Husbandry Spiritualized, Part 3
An Introduction TO THE Third PART OF HUSBANDRY
NOw from the pleasant Orchard let us walk
A turn i'th fields, and there converse and talk
With Cows and Horses, they can teach us some
Choice Lessons, though irrational and dumb.
My Reader's weary, yet I do not fear
To be forsaken by one Reader here.
He'l doubtless stay to hear what questions I
Propound to beasts, and how they make reply.
The fatted Ox, and pamper'd horse you ride;
Their careless Master for his care thus chide.
CHAP. I.
More care for Horse and Oxen many take
Than for their Souls,Upon the Husbandmans care for his cattel. or dearest Childrens sake.
OBSERVATION.
MAny Husbandmen are excessively careful about their cattel, rising themselves early, or causing their servants to rise betimes to provender and dress them. Much time is spent in some Countreys, in trimming and adorning their Horses with curious trappings and plumes of feathers; and if at any time a beast be sick, what care is taken to recover and heal them? you will be sure they shall want nothing that is necessary for them; yea, many will chuse rather to want themselves, than suffer their Horses so to do; and take a great deal of comfort to see them thrive and prosper under their hands.
APPLICATION.
VVHat one said of bloudy Herod, who slew so many children at Bethlehem, That it were better to be his swine, than his Son, may be truly enough applyed to some Parents and Masters, who take less care for the saving the souls of their children and servants, than they do for the bodies of those beasts which daily feed at their stalls and cribs. Many there be who do in reference to their souls, as Iacob did, with respect to the preservation of their bodies, when he put all the herds of cattel before, and his Wives and little ones behind, as he went to meet his brother Esau. 'Tis a weighty saying of a grave Author; It's vile ingratitude to rejoyce when cattel multiply, Ienk. on Iude par. 2. p. 170.and repine when children increase; its Heathenish distrustfulness, to fear, that he who provides for your beasts, will not provide for your children; and it's no less than unnatural cruelty to be careful of the bodies of beasts, & careless of the souls of children. Let us but a little compare your care and diligence in both respects, and see in a few particulars, whether you do indeed value your own, or your children and servants souls, as you do the life and health of a beast.
Your care for your very Horses is expressed early, whilst they are but Colts, and not come to do you any service; you are willing to be at pains and cost, to have them broken and brought to their way. This is more than ever many of them did for their children; they can see them wild and profane, naturally taking a stroke or way of wickedness, but yet never were at any pains or cost to break them; these must be fondel'd and cockered up in the natural way of their own corruption and wickedness, and not a rod or reproof used to break them of it.
'Tis observed of the Persians, Clárks Mir. p. 506.that they put out their children to School as soon as they could speak, and would not see them in seven years after, lest their indulgence should do them hurt.
You keep your constant set times, morning and evening, to feed, water and dress your cattel, and will by no means neglect it once; but how many times have you neglected morning and evening duties in your families? yea, how many be there, whose very tables, in respect of any worship God hath there, do very little differ from the very cribs and mangers at which their horses feed? As soon as you are up in a morning, you are with your beasts before you have been with your God; how little do such differ from beasts? and happy were it, if they were no more accountable to God than their beasts are?
The end of your care, cost and pains about your cattel is, that they may be strong for labour, and the more serviceable to you; thus you comply with the end of their beings. But how rare a thing is it, to find these men as careful to fit their posterity to be useful and serviceable to God in their generations, which is the end of their beings? If you can make them rich, and provide good matches for them, you reckon that you have fully discharged the duty of parents; if they will learn to hold the Plow, that you are willing to teach them: But when did you spend an hour to teach them the way of salvation?
Now to convince such careless Parents of the heinousness of their sin, let these four Queries be solemnly considered.
Whether this be a sufficient discharge of that great duty which God hath laid upon Christian Parents,Qu. 1. in reference to their families? That God hath charged them with the souls of their families is undeniable, Deut. 6. 6, 7. Eph. 6. 4. If God had not cloathed you with his authority, to command them in the way of the Lord; he would never have charged them so strictly to yield you obedience as he hath done, Eph. 6. 1. Col. 3. 20. Well, a great trust is reposed in you, look to your duty, for without dispute you shall answer for it.
Whether it be likely,Qu. 2. if the time of youth (which is the moulding age) be neglected, they will be wrought upon to any good afterwards? Husbandmen, let me put a sensible case to you; Do yo not see in your very horses, that whilst they are young, you can bring them to any way; but if once they have got a false stroke, and by long custom it be grown nutural to them, then there is no breaking them of it: yea, you see it, in your very Orchards, you may bring a tender twig to grow in what form you please; but when its grown to a sturdy limb, there is no bending it afterwards to any other form than what it naturally took. Thus it is with children, Prov. 22. 6. Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
Whether,Qu. 3. if you neglect to instruct them in the way of the Lord, Satan, and their own natural corruptions, will not instruct them in the way to hell? Consider this ye careless Parents; if you will not teach your children, the Devill will teach them; if you shew them not how to pray; he will shew them how to curse and swear, and take the name of the Lord in vain; if you grudge time a pains about their souls, the Devil doth not. Oh, 'tis a sad consideration, that so many children should be put to School to the devil!
Qu. 4.What comfort are you like to have from them when they are old, if you bring them not up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord when they are young? Many Parents have lived to reap in their old age, the fruit of their own folly and careless…ess, in the loose and vain education of their children. By Lieurgus his Law, no Parent was to be relieved by his children in age, if he gave them not good education in their youth; and it is a Law at this day among the Switzers, that if any child be condemned to die for a capital offence, the Parents of that child are to be his executioners; these Laws were made to provoke Parents to look better to their charge. Believe this as an undoubted truth; That that child which becomes (through thy default) an instrument to dishonour God, shall prove sooner or later, a son or daughter of sorrow to thee.
REFLECTIONS.
GOd hath found out my sin this day.A Reflection for careless Parents. This hath been my practise ever since I had a family committed to my charge; I have spent more time and pains about the bodies of my beasts, then the souls of my children; beast that I am, for so doing; little have I considered the preciousness of my own, or their immortal souls. How careful have I been to provide fodder to preserve my cattel in the Winter, whilst I leave my own, and their souls to perish to eternity, and make no provision for them? Surely my children will one day curse the time that ever they were born unto such a cruel f… ther, or of such a merciless mother. Should I bring home the plague into my family, and live to see all my poor children lye dead by the walls, if I had not the heart of a Tyger, such a sight would melt my heart; and yet, the death of their souls by the sin which I propagated to them affects me not! Ah, that I could say, I had done but as much for them, as I have done for a beast that perisheth!
But unhappy wretch that I am,A Reflection for the disobedient child of a gracious Parent God cast a better lot for me, I am the off-spring of religious and tender Parents, who have alwayes deeply concerned themselves in the everlasting state of my soul; many prayers and tears have they poured out to God for me, both in my hearing as well as in secret; many holy and wholsom counsels have they from time to tome dropt upon me; many precious examples have they set in their own practise before me; many a time when I have sinned against the Lord, have they stood over me with a rod in their hands, and tears in their eyes, using all means to reclaim me; but like an ungracious wretch I have slighted all their counsels, grieved their hearts, and imbittered their lives to them, by my sinful courses. Ah, my soul! thou art a degenerate Plant; better will it be with the off-spring of infidels, than with thee, if repentance prevent not; now I live in one family with them, but shortly I shall be separated from them, as far as hell is from heaven; they now tenderly pity my misery, but then they shall approve and applaud the righteous sentence of Christ upon me: So little priviledge shall I then have from my relation to them, that they shall be produced as witnesses against me, and all their rejected coun…els, reproofs, and examples, charged home upon me, as the aggravations of my wickedness; and better it will be, when it shall come to that, that I had been brought forth by a beast, than sprang from the loyns of such Parents.
The Poem.
YOur cattel in fat pastures thrive and grow,
There's nothing wanting; that should make them so.
The pamper'd horse commends his Masters1Isa. 1. 3. care,
Who neither pains, or cost, doth grudge of2Gen. 24. 31, 32. spare.
But art not thou mean while, the veriest fool;
That pamper'st beasts, and starv'st thy precious soul?
'Twere well, if you could3Eccl. 31. 21 dye, as now you live
Like beasts; and had no more account to give.
O that these lines, your folly might detect!
Who both your own, and childrens souls neglect.
To care for beasts. O man, prepare to hear
The doleful'st language, that e're pierc'd thine ear!
When you your children once in hell shall meet,
And with such language their damn'd parents greet,
"O cursed father, wretched mother, why
"Was I your off-spring? would to God that I
"Had sprung from Tygers, who more4Nah. 2. 12. Lam. 4. 3. tender be
"Unto their young, than you have been to me.
"How did you spend your thoughts, time, care and cost
"About my body? whilst my soul was5Mat. 16. 26. lost.
"Did you not know I had a soul that must
"Live,6Eccl. 3. 21. when this body was resolv'd to dust?
"You could not chuse but understand if I,
"Without an interest in Christ did dye,
"It needs must7Mar. 16. 16 come to this; O how could you
"Prove so remorsless, and no pity shew!
"Oh cruel parents! I may curse the day
"That I was born of such as did betray
"Their child to endless torments. Now must I
"With, and through you, in flames for ever lye.
Let this make every parent tremble, lest
He lose his child, whilst caring for his beast.
Or lest his own poor soul do starve and pine
Whilst he takes thoughts for Horses, Sheep and kine.
CHAP. II.
When under loads your beasts do groan,Upon the hard labour and cruel usage of beasts. think then
How great a mercy 'tis that you are men.
OBSERVATION.
THough some men be excessively careful and tender over their beasts (as was noted in the former Chapter) yet others are cruel and merciless towards them, not regarding how they ride or burden them. How often have I seen them fainting under their loads? wrought off their legs, and turned out with galled backs into the fields, or high-wayes, to shift for a little grass? many times have I heard and pitied them, groaning under unreasonable burdens, and beaten on by merciless drivers, till at last by such cruel usage they have been destroyed, and then cast into a ditch for dogs meat!
APPLICATION.
SUch sights as these should make men thankful for the mercy of their Creation, and bless their bountiful Creator, that they were not made such creatures themselves. Some beasts are made ad esum, only for food, being no otherwise useful to man, as swine,&c. these are only fed for slaughter we kill and eat them, and regard not their cryes and struglings when the knife is thrust to their very hearts; others are only ad usum, for service, whilst living, but unprofitable when dead; as Horses, these we make to drudge and toyl for us from day to day, but kill them not; others are both ad esum, & usum, for food when dead, and service whilst alive, as the Ox. These we make to plow our fields, draw our carriages, and afterwards prepare them for slaughter.
But man was made for nobler ends, created Lord of the lower world; not to serve, but to be served by other creatures; a mercy able to melt the hardest heart into thankfulness. I remember, Luther pressing men to be thankful, that they are not brought into the lowest condition of creatures,Luth…r in 3. pre…pt. and to bless God that they can see any creature below themselves, gives us a famous instance in the following story: Two Cardinals (saith he) riding in a great deal of pomp to the Council of Constance, by the way they heard a man in the fields; weeping and wailing bitterly, they rode to him, and asked what he ailed? perceiving his eye intently fixed upon an ugly toad, he told them that his heart was melted with the consideration of this mercy, that God had not made him such a deformed and loathsom creature, though he were formed out of the same clay with it: Hoc est quod amare fleo, said he, This is that, that makes me weep bitterly. Whereupon one of the Cardinals cryes out, Well said the Father, the unlearned will rise and take heaven, when we with all our learning shall be thrust into hell. That which melted the heart of this poor man, should melt every heart when we behold the misery to which these poor creatures are subjected, And this will appear a mercy of no slight consideration, if we but draw a comparison betwixt our selves, and these irrational creatures, in these three particulars.
Though they and we were made of the same mould and clay, yet how much better hath God dealt with us, even as to the outward man? the structure of our bodies is much more excellent. God made other creatures by a word of command, but man by counsel; it was not be Thou, but let us make man. We might have been nude stones without fence, or beasts without reason, but we were made men. The noble structure and symetry of our bodies invites our souls, not only to thankfulness, but admiration. David speaking of the curious frame of the body, saith, I am wonderfully made, Psal. 139. 14. or as the vulgar reads it, painted as with a needle; like some rich piece of needle-work curiously embroydered with nerves and veins. Was any part of the common lump of clay thus fashioned? Galen gave Epicu…us an hundred years time to imagine a more commodious situation, configuration, or composition of any one part of a humane body; and (as one saith) of all the Angels in heaven had studied to this day, they could not have cast the body of man into a more curious mould.
How little ease or rest have they? they live not many years, and those they do is in bondage and misery, groaning under the effects of sin; but God hath provided better for us, even as to our outward condition in the world; we have the more rest, because they have so little. How many refre…hments and comforts hath God provided for us, of which they are uncapable? if we be weary with labour, we can take our rest; but fresh or weary, they must stand to it, or sink under it from day to day.
What a narrow capacity hath God given to beasts! what a large capacity to man! Alas! they are only capable of a little sensitive pleasure; as you shall see sometimes, how they will frisk in a green pasture, this is all they be capable of, and this death puts an end to; but how comprehensive are our souls in their capacities? we are made in the image of God; we can look beyond present things, and are capable of the highest happiness, and that to all eternity; the soul of a beast is but a material form, which wholly depending upon, must needs dye with the body; but our souls are a divine spark or blast; and when the body dyes, it dyes not with it, but subsists even in its separated state.
REFLECTIONS.
HOw great a sin is ingratitude to God,A Reflection for an unthankful sinner for such a common, but choice mercy of Creation, and provision for me in this world? There is no creature made worse by kindness, but man. There is a kind of gratitude which I may observe even in these bruit beasts; they do in their way acknowledge their benefactors; The Ox knows his Owner, and the Ass his Masters Crib. How ready are they to serve such as feed and cherish them? but I have been Both unthankful and unserviceable to my Creator and Benefactor, that hath done me good all my dayes; those poor creatures that sweat and groan under the loads that I lay upon them, never sinned against God, nor transgressed the Laws of their Creation as I have done; and yet God hath dealt better with me than with them. Oh that the bounty of God, and his distinguishing mercy between me and the beasts that perish, might move and melt my heart into thankfulness! O that I might consider seriously what the higher and more excellent end of my Creation is, and might more endeavour to answer and live up to it! Or else (O my soul) it will be worse with thee than with the beasts. 'Tis true, they are under bondage and misery; but it is but for a little time, death will end all their pains, and ease them of all their heavy loads; but I shall groan to all eternity, under a heavier burden than ever they felt; they have no account to give but so have I. What comfort is it that I have a larger capacity than a beast hath? that God hath endowed me with reason, which is denied to me? Alas! this will but augment my misery, and enlarge me to take in a greater measure of anguish.
But how many steps (O my soul) mayest thou ascend in the praises of thy God,A Reflection for an elect soul. when thou considerest the mercies that God hath bestowed upon thee! not only in that he made thee, not a stone or tree without sense, or an horse, or dog without reason; but that thou art not an infidel without light, or an unreg…nerate person without grace. What! to have sense, and all the delights of it, which stones have not; reason, with the more high and noble pleasures of it, which beasts have not; the light and knowledge of the great things of the Gospel, which the Heathens have not; and such an expectation and hope of unconceivable glory and felicity, which the unsanctified have not. O my soul! how rich! how bountiful hath thy God been to thee! these are the overflowings of his love to thee, who wast moulded out of the same lump with the beasts, that groan on earth, yea with the damned that howl in hell; well may I say that God hath been a good God to me.
The Poem.
WHen I behold a tyred Iade put on
With whip and spur; till all his strength be gone.
See streams of sweat run down his bleeding sides,
How little marcy's shewn by him that rides.
If I more thankless to my God don't prove,
Than such a Rider's merciless, 'twill move
My soul to praise, for who sees this, and can
But bless the Lord, that he was made a man.
And such a sight the Rider ought to move,
This Meditation duly to improve.
What hath this creature done, that he should be
Thus beaten, wounded, and tyr'd out by me?
He is my fellow-creature, 'tis meer grace;
I had not been in his, he in my case.
Ungrateful, stupid man; God might have made
Me bear the saddle, as I see this Iade.
He never sin'd, but for my sin doth lye
Subjected unto all this misery.
Lord, make my heart relent; that I should be
To thee more useless, than my horse to me.
He did his utmost, went as long as ever
His legs could bear him: but for me I'never
Thus spent my strength for God; but oft have bim
Too prodigal thereof, in wayes of sin;
Though he's the horse and I the man; 'twill be
Far better with my horse, one day than me:
Unless thy grace prevent, and super-add
A new Creation; unto that I had.
Could ev'ry Rider fix a serious thought
On such a subject, and hereby he taught
To spiritualize it, and improve it thus;
How sweet, would tedious journeys be to us?
But such a task, a graceless heart dogs out
More than the tyred horse, I write about.
CHAP. III.
When seeking your lost Cattel,Upon the seeking of lost Cattel. keep in mind
That thus Christ Iesus seeks, your souls to find.
OBSERVATION.
WHen Cattel are strayed away from your fields; you use all care and diligence to recover them again, tracing their footsteps, crying them in Market-Towns, sending your servants abroad, and inquiring your selves of all that you think can give news of them. What care and pains men will take in such cases, was exemplified in Saul, 1 Sam. 9. 4, 5. who with his servant passed through Mount Ephraim, to seek the Asses that were strayed from his father, and through the Land of Shalisha, and through the Land of Shalim, and they were not there, and through the Land of the Benjamites, but found them not.
APPLICATION.
THe care and pains you take to recover your lost cattel, carries a sweet and lively representation of the love of Iesus Christ, in the recovery of lost sinners. Iesus Christ came on purpose from heaven upon a like errand, to seek and to save that which was lost, Mat. 18. 11. There are several particulars in which this glorious design of Christ, in seeking and saving lost man, and the care and pains of Husbandmen in recovering their lost cattel, do meet and touch, though there be as many particulars also in which they differ; all which I shall open under the following heads.
We sometimes find that cattel will break out of those very fields where they have been bred, and where they want nothing, that is needful for them. Iust thus, lost man departed from his God, brake out of that pleasant enclosure where he was abundantly provided for, both as to soul and body; yet then he brake over the hedge of the command, and went astray, Eccles. 7. 29. Lo this only have I found, that God made man upright, but he sought out to himself many inventions. He was not content and satisfied with that blessed state God had put him into, but would be trying new conclusions to the loss and ruin, both of himself and his posterity.
Strayers are evermore sufferers for it; all they get by it, is to be pinned and pounded; and what did man get by departing from his God, but ruin and misery to soul and body? Will you have an abreviate of his sufferings and losses? (the full account none can give you) why, by straying from his God, he lost the rectitude and holiness of his nature; (like a true strayer) he is all dirty and miry, overspread and besmeared both in soul and body, with the odious filthiness of sin; he lost the liberty and freedom of his will to good; a precious jewel of inestimable value: This is a real misery incurr'd by the fall, though some have so far lost their understandings and humility, as not to own it; he hath lost his God, his soul, his happiness, and his very bowels of compassion towards himself in this miserable state.
When your cattel are strayed, yea, though it be but one of the Flock or Herd, you leave all the rest, and go after that which is lost: So did Iesus Christ, who in the fore-cited place, Mat. 18. 12. compares himself to such a Shepherd; he left heaven it self, and all the blessed Angels there, to come into this world to seek lost man. O the precious esteem, and dear love that Christ had to poor man! How did his bowels yearn towards us in our lost state! How did he pity us in our misery! As if he had said, Poor creatures, they have lost themselves, and are become a prey to the devil, in a perishing state; I will seek after them, and save them. The Son of man is come to seek and to save.
You are glad when you have found your strayers; much more is Christ, when he hath found a lost soul. O 'tis a great satisfaction to him to see the fruit of the travel of his soul; Isa. 53. Yea, there is more joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, than ninety nine just persons that need no repentance. What demonstrations of joy and gladness did the father of the Prodigal give, when he found his Son that was lost, Luk… 15. 20.
When you have brought home your strayers, you sometimes clog them, to prevent their wandring again, and stop up the gaps with thorns; and so doth God oftentimes by such souls as are recovered and brought home to Christ; he hangs a clog of affliction to prevent their departure from God again, 2 Cor. 12. 7.
But then there are five particulars in which Christ seeking lost souls, and your seeking lost cattel differ.
Your cattel sometimes find the way home themselves, and return to you of their own accord; but lost man never did, nor can do so; he was his own destroyer, but can never be his own Saviour; it was impossible for him to have lost his God, but having once lost him, can never find him again of himself. Alas! his heart is bent to backsliding, he hath no will to return. Hear how Christ complains, Ioh. 5. 40. Ye will not come unto me. Mans recovery begins in God, not in himself.
Your servants can find, and bring back your lost cattel as well as you; but so cannot Christs servants. Ministers may discover, but cannot recover them; they daily see, but cannot save them; lament them they can, but help them they cannot; intreat and beg them to return they can and do, but prevail with them they cannot. Melancthon thought when he began to preach, to perswade all; but old Adam was too hard for young Melancthon.
You seek all the cattel that are strayed from you, especially the best; but Iesus Christ only seeks poor lost man. There were other creatures, and such as by nature were more excellent, that lost their God and themselves; I mean, the Apostate Angels; but he came not to seek them: Herein his singular love to man appears.
When you have recovered and brought home your lost cattel, you may lose them the second time, and never recover them again; but so cannot Christ. Man once recovered, is for ever secured by him. All that thou …ast given me I have kept, and not one of them is lost, but the son of perdition; and he was never savingly found, Ioh. 17. 12.
Though you prize your cattel, yet you will not venture your life for the recovery of them; rather let them go than regain them with such an hazard; but Iesus Christ not only ventured, but actually laid down his life to recover, and save lost man: He redeemed them at the price of his own blood; he is that good Shepherd that laid down his life for the Sheep. O the surpassing love of Christ to lost souls!
REFLECTIONS.
LOrd, I am a lost creature,A Reflection for a lost soul. an undone soul; and herein lyes my misery, that I have not only lost my God, but have no heart to return to him! Nay, I fly from Christ, who is come on purpose from heaven to seek and to save me; his Messengers are abroad seeking for such as I am, but I avoid them, or at least refuse to obey their call and perswasions to return. Ah, what a miserable state am I in! every step I go is a step towards hell; my soul, with the Prodigal is ready to perish in a strange Countrey! but I have no mind with him to return home; wretched soul, what will the end of this be? If God have lost thee, the Devil hath found thee; he takes up all strayers from God: yea, death, and hell will shortly find thee, if Christ do not; and then thy recovery (O my soul!) will be impossible. Why sit I here perishing and dying! I am not yet as irrecoverably lost as the damned are. O let me delay no longer, lest I be lost for ever!
O my soul!A Reflection for one that was lost, but is found. for ever bless and admire the love of Iesus Christ, who came from heaven to seek and save, such a lost soul as I was. Lord, how marvellous, how matchless is thy love! I was lost, and am found. I am found, and did not seek; nay, I am found by him from whom I fled. Thy love, O my Saviour! was a preventing love, a wonderful love; thou lovedst me much more than I loved my self; I was cruel to my own soul, but thou wast kind; thou soughtest for me, a lost sinner, and not for lost Angels; thy hand of grace caught hold of me, and hath let go thousands, and ten thousands, as good as my self by nature. Like another David, thou didst rescue my poor lost soul out of the mouth of the destroyer; yea, more than so, thou dist lose thine own life to find mine: And now, dear Iesus, since I am thus marvellously recovered, shall I ever straggle again from thee? O, let it for ever be a warning to me, how I turn aside into bypaths of sin any more!
The Poem.
VVHen cattel from your fields are gone astray,
and you to seek them through the Country ride;
Enquiring for them all along the way;1 Sam. 9. 4, 5.
tracking their foot-steps, where they turn'd aside.
One servant this way sent, another that;
searching the fields, and countrey round about:
This meditation now falls in so pat;
as if God sent it to enquire you out.
My beasts are lost, and so am1Luk. 15. 32. I by sin;
my wretched soul from God thus wandring went,
And I seek them, so was2Mat. 18. 11. I sought by him
who from the3Iohn. 1. 18. fathers bosom forth was sent.
Pursu'd by Sermons, Follow'd close by grace;
and strong convictions Christ hath sought for me,
Yea though I4Iohn. 5 40. shun him still he gives me chase,
as if resolv'd I should not damned be.
When5Heb. 2. 16. Angels lost themselves it was not so,
God did not seek, or once for them enquire;
But said, let these Apostate creatures go,
I'le plague them for it6Iude 6. with eternal fire.
Lord, what am71 Cor. 1. 27. I, that thou shouldst set thine eyes
and still seek after such a wretch as I?
Whose matchless mercy, and rich grace8Psa. 68. 18. despise,
as if in spight thereof resolv'd to die.
Why should I shun thee, blessed Saviour, why
should I avoid thee thus? thou dost not chase
My soul to9Luk. 9. 56. slay it; O that ever I
should fly a Saviour that's so full of grace!
Long hast thou sought me, Lord, I now return;
O let thy bowels of compassion sound,
For my departure, I sincerely mourn;
and let this day, thy wandring sheep be found.
CHAP. IV.
Fat beasts you kill,Upon the feeding of fat Cattel. the lean you use to save
God's dispensations, some such meaning have.
OBSERVATION.
IT is a good Observation of a Father, and well applied▪ Vituli triturantes quotidie ligantur, vituli mactandi quotidie in pascuis libere relinquntur. Oxen for use are daily yoaked and kept short, whilst those that are designed for the shambles, are let loose in green pastures, to fed at pleasure. Store beasts fare hard, and are kept lean and low; feeding beasts are excused from the yoak, whilst others are laboured and wrought hard every day; the one hath more than he can eat, the other would eat more if he had it.
APPLICATION.
THus deals the Lord oft-times with his own elect, whom he designs for glory; and with the wicked, who are preparing for the day of wrath. Thus are they filled with earthly prosperity, and creature-enjoyments, like res…y and wanton beasts turned out at liberty in a fat pasture, whilst poor Saints are kept hard and short, Amos. 1. 4. Hear this word ye kine of Bashan, that are in the mountains of … ▪ which oppress the poor, and crush the needy. These metaphorical kine are the prosperous oppressors of the world, full fed, and wanton wicked men. 'This true, heaven hath not all the poor, nor hell all the rich; but its a very common dispensation of providence, to b…stow most of the things of this world upon them that have no portion in heaven; and to keep them short on earth, for whom that kingdom is provided. Let me draw forth the similitude in a few particulars.
The beasts of slaughter have the f…ttest pastures; so have the ungodly in the world; Their eyes stand out with fatness, they have more than heart could wish, Psal. 73. 7. their hearts are as fat as grease, Psal. 119. 7. These be they that fleet off the cream of earthly enjoyments, whose bellies are filled with hidden treasures, Psal. 17. 14. The earth is given into the hand of the wicked, Iob 9. 24. O, what full estates? what an affluence of earthly delights hath God cast in upon some wicked men? there is much wantonness, but no want in their dwellings: Some that now know not which way to turn themselves in hell, once knew not where to bestow their goods on earth.
Feeding beasts grow wanton in their full pastures; there you shall see them tumble and frisk? and kick up their heels. The same effect hath the prosperity of the wicked, it makes them wanton; their life is but a diversion from one pleasure to another. Iob. 21. 11, 12, 13. They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance; they take the timbrel, and harp, and rejoyce at the sound of the Organ; they spend their dayes in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave. The same character doth the Prophet Amos give of them, Amos 6. 4, 5, 6. They stretch themselves upon beds of Ivory drink Wine in bowls, &c. and no sorrow goes to their hearts. These are they that live in pleasures upon earth, as a fish in the water, Iam. 5. 5.
These fat pastures do but the sooner hasten the death of these cattle; the sooner they are fatted, the sooner they are slaughtered; and the prosperity of the wicked serves to the same end. The prosperity of fools shall destroy them (i. e.) it shall be the means and instruments of heating and hightening their lusts, and thereby fitting them for destruction; their prosperity is …ood and fewel to their corruptions. Many wicked men had not been so soon ripe for hell, had they not grown in the Sun-shine of prosperity.
Fatted beasts do not in the least understand the intent and meaning of the Husbandman, in allowing them such large and fat pastures, which he denyes to his other cattle; and as little as beasts, do wicked men understand the scope and end of Gods providences, in casting prosperity and wealth upon them; little do they think their tables are a snare, a gin, and a trap for their souls; they only (like beasts) mind what is before them, but do not at all understand the tendency and end of these their sensual delights.
Though the Husbandman keep his store cattle in short commons, yet he intends to preserve them; these shall remain with him, when the others are driven to the slaughter.
Such a design of preservation is carried on in all those outward straits, wants and hardships which the Lord exposes his people to. I confess, such dispensations, for present, are very stumbling and puzling things, even to gracious and wise persons. To see wicked men, not only exempted from their troubles, but even oppressed with prosperity; to see a godly man in wants and straits, and a wicked man have more than his heart can wish, is a case that poses the wisest Christian, till he consider the design and issues of both those providences, and then he acquiesces in the wisdom of God so ordering it, Psal. 73. 5, 14, 18, 23.
REFLECTIONS.
DOth my prosperity fat me up for hell,A Reflection for a voluptuous worldling. and prepare me for the day of slaughter? little cause have I then to glory in it, and lift up my heart upon these things. Indeed, God hath given, (I cannot say-blessed me with) a fulness of creature-enjoyments; upon these my carnal heart seizeth greedily and securely, not at all suspecting a snare lying in these things, for the ruin of my soul. What are all these charming pleasures, but so many rattles to quiet my soul, whilst its damnation steals insensibly upon it? What are all my busin…es and imployments in the world, but so many diversions from the business of life? There are but two differences betwixt me, and the poorest slave the devil hath on earth; such are whipt on to hell by outward miseries, and I am coached to hell in a little more pomp and honour; these will have a less, and I a greater account in the day of reckoning. O that I had never known prosperity! I am now trumbling in a green pasture, and shortly shall be hanging up in the shambles in hell; if this be the best fruit of my prosperity, if I were taken capitive by cruel Canibals, and fed with the richest fare, but withal understood, that the design of it were, to …at me up like a beast for them to feed upon; how little stomack should I have to their dainties? O my soul! it were much better for thee to have a sanctified poverty, which is the portion of many Saints, than an ensnaring prosperity, set as a trap to ruin thee for ever.
The wisdom of my God hath allotted me but short commons here,A Reflection for a poor Christian. his providence feeds me, but from hand to mouth; but I am (and well may be) contended with my present state; that which sweetens it, is, that I am one of the Lords preserved. How much better is a morsel of bread, and a draught of water here, with an expectancy of glory hereafter, than a fat pasture given in, and fitting for the wrath to come? Well, since the case stands thus, blessed be God for my present lot; though I have but little in hand, I have much in hope; my present troubles will serve to sweeten my future joyes? and the sorrows of this life will give a lustre to the glory of the next; that which is now hard to suffer, will them be sweet to remember; my songs then will be louder than my groans now.
The POEM.
THose beasts which for the shambles are design'd.
In fragrant flowry Meadows you shall find;
Where they abound with rich and plenteous fare;
Whilst others graze in commons thin and bare,
Those live a short and pleasant life; but these
Protract their lives, in dry, and shorter leas.
Thus live the wicked,1Iob 21. 13. thus they do abound,
With earthly glory, and with honour crown'd.
Their lofty heads unto the stars aspire,
And radiant beams, their shining brows attire.
The2Iob 21. 13. fattest portion's serv'd up in their dish,
Yea3ibid. they have more than their own hearts can wish.
Dissolv'd in4Iam. 4. 5. pleasures, crown'd with buds of May;
They for a time, in these fat pastures play;
Frisk, dance and leap, like full fed beasts; and even
Turn up their5Psal. 73. 9. wanton heels against the heaven.
Not understanding that this pleasant life
Serves but to fit them for the Butchers knife.
In fragrant Meads, they tumbling are to day,
Tomorrow to the6Iob 11. 13. slaughter led away.
Their pleasure's gone, and vanish'd like a bubble
Which makes their future torments on them7Rev. 18. 7. double.
Mean while, Gods little flock is8Iam. 2. 5. poor and lean;
Because the Lord did ner'e intend, or mean
This for their portion: and besides doth know
Their souls9ibid. prove best, where shortest grass doth grow.
Cheer up poor flock although your fare be thin
Yet here is something to take comfort in:
You here securely feed, and need not fear
Th'infernal butcher can't approach you here.
'Tis somewhat that, but O, which far transcends!
Your glorious Shepher'ds coming; who intends
To lead you hence, unto that fragrant hill
Where with green pastures he his flocks will1Psal. 17. 15. fill.
On which he from celestial casements pours
The sweetest dews, and constant gracious s…owres.
Along whose banks, rivers of pleasures slide
There his bless'd flocks, for ever shall abide.
O envy not the worldlings present joys
Which to your future mercies are but toyes.
Their pasture now is green, your's dry, and burn'd:
But then the2Isa. 65. 13, 14. Scene is chang'd, the tables turn'd.
CHAP. V.
Good Husbands labour for posterity,Upon the husbandmans care for posterity.
To after ages; Saints must have an eye.
OBSERVATION.
PRovident and careful Husbandmen do not only labour to supply their own necessities while living, but to lay up something for their posterity when they are gone; they do not only leave to their children what their progenitors left them, but they desire to leave it improved and bettered. None but bad husbands and spend-thirfts are of the mind with that Heathen Emperor Tiberius, who having put all into such confusions in the Empire, that it might be thought the world would end with him; yet pleased himself with this apprehension, that he should be out of the reach of it; and would often say, When I am dead, let heaven and earth mingle; if the world will but hold my time, let it break when I am gone: But provident men look beyond their own time, and do very much concern themselves in the good or evil of their posterity.
APPLICATION.
VVHat careful Husbands do, with respect to the provisions they make for their children, that all prudent Christians are bound to do, with respect to the truths committed to them, and do them, to be transmitted to succeeding Saints.
In the first age of the world, even till the Law was given, faithful men were instead of books and records; they did by oral tradition convey the truths of God to posterity; but since the sacred truth hath been consigned the writing, no such tion (except full consentient with that written word) is to be received as authentick; but the truths therein delivered to the Saints, are by verbal declarations, open confessions, and constant sufferings, to be preserved and delivered from age to age. This was the constant care of the whole cloud of witnesses, both ancient and modern, who have kept the word of Gods patience, and would not accept their own lives, liberties or estates; no, nor the whole world in exchange, for that invaluable treasure of truth; they have carefully practised Solomons counsel, Prov. 23. 23. Buy the truth, but sell it not; they would not alienate that fair inheritance, for all the inheritances on earth. Upon the same reasons, that you are refuse to part with, or embezel your estates, Christians also refuse to part with the truths of God.
You will not waste or alienate your inheritance, because it's precious and of great value in your eyes; but much more precious, are Gods truths to his people. Luther professed, he would not take the whole world for one leaf of his Bible. Though some profane persons may say with Pilate, What is truth? yet know, that any one truth of the Gospel, is more worth than all the inheritances upon earth; they are the great things of Gods Law, and he that sells them for the greatest things in this world, makes a soul-undoing bargain.
You will not waste or part with your inheritance, because you know your posterity will be much wronged by it. They that baffle or drink away an estate, drink the tears of their sad widows, and the very blood of their impoverished children. The people of God do also consider, how much the generations to come are concern'd in the conservation of the truths of God for them; it cuts them to the heart, but to think, that their children should be brought up to worship dumb idols, and fall down before a wooden or a breaden God. The very birds and beasts will expose their own bodies to apparent danger of death, to preserve their young. Religion doth much more intender the heart and bowels, than nature doth.
You reckon it a foul disgrace to sell your estates, and be…me Bankrupts; 'tis a word that hears ill among you: And a Christian accounts it the highest reproach in the world, to be a traitor to, or an Apostate from the truths of God, When the primitive Saints were strictly required to deliver up their Bibles, those that did so, were justly branded and husht out of their company, under the odiou title of Traditores, or deliverers.
You are so loath to part with your …states, because you know its hard recovering an estate again, when once you have lost it. Christians do also know, how difficult it will be for the people of God in times to come, to recover the light of the Gospel again, if once it be exinguished. There is no truth of God recovered out of Antichrists hands, without great wrestlings, and much blood. The Church may call every point of reformed doctrine and discipline so recovered, her Nap…alies; for with great wrestlings, she hath wrestled for them. Earnestly contending for the faith, once delivered to them, Iude 3.
To conclude, rather than you will part with your estates, you will chuse to suffer many wants and hardships all your lives; you will fare hard, and go bare, to preserve what you have for your posterity: But the people of God have put themselves upon far greater hardships than these, to preserve truth; they have chosen to suffer reproaches, poverty, prisons, death, and the most cruel torments, rather than the loss of Gods truth. All the Martyrologies will inform you, what their sufferings have been, to keep the word of Gods patience; they have boldly told their enemies, that they might pluck their hearts out of their bodies, but should never pluck the truth out of their hearts.
REFLECTIONS.
BAse unbelieving heart!A Reflection for cowardly and fainthearted Professors. how have I flinched and shrunk from truth when it hath been in danger? I have rather chosen to leave it, than my life, liberty or estate, as a prey to the enemy. I have left truth, and just it is, that the God of truth▪ should leave me. Cowardly soul, that durst not make a stand for truth! yea, rather bold and daring soul, that wouldst rather venture to look a wrathful God, than an angry man in the face. I would not own and preserve the truth, and the God of truth will not own me, 2 Tim. 2. 12. If we deny him, he will deny us.
Lord!A Reflection for such as suffer for truth. unto me hast thou committed the precious treasure and trust of truth; and as I received it, so do I desire to deliver it to the generations to come, that the people which are yet unborn, may praise the Lord. God forbid I should ever part with such a fair inheritance, and thereby begger my own, and thousands of souls! Thou hast given me thy truth, and the world hates me, I well know that is the ground of the quarrel; would I but throw truth over the walls, how soon would a retreat be sounded to all presecutors? But Lord! thy truth is invaluably precious; what a vile thing is my blood, compared with the least of all thy truths? Thou hast charged me to sell it, and in thy strength I resolve never to lift a fine, and cut off that golden line, wherey thy truths are entailed upon thy people, from generation to generation: My friends may go, my liberary go, my blood may go; but as for thee, precious truth, thou shalt never go.
How dear hath this inheritance of truth cost some Christians?A Reflection for such as are in quiet possession of truth. how little hath it cost us? We are entred into their labours; we reap in peace, what they sowed in tears; yea, in blood. O the grievous sufferings that they chose to endure! rather than to deprive us to such an inheritance, those noble souls, heated with the love of Christ, and care for our souls, made many bold and brave adventures for it; and yet at what a low rate do we value, what cost them so dear? like young heirs, that never knew the getting of an estate, we spend it freely. Lord, help us thankfully and diligently to improve thy truths, while we are in quiet possession of them. Such intervals of peace and rest, are usually of no long continuance with thy people.
The Poem.
A Publick spirit scorns to plant no root
But such from which himself may gather fruit.
For thus he reasons, if I reap the gains
Of my Laborious predecessors pains;
How equal is it, that posterity
Should reap the fruits of present industry?
Should every age but serve its turn, and take
No thought for future times? it soon would make
A Bankrupt world, and so entail a curse
From age to age, as it grows worse and worse.
Our Christian predecessors careful thus
Have been1Rev. 3. 10. to leave an heritage to us,
Christ precious truths2Rev. 12. 11. conserved in their blood,
For no less price those truths our fathers stood.
They have transmitted, would not3Heb. 11. 37. alienate
From us their children such a fair estate.
We eat what they did set, and shall truth fail
In our dayes? shall we cut off th' entail?
Or end the line of honour? nay, what's worse
Give future ages cause to hate, and curse
Our memories? like Nabot…, 1 King. 21. 2.may this age
Part with their blood, sooner than heritage.
Let pity move us, let us think upon
Our4Ps. 102. 18. childrens souls; when we are dead, and gone;
Shall they poor souls, in darkness grope, when are
Put out the light, by which they else might see
The way to glory? yea, what's worse? shall it
Be said in time to come5Iude 3. Christ did commit
A precious treasure, purchas'd by this blood;
To us, for ours; and for our Childrens good?
But we like cowards, false, perfidious men;
For carnal ease, lost it, our selves, and them.
O let us leave to after ages more,
Than we receiv'd from all that went before.
That those to come may bless the Lord, and keep
Our names alive, when we in dust shall sleep.
CHAP. VI.
Deeds for your Lands you prove, and keep with care;Upon the Husbandmans care to prove and preserve his Deeds.
O that for heaven you but as careful were.
OBSERVATION.
VVE generally find, men are not more careful in trying gold, or in keeping it, than they are in examining their Deeds, and preserving them; these are virtually their whole estate, and therefore it concerns them to be careful of them: If they suspect a flaw in their Lease or Deed, they repair to the ablest Counsell, submit it to his judgment, make the worst of their cause, and query about all the supposeable dangers with him; if he tell them their case is suspicious and hazardous, how much are they perplexed and troubled? they can neither eat, drink, or sleep in peace, till they have a good settlement; and willing they are to be at much cost and pains to obtain it.
APPLICATION.
THese cares and fears, with which you are perplexed in such cases, may give you a little gimpse of those troubles of soul, with which the people of God are perplexed about their eternal condition, which perhaps you have been hitherto unacquainted with, and therefore slighted them, as phansi…s and whimsies, I say, your own fears and troubles, i… ever you were ingaged by a cunning and powerful adversary in a Law-suit for your estate, may give you a little glimpse of spiritual troubles; and indeed it is no more but a glimpse of it: For as the loss of a earthly (though fair) inheritance is but a trifle to the loss of God, and the soul to eternity; so you cannot but imagine, that the cares, fears, and solicitudes of souls about these things, are much, very much beyond yours. Let us compare the cases, and see how they answer to each other.
You have evidences for your estates, and by them you hold what you have in the world. They also have evidences for their estate in Christ, and glory to come; they hold all in capite, by vertue of their intermarriage with Iesus Christ; they come to be enstated in that glorious inheritance, con…ained in the Covenant of grace. You have their tenure in that Scripture, 1 Cor. 3. 22, 23. All is yours, for ye are Christs, and Christ is Gods. Faith unites them to him; and after they believe, they are sealed by the Spirit of promise, Eph. 1. 13. They can lay claim to no promise upon any other ground; this is their title to all that they own as theirs.
It often falls out, that after the fealing and executing of your Deeds or Leases, an adversary finds some dubious clause in them, and thereupon commences a Suit of Law with you. Thus it frequently falls out with the people of God, who after their believing and sealing time, have doubts and scruples raised in them about their title. Nothing is more common, than for the devil and their own unbelief to start controversies, and raise strong obj…ctions against their interest in Christ, and the Covenant of promises. There are cunning and potent adversaries, and do maintain long debates with the gracious soul, and reason so cunningly and sophistically with it, that it can by no means extricate and satisfie it self; alwayes alledging, that their title is worth nothing, which they poor souls are but to apt too suspect.
All the while that a Suit in Law is depending about your title, you have but little comfort or benefit from your estate; you cannot look upon it as your own, nor lay out moneys in building or dressing, for fear you should lose all at last. Iust thus stands the case with doubting Christians, they have little comfort from the most comfortable promises, little benefit from the sweetest duties and Ordinances; they put of… their own conforts, and say, If we were sure, that all this were ours, we could then rejoyce in them: But alas! our title is dubious, Christ is a precions Christ, the promises are comfortable things, but what if they be none of ours? Ah! how little doth the doubting Christian make of his large and rich inh…ritance?
You dare not trust your own judgments in such cases, but …ate your case to such as learned in the Laws; and are willing to get the ablest counsel you can to advise you: So are poor doubting Christians, they carry their Cases from Christian to Christian, and from Minister to Minister, with such requests as these; Pray tell me, what do you think of my condition? deal plainly and faithfully with me; these be my grounds of doubting, and these my grounds of hope. O hide nothing from me! And if they all agree that their case if good, yet they cannot be satisfied till God say so too, and confirm the word of his servants; and therefore they carry the case often before him, in such words as those, Psal. 39. 23, 24. Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts, and see if there be any way of wickedness in me.
You have little quiet in your spirits, till the Case be resolved, your meat and drink doth you little good; you cannot sleep in the night, because these troubled thoughts are ever returning upon you: What if I should be turn'd out of all at last? So it is with gracious souls, their eyes are held waking in the night, by reason of the troubles of their hearts, Psal. 77. 4. Such fears as these are frequently returning upon their hearts. What if I should be found a self-deceiver at last? What if I do but hug a phantasm instead of Christ? how can this, or that, consist with grace? Their meat and drink doth them little good; their bodies are often macerated, by the troubles of their souls.
You will not make the best of your condition, when you state your case to a faithful Councellor; neither will they, but oft-times (poor pensive souls) they make it much worse than indeed it is; charge themselves with that which God never charged them with, though this be neither their wisdom, nor their duty; but the fears of miscarrying make them suspect fraud, in all they do or have.
Lastly, when your title is cleared, your hearts are eased; yea, not only eased, but overjoyed; though not in that degree, nor with the same kind of joy, that the hearts of Christians are overflowed, when the Lord speaks peace to their souls. O welcome the sweet morning light, after a tedious night of darkness; now they can eat their bread with comfort, and drink their wine (yea if it be but water) with a merry heart, Eccles. 9. 7.
REFLECTIONS.
O How hath spirit been tossed and hurried,The careless souls reflection when I have met with troubles and clamours about my estate! but as for spiritual troubles, and those soul-perplexing cases that christians speak of, I understand but little of them. I never called my everlasting state in question, nor brake an hours sleep upon any such account. Ah, my supine and careless soul I little hast thou regarded how matters stand, in reference to eternity! I have strongly conceited, but never throughly examined, the validity of my title to Christ and his promises; nor am I able to tell, if my own conscience should demand, whereupon my claim is grounded!
O my soul! why art thou so unwilling to examine how matters stand betwixt God and thee? art thou afraid to look into thy condition? least by finding thine hypocrisie, thou shouldest lose thy peace; or rather thy security. To what purpose will it be to shut thine eyes against the light of conviction, unless thou couldst also find out a way to prevent thy condemnation? Thou seest other souls, how attentively they wait under the word, for any thing that may speak to their conditions. Doubtless thou hast heard, how frequently and seriously they have stated their conditions, and opened their cases to the Ministers of Christ. But thou, O my soul! hast no such cases to put, no doubts to be resolved; thou wilt leave all to the decision of the great day, and not trouble thy self about it now. Well, God will decide it, but little to thy comfort.
I have heard how some have been perplexed by litigious adversaries,The doubtin… souls reflectio… but I believe none have been so tossed with fears, and distracted with doubts, as I have been about the state of my soul. Lord what shall I do? I have often carried my doubts and scruples to thine Ordinances, waiting for satisfaction to be spoken there. I have carried them to those I have judged skillfull and faithful, begging their resolution and help, but nothing will stick. Still my fears are daily renewed. O my God do thou decide my case! tell me how the state stands betwixt thee and me; my dayes consume in trouble, I can neither do, or enjoy any good, whilst things are thus with me; all my earthly enjoyments are dry and uncomfortable things; yea, which is much worse, all my duties and thine Ordinances prove so too, by reason of the troubles of my heart! I am no ornament to my profession, nay, I am a discouragement and stumbling-block to others! I will hearken and hear what God the Lord will speak, O that it might be peace! if thou do not speak it none can; and when thou doest, keep thy servant from returning again to solly, lest I make fresh work for an accusing conscience, and give new matter to the adversary of my soul!
But thou, (my soul) enjoyest a double mercy from thy bountiful God,The assured Christians Reflection. who hath not only given thee a sound title, but also the clear evidence and knowledge thereof. I am gathering, and daily feeding upon the full ripe fruits of assurance, which grow upon the top boughs of faith, whilst many of my poor brethren drink their own tears, and have their teeth broken with gravel stones. Lord, thou hast set my soul upon her high places, but let me not exalt my self, because thou hast exalted me; nor grow wanton because I walk at liberty, lest for the abuse of such precious liberty, thou clap my old chains upon me▪ and shut up my soul again in prison.
The Poem.
MEn can't be quiet till they be assur'd
That their estate is good, and well secur'd.
To able Counsel they their Deed submit
Intreating them with care t'examine it
Fearing some clause an enemy may wrest,
Or find a flaw; whereby he may devest
Them, and their children. O who can but see
How wise men in their generation be!Luke 16. 8.
But do they1Act. 18. 17. equal cares fears express
About their everlasting happiness?
In spiritual things 'twould grieve ones heart to see
What2Isa. 32. 9. 10, 11. careless fools; these careful men can be.
They act like men of common sense bereaven,
Secure their Lands; and they'l trust God for heaven.
How many cases ave you to submit,
To Lawyers judgments?3Hos. 11. 2. Ministers may sit
From week to week, and yet not see the face
Of one that brings a soul concerning Case.
Yea, which is worse; how seldom do you cry
To God for counsel?4Psal. 139. 23. or beg him to try
You… heart…; and strictest inquisition make
Into your state, discover your mistake.
O stupid souls! clouded with ignorance,
Is Christ, and heaven no5phil. 3. 8, 9. fair inheritance
Compar'd with yours? or is62Cor. 4. 18. eternity
A shorter term than yours? that you should ply
The one so close, and totally neglect
The other; as not worth your least respect.
Perhaps the D…vil whose plot from you's conceal'd
Perswades your title's good; and firmly seal'd
By G…'s own Spirit, though you never found
One act of saving grace7Eph. 1. 13. to lay a ground
For that perswasion. Soul he hath thee fast,
Though he'l not let thee know it till the last.
Lord waken sinners, make them understand
'Twixt thee, and them; how rawly matters stand.
Give them no quiet rest, until they see
Their souls secur'd, better than Lands can be.