A Treatise of Divine Meditation, Text (2 of 3)
Queſt. What particular Meditations concerning duties to be performed or practiſed, may wee finde commended unto us in the writings of godly men?
Anſw. They are many, and moſt excellent, amongſt the reſt, ſuch as theſe.
Firſt, No man ſhall bee fit to govern himſelf aright before men, if hee do not uſually acquaint himſelf with, and frame himſelf after that Chriſtian courſe firſt which hee ſhould have before God. Yet no man muſt reſt in private exerciſes of Religion, without a well-ordered life before men.
Secondly, Every part of our calling muſt bee ſo carried on, as wee may have peace thereby: and it behooveth us to bee beſt armed, and moſt circumſpect, where wee are weakeſt.
If a man bee fallen, hee muſt not lye ſtill, but return unto the Lord with ſpeed, though with much difficulty: for ſluggiſhneſs and deadneſs will follow, if the breach bee not made up in our conſciences, 1 Sam. 7.7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12.but if wee ſeek to God unfeignedly, hee is not far off.
Thirdly, If wee rejoyce onelyonly in proſperity, it is a ſign that Gods benefits, not his favour makes us merry.
It is a good thing to rejoyce in the Sabbaths, Pſal. 119.57. 2 Cor. 5.16.and in the communion of Saints, yet wee may not reſt there, but in this, that God is our portion alwaies.
Fourthly, In croſſes we muſt uſe great ſobriety, otherwiſe wee ſhall be unſettled by them, eſpecially if they bee many and great, to this end wee muſt prepare for trouble before it come, and in it wee muſt meditate on the beſt priviledge that God hath given unto us, labouring that our graces and ſtrength increaſe, as our afflictions do increaſe: For affliction is doubled, 1 Sam. 30.6. Pſal. 77.3if the inward infirmity of the mind bee not diminiſhed. Although for want of proof wee count all afflictions hard, yet when wee have experience of the fruit and benefit that comes by them, confidence in God will make them eaſie, if our cauſe bee good: Wee ſhall never want ſomewhat to exerciſe us, ſin, or trouble, we ſhall have; neither is it unprofitable for us, to the end wee may bee ever in the combate, for our life is a warfare.
Fifthly, Wee ſeldome keep unlawful commodities, or rejoyce too much in lawful; but the Lord doth croſs us in them. The things of this world are too ſweet and pleaſant to our corrupt taſte, but the Lord doth ſeaſon them with bitterneſs; vain liberties breed much ſorrow, and unchearfulneſs.
Sixthly, The moſt vexations in our life become annoyances unto us through our own fault, in that wee either prevent them not when wee may, or bear them not as wee ought, or make not uſe of them as wee might do.
Seventhly, When matters of more importance than our ſalvation come into place, let us bee occupied with more fervency in them, than in that, but not before. Prov. 3.14.The practice of godlineſs is a rich and gainful trade, but if it bee not well followed, it will bring no great profit.
Eighthly, To have a willing mind to bee well occupied, and matter about which wee may, and time to beſtow therein, and freedome from lets therefrom, is an eſtate to bee much made of, and yet for the moſt part, they which have moſt outward incouragements, cannot tell what to do with them.
Ninthly, Whatſoever meaſure of graces wee have gotten, yet it is certain, that God hath much more than wee can think of, if thoſe bee the matters which we have in greateſt price: but being ſet light by, and the means neglected (which preſerve them) they dye. That is a good ſtate when wee have not onelyonly joy in heavenly things at the firſt hearing of them, but increaſing in joy as our knowledge and experience increaſeth: and when wee are not onelyonly delighted in the preſent duties of Gods ſervice, but alſo as joyful to think of them that are to come; accounting that the more they bee, the better they are. The fleſh is apt to take the ſmalleſt occaſions that may bee, to favour it ſelf, but our ſtudy muſt bee to increaſe in goodneſs, and to delight more in walking with God in a Chriſtian courſe.
Tenthly, Love of the world makes death terrible, and ſurfetting in pleaſure lulleth us aſleep. Seeing it pleaſeth the Lord to let us know that wee have this precious liberty all the day long to bee with him, to enjoy his preſence by Faith, and ſolace our ſelves in bold affiance in him, and that for all good things, and to bee free from the fear, terrour, and anguiſh, which haunteth the ungodly. It were pity wee ſhould for ſome deceivable folly deprive our ſelves of ſuch happineſs and peace, as hee alloweth us even here to be partakers of.
Eleventhly, The more ſure thou art of Gods favour by Faith, Mat. 15.27the more humble thou art alſo: One ſpecial point of profiting, is to know our own vileneſs and miſery better daily, that ſo wee may come to know the ineſtimable bounty of God the better, and what wee are beholding to him for, as receiving increaſe from him, multiplied pardons of ſin, and daily increaſe of grace.
Twelfthly, They are worthy of great puniſhment, who ſet light by the plenty of grace, the crumms whereof Gods hungry ſervants do ſet great ſtore by. Look what care, conſcience, zeal, love, and reverent eſtimation of good things thou hadſt when firſt thou embracedſt the Goſpel, the ſame at leaſt retain, and bee ſure thou keepeſt ſtill afterwards. The more knowledge that thou haſt, take heed thou beeſt not more ſecure: for thus it is with many at this day, who therefore do ſmart for it: wee ſhall not injoy the grace we had at firſt, except wee bee as careful now to keep it, as wee were then to come by it.
Thirteenthly, When wee are afflicted, and the wicked ſpared, our eſtate ſeems to them moſt vile, when wee are both in proſperity, they ſeem more happy: when they and wee bee both afflicted, then they account our eſtate happier than their own, but eſpecially when they bee afflicted, Exod. 14.25.and wee ſpared: Wee may not aſſign the Lord in what place and ſtate, in what condition and company we ſhould live, but as ſtrangers wait on him, even as the handmaid on her Miſtreſs, for whatſoever hee will allow us: wee are ready moſt commonly to bee called away by death, before wee have learned how to live.
Fourteenthly, Keep down carnal liberty, and the ſpiritual liberty ſhall bee great, reſt on God, and it ſhall make thee overcome the hardeſt things. If thou wilt finde Chriſt ſweet, thou muſt ever finde ſin bitter. Fear ever to offend God, and thou aPſal. 32.7. & 91.11needeſt not to fear any other peril. No good thing abideth long with us in its ſtrength, and beauty, without new quickning: When wee feel any wearineſs in a godly courſe, by what occaſions, or weighty dealings ſoever it bee, the Devil hath met with us; therefore wee muſt ſpeedily take ſhame and ſorrow, and turn unto the Lord.
Fifteenthly, Wee muſt remember to ſerve and walk with God, Pſa. 90.12by daies, not by weeks, and months onelyonly. A great difference there is betwixt the obſerving and viewing of our life from day to day, and the doing of it by fits now and then; in the one wee are ſafe, chearful, and fruitful, in the other raſh, offenſive, and often unquiet for it, walking in fear, and with little comfort.
Sixteenthly, As husbandmen wait for their fruit, ſo ſhould wee for that which wee pray, and hope for; and that would make us joyful when wee obtain it. If a man can rejoyce at the converſion of a ſinner, Luke 15.6.then is hee the friend of Chriſt.
Seventeenthly, It is a folly, yea, a madneſs to bee heavy to the death for any earthly thing, when yet a man deſireth nothing more than life. They who can neglect, and ſet meanly by a little vain glory, and credit with men, may gain, and injoy much peace with God. All our life ought to bee a providing for a good end, and a keeping away of woe, which cometh by ſin, fear not the pain of death, for God can make it eaſie, or tollerable.
Eighteenthly, The fleſh would fain pleaſe it ſelf in ſome unlawful liberty, when we have pleaſed God in ſome duties: but a wiſe man will keep him well while hee is well.
Nineteenthly, Where there is wilfulneſs in ſinning, there is great difficulty in relenting, and alſo no power, nor boldneſs in beleeving; many beginning well in godlineſs, have fainted and quailed or been juſtly reproached before their end, that others may the more fear their own weakneſs: where new knowledge is not ſought, there is the leſs ſavour in the old, and when men make not good uſe of the old, the ſeeking of the new is but an enquiring after novelties.
Twentiethly, Men having experience of Satans malice, and continual dogging of them to do evil, it ſhould move them to truſſe on their armour, to truſt better in the Lord, and leſs to themſelves. Corruption grows when it is not ſuſpected, and where it is ſuſpected to grow, if we go not about to pull it out, and pluck it up, it will bee too deeply faſtened in a ſhort time. The like may bee ſaid of conceitedneſs, though a man pray, and meditate, and keep a better courſe in his life than ſome do, yet if hee do it but ſleightly, that the fleſh prevaileth much in hindering the well performing of it, all will ſoon come to nought: It may bee perceived in the ſway it beareth in other parts of the life, and then let it bee ſpeedily amended.
Oneantwentiethly, It is good ſo to task our ſelves with duties, one or other, at all times, and in all places, that wee may cut off occaſions of much ſin. Men have never ſo much wealth, but more is ever welcome. Why ſhould wee not do the like in ſpiritual things? even whoſoever hath moſt and greateſt part therein: when wee bee come to the higheſt degree of ſeeking God with much travail, yet wee abide hardly, and a ſhort time therein, at leaſt much unprofitableneſs and barrenneſs will meet with us again afterwards, by means of our corrupt hearts, which being ſo, wee need not think that wee bee too forward, when wee bee at the beſt.
Twoantwentiethly, Let no ſin bee ſleightly paſſed over, or boldly committed, for when it commeth to remembrance in trouble, it will bee an heavy burden, and pinch us to the very heart.
Queſt. What other Obſervations fit to bee meditated upon, ſhall wee finde in the writings of godly men?
Anſw. Theſe and ſuch like.
Firſt, That wee keep a narrow watch over our hearts, 1 Pet. 1.15 Pſa. 39.1. Eph. 5.15words, and deeds continually.
Secondly, That with all care the time bee redeemed, which hath been careleſly, and idlely, Eph. 5.16 Col. 4.2.and unprofitably ſpent.
Thirdly, That once in the day private prayer at the leaſt, and meditation (if it may) bee uſed.Luke 14.15, 16.
Fourthly, That care bee had to do, and receive good in company.
Fifthly, That our family bee with diligence and regard inſtructed, watched over, and governed.
Sixthly, That no more time or care bee beſtowed in matters of the world, than muſt needs.Deut. 4.9. & 6.7.
Seventhly, Gen. 18.19That wee ſtir up our ſelves to *Gal. 6.10liberality to Gods Saints.
Eighthly, That wee give not the leaſt liberty to wandring aCol. 3.5.luſts and affections.
Ninthly, bMat. 16.24That wee prepare our ſelves to bear the croſs, by what means ſoever it ſhall pleaſe God to exerciſe us.
Tenthly, That wee beſtow ſome time, not onelyonly in mourning for our own ſins, but alſo for the ſins of others, Dan. 9.3, 4of the time and age wherein wee live.
Eleventhly, That wee look daily for the coming of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, 1 Cor. 1.7. Tit. 2.13.for our full deliverance out of this life.
Twelfthly, That wee uſe (as wee ſhall have opportunity, at leaſt as wee ſhall have neceſſity) to acquaint our ſelves with ſome godly, and faithful perſons, with whom wee may confer of our Chriſtian eſtate, James 5.16.and open our doubts, to the quickening up of Gods Graces in us.
Thirteenthly, That wee obſerve the departure of men out of this life, their mortality, Eccl. 7.4 Rev. 22.20the vanity and alteration of things below, the more to contemn the world, and to continue our longing after the life to come: And that wee meditate, and muſe often on our own death, and going out of this life, how wee muſt lye in the grave, which will ſerve to beat down the pride of life in us.
Fourteenthly, Deut. 17.19, 20. Joſh. 1.8. Pſa. 1.2. Dan. 9.2.That wee read ſomewhat daily of the holy Scriptures for the further encreaſe of our knowledge, and underſtanding, if it may bee.
Fifteenthly, That wee enter into Covenant with God, that wee will ſtrive againſt all ſin, eſpecially againſt the ſpecial ſins and corruptions of our hearts, and lives, wherein wee have moſt diſhonoured the Lord, and raiſed up moſt guiltineſs to our own conſciences; Neh. 9.38. 2 Chron. 34.32.that wee carefully ſee our Covenant with God kept and continued.
Sixteenthly, That wee mark how ſin dieth, 1 Pet. 1.14 2 Pet. 2.20, 21, 22. 1 Theſ. 5.22and is weakned in us, and that wee turn not to our old ſins again, but wiſely avoid all occaſions of ſin.
Seventeenthly, That wee fall not from our firſt love, but continue ſtill our affections to the liking of Gods Word, Rev. 2.4. James 1.19 Rom. 2.13and all the holy exerciſes of Religion, diligently hearing it, and faithfully practiſing it in our lives and converſations; that wee prepare our ſelves before wee come, meditate and confer of that wee hear, either by our ſelves, or with others, and ſo mark our daily profiting in Religion.
Eighteenthly, That wee bee often occupied in meditating on Gods Works, and benefits, Eph. 5.20 Pſal. 116.12, 13. & 118.15.and ſound forth his praiſes for the ſame.
Nineteenthly, That wee exerciſe our faith by taking great comfort and delight in the great benefit of our Redemption by Chriſt, Phil. 1.23 2 Tim. 4.7, 8.and the fruition of Gods preſence in his glorious and bleſſed Kingdome.
Laſtly, That wee make not theſe holy Meditations, and ſuch like practices of repentance, common or cuſtomary in time, neither uſe them for courſe.
Queſt. What place is fit for Meditation?
Anſw. It is indifferent whether it bee in the houſe, Gen. 24.63 Deut. 6.6, 7 Act. 10.or in the field, at home, or abroad, walking, ſitting, or lying; but a ſolitary place is fitteſt for this exerciſe: (as our Saviour hath taught us, Mat. 6.6 Luk. 11.1When thou prayest, enter into thy cloſet, and pray privately) that being alone, not diſtracted with noiſe, or company, wee might with more freedome, and quietneſs, talk with God. Wee cannot bee too wary in avoiding all occaſions of diſturbance, becauſe every ſmall thing will ſoon break us off in this ſervice. But ſome men can bee more ſolitary at the Market-croſs, or in the midſt of a throng, than ſome others in their cloſets (when they bee furtheſt removed from company.)
Moreover, it is not amiſs to uſe one place often, for wee finde feweſt Impediments there where wee are moſt accuſtomed to meet the Lord; Joh. 18.2then wee can beſt recollect our thoughts, and being gathered, keep them together without diſtraction.
Queſt. What ſay you of them that have no room to bee alone?
Anſw. Firſt, They muſt bee diligent to redeem the time, and watch all opportunities, not making their wants a cloak for their negligence.
Secondly, Though all men cannot be fitted, as they deſire, for ſecrecy, and ſolitarineſs to withdraw themſelves from company, and noiſe, yet there is no man that hath an unfeigned deſire to perform this duty, but hee may finde ſome place to do it in, either in the field with Iſaac, Gen. 24.63 Dan. 6.10or in the houſe with Daniel, or at leaſt (if they bee hindered all the day long) in his aPſa. 6.7. & 4.4bed with David.
Queſt. What time muſt bee ſet apart for the performance of this duty?
Anſw. Firſt, The Lords day is the fitteſt time in the week for the performance of this exerciſe: but though it muſt not bee omitted on that day, yet it muſt not bee put off till that day.
Secondly, Some time convenient muſt bee ſet apart for this duty every day, and that muſt bee obſerved conſtantly, as much as wee can, for by that means wee ſhall bee better enabled to finiſh this work with better ſucceſs.
Thirdly, No part, nor hour of the day is abſolutely neceſſary to bee kept, neither is a man ſo ſtrictly bound to obſerve the time which hee hath choſen, as fit and ſeaſonable that hee ſhould charge himſelf in conſcience to bee guilty of ſin, if upon occaſion hee change it unto ſome other. Order in all good duties is a cauſe of conſtancy, and conſtant order is a notable means of continuance.
Fourthly, As for the fitteſt hour in the day, a mans own experience muſt inſtruct him, and his occaſions direct him, whether to take the golden hours of the morning, when being awakened, and refreſhed by ſweet ſleep and quiet reſt, hee ſhall finde himſelf free, and fit to meditate upon ſome heavenly matter, as Jacob did; or the evening, Gen. 28.16when hee hath ended his labours, which was the time that aGen. 24.63.Iſaac took; or the midſt of the day, which was bAct. 10.9Peters time; or any other part, and hour of the day: cPſa. 55.12David and dDan. 6.10Daniel uſed three times a day to pray, and meditate.
Fifthly, The moſt quiet, and free times (if ſtrength and wakefulneſs will give leave) are the morning, evening, and night ſeaſon: which were the times approved among the Heathen, who for the better imprinting of any thing in memory, give this counſel (which common experience doth confirm) to think ſeriouſly upon it in the evening before they ſleep, and to call it again to minde in the morning when they awake: Oh how ſweet it is to awake with God in the morning, and to ſalute him with our firſt thoughts! How ſafe and profitable to prevent unſavoury thoughts, and wicked projects, by lodging up in our ſoul ſome holy matter worthy our chief employment; Pſa. 88.13. & 119 48 Pſa. 5.3. Pſal. 63.1. Job 1.5.and to prepare the heart to walk with God before wee enter into the world! Hee that makes himſelf well ready every morning, ſhall paſs the reſt of the day with much eaſe, and great comfort. It is much with what liquor the heart is firſt ſeaſoned; if it be well prepared with ſome heavenly Meditation before the cares of this life take up the room; it will be kept in better order, in all buſineſſes, occaſions, accidents whatſoever. How fit is it when wee have taſted of the bleſſings of the day, that wee ſhould render unto God the fruit, not of the lips, but of the heart, and come into his preſence from whom wee have received ſo many favours? What more expedient, than that wee ſhould commend our ſelves into the hands of God with confidence, and make our accounts even, being to lye down in his fear? What more excellent recreation after tedious labour, than to recount the mercies of the Lord, his fatherly protection, the dangers wee eſcaped, what ſervice wee owe to God for all the tokens of his love, and what cauſe wee have to bee humbled for all our ſins. Of the night David ſaith, aPſa. 16.7My reins ſhall teach mee in the night ſeaſon. God uſed to ſpeak to his ſervants in the *Pſa. 119.55. Pſa. 63.6 Job 4.13.night by dreams and viſions. When wee are freed from cares and incumberances, compaſſed about with darkneſs, that outward objects apprehended by the eye, cannot draw the mind away; when all things are quiet, and ſtill, then what greater ſolace, or ſweet refreſhing can bee found, than to lift up the heart to Heaven? But theſe times may bee commended as fit, not urged as abſolutely neceſſary.
Sixthly, Every man muſt ſet apart ſome time for this duty, but they the moſt, that have moſt leiſure, and opportunity: Meditation is an affirmative duty, which muſt bee taken in hand when the Lord calleth thereunto, and putteth it upon us by affording us means, and ſeaſon.
Queſt. What ſay you to them that pretend multitude of worldly buſineſſe to excuſe the omiſsion, and neglect of this exerciſe?
Anſw. It is their ſin, that they will thus ſet God againſt himſelf, as though hee ſhould command them to do that which hindereth them from another duty commanded: God hath appointed unto us our ſeveral ſtandings in our general, and perſonal callings, they are both of him, and the duties belonging to them both will excellently ſtand together, if the Commandements of God bee not contrary. Nay rather, wee ſhould think that following of the world to bee too much, which is not ordered and moderated by due conſideration, how far, and in what manner wee ſhould deal in the world, ſo as not to bee hindered from holineſs by it, but even to practiſe holineſs in our earthly affairs. If wee bee rich, wee have the leſs cauſe to bee holden from Meditation by wordly cares. If poor, wee have the more need of this duty to moderate our care, that it exceed not, nor carry us to unbeleef; What example ſoever wee have of the contrary in the multitude of worldlings among whom wee live, yet wee muſt know, though others will not, that wee are not ſet here in our places to do as looſe, and wretched ſervants, who when they go to Market, neglect their Maſters buſineſs, and miſ-ſpend their time.
Queſt. What courſe must bee holden to redeem time out of the world for Meditation?
Anſw. Firſt, Walk ſo on earth, as that thy chief delight bee in Heaven ſtill: uſe this world as a Pilgrim doth his cloak. Love will finde ſomewhat to do, they that delight in the world, will make buſineſs in the world, as children invent matter of play: But if Chriſt bee our beloved, and our treaſure in Heaven, nothing can hold our hearts from him.
Secondly, Order the affairs of this life wiſely, that every thing may have its fit time and ſeaſon: wee have ſufficient allowance for the diſpatch of all our labours, if wee take the opportunity, and manage both work, and means with diſcretion. If thy heart bee upright, fear not, Eccl. 10.10God will teach thee how to walk. To the man that is good in his ſight, God giveth wiſdome, knowledge, and joy.
Thirdly, Spend not much time either in conſulting privately with thy ſelf, or by talking, in company with others, about that whereof there is no uſe, or which may bee done and ended in a little ſpace.
Thoughts of the world do tickle us, and that may bee determined in a few ſentences, and in a part of an hour, which may (if wee take not heed) hold us work the moſt part of a day. Worldly ſpeech doth ſo reliſh to our pallats, that if wee enter upon it, wee cannot tell when to make an end. Theſe two great devourers of time muſt narrowly bee watched againſt, for if wee waſte time needleſly about the things of this life, wee muſt needs fall ſhort in better matters.
Fourthly, Gird up thy loins with ſtrength, and what thou doſt, Pro. 31.17 Eccl. 9.10do it with all thy might; thy calling requires labour, trifling will not ſerve the turn.
Queſt. How muſt wee make entrance into this exerciſe?
Anſw. After wee have ſelected ſomething wherein wee have ſome knowledge, or underſtanding, wee muſt make entrance unto it, by ſome ſhort, yet earneſt, and pithy prayer unto God, to guide, and direct us therein by the gracious aſſiſtance of his holy Spirit, without which wee ſhall beat our brains to no purpoſe. The Heathen began their buſineſs with invocation. Of our ſelves wee are not able to think one good thought, and if in preſumption of our wit, invention, memory, learning, or any thing beſide, wee ſet upon this work, the ſucceſs is like to bee anſwerable to the beginning: without the help of God wee can do nothing that is good. The matter or form of our prayer muſt bee this, or ſuch like: Oh Lord, ſith it hath pleaſed thee to give mee a minde ready, and deſirous to perform this holy duty (for which I humbly thank thy heavenly Majeſty) I beſeech thee by thy holy Spirit to aſſiſt mee therein, that I may bring the ſame to a profitable and comfortable iſſue. Thou haſt charged mee, Oh Lord, to ſeek thy face, that is, thy bleſſed and holy preſence; Let my ſoul anſwer, and ſay with thy faithful ſervant, Lord, I will ſeek thy face; Oh cauſe the light of thy face to ſhine upon mee, enlighten my underſtanding, ſtrengthen my memory, and ſanctifie my will and affections; with-hold my ranging and truant-like heart, from all trifling fantaſies, deceitful dreams, vain hopes, carnal fears, and worldly cares, wherewith it is naturally and cuſtomarily intangled, keep it unto thy ſelf, and unto thy laws, that it may wholly delight and ſolace it ſelf in thee, and grant that this point that I now go about to think upon, may bee ſo ſettled in my memory, and rooted in my heart, that I may reap the fruit thereof all my life long, to thy glory, and my own comfort, and ſalvation, through Jeſus Chriſt.
Queſt. In what order muſt wee proceed after the entrance?
Anſw. Firſt, Wee muſt firſt travel with our judgement to inform it, and then make application, that it may work upon the heart: Knowledge without affection is dead and fruitleſs, Affection without underſtanding is blinde and inordinate: All good motions ariſe from ſound judgement, and muſt bee ruled by it, elſe they will bee as a ſhip without a Governour, that is in danger to run upon the ſands, or to ſplit againſt the rocks.
Secondly, For the helping of our judgement, underſtanding, invention, and memory, it is good for to call to minde (ſo far as wee can) what the Holy Ghoſt ſaith in the Scriptures of that thing which wee meditate upon, referring the particular paſſages to the ſeveral heads, or places of reaſon. This is a great help to lead us along in our diſcourſe with more eaſe and facility, and to furniſh us more readily with profitable matter, touching the point wee meditate upon; as the marks ſet up in the high-way, direct a traveller in his intended journey; yet wee muſt not be curious, nor ſcrupulous herein, for that would diſtract the mind, and draw us too much from the right end of this holy exerciſe, which is not to practiſe Logick, but to exerciſe Religion, and to kindle piety, and devotion. And therefore it ſhall bee our wiſdome to take ſuch places or heads only, as are moſt pregnant, and ready at hand, and do more eaſily offer themſelves to our mind. But this order cannot bee preſcribed as neceſſary, but as profitable only. In this wee muſt labour with diligence, and ſincerity, that the underſtanding, or memory, may bee bettered, or confirmed, but the method is left free, as each man ſhall finde it moſt convenient.
Thirdly, Our proceeding to inform the mind cannot bee after one manner in all things. We muſt obſerve one thing in our Meditation of God, another of his Works; one of good Duties, another of our Sins: one thing when wee meditate on ſimple theams, another when wee conſider of an intire ſentence. This ſhall bee in a good meaſure made clear by examples hereafter following.
Fourthly, Application is the life of Meditation; for the encreaſe of knowledge, and ſtrenthening of memory, is vain and to little purpoſe, unleſs the affection bee reformed and kindled. It is not the knowledge of good and evil, but the hearty, and unfeigned affecting of the one, with a zealous deteſtation of the other, that makes us holy, and happy. Wee muſt therefore indeavour to have a ſenſible taſte, lively touch, and feeling of that whereof wee have diſcourſed with our ſelves, according to the former direction, that wee may bee affected either with godly joy, or godly ſorrow, godly hope, or godly reverence, &c.
Fifthly, The affections to be quickened, are divers, according to the nature of the thing meditated upon. As for example, if wee meditate on God, or any of his mercies, or benefits, wee muſt labour with our hearts and affections to feel how ſweet the Lord is; that as doting Lovers do inwardly conceive a carnal delight in thinking and ſpeaking of them whom they ſo love, and of the letters, and tokens they have received from them: So wee may conceive a ſpiritual joy and contentment by thinking and ſpeaking of the Lord, and of his mercies towards us.
Again, if wee meditate on ſin according to the former example, wee muſt labour to feel the plague in our own hearts, 1 King. 8. Jer. 2.19.and to know, that it is an evil thing, and bitter, to forſake the Lord our God, and not to have his fear in us.
Sixthly, The chief things to bee obſerved for the quickening and affecting of the heart, are theſe.
1 Trial, examination and communing with our ſelves, wherein wee have offended, or come ſhort of our duty.
2 Taking ſhame to our ſelves for our tranſgreſſions, joyned with lamentable, and doleful complaining, and bewailing of our own eſtate, either in reſpect of the ſin that aboundeth, or the grace that is wanting.
3 A moſt paſſionate, vehement, earneſt, and hearty longing after the removal of this ſin, and puniſhment, which wee hate, and obtaining the good things which wee love.
4 Religious quickening and calling upon our ſouls, by many ſtrong and forcible reaſons, to hate evil, and follow that which is good.
The fifth is an humble, and unfeigned acknowledgement, and confeſſion of our own weakneſs and inability, either to remove the evil, or obtain the good, proceeding from a broken and contrite heart.
The ſixth is fervent Petition, earneſtly craving, and begging this at the hands of God, who is only able to effect it.
The laſt is chearful confidence, raiſing and rouſing up our ſouls, after ſuch doleful complaining, hearty wiſhing, humble confeſſing, unfeigned acknowledging, and ſerious ſtirring up our ſelves, and earneſt craving of what wee want, grounded upon the moſt ſweet, and ſure Promiſes of God, made to them that call upon him in Faith, and upon the experience which the Saints of God in all ages have had of the ſucceſs of their ſutes, who were never ſent empty away, but either obtained that thing which they begged, or that which was much better for them; but theſe things are ſpecially obſerved in Meditation upon ſome grace, or ſin, as will bee made more evident, and plain, by examples, and are not ever neceſſary, that they ſhould bee particularly obſerved.
Queſt. What is to bee obſerved for concluſion of this exerciſe?
A. Firſt, We muſt begin when the heart is fitly diſpoſed, or at leaſt labour to bring it into order, before wee ſet upon this duty, and break off before the ſpirits bee dulled, and tired, otherwiſe we ſhall loſe the comfort and ſweetneſs of it.
Secondly, It is not good ſuddenly, or abruptly, to break off, except ſome unavoidable neceſſity of company or buſineſs do urge us thereunto.
Thirdly, The concluſion of this exerciſe conſiſts principally in theſe things.
1 Hearty thankſgiving to God, that hath vouchſafed in ſuch gracious meaſure to aſſiſt us in the performing of this duty.
2 Recommending our ſelves, and our waies to him, that our life, and carriage, and all our thoughts, and actions afterwards, may bee anſwerable to thoſe heavenly thoughts and deſires which wee have had, and expreſs in the performing of this duty.
3 Renewing our covenant to live by Faith, and to walk with God in all holy converſation.
Queſt. Declare this by ſome example, and first, how ſhould wee meditate on God his infinite excellency?
Anſw. Entrance may be made thus into it. Oh Lord, my heart deſires to commune with thee, that I might come into better acquaintance with thy Majeſty; but of my ſelf I have no ability to conceive what is right, or to think a good thought concerning thy highneſs: Teach mee therefore, Oh gracious God, if not to comprehend thine excellency, for that is impoſſible, yet ſo to confer with thee, that I may apprehend in ſome meaſure how thou haſt revealed thy ſelf, and what thou wilt bee unto mee: that knowing thee in thy power, goodneſs, truth, ſoveraignty, and grace, I may unfeignedly cleave unto thee all the daies of my life.
Queſt. How muſt wee proceed in this Meditation?
Anſw. Wee muſt conſider of his titles, properties, and works, obſerving how infinitely hee exceedeth what excellency ſoever is in any, or all the creatures in the world. a1 Tim. 6.16. 1 Joh. 4.12. Exod. 33.20.Oh Lord, thou dwelleſt in the light unapproachable, whom man never ſaw, neither can ſee and live; thou art incomprehenſible by reaſon, and unnameable by words, thy name is wonderful, and thy nature ſecret, I cannot comprehend what thou art, I will labour to know what thou haſt revealed; I am not able to behold thy face, let mee ſee thy back-parts, for this is my life, and joy of heart to know thee the onelyonly true God, which ſpringeth, and increaſeth daily as I come to the fuller knowledge of thee: and ſhall bee infinite, becauſe thou art infinite.
I beleeve as thou haſt taught mee (according to my manner, and meaſure) that thou art a Spirit, without beginning, without cauſe, the firſt and abſolute being, living in and of thy ſelf; giving being and life to all creatures; infinite, eternal, incomprehenſible, Gen. 17.1.without compoſition, one in eſſence, and three in perſons; moſt perfect, a meer act, bleſſed, and glorious: all ſufficient in thy ſelf, for us a great reward, void of all poſſibility to bee what thou art not; great in power, infinite in wiſdome, abundant in goodneſs, everlaſting in compaſſion, rich in mercy, faithful, ſincere, conſtant in thy promiſes, unchangeable in thy love, gentle, eaſie to bee entreated, juſt and righteous in all thy Commandements, and Proceedings: the moſt abſolute, univerſal ſoveraignty of all things both in Heaven and Earth: Thy name is wonderful in all the world, for thou haſt created all things, and by thy appointment they continue unto this day. Thou haſt laid the foundation of the earth, and it abideth, thou haſt ſtretched forth the heavens, as a curtain, Job 9.7, 8, &c.and in them or dained a Tabernacle for the Sun. Thou ſtilleſt the raging of the Sea, and the proud waves are quelled by thy command: the day is thine, the night alſo is thine, the Moon and Stars are the work of thine hands: Thou thundereſt from Heaven by thy voice, and bringeſt the winds out of their treaſure; thou breakeſt up the deep, and cauſeſt the ſprings to aſcend in the vallies. Thou cauſeſt the graſs to grow upon the mountains, and ſatisfieſt with thy goodneſs every living thing. The earth, Oh Lord, is full of thy goodneſs, but thy glory ſhines moſt bright in the aſſembly of thy Saints. Oh what wiſdome, power, grace, mercy, love, longſuffering haſt thou manifeſted in Jeſus Chriſt, the brightneſs of thy glory, the image of the inviſible God? what great admirable things haſt thou done for thy people? thou haſt reconciled them being enemies, redeemed them being bond-ſlaves, juſtified them being ſinners, of vaſſals of Satan thou haſt adopted them to bee thy ſons, of unclean and polluted, thou haſt waſhed, and made them clean: Thou guardeſt them with thy Angels, protecteſt them againſt dangers, feedeſt them with fatneſs, and marrow, and haſt reſerved for them the Kingdome of Heaven. All thy Works praiſe thee, Oh Lord, and thy Saints bleſs thee.
Great is the power, wiſdome, holineſs, and glory of the heavenly Angels, but they are finite, created, dependent; great, immortal, glorious by participation only, not able to behold the glory of God; great is the renown, dignity, dominion of earthly Monarchs, but their perſons are mortal, their glory fading, their Dominion temporary, their power limited, what they are, they have by deputation, during pleaſure: As for our God, hee is an infinite, eternal, abſolute, independent ſoveraign: His Kingdome is an everlaſting Kingdome, and his Dominion endureth throughout all ages, Pſa. 90.1, 2Before the foundations of the earth were laid, and ere the mountains were formed, from everlaſting to everlaſting thou art God. But Lord thine excellency far exceedeth all that I can conceive; for what can a finite underſtanding comprehend of an infinite being? I know very little of thy waies, much leſs of thy nature; yea what thou haſt revealed of thy ſelf in thy Word, doth rather make known what thou wilt bee to thy people, than what thou art in thy ſelf. As the Heavens are higher than the Earth, ſo are thy waies higher than our waies, and thy thoughts than our thoughts.
Queſt. How are theſe things to bee laid to heart, and preſſed upon the ſoul?
Anſw. Wee muſt ſtir up our ſelves to deſire full knowledge of God, and free communion with him, to truſt, love, reverence, glory in his name, and to walk before him in all humility of mind. Bleſſed is the man that knoweth the Lord, and cleaveth unto him in love, fear, and affiance: yea happy is the man whoſe God is the Lord. Look unto God, Oh my ſoul, obſerve his waies, ſeek his face, and labour after more intire fellowſhip and familiarity with him. The knowledge of God is excellent, eaſie, comfortable, it perfecteth the underſtanding, ſeaſoneth the will, changeth the affections, rejoyceth the heart. The worth, and excellency, the profit, and delight that knowledge bringeth, is anſwerable to the object which is apprehended, in which the knowledge of God hath infinitely the preheminence. Nothing can rejoyce the heart, in which the goodneſs of God is not felt, nor his power, wiſdome and mercy ſeen: Oh how ſweet and delightſome is it to behold the face of God as it ſhineth in Jeſus Chriſt, to contemplate the happy Reconciliation of juſtice and mercy, by his unſearchable wiſdome, to think upon his long-ſuffering, tender love, and never-fading compaſſion! Love the Lord, Oh my ſoul, and truſt in his merciemercy, ſerve him with fear, and rejoyce in his holy name, for hee is thy ſtrength, thy rock, thy portion, thy ſalvation. His favour is better than life; in his preſence is fulneſs of joy; hee is goodneſs it ſelf, the highneſs of all good things that can bee deſired. The pleaſures of the world are vain; earthly gain breeds great vexations, Trial.worldly honours vaniſh and come to nothing; but God is our pleaſure, glory, gain, everlaſting, immeaſurable; But woe is mee, my ſight is dimm, my judgement vain, my heart carnal, my affections diſordered, my thoughts looſe, I know little of God, I have been very negligent to ſeek acquaintance with him. Theſe vain things below, the gifts of Gods bounty have ſtollen away my heart, from the giver of every good and perfect gift; If men ſpeak, I tremble, if they ſmile, I rejoyce, in their preſence I am reverent, if ſuperiours; chearful if friends; if abſent, I long for their company; if preſent, I deſire to give them content; if in diſtreſs, I mourn; if in proſperity, I rejoyce; when ſeparated from them in body, I am with them in ſpirit: If I bee ignorant of the things of this life, I inquire after them; if I have ſuſtained loſs, I fall out with my ſelf for it, am pinched at the heart, learn wiſdome, againſt another time, and labour by double diligence to redeem it again: But I have greatly neglected the knowledge of God, when hee threatneth, I am ſenſeleſs; in his preſence, I am irreverent, dead-hearted when I appear before him; lumpiſh in Prayer, looſe in Meditation (ſcarce lifting up a thought to Heaven) ſoon tired in the Meditation of heavenly things, never well till my thoughts bee ſet at liberty, to range up and down, not moved to hear thy name diſhonoured, little affected with grief when I have offended. Taking ſhame.I am aſhamed and confounded in my ſelf to hear, and ſee the wiſdome of worldly men in the affairs of this life, when I am ſo rude, and ignorant in the things that concern my eternal happineſs. The Oxe knoweth his owner, and the Aſſe his Maſters crib; but I am not acquainted with the Lord my life, my light, my portion, from whom I have received what I am, in whom I look to bee eternally bleſſed: Ah wretched man that I am. I look for reverence from mine inferiours, for love from them of whom I have deſerved little, to whom I can ſhew ſmall kindneſs. If men give not credit to my Word, I take it grievouſly, but in theſe things I have offered wrong to the Lord of life, who is glorious in Majeſty, dreadful in power, plentious in goodneſs, Hearty wiſhing.moſt conſtant in his promiſes. Oh that mine eyes were open to behold the glory of God, and my heart inclined to love him unfeignedly, intirely, above all things; Oh that my ſoul were cloſe united to his fear, that I could ſolace my ſelf in his favour, and ſtand in awe of his diſpleaſure, that I might not ſin againſt him: Awake, Stirring up our ſelves.Oh my ſoul, rouze up thy ſelf to ſeek the knowledge of God in Chriſt, whom to ſee is eternal happineſs: What contentment canſt thou take in any thing, if God bee not ſeen in it? If the eye of the body, wherewith wee behold this light, bee annoyed or dimmed, wee will ſeek far and wide for help, and ſhall wee not labour to have the eye of our ſpirits cleared, wherewith we ſee the Lord, the Son of Righteouſneſs, the light, and joy of every Chriſtian? Raiſe up thy ſelf to love, reverence, and truſt in the Lord; Thou canſt not comprehend his goodneſs, which is immeaſurable, his power, which is unſearchable, his truth, which is firm, and immoveable; as his infiniteneſs paſſeth thy conceit, covet the more inſeparably to cleave unto him: Couldeſt thou comprehend his nature, hee ſhould not bee all-ſufficient in himſelf, nor able to ſatisfie thy deſire: But as God is infinite, and never to bee comprehended eſſentially; ſo is our joy in him bottomleſs, our help from him moſt certain, and our love to him ſhould bee above meaſure, our confidence in him without wavering. Humble acknowledgment.Oh my God, I do confeſs before thee, that I am miſerably ſtained with ignorance, unbeleef, irreverence, I am full of carnal wiſdome, harlotry love, vain fear, fleſhly confidence, corrupt joy; But grievouſly wanting in true knowledge, ſound faith, ſincere love, and holy reverence of thy holy Majeſty. Nor is my want greater than my inability to help my ſelf: the dead cannot reſtore himſelf to life, nor the blinde to ſight, ſupernatural graces muſt come from above; Petition.Therefore unto thee, O Lord, do I direct my ſupplication, give mee grace to know thee as my chief happineſs, to love thee as the perfect good; unite my heart unto thee in Faith and Reverence, that nothing may draw mee aſide from thy teſtimonies. Confidence.It is thy promiſe to write thy Law in my heart, and to put thy fear in the inner man; Oh Lord, thou art able to do what thou wilt, and thou wilt accompliſh what thou haſt ſpoken; unto thee I commend my ſoul, and upon thee I will relye as long as I live.
Queſt. Let the holy Angels be a ſecond instance; how are wee to proceed in the Meditation of that ſubject?
Anſw. Wee muſt conſider their author, nature, properties, eſtate, end, and offices.
The Angels are more excellent than man, but inferiour to the Almighty, from whom they received their being in time according to his good pleaſure, and by whoſe goodneſs ſuch as abode in the truth were ſtill preſerved in their being, and bleſſed condition.
The truth hath taught us to define them to bee ſpirits, finite, compleat, immortal, made after the Image of God, who through his grace and goodneſs abode ſtill in the eſtate of innocency and bleſſedneſs; they are created ſpirits, limited in eſſence, compounded of ſubject and accident, act and poſſibility, immortal by participation, mutable by creation, but eſtabliſhed by grace in their firſt ſtate.
As ſpirits, they are inviſible, immaterial, incorruptible, intelligent; as chief inſtruments of Gods providence, they are furniſhed with great power, incredible ſwiftneſs, ſingular wiſdome, burning zeal, and undoubted faithfulneſs; as bleſſed Miniſters that ever attend his Throne, they are indued with clear knowledge of God, ineſtimable love, exceeding joy, and admirable glory.
Their life is ſpiritual, their ſtate bleſſed, and permanent, for they ſtand ever in the preſence of God, behold his glory, and reſt in him with full delight.
Their End, and office, in reſpect of God, is to praiſe his Name, and execute his Commandement; in reſpect of Chriſt, to miniſter, and attend upon him; in regard of men, to rejoyce at the converſion of a ſinner, to guard and protect the faithful againſt the dangers of this life, and the aſſaults of Satan, to curb, bridle, and deſtroy their enemies, and to gather the elect together at the day of judgement.
Queſt. How are theſe things to bee preſſed, and urged, and applied unto the heart?
Anſw. 1 Wee muſt ſtir up our ſelves to admire the power, goodneſs, and glory of God in himſelf, his tender care over us, rouze up our ſouls to the obedience of Gods will, and reſpect of his children, and take courage to rely upon God in the midſt of dangers that compaſs us about; who would not fear thee, O Lord, our God, glorious in Majeſty, dreadful in Holineſs, wonderful in Power! Thine holy Angels excel in ſtrength, are cloathed with glory, that man cannot behold; but all their might and goodneſs is derived from thee, a drop of thy Ocean, a beam of thy Sun; if the glory of the creature bee ſo great, the glory of the Creator muſt infinitely ſurpaſs all comprehenſion. Oh how blockiſh am I, that in the view and contemplation of the work, have not enlarged my heart to laud and magnifie the work-man?
Ariſe my ſoul, and gird thy ſelf to the chearful, ſincere, faithful obedience to Gods Commandement. To do the will of God is Angelical preferment, a divine and heavenly exerciſe, the greateſt freedome and perfection. Make haſte, delay not to exerciſe his good pleaſure. Loe the Angels in Heaven are thy ſamplers, whom thou oughteſt to follow. Let not that ſeem irkſome to thee, that is delightſome to them: eſteem it not a burden, which is to them an heavenly ſolace, and refreſhing. Ah wretched man! why ſhould I grudge to yield obedience to my heavenly Father, or do his will negligently by the halves, when thoſe Noble ſpirits, and heavenly ſouldiers do alwaies ſtand in readineſs, to receive his commands, and execute their commiſſion? Doth the world deſpiſe the poor Saints of God for their outward baſeneſs; yet I will honour them as the onelyonly excellent, for God is their Father, the Angels their Attendants. Wee cap, and bow to them that are nobly attended, gorgeouſly arrayed, honourably ſerved, but herein the Saints excel, if the thing bee well conſidered. They are eſteemed the ſcum of the world, but reſpected of God in ſuch manner that hee hath given his Angels charge over them; the guard that attends upon his Throne is aſſigned to watch over them. Walk on couragiouſly, O my ſoul, walk on couragiouſly in the waies of piety. Fear not the aſſaults of Satan, the fury of any adverſe power that ſhall oppoſe it ſelf; for more are with thee, than can be againſt thee. If Satan with his bands endeavour thy deſtruction, The troops of heavenly Angels do watch for thy defence, yea, the Lord himſelf is thy keeper, and ſtands at thy right hand to ſave thee from all them that riſe up againſt thee. How great is the clemency, and tender care of the Lord over his poor people? what tongue can expreſs, what heart comprehend his infinite goodneſs? hee ſends from on high his mighty ſouldiers to encamp about us, watch over us, preſerve, and ſave us, from them that lye in wait to vex, and annoy. Oh my Father, what can I render unto thee for this thy great kindneſs, and unſpeakable mercy? I have nothing to give but my heart, which here I offer unto thee; and becauſe I am weak, expoſed to the temptations of Satan, and allurements of this wicked world, I pray thee give mee thy grace, confirm, and ſtrengthen mee, that I may imitate thoſe pure ſpirits every day more and more, that I may praiſe thy Name, execute thy Commandements, love thy Children, rejoyce in the converſion of them that go aſtray, and fight thy battels againſt ſin and Satan.
Queſt. Let man bee the third example; how must wee proceed to meditate on that Subject?
Anſw. For the better information of our judgement, wee muſt conſider theſe particulars; the Author, the Matter, Form, End Properties, and Effects, what are like, and what oppoſite. Man is inferiour to the Angels, but of earthly creatures moſt excellent.
The Author of this principal work is God himſelf, Father, Son, and Holy Ghoſt, and that in ſpecial manner; for other creatures were made by a ſimple command; man not without a divine conſultation; Gen. 1.26.others at once; man hee did firſt form, then inſpire: others in ſeveral ſhapes like to none other but themſelves; man after his own Image: others with qualities fit for ſervice; man for Dominion: Hee was made the laſt of the creatures, and brought as the Lords Vicegerent into this world, as into a parlour ready trimmed and prepared, for ſo worthy a gueſt.
Man conſiſteth of two parts, Matter, and Form; Heaven and Earth, a humane body, and divine ſoul; and well may be called a little abridgement, map, or table of the whole world. In his ſoul is the nature of Angels, though not ſo active and extenſive. In his body are the Elements, Meteors, Minerals, as may appear both by vapours, fumes and ſpirits: Hee lives the life of plants, hee hath the ſenſes of beaſts, and above all, the addition of reaſon. His body was framed of the duſt of the ground, in more exquiſite manner than any other, furniſhed with moſt excellent inſtruments, abſolutely compoſed, both for beauty, and duty, in all the works of holineſs, and righteouſneſs: For variety of parts, ſweetly knit together, and orderly diſpoſed, it was wonderful; for temperature, exact; for form, erect and ſtreight. In the whole, beautiful, glorious, ſtrong, ſubject to no annoyance, moſt artificially faſhioned, that it might bee the neat, ſtately Palace of a Divine, Noble, reaſonable ſoul. In every part beauty, ſtrength, convenience meet together. The diſtinct conſideration of every member with its temper, proportion, placing, figure, and uſe might well aſtoniſh: The ſoul of man was immediately created of nothing, and being indued with moſt excellent faculties and gifts natural and ſupernatural, was infuſed into the body, and inſeparably knit (had not ſin made an unnatural divorce) to give life, motion, and ſenſe unto it: Thus man was made the wonder of the world, the principalleſt of living creatures, indued with a reaſonable ſoul, moſt divinely qualified, and ſtrictly united to that earthly maſs to quicken and inliven it.
The end why man was made in reſpect of God, was the glory of his power, goodneſs and wiſdome, appearing in the work it ſelf; of his juſtice in rewarding man if obedient, and in puniſhing man if diſobedient; of his grace and mercy redeeming him fallen into the gulf of miſery, and that man ſhould praiſe and magnifie his glorious name. In reſpect of man, that hee ſhould live bleſſedly for ever if hee did obey: man by creation was immortal, for death is an enemy, no conſequent of nature, but a companion of ſin; man dieth not becauſe his body was framed of the duſt, 1 Cor. 15.26.but becauſe hee is infected with ſin: Subjection to mortality, and all miſeries accompanying it, is a fruit of diſobedience.
Hee is reaſonable and intelligent, able to think, invent, judge, deviſe, compoſe, diſcourſe, remember, chuſe, refuſe, ſuſpend, and affect. Theſe powers being eſſential to mans nature do ſtill remain, but very weak, and corrupt ſince the fall. Alſo to man is given power to eat, drink, ſleep, weep, laugh, and ſpeak, whereby hee may communicate to others whatſoever hee conceiveth: hee was perfectly conformable to the will of God, made after the Image of God, in knowledge, righteouſneſs, and true holineſs: But the Image of God is defaced with ſin, there remaining onelyonly ſome reliques in us, as the ruines of a magnificent and ſtately palace, that ſerved to ſhew what once wee had. Moreover in the ſtate of innocency, man was honoured with great Royalties and Prerogatives, for hee had liberty to eat of every tree in the Garden, except the tree of knowledge of good and evil; and was made ruler over all earthly creatures, that hee might freely uſe them to the glory of God, his own neceſſity, and lawful pleaſure: But theſe priviledges hee hath forfeited by rebellion againſt his Creator.
The effects of man are ſuitable to the faculties, and gifts hee hath received, as to know God, call upon his name, worſhip him ſincerely, preach the Word, adminiſter the Sacraments, govern, give counſel, contemplate the works of God, read, write, confer, and diſpute, exerciſe the works of virtue, and honeſty, govern the affections, reverence ſuperiors, live peaceably, and ſuch like. But in all theſe things wee have much diſ-inabled our ſelves by wilful diſobedience.
Would you ſee the prime dignity of man by compariſon? In ſoul hee is like the Angels, inviſible, immaterial, immortal, beautified with underſtanding, will and power, inriched with admirable, divine gifts, whereby hee reſembleth God, or carrieth his Image. In body hee is the perfection of all earthly things whom they are to ſerve. In both hee is the Epitome of all created excellency in Heaven and Earth.
Queſt. How muſt theſe things bee applied unto the heart for the quickening of affection?
Anſw. Wee muſt ſtir up our ſelves to magnifie the goodneſs of the Lord towards man-kind, to ſhame our ſelves in conſcience of our ſins and miſery: raiſe up the heart to the contempt of earthly things, and love of obedience, and ſeek unto God to have his Image repaired in us again, through Jeſus Chriſt. Lord, Pſal. 8.4, 5, 6, &c.what is man that thou viſiteſt him, the ſon of man that thou ſo regardeſt him. Thou haſt made him little inferiour to the Angels, adorned him with grace, ſtamped upon him thy Image, inveſted him with dignity, and crowned him with glory and honour. Thou haſt given him Dominion over the work of thy hands, and put all things in ſubjection under his feet: Thou haſt made him for thy ſervice, his ſoul to bee thy habitation, his body to bee the Temple of thy ſpirit, and all other things to bee ſerviceable unto him, the world, and all that is therein for his uſe. All things are prepared for him; all things are ſubject to him, hee ruleth over all living creatures, they labour for him, obey his command. Lord thou art the glory of man, man the receptacle of thy works, thy wiſdome, and power: But as mine excellency by creation exceeds, ſo doth my ſhame and miſery by ſin and diſobedience: The higher mine advancement, the lower my fall. This was my chief honour and title, that I was the Image of God; This is my diſgrace and ignominy that I bear the Image of the Devil: This is my comfort, that God did love, delight, and deſire to dwell in mee, it is my miſery that I am caſt out of thy favour, and lye under wrath: Ah what grief is this to think, how my condition is altered, through my fooliſhneſs? once immortal, now mortal; once pure, now impure and polluted; once rich in wiſdome, and grace, now blinde, and naked; once the Image and free ſervant of God, now the vaſſal of Satan; once at peace with God, my conſcience, all creatures, now at war with his Majeſty, my ſelf, all the world: Once a free man to walk at liberty, now a bondſlave that can doe nothing but ſin; once the Ruler of all creatures, now of all creatures the baſeſt (Satan excepted) once ſubject to no annoyance, now ſecure from nothing that might offend. If a Noble man fall from height of honour, to great contempt and bitter extremities, hee is much afflicted: much greater cauſe have I to bemoan my folly, who have caſt my ſelf headlong from Heaven unto Earth, even to the gulf of miſery and confuſion. Oh my ſoul, why doſt thou forget thy ſelf, ſo much as to affect the baſe things of this life? It is a ſhame for him that was to ſubdue all things, to ſuffer himſelf to bee ſubdued by men, and to become a Lacquey to his vile affections, doing honour to the three great Idols of the world, profit, pleaſure, and preferment. The world is too vile for thy delight, thou art created for more divine ſervice, the Lord himſelf covets thy love.
The glory of the world is put under thy feet, as things to bee trodden upon, that which thou ſhouldeſt affect is far above, heavenly and glorious. If the faſhion of the body ſhould bee ſo changed, that the face and eyes bowed to the earth continually, ſhould never bee able to look up, it would bee grievous: But if the ſoul which ſhould bee lifted up to God, do creep upon earth, bee glued to worldly, vain delights, the alteration is more uncomfortable and monſtrous. Hee that ſubdueth the world, doth yeeld himſelf to the ſervice of God, which is perfect liberty; But when wee become ſlaves to the world, wee labour to make God ſervant to our luſts, which is moſt abominable, and accurſed. The glutton makes God his caterer, his belly his God, and himſelf the gueſt; The covetous worldling would have God his Broker, and himſelf the Uſurer; The angry ſinner would have God his executioner, and himſelf the Judge; The ambitious inquiſitor can ſometimes make God and Religion his ſtile, but honour ſhall bee his God, and luſt reign. The Lord himſelf is abaſed in our eſteem. Love the Lord, Oh my ſoul, and give thy ſelf to the obedience of his Commandements, thou art the perfection and end of all creatures, the Lord thy life, perfection, comfort: what thou art, is of him, that thou ſhalt bee happy, is of his goodneſs; thou oweſt him thy ſelf, thou waſt created for his glory; defile not his Image, pollute not his workmanſhip, bee not unthankful for what thou haſt received, forget not thy own eſtate. O heavenly Father, I heartily deſire to follow thee whitherſoever thou ſhalt lead mee, to do what thou ſhalt command, and to cleave unto thee as long as I live: But I finde the fleſh rebellious, ſolliciting daily, yea, and violently haling to thoſe things that are evil: Ah miſerable wretch that I am, who ſhall deliver mee from this body of death? Thou, Thou Lord onelyonly art able, and willing to vouchſafe help, and ſuccour: To thee therefore do I flye, I pray thee have mercy upon mee in Jeſus Chriſt, and repair the loſt image of thy ſelf. Thy hands have made mee, and faſhioned mee, give mee underſtanding, and I ſhall live; thou createdſt mee pure, thou canſt reſtore mee, though corrupt. Create in mee a clean heart, and renew a right ſpirit within mee: Breathe into mee the Spirit of Life, and eſtabliſh mee in the way of thy Precepts; Heal my ſoul, for I am defiled, and cauſe mee to grow up unto the perfect ſtature of a ſpiritual man. I have wounded my ſoul, but cannot cure it, defaced thy Image, but cannot faſhion it anew: Look upon my miſery, dear Father, forgive my ſin, and make mee a new creature for thy infinite mercy, begin in mee this good work, and perfect it to thy praiſe; in thee do I truſt, to thee I ſeek for grace, for in thee the fatherleſs finde mercy.
Queſt. I would know in the fourth place, how wee might proceed to meditate on Gods infinite greatneſs?
Anſw. God is infinitely good, without quality, infinitely great, without quantity, his excellency is incomprehenſible, and ſurpaſſeth what wee can ſpeak or think. But for our proceeding in this Meditation according to our capacity, wee may conſider, what it is, what bee the parts of it, and how incomparably it exceedeth whatſoever might bee likened unto it. Great is the Lord, and worthy to bee praiſed, Pſa. 145.3and his greatneſs is unſearchable. Our God is the God of Gods, and Lord of Lords, a great God, mighty, and terrible, who being both the original and end of all things, Deut. 10.17.cannot rightly bee ſaid to bee any thing; for hee muſt needs bee above all, and better than all. Such is his greatneſs, that hee is that one, infinite, and eternal being. See how that I, even I (ſaith the Lord) am hee, Deut. 32.39.and there is no God with mee: I lift up my hand, and ſay, I live for ever.
Thou Lord art ſo great, that thou art moſt perfectly one in eſſence, one in number: The Lord hee is God, and there is none beſides him. As thou art *Deut. 4.35. Mark 12.32. 1 Cor. 8.4, 5, 6.one in eſſence, ſo art thou one in thy purpoſe, determination, promiſe: For how ſhouldeſt thou that art one in number and eſſence, bee otherwiſe than thy ſelf? All things do turn upon this point, and haſten to this center: if it were not unity, multiplicity would deſtroy it. Thou Lord art infinite, without all limits of eſſence, without matter, or form, efficient, or end; thou art without all dimenſions of length, breadth, or thickneſs; thou art without all limits of place, and yet filleſt all places in Heaven or Earth; Thou art wholly without, and within all, and every place; no where excluded, and no where included, and that without all localmotion, or mutation of place. aJob 11.8, 9.Thou art higher than the Heavens, deeper than Hell, longer than the Earth, broader than the Sea. b1 King. 8.27. Pſa. 139.7 Iſa. 66.1. Act. 17.27.Simply and purely every where by eſſence, and preſence. A God at hand, and a God a far off. Thou moveſt or changeſt all things, without either motion, or change in thy ſelf; thou art in every place preſent, in every place entire, within all things, and contained in nothing; without all things, and ſuſtained by nothing; but containeſt, ſuſtaineſt, and maintaineſt all things. Thou art unſpeakably preſent in every place by eſſence, power, wiſdome and providence, but thy glory is ſpecially manifeſted to the Angels, and Saints in Heaven; thy grace, power, and mercy, to the Saints on earth, whom thou doſt favour, with whom thou dwelleſt, Job 36.22, &c. 1 Tim. 1.17. 2 Pet. 3.8.for whoſe deliverance thou wilt ariſe, and have mercy, into whoſe hearts thou wilt ſhine comfort. Thou art eternal, before and after all beings, without all limits of time, paſt, preſent, and to come; Thou art at all times, but without reſpect of time, an everlaſting, and immortal God, before, and after all times, and in all times for ever and ever. Thou art the King of ages, the maker of times, the Inhabitour of eternity. aPſa. 90.1, 2. Iſa. 57.15. Pſa. 92.7, 8. & 102.12, 13, 26, 27. Iſa. 41.4. & 43.10, 11. Jer. 10.10 Iſa. 40.28.Before the mountains were made, and ere ever thou hadſt formed the earth, from everlaſting to everlaſting thou art God: Everlaſting in thy ſelf, in love, in the fruits of thy favour, towards thy people, which thou haſt choſen, in wrath and indignation againſt the obſtinate, and diſobedient. O God thou art great, and wee know thee not, neither can the number of thy years bee ſearched out; Iſa. 40.15, 16.All powers on earth come ſhort to bee ſhadows of thy greatneſs; The Nations are as a drop of a bucket, leſs than nothing, and vanity before thee.
Queſt. How must wee apply theſe things to the heart?
Anſw. Wee muſt ſtir up our ſelves to magnifie the Lord, love, fear, reverence, and truſt in him for ever. Great is the Lord, and worthy to bee praiſed: for hee ſitteth upon the circuit of the earth, and ſtretcheth out the Heavens like a curtain: He bringeth the Princes of the earth to nothing, and lifteth up the meek to honour: Great is our Lord, and of great power, his understanding is infinite. The men of this world labour to ſet forth the ſtate, and magnificence of earthly Monarchs, the largeneſs of their dominions, greatneſs of their power, continuance of their houſe. Oh my ſoul, why art thou ſo ſilent, awake, and ſing aloud of the praiſes of God, whoſe greatneſs is infinite, eternal, incomprehenſible, thou canſt not by ſearching finde him out: but remember to magnifie his work, which men behold. Every man may ſee it. Man may behold it afar off; Love the Lord, Oh my ſoul, and ſtick faſt unto him as thy life and treaſure. Hee is that infinite, unbounded, eternal goodneſs, paſſing all humane both ſearch, and ſight, that filleth and includeth all things. Alaſs, how do wee affect a thouſand things that cannot bee effected, or if obtained, do vaniſh, or cloy, and can no more ſatisfie deſire, than ſalt water quencheth thirſt? Oh that true love, like a ſtrong ſtream, which the further it is from this head of eternity, would run into it with greater violence. In Gods love there is no mixture of ſorrow; no want of delight, fulneſs of pleaſure, all manner of contentment. Alas! alas that ever ſo many cold winds of temptation ſhould blow betwixt God and our hearts, to make our affections cooler unto him. What dull metal is this wee are made of? wee have the fountain of felicity and eternity, and yet complain of want and wearineſs. Do wee freeze in the fire, and ſtarve at a feaſt? Have wee God to injoy, and yet pine, and hang down the head? Let mee have my God, and let mee never want him, ſo ſhall my joyes bee laſting, pure, incomprehenſible: for poſſeſſing him that is the pure, eternal, and an all-ſufficient good, how ſhould I not finde fulneſs of joy, and contentment in him? Oh my ſoul, fear the Lord, and ſtand in awe of his Majeſty, for hee is a great God, and terrible, a King above all Gods. At his preſence the earth trembleth, the mountains quake, and the foundations of the world are ſhaken: The Angels cannot behold his glory, the Sun and Moon are not clean in his ſight. Fear the Lord, and depart from iniquity; harbour no wicked plot in thy breaſt, contrive not evil in thy thoughts: for thou haſt to deal with a God that is light of hearing, who dwelleth in thy heart, and knoweth thy Imaginations long before: And what needs any other evidence when the Judge is witneſs? His eyes are as flaming fire, his feet are as burning braſs, hee will tread down the wicked in his wrath, and vex them that hate him. Serve the Lord with fear, and commit thy ſelf to him in well doing. Truſt in the Lord at all times, Hab. 1.12. Pſa. 55.18, 19.and ſtay upon his mercy. Hee is the everlaſting Rock, conſtant in promiſes, ever preſent for our aid, unchangeable in love and favour. No place can hinder God from doing us good; diſtance, or difficulty may bee impediments to all the creatures to ſtay their help, but God at a bluſh fills all places, to comfort, or confound (as it pleaſeth him.) Hee that is freed from dimenſions, may pierce, and penetrate, enter and paſs whither hee pleaſeth, without probability, or poſſibility of reſiſtance. Hee hath created the world, and yet is not weary, his proviſion is no whit abated, his power nothing diminiſhed: Let him carry us which way hee will, make the paſſages never ſo troubleſome and perillous, yet the ſame hand that makes them hard, will make them ſure; and if wee bee faithful to him, will maſter all the difficulties for us. Let him caſt us into ſuch great miſeries of long continuance, that hee ſeem to forſake us, as if hee would not return to our help, yet wee know that hee is everlaſting, the Holy One of Iſrael, who cannot leave them for ever that rely upon him. O God, as I have truſted thee with the beginning, ſo will I truſt thee with the finiſhing of my glory: And though never ſo many or main hinderances of my ſalvation offer themſelves, and after all hopes threaten to defeat mee, yet faithful art thou who haſt promiſed, who wilt alſo do it.
Queſt. I would now hear how wee must proceed to meditate on the Love of God?
Anſw. Wee muſt conſider of the efficient cauſe, ſubject, end, objects, effects, properties, and kinds of this Love; what is like, what oppoſite unto it.
The Love of God ſignifieth either that love whereby God loveth us, Joh. 5.48. 1 Joh. 3.17 1 Joh. 2.15or that affection whereby wee being united unto God, do reſt in him with pleaſure and delight: Of this Theological virtue firſt, in order, not the firſt, in fruit, and continuance, the greateſt, the end of the Commandement, the bond of perfection, the fulfilling of the Law, I purpoſe to meditate by the grace of God. This Love is a grace ſupernatural, and is neither in us by nature, nor can bee acquired by our endeavour. Yea, the meaſure of love is not defined according to the endeavour of the received, but the pleaſure and will of the Spirit meaſuring and pouring it into every one.
The author, or principal cauſe of Divine Love, is God himſelf, by his bleſſed Spirit renewing, and regenerating our hearts to the love of his Majeſty. Love is the fruit of the Spirit aGal. 5.22. bJoh. 4.7 Eph. 6.23.He that loveth is born of God. Love is of God, and God is love: Hee loveth us in his well-beloved, and is the ever-ſpringing fountain of all love in us. The Spirit openeth our eyes to ſee and behold the incomprehenſible goodneſs of God, without which there is no love: For of a thing unknown there is no deſire. The ſame Spirit infuſeth the grace of love, whereby wee are enabled to love God, and quickened unto it; Rom. 5.5whereas of our ſelves we are deſtitute of all power and ability to every ſpiritual duty. And the Spirit ſheddeth abroad the love of God in our hearts, whereby they are warmed to love God again: The means which the Spirit uſeth for this purpoſe, is the Word of Grace revealing the incomparable love of God in Jeſus Chriſt towards us moſt miſerable wretches.
The leſs principal cauſe of love is man renewed by the Spirit. 1 Joh. 4.7 Deut. 30.6Man regenerate doth love the Lord, not of himſelf, but by the grace of God: The Lord thy God will circumciſe thy heart to love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy ſoul. Faith well rooted, will aGal. 5.6 Quantum cognoſcimus, tantum diligimus.animate, quicken, and move love. Faith and Love are both graces ſupernatural, infuſed at once in the ſame inſtant of time; but in order of working, Faith hath the precedency, and kindleth Love.
From this it followeth, that the ſubject of Love is a renewed heart, inlightened with the true ſaving knowledge of God, purified by Faith, and ſeaſoned by Grace. For Love is a ſpiritual affection in the reaſonable part, preſuppoſing knowledge, and affiance, whereby the ſoul goeth forth to imbrace the good it apprehendeth.
The end of Love is the poſſeſſion of God as the chief good. Love (as wee ſee) makes man and woman one, and ſo it doth couple us to God. It is a weight whereby the heart is inclined toward God, and wholly carried unto him.
The object of Charity, is God in Chriſt; God is to bee loved, not only as hee is good, merciful, gracious, long-ſuffering, and bountiful; and as hee doth love, and daily lade us with his bleſſings: But alſo as hee is wiſe, juſt, and powerful, even as hee doth chaſtize and viſit us with ſevere corrections: For as the true love of children towards their Parents doth effect this, that they love their Parents, and perſwade themſelves that they bee beloved of them, though they bee reprehended, croſſed, corrected, and cannot obtain what they will; ſo true Love doth look to God when hee ſendeth perſecution, war, ſickneſs, or any other calamity. God is to bee loved in Chriſt, in whom hee is well pleaſed, greatly delighted in us: If any man love not the Lord Jeſus, let him bee accurſed. Chriſt hath redeemed us unto God, and reconciled us being enemies. Hee is ordained of God to be our Lord and King, advanced at the right hand of his Father, to give ſalvation unto Iſrael. Love is a ſupernatural gift or Grace, whereby wee *Pſa. 63.8 Joſh. 22.5. Deut. 4.4cleave to God in Chriſt, and deſire to poſſeſs him with joy, and comfort.