CROWN OF LIFE Containing the 〈◊〉 betwixt the Flesh and the spirit, with Meditations and P●●ers in time of afflictions, directing 〈◊〉 live christianly, and die blessedly ALSO A comfortable and heavenly Dialogue between CHRIST and the SOUL. Written to comfort the afflicted consciences of all those that groan●● under the burden of their sins. REVEL. 2.10. Be thou faithful unto the death, and I 〈◊〉 give thee the crown o● life. LONDON, Printed by E G. for john Marri●● and are to be sold at his 〈◊〉 the 〈…〉 la●e, in Fl●et stree● TO THE MOST Royal and renowned MAJESTY, of the high-born Princess ANNA of DENMARK, by the grace of God, Queen of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, etc. Imperial and incomparable MAJESTY. THE holy Ghost teacheth us godliness most forcibly, by the brevity of our life, naming it a vapour, grass, jam. 4.14. 1 Pet. 1.24 Esay 4.6. a span long; yea, it may abide any extenuation in the world; Psa. 144.4. as to be called a bubble, a sleep, a shadow; and the holy men of God, come so far, as that they compare it to a thought, whereof there may be unspeakable thousands in one day, yea in an hour. Psal. 90.9. King David saith, Behold, thou hast made my days as a hand breadth, Psal. 39.5. and my age is nothing in respect of thee: surely every man in his best estate is altogether vanity. And another King, My habitation is departed and removed like a shepherds Tent, Esay 38.12 I have cut off like a Weaver my life. And thus it is evident, that man's life (for its speedy motion in her short way) is as swift as a weavers shuttle, Ps. 103.16. and passeth as the wind. The swiftest thing in nature for motion (the Sun) may stand still, josh. 10 13 but man's life doth not stay, For even when the Sun stood still a days journey, man's life went forward. Wise Solomon▪ called it vain, and not contented therewith seemed to correct himself, and called it vanity itself. Psal. 62 9 But David his Father goeth farther, and saith, Man is lighter than vanity, being laid in a balance. We (so fond we are) increase our count of days, as the evil servant did; Mat. 24.50▪ But his Master came in a day when he looked not for him so did the foolish Virgins. It is good not to beguile ourselves in computation, but to be taught to number our days, which is a very rare Arithmetic. If there were worlds in possession of them that are departed, they would gladly give them us for one day, or hour, which we so little esteem of. Besides, death often taketh violently from us the time to come, yea from them which are most dear to God. Rachiell died in childbed, Elie broke his neck, the Prophet was killed by a Lion, 1 Sa▪ 4.18. 1 King. 13.24 job 1.18.19. 2 King. 23.29. 2 Kin. 39.6 jobs children in their banqueting struck dead, josiah killed by Pharaoh Necho, Isbosheth slept at noon, but was slain before he awoke, etc. Neither hath any Liver surer charter of his life, unless he could have a lease of it, as Ezekiah in some sort had of his by Esaiah, wherein he had very ill success. Thus we ought to apply our hearts unto wisdom, persuading ourselves that death is within a minute, that it will easily dispatch that, which no Law, Prince, or Punishment could do: and if we would every day think we draw our last breath, we should prepare us, and repair to the word, and go boldly to the throne of grace, Heb. 4.16. that there we may receive mercy, and find grace to help in time of need, knowing that it is a greater benefit to be a living Dog, Eccles. 9.4. than a dead Lyon. For while that we live, there is space for repentance, but after death there is none. And this Christ alloweth as a high point of wisdom in Marie, in that she ha● made so fit a choice of her times, in bestowing them on such a thing as should not be taken from her. Luc. 10.42 And here in this little Treatise, I show that those times we bestow on God's worship, shall not end with the number of our days, but shall have their abiding fruit for ever, and shall last as long as God himself shall endure. The which here I commend to your majesties gracious acceptance, having an eye to the matter rather than to the manner, 1 Cor. 1. for I would be seen in the simplicity of the Gospel, and evidence of the spirit, that the power thereof may appear. And now unto him that is able to keep you, that you fall not, and to present you faultless before the presence of glory with joy, that is, to God only wise, our Saviour, be glory, and Majesty, and dominion, and power, both now and evermore, Amen. Your majesties most humble and loyal remembrancer at the thro●e of grace, Barth●l. Robertson. To the Christian READER. MY purpose (gentle Reader) in the frame of this Book is, by short questions to quicken and put edge on thy understanding, and by meditations to make the doctrine thine own: which thou must haunt frequently, by chewing the cud, and so by the holy Ghost, applying the doctrine more particularly to thyself, which thing no other (although never so effectual a Preacher) can do so fitly; because each of us is most privy to his own estate. For that knowledge by hearing & reading, whilst that it swimmeth in the brain, but is not settled in the affections by meditation, is but a vanishing knowledge. And by prayer, the graces of God are moistened, which cannot be dry so long as thou resortest to Christ by fervent supplications. These three thou mayest use in the day time, but exercise prayer and meditation, assoon as thou awakest in the night, joining thereunto the examination of thy heart; for than is the soul (as it were) at home. Which in the day time had wandered abroad. And so to read, and not to meditate, is unfruitful; to meditate, and not to read is dangerous for errors; and to read and meditate without prayer is hurtful. For without prayer our minds shall be driven from the things under our meditation, to rove, & wander after other matters, whither our own corruption and Satan is about to lead us. Wherefore (beloved Reader) I have according to the measure of gr●ce given unto me, conjoined them three for thy benefit, for in hearing with others, and reading with ourselves, we think we have to deal but with men, but by prayer and meditation, which is the very life and strength of reading, we call ourselves to account before god's judgement seat for that we read or hear, laying our hearts naked before God, accusing ourselves, confessing our sins, craving forgiveness for them, acknowledging his mercy, which we have received, & begging the continuance of the gift; and so as by these means good ●ffections are bred, so by the same we are carried to practise godliness in ourselves. And the Lord bless th●e to his glory, and these to thy use. Octob. 16. 1617. The table and order of of the special heads and doctrines, with the meditations and prayers contained in the Crown of Life. CHAP. I. WHerein is contained, that men are not only mortal, but also altogether ignorant, when, how, ●r in what place, God will call them out of this present life. 1 That a Christian may learn only out of God's Word, to live well, and die blessedly. pag. 1. A meditation of the Soul, to live forever. pag 2. 2 What a Christian life is. p 2. The Christians godly prayer. p. 4. 3 What is called a Christian death. p. 5. A pr●yer for a happy departure. p. 5 4 That every man must die. p. 6. A meditation of the Soul, that we must but once die temporally. pag. 6. A prayer unto God, that he would seriously put into our hearts, that the time of our death is uncertain. p. 8. 5 That God hath not manifested unto us the hour of death, that we might prepare us ever to die. pag. 9 A prayer for a blessed preparation. pag. 10. Four meditations concerning the uncertainty of our death. First, the time, when. pa. 11. A prayer of man's vanity. pa. 13. The second meditation, the place where. pag. 15. A prayer that we may joyfully meet death. pag 16. The third meditation, the state, in what. pag. 17. A short prayer to forsake the world. pag. ●8. The fourth, the manner how. p 19 A prayer of the misery of sin, and to follow Christ. p. ●0. A meditation of the Soul, not to delay repentance. p. 22. A prayer when first▪ we fall sick. pag. 23. CHAP. II. WHerein is comprehended the true and right art to die well. And first of Christian repentance. p. 24. 1 Because we cannot be exempted from death, we should learn that Science and Art to die happily. p. 25. The young man's prayer. p. 27. 2 How a man by sound and true repentance, prepare himself to die blessedly. p. 2●. A meditation of the Soul for earnest repentance. p. 29. Another prayer for speedy repentance. p. 30 3 What true repentance is in three heads. p. 31. Another prayer for repentance. p 32 4 An instruction of the first part of true repentance. p. 33. A prayer bewailing the corruptition of nature. p. 34. A meditation of the Soul upon the acknowledgement of sin. pag. 36. A prayer for the confession of our sins. p. 37. 5 A declaration of the second part of true repentance. p. 44. A meditation of the Soul of faith in Christ p. 51. The sinner's prayer to rely on Christ. p. 59 6 Declaring the third part of true repentance. p. 61. A most excellent prayer to be used at all times. p. 62. 7 That our whole life ought, and should be a continual repentance. A prayer for true repentance. pag. 73. CHAP. III. COntaining six points belonging to a Christian life. p. 76. The Christians prayer for a holy life and blessed death. p. 79. 1 Point, diligently to hear the Word of God, learn to understand it, and to divide and conveniently use and practise it. pag. 81. A prayer to the same effect. p. 93. 2 Point, daily to comfort himself in his Baptism. p. 96. A Meditation of thy Baptism. pag. 97. A prayer for a new life and faith in Christ. p. 99 3 Point, often to repair to the Lord● Supper with due examination. p. 102. A Meditation of the Soul for the receiving of the holy Communion. p. 100L▪ A Prayer when thou hast received the holy Communion. p. 108 Another meditation of receiving the holy Communion. p. 109 Another prayer after the receiving the holy Communion. p. 115. 4 Wisely to behave himself in all crosses and adversities handled in seven rules. p. 120. 1 Rule concerning the cross. pag. 123. A prayer willingly to follow Christ in all crosses and afflictions. p. 126. 2 Rule of bearing the cross. pag. 127. A prayer for obedience in the cross of Christ. p. 128. 3 Rule, how to bear the cross of Christ patiently. p. 129. A meditation of the Soul concerning the comfort which Christ doth give unto all those that suffer for his sake. p. 130. A Prayer for steadfast faith in all afflictions. p. 131. 4 Rule, concerning the cross of Christ. p. 132. 5 Rule, concerning the cross of Christ. p. 135. A prayer when we have obtained faith in Christ. p. 138. 6 Rule, concerning the cross of Christ, and the crosses of this life. p. 139. A prayer for a true and lively faith in Christ. p. 143 And last rule concerning the cross of Christ p. 145 A meditation of the cross of Christ. p. 146 A prayer for continuance in Faith. p. 148 5 Point of a godly, and Christian life is to abide in his calling and vocation. p. 149 A meditation of the frailty of this Life. p. 152 6 And last, is the Souls meditation diligently to call on God's name, by earnest and fervent prayer. p. 158 A most comfortable prayer to God for the gifts of the Spirit of prayer, and accepting of our prayers. p 163 CHAP. FOUR Containeth how a Christian should behave himself, when God sendeth sickness upon him. p. 167 A prayer against sudden death p. 171 1 He m●st learn the true cause of his sickness, which is ●inne. p. 173 A meditation of the Soul, learning to know the cause of sickness. p. 175 A comfortable prayer in time of sickness. p. 178 2 Diligently to seek for remission of sin, and to be reconciled unto God. p. 180 The sick persons prayer, and confession. p. 181 3 To call on God's name himself, and to cause the Saints a●d Congregation to do the same. p. 183 The si●k● persons prayer and protestation. p. 186 4 Not to contemn the ordinary meanus of physic the Lord hath appointed. p 188 Another pra●er for the patiented. p. 190 5 To be p●tient, if thy sickness continue. p. 192 The sick persons prayer for patience. p. 195 6 To comfort himself in his greatest extremity, that he is the Lords dear and adopted Son. p. 196 The sick persons prayer for comfort in affliction. p. 200 7 To resist Satan's assaults by a lively faith. p. 204 The sick persons prayer for consolation and victory over all temptatious of Satan. p. 212 8 To render and submit himself to God's good will and pleasure, when the hour of death shall approach, and to offer up praises and thanksgiving from thy very heart, if thou be'st restored to thy former health again. p. 214 A thanksgiving after sickness. p. 216 CHAP. V Containing a spiritual confutation of all worldly and fleshly thoughts, which molest men when as they intent the art to die blessedly.. 1 How a man should be strengthened against the fear of death. p. 220 A prayer against the fear of death. p. 222 2 That many, for divers causes do long for death. p. 224 A prayer for patience in trouble. p. 227 3 If a man with a good conscience may pray for long life. p 229 A meditation of the Soul tossed with the troublesome waves of this life. p. 230 A prayer for health, and God's blessing on our labours. p. 232 4 What may move a man willingly to die. p. 234 A prayer for obedience unto the will of God, and willingly deny himself. p. 237 5 How a man shall keep his heart constant against the pleasant course of this World. p. 239 A prayer to be kept in the way of life. p. 242 6 By what means a man may comfort himself when h●e sha●● leau● Wife, Children, Friends, etc. in misery poverty, and distress. p. 249 The dying-mans' prayer, bequeathing all his charge into the hands of God. p 255 CHAP. VI DEclaring how a Christian shall willingly give himself to die, overcome the bitterness thereof, and how in constant perseverance he may continue to the end. 1 How the faithful Soul shall pacify the terrors of death, and willingly wi●h joy commit himself unto Death p 260 A meditation of the soul against the sorrows of Death p. 263 The Sick-man's prayer and faith in Christ. p. 265 2 How the faithful heart shall comfort himself, that he with patience shall abide constant to the end. p. 272 A meditation of the Soul, of faith in Christ's promises. p. 274 The Sick-man's prayer and comfort in Christ. p. 277 3 How the Christian may be● comforted when the strength of his faith beginneth to waver, and doubteth whether he be one of the elect to salvation, or not. p. 27● A meditation of the great comfort the children of God have in this world. p 282 A prayer for steadfast faith in Christ. p. 290 CHAP. VII. Containing spiritual consolations and instructions, that either the Soul or conscience of man (now ready to die) can object. 1 Consolations against the horrible shape of death. p. 294 A prayer against Death. p. 296 2 Comfort against that fearesull name of death, grave, rottenness, and corruption. p. 297 A prayer against the terrors of the grave. p. 300 3 Comfort against the taste of Death. p 301 A prayer for the me●cies of Christ. pag. 306 4 Consolations against groaning and sighing at the last agony of Death. p. 307 A prayer to Christ to keep us from a troublesome death. p. 309 5 Heavenly and experimental physic against the bitterness and sting of death. p. 310 A prayer of the Christians steadfast hope of heaven. p. 316 CHAP. VIII. COmprehending remarkable sentences of Scripture, with some earnest prayers to be powered out for them that are in present peril of death, as also, how they should behave themselves that are present with the sick person. 1 Containing comfortable speeches and sentences of holy Scripture, which may be used to the sick, or those in peril of Death. p. 319 A meditation of the Soul. 336 A prayer for a diligent and steadfast faith in God's word. 339 2 Some short and compendious aids the Sick-man may have in his mouth at the very time of death. p. 340 3 What should be their duties which stand by the sick or dead person, who have already joined their Prayers with him. pag. 343 A prayer for those that are about the party departed. 345 CHAP. IX. DEclaring where the immortal Soul goeth after death, the resurrection of the body, the joys of eternal Li●e, and contrariwise, the pains which the Ungodly shall have in their destruction. 1 Whether the godly Soul, and in what estate it is after death. pag. 348 A meditation of the soul's departure and blessedness after death. pag. 352 The Christians most earnest prayer to leave this World, and to be with Christ his Saviour. p. 355 2 If the blessed soul long for the resurrection of the body, that they may be united and glorified both together. p. 358 A prayer of the faithful Soul for her dissolution. p. 362 3 Of the resurrection from the dead. p. 365 A meditation of the Soul on the resurrection. p 367 4 Of eternal Life, and everlasting blessedness. p. 372 A prayer for the joys of heaven. pag. 385 5 A consideration of the pains of Hell, and condemnation of the Ungodly. pag 384 A prayer for a safe deliverance from the pains of Hell, and to live with Christ for ever. pag. 290 The Souls Request, or a Dialogue betwixt Christ and the Soul. Fol. 1. Sig. A. AN ADMONITION to the Christian Reader, declaring the difference betwixt the reprobate and true Christian in their life and death; and likewise of the use and benefit of this Book. IT is true (dear Brother) that all the word of God compriseth nought else, but that we should live as his children, according unto his word, and die Christ's brethren, and faithful servants. Now therefore I have compiled the most spiritual doctrine, first, of a christian life; and secondly▪ of a blessed death. Of the which, the man that saw God had his greatest regard▪ Lord▪ saith he, Psal. 90.12. teach me to number my days, that I may apply my heart unto wisdom. So did also another, Eccles. 7. 3● Whatsoever thou takest in hand, remember thy end, and thou shal● n●uer do amiss. For what is a christian life, but a continual meditation on God's favour, a life in true repentance▪ exercised in faith, keeping of a good conscience, & so it cannot go astray; and that a man should never suffer himself to be in such evil state, wherein he might not be blessed, yea, and happily die. What is it then to die blessedly? Even this, when a Christian not only consid●reth that he is mortal, and never free from death, but also is resolved that he must departed hence, and that he shall be inheritor of everlasting salvation. This is that high Science and Art which Moses speaks of, which is not elsewhere to be had but in God's word▪ As if he should have said, Teach us to remember that we shall die, to the end we may be wise, that by thy holy Spirit, and grace, and practise of thy holy word, we may so live that we may have life everlasting. This holy Art to die aright was never known by Philosophers, and as yet is hid from all those that know not jesus Christ the Redeemer. Indeed Cicero guessed at it, Orat. pro. Publ. Quin. where he saith, Vita turpis ne morti quid●m ho●estae locum relinquit; that is, An honest life goeth before an honourable de●th. Yet there is an unspeakable difference, Inter v●●am honestam & Christianam, mortem honest●m & Christianam seve salu●arem; that is, Between an honourable life and a Christian life, between an honourable death and a Christian and saving death. Augustus Caesar desired every day 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, to wit, that he might die well, but he understood not by what means, only he hunted for name, fame, and renown: and even so it was with the rest of the Ethics and Heathens, they knew that they should die, but never apprehended the christian virtues faith, and ●ope: but only infirmity, corruption, and distress, and so departed, as he speaketh of Tur●us, Virg. Aen. Vitaque cum g●mi●u fugit indignata sub umbras. And therefore there is nothing contained in their records but misery and complaint, of the shortness of life, as that, Totum quod est homo, miseria: that is, All that a man is, is nothing but wretchedness. King Xerxes beholding his army, and seeing the number, and considering their manhood and courage, wept bitterly, that after an hundred years, there should none of them be l●ft alive. And great Aristotle, Omnium ●erribilium terribilissimum est mors. That death of all terrible and dreadful things, was the most terrible and powerful. Sundry of them have sought and busied themselves for a remedy against the fear and terror of death, but could not come farther, then to make it familiar unto them (as it is indeed) that they might meet it when it approached; As Seneca saith, De nat. quaest. Effice mortem tibi cogitatione familiarem, ut, si ita sors tulerit poss●s ill●●buiam ire: that is, Make thyself acquainted with death, that when it cometh thou mayest meat it. Hence is it that the Egyptians custom was in banqueting and greatest mirth, to cause the image of death to be borne, with this inscription, In hun● intuens, Herod. in enter. bibe & fis animo hilari, post mortem enim talis e●is: that is, Lo here, drink and be● glad, and remember always that death shall make thee like this picture. And this was all the● preparation to a foreseen death. And so Agag the King of the Amalekites, when Samuel was to cut him in pieces, said, 1 Sam. 15.32. truly the bitterness of death is past, as if he would say, I must once die, rather now then another time, it must once be done, and then it is gone. The secure Soul, at her last time grudgeth and fretteth both against God and Heaven, for after her utmost endeavours and travel, she can come no farther than this, Ego tenta●us rebus omnibus nihil invenio in quo quiescam. After all my manifold trials and searches, I cannot find any one ●hing whereon to rest and repose myself. And when she perceiveth the certainty of death, she breaks out into these words, O te dementem & oblitum fragilitatis t●ae, Sen. de ●●tur. quaest. si nunc timeas mortem cum to●at. Fool hast thou not remembered thy weakness, that now thou art afraid of death when it thundereth. And as concerning eternal life, Plato, Cicero, and others vex and grieve themselves: for they acknowledge that man's Soul is immortal, but yet never dreamt of the resurrection of the body. Yea, and Cicero joyeth in this, that once he should come to the assembly of Souls, but whither, he did not know. O praeclarum diem, Cic. de sen. ●●m ad illum animarum concilium coetumque propr●ficiscar, & cum e● hac turba & collwione de●edam. That is, O happy day, in the which I shall take my way to the assembly and convent of Souls, & shall departed from this vile and mischievous world. And seeing they lacked faith, the earnest of the spirit, and hope and constant confidence in God, they held themselves up with foolish magnanimity, full of distrust and doubt. For that excellent Roman Orator could speak of the immortality of the Soul, but farther light & knowledge had he not, Quod si hic erro quod hominum animas immortales esse credo, libenter erro, Cic. de s●n. non mihi hunc errorem quo delector dum vivo ex torqueri volo. That is, If in this point jerre, because I believe the immortality of the Soul, I am an heretic with all my heart, the which erroneous opinion so long as I breath no man shall be able to root out of mine heart, or constrain me to forsake. And farther, did no Ethicke come, neither had more prepaparation and resolution against deaths approaching, even as the Hypocrites and Infidels in these our days, which have no faith in jesus Christ our Redeemer: And therefore all these wicked and profane creatures, must understand that their condemnation shall be the greater in the last day, than those Ethick Philosophers: for they have a greater occasion, and more ample matter, by the light which now shineth abroad by the Gospel; yet they will not rectify their lives by true repentance conformable thereto. And therefore they have their noluerunt, for so saith Christ, Matth. 10.14.15. whosover shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house, or that city shake off the dust of your feet. Truly I say unto you, it shall be easier for them of the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of iudgdement, then for that City. He that hath ears to hear let him hear. Reu 2.11. And therefore above all things, we must consider of the difference between a Christian man's life and conversation, having faith and repentance, and the life of the Infidel, Hypocrite, and ungodly; to the end we may feel and sensibly apprehend Gods eternal and everlasting mercy bestowed upon us Christians: that we may (I say) seriously and earnestly meditate night & day upon the goodness and favour of our God in this specialty showed unto us. Psal. 1. As for the first, the Hypocrite hath no familiarity with God, nor sight of heaven: but useth the precious gifts of God after the same manner, as doth the swine the acorns under the tree, being never mindful that there is a God i● heaven, nor giving him thanks for his temporal food, health, welfare and felicity, much less meditating upon that eternal food, but he taketh his pleasure and fleshlydelight, remaining on the earth: yea, true it is, that unreasonable beasts, have a better life than such a reasonable creature, although he be created according to God's similitude. But contrarily, the Christian, faithful and hopeful, acknowledgeth God his Creator, rejoiceth in him, useth all his gifts with thankfulness, loveth God which hath done all things so wisely & wondrously well, useth himself in those both night & day cometh to the Lord his God and brayeth after eternal life. Secondly, the Infidel (it may be) hath heard that God will punish an ungodly and wicked life, with a wretched and miserable death. Yet never giveth place to penitency and contrition unstill death liveth still in sin, yet can say with the Pharisie, I thank thee, O my God, I am not like th● man, Luk. 18. 1●. an extortioner, unjust, adulterer, or even as this Publican: and therefore (it may be) concludeth he shall have eternal happiness, because of his outward political demeanour, although he hath not faith in Christ, the art to die aright, neither hearty repentance, nor any testimony of redemption, no sweet hope that God will accept of him, much less is he exercised in the preservation of faith, and a good conscience to the end. 1 Tim. 1. 19 The Hypocrite while he is in good temporary estate will brag of Chris●ianitie, will be a teacher of others to learn patience under the cross, will boast of his perseverance in time of adversity, but when one deep calleth another, Psal. 42.7. by the noise of the water-sp●uts, and all the waves & floud● of God are gone over him; then falleth all his courage, then is heaven out of his way, and the earth is sunk under him, there is no attention to comfort, but he begins to sing Gedeons' song with impatiency, judg. 6.13. Ah my Lord, if the Lord be with us, why then is all this come upon us. But the faithful and Christian heart maketh account, that not by prosperity and wealth, but by much adversity and many crosses, Act. 14.22. he must enter into the Kingdom of heaven: & therefore if it be well with him, he thanketh God for his bounty towards him, is no way secure, but serveth the Lord in fear, & rejoiceth in trembling. Psal. 2.11. And when as it is otherwise with him, than he saith with holy job, shall we receive good at the hand of God, an● not receive evil? and layeth steadfast hold on the cross, and hath David's melody in his mouth: My soule● waiteth o● the Lord, Psal▪ 130. 6.7. more than the morning watch watcheth for the morning. I will wait on the Lord, for with the Lord is mercy, & with him is great redemption. And if it shall be very heavy, yet notwithstanding he will say with faithful Paul, 1 Cor. 10.13. God is faithful, & will not suffer me to be tempted above that I am able, but will even give the issue with the tentation, that I may be able to bear it. And if flesh and blood be timorous, and would not willingly undergo the cross, yet he believeth, and is persuaded that neither life nor death, Rom. 8.38.39. etc. nor any other creature shall be● able to separate him from the love of God, which is in Christ jesus our Lord; for to him that feareth God, all things work together for the b●st. Fourthly, the chîldrens of this world remembering that death shall separate them from their goods, honours, wives, children, lands and possessions, and that they shall go naked out of this world cry out, O death, how bitter is thy remembrance to a man that liveth at rest in his possessions, Eccl. 41.1. unto the man that hath nothing to vex him, and that hath prosperity in all things, and say with the Emperor S●uerus, I have been great, and now it profiteth nothing: but contrarily, the Christian Soul doth choose the good part, which shall not be taken away from it, and every minute i● ready to let slip these transitory things, and saith with that holy King, Lord lift up the light of thy countenance upon me, thou hast given me more joy of heart, Psal. 4 6.7. than they have had when their wheat and wine did abound The unprepared Hypocrite when he falleth sick, bethinks him of nothing else than how his sickness came to him, what unwholesome food he had eat, by what means he got this drunken surfeit, Mat. 10.30 where he catched that cold, or too much heat, is unquiet and impatient that such mischance should betide him. But the faithful man knoweth that all the hairs of his head are numbered, and that the precious gift of his health cannot be taken away without the Lords special pleasure, and therefore imputeth all unto Sin, My own wickedness hath corrected me, jerem. 2.19 and my turnings back have reproved me. I know therefore and behold it, that it is an evil thing, and bitter, that I have forsaken the Lord my God, and that his fear was not in me. And he beginneth with Paul to say: F●r this cause am I weak and sick, 1. Cor. 11.30.31.32. for if I would judge myself, I should not be judged of thee: but when I am judged of thee, I am chastised of the Lord, because I should not be condemned with the world; whereby he is taught repentance, and amendment of Life. The Wicked and Infidels do never work upon their Souls until they be sick; then first begin they to be holy, and before that time, all their days they have been enemies to the Word and ministery. But now must the Preacher be sent for, and with sugared speeches must be entreated for consolation, etc. But the faithful Christian is every minute in preparation to a blessed death, and never suffereth himself to fall into that condition and behaviour of life wherein he would not die, and therefore can say with constant magnanimity, Come Lord jesus my joy and Comforter, every hour I attend thee, come when thou ●i't, I am ready. And when never so little sickness overtakes him, then saith he (with mirth of heart) Now let Thou thy Servant departed in peace. 2. Luk. The Infidel and Reprobate, whenas he lacketh counsel and help in sicknsse, hath recourse to Satan, Witches, and to unlawful means, and saith most desperately, If God will not help, then help Devil. But the Christian believer knoweth, that the Lord hath forbidden all such inconvenient means, and understandeth Satan's policy and craft, Exod. 20.3 that it is not for his good, but that his soul should separate itself from the true SAVIOUR; Yea, 1 Sam. 28.8 he is assured it is an hundred times better to die in constant invocation on God's name, then to live under protection of Satan: and therefore useth such means as the Lord hath appointed, he will not tempt the Lord his God, he will not seek after the ministery of such as God hath not promised a blessing unto, but will say, Mat. 8.2. Here am I Lord jesus, let it be unto me according to thy will, if thou wilt thou canst make me clean, but, Psal. 40.8. if not, Lo here I am, thy will be done, I desire to do thy good will, O God, yea, thy law is within my heart. And to be short, the children of this world never have memory on God's word, (for they have not learned) and cannot comfort themselves by their baptism, nor that excellent Sacrament of the Lords Supper, but cause some scurrilous History and false fable to be read unto them, with such foolishness, whereby they may dispossess the thoughts of death, and quiet their hearts; but the faithful one is acquainted and exercised in god's word, divideth that word of truth, puts a difference betwixt Law and Gospel, rejoiceth in the covenant of mercy in his baptism, seeketh comfort in the other Sacrament, wherewith he was fed and refreshed, and so obtaineth new trust and joy from time to time, momentany he esteemeth, but as they are he● counteth nothing of any i●y or pleasure, but that which is in Christ his redeemer, that heavenly life, and is glad of that blessed hour. S●condly, how different is their acceptation and entertainment of death: for the wicked seeing it by evident experience, that he must die as others do, complaineth of man's great misery, and of the shortness of this sweet and pleasant life; but maketh not preparation by repentance thereunto, but fretteth against God, inveigheth against his justice, because man hath but a short time given him to live. Now the true Christian touched with the daily examples of human infirmity and corruption, groaneth because of that our first fall, lamenteth for his sins and wickedness, for the which the divine punishment ceaseth not upon us, Lam. 3.22.23.24.41.5 6. lifteth up his heart with his hands unto God in the Heavens, who heareth his voice, and hideth not his ear at his breathing and cry, 57 who draweth near in the day that he calleth upon him, and saith, fear not, the Lord, I say, who pleadeth the cause of his Soul, who redeemeth his life, and will say, I will bear the wrath of the Lord, because I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause, and execute judgement for me. Mich. 7.9. He will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousness, O Lord thou art wise, and thy word is truth. Yea, Psal. 119. he attributeth the true honour unto God, for he doth all things justly and well, and so prepareth himself every hour of the day to a blessed departure. Again, the Hypocrite when his heart meditateth on death, is afraid for the terrible visage and countenance thereof; for flesh and blood can do no less, for death is our enemy, and killeth us all, but the hopeful christian openeth the eyes of faith, looketh upon death not according to the Law, but according to the Gospel, comforts him in his Lord jesus Christ, joh. 11.11. who hath changed the bitterness of death, and made it a sweet sleep, and believeth constantly that he shall not die, but quietly rest, un-the Lord shall awake him up by the shout of the Archangel, and trumpet of God. The wretched Hypocrite when he considereth how that death shall after a most fearful manner apprehend him, and make him an ill favoured Corpse, which must be hidden from the eyes, and cast in the bosom of the cold Earth: Then beginneth he to sorrow and weep, his courage is gone, and can do no more than king X●rxes, who hearing mention made of Earth, did say, Missahaec faciamus, Hie. in polyh. neque tristiis rerum mentionem faciamus, cum jucunda in manibus habeamus: Away with these things, for they are sorrowful, and let us to our jollity and mirth. But the religious Christian proceedeth, plus ultra, a great way further, bids fear, adieu; looketh through the terror of death, and corruption of the grave; he passeth not for the horrible dissolution of his body, neither that he shall be corrupt, and rot in the earth; for he seethe a great deal further, how in the last day he shall come forth beautiful, and pleasant, and be made like the glorious body of his Saviour Ie●us Christ. Besides this, the Wicked and Profane bethinks himself on his death, and considereth that once he must die, and that he cannot choose: and here h●s wits fail him, and in this exigent and strait, he knoweth not whether to turn him, to what way he should betake him, only he hoisteth up courage, plucketh up a good heart, that ●f it were once done, and t●at debt paid ●o nature, than were it over. But the godly S●ule lifteneth not to temporary magnanimity, ne●ither relieth on the fl●shly courage and arm, but upon the consolation of the holy spirit, which dwelleth in him, which he hath tasted by true faith, Phil. 4.7. which passeth all understanding, which also will keep his heart and mind though jesus Christ to eternal Life. Besides, the Infidel when he feels death coming, is at his wit's end, hath no counsel, that is, no faith, no hope, yea no certain word to anchor upon, no confidence to rest on how he may departed from hence, but is replenished with fear and raging tumult within himself; never casteth his eyes on the great Almighty God. But on the contrary, the righteous Christian hath fraught himself with faith and hope, Rom. 8.73. and with unspeakable groans, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our bo●ies, to the which he joineth the true word of God, which cannot deceive, giveth it place and room in his heart, and saith powerfully and gladly, joh. 8.12. Thou Lord jesus art the light of the world; he that followeth Thee, and keepeth thy Word, shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of Life. Now again, the Wicked, dissembling, and counterfeit Christian, when he is under the power of death complaineth that he is forsaken, all his friends, kinsmen, and brethren, do stand from him, and none will help. But the spark of Faith in the religious man's heart, saith, Lord, whom have I in heaven, but Thee; Ps. 73.25.26. and there is none upon earth that I desire besides Thee, although my flesh and my heart fail, God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever: for he knoweth that God giveth only help from trouble; Ps. 60.11. for vain is the help of man.. Through God I shall do valiantly, for he it is that shall tread down my enemies; for he builds and God only, and that if he be with him, nothing can be against him for he hath the holy Trinity dwelling in his heart, and many holy Angels at his sick bed attending for his Soul, and abiding to carry it into Abraham's b●s●me. Now when the Infidel doth hear that his Soul is immortal, & that after this life there shall be another, wherein the blessed of the Father inherit the Kingdom prepared for them from the foundation of the world, Mat. 25.34. and that the wicked shall go into everlasting punishment, than he trembleth & quaketh, and would wish it were untrue, and desireth that he might never rise again: for his misbelieving heart doth instruct him, that if it be so, he is eternally condemned, and therefore he wisheth that he had never been borne. But the true child of God rejoiceth from his very heart, that there is another life prepared for him, Rom. 5.9. and he shall be saved from the wrath to come, and therefore sighs to be dissolved, Phil. 1.2 3. and to be with Christ, which is far better; and that this wretched life might be shortly cut off, that the eternal and everlasting m●ght begin: Rom. 5.15. for his expectation is constant and sure, whereby he is assured of a better life to come, unto the which he was redeemeed. By such and sundry more Antitheses and oppositions may be easily seen the difference betwixt both the life and death of the faithful and Infidel: and therefore we should daily and hourly consider, and never be contented until then, that we have jesus Christ our Redeemer & Saviour dwelling in us, by a true and lively faith, accounting him our greatest treasure & goods, placing all our joy and comfort in him; and that with diligent prayer, and constant meditation by faith & power of the holy spirit, we may ever love that ●ternal life, above this temporal, be enemies to sin from our hearts, take pleasure in righteousness, learn to know aright the misery of this sinful life, neglect the pomp and train of this world, have inward de●ire and constant purpose after the heavenly mansions, love the Lord jesus Christ with all our s●●lesmind and strength, and daily thirst for his second coming, persevering in a Christian calling, and prepared at all times to make a happy departure from this vale of misery. And this is that heavenly preparation to a blessed death, by the which we are distinguished and separated from the misbelieving Ethicke, Turk and jew, and from the disobydient hypocrite and children of this world; of the which there are a great number alas on whom the Sun of righteousness hath not shined, but sit as yet in darkness, and in the shade of death, have neither heard, nor yet can speak of Christ, indeed some might have heard, but with the deaf adder they shut their ears at the voice of the Enchanter. Others do hear sermons, but yet did never know Christ for their Saviour and Redeemer, because the Word was not mixed with faith in the hearers, such are good lip-Christians, but their hearts are far from him, they boast of faith, but declare it not by their works, and talk of eternal life: but will not learn the way to come thither. And if thou wouldst (gentle Reader) be taught aright, then must thou often read diligently, hear, and meditate upon God● Word, exercise thyself daily in it, and live according thereunto; for now there is (praised be God) the holy Scriptures in every man's hand, and sundry and divers comfortable and holy books out of that pure Fountain which holy Fathers have penned, by the which thou mayst be taught profitable doctrine, lively faith, & holy admonitions for a Christian life and blessed death, of the which Writers, some are some what obscure for the Simpleones, and full of disputations and logical discourses. And to ease thee of them I have here set down a plain Treatise for thy instruction, a●ter my long experience and visitation of the sick, distressed, and assaulted by S●tan, trial of crosses in adversities, and sense of the sting of death. Whereby being long exercised of my own proof, I do now publish unto thee for the benefit of god's Church, whereunto I was much importuned by many godly and religious persons, I was much helped in this Work, by that reverend Father Martinus Mollerus, Preacher at Gorli●z in Silesia; whose worthy works are well known. entreating me to set forth these comfortable rules, having had so long trial. Which I did still intend, but was hitherto hindered (S●than doubtless envying the benefit and publication thereof) and therefore I the most unworthy of all Christ's servants, do rejoice only in God's mercy, and say with Paul, Cor. 15.10. No● I, but the grace of God which was with me, hath caused these to c●me to light, trusting it shall tend to the praise and glory of God, benefit and weal of his Church, and to be a spur to every private man unto a Christian life and holy death: for it is the meaner and weaker sort that it is written, to their edification and salvation. For it often happeneth, that sundry in a strange Country cannot have the use of Preachers, neither yet in warfare, nor sailing, nor yet at home in the time of plague and pestilence can they have frequent society with the men of God, to be taught by them. And there are men where no plantation of the Gospel is, sighing and gro●ning for the word of grace, comfort, and admonition. In these and the like defects, this little Manuel can supply the place of a Friend, to speak unto them that we be not hindered in our Christian course, but constantly go foward, that through the mercy of God we may make a blessed departure, and glad good-night from this world; which our good and gracious God g●aunt unto us, for his own mer●●e● sake, when it shall please him to translate us from this Hadradrimmo● and vale of misery. Amen. THE CROWN OF LIFE. CHAP. I. Wherein is contained, that men are not only mortal, but also altogether ignorant, when, how, or in what place, God will call them out of this present life. Flesh. I PRAY YOU show me the contents of the whole Bible, and sum of all the Sermons preached by the holy men of God. Spirit. That is, to learn to live Christianly, Psal. 90.12 Eccl. 12.1. and die blessedly. A meditation of the soul to live for ever. O Lord my God, help me in such ways to live in this world, that I may elsewhere live with thee eternally; Reu. 2. & 3 for what have I in this present world but thee? or what in the heavens but thee? Psal. 73.25.28. It is good for me to cleave unto thee. Flesh. What call you a Christian life? Spirit. This is a Christian life, that a man should rightly know, first, the Lord his God, jer. 9 Psal. 79. Exod. 20. Deut. 6. Mat. 28.19 Psal. 67. joh. 17. joh. 1.14. Ezek. 18. and secondly himself: first (I say) the only one God in essence or being, distinct in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, that the middle one of these three, which is the Son, was sent of God into the world, and there hath taken our human nature upon himself, to become our Redeemer and Saviour▪ thereto man must learn to know himself aright, that is, that we are poor, miserable, & vile sinners in God's sight, and shall be eternally condemned, unless we be converted, and lay hold by a steadfast faith on this Son of God, become new creatures, and continue in obedience to God, and love to our neighbours, even to our last end. The Christians godly Prayer. O thou only one, eternal, almighty God, Father, Son, and holy Ghost, threefold in persons, but one in substance, power, and glory, I humbly entreat thee, teach me to know thee, and myself truly, that I may more and more increase and grow daily in this knowledge, to the end that I may so address my short and wretched life here on earth, that it may redound to thy praise and fear, to the good and benefit of my neighbour, and by no means be hurtful to myself, always walking as in thy presence, in humility and holiness. Amen. Flesh. What call you a happy or blessed death? Spirit. To end and conclude the days of this life in true faith, Luk. 2. Philip. 1. recommending thy soul to the Lord jesus, with an hearty desire and longing for a joyful sleeping from this world in patience to be with the Lord. 1 Tim. 4. A prayer for a happy departure. Lord jesus Christ, thou only knowest my time and hour, Matt. 6. Act. 7. I request thee from the bottom of my heart, to vouchsafe upon me an happy departure from hence, and to preserve my soul from all anguish and annoyance, that so I may rest with thee eternally. Amen. Flesh. Shall all mankind then die? Spirit. Heb. 9.27. Yes, it is appointed all shall die, and after this life be summoned to their appearance for judgement. A meditation of the soul, that we shall but once die temporally. Hear then (O my soul) if death shall go over all, Eccl. thou shalt not escape: to day this man, to morrow, or soon, must thou. It is not said, nor determined that thou shouldest die twice, but once. If that it were permitted we should twice die, then if one had not well and godly disposed himself the first time he died, he might reform himself at the second essay. Oh but not so: if thou die il once from this world, thou shalt be carried to everlasting anguish and woe. A prayer to God that he would seriously put into our hearts that the time of our death is uncertain. O Lord my God instruct me, that I may deeply and seriously consider I must departed, and that my life hath sure and limited bounds, and I must be gathered to my fathers, Gen. 25. Gen 49. Num. 20. Psal. 39.5. for behold my days are but an handbreadth in respect of thee, and my age is nothing in regard of thee: surely every man in his best estate is altogether vanity, for what man liveth and shall not see death? Psal. 90.48. shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave? My God, Psal 90.12 teach me so to number my days, that I may apply my heart unto wisdom, whereby I may learn the manner and way to die the death of the righteous, and blessed in the Lord my God, to whom be rendered all thanks, power and glory. Amen. Flesh. Hath not God manifested unto us the hour of death, that we conveniently might prepare us thereunto? Spirit. There are four things (my soul) most uncertain concerning death, which every Christian daily and hourly should earnestly meditate upon, mortis tempus, locus, status, modus; for not only is the hour and point of death hid from us, but also we do not know in what place, by what means, and occasions, by what sickness or manner, death shall separate us from hence. A prayer for a blessed departure. O holy and wise God, thy thoughts are not as our thoughts, Isa. 55.8. neither our ways as thy ways, Vers. 9 but as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are thy ways higher than our ways, and thy thoughts than our thoughts, grant that in a full purpose of cleanness of heart, I may walk here before thy face, and departed in blessed time of death, with sure confidence, that nothing can betide me, Rom 8. but what shall be good and profitable unto me. Grant this, good Father, for the gracious mediation of thy Son jesus Christ my Lord and only Saviour. Amen. Flesh. Seeing then these four things are of so great moment, how may I rightly and duly consider of them? Spirit. After this manner, The time. for the first: Thou dost not know (dear soul) in what day, month, or year, God will ●all thee from this world, whether it shall happen in the day, or in the night, even or morn. God might easily have revealed the same, Eccl. 38. if it had been his heavenly will, but it is of his divine providence and great goodness, that he hath not so done. Meditation on the first, the time. Behold (my soul) we wretched creatures are so corrupt by sin, and are so enamoured with this world, that if the day of our death were revealed unto us, never should we think on God, fear him, or call vp●n his name, never be stirred up to repentance, until at the very instant time it were appointed we should die; then would man first apply himself to learn repentance, but come short thereof, therefore it is not hurtful, but very gainful and necessary, that we should be ignorant of the hour of our death. A prayer of man's vanity. O my God, make me consider how altogether man is vanity, Psal. 39.5. who passeth so swiftly away, truly man borne of a woman lives but a short time, and that full of unquietness, he cometh forth like a flower, and is c●t down like the grass; he slieth also as a shadow, and continueth not: his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed him bounds, which he cannot pass. And now, my God, thou who of thy great wisdom hast hid from me the day of the dissolution of this my tabernacle of clay, 1 Cor. 5.1. help me, that I never let pass any time without true repentance, and seeing thou hast hid from me the time of my departure, vouchsafe on me thy mercy and grace, that I may so bestow my whole life, that night and day, Psal. 6. yea every hour and twinkling of an eye, I may be in a Christian preparation and readiness to die the death of the godly, through jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour. Amen. Meditation on the second, the place. For the second, The place. thou knowest not in what place thou shalt end thy days, whether in thine own house, or in a strangers, in thy bed, or in the field. The sandglasse of our life continually runneth out, and no man knoweth, no man is certified when it hath done running: so death is ever present, and follows us at our heels, and overtaketh taketh us wheresoever it findeth us; it attendeth us every where, for as the lightning cometh out of the East, Mat. 24.27 and shineth even unto the West, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. If thou therefore be a faithful and wise servant, Luk. 12.42. in every hour thou wouldst expect it, that when thy Lord cometh, he may find thee so doing. Prayer that we may joyfully meet death. O my God, make me ever and continually understand, that I am a poor mortal creature, who can in no place preserve myself from death, seeing it continually waiteth in all places, and lurketh for me, make me meet it evermore circumspectly, with a joyful and glad heart. Grant this (most merciful God) for thy dear Son jesus Christ his sake. Amen. Meditation upon the third, thy state or behaviour. As for the third, Thy state what. thou canst not tell (O my soul) in what state or behaviour the Lord thy God shall find thee, whether sleeping or awake, merry or sad, in worldly or spiritual exercise, quiet or angry, or howsoever otherwise distempered: give therefore diligent heed (my soul) that thou never be in such case, wherein willingly thou wouldst not die, for death never loseth opportunity, neither is neglectful to take advantage, and thou knowest well what covenant thou hast with death, Eccl. 14. yea moreover (dear soul) as the Lord shall find thee, so will he judge thee hereafter. A short prayer to forsake the world. Keep me (Lord jesus) from drowsiness, idleness, and slumbering in sin, that I live not inconsiderately, Luk. 19 as the ungodly, which have no hope, 1 Thess. 4. but that at every occasion and minute, I may be ready to take my leave of this world, and reign with thee my Lord and Saviour eternally in the world to come. Amen. Meditation of the fourth, the manner. Concerning the fourth, thou art ignorant (dear soul) by what kind of disease the Lord will call thee from hence, whether it shall happen by pestilence, malady in the head, ague, etc. by shipwreck or fire, and it may be God hath appointed thee to be overtaken by robbers, wild beasts, or some such casualty, yea (O soul) many never intent repentance in all the time and space they have health and prosperity, until some languishment and sickness seize upon them: but who knoweth whether at any time he shall have sickness and leisure together? Have we not daily examples how many decease by palsy, by sword, and sudden death, & through sundry other maladies of body, and before they were ever sick or diseased, or that God suffered them to have the benefit of their bed and rest? A prayer to forsake the world, and follow Christ. O God, how foolish are we miserable and fond creatures? how small heed and attention give we to daily occurrences? The fowl is an unreasonable creature, yet when it seethe another to be killed beside it, she presently swingeth and flieth away, and when it spieth a man to bend his bow & aim at it, there is no longer staying, but quickly conveyeth itself thither, where it may be secure and safe: Even so (O soul) death breaks in all places many men's hearts, and they do fall on every side; then fear (O soul) and fly from sin to righteousness, from hell to heaven, from this damnable and deceitful world, to jesus Christ, that then thou mayst boldly say, Now shoot death when thou wilt; for although thou bereave me of this transitory and momentany life, Heb. 13. yet by a strong and constant faith I possess the kingdom of heaven, which shall give me infinitely more than thou canst take from me. Meditation of the soul not to delay repentance. Delay not (O soul) thy repentance until thou be sick, Eccl. 12. but work thy conversion even now withal diligence: put not off from day to day thy amendment of life, neither continue in wickedness until deaths uncertain hour approach. A prayer when first we fall sick. O jesus Christ▪ my Redeemer, preserve me from a painful sickness, violent and hasty death, overtake me not in my sins, and suffer me not to die without repentance, and give unto me (if it be thy pleasure) a quiet and patiented departure, that without great pain and grief I may in my right wits attain a blessed end, confessing thy most holy name until the last gasp, and so to commend my soul and spirit with my whole heart carefully into thy merciful hands, my most gracious and loving Saviour and Redeemer, to whom with God the Father and the holy spirit be rendered from the bottom of my heart all honour, power, might, majesty and dominion, now and for ever. Amen. CHAP. II. Wherein is comprehended the true and right art to die well, and first of Christian repentance. Flesh. BEcause we never are unpursued by death, it is very needful therefore, that both Young and Old, Great and Small, Rich and Poor, should learn the art of dying blessedly. Spirit. Yes truly, daily examples may teach us so, for consider thy neighbour, like as he is dead, so shalt thou be, yesterday was his, this day for thee, Eccls 38. to day a King, to morrow dead, yea (o Soul) death is like a Mower, Eccl. 10. which walks in a green meadow, cutting with his scythe all he cometh at, and maketh no account whether it be grass, thistle, or rose, neither considereth he how old, how beautiful, or how precious the herbs be, there are none too strong for him, none too young, no castle for height, nor bulwark for security can hold him back; he will not be corrupted with silver, and gold, yea if it were possible that thou couldst give him the whole kingdoms and riches of the world, he would not hold off a minute to abide thy time, nor wait a moment for the performance of thy pleasure and will, now this should be our daily meditation, diligently to mark and carefully learn, the day both to live in God's fear, and die in his faour. The young man's prayer. O my God, how is man verily as nothing? how goeth all beauty away as a shadow? and wretched man knoweth not whether he shall die old or young, neither can any by his riches strength and power, Ps. 144.4. deliver himself or his brother, help me my God, that from my youth upward, I may constantly give heed to walk upright in my ways, Ps. 119.1.9 according to thy word, govern me by thy holy Spirit, that my heart go not a whoring from thee, that my youth never puff me up to brag thereof, Ps. 73.27. and that I put not my trust in health, strength, honour, riches, or beauty: grant that I may in my inward mind hear the end of all, which is, to serve thee, and keep thy commandments: Eccles. 22.13.14. for this is the whole duty of man, for thou wilt bring every man unto judgement, with every secret thing, whether it be good or evil: Lord writ this same in my heart, and give me thy grace, not only to understand the same, but also, to rectify my life and conversation thereby, unto my last end; and grant that I may die unto sin, and live unto righteousness, to the glory of thy holy name through jesus Christ my saviour. Amen. Flesh. How may I then prepare myself to die blessedly? Spirit. The right preparation to a happy death, is in the constant leading of a Christian and righteous life. A Meditation of the Soul for earnest repentance. Wouldst thou then die blessedly (beloved Soul) make earnest and serious repentance, and continue steadfast therein to thy last, for God accepteth well conversion from sin, Wis. 12. Ma●. 24. and who so abideth to the end, he shall be saved. A Prayer for speedy Repentance. Praised be thou my God, who hast no pleasure in our death and destruction, but rather that we should turn from our sinful ways and live, Ezek. 18. Ezek. 33. help me Lord jesus, that I delay not my conversion to thee, and shift not over my repentance from day to day, for thou hast promised me thy mercy; but that I might defer my repentance until the morrow, second or third day, thou hast not promised, vouchsafe therefore thy mercy on me this very day, Ps 95. Tit. 3. that I may redeem the time lost, by an earnest repentance, and not be taken in my sins, and trespasses the day following, grant this for the glory of thy blessed name, through jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour. Amen. Flesh. What is then true and Christian repentance? Spirit. Repentance is nothing else, then that a man rise from his sin, and turn with all his heart unto God, which consisteth in these three heads. 1 That a man acknowledge his sin, and be sorrowful and grieved for it from his very heart. 2 That he despair not by reason of his sin, but believe in jesus Christ, who hath paid and satisfied for him, and rejoice greatly therein. 3 That he witness his faith by a daily and new obedience both to God and man.. A Prayer for Repentance. O Lord my God, I know that of my own nature and power I cannot obtain repentance, neither believe, o my Lord jesus Chris●, I beseech thee waken my heart by thy holy spirit, Eccl. 1. and grant my conversion be not hypocritical and counterfeit, nor my saith false and deceitful, but upright and from my heart, and may show itself in true fruits unto the end: Mat. 13. hear me gracious God I beseech thee, that so I may attain life everlasting, through jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour. Amen. Flesh. Declare the three points of true repentance, and make me understand how I should daily behave me in observing of them. Spirit. The first is, Acknowledgement and sorrowing for sin, for without them thy faith is hypocrisy and not pure, therefore learn to know thy sins, and God's wrath due unto them, and lament heartily for them. A Prayer bewailing the corruption of nature. O Lord jesus how afraid is my heart, when I remember the day I shall die, my God, how sorrowful and troubled is my Soul, when I bethink me of the fearful day of Doom: I may not have granted me an hours respite from death, and I know not what moment thou wilt call me before thy righteous judgement seat, too little have I been afraid for my sins, Oh how am I astonished before thy presence; for lo (my God) thy commandments are before mine eyes, yea written in my conscience, and I know they are the rule & square of everlasting equity, whereby I should have been taught thy holy obedience; under pain of loss of Salvation, but O wretched corruption, alas the miserable confusion and perturbation of all my senses, affections and powers, alas that great evil, that hath overwhelmed us by Adam's fall, my heart alas, can no ways condescend to the performing of thy will. Meditation of the Soul upon the acknowledgement of sin. Ps. 51. Truly, I confess and feel in myself, that I was borne of my mother in that hereditary wickedness, the whole head is sick, Esa. 1. the whole heart is troubled, from top to toe there is no health in me; but I am altogether corrupted through Sin dwelling in me: Rom. 5. fie on thee Satan, thou murderer of mankind, how wretched hast thou made me, thou hast darkened my understanding, made my will perverse and backward, and my heart altogether obstinate and disobedient. A Prayer for confession of our sins. O my God, I know and confess that in me, Rom. 7. Esay 1. that is in my flesh there dwelleth no good, but it is full of sinful sores and biles, and if I had not at any time committed any trespass, yet am I the child of wrath, by that original pollution, for the which I might and should be eternally condemned & banished from thy countanance: but alas, not only this original sin hath borne sway in me; but also I have from my youth despised all thy judgements, Psal. 25▪ 7. and commandments, which I have not kept, Ephes. 2.1. neither could, such is the deadness of my nature in sin, but, I have trespassed against both the greatest and the least of them, terribly and fearfully in my sinful mind and thoughts, sinful words and deeds, in commission and omission, against thee my good Lord and God, and against my neighbour, I knew, and yet do, that no sin is so small, no transgression so mean, Gen. 6. yea no imagination of my heart so little, but merits eternal death and condemnation, and woe is me there are yet so many sins, I do not remember committed in my infancy and greater ag●, which I never esteemed sins, but rather good works, Psal. 19.12 (oh who can understand, cl●●se 〈◊〉 from my secret faults) all these will be laid before my face in their own colours (o how black) and will destroy me unawares as a thunderbolt. What shall I do? whither shall I fly from thy presence? Psal. 139.7 if thou contend with me, there is nothing but condemnation for me, o my soul thou unfruitful tree, Matth. 3. o dry stock, thou deservest to be hewn down and cast in unquenchable fire. O prodigal and forlorn son. Luk. 15. why hast thou thus gone from thy good father, and eaten husks with swine, tumbling and wallowing in all kind of filthy and stinking sins? what answer canst thou give at the last day for thy whole life time, Matt. 12. yea for the least idle word? O wicked and hypocritical servant, thou owest ten thousand pound, Matt. 18. and many unspeakable thousand times hast thou sinned against the Lord thy God, o thou unrighteous husbandman, Luk. 16. how shamelessly hast thou consumed and wasted the gifts of thy mind, and abused thy precious heart and understanding, cursed are thou, Deut. 27. for thou hast not kept all that is written in the Law. Woe is me miserable creature, what have I done? o how wickedly have I done? o thou wrath of the most high fall not upon me, o thou rage of the most mighty, Psal. 6.1. who can endure thee? o misery! o wretchedness! o thou unclean, sinful and evil savoured soul! I am weary and loathsome to myself, that I have become so abominable to my God, yea my God, I am not worthy to be called thy creature, nor that I should walk upon the ground, and it were no wonder, if the earth should open herself under me, and swallow me up, so that I should go living down to hell, o lament and grieve thee miserable soul; o weep and cry thou wicked creature, yea if it be possible let bloody tears fall for thy sin, sorrow thou with thy whole power and strength, o woe to thee thou hard-heart, can no fear nor dread waken thee up from thy dead sleep, cannot the Lords lighted torch of indignation fright thee? wilt thou drink all the cup, yea the dregs of his fury? Up (beloved Soul) up, address thee to a better life, lest thou be overtaken in thy sins, behold the Lords day is at thy door, Luk. 21. and cometh upon thee as a thief in the night, lo death snatcheth at thee, and thou knowest not how soon he shall apprehend thee, therefore speak, and I will not keep silence, I acknowledge & confess before my God, all that is in my heart, O that I had water enough in my head, jerem. 9 & that mine eyes were fountains of waters, that night and day I might weep for my sins, yea cause my bed every night to swim, and water my couch with my tears! o thou (dear soul) lament, shed thy tears as a well, cease not, neither leave off, for the Almighty is angry for thy sins, Lam. 2. pardon them, o Lord I beseech thee, and grant that when I shall sleep in death, my body may rest temporally, and my soul may live with thee eternally, for jesus etc. Flesh. Shall man then in such sorrow doubt and despair for his sins? Spirit. No, God forbidden; but he should embrace the second part of Christian repentance, which is, faith in our Lord jesus Christ, who hath satisfied for our sins, and reconciled us to God his heavenly father, Rom. 5. in this case raise up & encourage thyself, & learn comfort after this manner. o most loving jesus Christ thou most sweet Saviour and Redeemer, how heavy is my heart? how sad is my Soul in my breast? Ps. 43.5. Esa. 38. My God, thou hast broken all my bones like a Lion, I beseech thee, that thou wouldst not despise my contrite and broken heart, my Redeemer, Ps. 51.17. give me thy merciful hand, and draw me out of this heaviness, and suffer me not to sink and perish of too much sorrow: O my God, I thank thee, thou hast touched my heart, in making me understand my sins, and giving me thy mercy to bewail them unfeignedly: O I am become godly sorrowful, not to my hurt, for godly sorrow worketh Salvation, 2. Cor. not to be sorrowed for, where else might I have found comfort for my disquieted Soul? of what other should I have found rest for my broken heart? but of thee only, o most dearly beloved Saviour, for thou camest into the world to save miserable sinners, 1. Tim. 1. therefore is thy name jesus, Mat▪ 1. to save thy people from all their sins. Here am I o Saviour, although a very great, yet a Penitent sinner, Lo I hear thy comfortable voice, Mat. 11. Come unto me all ye that are laden and we aried, I will refresh you. Behold my God, I come and bring with me a sorrowful, broken, Ps. 51.17. and contrite heart: O revive my dead soul, O heal my sinful wounded conscience, O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, take from me my sin, Ps. 51.9. and the guilt thereof, and forgive all mine iniquities; Thou art my Redeemer, and the only sacrifice by which God thy Father and I am re●conciled: joh. 3. for as Moses exalted the Serpent in the wilderness, so wast thou exalted on the Cross, to the end, that I and all that believe in thee should not perish, but have everlasting Life: Mar. 9 I believe, Lord help my unbelief, yea Lord thou knowest all things, thou knowest I believe in thee, joh. 21. albeit with a weak faith, nevertheless by the same little & small faith: I put all my trust and confidence in thee, and believe & doubt not: I believe and know well, that all my bitter and grievous sins, are surely and verily satisfied for, and remitted by thy blood and death: I know and believe, I am assured and persuaded, o my Redeemer, that thy pure conception cleanseth my sinful conception; thy undefiled birth purgeth my unclean birth; thy holy life sanctifieth my sinful life; thy humiliation is my exaltation; thy hellish sorrows are my heavenly comforts; thy bonds are my freedom; thy contempt is my honour; thy sores are my salve; the expulsion of thee, is the inbringing of me; thy smart and pain, is the joy of my Soul; thy desert is my Redemption; thy passion and death is a sacrifice for all my sins; thy obedience is satisfaction for all my wickedness; thy descending into hell, is my deliverance from the Devil, power and force of hell; Rom. 4. thy resurrecti●on is my righteousness; and thy ascending into heaven is a seal and assurance that I am heir of eternal Life, and that through Thee I have already right title and possession of the kingdom of heaven. Yea, Lord jesus, all these hast thou merited for me, given and bestowed them freely upon me, and thy heavenly Father accepts of them, and accounts them to me in such manner, as if I had deserved all the same in my own proper person, and as if every faithful ones Redemption had been purchased by himself: Mat. 9 be joyful therefore, & comfort thee, thy sins are forgiven, and thou reighteous before God: thou hast a merciful Father in heaven; thou art heir of eternal Life, thou hast the earnest of thy inheritance in thy heart, which bears witness unto thy spirit that thou art the Sonn● yof God: Who will crave aught? here is Christ that hath paid and satisfied for thee: Who will accuse thee? Rom. here is God that pronounceth thee Just and Holy. Meditation of the Soul of faith in Christ. Dost thou meditate on that hurt thou incurredst by the first fall? doth that corruption derived unto thee from Adam grieve thee? O give thanks and praise to the Lords name, for thou hast obtained more in jesus Christ thy Redeemer, than thou hast lost in Adam the trespasser: o miracle of all miracles! who can comprehend such things? be glad o my soul and consider narrowly what thou losest in the first, & what was gotten in the second Adam again. Behold how Satan is disappointed of his purpose, for he minded to draw thee altogether, and finally from God, and to draw thee in the pit of God's everlasting displeasure, but contrariwise Christ thy Lord hath not only reconciled thee with thy father, quenched his wrath and anger, and purchased mercy to thee, but also hath advanced thee to such unspeakable promotion, Heb. 2. that thou art become God's kinsman, for he hath taken thy flesh & blood upon him, thou couldst never have come to higher promotion and preferment, unless thou haddest been even God himself. And Satan bethought him to drive thee out of the garden of Paradise, and so bereave thee of the company and society of the holy Angels: but quite contrary, Christ thy Saviour not only brings thee to that healie Paradise and eternal life, but exalteth thee above all Angels, and maketh thee most honourable in that he took not the Angels, but man's nature upon him: Heb 2. Satan also intended to take from thee the food of life, and it so happened, for the Lord God excluded man by reason of his transgression that he should not eat of the tree of life in Paradise, Gen. 3. but now Christ is that nourishment, joh. 6. and tree of life far more excellent and good than that first, which extends and dilateth his boughs and branches, whereby we come up to heaven, hideth us under him, feedeth us of him, and we are satiate and shall have under his shadow, quietness and rest for evermore. Again, Satan would have carried thee from thy righteousness, cast thee deeply down into sin, spoiled thee of thy original justice, wherein without sin thou wert first created to God's similitude; but on the other side, Christ thy Lord freely giveth thee a constanter, surer, and better righteousness, which is his merit and satisfaction by Faith imputed unto thee, Philip. 3. and is that Righteousness which God only accepteth of. Satan moreover, by Adam's sin hath blotted and defaced God's Image in thee, and deadly wounded thee in all thy powers and operations, and left thee lying half dead, Luk. 10. so that there was no desire or motion left or remaining in thee to satisfy God's will, and therefore shouldest die eternally, but on the contrary jesus hath not only clothed thee with his own righteousness, Gal. 3 27. Esa. 55. Col 3.10. healed thy sores and wounds by his stripes and death, begot thee again by the holy spirit, and imprinted his image of new, but also he will at the last day clear thy mortal body, and make it like to his glorious body. To be short, Satan's course was to take all thy gifts and heavenly ornaments from thee, and throw thee headlong to everlasting perdition: but jesus Christ opposed himself, and aided thee in such ways, that not only he took this flesh and blood upon him, satisfied for thee, made atonement for thee, reconciled thee with his Father, obtained eternal remission for thee, gave thee his righteousness, his holy spirit, and everlasting life, but also he promoted thee to be accounted righteous, holy, God's child, God's heir, his brother, his cousin, his bride and bedfellow heir, the Temple and habitation of the holy and glorious Trinity. Now mayest thou say (dear Soul) Omnia benefecit, Mar. 7. He hath done all things well, and therefore o Lord thy name be praised and glorified for ever & ever. o my God how graciously hast thou comforted me? how mildly hast thou refreshed my drowsy and drooping Soul? how sweet is thy consolation? wherefore now I am quiet and settled in mind, and will say truly thou art that merciful Gate and Ladder to eternal Life: joh. 14. Gen. 28. Thou art the Way, Veretie, and Life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by thee; thou art the Way, and there is Salvation in no other: Act. 4. for there is no other name given unto man under heaven in the which we shall be saved but in thy name: Thou are the Truth, for he that abideth not in thy learning, hath not God; but he that abides in thy learning, hath both the Father and the Son: Thou art Life, for he that believeth in thee hath eternal Life, but he that believeth not in thee shall not see Life, but God's wrath shall abide on him. The Sinners prayer to rely on God. O jesus Christ, joh. 1. who art that right and heavenly door, without whom none can come to the Father, grant that by a true and constant faith, I may ever depend and rely upon thee, & by thee mount up to heaven, and there be possessor of that everlasting inheritance of glory, prepared by thy Son my Lord and Saviour, in whose name I call upon thee, saying as he himself hath taught me: Our Father which art in heaven, etc. Flesh. Seeing that now by Christ I am reconciled unto the Father, and justified before him by Faith, and in my hope already blessed, may I do what I will until the day of death. Spirit. No, by no means (beloved Soul) for if true Faith be in thy heart, Rom. 8. and thou made a new creature by the holy spirit, thou must think for other wise, for the regenerate delighteth in a new life, attentively watcheth that he fall not into sin, and is grieved in his heart for his own and other men's ungodliness, Pro. 24.16. abhorreth and hateth sin eagerly, and if the faithful man be miscarried and seduced by Satan, or fall by inborn and natural infirmity, he daily repenteth and comforteth himself in jesus Christ, whose seed abideth in him: therefore there is no condemnation to him, Rom. 8.1. seeing by the hand of Faith he always apprehendeth jesus Christ, and therefore did I call new obedience the Third part of Repentance, which declareth itself in a just, sober, godly life and conversation both to God and man, in thankfulness and love, so mayest thou daily exercise thyself in form following. A most excellent Prayer for all times to be used. I thank thee my God, heavenly father, for creating me according to thy similitude and likeness, Gen. 1. and when I had fallen away by sin, and thereby became the child of wrath, thou didst bestow and freely give thy well-beloved son to be my redeemer, what shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards me, Psa. 116.12 govern me by thy holy spirit, that I may take pleasure in thy Law, for in vain serveth man thee, Matt. 15. by men's laws and traditions, grant that I do no more live after the flesh, Rom. 8. but after the spirit, so that I may fight that good fight, always keeping faith and a good conscience, 1 Tim. 1. teach me ever to be of the mind that jesus Christ my Lord was of, who hath left me an example that I should walk in his footsteps, Phil. 1. 1 Pet. 2. Ephes. 6. Rom. 12. joh. 2. Gal. 5. strengthen my faith and hope that I may withstand Satan, and not fashion myself like to this wicked and evil world, for her course tends to destruction, give me thy grace, that I may ever crucify my sinful flesh, mortify and daunt the sinful lusts and concupiscences thereof, that I may daily die to sin, and exercise myself in all goodness and virtue, 1 Cor. 9 help me my Lord, ever to fear thee from my heart, to love thee with all my power, Deut. 6. and with all my strength, that all my joy and pleasure may be in thee: Psal. 18. grant that I thy creature may aright know thee my creator, and be found faithful, manful & courageous in seeking thy glory, 1 King. 19 and in all humility ever call on thee, I may desire thy word more than gold, yea more than fine gold, and be obedient to thy commandments, Ps. 19.8.10 for in keeping of them is great reward, Ezek. 19 o Lord jesus Christ inflame my heart with thy love, Psal. 73.25 that I may esteem thee above the greatest treasure, and that I may consider what it is to love this wretched world, bow my heart to thee my redeemer, that I may repute this earth, and the glory thereof to be (as it is indeed) nothing, and that I may long and groan for that eternal Kingdom to come, o Lord keep me from immoderate solicitude and care for worldly sustenance, and cause me never give trust to this temporary life. Grant unto me, o my redeemer, steadfast patience under the cross of all afflictions, constant magnanimity, fortitude and faith in all temptations, and that in the crosses of this life I despair not, grant gracious father, that I may humble myself in greatest prosperity, incline my heart to godliness, and make my will conformable to thy will and pleasure, that I may serve thee with a clean, sober, obedient, chaste and upright heart, and voluntary denial of myself. O Lord my God, let me be taught always by thy holy Spirit, and suffer me not to fall in my weakness and infirmities, lead me by thy right hand, that all my thoughts and deeds may be governed according to thy good will and pleasure. My God take from me pride of heart, and let all my strength and courage be from thee, let not my mouth speak any wickedness, neither yet boast in my sins, much less abuse thy name; that I may live temperately and continently, and not give the members of my body to wantonness and looseness. Rom. 12. Grant, o my God, that I neither disdain nor slander my neighbour, and pass not the bounds of of my calling, neither hunt after riches by unrighteousness, neither gape for high honours, that I be not hypocritical nor counterfeit, give me grace that I despise not the mean and weak sort, but willingly lend to the needy, and bestow upon the poor, Psal. 37.8.9.10. take covetousness from me, and preserve me from Envy, Anger, and Malice, and all Ungodliness: O my Creator purge me from Vanity, stiffneckedness, Foolishness, Obstinacy, Wilfulness, from a Rebellious mind and Misdemeanour. O my merciful God I entreat thee, for jesus Christ thy dear Sons sake, thou wouldst give me an understanding heart, 2. King. 2. to the end I may exercise myself in all good actions of love, and manifest my sincerity and truth to all men: assist me, that I may recompense evil with good, and commit vengeance unto thee; benefit and relieve my enemies, and go before every man in honour, that I may tread the footsteps of the godly, and follow them, but shun evil continually; free me from Shame, and make me so departed this Life, as professed enemy to Sin and Wickedness: knit my heart unto thee, that I may fear thy name that I may prove & know whether I am in the right way, Psal. 86.11. Making my Faith in good Works to shine before all men: and deliver me at the last ●nd from evil, that I may contemn these earthly and worldly cogitations, and only set my thoughts on things that are above, from whence I wait for I●sus Christ, in whose most blessed name I do come with my prayers unto the Throne of mercy, craving pardon for my sins, for jesus Christ's sake, in whose &c. Flesh. Is it sufficient that a man once make such repentance, or as it happeneth once a year. Spirit. No verily no, for jesus Christ commanded us without intermission to say, forgive us our trespasses, Mat. 6. and we are desired to grow and increase in the mercy and grace of God, 2 Pet. 2. & of our Lord jesus Christ, so should we learn to be strengthened in the holy Spirit in the inward man, and therefore every one that is godly must make his prayer unto him in a time when he may be found. Psal. 3●. ●. Meditation of the Soul for Repentance. Thou must not therefore (dear soul) only once, or once a month, or once a year, and after return to thy wont sins but they whose life must and should be● a continual repentance, for the Christian by the holy Sacrament of Baptism is borne again, and made the child of God, that the old Adam in him by daily remorse and repentance, should be drowned, perish and die with all sins and concupiscences, that he may be a new creature to live in holiness and righteousness before God for ever, Rom. 6. for the way of the righteous shineth as the light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. Pro. 4.18. A Prayer for true repentance. O God the father of all mercy and grace, who hast called me in jesus Christ to everlasting purity, 1 Pet. 4. and granted that by truth and upright faith I should taste of the sweetness of thy grace and goodness, become the dwelling place of thy holy Spirit, and heir of thy heavenly Kingdom, lead me always by the self same spirit, that I may walk forward in true repentance, striving and wrestling continually against sin, making progress in piety and knowledge of thee, growing up in all Christian virtues, as a new-born creature, and that the more thou prolongest my days on earth, I may the more increase in a stronger faith in thee, grant that I may escape for my life, and not look behind me, Gen. 19.17 that I turn not to my vomit a●gaine as the Dog, and the Sow that was washed, Pro. 16 11. 2 Pet. 2.22. to her wallowing in the mire, so that the last be worse than the first, yea my God, Luk. 11.26 my strength is nought, how easily am I overcome? but thou art he that givest both to will and to do according to thy good pleasure, Phil. 2.13. so wilt thou also strengthen, perfect, and accomplish this thy work thou hast begun in me until my last end, forsake me not that I do not leave thee, take not thy hand and blessing from me, o God, my Redeemer, try me and know my heart, examine and prove my thoughts, Ps. 139.33. if I be in the wrong way bring me to the right path, Psal. 26 2. that I may walk as the child of light before thee in holiness and righteousness all the days of my life, that so I may walk and live after thy godly will and pleasure▪ through jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour. Amen. CHAP. III. Wherein is contained six points which appertain to a true Christian life. Flesh. NOw seeing I daily increase in repentance, and must look for great opposition whiles I am in the right way, how should I behave myself, that my faith fail no●, and that I go not astray? Spirit. That question (dear Soul) is very necessary, for albeit we be regenerate, & are become God's children by Faith, yet carry we these precious jewels in earthen vessels and weak bodies, and therefore Satan ever goeth about like a Roaring-Lyon, 2. Cor. 4.7. seeking to devour us, and plotteth all his engines against us; the World with her glistering show gives evil Example, very pleasant to Flesh & Blood, which also it gladly followeth and remembre●h not that the Broad-Way leadeth to Damnation, and many enter therein, and therefore (dear Soul) if thou wouldst continue in thy course, and attain to the end of thy Faith, which is, 1. Pet. 1.9. The Salvation of thy Soul, thou must daily lay these Six Points before thy eyes, and have them in thy heart, that thou mayest carry thyself in life and conversation thereafter continually. 1 Wait diligently upon the hearing of the Word, learn to understand, practice and use the same. 2 Remember ever thy Baptism. 3 Often, after due examination, communicate of the Lords-Supper. 4 See thou rightly behave thyself in all worldly crosses or adversities. 5 Abide in thy calling with all watchfulness. 6 Pray continually. The Christians Prayer for a holy life and blessed death. Help Lord jesus Christ me ignorant and unwise creature, earnestly to attend thy Word, and redress my life thereafter, that I may keep that covenant of Grace made with thee in Baptism, Ps. 119.9. and worthily receive the Holy Communion; willingly and patiently bear the Cross; truly and faithfully live in my Vocation; ever in my heart thanking and praying thee that this my life may be passed over in daily Repentance; serving Thee and my Neighbour truly, and so continue constant to my death, in saving Faith in Thee, my God and only Lord and Saviour, to whom, with the Father, and the Holy spirit, three Persons, but one God, be given all honour, power, and glory. Amen. Flesh. Expound unto me (I pray you) these Six heads to the end I may rightly understand them, and live according thereunto the time I have here to remain. Spirit. The first point of diligent hearing the Word, and against Satan's temptations. Very willingly: first than I say keep thee by Gods-word, and behave thyself in all thy actions as it directeth; Ps. 119. for it is a Lantern unto our Paths, and a Light unto our Feet, so that if we follow this Light we may walk without impediment and not stumble; but learn especially to distinguish this word aright, and mark what difference there is between the Law and the Gospel. God's Law or his Commandments is a doctrine and word wherein God wills and commands us to be obedient unto him in heart and whole life, that is, Ex. 20. Mat. 22. Deut. 6. Leu 9 That we should love the Lord our God with our whole heart, soul, mind, & strength, & our neighbour as ourself, which things albeit they are impossible for man either to do or keep, notwithstanding thou shalt daily meditate and weigh these precepts, Rom. 3. to the end thou mayest learn to know the corruption of thy nature and sin, and also they may be a rule, after which thou oughtest to lead thy life, as a new creature in holy Obidience. The Gospel is such a Word and Doctrine, wherein God only of mere mercy gives Remission of sins, joh. 3. and everlasting Life; for all the Prophets witnessed, that in his name Every one that believed should have Remission of sins: Act. 10. and therefore never suffer this preaching of mercy to departed from thy eyes, that thou mayest find comfort against sin, and Satan his temptations, and that in all afflictions until death, thou mayest commit thyself unto God with joy: but understand (dear Soul) that Both these doctrines are Gods-word, and are delivered to the Church from the beginning, and must both therein continue, and neiney●her of them is to be dissolved, therefore give diligent heed to them both, that thou mayest rightly divide them, and in time convenient use them. When thou therefore (dear Soul) daily ponderest on the Commandments, and thereof conceivest how disobedient thou art to Gods will, and seest that through Adam's trespass thou art so corrupt, that thou canst fulfil not one of the least of them, and therefore that thou by sin deservest Gods wrath and everlasting perdition, despair not yet for all this, but thank God for his commandments, that by them thou art brought to acknowledge thy sins, for this is the dearest and most precious thing that can be in this world, (Christ's favour excepted) to know Sin, for Christ and his benefits do never taste us well, until we be brought to the knowledge of our sins, and perceive ourselves to be under the wrath and fury of the Lord our God. But if Satan shall come and greatly heap up thy sins, and terrify thee with the consuming fire of God's anger, with hell and endless destruction, then strengthen & quicken thyself with these and such like sentences. God so loved the world, that he hath given his only begotten son, joh. 3.6. that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life. vers. 17. God sent not his son into the world, that he should condemn the world, but that the world, through him might be saved. Ezek. 33. Verily, as I live (saith the Lord) I have no pleasure in the death of a sinner, but that he turn from his ways and live. I will redeem thee from the power of the grave, Hos. 13.14. I will deliver thee from death, o death I will be thy death, o o grave I will be thy destruction. Where sin aboundeth, Rom. 5.20 there grace aboundeth much more. This is a true saying, 1 Tim. 1.15 and by all means to be received, that Christ jesus came into the world to save sinners. Resist Satan with a steadfast faith, 1 Pet. 5.9. and he shall departed from thee. For these sentences are true and more certain, 1 Pet. 1.25. and sure then heaven and earth, his word is truth. Io●. 17.17. And if Satan come on the other hand, changing himself into an Angel of light; 2 Cor. 11. 14. lessening sin and God's wrath, persuading that sin is easily forgiven, and Gods rich mercy soon obtained, beware (beloved Soul) thou give him not ear but remember Gods fearful and powerful Law, in the which all sins are so greatly taxed and accused, that none can be called small, and withal remember thy Lord jesus Christ his passion, and meditate thus thereupon. Fi● on thee lying Satan, I consider how heavy and grieved my Lord jesus was, Matth. 26.38.42. when once he was under the curse of the law, and satisfied for my sin, and beared his father's wrath for the same, Matth. 27.46. I will therefore hereafter be enemy to all sin, & keep me from it, as from the Devil himself, I thank thee, o God, who hast once delivered me from sin, which is the devils snare, should I give myself to be entrapped again in his net? our soul is escaped even as a bird out of the snare of a fowler, Psal. 124.7.8. the snare is broken & we are delivered, our help is in the name of the Lord which hath made heaven & earth. And if Satan shall cast before thee the course of this world, and entice thee to the pleasure thereof, call to mind that we should not fashion our selves like unto this world, but be changed by the renewing of ou● mind, that we may prove what that good and acceptable, Rom. 12.2. and perfect will of God is, take heed (dear soul) for thou knowest well how bent and prone thy flesh and blood is to sin, daunt thyself by the force of the Law, be not seduced, for the way of the world leadeth unto sin. Luk. 13.24. Doth Satan contend against thee, and allege that thou art poor and sufferest hunger, nakedness and distress, etc. then do thou say man liveth not by bread only, Matt. 4.4. but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God, for thou o Lord givest me more joy of heart, than they have had when their wheat and wine did abound, Psal. 4.7. and these words cannot deceive thee, Psal. 89.33. for he will not fal●ifie his truth. Upbraideth he thee that thou art wretched sick, and desolate, & c? though I be (master thou say) poor and needy, Psal. 40.17. the Lord thinketh on me▪ therefore if I can have but thee my God, I account of nothing in heaven and in earth, suppose my flesh fail, and my heart, Psal 73.25. thou God art the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever: rely (o my soul) all thy life time hereon, for he will not alter the thing that hath gone out of his lips. Psal. 89.34. If the devil doth affright thee with death, gainstand him with a stout and faithful heart, and say, thy dead men shall live, Esay 26.19 even with my body shall they live, awake and sing ye that dwell in dust, for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead. And so I believe the remission of my sins, resurrection of my body, and life everlasting: this is verily true, and hereon I repose myself, for heaven and earth shall pass away, Luk. 16.17 but his word shall not fall; so that all they that lean to the word & shut themselves in the word, shall with the word and in the word endure for ever. A Prayer to the same effect. Lord jesus Christ, King of everlasting Triumph, help that I may continually have thy Law and Gospel before mine eyes, and rule all my Thoughts, Words, and Deeds, according to them; teach me by thy holy Spirit at every occasion to put them in practice, that in thy Law I may perceive my Sin and Vildness, with true comfort in my heart, that in all misery and grief I may have these sweet speeches in fresh memory, that they may be my weapons and armour To kill my Foe, Pro. 30.5. and my Shield and defence against the Devil, Psal. 23.4. thy rod and staff to hold me up my food and refreshing in al● trouble and anguish: grant I may wholly betake me to thy Word, both sleep and rise therewith, that I may live and die according to thy Word: and if at any time my heart through weakness shall distrust, assist me then O Lord, that I never despair, for neither thou nor thy Word will deceive me: I know and do believe it, O eternal true God, that thou wilt keep thy Word: ●herefore shall I be preserved: I believe and know thou canst not lie, therefore s●all I not be deceived; and although that my heart shall doubt and deny, yet art thou constant in thy promise, because thou art greater than our hearts, and knowest all things, therefore shall I never be confounded, 1 joh. 3.20 because I put my trust in thee. Psal. 25.2. To thee O God the Father, Son, and holy Ghost, be all honour, dominion, power and glory now and for ever, world with out end. Amen. Flesh. What is the second point that concerneth Christian life? The second point (Baptism.) Spirit. Secondly (dear Soul) meditate daily in thy baptism, and let it comfort thee, because God thy Lord in it hath purged thee, received thee to be his child, and in it sealeth with thee that merciful covenant, that he will be thy gracicious God and father, and thou shalt be his dear Son and heir, yea (o my soul) thy Lord jesus in thy holy baptism hath called thee by thy name, 1 Pet. 3. Esay 62. jer. 14. Esay 45. before thou knewest him, and hath given thee a new name, that thou shouldest be called a Christian, to witness, that thou wert brother to Christ, and fellow-heire, Rom. 8. that thou shalt enjoy and be paticipant with him of all whatsoever he hath bought, and merited by his blood, as of remission of sins, righteousness, and eternal life. Meditation of thy Baptism. Therefore so often as thou shalt hear or recite the Creed, I believe in God etc. I believe in jesus Christ, etc. I believe in the holy Ghost etc. here is thy surmounting consolation, that thou art in the number of those of whom it is said, he that believeth, and is baptised, Mark. 16.16. shall be saved, and hereby art separated from Turks, jews, Atheists and all Infidels, and other ungodly persons, of whom it is said, but he that will not believe shall be damned: and finally, in thy baptism, thou obligest thyself, not to live after the flesh, Rom 8.12. Luk▪ 1.75. to fulfil the lusts and desires thereof, but to serve the living God, in righteousness and holiness all the days of thy life, Tit. 2.12. according to his pleasure. Prayer for a new life and faith in Christ. I thank thee my good Lord jesus Christ, for this thy unspeakable goodness, in that thou hast not only taken me alive out of the womb, but when I was dead in sin, made me be baptised, Psal. 22.9. Ephes. 2.1. and thereby enrolledst and registeredst me in thy merciful covenant & band, didst regenerate me by thy holy spirit, Eph. 2.12.13. accept me to be thy son, and inheritor of blessedness, 1 Pet. 3.21. not that I loved thee first, but thou lovedst me before I was o my Redeemer, Tit. 5.5. how can I render thanks for all thy benefits towards me; I will take the cup of salvation and call upon thee, Psal. 116.12. I beseech thee therefore, uphold me by thy holy spirit, that I may stand steadfast in this covenant of grace, whereunto I have had this access, rejoicing under the hope of the glory of God, comforting my soul therewith: confirm my faith that I may cleave unto thee always, and abhor and detest Infidelity and Atheism, serving thee zealously in the spirit, in whatsoever calling or condition of life I shall live, yea my God, seeing through baptism I am dead unto sin and borne again, Rom. 6.4. grant me thy grace, that I may walk in newness of life, that my conversion and giving my members, as weapons of righteousness unto God, may bear record before thee and men, that I have received that Sacrament to my weal and salvation; conduct me safely through this wearisome valley of misery, never leave me until thou hast brought me to thy father's Kingdom, which is those riches and treasures thou hast promised me in my baptism, and thereof assured me, and sealed up the same in my heart, by thy spirit given unto me. Grant me gracious father, forgiveness of all my sins, that so I may walk before thee, in true repentance and amendment of life, that so I may live in thy fear, and die thy faithful servant, Amen. Flesh. Show me the third means whereby a Christian life is maintained? The third point (the Lord's Supper.) Spirit. Thirdly, (dear soul) repair diligently and of ten to the Lords S●pper, for that is the table the Lord hath prepared for his regenerate children, that is the food wherewith he strengtheneth and refr●sheth his new purged ones, for so saith the Redeemer, Take, eat, this is my body, Matth. 26.16 Mar. 14.22 Luk. 22.19. Cor. 11.24 which is given for you, to the remission of sins; and again, Take and eat all hereof, this cup is the new Testament in my blood, which is shed for you. Meditation of the Soul, for the receiving of the Communion. Now hear (my Soul) what delicates the Lord thy Saviour presenteth before thee in this his table, truly not bare and naked bread and wine▪ but his body and blood, for the bread which we break, is it not the Communion of the body of Christ? and the cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the Communion of the blood of Christ? 1 Cor. 10.16. therefore believe I and know, that my Lord jesus Christ both God and Man, according to his institution, is present to my Soul, & gives his body and blood to be eaten and drunk spiritually, by a true and lively faith wrought in me by his holy spirit, and applying the merits and benefits of his death unto me (the manner and way being best known unto himself) yea Lord jesus, thou thyself art here my host, and I thy guest, here come I poor creature out of the wicked wilderness of this world, fraught with trouble and misery, and bring with me an hungry, thirsty, and languishing, yet a faithful heart, revive me my Lord jesus, by this thy table, and strengthen me by this nourishment, that I may be satiate and safe. Approach hereunto (my Soul) to strengthen thy faith and quicken thy heart, joh. 20.27. and be not longer faithless but faithful, be●hold the Lord thy Redeemer assureth thee as with a true token and pawn, that thou of mere grace and mercy, art appointed heir of all his blessings, and he imputes unto thee, whatsoever he hath procured by the sacrifice of his body and blood, to wit, the forgiveness of all thy sins, Rom. 4.8. that righteousness which is accepted before God, and eternal life, all these shall a● certainly be thine, as if thou in thine own person hadst hung upon the cross, and there merited them, yea, and he witnesseth hereby, that thou, for his sake, art counted before God, as righteous, holy, and as beloved, as Christ himself is: and moreover, by the same Sacrament, through the holy Spirit, he giveth himself unto thee, Reu. 3.20. to dwell with thee, and sup with thee; never to departed from thee, but work a new life, joy, & light: yea Lord jesus, so am I in thee, joh. 17.23. Eph. 5.30. and thou in me; and I will stick unto thee my Redeemer, as a living member to a living body; as a bride unto her bridegroom; for I am a member of thy body, joh. 15.4. of thy blood and bones; yea I am in thee as the branch is in the vine, and as a bough receiveth continual sap & virtue from the trees root; so do I draw comfort, life, and quickening from thee, and so by a true faith, both in soul and body, abide in thee, and thou in me, by thy holy spirit; that neither death, nor life nor Angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor nor things present, nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other creature, can separate me from thy love. A prayer when thou hast received the Communion. Praised be thou (O God my Saviour) for thy fatherly care over me, for preparing this heavenly banquet for me, whereby I may quench the appetite of my hungry soul, and mitigate the thirst of my heart; so that now by this means, I depart emboldened, and established in grace and faith, & will follow thee my Redeemer with courage, Heb. 13.9. will abide constantly with thee and remain in perseverance with thee, through thy spirit unto the last gasp. Amen. Meditation of receiving the holy Communion. Thou hast said, Do this in my remembrance (O my God) how holy is the memory of that? how inwardly am I comforted therewith? for by this sacrament I call to mind many other Festival days and times; for in thy Table I remember thy Nativity, for it testifieth unto me, that thou in very deed hast taken my human nature upon thee; and art far nearer joined unto me, than unto the Angels; for thou in no sort tookedst upon thee the angels nature, but thou tookest the seed of Abraham: it likewise representeth unto me that thou art the true Sacrifice for sins, and therefore do I eat the right Pasover, 1. Cor. 5.7. even Christ which is sacrificed for me: as also, I believe and trust, seeing I am thy member, and that thou art risen from the dead, and livest, so shall I also, so that thou wilt not leave my Soul in Grave, neither shall death have power over me; but I shall rise and sing unto the Lord in the land of the living, and possess that place where thou my head jesus Christ livest world without end. And all these things are engrafted and sealed in me by thy holy Spirit of Promise, 1. Eph. 13.14. which is the earnest of my Inheritance, for the redemption of that liberty purchased unto the praise of his glory, whereby also peace and joy is kindled in my heart for I receive the spirit of adoption, whereby I cry Abba, Father; the same Spirit bearing witness to my Spirit, Rom. 8.15 16. that I am the Son of God. And not only that, but I participate the whole Trenitie, the Father, Son, and Holie-Spirit, who come unto me, joh. 14.23. and dwell with me, so life everlasting shall be bestowed upon me after this transitory, where I shall continually behold my Lord, my God, face to face: and finally, I have here an union and fellowship with all the Saints: for (as he said) He that eateth my flesh, joh. 6.56. and drinketh my blood, abideth in me, and I in him: so hath he said also, that they all may be one, as thou (O Father) art in me, and I in thee, even that they may be also one in us; for we that are many are one bread, and one body, because we are all partakers of one bread: how joyful am I of this heavenly company? how glad am I of thy Saints, to whose number thou hast adopted me; for the which I give thee thanks, honour, and praise for evermore? Besides this, it is written, as oft as you eat of this Bread, and drink of this Cup, ye declare the Lords death until his coming again: wherein (dear Soul) I am ravished to the contemplation of the Third-heaven with Paul, whereof this thy last Supper is as it were an entry and beginning, for in thy Father's Kingdom, I shall sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and jacob, and there feed upon Thee the Bread of Life eternally, and therefore sigh I from the bottom of my heart, saying even so; Come Lord jesus, come quickly my Redeemer, and tarry not: and therefore I am taught to power out hearty thanksgivings for all thy blessings, wherewith thou hast blessed me in heavenly things in Christ both for soul and body: as for thy creation, manifestation in the Flesh, Tim. 3.6. assumption of human nature, redemption, for thy holy word, for the Faith thou hast endued my Soul with, for thy holy Spirit, which thou hast inspired into my heart, for thy holy Sacrament, for Temporal and Spiritual gifts and benefits: Luk. 1.4.9 How can I in this my weakness comprehend the great things which thou hast bestowed upon me. Another Prayer after receiving the holy Communion. Help me Lord (jesus my Redeemer) that I may frequent this holy communion, and joyfully embrace that remembrance of thee: behold I am thy brother, and fellow-heyre, and have right to thy kingdom: where should I go but to thy own table? succour me my Saviour, that I may greedily desire this thy great Feast: let my mind never lose remembrance of Thee, but that my repose, quietness, and faith and greatest joy may be in Thee, and evermore give Thee thanks with fervency from the ground of my heart, for all thy goodness and graces, so plentifully showered down upon me, but more specially, for that after this perishing world shall decay, I am ordained to eat that Bread of Life with all thy Saints in the Heavens for evermore. And therefore (beloved Soul) when thou drawest thither, forget not thy neighbour, that eateth and drinketh with thee, and sitteth by thee; for he is the member of Christ no less than thou, therefore thou oughtest to love him from thy heart for his sake that loved thee; and be ready to do him all kindness, as unto thyself, and therefore (dear Soul) have respect and care of the needy, & poor, and cast not thine eyes from thine own flesh, but forasmuch as he nourisheth thee with that bread, and giveth thee drink of that cup, should I not minister unto my brother, fellow-heire with me my bread, and refresh him with that thou hast given me? govern me, o Lord jesus, by thy holy spirit, that I ever may dearly love my neighbour, & be touched at my heart with the misery of the poo●e and distressed, to give the hungry meat, the thirsty drink, the stranger lodging, to clothe the naked, to visit the sick, and come to them that are in prison, according to my power and measure of thy blessings bestowed upon me, that I may hear that comfortable voice proceed out of thy mouth at the last day, verily, I say unto you, insomuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it to me, and verily I say unto you, inasmuch as you did it not to one of the least of these you did it not unto me, Matth. 25.40.45. Let not therefore, o my God, my charity grow cold, but that I may extend it with a fellow-feeling compassion to my impoverished neighbours, members with me of the mystical body of thy son, the Lord jesus Christ, to whom with thee and thy holy Spirit, be rendered all honour, and glory, power and dominion, now and ever. Amen. Flesh. Show me the fourth means, how to attain to a Christian and godly life, concerning the toleration of the Cross, and adversity thereof. Spirit. Fourthly (dear Soul) prepare thee every day, for the crosses and chastisements, which the children of God in this world must bear after their Mr. for we must through many afflictions enter into the kingdom of God: Act. 14.22 yea (my Soul) that doctrine of the Cross is one of the most secret and hid mysteries, into the which man's judgement and knowledge cannot reach, but both it and all other concealed matters, are manifested in God's word only, out of which word we ought to be edified in this point. Now hereof it cometh (beloved Soul) that the cross is heavy for us to bear; we are greatly afraid of it, even as though the Lord had left us, or as if he were our mortal foe, & deadly enemy. A pretty and pithy similitude hereof we have in the Two Desciples, Luk. 24 13 which went from jerusalem to Emmaus in perplexity and sorrow, to whom the Lord manifested himself in another form, so that their eyes were held that they could not know him; Lo (dear soul) this is a figure of the cross, in the which the Lord so clotheth and covereth himself, that he appeareth to be a stranger, yea even to his most beloved children, and so doth take solace in the compass of this earth, Pro. 8.31. and delight with the children of men, yea sometime he seemeth so far against them, that they imagine God hath forgot all love and goodness to them, Esa. 64.9.12. but He will make himself known in convenient time, and fill their hearts with gladness, and no man shall take their joy from them: joh. 16.22. and therefore thou must learn in this very high point, how to behave thyself, and diligently to consider these seven following rules con●cerning the cross, and thy grief shall not be so vehement. Flesh. I pray you show me thee first rule concerning the bearing of the Crosse. Spirit. All true Christians are thereto appointed of God, for whom he knew before he also predestinated to be made like to the image of his Son, that he might be the first born among many brethren, so wast thou ordained to Anxieties & Crosses, not only before thou wast born of thy mother, Rom▪ 8.29 but also, before the foundation of the world was laid, that thou mightest resemble the Lord jesus Christ, yea thou art flesh of his flesh, and bone of his bone, shall thou not then suffer with him? Eph. 6.30. he is thy Master, and thou his desciple, he thy Bridegroom, and thou his Bride, he is thy Head, and thou art his Members, why wilt thou then desire to be in better condition than he was? Look on the Lord as on the Prince of the Cross, and consider how all the Saints and faithful ones have ever followed him. Mat. 11.29.30. Christ goeth first, making way with the most heavy Cross upon his shoulders, and the godly tread on his footsteps, for every one beareth his own yoke: Rom 8.37. nevertheless in all troubles they are more than conquerors through him that loved them: and because they are conformable unto Christ in suffering, so shall they be conformable unto him in glory also. Prayer willingly for to follow Christ in all crosses and afflictions. O Lord God, thou who hast provided thy son for me to bear the burden of the cross, give me a wise heart, that I may perceive thy wonderful purpose and counsel herein, that I may take it up willingly, and follow my Redeemer cheerfully, and so show my submission and obedience to him here for a short time, but hereafter eternally, to reign with him everlastingly, to God the Father, Son and holy Ghost, be given of me and all true Christians, all honour, power and glory. Amen. Flesh. Show me the second rule of bearing the Cross? Spirit. This is the Lord jesus Christ's commandment, Matth. 11.30. take my yoke upon you, for he that will follow me, must forsake himself, and take up his cross daily and come after me, and this precept is not given to any Infidel and wicked man, Luk. 9.23. but unto the faithful and holy ones. For the cross of Christ is such a precious jewel, that he will not commit it to the ungodly and incredulous, yet such an ornament he will not bestow upon profane and godless people, behold Simon of Cyrene, Luk. 23.28. what greater honour could there come unto him, then that he helped Christ to bear his Cross behind him? o what commendations shall it be unto him at the last day? A Prayer for obedience in the Cross of Christ. O Lord jesus Christ, thou who hast enjoined that I should bear thy Cross, give me an obedient heart, that I may with all humility receive it upon my shoulders, 1 Kin. 3.9. and in all possible readiness follow thee, according to thy good pleasure: through the same Lord jesus Christ, in whose name I call on thee saying, Our Father, etc. Flesh. Show me the third rule, how to bear the cross of Christ patiently? Spirit. jesus our Saviour, hath three sorts of schools of adversity? The first is of nurture, when as he reclaimeth his own from sin, 1 Cor. 11.32. and chastiseth them for the same. The second school is of probation or trial, when he exercizeth their faith, Mic. 7 9 Esay 28. Esay 28.26 Esay 44. Rom. 8. hope and prayer. The third is martyrdom, when he suffereth his Saints to be persecuted for his name sake. A Meditation of the soul, concerning the comfort of Christ, to those that suffer for his sake. Hearken (o my Soul) thou art the Lords Disciple and Scholar, and he will not fail, neither must thou grudge to be brought unto one of these schools: for if it so happen that he punish thee for thy sin, as he did King David, thank him for his correction, It was good for me (saith David) that thou chastizedst me that I might learn thy judgements. Psal. 119. And if he put thee to trial as he did joseph and job, Psal. 44. then bethink thee that hereby he puts an edge upon thy faith, wakens thy hope, provokes thee to prayer, Esay 25.9. and if he advance thee to that honour, to be persecuted, cast in prison, or die for his name sake, then rejoice that thou art counted worthy to suffer rebuke for his name. Act 5.14. A Prayer for steadfast faith in all afflictions. O Lord jesus Christ, thou who wast not ashamed to hang upon the cross with disdain and all kind of reproach, grant that I never blush to stand by thy cross with the Virgin Mary, and if thou bring me thereunto mercifully & marvelously help me to follow thee, joh. 19.25. & be prepared (if need be) to lay down my life for thy sake, according to thy pleasure: grant this heavenly father, for jesus Christ's sake, my only Saviour and Redeemer, to whom be all honour and glory. Amen. Flesh. Show me the fourth rule of Christ's Crosse. Spirit. The crosses of the faithful are a token and signification of God's love, for whom he loveth, he chastiseth, Reu 3.19. but the world shall rejoice (saith he) but ye shall weep and lament, joh. 16.20. for so judgement must begin at God's house, and therefore in the days of jeremiah, 1 Pet. 4.17. the Lord began to bring evil on the City which is called by his name, jer. 25.29. and he that loves his child, will not spare the rod, Hebr. 12.6. but if thou art without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, which are his sons, than art thou a bastard and not a son, behold thy Lord jesus Christ, the only begotten son of his father, how angry was his father with him, how bitterly did God smite him, although it was not for his own sin; but for the offences of other men? A Prayer for willingness to undergo the Cross of Christ. Lord jesus help me, that I never withdraw myself from thy cross and correction; but willingly embrace and kiss the same, as a well ●nclined child, and hearty thank thee at all times, for whatsoever blows or scourges it shall please thee to inflict upon me. Grant this (o heavenly father) for the same my Saviour jesus Christ's sake, Amen. Flesh. Show me the fifth rule concerning Christ's Cross? Spirit. The greater the evil is, the Lord is the nearer, for he will be with us in trouble, he will deliver us, and honour us, Psal. 90.15. yet how hard is it to flesh & blood to believe it, for we suppose that when sorrow and grief is at hand, the Lord hath forgot us, and given us up to Satan, and to all kind of mischance, o not so (my soul) for although Satan be thy professed enemy, and goeth about night and day to devour thee, yet can he not touch an hair of thy head by his will, Mat. 10.30. yea, how is it possible the Lord should not remember us, for in acceptable time will he hear us, and in a day of salvation will he help us, Esay 49.8. can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb, yet will I not forget thee, saith the Lord; but if it is for a small moment, that he forsaketh thee, but with great mercies will he gather thee: in a little wrath he will hide his face from thee for a moment: but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, Esay 54.7. saith the Lord thy Redeemer: the mountains shall departed and the hills be removed: but his kindness shall not departed from thee, neither shall the covenant of my mercy and peace be removed from thee, Vers. 10. saith the Lord, that hath mercy on thee: for how should he lie, who is verity himself, Light therefore is sown unto the godly in darkness, and therefore, Psal. 112 4 Rom. 8. Psal. 23.1. if God be with us, who can be against us. Now then the Lord is thy shepherd, thou shalt want nothing that is good for thee. A Prayer when we have obtained faith in Christ. Lord jesus, I having once the possession of thee, I account nothing of the heaven or earth, or fullness thereof, but esteem all to be dung and nought in regard of thee and thy knowledge: Ps. 73. and albeit my soul and life should be grievously tormented, either with inward or outward torments and afflictions: thou art my lot, and the portion of inheritance for ever; grant therefore (O Lord God) my faith fail not, but with assured hope of glory I may call on thee my Saviour. Amen. Flesh. Show me the sixth rule concerning the cross of Christ, and the crosses of this life. Spirit. The Cross serveth God's children to their good, for we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose; Rom. 8.28. Pro. 27.6. and faithful are the wounds of a friend. And truly it serveth many ways to our weal, for it teacheth us the knowledge of our sins, for he doth correct in measure, and will not leave us altogether unpunished: jer. 30.11. and therefore the Lord knoweth that the way of man is not in himself, neither is it in man that walketh to direct his steps: jer. 10.13.14. O Lord (saith the Prophet) correct me but with judgement, not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing: thus he chastiseth us for sin, and will not leave us wholly unpunished, jer. 46.28. to the end we may be driven narrowly to espy our sins and transgressions, & descend more earnestly into the inward parts of our hearts Again, the cross sends us to the word of God, when we are frozen in our sins, it thaws us again; for to whom doth God teach knowledge, Esa 28.9. and whom shall he make to understand Doctrine? them that are weaned from the Milk, and drawn from the breasts; and truly, temptations make us to run to consult with God's Oracle, which is, his Word. Besides this, it stirreth up our Faith, for such grievances and annoyances befall us, and we often have the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead, who delivereth from so great a death, and doth deliver, in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us, the cross teach us also to pray; for Lord in trouble have they visited thee, they powered out their prayers, Esa. 26. when thy chastising hand was upon them. Yea it instructeth us to avoid sin, for so it is said to the man that was cured on the Sabbath-day: Behold, thou art made whole, sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. And finally, it maketh this earthly life loathsome unto us, and raiseth an earnest desire and longing after that which is to come: Heb. 13.14 for here we have no continuing city, but we seek one to come but we look for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God: and therefore may it be well said unto us, Arise, yea and departed, for this is not your rest, because it is polluted: it shall destroy you, even with a sore destruction; and so to conclude all things, serve the godly, Aug. Soliloq. cap. 28. to the best yea even their very sins work to their weal; for we always recover more by Christ, than we lose by sin; so Peter's fall of pusillanimity made him afterward bolder to avouch Christ. A Prayer for true and lively Faith in Christ. Lord jesus Christ, Son of the living God, imprint this heavenly consolation in my heart, and preserve me, that I never despair in any kind of grief, but ever unto my dying day perceive thee to be a watchful, provident, and foreseeing God for me, who as an expert artificer canst work good works of evil stuff for thy judgements are unsearchable, Rom. 9.33 and thy counsels past finding out: yet nevertheless in thine own time thou bringest them to purpose for the weal and benefit of thy own Saints. To thee therefore (O God) do we thy Saints and servants give all honour, power and glory, now and ever. Amen. Flesh. Show me the seventh and last rule, concerning the Cross of Christ. Spirit. Patience, Prayer, and Hope, make the cross light; for it is good that a man should both Hope, and quietly wait for the Salvation of the Lord, for remembering mine affliction and my misery, Lam. 1.26. the wormwood and the gall, my soul had them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me: these I call to mind, and therefore have I hope. And so call upon the Lord in the day of trouble, Lam. 19 20.21. Psal. 50.15. he will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify him, behold then the ancient fathers, and mark them as an example of true godliness, was there ever any ashamed, that put his trust in thee? A Meditation of the cross of Christ. Yea (my dear soul) when one bears a heavy burden, if he take it rightly on him, it will not be so heavy, especially if he have any aid o● help for to assist him in his heavy load: so patience, prayer▪ and hope, as hands and arms, whereby the faithful heart embraceth his cross, & goeth forth with it, for patience doth all things willingly, & therefore is not wearied, & prayer steps in before God, & obtaineth either that the cross shall be quite taken away, or else lessened: now hope makes us not ashamed, Rom. 5.5. but knoweth assuredly that God is faithful, who will no● suffer us to be tempted above that we are able, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, 1 Cor. 10. 13. that we may be able to bear it, but impatiency offendeth God, hindereth prayer, and doth all things by constraint, lay the Lord jesus before thine eyes, and learn of him, 1 Pet 2.21.22.23. who when he was re●uiled, reviled not again, when he suffered, he threatened not, but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously, and upon just and upright job, If the Lord slay me, job 13.15. yet will I trust in him: but woe unto him that hath lost patience, what will he do when the Lord shall visit him? Eccl. 2.24. A Prayer for continuance in Faith. Lord jesus Christ, give unto me long-suffering and patience of heart, that I may continue and abide in thy good pleasure and will, I may cast all my care, grief and solicitude upon thee, for thou carest for me, and evermore expect better and better at thy hands: for thou only knowest what is good for me: to thee therefore be ascribed, from the bottom of my heart, all honour and glory. Amen. Flesh. Show me the fifth point, which appertaineth to a Christian and godly life. Spirit. Fiftly (beloved Soul) abide in that calling wherein God hath called thee, and observe the same, with all truth and diligence, that thou mayest in all thine actions give an account thereof, both before God and man: for God will not that man here upon earth should be idle, Matth. 12. 36. but hath allotted unto every one, his several trade and work in their own measure: for the Lord our God himself is not idle: but worketh, governeth, upholdeth, and ordereth all things, preserveth, blesseth, hears and helps every true heart. My father (saith he) worketh hit hereto, joh. 5.17. and I work, yea, if God should be idle but the twinkling of an eye, than should the whole world decay and perish. So likewise the holy Angels are ministering spirits, Heb. 1.4. sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation: behold the Sun, the Moon, and all the Stars, how constantly they keep their course, Psal. 8.3. Psal. 19.1. 2. and perfect their appointment and calling, even so (dear Soul) should every man that is whole, every day exercise his calling in his own estate, earnestly and diligently: for he should learn, preach, govern, correct, defend, spare, beg, augment, and have care for his household, and those committed to his charge, as if he were here ever to abide, and never to die, and that he must do by God's commandment, and love to his successors: but hereto he should so live every day, 1 Tim. 1.19. so keep faith and a good conscience, as if at every moment he were to take his farewell from this world, and that he may say with Paul, The time of my departure is at hand, I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith, henceforth is laid up for me a crown of glory: which the righteous judge shall give me at that day, and not to me only, but unto them also that love his appearing. 2 Tim. 7.8 A Meditation of the vanity of this life. Therefore (dear soul) walk worthy of the vocation wherewith thou art called with all lowliness and meekness, and with long suffering, and see also that, that thou rather abide in a low estate, which is better than that which the world climbeth unto, but if the Lord shall promote and exalt thee, be not proud, but the greater thou art, and higher in authority in this world, be thou the humbler: for the Lord is high above all nations, Psal. 113.5.7.8. and his glory above the heavens, yet he humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven and in earth, he raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the mire, that he may set him with the Princes of his people: so the Lord casts down the proud, Eccl. 3.18. and giveth grace un-the humble, the greater thou art, than the more humble thyself, and thou shalt find favour before the Lord, for in lowliness of mind, Phil. 2 3. each should esteem other better than themselves, wherefore seek not the things that are too hard for thee, neither search the things that are above thy strength, but what is commanded thee, Eccle. 3 21.22. think thereupon with reverence: for thou must give a reckoning of all thy behaviour, trouble thee not with the thing that is impertinent to thy calling: for there is much more enjoined thee then thou canst accomplish: meddle not in strange affairs, and thrust not thyself in any calling befor● God, think not that thou art appointed unto every one, for such conceits hath deceived many, and thei● rashness hath overthrown them; for what profiteth it thee, that thou shouldst gape for that which is not ordained for thee, follow not thine own fancy in thy calling, and be not proud when any man shall have need of thee, and if adversity and penury shall strait the, yet be of good courage: because they happen unto thee in thy lawful calling: for who will honour him, who dishonoureth his own trade? be always diligent, and crave the blessing of God which maketh thee rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it, Pro. 10.22. truly blessings shall be upon the head of the just, many hunt after riches, Vers. 6. and they hurt the possessor, and many are feeble and poor, yet the Lord helps them of his grace, so that sundry do wonder thereat. Stay thou always in thy calling, and be not jealous over the wicked, although they increase in riches, depend thou upon the Lord, for it is very easy unto him to make a poor man rich, if it be be his pleasure, and for thy good call upon me in the day of affliction, Psal. 50.15 and I will deliver thee and thou shalt glorify me: ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you, and for our assurance, the reason followeth, for every one that asketh, receiveth; Matt. 7.7. he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened: but here is a very glorious and joyful promise, Verily, verily, I say unto you, joh. 16.23. whatsoever that you shall ask the father in my name, he will give it you: and which of all is most comfortable, before they call, I will answer, Esay 65.23 and whiles they are yet speaking, I will hear: the proof whereof David had in his greatest anxiety, I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord, and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin, the which he noteth with his accustomed particle of attention. Selah. The Souls meditation concerning the excellency of prayer. Now mayest thou contemplate thy Lord Christ's example, whom thou art carefully to imitate, how often, how diligently, how willingly, how hearty he prayed, how he fled to the wilderness, that he might power out his heart to his heavenly father, and there prayed, not only for himself, but taught his Disciples, and prescribed unto them, that absolute compendious form, the Lords Prayer, whereby he hath put (as it were) words in thine, Matth. 6.9. and in all the hearts of the Elect, whereby thou mayest present thyself before the most great & glorious majesty of God, and that thou shalt not wander in thy prayers, he showeth thee, how thou mayest boldly go forward unto the throne of grace, Heb. 4.16. that thou mayest find mercy and obtain grace, to find help in time of need, and in whose name thou shalt make thy supplications, that is, joh. 16.19. in my name, saith he, and for their sakes, I sanctify myself that they also may be sanctified through the truth, yea, in thy Redeemer jesus Christ, thine only saviours name, lift up thy hands and heart, by a true and lively faith, and steadfast confidence; and so truly, as Christ thy Redeemer is at the right hand of his father in heaven, as truly are all thy sighs, and groans, and pains heard by him, and he will grant them, according to his will. And moreover, thou hast to consider what benefits thou s●alt ask, and with what condition thou oughtest to pray for temporal gifts, which thou art to request with this exception and restraint, if it may stand with his blessed will, and with thy good and salvation: for the Almighty only wise God knoweth best what his children stand in need of, and he is so unspeakably good, Luk 11.11.12.13. that he will give them nothing that can hurt them, although they of misknowledge and ignorance, do most seriously desire it, yet spiritual blessings, which tend to thy salvation, should be craved of him with sure hope and full confidence, such as are our heritable gifts, remission of sins, righteousness, holy Spirit▪ and life everlasting, even when it shall please him. Who will not then rejoice to pray, when as all our tears are seen, our groan weighed, and our words heard, who will not seek there where he may certainly find all goodness? who will not knock, when he knoweth he shall be let in? yea, and in midway we shall be met, and shall receive in our bosom all things necessary both for soul and body, therefore pray we continually, 1 Thess 5.17. while we are here; call upon the Lord in all thy actions, seek for help and counsel of him, in all thy redress and sorrow, fear God, hope in him, believe in him, and stay for his coming, so shall mercy and grace, blessings and life, compass thee every where round about, for non● ever was ashamed that put their trust in him, Rom. 10.10.11. or yet that had called rightly on his name; Ps. 145.18.19. for the Lord is near unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth, he will fulfil the desire of them that fear him, he also will hear their cry, and will save them. A most comfortable Prayer to God for receiving and accepting our Prayers. I thank thee, my Lord and my God, for these thy unspeakable benefits, that thou hast not only commanded us, to call upon thy name in all distress, but of thy fatherly love and kindness hast given us to understand that thou willingly wilt hear and grant, in convenient season, whatsoever is good and profitable either to the soul or body. I beseech thee my good God, power out on me thy holy spirit, Zach. 12.10. that Spirit of Prayer, Grace, and Supplications, that I may delight and take pleasure in calling on thee, and every day bow the knee of my heart before thee my Father, who art the right father over all thy children in Heaven, and in Earth: Help me daily to ap●proach more and more unto thee, with all confidence and trust on the name of jesus Christ my Lord, that I may call on him, as a good child doth on his beloved father: Grant I may lift up holy hands without wrath and doubting, that all my Prayers, yea the meanest thought of my heart, is certainly heard of thee: Lend me patience whensoever my help is delayed; Hab. 2.3. for I cannot prescribe unto thee time or manner: though thou tarry, I may wait for thee, because thou wilt surely come, and wilt not tarry, Heb. 10.38 that I do not slide back, but still live by faith: Let me have thy Grace, whereby I may serve thee acceptably, Heb. 12.28 with reverence and godly fear; for the Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, Ps. 147.11. in those that hope in his mercy: govern me (my God) and make me remember by thy holy spirit daily to bethink me of my mortality, that I may ever be in readiness, and may pray at every occasion from my heart for a blessed separation from this world▪ grant this merciful father for jesus Christ's sake, in whose blessed name, we call on thee, saying: Our Father, etc. CHAP. FOUR Containeth how a Christian man should behave himself when God sends sickness upon him. Flesh. How then shall a Christian man behave himself, when God shall visit him with sickness. Spirit. Thou knowest not (dear Soul) whether God will visit thee by sickness, or suddenly (without bodily disease) call thee hence. The faithful Soul should ever remember the uncertainty of death. Therefore often have I advertised thee, that thou shouldest not delay repentance till thou be'st sick, but daily call on God, yea the self-same time thou art in bodily health, stand steadfastly in the faith, and good preparation, wherein thou needest not stand in fear of safety, think upon that rich, foolish, & drunken Naball, how hastily the Lord smote him that he● died. Sam. 25.38 Remember that rich man, who denied to Lazarus the crumbs which fell from his Table, how short▪ Luk. 16.22. his being here was: Forget not that wretched wealthy man of whom it is said, Thou Fool, this night thy Soul shall be required of Thee, than whose shall all those things be which thou hast provided: Luk. 12. ●0 And what should I say more? we are daily taught by evident eyesight, that innumerable numbers die before ever they be diseased, truly (before God) thou art of no better account than other, nor knowest thou what chance he will permit to overtake thee: but if it shall so happen, the Lord should call thee from hence by bodily sickness, and cast thee down on thy bed: thou mayest thus learn to dispose of thyself. 1 Learn to know the causes of thy sickness, which is sin. 2 Seek remission of thy sins, and reconciliation with God. 3 Pray to God for a gracious departure, and cause the congregation to pray for thee. 4 Contemn not the ordinary menanes, and physic, so thou canst have the opportunity of it. 5 If thy sickness continue, strive to be patiented, and beware of impatiency. 6 Have ever this full assurence in thy heart, that thou in thy greatest malady and weakness, art Gods dear child. 7 If Satan assault thee, resist him by Faith, so will he departed from thee. 8 If thy time and hour be come, give the● over unto God's will and pleasure. 9 If the Lord shall restore thee to thy health again, be thankful even from thy heart, unto his gracious Majesty for thy recovery. A Prayer against sudden death. Preserve me (O Lord jesus Christ) if it be thy will, from a sudden death, suffer me not to die in my sins, but that I may d●y and night bethink me on the hour of my death, ever prepared in a saving repentance, in strong faith, and steadfast hope, that I may blessedly sleep from hence, when it shall please thee: but if so be thou do not call me by bodily infirmity, here am I in all lowliness before thee, for I know thou art so merciful and good, that thou dost suffer nothing to betide me, but which shall be good and saving for me: Grant me but this that I may always be in readiness, as a good patiented, that both sickness and death may redound to thy glory. And this I crave at thy hands for jesus Christ's sake, and in his name I call on thee saying: Our Father, etc. Flesh. Now open unto me those nine foresaid heads, that I may be taught how to use myself in my sickness. Spirit. First, remember well that as death is the wages of sin, so likewise are all sicknesses, Gods punishments, whereby he brings us to him, when we have gone astray by sin: Do not (O soul) as the covetous and ungodly and Infidels do, who when they are sick, begin to wrestle and lament therefore, that their costs are spent, and they cannot have health to earn more; or else, they begin to meditate how it happened them, whether they have Eat any unwholesome Meats, or Drunk any hurtful Drinks; or if by other means their malady hath taken them: But remember what the Prophet saith, jer. 2.19. Thine own Wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backsliding shall reprove thee. Know therefore, and see that it is an evil thing, and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God, and that my fear is not in in thee (saith the Lord of Hosts) and therefore he who sins against his maker, shall fall into the hands of his flesh. A Meditation of the soul, learning to know the cause of sickness. Hearest thou, o Soul, in this point thou shouldest be singularly attentive, for when the Lord shall intend to call thee, all outward means must obey him: for when we his creatures will not know the diseases of our souls, then doth the Lord send sickness of body, that we might have greater consideration of our souls, and be always in repentance, and as our children sometimes merit the rod and correction, so do we dese●ue sickness and punishment at God's hands, o thou merciful God, if thou shouldst visit us so often with sickness, as we deserve, we should not be one twinkling of an eye in perfect health: but it is but now and then, that thou chastizest us, to the intent we should ever remember and fear thy holy name. And often it cometh to pass, thatinfants and young ones are chastised of the L. so that they make the elder in years sorrowful, and are moved to lament and pity the poor distressed souls: 2 Sam. 12.15. for sickness is an Ambassador sent of God, counseling us to rise from sin, and not to perish in our wickedness; lest it be said, Woe unto their souls, Esay 3.9. for they have rewarded evilto themselves; mark (dear Soul) how insolently and carelessly men lead their lives, that are not touched with the cross, or any sickness at all, they regard not the word of God, neither the Sacraments, they forget both faith in Christ and prayer, then are their souls in greatest danger, for the less a father corrects, the more disobedience groweth in his children: so is it with mankind, the greater health and welfare they have, the more negligent wax they and secure. A comfortable Prayer in time of sickness. Lord jesus Christ, here lie I full sick, and acknowledge that it is thy fatherly pleasure, that it should be so; for there cannot perish an hair of my head without thy will, how then should I lose the precious gift of my health, but by thy pleasure? behold Lord, thou hast even made me such an one, as thou willingly wouldst look upon, and as thou in thy passion waste a worm, and not a man, Psal. 22.6. ●uen so hast thou made me like unto thee, Psal. 39 11. o my God, when thou with rebukes dost correct man for his iniquity, like a moth thou makest his beauty to consume away, I thank thee my God, that thou hast corrected me, for I know that it is for my weal, my God thou lovest mankind, well and faithful are the wounds of a friend, help me my God, Pro. 27.6. that I may be mindful of this chastisement, all the days of my life, and may fear thee, and departed from evil, which shall be the health to my navel, Pro. 3.8. and marrow to my bones, make me circumspect over sin, that some danger or other, a great deal worse than this, befall not: even for my Saviour jesus Christ sake: to whom be all honour and glory, now and for ever. Amen. Flesh. Show me how I may have remission of my sins, and be reconciled to God? Spirit. Secondly, seeing that now thine outward sickness affrays thee, and thou art sicker where thou feelest it not, give diligence above all things, to apply physic thereto, thy true health is repentance, and steadfast faith in jesus Christ, by which thou mayest attain forgiveness of sin, and a merciful father in heaven: for by faith thy heart is purified and accounted righteous, thou receivest peace and joy in conscience: so that thou art revived, although thy body be weak and diseased. The sick persons prayer and confession, that his sins are cause of his sickness. I confess before thee, my Lord jesus Christ, with a broken and contrite heart, that I have procured this my sickness by my sins, and am grieved from my soul and heart, that I have offended thy Majesty, and brought myself to this mishap, yet (o Lord) thou settest not light by a sorrowful soul, look therefore unto my misery, Psal. 147.3. and heal my wounded heart, forgive me all my trespasses, and cleanse me from my wickedness, whereby I have kindled thy wrath against me, o Lord my Redeemer, who speakest always peace unto thy people, and consolation to the perplexed: Comfort my Soul, say unto my heart joyful words, Son be of good cheer, Matth 9.2 thy sins are forgiven thee, how am I thereby refreshed in my soul, life, marrow and bones? Yea Lord jesus, if thy holy word were not my trust, then should I perish in my weakness: I believe and am persuaded, that by thee jesus Christ, atonement is made for me, reconciliation with thy father purchased, and I am ordained to that heavenly blessedness: to which, thou of thine infinite mercy bring me, for Christ sake: to whom be glory and honour. Amen. Flesh. Show me how I may pray for a gracious departure in time of sickness? Spirit. Thirdly, in time of sickness, we should have our recourse unto our God: Psal. 41.3. the Lord will strengthen us upon the bed of languishing, and make our beds in sickness, and therefore my son, in thy sickness be not negligent, but pray unto the Lord (as did Ezekiah) and he will make thee whole, Esay 38.2. leave off from sin, and order thy hands, aright, and cleanse thine heart from all wickedness, and see thou communicate thine inward sorrow and grief, Eccles. 38.9.10. unto the congregation of the Saints of God, that they may join with thee in prayer: for many sticks make the greater fire. Verily, verily, I say unto thee (saith our Saviour) that if two of you shall agree on earth, Mat. 18.19 as touching any thing, what they shall ask, shall be done for them of my father which is in heaven; for where two or three are gathered together in my name, Vers. 20. there am I in the midst of them: and if it be, that thy sickness be so vehement, and thou so weak, that thou canst not pray with thy mouth, make then sighs and groan of a true heart, to ascend unto the Lord: for the spirit helpeth our infirmities, for we know not what we should pray for, as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us, Rom. 8.26. with groan which cannot be uttered, persever therefore in invocating on God's name by thy voice, thoughts and cogitations, and by the Church, and delay not, before that the Lord do look upon thee, and help thee. The sick man's Prayer. O LOrd jesus Christ, thou hast sent thy messenger, which is sickness, unto me, to waken up my repentance, be hold my Lord, I know it is thy will, thou wouldst have me obedient and converted unto thee, I have nothing to direct unto thee: but my prayers, and the poor sinful and imperfect sighs of my heart, out of the deeps therefore I have cried unto thee, Lord hear my voice, let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. I wait for the Lord, my Soul doth wait, and in thy word do I hope: My Soul waiteth for thee (O Lord) more than they which watch for the morning, if it be thy pleasure (O Redeemer) and profitable and necessary for myself, that I should live & be preserved from death and destruction, because that I may live hereafter a godly, holy, and Christian life, to my last end: but if it shall not be thy will to prolong my days, but that I must departed out of this world, them come Lord jesus Christ my Redeemer, receive my soul into thy hands, and give me place and possession in Paradise, in Abraham's bosom with the blessed Angels, and all Saints. Amen. Flesh. Show me how I should use the ordinary means of Physic, in time of sickness. Spirit. Fourthly, thou mayest conveniently use ordinary means and physic, then give place to the physician; for the Lord hath created him: Let him not go from thee, for thou hast need of him; but beware that thou have not recourse unto the Physician, before thou come unto the Lord; for so did King Asa, ●. Chr. 16.12. when he was diseased in his Feet: therefore the Lord gave no blessing unto his Physic, and so he died. But especially take heed that you use no forbidden means, and ask not counsel of Witches, or those which do help by the means of the Devil, through the abuse of God's holy name, 2▪ Kin. 1.6. for so did King Ahaziah consult with the Idol of Baalzebub (the god of Ekron) whether he should recover of his disease. Is it because there is not a God of Israel, that thou sendest to inquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron? therefore thou shalt not come off from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die. Be circumspect also, and seek out the best practised and skilfullest Physicians; for man's body is the precious creature of God, and should be honoured and no ways neglected. Another Prayer for the Sick. I thank thee Lord jesus Christ, true Physician of my soul, that thou hast cured my heart, and cleansed it from sin, by that heavenly medicine from above. I earnestly entreat thee (who hast made all things) that thou wouldst bless these outward helps and means which thou hast ordained▪ Mat. 8.2. Lord (if thou wilt) thou canst make me whole, and by these aids restore me to health: but if thou wilt not, those cannot help me. Lo, here I am, do with me according to thy will and pleasure, so that ever respect be had to thy glory, my weal and salvation; Grant these blessings unto me for jesus Christ thy sons sake, in whose name I pray unto thee, saying: Our Father which art in Heaven, etc. Flesh. Show me how I may obtain the gift of Patience, in the time of sickness. Spirit. Fiftly (dear Soul) see thou always lay hold on patience, and request the Lord that he would preserve thee from impatiency: O how precious a thing is patience, to trust always in the Lords help for it is of the Lords mercy that we are not consumed, Lam. 3.22 because his compassions fail not; they are new every morning: great is his faithfulness; for faith and patience cannot be dissevered. Heb. 6.12. Be not therefore slothful, but be a follower of them, who through faith and patience inherit the promise's: ●o if we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God, we● must also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulations work patience; and patience, Experience; Rom. 5.2.3 4.5 and experience, Hope; an● hope maketh not ashamed Behold and imitate thy Saviour jesus Christ, Pet. 2.21.24. who hath left us an example that we should follow hi● steps, who his own self b●re our sinnes in his own body on the tree, and ever committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: so must we take all ●hings patiently, for this is acceptable with God, and in this must we resemble even our young ones, who when their headakes, come and make their m●anes to their mothers, lays down their heads in their mother's laps, and cry for help; even so do thou (my dear▪ Soul) make thou thy lamentation before the Lord; cast thy burden upon him, and he shall sustain thee: Evening and Morning, Ps. 55.22. vers. 17. and Noon, pray and cry aloud, and let him hear thy voice, and expect him with patience. And above all things fly impatience, for it destroyeth and corrupteth all Christian virtues: it offendeth God our Lord: it hindereth & letteth prayer, and maketh us (the longer that it holds) the more vehement we are, so as Patience is a precious and powerful herb, so Impatiency is venomous, and poison to the heart. The Sick persons prayer for patience. Take from me (Lord jesus) that noisome offence of impatiency; keep me that it never have dominion over me, lest I make the cross thereby heavier; but plant Christian patience in my heart, that I may continually attend thy blessed time and leisure; for thy time is the right, and thy season the true season. Indeed, truly make me continually be steadfast in Hope, and put my whole confidence in th●e, 1. Cor. 10. 1●. for thou art true, and wilt suffer none to be tempted above his strength. And this I entreat thee, for jesus Christ thy sons sake. Amen. Flesh. Show me some comforts if sickness continue long with me, that so I may not despair in God's mercy. Spirit. Sixtly, (dear Soul) if thy sickness abide longer time than thy expectation was, think not that the lord hath forgot thee; but understand, that in the greatest crosses thou art dearest unto him; Ps. 55.19. but the wicked, because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God: But as for thee, no more than a mother can forget her child, can he forget thee; Esa. 49.15.16. for behold he hath graven thee upon the palms of his hands; yea the sicker the child is, the greater is the mother's love, and the more diligently & watchfully doth she attend; and so doth the Lord with thee: speaks he not consolation in thy heart? and saith, Art thou not my dear Son, and beloved child? jer. 31.20. I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore, with loving kindness, have I drawn thee: thy Soul shall be as a watered Garden, 12. and thou shalt not sorrow any more at all. I will satiate thy Soul with fatness, 14. and thou shalt be satisfied with goodness (saith the Lord) and therefore the Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy: Ps. 103.8 9 10.11.13. he will not always chide, neither will he keep his anger for ever: He hath not dealt with us after our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities; for as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him: like as a Father pitieth his children, so the Lord hath pity of them that fear him. Lo (dear Soul) thy Father nor mother have such pity towards thee, as thy Saviour; and therefore thou oughtest to bemoan thyself thus; jer. 31.18. Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised as a Bullock, and accustomed to the Yoke: Turn thou me, and I shall be turned, thou art the Lord my God: surely after that I was turned I repent, & after that I was instructed, I smote upon my Knee▪ I was ashamed, yea even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth; yet if thou shalt be patiented, since I spoke against thee (saith the Lord) I do earnestly remember thee still: therefore my bowels are troubled for thee; I will surely have mercy on thee saith the Lord. The sick persons Prayer for comfort in affliction. Lord jesus Christ my Redeemer, I complain that my misery vexeth me so sore, and that my sickness endureth so long. I request thee thou eternal Word of thy eternal Father, thou lively comforter, proclaim Consolation in my heart; that I in my greatest infirmity, anguish, and pangs of death, may understand that I am thy dear child, and cast myself in thy arms and bosom: turn never thy gracious countenance from me, yea Lord the time thou didst hang upon the cross, tookest our rebuke and reproach upon thee, and waste destitute of the help of all creatures: yet wast thou notwithstanding thy Fathers only begotten Son, and shalt so be eternally. When faithful joseph was in Bonds, Goe 41.14. and had no whit of any creatures favour: Yet wast thou with him, loved him, and delivered him in due season. When Stephan was lead to death, Act. 7.55. and stones cast at him, didst not thou manifest thyself unto him, when replenished with inward joy, and full of the holy Ghost; he looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and jesus standing on the right hand of God. And Lazarus when he lay at the rich man's gate full of sores: Luk. 16.22 yea, and the dogs came and showed greater humanity than man, yet was he carried by the Angels into Abraham's bosom. O my God, I am thy wretched Lazarus, here lie I knocking at thy gate, with my pitiful groans; naked and full of sores am I, my pain is great, and my torment will overcome me: but I know assuredly, and hereunto 1000 witnesses have I in mine heart, by thy holy Spirit, that thou wilt not forsake me: thine eyes are over me night and day, as one of thine Elect, I appertain to thy everlasting life; therefore thou art with me in this my distress, Psal. 91.9. I have made thee my refuge and my habitation; o set not mine iniquities before thee, neither secret sins in the light of thy countenance; for who knows the power of thine anger, Psal. 90.11 even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath. O let the beauty of my Lord my God be upon me, and satisfy me early with thy mercy, that I may rejoice and be glad, all the days I have to live: now Lord I love love thee, therefore deliver me, and show me thy salvation, for Christ jesus thy sons sake, to whom with the holy Spirit, be all honour. Amen. Flesh. Show me how I may resist Satan in my sickness, or any other temptation? Spirit. Seventhly, if Satan insist in assaulting thee with his fiery darts of temptations, Eph. 6.16. enter not in deep cogitations and disputations with him: for he is too crafty and subtle for thee: for of thine own nature, Gen. 3.1. thou canst never gainstand him; remember Adam and Eve, who were deceived by him, and miserably seduced, although they were in the state of innocency, and in their pure and holy nature; how canst thou then wretched and corrupt sinner encounter him? But cast thine eyes upon jesus Christ, and heerewi●hall comfort thy sick soul, that he in all his temptations abideth constant, and was not overcome; but overcame Satan for thy weal, hath given thee freely his victory, to the end that howsoever he shall double his assaults against thee, yet he shall go confounded. Moreover, the weapons which jesus Christ used against him, are to be considered of thee, which were places and sentences of Scripture; Eph. 6.17. even so lay thou hand on the holy sword of God's word, the sword (I say) of the Spirit, 1 Pet. 5.9. jam. 4. and resist him steadfast in thy faith, and he will fly from thee. If so be he say, thy sins are greater than can be forgiven: Gen. 4.13. then kill him with the true word of God, and constantly affirm, thou liest Satan, for where sin hath abounded, Rom. 5.20. there grace hath superabounded: If he say, that Christ's merits belong not unto thee, thou art not of the number of the Elect, then exclaim and say, thou liest Satan: for Christ hath said, come unto me all ye that are weary and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest: and gain, as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 1 Cor. 15. 22. If he shall make God's indignation and wrath for sin, huge and great against thee, say without ceasing, joh. 3.16. God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believed in him should not die, but have everlasting life. And in another place, God commendeth his love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Rom. 5.8. Christ died for us, and thou hast loved them, joh. 17.23. as thou hast loved me. If he shall open hell before thee, defend thyself with this word of God, 1 joh. 3.8. and say: For this cause the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the Devil. Hos. 13.14. And again, I will ransom them from the power of the grave, I will redeem them from death, o death, I will be thy plagues, o grau● I will be thy destruction. Doth he upbraid thy weak faith? then say thou, the Lord will not break the bruised reed, and the smoking flax shall he not quench▪ And again, Esay 42.3. Psal. 51.17. A broken and contrite heart, o God, thou wilt not despise. And in another place, thus saith he, Esa. 57.15. 19 & 66.2. the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is holy: I dwell in the high and holy place with him also, that is, of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of th● contrite ones. And therefore he saith, peace, peace, to him that is far off, and to him that is near. If Satan object thy coldness and drowsiness in prayer, thou mayest answer, Although I do not speak, yet I sigh and groan, which is acceptable unto him. If he affirm that thy cross & sickness lasts long, and that the Lord hath cast thee out of his mind, thou mayest answer, Ca● a woman forget her sucking child, Esa. 49.15. that she should not have compassion in the son of her womb: she may forget, yet will I not forget thee saith the Lord. If he object thy poverty, and that thou art despised of all, yea, of thy dearest friends: then say, Hid not thy face far from me, Psal. 27.9. 10. put not away thy servant in anger; thou hast been my help, leave me not, neither forsake me, o God, my salvation. When my father and my mother forsake me then the Lord will take me up. In another place: Psal. 73.25 26. whom have I in heaven but thee, and there is none upon the earth, that I desire but thee, my flesh and my heart fails: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. If Satan say, thou must yet nevertheless die, answer, blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, Reu. 14.13. and if he proceed and say, thou shalt nevertheless be condemned, for he will not departed at one repulse: then mayest thou with all boldness and courage of Spirit say, Thou liest Satan, for thou art a liar from the beginning, for none that believe in jesus Christ shall perish, but shall have everlasting life. The sick persons prayer for comfort and victory over all temptations of Satan. O thou Lord jesus Christ Almighty, destroyer of hell, death, and condemnation, and eternal victor and conqueror for me, strengthen me in all my weakness, by thy holy Spirit, that I may take unto me the whole armour of God; Eph. 6.13. that I may be able to withstand in the evil day; and having finished all things, to stand fast, my loins girded about with verity, 14. and having on the breastplate of righteousness, and my feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace, 15. 16. having the shield of faith, wherewith I may be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked, 17. the helmet of salvation, and sword of the spirit, which is thy word: 18. and pray always with all manner of prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance. That thus being in arms, like a valiant champion and Christian soldier: I may manfully fight under thy banner, and having overcome, may through thy grace be crowned with glory, wherethou art at the right hand of thy father in the heavens blessed God for ever and ever. Amen. Flesh. Show me how I may conclude my days, and commend my spirit to God. Spirit. As for the ●ighth and ninth point (beloved soul) look to the end of thy sickness, and if thou shalt perceive that thou canst not live long, then with all patience thou mayest say, Act. 7.59. Lord jesus Christ receive my Soul, I desire to be dissolved, & to be with thee. Into thy hands (O Lord) I commend my spirit. And continue herein even to thy last gasp: and when words and motions of thy outward members shall begin to fail thee, then betake thee to thy inward and most heavenly contemplations: as of the place whether thou art going, of them that are there before thee, of the Saints to whom thou shalt be welcome, and of jesus Christ the Door and Way, by whom thou shalt enter, with whom thou shalt be blessed eternally. But if it shall so be, that God shall restore thee to thy wont health, then thank him all thy life time, both in heart, and word, and deed, and give diligent heed seeing thou art made whole, john. 5.14. that thou sin no more, lest a worse evil come unto the●. Wherefore fall upon thy knees, and oft and divers times recite this Prayer following: A thanksgiving after sickness. I thank thee (Almighty Lord God) that thou so kindly & fatherly haste visited and chastised me for my offences: it is good for me that thou hast humbled me, that I might learn thy precepts. O my God, how often remembered I thy dear servant king Ezekiah, who said, I shall not see the Lord, Esa. 38.11.12. even the Lord in the land of the living, I shall behold man no more with the inhabitants of the Earth: my age is departed, and is gone from me as a Shepherds Tent, I have cut off like a Weaver my life from day even to night; thou wilt make an end of me. But I now understand (O Lord) that this my sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that thou Son of God mightest be glorified thereby; for thou hast had mercy upon me: thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back: Thou lovedst my soul and deliveredst it from the pit of corruption: how comfortably hast thou turned my sickness into health: I thank thee my God, yea I thank thee from the bottom of my heart, that thou hast raised me from my bed, that I may visit and frequent thy house, walk in my calling, and perfect my actions. Lam. 3 22. It is of thy goodness and mercies that I am not consumed, because thy compassions fail not. O how oft should I remember this thy rod of correction? how wisely should I walk all my days, that I may eschew thy wrath: assist me (my God) that with the new health of my body I may begin to lead a new life: grant that I may always praise thy name, govern me by thy holy Spirit, that I may glorify thee by my life, and not give my membersweapons of unrighteousness to serve sin, for thou hast delived my soul from death; which hath waited for me, thou art my help and my shield, my heart shall rejoice hereafter, every moment in thee; for thou hast compassed me with songs of deliverance, I will praise thee in the congregation, in the midst of the people I will sing unto thee, o Lord: To whom be praise and glory, now and for ever. Amen. CHAP. V Containing a spiritual confutation of all worldly & fleshly thoughts, which molest-men, when as they intent the Art to die well. Flesh. FOr so much as the Christian in his sickness, or in any other estate, should daily advise himself on the hour of his death, yet notwithstanding, there are many terrors in men's hearts, whereby they are afraid of Death. Spirit. That is natural (dear soul) for our nature in the beginng was not created to die, but to live, but death is come into the world by sione, for death is the wages of sin. Rom. 5.12. Yea (beloved Soul) like as death is a consumer of all that have life, so all that have life, are foes & enemies to death; for seeing man of nature hath but a short time to live, it is no marvel neither yet sin, nor to be discommended in any man to be afraid of death and to avoid it by all means possible. We have a remarkable example in our Saviour) jesus Christ▪ he began to be sorrowful and very heavy before death, Mat. 25.37 for he knew that his hour did approach, for albeit there were many causes of his sorrow and sadness upon the mount of Olives; yet was this one, because he was a very true man, and had in him all our natural conditions and affections: and therefore while the Godhead, which is the Word, rested itself, and held itself quiet in that anguish of his death, and became obedient to admit such pain, fear and astonishment of death to come over his body, which was without sin, it showeth us that his human nature had no pleasure to die, yea and himself saith: I have a baptism to be baptized with, Luk. 12. ●0. and how am I straightened till it be accomplished? A Prayer against the fear of Death. I thank thee Lord jesus Christ, for that thou hast not created me to death, but to life, and hast implanted a love in mine heart to live, I request thee from the bottom of my heart, teach me to understand that death rule●h over all, because of sin, and overcometh me: grant by thy holy spirit, that so oft as death shall assault me, I may be enemy to iniquity, and ever fly and efchew sin, as death itself: help me, o Lord, that in true faith I may hold me fast by thee, for thou art life itself, joh. 11.25. and so may freely and boldly say, I shall taste of death (although I were dead) but live and declare the works of the Lord. Psal. 118.17. Grant I may believe from my heart, that by Thee (the Prince of life) I may be delivered from eternal death, and attain unto that everlasting life, through jesus Christ thy dear Son. Amen. Flesh. But there are yet some that earnestly crave to die, and long for it. Spirit. Yes truly, but it is to be understood that there are tw● kinds of men which desire to die. The Infidel, profane, ungodly, often wish to die, and that of impatiency, because of the great misery wherewith God punisheth them for their sins: for seeing they are without the knowledge of God, and without faith, they are not participant of the cross of Christ, but despair in impatiency, grudge against God, & wish themselves not only to die, but also often times lay violent hands on themselves, as judah, Saul and Achitophel did: purposing to put an end thereby to their sorrow and misery, but then is it, that first they begin to have proof of their wickedness, sweet heavenly Father keep us from hence. But the children of God, the more they grow in knowledge, and increase in faith and love of Christ, the more they are weary of this wretched world, and long for that eternal rest, and have Paul's wish in their hearts, I desire to departed, and to be with Christ; Phil. 1.23. yea, our Saviour commandeth us, Matt. 6.13. that we should daily crave to be delivered from evil, for therein not only do we pray for deliverance from transitory distresses of soul or body: but we ask from our heart, that God would either put an end to this sinful and wicked world; or else come in a blessed time, and pull us from hence to everlasting rest and quietness. A Prayer for patience in trouble. Now help me Lord jesus Christ, that I in the abundance of my crosses, may rightly order myself, and learn of thee how I should bear the weight of my yoke: Mat. 11.30 preserve me that I never crave my death through impatiency, much less that ever I shorten the days of my life which thou hast given be; but grant that evermore day by day, I may learn to know thee, to establish and confirm my faith, and the longer I shall live, the more dearly to love thee, to the end I may learn to contemn this world, and to long after that heavenly world, which thou hast made to stand in the conquest of Christ by his blood. To whom with thee and thy holy spirit, one blessed God, I render praise and and glory, now and ever. Amen. Flesh. May a man with a good conscience pray for a long life? Spirit. Unto this question S. Paul answereth, for Christ should always be magnified in our bodies, whether it be by Life or by Death; Phil. 1. 20.2●.22.23.24. for to me to live (saith he) is Christ; and to me to die, is gain: but if I live in the Flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose, I wot not: for I am in a straight betwixt two, having a desire to departed, and to be with Christ, which is far better: Nevertheless, to abide in the flesh is more needful for you, and having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all, for your furtherance and joy of Faith. A meditation of the Soul tossed in the troublesome waves of this life. Here mayest thou perceive (beloved Soul) that Paul was tossed with two divers opinions and thoughts: he longed for rest, and counted it best, esteemed it also good that he should abide in the flesh longer, and believed that God would spare him, that in his ministery he might further serve both God and Man: yet in both these, had this only before his eyes, that Christ should be magnified in his body, whether it were by life or by death. So doth also the king Ezekiah, 2. King. 20.1.2.6. to whom the Prophet Amos denounced death: but he turned his face unto the Wall, and prayed unto the Lord, who added unto his days fifteen years. And so was also Paul greatly joyed for his brother, and companion in labour, and fellow-soldier Epaphroditus who was sick, Phil. 2.25.27 near unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not on him only, but on me● also (saith Paul,) lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. Fellow these examples, and thou shalt not go amiss; for if thou canst be necessary unto God, and thy neighbour, it is convenient thou shouldest crave a long and sound life, that thou mayest be a profitable vessel of mercy, and chosen to good actions: Nevertheless, submit thee always to his will, and be ready every day to be dissolved, for time is but lent thee. A Prayer for Health, and Gods blessings on our Labours. Everlasting Almighty God, thou art my Life, and Length of my days; my time is in thy hands; for in Thee we live and move, and have our being. Act. 17.28. I thank thee from the ground of my heart, that thou has● to this present hour su●stayned me, and given me a healthful life, and good understanding, tha● in my calling I might serve thee my God, and my neighbour. O God thou seest and knowest m● heart, that I am willing and very desirous faith●fully and truly to walk● forward in my vocation and trade; and that I have no wicked purpose, no● false pretence in my heart. I humbly therefore entreat (if it shall stand with thy praise and glory, and my own salvation) that thou wouldst prolong my days, and conduct me by thy holy spirit, that I may learn to know thee more fully, and serve my neighbour more entirely: yet if it be not thy pleasure, and that thou knowest it to be better for me, take me hence unto thyself when thou wilt; for I wholly renounce mine own will, and submit me to thy good will and pleasure: Grant this unto me for jesus Christ thy sons sake. Amen. Flesh. What shall move every man generally, that willingly he may give himself to die. Spirit. Obedience; wherein we are obliged unto God: for of him we have our Life: and God may rightly claim the same again of us: no man of himself came here into the world; and no man can stay longer than it pleaseth him: for it is he that turneth man to destrction, Psal. 90.3. and saith, Return ye Children of Men. A Meditation of the Soul for obedience to Gods Will. But beware (dear Soul) lest when thy time is come, thou die against thy will, and fret against God: say not I am constrained, I would rather live; so do the Infidels, which build only upon this miserable life: and it fareth so with them as Christ saith, joh. 12.25. He that loveth his life, shall lose it: and he that hateth his life in this world, shall keep it unto eternal life: & therefore show thyself obedient to live as long as he will, and die when it is his pleasure: Let nothing detain thee, nor hinder thee of all that are in the world: and thou must reckon this life, and all the sufferings of this present time, Rom. 8.18 are not worthy to be compared to the future Celestial glory which shall be revealed in us. A Prayer for obedience unto the will of Christ, and willingly to forsake this world. O Lord jesus Christ, thou who wast so resolute and ready to thy passion, and so obedient unto death, even the death of the cross, and didst say, Phil. 2.8. father not as I will, but as thou wilt. I request thee my Redeemer, give me a submissive heart, that when the day of my dissolution shall approach, I may willingly condescend to thy will: for thou knowest my infirmity, and that flesh and blood is afraid to undergo it. Lord bow me to thy word, and conduct me in thy footsteps; that I may ever commit myself and my life unto thy trust, my Lord and God, and most comfortable Redeemer, thou art God, and all that thou dost is good, thou never didst disappoint any that put their hope in thee: here I am Lord in thy merciful hand, If I live, I live unto thee, If I die, Rom. 14.8. I die to thee, whether we live or die, we are the Lords. For I know and am assured, Vers. 9 that to this end, Christ both died & revived, that he might be Lord, both of the dead and living: In whose name I pray unto thee, as he hath taught: Our Father, etc. Flesh. It is yet notwithstanding pleasant to be in the world, for beautiful is this earth which we see, who would not rather abide here then departed? Spirit. All the children of the world sing that song, but (dear Soul) be not thou conformed to this world: say not, this is the course and custom of the world, but remember that the course of the world tendeth to hell, but we are the children of the faithful, and look for a life, which the Lord will give unto them, that abide constantly in faith before him. But as for the world, the Scripture determineth of it, and saith, that the whole world lies in wickedness, joh. 5.19. and therefore commandeth that we should not love the world, nor the things that are in the world; 1 joh. 2.15 16.17. for if any man love the world, the love of the father is not in him, for all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, & the pride of life, is not of the father, but of the world: and the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doth the will of God abideth for ever: And again, strive to enter in at the narrow gate, for wide is the gate, Matt. 7.13.14. & broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way that leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Now mayst thou clearly see, and as in a glass, what the course of the world is, and whither it tendeth; and mark how wide and far off it goeth from the way of life. Pray therefore unto the Lord thy God, that he would translate thee from the way of the world, and place thy feet in the gate of life, that thou mayest be transformed by the renewing of thy mind, that thou mayest prove what is that good, Rom. 12.2. that acceptable and perfect will of God. A Prayer to be kept in the way of life. Now Lord jesus Christ open thou mine eyes, and teach my heart, that I may accept this true advertisement, and rectify myself according thereto. Alas thou knowest, my God, how altogether my heart hangs upon this world, how easily it suffereth itself to be miscarried from that ●ure way of life, and Sa●●an rests not: but kindlet● lust and concupiscence in my heart, and ministereth one opportunity after another to sin, and pursueth me on every side, to the end he may devour my soul. O my Saviour, enlighten mine eyes, that I may find thy way, lead me by thy holy spirit, that I go not amiss: confirm my heart by the power of faith, that I may abide steadfastly in thy known truth, that neither sweet nor sour, Matt. 7.33. misery nor death dissever me therefrom: yea, though life were therefore to be lost, that I may rather choose to be divided into 1000 parts, then give over. Lord help me, that I may overcome and keep the victory: O God help me manfully to wrestle, that in death and life I may continue with thee for evermore. Amen. Flesh. It may so be, yet it is very hard, when one hath goods and money enough, and swims in honour and beauty, lives in pleasure and mirth, that he should forsake all these things, and part from them. Spirit. Yes truly, it is hard to the children of this world, who are enclosed in their own fat, Psal. 17.10.14. and have their portion here in this life, and whose belly, God hath filled with his hid treasure, for so saith he elsewhere. O death, how bitter is the remembrance of thee, Eccl. 41.1. to a man that liveth at rest in his possessions, unto the man that hath nothing to vex him, and that hath prosperity in all things. Yea, unto him that is yet able to receive meat. But it is far otherwise with the children of God, for although they have many of his blessings and goods, and many are exalted to glorious places and great honours, and have the benefit of the ground in joy and pleasure, Esay 1 19 yet do they not make an Idol thereof; Psal 6●. 10. and if riches increase, they do not set their hearts thereupon: but thank God, & use the same aright: for they know they are but worldly goods which are current here only before this world, but not before God: and uncessantly meditates on his most pure word: what helpeth it any man, if he possesseth all the goods in the world, & lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Mark. 8.36 37. even so do thou, place not thy heart on thy riches, if God do promote thee to dignity, be thou humble, behold the examples of the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaak, jacob, joseph, David, Daniel, etc. Yea, and of our Saviour jesus Christ himself, Pet. 2.21. and follow thou their steps, esteem ever jesus Christ thy best and chiefest goods, so shalt thou always easily forego thy earthly treasure. A Prayer against the pleasures of this world. Help me Lord jesus Christ, that I may use the pleasures and riches of this world, as a pilgrim▪ which shall pass to morrow: for surely, every man walketh in a vain show, he is disquieted in vain, he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them? and now Lord what wait I for, my hope is in thee, deliver me from all my transgressions, Psa. 39.7.8. let my heart desire no more than my daily bread, to my sustentation; cause me to be contented, keep me that Mammon be not my Master, and that I place not my confidence in any transitory thing; for it will hinder me in the time of death: but help me, my God, that I may rightly choose that good part, which shall not be taken away from me, Luk 10.42. which is thee my God, my Redeemer and Saviour; that all my joy and pleasure may be in thee. Grant that I may be rich in my soul, honourable in faith, joyful in thee▪ so shall I have enough, both here and in the world to come: that I may willingly leave this world, and gladly without any impediment, be carried by thy Angels into Abraham's bosom, to rest for ever. Amen. Flesh. It is notwithstanding great grief that the Wife shall forsake her married Husband, and the Husband his Wife and Children, who have lived so long together in poverty and distress; and now being in prosperity and joy in their Callings and Trade, shall now be separated. Spirit. These are fleshly and incredulous thoughts, by the which Satan often disquieteth the heart of man; so that there is great pains to be taken before man will be rightly advised. For we have experience of many men grudging against God, as though he did do them great unrighteousness, because he maketh them so soon die, and leave the pleasures of this Life; especially when they have all their affairs to dispose, and put the matters of all their life time in order. So did that noble Roman GAIUS MARIUS, who (although he had been Consul seven times in Rome, and was seventy years of age) yet fretted against his FORTUNA (which was his Goddess) protesting in bitter exclamations, that there was great wrong offered him, before that all his dessignements had been accomplished, and brought to pass. But the faithful Children of God do far otherwise: for they know they are not the God or Makers of their friends, neither can provide for them, but that they are Stewards and Servants appointed under God, Luk. 16.2. so long as it pleaseth him. And man in these his days lays hold on eternity, but God hath so provided for them, that one time or other he will call them to give an account of their Stewardship, and may no longer be Stewards. And so he himself will be both Father and Tutor, as he often nameth himself in the Scripture, Ps. 68.5. Defender of the Widow; and Father of the fatherless, even God in his holy habitation. And so both scripture and daily experience teach us, that many Widows are in better case after their Husband's death; and many Husbands in better condition of Life after their wives death and Children often better provided and cared for, their Parents being out of this world, than if they lived, or than they could have done for them, if they should have lived longer. The Lord deceives not, Ps. 120 3. he neither sleeps nor slumbers that keepeth thee: make the Lord thy Keeper, and to be thy shade upon thy right hand: for he respecteth every one that calleth upon his name, and will never be accused of oversight of the godlies' weal and salvation. For although he be high above all Nations, Ps. 113.46. and his glory above the Heavens, yet he humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in earth: Yea (dear Soul) therefore causeth he many Widows and Fatherlesse-childrens, that he in them may magnify his goodness. And therefore this is a sure ground to build upon, that he will in such ways have care & foresight for them if they will acknowledge him and accept him for their Father; yea never a one of them shall have occasion in the last day to complain of his providence over them, and defence of them: for it is he only that raiseth up the Poor out of the dust, Ps. 113.6.7 and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill; that he might set them with Princes, even with the Princes of his people: yea it is he only who setteth the Poor on high from affliction, and maketh them families like a flock. Ps. 107.41. Settle thee therefore hereupon, for this is God's undoubted truth. The dying man's Prayer, bequeathing all his charge unto the hands of God. O Lord my God, thou who hast appointed me to be a steward and servant under thee, and hast commanded me to understand my duty: I have (through thy mercy) been about my business, in all infirmity and weakness of body, yet with care and diligence, kept my conscience, and saved me from infidelity, now seeing I can bear charge no longer; but am diseased and tied to my bed, I render unto thee, that my charge and stewardship, it may be thou wilt dispose of it to another, who may better administrate than I. And if I shall live, let it be a Chri●stian and godly life, that I with far greater diligence than heretofore, may understand myself: but if it shall so be, that I here end my days, let it be a saving and blessed conclusion of my life. Hear am I, and commit, bequeath and deliver all whatsoever I have unto thee, great and small: be thou father, mother and defender unto them. O thou judge of widows, and helper of the fatherless, thou knowest misery and poverty well, the poor committeth himself unto thee, Psa. 10.14. thou art the support of the fatherless, yea Lord, it is thou who hast care over them, and thinkest upon them. Now therefore sweet Christ enter into thine own room and function, Psa. 44.18. for I give it over, delivering them to thy maintenance and my soul to thy mercik, withhold not thy tender mercy from me, o Lord, let thy loving kindness and thy truth, continually preserve me. Lord jesus Christ, Psa. 40.11. thou didst ordain a provisor for thy dear mother Mary, raise up also to my sorrowful wife, joh. 9.26. 27. kind hearted and honest men, which may have attention to her, and whom she may trust in her faithful and godly affairs: yea, and as thy mother was left a widow, so wast thou also fatherless, for joseph lived not long with thee; therefore thou knowest both estates: yea, what is hid from thee, o thou searcher of hearts? yea, o Lord jesus, thou becamest fatherless; for all the poor orphans sakes. I deliver unto thee now my fatherless children, there receive thou them, it may well be, that both I & they shall praise and thank thee therefore upon that last day. Bless and replenish their hearts with true godliness; their bodies with soundness according to thy will, their life with Christian education; and grant them whatsoever may comfort them in this world, or in the world to come. Satiate them with a long life, and show them thy salvation, o thou horn of my salvation. Thou governest thy children marvelously, Psal. 91.16. thou teachest and rulest them evermore, they know thy voice and follow it; grant them patience and mercy, that they never separate themselves from thee, and never desist from obedience and true love to thee, and their neighbours▪ until thou shalt receive them into those eternal and everlasting habitations, to be with my Saviour in heaven for evermore. Luk. 16.9. Amen. CHAP. VI Declaring how a Christian man shall willingly give himself to die, overcome the bitterness thereof, and how in constant perseverance he may continue to the end. Flesh. I Pray you show me how I may quiet the fear of death, to the end I may willingly adays, which speech i● had of death: Tush (sa● they) a stout heart will overcome death. A Meditation of the Soul● against the fear of Death. But (dear Soul) these are nothing else but fleshly and miserable cogitations: for our own courage shall never carry comfort to the heart, nor hope of eternal life. For these wicked men's hearts are notwithstanding replenished with perplexity and grief; for they know not to whom they should come to render their Souls. O but the children of God have a far more forcible and pithy physic against the fear of death, yea a notable secret revealed unto them from above: which is in true faith and cheerful confidence in our Lord jesus Christ: which whosoever hath, and thereby shall lay hold on him, hath a preservative and antidote against all the terrors and fears of death. And why wilt thou (O my Soul) be afraid of death? knowest thou whose thou art, and what thou art? thou art ●arth, and must return to earth; but jesus Christ is thy Life, Col. 3.3. why mistrustest thou? Death is thy Life, knowest thou whither thou shalt go? Col. 3 3. john. 14.6. Behold, Christ is the Way and Ladder to Heaven; attend therefore thou must, and kiss his Son, and thou shalt not perish from the way: Ps. 2.12. for blessed are they that put their trust in him; for having him thou hast all things, and without him, all other things are nought. The Sick-man's prayer and faith in Christ. Yea (my Lord jesus Christ) thou diedst for my sins, thou hast reconciled me with thy father: thou hast overthrown death, and merited eternal life for them that constantly believe, and hold out unto the end. Now therefore there ariseth mirth and joy in my heart, and rest and peace, and I count nothing of death: for by thee jesus Christ I have remission of all my sins, and am pure and righteous before God. O he is a good merciful father unto me: I am his dear child and heavenly heir; and now Lord jesus I am thine own peculiar, whom thou hast redeemed, not with corruptible things, as silver and gold, but with thy precious blood, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. And hast delivered me from hell, yea I am thy brother, and fellow heir, and all that thou hast is mine; yea I am thy beloved dear bride, thy pleasure and thy joy, thy treasure which thou hast dearly bought. I am likewise the temple and habitation of thy holy spirit, by whom I am sealed unto the day of redemption: yea Lord jesus thou hast so reconciled, and united me, that I am Bone of thy Bone, and Flesh of thy Flesh: yea all thy creatures should rather come to nought, than that I should be separated from thy love: what then can death work upon me? surely nothing else, but that I may more nearly approach unto thee my God. Therefore respect I not death, but have life in my thoughts and mind, and speak of nothing else but life: for Christ is unto me both in life and death again, yea I will sing and say with faithful job: job. 19.25.26.27. I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the later day upon the earth; and though after my skin be perished, worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see thee, whom I shall see for myself; and mine eyes shall behold, and not an others. Though my reins be consumed within me, Lord jesus Christ thou knowest that I both believe in thee, and by my faith remain with thee eternally: yea and I also know, that I believe in thee, and feel the sweetness of my faith, & taste of everlasting life in my heart. Thou art mine, and I am thine, and I am possessor of all that thou hast, as life, with everlasting peace and joy: what account I then these transitory things? Having thee, I have all things I could wish, both earthly and heavenly. A way with this temporal pleasure, and beauty of this life, and all other fading and perishing things, for thou Lord jesus art my comfort alone; my goods, and wealth, my honour, delight, and everlasting riches. I have trusted in thy mercy, my heart shall rejoice in thy Salvation. O how dearly love I thee, Ps. 13.5. Ps. 18.1. Ps. 28.7. o Lord my strength, o Lord my rock, my shield, the horn of my salvation, and strong defence. Such faith, such love burneth in my heart to thee Lord jesus, the which hath so possessed me, and encouraged me, that I am afraid neither of death nor distress: for I am sure that death itself, and all things, shall work together for my best. Now come Lord when thou wilt, come I say, I am certainly and surely persuaded, that in thee, and by thee I shall have life, and everlasting contentment, then come Lord jesus, ●ho● true God, conclude this life, destroy thou the last enemy, which is death: place me in my father's inheritance, whereof I have thy blood sprinkled on my heart, an undoubted pawn. I am far from home here, and a forr●iner in a strange country, take me home to mine own, that there I may sit at thy table, with Abraham, Isaak and jacob: that as john inclined on thy bosom at the last Supper▪ so I may rest my wearied soul on thee, my God for ever. Amen. Flesh. I have truly conceived comfort and and life in mine heart, if I could constantly keep it, but I am afraid my faith will decay in time of trial. Spirit. Thou hast thine own Lord jesus Christ, an Almighty promiser, and powerful performer, unto thee; for (saith he) all the father giveth me, joh. 6.37.38.39.40. shall come to me, and him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out: for I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me, and this is the father's will, which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me, I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day: and this is the will of him that sent me, that every one that seethe the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life, and I will raise him up at the last day. Hear then (dear Soul) what comfortable speeches these are, out of the mouth of Verity itself. wouldst thou have more to glad thine heart and stir thy courage? Hear the Lord himself witnessing, who cannot lie, thy faith s●all not decay, thou shalt not be lost, but abide constant to the lad end. And again, I have prayed for thee, Luk▪ 22.13. that thy faith fail not, for my sheep hear my voice, and I know them (saith he) and they follow me, joh. 10.27.28.29.30. and I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand; my father which gave them me, is greater than all, & no man is able to pluck them out of my father hand, I and my father am one: And again Marry hathchosen the good part, Luk. 10.42. which shall not be taken away from her. A Meditation of the soul, of faith in Christ's promises. How could the Lord give unto thee greater security? thou hast his promise, that he by the power of his holy Spirit, shall give his word for thee, thy faith shall not decay: and will not his father hear him, when he prayed for Peter and for thee, that thou showldest not be plucked out of his, or his Father's hand; and that the good part in thine heart, should not be reft from thee? Now therefore art thou sure, both of eternal life, and of thy constancy and perseverance thereunto, and that thou (through his mercy) mayest steadfastly abide unto the end, he will not leave thee, and thou shalt not leave him: yea, thou shalt apprehend him, o●●hom thou art apprehended. Therefore be of courage, and comfort thyself, and say with Paul, I know whom I have believed, 2 Tim. 1.12. and am persuaded, that h●e is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. And in another place▪ I am persuaded, that nei●ther death, nor life, nor Angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any creature shall be able to separate us from the love o● God, which is in Christ jesus our Lord. The sick man's Prayer and comfort in Christ. O Lord jesus Christ, Thou alone art my eternal Portion and Part, which I have chosen, and am certain, that even when mine heart shall break, it shall not be taken from me: o Thou Almighty Redeemer, who can doubt of thee? o Thou powerful Shepherd, who shall pluck me out of thy hands? o Thou loving Saviour, 1 joh. 4.8. who art love itself, who will separate me from thy love? Thou hast kindled and raised in mine heart (already) a taste of the sweetness of the everlasting habitations, and thou hast made me have experience thereof, by many and joyful deliverances. Yea Lord, I perceive the witness of thy holy Spirit in mine heart, which witnesseth unto my spirit, that I am the child of God, and so fellow-heire with thee thou art the vine and I am a branch in thee, thou art the tree of life, and I am engrafted in thee: thou art the Bridegroom, and I the Bride wedded unto Thee, made one with thee, and joined with thee by an everlasting indissolvable covenant, that neither the Devil or distress shall weaken, cross or infirmity lose and break for ever. For I am betrothed unto Thee, in righteousness, Hos. 2.19.20. in judgement, and in loving kindness, and in mercies: yea, I am betrothed unto Thee in faithfulness, and I do know thee my Lord. O how burneth my heart to thee! Psal. 42 2. O when shall I come and appear before thee, my God in heaven, there to live with thee for ever? Amen. Flesh. What shall the Christian do, when he shall not find such assurance of faith, but great imbecility, coldness and drowsiness, oftentimes doubting whether he be one of the Elect or not? Spirit. He should not suffer such doubtings and weaknesses to lodge in his heart, but remember that the Kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence, Matth. 11.12. and is gotten by force, and the violent take it by force: yea, thou shouldst be mindful of the Apostles admonition: 2 Tim. 1.6. I put thee (saith he) in remembrance, that thou stir up the gift of God which is in thee, and he will comfort thee with these words. A bruised reed will he not break, Esay 42.3. and the smoking flax shall he not quench; and he shall revive thy soul, by that comfortable promise, be not afraid, only believe, Matt. 9 29. thy faith shall make thee safe, for according to thy faith it shall be unto thee: And therefore be of good cheer, Matt. 9.2. thy sins be forgiven thee. For daily experience doth teach, that the more one resorts to the word of God, and pondereth upon the comfortable sentences of the Scripture in his mind, he obtaineth the greater comfort in his heart, but especially when he meditates upon this heavenly summons and citation of the Lord, Mat. 11.28. Come unto me all you that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. A Meditation of the great comfort the children of God have in this world. O perceive (dear soul) how mercifully, and lovingly the Lord calls upon thee, how he gathereth thee, even as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, Matth. 23.37. or as a good shepherd goeth after that which is lost, Luk. 15.4.5.6. until he find it, and when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing, and when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends, and his neighbours, saying unto them, rejoice with me for I have found the sheep which was lost, Consider therefore that thou art even one of these who are wearied and burdened, to whom the Lords Proclamation belongeth: and therefore wheere he saith, Seek my face continually; answer thou in thy heart, and say, I will seek thy face continually. Thus the Lord will look unto him that is poor, Esay 66..2. and of a contrite Spirit, & trembleth at this word Knowest thou not (dear Soul) that the Lord receives him that is weak in faith? For a weak faith is a true faith, when as it wrestleth, strives, and leaves not off, but sticketh unto the word, wherein in the promise is contained. And therefore is it well said by Luther, In Gen. ca 26. If God keep not promise, we have done with salvation: but God will keep it, and not lie. And therefore albeit our heart's doubt, we must have our recourse unto him, who will not change: for the Lord speaketh so of himself; I am the Lord, and lie not. And again, God's gifts and callings are without repentance. Consider this (dear Soul) and hold thee fast by God's word. He appeareth to be angry but is well pleased, 1. joh. 3.20. for God is strong, and his Word much more sure than thy own heart. And therefore learn to understand the Lords Customs: his delight is with the children of men: he ieast● and dallieth with th●m, as Fathers with their children, yea he withholds his hands a little from them, to prove them, not for their hurt and destruction, but that they should not lean to themselves, 1. Cor. 1.9. but on him who raiseth the dead, and can make the weak and feeble strong and valiant. He hath no pleasure in presumption, but his will is that we should serve him with fear, Ps. 2.11. and rejoice with trembling. And we may see in Peter and Thomas, what it is to be too much confident, and to build upon our own courage and strength. jer. 17.9. No man knoweth himself aright, but all things are naked, and open to the eyes of him with whom we have to do. And therefore pray continually, that mercifully he would uphold thee to the end; and be persuaded, if at any time thou hast felt comfort, that God will certainly come again to thee: and if that at any time he hath joyed thy heart, that he certainly oftener & oftener will do it for thy comfort. Yea, if in all thy life time thou hadst received but only one drop of comfort; yet doubt not, but pray, believe, hope, and have patience: Hab. 2.3. the Lord will certainly come, and will not delay, unless thou be altogether stiff-necked and unwilling. Remember the example of the Cananitish woman. Mat. 15.21. Behold how her Lord ieasteth with her, how he dismisseth her, yea even thrice: First, he holdeth his peace, and answereth not a word: Secondly, he heareth, but that he is not come for her good, but for the benefit of the Children of Israel: but the third time he calleth her a Dog, as unworthy of his comfort; but what doth she? for the first (in that Christ was silent) she meeteth him with a patie●t heart, which well could stay and trust: For the second, she answers with a faithful heart, that she must have some portion of his promises: For the third, she meeteth him with an humble heart, and willingly will be a Dog, desiring that which appertained to him, that is, the crumbs which fall from the table, that is, a very small help, a little deal of comfort, wherewith she and her daughter would be contented. Here the Lord cannot hide himself longer from her, but presenteth a copious measure of mercy unto her, saying, O woman, great is thy faith, be it unto thee even as thou wilt. But if thou shalt now say, behold, she was strong in Faith, and I am weak, thou must understand, that our faith is resembled unto a Fencer, who is in the lists against another, for he is ever in fear that he shall be overcome and be too feeble against his Enemy; even so is it with Faith, for when we wrestle and fight, we think that we are weak, and shall lose the Victory: But it shall not fall out so, for victory belongeth unto faith: let it incline whether it will, it appertaineth ever unto her, yea and a weak Faith shall win the field, and through the Lord's strength & power, we shall be kept through faith unto salvation, 1 Pet. 1.5. ready to be revealed in the last time. Remember also the Patriarch Ia●obs wrestling, how he strove with God, and stuck hardly unto him, and let him not go, but said, Gen. 32.26. I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. A Prayer for steadfast Faith in Christ. Now Lord jesus Christ thou knowest I believe, although but with a weak faith, yet by the self same I put my whole trust and confidence in thee: reach me thy comfortable hand, and draw me to thee O Lord, I am weak, increase my faith, stand not far off from me, for thou art mine only hope, to whom else can I go? Kindle that little spark in my heart by thy holy spirit, that I may evermore do thy will. Behold, to will is present with me, Rom. 7 18. but how to perform that which is good, I find not. Yea lord jesus thou art my Life, my Hope, and Salvation; for having thee I have all things: Now have I thee, although by a weak hand; now have I thee, albeit my hand be weak, thine is strong: Let me not go from thine hand, to the end that I let thee not go from me. Look cheerfully upon me, as thou didst upon Peter, Marie Magdalen, & the woman of Canaan, & the holy Patriarch jacob, drive away darkness from my heart, & let me enjoy the consolation of thy mercies: here am I as a poor Dog, and stay for the crumbs which fall from the table of mercy. Behold, I thus wrestle with thee by prayer. O thou strong Lord, insinuate thyself into my heart, for by thy strength, I striu● with thyself, give thyself unto me. I will not le● thee pass by any means before thou bless me: I will not desist before the s●n of consolation rise brightly unto me: & now thou Lord jesus Christ, who hast prayed for Peter, dost sit at the right hand of thy father, Intercessor for me, that my faith shall not decay. Arise (O Lord) & still the tempest of my heart, and rages of temptation, that in a lively sense I may see and razed the sweetness of thy word and holy spirit; that thereby I may learn, that inward joy and freedom from sin and power thereof, by the death and passion of thy dear Son, my Saviour, the Lord jesus Christ: to whom, with thee and thy holy Spirit, be rendered (as most due is) all honour, power, and glory, of all true Christians, from this time forth for ever. Amen. CHAP. VII. Containing spiritual consolations and Instructions against the terrors, that either the Soul, or the conscience of Man (now ready to die) can object. Flesh. It may be nevertheless evidently seen that every man is mortal, and yieldeth unto death. Spirit. Men die (truly) and lose their lives by reason of sin, but they that have the true comfort of the heart infused by jesus Christ, and rejoice therein: They account death nothing else but a passage from this miserable world, to their own native inheritance: for Christ that dwelleth in them, hath tasted death for them, taken away the power thereof, and broken her sting; so that death can do no more but dissever the Soul from the body, and bereave us of this transitory Life. Yet it shall serve (as all other things do) to our good; for we rest from our labours, and enjoy happiness, because the righteous man's Soul is in God's hands, Wisd. 3.1. and there shall no torment touch it. And Christ himself professeth that he will come again, and receive us unto himself, joh. 14.3. that where he is, there we may be also. Hearken therefore and learn what it is to die; for it is nothing else than a passage, and home going to rest, yea the death of the faithful, is Christ's taking of them unto himself. A Prayer against Death. O Lord jesus Christ, thou eternal true Light, enlighten my heart, that as a new creature I may look upon Death with new eyes, and not esteem it for a hurter of me, but for a messenger by whom thou callest me from this wretched world, and translatst me to the kingdom of thy Son, from this valley of darkness. Even so, Come Lord jesus with that Chariot of Elias, and take me from hence: Now let thy Servant departed in peace, Luk 2.29. who longeth for quietness & rest, through jesus Christ my only saviour. Amen. Flesh. Yet Death is very terrible, cold, and evil favoured, we become stiff, and so must rot in our graves. Spirit. That is also a punishment which God inflicts on the body for sin, but the children of God look not to the present show and shape of Death, but look further off, & consider, how pleasant, how soon, how beautiful, how clear and honourable their bodies shall rise up at the last day: and corruption shall put on incorruption: 1 Cor. 15.53. & this mortality shall put on immortality. Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written; Death is swallowed up in victory, and by this the holy man job comforted himself, for he knew that his Redeemer lived, and that he should raise him up from the earth. O how beautiful shall our bodies be; there is no star in heaven shall be so clear, never shined the Sun or the Moon so perfectly, as when the Lord shall change our vile bodies, that they may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working, Phil. 3.21. whereby he is able to subdue all things unto himself: for we are the Lords wheat, ● Cor. 15.37. joh. 12.24. sown in his ground, which shall rise again, and bear everlasting fruit: So also is the resurrection of the dead, it is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption, it is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory, it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power, it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body, there is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. A Prayer against the terror of the grave. Strengthen me, o my Lord jesus Christ, that I be not amazed at the fearful sight of dead members, nor when I think upon the rottenness in the grave; and that I shall turn to dust and ashes, but help me, that in a joyful hope, I may behold the beauty and clearness, which shall not only be in my soul; but even manifest in my body, that I may be encouraged thereby, gladly to meet thee, when ever thou shalt please to call me, to that spiritual wedding, from this life unto life eternal, through jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour. Amen. Flesh. It is very terrible, nevertheless to taste of death, ye● to be put in that dark hole in the grave, covered with earth, full of rottenness and corruption. Spirit. That fear ariseth of the sense of sin; for death is our enemy, and God created man to be immortal, and made him to be an image of his eternity, nevertheless, Wis. 2.23.24. through the envy of the Devil, death came into the world and herein is a figure; representing the dessert of sin for the breach of God's Law, in that we not only die temporally here, but must eternally perish, be thrust down in to the dark dungeon of hell, and there be overspread with the flames of perpetual fire, with the rivers of brimstone; if that our Lord and Saviour jesus Christ had not come to our redemption. And of this comes that terror, and hangs on us until we come to the grave. Even as a man that had been plucked out of a great fire, or out of some deep and dangerous water: so oft as he thinks upon it, he is afraid: so is it with us, we are greatly astonished and amazed, when we bethink us on that misery, wherein we should have been destroyed, had not the death of jesus come between, by whom our atonement is made with the Father. But yet all the children of God should l●●rne a new language, and attend how the holy Gospel speaketh hereof: for it calleth the death of the faithful, a sleep: and their graves, chambers to sleep in; for as jesus Christ hath taken the punishment of death from us, and suffered the pains of hell, fulfilled God's righteousness, and procured eternal life for us; so the holy Spirit in his Gospel, doth take away the harsh and hard names of death, and doth comfort the Lords Elect, with a new tongue, Esa. 26.20. as when he saith, Come my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors abou● thee, hide thyself (as it were) for a little moment, until the indignation pass over. And in another place, Dan. 12.2. Many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall wake, some to shame & everlasting contempt, and some to everlasting life. And again, our friend Lazaru● sleepeth, joh. 11.11. but I go that I may awake him out of sleep. Also, the child is not dead, Matth. 27. but sleepeth, and there arose many that slept, and so in infinite more places. Hear hast thou then thy death changed into a soft sleep, and thy grave unto a warm bed. When thou diest thou art said to go to sleep, because he that betaketh himself to his rest, is in expectation that the next day after he shall rise; and when they beat the earth of the grave with the shovel, it i● called to shut the door, and when we rot in the earth, w●e are said to rest and to hide us until wrath pass over our souls. A Prayer for the mercies of Christ. O Lord God, holy Spirit, take thou my heart, and replenish it with the comfortable mercies of our Lord jesus Christ, teach me to put due difference betwixt the Law & Gospel; abolish terror and fear for death, and learn me that new language of Canaan, that I hear it not only with mine ears; but pronounce it by my mouth, that I may believe, and in experience prove, that when the time of my dissolution shall draw near, I shall not die, but sweetly sleep, until it shall please thee, by thine Archangel and trumpet of God, to awake and raise me up, and so do I lie down now Lord jesus in thine arms, as a child in the mother's lap, and commit my soul unto thee, and sleep as long a time, as it pleaseth thee, Grant, o God, that my soul may live and reign with thee eternally. Amen. Flesh. Thou sayest well, yet I see when men are in the agony of death, their eyes turn in their heads, they become blackish, and they sweat for pain. Spirit. That is not only to be spied in the children of this world, who depart with out repentance, but even in the very faithful, and Saints of God; for so the sinful and deadly body must feel the sting of death, and undergo the the punishment and wa●ges of sin: and although we see in the children of God, such anguish and smart, it is nought; for so they easily overcome all the miseries and bitterness thereof, for the comfort of jesus Christ, is so great, that he is instead of all things unto them, and that name jesus so sweet, that it consumeth all the acrimony and bitterness in death, and causeth the faithful in the very period of death, to taste everlasting joy and salvation. A prayer to Christ, to keep us from a troublesome death. Lord jesus Christ, thou who tasted st the bitter vinegar of death upon the Cross due unto my sin, and hast greatly complained and bemoaned thyself, and in the days of thy flesh didst offer up prayers and supplications, Heb. 5.7. with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save thee from death, and waste heard in that thou fearedst, I beseech thee keep me from a troublesome and pain full death. Fill my heart with lively faith, and a rich hope, that I be not greatly afraid of death, nor terrified for the sting thereof: O jesus, let thy dear and sweet name never departed from my heart and memory, unto my last breath, that I give up the Ghost, and commit my soul unto thee, to rest for evermore, Amen. Flesh. Is there no kind of physic then a man may use, that he should not taste the sharp sting of death? Spirit. Yes verily, joh. 8.51. for so the Lord thy redeemer hath said, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, if a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. Thou must then learn rightly to apply this physic, which is jesus Christ's word; not the word of Moses, which is God's law; nor man's word, devils, or witches, but the merciful preaching of the Gospel, in the which he promiseth unto all believers remission of sins, righteousness which is accepted before God, the holy spirits consolation, and life eternal. And this is the word which the Lord giveth to the hearts of the Saints, the which upholdeth them, and whereon they rely both in life and death, and find Christ and consolation therein; with the which they are so detained and comprehended, that they taste not the bitterness of death because of that sweetness that is in his promise, and comfort that is in his word. For Christ is in his word, and the word carrieth Christ and his power, he who will have the Lord must have his word, and he who hath the Lord himself, the sweetness of his grace and comfort, shall never see death, th●t is, shall never be agashed, or taste the smart of death, and so the Lord himself expoundeth it, Verily, Mat. 6.28. verily, I say unto you, there be some standing here which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom. And again, Luk. 9.27. But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here which shall not taste of death, until they see the ki●gdome of God, that is, they build upon his true word, taste Christ, and his comfort in the word, yea, they wind themselves in the word, as a dead corpses is wrapped in his winding sheet: and so it cometh to pass, they feel Christ and his mercy in his word, and thereby taste in their hearts everlasting life. O thou precious, pleasant, and excellent doctrine, which art certain, and cannot deceive. What would you have more (O dear Soul) and for what stayest thou? Rom. 3.4. Receive that heavenly doctrine in thy heart, use it well, & keep it daily, yea every moment. Behold how boasting and bragging the world is, having found physic for an ague, toothache, or for the eyes, how costly and preciously do they esteem it. How much more should we glory in this our redeemer. Heavenly and divine physic, which hath taken away death, the father over all sicknesses. Thou needest not inquire of the trial & proof hereof, behold the examples of the faithful which have used this physic, and by the benefit thereof have felt no grief in their unspeakable pains, as Saint Stephen, Act. 7.56.59. Who being full of the holy Ghost and faith in jesus Christ, looked up steadfastly into heaven and saw the glory of God, and jesus standing on the right hand of God, & they stoned him, calling upon God, and saying, Lord jesus receive my spirit. And Paul having this preserving physic, durst daily brag against death. I desire to departed, and to be with Christ. So did Ignatius, and so Policarpus, and St. Laurance, with St. Vincentius, and infinite numbers of others. A prayer of the Christians steadfast hope of Heaven. O Lord jesus Christ, thou hast the words of eternal life, joh. 6.68. how doth my soul thirst and long after thy consolation, yea, my redeemer! He that meditates on thy word diligently, he hath that true heavenly physic, which shall never fail in time of death, but setteth itself against the gates of Hell. O Lord jesus feed my hungry heart with thy word, and over-sprinkle me altogether and at all times with thy comfort, for thy word and thy truth abideth for ever: therefore shall I by the means of faith in thy word, be preserved forever; for he that believeth thy word, believeth in thee, and he that keepeth thy word, hath thee, and he who hath thee, hath eternal life, and he who hath life, neither can nor shall taste of eternal death: for thou art the resurrection and the life, joh. 11.25. he th●t believeth in thee, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in thee, shall never die. Believest thou this (my soul) yea Lord jesus, thou knowest all things, thou knowest I believe in thee, and have thee in mine heart, and that I do comfort me in thy word, rest and repose myself thereupon; therefore am I certain, that I am one of those which shall never see death, taste his bitterness, or feel his sting. Grant me this Lord jesus Christ, for thy true holy words sake. For unto thee do I commit both soul and body, help me therefore, even for jesus Christ his sake, to whom be given all glory and honour, now and ever. Amen. CHAP. VIII. Comprehending remarkable sentences of Scripture, with some earnest prayers to be powered out for them that are in present peril of death, as also how they should behave themselves that are present with the sick person. Flesh. I Pray thee rehearse some sentences of Gods holy Word, wherewith I may comfort my Soul at the very point of death. Spirit. First, every Christian must diligently learn to comfort himself, by reciting the articles of our faith, which is the compend and sum of all doctrine and comfortable speeches: but especially, he must learn the three last articles, I believe the forgiveness of sins, resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. So the faithful soul must apply the whole articles to himself in particular, and so appropriate them unto himself, as if there were none in the world, but he alone, which should have benefit thereby. Thereto the Lord hath appointed the Sacraments to confirm that our faith, as faithful and true seals, and merciful tokens, which he hath appointed to these articles. Here thou mayest apprehend thy holy baptism, wherein thou hast received and concluded with God an everlasting and inviolable band and covenant of mercy, and so art washed and cleansed by the blood of Christ: Next mayst thou comfort thee by the holy Supper, because thou (as the Son of God) art nourished and refreshed at thy Father's Table, and thereby assured that thou art a true member of Christ, a righteous heir to whatsoever Christ with the sacrifice of his body and blood hath merited. Besides these things, ●hou mayest cause to be ●ead or said, these or such ●ike sentences of the Scripture. The seed of the woman shall bruise the head of the Serpent, Gen 3.15. and the Serpent shall bruise his heels. 1 joh. 3.8 For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the Devil. Esa. 35.10 And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads, they shall obtain joy & gladness; and sorrow and sighing shall fly away. Thy dead men shall live together, Esa. 26.19. with my dead body they shall arise; awake and sing ye all that dwell in the dust, for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead. Come my people, enter thou into thy chambers, Vers. 20. and shut thy doors about thee, hide thyself, as it were, for a little moment, until the indignation be passed over. Naked came I out of my mother's womb, job 19·25. and naked shall I return thither, the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord. I know that my Redeemer liveth, Vers. 26. and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth, and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God, whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not a stranger. Is not Ephraim my dear son, jer. 31.20. is he not my pleasant child? for since I spoke against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him, I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the Lord. So verily as I live (saith the Lord) I have no pleasure in the death of a sinner, but that he should turn from his evil way and live. I will ransom them from the power of the grave, Hos. 13.14 I will redeem them from death: o death I will be thy plagues, o grave I will be thy destruction. As the Hart panteth after the water brooks, Psal. 42.1. so panteth my soul after thee, o God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God, 2. when shall I come & appear before God. Why art thou cast down, o my Soul, 5. why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God, for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. Whom have I in heaven but thee? Psa. 73.25. and there is none upon the earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and mine heart 26. faileth, but God is the strength of mine heart, and my portion for ever. Wisd. 3.1. The souls of the righteous are in the hands of God, and there shall no torment touch them. 2. In the sight of the wise they seemed to die, and their departure was taken for misery; 3. and their going from us to be utter destruction, but they are in peace. He that endureth to the end, Mat. 24.13. shall be safe. Mat. 11.28 Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Behold the Lamb of God, joh. 1.29. which taketh away the sins of the world. joh. 3.16. God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believed in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, joh. 5.24. he that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into judgement; but hath passed from death to life. I am the bread of life, joh. 6.35. he that cometh to me, shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. All that the Father giveth me shall come to me, vers. 37. and him that cometh unto me, I will in in no wise cast out. And this is the will of him that sent me, vers. 40. that every one that seethe the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life, and I will raise him up at the last day. Verse 47. Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me, hath everlasting life. joh. 8.12. I am the light of the world, he that followeth me, shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. Vers. 51· Verily, verily, I say unto you, if a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, joh. 10.27.28.29.30. and they follow me, and I give unto them eternal life. And they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hands. My father which gave them me is greater than all, and no man is able to pluck them▪ out of my father's hands, I and my father am one. I am the resurrection unto life, joh. 11.25. he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall I live. In my father's house are many mansions, joh. 14.2. if it were not so, I would have told you, I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, 3. I will come again, and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there you may be also. I am the way, the truth, 6. and the life, no man cometh unto the father, but by me. john 17.3. This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and jesus Christ whom thou hast sent. verse 24 Father, I will that they also whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me, for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. Neither is there salvation in any other, Acts 4.12. for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. To him give all the Prophet's witness, Act. 10.43 that through his name, whosoever believeth in him, shall receive remission of sins. Where sin aboundeth, Rom. 5.20 grace aboundeth much more. If God be for us, Rom 8.31. who can be against us. He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him give us all things? who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods elect? it is God that justifieth, who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea, rather that is risen again, who is at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, Rom. 8.38. nor Angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, etc. Rom. 11.32. God hath concluded all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. Rom. 14.7 None of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself, for whither we live we live unto the Lord, or whether we die, we die unto the Lord, whither we live therefore, or die, we are the Lords. 1 Cor. 15.22. For as in Adam all dye, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 1 Cor. 10.13. God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able, but with the temptation also will make away to escape, that you may be able to bear it▪ Phil. 1.20 ●1. ●●. 23. Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death, for to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain: but if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of of my labour: but what I shall choose I wots not, for I am in a strait betwixt two having a desire to be with Christ, which is far better. Our conversation is in heaven, Phil. 3.20. from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord jesus Christ. This is a faithful saying, 1 Tim. 1.15 and worthy all acceptation, that Christ jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. I am ready now to be offered, 2 Tim. 4.6. and the time of my departure is at hand: I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous judge shall give me at that day; and not unto me only, but unto them also which love his appearing. 1 Tim. 6.12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold of eternal life, whereunto thou art also called. I know whom I have believed, 2 Tim▪ 1.12 for I am persuaded he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. We are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, 1 Pet. 1.15. ready to be revealed in the last time. The blood of jesus Christ God's Son cleanseth us from all sin. 1 joh. 1.7. In this was manifested the love of God towards us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we may live through him here in his love, not that we loved God; but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Here have we no continuing City, Heb. 13 14 but we seek one to come. As many as I love I rebuke and chasten. Revel▪ 3.19 Be thou faithful unto death, Revel. 2.10 and I will give thee a crown of life. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, Revel▪ 3 21 ●uen as I also ●●ercame, and am set down with my father in his throne. Reu. 12.11. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives unto death. Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth, Reu. 14.13 yea, saith the spirit, that they may rest from their labours, and their works do follow them. Meditations of the Soul. Of these and many other comfortable speeches and sentences (dear Soul) choose and select some which best may comfort thee. Make them as familiar unto thee as the Lords prayer; and as some use to provide thei● winding sheet some years before they die, against the time there shall be occasion of it, that their bodies may be enfolded therein. Even so, pick thou out some remarkable sentences, and learn to understand them, to the end that in time of death thou mayst wrap thy soul therein; for at that time it happeneth, that the understanding is mightily lessened, the memory taken away; long Sermons cannot be heard, Mat. 4 4. Deut. 8.3. there is no attention given to persuasion, nor Rhetorical allurements, but one comfortable word which proceedeth out of the mouth of God, rejoiceth, gladdeth, nourisheth, refresheth the heart, life, and soul. But time is too short to learn these things, when thou art on thy death bed. And therefore acquaint thyself diligently with Sermons, and preachings, reading, and meditating on God's word, that thou mayest have these spiritual weapons, in the hour of thy greatest combat. Make diligent use of thy going to Church, and every time see thou learn that whereof thou wast ignorant before, so shalt thou increase in the knowledge of the Lord jesus Christ, corroborate thy faith, kindle thy love, augment thy hope, and be provident against that greatest and last assault of Satan. A Prayer for a diligent and steadfast faith in God's word. O Lord jesus Christ, open my heart by thy holy spirit, that I may give place to thy word, ponder thereon, and weigh it diligently, and make it familiar unto my soul, and not be as a vessel that is cracked and can hold no liquor. H●b. 2.1. Illuminate my vnderstan●ding, and confirm my memory, that I may ever call thy joyful comfort to mind, and be that good portion of ground which in an honest and good heart, may hear and keep thy word, and bring forth fruit with patience unto the end; grant this O Lord God for jesus Christ's sake, to whom be all glory and honour, Amen. Flesh. What else is behoveful to comfort the sick on his bed? Spirit. I have set down every where prayers for thee, which thou mayest use as occasion serveth, and the disposition of thy sickness requires, but the most special is the Lords prayer, which here also thou shouldest remember, saying, Our Father which &c. sundry Prayers and Meditions mayest thou have, out of the learned and godly Fathers, as Augustine and Bernard, and out of holy latter Writers, as also out of the book of Psalms, in the which thou mayest use these most frequently. O Lord rebuke me not in thine anger, etc. Psal. 8. The Lord is my Shepherd, etc. 23. Unto thee, o Lord, do I lift up my Soul, etc.▪ 25. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven. 32. As the Hart panteth after the water brooks. 42. Have mercy on me, o God. 51. And so according to the several constitutions of thy Soul, and as thou findest thy tentation to increase, or be diminished, thou mayest make election of this or that Prayer, or Psalm in the Scripture. And if it be so, that thou growest exceeding weak, and that thy speech begin to fail thee, these sentences which are but short, thou mayest remember. Lord now lettest thou thy servant departed in peace. Luk. 2.29. Luk. 25. Father into thy hands I commend my spirit. Psal. 31. Into thy hands I commit my spirit, thou hast redeemed me Lord God of truth. Lord jesus receive my spirit. Act. 7.59. Abide with us Lord jesus, Luk. 24.29 for it is towards evening, and the day is far spent. I desire to be dissolved, Phil. 1. and to be with Christ. Flesh. What shall they then do that stand by, when as they see the sick take his last goodnight from this world, and to departed comforted in Soul, and to attain a blessed end? Spirit. They are to lament and mourn, seeing it is a thing very natural, it cannot be forbidden; but thou must not sorrow even as others which have no hope, for we that are Christians must admit comfort, aught to be constantly and certainly persuaded, that our dead are not dead but sleep, that they do not perish, neither are lost; but delivered from this wicked world, and gone home to the Lord, and would not for the price of this whole world, if it were possible, to return hither again; and therefore we should rather be thankful unto God for their happy dedeparture, and learn of them to live regiously and Christianly: and remember them who have spoken unto us the word of God, whose face we should follow considering the end of their conversation, Heb. 13.7. and therefore falling on their knees, they may pray as followeth. The Prayer of those that are about the sick person when he is departed. We thank thee Lord jesus Christ thou everlasting Prince of life, for upholding this thy creature in true confession and constant faith, and for granting him a blessed departure: O how gloriously shall his soul be carried to heaven to everlasting rest and joy, by the Angels to Abraham's bosom, thine own celestial spirits attend at his bed's side, although with our carnal eyes we do● not apprehend them: now doth he repose himself in the Lord jesus arms, now hath all displeasure and grief an end, now shall the Lord wipe away all tears from his eyes, Reu. 21.4. and give him everlasting peace and comfort, with joy and salvation. Now everlasting joy shall be upon his head, he shall obtain joy and gladness, Esa. 35.10. and sorrow, & sighing shall fly away. O thou blessed Soul, o dear and sweet friend, happy is the case thou art in▪ thou hast borne Christ's yoke, now art tho● dead, but yet thou livest, o Lord jesus have mercy upon us that are living, and as yet remain on the earth, and teach us to run out the course of this irksome misery, to the end that we may imitate such faith, and constancy, daily and hourly to be prepared, that we, as this thy creature hath done, may make a blessed good-night, and follow him with peace and joy. To reign with Abraham, Isaak and jacob, in heaven for evermore. Amen. CHAP. IX. Declaring where the immortal soul goeth after death, the resurrection of our body, the joys of eternal life, and pains which the ungodly have in their destruction. Flesh. NOw seeing the soul is immortal, what becometh of it? or whither goeth it after this worldly death? Spirit. Hereof speaketh the Scripture, in these and other places full of comfort and consolation. Fear not them which kill the body, Mat. 10.28 and are not able to kill the Soul; but rather fear him which is able to destroy both Soul and body in Hell. I desire to be dissolved, Phil. 1.22. and to be with Christ, which is far better. The Thief on the cross when he was to give up the Ghost, said, Luk. 23.43 Lord remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom: and jesus said unto him, To day thou shalt be with me in Paradise. The Souls of the righteous are in the hands of God, Wisd. 3.1. and there shall no torment touch them. In the sight of the Wise they seemed to die, 2. and their departure is taken for misery. And their going from us to be utter destruction, 3. but they are in peace. Though the righteous be prevented with death, Wis. 4 7. yet shall they be in rest. There remaineth therefore a rest to the children of God. Heb. 4. Luk. 16.22. And it came to pass that the Beggar died, and was carried by the Angels unto Abraham's bosom. But now he is comforted and thou art tormented. Vers. 25. joh. 14 2. In my Father's house are many Mansions, if it were not so, I would have told you I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there may you be also. For we know that if our earthly house of this Tabernacle were dissolved, 2. Cor. 51. we have a building of God, an house (not made with hands) eternally in the heavens. Therefore we are always confident, knowing that whiles we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord. But ye see me, joh. 14.19. because I live; ye shall live also. Set your affections on things above, Col. 3.2. not on things of the earth. But Jerusalem which is above is free, Gal. 4.26. which is the mother of us all. Ps. 16.11. Thou wilt show me the the path of Life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; & at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. A meditation of the Souls departure, and blessedness after death. Behold (dear Soul) these speeches full of comfort proceeded out of God's mouth, to witness that there must be a several consideration had of men's souls: for the Soul is a Spirit, as are the Angels, and Immortal: and when the Soul of the righteous shall be sundered from the body, it shall be taken by the Angels, and carried to God, to live with Christ in Paradise above in the Heavens, where it shall be in glory, and rest in God's hand, far from sorrow or grief: for when the Soul is separated from the body, it is at freedom, and can do much more without the body than when it is joined unto it, and imprisoned therein: because the body in this life is very heavy, and hindereth the Soul from seeing heavens comfort, while it is here upon earth, it can praise God, honour, and serve him, rejoice and comfort itself therewith, while it is in this mortal and miserable body, much more can it perfect and do, when it is without sin, and native corruption, and hath no such let and impediment. Behold therefore (dear soul) what is more acceptable and precious? who will now be afraid of death? but on the contrary, the Soul of the Unfaithful and Ungodly, is delivered to Satan, and carried incontinent to pain (as we may see in that Rich-man's Soul) where it shall remain in trouble and misery, Luk. 16. anguish and smart, and Woe unspeakable, without all mercy and comfort, for ever in stink and darkness, where there is weeping and guashing of Teeth, to the last day, at what time their misery shall first begin to be exceeding great, and never shall cease. The Christians most earnest Prayer to leave this world, and to be with Christ his Saviour. Lord jesus Christ, my Hope, and joy, how heartily longeth my soul for thee, yea ●uen as the Hart pants for the water-brooks, so panteth my Soul after thee (O God) my Soul thirsteth for God, Ps. 42.1. for thee (O God) the Living-god. When shall I come and appear before thee, O how weary am I of this loathsome vale of misery, in the which I endeavour to serve thee my God in great weakness, I may say, Phil. 1.23.24. I am in a straight betwixt two, having a desire to departed, and to be with Christ which is far better: Nevertheless, to abide in the flesh is very profitable that I may bring forth fruit, yet what I should choose I know not. Lord jesus thou everlasting wisdom, which knowest my time, my days are in thy hands: even come, take me to thee when thou wilt, my heart longeth for rest, yea for that everlasting quietness, from this darkness to light, from sorrow to joy, from the troubles of this world, to peace, from loathsome misery, to glory, from imperfection to an accomplished perfection. Lord jesus, thou knowest all things, and dost know that my soul doth heartily love thee, and hath an inward desire to behold thy countenance. Behold (most loving Redeemer) the tears of love which fall from my eyes, and consider how I weep for mere joy: my heart is sick for love; it sighs, Song. 8 6. Song 2.5. groa●es, and longeth to be at home with thee, to rest itself in thy bosom. O my Lord and God, how well shall I be then? How highly shall my soul cry out, greatly joying and praising thee, Mat. 17.4. Luk. 23. saying, Lord it i● good for me to be here, Lord remember me in thy Kingdom, and say unto my soul, thou shalt be with me in Paradise, there to rest for ever, Amen. Flesh. Doth not the soul then long for the body, seeing it knoweth it is rotten in the cold ground, and expecteth the day of resurrection and everlasting life for it? Spirit. I must confess that such thoughts often make men sorrowful; but we must understand that our souls after their departing are with Christ, and must have much more understanding and knowledge, and far clearlier know Gods wonderful righteous counsel and will; and therefore are persuaded that no mischance can befall thei● bodies in the earth, but that they shall pleasantly and softly sleep and rest, and all their bones dust and ashes shall be so kept through the Almighty power of God, that they shall never be consumed & brought to nought, but shall questionless (and without all doubt) rise again. Secondly, the souls of the godly are in such place and joy, where is no unquietness or wretched desire: foralthough they bethink them of their bodies, and would have that righteous day of doom approach, Reu. 6.10. saying; How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? Yet such thoughts are without sorrow, and appertain to their joy, God's glory and praise, unto the which they always submit their wills, and as the children of God in this wretched life, they long for their dissolution, and sigh for the coming of Ie●us Christ; and he that doth not so hath not a sound and true love to jesus Christ: yet the blessed souls which are with Christ. desire that all sin in the wo●ld should come to end; and that everlasting persecution should then begin, but that their desire should carry sorrow, or any painful longing upon them, it is not possible: for they rest with the Lord our God, and from this world, for there is no time, nor difference of day and night, and where there is no time, there can be no heavy longing for, Psal 90.4. because a thousand years in his sight ar● but as yesterday, when it is past: and as a watch in the night. And again, One day with the Lord is as a thousand years. 2 P●t 3. ●. As one day therefore (dear soul) let such thoughts pass, and cast thyself under God's powerful hand, who is thy Creator, thy hope and rest, defender, and contenting perfection, both in this life, in that eternal which is to come. A Prayer of the faithful soul for her dissolution. 2 Tim. 4. Now Lord jesus Christ, thou who seest and knowest that I have earnest love of thy manifestation. I request thee with all my power that thou wouldst through thy defence abate the ungodly and sinful ways of the world, and show righteous doom upon Satan, and all our adversaries, and let that everlasting glory of our joy come when thou shalt be all in all. 1. Cor. 15. Yea Lord jesus, Rom. 18.20.22. the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together, waiting for the deliverance from the bondage of corruption, and vanity unto the which it is made subject; waiteth, I say, for the manifestation of the Sons of God, when they shall be delivered unto the glorious liberty of the Children of God. Should not we then very earnestly long for the losing of our bodies? but if it be thy holy will O Lord jesus, and that thou hast so concluded in thy counsel that I shall here abide to thy joyful coming again, even so be it my God and my Redeemer. O with what joy of heart shall I hear thy trumpet! how gladly shall I leap and meet thee in the clouds; but if thou call me from hence before, and take my soul unto thee to that peaceable Paradise: Lo here am I, and willingly come, and shall not cease with all comfort to cry unto thee, and say, Amen, even so come Lord jesus, R●u. 22.20. come to judge the quick and the dead, Amen. Flesh. Thou believest then certainly that this our body shall rise again, and live with the soul eternally. Spirit. Yes truly, that I believe, and therefore confess in the articles of my faith, and say, I believe the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. For when our Lord jesus shall come again upon that last day to judge: Mat 25. ●3 and all the holy Angels with him: then shall he set upon the throne of his glory, and before him shall be gathered all Nations living and dead, small and great, Reu. 20.12. good and bad, shall stand before him; and the Sea shall give up the dead which were in it, & death and hell deliver up the dead which were in them, and the soul in a moment shall return to the dead body thereof, 1 Thes. 4.17. and come living before the Lord. Then we which are alive and remain, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: where he shall separate them one from another, Math. 25.32.33.34.41. as a shepherd divideth the sheep from the Goats, and he shall set the sheep on his right hand & the Goats on the left, them shall he say to them on his right hand Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world, then shall he say unto them on his left hand, Depart from me ye cursed into ever lasting fire, prepared for the Devil and his Angels, and these shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into life eternal. A Meditation of the Soul on the resurrection. Now (dear Soul) thou mayest meditate, not only hereupon, which is the undoubted truth of God, but for thy farther certification thou mayest ponder on these following points, Thy dead men shall live together, Esa. 26.19. with my dead body shall they arise, awake and 〈◊〉, ye that dwell in the dust. Mat. 22.31. As touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto ye by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaak, and the God of jacob, God is not the God of the dead, but of the living? And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Dan. 12.2. some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. I know that my Redeemer liveth, job 19.25. and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth, and though after my skin, worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God, 26. whom I shall see, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another for me. Verily, verily, joh. 5.25. I say unto you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and they that hear shall live. etc. Now mayest thou diligently mark (dear soul) how easy it is unto the Lord to raise the dead, joh. 17. for it will done by a word, as we may see when he raised the widows son of Naim, which was dead, he only said, Young man, Luk. 7.14.15. I say unto thee arise, and he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. So raised he the Ruler of the Synagogues daughter in Capernaum, saying, Talithacumi, which is, being interpreted, Mar. 5.41. damosel, I say, unto thee, arise; and after this same manner also, did he to Lazarus in Bethania, who had now la●en four days in the grave, for he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus come forth, and he that was dead, came forth bound hand and feet with grave-cloths. See now (beloved Soul) although to the eyes of man it appeared to be impossible, yet with the Lord our God nothing is impossible. Luk 1.37. For as a mother knoweth well in what chamber or bed she hath laid her child to sleep, and thither cometh in the morning, awakes and taketh it up: even so the Lord our God knoweth where our bodies do sleep which were his own temples and habitations, unto whom it shall be far more easy to make us alive, then to a mother to waken her sleeping child. Besides this, we have our Lord jesus Christ the head of his Church, not only that he should be an example unto us, but also that he should go before us, as the beginning of our resurrection; for he died for our sins, & lay in the grave, & the third day rose again for our justification, 1 Cor. 15.16. Rom 4.25. joh. 4.19. and therefore with loud voice sayeth unto us all, because I live ye shall live also. Flesh. Shall then eternal life be such as cannot be comprehended by man, nor understood in this world? Spirit. Yes truly, thou sayest well, Of the joys of heaven. for so it is that the eye hath not seen, nor the ear heard, nor entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. Eternal God, what peace, what joy, what glory, what pleasant being shall they have? who would not daily meditate hereupon? but who would not wil●lingly enjoy the same? who would not willingly speak and commune hereof? but rather, who would not feel and possess the same, oh if there were any that could teach us the glory hereof, whereof our narrow heart and shallow soul is not capable of, how would we be glad to hear, and joyfully long for it! Certainly (dear Soul) if neither Esaias that excellent. Prophet, nor the Apostle Paul, Esay 64.4. who was ravished into the third heavens, and saw things unutterable, could not declare the meanest jot of it, but he●● him dumb, then may the glory, peace and joy be there exceeding great: yet notwithstanding, the holy Scripture portryeth in some places, by notable sentences and speeches, the supereminent goodness thereof, so far as our tenuity can comprise. 1 joh. 3.2. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Then shall the righteous shine forth, job 19 Mat. 13.43 as the Sun, in the kingdom of their father. Dan. 12.3. And they that be wise, shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars for ever and ever. And GOD shall be all in all. 1 Cor. 15.28. And we shall ever be with the Lord. 1. Thes. 4.17. Who shall change our vile body, Phil. 3.21. that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, Mat. 22.30. but are as the Angels of God in Heaven. And I john saw the holy City, Rev. 21.2.3 4 5. new Jerusalem, come down from God out of Heaven, prepared as a bride, and adorned for her husband, and I heard a great voice out of heaven, saying, Behold, the Tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people: and God himself shall be with them, and be their God, and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the Throne, said, Behold I make all things new, etc. Reu. 21.22 And I saw no Temple therein, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the Temple of it. 23. And the City hath no need of the Sun, nor of the Moon to shine in it, for the Glory of God did enlighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. 24. And the Nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the Kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour to it. And the Gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: ●5. for there shall be no night there. And they need no candle, neither the light of the Sun, Reu. 22.5. for the Lord giveth them light, and they shall shine for ever and ever. These words (beloved Soul) are short, but replenished with unspeakable comfort: and although the Scripture had been more large herein, yet our weak and infirm hearts are such, and our understanding so small, that we could not comprehend it: and therefore the holy Spirit by these speeches openeth but a little window, through the which we may see a little glance, to the end we may know what we should believe, and hope for, and what to comfort and rejoice us withal. But when we shall come thither, and possess such joy and such gladness, then shall we say one to another as old Elizabeth said unto the Virgin Marie: Luk. 1.45. O blessed art thou that believest, for there is a performance of those things which were told thee of the lord O eternal Life, O pleasant Life, O perpetual joy and Peace, O everlasting Jerusalem, City of the holy God. O how precious, how beautiful art thou unto me! thy pulchritude surmounts, & there is no blemish in thee. My heart longeth for thee, yea for Jerusalem my Mother, For Jerusalem my native Land, and for thee jesus Christ; thou which art hid there, my Life, Lord, and everlasting Shepherd. O holy Life, O blessed Life, which the Lord hath prepared for them that love him, in the which shall be no death, for man shall see God face to face, for our hearts shall be superaboundantly satiate with the food of Life. Oh the oftener I think upon thee, the sweeter thou appearest unto me. O how well wilt thou be, my Soul, when thou shalt be loosed from this earthly body, and so pass in freedomeunto heaven, how welcome shalt thou be! how kindly shalt thou be received? thou shalt come to great rest and security: thou needest not stand in fear of any foe or death: Thou shalt evermore behold the face of thy God and Redeemer, Ps. 45.2. the beautifullest among the children of men: hearest thou not him (my Soul) calling on thee? Song. 2.20. Rise up my love, my fair one, and come away: for lo the Winter is past, the rain is over, and gone: Arise my Love, my fair one, and come away. Come unto me my Elect, I have pleasure in thy beauty; come and rejoice before my face with the Angels, whose society I have promised thee: Come out of all thy distresses and fears, and enter into thy Father's rest. O rejoice my Soul, and be glad thou beautiful daughter, for the King hath pleasure in thee. O thou sweet Life, show me thy Ports, and thy gates, ●hy walls and thy manifold Mansions▪ Reu. 21. ●8. 19. Thy Walls are of precious stones, and thy gates are costly Pearl, and the street of the City is pure ●old, as it were transparent glass, in the which is sung perpetually a Halleluiah: thy light is God, the God of light, the Son of Righteousness never goeth down in thee. There is a feast and banquet where all wearied Pilgrims refresh themselves. joh. 17.24 O how pleasant is the harmony which shall be heard there! O then shall I find the accomplishment of that promise! Father I will that these that thou hast given me should be with me where I am, that they may behold the glory which thou hast given me, for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. A Prayer for the joys of Heaven. O thou Fountain of Life, O springing Well of all comfort, when shall I drink abundantly of that Water of Life, which is thy consolation? when shall I appear before thy joyful countenance? when O LORD shall I see that day of salvation, Ps. 118.24. wherein I may rejoice and be glad? O how light, clear, and joyful shall that day be, wherein there shall be no evening. Math. 25. Enter my soul into thy father's rest, where I shall have that holy Tri●nitie, one everlasting God in three persons. Come my light and Redeemer, and deliver my soul from from this miserable prison. O everlasting peace, Phil. 1.4. which passeth all understanding, wherein the holy ones soul doth repose itself, there is that eternal life, which is, to know God our Lord, and to see God face to face: happy are they for ever, which are disburdened of this cumbersome and miserable life, and are come to that heavenly, eternal, and joyful life, to live with Christ for ever, Amen. Flesh. What shall then become of the reprobate and ungodly? Spirit. They shall enter both soul and body into everlasting pain: Of the pains of Hell. for as the joy of the godly cannot be expressed; so neither can the pains of the wicked and condemned be showed, for there is such poenarum multiplicitas, acerbitas, ●eternitas; that is, first, the pain of the condemned shall be so great and manifold, that none can declare it, for they shall be cast into utter darkness, Mat. 22.13 where shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. They shall be tormented in the flame, Luk. 16.24 The Lord shall rain upon them snares, fire, and brimstone, and a horrible tempest, this shall be the portion of their cup, their worms shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched, Esay 66.24 and they shall be an abhorring unto all the people. A Meditation of the soul on the pains of hell. Behold with these and such like phrases the Scripture giveth us to understand, that unspeakable and unconceivable misery the wicked shall come to, with that grievous society of the devil, who shall joy in tormenting them, which the religious should often meditate upon. Secondly, there shall be Poenarum acerbitas, for that their pain shall be so bitter and hard, that the condemned cannot endure, and yet they must needs suffer it eternally; for they shall seek death, Revel 9.6. and shall not find it, and shall desire to die, and death shall sly from them; for there shall be neither life nor death, but betwixt life and death shall they be tormented for evermore. Even as a red hot coldron upon a flaming furnace, so shall they be in fire unspeakably tormented, and abide in such case for all eternity. Thirdly, Poenarum aeternitas, for their manifold and bitter torments shall at no time come to an end, for so it is said, they shall go to everlasting pain: Mat. 25. for were it of a long continuance, and so have an end, would be some comfort in their expectation, but eternity is endless, Esa. 34.89 for it is the day of the Lords vengeance, and the streams shall be turned into pitch, which shall not be quenched night nor day, yea, their plagues shall ascend in all eternity, Revel. 14. and shall have no end day nor night. Consider (dear Soul) that if one should lie in a costly bed, or well-ga●nished hall, and there be delicately entertained with nourishment, if he were notwithstanding tied to his bed, and should never come from it; truly he would not desire to live in that condition. But the damned as they have no pleasure, but swim in the everlasting fire of hell, in eternal anguish and woe, in terrible stink and darkness, in the which they shall not receive one drop, whereby they might cool or refresh themselves. O then hearken, thou poor miserable child of the world! meditate hereupon, thou lovest the world and pleasures thereof, and sayest, it is good to be hear, behold the time cometh, and truly is not far off, when thou shalt say with the rich man, Oh, I am greatly tormented in this flame! yea, thou shalt lament and say with a blasphemous mouth, It is not good to be here, but there: yet must thou stay, and that evermore, ever burning, & never consumed; from the which God of his infinite mercy deliver us. A Prayer for a safe deliverance from the pains of hell, and to live with Christ for ever. O Lord jesus Christ, give me ears to hear, & an heart to understand, that I diligently hearken unto thy true servants & messengers, to the rectifying and bettering of my life, and always separate myself from the children of darkness. Help me, that I conform not myself to this wicked world, & so be cast down to the lowest hell's torment: govern, teach, and lead me by thy holy spirit, that I may learn christianly to live, and when it shall please thee, to die blessedly; that I come not in the place of everlasting pain and torment, but with thee Lord my Redeemer, thy Angels, and all thy Saints, may enjoy and possess that endless and everlasting life, purchased by the blood of thy Son our Lord jesus Christ, as of a Lamb unspotted and undefiled, to whom with thee and the holy spirit in the Church, be everlasting glory, praise, and dominion, for evermore, Amen. FINIS. ¶ A Morning Prayer for Christian families. O Lord God, dear Father in Christ, we do acknowledge that this night we have received one of the greatest temporal blessings that can be bestowed upon Mankind, the fast sleep & sound rest of our bodies: entreating thee this day, and evermore, our minds do not sleep in sin and darkness of the world, from that second sleep in the grave, Restore us we beseech thee to everlasting life, that both body and soul may be together partners of blessedness. O thou true light, which enlightenest every man which cometh into the world, shine in us that we may see thee, and walk as the children of life in all our ways, that as thou hast raised these our heavy and burdensome bodies, so lift up our minds to thy knowledge, that we may live the rest of our lives in all lowliness, meekness, chastity, charity, patience, godliness, wariness, and circumspection, as to render an accounted unto the● who shall judge the quick and the dead, and the world with fire. Strip us therefore out of the old corrupt▪ Adam, & clothe our souls with thy righteousness, make our ●yes to be fixed & settled on that thy great and free mercy, in electing us to be thy children before the foundation of the world: when others, as good as we by nature, are rejected, in that thy hidden counsel which is made known unto our spirits, by thy holy spirit, working faith in our hearts to believe, and so to be justified before thee. O thou our life jesus Christ! work more and more the death of sin in us, and give us freedom of conscience, that we may labour to serve th●e, with perfect heart and willing mind, casting aside carelessness and unfeeling of our sins, dullness, and deadness of soul, we may see and sigh for our offences, with a continual remembrance, and effectual con●●deration, we shall not always live here in this wretched world, but must appear before thy tribunal seat of judgement, and receive according to our deeds, good or bad: give us feeling of that unspeakable and eternal weight of glory, which shall follow our serving of thee hear. Yea, set before our faces the dreadful and fearful torments of the pit of hell, which the disobedient and wicked shall fall into: To the end we may have a true hatred of sin, and love to righteousness, this day, and all the days of our lives. Bless thy word with fruit unto our souls, and send out faithful labourers into thy haru●st, grant that we may be prepared when hearts, with open consciences, there to give an account of whatsoever we have thought, done, or said, when the faithful and obedient shall possess the kingdom prepared for them: but the sinful and careless livers shall drink of the Wine of the wrath of thee the God, who is a consuming fire, and the smoke of their torment shall ascend for evermore. Father of heaven knit our hearts fast unto Thee, an● while we have time give us grace rightly to meditate and think thereon: continue the word of thy grac● among us, and make it bring for't fruit according to this pleasure, that we may strive to reform our wicked lives thereby. Keep us from hardness of heart, security and hypocrisy: stay our inordinate affections, and perverse perturbations, and renew us more & more again, to thy image lost in Adam. Oppress us not (dear Father) with the unspeakable and infinite weight of our sins in the time of ignorance, willing and known offences. Preserve thy Church universal, the great and m●ine member therein our dear and dread Sovereign K. JAMES, the Queene● Majesty Prince, and th●ir Royal progeny; bless the nobles and magistrates, cloth them with righteousness as with a garment; increase in this thy Israel true Levites; give them wisdom and discretion to cut thi● word aright; bring the remnants which are thine to thy fold; be gracious to our friends & kindred in the flesh; lighten them with the knowledge of Thee and thy Son, that they may glorify thee all the days of their lives: Comfort thy afflicted members wheresoever, and in whatsoever cross. Grant peace in 〈◊〉 days if it be thy pleasure▪ And because (gracious God) the night ●s now upon us, which thou hast appointed 〈◊〉 rest in, let the bed strike i● our hearts, that the grave is almost ready for us: which of us can tell whether these eyes of ours once closed up shall ever open any more. Now therefore into thy hands we commend and bequeath our bodies and souls; and be thou present with us, before us by the insight of our minds, that we may not be absent from thee, no even in our sleep, with all purity and cleanness, that nothing disquiet or disturb this rest, but all things may be still and calm through that peace of thine in jesus Christ, in whose name we call upon thee as he hath ●aught us saying: Our Father, etc. FINIS. THE SOULS REQVEST: OR, A most sweet and comfortable Dialogue between CHRIST and the SOUL full of heavenly and spiritual consolations to 〈◊〉 up the heart cast 〈◊〉 for sin, and sense of God's wrath. PSALMS 27.8.9 When thou saidest, seek my face 〈…〉 said unto thee, thy fa●e Lord I 〈…〉 Hid not thy face far from 〈…〉 servant away in anger, etc. LONDON, Printed by Edw: 〈…〉 john Marriot, and are to be 〈◊〉 at his shop at the White flowe● 〈◊〉 ●uce, near Fetter●lane end, in Fleetstreet. 1618. TO THE WORshipful his approved good Friend Mr. William Howpill, grace, mercy, and peace, in our Lord jesus Christ. LVke the Evangelist writeth his History of Christ, God, Luc. 1.3. and Man, and dedicated it to Theophilus, a lover of God. 2 job. 1.1. john the Apostle writeth to the elect Lady of Chri●stian love. And who should have more interest in this my small Dialogue of spiritual comfort, than they by whom the bowels of the Saints are so often refreshed? Phi●. 7. Life itself is tedious, where the taste of the assurance of mercy is absent: what peace can please where the peace of conscience reigneth not, and that love of God is not shed abroad in the heart, Rom. 5.5. by the holy Ghost which is given us, where forgiveness of sin is not sealed in the soul, filled with joy which no man can take away; what dainties can like, when we eat not that fatted calf, Luc. 15.23. 1 Cor. 5.7. Mat. 22.12 Revel. 2.17. and paschal Lamb jesus Christ: that clothed with his righteousness, as with a garment, we may enjoy that hidden Manna, and tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God: Ibid. vers. 7. quenching out thirst with those pure waters of life. Of the which, according to the measure of grace given me, I have briefly written, which I recommend unto your Worship. And I beseech the God of all comfort, according to the riches of his mercy, he would make you feel, and fill you with all heavenly consolation, that you may (glorying in the Lord) look for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God, Tit. 2.13. and our Saviour jesus Christ, to your immortality. To whom be all power and praise in the Church for ever: 2 Tim. 4.8. Amen. Your Worships in all christian duties, Bartholl. Robertson. THE SOULS REQVEST: OR, A most comfortable Dialogue, betwixt Christ and the Soul, full of spiritual and heavenly consolations to raise up the heart, cast down for sin, and sense of God's wrath. CHRIST. O My Beloved Soul, why art thou so sad, & frettest in thy breast? knowest thou not that thy afflictions are so sanctified by my spirit● that even thereby thou art made partaker of my holiness, Heb. 12.10 Heb. 12.14 1 Thess. 1.6. Gal. 6.14. enjoyest the sweet fruit of righteousness, and obtainest a greater measure of joy in the Holy Ghost; that thereby thou art crucified to the world, and the world unto thee, have I not put sweet wood in these bitter waters, to make them savoury, destroyed that death that was in the pot of thy troubles, by the meal of my mercies, grieveth it thee to wade in the waters which I have swimmed in? The SOUL. O Saviour, give me that most precious & dearest, give of all thy Holy Spirit the Comforter, that I may offer a voluntary and free sacrifice of obedience to thee. Give me that thou askest, and ask what thou wilt. Alas, as of all other kind of sin, so have I in myself sufficient matter and seed, to breed this corruption, for in my feeling I cannot see comfort in my sufferings, in so exceeding great measure is my understanding corrupt, and affections disordered. CHRIST. I Work the sense of sin and mercy by degrees in my children, and the yielding to one draweth on another. Take heed least at any time there be in thee an unbelieving heart to departed from me the living God: Heb. 3.12.13. lest thou be hardened through the decei●fulnes of sin. To see the length, height, breadth, and depth of my mercy, is to behold thy sin▪ and natural pollution; but let not thine ●eart be eaten up with grief. Look always to my mercies, thine enemy indeed is a Lion, and so am I: and that of the Tribe of juda, of thine own flesh: he is a Serpent; I am that brazen Serpent to sting all the fiery invasions of sin, death and condemnation, if I be here so to help thee, what shall I do in glory, when I come with thousands of Angels? hast thou no knowledge of salvation? fearest thou thy sin, is there nothing but doubtfulness, dullness and deadness in thee? thou must know whatsoever knowledge, experience and power is in me, the same is made thine. 1 Cor. 1.30. I am my Father's counsellor, and am thy wisdom, the Teacher and the thing taught, I have no holiness in myself by the flesh, by being borne of my mother, yet do save great sinners: seek then righteousness out of thyself in me, who being no sinner, was accounted a sinner, and punished as a sinner for thee, that thou having no righteousness, mightest be accounted righteous, and rewarded as righteous through me, who am thy righteousness, Hebr. the author and finisher of thy salvation: so that albeit of thyself to persevere, it seemeth impossible, yet with me it is both possible & easy. And as for the multitude of thy sins, whereof thou complainest (and thou dost well) Marie-Magdalen had seven Devils, yet first honoured with the sight of my Resurrection. Moreover, Matthew, a notorious and infamous Sinner, crowned with the dignity of an Evangelist: and Paul (whos● clothes took a Purpledye, and Crimson colour in the blood of the Saints) is one of the chief and glorious Apostles. Thy natural corruptions I do change into the power of a supernatural grace: thy wounded spirit unto a peace of mind. I am the Lord of the whole earth, and the heir of heaven, yet had not wherewith to help my necessity. A Lord of Liberty, and yet put in Prison, and yet am thy Redemption, who will not suffer thee to be overcome; and will wholly free thee from sin, and anguishs in the life to come. I cannot lie, believe my Word, whereby I am evidently set forth, Gal. 31. and crucified before thy heart. Attend Prayer, which worketh a feeling of thy faith in me. To Heaven (I tell thee) I have a twofold title, one by Inheritance, which I reserve to myself alone; another, by purchase and conquest, which I have given thee freely, and wilt thou not rely on these my Mercies? The SOUL. LOrd jesus, I do often call to mind the things thou hast done for thy glory and my Souls health, the matter of my thankfulness: but I do persevere in sin, and deserve not the least crumb of Mercy that fall from thy Table any more. CHRIST. IS there nothing to be obtained of Me, unless thou bring of thy own to present me withal? Is not this to discredit my Mercy, & to bring credit to thy Merits, and rather to bind Me to thee, than thee to Me. Is there not with me plentiful Redemption: If thy sins be great, my redemption is greater: thy merits are beggarly, my Mercy is a Rich Mercy. If thy peril be not come even to a desperate case, and past hope of recovery, there is no praise of redemption: for herein is the power of it, that when all sins have gone over thy head, and all creatures, Sun, Moon, Heaven, and Earth, etc. come as it were in judgement against thee, yet a clear and full ransom shall be given in thy hand, therewith to purchase thy deliverance beyond all expectation, and so as it were to fetch something out of nothing. And when I put to the ordinary means, it is not to withdraw my help, in using the means, but train up thy faith, that after I may make known unto thee, I have a help beyond all helps, for I come to them that calleth not for me: the possessed, that would not, do I cure; and the dead, that cannot, do I raise. Believest thou this? The SOUL. LOrd, my sight is very dim to behold Thee, that Serpent exalted in the Wilderness: my Faith is as smoking Flax, Blow on it I pray thee (by the wind of thy Spirit) an● make it burn more clear. My sins and conscience arrest me, and summon me before thy justice; & thou (my judge) art greater, who knowest all, and righteous are thy judgements. CHRIST. THou (poor Soul) pourest out the sense of thy inward sight on the wrong object: Thou gazest on Satan, the false accuser of the brethren: and on S●nne, thy guilt, but beholdest not Me, the Lamb of God, that taketh away thy sin: I am not come to call the righteous, but Sinners ●o Repentance. Mat. 9.12. If thou be grieved for sin, I am for thee; The whole need no Physician, but the sick. I will bind up thy sores, and heal all thy wounds. Soul be of good comfort, thy sins are forgiven thee. I invite all the Weary and Laden to come to me and I will ease them. Mat. 11.28 Feelest thou the burden of thy sin, I am for such as thou art, with a troubled and aching conscience? Esa. 44.22. for I put away their transgressions as a thick Cloud, and Sins as Mist, I do cast them in the bottom of the Sea. Mic. 7.19. Esa. 43.25. I put them away (I say) for my own Mercies sake: for what art thou but dust and ashes, yea a wind that goeth and returneth not? But I thy Advocate with thy Father, even thy own jesus Christ, Heb. 7.25. the righteous, who am perfectly able to save all those that come unto God by Me, who am everliving, to make intercession for thee. For by my own blood I have once entered the Holie-place, and obtained eternal redemption for thee. Heb. 9.22. Why lookest thou to thy sin and wages thereof? I even I was made sin for thee, who knew no sin, that thou mayest be made the righteousness of God in Me. 2. Cor. 5.21. I was wounded for thy transgressions, and broken for thy iniquities: the chastisement of thy peace was upon me: With my stripes thou art healed, Esa. 53.5. and now I do require this, Who d●th lay any thing to thy charge? Rom. 8. it is I that justify thee: Who shall condemn thee, it is I that died or rather which is risen again for thee, who am at the right hand of God, and maketh request for thee. Have not I lead captivity captive, Col. 2.25. spoiled principalities and powers, and made an open show of them, and triumphed over them in my Cross? 1 Co●. 15.25. O Death I will be thy Death, O Grave I will be thy destruction: yea, O Death, where is thy Sting, O Grave, where is thy victory? O but I pitifully complain, Ps. 81.13. O that thou wouldst hearken unto me! for then thy prosperity would be as the flood, Esa. 48 18. and thy righteousness as the waters of the Sea, Hos. 6.4. and now what shall I do unto thee? How shall I entreat thee? What can I do unto thee, that I have not done? I beseech thee, 2. Cor. 5.20. I beseech the (I say) be reconciled unto God; for my father so loved the World, that he hath given Me unto it, that whosoever believeth in Me should have everlasting Life. And I myself (trust Me) have set out my love to thee, that when thou wast a sinner, I died for thee: much more being now justified by my blood, thou shalt be saved from wrath by Me. Rom 5.8. When thou wast an enemy, thou wast reconciled to God, by my death; much more, being reconciled, thou shalt be saved by my Life. I was partaker of thy flesh and blood, yea and became a Worm, Ps. ●2. 6. for all creatures (almost) to tread upon me. For thee I was made obedient to death, yea to the death of the Cross: Many more degrees did I The Son of righteousness go back, that thou mayest be certified of eternal life, than the Sun did in Ezechias time, to assure him the lengthening of his temporal Life. Let nothing shake thy faith, how weak soever it be. Come to Me, have Milk and Honey, and of the Well of the Water of Life freely: Reu. 21.6. Take here eyesalve, that thou mayest see, and amend that blindness thou art in, and look to my everlasting mercies that endure for ●uer, sins past cannot hurt thee, if sins present do not like thee, and in fin thou takest no pleasure. The SOUL. O T●y lips are full of grace, thy words sweeter than the honey & the honycomb, O that I might eat them, thy word spoken to me now, is like an apple of gold with pictures of silver. Pro. 25 11. I wash my garment in thy blood, by it that hand-writing that was against me is canceled and annulled: but this scruple rest, that I do evermore yet sin, this body of sin dwelling in me, is so pregnant and powerful, I fear it will bring forth the fruit of the flesh, which is death and everlasting condemnation. CHRIST. WHy dost thou attribute ●o much strength to thy poisoned nature, and derogatest from mine infinite mercy and grace? thou wilt not, nor canst not deny, but God hath given me a perfect Redeemer unto thee, he hath sealed on thee the assurance thereof, by his holy Spirit: the Word and Spirit have begot faith in thee, by which thou hast begotten joys in heavenly things. This joy hath wrought a sincere heart and well willingness to please God, accompanied with love, unfeigned, to my father above, and brethren on earth: thou hast a care t●● obey the Commandments, and a renewed fear to please God; ●hy sin rebuked worketh (I know) in thee a mourning spirit (are not thy ●eare● in my bottle) yea, and true meekness and hunger after me? Psal. 56.8. all outward benefits turn to thy blessings, as seals of my favour, thy crosses are no curses, but being sanctified turn to thy good, in faith patienly possessing thy soul, thou dost wait and look assuredly for my glorious kingdom, after this life it is not thine actions, it is thy affections I respect, desirest thou to be righteous? then art thou righteous. Meanest thou to leave thy sin●es, I repute thee as if thou hadst left them? wouldst thou not fall? I esteem thee as a valiant Worthy, who never was vanquished: For if there be a willing mind in thee, it is accepted according to that thou hast, and not according to that thou hast not, 2 Cor. 8.12. thou art blessed that feelest thy wants, and desirest to have them supplied. I have given thee a sight of thy sin, a sorrow for it, a feeling of the forgiveness of it in my blood, a power to crucify it, & lay hold on my righteousness by my resurrection, a hope for strength from the same to sanctification and perseverance to the end. What now, hadst thou these in thy nature, whereby thou wast dead in sin? no not so, it is my grace which in thee is not in vain, howbeit thou hast received but the first fruits of the spirit, which are but as a handful of corn in respect of the whole field: See, though thy spiritual growth be slow, yet it is certain and goeth surely, neither begun nor continued by thee, but by my spirit. Be persuaded therefore that I who have begun this good work in thee, will perform it until my day: for with me there is no change, Phil. 1.6. jam. 1.17. nor shadow of change, and therefore as my gifts and callings are without repentance, so will I fulfil the desires of them that fear me. Psal. 145.19. The SOUL. I Must grant, and do not deny, thou hast loved me (dear jesus) and given thy life for me, Gal. 2 20. 1 joh. 5.10 else (God forbidden) I should make thee a liar for thou cravest no other thing at my hand, but that I should beleeu● and have faith: for the assurance of thy love, I should sin blasphemously, if I should not believe thy Word, both confirmed by thyself, and ratified by thine oath, though I do else sin, and sorry am I for it: yet will I not thus blaspheme, nor add this to other unworthiness, for this mistrust will weigh down all the rest: for none is damned for sin, if he do not join to it infidelity: that sovereign salve of thy blood doth cure all sores of sin, but not this, because it doth refuse the cure, and (as it were) pulleth off this precious plaster when it is laid on it, beside this distrust of thy love (dear Christ) tormenteth the mind, and setteth the conscience upon the wrack, when as men have no other assurance of thy love, but only so far forth as they find themselves worthy of: making no other ground of thy love, but their own deserts, thus overballanced with the unsupportable weight of sin, they sink in desperation, when I sin I am grieved at the very heart, because I have displeased thee, yet my sins do not make me doubt of thy love towards me, founded not upon my worthiness, but upon thine own free mercy, grace and goodwill, for how should I love thee, if I were not persuaded of thy love, yea, I love thee, 1 joh. 4.19. because thou lovedst me first: and I know, that, as love is the fulfilling of the law, Rom. 13.8. so want of it is transgressing of all. For love is strong as death, jealousy is cruel as the grave, the coals thereof are coals of fire, Cant. 8.6. which ●ad a most vehement flame. But yet alas (poor wretch) I fear my sins do bereave me oft his thy spirit, I feel for this time, I grieve the spirit, 1 Thes. 5.19. & quench him utterly. CHRIST. I Have once given thee my spirit, I am faithful and just in all my ways, Ps. 145.17. and my Father is faithful, by whom thou hast been called unto my fellowship. 1 Cor. 1.9. I am not as a man that I should lie, neither the Son of a man that I can repent; thou hast received my spirit, that thou mayest know the things given thee of me; 1 Cor. 2.12 for he had knowledge truth, and faithfulness: and so, because thou art a Son, my father hath sent forth his spirit in thy heart, which crieth Abba, G●l. 4 6. father. This is the spirit of thy adoption, and the same spirit (because of thy weakness, and that thy faith is mixed with doubting) is the earnest of thy inheritance, purchased unto the praise of my glory, Ephes. 1.14 by whom thou art sealed unto the day of thy redemption: a seal to secure thee concerning the covenant I have made with thee in my blood, that it never shall be revoked; far surer than that scaled with King Ahassuerus Ring. Ester. 8.8. For to this effect had my father sealed me also, that thou shouldest never doubt of my meditation, Mat. 3.17. & 17.5. john 1.32. For being reconciled by my death, my father giveth thee his spirit in hostage and pledge, that he will not miss a day in performing his promise, and in assurance of eternal peace. Thou canst not deny but my spirit (which rebukest the world of sin) wrought in thee a general astonishment for sin, joh. 16. a special grief for special sins, a renewing of the affections, aravishment with unspeakable joy of my free mercy and peace of conscience, which passeth all understanding; the understanding englighteneth, the judgement reformeth, and godly anger. Ephes. 3.18 This is the life of God in thee, for they who have received the spirit, are led by the spirit, great weakness is joined with thee, Collos. 3.4 but thy life is hid with me in God, and when I thy life shall appear, then shalt thou also appear with me in glory: and as I said, a little while ye shall see me, and after a while ye shall not see me, for I go unto my father: So is it very gainful for thee (beloved Soul) that there be an interposition betwixt thee and me, that a cloud and dampness should overtake thee, yet shalt thou not be tempted above that thou art able to bear, bu● with the temptation will give thee the issue. A mild rod shall serve thee, even the rod of the root of jesse, Num. 17.10. which flowreth among the other rods, that so the sweetness of the flower, may mitigate the sharpness of the rod. I do often humble even my dearest children by masking and disguising myself unto them. The eyes of the two Disciples going to Emaus were holden, they did not know me speaking with them. The Spirit doth live in thee, when his graces are dead in thee, neither doth feeling joy and practise always follow Faith. I am holden, and thou art saved by Faith, and not by feeling. I teach thee humility, and not to glory but in infirmity: 2. Cor. 11.30.31. for Paul (for all his Revelations) was afraid of Aretas, and let down in a basket. Elias (who commanded as it were the Heavens to rain, and not to rain) hide himself in a cave from jesabel. 1. ●i. 19.9. jacob was afraid of his brother; Abraham of Pharaoh, and the Philistims in Gerah. O how dearly loved I them: but when the star appeareth again, Mat. ●. the wisemen rejoiced with an exceeding great joy. Rachel had Laban's gods, which made him more eager to seek them, I may frown for a while, yet not always retain my anger. No truly, Ps. 103.9. I am not angry at all as a judge to punish, but as a Father to correct, a brother to admonish. I cannot cease to love my own members: Doth any man strike his own fl●sh at any time? Thou art one of my members, engrafted in my body by my Spirit, and a lively faith. I have said (and do not repent) thou that believest in me art delivered from the power of darkness by my Father, and art translated into the kingdom of Me his dear Son. The SOUL. THe words that thou speakest (sweet Redeemer of Mankind) are Spirit and Life, but thou speakest of affections reform, which I find not: How cold are my Prayers, O how hard is my heart, it cannot power itself out like Water before Thee, it cannot admit any impression of thy Word, or finger of thy spirit, my wavering faith is not confirmed by it, I lack that heavenly light to discern of my troubles and crosses aright. Finally, I have little or no comfort in thy Word, wanting the apprehending & applying faith (the hand of my Soul) O Son of David have mercy upon me miserable sinner, O sweet Samaritan, take me up which am half dead. CHRIST. THou hast redemption in my blood, Col. 1.14. even the forgiveness of thy sins: for they shall never be imputed unto thee, neither here nor elsewhere; neither do they reign in thy mortal body, but thou hast a serious reluctation against them, neither thy unworthiness maketh thee uncapable of the greatest mercies, they are of my mere and free love and grace, thou art not the object of thine own faith: but I, my merits & obedience, who am by faith united unto thee, as a head to a member, then look upon me, I am in thee, and thou art in me: that which God hath conjoined who can separate it? or who can pluck thee out of my father's hand? my father and I am one, and my Spirit which hath wrought in thee that desire of profiting by the Word (whereof thou so heavily complainest) will make thee reap manifold fruits of the immortal seed of the Word, in due season, which is sowed in the furrows of thy heart. I do feed thee, for a time, with a sparing hand, to sharpen thine appetite, wait and trust on me, and I will comfort thy heart. Psal. 27.16. truly flesh and blood hath not revealed the hardness of thy heart unto thee, but my spirit, which worketh the sight of thy corruptions. Esa. 63. ●7. I which have begun this good work will perform it. Phil. 1.6. It is good for thee that thou bewailest thy defects and wants, quench not these motions, of my spirit in thee, prayer is my gift, it is I that work both the will & deed, Lam. 1.22. it is I that mark thy many sighs & the faintings of thy heart; yea, & my spirit doth make request for thee with sighs that cannot be expressed, when thou holdest thy peace, or little knowest of it. The sacrifice of God are not words, Psal. 51.17. but a contrite spirit, a contrite and broken heart I will not despise, I know thy thoughts before thou think them, Psal. 1 39.2. thy sighing is not hid from me, I do hea●e thy desire, Psal. 38.9. Psal. 10.17. it is I that do put up (as Mediator) betwixt thee and my father, thy prayers unto the golden viols, which are full of the precious odours of my merits, thereby perfumeth and maketh them an offering of sweet smelling savour unto him, Reu. 5.8. and purgeth their corruptions in my blood, and unto my throne there is a purple ascent, the perfectest beauty is the perfectest mixture of red and white, afflictions staineth not, but adorneth the beauty of my graces. The SOUL. I Am not so washed I see in the laver of regeneration, but that there remaineth in me slaines of that scarlet engrained die of my corruption. I am not wholly spirit, as the carnal man is wholly flesh, but 〈◊〉 at civil wars within myself. In the spirit, I serve the Law of God, in the flesh the law of sin, (O dear jesus) grant me thy spirit & grace, 1 Thess. 5.22. that I may avoid the occasions of sin, I may make conscience of my lest sins, I may carefully watch over my heart, that I be not surprised at unawares, I may rest in thy promised assistance, and not in mine own power, and have recourse unto thee by fervent prayer, craving thy aid, that I may be enabled to stand in the day of temptations: but alas (dear Saviour) it vexeth me greatly, that I do not much (Lord thou knowest) feel my faith nor the fruits thereof: which maketh me (I know not what) to think that I have no true faith, or if I have, it is yet in the infancy thereof. CHRIST. FAith is the eye, hand and foot of the Soul: for by it, it cometh, seethe, and layeth hold on me: seek light in the Word (which is Truth) by prayer, that thou be not deceived, and follow the same light so far as thou shalt be warranted thereby, the conscience maketh the assumption, but examined it, by my word, lest thou fall in error? and for to learn (dear Soul) to discern betwixt the punishment for sin, and trial of thy faith, patience and purging of Sin: for I often afflict inwardly the soul with deep sense of sin, and the body with crosses outwardly, not to prosecute sin in thee: jer. 51.7. for than it should follow, that as the wicked (mine enemies) exceed in sin, so should they exceed in afflictions also, but thee I lead as a loving Spouse, with cords of aman, Hos. 11.4. even with bands of love, for whom I love I rebuke. For I am good, a strong hold in the day of trouble, and know them that trust in me. Nah. 1.7. Nourish this in thine heart, it is more certain and durable than heaven and earth. The SOUL. O My sweet Saviour, thou hast taken my feet out of the mire I stuck i●, Psal. 4.1. Luk. 1.49. and put me at more large liberty of mind, thou that art mighty, hast done for me great things, and holy is thy name, thou wilt perform thy work toward me, O Lord, Psal. 138.8. thy mercy endureth for ever, forsake not the work of thy own hands, thou hast delivered me from great dangers, 2 Cor. 1.10. and dost deliver me, and I trust that yet thou wilt deliver me. Help me, that I give no place to these misconstructions in my heart: I will not say with job in his impatiency, Thou hast set me as a mark against thee to shoot at, job 7.20. and so confound this process of my afflictions in no right discussing them: I will entertain by thy grace my privy checks, whereby thou knockest upon mine heart, o open thou it wide and fill it, o thou that hast the key of David, oh my faith, my small faith, how feeble and weak art thou? thou dost not answer nor satisfy my heart, by apprehending and applying straightly into the arms of my soul (O my poor soul) that saviour of mankind jesus Christ. CHRIST. REason not (most beloved Soul) so unsoundly faith is in thee, albeit it show not in actions, and fruits, by which it is sensibly discerned; for once wrought in thy soul, it always continueth; a sounding man is not dead, by the sickness of the soul in sin, or outward violence of temptations it seemeth deprived of love, hope, patience, etc. but by prayer, word, and spirit, it soon reviveth; weatherbeaten trees in winter are naked of fruit and leaves, yet live, and suck nourishment of the earth. When the sweet showers of my spirit shall distill upon thee as in the spring, and the warm sunshine of my Father's love appear to thee, thou shalt grow green and new in holy actions. Fire covered with ashes is no● extinguished. Is man without reason, because he hath no use of it while he sleepeth; drowsy, securely, hardness of heart, and dullness of spirit overtaketh sometimes my best servants, whose souls seem so sick in the sense of sin, that there oft appeareth no sign of life. Prescribe unto me no time, but wait my leisure, and I will surely help thee: thou canst not discern now of faith and infidelity, love of me, and rebellion against me, betwixt sanctifications, ●nd the heavy mass of filthy corruption. Be persuaded, that though thou hast no present sense and feeling of righteousness, Rom. 11.29 peace, and joy in the holy Ghost: Yet, if ever thou hadst them truly in any degree, they are not taken from thee, intermission is not abruption, I will in my time finish my work. Phil. 1.6. The woman with child feeleth not the motion thereof always, but having once felt it she is persuaded she is with child; so by the seed of the word, faith is begotten and sense of pardon of thy sins, yet after a while thou mayest wound thy conscience by sin; for i● pleaseth me thereby to exercise thy faith, and manifest my power in thy weakness, yielding to myself the praise of thy salvation. In this case prop up thy declining faith, call to mind how oft I have shown thee my merciful countenance, so do the Saints, Psal. 77.5. ●●. 11. they remember my works and my wonders of old, upon them, and in them. Set before thy eyes my servant job, who did comfort himself in his greatest extremity with his friends▪ and in his perplexity with himself, by calling to mind the bypassed fruits of faith, and wont works of sanctification, which he had observed in himself in former times; and concluded of them, Behold my sign that the Almighty is witness for me. job 3.12.35. Learn wisely to distinguish betwixt the habit and act of thy faith, for it is the ground of things which are hoped for, Heb. 11.1. 1. Cor. 2.9. and neither the eye hath seen, nor ear hath heard, nor heart can conceive them. Remember it is a kind of infidelity to believe only things subject to senses & understandings, where feeling ceaseth, than faith beginneth the chief work; thy best faith showeth itself when thou hast no sense, but rather discern and feel the clean contrary, as to behold my love through the vizard of my anger, and say, job 13.15. Though thou kill me, yet will I trust in thee: for faith is not founded upon thy feeling but upon my gracious promises, immutable goodness, and infallible truth. If once thou hast tasted of mercy (the which I know, and thou art persuaded thou hast done sundry and divers times) whatsoever thou apprehendest in thy present feeling, yet faith concludeth thou art still in favour, joh. 13.1. For whom I love, I love to the end, and of my own will, I did beget thee with the word of truth, james 1.18 be not therefore faithless, but faithful. joh. 20.27. The SOUL. MY spirit is refreshed, as the thirsty ground, O give me more of the pure river of that water of life, Revel. 22.1 pure as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God, and of thee the Lamb. This water thou givest me, is a Well of water in me, springing up to eternal life. joh. 4.14. But (O my God) my God, I make my moan to thee, of the weakness of my faith! I do not fully assent, unto that I know, I am not surely persuaded of my salvation, but assaulted with doubting, that thy promises do not belong unto me, and that by my manifold sins, I may be separate (which God forbidden) from thy love. CHRIST. TO have true faith is not to have a perfect faith, never shaken with any temptations, for there was never such faith in any man in the world; for the most perfect, are partly Flesh, and partly Spirit; the fruit of the Spirit is faith, the fruit of the flesh is doubting, which ever fight one against another: Rom. 1.17. but there are Babes in me growing from fa●th to faith, Heb. 10.22. till they attain to that f●lnesse of persuasion, yet this weak faith is a true faith, as never so little gold is gold, and sufficient to save the believer: for my promises are not made to a strong faith, but to those that have a true faith: joh. 3.18. for he that believeth shall be saved. I have no respect to the Quantity and apprehension, but Quality: if it be true and lively, a little man is as truly man, as a great Giant. My Apostles were ignorant in many things, as, that I should redeem mankind by my death: Mat. 16. Mat. 18.20 ●8. Luk. 9 45 Luk. 24 11 Mar. 9.32. joh. 13.36 joh. 14.5. Act. 1.16. Mar. ●0. 37 when I told them I should be crucified, they understood it not; they knew not that I should rise again: and being taught it, thought it a feigned thing: Were ignorant of my ascension and kingdom: for they dreamt of worldly preferment. See now (dear Soul) how weak and small this their faith is, which also is evident in that my reprehension. Wherefore are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? And yet notwithstanding, I compared it to a Rock, against which the gates of Hell should not prevail. Yea (dear Soul) all the power of Hell shall never prevail against the smallest measure of faith: Phi. 3.13. the weaker it is, the stronger is my power in sustaining it: the more Satan winneth thee, the more effectual is my intercession that thy Faith fail not: the feebler thy faith is in apprehending me, the more powerful is my Spirit in apprehending thee, and in joining thee inseparably with me. I will not condemn the least measure of my grace bestowed upon thee, neither take it away after it is once bestowed; but rather to him that hath will I give, Mat. ●5. 29 until he have abundance. He that hath one talon, shall have it double. I do reprove for small faith, but never for weak faith, no not him, who in the sense of his weakness said unto me, Mar 9.24. Lord I believe, help my unbelief. The SOUL. O Lord increase my faith: Luk. 1.68. Blessed be thou Lord God of Israel, because thou hast visited and redeemed my Soul, and hast raised up the horn of salvation unto me; that being delivered from my enemies, and the hands of all that hate me: I should serve thee without fear all the days of my life, in holiness and righteousness before thee. O how great is that peace of conscience and joy in the Holy Ghost, which may be tasted, but cannot be uttered! Now will I not dispute against myself longer for my actions, for being displeased with my person, I cannot be pleased with my doings: The body of sin shall never be from me while I live, the scum thereof is ever boiling in me, foaming out stinking savour in my mind. I am weary of my sin, yet there is no time too late to repent. I will not count what I have been, but what I would be: My works will do nothing in the matter of my justification, which from thee, & in thee, is freely given me. I cannot resist Satan, it is not possible I can encounter him; but in thee I am more than a Conqueror over them all: Never one fulfilled the Law but thou, and that thou hast given me: My conscience serving the Law of Grace, is a glorious Prince to triumph over sin. CHRIST. O How fair art thou now my Love; Cant. 1.15 how fair ar● thou; Thou hast Doves-eyes: Thou hast seen thy shadow in the Water of Life: I have brought thee ●o the banqueting-house, and my Banner over thee is Love; Ibid. 2.4. So much right have thy sins against thee, as how much they could do against me: thou art in me, and I in thee. I have become sin for thee, and Death (like a Humming-Bee) hath lost it sting. I will tell thee (dear soul) the Wife is not suable, but the Husband. I have made all thy enemies sufficient answer, who shall judge thee? I am judge and acquit thee. Lo, hear my sentence, I will not thy death: To excuse thee I am better than the best man of Law ever was. I was accursed for thee: I am thy Law and liberty: for sin, I am thy Righteousness: against Satan: thy Saviour against Death, thy Life. Lay down thy head in my lap with my beloved john, and take thy rest. The SOUL. Methinks I hear ●he voice of my beloved; behold, he cometh, leaping over the Mountains of my sins, Cant. 2.8. skipping upon the Hill● of my griefs. Have mercy upon me, heal my soul, for I have sinned against thee; forgive all my iniquities, and heal all my infirmities: yea, thou healest those that are broken in heart, and bindest up their sores. Why art thou cast down (oh my Soul?) and why art thou disquieted within me? Wait still on God, for I will yet give him thanks; he is my present help, and my God: Yet (my Soul) keep thou silence before God; of him cometh thy salvation: He is thy strength, therefore shalt thou not much be moved. Henceforth (sweet jesus) I will not measure thy love, by my sense & humour, neither can any temptation overtake me, but such as hath fallen in the nature of man, which have all found mercy at thy hands, that thou mightest be feared. Avoid Satan, I am not under the Law, but under grace: My sins are not only pardonable, but pardoned; and from this time my conversation is in Heaven. But (alas) I do yet daily, hourly, and e●uerie minute sin against thee; Gen. 6.5. yea and every imagi●nation of the thoughts of my heart are only evil continually. Because of my corruption I am unworthy, and unfit, for the kingdom of heaven. And where is then that weak faith which tho● erst requiredst in me. CHRIST. I have fulfilled the law, that thou, by me, 2. Co. 5.21 might be made my Righteousness; for I did always the things that pleased my father, to abolish thy cor●ruption: Have I not, joh. 8.21. for thy sake, sanctified myself? In me are all the promises of God are, 2. Cor. 1. yea, and Amen. unto the glory of God by thee: For it pleased the Father that in me, all fullness should dwell, in whom thou also art perfected; for there is no condemnation to them that are in Me. I am thy Advocate to plead thy cause, yea rather my own cause. The question is not of thy worthiness which thou renouncest, but of the merit of my obedience, and value of my death unto thy salvation; thy faith dependeth not upon thy adversaries testimony: It is enough that thou feelest by my grace, that thou believest, yea that thou mayest the rather persuade thyself of Faith, because he saith Thou hast none: knowing that Satan is not only a Murderer from the beginning, Ioh 8 44. and abode not in the truth; but also a Liar, and the Father of it. He is a notorious Deceiver, unworthy of credit, so of● silenced by me and my servants. Mar 2.24 Act. 16. ●●. Content thee to have a competent knowledge of the Mystery of thy Salvation by Me. And whereas thou (afflicted Soul) desirest nothing more than to believe, though thou feel not a present operation of comfort by faith, yet that desire argueth a secret sense, which thou now canst not easily discern, with assurance of better estate in time to come; Esa. 65.13. Mat 5.6. Luk. 15.3 for thou art blessed that hungeredst for righteousness, I will surely fill such with good things. This secret seed of faith nourished by my Spirit in thee, witnesseth Satan's ejection out of thee by thy resistance, which is a part of a former work in thee. Disquiet not thy heart, for that thou wantest; make use of that thou hast, which though it seem little to thee, yet is more than Satan is able to overcome. He that fighteth is not yetcaptive: he ●hat standeth against his enemy's face is not vanquished: yea, thy holding out in so great weakness, argueth, that thou standest by a greater strength than thy own, and shalt in the end triumph: Rom. 8.10 For though the body be dead in respect of Sin, yet the Spirit is Life for righteousness sake. The Sins therefore proceeding from thy Corruption, Rom. 7.17. are not thine, but Works of the Flesh, wounded unto death by My Death; and shall be abolished finally by Death, which shall end the battle betwixt the Flesh and the Spirit. The Sun and Moon do not perish in their Eclipses, no nor lose Light for ever. Neither the sense of my goodness in thee shall lose his virtue for ever. I found thee when thou soughtest me not: I will return unto my own work. I send blessing with cros●es, lest thou shouldest despair; and crosses with blessings, lest thou shouldest presume. Grieve thee not at my wise Dispensation. The SOUL. I Find (dear Redeemer) an interchangeable condition of Sorrow and Comfort, of Faith and Fear. I have had some affection to hear, knowledge of thy Will, purpose of amendment, in zeal● of Spirit called upon Thee: but n●w I am in such agony and conflict of conscience, that my Sins at all times, yea in my Prayers, yea while I begin to speak with thee ●ow (sweet jesus) so lively present themselves to my inward sight, that I am almost ag●st, and at my Wits-end. CHRIST. AS the sense of an aguish Man is corrupt, so is thy judgement: in Temptation, things that are, seem not to be, or not such as they are: Heb. 10.32.34. job. 29.3. Ps. 77.6.12 spiritual things must be spiritually discerned. When Men are diseased (dear Soul) it cannot thereof be concluded, that they were never in health: none can say they are a sleep, which are so indeed. Prese●● discomforts take away the sense of mercy for a time, but in heaviness and anguish of thy Spirit, remember comforts past, and assure thee of my return in due time. The day was when thy assurance of my favour was such, as Sa●han himself could not then deny the testimony which then my Spirit did bear to thy Spirit, Kom. 8.16 greater than either the testimony of Men or Angels: for I loved thee before the foundation of the World was laid: Be not cruel unto thy own bowels: Why wouldst thou conspire with Satan against thyself? rather resist him, 1. Pet. 5.9 being steadfast in Faith: Resist him (I say) and he will fly from thee; for he cannot work any thing in thee, but by thy own consent: no motion shall hurt thee whereunto thou givest not consent in heart, thou hast no sin whiles in heart thou longest to be free from it: thou wantest no goodness, which in heart thou covetest t● have: Rom. 7. It is Satan's nature to contradict my spirit: for thus he doth distress and anguish afflicted souls, holding them in the cogitations of their sins, and suffers them not to see the length, breadth, height and depth of my mercies; Eph. 3.18. neither to know that my l●ue which passeth allunderstanding, that thou mayest be filled with all the fullness of me, who shall once determine these conslicting days, where I which am in the mids of the throne shall feed thee, and lead thee unto living fountains of waters, Reu. 7. ●7. & 14 13. Heb. 10.37 and shall wipe away all tears from thine eyes. Cast not therefore away thy confidence, which hath so great recompense of reward. And to use thine enemy's weapons against himself, he seeketh by torment of mind, to drive thee to despair. This is the most evident and sensible testimony of grace and favour with me, if thou feel i● thyself the conflict of the flesh and spirit, that is, of faith against unbelief, and of me in thee against his power: and which is more, thou must know the work of sanctification begins in the heart, and thence floweth into our whole life. Now thoughts, meditations and desires are deeds before me, and the fruits of faith are testifications of my spirit dwelling in thee, more pregnant and eviden than they may, or dare be by Satan himself denied. Strive not so to that thou hast not, as thou forget that which by my grace thou hast already, but assure thee of the continuance of it: for ●e that believeth maketh no haste, but liveth by faith; good things to come thou must hold in hope, Hab. 2.3. and pursue them in peace for yet a little while, and I that shall come, Heb. 10.37 will come, and will not tarry. & covenant made in the sprinkling of my blood. My people after their calling, may fall in many foul sins, for this cause have I commended my mercy in the Law for many and several sorts of sins. Exod. 24.6.7. The jews in Esaias days, were as Sodom & Gomorrha, yet I said, though their sins were ●s crimson, Esa. 1.10. they should be white as snow. I exhorted them to turn to me, Esa. 31.6. which had deeply revolted: yea, when they had rebelled and vexed my holy spirit, yet I desired them to pray unto me and forgave them, Esa. 3.7.10 15.16. and did I not hear Ephraim bemoaning himself thus? thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke: jer. 31.18.20. turn thou me and I shall be turned, thou art the Lord my God. But since I did speak against him (as now thou dost against thyself) I do earnestly remember him still, therefore my bowels are troubled for him, I will surely have mercy upon him: surely I am ●esus Christ unchangeable; was yesterday, is to day, and shall be the same for ever. Heb. 13.8.6. I am thy helper, fear not what man can do unto thee: when sickness is at the highest, then there is greatest hope of diminishing; he cannot bedrowned which hath his head above the water, I am thy head in heaven, who have bruised the Serpent's head on earth. The SOUL. OH I feel if thy spirit make me free, joh. 8.36. I shall be free indeed: create in me a clean heart (dear I●●us) and renew a right spirit within me; restore to me the joy of thy salvation, and establish me with thy free spirit; let my prayer be directed in thy sight as incense, and the lifting up of my hands, as an even sacrifice, Psal. 141.2▪ Psal. 119.108. O Lord I beseech thee accept the free offerings of my mouth, teach me thy judgements, Zach. 19.9 Rejoice greatly my Soul behold thy King is come unto thee, he is just, & having salvation & he is lowly. O open ye the gates of my soul, and let in the Prince of glory: Thou that dwellest in the heavens dost look unto me that am poor, Esa. 66.2. and of a contrite h●●r 〈◊〉 and I tremble at thy words. I was very sore ●●flicted, o Lord quicken me according to thy word. Psal. 119.10. & 119 52. I have remembered thy judgements of old, and have been comforted. I live, yet not I now, but thou liu●st in me, thy father that gave me unto thee is greater than all, Gal. 2.20. and none can take me out of thy hand. joh. 10.29. To thee therefore that loveth me, and washeth me from my sins in thine own blood, and hast mad● me King, and Priest unto Thee, only wise God, my Saviour, be glory and Majesty, dominion and power, now and for ever. Amen. FINIS.