chapter 12

The Christians Defense Against the Fears of Death · Chapter 12

p. 206CHAP. 12.

The ſixth Remedy againſt the fears of Death, is to repoſe our ſelves upon God's good Providence.

SOme perſons there are ſo brutiſh and ſtupified, that they never think upon the great end and deſigne of their Creation; they are not able to give a juſt account wherefore God hath put them into the World, they are Carnal and Earthly minds, who imagine that they were created for themſelves, as brute Beaſts, onelyonly to eat and drink. Such are of the number of thoſe that are mentioned by St. Paul, their God is their Belly, and their end is Eternal Miſery. But there are alſo ſome wiſe and vertuous minds, that are continually meditating upon the favors that they received from Heaven, which they employ to their right and proper end. Such Celeſtial underſtandings being enlightned from above, conſider very well that they are not born for themſelves, but for their Countrey, for their Parents, for their Friends, and chiefly for to ſerve God and his Church on Earth; therefore they deſire to live only to glorify their Creator, and advance his Kingdom.

When this good deſire is well governed, it is as acceptable to God, as a ſweet ſmelling Sacrifice. This was David's earneſt deſire in the 119 Pſalm. Let my Soul live, that it may praiſe thee. This Holy Zeal forced ſo many bitter Tears from King Hezekiah in his ſickneſs, and cauſed him to intreat moſt earneſtly to p. 207live yet longer in the World. This Wiſe and Religious Prince did well foreſee the fearful Evils, the grievous Confuſion, and the abominable Idolatry that was likely to ſucceed after his Death, in the Kingdom of Judea. He was therefore very deſirous to glorify God on Earth, and to accompliſh the Reformation which he had begun; He deſired to have Children whom he might teach to fear God with all their heart, and to ſerve him according to his Holy and Divine Will, that he might cauſe Piety to continue in his Houſe and Royal Family; he diſcovers this Holy deſire in his Divine Hymn, which he ſung unto God, after his miraculous recovery. Behold, for Peace I had great bitterneſs, but thou haſt in love to my Soul delivered it from the pit of corruption, for thou haſt caſt all my ſins behind thy back, for the Grave cannot praiſe thee, Iſ. 38. Death cannot celebrate thee, they that go down into the pit, cannot hope for thy Truth, the living he ſhall praiſe thee, as I do this day, the Father to the Children ſhall make known thy Truth: The Lord was ready to ſave me, therefore we will ſing my Songs to the ſtringed Inſtruments, all the days of our life in the houſe of the Lord. We find the ſame earneſt deſire in St. Paul, for when he looks upon himſelf, and upon the miſeries that attend upon him on Earth, and lifts up his Eyes to ſee the Heavenly Bliſs that waits for him above, he deſires to depart out of this earthly Tabernacle, and to be with Chriſt, and acknowledgeth that it would be his great advantage; but when he looks upon the Church of Chriſt, his deſire of the Salvation, and inſtruction of his Brethren, cauſeth him to prefer their Comfort to his own Happineſs and Joy. It is, ſaith he, more expedient for you that I remain in the Fleſh, and I know for certain, that I ſhall abide and remain with you for your advantage, and the joy of your faith.

This deſire of Life, with an intent of Glorifying God, is Good and Holy, but it is no eaſy task to keep p. 208it within its juſt and lawful bounds, for very often it becomes vicious, when it is ſtirr'd up by a fond love of our own perſons, which makes us ſo loth to dye.

For example, when a great Prince, animated with an Heroical Vertue, is engaged in a War for the preſervation of his Subjects, and for the delivery of many afflicted People, from oppreſſion and Tyranny, if God bleſſeth his Armies, and cauſeth his Glorious deſignes to ſucceed, he will not be well pleaſed, if Death at that inſtant offers to croſs him, to break in pieces his victorious Arm, to put an end to his Conqueſts, and to caſt his Crown to the ground, he may juſtly complain in this manner, Muſt I now leave off ſuch a noble and a brave Deſigne? muſt I here ſtop in the midſt of ſuch a glorious Race? and muſt Death bury with my Body, the expectations of ſo many good Men? I am afraid that all my labors will vaniſh away with my breath; I have juſt cauſe to fear, that my fall will draw after me the deſtruction of many poor People that depend upon me. I fear that oppreſſion and Tyranny will reſume freſh Spirits, and a greater Boldneſs, and prove, for the future, more grievous and unfufferable. O cruel and inhumane Death! by taking away my Life, thou bringeſt my Friends to Execution, and the Arrows that thou ſtickeſt in my Heart, do pierce the Souls of many innocent People.

Likewiſe, he that is promoted to be the King's Vicegerent in a Province, or to be a Governor of a rich Countrey, and an important Place, may be grieved becauſe Death ſnatcheth him away in the middle of all his buſineſs, eſpecially if it be in troubleſome times, and if he ſees none of a ſufficient ability to ſucceed him; Muſt I, will ſuch an one ſay? Muſt I quit ſo ſoon this Glorious employment? Muſt I ſo quickly leave my Prince's ſervice, and forſake ſo many poor People, as a Flock without a Shepheard? Death, how hateful and p. 225odious art thou? Thou delighteſt to bring all things into confuſion and trouble.

Thus a brave General of a victorious Army, who being full of Courage, manageth a ſucceſsful War, for the Honor of his Prince, and the advantage of his Countrey, cannot but complain againſt Death, when it comes to ſubdue him before he hath totally ſubdued and overcome his Enemies, eſpecially, if the times be ſo unhappy, that none is able to undertake that employment after him; he will be ready to break forth into complaints: Muſt I leave off ſo many Glorious deſigns? Muſt I forſake my moſt faithful Soldiers, and abandon them to the mercy of their Enemies, or to the capricious humour of an unexperienced Succeſſor? O Death, full of envy! wilt thou pluck out of my hands, ſo ſoon, this conquering Sword, and cut off, with one blow of thy Sithe, ſo many great expectations? In the ſame manner, he that ſits in the moſt Honourable ſeats of Judicature, as a Judge, a Preſident, or a Counſellor, or any other chief Magiſtrate, will doubtleſs mourn if Death ſeizeth upon him in the flower of his age; eſpecially, if he fears, that after him corrupt Men will ſucceed, who may be likened to whitened Walls. Muſt I, will he ſay, leave ſo ſoon this noble Office, in which I took ſo much delight? O inconſiderate Death, why doſt thou not ſuffer me to wear my Purple, until ſuch time as I ſhall be weary to bear it? Why doſt thou not permit me to ſit here upon this magnificent Seat, until I tumble off with old Age?

Likewiſe a faithful Miniſter of the Gospel, when he perceives the work of the Lord to proſper in his hands; Satan falls from Heaven by his means, as a Lightning, and Dagon to be brought upon his Face to the ground, may juſtly wonder at Death's approaches, and ſpeak in this manner; Muſt I ſo ſoon quit the duties of this Holy Function, in which I took my greateſt p. 226delight? Muſt I break off from this Sacred Work, by which I did advance ſo happily, the Glory of God; I am afraid, that when I am gone, ravening Wolves will enter into the Lord's Flock, and a terrible night of ignorance will involve our poſterity.

Thus a Father of a Family, who paſſionately loves his Wife and Children, ſhall never ſee death, but ſhall feel all his Bowels move, and his Heart tormented with grief he will ſigh out ſuch expreſſions as theſe. Muſt I forſake a poor forlorn Wife, ſwimming in Tears? Muſt I leave my tender-hearted Parents, who found my life a comfort, and will find my Death an affliction? Muſt I abandon my dear Children whom I love as my Soul, without guide, and in danger of looſing the ſmall temporal means that I have provided for them; in danger alſo of being overcome by the vicious cuſtoms of the age, and inticed to Idolatry and Superſtition.

That we may be able to govern this violent paſſion that prevails ſo much upon our minds, we muſt labor betimes to bring our ſelves to this; That we may reſt upon the good Providence of our Heavenly Father. Chriſtian Souls, meditate upon this excellent ſaying, in the 37 Pſalm, Leave thy ways to the Lord, and truſt in him, and he will direct thee. And in the 59 Pſal. Caſt thy burden upon the Lord, and he will ſuſtain thee. Forget not alſo that bleſſed exhortation of St. Peter, Caſt all your cares upon God, for he careth for you. Imprint alſo in your minds, St. Paul's aſſertion, All things work together for good to them that love God. Remember the noble reſolution of this great Apoſtle, According to my earneſt expectation, and my hope, that in nothing I ſhall be aſhamed, but that with all boldneſs as always, ſo now alſo Chriſt ſhall be magnified in my Body, whether it be by life or by death.

Thou deſireſt to be inſtrumental in the ſervice of God, and of the Publick; it is an excellent deſire indeed, p. 227and praiſe worthy, but it belongs to God to appoint the ſervice that he intends to receive from thee; it belongs to him to preſcribe unto thee thy task, and to order thy bounds: he knows when he is to releaſe thee from thy labor, and how long thou muſt fight. Is thine eye evil becauſe thy God is ſo good and gracious as to ſhorten thy work and troubles? All ſuch as follow chearfully the Banners of the God of Hoſts, and never retreat without the Command of the great General of Heaven and Earth, ſhall enjoy a bleſſed victory, and obtain the honor of the Triumph; as well the Novice and the freſh Soldier, as the old and long experienced. All ſuch as labor faithfully in the Lord's Vineyard, ſhall receive, from him, an eternal Reward, as well he that continues but an hour, as the other that bear the heat and burden of the day. When thou ſhouldeſt have gone but a few ſteps in the paths of Righteouſneſs, thy God is ſo noble and liberal, that he will beſtow upon thee an uncorruptible Crown of Glory, as well as if thou hadſt continued there many years.

Great Princes, that yield unto the King of Kings, a Religious Reſpect, and that ſeek your greateſt Glory in the Croſs of Chriſt, ſubmit your ſelves altogether to the pleaſure of your univerſal Monarch; for ſeeing the Lives of all Men are governed by his wiſe Providence, he hath a particular regard, and an high eſteem of the Lives of Kings and Princes, the Sons of his right hand. Therefore whilſt it is expedient for his Glory and their Salvation, that they ſhould live upon Earth, he placeth round about their Sacred Perſons his Holy Angels, and encompaſſeth them with a wall of Fire. Remember, that as ſoon as the King of Iſrael was ſeated upon the Throne, God commanded him to take in hand the Book of his Law, and to read in it all the days of his life. Ask from him that Wiſdom and Prudence that is requiſite to govern ſuch multitudes of People, and beſeech him to grant unto p. 228you the ſtrength and virtue that is neceſſary to bear ſo great a burden. Let the Sword that he hath intruſted in your hands, be to do juſtice upon Offenders, and to protect the Guiltleſs. As you are living Images of God's Soveraign Authority over his Creatures; Remember that you ſhould alſo repreſent his Goodneſs and Mercy: follow the example of him who reſiſts the Proud, but gives grace to the Humble. Live in ſuch a manner, that your Subjects may cheriſh and honor you, as their common Father, may obey and ſerve you as their Lord, and may reſpect and fear you as their King. Suffer not your Heart to be puft up with pride, when you behold the large Dominions that God hath put under your Command, and the People that own you for their Soveraign; But lift up your eyes to the ſpacious Heavens, take a view of their vaſt Extent, and ſee how the whole Earth is inconſiderable in compariſon of them, and think upon God, before whom all Nations are but as the ſmalleſt duſt of a Ballance, and as a few drops of Water. Conſider well, that your Subjects are Creatures that God hath made after his own likeneſs, and redeemed by the death of his Son, and that they are to Reign with you for ever in Heaven. Remember that the more God hath committed to your Truſt, the greater muſt be your reckoning, and that you muſt one day appear in perſon before his dreadful Throne, without Scepter or Crown, as ſo many wretched Sinners to implore his Mercy. Search into your ſelves, and examine what you are; your Bodies are ſubject to wounds, infirmities, and diſeaſes, as that of the meaneſt of your ſervants; Your Souls alſo are moved with the ſame Paſſions and Luſts as theirs. In ſhort, you are entered into the World in the ſame manner, as the moſt miſerable Slave, and you ſhall go out of it again as he doth; ſo that if a crowd of flatterers ſooth you up as they did Herod, A voice of God and not of Man, Acts 12. Mind well what God ſpeaks to you from p. 229Heaven, I have ſaid that ye are Gods, and the Children of the moſt high, nevertheleſs you ſhall dye as Men, and you that are the chiefeſt, ſhall fall as the reſt, Pſal. 72. During the time of your abode in the World, employ your Blood, Sweat, and all the Strength and Power that God hath put into your hands, for the good and advantage of your States, and for the defence and preſervation of the people, that ſhelter themſelves under your wings. And if, in the midſt of your greateſt and moſt flouriſhing Proſperities, Death comes to give you a ſummons to depart; let fall the Scepter willingly, to joyn your hands together, and to fall down and adore the King of the whole Earth. Grieve not for the loſs of worldly Glory that paſſeth away as a Lightning, or as a ſhadow, for God promiſeth another, that ſhall be more laſting than the light of the Sun. If you can but overcome Death and your ſelves, God will cauſe you to ſit down upon another Throne, and will beſtow upon you a Kingdom that ſhall never be moved, Revel. 3. Heb. 12.

Wiſe and Religious Princes, be not ſolicitous for the things that ſhall happen after your deceaſe. He by whom Kings Reign, and Princes do Juſtice, is able enough to enrich your Succeſſor with the Graces and Qualities that become a powerful Prince. It may be that he will beſtow upon him more Glory and Happineſs than upon you. When King David had ended his mortal Race, God took him into his Reſt; it ſeems at firſt, that the loſs of ſo good a Prince could not be repaired; but God cauſed Solomon to ſit upon his Fathers Throne, and made him the wiſeſt and the moſt happy Monarch of the World. David did but remove God's Ark, but Solomon built, for him, a ſtately and magnificent Temple; David was a Type of the Encounters and Victories of the Son of God, but Solomon repreſented his Glorious Triumphs, and that p. 230Eternal Peace, with which he ſhall bleſs his Choſen in the Kingdom of Heaven.

What if you leave your Children under age, be not diſcouraged, for God will preſerve them, as the Signet upon his Right Hand, or as the Apple of his Eye. Think upon Joſias, who was but eight years old when he ſucceeded in the Kingdom of Judea; nevertheleſs there was never a Prince more Holy and more Religious, none ever did more good to the Church of God; and that you may be able to ſtrengthen your Faith, and confirm your glorious expectations, meditate upon the Life of Joas, who was but a year old when his Father was killed, and an infernal fury ſought to deſtroy him, but in the middle of ſo many Tragedies. God preſerved him alive, by a Miracle, and placed him, in a Glorious manner, upon the Throne of his Fathers. Seeing therefore that it is the pleaſure of him who gives and takes away the earthly Crowns, leave cheerfully this corruptible one, to receive another that is immortal and uncorruptible. You alſo, noble Governors of Countreys, and Caſtles, that repreſent the Perſons of your Kings and Princes; remember that this Dignity comes not only from the appointment of your Maſters, but from God himſelf, who holds in his hands the Hearts of all the Kings and Princes of the world. Remember what our Saviour told the Governor of Judea, Thou ſhouldeſt have no power upon me, if it were not given to thee from above, John 19. Let all the world ſee, by you, that there is nothing more conſonant and to your ſuitable than Piety towards God, with faithfulneſs Prince. Take heed that you abuſe not your Power and Authority in ſatisfying your paſſions, and pleaſing your covetouſnes or vanity. Protect not the guilty, and oppreſs not the innocent. Seeing that you are appointed to puniſh evil doers, and to encourage ſuch as do well, behave your ſelves as if ye were always in the ſight of your Prince, or rather behave your ſelves, as p. 231in the preſence, and in the ſight of God, before whom all things are naked and open, as if you were to give up unto him, an account of your Stewardſhip. Whilſt you are happily employed in the ſervice of your Prince, and of your Countrey; if Death comes to interrupt your proſperity, yield your ſelves, without reſiſtance, to the wiſe Governance and Orders of him, who is both your Soveraign Lord, and unto whom you muſt be ſubject on Earth.

Trouble not your ſelves with the thoughts of the things that ſhall happen after your death, and think not but that there are yet ſome worthy and able to ſucceed you in your employments. When God is pleas'd to be favourable to Kings, and to cauſe their Seats to flouriſh, he raiſeth up faithful Miniſters, and wiſe Governors, as when he gave to Pharaoh a Joſeph; to Hezekiah, an Eliakim; to Nebuchadnezzar a Daniel. When he pleaſeth to ſearch into his unfathomed Treaſuries, he can quickly provide Men after his own Heart adorned with all the abilities required for a worthy diſcharge of a glorious employment. In the mean while, if thou haſt overcome Satan, Sin, the World, and Death, thou ſhalt go and take poſſeſſion of a greater, and more laſting Glory. He that bears upon his Garments and Thighs, this Inſcription! The King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords, hath given out this unchangeable promiſe; he that ſhall overcome, and hath kept my Works until the end, I will give unto him power over the Nations, and he ſhall govern them with a Rod of Iron.

Right Honourable Counſellors, that aſſiſt your Prince with your wiſe Counſels; and you inferior Magiſtrates and Judges, never forget what Jehoſaphat ſaid to the Judges of his Kingdom, 2 Chron. 9. Take heed what ye do, for ye judge not for Man, but for the Lord, who is with you in the judgement. Wherefore now let the fear of the Lord be upon you, take heed and do it, for there is no p. 232iniquity with the Lord our God, nor reſpect of perſons, nor taking of Gifts. Pſal. 85. Whenſoever you go to take your place amongſt the Judges of the Kingdom; remember that God ſits there upon his Throne, and every time that you give a Charge, or pronounce a Sentence, conſider that you are to follow God's directions, and that this Great Creator takes notice of your Actions, Words, and of the motions of your Heart, and that he underſtands your moſt ſecret thoughts, Judge with the ſame equity and juſtice, with which you deſire to be judged: If you be tempted to do Wrong, to conceal the Truth, or to commit an injuſtice, either by a baſe compliance, or by an expectation of Worldly advantage, or for filthy Lucre; remember that it is the Devil that tempts you, pray therefore to God to deliver you from his power; and that you may be better able to command your ſelves with an Holy dread, think upon death that warns you in perſon, nay, drags you to appear before the Univerſal Judge of Mankind, to give up an account of all your Actions, and of the Sentences that you have given; but if Death ſurprizeth you when you are diſcharging your Offices with all the diligence and integrity imaginable; ſtay not till it forces you, but caſt off willingly the Robes of Judicature, to take the Habit of a Supplicant, and pray to God, that he may not enter into judgement with you, becauſe no living creature ſhall be juſtified in his preſence, Pſal. 13.

Let not the conſideration of the paſſages that ſhall happen after your deceaſe, obſtruct your Chriſtian reſolution. There are men enough in the World of a ſufficient ability, to ſupply your places; And God is able to raiſe up ſome that we dream not of, as when he created in one day threeſcore and ten Judges in Iſrael, whom he endowed with ſufficient abilities, and with the graces of his Holy Spirit; He may produce ſome that will be as Righteous and Juſt as your ſelves, p. 233and, it may, be more enlightened with diſcretion, and prudence, than you. Come off therefore willingly from theſe ſeats of Judicature, ſo beſet with Thorns, upon which you ſhould never reſt without horror and dread, if you ſincerely fear God, and go with confidence to the Throne of Grace, that you may obtain Mercy, and find Grace to help in time of need, Heb. 4.

And as true Piety is aſſoon to be found in the Tents of David, as in the Temple of Solomon; as the Sword of Gideon agrees well with that of the God of Hoſts, I may make my addreſſes to you, worthy Generals, brave Captains, and generous Nobility, unto whom Kings, Princes, and Commonwealths commit the leading of their Armies; I ſpeak not unto you prophane Atheiſts, that laugh at the moſt Holy things, and that are of opinion, that all fear of God muſt be baniſhed out of your Troops and Companies, and that the moſt wretched Varlets are the beſt Soldiers; but I ſpeak to you Chriſtian and Religious Commanders, who forget not, by your promotion amongſt Men, that you are nevertheleſs the Soldiers of Jeſus Chriſt; and although you wear at your ſide a material Sword, forget not to employ alſo the ſword of the Spirit, the word of God that dwels in your hearts: Neither do I intend to ſpeak to you who manage War, with an intent only to ſatisfy your Revenge, your Ambition, or your Covetouſneſs; but I ſpeak to you brave and worthy Captains, who have purified your weapons in an Heavenly Fire, who undertake War, only to procure a more laſting Peace to the publick, and who fight only to ſerve your Prince and Countrey; you that are the great bulwarks of States and Empires, by whoſe labors and watchings Men ſleep in ſecurity; Let the whole World ſee by experience in your perſons, that there is nothing that agrees better with true generoſity than Piety and the fear of God; behave your ſelves always, as in the ſight of your Maker, who is p. 234at your Elbows, and accompanies you in all your actions. Remember that he commanded to remove all filth from the Camp of Iſrael, becauſe of his Holy and Divine Preſence. If you will obtain his Bleſſing upon your perſons and deſignes, caſt out of your Armies the filth of Vice, and Puniſh, without Mercy, the Rapes, Burnings, all Impiety and Blaſphemies; make your Soldiers put in practice St. John the Baptiſt's moſt excellent advice to the Soldiers of his time, who enquired what they were to do to be be ſaved; Do violence, ſaid he, to no man, neither accuſe any falſly, and be content with your wages. Live as Lambs, and fight as Lions, Spare as much as you can the bloud of your Soldiers, and ſhed not that of your Enemies, but againſt your Wills, becauſe they are God's Creatures, and Men that bear his Image. Never truſt to your own valor and experience, but remember that it is God who gives Courage, and ſtrengthens the hands in the day of Battel, who cauſeth Fear and Terror to fly whither he liſteth. Look always upon David's example. There was never a Captain more couragious, nor more willing to venture his life; and yet there was never a perſon more zealous in Prayer to God, nor more ſubmiſſive to his Will, nor more careful to return unto him, the praiſe of all his advantages: and if Death comes to put a ſtop to your victories, or to call you away in a trice, in which your Prudence and Courage is requiſite, wonder not at it, conſider that God offers you by this means an occaſion of a more Glorious Victory, and of a more Magnificent Triumph; for the victory over thouſands of Mortal Men, and of the whole World, is nothing in compariſon of a victory over Death and Hell. Inquire not who ſhall ſucceed you in the Conduct of your Army, out of a diſtruſt of God's good providence; for he who is able to raiſe up Children unto Abraham, out of Stones, can raiſe up alſo, from thence, Captains and Soldiers when he pleaſeth, to give a check to the p. 235Enemies pride, and to deliver his People from their hands; he can make Gideons, Jephtha's, Sampſons, and ſuch like extraordinary Commanders; Who knows but that he will cauſe a General to ſucceed you, that ſhall have more Courage and Generoſity, and that ſhall be bleſſed with a greater Happineſs, and more Glorious Succeſſes? When Moſes departed to his Reſt, Joſhua Commanded in his ſtead, and for that purpoſe God enabled him with a noble Spirit of Wiſdom and Courage; for one Enemy that Moſes overcame, Joſhua deſtroyed thouſands; whereas Moſes did but coaſt along the Land of Canaan, and turn up and down in the Wilderneſs, Joſhua brought the People of Iſrael into that pleaſant Countrey, and into a peaceable poſſeſſion of it. Seeing therefore that it is God's pleaſure, leave to others the care of worldly Wars, and ye go to gather the pleaſant and delicious Fruits of an Eternal Peace, which hath been purchaſed unto you by the Bloud of Chriſt,

Likewiſe ye faithful Miniſters of Jeſus Chriſt; remember to ſhew the example of a reſignation to God's good pleaſure, according to your Doctrine; Let not Death cauſe you to draw back: thou haſt, my Brother, a Will, to Glorify God on Earth, well, but thou ſhalt Glorify him better in Heaven, with more zeal and leſs hindrance; whilſt thou art ſurrounded and fetter'd with theſe Fetters of Mortality, thy Miniſtry muſt needs be accompanied with many imperfections. Thou imagineſt, that if it pleaſed God to prolong thy days, thou mayeſt be inſtrumental in the reformation of the World; but thou art miſtaken, My Brother, for this World is accuſtom'd to Evil, and this Age is hardened in Iniquity. Preach as much as thou wilt to the Inhabitants of this inferior World, it ſhall be as in the times of Noah, the Herald of Righteouſneſs, when the patience of God waited for the converſion of Sinners, for the whole Earth hath corrupted its ways, ſo that p. 236all the thoughts and imaginations of the Heart of Man are evil continually, from his Cradle they are corrupt and filthy; And if God doth not interpoſe his Almighty Hand, and declare in us the Virtue of his Holy Spirit, our thoughts will grow worſe and worſe, until we tumble into our Graves. If thou afflict never ſo much thy juſt and innocent Soul, and ſpend thy ſelf in exhorting the greateſt Sinners, to fly from the wrath to come, and the judgements of God that hang over their guilty Heads; it may be thou ſhalt be mocked by thy neareſt Relations, as Lot was by his Sons-in-law. When thou wouldeſt thunder out the threatenings of God's Law againſt the abominations of Iſrael, as the Prophet Iſaiah did once, thou ſhouldeſt be forced at laſt to confeſs, I have labour'd in vain, I have employed my ſtrength for nought, Iſai. 49. Jer. 6. When thine Eyes ſhould be converted into a freſh Spring of Tears, and when thou ſhouldeſt ſpend the days and the nights in calling upon the Superſtitious, the Schiſmaticks, and Idolaters, to forſake their falſe worſhip, and their unchriſtian proceedings; thou ſhalt not be able to ſoften the hardneſs of their Hearts, nor overcome their obſtinacy, but they will be ready to ſpeak to thee in the Jews language to Jeremiah. As for the word that thou haſt ſpoken to us in the name of the Lord, we will not hearken unto thee, but we will certainly do whatſoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouths, to burn incenſe unto the Queen of Heaven, and to pour out Drink-offerings unto her, as we have done, we and our Fathers, our Kings, and our Princes, in the Cities of Judah, and in the ſtreets of Jeruſalem, for then had we plenty of Victuals, and were well, and ſaw no evil, Jer. 44. When thou ſhouldeſt ſpeak with a Divine Tongue, and with an Heavenly Wiſdom, thou mayeſt have good cauſe to cry out, Who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? Iſai. 5. John 12. In ſhort, as the Rivers of freſh Water that run continually into the p. 237Sea, derive not from thence their natural bitterneſs; thus thy good and Holy Life, thy Learned and excellent Sermons will not be able to remove the corruptions of this preſent evil Age, nor ſtop the Torrent, and hinder the overflowings of Vice, for thy labor and induſtry, if compared with the corruption of the World, are as unconſiderable as a few drops of water in compariſon of the Ocean. This curſed Earth may be watered with thy Sweat and Tears; it will nevertheleſs bring forth nothing but Bryars and Thiſtles; the Weeds which thou thinkeſt to pluck up, will tear thy Skin, and draw bloud out of thy Hands, In ſhort, he that plants is nothing, nor he that watereth, but it is God who giveth the increaſe, 1 Cor. 3.

It is juſtly to be feared, that in ſtaying any longer time in this corrupt and unwholſome Air; thou mayeſt receive ſome evil impreſſions from the general contagion. It is to be feared, that thou mayeſt ſully thy pure Hands, by handling ſo many Wounds and Sores, and that the Thorns of this curſed Earth, may pluck off the Wooll of thine harmleſs and innocent life.

But when thou ſhouldeſt have a thouſand times more Gifts and Graces, and that thy labors ſhould bring far greater advantages and profit to Chriſt's Church; it belongs not to thee to give Laws unto thy God, but to follow the motion of his Will. Leave to him the chief care of his own Houſhold, and reſt upon his Eternal Providence; He hath more right in the Church than thou canſt pretend to, for he hath created it by his Power, and redeem'd it by his precious Bloud. He that cares not for his own, eſpecially for thoſe of his Family, hath denied the Faith, and is worſe than an Infidel; and can God, who is Faithfulneſs it ſelf, and the very Being of Truth; God, who cannot deny himſelf, and whoſe Gifts and Calling are without Repentance, Rom. 12. Can ſuch a God caſt off p. 238all care of his Church, of that Church which he embraceth with an Eternal Love, and cheriſheth as the apple of his Eye? Jer. 31. This Father of Mercies, who hath not ſpared his own Son, but hath delivered him to dye for his Church, how ſhould not he with him freely give her all things? Rom. 8. He underſtands better than thou, and all the men of the World, what is proper and advantageous for this Holy Congregation, and for every member that compoſes it. He knows how to provide for all its wants, for his Wiſdom is infinite, and his Providence is moſt wonderful.

When this great God hath a deſigne to plague his Enemies, and to declare his juſtice, he hath always fit Agents ready, and his Quiver full of Arrows; As ſoon as he commands the Holy Angels that wait before him, to caſt their Sicles into the Earth, and to reap or pour down the Viols of his wrath; theſe Holy Spirits fly with an unſpeakable ſwiftneſs to perform his Sacred Pleaſure, Revel, 14, & 16. Likewiſe when he intends to do good to his Choſen, he finds in every place the Heralds of his Mercy, and his Divine hand is always full of Bleſſings. As the Main Ocean of his wonderful Riches can never become dry; Likewiſe the Channels by which he conveys them to us, ſhall never fail.

The cauſe of thy complaints ſhould ſerve to appeaſe thy Grief, nouriſh thy Faith, and increaſe thy Hopes, for if thou art graced with extraordinary Gifts, this proceeds neither from thy Nature, nor thine Induſtry, but God's Favour and Bounty. Now thou mayeſt be aſſured that his hand is not ſhortened, his great Power is not leſſened, the Well-ſpring of all his Bleſſings and Wonders, is not ſtopt nor dryed up. Iſ. 49. He that ſends a deſired whiteneſs, the prognoſtick of an approaching harveſt to the ſpacious Fields, John 4. He ſends alſo, into his Spiritual Harveſt, Laborers when he ſees it convenient. In this latter Age, and in this decay of the p. 239World, as well as in the firſt appearance of his Church, Luk 10. he finds Men to work in his Vineyard, or rather he forms and faſhions them with the hand of his Grace, and enables them by his Holy Spirit, for he gives the Mouth and the Tongue, he makes deaf, dumb, blind, and reſtores the eye-ſight; he calls things that are not as if they were. Matth. 20. Exod. 4. Rom. 4.

When he deſignes for himſelf a Tabernacle, he calls by name a Bezaleel, and fills him with his Spirit of Wiſdom, of Underſtanding and knowledge, in all manner of Workmanſhip, Exod. 31. When he reſolves to deliver the Children of Iſrael, from their Babyloniſh Captivity, and to build the Temple of Jeruſalem, he hath at his Command Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes, Acts 14. He ſtirs up Zerobabels, Eſdras, and Nehemiahs. Likewiſe when he intends to repair the breaches of his Houſe, and to increaſe the Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour, he makes Servants and fit Agents, and beſtows upon them ſufficient Graces for ſuch a noble Work, Pſal. 8. Mat. 21. As he hath never left himſelf without witneſs in doing good, thus he hath never been without witneſſes to declare his Sacred Truth, Luk 19. By the mouth of Babes he perfects his praiſe, and as our Saviour told the Jews, If theſe held their peace, the ſtones would cry out, Luk 19. God will rather pluck the Pillars of the Idols Temples, to prop up his Church rather than to ſuffer it to fall down; he will change the Wolves into Lambs, and the Lambs into Shepheards rather than that his Sheep ſhould want their neceſſary Paſture. He chooſeth the feeble things of this World, to confound the ſtrong, the deſpicable, and ſuch as are not to deſtroy ſuch as are, 1 Cor. 9.

Thus God never leaves his Church without ſome teſtimony of his favour, ſome powerful inſtrument of his Grace; but many times it happens, that when he removes one good thing from us, he beſtows upon us ſomething more rare and excellent. This conſideration p. 240glads the Heart of Joſeph upon his Death-bed, as appears by what he ſaid to his Brethren, I am going to dye, but God will not fail to viſit you, and cauſe you to go up from hence into the Land, that he ſwore unto Abraham, Iſaac, and Jacob, Gen. 50. For inſtead of a Joſeph who had occaſioned their Bondage, God raiſed up a Moſes, who deliver'd them with a mighty hand, and a ſtretched-out Arm, 2 Kings 2. Thus God took up Elijah with a Chariot of Fire, but he gave unto Eliſha a double portion of his Maſters Spirit, and cauſed his Glorious Miracles to appear with greater admiration. Likewiſe our Lord and Saviour, when he had finiſhed the great work of our Redemption, he aſcended up into Heaven. A Cloud conveying him up to the Throne of his Glory; but according to his promiſe, he hath not left us deſtitute, but hath ſent us the Comſorter to dwell with us for ever, namely, the Spirit of Truth whom the world ſeeth not, nor cannot know, John 14. Chriſts Corporal preſence was enjoyed but by a ſmall number of People, but this Divine Spirit is like a large River that ſwells and runs over every where, John 7. This Holy Spirit is not only with us, but alſo within us, He is poured out into our Hearts, He Seals us for the day of Redemption, He is the earneſt of our Inheritance, until the full conſummation of the Glory reſerved for us in Heaven; Therefore when this merciful Saviour ſaw his Apoſtles afflicted in an extraordinary manner for his Leaving of the World, he ſpeaks to them in this Language, Becauſe I have ſaid theſe things unto you, Sorrow hath filled your Hearts; Nevertheleſs I tell you the truth, it is expedient for you that I go away, for if I go not away the Comforter will not come unto you; But if I depart I will ſend him unto you, John 16. When St. Paul took his laſt farewel of the Elders and People of the Church of Epheſus, they wept bitterly, being grieved to the Heart, becauſe he had ſaid, That none of them ſhould ſee his p. 241face any more. But to comfort them, he aſſures them that in Heaven they had a Father and a Protector, and ſuch a Shepherd as would never forſake them; I commend you, ſaid he, To God, and to the word of his Grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are ſanctified. Act. 20. Remember therefore O Man of God, ſeriouſly to conſider all theſe things; If the Lord who hath called thee to the Sacred Function of the Miniſtry, continues thee in the world; labor with courage and diligence in thine Holy employment; Be not tired in the ſervice of this good Maſter and merciful Saviour; fight the good fight of the Faith, endure patiently all manner of Labors, as a good Soldier of Jeſus Chriſt; be as earneſt and as careful for the Lord's Sheep, as Jacob was for thoſe of Laban; Here what he profeſſed of himſelf, In the day the drought conſumed me, and the froſt by night, and my ſleep departed from mine eyes, Gen. 20. Jacob endured patiently theſe grievous pains and labor, and the time of his ſervice, ſeem'd to him to be but of a few days, becauſe of the love that he did bear unto Rachel; Likewiſe thou wilt joyfully endure the troubles of thine Office: digeſt with patience all the inconveniencies, if thou doſt ſincerely love the Lord Jeſus, and his Heavenly Spouſe. If thou doſt eſteem the ſalvation of Souls, for whom Jeſus Chriſt hath ſuffered death; if thou haſt well underſtood the Excellency of thine Heavenly Reward, and the Glory prepared for thee, when thou ſhalt have finiſhed the time of thy painful and difficult ſervice, and of thy mortal Race; for they who bring many to Righteouſneſs ſhall ſhine as the Stars, for ever and ever, Dan. 12. Jacob had to do with a deceitful and unfaithful man; But God is not as Man, that he ſhould Lye, or as the Son of Man, that he ſhould Repent! Gen. 23. Be thou faithful until Death, and he will give thee the Crown of Life, Revel. 2.

p. 242If it is the Lord's pleaſure to leſſen thy task, ſo that inſtead of employing thee in his Vineyard, he intends to take thee up into his Kingdom, to drink there of his new Wine; if at the time that thou thinkeſt of ſowing with Tears, thou art tranſported to the place where thou mayeſt reap with Songs of Triumph; If in lieu of the oppoſition which thou muſt ſuffer from ſinners, God will grant to thee his Eternal Conſolations, and receive thee into the harmonious Societies of the Church Triumphant, adore his Goodneſs, and his infinite Mercy; caſt thy ſelf into his hands, and reſolve chearfully, to will, what is pleaſing to him; if during thine abode in this Valley of Tears, God hath given thee a livelyhood, and if thou haſt found in him thy joy, thy ſatisfaction, and thy greateſt comfort, Death will be thy greateſt advantage; thou ſhalt find in thy Saviour, thy Reſt, thy Glory, and Eternal Delights, Phil. 1. Meditate often upon the words of the Holy Apoſtle St. Peter, The Elders which are among you, I exhort, who am alſo an Elder, and a witneſs of the ſufferings of Chriſt, and alſo a partaker of the Glory that ſhall be revealed, feed the Flock of God which is among you, taking the overſight thereof, not by conſtraint, but willingly, not for filthy Lucre, but of a ready mind, neither as being Lords over God's Heritage, but being enſamples to the Flock, and when the chief Shepheard ſhall appear, ye ſhall receive a Crown of Glory that fadeth not away, 1 Pet. 5.

You alſo, who are afraid to leave behind you a deſolate, afflicted, and comfortleſs Widow; Come and learn this Leſſon, to relye upon the goodneſs and tender compaſſions of the Father of Mercies, who never fails to comfort the forlorne in all their afflictions, and who is always near to them that call upon him in their diſtreſſes, 2 Cor. 1. Pſal. 145. He bears ſo much favor to the Widows, that he calls himſelf The Judge of the Widows, Pſal 68. that is, the Protector of their integrity p. 243and right, and ſevere revenger of the wrongs that they ſuffer; Therefore God tells us in expreſs words, That he maintains the Widow, and eſtabliſheth her Borders, Prov. 15. Seeing Job was ſo merciful as to cauſe the Widows Heart to ſing, Job 28. How much more may we expect from God's goodneſs, he will doubtleſs fill her with his Heavenly joys, and the raviſhing comforts of his Holy Spirit. I mean not the fooliſh Widows that ſeek for nothing but pleaſure, worldly diverſion, and carnal paſtimes, who live in the delights of the Age, and who are dead whilſt they live. But I mean the wiſe Widows, who being left alone by their Husbands death, have their confidence and truſt in God, continuing in Prayer day and night.

Our great God and merciful Lord, hath not only ſaid in general, that he is the Judge, the Protector, and Comforter of the Widow; But he hath vouchſafed unto ſome his moſt ſignal Favors and extraordinary Bleſſings; In the Reign of Abab, while a cruel Famine overſpread the Land; God ſent the Prophet Elijah to a poor Widow of Sarephtah, who was preparing her ſelf and her Son to dye, as ſoon as they had eaten a little remnant of Meal and Oil that was left; but the Holy Prophet comforted her in this manner, Thus ſaith the Lord, the God of Iſrael, the barrel of Meal ſhall not waſte, neither ſhall the cruſe of Oil fail, until the day that the Lord ſendeth Rain upon the Earth, 1 King. 5. Many Widows have been comforted, in ſuch a miraculous manner, for God hath ſo ordered it, that their proviſions have not failed; although it may be, that they have not enjoyed any unuſual Plenty: yet this wiſe Purveyor hath furniſhed them, the things that have been neceſſary for them; ſo that not only, both they and their Children have ſubſiſted in the greateſt calamities, but they have had the Honor of aſſiſting God's Prophets; and as that poor Widow of the Goſpel gave Alms out of her poverty; ſuch Mites have p. 244been more pleaſing to God, than the Treaſuries of the wealthy. Morever, when the Son of God was in the World, he was pleaſed to expreſs how much care and compaſſion he had of Widows, for when he met, at the Gate of the City of Nain, a poor Widow weeping bitterly for her only Son, that was carried out to be buried, he was moved with a tender feeling of her affliction, therefore he raiſed the young man to life again, and reſtored him to his Mother. It was alſo at the ſolicitation of ſome devout Widows, that St. Peter raifed Dorcas from death to life. I muſt needs take notice here of an admirable ſtory, proper to comfort every faithful ſervant of God. The Widow of a deceaſed Prophet, made this bitter complaint unto Eliſha, Thy Servant my Husband is dead, and thou knoweſt that thy Servant did fear the Lord, and the creditor is come to take unto him my two Sons to be bond-men, 2 King 4. God, who hears the cry of the afflicted, had compaſſion of that poor diſtreſſed Widow, ſo that he gave unto her, by Eliſha's means, in a wonderful manner, ſufficient for the payment of her debts, and for to nouriſh her Family; by this glorious example, God declares the care that he will have of his Prophets Widows, whilſt they walk in his fear, and continue in his Holy Covenant.

In ſhort, the modern and antient Hiſtories, are full of notable examples of wiſe and vertuous Widows, that have diſcreetly governed their Families, and upon whom God's Bleſſings have viſibly appeared.

Almighty God, who is wonderful in all his Works, doth ſometimes order affairs in ſuch a manner, that Fathers don't gather up for their Children, but he gives to ſome ſuch Children in his Mercy, that make proviſion for their Fathers; ſuch are an extraordinary Bleſſing to their Family, as Joſeph was to Jacob and his Houſhold. Such wiſe and vertuous Children, who are ſo neceſſary to their Parents, whom they Love and Honor, might, out of their violent affection for them, p. 245ſpeak unto Death in the language of the young man of the Goſpel; Suffer me to go firſt and bury my Father. Let me alone awhile in the world, ſuffer me to live, O death, until I have accompanied my Parents to their Grave, until I have cloſed their Eye-lids, and performed the laſt duties that Nature requires. But hearken officious Son! what the Lord ſaith to thee, Suffer the dead to bury the dead, but thou follow me. Leave to them, that remain after thee, the care of Worldly affairs, but do thou yield thy ſelf at God's Call. Thy Charity for others muſt not cauſe thee to be cruel to thy ſelf, and diſobedient to the Commands of thy God. Fear not to leave thy Father and Mother, when thou art going to caſt thy ſelf into the raviſhing embraces of thy Spiritual Bridegroom, and of thine Heavenly Father. The great God, who hath given thee, or rather lent thee to them, and who cauſed them to ſubſiſt before thou hadſt a Being, can feed and bleſs them without thee; his Mercy is not tied to thy Perſon, nor confin'd to thine induſtry. When our Lord and Saviour was upon the Croſs, ſeeing the Bleſſed Virgin and the Diſciple whom he loved, ſaid to his Mother, Woman, behold thy Son, and to St. John, Son, behold thy Mother, John 19. and from that hour that Diſciple took her unto his own home. In the like manner when God cals unto his Eternal Reſt, him who was the ſupporter of his Family, as Joſeph was, he provides for them by ſome other means; ſo that if Elkanah had good cauſe to ſay to his Wife, when ſhe wept, becauſe ſhe had no Child, Am not I better to thee then ten Sons? 1 Sam. 1. we may ſay with more reaſon, that God's Grace, his Aſſiſtance, and the Comforts of his Holy Spirit, are better worth than Ten thouſand Children.

The ſtrongeſt Paſſion, and that which I judge to be, the moſt apt to hinder a good Man, is that which Fathers and Mothers have for their little ones; eſpecially if they be in an age unable to help themſelves; but that this p. 246natural paſſion may not hurry us beyond the limits preſcribed by Reaſon and Piety; conſider well the promiſe that God made to Abraham, I am thy God, and the God of thy ſeed after thee, Gen. 17. and what St. Peter told the Jews, To you and to your Children was the promiſe made, and to all ſuch as are afar off, as many as the Lord our God ſhall call, Acts 2. eſpecially, meditate well upon, and imprint in your minds that which God ſpeaks unto you from Heaven, by the Prophet Jeremiah, Leave me thy Fatherleſs Children, and I will give them to eat, and let thy Widows truſt in me, Jer. 49. God is the Father of us all, but more eſpecially of the Fatherleſs, he hath compaſſion of them, and provides for all their neceſſities; thy Children are more tender to him than to thee, for thou haſt been but a feeble inſtrument in his hand, to put them into the world; but he is the Creator of their Soul, the faſhioner of their Body, and the redeemer of them both: He loves them with a ſtronger and more conſtant Love than the beſt Fathers, and the moſt tender-hearted Mothers; therefore he aſſures us by his Holy Prophet, that when the Mother ſhould forget the Child, unto whom ſhe gives ſuck; and when ſhe ſhould have no pity of the Fruit of her Womb, he will never forget us; ſo that all the Children that fear God, may ſay as David, When my Father and my Mother ſhould have forſaken me, the Lord will receive me. Pſal. 27.

Seeing that Job hath had a care of the Orphans, Job 31. and Pharaoh's Daughter hath had compaſſion of the Tears of a little ſtrange Child, how much more ſhall God, who is the Father of Mercies, and the God of all Comfort, have pity of Children, that he hath redeemed with the precious Bloud of his only Son? Exod. 2. 2 Cor. 1. Seeing that he hears the cries of the young Ravens, he will ſooner hear the Prayers, Sighs, and Tears of his Servants Children, Pſal. 147. Matt. 6. he cloaths the Graſs of the Fields which to day is, p. 247and to morrow is caſt into the Oven, Gen. 21. how much rather will he cloath your Children, O ye of little Faith? Doth your Heavenly Father nouriſh the Birds of the Air, and will not he rather feed your Children, that are better worth than all the Birds together? Jon. 4. In ſhort, ſeeing God hath had compaſſion of little Iſhmael, and of the Children of Ninivy, how much rather will he regard Children that have been ſanctified to him from their Mothers womb?

Our Lord Jeſus Chriſt when he was on Earth, took up in his Arms the little Children that were brought unto him, laid his hands upon them, and recommended them to God his Father; and now that he is in Glory, his Love and tender compaſſion for them, is no leſs; Therefore if we offer him our Children with all our hearts, he will take them into his protection, he will ſtretch over them the Arms of his Mercy, and will never take them away again. In ſhort, ſeeing that he promiſeth to them the Kingdom of Heaven, and his Eternal Felicities, he will never with-hold from them things needful for this preſent life.

We can do nothing without God, but God can do all things without us. A great many Children become debauch'd, and are ſpoil'd in their Parents over-fond tuition, wherecas many that are out of their ſight, and that live when they are departed; ſhew good examples of Piety and Godlineſs, for example, in Iſaack's Houſe, in the preſence of this Holy Man, there was a prophane Eſau, a Glutton; whereas Jacob that lived at a diſtance from his Parents, when he fled for fear of his Brother, had always before his eyes the fear of Iſaack his Father, Gen. 27. Gen. 31. that is to ſay, the God whom his Father worſhipped. In Jacob's Houſe, Ruben defiled his Father's Bed, in an inceſtuous manner, whereas J…ſeph in Potiphera's Houſe, choſe rather an apparent death, and preſent ſufferings, than to touch his Maſters Wiſe, Gen. 39. David had the unhappineſs p. 248to ſee ſome of his Children guilty of Inceſt and Murder; whereas Joas and Joſias, two Orphan-Princes, in their tendereſt infancy became Vertuous and Religious Kings, zealous for the ſervice of God. How many Children are there, who, notwithſtanding all the care and labor of their Fathers, fall into extremity of miſery? How many are taken from their Parents embraces, and dragg'd from thence to the Gallows? whereas there are others that without Father, or Parents aſſiſtance, don't only eſcape grievous dangers, but riſe to Honors and Dignities, as Joſeph in Aegypt, Daniel in Babylon, and Eſther that was Fatherleſs, and a poor Captive, became a Queen; and moreover, God made uſe of her, and of her credit, to deliver his People from Haman's conſpiracy. We ſee every day that God bleſſeth, in an extraordinary manner, many Orphans. Caſt your Eyes upon the Children of the bleſſed Martyrs, and thou ſhalt perceive many that God hath made notable inſtances of his eſpecial favors, and of the Mercy that he promiſeth to ſhew unto thouſand Generations of them that ſerve him, and obey his Holy Commands. Thou ſhalt find ſome that have much more happineſs in this life, than the poſterity of the Perſecutors; Thou ſhalt ſee them with aſtoniſhment, beſtow their Alms upon the Children of ſuch as have plundered their Houſes, and ſpoiled their Goods.

Whilſt you are yet in being, exhort your Children to fear God, to ſerve, and to addict themſelves, with all their Heart, to the ſtudy of Piety, that hath the promiſes of this life, and of the life to come: Teach them firſt to ſeek the Kingdom of God, and its Righteouſneſs, and all theſe things ſhall be added to them over and above.

Finally, when your life ſhould be much more uſeful to your Children than it is, remember what our Lord and Saviour ſaith, He that loves Son or Daughter, more than him, is not worthy of him. Heaven is far more excellent p. 249than the Earth. The Salvation and the Happineſs of our Souls is to be preferr'd to all the conſiderations of Fleſh and Bloud. It is not juſt, that ſuch as have given us, or to whom we have given the enjoyment of a temporal life, ſhould hinder us from the fruition of a Spiritual and Eternal Life. Beſides, when we recommend them to God, we put them into the protection of a true, and of a wiſe Friend, who is acquainted with their neceſſities, who is ſo Good to procure them that which ſhall be needful for them, and Almighty to accompliſh all things which may be for their advantage.

Let us therefore conclude, that it is the duty of a good Father that fears God, not to reſiſt death, not to fly from it when the Lord calls; but according to the good example of the antient Patriarchs, he ought to end his days willingly with the praiſes of God in his mouth, and with exhortation to his Children to love him, fear him, and ſerve him with all their heart, to continue in his Holy Covenant, and to prefer him to all the Riches and Honors of this miſerable Earth. And as when our Saviour had beſtowed his Bleſſings upon his Diſciples, a Cloud carried him out of their ſight into Heaven; Likewiſe when a good Chriſtian ſhall have thus given his Bleſſings to his Children, he will ſhut his eyes to all inferior things, and think upon nothing but upon the Eternal Bliſs of the Heavenly Paradiſe.

If God calls us to himſelf in a miſerable and wretched time, when our beloved Infants are weeping about our Bed, ready to ſay to us, as Iſaack unto Abraham, My Father, here is Wood, a Fire, and a Knife, but where is the Beaſt for a Burnt-offering? Gen. 22. God cauſeth the viſible ſignes of his heavy diſpleaſure to appear every where. In every corner we ſee nothing but Fire and Sword. Death's frightful Image, and the fearful appearance of Maſacres, do ſcare and terrify us; Deſtruction p. 250is come into the Holy places, the Fire hath reacht as far as God's own Sanctuary, and no body is able to deliver us. The deluge of God's wrath hath overſpread our Land in ſuch a manner, that, as Noah's Dove, we cannot find where to pitch our feet. All our expectation is, that God would alſo reach down his hand unto us from above, to receive us into that Ark which is above the Heavens, and unto which your Soul is now departing, Gen. 8. If our dear Children ſpeak unto us in this Language; Let us, with the courage, aſſurance, and faith of the Father of the Faithful, return unto them this anſwer, My Children, the Lord will provide, Gen. 12. Rom. 4. It is he that acts beyond appearance, and againſt all hope, who cauſeth the dead to live, and calls things that are not, as if they were; he will ſend to you his good Angels to help you in all your neceſſities when you ſhall be reduc'd to the uttermoſt miſery, ready to receive the laſt ſtroke of death; God's hands will ſtop the ſword of his juſtice, he will change your crying and fears into joy and Eternal gladneſs. There will be ſome Holy and devout Soul, that loves the publick peace and tranquility, that will bring to you the Olive-branch of Peace. God can appeaſe the Tempeſt with his breath, at his Command the winds will be ſtill, and the roaring Waves that are ready to devour you, will return to their former tranquility. Otherwiſe he will preſerve you miraculouſly alive in the midſt of the greateſt troubles, and moſt fearful confuſion. And as Abraham found a Lamb intangled in a Buſh; Likewiſe in the midſt of the ſharpeſt ſtorms of affliction, and in the moſt intricate difficulties that you dread, you ſhall find unexpected ſweetneſs and comforts. And as ſeveral colours of the beautiful Rainbow, appear upon the Cloud, whence proceeds the Storms and the Rain; Likewiſe thus, in the greateſt afflictions, God will give you ſome teſtimonies of his fatherly care, and of his Divine love. The aſſurance that you ſhall repoſe in God, ſhall p. 251never be confounded, for the love of God is ſpread in your hearts by the Holy Spirit, that he hath given you. The hotter the fire of affliction ſhall be, the greater, and the more miracles it ſhall bring forth. The higher the waters of your Floud ſhall riſe, the nearer they will approach your Souls good, and the nearer you will draw to Heaven, the place of your Souls birth: Comfort therefore your ſelves, my dear Children, and aſſure your ſelves, that by the favourable aſſiſtance of God's Grace and Mercy, we ſhall ſee one another again ſpeedily. I ſhall not return to you, but you ſhall come to me, for I am going to that large and magnificent Dwelling, whither our Lord and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt is gone before, to prepare a place for us, and where he will embrace us all. I am going up to my Father and your Father, to my God and to your God.

A Prayer and Meditation for a King and a Soveraign Prince, who prepares for death, by repoſing himſelf upon God's providence.

O King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, who haſt been Graciouſly pleaſed out of thine eſpecial goodneſs, to make me a living Image of thine Almighty Power, and a viſible expreſſion of thine Heavenly Glory; ſuffer me not to be lifted up in pride, by that Power and Majeſty with which thou haſt cloathed me. That I may not imitate that vain glorious, and prophane Monarch, who diſcovered his impious mind in theſe terms. Is not this great Babylon that I have built for the Houſe of the Kingdom, by the might of my power, and for the honour of my Majeſty. But give me Grace to adore the Scepter of him who hath eſtabliſhed me, to humble my ſelf before the Throne of thine univerſal Empire, I have ſo much the more reaſon p. 252thus to abaſe my ſelf, becauſe I am to appear before thy great Tribunal, not only as a man, to anſwer for my actions, but alſo as a Prince; I muſt there appear to give up an account of my publick Stewardſhip, and of ſo many thouſand Souls committed to my care. If, at any time, the ſplendor and glory of my Crown dazle my Eyes, and delude my fancy; or if fond flatterers ſing at my ears, A voice of God, and not of Man. O let me then remember the frailty of my corruptible Nature, I am born as other Men, and ſubject to the ſame paſſions, and the ſame infirmities; Death will have no more regard for me, than for the vileſt of my ſubjects, it will not treat me with more civility than them; It will enter as boldly into my Palace, as into the Huts of my meaneſt Soldiers, and into the Cabans of the moſt contemptible Shepheards; It will break my Scepter in pieces, as eaſily as the Beggars ſtaff, and trample upon the Flowers and Jewels of my Crown, in the ſame manner as upon the graſs of the field. My Life. as that of my Slaves and Vaſſals, is but the breath of my Noſtrils, a wind that vaniſheth away, a ſhadow that will quickly diſappear. O God of all fleſh! whilſt thou continueſt unto me my life here below, Command in my Heart, and amongſt my affections, Govern me by thine excellent Wiſdom, and by thy Royal and Divine Spirit. Seeing that by thee Kings Reign, and Princes do Juſtice, give me Grace to lift up mine Eyes always unto thee, and to employ all the Power and Authority which I have received from thee, to thy Honor and Glory, and to the advance of thine Heavenly Kingdom, that I may look upon my Subjects as thy Creatures, formed after thine own Image, and as thy Children redeemed with the Bloud of thine only Son, if thou haſt been pleaſed to put a differance between them and me. O that I may alſo conſider that there is a more vaſt difference between me Duſt and Aſhes, a Worm of this vile Earth; me, a nothing, and leſs than nothing, and thine Eternal Being. O great and living God! whoſe Power is infinite; when thou art pleaſed to ſend theſe Orders p. 253to the richeſt, and to the moſt powerful Monarchs, Sons of men return; at the ſame inſtant they are not able to make reſiſtance, but they muſt needs return to Duſt, and with them all their contrivances, all their high and glorious purpoſes vaniſh away. O Soveraign Monarch of the World, when thou ſhalt forewarn me by any of thy Servants, or ſignify unto me by any other means, that thy pleaſure is to take me from my Throne, to remove me from my Principality, and to ſeparate me from my ſelf; inſtead of troubling and afflicting my Soul, as an Heathen Prince, give me grace to ſhew a noble conſtancy, and a Chriſtian reſignation, to thine Holy and Divine pleaſure. If thou doſt with one hand, write the Sentence of my Death, I know that thou wilt ſigne with the other, the irrevocable Decree, for me to go and take poſſeſſion of a life infinitely happy. Alas great God; what are all theſe Territories that I muſt leave, in compariſon of the Celeſtial Inheritance which thou haſt prepared for me, from the Creation of the World; for all the Earth, if compared with the Heavens, is but a point; and what are all the inferior Crowns that fade away, and fall to the ground, in compariſon of the uncorruptible Crown of Glory that waits for my coming, at the end of my mortal Race? O how willingly ſhall I caſt off this Purple, this Royal Attire, to put on the precious Robes of Light and Immortality, reſerved for me in thine Heavenly Paradiſe? How joyfully ſhall I put down this Scepter, to take into my hands the flouriſhing Branches of Palms, that I ſee in the poſſeſſion of thy triumphing Saints? O Almighty King of Kings, thou haſt entruſted me with the Governance of this Kingdom and Principality; I return it willingly into thy Divine hands; Thou haſt ſubdued my people under me, and taken me out of many Waters, thou haſt juſtified my Right to theſe Crowns by a gracious and a miraculous Reſtauration. ☞O let me never forget thine infinite goodneſs, ſo viſibly declared to me and my people. How innumerable are thy Mercies? O Lord! Let therefore the former experience that I have had of thy goodneſs, encourage p. 254me to caſt willingly my Self, my Life, my Crown, and my Kingdoms, into thy Divine hands. And while I yet remain amongſt the living, give me Grace, O good and merciful Saviour, to wean my ſelf from the world and worldly pleaſures. Give me a hearty diſtaſte of all unſatisfying delights of the Body, and a true reliſh of the immortal contentments of the Soul. Let the nearer approach of my death make me to draw nearer to thee in love and obedience. Give me power to overcome all carnal temptations. O that the excellency of my Place and Dignity, the precious Bloud of my Saviour, with which thou haſt waſhed my Soul, and that immortal Bliſs prepared for me, might fill me with an hearty loathing, and contempt of the vain and unprofitable Delights of the World, that my Soul may not be fettered and enſlaved to theſe filthy vanities, ſo far below the excellency of its Being. O Gracious God! with my Perſon I leave to thee the diſpoſition of my Scepter and Kingdoms, thou art able to give to my ſucceſſor the ſame Piety, Zeal, and Love, for thy Truth that I have always expreſſed; I leave to thee the care and preſervation of that Religion which thy powerful hand hath planted amongſt us; thou art able to cauſe it to flouriſh in the midſt of ſo many envious attempts of adverſaries. Let me not therefore diſtruſt thy good providence, but grant to the perſon that thou haſt appointed to ſucceed me, a Love and Fear of thy Holy Name; enrich his Soul with all Divine Graces, and Royal Vertues: My God and my King, thou gaveſt me an earneſt deſire of building thee a Temple as to David, a Man after thine own heart. I have labour'd to recruit, in my days, the ſenſleſs diviſions of my people, but ſeeing that it is not thy pleaſure that I ſhould accompliſh ſuch a glorious Work; Give to my Succeſſor the Grace and Wiſdom, as to Solomon, that he may perfect the pious deſignes that I have begun. Eſtabliſh his Throne with true Religion, and ſincere Reformation. Let Juſtice and Peace flouriſh in his Reign. Let Truth proſper, Charity and Love enflame the Hearts of thy People. Let all his neighbors bleſs him. Let p. 255him have as many Guards as Subjects, and as many Fortreſſes as Hearts in his Dominions. But eſpecially good God, give him grace to build thee a ſetled Houſe in theſe Nations, and to raiſe it up to the higheſt pitch of Glory and Happineſs, that is poſſible, on Earth. In the mean while, I ſhall depart out of this life, and go to Glorify thee in the magnificent Palace of immortality, where I ſhall caſt down my Crown at the feet of the Lamb, and adore him who liveth for ever and ever, Amen.

A Prayer and Meditation for a Vice-Roy, or a Governor.

O Almighty Governor of this great World, ſeeing that thou haſt granted to me the honor of repreſenting the Perſon of my Prince thy living Image; it is but juſt that I ſhould return unto thee my unfeigned thanks, for ſuch a ſpecial Favor, for I ſhould not have this Power, if it were not given to me from above; and if thou who art the King of Kings, and holdeſt, in thine Almighty hand, the Hearts of Princes, hadſt not cauſed the ſuperior Powers to favor my Perſon. Give me Grace never to forget that the Perſons that I am to Govern, are not my Slaves, but the Subjects of my Prince: moreover, they are thy Creatures and Children; it belongs not to me to diſpoſe of them at my pleaſure, according to my paſſions, but to obſerve the Orders that have been given me, and to obey thy Divine Commandments. Let me behave my ſelf as if my Prince were always, and every where, at my elbows, to be a witneſs of all my actions. But eſpecially, let me remember that I am always before thine holy Eyes, that behold my Heart, and read my moſt ſecret thoughts. Let me conſider night and day, that I muſt give an account, to my Great Maſter, of the Stewardſhip intruſted in my hands; and that I muſt one day appear before thy dreadful Tribunal, where diſguiſing p. 256and lying will never take place, If whilſt I am diligently employed in the Duties of mine Office, and managing my buſineſs, with all the care and faithfulneſs that I am able, Death comes to call me away out of the World; give me ſuch a courage that I may not be afraid, but that I may quit my Dignities without repining: for the Honor of Governing a Kingdom, or a Monarchy, or of Commanding many Worlds, is nothing in compariſon of the Glory and Happineſs prepared for me in Heaven. Let not the care of the time to come, trouble the quiet of my Soul; thou canſt raiſe up other Governors, unto whom thou canſt grant a Spirit of Wiſdom and Diſcretion, with an happy and glorious Governance, whilſt I ſhall reſt for ever from all my labors and cares, and when I ſhall have overcome Satan, the World, Sin, and Death, and kept thy Works until the end, thou wilt give me into my hands a never-fading Palm, thou wilt put upon my Head a Glorious Crown, and into my mouth the Songs of the Bleſſed, in whoſe company I ſhall ſing Praiſes and Tranksgivings unto thee for ever and ever, Amen.

A Prayer and Meditation for a General of an Army, and for a Captain.

O God of Hoſts, I have been perſwaded that this employment, in which I have engaged my ſelf, for the ſervice of my King and Countrey, would not be diſpleaſing to thy Divine Majeſty; ſeeing that thou haſt appointed Military Laws unto thy People, and haſt been ſo Gracious to them, as to govern their Armies, march out before them, and Command in Chief, when they have encountered with their Enemies. Although thy Son is the Prince of Peace, his firſt Miniſter and Fore-runner did not forbid the uſe of Weapons to the Soldiers that reſorted to him, but only to be content with their wages, and to do violence p. 257to no man; beſides, the Holy Apoſtles teach us, that it is not in vain that thou haſt put the Sword into the hands of Soveraign Princes and Kings, who are the Images of thine Almighty power; and of thy uncontroulable Juſtice. Let me never appear at the head of an Army, or of a Company, but let me imagine my Prince to be there preſent, as if I were to ſight before his eyes; but let me chiefly remember, that I am in the ſight of thy Holy Angels, and of thee, who art the King of Kings, of all the Nations of the World; and of their Armies. Let not the power which thou haſt given me over others, cauſe me to neglect the obedience that I owe unto thee my great God and Creator: Let not the honor of being a Captain, make me forget that I am a Soldier of Jeſus Chriſt; who Judges, and Wars according to right. Let not the Sword that I carry at my ſide, hinder me from receiving into my Heart, the Sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; that is ſharper than a two-edged ſword, that ſearcheth to the diviſion of the Soul and Spirit, Joynts and Marrow. Give me with this Heavenly Sword, the Breaſt-plate of Righteouſneſs, and the Helmet of Salvation; and eſpecially, give me the Buckler of Faith, that I may be able to quench all the fiery Darts of the Devil. O my God! cloath me with the Strength and Vertue of thy Holy Spirit, that I may reſiſt all my ſpiritual Enemies, and obtain a Glorious Victory. Give me Grace to overcome Sin, the World, and my Self; all my Paſſions and wicked Luſts, that I may ſee Hell confounded, and Satan cruſh'd under my feet. Laſtly, Give me ſtrength to fight with courage againſt Death; and to overcome it. O great and living God! it is not neceſſary that any ſhould remember me, that I am Mortal, becauſe Death is to be ſeen every day before me; I walk continually upon its Footſteps, if it gives me an aſſault in the midſt of my Proſperities, and in the firſt increaſe of my Glory; I ſhall then go to obtain, a more happy and magnificent Victory, than theſe earthly ones; for it is far more Honourable to conquer Death, and triumph over Hell; than to be a Conqueror p. 258of thouſands of Mortal Men. And if this cruel death carries me away in a time that my Life and Services are ſo uſeful to my Prince and Countrey; Let me learn to reſt upon thy wonderful Providence, that cannot want Captains and Soldiers: Thou wilt raiſe up after me, more happy and victorious Commanders, but I ſhall enter into thy Heavenly Reſt and Peace, that reigns in thy Kingdom. Lord Jeſus! I ſhall gather the fruits of a bleſſed immortality, which have been purchaſed by thy wonderful Victories, and by thy glorious ſufferings, and I ſhall ſhare in the joy of thine Eternal Triumphs. Let this death therefore come when it pleaſeth, I ſhall be ready to ſay to it as St. Paul. I have fought the good fight, I have finiſhed my courſe, I have kept the faith; henceforth, there is laid up for me a Crown of Righteouſneſs, which, the Lord, the Righteous Judge ſhall give me at that day, Amen.

A Prayer and Meditation for a Judge or Magiſtrate.

O Glorious Judge of Mankind, who firſt honoured me with this noble employment, and put into my hands the ſword of Juſtice. Let me always remember that I am not called to this noble Office by Man alone, but by thee who lifts up and pul…s down, who raiſeth the poor out of the Duſt, to make him ſit with the Mighty. Enlighten my underſtanding with thy Divine Knowledge, and ſtrengthen me with that Spirit, which thou gaveſt to Moſes, and to his Judges in Iſrael. Give me grace to do the duties of my Office faithfully, and to be an uncorruptible Judge Let my Ears be always open to hear the cries of the afflicted, but ſhut to all unjuſt ſuggeſtions, ſo that the wind of unlawful favor may never be admitted. Let me, without any reſpect of perſons, render unto every one what is his right, and that nothing may hinder p. 259me from condemning the guilty, and juſtifying the innocent. Let it never happen to me to follow my paſſions, or the Luſt of others, but let me be a faithful interpreter of thy Holy Laws and Commands. At every time that I ſit to judge thy people, let me remember that thou art amongſt the Judges, and ſeeſt their moſt ſecret thoughts. Let me always conſider, that when I have done judging others, I ſhall be judged my ſelf, and nothing ſhall be able to oppoſe the Decrees of thine infinite wiſdom. If at any time the conſiderations of Fleſh and Bloud, tempt me to evil, let me recal to mind my approaching Death, that I may be bridled with an Holy Dread; let me conſider that it warns me already to appear in perſon before thy Tribunal, where I muſt give up an account, not only of my Words, and of my Actions, but of my moſt ſecret Thoughts, and of the moſt plauſible Acts of Judicature. O Lord, thou haſt Eyes to ſee into the very depths, an Ear to liſten to the whiſperings of the Heart, and a powerful Hand to find out the Guilty. When I think upon that Glorious Throne, upon which, whole Legions of Executioners of thy Juſtice, do continually attend, I ſhould tremble for fear, were it not that the Judge is my Advocate and Redeemer, and that he is aſcended up into Heaven, there to intercede and prepare for me a place. O let me therefore willingly quit theſe vain Honors of the World, that paſs away on a ſuddain; Seeing that thou prepareſt for me, above, a Dignity, far more Excellent, Eternal, and Ʋnchangeable. Let me caſt off, without murmuring, this Robe where Worms do breed, and ſo many cares that conſume my Heart. Let my Soul put on, with tranſports of joy, the Heavenly Garments of Light and Glory, that will render it Eternally happy. Let me go down from this Seat of Judicature, without grief; ſeeing that the Lord Jeſus promiſeth to every one that overcometh, that he will make them to ſit with him upon his Throne. When I am gone from hence, thou wilt raiſe up wiſe and uncorruptible Judges, that ſhall judge thy People according to Juſtice and Equity; p. 260In the mean while I ſhall enjoy the ſweet and comfortable effects of thine Eternal Mercy, which thou haſt diſcover'd in thine only Son, who hath been made unto us Wiſdom, Righteouſneſs, Sanctification, and Redemption, Amen.

A Prayer and Meditation for a Miniſter of the Goſpel who beholds Death with Joy and Comfort.

OƲniverſal Shepheard, and Biſhop of our Souls, I cannot ſufficiently acknowledge and admire the Graces and Mercies which thou haſt beſtowed upon me; thou haſt called me to an Office, in which the Angels of Heaven eſteem it an Honor for themſelves to be employed, and in which thou thy ſelf haſt been diligent during the days of thy Fleſh, Thou haſt been pleaſed to make me one of the Miniſters of thy People, and to commit to my truſt, that which thou doſt cheriſh, as the deareſt and moſt precious thing of the World, namely, thy Church, for which thou haſt expreſſed ſo much love, as to give thy ſelf for it, and to redeem it with thy precious Bloud. But alas, my Lord, and my God, who is ſufficient for theſe things? The employment is heavy and painful, and I am weak and feeble. The World hates and perſecutes us moſt vehemently, and the Devil, like a roaring Lion, walks continually about us, to ſeek to devour the Shepheard with his Flock. In thine own Inheritance I am forced to ſwallow many bitter Fruits, and drink Waters of affliction. I find more Briers and Thorns, than Flowers and Roſes; They that ſhould encourage me in the midſt of ſo many Labors, do often weaken my Hands, and afflict my Heart; that which ſhould cauſe my great'ſt joy, and fill my Soul with the ſweeteſt Comforts, is the occaſion of my deepeſt ſorrows, and of my moſt violent grief. Merciful Lord, whilſt thou p. 261art pleaſed to leave me in this mortal Life, and in my Miniſtry, accompliſh thy Vertue in my weakneſs, and do thou the work which thou haſt enjoyn'd to me thy poor Servant. Open the door wide to the Gospel of thy Grace, that all people of the Earth may learn to ſerve and worſhip thee in Spirit and in Truth. Defeat all the Counſels, and all the ſtrength that riſeth up againſt thee, and bring all thoughts to thine obedience. Let the World be confounded in all its purpoſes, and let it never have the power to ſcare me by its threatenings, or to corrupt me by its fair promiſes. Let Satan once more fall from Heaven as a Lightning, and let him be for ever ſhut up in the bottomleſs pit. Shut up the mouths of all falſe Prophets, and let thy Truth be victorious over Error, that we may ſee the Congregations of thy true Catholick Church increaſe in number of perſons, that may worſhip thee with more Affection and Zeal, or rather increaſe in them thy Grace and Heavenly Bleſſings. O let me always conſider, that the Sheep that I am to feed, belong not to me, nor to any mortal Man, but to thee Lord Jeſus, who haſt created them by thine infinite power, and redeemed them by thy wonderful Goodneſs. Thou haſt willingly offered thy ſelf to the ſufferings of a painful death, that thou mighteſt deliver them from the Wolfs Paw, and Claws of the infernal Lion. Let me remember that I am ſhortly to appear before thy Glorious preſence, and to give thee an account of my Stewardſhip. O Lord, who knoweſt all things, unto whom nothing is hid, thou ſeeſt the very bottom of my Heart, and ſpieſt my moſt ſecret thoughts. Thou knoweſt how faithfully and affectionately, I have been employed in thy ſervice; I have led thy Sheep to the wholſome feeding of thy Heavenly Paſtures. I have led them to the Waters that burſt forth unto Eternal Life; my Conſcience bears me witneſs before thee and thy Holy Angels, that I have declared nothing, neither by Word nor Writing, but that which I firmly believe to be agreeable to the Oracles of the Prophets, Apoſtles, and Evangeliſts. I have drawn out of the Sacred Treaſuries of thy word, things new and old, p. 262for the beautifying of thy Houſe, and for the inſtruction of ſuch as dwell there. I have labour'd day and night in the hings that thou haſt put into my heart for thy Glory, for the advance of thy Kingdom, and the comfort of thy Children. In the important paſſages of my life, I have not taken counſel from Fleſh and Bloud, but I have preferred the Honour of thy great Name, and the Glory of thy Divine Truth, to all Earthly advantages, and to my particular intereſt. I have deſpiſed all the Riches of this World, and the Honors of the Age, for the ſake of the ſpiritual Treaſuries, and of that Heavenly Light which thou haſt put into me, as into an Earthly Veſſel, that all Glory may be aſcribed to thee, who art the Author of all good, and of all perfect Gifts. My moſt delicious Meat, and my moſt pleaſant Drink, was to do thy Holy Will, and to perfect thy Work. I have taken a ſingular delight in declaring the wonderful Councils of thy Wiſdom, and diſcovering the Myſteries of thy Kingdom, I have ſhared in the evils and ſufferings of thy Members, I have not been ſparing of the comforts which thou haſt furniſhed me in all my afflictions, and temptations. Thy Holy Law is in my Heart, and thy Gospel is there engraven with the finger of thy Bleſſed Spirit. Thou haſt kindled in me an earneſt deſire of ſaving Souls, and bringing them to Righteouſneſs. O Lord, who ſearcheſt into the bottom of the moſt ſecret Hearts, Thou knoweſt that I may ſay with the Holy Prophet, The zeal of thine Houſe hath caten me up. Or with the Apoſtle, The care of thy Church cometh upon me daily: But for all this, I pretend not to be juſtified in thy preſence, I am ſo far from reſting upon mine own Righteouſneſs, and of being puft up with the opinion of my deſervings, that I confeſs my ſelf a poor and a miſerable ſinner; therefore with my whole Heart, I deſire the forgiveneſs of my great imperfections and miſcarriages, which I have been guilty of in thy ſervice; I have not been enflam'd with a Charity pure enough, nor with a diſintereſſed Zeal; I have been ſometimes too indulgent, and ſometimes too ſevere in the reprehenſion p. 263of Vice, and I have not been as I ought, the Director of my Flo…k, in all manner of good Works: the love of my ſelf hath crept in with that affection that I owe to thee alone, and I have have not ſerved thee only for thy ſake, and for thy Divine perfections; but alſo for the expectation of the Rewards which thou haſt promiſed to thy faithful Servants, when thou ſhalt render unto every one according to his Works. I have been too ſenſible of the wrongs done to mine own Perſon, and eſpecially, when I have ſeen my beſt deeds miſinterpreted, and my moſt charitable cares requited with ingratitude; I have not always poſſ…ſſed my Soul with patience, and I have not had that Meekneſs, Love, and Humility, which thou Divine Jeſus haſt recommended to me, by thine example on Earth. O Lord, if thou ſhould, eſt treat me according to the exac…neſs of thy juſtice, and require at my hands the Souls that are periſhed by my negligence, or evil example, I ſhould be cover'd with ſhame and confuſion, and I ſhould ſoon be caſt, with the unprofitable Servant, into the Eternal Torments of Hell, where are weeping and gnaſhing of Teeth. But O Merciful Lord, thou art goodneſs it ſelf, Love, and the very being of Charity; Thou accepteſt the Will for the Deed, and the Ʋndertaking for the Performance, and thou haſt thy Arms always wide open to receive thy poor Servants that weep for their miſtakes, and that humbly proſtrate themſelves before thee, to implore thy Mercy and Forgiveneſs. O Divine Saviour, Thou art rich in Goodneſs, and ready to cauſe thy Glorious Countenance to ſhine upon ſuch as call upon thee, to their unſpeakable joy and comfort, and upon ſuch as draw near to thee, by a true and ſerious Repentance. Therefore I pour forth my Soul before thee, and acknowledge that thou haſt heard me, and accepted the contrition of my heart, and heard the voice of my Tears. Thou ſtrengtheneſt my Faith, raiſeſt my Hopes, and filleſt my Soul with refreſhing and excellent conſiderations of thy Love: Thou cauſeſt me to taſt the Salvation which thou often preacheſt to others. I feel thy Gracious Hand drawing me to thyſelf. I ſee that p. 264thou openeſt to me the Gate of Paradiſe, unto which I have had ſo many good and Holy Souls, that reſt now in the enjoyment of thy Glory. Thou cauſeſt me to have the confidence of ſaying with the Holy Apoſtle, I know that God will ſhow Mercy unto me, and receive me into his Heavenly Kingdom. O Good and Merciful Lord, I feel my Body conſuming away, and my ſtrength decaying, but thou art the Rock of my Heart, and my portion for ever. I ſee death coming apace to me, but inſtead of afflicting and frighting me; it comforts and rejoyceth my Heart, for it comes to put an end to this miſerable life, that is no better than a languiſhing kind of death; it comes to take me from my continued labors and looſe me from my greivous and painful Fetters, Rejoyce O my Soul! look up to that Reſt that God prepares for thee above. The bleſſed time is come that I ſhall no longer endure the heat of the day and the watchings of the Night, but I ſhall reſt eternally under the ſhadowes of the Tree of Life; and there ſatisfy my ſelf with its delicious Fruits, I ſhall no longer withſtand the contradiction of Sinners, nor hear the mocks of the ſenſual and factious minds. I ſhall no longer encounter with the enemies of thy Sacred Truth, nor endure the ſtings of my Luſts, but I ſhall live for ever in the bleſſed company of the Holy Angels, and rejoyce with the Glorified Saints; I ſhall preach no more againſt the obſtinacy of Men. nor weep for the ſins that diſgrace thy Church and Profeſſion, nor complain of the injuſtice and affronts done to my Perſon, nor grieve for my own imperfections, but I ſhall ſing for ever thy Divine Praiſes with the Seraphins, and the Congregation of the firſt-born, whoſe Names are recorded in Heaven. O Lord, who haſt an infinite Power in thy Hands, and bottomleſs Treaſuries of Mercy, be pleaſed to drive away from thy Flock all ravenous Wolves, and mercenary Souls, and raiſe up to this thy Church, ☞a Faithful, Sober, Wiſe, and a Learned Clergy; bring in our diſſenting Brethren, reconcile the differences that are amongſt us, and give to us all a friendly compliance, that we may no longer be a hiſſing, and a p. 265by-word to our Enemies. Thou art able yet to clap an effeciual Plaiſter to our bleeding wound, and to cure the diſtempered minds. Be pleaſed therefore, O great Phyſitian, of both Soul and Body, mercifully to look down from Heaven upon theſe Nations. Check that bold ſpirit of diviſion, that cauſeth ſo much diſorder amongſt us, and make us all ſenſible of our chief intereſts, which conſiſts in a Bleſſed Ʋnion. Pour upon our Clergy, abundance of thy Grace, and give an happy ſucceſs to their painful Miniſtry; but now I am going to ſerve thee above in Heaven, in a more glorious and excellent Miniſtry, where I ſhall meet with no trouble nor reſiſtance, no wearineſs, grief, pain, ſorrow, nor diſpleaſure; I ſhall enter into the joy of my Lord, and receive, from his merciful Hand, the uncorruptible Crown of Immortality and Glory; I ſhall follow the Lamb whitherſoever he goes, and he ſhall be my Shepherd for ever; he will lead me to the Fountains of living water, and wipe away all Tears from mine Eyes, Amen.

A Prayer and Meditation for a Father of a Family.

FAther of Eternity, I yield unto thee my unfeigned thanks, becauſe thou haſt made me an happy inſtrument, to put into the World, Children out of whoſe mouths thou mayeſt accompliſh thine own praiſe, and who may ſerve thee here below, and worſhip thee for ever in Heaven, amongſt the thouſands of Angels. Whilſt I have been in the World, I have brought them up in thy Love and Fear, I have cauſed them to ſuck from the Breaſt the Milk of Piety, and when they were come to an age of underſtanding, I have taught them to walk in thine holy Fear, and obey thy Commandements; I have laboured to ſhew them a good example, and to guide them in thy Truth, And now that I am ready to return unto thee, who art the Author of my life and being, the only ſource of my Happineſs; I leave them p. 266in thy merciful hands, beſeeching thee to look down upon them with the eyes of thy compaſſion; they are thine, Lord acknowledge thine own Image and Handywork. Thy Finger hath faſhioned theſe Bodies, where ſo many wonders are to be ſeen. And theſe ſouls that animate and move them, are the breath and beams of thy Divinity. Thou haſt engaged to be our God, and the God of our Poſterity after us. Thy great and precious promiſes have been made to us, and to our Children. O Heavenly Father, I deſire not that thou ſhouldeſt take them out of the World, but that thou ſhouldeſt keep them from evil. Cover them under the ſhadow of thy wings, and preſerve them from thoſe Miſeries and Calamities, which thou haſt threatened to ſend upon the Inbabitants of the Earth, for their ſins; If thou doſt chaſtiſe them, let it be with the Rod of Men, and with the ſcourges of the Sons of Men, but withdraw not from them thy Grace, and thy fatherly compaſſions. Let the flames of affliction render their Faith more Pure, their Lives more Holy, and their Zeal more Sincere and Earneſt, and let it prepare them for thee and thine Eternal Bliſs. O Holy Father, thou ſeeſt that the age in which we live, is wonderfully corrupt; that the Earth is inclined to Vice, and that Sin raigns every where. Thou knoweſt alſo, how weak, the Nature of Children is, and how inclinable to evil; therefore ſtrengthen them, I beſeech thee, with ſuch Antidotes as may preſerve them from the infection of the times. Suffer not the wickedneſs of the World to win upon their affections, nor Satan to prevail upon them by his ſuggeſtions, nor evil company to ſpoil their pious Education. Give them an underſtanding to know thee, an Heart to love thee, and Affections to embrace thee and thy Glory. Let thy Holy Angels guard them by night and by day. Let thy Providence defend them, thy Word inſtruct them, thy Promiſes comfort them, and thy Holy Spirit Regenerate them, and imprint in their Souls thy bleſſed Image. Give them neither Poverty nor Riches, but nouriſh them with Food convenient; but eſpecially, give them that Bread which is come p. 267down from Heaven, which hath brought Life into the World; make them to raſte of the Heavenly Gift, and of the Powers of the World to come; inflame them with thy Love and Charity, and adorn them with all Chriſtian Vertues; but chiefly, Sanctify them with thy Holy Spirit, and make them to become new Creatures: ſeeing that without Sanctification, none ſhall ſee thy Face in Glory. Confirm them for ever in thy Holy Covenant, and give them grace to tranſmit it to their poſterity after them, as a bleſſed Inheritance, that thou mayeſt be Glorified by them from Generation to Generation, to all Eternity. Suffer not the World, nor Hell, to pluck them out of thine Hand, that nothing may ſeparate them from the love which thou haſt ſhewed to them in Jeſus Chriſt thine only Son. Let not Death terrify them, but let it rather rejoyce and comfort them, becauſe, that it is the entrance that leads to the Glorious Dwelling of their Heavenly Father, and to the Celeſtial Paradiſe; whatſoever change or alteration ſhall happen here below, let them always lift up their Eyes to thee, who art the ſame yeſterday and to day, and ſhalt be the ſame for ever. Let them never forget their Duty to thee, from whom they have received their Being and Life, that they may prefer the Glory of thy Great Name, the Purity of thy Worſhip, and the hopes of thy Heavenly Kingdom, to all worldly Glory, Magnificence, Riches, advantages, and Pleaſures of the Fleſh. O God, who art the Creator and Father of their Spirits; cauſe them to endure a thouſand Deaths, and reduce them to nothing, from whence thou haſt fetched them, rather than to ſuffer them to be enſlaved to Vice, Error, or to Superſtition that robs thee, O Great God, of thine Honor, to aſcribe it to the Creature. Merciful, and Almighty Lord, I ſhall not ſay to thee as Eſau did to Iſaac, when he had bleſſed Jacob; My Father, haſt thou but one Bleſſing? for I am certain that thou haſt an infinite number, and many inexhauſible Fountains, of all manner of Bleſſings; but I beſeech thee, with all the Zeal and Earneſtneſs that I can, to Bleſs my dear Children with thy Heavenly and eſpecial p. 266Favors; take them into thy protection, bear them in thy Hands, embrace them with thy tender compaſſion, and let them be as dear to thee as the Apple of thine Eyes. Let thy fear be always before them. Let them love thee with all their Heart, and ſerve thee with all their Powers that they may Glorify thee in proſperity, and adverſity, in Life and Death, that Chriſt may be their gain, whether they live, or whether they dye; but I am now leaving the World and my Children without Grief, or miſtruſting thy care of them, I am aſcending with joy up to thee, who art my God, my Father, and their Father, and I truſt in thy great and Eternal Mercies, that one day we ſhall ſee one another in thine Heavenly Kingdom, when we ſhall be admitted to behold thy Face, which ſhall fill us with unſpeakable Gladneſs and Pleaſure, Amen.