A CHRISTIAN CAVEAT FOR ALL ESTATES.  
OR A Sermon, preached by that Religious servant of GOD, Master GEORGE HOCKIN, Bachelor of Divinity, Fellow of Excester College, and Preacher to the Town of Totnes in Devon.  PSAL. 105.5. 
Remember ye his marvelous works that he hath done: his wonders and the judgements of his mouth.  
LONDON Printed by William Stansby. 1622.   

TO The virtuous and truly religious, Mistress P. I. increase of all spiritual grace and true comfort here, with assurance of eternal glory and happiness hereafter.  
THese holy and heavenly Meditations, were by the Author of them at first, conceived upon the occasion of the decease of a religious Gentleman, with whom he was much conversant: Good Wine needeth no Garland, it will praise itself: so I persuade myself, will this ensuing Sermon, which a learned, holy, and faithful Servant of God, formerly, Viva voce, in public sounded in your ears, and in the ears of many others, which it furnished with the best and rarest things which Canaan, Greece, and Rome doth yield. There is scarce in the Book of God, a Mine, that is more rich and abundant in exhorting men to remember their Creator, than the Text handled in this Sermon. This Treatise will afford good help to those that will deign, diligently to peruse the same. For, herein the learned shall meet with some things not common, perhaps not to increase, yet to renew his secret knowledge, and whet his judgement; and also the godly Christian shall not want wherewith to feed his devoutest Meditations, and enkindle his best affections toward God. But lest I do seem like some deceitful Broker, 
Laudat venales qui vult extrudere merces, Horat.  to set worth on worthless Wares, by goodly words; I will leave the proof hereof to the judicious, and not fastidious Readers. I lighting upon this Sermon, of that both learned and godly Divine, Master George Hockin (of whose gracious ability in preaching God's Word, and of whose conscionable care in performing his Ministerial office, many can witness) as a poor Orphan Babe of a deceased Friend, for the memory of its Author, have adventured to show myself so fare on this Theatre, as to set it forth to public view, and to make it common for the benefit of others. I presume, good men will both accept my good meaning, and con me thanks, who have set up for them such a fair and clear light, to light them onward in the way that will lead them to eternal bliss. The Lord grant, that it may have that success in such as are religiously affected, which, he that gave first life unto it in studying, and brought it forth by preaching, intended, and I in consenting and causing to have it Printed, desire: so shall young and old, the feeble, weak, and doubting Christian, be taken by the hand, and we all shall be of the number of them which follow Faith, to the conservation of our souls: which the Lord for jesus Christ his sake grant. Amen.  
Yours in his best desires, I. C.   

A CHRISTIAN CAVEAT FOR ALL ESTATES.  ECCLESIASTES 12.1. 
And remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth, before the evil days come, and the years approach, of which thou wilt say, I have no pleasure in them.  
SOLOMON was Son unto the worthiest King, that ever swayed Sceptre upon Earth; he was the Son of a King, a King himself, and the Father of a King, and Predecessor in the royal Line unto the Son of GOD, and for Nobility matchless. He was King of jerusalem, which was the City of GOD, the Lady of the World, the holy City, the perfection of Beauty, and the joy of the whole Earth. In speculative knowledge, he excelled the wisdom of all the Children of the East, and all the wisdom of Egypt. He was able to discourse from the Cedar tree, that is in Lebanon, even unto the Hyssop, that springeth out of the wall. He was the most fit and absolute man that ever lived, both for ability and understanding, abundance of riches, and sufficiency of all Creatures. This King exhorteth young men to remember GOD in their youth. The flower of youth will vanish away, therefore, Remember thy Creator in youth; it is the best way, and the only way, to turn away anger and evil, always to remember the power, goodness, and justice of GOD the Creator. The dependence these words have on the former, is in this sort; Solomon having exhorted Youth in their youth and prime-time, to remember their Maker. He said before, take away grief out of thy heart, that is, all those things which provoke the anger of GOD; cause evil to departed from thy flesh, that is, all punishment which comes from GOD'S anger; And remember thy Creator. This Text containeth two things.  

First, An exhortation to godliness in youth, And remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth.  
Secondly, A reason taken from the manifold infirmities of old age, Whiles the evil days come not, nor the years approach, wherein thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them.   
The sum and sense is this; Solomon, a man experienced, willed young men to remember GOD that made them, and that in their youth; not that they should forget him in their old age, but they should begin betime to know GOD, and so continue, whiles they continue on earth; there is good cause so to do, for he made them, brought them into the world, and bought them too; and they should remember him here, that he might remember them hereafter, before old age, weak age, and doteage come; before weakness, sickness, sorrowfulness, and other infirmities happen, which accompany old age.  
Or Solomon puts the dissolute young man in mind of judgement; there he shows him, how to escape it, by avoiding the anger of GOD, namely, to remember jehovah.  
Thus you have seen Solomon's meaning: now, to speak of some such profitable instructions, as these words shall afford.  
And remember. 
Text. ] The true and serious remembrance of GOD, is an especial remedy against sin; and the forgetting of GOD, a cause of sin. GOD himself commandeth it in the Scripture, saying, Remember jehovah thy God, for it is he which giveth the power to get substance, Deut. 8.18. David, from GOD, willed the people not to forget GOD'S Works, but to keep his Commandments, Psalm. 78.7. Here we may see plainly, that the remembrance of GOD keepeth us from sinning, as the wicked do. GOD commandeth joshuah to remember him continually, that he might live well, and prosper, saying, The book of the Law shall not departed out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that so thou mayest observe to do all things therein, and then thou shalt make thy ways prosperous, and have good success, Josh. 1.8. Remember that those are commonly the best opportunities of mercy and pardon, which are most early offered; and these are hardly recovered, when through wilful contempt, or slight negligence, carnal and foolish ease, they have been long contemned. Let all remember their Creator in their youth.  
Doct. That the only means to escape God's wrath, is to remember him. God gave Israel a Law, to be continued to their posterity; namely, to remember God and keep his Commandments, that so they might not be a faithless and stubborn Generation, who set not aright their hearts, and whose spirit cleaveth not steadfastly unto God, like their forefathers; and the children of Ephraim, who kept not God's Covenant, forgetting God and his wondrous works, Psal. 78.5. to 12. Here we may see plainly, that the remembrance of God is a means to escape his wrath. When the Lord had given the Israelites abundance and plenty of all things, lest they should fall into pride, unthankfulness, and other sins, he giveth them this caveat, saying; When thou hast eaten, and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwell therein; and when thy Herds and thy Flock, and all thou is multiplied, beware, and take thou heed, thou forgettest not the Lord thy God; and lest thy heart be lifted up, and thou forget the Lord thy God; but remember the Lord thy God, Deut. 8.10 to 18. The Apostle jude, writing against the wicked Seducers, that lived in his time, prescribeth this as a remedy to escape God's wrath, Remember the words of the Apostles of jesus Christ, jude 17. David showing, what a combat he had with Diffidence and Distrust, acknowledgeth this to be his remedy, whereby he got the victory, the remembrance of God; and so after confession of the combat, he saith. And, I said, this is mine infirmity, but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High, I will remember the works of the Lord; surely, I will remember thy wonders of old, I will meditate also of all thy works, Psal. 77.10. We must remember to serve and walk with God by days, not by weeks and months only, Psal. 90.12.  
As the chiefest means to escape God's wrath, is to remember the Lord; so, the speediest means to draw down his judgements, is to forget the Lord. Now, consider this, ye that forget God, that is, him and his judgements against sin, lest I tear you, there is the greatness of their judgement, and there be no Rescuer, that is, no hope of deliverance, Psal. 50.22. The wicked shall turn into hell, and all the Heathens that forget God, Psael. 9.18. When the people forgot the Lord their God, he sold them into the hand of Sisera, Captain of the Host of Hazor; and into the hand of the Philistims, and into the hand of the King of Moab, and they fought against them, 1. Sam. 12.9. Seeing thou hast forgotten the Law of thy God, I will also forget thy children, Hos. 4.6. If men forget God, he will forget them, forget to show mercy, but he will remember to execute justice and wrath. Thou hast forgotten the mighty God that begat, and hast forgotten God that form thee; what then, the Lord saw it and was angry, Deut. 32.18, 19 If God's words can work us to his will, he will spare his blows. He hath as little delight in smiting as we in suffering. He rejoiceth in his own goodness, grieveth at our wretchedness. God amplifieth this sin of forgetfulness; Can a Maid forget her ornaments, or a Bride her attire, yet my people have forgotten me days without number, jere. 2.32. as if he had said, their Ornaments, jewels, and Rings, are but toys and trifles. Is there any Ornament like me? Is there any jewel amongst them all, that can be compared with me? Men remember their friends often, and call them to mind. An old man will remember his bag, yet he will forget God: shall such things take up men's memories? and shall God be thrust out?  
Reas. 1 First, We must remember God our Creator; he made us happy, but mutable; but Satan by deceit did cast us from that happy condition, whereby, besides the loss of that felicity, we were plunged into extreme misery, which consisteth in two things: First, in sin: Secondly, the curse following upon it. Through sin, the Understanding is filled with blindness, the conscience wounded, seared, and defiled: the Memory forgetting good things, or not remembering any thing aright: the Will captive, of no strength to good, but only to evil: the Affections, altogether disordered: the Cogitations about heavenly matters, are errors, falsehood, and lies: the Wishes and Desires of the Heart are earthly and fleshly. The Curse maketh us subject to Deaths and Famines; in Body to sickness, and other pains. We should remember God, because he promised the Messiah, Gen. 3.15. because he hath bought us with a price, 1. Cor. 7.23. because he hath preserved us, and in the end will glorify us. If a man be sanctified with the divine Nature, in which glory is begun, he is justified; if justified, then called according to purpose; if called, then predestinate; if predestinate to means, then foreknown, as one chosen to the end, even to glory. Of God we receive every good thing, jam. 1.17. therefore we should remember him. Every ache and pain is a memento, to put us in mind of God. How great is our sin, if we forget him.  
We should remember God, because of his allseeing Reas. 2 Wisdom, for he seethe all things we do, though never so secretly; he heareth every word we speak, though never so tacitly. He that planted the ear, shall he not hear; or he that form the eye, shall he not see, Psal. 94.9. He knoweth vain man, and seethe iniquity, job 11.11. Thou knowest my sitting and my rising, thou understandest my thoughts afar off. Thou compassest my paths, and my lying down, and art accustomed to all my ways. For, There is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, thou knowest it wholly, O Lord, Psal. 139.2, 3, 4. We should remember his justice, he is righteous, and must needs punish, he is a mighty God, and is able to punish. There is nothing wanting in him, which is fit to be in one, on whom we are to place our trust. He is able to help us because he hath power; what a power is that which keeps us to salvation, who have so little strength, and less wisdom, whereby we might stand; nay, he is Omnipotent, Gen. 17.1. He is willing, because he love's us so dearly, joh. 3.16. Nay, to the death, Precious in the sight of the Lord, is the death of his Saints, Psal. 116.15. He is skilful, because all the treasures of knowledge and wisdom are hid in him, Coloss. 2.3. He is mindful, because his eyes are always open upon us, he doth neither slumber nor sleep, Psal. 121.4. He is careful, because he is Lord and King over all, he is the King of Kings, 1. Tim. 6.15. And he biddeth us, cast all our care upon him, 1. Pet. 5.7. We cannot search these things to the full, for to see things unvisible, and search things unsearchable, are alike impossible.  
Reas. 3 We should remember God, for he hath given us many helps of memory: First, he hath given us the Scriptures, his Word, an Epistle sent us from Heaven, that by reading and hearing it, we might remember him. For he that forgetteth the Word of God, will soon forget God, and he that remembreth the Word, will remember God the author of the Word. Secondly, we have the Sacraments, which are tokens of God's love, which should cause us to remember God. Thirdly, the creatures should put us in mind of God, every one representing, either the power, goodness, or mercy of God; every tree, and every leaf, every flower, and every grass, every stone; nay, every sand doth set forth his goodness. The greater is our sin if we forget him, having so many means to remember him. Should a Son forget is Father, who hath left him many tokens to remember him by? If a Husband departing from home, should leave many Memorials with his Wife, on every Door, Wall, and Post, a remembrance, that she can go no where, but she must needs remember him; yea, if she have his Signet on her finger, that so, as often as she looks on her finger, she may remember him; how great were her fault, to forget him, or how were it possible, not to remember him. The Almighty God hath thus dealt with us, in the world, which is his House, he hath left every where remembrances. If a Woman remember her Husband, seeing his Ring, she should remember God, seeing her finger, which his Finger made; and her hands, the work of his Hands. When I beheld the Heavens, even the works of thy Fingers, the Moon and the Stars which thou hast ordained, Psal. 8.3.  
Great benefits should cause us remember God: Reas. 4 What maketh us so to sin, but the forgetting of God, therefore it is often said of the Israelites, they forgot God, and served Baalim; as if he should say, they never would have committed Idolatry, if they had not forgotten God; They have perverted their way, and forgotten the Lord their God, jer. 3.21. The latter is the cause of the former, and so, forgetters of God, are put for wicked men. Now, as forgetfulness of God causeth sin, witness Adulterers, Drunkards, and such like, which will confess they forgot God: so the remembrance of God is the cause of obedience, for he that remembreth God, will fear to offend him, and endeavour to please him.  
The use of this point is for our instruction, that Use 1 we should be the more careful to remember the Lord. First, God commandeth it, and Gods Commandments must be obeyed; If he consent and obey, he shall eat the good things of the Land, Esay 1.19. Whatsoever we ask; we receive of him, because we keep his Commandments, and do those things which are pleasing in his sight, 1. john 3.22. If we read the Scriptures, hear the Word, blessed shall we be if we keep it, Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of the Prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein; Revel. 1.3. Our Goods, Cattles, Corn, and all things belonging to us, shall be blessed of God; if we obey his voice, and do as he would have us; yea, our children shall be blessed after us, Blessed is the upright man, and blessed shall his seed be after him, Pro. 20.7. Yea, as David speaketh, Blessed is the man that meditates in the Law of God day and night; For he shall be like a Tree, planted by the Rivers of Waters, Psal. 1, 2, 3. No good thing will the Lord withhold from them that live uprightly, Psal. 84.11. On the contrary, even those things which in their own nature are the good blessings of God, shall be accursed of God: And the Lord will in his wrath, and in his hot anger, curse our blessings. This Commandment is for you, If ye will hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory to my Name, saith the Lord of Hostes. I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings; yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not consider it in heart, Malach. 2.2. Secondly, the promises which God hath made to such as remember him, should be a means to stir us up to remember him, he hath promised to be with his to the end of the world, Matth. 28.20. Never to fail them, nor forsake them, Heb. 13.5. He promised to give his Son, the first begotten, and the only begotten, john 3.16. Luke 2.7. And in him what rare matter can we wish for, which is not in him to be found. Would we have Wisdom, he is the essential Wisdom of the Father, the object of all true Wisdom, which tendeth to salvation, in him is our Wisdom, not only while we walk by faith at home in this body, but also when we shall walk by sight with the Lord, seeing him as he is. All the treasure of Wisdom and Understanding are hid in him, Col. 2.3. Would we have Righteousness, he is essentially righteous, as God in our name; habitually and actually Righteous. He is jehovah our Righteousness, jer. 23.6. The Sun of Righteousness, that person which hath brought with him everlasting Righteousness. Would we have Redemption, with him is great redemption, Psal. 130.7. Through him have we redemption, that is, Forgiveness of our sins, Col. 1.14. By him we do wait for the Redemption of our bodies, Rom. 8.23. Christ was powerful in the eternal providence of God, before creation for our election; powerful in time appointed for our Vocation, justification, Sanctification; powerful for our perseverance, and final consummation. He is God, what seek we? He is God, what desire we? This Son was promised, and this Son is come. God first promised protection from hurt in his service; he undertakes to keep damage from his, while they are occupied in his service. When all the Males should go up to jerusalem thrice in the year, and none but weak women and children left at home, yet God doth undertake, that no enemy should have the heart to break in on them, Exod. 34.24. Secondly, God promiseth to bestow on us every thing that is good, nay, all good. Thirdly, God promiseth to his a cheerful use, of all the good benefits vouchsafed them. Did not josiah eat and drink, and prosper, while he executed judgement and justice? jere. 22.15. Godliness hath not only the promises of this life, but of the life to come, 1. Tim. 4.8. He that gives the head, gives hair also. God giveth us his Kingdom and Righteousness, which are principal; how should he not add these inferior things also, which are but accessary to the other. God will not stand for small matters with them to whom he will give heaven. This God, who is so gracious; this God, who is so glorious; this God, who is so merciful and liberal, must be remembered. Thirdly, the dangers which follow the forgetfulness of God, should incite us to remember God. Such as forget God, shall be punished. Forgetfulness, is a cause of, first, Spiritual punishment: secondly, of Corporal: thirdly, of Eternal. It is a cause of spiritual punishment in the soul, of corporal punishments in the body; and of eternal, both in body and soul, at the day of judgement.  
Use 2 Secondly, it is a reproof of those who forget God, and cast the remembrance of him behind their backs; for what else do they, who swear at every word, and the more they swear, the better men they account themselves. If they did remember God, who saith, Swear not at all, Matth. 5.34. And the words of the Apostle james, Before all things, my Brethren, swear not, jam. 5.12. If they did remember God's Truth, justice, and Power; his Truth, that he is a Defender of; his justice, that he is a Revenger of the breakers of it; his Power, that he is able to execute his Vengeance, if they swear falsely, they would never swear vainly. First, the matter of an Oath must be Truth. Secondly, the manner must be in judgement. Thirdly, the square in Righteousness; all these the Prophet rehearseth, Thou shalt swear the Lord liveth in Truth, in judgement, and in Righteousness, jere. 4.2. If Sabbath breakers did remember God, they would not commit sacrilege, in stealing from him three parts of his Sabbath, to their own uses; and for the fourth, as good never a whit, as never the better. If they did remember the Commander, God, the matter commanded, which is the sanctifying of the Sabbath, and spending of it in holy exercises, they would not spend it so profanely as they do, seeing it is a sign that God is their God, that doth sanctify them a solemn holiday, wherein he declareth his love and care over them; a Day, wherein he offereth unto them his holy things, as his Word, Sacraments, and all heavenly and holy riches, a principal means of their sanctification and salvation; a Day, which he hath appointed, wherein every one should profess their Faith, Love, and Obedience, to his heavenly Majesty. If they did remember God, which commit adultery, they would be ashamed of such behaviour, they would not do it for a world, for it is most hurtful, most unfruitful, most shameful, most abominable, and most damnable. It hurteth, First, the body: Secondly, the soul: Thirdly, the estate: Fourthly, the good name: Fiftly, the life. It ariseth, first, from an unregenerate heart, which is the harbour of filthy lusts, for out of the heart proceed adulteries, fornications, Matth. 15.19. Secondly, from original Concupiscence, which is like a home-born Traitor, lurking secretly, under-mining covertly, creeping privily, enticing vehemently, betraying treacherously into the hands of the Devil; a woman would not commit adultery if she remembered; first, the Commandment, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Exod. 20.14. Secondly, her husband to whom she is married, who is one flesh with her, Gen. 2.24. Thirdly, the Covenant which she hath made, forsaking all others, and cleaving unto her husband, Matth. 19.5. Fourthly, the punishment, which is damnation, without true repentance.  

Text.  Thy Creator.] As if he should say, he made thee, therefore thou must remember him, or else thy sin will be the greater in forgetting him. The Ox knoweth his Owner, and the Ass his Master's manger, Esa. 1.3. and will not Man know his Creator. And God said, Let us make Man, Gen. 1.26. he did not say, Let Man be made; as he said, Let there be Light: neither did he command the Elements to bring forth Man; as he commanded the Earth to bud forth Herbs, Grass, and such like; or the Waters to bring forth Fish; but, as it were, consulting, he saith, Let us make Man. The Creation of Man was the work of the whole Trinity, so was the Regeneration of Man. We are baptised in the Name of the Father, because he adopteth us to be Sons; in the Name of the Son, because he hath bought us with his Blood; in the Name of the Holy Ghost, because by him we are Sanctified. Our Creator must be remembered above all, because he is above all, and before all. God is so the Creator, that he is the alone Creator.  
Doct. That Man's creation bindeth him to remember God; Remember thy Creator: he did make thee an excellent Creature. Hath not one God created us, Malac. 2.10. He alone fashioned us in the womb, job 31.15. Unto us there is but one God, which is the Father, of whom are all things, 1. Cor. 8.6. He that hath built all things is God, Heb. 3.4. There is none besides me, I am the Lord, and there is none other. I form the Light, and create Darkness; I, the Lord, do all these things, Esa. 45.6, 7. I am the Lord that made all things, and spread out the Heavens above, Esa. 44.24. He alone spreadeth out the Heavens, job 9.8. From all this we may gather, that the creation of man, and of all things else, must be attributed to God only. Nature bindeth Children to remember their Parents. Duty bindeth Scholars to remember their Tutors; Charity bindeth Christians to remember the poor, the Law bindeth men to eschew evil and sin; Sin, as it hardens, so it weakens; the Gospel bindeth men to believe; and the Creation bindeth men to remember the Creator.  
Reas. 1 First, Man's creation bindeth him to remember God, because Man hath his being from God. It is proper to God to produce a Thing from no Being to a Being, for he calleth Things that are not, as if they were by his Almightiness. God is of infinite power, able to do whatsoever he will, and to hinder whatsoever he will not have done; by his respective power, and by his absolute power, able to do more than he will. Some Creatures have a being only, as Heaven and Earth, Meteors in the one, and Metals in the other. Some a Being and Life also, as Plants and Beasts, which with Life have Senses joined. Some Being, Life, Sense, light of Understanding and Reason, as Angels and Men. Man, having his breath from God; for, God breathed into him the breath of Life, Gen. 2.7. that is, a living Soul, by the virtue of the eternal Spirit, was inspired into an Elementary body, to use it as an instrument, should make Man remember his Creator. Man having from God his being, and his breath, his life, and living; his motion, and moving, should remember his Creator.  
Reas. 2 Man should remember God his Creator, because he made him an excellent Creature, complete and full of the true knowledge of God and of holiness, without any the least want or defect. As in the first Adam, mankind was made; so in the latter, it was restored: the Elect came from Christ by Regeneration, as all men from Adam by Generation. Though Adam did fall grievously, yet Believers are more happy in the second Adam rising, then in the first Adam falling; in Christ saving, then in Adam sinning. God made Adam plain, but they sought out many conceits, Eccles. 7.31. And so do their children in all folly. In that God made Man, and Christ regenerateth Man, and restoreth that which was decayed in him; this should move Man to remember his Creator.  
The first use, may reprove such men as know not Use 1 their Maker. Many wear God's cloth, that know not their Master, that never did good work in his service; he hath many retainers, that wear his Livery for a countenance, never wait on him. Many that eat his meat, that never acknowledge the Giver. Many protected by him, see it not. Many afflicted, yet seek him not diligently, Hos. 5.15. He strikes them, but they sorrow not; he consumes them, but they refuse his correction, jere. 5.3. He gives to such as are unthankful, clotheth such as are proud, helpeth such as are unworthy, and provideth for such as are wicked. He that giveth all good things, hath little or nought given him again. Where he should be loved, he is hated; and of whom he should be honoured, he is dishonoured. God's love towards us, hath been from all eternity. Some, as wine, doth receive the greater praise by the age of it: old wine is the best, and ancient love is the most approved. How much do we esteem of such a friend, as hath borne us good will for some twenty or forty years together? The more reckoning we should make of God's love, which hath been eternal. Before Christ we were enemies to God, there was nothing to be seen in us, but sin and misery, nor any thing to draw God's affection toward us, but his own free and good pleasure: now, that love we have deserved, we the less esteem; but such love as is freely conferred on us, we do make more store of.  
Use 2 The second Use, not only the Creation bindeth Man to remember God, but all other his benefits wherewith Man is compassed about. Many are the works of mercy, which God hath bestowed on Man; besides the Creation, all of them binding Man to remember God. First, Man's Redemption by Christ. Of all the works of mercy, this chief aught to be remembered, for it is the chiefest work; the freedom of Sinners, both from the guilt and power of sin. By whom we have Redemption through his Blood, even the forgiveness of sins, Ephes. 1.7. To have sin forgiven, is to be redeemed, or set free from all evil. That which Paul calleth in the former words, Redemption, is afterward called Remission of sin. What is forgiveness of sin, but an act of Grace, acquitting us from all the guilt, and the whole punishment of all our sin; and as men speak of Redemption, so they may speak of Remission. Secondly, the work of Preservation, is another great benefit of God, which is a keeping men free and safe from dangers, and from hurt by enemies: Preserve me, O Lord, for I trust in thee, Psal. 16.1. What shall I do unto thee, O thou Keeper of men, job 7.20. He preserveth both Man and Beast, Psal. 36.6. Thou preservedst them all, Nehe. 9.6. Thirdly, the work of Sustentation bindeth Man to remember God, for God up-holdeth his Children, that they take not a fall by sin and calamity, or that they take no hurt by such falls. The Lord sustained me, Psal. 3.5. He maketh me to rest in green pastures, and leadeth me by the still waters. He restoreth my soul, and leadeth me in the paths of Righteousness, for his Names sake, Ps. 23.2, 3. Many other benefits are men compassed withal, to bind them to remember God.  
In the days of thy youth.] It is good for children to learn to know God, even in youth, 
Text.  whiles they are young, for so much Solomon teacheth here, saying, In the days of thy youth.  
Doct. That because youth is most prone to forget God, it is needful they should be exhorted to remember God. Youth is most prone to forget God, for they are in the flower of their age, in the roof of pride, and in the heat of lust, having by nature corrupt hearts, and carnal desires, living in pleasures, passing their time in mirth, all which makes them forget God. Though young men do not always break out into notorious wickedness, yet they are subject to youthful wantonness, and unstaiednesse of affection, which if it break not out, yet it makes them forgetful of God, and less careful of good things. This looseness is the way to lewdness, this weakness is the high way to wickedness, this God's children (being regenerate) see, which before they saw not. Hence is it, that David prayeth, Lord remember not the sins of my youth, Psal. 25.7. Of all man's life, Youth commonly is most vain; The imaginations of man's heart is evil from his youth, jer. 8.21. We are all transgressors from the womb, Esa. 48.8. In sin hath my Mother conceived me, Psal. 51.5. Even from the Belly have they erred, Ps. 58.3. For the sins of youth, God often punisheth men in their age, so making them to inherit the iniquities of their youth job 13.26. The Prophet saith, We and our Father (have sinned) from our youth, jer. 3.25. Shall we think they in their youth committed gross sins, as Adultery, Drunkenness, Murder, and such like, which were so holy men, as job and jeremy: surely no, but they confessed the sins of their youth, their wantonness and forgetfulness of God, their too much love of pleasure, their youthfulness. Solomon saith, Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child, Pro. 22.15. therefore childhood and youth are vanity, not in themselves, but because they are often spent in vanity. Survey those which are more than ordinary young men, which have the best wits, and are thought to be of the best disposition, and their youth will hardly be found without vanity; nay, not only those young men, that are best in civil gifts, but in spiritual graces, as Timothy, find childhood and youth to be vanity, Eccl. 11.10. Timothy did tame his body, and bring it into subjection, so that Paul was fain to bid him to drink wine, 1. Tim. 5.23. yet he had this memento given him, fly the lusts of youth, 2. Tim. 2.22. Young men see not vanity when they are young, but they may perceive it when they are old: for now, their consciences are like water in a basin, if the water be troubled, the face cannot be seen, but when it is settled, it may: so, all is troubled in youth, but when maturity of years come, than it will stand still, and they may see their faces. David being old prayed against sins of youth. Because it is so hard, for a young man to remember God, and to be holy; David breaketh off his meditation abruptly, into this, wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his ways, Psal. 119.9. And David using the word cleansing, compareth the young man to a glass, which though it be very clean, yet will gather filth in the Sun beams. As a rick of Hay put up wet, set itself on fire: so have the hearts of young men enough in them to inflame them.  
Young men should remember their Creator in Reas. 1 their youth, lest accustoming to forget God in youth, they do not remember him in old age. Customs is another nature, and can hardly be altered. Can the Black-More change his skin, or the Leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil, jer. 13.23. This young men get by continuing in sin, they cannot leave it, many cannot leave swearing, lying, stealing, when they are old, because they practised them when they were young. If I should be demanded, why there are so few good old men: I answer, because there were so many naughty young men, for youth spent in vanity, commonly ends old age in profaneness. The Prophet calleth some sins Crimson sins, sins of a double die, Esay 1.18. If it be right Purple, it is died both in the Wool and in the Thread, and then it is deep. So, if Satan die us in our Wool, in our youth, before we be men, before we be made cloth, it is likely to stick by us. It is in a man, as in other things, in breaking of Horses, luring of Hawks, training of Dogs, which must be done while they are young: so must man in his youth, be trained up in the fear of the Lord. The Diseases of the Spring, are more curable than those of Autumn: So the sins of youth are more curable than those of age, but when a man is soaked in them, he is past cure. If Satan can make our youth unprofitable, there cannot any good be looked for of the after ages, without the great mercy of Almighty God. Hence cometh those speeches of sins, which a man hath continued in; I would feign, but I cannot leave them, whereby it comes to pass, that where one doth recover, forty rot away. If the Devil nip the Blossom, what hope is there of Fruit. When a man hath long had a trusty Servant, he is loath to forego him, he will rather increase his wages: So, the Devil will be loath to forego him in his age, who served him in his youth. The sins of youth stick fast by a man, he can hardly leave them, youth being like a new Mortar, wherein if you stamp Garlic, it will a long time smell of it; and though they repent and come home, yet they carry the smell of the Garlic Morter wheresoever they go. The vessel will relish of the first liquor: What injury do men to themselves, by living profanely in youth, when they be old, they dare not reprehend so sharply as others, nor punish so severely as they should, because the sins of their youth are so in their foreheads, that all men see them. God will have the first fruits, and the first borne are due to him. The Autumn cannot see the fruit of those trees, whose blossoms the spring-time never saw. If men begin not to love virtue in youth, it will be a harsh thing for them for to woo her in old age, when the thread of life shall be tentred, and drawn even to the utmost length.  
Because the Devil hath a special affection to this Reas. 2 age, knowing that if he get youth, he hath oftentimes man's age too. Satan doth not easily forsake his hold, nor surrender his possession; though he be not an Angel of light, 2. Cor. 11.14. yet he would be like one. Though he seldom speak truth, yet he is more believed than God the Author of truth. Though he damned many Souls, yet he is served by youth, and followed by them in troops. He hath such varieties of pleasures, which he presenteth to them that they are bewitched by them, he is an unreasonable, insatiable, usurping tyrant, yet youth will not hearken to God's word, who saith, resist the devil, jam. 4.7. It is lamentable, that no age doth so much despise the Word, as youth, which must stand in need of it. It is now a rare thing to find among young men, a joseph, or a Samuel, where they should live as Nazarites, consecrated to the Lord, Amos 2.11. they are rather like men, who have vowed and dedicated themselves unto Satan. As the sons of Eli despised the rebuke of their father: So young men now (for the most part) are impatient of of the rebukes of the Word, contemning the medicine. The prodigal son had four provocations; First, his portion; Secondly, his father's indulgence; Thirdly, ill company; Fourthly, youth, these the Devil useth as so many baits, to take young men withal, these hurt young men much. Till the portion was spent, the prodigal thought not upon returning home. The prodigal man, while he spendeth, is magnified, when he is spent is pitied, and that is all his recompense for his lavishing. The indulgence of the father to connive & wink at the faults of their Children, doth breed in their Children a forgetfulness of their Creator. Ill company hurt youth, for such are they for the most part as they are, with whom familiarly they live, and with whom for the most part they spend their time. All waters in temperature, in colour, and in taste, agree with the nature and the disposition of those grounds, and of that earth, through which they make their secret passages, and their ways: In like manner men practise those things, which by frequent custom, they have derived to themselves, from those with whom they have conversed. Youth is so wanton and wild, so rude and unruly, so lose and lewd, that unless God save, the Devil will destroy; unless God draw them, the Devil will keep them.  
Reas. 3 Young men should remember their Creator in youth, considering their natural corruption, they are corrupt Children, Esa. 1.4. They know nothing but how to corrupt themselves, their ways, their lives, their actions, their neighbours by evil council, and evil examples, themselves by evil exercises. This natural corruption is most deformed, a monster both ugly and fearful. If natural corruption will have young men eat till they surfeit, and drink till they be drunk, you shall find multitudes of them that will do it, though they consume goods, body, estate, and dam the Soul. If natural corruption will have young men be wantoness, there will be some that will fit and address themselves for it, by lurking here and there in corners; frequenting dishonest places, using idle and immodest Exercises; corrupt and rotten communication, stuffed with vain unfruitful jests, and profane passages. It is a thing most lamentable, and never enough to be bewailed, to see many young persons, whose daily practice and trade of life, is to corrupt their flesh in lying, deceiving, seeking unlawful and  gains; slandering and backbiting their neighbours; spending their time wantonly and wickedly, for which, one day they must give account to GOD.  
The first use, serveth for our instruction, seeing Use 1 young men are hardest to be reform, they should learn to be Godly in their youth. It is good for a man to bear the yoke in his youth, Lament. 3.17. It is good for a man to remember his Creator in his youth. Some will say, shall youth spend no time in pleasure? What, not half a man's youth? Not a day now and then, not an hour? Surely, GOD will not allow a minute of time to be spent in vain. Young men will say, we will become good, and live Gravely hereafter, and behave ourselves soberly, we will amend when we are old. This is to make a covenant with the Devil, thou wilt be Gods, but not yet. As Foelix said to Paul; Go thy way for this time, and when I have convenient time, I will call for thee, Act. 24.26. But Foelix was removed, Festus put in his room, and Paul continues bound still: So young men say to goodness, to grace, and to God; go your ways for a time; and when we are old and sickly, than we will send for you, but God will turn away, Satan will come in place, and young men will be left in their sins. First, how knowest thou, thou shalt live till thou be old; do not many die in their youth? And why not thou? If thou dost, what will become of thy soul. Secondly, if thou live till thou be old, how knowest thou whether then thou shalt remember God or no? Is it in thy power? No, because men forget God being young, he forgets them, and makes them forget him being old. Thirdly, if thou dost remember him, what great matter dost thou; offer it to thy Prince, will he accept it? That which is unfit for the World, is it good enough for God? Wilt thou offer him thy old age, thy doteage, a bag of dry bones? Will not he have the first fruits of thy Corn, and the fat of thy flock, and wilt thou give the clean corn of youth to the Devil, and the husks and chaff of old age to God? wilt thou sacrifice the fat of thy Flock to the Devils, and the lean to God? wilt thou forgive thy enemies, when thou canst hurt them no longer? wilt thou give thy goods to the poor, when thou canst keep it no longer? wilt thou leave sin, when sin leaves thee? and wilt thou serve God when it pleaseth thee; is God at thy command, is he bound to thee, not thou to him.  
It is a reproof of those that are the Proctors, and Use 2 Patrons of sins of youth. They say, what shall youth do, shall they be mortified so young? shall not youth be merry and jovial, shall they be sober a●d grave so young? then you will have no life in them belike. Others say, a young Saint, an old Devil. A young Devil may become an old Saint, but a young Saint can never become an old Devil. Others say, youth is youth, and youth must have a swinge. Others of a ragged colt comes a good horse; a knavish boy becomes a good man. Either Solomon was not wise, or they are stark fools in so saying, he saith, Remember God in thy youth. Let young men learn by Elies' children, how they were cut off ere age came. To put off such things to old age, is as if a carrier having many horses, should put all his carriage on the weakest and poorest, having many better. Young men have many better days and years to repent in; Delaying of repentance is dangerous, deadly, and damnable. If a wound be not cured before it rot, it becomes oftentimes incurable. If the fire be not quenched in time, it becomes unquenchable; and if flesh be not salted before it stink, it becomes so unsavoury, that it cannot be mended. If a moat fall into the eye, or a thorn stick into the foot, we take them out without delay; but in things pertaining to the health of the soul, delay is much more dangerous. Satan seeks but a delay: God craves present repentance. It was offered by Moses to Pharaoh, when shall I pray for thee; and he answered to morrow, Exod. 9.10. It is offered by the Lord to man, when wilt thou that I have mercy on thee, many answer, when we are old. Miserable was Pharaoh who delayed Moses but one day: but more miserable are many men, who delay the Lord for many years. Some will first bury their Fathers, as the Disciple would, Math. 8.21. Some will first go and kiss their Fathers, that is delight yet a space in the pleasures of this life. God will have men now to turn, God will have the present time, Be wise now, Psal. 2.10. Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him, Josh. 24.14. Therefore also now saith the Lord, joel, 1.12. Consider this now, ye that forget God, Psal. 50.22. When Abraham was bid to circumcise his Family, he did not defer it, but circumcised them the same day, Gen. 17.23. As soon as Cornelius was willed to send for Peter, he sent immediately, Act. 10.33. That thou wilt do, do quickly in thy youth, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth, Pro. 27.1. He that is not now willing, may hereafter be more unwilling. I know no difference between the wise two Virgins, and the foolish, but that the one did it in time, which the other would fain have done out of time, and could not. The most profane men of the world are forced, in death to make their refuge to the Lord. Then the eye, and the hand are lifted up unto him, Then they cry for mercy, and desire all others to pray for them. If men were wise they would do that in time, which many would do, and do, at length when God sent laborers into his vineyard, he that was bad go in the morning, did not defer till noon, he that was called at noon did not defer his coming till night. Art thou called to day, defer not till too morrow, to day if thou wilt hear his voice, harden not thy heart, Heb. 3.15. To day is God's voice, to morrow is the devils, give God to day, that is thy youth. It is one of Satan's policies, to persuade men to repent when they are old, till all the time be past wherein Men should repent. This brings many to damnation, that where in their young years they will not repent, in their old age they cannot, the affections through long custom of sins, waxing strong, even then when the body is weak. Mark Satan's deceit, and put not off thy remembering of God to thy old age, for thy years may be shortened, thy faith weakened Satan advantaged, thy heart hardened, and it may be God in justice, and the devil in malice, will not suffer thee to remember thy Creator. How fearful a thing is it, to fall into the hands of God, who is a consuming fire, Heb. 12.29. As fire consumeth stubble: so the most severe God, will consume and destroy the wicked contemners of his Word. Think of it whiles there is hope, you young men that forget your Creator, heaven and hell, lest you miss the one, and come into the other, where there is no redemption, no hope of ease; or end, which is that that makes hell, hell indeed. If all the pains of hell might have an end, were it after million and millions of years, as many as there be Sands on the sea-shore, it might nourish some miserable comfort of a release in the long ruin. But this night hath no day, this Ague no intermission, this death no death, to end it withal.  

Text.  Before the evil days come.] The days void of all delight will come, all joy will fail, and sorrow upon sorrow befall. There are good days, that is, a blessed and happy life, wherein many good things befall us. If any Man love to see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, 1. Pet. 3.10. What Man is he that desireth life, and loveth long days for to see good, Psal. 34.12. And there are evil days, not that days are evil in themselves, but accidentally.  
Doct. That old age is called evil, because of the many evils it brings with it. Days are called evil, nor effectively, making men evil, nor essentially, as if a day in its own nature were evil; but accidentally in regard of the evil actions and events, which happen to men in that day. Evil days are times full of Sins and troubles, or troublesome & sinful times. The Apostle saith, Redeem the time, for the days are evil, Ephe. 5.16. jacob said to Pharaoh, few and evil have the days of my life been, Gene. 47 9 Evil, because they were full of troubles, full of afflictions, full of dangers. Our Saviour saith, Sufficient for the day, is the evil thereof, Mat. 6.34. That is the day brings with it, affliction, grief, and hurts. Many discommodities environ old men. Old age is a continual weakness, and a daily disease. Moses the man of God, saith, The days of our years are seventy years: and if by reason of strength they be eighty years, yet is the strength than labour and sorrow: for it is soon cut off, and we fly away, Psal. 90.10. If the longest period of days that men ordinarily live, be so short a time, and the longest time flieth so fast, then well might the Prophet say, that our days pass away as a tale that is told, Psal. 90.9. The more labours men undergo in their youth, the more matter of sorrow in old age. The stronger a man hath been, and the more labours he hath endured, the fuller of aches and pains will old age be. Old age is but a death, and Death comes flying. In old age there is weakness of body and of mind; for a man is twice a child, and then commonly they are as children again mewed up, and their children are either Parents or Lords over them, using them as Innocents'. Old men are deaf of hearing, and cannot hear good admonitions; dim-sighted, and cannot see to read, nor to go to the House of Prayer; they have feeble Knees, so that they cannot go; weak Loins, and faint Arms, the Heart is afflicted, the Head smitten, the Spirits waxing faint, the Breath smelling ill, the Face wrinkled, the Stature crooked, the Eyes dark, the joints weak, the Nose running, the Hairs falling, the Teeth rotting, and the Ears waxing deaf, insomuch that old age may be called, Evil days. In old age the Memory fails, old men wax dull, deaf, senseless, and speechless.  
Reas. 1 It brings many troubles, sorrows, and grieves with it, than men cannot help themselves, nor guide themselves, nor feed themselves, they cannot read to comfort themselves, nor repent (many of them) to solace themselves, they lie on their beds, as on the Rack from morning to night, crying out, some of one grief, some of another, than they fear to die, and some wish for Death, for whom they are not provided. Many aged people are inwardly vexed, and perplexed in conscience, so that they seek Death as a present ease, not considering how they leap out of the Smoke into the Flame, out of the Flame into the Fire, out of a curable Disturbance, into an irrecoverable Woe. How blockish is the manner of dying of many a Nabal, who strucken with the fear of Death and Hell, become as insensate as stocks and stones. Aged men fear Death, but not Hell, following Death; they fear the Thunder crack, not the Bolt; the report of the Piece, and not the Bullet; the Sergeants arrest, and not the Gaolers imprisonment: so, labouring to escape Death, which they cannot; not Hell, which they might.  
Reas. 2 If men learn to remember God in youth, they will be willing to die, old age will be a Crown and comfort to them, for after death they shall rest from their labours, Revel. 14.13. They that laboured valiantly are at rest, job 3.17. They learn in youth to know God, they know that if they be once old, they shall shortly die, and then they can sinne no more. Death, to the godly, is an entrance into joy. Michaela Caignoela, a noble Matron, seeing her judges look out of the windows, said to her fellow Martyrs; These stay to suffer the torment of their consciences, and are reserved to judgement, but we are going to glory and happiness. And two certain poor women weeping and crying! Oh Madam, we shall never now have more Alms; yes, hold you (saith she) yet once more, and plucked off her Slippers, and such other of her apparel, as she could with modesty spare from the fire. Death is to men as he comes attended; to the rich Man he came, followed with Devils, to carry his soul to hell, Luk. 16.22. to Lazarus, with troops of Angels, to convey him to Abraham's bosom. Death is the Atheists fear, and the Christians desire. Death is the irreligious rich man's Enemy, but the religious poor man's Friend.  
It shows the strange folly of many men, who Use 1 spend most of their time in profaneness, in pleasure, in vanities and vices. Insomuch, that if the Lord show not more then ordinary mercy, they will be no more fit in their old age to honour their Creator, than so many dead men. What madness is it then, especially in those that have passed the greatest time they can expect, to have no care of the hour of death, and of the account they shall then make, when their whole time is but short, as a Tale that is told. Men should so profit by the means of salvation afforded them, that in age they should give good example to such as are young. The elder men grow, the better they should be. Commonly Horses travel best homeward, or when they are almost come home. Hounds follow the game fastest when they are nearest unto it, finding the sent hot, they know the game is almost at an end. They that run in a Race strive most, not at the beginning, but at the end. In natural motions, every thing moveth fastest when it is nearest his own place. The Swan singeth sweetest a little before her death: so should it be with old men, they should then be most holy, bearning the best fruits, doing the best works, they should with old Simeon take Christ in their arms, Luk. 2.28. and with Anna serve God with fastings and prayers, night and day, Luk. 2.87. It were to be wished that old men could say, as sometime Polycarpus did, the Proconsul urging him to deny Christ; I have served him eighty six years, and he hath not once hurt me, and shall I now deny him? And with Hilarion, Soul, get thee out, thou hast seventy years served Christ, and art thou now loath to die, or afraid of death. This is a general and solemn Decree, published throughout the World, and pronounced by Nature herself, that whatsoever hath a beginning (so that it consist of Matter) must also have an end: there is nothing under the Cope of Heaven (except the Soul of man) which is not subject to change, and corruption. Man cannot always continue in one state, but man groweth old. It is dangerous to wax old in sin, for the sinner that is an hundred years old shall be accursed, Esa. 65.20. It shall not be well to the wicked, Eccl. 8.13. Old age hath sufficient deformities of itself, therefore they should not add such as proceed from Vice. As the labours of old men diminish, so the exercises of the soul should increase.  
Seeing no man knoweth what shall be, let men Use 2 use well the present time, whether it be youth or age. If thou be religious in thy youth, old age will be welcome to thee, and the days will not be evil, the troubles & weaknesses will seem as nothing which accompany old age, Thou wilt be willing to die, for Death will not carry thee to prison, but to the Saint's feast, Revel. 19.9. To the participation and fellowship with Christ, in his heavenly joys and bliss, when the Church (his Spouse) shall be fully blessed. Death will come to carry old religious men to Paradise, a place full of pleasures. As a man riding, takes up one behind him, and carries him to this or that banquet: so Death, takes up the religious old man behind him upon the pale Horse, and carries him to heaven, Revel. 6.8. Work therefore while it is day, the night cometh when no man can work, joh. 9 4. All that thy hand shall find to do, do it with all thy power, for there is neither work, nor invention, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave whither thou goest, Eccl. 9.10. Paul saith, Whiles we have time we must do good to all, specially to those which are of the household of Faith, Gal. 6.10. We may not assign the Lord, in what place, state, condition, or in what company we would live, but as Strangers, wait on him, even as the handmaid on her Mistress, for whatsoever he will allow us: we are ready most commonly to be called away by death, before we be fit, or have learned how to live. Look what care, conscience, zeal, love, and reverend estimation of good things thou hadst, when first thou embracedst the Gospel, the same at last retain, and be sure thou keepest still afterwards. The more knowledge that thou hast, take heed thou be not more secure. We shall not enjoy the grace, which we had at the first, except we be as careful now to keep it, as we were then to come by it. All our life ought to be a providing for a good death, and a keeping away of woe, which comes by sin. We cannot promise to ourselves one day, for Time is Gods, and Times and Seasons he hath put in his own power, Act. 1.7. therefore, every day we ought to prepare our hearts to seek the Lord, and keep them fit and willing thereto. Take heed, Brethren, lest at any time there be any of you an evil heart, and unfaithful, to departed away from the living God, Heb. 3.12. Oh! that there were in them an heart to fear me, and to keep all my Commandments always, Deut. 5.29. Our Saviour saith, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, Matth. 22.37. Every day our thanks must be continued for benefits received, they are renewed every morning, Lam. 3.23. Every day we ought to watch and pray for steadfastness and constancy. Every day we must hold and keep our peace with God, and lie down therein, Psal. 4.8.  

Text.  And the years approach, of which thou wilt say, I have no pleasure in them.] Solomon meaneth, before thou wax old. Old age of itself is a disease, if no other disease beside happen. What pleasure can old men take, when strength faileth them, when they are not able to help themselves. Their life, in this life, is nothing else but a returning back again unto death, for whiles they are here, they walk to the house of their grave. Their days pass away in such a manner, as if a man, being a child, should suddenly be made a man; and after that, should presently go back again, and be a child. The more men grow in strength and years, the nearer they draw to the place from whence they came. Moses saith, The strength of old men is labour and sorrow, Psal. 90.10. Their days are days of sorrow, and their strength brings nothing unto them, but matter of labour and pain.  
Doct. That the many discommodities and miseries of old age, plainly testify, that there is no pleasure in it. Such as are full of days, as job was, job 42.17. are full of miseries. Man that is borne of woman is full of misery, or full of vexation, job 14.1. The description of the last age is admirable, and hath need of a good Anatomist, to help the true understanding of the same. Then the Sun is dark, and the Light, and the Moon, and the Stars: And the Clouds return after the Rain, Eccl. 12.2. The Keepers of the house tremble; the Strong men bow themselves; the Grinders cease, because they are few; and they wax dark, that look out by the windows, Eccl. 12.3. And the doors shall be shut by the street, with the base sound of the grinding; and a Man shall stand up at the voice of the Bird; and all the Daughters of Music shall be brought low, Eccl. 12.4. And men will dread every high place, and fear will be in the way; and the Almond tree will flourish, and the Grasshopper will be a burden to itself, and all lust will be dissolved, and a man goeth to his long home, and Mourners go about in the street, Eccl. 12.5. The silver Cord is loosed, and the golden Ewer broken, and the Pitcher burst at the Well, and the Wheel broken at the Cistern, Eccl. 12.6. And dust return to the Earth as it was, and the Spirit return to God that gave it, Eccl. 12.7. By the Sun and Stars darkened, is meant, the days losing their light, so that all things seem dark unto them, even the Sun itself. And the Clouds return after the Rain; that is, after they have wept a long time, there pass before their eyes, as it were, clouds, being nothing else but gross vapours, which grow thick and foggy. The keepers of the House tremble, that is, the ribs and breast, which keep the inward parts, and compasseth them about. The strong men shall bow; that is, the knees and legs shall lose their strength, which are the Pillars upon the which the whole building is set. The grinders shall cease, they are few, that is; the Teeth, the mouth being as a Mill, old men's teeth are few in number, and those that are weak, and so the grinding ceaseth. And they wax dark, that look out by the Windows; that is, the eye in the head, like Windows in a House, like two lovers, which give light in order. And the doors shut without, by the base sound of the grinding; that is, the Lips shall be shut, because the Teeth and jaws make a base small sound in grinding the meat, grinding it badly and weakly. And he shall rise up at the voice of the bird; that is, he shall not be able to sleep, or sleep very little, and be awaked with every little sound, even the singing of a Bird; this followeth, their crudity and rawness, being not able to digest their meats. All the daughters of Music shall be brought low; that is, their voices will fail them. And men will dread every high place, and fears will be in the way; that is, they are afraid to go up into high places, they are afraid to walk, because a plain way seems rough unto them; a hillock, a mountain; a hollowness, a great valley. And the Almond tree will flourish; that is, the head grow white. He nameth the Almond tree, for that doth first flower of any tree, as if he should say, old men's grey hairs come on with haste, sometimes before they look for them. As the flowers of trees are a sign of instant Summer; so the whiteness of the head is a sign of instant death. And the Grasshopper shall be a burden; that is, the least creature shall be a burden, light things shall seem heavy unto them. And all lust will be dissolved; that is, all the desire to eat or drink, or otherwise, shall decay; because all the faculties, both vital and natural shall be weakened. For man goeth to his long home; that is, goeth to his old house, from whence first he came forth. The Grave is the house where the dead must dwell, it is the way (as joshua saith) of all the world, Josh. 23.14. that is, I shall die shortly after the custom of all other men. David said, I go the way of all the earth. 1. King. 2.2. The Grave is the common house and receptacle of all humane bodies. Every one shall sleep in his own house, Esay 14.18. that is, in the Grave. I know (saith job) thou wilt bring me to death, and to the house appointed for all the living, job 30.23. and the mourners go about in the streets; that is, weeping for the dead, for weeping is not to be reproved if it be moderate; our Saviour wept for Lazarus his friend, joh. 11.35. Abraham lamented Sarah, Gen. 23.2. The Hebrews, Moses, Deut. 34.8. joseph, jacob, Gen. 50.1. The Israelites, joseph; the Apostles, Stephen. It is not without much reason, that Solomon doth give counsel, to go to the house of mourning, for there is performed that blessing which Christ promiseth. Heathenish mourning is reproved, which is without hope, 1. Thess. 4.13. but Christian sorrow is commendable. The silver Cord is loosed; that is, the Marrow of the back, which because it is white, is called by the name of Silver, this beginneth at the Brain, and goeth all along the bone, this in old age (strength decaying) is lengthened and drawn out. The golden Ewer is broken; that is, the Brain, whose skin, which compasseth it, is yellow as gold, which being broken or hurt, man must needs die. Nor the Pitcher burst at the Well; that is, the great Vein, called the hollow Vein, which cannot draw blood any more out of the Liver, which is the common Storehouse and Fountain, which watereth all the body in such sort, that it yields no more service than a broken Pitcher. By the wheel broken at the Cistern; that is, the Head, for that is like a wheel. And by the Cistern, is meant, the Heart, which is the chief dwelling of Life. When all this cometh to pass, than the body, which is made of the dust of the earth shall turn into it again, through the sin of our first parents. In death all things are recalled to their first beginnings. And the spirit to God that gave it, hence is it, that God is called the Father of spirits, Heb. 12.9. that is, the maker and giver of souls. He formeth the spirit of man within him, Zech. 12.1. the soul is the host in the sin of the body, not produced from the seed of the parents, nor from the soul of the parents but given of God, that it might vivificate the body.  
There can be no pleasure where so many troubles & Reas. 1 sorrows are. It is better to die then to live. What pleasure is there in old age, when old persons cannot put on or put off their clothes, cannot feed themselves, cannot relish their meat, nor know what day of the week it is, nor discern good from evil. When David would have Barzillai come to him into jerusalem, that he might feed him Barzillai said unto the King, how many days are the years of my life, that I should go up with the King to jerusalem. I am this day fourscore years old, and can I discern between good or evil? hath thy servant any taste in that I eat, or in that I drink? can I hear any more the voice of singing men & women? wherefore then should thy servant be any more a burden unto my lord the King? Thy servant will go a little way over jordan with the King, & why will the King recompense it me with such a reward? I pray thee, let thy servant turn back again, that I may die in mine own city, & be buried in the grave of my father, and of my mother. 2. Sam. 19 34, 35, 36, 37. Barzillai used four reasons for his refusal to go with David; First, his age, be being fourscore was not fit for travel. Secondly, the defect of his senses and therefore not fit for a Prince's court, he could not judge between savoury and unsavoury, between sweet and sour; he could not discern by tasting good or evil in meat or drink, or in any other such pleasant things, neither did he here with pleasure. Thirdly, he was loath to be a burden to David. In Princes courts such as will not behave themselves as others do, are burdensome, if they will not be merry companions if not drinkers, they are a burden. King's will have such men with them which can discourse, but I am unable to do it, and therefore unfit to be a Courtier. Fourthly, it was pleasant to him to return, to think rather of his grave, then of a Prince's Court; and therefore let thy servant turn back again: old men should think not how they may live, but how they may die godly, they should prepare in life for death, and then death to them will be a passage to life.  
Reas. 2 Many aged persons are weary of the world, because the world is so full of troubles, & they so full of pains and griefs. Especially, if they fear God, for then every hour is a day, every day a week, every week a year, they live. They desire to be dissolved, & to be with Christ, which is best of all, Phil. 1.23. They love to remove out of the body, and to dwell with the Lord, 2. Cor. 5.8. They be from home as long as they are on earth, here strangers, using this World, as if they used it not, setting their minds upon that Country which is above. Their affections be in heaven, though they be on earth, their treasure is in heaven, and therefore their hearts are where their treasure is, and death to them is a passage to life. They fear not death, having a good measure of faith to warm them at the heart, they change not their countenance, nor have their colour any whit abated, but a● it is recorded of Mistress joice Lewis at the stake, & sundry other Christians, even of the fearfullest by nature & sex, looked as fresh & cheerly at the hour of death as at their marriage. But if men which are aged, do not fear God, they wish to die to be freed from pains, but they pass from little pain to great, from easeless to endless, from corporal to eternal. Hell is Death's Page & Follower, attending him where ever he goes among the wicked sort. It is miserable to see how boldly, & blindly such men venture on death. Theramines wrote books in praise of Death, as the end of all calamities. Augustus dies jesting, calling for a Plaudite. Tiberius in dissimulation. Diogenes hearing Antisthenes' cry out in his pains, who shall ease me; offers him a knife to dispatch himself withal. Caninus called to execution, bids this fellow remember he had the best of the game. The Earl of Kildare, seeing his Writ of death brought in when he was at shovel-boord, throws his cast with this in his mouth, whatsoever that is, this is for a huddle. If such men idid know the follower of Death, they would never jest so, and use such idle mirth.  
Use. Hath old age many miseries which accompany it, so that there is no pleasure in it, but every day is a day of wrath, an evil day, subject to some judgement or other, this should make the children of God lift up their hands and hearts, desiring to enjoy that life, wherein never a day shall pass away in wrath, but all in love, favour and glory, and wherein the days of our life shall not be a returning to death, but a going on from life to life, and joy to joy, when we shall live to live, and the longer we shall live, the longer we shall have to live, and that in happiness and glory, which days and times shall never waste. If we had hearts to consider of things as they are, there is never a day goes over our head, but yields matter of sighing and groaning under some act of God's wrath, do we the best we can. If we had the greatest causes of comfort, both for this world, & the world to come, that the world can afford, or that ever any man had, yet when he shall sum his accounts, he shall find the days he life's here, are but days of evil, and he shall see more cause of sorrow & mourning then of joy. Let the bitter of God's wrath here, make us the more seek after the days of eternity, where there shall not be the least cross, nor affliction. Man's life in this life is nothing else, but a returning back again unto death. Every man whiles he is here, walks to the house of his grave, and though he be a little longer in going back unto the earth, than he was coming from it, yet he doth nothing while he is here, but go back to it. A tale is quickly told, a word is soon spoken, a thought is soon conceived: so the years and days of man are quickly spent.  
It may teach us every day to meditate and think seriously of our death, and the grave. It is the place we are continually traviling unto. Which way so ever our faces are, we move thitherward. Every day we are going to the place of execution. A Malefactor that is going to suffer death, thinks no other thing but death, were going to the place of execution, we should still mind death, and every day prepare to die. As David said of Aphimaaz, let him come and welcome, etc. 2. Sam. 18.27. so the faithful Christian will say of death, he is the messenger of Christ, he is welcome, he bringeth to me the joyful news of eternal life. They are blessed which die in the Lord, Reu. 14.13. And one day of a blessed death will make an amends for all the sorrows of a bitter life.  
FINIS.