The Sacred Diary, Section 11 – Section 13
SECT. XI. When you are beholding your Faces in a Glaſs, and Dreſſing your ſelves by it.
1. COnſider, That the firſt uſe of Glaſſes was, that thereby Men and Women might the better know themſelves; that the moſt amiable Perſons might learn to ſhun all infamous things, and not defile the dignity of their Perſons with the deformity of their Manners. But our Glaſſes now have loſt their primary Inſtitution, and make many Perſons to forget themſelves, and like Narciſſus, to dote upon their Faces, thinking that every one that ſees them, wrongs them that doth not admire them.
2. Conſider alſo, That there are divers Glaſſes that we may look our ſelves in, to obſerve and ſee what manner of Perſons we are, or ought to be.
The Glaſs of Nature.
The Glaſs of Example.
The Glaſs of Conſcience.
The Glaſs of God's Word.
1. The Glaſs of Nature: That is a Glaſs which the Heavens and the …arth, and every Creature do hold up unto us. There is never a Creature that we can look upon, but we may behold in it (as in a Glaſs) either the Face of God's Glory, of his Wiſdom, of the eternal Power and Godhead, or may ſee the Image of that Obedience and Duty which we owe to God.
2. There is the Glaſs of Example: For what are the Examples of thoſe Saints that we ſee before us, and thoſe which are recorded in Sacred Scripture, and in the Acts and Monuments of the Church, but ſo many Looking-Glaſſes, by which we may learn to faſhion and compoſe our Lives, according to the holy Patterns which they do give us? How many lively Examples, and Clouds of Witneſſes are ſet before us, in whom (as in ſo many Glaſſes) we may behold the admirable Graces, and ready Obedience of the Saints, in thoſe things whereat the Fleſh and Nature do ſtagger and draw back; yea, Obedience in thoſe things which might ſeem Ridiculous unto Men, and in ſuch things as ſeemed contrary to Natural Affection, contrary to their Profit, and in ſuch things as made againſt their Safety: The ſight of thoſe holy Examples, ſhould make us cry out: Oh Lord our God! How wonderful are thy Works which thou doſt by the hands of thy Servants! How wonderful are thy Graces which thou cauſeſt to ſhine in their Lives!
3. There is the Glaſs of Conſcience. Though we wanted other directions, yet if we would but daily look into this Glaſs, if we would but reflect upon our ſelves, and turn our Eyes inward to view our own Conſciences, then ſhould we find a Glaſs of Good and Evil in their right forms and colours repreſented to us. If a Man look frequently into this Glaſs, he may cry out with the Pſalmiſt, Who can underſtand his Errours? Who can count, and number up the blemiſhes of his Soul, and the errours of his Life?
4. There is the Glaſs of the Word of God. That which of all other is the cleareſt and perfecteſt Mirrour, both to ſhew us what indeed we are, and what we ſhould be, to diſcover our Spots and Blemiſhes to us, that we may ſee them, and alſo to direct us how we may amend them.
The Glaſs of Nature hath a power of Conviction; whoſoever looks not into it, and therein obſerves not God's Power and Wiſdom, is an Atheiſt. The Glaſs of Example hath the power of Direction, whoſo looks not into it, is negligent and perverſe. The Glaſs of Conſcience, hath the power of Accuſation; whoſo looks not into it, ſo as to diſcover and bewail his Sins, is an Hypocrite. The Glaſs of God's Word hath the power of Converſion; whoſo looks not into it to learn the Will of God, and to reform himſelf by it, is an Infidel.
In a Glaſs we behold the Lineaments of our natural Faces, and the outward form of our bodily Structure. So in the Glaſs of God's Word, we may behold the Spiritual Face (as it were) of our Hearts and Lives, and whatever inward corruption doth caſt any ſtain upon us, we may thereby diſcern it, and judg of it. By the Law cometh the knowledg of ſin, ſaith the Apoſtle, Rom. 3.20. viz. 1. Generally, becauſe it makes us to know what Sin is. 2. Particularly, becauſe it makes us to know how far forth we are guilty of it. But when the eye of our Judgment, or the eye of our Affection is blinded, or dimmed, though we ſtare at our Spots and Blemiſhes, yet we do not eſpie them: Therefore we muſt earneſtly beg of God, that the veil that lieth upon our Minds, may be taken away, that when we come to look into this Glaſs, we may clearly ſee what it will ſhew us, and repreſent unto us. Whoſoever looks into this Glaſs, it will repreſent unto him the true Image that he carrieth, and not delude his Eye with any falſe ſhadow. We muſt not labour to ſee our Corruptions by the Glaſs of the Word, but when we ſee them, to reform them.
In Exod. 38.8. We read of a Laver that Moſes made of the Looking-glaſſes that the Iſraelitiſh Women brought unto him, to be ſet into the Tabernacle. Devout and Religious Women, were content to beſtow thoſe Glaſſes by which they were wont to dreſs their Bodies, toward the making of an Inſtrument, whereby through Faith they might ſanctifie their Souls. This Laver ſerved the Prieſts, both to look in, and to waſh in: It was clear, that they might ſee themſelves in it; and if they had nay Foulneſs about them, they might alſo waſh themſelves with the Water that ran out of it. Such a Veſſel is God's Word, it is a Looking-Glaſs wherein we may ſee our Selves, and our own Corruptions in it; but a Laver too, to waſh our ſelves in it. Wherewithal ſhall a young Man cleanſe his way? The anſwer is, By taking heed thereunto according to thy Word.
If you are Perſons of Quality, you may employ ſome one about you, to read a Chapter in the Bible whilſt you are d…eſſing you: Or the time may be employed by you in ſome profitable Meditation, or godly Conference with thoſe about you, as far as your neceſſary occaſions do permit. And when you Deck your ſelves with Jewels, and rich Ornaments, take heed of being proud of them, or ſetting your Hearts upon them; beware of vain Affectation in wearing them, and of waſting your Eſtates upon them: For no Perſons are to bring Poverty upon themſelves and their Children, to make themſelves fine. All your Ornaments are but as marks of your Sin and Miſery: And as a Footman, who wears a gaudy Livery, makes but his Servility more viſible; ſo thoſe that trim themſelves fineſt, make but their Shame more publique.
Let Men and Women uſe what Art they can to excuſe their Vanity, they cannot deny but that their moſt gaudy Apparel are the ſpoils of Beaſts; that their Ornaments are ſought for in the bottom of the Sea, or in the bowels of the Earth. What is the matter whereof ſo many different Silks are made, but the Drivel of Worms, and the Sepulchre which thoſe little Animals make unto themſelves when they die? What is Purple, which was wont to be the Badg of Soveraignty, but the Blood of certain Fiſhes? What are Pearls, but the Warts of certain Shell-fiſh, and the thickeſt part of the Fome of the Sea, which could not be turned into its ſubſtance? What are Diamonds and Rubies, but Water congealed within Rocks? And what is Gold, which Men diſguiſe into ſo many Shapes, which is ſought for with ſo much Labour, gotten many times ſo Unjuſtly, and kept with ſo much Care, but the Excrement of the moſt barren Soyl, to which the Fire gives Luſtre, and humane errour Valuation? And what is the fineſt Linnen wherewith multitudes of People are ſo much covered, and wherein the greateſt part of their Vanity conſiſts, but a kind of Herb and Graſs, which grows up and flouriſheth in the Fields, withereth and dieth in a ſhort time, which paſſeth through Womens hands, which is wetted with their Spittle, turned with the Spindle, ſtretcht upon the Loom, wrought with the Shuttle, whitened in the Dew, and at laſt cut out into ſeveral ſorts of things wherewith the Bodies of Men and Women are adorned? Muſt not that Man or Woman have loſt their judgment, that ſhall be proud of ſuch Trifles? I deny not but it is lawful for ſome Perſons to wear Ornaments, for we may not only wear that which ſerves for a covering to the Body, but alſo that which may adorn it: For as all may wear Clothes to hide their Shame and Nakedneſs, ſo ſome may wear Robes and Ornaments, to ſhew their State and Greatneſs. But their Adorning muſt not be ſo much that outward adorning of plaiting the Hair, and of wearing of Gold, and of putting on of Apparrel, as the hidden Man of the Heart: Yet in times of great Calamity and Afflictions, even great Perſons muſt lay aſide their Ornaments, when the Wrath and Diſpleaſure of God is broken out againſt a Land, or People. So the Lord ſaid unto the People of Iſrael: Put off now your Ornaments, that I may know what to do with you, Exod. 33.5. At ſuch times we ſhould rather appear in Rags than in Silks, with Duſt upon our Heads, and Sackcloth about our Loins, than with Ornaments upon our Backs, and Chains of Pearl about our Necks.
SECT. XII. Of our Dedicating the Morning unto God.
GOD commanded the Children of Iſrael, Exod. 23.19. The firſt of the Firſt-fruits of the Land, thou ſhalt bring into the Houſe of the Lord. God would not only have the Firſt-fruits, but the firſt of the Firſt-fruits; if there were any ripe ſooner than other, God called for them. Which inſtructeth us, that we muſt not only give God the Firſt-fruits of the Day, but the earlieſt time in the Morning, which is the Firſt of the Firſt-fruits of the Day. This was the practice of holy Job, in the behalf of his Children; He ſent and ſanctified them, and roſe up early in the Morning, and offered Burnt-Offerings according to the number of them all, Job 1.5, 6. As it is God's due, ſo it is our Duty, to dedicate the Morning, the firſt and beſt of every Day to God. Pſal. 5.3. David ſaith unto God, My voice ſhalt thou hear in the Morning, in the Morning will I direct my Prayer to thee, and will look up. As the Morning is a good friend to the Muſes, ſo it is a great friend to the Graces; as the Morning is the beſt ſtudying time, ſo I judg the Morning to be the beſt Praying time. So Bildad ſpeaks unto Job, Chap. 8.5. [If thou wouldſt ſeek unto God betimes.] In ſtrictneſs of Tranſlation, it may thus be rendred, If thou wouldſt ſeek unto God in the Morning; or, If thou wouldſt morning God: be with him early in the Morning; which is the firſt part, or beginning of the Day, then pour out thy Heart unto God in Prayer. It was an ancient Courſe to ſeek God early in the Morning. And the very Heathens by the light of Nature, took this Courſe in their Profane and Superſtitious worſhip. Herodot. lib. 10. Plin. ep. 57. ad Trajan. Tertul Apolog.Herodotus relateth, that the Perſian Magi addreſſed themſelves early in the Morning, to pray unto their falſe Gods. And the Primitive Chriſtians were wondered at by the Heathen, for their early Devotions. Pliny, in an Epiſtle of his unto the Emperour Trajan, and Tertullian in his Apologeticks for the Chriſtians, do report of the Aſſemblies of the Chriſtians before Day-break, to pray and call upon the Name of God. And there hath been, and ſtill …s, a ſuperſtitious abuſe of this among …he Papiſts, who call their Morning…rayers their Maitins, becauſe they begin early in the Morning. Seek firſt the Kingdom of God, ſaith our Saviour, Mat. 5.33. Firſt in Time, notonly principally, but in the firſt place, ſeek it early …n the Morning; put it not behind to the latter end of the Day, or in the latter end of your Employments. It is beſt every Day to begin with God. It is the advice of a Reverend Man: If more neceſſary Duties call you not away, let ſecret Prayer by your ſelf alone, or with your Chamber-fellow, or both, go before the Common Prayers of the Family; and delay it not cauſeleſly, but if it may be, let it be firſt before any other work of the Day: Yet be not formal and ſuperſtitious to your Hours, as if God had abſolutely tied you to ſuch a time, &c. That hour is beſt for one, that may not be fit for another. Private Prayer is moſt ſeaſonable unto moſt, as ſoon as they are up and cloathed: To others, ſome other Hour may be freer and fitter. And thoſe that have not more neceſſary Duties, may do well to pray at all convenient opportunities. Thus he.
SECT. XIII. Of retiring our ſelves in the Morning to Pray, and to give Thanks.
IT is good to retire our ſelves into our Cloſets every Morning betimes, to Pray, and give Thanks unto the Lord. Here you may give thanks unto God for all Benefits received in general, and particularly for thoſe you have received the Night paſt, and at that inſtant, which at that time you are to ſet before you, that you may ſeaſon the Action with ſome new reliſh. But more eſpecially, when the Lord hath vouchſafed you any ſpecial, and (perhaps) unexpected Favour, it doth not beſeem you (as vain Worldlings) to look big, ſcorn every one, to whom the Lord hath not opened the Hand of his Bounty ſo wide as to your ſelves; but rather in an humble ſence of your unworthineſs, and admiration of God's Goodneſs, to retire your ſelves early, and pour out your Hearts in Prayer and Thankſgiving before the Lord.
So when the Lord hath given you ſpecial Teſtimonies of his Preſence and Favour, and revealed his Love unto you more fully then ordinarily, it is a fit time for you to enter into your Cloſets, there privately, and ſo the more freely, to open your Hearts unto the Lord, and to confirm your acquaintance with your Beloved; to endear your ſelf unto Jeſus Chriſt, and to caſt your ſelves into his embracements. The Lord by the Prophet Ezekiel, ſpeaking to the Church of Iſrael, ſaith, I paſſed by thee, and thy time was a time of Love. So a Chriſtian ſhould be watchful to obſerve the Lord paſſing by, and preſenting himſelf, and take notice of the times of Love, and then it will be his wiſdom to ſpend ſome time in private Prayer, Meditation, and Thankſgiving, and ſo to take his fill of Love: and to that end I commend the Morning as the fitteſt time for this purpoſe: If we are frequent in this Courſe, we ſhall grow more inward and entire with the Lord: Wherea when the Lord daily expreſſeth Love and Kindneſs to us, if we ſhould ſhew our ſelves coy, unkind, and regardleſs of his Love; this were the way to make him more ſtrange unto us. And indeed, the reaſon why we have no more communion with Chriſt for the moſt part, is becauſe we give him no better entertainment when he cometh. A Man of place and quality, if he ſhall come to viſit a Friend at his Houſe in the Morning, and ſhall hear that he is yet in his Bed, and will not riſe to keep him company, or perceive that every ſmall trifle will keep him out of ſight, he will not be an ordinary Gueſt at that Houſe. Now God is ſaid to viſit us every Morning, that is, as ſoon as the Day breaks, or the Sun is up, God is viſiting. What is Man, that thou ſhouldſt magnifie him, and ſet thine Heart upon him, and viſit him every Morning, &c. Job 7.17, 18. Our viſits are uſually in the Afternoon, it is an extraordinary thing to viſit one in the Forenoon, eſpecially very early in the Morning. God's viſits are extraordinary, he viſits in a Morning, and viſits every Morning; as often as the Morning returneth, ſo often doth he come and viſit us. God viſits us (as one ſaith) in a Morning as a Shepherd viſits his Flock, leſt any ſhould be hurt, or ſtrayed away. As ſure as the Sun riſeth, or the Morning cometh, ſo God viſiteth us with Mercies: Therefore his Mercies are ſaid to be renewed every Morning, Lamen. 3.23. Or freſh every Morning.