VIVAT SERENISsima Regina. TO THE MOST MIGHTY, IMPERIAL, AND Virtuous Princess, The Lords Anointed, Queen Elizabeth, by the grace of God of England, France, and Ireland, Queen, Defendresse of the faith, etc. ⁂ seeing that your Royal seat and Sceptre (most mighty and Imperial Princess) is clothed with salomon's heavenly gifts, and doth hold up the golden rod of wisdom, which leadeth to the everlas ting kingdom. I hope therefore (by the goodness of God) that it shall please your Highness to admit this Garland of man's glorification to come into your sweet gracious hands: prefixed with the bright beams of your majesties princely glorious Name, under the high precious Cedar, and sweet Libanus of your heavenly goodne sse of mercy and pardon: That though I be troubled in heart with 〈◊〉 ●eare of your supers plendent parsonage, (being a mighty princes of power) to dedicate this Pamphlet to your most excellent Majesty: yet the singular clearness of your spiritual treasures of goodness, doth prevail over my dutiful mind and faithful allegiance in such sort, as if the precious pearl of your virtues did shine into my heart, not forbidding this little Pamphlet to come unto your Highness: trusting that the pureness of the matter will increase your majesties dear soul, to an exceeding consolation touching your body to be glorified. In consideration whereof, when I did behold the goodly order of the bright glistering stars, which the omnipotent Creator hath placed in the firmament of the heavens: (there seeing the resplendent star, Corona lucida) I was stirred up with the joyful remembrance of your majesties incomparable parsonage, being the Lords Anointed: knowing that your Highness, being virtuous, meek, and merciful, is equal with the good Kings of juda, (with Asa, Ezechias, jehos aphat, and josias,) in embracing all godly virtues to the advancing of the honour & glory of God: that as your Majesty in all points do hold your sceptre linked to the Sceptre of juda, (being an unfeigned friend to the holy one of Israel) so your highness subjects in great consolation of heart, do pray sincerely (in all humbleness of duty) unto God for the preservation of your Majesty long to reign over us: And that at the appearance of Christ you may be a glorious Saint in the kingdom of God. And now considering how much Israel rejoiced of Solomon, & how greatly it lamented after his departure: Am persuaded how much all true Protestants do pray that the Lord may be your shield as he was to Abraham and that your blessed parsonage (may by the great mercy and s ingular goodness of God) govern this Realm as happily and as many years (and more) as good king Asa king of juda did, to the glory of God, and salvation of souls. Wherefore (most Mighty and Renowned Sovereign) when I, (an inferior, unworthy to touch the ground that your Majesty do walk on) had finished this Beautiful garland of man's glorification, expressing the mystery of new jerusalem, with her golden crowns and diadems I thought it so much to represent the heavenly joys and happiness of our everlasting glory: as that it was a matter meet to be dedicated to your most excellent Majesty, showing how your Highness, being an Anointed and blessed Princess of power under God, upon the earth, shall meet (at the great day of resurrection) the King of all kings coming in his triumphant progress from heaven, with the glorious company of his holy Angels: when your pure parsonage shall behold that incomprehensible Sceptre of the everlasting kingdom of David: That as your Majesty in your progress upon the earth, hath highly preferred your faithful subjects in Christ to honour and dignity: so now that glorious King of eternity and everlasting glory will fashion your body to be like his own glorious body: for that, your blessed power hath set forth the true Religion, worship, and honour of God, to a lively hope among your highness subjects to obtain the eternal garland of glory. Thus humbly committing this little Pamphlet of man's glorification unto your Princely magnificence, and godly wisdom, do beseech your Highness in your tender mind of mercy, to receive it under your sweet gracious mansion of goodness: among your spiritual treasures of heavenly solace and joy: thereby daily remembering how your God and Saviour jesus Christ, shall cloth your Majesty with an everlasting garment of glory, shining upon you with the light of his own countenance, there sitting with Christ in his own seat of heavenliness, tasting the unspeakable joys of eternal blessedness, where you shall glister as the shining of heaven world without end, beholding the beauty of God for ever, in new jerusalem. Thus hoping that your majesties mercy will be as a veil to my boldness, do trust that as your Highness hath truly touched the hem of Christ's garment, whereby you have partaken the heavenly sparks of the virtues of Christ: that it would please your goodness to admit one spark towards the acceptation of this glorious garland: And so I pray God with all instance, that it may please him of his abundant mercy, to preserve you our Sweet beloved Queen, and true branch of Christ, long to reign over us in tranquility and peace, to the setting forth of God's honour, and spreading abroad of his glory, that your MAJESTY may joyfully appear before Christ, and be crowned with the Crowns and Diadems of everlasting glorification: which (O Lord) so let it be. Your majesties most humble Subject, & faithful Orator, FRANCIS KETT. THE GLORIOUS and beautiful garland of man's glorification. CAP. 1. How Christ was ordained, before the world was made, to our glory; and promised of God, in his holy Scriptures, to come in the humanity and humility of flesh, to taste of death for all men: whereby is justified the righteousness of God, to the confirmation of our belief, touching our election and glorification. seeing that our glorification and heavenly mansion (wherewith we desire to be clothed, and which we hope after this life to enjoy) doth come by jesus Christ, sealed with the holy spirit of Gods true promise, we ought then to 'stablish our hearts in the consolation of good hope and faith, to obtain the glory that thus cometh, by Christ, by considering the faithfulness of God, who performeth all that he hath promised, and is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think, who so loved the world that he spared not his own son, but gave him a reconciliation for our sins: The mystery of whom was hid, since the world began, and since the beginning of generations, but now is opened, and declared openly, to have brought to us life and immortality, through his Gospel: to the justifying of the righteousness of God's true promise: to be the glorious riches of our eternal glory, by the shedding of his blood upon the Cross. That whereas through the sins, and disobedience of one man, sin reigned unto death: So by the obedience of one man Christ, might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life: That all that believe in him (walking after the spirit and not after the flesh) might be partakers of his heavenly kingdom, and made the sons of God. For which cause to the better confirmation of our faith and hope of salvation: It is requisite to show the ordinance and promise of God from the beginning touching our justification in his son jesus Christ: that thereby we may be stirred up (by the great goodness of god) for to seek by Christ, Cor. 1.2. the riches of his glorious inheritance upon the Saints, Ephe. 11. he being ordained thereto of God before the beginning of the world was made unto our glory. Touching whom, (in this Book of man's glorification) we must especially look unto Christ's two comings seeing that he is the Author and finisher of our redemption and hath adopted us to be the sons of glory: by appearing once in the flesh to put sin to flight, by the offering up of himself to death, whom the Father raised up to life, and is entered into heaven, to appear now in the sight of God for us, and shall come again to change our vile bodies, Phil. 3. to be fashioned like to his glorious body. Wherefore in that we have such an high Advocate in heaven, by whom we have an incorruptible crown of blessedness propounded and set before us: Let us walk worthy and laudable unto God, according to the grace given us in jesus Christ, that we may obtain the reward thereof. And now to consider the purpose of the heavenly Father, how he hath blessed us in all manner of heavenly things by Chris te: (according as he hath chosen us that we should be Saints through the beloved jesus) It followeth, that we keep always a joyful remembrance that as the glory of the last house or teastament of God, was greater than the first: so is it, in the manner, of the two comings of Christ: for first he came in the humility of the flesh, to be to us a saving health: being borne of the Virgin Mary by the working of the holy Ghost, very man and mortal and yet the same very GOD and immortal, who being in the shape of God and equal with God, Collos s. ●. Phil. 2. in whom dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily: yet did he nevertheless make himself of no reputation, taking upon him the shape of a servant, and became like unto man, and was found in his apparel as a man, humbling himself to all obedience: for though he e were Gods son yet learned he obedience, Heb. 5. by those things which he suffered, and was made perfect, Ihon. 1. and the cause of eternal salvation unto all that obey him, according to john. In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God, and this word was made flesh, being the life and light of men, giving power to all that believe in him to be the sons of God: for it pleased the father to send his son in the sinful flesh (being without sin) and by sin dampened sin in the flesh, and loused the works of the devil. Rom. ●. Whom he maketh heir of all things, being the brightness of himself, bearing up all things with the word of his power, for so it was the will of the Father that in him should all fullness dwell, Heb. 1. and that in him all things should have their being, that he might be all in all. Thus the Almighty Creator hath performed his blessed promise, Collossians. ●. when he said that the seed of the Woman shall break the Serpent's head: and when long after, he said unto Abraham, unto thy seed will I give this land, Gen. 3. for one that come out of thine own body shall be thine heir, and thy seed shall be as the stars in number: And Abraham believed the Lord and it was imputed to him for righteousness: Gen. 15. And also the Lord said again to Abraham, when he was 89, year old: I will make my covenant between me & thee, and will multiply the e exceedingly, for behold my testament is with thee that thou shalt be a father of many nations, & my bond between me & thee & thy seed after thee shallbe an everlasting testament, Gen. 17. & I will be good to them, & give them the land wherein thou art a stranger, even all the land of Canaan for an everlasting possession, and will be their God: for Sa●a shall bear a son, and thou shalt call his Name Isac, and she bare Abraham a son even the same season, which the Lord had appointed. Thus it pleased the Almighty God to choose us, and not we him, showing forth hereby the abundancie of his love, and mercy, in that he hath mercy upon them which are not yet in the world, and in that he declareth his great goodness, in multiplying his loving kindness toward those that are present, and to them that are past, and to them that are to come: for after that Adam through sin, brought in the corruption of nature, that the evil seed of wickedness was sown in all men's hearts, whereby death reigned by means of sin: then this darnel and cockle of vice and iniquity did grow ripe in the first generations of Adam, that they walked after their own stubborn and fleshly will neglecting God's goodness: That the Lord was thereby provoked, to bring his water flood upon the world and destroy all mankind, except Noye and his household. And then after that the offspring of Noye was again multiplied to a great people by process of time: they waxed also ungodly and wicked: but the Lord had given his rain bow for a covenant, that he would never destroy the world with watermore. And then the most highest did choose him a man from among them, whose name was Abraham, whom he loved, and to him only God showed his will, and made an everlasting covenant with him, promising him (as is aforesaid) that he will never forsake his seed, and so in his old age gave him Isaac, the first testimony of God's promise, and covenant begun, & so faithfully performed in Christ jesus, to the joy and comfort of man, in that we see evidently that God is righteous and true and hath given us an assured hope of our election, that by that only seed of Abraham, we shall enjoy the everlasting possession of that new blessed land of Canaan the first land of promise. Therefore this record we must bear in ourselves that God is true, and that what he do or say can no man change & what he promiseth he can not but perform: And now the more to confirm this joy, faith, & hope: which Abraham (our first father of belief) had to God in respect of the birth of Isac and prosperity of his seed) The Lord to our example tried whether righteous Abraham would bear an immutable mind towards his God, to love him above all the dearest things which he had, yea above his sweet son Isac, whom he loved as his own life, notwithstanding faithfully did Abraham prefer the love of his almighty God and maker, above the life of Isac, offering him in sacrifice to the Lord: for which cause the eternal creator to make his promise more certainly to stick fast in Abraham and in all his posterity, swore by himself, showing that there was no God but himself, saying in Genesis, Gen. 22. ● Because thou hast not spared thy only son Isaac to offer him a sacrifice to me, I will bless thee and multiply thy seed as the stars of heaven, and as the sand upon the sea side, and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because thou hast obeyed my voice. And thus the most merciful god, although he cast Adam for his transgression out of Paradise, and also destroyed the world for sin: yet he showeth again the voice and promise of comfort, (that he hath not cast us off) but hath given his gracious goodness to the world, that all nations through the seed of Abraham should be blessed: (according to that of the prophet) Them I have created, fashioned, Esay. 43. and made for mine honour. And now the more to justify his true promise, it is apparent that he establisheth the foresaid testament to Is aac, the first figure of Christ, Gen. ●6. by whom all nations are sanctified: Saying to Isac, I will be with thee, and bless thee, The promise. for unto thee and to thy seed will I give all these countries, and through thy seed shall all nations of the earth be blessed: because e that Abraham hearkened to my voice, and kept my ordinances, commandments, statutes and laws: wherein we are to learn, how all our blessedness came of God, the father of all goodness, to whom we ought always to be thankful, framing ourselves through his grace to be like Abraham in believing, and equal with him in obedience, and joined with him in righteousness, that we may receive the like praise and honour, as God maketh mention of him to Isaac, thereby to obtain as Paul promiseth the eternal joy, the praise honour and immortality that is due to them that continue in good doing and seek eternal life. Rom. 2. And finally God to seal up the fullness of his covenant the more and more, to help and strengthen our weak hearts of belief, and to allure the children of promise to a fixed hope of his grace and goodness, The promise to jacob. doth reiterate his testament to jacob, that he being the seed of Abraham and Isaac, that he shall be the well of living waters, and that out of his loins shall come the fountain of all heavenly blessedness, and the water of life, grace & goodness (saying.) The land which thou sleepest upon, Gen. 26. will I give thee & thy seed, and thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, & thou shalt spread abroad, west, east, north, and south and through thee and thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed, according to Esay. E say. 43. I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather them together from the west, I will say to the north let go, and to the south keep not back, but bring me my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the world, for all nations shall came in one and be gathered in one people, Gen. 35. for the Lord said again unto jacob, thou shalt be called Israel, grow and multiply, for people and a multitude of people shall spring of thee yea and kings s hall come out of thy loins, and the land which I gave Abraham and Isaac, will I give unto thee, and unto thy seed after thee. Thus the almighty God of our father's Abraham Isaac and jacob, did seal the earnest of the inheritance of his everlasting blessedness and kingdom in Christ, with his holy spirit of promise made to our first fathers, that he should come of the seed of Abraham according to the flesh, by whom we should receive redemption and salvation, thereby to be made partakers of God's glory. And now furthermore, after the proceedins of time, that the seed of jacob called Israel, was increased to a great kindred of people, and holden in bondage in the land of Egypt. The Lord most merciful and mindful of his promise made to our forefathers Abraham Isaac and jacob, that he would be good unto their seed: raised up among them Moses a captain and prophet, that should deliver, and lead his people Israel out of Egypt, into the land of Canaan, which before he had given to Abraham and his seed for an everlasting possession: and this through God's mighty hand, who made a way in the sea, and a foot path in the mighty waters, which brought forth the chariots and horses, the host and power, and drowned them in the red sea. And then brought his people unto mount Synay, in the wilderness, where he gave them the law figured in s tones, showing forth his wonderful power, that they did all tremble for fear and could not abide it, for the people stood under the hill, and the hill burnt with fire even unto the mids of heaven, and there was the sound of a troump, voice of words, tempest, Deu. 4. darkness, clouds and mist, and the Lord spoke out of fire and declared his covenant and ordinance, Exod. 19 and so terrible was the sight that appeared, that Moses said I fear & quake. And thus the law was given with great fear, Exod. 34; and with great glory, for the children of Israel could not behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance, with out a veil, which in Christ is put away, for if the ministration of the law which is to condemnation be glorious, Cor. 2.3. much more doth the ministration of the spirit of promise unto righteousness exceed in glory: And thus the law which began many hundred years after the promise e, was added because of transgression as a schoolmaster to teach what sin meant: and not that it could give life, Gal. 3. or disannul the promise made to Abraham, for the promise by faith in jesus doth bring the inheritance, and not the law which doth conclude all things under sin: for by the deeds of the law shall no man be justified before God, Rom. 3. but are justified freely by grace through the redemption that is in Christ jesus, who is the justifier of them that believe in him, after the example of righteous Abraham. Wherefore the Lord to discover our filthy nakedness and corruption brought by the sins of Adam, did give us the law, that thereby we should come to the knowledge of our infirmities, vices, & wretchedness, which reigneth in our earthly members, thereby knowing our state by the first Adam to be miserable, and fallen into the dangerous house and prison of all uncleanness: being most wretched without hope, unless God of his mercy had made his promise to Abraham that we should be bless said in his seed, through a redeemer. Whereupon the Lord to show the imperfection of the law touching the giving of life and salvation: The imperfection of the law and perfection of promise. And the more to declare the perfection and power of his promise in Christ, that in it consisteth the gift of power to obtain the inheritance of everlasting life and blessedness, doth confirm (many years after the law given) his foresaid testament, unto Moses, saying: Deu. 18. The promise made to Moses. I will raise them up a prophet from among their brethren like unto thee, and I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him, and whosoever will not hearken unto the words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him: according to john, he that heareth my words saith Christ, and believeth john 5. on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, Luke ●… and who soever stumbleth at that s tone shall be broken, for saith Christ, john 10. I am the good s hepheard, that gave his life for the sheep, and my sheep hear my voice. And moreover after a long distinction of time the Lord not unmindful of his testament, raised up his faithful servant David to be king over Israel, being of the loins of Abraham, of whose seed he promised that a branch of righteousness should arise and sit in his seat, The promise to David. s aying to David by the prophet Nathan, Kings 2.7 Thy house and thy kingdom shall endure without end, after thee: and thy seat shall be established for ever, according to Esay, Esay 9 unto us a child shall be borne & a son given, upon whose shoulder the kingdom s hall lie, and he shall sit upon the seat of David: Esay. 11. for, there shall come a rod forth of the kindred of jesse, and a blossom out of his root, the spirit of the Lord shall light on it, he shall smite the world with the sword of his mouth, & with the breath of his lips shall slay the wicked: Righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, truth and faithfulness the girding of his reins: Ezech. 17. for I will take s aith the Lord, a branch from an high Cedar tree, and will set it, and take the uppermost twig, and yet is but tender, and plant it upon an high hill, that it may bring forth twigs and be a great Cedar tree, so that all manner of fowls may abide in it, and make their nests under the shadow of his branches. And out of this branch came the virgin Marie springing out of the Cedar tree which is the tribe of juda, & the uttermost twig is Christ, who upon the hill of Zion did bring forth twigs, his twelve apostles, and disciples, which became a great Cedar tree that is a mighty congregation of the faithful church of Christ, the all manner of fowls which is that there should be of all sorts of people the should abide in Christ's doctrine, and build their nest of salvation on him, according to Esay, Kings and Princes shall arise, and worship the holy one of Israel, who is a pledge for the people, and help up the earth again, and challenge the scattered heritage, and shall say to them that are in darkness come into the light, and to the prisoners go forth, and shall gather to his kingdom all nations be they never so far: whereby doth appear that such is the gift of the promise, that all nations shall be blessed thereby, & that such is Christ's calling that the people of all lands where soever, shall partake of the faith of the Gospel, so that it is apparent that every inhabited corner of the world shall receive the doctrine of the faith, before the end of the world, according to Matthew, Math. 24. this glad tidings of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come, for saith Esay the people that dwell in darkness shall see a great light, and upon them that dwell in the land of the shadow of death shall it shine, that the knowledge of the Lord shall be full upon the earth, as the water of the sea floweth over the earth: for the Gentiles shall inquire after the root of jesse, and the Lord shall gather together the dispersed of Israel, and the outcasts of juda, and then shall men rejoice before God as men make merry in harvest. for saith he, I will stretch out my hand to the Gentiles and set up my token to the people, for Kings shall be thy nurcing fathers and Queens thy nurcing mothers, Esay. 9 and all they that think a scorn of him shall be confounded, for behold he bringeth his treasure with him, and his works goeth before him, he shall feed his flock like and herdman, Esay, 49. he shall gather the lambs together with his arm and carry them in his bosom and kindly entreat them that bear young, wherein the prophet foretelleth the power, virtue and excellency of Christ, that though he came in the humility of the flesh, yet such was his miracles, his works and his treasures of goodness, as would allure, animate, and inflame all men toward him: and besides that so precious was his conversation, so pure his demenure, so loving his humanity, so excellent his disposition, so good in his doings, and so flowing in wholesome doctrine, as that he is a most amiable and precious Adamant to draw men to his kingdom, yea and in manner to constrain them to love him which never knew him: yea such is his gentle entreating, like a loving father to his son, like a careful shepherd over his sheep, like a good hen that gathereth her chickens under her wings, so he is tender over man. And therefore beware that we show not ourselves unthankful. For when the children of Israel, were clean gone astray from God, as sheep without a shepherd, than the Lord mindful of his promise to jacob, said: Esay. 27. I will root jacob again, and Israel shall be green and bear flowers, and fill the whole world with her fruit, Esay 35. then shall the desert and wilderness rejoice, and the waste grounds flourish like a lily: Esay. 44. And I will power waters upon the dry ground, and rivers upon the thirsty, and shall give waters in the wilderness and streams in the desert, that I may give drink to my people whom I have chosen to praise me. By this we see des cribed (as in a metaphor) how far the spiritual water of Christ's doctrine shall extend itself, in all bountifulness over all the world, that the wilderness, deserts, and dry grounds, being the barbarous, rude and savage people of all places, shall have offered unto them the water of the streams of the fountain of jacob, the gospel of Christ to wash away there uncleanness and wickedness, so that it is manifest, that the Church of Christ is tied to no particular place or kingdom, but is freely dispersed throughout the whole world, whereby it appeareth that the Papists do work against the streams of jacob, to stop the rivers from the thirsty. And now again, the Lord saith: Esay. 43, 44 I will power (O jacob) my spirit upon thy seed, and mine increase upon thy stock, they shall grow together like as the grass, for there shall spring out of them a captain, & prince which the Lord shall challenge to himself, jere. 30. Elay, 6. jere. 33. Es ay. 49. who shall open the prison to them that are bound, and he is the glad tidings to the poor, who shall bring redemption to the captive, and res tore Israel, and set up his honour in juda, and in David's stool, that all nations shall honour him: yea kings and princes shall arise and worship this holy one of Ifraell. By which the prophets conclude, that although we know all the law of Moses, and be careful in keeping it, yet we are in prison and bondage to death, without we embrace Christ, and prefer him above the law, and above all works, as the only door to enter into God's rest: for he doth open the prison, wherein we were tied to damnation by the fetters of Adam's corruption, who hath the keys of hell and death, according to Esay: unto Zion shall come a redeemer, yea the Lord said I will lay a stone in Zion a costly corner stone, Esay. 59 Esay. 28. Zach. Dan. 2. a sure foundation, that who so put his trust in 'em shall not be confounded. And saith he, behold I will hue him out, and take away the sin of the land in one day. As saith Daniel: there was hewn a stone without hands, that smote the image, and became a great mountain, which fulfilleth the whole earth: so that it is unpossible to obtain glorification, unless we embrace this precious stone of Zion: neither is it possible for the great Image of the first or last monarchy of Babylon to withstand or hold back the power of this stone of Zion, by whose force the pomp of the Image of Rome shall be broken like an earthen pot that flieth in many pieces, although it please the Lord to suffer that romish beast still to bear a sway among those children, which be as Esaw, that make light of the birthright of the eternal kingdom given only by Christ's gospel: and not by the traditions and fancies of men: And therefore that last Image of Babylon must be shaken a sunder, that promiseth other means, and more ways to win everlasting life, then only by this corner stone. Wherefore as pure gold is tried from counterfeit, by the touch, so all ye that fear damnation, try the traditions of that Image of Rome by reading the pure gospel, with fear and reverence to God, and with care of your soul's health: and you shall find that the gospel which is the true touch of truth will bring thee home again from the dark dales of Rome, to the bright mountain of Zion: of whom the Lord said by jeremy, I will set up the righteous branch of David, that shall set up equity in the earth, that juda shall be saved, jere. 23. and Israel dwell without fear, and they shall call him the Lord our righteous maker, for saith the Lord: I will give you an herdman, jere. 3. after my own mind, which shall feed you with wisdom, that jerusalem shall be called the Lords seat: Esay. 2. for the law shall come out of Zion and the word of God from jesalem. And therefore we must desire only to be fed with the wisdom that proceed from this our heavenly herdman, embracing no other word of doctrine but that which he gave us from jerusalem, being his pure gospel, builded upon the Apostles and prophets, for saith Paul, the holy Scripture is able to make the wise to salvation through the faith which is in Christ jesus. Timoth. ●. ●. And therefore beware lest you be spoiled through Philosophy and deceitful vanity, and through the traditions of men, Col. 2. and ordinances, after the world and not after Christ: for the Lord said by jeremy. I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, that is, jere. 31. I will plant my laws in their inward parts, even in their hearts, and will be their God, and from thence forth shall no man teach his brother or neighbour saying, know God, for they shall all know me, from the lowest to the highest, according to joel: joel. 2. I will power out my spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions yea upon those days I will power out my spreit upon s eruants and Maids. Whereby we may gather, that such is the power of the Gospel of Christ, and promise of our redemption and salvation, that neither the contrary powers of Satan, nor the obstinate malicious or barbarous tyranny of men hath power to withhold it, (at the time appointed) from the people of God: for the Lord hath spoken it, that it shall spread over the world, and that his spirit shall enter into all flesh: It is against the prophesy of joel to hold the Scripture in an vnknow on language. So that it is great repugnauce to the ordinance of God to hold back the fruit & sweet taste of the Gospel from the people by concealing it under a cloak of an unknown language & strange tongue, which is a vail that hides the face and brightness of the glory of the Gospel of our salvation, from the people that desire to know it, & see it, and aught to come unto it: as the veil did hang before Moses' face, because the children could not behold the glory of his countenance which God gave, by giving the law: but now we are able through the gift of the spreit of Christ, who hath taken away the vail from Moses, & given an open fountain of clearness to behold the truth of his gospel of salvation in that it is the Lords bountiful blessing that all flesh should feel the operation of the holy spreit: & to come to to his waters & buy his milk & wine without money and money worth (which is his gospel that feedeth and nuris nurisheth milk, & gladdeth & cheereth the heart like wine: so that hereby is clearly condemned & cast to the ground the traditions of papistry, that lock up the word of God in an unknown language, that none can come to God's holy water without money or money worth: such is the darnel & cockle of their traditions, as to worrow Chris tes sheep & to wrap them in blindness, when notwithstanding it ought to be that the gospel should be opened plain, manifest & and unclocked, that the saying of the prophet may be fulfilled both sons & daughters, maids & servants to prophesy, which is with unde'rs tanding to offer unto God by Christ the sacrifice of land, the fruit of those lips which confess his name. Wherefore it is apparent, that it is the duty and part of princes and governors, to follow herein the example of jehosaphat, causting the word of god plainly to be taught among their subjects in the mother language (as Moses' law was to the children of Israel. And it is the duty and charge of the pastors and ministers to employ all their diligence to manifest the holy will of God according to the scriptures, by teaching and instructing that every where the scripture may be fulfilled according to the prophecy of joel and jeremy, that sons and daughters can prophesy, and the law written in their hearts: so that it standeth you upon to have care of your souls, Coloss. 2. Mich. 3. that no man make you shoot at a wrong mark. Wherefore Micheas thus prophesieth of the dew of the gospel of Christ, saying: In the latter days the hill of the Lords house, shall be set up higher than any mountains, and the people shall press unto it, & the multitude of gentiles hast to it, for the law shall come out of Zion and the word of God from jerusalem and reform the people of far countries, Nath. ●●. for out of Bethlem shall come the captain which shall be the governar in Israel, whose out going hath been from the beginning and from everlasting, he shall stand fast & give food in the strength of the Lord, & in the victory of the name of the Lord his god, & when they be converted, he shall be magnified, to the farthest parts of the world. Whereby it is declared that in spite of all the adversaries, the tread down the holy sanctuary of true righteousness, (will they nill they) the promise which God gave to Abraham that all nations should be blessed in his s eede, shall by Christ's passion extend to all parts of the world, to the praising & glorifying of god. And likewise Esoras doth plainly foretell the joyfulness of Christ's coming in his humanity, saying: O ye heathen, Esdr. 4. ● look for your shepherd, he shall give you everlasting rest, for he is nigh at hand, that shall come in the end of the world, be ready to the reward of thy kingdom, for the everlasting light shall shine upon you for evermore. Fly the shadow of this world, receive the joyfulness of your glory, I testify my saviour openly, O receive the gift that is given you, and be glad, giving thanks unto him that hath called you to the heavenly kingdom. In this he showeth how much he is inflamed with the glad foresight of the saviour that should come, kindling the hearts of the Gentiles to the expectation of heavenly rewards. Wherein he is able to ravish all men's hearts with exceeding joy, in pronouncing the glad tidings of such a blessed saviour coming, that bringeth the rewards of glory and everlasting life to all that will receive and embrace his gospel: And seeing the coming of Christ in the flesh was joyful, and filled the world with the oil of gladness, and treasures of grace and goodness: how much more, (we now looking for him to come in the end of the world in the glory of his father in all power, to give the rewards of glorification and eternal life,) ought to awake and arise up, from all worldly and fleshly vanities, and prepare our hearts to holiness, and righteousness, that with the abundant joy of a pure faith, and a clear and a steadfast hope, we may meet our saviour coming in the clouds. And touching Christ's coming in his humanity, it pleased God that he should appear in the flesh, in all meekness, Zach. 9 john 12. Luke 9 Math. 21. Mark. 11. lowliness, and humbleness of obedience to teach us the will of his father in all truth of righteousness, according to Zacharie: Rejoice O Zion, and be glad O daughter jerusalem, for lo thy king cometh unto thee, even the righteous and saviour, lowly and simple is he, he rideth upon an Ass, he will give doctrine of peace unto the heathen, and his dominion shall be from the floods to the end of the world, and shall be a saving health to all nations: by this consider ye men upon the earth, how worthy Chris t is, and how precious a pearl he is in all men's hearts, and yet to show the contempt of this transitory world and the vanity thereof, and to teach us the true path steps of virtue and holiness: doth he ere make himself to the eyes of all jerusalem a looking glass of all low lines and humbleness of heart, riding into the City in all plains and simpleness sitting upon an ass, as one of no reputation and nothing esteemed, but like an inferior, and yet an eternal king, a captain, an heavenly Father and saviour of the world: by whom we are to note that the true path to virtue and holiness, is humility, obedience, and lowliness: for among the conferences of men, it is a most accepted thing to common rea son, to have our governor, our captain, our master, or teacher, of whom we are to be governed, guided or instructed, to be gentle, humble, més eke, loving, tractable, courteous and mercifull-by that means, winning & drawing our hearts voluntarily, to love him, follow him & embrace his will: then how much more are we bound to god, (that all the world sleeping in their sin, & wallowing in their wickedness) that it pleased him not to come unto us with the sharp rod, or with the naked or scored sword to the s laughter: but to send his dear son Christ in the humility of the flesh to be like unto us: being such a true & gentle captain & guide: so loving and bountiful a redeemer: so humble & lowly a tearher, so pure of demenor & conversation, as that he is the only & true lodestone of love, to draw all men (which are of themselves stubborn, froward, disdainful and wilful) to the loving & embracing of him, thereby the readier to follow his doctrine of eternal peace & salvation to us ward: And therefore behold the abundant love & mercy of god, (who thus after so excellent a means) seeketh to draw us from our earthly corroption and from the bdonage of death to his heavenly grace & eternal kingdom) we being of ourselves a froward generation touching goodness, in the sin did dwell in us as a common rotto all mankind if the God of mercies had not sent this our redeemer to cleanse and wash away our filth and foulness: and therefore let no man boast of himself any thing, for we have nothing which we have not received of Christ, neither according to the saying of jeremy. Let not the wise man rejoice in his wisdom, nor the strong in his strength: jeremy. 9 nor the rich man in his riches, but who will rejoice let him rejoice in Christ, who is our only salvation: Wherefore o ye sovereign Kings & Queens ye sweet Lords and Ladies: ye loving Fathers and mothers, ye wise Masters & mistresses, ye obedient sons and daughters, ye diligent and dutiefull servants and maids? rejoice and be glad and behold your king and precious Saviour Christ riding into jerusalem lowly and humbly? and now arise and life up your eyes of repentance, to heaven: and rejoice and behold how he is ready to come in all glory and majesty with all the powers of heaven, to crown you with glorious and heavenly glorification. Therefore cast of from your hearts the evil mantel of pride, disdain, arrogancy, haughtiness, unmercifulness, frowardness, sin and unrighteousness: and put on the mantle of Christ's humbleness, lowliness, mercifulness, goodness, holiness and righteousness, that you may més eat Christ with joy and receive the incorruptible crown of eternal glory: for thus saith the Lord: I will set his dominion in the sea, and his right hand in the floods, he shall call me: Psalm. 89. thou art my Father, my God and my strong salvation, and I will make him my first borne, higher than the Kings of the earth, Esay. 55. my mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenance shall stand fast with him, his seed also will I make to endure for ever, and his throne as the days of heaven: of whom he sayeth, My servant whom I will give for a witness, Esay 52. prince and captain to the people will I keep to myself, he is mine elect, in whom my soul is pacified: I will give him my spirit, that he may show forth judgement and equity among the Gentiles: he shall not be an outcryer, nor high minded, his voice shall not be heard in the streets, a bruised ●eede shall he not break, and the s moking flackes shall he not quench, but faithfully and truly shall he give judgement, he shall neither be over seen nor hasty, that he may restore righteousness to the earth, for I the Lord hath called the in righteousness and do lead the by thee hand: therefore will I also defend and give thee for a covenant of the people and to be the light of the Gentiles, that thou mayest open the eyes of the blind, let out the prisoders, and them that fit in darkness out of the dungeon house. In this the Prophet foretelling that Christ should come in the flesh death show that by his means only we shall be brought to an atonement and peace with GOD the Father: expressing the perfectionn of love and pleasure which GOD the Father hath in his son Christ, being one self same nature in another: according to Matthew. Math. 3.17. This is that beloved Son in whom is my delight: and according to the saying of the Prophet David in the second Psalm: Thou art my son this day have I begotten thee: and héerin wé e learn that if Christ is so beloved of God, being God, according to the forty nine Psalm, the Father of heaven saith to his son: God: Thy seat shall be for ever and ever: then how much are we bound to love, so beloved a God and Saviour to us, giving him all the praise, honour and thanks, evermore lifting up pure hands: for so great treasures of virtue and goodness, for his clearness of troth and judgement, for the light and brightness of his most holy and blessed doctrine for his abundant sweetness of his exceeding and bountiful loon toward us most miserable sinners, in that he of his mere mercy and goodness hath brought unto us redemption and deliverance out of the bondage of sathan, sin and death, calling us to holiness of life thereby by imitating him, to be made by righteousness the sons of God, and partakers of the everlasting kingdom: And further, the Lord saith, My servant shall deal wis ely therefore shall he be magnified, exalted and greatly honoured, like as the multitude shall marvel at him, because his countenance shallbe so deformed and hard favoured above the sons of men: yea, he shall have neither beauty nor favour, when we look upon him, there shallbe no fairness in him, we shall have no lust unto him, he shall be the most simple and despised of all, (which yet hath good experience in sorrows and in firmities) but we shall reckon him so vile and base that we shall not regard him: how be it of a truth he only takes away our infirmities. Whereupon consider according to Paul that Christ doth make himself of no reputation and taketh upon him the shape of a servant, and became like unto man and was found in his apparel as a man: and that he abasing himself (in respect of all worldly wisdom) was of the wise according to the wisdom of this world despised, scoffed and s corned at he being himself very wisdom itself and the fountain thereof: and he being beauty itself and the Author of all beauty and fairness, would show himself without beauty and favour: to condemn the vanity of fleshly beautfe, and extol the excellency and worthiness of the spiritual and heavenly beauty of the soul: wherefore O ye Children and Daughters of men, ye are become so nice, so arogant and coy because of your faces and so proud of your beauties: Come from your vain looking glasses: The contempt of fleshly beauty. and behold, here, I offer unto you the bright shining glass of all excellency, even Christ your King and Saviour the Author and Giver of all beauties and godliness: to behold him, being without favour and fairness, being lowly, més eke, and most humble, being simple and not gorgeous: how he condemned and despised your vain fleshly pleasure and gains: even in the clear example of his own person, giving you himself, for a rule: that you rejoice not in apparel, nor vainly conceive of your vain flesh, and outward comeliness of nature, but only in the beauty of your souls, by adorning and decking your inward man with all spiritual raiments of holiness and precious ornaments of righteousness, which will never decay: whereas the flesh and all that pertain to his furniture, is (as S. Peter saith) as grass, and all the glory of man is as the flower of grass: Pet. 1.1. the grass thereof withereth, and the flower fadeth away, but the word of God endureth for ever. Moreover the prophet saith, that we shall despise him, and yet he beareth our pain, Esay. 53. and we shall so contemtuously think of him, as that we shall judge him, as though he were plagned and cast down of God, whereas he notwiths' tanding shall be wounded for our offences, and smitten for our wickedness, for the pain of our punishment, shall be laid upon him, and with his stripes shall we be healed, he shall be pained and troubled and shall not open his mouth he shall be led as a sheep to be slain, The prophesy of Christ's death. yet shall he be as still as a lamb, before the shearers and not open his mouth, he s hall be had away, his cause not heard, and without any judgement, whose generation yet no man may number, when he shall be cut off from the ground of the living, which punishment shall go upon him for the transgression of my people, his grave shall be given with the condemned, and his crucifying with the thieves, whereas he did never violence nor unright, neither hath there been any deceitfulness in his mouth, yet hath it pleased the Lord to smite him, with infirmity, that when he had made his soul an offering for sin, he might see long lasting seed, and my righteous servant saith the Lord: shall with his wisdom, justify and deliver the multitude, for he shall bear away their sins, therefore will I give him the multitude for his part, and he shall divide the strong spoil, because he shall give over his soul unto death, and shall be reckoned among the transgressors, which nevertheless shall take away the sins of the multitude and make intercession for the misdoers: here it is plain and manifest to be seen, of all jews, and Gentiles, Heathen, and Turks, how evidently Christ was prophesied of, by Esay: that all men may well know (that hath desire of eternal life) that he it is in all tokens whom the jews have put to death (being the first promised seed to Abraham) for the prophet declareth the order of his judgement, the manner of his death, even to be crucified with thieves: in all points as his persecutors and jews did handle and entreat him most barbarously and hardly, being an innocent lamb. Wherefore touching the contemtuous disdainful and reproachful handling of Christ unto death, Of Christ's death. they came to apprehend him in the garden (like furious enemies) with clubs and staves: they rend and teared his clothes, he was tossed among the high priests and scornful pharasies, Math. 26. than hasted away to the judge, there beset with false accusers, huddling up false witness against him: Luk. 23. then posted over to king Herod, there despited in most abject manner of him & his soldiers: Mark. 15. then brought again before Pilate, & hevily reviled, & oppressed with the spite and hatred of the jews, crying: crucefige, crucefige, then (like barbarous tyrants, and savage beasts) void of all mercy and humanity, spitted on his face, & buffeted him with fists, with railing, raging, mocking and disdaining him with scoffs, gripping him with bonds: scurging him with many stripes, crowning him with sharp thorns, john ●9. putting a reed for a scorn in his hand: thus compa ssing him about with all reproach, then hasting him to his death, making him to bear his cross, nailed his tender flesh, wounded & pierced him and crucified him between two thieves, wagging their heads at him in more st despiteful manner. And thus was the king of glory crucified, being obedient to the cross, and humble unto death, and patient to endure the hard speakings of sinners against him, and yet praying to god for them, & thus was he a pure undefiled lamb, wounded for our offences, his precious blood shed for our sins, by which he took away the curse of the law from us, and made us at an atonement with God, and brought redemption to the world. Wherefore all ye people of the earth, I call you here to the presence of Christ's death, to behold what he hath suffered for you upon his great love. Therefore let your eyes gush out with tears, and let your hearts make inward sorrow and lamentation for your sins, repenting, for his kingdom again is ready at hand: therefore examine thy heart, where, and what is, and aught to be thy love again to Christt, hat hath thus bought thee with his tender blood and prepared for thee everlasting life: so that look into thyself, how faithful, thankful, and loving thou oughtest to be for such his goodness toward thee: for scarce will any die for a good man, but Christ died for thee, Rom. 5. being both ungodly, a sinner and an enemy: to purchase to thee everlasting life: (O) what abundant love is this? And wilt thou be therefore unthankful? Then woe be to thee that art (more) then unnatural, more than unkind, and more than hard hearted. Alas where art thou, thou froward jew? that upon obstinate envy, wilful blindness, and of an unmerciful mind, didst despise the king of glory? And will not you, now, (ye people) from age to age, take example to beware how you seal your hearts with the hard ware of a jews wilfulness, hardness and blindness again? Now then, that this day you hear his voice, (the very voice of your good shepherd that gave his life for his sheep) harden not your hearts (as your fathers did in the wilderness) & so could not enter the land of rest and promise: no more shall you enter Christ's kingdom, unless ye receive his gospel with true love and faith toward him. Wherefore do not crucify Christ again in thy heart by obstinate sin, by wilful blindness, and carelessness: like a jew and Turk, despising the humanity of Christ that was so humble: by being malicious and unkind to him that is so good: by being cruel and froward to him that is so merciful: by envying and persecuting him that is a pure innocent, when as (in man's wisdom) it is wickedness to scorn the good, cruelty to deal hardly with the simple and innocent: foolishness to jest with holy things: madness to hate him that loveth: lewdness to refuse good doctrine: and wicked furiousness to reject and make light of s aluation: therefore awake, and beat down thy churlish heart, thy pernicious nature, and stiff conceit, and put on loving kindness and mercy, faith and hope, and be quick in will and mind to receive Christ, and be constant in retaining him: and so let thy love be sure and stable toward him, Reu. 5. for no treasure is of so great certainty as the perfect and immovable love of Christ, who standeth at the door of thy heart and knocketh, and if thou wilt hear his voice and open thy heart to receive his words, he will come in and sup with thee, and thou shalt for so entertaining him and his righteous doctrine, sup with him at his heavenly table of everlasting benediction and blessedness. Thus persuade thyself, that no man loveth thee more entirely, nor regardeth thy salvation more tenderly than Christ doth, and seeing we confess by nature, that love is alured by nothing so much as by love, The love of Christ passeth all things. then O thou earthly man and unthankful heart, love Christ again (for thy soul's health) that so abundantly loveth thee. So that let neither the pomp of this world, nor pleasure of fleshly delights, nor kindred, nor countries, or nations, nor profession, nor condition of living, nor causes diminish thy love from Christ, and from thy brother or neighbour for Christ's sake: there is one father of all whom we are tauht of Christ, to call father daily, which will acknowledge thee to be his child, if thou like wise acknowledge all his children to be thy brethren. Therefore learn love, patience and mercy by Christ, that in whatsoever estate you be, to be therewith contented, holding fast the faith and patience of Christ, Phil. 4. being assuredly persuaded that the ready and compendious way to come unto God's favour, is to love and embrace Christ and his word with a pure and faithful heart, and to love one an other, for if we love one an other sayeth john: God dwelleth in us and his love is perfect in us, john. 14. for he that loveth God must love his brother also, though he be an enemy: for sayeth Christ, love your enemies, bliss them that curse you, do good to them that hate you. Math. 5. and in so doing, we shall follow the example of our saviour Christ and be God's Children in conversation of holiness and goodness. And thus Christ the Author and finisher of our redemption, having performed his Father's will by preaching first himself the Commandments of his Father, and by divers signs, wounders and miraclrs done according to his will to confirm the power of his Father, Heb. 5. did in his flesh offer up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears, unto him that was able to save him from death, and was also heard because of his godliness, and now upon the Cross yielded up his soul into the hands of his Father, who raised him from death, and he is ascended up to heaven, and is set on the right hand of the Majesty of the Father, according to the saying of the Prophet. The Lord said unto my Lord, sit on my right hand till I make thy enemies thy footstool: Whereby conceive how Christ being promised afore by God and his holy Prophets in the holy Scriptures to come of the seed of Abraham as pertaining to the flesh, Psalm. 19●. and declared to be the son of God with power of the holy Ghost that sanctifieth, was borne of the Virgin Mary by the embracing of the holy Ghos te, (the holy Virgin being eternally appointed to this great mystery to be the Mother of jesus: for the invisible power of the Godhead did over s hadowe the whole body and mind of the most holy Virgin without any hurt or detriment of her chastity) so that the work of his conception, was not of man but of the holy Ghost) by the in comprihensble power of insperation, for saith the Lord by Esay: Esay. 7 Behold a Virgin shallbe with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emanuel God with us: and so the Angel said to joseph, that which is conceived in her, is of the holy Ghost, she shall bring forth a son and thou shalt call his name jesus, Math. 1. for he shall save his people from their sins, he shall be great & called the son of the highest, and son of God, and the Lord shall give unto him the seat of his father David, and he shall reign over the house of jacob for ever and of his kingdom shall be no end, Luk. 1. even as he promised to our father's Abraham and his seed for ever. So that we have such an Advocate with the Father, (jesus Christ the merciful) as hath put down through his death and passion the devil that hath the Lordship over death, and hath s poyled rule and power and triumphs over them in his own person, and hath nailed the curse of the law to his cross and hath carried captivity captive up to heaven being their set down on the right hand of God, Colloss. 2. being able to save them that come to God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for us, Heb. 7. who with one offering made perfect for ever them that are sanctified: Heb. 10. Wherefore we may clearly as by the light of the Sun beams see & conceive that they do lay another foundation (than the Apostle Paul doth here lay) that teach the people to use any other Advocate or intercessor then Chest, or to use intercessors to Christ, which evermore is himself an intercessor for us: whom we know apparently by evident scriptures, that he liveth and is with God in glory their making intercession for us, & able to do it by power of his victory, and because he ever liveth and was ordained to that eternal mystery, for it is written, that the whole kingdom do lie on his shoulders, the pains of our sins rest upon his wounds and stripes, and our whole redemption is only by him, so that it repugneth against Christ's glory, (who is crowned with glory and honour for suffering death for us) to offer intercession and meditation to Saints, to pray to Ladies and Churrh-roodes' and to wander a pilgrimage to offer to pictured images of Saints, which is strong delusion and horrible abomination, and very stubble and straws of a strauge foundation of erroneous doctrine, perniciously sown among the people which the Lord in one day shall consume with fire. And besides seeing we are made perfect with one only offering made by Christ himself through the spirit that sanctifieth, Heb. 10. then consider from what foundation those vain erroneous masses do come and be not deceived with them: for Christ hath once offered himself a sufficient sacrifice for us the just, for the unjust, for to bring us to God whose blood cleanseth us from all sin, for Christ hath delivered us from the curse of the law, and was made accursed for us, that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentles: Gal. ●. Therefore let us be thankful and pray only unto God by Christ and use no other intercessors of our own conceits imagined: Pet. 13. but let us consider how much God setteth out unto us his abundant love that while we were enemies & sinners, his only begotten son jesus should die for us, being killed as pertaining to the flesh & quickened in the spirit, who thus suffered for us (to reconcile us to God) and yet did no sin, neither was there guile found in his mouth, who when he was reviled, Pet ●. reviled not again, when he suffered, he threatened not, but patiently committed and delivered the only cause unto him that judgeth righteously, and thus his own self bore our sins in his body on the tree▪ that we should be delivered from s inn and live in righteousness, Esay. 53. for whosoever doth truly and purely love Christ and embrace the faith of his gospel can not but do the works of righteousness, and obedience (like to righteous Abraham) otherwise persuade thy conscience and be not deceived in thy conceit but that thy love to Christ is cold, faint and brickle, if thou hast embraced the knowledge and faith of the Gospel and yet dost not the works of righteousness and holiness: for than thou art yet carnal and not spiritual, having not yet crucified the old Adam: wherefore consider that by grace we are made safe, through faith, and that not of ourselves, for it is the gift of God and cometh not of works, Ephe. 2. lest any should boast himself, for we are his woormanship created in Christ jesus unto good works that we should walk in them, so that none can love Christ in pureness of heart, but that of very force he will walk in good works as things that are unpossible to be separated from him that is sanctified with the spirit of adoption and grace, for as Christ is the fountain of all holiness and righteousness, and of all grace and goodness: so it must needs follow that whom Christ hath sanctified with his Spirit, that they must of necessity do the works of grace and righteousness: so long as they labour and endeavour to be renewed and confirmed in the spirit of grace, which we receiving and taking of Christ, must of force confess, that without it we have no power to crucify our flesh and to resist sin: and therefore by it, we have power to mortify our earthly members and to do the works of righteousness: whereby it is most evident and plain, that by the grace given by Christ through faith, we may assuredly and boldly persuade our s elves that we are only justified and saved. Therefore saith Peter, Pet. 1.1. blessed be God the father of our Lord jesus, which through his abundant mercy, begat us again, to a lively hope, by the resurrection of Christ from death, to enjoy an inheritance immortal and undefiled, reserved in heaven for us, after which the prophets inquired and searched, prophesying of the grace that should come unto us, by the spirit of of Christ which testified before, of the passions that should come unto him and the glory that should follow after, for by Christ we are made spiritual and not carnal, whose spirit doth certify our spirit, that we are the sons of God, and heirs annexed with him, who was ordained before the world was made that by him our faith and hope might be in God, so that our justification come not by the deeds of the law, but by the faith of jesus Christ according to Paul, Thess. ●● God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctifying of the spirit, and through the believing of the truth, whereunto he called you by the gospel, for Christ is the end of the law, to justify all that believe, Rom. 8 Gal. 6. walking not after the flesh, but after the spirit, for what soever a man soweth that shall he reap: if he sow in the flesh, he shall of the flesh reap corruption: but if he sow in the spirit, he shall of the spirit reap life everlasting: for they that are Christ's, Gal. 5. have crucified the flesh with the appetites and lusts thereof, for Christ hath called us to holiness, and not to uncleanness, and hath called us out of bondage into liberty: from the curse of the law unto grace: from darkness to light: from death to life, from the spirit of fear to a lively hope: from a earthly mansion to an heavenly kingdom, from transitory glory, to everlasting glorification: therefore stand grounded and established in faith, not moved away from the gospel, but stand fast in the lively hope to obtain the glory that cometh by Christ, Rom. 8. being unfeignedly per waded that there is no damnation to them that are in Christ jesus, walking after the spirit, and having their conservation in heaven. For Christ our saviour sitting now in the right hand of God in his majesty, Ephe. 1. was before the world was, by whom we are predestinated heirs, according to the purpose of him that worketh all things, after the purpose of his own will, that through his gospel, should be brought life and immortality, to all that do believe in his son jesus Christ the seed of promise to Abraham, who now is declared openly: whom we look for to come shortly in the glory of his Father and all holy Angels with him, in all power and majesty. And that all eyes shall see him, and they also that pierced him so that all kindreds of the earth shall mourn when they behold Christ coming in the clouds, Reu. 1. to reward every man according to his deeds: therefore it behoveth us to watch and pray, and to become new creatures, thereby making our election sure, by holding fast his gospel in a steadfast faith by walking after righteousness, that we may overcome and be found faithful at the appearance of Christ coming in glory, that we also may be crowned with glory joyfully, saying: Blessed is the kingdom that cometh in the name of him, Mark. 11. that is Lord of our Father David, Hosanna, in the highest. Ephe. 1. BLessed be God the Father of our Lord jesus Christ which hath blessed us, with all manner of spiritual blessings in heavenly things by Christ, (according as he had chosen us, before the foundation of the world was laid, that we should be Saints through love, who ordained us before through Christ, to be heirs unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherewith he hath made us accepted through the beloved jesus, by whom we have redemption through his blood even the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace. Therefore to him be all honour and glory world without end, Amen. THE GLORIOUS and beautiful garland of man's glorification. CAP. 2. How man shall be changed at the sound of the last troump, from mortality to immortality, and from an earthly nature to an everlasting nature: and appear before the judgement seat of Chris t, to be rewarded according to his deeds, either with eternal reproof: or, else with everlasting glorification. Such is the eternal ordinance of the Almighty God touching our salvation, in his Son jesus Christ: that all men ought too know that as by a man came death, so by a man come the resurrection of the dead: for as by Adam all die, so by Christ shall all be made alive: according to john. john. 5. The hour shall come in the, which all that are in their graves shall hear Christ's voice, and shall come forth, they that have done good to the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil to the resurrection of damnation: Esdras. 22. as the Lord said by the Prophet: Those that be dead will I raise up again from their places, Daniel. 12. & bring them out of their graves and they that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake some to everlasting life, Acts. 17. some to perpetual shame and reproof: as it is in the Acts, that the Lord hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world according to righteousness, by that man Christ, whom he hath appointed and hath offered faith to all men, after that raised him from death: to whom (saith john) the Father hath committed all judgement, because that all men should honour the son even as they honour the Father, that who soever heareth Christ's wo●des and believe on him that sent him, Ihon. 5. hath everlasting life, and shall not come to damnation, but is scaped from death unto life, for he only hath the keys of hell and death and shall judge the quick, reve. 1. and the dead at the appearing of his kingdom, were all shall be brought before the judgement seat of Christ, Tim. 2.4. and every one give accounts of himself to God: for the time is come that judgement must begin at the house of the Lord consider therefore, what kind of people we ought to be in conversation of life, Pet. 14. seeing the righteous judgement of God, shall be opened, which will reward every man with praise, honour and immortality, that hath cuntinued in good doing: Rom. 2. and unto them which hath been sinful, disobeying the trenth & following iniquity, shall come indignation, and wrath, tribulation and anguish, upon the soul of every man that do evil: for there is no partiality with God, but doth judge without respect of persons according to every man's works as shall appeir at the great day of the Lord when God shall judge the secrets of men by jesus Christ according to the Gospel: when we must appeir ●e before his glorious and shining majesty, that every man may reap according as he hath sown: Heb. 4. whereupon we are most carefully to look into our own selves, knowing that our souls shall be ways upon the balance, by that most true and righteous judge, whose eyes are as a flame of fire, that searcheth out the ground of our hearts, and knoweth the seceret movings of our minds, & judgeth all the thoughts and intentes of man, to whom all things are naked & bare, neither is there any creature invisible in the sight of him▪ who will not fail to to recompense every man according to his ways and according to the fruits of his counsels and imaginations: Now than that this general cytation of our infallible appearance before that Court regal, which God will hold with all flesh is so apparent, we should persuade that the knowledge héerof, is most forcible, to strike into our hearts a trembling fear and dread of our Lord God: who is a consuming fire to all that do continue in wickedness: so that it behoveth us, not to make light account of so great and fearful a matter and it standeth us upon, not to be negligent and careless of the order and manner of our lives, seeing it toucheth our Souls so near the quick, as that by the conversation of life in this world (the mark and garland is so set before us) that if we run the race of this life, Math. 2.5. like to the five good Virgins having prepared in ourselves (in the grace of Christ) that lamps of righteousness, sanctifying the Lord God in our hearts by good conversation in Christ: then we shall accompany Christ or bridegroom in the great day of his coming & shall go in, with him to the wedding, and to the enjoying of our new heavenly jerusalem which is to come down from God from heaven, preparhd as a Bride for her husband, Rove. 19 being rays with the goodly rains of the righteousness, of Saints for the marriage of the undefiled Lamb, and for the glorious company of the holy elect, who then are happy that they are called unto the lambs supper, there crowned with the garland of glorification: Otherwise if we run the race of this life, like the five foolish Virgins not respecting the rule of righteousness, nor embracing the Oil of gladness brought to us by Christ's Gospel, but wallowing in wickedness and so seek after our fleshly lusts & warldly vanities, than we must be shut out from this heavenly wedding and thrown down from the face of God, & from his Sanctes, into that dreadful darkness where all are wrapped in sorrow & wots made the dampened children of cursed s●●hā: Phil. 2. for which cause we ought to watch & pray knowing not what day or hours the son of man shall come: & therefore we ought to watch & pray: working out our sal●●●●●● 〈◊〉 ●●●●es t that our misdeeds separate us from our God and our sins hide his face (for ●●er) from us. Wherefore ye Prachers, cry out the voice of heaviness & the lamenting cries of dolefulness, which shall come unto the wicked livers unless they repent: and ye Preachers, sound out the voice of joy, of mirth and gladness that shall come unto the godly people: and thou heart faint not, and thou hand slack not to utter forth and wri●●, how the gates of heaven stand open, night and day for penitent sinners, for the faithful, godly and righteous people to receive them into blessedness and show thyself a watchman to awake with this voice all the people round about out of the sleeping bed of sin, blowing into the ears of deaf sinners, wretched worldlings, fleshly livers, vicious walkers and wicked doers: how hell gates do gape very wide ●n most dreadful manner, to swallow up ungodly and wicked men: Num. 16. (O how did the Isralites tremble and quake when they did see the earth open and s wallow up Corath, Levi. 10. Dathan and Abyron with all that they had, that they went down quick to hell: O how did the Isralites tremble and shake when a consuming fire came out from the Lord and cons umed Nadab, and Abihu the sons of Aaron: Num. 11. then come hither ye Inhabiters of the earth and behold with gushing tears with sorrow and terror, with sobs and sighs the day of vengeance, with much more terror of the gates of hell: gaping and gasping in most hydious, monstruous and horrible manner, to swallow by 〈◊〉 diffent 〈◊〉: and again con cider how the Isralites did sa●●●●or ●●are when ●●●re of the Lord did burn among them and consumed the utter more ste of the host: Exo. 19 Deut. 4. and how again they shaked for dread when the Lord came down upon mount Sinai with tempest & sound of the trump speaking out of fire: ba●nnow come hither all ye people of the Lord & behold the day of the Lord, for he cometh to take vengeance & reward: yea he cometh himself like a goldsmiths are 〈◊〉 the heavens shall perish the elements melt, the earth & all the 〈◊〉 with●●●●●e: according to Paul who saith that, Thess. 2. ●. He shall come with his mighty Angels, in flaming fire, rendering vengeance unto them that know not God, and to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord jesus Christ, which shall be punished with everlasting damnation from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power, when he shall come to be glorified in his saints and made marvelous in all them that believe: therefore hearken unto this voice, with sorrow of thy sins, and remember this day with trembling and repenting: knowing how miserable those sinners were, that continued in wickedness, and drove off from day to day, till the flood came unawares upon them, and over whelmed, & gulled into their throats: Gen. 7. and how lamentable the Sodomites were, that abode in sin, and wallowed in the lusts of the flesh, and pleasure of the world, and in the lusts of eating and drinking, and vicious life, even till the fire and brimstone came down from heaven and consumed and burnt them up, most ruefully and heavily: but now behold, Gen. 19 there is coming a thousand fold more, of fire and brimstone, of flames of we, of floods of sorrow, and burning plagues of pain, at this day when all the frame of this world shall fly on a fire, and the Lord shall say, depart ye cursed into everlasting woe, the before turn unto me (saith the Lord) and I will turn unto you, and hast to come away (ye people) from slumbering in sin, Zach. 1. and tarry no longer in your carnal lusts, and worldly desires, walking with old Adam in filthy and vain conversation: but awake, and rise up to Christ in holiness of life, knowing that you are redeemed with his precious blood (as of a lamb undefiled and without spot) that you may be found unto laud honour and glory at the appearing of jesus Christ: Pet. 1.1. when ye shall give accounts to him who shall come with all power, Pet. 1.4. to judge the a●icke and dead: for which cause ye ought to awake out of sin, and sit down upon the lap of repentance, there making you ready daily and hourly, with the garments of righteousness, the breast plate of faith and love: and putting on the golden helmet of hope, the precious badge of your salvation, thereby making your calling and election sure, that when his glory appeareth, you may be merry and glad, and not ashamed. Wherefore consider this dreadful day: in which, behold how woeful, how trembling and fearful it shall be: to see all the borders of the heavens, and earth, in a raging bla●●ng and consuming fire: that we shall cry unto the hills and rocks to fall on us, and how pitiful shall this day be, in which all the kindreds of the earth shall mourn with grievous lament and weepings: therefore let this consideration enter into the ears of thy heart, as the sound of a terrible trumpet shuddering and shaking thy fleshly man; with the remembrance of the groaning cries of the w●es in hell: and animating thy inward man with the joyful voices of blessedness in heaven, considering that such is the glory, that the gospel propound, of the one side: and such is the dreadful damnation which it threateneth of the other si●e: as that the one, is an eternal kingdom of glory, prepared for the good and godly people, the joy whereof surpasseth the other is a place of horror and a furnace of unquenchable pains, ordained for the wicked: into the which they shall be damned, and cast from the face of their G●●●, there remaining, swallowed up, into the dreadful and ark gulfs of hell, for ever and ever: and there shall continue tormented with fire and brimstone for ever: where every place and corner is filled with curses and woes, and with most heavy lamentations and bewailings: where (alas) the heaps of woes, the storms of punishments, the raging of spirits, the horror of Satan, and the crying of souls, may pierce your hearts with the wounds of sorrow, to think of the griefs that shallbe accompanied with the lamentable damnation of departing from god, & from his kingdom of heaven: whereby it shall make that day of sentence and judgement of death, given by Christ, to be most trembling, dreadful and fearful. Notwithstanding, there is no cause why any man should fear himself, so that he persevere in the christian faith, & good life, as a sure refuge and anchor: He that believeth need not fear. although great shall be the fear of the dreadful day of doom, when Christ shall show himself suddenly & unlooked for, from an high, after the manner of a flash of lightning: dreadful to the wicked, who shall be cast into everlasting fire: & vost amiable & lovely to the godly persons which shall be called to the fellowship of the heavenly kingdom: for the Lord will let none of his chosen be away, but be shrouded under the protection of his Angels, for it is written, Psal. 34. the angel of the Lord tarrieth about them that fear him, & delivereth them, yea he will comfort them, even when that sudden and sore perplexity of mind and earnest des peration, shall go as a quavie and wind over all nations, that the people of the earth shall consume and pine away as people of an other world, for fear of beholding the terrible stroke of God: the powers of heaven to move contrary to their creation, & the earth shake and reel: & the sea boil and swell with most dreadful roaring noise, to the dismaing of all men's hearts to behold the whole universal world and all the nature of things ready to be shaken in sunder like an earthen pot, when the bright shining s un being the fountain of the light of the earth & heavens, shall with sudden darkness cover his face, imbraiding the ungodly with their blindness, because they would not see, follow, & embrace the everlasting s on & lantern of the world jesus Christ: & the moon shall give no light, and the stars fall, which hath been so many hundred years fastened to the firmament: Then the glory of the Lord shall come, & his face burn that no man can abide it, Esay. 3. and shall set up the power of his voice, an angry countenance with a consuming fire: then the kings shall vanish as the scums of the water and shall say to the mountains cover us, Ose. 9 and to the hills fall on us: fearing the fire of God's indignation now kindled over the whole world, doubting to be girded in the flame thereof: whereat all the nations of the world shall strike their breasts, beholding the sign of the son of man: which being s●ne a universal trepidation shall come unto all men's hearts, when the jews shall see whom they have offended, and the Gentiles s hall see the majesty of the cross which they laughed to scorn for they shall see the son of man whom they despised, coming on high in the clouds of the air with a great army of Angels: Esay. 26. who cometh out of his place to visit the wickedness of them that dwell upon the earth, and who shall abide it: for than shall the axe be put to the root of the trees, so that every tree that hath not brought forth good fruit, shall be hewn down and cast into the fire: when fire and brimstone, storm & tempest, shall be their portion to drink: which obstinate sinners have heaped to themselves, despising the goodness, patience and long suffering of God, which means he used in their life time to call them continually to repentance: but then shall it be to late to knock, when the door shall be shut, and to late to cry for mercy, when it is the time of justice: for he shall thus come (according to Matthew Math. 25. ) in his glory and all the holy Angels with him, and then sit upon his seat of judgement, and all nations gathered before him, separating the one from the other, (as a shepherd divideth the sheep from the goats) and shall set the sheep on the right hand, and the goats on the left: and then shall he joyfully say to them on the right hand▪ Come ye blessed children of my father, inherit the kingdom, prepared for you, from the beginning of the world. And then he shall say to them of the left hand, depart from me ye cursed, into everlasting fire which is prepared for the devils and his angels: wherein the Apostle setting before our eyes the glorious majesty of Christ's coming, and the effect of his coming may seem to prick all men's hearts even to bleed for sorrow of their sins, to think upon this fearful sentence of Christ who thus cometh as saith john Baptist, with the fan in his hand, Matth. 5. and will purge his flower and gather the wheat into his barn, being the righteous and the chaff which are the wicked, he will burn with unquechable fire: by which we plainly see the separation of the good from the ill: with the deserts and rewards of both parties, Ephe. ●. and with the whole manner of the latter judgement which no people high or low shall escape: for all things in heaven and in earth, (according to Paul to the Ephesians) shall be gathered together in Christ: and Christ as a just judge shall divide them into two parties and will show unto both a just cause of his judgement: Math. 25. that the just may know with what well doings, they have attained so great felicity and joy: and the ill may know with what offences they have deserved everlasting punishment: for Christ shall say with a mild and merry cheer, to them which hath done the deeds of righteousness and mercy, for his name sake. Come ye blessed of the Lord inherit the kingdom, and be clothed with your heavinly mansion. Wherefore stir up your hearts to embrace this joyful voice of voices, which hath power to kindle and inflame all humble hearts to run after godliness, with all love power and might of the soul, (without weariness) to obtain the joy of Christ's kingdom: for which cause, stop not your ears, harden not your hearts, follow not your lusts, EPhes. 1. hunt not after worldliness, but thirst after righteousness, and walk in the narrow way: and guide the feet of thy conscience in the holy path that leadeth and conducteth to this eternal salvation and most blessed City, the joy whereof is so superabundant, the glory so triumphant: the blessedness so heavenly: the pleasure so sweet, the treasure so exceeding, Cor 1.2. the place so incomparable: that the eye hath not seen, nor the ear ever heard, nor the heart could ever think the joy which is prepared in heaven for us: for such is the inheritance as to be made the glorious Sons of GOD, crowned with glory and immortality for ever: Cor. 2.5. where death is changed to everlasting life: nakedness clothed with God's brightness, sorrows turned to perpetual joy and all our infirmities are changed into to eternal and incorruptible happiness. In respect whereof seeing we know of a certainty, that if our earthly mansion or corporal presence, wherein we now dwell were destroyed, that we have a building or City ordained of GOD, being an habitation not made with hands, but eternal in heaven: the very kingdom of Christ and rest of GOD, for which we should sigthe and groan, desiring to be clothed with our mansion which is from heaven: but yet we must be here clothed, and not naked as men without good life, for as long as we are in this tabernacle and world, we should sight with the s obbes of true repentance and groan with the grief of godly sorrow, abhorring sin and wickedness: in that we would not be found unclothed, but would be clothed upon with the garment of righteousness, that mortality might be swallowed up of life: reve. 3. To the obtaining whereof Christ counsel us to buy of him gold tried in the fire, that we may be rich, and to buy of him white raiment that we may be clothed (which is truth and righteousness) that our filthy nakedness do not appear, as if we were sotted in the corruption and lusts of the old Adam: thereby indaungering ourselves because we neither seek for the garments of Godliness with pure diligence and love: nor knock with the hand of steadfast & unfeigned faith: nor ask with devotion of sincere prayers, the gifts of his grace to be found at the great marriage, of the King's son, without our wedding garments, and so s ubiect to the Ministers of God's wrath, who shall be commanded and charged to bind us hand and foot, and to cast us most dreadfully into utter darkness. whereupon print and establish this for evermore in thy heart, how grievous and lamentable it shall be, above all griefs and s orrowes, when Christ shall say to his Reapers, or ministering Angels. Take those cursed, bind them like tars in sheaves, to be brent: And all so print it in thy heart and mind (as in a remembering Book) or looking glass e how heavy and lamentable a case it shall be to behold the look of Christ, Math. 1●. when his lips shall wag with fury and indignation, and his tongue sparkle out, the fiery streams of a wasting and consuming fire when he turneth to them that stand on the left hand with direful and terrible voice, saying, Go away from me you cursed and execrable of my Father, which are workers of iniquity and regarded not righteousness, depart you to fire which never shall be quenched, Math. 25. which is prepared for the devil and his Angels. (Oh) consider how sorrowful and heavy shall this departure be, into all heaviness from whence, you shall never be redeemed, nor pitied, how bitter and grievous shall that sentence be, how lamentable shall those cursed souls be, which shall never again be comforted: that must forsake the presence and sight of Christ for ever: that must be deprived from heaven from joy, from all pleasure for ever: that hath lost the glorious and renowned inheritance of new jerusalem for ever, that hath lost the happiness which others enjoy for ever-and now are departed into bitter torments grievously to be vexed for ever, what a loss is that (O wretched people) & what a pain is this, you may faint to think it. And therefore awake up ye drunkards and weep: mourn and howl all ye gluttons and wine sippers: lest you go with Esau, from your birthright, and s up the pottage, & wine dregs of hell fire: & ye unclean persons come to the waters of life and wash you clean, and cleanse your corrupted hearts, by washing away your evil thoughts, wicked lusts and sinful deeds in the blood of Christ, by true repentance and newness of life, lest you be cast headlong from the inheritance of heavinly pleasure, into the filthy lake of perpetual sorrow and misery: and all ye Inhabiters of the earth strive against sin, and cast from you the fellowship of hypocrisy, envy, pride, covetousness, with all other sins, and cut of from your hearts the cloisters of evil thoughts and the branches of wicked imaginations, that you may be found worthy at the great day of the LORD, to be translated into the kingdom of glory. Wherefore consider the terror of the day of judgement and behold how all kyndreds doth stand shaking and be wailing before the high judge: that it may enforce us to tears, for to think on that day, when shall be seen that most great, lamentable and everlasting separation & departing of the elect from the dampened: and this departing shall be such, as that the one part shall be cast into hell, Mark. 9 into the fire that never shallbe quenched, out of which no weeping tears can restore us, where (saith Mark) that the worm dieth not, and the fire never goeth out: when shall be fulfilled that heavy voice. Woe be to you that are rich, Luke. 6. for you have therein your consolation: woe be to you that are full, for you shall hunger: woe be to you that now laugthe, Math. 11. for ye shall wail and weep: and then shall be heard that voice of terror and wretchedness, saying: Woe be unto thee Ch●rasin, Woe be to thee Bethsaida, which so little regarded and esteemed the Miracles and the Doctrine done in thee, which if they had been done in tire and Sydon, they would have repent in sackcloth and ashes. Therefore I say to thee, it shall be easier for tire and Sydon at the day of judgement, then for you. And woe be to thee Capernaum, which art lift up even to heaven, (being so proud) thou shalt be brought down into hell, for if the miracles and doctrine done in thee, had been done in Zodome they had remained undestroyed till this day: therefore it shall be easier for the land of Zodome in the day of judgement then for thee: wherefore beware ye careless people how you refuse the doctrine of Christ, lest you heap to yourselves an hard judgement at the day of the Lord: make ye ready that you may go up to the house of the Lord, Esay. 2. and to the house of the God of jacob, and walk in his paths for Christ hath told signs, wonders, and tokens of his coming. And he hath sent you many a jonas, to recall you to repentance, and to teach you his doctrine of salvation therefore turn to God, lest that Nynivie rise in judgement against you, and the woe of Bethsaida overtake you for as it happened in the time of Noye, so shall the coming of the son of man be, they eat, they drank they married wives and were married, Luk. 17. even unto the same day that the flood came and destroyed them all: like wise also as it chanced in the days of Lot, they eat they drank, they bought they sold, they planted, they bilt, and even the same day, that Lot went out of Zodome, it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all: And after these examples, shall it be in the day. when the son of man eppeareth, and then two shall be in bed, the one received, the other forsaken, two grinding at the mill, the one received, the other forsaken. Therefore hearken, O earth, and ye indwellers of the earth, to this terrible day of the Lord, yea cast off your mantle of security, and slackness, and open your blunt hearts, and dull ears, giving a careful ear to the sentence, which the Apostles do give, Matth. 19 Matth. 25. (that shall sit with Christ in judgement) saying, take & cast the unprofitable servant into utter darkness. And john & Paul saith, That all unclean persons that work abominations, revel. 21. 1. Cor. 6. and lies, the fearful unbelieving murderers, whoremongers, sorcerers, Idolaters, covetous, drunkards, extortioners, thieves, weakelens, cursed speakers, & envious persons, continuing to death without repentance from the bottom of the heart shall have their part in the lake, which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death, for as the tree falleth, so doth it lie: whereupon beware ye wicked worldlings & sinners, the delay and hold off from time to time, & drive off from true repentance & amendment of life: lest your sins lie heavy upon you, and your heart grow hard in these sins, & can not repent, and so heap to yourselves the treasure of wrath against the day of vengeance, according to the prophesy of Enoch, Saint jude. saying, behold the Lord shall come, with thousands of saints, to give judgement against all men, & to rebuke all that are ungodly among them, of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed, & of all the cruel speakings which ungodly sinners have spoken against him: Then shall the Lord cry with a loud voice, revel. 14. (like a lion that roareth) unto his angels, to thrust in the sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the earth, and to cut down the grapes of the earth, (the wicked and sinful people) and cast them into the great winefat of his wrath, and the winefat is trodden without the city of new jerusalem, yea it is trodden in the place of extreme darkness, in the hideous dungen of hell in all horror of bloody sorrows: for the reward of sin is death and hell, where it stink with brimstone that cannot be abodden, where behold with piteous eyes how the souls of the dampened bewail in woe, where all mirth and joy are turned to woes, where all songs and music are woos, where feasting and banqueting be woes, where dancing and love toys be woes, plays and pastimes be woes, and where gold and silver and all gay things of this world are changed into wretchedness and woes. And of all other this is the most dreadful woe, E●trense●●● which is the deprivation of hope from coming out of those woos. And thus the miserable dampened souls, are evermore, tormented with fire and brimstone, and the smoke of their torments ascendeth up for ever and ever. And never have rest day and night, and they cry piteously to the Lord, and he heareth not, and though they never cease from tears, yet the Lord regardeth them not: And then they know (when it is too late,) that all worldly things are vanities and miseries, and they would repent and it helpeth not: and thus they weep and wails in dolourouse torments, and gnaw their tongues in most rigorous pain. And so in great burning they drink of the cup of God's intolerable wrath and heavy displeasure and indignation: and they still burn and never are burned, they seek death, and death flieth from them, and yet are they still in death and shall be for ever and ever: and thus they still die and never give over unto death, therefore (thou sinner) amend thy ways and be obedient unto God, considering these dreadful torments to be the reward of sinners, for which cause lie down upon the bed of weeping and waling, wrapping thee in the clean and new aired sheets of true and pure repentance, and cover thee with the fair coverlet of true amendment of life: considering that all the afflictions and miseries of this world are nothing in comparison to the least that they shall feel in hell, for which cause we ought to tremble from the top to the toe, saying Woe unto us, because of offences and sin, if we repent not, and amend our lives: therefore let us turn unto the Lord our God without any tarrying, being sore afraid of the shrill sound of the trumpet, that soundeth out the fearful Alaran. of the woos of hell, And being terrified with the sound of the last trump that shall make all things suddenly to fall down as the walls of jerico and shall make men's hearts to fail them forfeare: knowing what Saint Peter saith) that if the righteous shall scarcely be saved, Pet. ●. 4. where then shall the ungodly and sinners appear: for if God, spared not the Angels that sinned, but cast them down into hell, and delivered them, into chains of darkness to be kept unto judgement, then must we look for the wrath of God, with swift damnation to be showed upon all the unrighteous and unpenitent: which thing, doth call us home, to examine our conscience (seeing we cannot halt with God, though we dissemble to the world) taking that for a fair lesson, jere. 8. of remembering our duty to God, Esay. 1. which he saith by jeremy, that the stork knoweth his appointed time, but my people will not know the time of the punishment of their Lord. And again in Esay he saith: that the ass will know his masters stall, but my people will not know their duty to me their God, which examples do condemn us of unkindness and disobedience to our Lord, and shall be witness against us of our want of duty, and cold love, as Dives dog licking Lazarus sores, was a witness against his master's unkindness and want of mercy. And now let us turn to the Lord seeing we cannot scape the judgement of God, who will come as a thief in the night, when men shall say, peace and no danger, then cometh on them sudden des truction: yea he shall come suddenly as the lightning shineth out of the east in to the west, so shall the coming of the son of man be, yea he s hall tread upon the high mountains, things shall melt under him, Math. 24. and all and who can abide it? yea he shall come as a goldsmiths fire to cleanse the silver from the dross, Mich. 1. and who can endure it? Therefore all hard hearts, Zach. 3. froward s tomackes, proud looks, stubborn wills and high minds: shall then weep and mourn when they see the sign of the son man: and all lofty, glorious rich or high shall be brought low and fall down: according to the Prophet. The day of the Lord cometh that shall go over all pride and presumption and bring them all down who casteth down the high looks of the presumptuous persons and bringeth low the pride of man. Esay. 2. and all glorious things shall be brought down that day. Oh therefore where wilt thou be? to get into any rock, or to hide thee in the ground from the sight of the fearful judge and from the glory of his Majesty will not serve, when behold the day doth come in which all shall burn whereat thou shalt wring thy hands, with an heavy look and quake and shake like an aspen leaf: and weep and wail like a silly wretch, and smite thy breast with piteous groans and watery ché ekes to see the dreadful day, of dread and the fearful judge of judges: Wherefore O ye covetous men, ye usurers, extortioners, and unmerciful people, hear the voice of your watchman: what are ye as blocks, that hear not? are ye as stones that feel not? are ye as moules that see not? or are ye as Images that fear not? behold the fearful day of vengeance? what dost thou say tush? where and where is it? behold it cometh as a thief: yea it cometh like a swift cloud when you shall say peace and no danger, then is the judge at the door: and then of force because ye would not hear in prosperity (sayeth jeremy) you shall weep in adversity: whereat, jerem. 22. (Oh how) is your countenance changed which did look so stout: puffing against your silly poor neighbour and brother, but lo the day is? and I see how bitterly you do weep, but why weep ye? what for your goodly houses and gay garments, for your grounds, your goods, your evidences, your gold and your silver? Alas it is turned to fire: for behold sayeth peter, james and Esay, you are enforced now to leave them, for they burn and are turned to fire to eat and consume you, for now your case is pleaded before all the Angels in the presence of the high judge, how you have made you friends of the wicked mammon, where it standeth upon most manifest evidence, Luke. 16. and plain confession guilty or not guilty of an unpenitent conscience: where if you be found guilty of ill life you are turned of the ladder of heaven, and shall fall into the second death of everlasting fire, swallowed into hell, as the earth swallowed up Cor●th, D●than and Abyron. And ye proud and lascivious, ye gluttons, ye belly and back pleasers and ye d●lcious children of wantonness, who counted it pleasure to live diliciously for a season what is the world changed? that I see you so forlorn and naked, hanging down your lips & eyes with such ●●●full looks, what, do you want your musical pleas ures your banquets and chamberings? alas, they are wormwood and gall: for your mirth is turned into heaviness, and why? because the day is come that the powers of heaven doth move, the frame thereof is cracked, and the 〈◊〉 waters make an untolerable noise 〈◊〉 of all plagues are ready to be 〈◊〉 the day of fearfulness) in which, see and behold, how your chambers of pleasure, your soft and sweet beds of lust, your tables of banquets, your gardens of delight, your gorgeous apparel, with all your wanton delights: are turned to fire and brimstone, yea, they are gargl●d and fupped up into the hollow throat and gulf of hell, with Lucifer the father of pride, gluttony, vanity, concupiscence and s●●●e. Besides, ye Antechrist, ye sorcerers, witches, Idolaters, false teachers and hyocrites, where is your goodness? where is your skill and boast? that ye look so fearfully up to heaven: what is the day come upon you unawares? that the sun look black, the mo●● hath lost 〈◊〉 ●ight, the stars of heaven did fall and the 〈◊〉 ●oor the your spirits, ●ring but your 〈◊〉 men and come forth you Astrologers and cast your figures, look to the houses of heavens together the detriments and degrees of the planets and stars▪ what are you now confounded? (then behold saith the Prophet) the Lord will destroy the tokens of witches, and make the soothsayers go wrong, Esay. 44. & make the cunning of the wise foolishness & bring the council of the Magitioners to nought, for sayeth the Lord, I will destroy the wisdom of their wife and the understanding of their learned shall perish: so that now ye fall to the ground quaking to see the sign of the son of man appearing, to see the day of fire, that is come to try every man's work: whereat, O how ye lament and cry: but what for your spirits and familiars? which made you to be counted cunning men, which promised you dreams and showed you vi sions which served your pleasure to vex men and to bewitch with▪ O behold sayeth Christ many shall say unto me in that day, Lord, Lord, Math 7. have we not in thy name prophisied and in thy name have cast out devils & in thy name have done many miracles but sayeth the Lord, I will knowledge to them that I never knew them: depart from me ye workers of iniquity. And now ye Idolaters, false woorshpers and Apocrites see how you do nothing but wé epe? & what for your pictures, your ceremonies, your offerings, your golden Ladies, your wooden saints, & for want of your masses to eas e you, or of bulls, from Room to pardon & preserve you this day? behold saith Esay, they are the straw and you are the fire, you shall burn and never be quenched: Esay. 33. yea all that you have thus conceived is stubble & straw, and your spirit shallbe the fire that it shall consume you and shallbe burnt like lime & thorns, for now confounded shallbe all work masters of errors, and shallbe turned to fire and smoke and shall burn for ever with that great beast and false prophet which shallbe cast into a pond of burning brimstone. Esay. 45. Esay. 65. Therefore let s uddain fearfulness run through you to consider the terror and vengeance of this heavy and fearful day of bitter wrath and indignation: and who shall be able to endure it, wherefore away with all vanities and so run your race of life that you may find mercy at the great day of the Lord, so that cleanse your consciences from sin & filthiness and buy the milk of heavenly nourishment, the wine of heavenly gladness & hope, and the garments of righteousness, that you may be filled and clothed with all godly life and conversation, that you may be bold and and not afeard at the appearing of the Lord in the dreadful day of judgement. Moreover ye envious men, revenger, thief, murderer, blasphemer, liar, quariler and deceiver, why doest thou now shake for fear? that wont to be so lusty a thretner so fierce and stout a revenger, against thy poor neighbour or enemy: Deut. 32. what art thou become a lump of fear? and is the day come that hath shaken a sunder thy joints and heart strings that thou so wretchedly dost weep? Rom. 12. or why wéepest thou? because thou canst have no more thy mind to hurt and sting thy neighbour and enemy, and so backbite him? alas wretch the direful day is come, that the Lord sayeth vengeance is mine and I will revenge, yea the time is come the he will spend all his arrows upon thee and will reward thy envious & revenging heart, even into thy bosom, except thou hast embraced repentance in time, for behold God sayeth, the fire is kindled in his wrath and shall burn unto the bottom of hell, Zache, 5. for the flying book of curse which was entered into the houses of thieves, swearers, murderers, liars, revengers, quarrelers and malicious sinners, is brought forth, that they may be judged, and thereby consumed: being adjudged to be s ectered with chains of fire, and led through the gates of hell to be brent in the pit of burning brimstone for ever. Wherefore awake quickly out of your s lumbring ●e● of sin, & turn unto the Lord your God for he is gracious and merciful and ready to pardon wickedness: so that you ●●cuse your hart●& become 〈◊〉 creatures in holiness and pureness working out your salvation with earnest devotion: for consider the dreadful voice which the watchmen soundeth of the day of the Lord saying that it shall come as a snare to all them, that sit on the face of the earth: whereby ye ought to take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be overcome with surfeiting and drunkenness, with lusts and cares of the world: and so have your hearts (as it were) gived to sin: Therefore repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand: Matth. 13. which (as the Apostle saith) is like to a net cast into the sea, that gathereth of all kind of fishes, which when it is full men do draw to land, and sit and gather the good into vessels, and cast the bad away: and so shall it be at the end of the world, the son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall sever the good from the bad, and gather out of his kingdom all that offend and doth iniquity, and shall cast them into a furnace of fire, there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth: and then shall the just man shine as bright as the Son in the kingdom of the Father: wherein ye are warned carefully to watch and abide in Christ, lest you be found cursed children, forsaking the right way: for which cause arm yourselves with goodness of life, Matth. 2. ●. that when he shall s end his angels with great voice of trumpet, to gather together, his chosen from the four winds, and from the one end of the world to the other, you may be found profitable servants and well doing: Peter. 2.3. For it is written that the heavens shall perish with fire, and the elements consume with heart, and the earth burn with all that is therein. And seeing that all these things shall thus undoubtedly perish, what manner of persons ought we to be in conversation & godliness, in righteousness and holiness, looking for the coming of that day, in which the whole world shallbe utterly burnt up and consumed: no doubt, seeing that such things are most assuredly to be looked for: we ought to be diligent, so to live as to be found true children of the light: sprinkled in our hearts with the blood of Christ, Heb. 10. from an evil conscience: knowing that every 〈◊〉 that bringeth not forth good fruit shall be ●ewen down and cast into the fire: Matth. 7. for Christ saith, That not all that say to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doth my Father's will which is in heaven: whereupon take warning (O all ye people of the Lords) and consider, that narrow is the way that leadeth to salvation, and broad the way that leadeth to destruction, for which cause be vigilant in all good conversation and well doing, that you may keep yourselves in the narrow path of Christ, that you may find grace & mercy in time of need, that when his glory appeareth you may be merry and glad: touching the which, remember among many examples, the forcible example of D●●es, who being puffed up with all wealthy provision of lands and goods, living in the pleasure and security of this world, Luke 16. regarded not goodness, righteousness, and mercy, but contemned the poor: & so lived according to his own froward thoughts and ●●●●eites; showing no pity and that 〈◊〉 to poor Lazarus ●●●●ning to his gate for 〈◊〉, who had a true and patiented heart to 〈◊〉 and misery of life in this world. And 〈◊〉 how this poor wretch's 〈◊〉 to God, was carried into Abraham 〈◊〉 rich man for his wicked life & 〈◊〉 heart, is adjudged to hell torments, and that he being in the burning 〈◊〉 of tortures and 〈◊〉, and beholding Lazarus as joy ●●d never after 〈◊〉 so much as one drop of 〈◊〉 scalding in the breaking 〈◊〉 take he's to your selile●, ye wealthy citizens, ye rich gluttons, voluptuous livers, covetous worldlings, uncharitable hearts, stiffs stomachs, and unmerciful people, knowing that after that day, repentance is too late: so that be mindful to lay up treasures in heaven where neither thieves break in, nor moths corrupt, Matth. 6. that when the day of the Lord cometh, thou mayst find favour to be in the bosom of Abraham with Lazarus in the everlasting habitations: and scape the danger of Dives torments, where it is unpossible ever to come out again, or ever to be released from the horror of woes: therefore deceive not thyself with the 〈◊〉 of a counterfeit, faint and cold repentance, but put on true, sineers & faithful repentance with a steadfast amendment of life: making no longer delay, lest the arrows of death, or the sudden coming of the day of the Lord, doth come upon thee unawares, and so be found unprovided, like an unprofitable servant, deserving to be cast into darkness: to whom the Lord shall say in his wrath, Esay 3.1 it is ye the have burnt up my vineyard, & therefore departed from me ye wicked: whereby be ye moved and stirred up inwardly in your hearts, knowing that it is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God to sup the cup of his indignation, when he shall say, woe be to their souls, which shallbe heavily rewarded. Esay 31. For the Lord cometh saith Esay with ●●●e & his chariot shallbe like a whirl wind, that he may recompense his vengeance in his wrath, and his indignation in the flame of fire, Esay 66. for the Lord shall judge all flesh with the fire and with his sword, for the hand of the Lord shallbe known among his servants, and his indignation among his enemies: and I will (saith the Lord) gather all people and tongues with their works and imaginations, and they shall see my glory, for the Lord will hold his court regal with all flesh, and then it shallbe said, Happy are the godly for they shall enjoy the fruits of their works, and labours, but woe to the ungodly, for they shall be recompenses after their evil deeds: Oseas 7. and then at that day the Lord shall say (as in Oseas) woe be do them for they have forsaken me, they have sown winds, therefore they shall reap a storm, they must be destroyed for they have set me at nought, they have ploughed wickedness, and therefore shall reap the fruit of sin, which at that day of judgement is the bitter pains of hell and damnation. wherefore crucify your earthly and fleshly members, and s eke for grace to replenish your hearts with heavenly thoughts and deeds, saying with Saint john, revel. 1. He cometh, and all eyes shall see him, and they that pierced him and then all kindreds shall wail. revel. 6. And heaven shall vanish away like a scroll, when it ●●●olled together, and all mountains and Isles shall be moved out of their places, and the Kings of the earth and the great men, and the mighty men, and the rich men, and the captains, and every bond man and every free man, shall hide themselves in dens and rocks of the hills, and say to the rocks and the hills fall on us, and hide us from the presence of him that sitteth in the seat, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of his wrath is come and who can endure it. Esay. 2. For than saith Esay, shall men creep into the holes of stove, and into the caves of the earth from the sight of the fearful judge, and from the glory of his Majesty, when he shall make him up to shake the earth: Now see what a dreadful day of trembling this is, and how fear shall overtake all men high and low even with utter lamentation and despair, when the Lord at that day (which is at hand) shall according to Micheas, Mich. 1. come down and tread upon the high things of the earth, and cleave the heavens asunder, that the mountains shall consume under him, Thess. 1.4. and the valleys rend in pieces, according to Paul, The Lord shall descend from heaven with a shout and the voice of the archangel & trump of God and the dead in Christ shall rise first, and then shall we which remain be caught up with them also in the clouds, Cor. 1.15. to meet the Lord in the air, for the trumpet shall blow, and the dead shall rise incorruptible, and we shallbe changed in a moment and in the twinkling of an eye, at the sound of the last trumpet, for this corruptibility must put on corruptibiltie and this mortality, must put on immortality & then death shallbe consumed into victory for now the time is, the though you be scattered to dust and ashes, or in the waves of the sea, and wrapped in the corners of the earth & dens of hell, yet can you not escape from God, for every place shall give up all their dead at the voice of Christ the judger of the quick and the dead: reve. ●0. and then shall the books be opuned and the dead judged of those things which are written in the books according to their deeds. When according to the Scripture, shall the names of the righteous be manifest, and also the names of the ungodly with their works be declared: wherefore put on the garmnets of God, that ye may be found to praise and honour (when Christ our high king of kings, cometh to judgement) when all knees shall bow & give accounts to God: john. 5. for which cause it nearly behoveth us to walk in the way of godliness and to follow Christ, setting our affection in heaven, that according to Paul, when Christ which is our life shall show himself that we also may appear with him in glory, therefore saith james: Coloss. 3. be ye patiented unto the coming of the Lord: and settle your hearts in goodness, James. 5. for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh, when we shall see him as he is, and be like him. made by him the sons of God, who shall change our vile bodies to be fashioned like to his glorious body: that we shall enjoy the fruition of his everlasting tabernacle & heavenly jerusalem: at his appearance again to s aluation: whereunto, he called us by the Gospel to obtain the glory that cometh of our Lord jesus Christ, for Christ died for us that we should be partakers of his kingdom and have our names in the book of life: as sayeth the Apostle, we shall be delivered from this bondage of corruption, into the glorious liberty of the sons of God, Rom. 8. according to Christ s aying, I am the resurrection and life, he that john. 12. believeth in me, yea though he were dead, yet shall he live, and whoso ever liveth, and believeth in me shall not die for ever. according to Luke, Luke. 20. They which be made worthy to enjoy the kingdom of the world to come, and the resurrection from death, can die no more, for they are equal to the Angels and are the sons of God: for saith Christ, reve. 2, 3. He that overcometh and is faithful to the end, I will give him to eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the Paradise of God: and he shall have a crown of life and shall not be hurt of the second death, but have his name in the book of life, and be a pillar in the temple of my God, and shall sit with me in my seat: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our steadfast and unfeigned faith in jesus Christ, by whom GOD hath given unto us eternal life, and to be glorified by him, at the day of his appearance, when the mystery of Gods will shall be opened in his son jesus Christ, at his coming at the end of the world: at which time shall be performed, that all that have done well shall go into everlasting life, and all that hath done evil into everlasting damnation: Therefore let us fight the good fight of faith, and walk as children of the day, waiting with steadfast hope for the adoption and fruition of the heavenly kingdom, that we may meet him joyfully coming in the clouds, and receive the garland of glorification, & crown of eternal life: john. 1.5. and so be clothed with our heavenly mansion and translated into his kingdom, there receiving the glorious garments of immortality and the blessedness of our new jerusalem, where behold, & lo we shall shine as bright as the sun beams, being in all glory, in the presence of the brightness of our omnipotent and resplendent GOD. To the obtaining of the high reward whereof, watch and pray that your conversation may be according to the Gospel, and therefore let this be your watchman, while you hear do live, to think 〈…〉 Saint Jerome: that whether you eat or drink, or what so ever else you do, that most dreadful Trumpet soundeth in your ears: Arise you dead, and come unto judgement: (:) O Lord God almighty, which art and waste, and art to come, who art Alpha and Omega, to thee be all praise, reve. 7. honour and glory, and all power and dignity be ascribed to the almighty maker sitting upon the seat, and unto the Lamb for evermore: for now all thy people are gathered together in thy son jesus Christ, that the mystery of thy holy will may be declared: Ephe. 1. being called by the troump of the Archangel to come unto the mount Sion, and to the city of the living God, the celestial jerusalem and to an innumerable sight of Angels, Heb. 12. and unto the congrogation of the first borne sons, which are written in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of just and perfect men, & to jesus the mediator of the new Testament, Phil. 3. who doth change our vile bodies to be fashioned like to his glorious body: therefore to thee be praise, honour and power, world with out end. AMEN. THE GLORIOUS AND BEAUTIFUL Garland of man's glorification. CAP. 3. The mystery of the glorious coming of Christ at the end of the world, and how he shall sit in his glittering seat of Majesty in all brightness of glory, power, and dominion. And where, and how all things both in heaven and earth shall be gathered together in Christ, and see his glory and in him our glorification. EXcellent was the coming of God, when in his glory like shining fire he came down upon mount Sinai: where Moses brought the people out of the tents to meet the Lord, so marvelously descending down upon the hill: which burned with fire even unto the mids of heaven, Exod. 19 and the Lord spoke unto them with his mighty thundering voice out of fire, Deut. 4. that it was exceeding fearful, and also so wonderful glorious, that when Moses had talked with God, the people were not able to behold the glistering beauty and brightness of Moses' face: Exod. 34. But now how shall his glory be exalted in the highest, what time he shall make him up, to shake the earth in the end of the world, when the appearance of his coming shall exceed in all greatness of power and might, according to Micheas, Micheas ●. The Lord shall come out of his holy place, Micheas 1. and come down, and ●●eade upon the high things of the earth, that the mountains shall consume under him and the valleys cleave asunder. And then the Sun●●e and Moon shall be ashamed at his glorious face of incomparable clearness & brightness, from which all the beauty, glory and pomp of this world shall flee away into rebuke & dishonour, not able to endure the perfection of his beauty and incomprehensible pureness e: before whom it consumeth to nought & perish and vanish away for ever and th●● (O how Christ) shall glister in the magnificence of his omnipotent kingly majesty: & in the pre-eminence no of dignity above dignities, that all the glory of kings & kingdoms shall give place and vanish at his mighty appearance, not worthy to endure the glory of his coming, before which they waste and fall into emptiness: and he shall show himself from the top of the high heavens, with such triumphant power of unspeakable glory, dominion, and might that from his presence shall ●●●●away ●e●rth & heavens, and their place no more sound: for he shall shake the earth again, & remove ●●●ne away those things which have ended their course, when the powers of heaven & the universe all frame of this world shall rend in pieces▪ & ●●me in a consuming 〈◊〉. Now the truth hereof i● so 〈◊〉 & ●laine, that there need no great circumstance to prove with many witnesses out of the holy scriptures, any so ignorant as to doubt hereof: although saith Micheas, Micheas 1. the rebellious people hope that it shall not be so ill, Peter. 2.3. & saith Peter, in the latter days shall come mockers, that will say ●●●h, where is the promise of his coming? But now that you may behold as in a looking glass, the glorious coming of Christ as from a far, & yet use within the compass of our hearts, john 11. as Christ said to Martha. If thou believest, thou shalt see the glory of God: I will place therefore your soul in the spirit of heavenly meditation, fixing your feet in the path of righteousness, and standing immovable at the ●indow of God's promises, beholding in the gla●●e● of t●neth (with the steadfast eyes of faith, jesus the King of glory, coming in a wonderful, glorious, and magnifical progress from heaven, to visit the kingdoms and Lordships of the earth, and the inhabiters thereof with power of mercy and judgement: touching the which; the messengers of this glad tidings have flow●● thorough the midst of heaven, and gone through all the world with the joyful sound of trumpet, signifying the joy of redemption to be come, and the day of glory to be●●ie at hand, & the kingdom of everlasting rest to draw near▪ therefore lift up your heads, Matth. 16. and be ready to the reward of your kingdom & make haste to meet the king of glory, coming in the glory of his Father with all his holy angels: set 〈◊〉 his glorious throne of all majesty, there shining in his everlasting clearness: glittering in his eternal brightness▪ appearing in his preciousness: exceeding in his righteousness: exalted in his highness: magnified in his worthiness; sanctified in his holiness▪ triumphing in his gloriousness▪ when the puissance, strength, & power of his omnipotent majesty, shall lighten into all the secret places of world, and his voice imperial shall pierce thorough the unspeakable borders of all places, to raise from death to life all human creatures that ever had being, wheresoever▪ and to gather them together before his eternal excellency, where, all things, in heaven and earth shall stand before his presence and all knees shall bow, and all tongues 〈◊〉 & knowledge to the glory of God: Rom. 14. and then shall take performed that Christ said to the high priests (that were offended at him when he was come in his ●owle humanity) saying, Matth. 26. You shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand● of power and coming in the clouds of the sky whereof the two Angels testified to the Disciples at the ascension of our Saviour Christ, Acts 1. saying, Ye● men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven, This sa●●e jesus which is taken up from you into heaven, is returned to the Father whence he came, as he hath told you before and shall s●●●●e again even as you have s e'en him god into heaven: and that (according to Matthew) accompanied with all the godly Angels, Matth. 25. jude. and saith ●●och, with thousands of blessed Saints with him▪ and according (〈◊〉 john) In a white cloud sitting in his fear of dominion and dignity, revel. 14. and in his glorious throne of wonderful g●●●nes see, (which is according to Daniel) as the 〈◊〉 flame, Daniel 7. and his wheels as the burning fire, & there went out from him a fiery stream: as glorious sparks of eternal heavenliness, like glister of perpetual beams of 〈◊〉, proceeding from the glory of his Godhead, and 〈◊〉 out 〈◊〉 him, and yet ever in him showing the 〈◊〉 treasure of his grace and goodness, ●he ●●●d ●●prehensible 〈◊〉 out of his right clear Majesty: the infinite and unsearchable virtues and gifts of glory, which issues eternally from his divine Godhead and ●●nipotent power: And thus he shall appear most marvelous and all eyes see him, and all nations gathered before him, Daniel. 7. (as saith Daniel) A thousand times a thousand served him, a thou and times ten thousand stood before him. And therefore, Blessed be the kingdom that cometh in the Name of him, that i● Lord of our Father David, Mark 11. Hos anna: Praising him in his holiness, praising him in the ●●rmament of his power, praising him in his 〈◊〉 Acts, praising him according to his excellent greatness. For now is the full time, when the mystery of the will of the Father shall be opened in his Son jesus Christ, coming in the glory of the father, when shall be opened the endless clearness of divinity: the incomprehensible ●●●●our of God's Majesty: the glorious riches of everlasting glory: the incomparable profoundness of Gods wisdom, the flowing fountains of God's goodness: the shining light of all truth, the glorious kingdom whereto we are called: and the treasures of rewards to men with glory and dishonour: and then the brightness and sight of all things shallbe apparent, and all things past shall be as one thing present, according to Matthew, there is nothing so close that shall not be opened & nothing so hid that shall not be known, Math. 1● such s halbe the omnipotent, potential and in comprhenssble clearness of God, that before him all that were in power in spirit, in act in thought, in intent in heaven, in earth or in hell, from the beginning: shall there show itself present, apparent, clear and manifest by the endless brightness of God: that all the nature of sathan and the power of hell, shallbe made manifest for ever: and the nature of man as it was and now is and shallbe in glory or dishonour, shall be expressed for ever: and all the great works of GOD and beauty of Angels, Cherubins and Seraphins, shall there be known for ever, and all the goodly mansions of God shall then be revealed more ste evident, and the eternal shine of God's majesty shall then be universal transparent: for sayeth Paul, Ephe. 1. The whole mystery of the will of the Father, shall then be declared, according to the purpose of his own will: therefore most blessed shall you be, that shallbe found watching and waiting for his coming looking up to heaven with pure eyes of faith, and lifting up clean hands of righteousness, well washed at the fountain of penance, that you may be found at his appearance to laud, glory and honour, partaking with the treasures of the heavenly mystery of the will of the father ordained in Christ jesus: who being the Author of our glory. whereunto he hath called us by his Gospel: by shedding of his own most precious blood, to bring us to GOD, and to make us heirs of his kingdom: Did not omit the least godly means of all to draw us and quicken us by his spirit diligently and with all our endeavours to seek after his kingdom. And therefore to annymate us in spirit, he confirmed the assured certainty of his glory and our glory, and of his glorious coming in the end of the world, when he said to his Apostles that some there were among them that should not taste of death till they saw the son of man, Math. 17. come in his kingdom: and so in a vision or spiritual dream by transfiguring himself upon mount Tabor (before peter, james and john) he showed the vision of his own glory and of our glorification by Moses and Helyas appearing also with garments of immortality. And thus he presented to their spiritual sight the excellency of his coming again at the latter day, when his face did shine as the sun and his clothes as white as the light and so pure in all whiteness, as no Fuller can make upon the earth. Peter. 2.1. Wherefore peter the chief beholder thereof doth testify, saying: With our eyes we saw his majesty, even then verily when he received of God the Father honour and glory, and when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory: john. 1. This is my dear beloved son in whom I delight: And john witnesseth also the s ame: That he saw the glory of him, as the glory, of the only begotten son of the Father: and the great shine of his glory appeared unto Paul after his ascension, Acts. 9.26. above the brightness of the sun, by which he stirreth us to expect his glorious coming in the end of the world and inflame us with the desire of glorifying: that we might walk as Children of the light and sons of God in all righteousness of conversation according to his Gospel: that we may be heirs of his glorious kingdom of eternal joy: when he shall appear to salvation, to change our vile and corrupt earthly bodies to be fashioned and made like to his glorious body, Phil. 13. Moreover our blessed Saviour doth give us great consolation and hope by such Revelations of heavenly expectation of blessedness to come: when he presented to john, the vision of his most wonderful brightness and preciousness of glory (being entered into heaven and set down on the right hand of the majesty on high) by shining & showing forth the spiritual semblance of his pre-excellent beauty, power and glory, in which he is Alpha and Omega. the first and the last, and was dead and is alive for evermore, and shall come again quickly and will not tarry, any longer then till his Father hath made his enemies his footstool: Cor. 1.15. And now he appeared in the pre-eminence of exceeding and incomparable glory and power, in as much as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name then the Angels and creatures, Heb. 10. seeing by him all things were created, things that are in heaven, Colloss. 1 and things that are in earth, things visible and things invisisible, whether they be majesty, lordship, rule or power, all things hath their creation and being by him and in him and that he is the first begotten of all Creatures, the head of the congregation and first beginning and begotten of the dead, that in all things he might have the pre-eminence being the only begotten son of GOD. So that according to his most excellent worthiness of pre-eminence, he being the chief living corner stone of the whole building, and the eternal head of the Temple of his Father, did appear to john, sitting according to his high dignity, in the chief and most royal seat of the Temple: in the midst of the seven Candlesticks: Esdras. 4. ●. according to the vision of Esoras: He was in the midst of the multitude upon mount Zion, being a condign place for him having the golden and heavenly censor to offer up the sweat cense and odours of the prayers and petitions of the whole Saints and congregation (whereof he is the head) through his own hands up before the glorious presence of the heavenly Father up upon the golden Altar of GOD. reave 8, ● being clothed with a linen garment down to the feet as white as snow: Daniel. 10. (arcocding to the said vision to Daniel answering héerto) being his robes of the eternal purity and of his everlasting and royal préesthood for ever: according to the order of Melchesedech, representing the sanctifying of his precious and eternal holiness and godliness, in praising the omnipotent Father of glory for ever in his holy jerusalem or Temple of glorified Saints: and he was girded about the breast or paps with a golden girdle, reprsenting the pure and approved confirmation of eternal verity, undfiled chastity and sincerity, perfect obedience and eternal wisdom, righteousness and truth to be conjoined to his glorious body: and his head and his hear were most amiable white like pure wool or snow: showing thereby a settled gravity of all true godliness, a modest reverence of all true honour, a confirmed experience of all divine patience and the only colour of pureness and clearness of mind without change for ever: and on his head a golden Crown, showing that he was the glorious king of kings: Heb. 4. and his eyes as clear lamps and clear flames of fire: showing that all things were naked to his fight, and that he was the only light of all things: and his arms and feet like fine polished brass, burning bright in the furnace, or like pillars of fire: showing that he had a sure strength & steadfastness in all his ways, be eing tried faithful in doing the will of his Father and in performing all his promises, and so tried pure therein as brass in the furnace: and his body was like a Crisolite: transparent with the beautiful sintillation of gold & fire, showing forth the absolute mirror of his glorious beauty, in all soundness, of one self same in himself eternal clearness of glory and majesty, and his voice as the voice of a multitude or sound of many waters: showing that he was the head & chéeif of the multitude of his people, that all voices and languages wear as one voice and as one language unto him, and in his, and that they should do all things by the direction of his voice, for they that be his do hear his voice. john 10. And now he shall lead the glorified saints unto fountains of living water: And on his right hand seven stars, showing that as he doing his Father's will doth sit on the right hand of the Father in heaven, so his stars, which are the ministers of his word (being contained under the figure 7. the Sabbath day number, of perpetual rest and holiness, feeding his sheep, setting forth his glory, and doing by him and in him the will of his father) shall sit with him in his seat, even on his right hand, as he hath done with his Father, according to Daniel, They that have taught other, shall shine as the stars, and glister like the shining of heaven, Daniel. 12. And out of his mouth proceedeth a sharp two edged sword, showing that all power, Majesty imperial, and judgement was given him of his father, according to that of the Revel out of his mouth went a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the heathen, which was his word, which (according to Paul) is sharper than a two edged sword, being quick and mighty in operation, Heb. 4. & entereth thorough to the dividing of the soul and spirit, and of the joints and the marrow, and judgeth the thoughts and intentes of the heart: and the Rain bow about his head, showing the undoubted sign of his true covenant and promise, in all things to be performed according as he had promised touching salvation: even as the Rainbow was a true sign and witness of God's just word, never to destroy the world by water again: And his face did shine as the sun in his strength, and hath the keys of hell and death, showing the shining light of the incomprehensible brightness of his glorious majesty, and his triumphant power over all his enemies, and over all powers of hell and death, having the keys of the kingdom, even the keys of David, which openeth & no man shutteth, which shutteth and no man openeth, and thus to the Prophets and Apostles Christ did show a consembable vision of his glorious majesty, and glorious mirror of coming again at the latter day: therein expressing the self same Symbolical glory to be to us, if we be found worthy at his appearance to be heirs of his Kingdom, through righteous life: according as the Angel showed the vision of Christ upon mount Zion how there stood before him a great people that could not be numbered, Esdras 4.2. praising the Lord with songs and thanksgiving, and he in the midst of them, being of an high st●●●e● most goodly, most glorious, and most excellent above them all, appearing always higher and higher, more glorious and glorious, in the incomprehensible shining, and unmeasurarable riches of all brightness, clearness, beauty, gifts, treasures, and nobleness, and in the infinite and endless power, might, and omnipotency of his divine Majesty, and godhead: setting crowns upon their heads, there crowning them with the golden Diadems of eternal glory, and palms of everlasting joy, for that they had truly walked in his ways, and knowledged 〈◊〉 defects faith his holy Name▪ even to the death: Therefore seeing by Christ we have there arrest of our salvation, and the promise to be made partakers of his godly nature, and the power by his Gospel to be made the sons of God: let us use all diligence toward good life, to make our calling to mount Zion, to be to our joy, that when we there appear before our eternal king of glory, we may be found to be of that holy multitude, that Christ with his heavenly and unspeakable sweet hand may set the unspeakable crown of glory upon our heads: for which cause let us now stir up our hearts with the quick eye of faith and behold him as if he were present: whom shortly we shall see with our outward and inward eyes face to face, in his Godhead and glorious humanity: as before he was seen in his lowliness of his human nature: And then we shall behold him in his excellency and in all marueilousnesse, being exalted and advanced in the high glory of his Father, and beautified with all the everlasting ornaments of wisdom, beauty, goodness, and glory: And then (O how joyfully shall we see him, how intyrely shall we love him) how with burning flames of exceeding desire shall we covet him, and what wonderful zeal & affection shall we have to embrace him so most amiable a god and saviour: when we shall thus look upon him, how in stead of his crown of thorns, he is extolled to the endless mirror of Majesty, triumphing in all the great shining dignity of God, and in the Royal power over all powers, King of kings, to whom all kings and powers shall yield up their glory & power, ashamed of so mighty majesty: and in s teade of a Reed, he hath now the bright everlasting Sceptre of the kingdom, and the omnipotent and eternal sentence of judgement: and in stead of rebukes and reproaches, he is magnifies with all goodly and glorious names of God, with all the words, voices, and songs of praise, laud, honour, and glory for ever: and in stead of his cross & nails, he is exalted in the wonderful, bright, and glorious shining throne and seat of power and domination: and in stead of his simple garments, and rend clothes, and purple gown, with which they clothed and mocked him: he is now arrayed with the everlasting heavenly Robes of glory and honour, of justice and Kingly dignity for ever: And where his enemies did boast over him, and mocked him, now he hath reigned till his enemies be made his footstool, and hath triumphed over death the last enemy, Oseas 13. that the saying of the Prophet may be fulfilled, O death I will be thy death, O hell I will be thy sting. And thus our Saviour Christ hath performed the everlasting triumph over all his enemies, they now bowing their knees, attributing all honour & glory unto him, and with most dreadful fear falling flat an their faces before his shining face and high power: And because he yielded himself to death, he hath now the victory over death and hell for evermore. And in this sort he cometh in the most magnifical glory of his Father, prepared to the marriage of new jerusalem, which cometh down also from heaven from God, garnis head with the reins of the righteousness of saints: prepared as a bride mos t beautiful and glorious, fit and convenient for a precious and glorious husband, and worthy to receive and welcome all the excellent guests that are called to this marriage: where the joy of the godly shall be made perfect and complete. receiving the marriage gift, the palms of immortality and honour, and the garland of everlasting glorification. Wherefore to consider of this our heavenly hope, and joyful expectation of blessedness, let us be faithful unto death and overcome, and Christ hath promised to give us this crown of life, at his coming, Thess. 1.4. which shall be with Imperial might and greatness, (according to Paul) with a shout and the voice of the Archangel and troumpe of God, that the heavens and earth, and all powers shall quake withal, and according to john, He shall come down from the high heavens, clothed with a clear white splendent cloud: and the Rain bow upon his head, the sign of justice, promise, mercy, and judgement, and his face as it were the sun, and his feet as it were pillars of fire, glistering in the most endless pureness of the glory of his father, like shining fire, Thes s. 1.4. most incomparable: And then lift up your heads to see his superexcellent gloriousness, (when you shall immediately be changed to immortality) and meet him in the air, Acts 1. when he shall according to the first of the Acts come again down upon mount Olivet: Zacharie 14. and according to Zacharie, He shall stand upon mount Olivet, (the mount of the eternal light) that lieth upon the East side of jerusalem, Place of judgement. And the mount Olivete shall cleave in two, eastward and wes tward, so that there shall be a great valley, and the half mount shall remove toward the north, and the other toward the south: and thither we shall fly into the valley of the Lords hills, where the Lord shallbe and all his Saints with him, and this is the valley of josaphat, which joel speaketh of, saying: Let the people rise, and get them to the valley of josaphat, joel. 3. for there will I set (saith the Lord) and judge all heathen round about, and there shall be many people in that day of the Lord in the same valley appointed, when the Lord shall roar out of Zion. and cry out of jerusalem, that the heavens and earth shall quake withal: and the sun and moon shallbe darkened and the stars withdraw their light, and then shall we know that the Lord our God dwelleth upon the holy mount Zion and that jerusalem is holy inhabited for ever more. And thus saith Esay, the sun and moon shall be ashamed, Esay. 24. when the Lord of hosts shall come with his high heavenly host from above, to rule the people at jerusalem upon mount Zion. And now behold how jesus our eternal king & judge, being thus come down from the top of all heavens, with an heavenly company of beautiful bright Angels, and goodly creatures triumphing with the glory of all celestial pomp: reve. 20. Is sitting (according to john) in the great white seat, from whose face flieth away both the earth and heaven & their place no more found: And there both great and small stand before GOD, ready to be rewarded with his glorious and everlasting kingdom, saying blessing, honour, glory and power, be unto him that sitteth on the seat and to the Lamb for evermore. And thus our omnipotent and glorious King our merciful Saviour and judge, hath stretched forth his glorious and omnipotent throne and seat of majesty upon the valley of josaphat, the blessed valley of GOD, where all things in heaven and in earth are gathered before him to judgement: where he openly showeth forth his worthiness and preciousness glittering like to a jasper or Sardine stone, (which stones are most clear and of a most flourishing pureness without corruption) being of property and nature of so excellent a virtue, reve. 4. as to kindle the hearts and minds of the beholders to joy and also to animat and stir up their spirits to delight, mirth and gladness: and so in superabundant measure of unspeakablenes doth Christ appear unto us most graciously: sitting upon his tribunal seat (holding his court regal with all flesh) there glistering so with incomparable endless brightness and pureness of glory, as to kindle all hearts exceedingly and above all that may be thought, to the praising, lauding and magnifying his most excellent and renowned majesty. And there was about his seat thousand thousands, saying with a loud voice, worthy is the Lamb that was killed. to receive power and riches, and wisdom and strength, and honour, and glory and blessing: And this seat was bordered about with a goodly and heavinly Rainbow like a Smaradge, as with a most precious ring: representing the riches of God's promises to be performed, and the blessedness of his promises touching election, and his judgements touching destruction to be like, (as the rainbow is round and with out end) so them to be without end for ever, and as the smaragd is durable, Esdras. 4.5. so the promises and judgement of God shall endure for ever: according to Esdras, God lykneth his judgement to a ring. And now about the seat are twenty and four seats and upon the seat twenty and four Elders, sitting clothed in amiable white Garments: being the rains of righteousness, and robes of iuss 'tice, having on their heads crouwnes of gold, being made kings & royal priests unto God, and judges of the tribes, being the patriarchs and twelve Apostles, according to Daniel, I looked till the seats were prepared till the old aged set them down: & according to Matthew, Matthew. 1●. Christ said unto his Apostles, ye shall sit upon twelve seats, and judge the twelve tribes of Israel: whereby we see the great glory, power and dignity with which the Lord doth adorn his messengers and Apostles withal, that they shall accompany our eternal God and king jesus Christ upon his majestical throne of judgement, to manifest the excellency of God's truth in open judgement, judging the enemies of Christ: Whereby we may well perceive the worthiness of our glory to be great if we so live that we may be found acceptable in the sight of God, thereby to be made the sons of God, glorified with glorious bodies like the Apostles, evermore accompanying with Christ himself in his new City of jerusalem, his most blessed kingdom: And now out of the seat proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: the first being the glistering and lightning streams of God's mercy towards the godly the second being the dreadful & thundering fearful s ound of God's judgement toward the wicked: and the third being the heavenly voices of the Angels and Saints praising, lawding & magnifying God in his omnipotent goodness and glory, (as at the birth of Christ) the Angels and multitude of heavenly soldiers stood before Christ (in vision to the Shéepheards) according to Luke, lawding God and saying: Luke. 2. Glory be to God on high, and peace on the earth, and with men rejoicing. And the glorious Throne of GOD is full of all power, glory and honour: according to the saying of jeremy, Whose Throne is most glorious, excellent and of most antiquity, which dwellest in the place of our most holy and blessed rest. And according to the saying of the Prophet Danyell. His Throne was like unto the fiery flame, and his weals as the burning fire, and there drew forth a fiery stream and went out from him: being the mighty and eternal blazes of God's goodness, Daniel. 7. mercy and judgement, to the great joy and gladness of the righteous to behold: and to the wonderful terror, fear and dread of the wicked to see, abide and endure: and thus replenished with all excellency and gloriousness, is this seat of judgement: That there are seven shining Lamps of fire burning before the seat: being the seven spirits of God, showing a goodly fair and clear light and a pure clear expressing of the clearness of almighty GOD, being the heavenly witness of the everlasting truth of God, and being for ever present before his Throne, there giving heavenly honour and praise to our omnipotent God sitting in his glorious throne of majesty: and before the seat is a sea of glass like through shining crystal, being the appointed place for all the new changed creatures from corruption to immortality, to stand upon: before the glory of God: & it is so translucident as that it seemeth that the eternal power of God's eternal remembrance & omnipotent might, hath fixed it with the virtue of such a marvelous comprehension, the like as a a glass e expresseth the vision of a man's face & shape: so this expresseth the appearance of every man's deeds, words, thoughts and imaginations, in showing the very face of every man's conscience, even in the very circute he stands upon so that the power of God, shall make all things that were since the beginning to be as present, in most manifest manner showing the truth of all things before his Angels & saints: therefore ought we to be careful to keep a good conscience, reve. 4. seeing nothing is so hid that shall not be revealed: and in the midst of the seat & round about the seat are four beasts: being the four goodly cherubins of God, full of eyes before & behind representing the state of our new jerusalem & of all the elect of God: the first beast being like a Lion: signifying glory to those which been valiant to fight with stout faith & courage in the defence of the Lamb and his Gospel: The second was like a calf, which prefigured a crown of glory to them which lived a sincere life, and offered themselves to the sacrifice of martyrdom & death for the lambs sake. The third had the face of a man, showing the token of glory to all them which openly with voice and tongue, by preaching, teaching, and writing had performed the will of God to his praise and glory. The fourth beast was like an Eagle, which ever setteth her face to the Sun, and hath pure eyes to behold the brightness thereof: and this represented an assured sign of bless said life to all them that have lived in true penance of heart, lifting up the pure eyes of faith to God, and placing their conscience in true righteousness and pureness of heart evermore toward jesus Christ: and thus the good people (are at that dreadful appearance to judgement) comforted in hope and gladness by beholding these Cherubims, representing the signs of happiness, Revel 4. And these beautiful beasts had no rest day & night, saying, Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty: And when those beasts (or goodly Cherubims) gave honour, glory, and thanks to him that sat on the seat: which liveth for ever and ever) the twenty and four Elders, (that sit in judgement with Christ,) fell down before him that sat in the throne, worshipping him that liveth for evermore, and cast their crowns before the throne: yielding to him all honour to whom it is due, knowing that they have nothing but that they have received, Saying, Thou art worthy Lord to receive glory, and honour, and power, for thou hast created all things, and for thy wills sake they are and were created. And about the throne was the voice of many angels, praising & magnifying the Lord with most heavenly melody, in all excellency and sweetness. Reu. 4. And the twenty and four Elders fell upon their faces, and worshipped him that liveth for evermore: showing thereby that when the Lord s hineth forth the exceeding highness and greatness of his glorious face and majesty, that all his goodly creatures do cast down themselves, as not able to abide the brightness thereof. And thus consisteth the mystery of the royal majesty of jesus Christ coming to judgement at the latter day, and of his most glorious sitting in his puissance, power, and glory in his seat regal, having all things (according to the will of the Father) gathered before him: The similitude of whose glory appeared to Ezechiel, Ezech. 1. & 10. appearing in a great cloud full of fire, which with his glistering lightened round about, and in the mids of the fire all clear: And now after that the Lord hath opened the whole mystery of the will of the heavenly father, & set the elect upon his right hand, & the wicked and cursed on his left, having sealed up the whole number of his chosen, then (according to john, revel. 7. ) the four Angels which he saw stand on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds, shall blow and consume this universal world with consuming fire, (which then was disfigured at the coming of Christ) that there shall be no more of the first heaven, revel. 21. earth, and sea: and then at that blast shall the cursed fall with the Devil and his Angels into hell: (the Lord saying) depart ye cursed: and on the other side shall be a new heaven, and a new earth, even new jerusalem, the glorious kingdom of God, prepared for the elect before the beginning of the world, (come down from God) when he shall say, Come ye blessed, inherit the kingdom prepared for you of my father. O how joyful shall then the s aints be with Christ in Zion, to whom paradise is thus opened, plenteousness of heavenly benediction made ready, the tree of life granted, the joy of immortality embraced, and the Garlands of glorification enjoyed, when the Lord shall so lovingly say to his righteous people (that have run the race in this life in the path of godliness, saying, Come ye blessed, be ye clothed with your heavenly mansion: come take the freedom of your new eternal city, your glorious habitation: And behold for evermore your God of glory, and partake the incomprehensible shining of his everlasting beauty and brightness: and now take the freedom of all inestimable joys, with the unspeakable abundance of all sweet rejoicing for ever. Therefore let this animate thee to heavenly conversation of life, that thou mayst make thy election sure, whereby thou mayest be crowned with this glorious garland of everlasting felicity, joy and blessedness, world without end, AMEN. Ephesians 1. ALlaude and praise be unto the God of our Lord jesus Christ, the father of glory, who hath given unto us the spirit of wisdom, and hath lightened the eyes of our minds that we may know what the hope is whereunto he hath called us, and how rich the glory is of his inheritance upon the Saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us ward, which believe according to the working of that his mighty power which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him on his right hand in heavenly things, above all rule, and power, and might, and dominion, and above every name that is named, not in this world only, but also in the world to come, and hath put all things under his feet, and hath made him above all things the head of the congregation, which is his body, & the fullness of himself that filleth all in all things, to whom be all honour & glory, Amen. THE GLORIOUS AND BEAUTIFUL Garland of man's glorification. CAP. 4. Of the everlasting joy of our glorification given us by the inheritance of Christ his Kingdom: And the excellent mystery of our eternal Mansion, and new glorious jerusalem in which we shall dwell the Sons and Saints of GOD for ever. (:) THE time being come that the Lord, even the most might God, doth dissend from the high top of the heavens, Psalm. 50. to call the world together, not minding to keep, silence: then shall go before him a consuming fire, and a mighty tempest shallbe stirred up round about him: when he thus shall come to call the heavens from above, & the earth that he may judge his people: at which time shall God appear out of Zion in perfect beauty in the high glory of his Godhead. And then shall be performed that all things in heaven and earth shall be gathered together in Christ, Ephe. ●. and the mystery of the will of the Father declared: that Christ our triumphant King and judge, having reigned until his enemies be put under his feet, and having put down all rule, authority and power, that death the last enemy is consumed into victory: shall deliver up the kingdom to GOD the Father, and become himself, subject to God that putteth all things under his feet: Cor. 1.15. that God may be in all things: and then the holy City new jerusalem, cometh down from God out of heaven, prepared as a Bride garnished for her husband, that the Tabernacle of God, is now with his elect, and he himself doth dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God him shall be with them and shallbe their God: for Christ the king of kings, will suffer none of his chosen to be away, but gather all his Saints together, and so enter with triumphing joy into new jerusalem: Therefore life up your heads O ye gates and be life up ye everlasting doors that the king of glory may come in with his holy people: having the palms of victory, crowns of life and Garlands of glory in their hands. Math. 21. And thus, in stead of his humble riding upon an ass, he with all gloriousness is accompanied into new jerusalem, with the eternal Crown and Sceptre of heavenly majesty taking possession of Abraham's new land of promise the everlasting kingdom and inheritance of God's rest: saying to his righteous people; come taste the cup of your salvation: and embrace the joys, the happiness, the bessednes and unspeakable glory which the Father of heaven hath (of his great love) here prepared for you, in his palace: where now you are fully and absolutely come to the new land of Canaan the everlasting inheritance, and to holy mount Zion and to the City of the living GOD, the celestial jerusalem, and to the enumerable fight of Angels, and unto the congregation of the first borne sons which are written in heaven, Cor. 1, 3. and to God the judge of all and to jesus the mediator of the new Testament, and to a kingdom immovable for ever: where they are clothed with their heavenly mansion, replenished with the glory joy and blessedness which neither tongue can utter, eye hath seen, or heart hath thought: and thus Christ hath made them the glorified sons of God, and holy and peculiar people, a congregation triumphant, a kingly préesthoode and a perfect communion of Saints, assembled together in all pureness and preciousnes with God, before the presence of the almighty & eternal Father: who now showeth forth to you the light of his countenace that you shall behold with joy unspeakable his most glorious godhead, his most resplendent countenance and incomprehensible majesty: singing to him with an heavenly voice and blessed harmony, (in all abundancie of joy) the songs of praising God for ever: for that he hath given us the crown of everlasting life: and the freedom of his etrenall kingdom of glory: where now we hunger no more, nor feel infirmities: neither doth the sun and moon give light to us any more: for our precious Lamb doth dwell with us, Reu. 7. and feed us, and lead us unto fountains of living water: and our God wipeth all tears from our eyes: clothing us with the plenteous joy of our heavenly mansion, new jerusalem, being full of mellifluous pleasures, where all things are so heavenly that nothing can be better, for there dwelleth everlasting life, there groweth the tree of joy, there runneth the waters of health, there is the hidden manna of heavenly consolation, the white stone of gladness, & the new names of happiness, and there is the beauty of the Godhead glory of saints & incomparable blessedness for ever. So that the GOD of all truth hath performed that which he spoke by Esay the Prophet being most favourable and gracious unto Zion, saying. There shall thine eyes see new jerusalem, that glorious Habitation the Tabernacle that never shall remove, whose nails shall never be taken out world without end and her cords shall never corrupt, Esay. 33. for the eternal majesty of the Lord shall there be present among us, and he shall be our Captain and king, that we shall walk upon fair and beautiful Rivers, and pleasant Streams of life where neither galleys row nor great ships sail, neither any man there lieth that saith I am sick, but all evil is taken away from us: who therefore desireth not to dwell in the house of the Lord, and to behold the fair beauty of God and to visit his Temple, and to be in his city: in which sayeth Zacharie, The waters of life run out of jerusalem, and the Lord himself s halbe king over all the earth, Zacha. 14. and there shallbe but one Lord only and his name shallbe but one: for than shall he set up himself above the heavens and his glory shall be above all: when he shall make a new heaven and a new earth, that men shall go about the earth as about a golden Paradise or pleasant flourishing field: For now jerusalem shall be saifly inhabited which was forsaken: and is made according to the saying of Esay: The City of the Lord, most glorious through all posterities, Esay. 60. being inhabited without any wall, yea the Lord himself is to her a wall of fire round about, and will be honoured evermore in her. Where all things are full of the shine of the Lords glory, so that O behold this phenicall Cittie●Ierusalem, how she shall rejoice in her Children, and her Children shall be full glad of her: whose gates are built with sapphire and Smaradge, and all the walls with precious stones, Toble. 13. and in all her streets shall Aleluia be sung, where God's kngdome shall be upon her world without end. Therefore O children of men so do that you may be Citizens in this city of incomparable blessedness: for the obtaining whereof, Ephes. 6. it behoveth you to walk as the children of the day light, striving to overcome all the lusts of the flesh, the world and the devil, as might hinder you from entering in to so heavenly a City: And therefore gird up the loins of your minds with verity, & put on the breast plate of righteousness, & be shod with the shoes of peace, & take to you the shield of faith, arming yourselves with the word of God, that you may be partakers of his unsearchable treasures of happiness, there tasting the abundant sweetness of the tree of joy and life: which shall be to us a sweet smelling ointment for ever: for than we shall be called the heavenly citizens of new jerusalem, the holy household of God, and glorified sons of the Father: being according to Paul, an holy body in Christ, made a glorious congregation without spot or wrinkle: placed in his own kingdom, and sabbath of everlasting rest, (like shining lights) in the presence of God world without end. Therefore consider what happiness is this, to enjoy the ineffable brightness and unsearchable plenteousness of Gods goodne sse, with the joyful presence of God his own self: whereat the zeal of god's house should eat us up, and ravish our hearts with flaming fervency to Godward: desiring to be clothed with our heavenly mansion from heaven, by waiting with a lively hope in the way of righteousness, to be delivered from this body and fleshly fellowship, that we may go to have the pure heavenly company of God our maker: the precious fountain of all heavenliness, joy and happiness: there with him to remain in his own kingdom, where all things shallbe to us pleasant, and full of contentation for ever: where perpetual joy and gladness shall abide for ever: Esay 54. for saith God, Behold, O jerusalem, I will make thy walls of precious stones, and thy foundation of sapphires: thy windows of Crystal, thy gates of fine clear stone, and thy borders of pleasant stones: Es ay 62. for I will (saith God) marry myself to thy sons, and as a bridegroom glad of his bride, so I the Lord shall rejoice over thee: So that praise the Lord O jerusalem, praise thy God O Zion: for he hath made fast the heavenly bars of thy gates & hath blessed thy children within thee, that we shall dwell in thy palaces, made the elect Saints and sons of God, in all plenteousness of joy and peace: rejoicing in his holy sanctuary of everlastingness, where we shall walk in the court and palace of our God, ascribing praise and honour to him in his places of eternity: and there we shall sing merrily unto our God, lauding and worshipping him in the beauty of his holiness: for the spirit of joy shall there be triumphing among us in his glorious chariot of heavenliness, in that we shall behold the face of God, whose Majesty endureth visibly with us for ever: showing upon us the light of his countenance, and filling us round about with the incomprehensible sweetness, goodness, joyfulness and excellentness of his own self: shining, flowing, and streaming forth to us the beams of beauty, the brightness of glory, the fountains of joy, the rivers of life, the paradise of pleasure, the freedom of delights, the ornaments of honour, the plenteousness of relief, the pleasantness of all heavenly savours, the sweet smells of all redolent odours: and thus he shall rejoice his glorified Saints eternally, who shall be ravished with endless mirth and gladness to behold with their eyes the infinite & inexpressible excellency and splendencie of the beauty of their maker, and to hear the great power, might, and majesty of his omnipotent voice: And thus the chosen of God, being endued with the ornaments of immortality, garlands of glory, crowns of life, and palms of joy and victory, are in their heavenly clothing in new jerusalem, in the sight of the glorious throne of the most highest, being consembable to God in pureness and clearness, enjoying the freedom of eternal blessedness: therefore (O swé eat people) repent, for this kingdom is at hand, and come to the waters of life, and stir up your minds to holiness that you may enjoy this blessed City. For Christ after his ascension, to stir up & win a fervent desire to our hearts (towards the seeking after this his kingdom) doth show a glistering vision of new jerusalem, to the spiritual eyes of john, that he being upon an high mountain, did see in Ghostly comprehension the cons emblance of this holy jerusalem: descending out of heaven from God, having the brightness of God: shining like to a stone most precious, revel. 21. even a jasper, clear as Crystal: being thereby a most flourishing City, translucident in all heavenly pleasantness, most plentiful with all goodness, most beautiful to behold, and most glorious to enjoy: and this City is more precious than pearls, an habitation so amiable, so lovely, so dear and desireful, that it includeth in itself the unmeasurable and endless fullness of heavenly riches, eternal felicity and happiness, unspeakable pleasures, joys, and gladness, ordained eternally unto the elect and glorified people: That who would not (O Lord) love the habitation of this thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth: which thou hast made a most sure and safe City, impugnable for ever, being bordered and compassed round about with the walls of eternity, great, high, and strong, which stand fast for ever: And her walls (sayeth Esay) shall be called health: Esay 60. Zacha. 2. And the Lord (sayeth Zacharie) will be unto her a wall of shining fire round about: And yet the entrance into this City, shall be by twelve gates, kept by the goodly Porters and Angels, the twelve tribes of Israel, that the gates of new jerusalem (according to the saying of the Prophet Esay) shall be called the praise of God: Esay 60. being agreeable in every part, in, with, and to itself: in perfect number of equality and sympathy, concording every side together in one conclusion in the whole: As Alpha and Omega is the first and the last, as one perfect number of eternity in many: The lively description of new jerusalem. and the same many concluded in, of, and by that one: And thus consymbolicall in divine mystery, hath jerusalem a quadrate & equilateral form, with three gates on the North side: three on the East: three on the South: & three on the West side: founded with twelve foundations, even (the holy Apostles) of whom the walls conflict: even the great high number of the elect. And thus there being in new jerusalem many gates and many heavenly openings to go in at to praise the Lord: yet are they one in many, and many in one cohering in the same: like a radical root, out of which springeth a radical number: and yet that number so rising out of his root to an high and great number, as that it hath a true and perfect conjunction of unity, The miss terie of a Radical root and radical number to Christ and his elect. sympathy, and concordance, of, with, and in his radical root: whereby it is one of itself: and of that same one, rising out many, and (that many) still abiding inseparably, in one concordance, of, with, and in that one: as a thing unpossible, that, that great radical number should consist, or be found without his root radical: neither also is it possible to be thought, a root radical to be: but that in his own nature and power, (of force) are many numbers radical, inclusively contained in this his root, as in a privy seal of most heavenly comprehension: so that the number of twelve is a radical number, which by virtue and power of itself, multiplied in itself, doth of itself produce a greater number, as an hundred forty and four: and so the heavenly harmony increaseth by consent and agreement of radical production: & yet this high number doth concord, unite, and knit itself in, of, and with this radical number of twelve: So that the twelve apostles being the twelve foundations, (raised out of one corner stone) whereof the walls of jerusalem do stand: are the radical root, whereof the great number of the elect, in one symbolical conformity, and concordance of unity, doth agree in perfect harmony of conjunction, as ever abiding in, of, & with his foundation or radical root: and so by virtue & power (of perfect production, conjunction, concordance and harmony) is one in many, and many in one, contained in perfection of heavenly mystery. Whereby this Radical foundation and root (twelve, Apostles) springing out of that only root of jesse: doth contain his measure of jerusalem, so under the virtue figurative of twelve, as the number of the whole elect & of the twelve tribes: that the heigh, length breadth is equalll, and the measure of the walls is a perfect radical number, of the radical root of twelve multiplied in himself, which in his own strength and power produceth and hundredth forty and four, a figurative sign of the unity and consent of the mystical number of the whole congregation of the elect number of the Saints: for as twelve augmented in itself doth thereof concur a certain true perfect radical number, consemblably agreeing to, in and with the root twelve whereof it riseth: so in like consent, unity, harmony, perfect number and true increase of production and concordance, is the universal Church triumphant to the radical root of the twelve Apostles, and their doctrine: so knit all in one root of jesse inseparably: as one in many & many in one, in ghostly harmony evermore abiding. And thus in like manner, is this everlasting habitation or new jerusalem, so absolute in all true perfection & just proportion of heavenly consent, as nothing can be better, nothing purer, nothing excellenter, and nothing more woorthyer to the everlasting rejoicing of the elect saints of God: cohering in one self same perfection of one consent, peace and unity for ever. And now the vision of this glorious City, wherein the glorified people shall dwell, did glister in the spiritual eyes of john in such transparent manner, as may animate all hearts to the earnest love and desire of enjoying so beautiful an habitation, reve. 4. and so precious a City of blessedness For the building of the walls was of jasper and the City of pure gold, like to the clear glass, and the foundation of the walls were garnished with all manner of precious stones: as of jasper, Saphir, Calcydon, smaragd, Sardonix, Sardeos, Crisolitie, Byrrall, Topas, Crisoprassos' jacynt and Amethyst: whereby appear the abundant riches of all virtues the innumerable treasures of all heavenlynes, the exceeding joys of all joyfulness, the unspeakable sweetness of all blessedness, the most precious felicity of all happiness: to be always there contained to the perpetual gladding and rejoicing of the hearts of the elect of GOD: for the City in every part with the whole, and of the whole with every part, is without spot and dimness, without blemish and wrinkle for ever: being in every part the self perfection for ever: that in her compass, ever, is the excelleecie of all excellentness, that nothing can be added. Otherfore that the power, glory and mightiness of this kingdom of jerusalem might be known to all men whose glory is everlasting, and her dominion endureth through all ages: for she hath her gates wrought without hands: and yet graven by high ministery, being of twelve beauties like incomparable pearls, and yet by heavenly virtue, reve. 4. they shine as many, yet still in one: And the street of the City was most goodly, conssisting of pure gold, as a through shining glass. Showing that it is most rich with all fullness of riches, the mightiest Kingdom of all incomparable treasures: reve. 12. the phenicall City of all inestimable heavenly merchandise: being most delectable above all delights, most beautiful above all fairness: most clear above all clearness, & most of all resplending, that the night is as clear as the day, and the darkness and light both a like above all brightness: in which we shall reign with the Father of all brightness, greatness, beauty and glory: who evermore holdeth the Saints and Citizens there, in perpetual blyss e and joy, touching such an heavenly mansion, wherewith they are clothed: For that the Lord God almighty and the Lamb are the Temple of it, and the brightness of God do lighten it and the Lamb is the light of it, that there is never night, never need of sun or moon, neither shall the gates ever be shut, for the seat of God and the Lamb shall be there, reve. 22. and they shall see his face, and his names shall be upon their Foreheads. And then they are a most blessed People having the Lord for their God, that insomuch it is a thing beyond all measure, a place of joy beyond all thoughts, where we shall have the freedom of Angels, the paradise of ghostly delights, the incomprehensible brightness of God's countenance satisfied with the pleasures of his house and kingdom, in the abundant and bountiful refreshinge of all sweet and delectable gladness: by beholding our GOD in his greatness, being the Creator of all creatures, the giver of all blessedness and Author of all heavenlines, the omnipotent maker of kingdoms, powers and dignity, that all things shall yield up their glory to this City of his Saints, both kings and powers, and whatsoever hath been created shall yield up his honour and virtue to this City: both waters and stones fruits and leaves. reve. 2●. For out of the seat of God and of the Lamb proceedeth pure Rivers of water of life: having on eveerie side wood of eternal life, and fruits and leaves of everlasting health, (according to the saying of the Prophet Esay) There lieth no man that sayeth (I am sick) for all evil is clearly taken away from the holy and blessed Citizens that dwell and inhabit there. And thus the glorified and blessed People of GOD, shall continue and ever remain in the glorious presence of Gods most excellent majesty: in the everlasting and eternal state of unspeakable joys and happiness, evermore walkeing in the purity of the shining and most clear light and brightness of GOD. Therefore ascribe power unto our Lord and rejoice in him, who is so wonderful in his holy places, where he will deck his people with his own beauty, & crown them with the glory of an everlasting kingly préesthood extolling and praising God eternally in the highest, according to his worthiness: and thus they taste perpetually of the infallible sweetness, of all flowing goodness incessantly proceeding from God his own self: there making merry in all heavenlynes of mirth, and rejoicing continually before God, by embracing the excellent shine and blessed beams of the most splendent and glorious brightness of the omnipotent Father: O therefore come hither (all good people) that you may taste the sweetness of the Lord, for the which lift up your hearts to heaven and so run your race, as that you may be received in to that heavenly habitation with God and his Saints. And besides touching the heavenly mystery of this our eternal jerusalem and blessed mansion descending down, from God: the vision of the glory of the Lord appearing to ezechiel, Ezeche. 1. and 10. doth in ghostly comprehension (as in a clear glass) represent the figurative mystery thereof, under the semblance of the goodly Cherubins: for our holy & everla sting City shall evermore appear full of the glistering of God's majesty, lightning round about: whereby the twelve tribes or universal number of the elect, possessing jerusalem: according to a quadrate or equilateral triplicity of every side of the City, containing three gates, having the names of the tribes in order of heavenly division: which sides represent the four goodly beasts under the quadrat form of this City, containing, The mystery of the four beasts 4. and wheels which ezechiel saw. as under four faces of beautiful beasts or wheels: the whole congregation of the elect, as under the face of three gates on every side, making the radical number of twelve tribes or twelve apostles multiplied in the virtue of itself, to a perfect number radical the harmony of the elect: and thus these goodly faces of the four beasts, being each side of the City with his blessed saints, shall shine as burning Cressets, giving a continual glister as it were a lightning, for out of their bodies shall proceed the flaming zeal of praising and magnifying the God of glory for ever: and thus on the four sides round about, (the similitude of new jerusalem, shall be as a glassy sea mingled with fire shining with the superexcellent glistering of heavenly beauty, like the shining of precious stones) carved out without hand, by the omnipotency of God: that the twelve tribes, or whole congregation of the elect, being evermore in the city: that howsoever the blessed Lamb and glorious host of Saints move upward or downward, to the magnifying of the Majesty of God, or falling upon their faces at the high glistering of the most incomprehensible brightness of God: the tabernacle or heavenly jerusalem doth the same also: as an heavenly clothing immovable from them, but still conformed in all godly perfection to every harmony of consent of the glorious Saints: that if the holy Saints do move or go, by the guiding of the spirit or Lamb, the blessed City or tabernacle goeth also: for the spirit of life is in the City: So that the elect are so clothed with their heavenly habitation, that neither can they any way be separated from it, nor that from them, as a kingdom of glory, inhis eparable and immovable from a glorious body: And this eternal City is framed with four equilateral sides, (like the form of the Quire and altar of the Temple of old jerusalem) and that in most true perfection of just harmony and absolute proportion, having to look upon every side mos t excellently cohering and according: as if one were in another: that when one side of the glorified saints went forward, they went all four and turned them not about: according to the dignity of true perfection: for such is the concording of every part with the whole, and of the whole city with every part, that if any part moved, all moved: and that, with such a motion, as the spirit of life did give, which was in the whole City or tabernacle, and in every part of the tabernacle a like and the self s ame: So that this motion was ever, as the sweet voice of Gods own mouth did breath, being the perfect motion of God's holy will: (accordingly as the children of Israel did never move forth in passing the wilderness, but by the mouth of God, as the cloudy pillar did move or stand still before the tabernacle:) So in most heavenly manner shall it be in our glorified tabernacle or city, that God shall be our Captain and King, leading us to fountains of water of life: Ezech. 1. And the streets and wings of this our City, are so framed without hand, by mighty power, that one never touch another, and yet when they move they turn them not about, but each go strait forward: showing that it containeth one only way and motion of most perfect truth and perfection with all harmonical concordance of heavenly agré ement. And these goodly beasts do represent the Godly livers which are accepted before the goodness of God: and now the manner of their dwelling within their new jerusalem, is prefigured by the face of a man and Lion, Ezech. 1. appearing on the right side of the squared City: and the face of an ox and an Eagle on the left side: signifying a consimilar expectation, that those godly people, which like a lion have been vigilant, stout, strong, and bold in faith, to fight and war in defence of the Lamb: and the face of a man showeth that those which truly and faithfully by confession, teaching, and preaching, have set forth the glory of the Lamb, shall possess the right side of jerusalem: And though see which like an ox to sacrifice, have yielded themselves to martyrdom, to death, or torments for the lambs sake: and those which like an Eagle have turned their hearts to God, as the Eagle doth always turn herself to the Son, to behold it, shall possess see the left side of new heavenly jerusalem being now glorified: whose feet shineth like glistering scoured metal, full of beauty, evermore continuing in one self same joy and glory: And now the wings and borders are spread out most beautifully, (according to Esay) the cords are so laid abroad as that they can not be better, Esay 33. and the mast set up of such a fashion that no banner or sail hangeth thereon. Esay 40. As also Esay saith, The Lord sitteth upon the Circle of the world, and spreadeth out the heavens as a covering, and stretcheth them out as a tent to dwell in: For now every part in the whole, and the whole with every part doth evermore agree in the self same, so knit in unity and everlasting peace, in one consent of melody, that for ever one part and every part doth the self same thing: as the Spirit and Lamb doth lead them, Coloss. 1. having the pre-eminence: so that for evermore they remain glorified with everlas ting life, peace, unity, and purity of all perfection and brightness in the sight of the Almighty: for all things with them are Symbolical to God's Majesty: That as jesus Christ our Lord and Redeemer is the Son of God, begotten of God, God of God, and God in God: that their insearchable nature is such, that they are both one in itself: And the Holy Ghost from them proceeding, being the everlasting Spirit of the everlasting Father and Son, being of inseparable nature all together in itself: so that being three persons in Trinity, yet is it one everlasting unity: for in them is one Communion of Godhead, that the fullness of the Godhead dwelleth in the three persons Almighty, both bodily and Substantially: And now as this everlasting power and Godhead is coadunited a perfect Trinity in Unity, and Unity in Trinity: So we of God, to God, and in God, are adopted Saints of holiness by jesus Christ our Saviour, the eternal word & son of God: by whom we are made in most excellent & true resemblance of Godly nature, partakers of God's glory and pureness: Phil. 3. being ordained of God to be fashioned like the Son of God: Ephe. 1. That what perfect conjunction of Godhead, is between the trinity and the unity. The like heavenly harmony by adoption shall be for ever, of the Saints of new jerusalem, adopted true sons of God by the Son of God, so fashioned like to his glorious body. Phil. 3. So that as the everlasting seat of God's majesty, his eternal and incomprehensible place of power, doth ever remain with the Godhead, as an eternal brightness of the most holiest seat of all holiness: that where the Godhead is, there is the s hining of his incomprehensible seat of brightness, as a place eternal and incomprehensible, agreeing to an Almighty and incomprehensible god: and so an Almighty God with an incomprehensible place of glory, as one in a seat everlasting, unsearchable and unmeasurable of all omnipotent Majesty: being an eternal creator and maker of a universal seat of glory, never departing from the same, as an immutable God, in an immutable, universal, and incomprehensible seat of honour and power: So the Saints and blessed elect have a new mansion and glorious City descended from god, in which they abide a kingly Priesthood for ever: And they shall never go out of it, but shall sit therein with Christ the Son of God, being his seat of glory given of the Father, revel. 3. where the elect shall s it with the Son of God in his kingdom, as the Son did sit in his father's seat of incomprehensible Majesty: And now such is the heavenly s ympathie and consembable resemblance of our heavenly mansion or new jerus alem, answering to the incomprehensible seat of the glory of the eternal majesty: That as the incomprehensible seat of glory is ever with God, so our new jerusalem is ever with the saints: being an everlasting and heavenly clothing, Cor. 2.5. with which the elect are evermore clothed: That where the first begotten Son of God, and by him the adopted sons of God do go, move, or allevate themselves toward the omnipotent God: in like sort doth the eternal tabernacle or seat, as a glorious clothing or everlasting garment with a glorified body continuing inseparably for ever: And thus we are conjoined as one harmony and perfect consent of many, united in one communion with God's holiness so glorified in the Author and Father of glory, & clothed with the substantial pertakeing of his goodly seat of glory (according to Esay) I will make a new jerusalem (saith the Lord) that shall be glorious through all posterities: Esay. 4. ●. Peace shall be the ruler, and Righteousness the officer: the walls shallbe called health and the gates the praise of God, and God shall be thy everlasting light, and thy God shall be thy glory: And she shall be a crown in the hand of the Lord, and a glorious garland in the hand of her God: and shall be called a new name, the pleasure of God in her, and God loveth her and god shall marry himself to her sons. and as a bridegroom glad of his bride, so god of her. Whereby appear the infinite love of God to his saints and of them to God: the inseparable conjunction of the glory of God to new jerusalem and to her sons: and the reciprocate conjunction and everlasting confirmation of them to him in substantial glorification: so that we shall be (in mystery) as one pure unspotted people, sanctified in the participiation of the holiness of God: being a multitude and yet one heavenly body united to one only holy and omnipotent God: and thus the Saints shall be joyful with glory beholding the most resplendent beauty of God over their heads, lifting to him with one consent of heavenly melody all praise and honour everlastingly, Otherfore ye heavenly Congregation of saints sing praises night and day to your God of glory that you may dwell before God for ever. And thus it is infinite to express and most joyful to behold the admirable treasures and riches laid up for us in Christ to come, and it is exceeding gladsome to think what a plenteous, costly, pleas ant and glorious feast the Lord hath prepared by Christ for us: And let it rejoice you to the ground of your hearts, to consider how the Lord shall deck you like Bridegrooms, with the garments of heavenly health, and high blessedness and let your souls leap within you and dance for joy, to think how you shall be decked with the garments of God's beauty, and be you merry in righteousness and run cheerfully to, godliness of life, that you may partake with this everlasting happiness of new jerusalem, the glory whereof is so exceeding, that the high amplitude thereof cannot be expressed, unto which the spirit of God sayeth to thee come, and your bride herself (even jerusalem) saith come Therefore so run the race of your life that thou mayest go into her, and taste her water of life, there beholding the majesty of GOD, with all abundant joyfulness: and so remaining in everlasting glorification with Christ for ever and ever. * ⁎ * ALleluia, salvation and glory and honour and power and might: Reu. 19 be as ascribed the Lord our God: for true and righteous are his judgements, therefore praise the Lord God all ye that are his servants, and ye that fear him both small and great: for the Lord our God omnipotent reigneth: so that let us rejoice and be glad and give honour to him for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife made herself ready, and to her was granted that she should be arrayed with pure and goodly reins: (and the rains be the righteousness of Saints, and now happy are they which are called unto the supper of the lambs marriage, for they shall dwell with him in his everlasting Tabernacle and Temple, and God will dwell among them, Reu. 22. and they shall see God's face and his name shallbe in their foreheads and God himself shall be their light, and shall reign for evermore: therefore to him sing praises world with out end, AMEN. Esdras 4.2. Take thy number (O Zion) and shut up thy purified, for the number of thy Children whom thou longedst for is fulfilled, and sealed in the feast of the Lamb receiving glorious garments of the Lord, therefore O glorious mother jerusalem embrace thy glorified Children with all triumphing gladness. THE GLORIOUS AND BEAUTIFUL Garland of man's glorification. CAP. 5. Of the pure Crystal and glassy Sea, on which the Elect shall stand before Christ: and in this glassy sea, true godliness and righteousness give the crowns of glory: according to whom every man must be directed, that desire to stand joyfully before Christ to be crowned with the Garland of glorification. * ⁎ * THE Lord God Almighty who went before his people through the wilderness, that the earth shook, and the heavens dropped at his presence: Psal. 68 whose glory Moses might not behold: neither any earthly and corruptible eye can see his face, and live: Exod. 33. hath promi sed of his great goodness and love, that he will have the righteous in everlasting remembrance: and will be to them a joyful crown and glorious Garland. Therefore rejoice in the Lord and be glad, Es ay 28. that he may put upon you the garments of health, and cover you with the mantel of righteousness: ●ho saith that he will deck you like a bridegroom, and as a bride that hath her apparel upon her, so he will cloth you with the shining robes of glorification. For which cause ye ought to show yourselves excellent in righteousness, a planting of the Lord, for him to rejoice in: evermore walking in pureness of conversation, and so holding out to the end: thereby to win the glorious palm of victory, Esay. 62. and eternal kingdom of blessedness: Tim. 2 2. for be it, that a man strive for a mastery, yet he is not crowned with the victory, except he strive lawfully & so overrommeth. And also they that prove masteries to obtain a corruptible crown, Cor. 1, 9 abstain from all things that should hurt them, and hinder them in their enterprise: but now to you an incorruptible crown is propounded, the joy of everlasting life and blessedness: for which cause you ought so much the rather to abstain from all things that should let you thereto: And so run, that you may obtain the garland of victory and palms of glory, for Christ hath not called you unto uncleanness of life, but unto holiness, accordingly as it is written, Pet. 1.1. be ye holy, because I am holy: wherein it is the will of God, that you should increase more & more in all righteousness of conversation according to his Gospel. For pure devotion before God, is to keep yourselves unspotted of the world, and to cleanse yourselves from all filthiness of the flesh, and grow up to full holiness in the fear of God: for great is the mystery of godliness: whereunto you ought to stir up the gift of God which is in you, to perfection of righteousness, walking as obedient children ought to do, to the pleasing of God. Wherefore to bring thee into the right way that leadeth to this pure glassy sea of righteousness, thereby to enjoy the treasure of eternal life, you must walk in the path that leadeth to the house of jacob, in whose seed all the kindreds of the earth are blessed: john 10. and there, by the holy one of Israel, who is the door, you may go in, and be guided in the right path to the heavenly City new jerusalem, in a clear way of godly conversation, accompanied with true Christianity: Golden stayr and at your coming to this door, you shall behold with the eye of faith four golden stairs decked with many goodly precious stones of virtue, being very fair gryces to go upon, one higher than another: and when you are at the fourth stair, you are come fully into this pure glassy Sea of holiness, godliness and righteousness: and beside when you are come to the end of the fourth stair, you shall behold the fift golden stair more goodly than all the rest, most beautiful, transfulgent, and glorious, which bringeth you presently into the Crystal Sea of glory, to stand joyfully in the sight of Christ, with a palm of victory and a garland of glory in your hand: stair 1 Whereof the first golden stair of Christianity, is To believe the holy Scriptures and Gospel of God, simply, sincerely, and truly: And this is the first step of Christian wisdom: stair 2 The s econd stair is, to reverence the word of God, with a pure heart in all obedience & diligence to taste how sweet the Lord is: and this is the grice of true Religion: stair 3 The third stair is, to go forward by the word of God, unto the meditation of heavenly life, having your conversation in heaven, from whence you look for a saviour to deck and beautify you with glory: And this is true holiness and godliness: stair 4 The fourth goodly stair is to continue and persever in the word of God and truth of the Gospel in all steadfastness, of faith, love hope and patience immovable unto the end And this is perfect constancy to obtain the victory, and then stair 5 the fift transfulgent and high s tayre of beauty to enter into the crystal sea of glory, (to stand in the number of the elect that hath got the victory of the beast, of his image, of his mark and of the number of his name) having the Harppes of God, and singing the song of Moses the servant of GOD and the song of the Lamb, who hath made us meet for his most glorious and everlasting kingdom: Is, by grace in Christ, to overcome and vanquish the world and lusts of the flesh and spiritual powers by the faith of the Gospel and armour of God, and so to departed with the victory. 1. The light of the Gospel and truth. And now at the entering up upon this golden grite of Christianity, there standeth a fair virgin, of a very pure and clear countenance, clothed with garments of shining light endued with unsearchable virtues: and she speaketh nothing to them, that would come up, but as the holy one of Israel hath taught her, (because upon his shoulders the whole kingdom doth lie.) Esay 9 And she is crowned with a crown, beset with the pearls of doctrine, truth, knowledge, discipline, prophesying, and preaching: And she is called the light of the Gospel: john 1. And she is always pronouncing a sweet and heavenly exhortation, desiring every man to hear the truth of the Gospel. and the way to their salvation, saying, Ye men and brethren, gird you with the girdle of God's verity: for through his abundant mercy he hath begotten you again, Peter. 1.1. not with gold & silver, but with the precious blood of his own dear Son jesus Chris t, as of a Lamb undefiled and without spot: that ye should enjoy an inheritance immortal and glorious, prepared in heaven for you. Therefore trust perfectly to the grace that is brought by jesus Christ, walking after the spirit, abstaining from fleshly lusts and fight against the works of darkness: that your conversation may be holy in the grace of Christ, whereto he hath called you through faith to salvation: thus she never ceaseth, making such godly persuasions to allure men to win the glory of Christ's kingdom. 2. True Religion. And then pressing forward to come to the second stair, after the verity of the truth received, there stood another beautiful Lady, arrayed with all the shining garments that the first lady contained in her treasure house of truth: revel. 12. for she was clothes with the brightness of the Son, the clear word of God, and the moon under her feet, the righteous life of the true congregation and Church of Christ, was her footstool: and the glory of twelve stars over her head, the doctrine of the Apostles and the righteousness of their life was her glory: wherewith she decked and that came up to her upon this stair, for she was the nurcing mother of Christ's little Children, her name was true Religion, john 6. whom the righteous branch of David, did hold fast by the hand, and linked her with a chain of gold of unseparable love, unto the first virgin her sister called the light of the Gospel: that whosoever came to embrace the first Lady, with true sincere love: must also by the golden chain of fervent love, come up higher unto this sweet virgin of true Religion, Heb. ●. to embrace her gifts of grace, hope and peace to profess steadfastly the true profession of Christ with all humbleness, reverence and obediynce unto God: then these being not all the stairs that confirmed a virtuous man, in the way to everlasting life. 4. Godliness and perfect Righteousness. These Ladies pointed him to look up to the third golden stair, and there was a trim meek virgin very demure and humble (even as white and as meek as a dove) being rayed & clothed with pure & goodly rains of silk the garments of righteousness down to the ground, and she stood upon the corner stone of Zion, and she was rich and had no end of her treasures, reve. 22. Pet. 1.1. & she was fast linked with the golden chain of unseparable love to the other two virgins her sisters: that who so came up to them, she (for her goodly rains and treasures sake) stirred them up with fervent spirit to come up higher, to s tandde with her and walk upon the corner stone of Zion, where she by name, being true godliness, did set up righteousness, in the balance and filled all comers to her with the fruit thereof: for she was as the shining light & her beauty as the burning lamp, & did give them the rich garments of righteousness which the two first Ladies had made ready for them to wear: which notwithstanding without this virgin's assistance did show in them naked and bare: for she being by name true and pure Godliness, did deck all men that had received the light of the Gospel, and the profession of true Religion, with the garments of health, and precious armour of God, Ephe. 6. putting upon them the breast plate of righteousness, the sandals of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, the bond of love, & sword of the spirit, saying: Now walk ye as Children of the light, Thess. 1.5. and Children of the day, for they that are Christ's, have crucified the flesh with the appetites and lusts thereof: Gal. 5. and so walk in the spirit and do the fruits thereof, and be not weary of well doing but tread down the lusts of the flesh which worketh contrary to the spirit to keep you back from this golden stair unto which you are come, wherein shine as lights in the world, john. 1 5. holding fast the word of life, and then ask any thing at God's hand, according to his will and he heareth your petitions: Phil. 2. thus she rejoiced all comers with the abundant sweetness of heavenly conversation: 4. Constancy & perseverance in righteousness to the end And now preasting up to the mark appointed, the high calling in Christ, these Virgins appointed a righteous man to go up to the fourth golden stayr, where was a pure, modest and meek Virgin, clothed with a garment dipped in blood, setting her feet very fast upon the precious corner stone of Zion, being linked with the unseparable and invincible golden chain of perfect love, steadfastness of faith, reve. 19 impugnable patience unto the other three Ladies her Sisters, and her name was called Constancy & perseverance in the troth unto the end. And then you might see many come running fiercely out of the house of Esaw, Pet. 1 1. james. 1.4. to make sharp battles and ass aultes against this virgin, shooting many arrows of persecutions, afflictions, temptations and tribulations to beat her of that golden stair, and to kill her, and there you might see that she was sore wounded that her garments were bloody for the Lamb's sake, ●●pe. 3. Rom 8. Heb. 12. Cor. 2.1.52. and she did hold fast the truth and her, faith did continued unshaken of all the darts of persecutions: and she had a great Adamant in her hand, and upon it was written the words which the Lamb of glory spoke to john from heaven, to draw thereby all them that were come by grace in Christ to the other three stairs to come up to her, reve. 23 to walk with constant faith and patience upon the glaciall sea of perseruerance to the end: and then she said to them that were below come up hither boldly and fear none of those things which you shall suffer for behold the holy one of Israel that set upon David's stool, biddeth you be of good cheer for I am with you saith he, to the end of the world, and he saith unto john, Fear not, I am the first and the last, Reu. 1. and am alive and was dead, and behold I am a live for evermore, and have the keys of hell and death: Hold therefore fast the patience of my words to the end and thou shalt be safe, Reu. 2. for whosoever overcometh and is faithful to me unto death, I will give him a crown of life and will make him a glorious pillar in the Temple of my God, Reu. 3. and shall sit for ever with me in my seat in new jerusalem: and thus this goodly Lady did comfort all comers with such heavenly consoation of Christ's own words, who is faithful and true that it would move any heart willingly to die for the Lambs sake and to suffer all afflictions rather than decline from the company of these heavenly Ladies, which leadeth to eternal salvation: Then these virgins pointed a righteous man farther to the top of Zion, and there he might see and come to the company of them that were got up to this fourth golden stair in jacobs' house walking boldly in perfect stableness of all righteousness upon the pure glaciall sea of perseverance, patience long suffering and immutablenes: as men s hewing themselves able to stand (by the grace which was now given them) and to abide the battle to the end, obtaining the victory: then were they ready joyfully to enter to the high golden stair, there to stand with the elect before Christ, having garlands & palms of victory in their hands: for a most beautiful and glorious 5. Victory by faith. and bright Queen did sit upon that transfulgent stair, thrusting out her heavenly hand (being godly victory) accompanied with eternal gladness drawing them up that had persevered to the end into the glaciall sea of glory before the Lamb: Saying now come see with Esay, GOD sitting in his glorious seat and also Esdras vision performed: Esay. 6. When Esdras saw upon the mount Zion, a great People whom he could not number and they praised the Lord with songs of thanksgiving, and in the midst of them, Esdras. 4.2. there was a young man of an high stature more excellent than all they, and upon every one of their heads, he set a crown, and was ever higher and higher, and the Angel said to Esdras that they were those that have put of the mortal clothing and have testified and knowledged the name of God unto death, & therefore are now crowned and receive the reward of immortality: & he which crowneth them and giveth them the palms in their hands is the son of God, whom they have knowledged in the world, and therefore they receive glorious garments of the Lord, which now behold how Christ doth perform it, saying to you all that hath overcum and been faithful unto death in his name, reve. 3. come take you the crown of life, and sit with me in my seat of glory. And thus these Princes of Righteousness doth persuade every man by godly conversation of life, to press forward to obtain the mark appointed, the high calling in Christ even the very beautiful reward of eternal glorification. For which cause that goodly Virgin and undefiled Lady called the light of the Gospel, came forth in her golden Chariot to pass thorough out all the world, saying I must go gather all Nations be they never so far unto Christ And then she said, Ary see ye Kings and Princes, and worship the holy one of Israel, who biddeth you that be in darkness to come into the light, that you may see glorious jerusalem the Tabernacle that never shall remove, for the glorious majesty shall there be present among us. Therefore up and come to the hill of the Lord, Esay 35. and to the house of the God of jacob, that you may walk in the light of the Lord: And then she passed through the mids of heaven with an everlas ting testament, preaching to all the inhabiters of the earth, saying, Seek the Lord, all ye meek hearted, Sophon. 1. ye that work after his iudgoment seek righteousness, s eke lowliness that ye may be defended in the wrathful day of the Lord: Esay 66. for the hand of the Lord shall be knowrn among his servants, and his indignation among his enemies. For which cause walk as it becometh you, according to the Gospel of Christ, in true holiness and pureness of conversation, that you may be found to laud, honour, and glory, at the great day of resurrection. And then she did set up righteousness in the balance, and judgement in the weights, saying, Thus standeth it between the righteous people, and the ungodly as followeth, and therefore be careful to make your election sure. Esay 3. THe righteous shall enjoy the fruits of their labours and studies: but woo be to the ungodly and unrighteous for they shall be heavily rewarded after their works. Psalm 1. Blessed is the righteous man, whose delight and exercise is in the Law of the Lord, for he is like a tree planted by the water side, whose leaf shall never whither, for the Lord dwelleth among them that are righteous: But as for the ungodly they are as chaff that shall not be able to stand in the judgement, neither the sinners in the Congregation of the righteous, for the way of the ungodly shall peri●h. Psalm 11. The Lord loveth the righteous, and his countenance beholdeth the Just: but the ungodly and him that delighteth in wickedness, doth his soul abhor: yea, upon the ungodly and the unrighteous persons he will rain fire and brimstone, storm and tempest, this shall be their portion to drink. Psalm 34. The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers, and though great be the troubles of the righteous, yet the Lord delivereth them out of all: But the countenance of the Lord is against the wicked, and he will destroy the ungodly and unrighteous man. Psalm 37. The Lord knoweth the days of the righteous and their inheritance shall endure for ever, but as for the ungodly, they shall perish, for the arms and power of the ungodly shall be broken: but the Lord upholdeth the righteous. Psalm 37. The Lord loveth the thing that is right, and never forsaketh the godly, but will have them kept and preserved for evermore: but the unrighteous shall be punished, and the seed of the ungodly shall be rooted out. Galathians 6. The Righteous doth walk after the spirit, and therefore shall reap life everlasting: but the wicked do fulfil the lusts of the flesh, and sow carnally, and therefore shall reap destruction. Psalm 112. The Righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance, he shall not be afraid for any evil tidings, his heart standeth fast, and believeth in the Lord: but the wicked shall consume away, and the des ire of the ungodly shall perish. Esay 28. The Lord of hosts shall be a joyful crown and glorious Garland to the remnant of his righteous people: Esay 14. but he shall make the generation of the wicked to be without honour for ever. Malachi 4 The day cometh that shall burn as an Oven, and all that do wickedness shall be as the straw: but unto them that fear God, and seek righteousness shall be health and salvation, and they shall be preserved under the wings of the Son of righteousness. revel. 22. Blessed are the righteous, for they shall taste of the wood of life, and enter the gates of the holy City of new glorious jerusalem: but the wicked and evil doers shall be shut out, and not suffered to come to the holy City. Matthew 25. Unto the Righteous the Lord shall say. Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom, prepared for you from the beginning of the world: But unto the ungodly he shall say, Depart from me ye cursed, into everlasting fire, which is prepared for the Devil and his Angels. And now seeing it is so between the righteous and the ungodly, it behoveth every man to set his affection upon righteousness, and so seek the Lord in the singleness of heart: knowing that he is full gracious and merciful to all that put their trust in him, but to the wicked he is a consuming fire: and therefore press forward with all diligence to get up to the golden stairs of victory, that you may receive at the appearing of Christ, the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls, and so be translated into Christ's kingdom of glory, where you shall dwell, accompanied with the blessed Saints in all heavenly joys everlastingly. Moreover this godly virgin (called the light of the Gospel) pronounced the sweet sentence of Christ, Matth. 11. s aying, Come unto me all ye that are laden, and I will refresh you: for if you desire to be Christ's sheep, john 10. you will hear my voice. And therefore all ye Incommers into this world, both little lads and pretty virgins Come hither, and I will show you two great houses and buildings of much admiration, which you must know because they that walk in the narrow way, which leadeth to everlasting life: or that go the broad way unto destruction do walk by one of these houses: Math. 7 between which there is great discord, contrariety and disagreement, that no man can live in this world but that he is in continual battle by reason of these two houses which were never friends since the beginning. And behold do you not see upon the right hand a goodly hill very pleasant and beautiful to look upon: (that is mount Zion, Esay. ●. ) a most fair place and the joy of the whole earth where GOD is well known in her Palaces and honoured in her Temples, (as a sure refuge) therefore come one and walk about Zion and go round about her, and tell the Towers thereof, Psalm. 48. mark well her bulwarks and consider the riches and treasures with in her, for there hath God chosen an heritage for us even the worship of jacob. The HABITATION of jacobs' house of Righteousness, and fruits of the Spirit containing the narrow way to salvation. CHRIST is the Dore. Light of the Gospel. truth. Verity. Grace. Peace. love. joy.. True professi Knowledge. godly desire. spiritual thirst good will godly sorrow. Repentance. Diligence. comfort. consolation. satisfaction. Godliness. Goodness, holiness. Righteousness, Virtue. Temperance, Faithfulness Humbleness. Meekness. Gentleness. good works kindness. Constancy. Perseverance fervent love lively hope. Patience. Perfectness. instant praers long suffering forbearing. forgiving. blessing. charity mercy. thankfulness graciousness. Tenderness Pureness. good thought. rendering good ferill. virtuous mind Faith. Victory Q. All those that are borne into the world that will purchase heaven must enter into jacobs' house and walk according to those virtues and fruits of the Spirit, which that house contains, evermore resisting and fight against the house of Esau, which is an adversary and leadeth to destruction, whose great and huge house standeth on the contrary hill upon mount Seir, Gen. 36. and hath many wide gates and open windows to go in at: and is full of unrighteousness, sin and wickedness, that he that walketh in this house and is a friend héerto, is an enemy to God, and goeth the way to perdition. Abdy. 1. Esau's house, the fruits of the flesh, and old ADAM. The broad way. Flesh. World. Devil. Sin. wickedness. Lust. worldly love. Vanities. mischief. malice. il-thought. il-deeds. adultery. fornication. hatred. variance. disobedience: ambition. arrogancy. sloth. flattery. hypocrisy. Idolatry. jealousy. wrath. sorcery. witchcraft, murder. theft. deceit. treason. strife. usury. covetousness. extortion. unpureness. drunkenness. fleshlines. uncleanness. Idleness. wantonness. frowardness. unkindness. sturdines fierceness. cruelness. rashness. slackness. heresies. erors. sects. sedition. filthy talk. brawlings. rebukes. grudgings. mockings. jestings. flouting. perverse. proud. highminded unnatural. concupiscence. unbelief. unconstant. ignorance. ungodliness. backbiting. blaspheming. swearing. boasting. uncharitable impenitent. obstinate. il-mindes & inventions fruits of darkness. And now whosoever walketh in Esau's house according to his fruits, is in the broad way to destruction: So that he which walketh according to jacobs' house is spiritually minded, which is life and peace: Rom. 8 and he that followeth the fruits of Esau is fleshly minded and that is death. Therefore if you will live with Christ crucify the works of Esau, by wrestling against flesh and blood, worldly vanities and spiritual wickedness, that you may overcome the world and enjoy the crown of victory. Then after that the light of the Gospel had thus showed the difference between the righteous and ungodly, and had declared the ways of jacob, and the ways of Esau, and what is the end of him that soweth spiritually, and of him that soweth fleshly: then did that pure Virgin Constancy and perseverance to the end, say that the bare knowledge hereof was not sufficient but that it was required at all men's hands to hold fast the truth and not be removed away from the Gospel. James. ●. and s o to be doers and not only hearers, whereupon she pronounced a sweet exhortation to all people that desire to come to the supper of the blessed Lamb. saying: O ye humble Sheep of god follow your Leader, go on with your guide, behold it is your LORD and Saviour Christ, who is the sweet Saviour of life, unto life, the Author and finisher of your salvation: be willing to follow him, and walk in his paths and you shall find all the grices, steps and stairs whereby to climb up to us in heavenly jerusalem. Therefore stretch and press forward to obtain the mark appointed the reward of the high calling of god in Christ: which to obtain you must strive to overcome in this world many great battles, wild beasts & strange locusts which will come upon you: but faint not, for behold he sitteth in heaven & holdeth the garlands of glory in his hand to deck you with the Diadems of glorification, if you stand steadfast. for that cause abide all sorrows and persecutions with boldness of faith and immovable patience sé eing it prepare such an exceeding and eternal weight of glory for you: But what? (O ye men) you seem to be perfect in the profession of the Gospel, Cor. 1.10. then beware you that séme to stand that you fall not, for behold the great day of tribulation is yonder coming, what are you now afraid? does t thou shrink? dost thou go backward from the profession of the pure Gospel of Christ? fear not saith Christ, him that killeth the body, but fear him that destroyeth soul and body into hell fire: yea hold fast sayeth he the patience of my name, Math. 10. and thou shalt have a crown of everlasting life: for he that confesseth the truth of me before men, Reu●. 3. I will confess his name before God and the holy Angels, and he that denieth the truth of me I will deny him. O therefore beware, and be not feeble minded and dismayed at yonder tempest of persecution, for why, hath not Christ most lovingly told thee that such extreme dangers shall come to pass, and sayeth to the fear none of those e things, but hold out to the end, and thou shalt be saved and crowned with eternal glory: why then? wilt y● yield? wilt thou now be shaken down like a fig, from his fig tree: O man remember thyself, consider whereto, thou doest fall, what? art thou so nice of thy flesh, so tender of thy skin, Be not removed from the Gospel. so fervent to Wife and Children, so given to worldly riches and delights, so bend to promotions, so hasty to please men, so addict to this World, so foolish and mad to run with the multitude, so ready to yield to the persecutors, as to forget the day of the Lord, when thou shalt altogether tremble and quake and give an account of thy doings: what? I say to thee with heavy grief, wilt thou abide no perils no torments, no imprisonment, no affliction, no hunger nor shame, no weariness, no loss of goods, no departing from fré ends, no loss of life for Christ's Gospel? then thou mayst say, woe is my untrutefulnes. Wherefore pray with all instance that God may strengthen thy faith, and that thou mayst be endued with patience against all tribulations: and that you may be preserved from dogs, from Locusts, and unreasonable men: And now while the door of the gospel is open, stablish your hearts in the everlasting consolation of faith, hope, love, and patience in Christ: Dan. 12. And suffer adversity with him and with his Gospel, through the power of God, who hath given you the gift of grace: For it is written, that the days shall come, in which you shall be purified, cleansed and tried, as gold in the fire: Wherefore hold fast the patience of his name in all storms of persecutions by looking up joyfully to heaven, when thou art in the hands of the persecutors, Reu. 6. and fettered to the stake of torments: then to behold the golden altar, and see there the souls of them under the hand of Christ, which hath suffered before you in the testimony of jesus Christ: whether (now) thy soul skipping joyfully out of thy body (as one loosed out of bondage and prison) do go, accompanied with God's holy angel to those blessed souls there meeting together, with praising and magnifying God under the golden altar: for blessed are those that suffer for righteousness sake. An acceptable sacrifice to GOD And therefore consider what an acceptable sacrifice thou shalt be to God, when thou shalt breathe forth the sweet odours of prayers through the flaming fire, or tortures of death, up before the face of God, by yielding thy life for his cause: so that be assured that thy inward joy shall quench & eat up the outward pains and torments of death: for it is written the Angel of the Lord tarrieth round about them that fear God, Psalm. 3. and delivereth them, therefore fear not death for the gospels sake, but suffer with christ that you may be glorified with him, and so be of the number of them to whom he shall s ay, Come ye blessed, inherit the kingdom, and be crowned with the glorious garland of your glorification: and so to conclude, Luke. ●● Rejoice that your names are written in heaven. TO THE Reader. LIft up your heads, Christ is at hand, Hosanna in the highest. Receive the gift, the kingdom come, from heaven which is most purest: The Lord doth come himself from heaven: who is the king of kings. Arise you dead and put you on. your new immortal wings: At Zion he will show himself, prepare you to be there. Where crowns of life and palms of joy, the chosen then shall wear: Arise therefore receive the gift, of God's eternal light. Embrace the joys, behold the face of God in open sight: The holy City, gloriously in brightness which excel. Descendeth down from God above, wherein the Saints shall dwell. The wicked then shall stand without. an heavy woo to see: The Lord shall say, Depart ye hence▪ you shall not be with me. Arise therefore, as true right heirs Of that most blessed land: Sing out Hosanna in the highest, Christ's kingdom is at hand. F. K. A PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING TO GOD, THAT IT MAY PLEASE HIM TO sanctify us with his holy grace that we may dwell in New jerusalem: with a petition for our Sovereign Queen, that it may please God that she may reign over us many years, and after this life be crowned with the heavenly clothing of glorification. WE most hearty thank thee, (O Lord God our heavenly Father) for thy manifold and inestimable benefits which thou hast given unto us, both for our souls & bodies, and that freely of thine own goodness without our deserts: we thank thee, that it hath pleased thee of thy great mercy, to create and make us to thine own Image and Likeness: and being lost through the sin of our first father Adam, thou vouchsafedst of thy endless pity to s ave us and redeem us again, by the death and passion of thy well-beloved Son jesus Christ, our sweet Mediator and Advocate: whom we look for to come again at the day of judgement, as a most loving Lord and Saviour, to carry us with him into everlasting glory, there to remain with him world without end. Therefore grant us, sweet Lord God, the riches of thy grace, that we may have the fruition of thy joys in thy heavenly kingdom of everlasting blessedness. And we beseech thee O Lord jesus Christ, which art the health of all men living, & the everlasting life to them that die in thy faith, to preserve 〈◊〉 thy servant our Queen & Governs, & so with thy blessed hand to fé ede ●●●spéede 〈◊〉, lead 〈◊〉, & keep 〈◊〉 under thy holy wings, that she may evermore fast the sweetness of thy rich mercy and great love to the praise of thy holy Name, and glory of the Gospel: and also to his glorification in the eternal kingdom of glory: And we thy servants and children by grace, being ordained by thee, to be her faithful subjects, do beseech thee of thy great goodness, so to increase her with thy blessings, that we may enjoy him sweet governess to reign over this Realm many years more in peace and tranquility: and after this life to partake the everlasting glory of Christ, to whom be all glory, honour, and praise world without end, Amen. GOD SAVE the 〈◊〉