VIATICUM ANIMAE OR, Wholesome repast for the Soul in her Pilgrimage towards jerusalem which is above.  
Prepared, and made ready, by the diligent search, & Pains of john Hodges, Priest, M. of Arts and Vicar of Shakerstone in Leicester-Shire.  
NON est in carendo difficultas nisi quum fuerit in habendo capiditas.  Aug. lib. Confess. 
If God will keep me in this journey which I go, and will give me Bread to eat, and  to put on; then shall the Lord be my God  Gen 28.20.21. 
Quisquis exit in Lucem, iussus est Lacte, et Panno esse contentus.  Senec. Epist. 20. 
LONDON. Printed by J. N. for G.W. and are to be sold at the Sign of the Spurr, under S. Mildred's Church in the Poultry. 1638.   

To the Worshipful JOHN HARBORNE of Tackley, in the County of Oxford Esquire.  
Sir.  
I NEVER wished myself great or rich, or if I did for a time entertain such a thought, it was only then when I was musing how to be thankful. Ingratitude I hate, and want ability for ample, and due performances; wherefore I held it better to present a little of whatsoever came to hand, than (like churlish Nabal) to give nothing at all.  
Here is no banquet royal abundance of dainty dishes as though you were at home, 
Dapes dapsies.  
Pura & sine animalibus esca.  but a dish of Herbs (fit for the use of man) right Pilgrims far a bit and away: I dare not brag it savoury for your taste, (as fit for your graver judgement) this blessing therefore which your Servant hath brought unto you let it be given I pray you unto the young ones, 
1 Sam. 15.27  that walk at your feet.  
I was once minded (like the cruel parent) to have slain the issue of my brain from the birth: 
(Medea●)  or (like an Idolatrous Israelite) have made it pass through the fire, till calling to mind that saying of Pliny, 
The dregs cannot lie so thick in it, but a man. may thereout draw some clear liquor.  There is no book so bad, but may afford some good; I resolved to preserve that which was apppointed to dye, and with it in the throng to press into the World.  
What entertainment it is like to find with most, I have a shrewd aim, & therefore send it to your protection for shelter against a storm.  
For my proceeding by way of application, that which is to others an exhortation, is to you an pprobation, 
Qui moan ut facias quo diam facis ipse, monendo  & acommendation; for Ad bene faciendum incitator est benefacientis encomiastes, 
Laudat et hortatu comprobat acta suo.  persuasion to do well is the weldoers encomium. More I would make mention of, were it but to commend your example to posterity, but I know your modesty will rather dislike, then allow of such praise And therefore I leave your own works to praise you in the Gates, wishing all the blessings from above & beneath to light upon your head, 
Psal. 133. and 128.  yea like Aaron's precious ointment let them run down to the beard, & border of your garments; to the fruitful vine on the side of your house, and the Olive Plants round about your Table.  
This hath been, & shall be the prayer of him, who desires nothing more in this life, than that he may be thought worthy to be your servant in Christ jesus.  
JOHN HODGES. From my poor Vicarage of Shackerstone in Leicestershire November 7. 1637   

A  PROVERBS 16.31. 
AGE is a Crown of Glory when it is found in the way of Righteousness.  
FIrst MAN is a venerable Creature, but then especially when antiquity prescribes: what a shame than is it, when those Silver locks which God hath apppointed to be the Emblems of honour, are by his best Creatures made the Pageants of contempt? We worthily honour old men for their temperance, moderation, experience, etc. But when their tottering Tabernacles are stuffed with drunkenness, lust, and boyish thoughts how shall we honour them then? It is mere mockery for a boyish mind to be suited in the colours of Age; 
Chrys. in Heb. Home 7.  and whilst old men do 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 youth it; they become children of years, and GOD makes their old Age most despised. 
Vere senectus illa vene●abilis, etc.   
Wouldst thou then have others honour thy grey hairs? do thou first honour them by a godly life: 
Ambro: Epist. 60.  for those years only are truly honourable which good works, and not hoary hairs only do beautify and adorn. Desire not therefore so much to live long, as to live well: wast not the time, which of itself hasteth too fast, lest thou be constrained to confess, that though thou hast reckoned many years, yet thou hast lived but a short time, which can no ways comfort a wicked life, but this Testimony of a well spent life, is a Crown of dignity and a most comfortable Possession.  
ALL that thine hand shall find to do, do it with all thy power: for there is neither work, nor invention, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the Grave whither thou goest Eccles 9.10.  
2 THIS life is a life for mercy, neither is there any crying, or calling for mercy after it: and therefore our Saviour Christ saith, the night cometh (to wit of death) in which no man can work. 
John. 9 4.  john 9.4. Wherefore that thou mayst find the gate of Mercy open unto thee at thy departure hence, show mercy and do good presently, and here; 
Eccles 11.3.  for as the Tree falleth so it lieth, and thou canst neither imagine, nor do any thing for thy salvation, and peace in the pit of darkness, and of death.  
ASK not of the Lord pre-eminence, neither of the King the seat of honour. Ecclus. 7.4.  
3 EVERY estate is blessed to a good man, who doth not so much consider what or how much he enjoyeth, as whence, and from whom he receiveth it: whether he abound, or want, he knows it is from the Lord, 1. Sam. 2.7. 
1 Sam. 2 7  And he hath learned therewith to be content. But when we once begin to give ambition feet to trample on the good we have, we are easily carried to a seat as tickle and slippery as the seat of Eli. 1. Sam. 14.18. 
1 Sam. 14 18.  Therefore if the Lord hath granted thee the request of Agur, Pro. 30.8. 
Pro. 30, 8.  And settled thee in such an estate, as he knows best for thee, bless GOD for the same, and seek not to climb those Pinnacles, of the Court where thou canst neither rest without fear, nor come down, without falling.   

B.  PROVERBS 15.17. 
BETTER is a dinner of green Herbs where love is, than a stalled Ox and hatred therewith.  
1. THE Souls sweetest Music is that blessed close, where two hearts by an unanimous consent meet in one body; whilst Man and Wife do thus (like clean beasts) join in an equal yoke, they are (like the Philistines Kine to Bethshemesh) in one path, and turn neither to the right hand, nor to the left, till they arrive at Heaven. But when (like unclean beasts) they go one before the other, though it breeds a discord, yet there is no good Music, Aaron's Bells do not then ring but jangle: and better is it to feed in the wilderness upon green Herbs; then to feast it with contentious spirits in a stately Palace.  
Be not therefore like unto unclean but fashion thyself to the similitude of clean beasts, strive not for priority, but join in that equal yoke of love, which is the Music of a pleasant banquet, an Emerald well trimmed with Gold. Ecclus 32.6. 
Ecclus. 32 6.   
BOAST not thyself of to morrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. PRO. 27.1.  
2 WE easily put off the work of our Repentance, and though God call us to it every day, yet we say to him as the unmerciful Man to his neighbour, Come again to morrow. 
Pro. 3.28.  Pro. 3.28. To morrow say we, we will repent, when GOD knows whether we shall live till then: or if we do live till to morrow, yet we know not what the Day may bring with it.  
Walk therefore whilst thou hast the light, and whilst thou mayst be saved strive to salvation by the light of the Gospel, lest when it is removed, the darkness of error & despair doth come, and then in the dark thou go thou know'st not whether.  
BIND not two sins together, for in one sin shalt thou not be unpunished. Ecclus 7.8.  
3 ONE scar may stain the beauty of the fairest face, one disease may be as dangerous and deady as many; and one sin which a Man continues in without Repentance, may be as damnable, as if there were a Legion.  
Hast thou therefore sinned? do so no more, but pray for thy foresinnes that they may be forgiven thee. 
Ecclus. 21.  Ecclus 21.1. Say not thou of any sin, as Lot of Zoar, is it not a little one? 
1. Gen. 19.20  Gen. 19.20. I shall receive no damage by it: alas, alas, a little sin embraced, a greater will solicit for entertainment, and no denial will serve, till it find acceptance: cast a stone into the water, and presently a circle ariseth, after that another, and another, greater, and greater, till at length the whole water be full of circles: so admit of one sin, perhaps (in thine account) a small one, and a greater will follow, till at length the whole Man be full of sin.   

C  ECCLES 11.1. 
CASTANNA thy bread upon the waters, for after many days thou shalt find it.  
1. THE poor Man's hand is Christ's treasury, 
Petr. Rave ●…in quodam serm.  and whatsoever is put into it that Christ receives, and keeps it safe for thee against the evil day, that when need is it may comfort and refresh thy loins.  
Give therefore, but desire not witness to the bargain; trust God for recompense upon his word, Sound not a trumpet when thou givest thine alms. Mat. 6.2. 
Mat. 6.2.  Lest thou appear rather like an enemy than a charitable giver. Give earthly trash that thou mayst have heavenly treasure; give a morsel, and receive a whole loaf, nay as many as thou needest. 
Luke 11.8  Luke 11.8. Give that it may be given unto thee for what thou givest that thou shall have, but what thou givest not, 
Flores doct.  that another shall take from thee.  
CHASTEN thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his murmuring. Pro. 19.14.  
2 childs are compared to arrows, and he is an happy Man that hath his quiver full of them. Psal. 127.4. 
Psal. 127.4  But if for want of Godly discipline, and wholesome instruction they chance to prove arrows in their parent's side, how dangerously do they wound and pierce then?  
Do not therefore out of an hurtful pity, withhold correction from thy child, but smite him in affection with the rod, 
Pro. 23.23.  Pro. 23.13. And so shall he give thee rest, and minister blessing to thy soul. 
Pro. 29.17  Pro. 29.17.  
CONFIDENCE in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a sliding foot Pro. 25.19.  
A FAITHFUL friend is an inestimable jewel, he that finds him though he sell all that he hath for the purchase, yet shall he be no loser by the bargain; for such an one sticks close to a Man, not being capable of change, yea, closer than a brother. 
Pro. 18.24  Pro. 18.24. The heat of persecution scorches him not, the waves of troubles dash him not away, but he loveth at all times. Pro. 17.17. 
Pr. o. 17.17  there is indeed a friend which like the glowworm promiseth a sufficient light, but when you think to lay hold on him, he slideth away like water grasped with the hand, and deceives your trust.  
Therefore hast thou gained a faithful friend closet him in thine heart & thin own friend and thy father's friend forsake thou not. 
Pro. 27.10.  Pro. 27.10. For such an one is long sought, seldom found, and as hardly kept. Preserve him therefore by love; for as fire is not better kindled then by fire, so love is not better maintained then by love, and if thou labour by this means to keep him, thou reservest a treasure that will never be spent, and shalt find a River that will never be dried up.   

D  JOB 6.5. 
DOTH the wild Ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the Ox when he hath fodder?  
1. THE brute beasts though naturally wild, do not yet complain when they have that which is sufficient for them: only man is of an unbounded desire, and cannot content himself when his hands are full of God's blessings; but greedily hunting after more, he even looseth that which already he hath, catching like Esop's dog at a vain shadow.  
Learn therefore in every estate to content thyself, and be ready with jacob to confess, that thou art less than the least of God's mercies: Gen. 32.10. 
Gen. 32.10.  And so shalt thou with a great deal of ease weed out that vice, which to others is death to pluck up, it is so firmly rooted in their hearts.  
DID not I weep with him that was in trouble? was not my soul in heaviness for the poor? job. 30.25.  
2 CHRIST jesus is that good Shepherd. 
John 10.11  john. 10.11. And all Mankind elect and reprobate are sheep: but that good Shepherd knows his own, and who are his. 2 Tim. 2.19. 
2 Tim. 2.19.  he hath set his mark upon them that they may be known. 
Revel. 7.3.  Reve. 7.3. And though sometime the scabbed may break into his good Pasture and be blended among his sound sheep, yet he will feed them with judgement, and by his brand judge between sheep and sheep. 
Ezek. 34.6.17.  Ezek. 34.16, 17. Now the only brand-marke I read of, by which Christ at the great Audit will distinguish between the clean and unclean, sheep and filthy Goats, is love which consists in affection; and action, in mercy and compassion. The works of tender affection shall bear all the weight at the last day, Come ye blessed of my Father, receive the Kingdom prepared for you, for when I was an hungry ye gave me meet, when I was naked ye clothed me, sick and in prison ye visited me. Mat. 25.34.36. 
Mat. 25.30.36.  There is no better means whereby to become gracious before GOD and good men.  
Let not them then that mourn be without comfort, but weep with them that weep. Rom. 12.15. 
Rom. 12.15 & Ecclus 7.34.  Hid not thyself from thine own flesh, then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thy health shall grow speedily. 
Esai. 58 78  Esay 58.7.8.  
DEPART from the foolish man when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge. Pro. 14.7.  
3 AN UNWISE man is like a lazy traveller who beholding in his way the pleasant fields, stands gazing upon them so long that he forgets whether he is going.  
Separate therefore from such an one, and go not with him, for he will be as thorns in thy way, and as clogs to thy feet: with the World's vanities he will so block up thy way, that hardly shalt thou arrive at Heaven, or so much as think whither how art going: But desire rather to hear all godly talk, and let not the grave sentences of knowledge departed from thee. Ecclus 6.36. 
Ecclus 6 36.    

E.  PROVERBS 1.32. 
EASE slayeth the foolish, and the prosperity of fools destroyeth them.  
1. GOOD things perverted prove most hurtful, neither doth a man offend more, then in the abuse of God's good Creatures: when Gods good blessings rock, the foolish worldling presently nods, and dreams of nothing else but mighty barns, which suddenly drop down, and destroy him laughing.  
Desire not therefore so much a great estate as how to use it well, to God's glory, thine own comfort, and the benefit of thy brethren, especially those who are of the household of faith. 
Galat 6.10  Gal. 6.10. And the rather considering thyself to be but a steward of what thou call'st thine own, who art bound to give a strict account. 
Luke 16. ●.  Luke 16.2.  
EVIL Men shall bow before the good, and the wicked at the gate of the Rigteous. Pro. 14.19.  
2 THE godly though poor shall have obeisance done unto them, and the wicked Rich shall do it, and though by reason of the body of sin which the godly bear about them, this comes not daily to pass: yet at last Such honour have his Saints. Yea and many times in this life proud Haman shall honour despised Mordecai. Hes. 6.10. 
Hest 9.10   
Seest thou then a godly poor Man, despise perhaps imagining their torments will be the more tolerable, while they suffer not beyond comparison: for this end (like the Devil their Father) their Table shall be their Snare, and as he by an Apple, so they with their dainties will seek to seduce.  
If then thou sit at their costly Tables open not thy mouth wide upon it, and say not, behold much meat, 
Ecclus 31 12. & 16.  Eccl. 31.12. Eat modestly that which is set before thee, and devour not, lest thou be hated .16. For howsoever they pretend kindness, yet death is in their pots, and like dissembling jael, they feed where they intent to kill. 
Judge 4.19  judg. 4.19. Hold thee therefore contented with what thou hast, be it little or be it much, for it is a miserable thing to go from house to house, and the poor man's life in his own lodge, 
Ecclus 29.24, 25, 26.  is better than delicate fare in another Mans.   

F  JOB 18.15. 
FEAR shall dwell in the house of the wicked because it is not his, and brimstone shall be scattered upon his habitation.  

〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  1. THE Poets feign that when Pluto's comes from jupiter he is slow of foot, but when Pluto sends him he comes running, giving us thereby to understand, that when Men wax rich by honest means they are long a thriving, but when it comes in the Devil's name, an heritage is hastily gotten at the beginning. Pro. 20.21. 
Pro. 20.21.  Which while men lust after, they err from the faith and pierce themselves through with many sorrows. 
1 Tim. 6. ●0.  1 Tim. 6.10. And the end thereof shall not be blessed. Nay, though Men do by right and wrong seek to increase their estates, hoping thereby to raise them an enduring name, yet (vain hopes of worldly men) they do but foster a secret thief, and coffer up that, which will canker, rust, and bring all to confusion; thus gaping after eternity, they are cut off in the midst of their days, and at their end they are fools. jer. 17.11. 
Jer. 17.11   
If then thou desirest to have thine estate blessed unto thee, and to remain with comfort to thy posterity, defraud no man, bring not home a penny which thou hast unjustly gotten; remember that the riches of vanity shall diminish, and the house of the wicked shall be destroyed. 
Pro. 13.11 & 14.11.  Pro. 13.11. and 14.11. And as in the winnowing of Corn, whilst it is shaken up and down, 
Chrys. in Mat. ex Busaei. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  we see the purer grain by little and little fall to the ground, whilst the Chaff only remaineth in the seive: So while men shuffle, and cut in the World, posting up and down to increase, their estates by any means, that which they have well gotten slides away, and nothing remains unto them but sin, and a guilty conscience pursuing them with horror, for what they have unjustly gotten.  
FALSE balances are in abomination unto the Lord, but a perfect weight pleaseth him. Pro. 11.1.  
2 DECEIT is a sin, as ancient as the World, and with it took its beginning. Gen. 3. 
Gen. 3.  It was first invented by the Devil, and by him exercised upon the woman: the woman seduced the Man and so subverted him, whose comforter she should have been. Since it hath so propagated, as that now nothing is more usual then for the father to deceive the son, the child the Father, and for a crafty Lawyer to deceive them both neither doth the seed of the Serpent rest there only; but for brother to deceive brother is ordinary, and for one man to deceive another, is as common as trading; among whom the Ephah (that is the measure) shall be small, but the Shekel (that is the price) shall be great, and the weights shall be falsified by decept, Amos 8.5. 
Amos 8.5.  All which are an abomination unto the Lord: 
Dut. 25.16.  Deut. 25.16.  
Let it therefore be thy daily care, to be true and just in all thy dealings, this being the will of God, even your sanctification, That no man oppress or defraud his brother in any matter: God being the avenger of all such things. 
1 Thes. 4.6.  1 Thes. 4.6. agreeing whereunto is that of S. Austin. 
August. serm. 215. de ●emp.  No Man maketh an unjust gain without a just loss, where the one is, there will the other be also; the gain in the Chest, the loss in the conscience, which the whole World's profit cannot countervail, nor make a Man a saver by his bargain.  
FAIR words are as an Honey comb sweetness to the soul, and health to the bones. Pro. 16.24.  
3 THE Horse, the Camel, the Elephant, the Lion, etc. Are not naturally tame, but that they may become gentle, and serviceable, man's helping hand must be laid too: yet when this little weeping-master of all God's Creatures hath thus played the Man in subduing others, himself maintains an unruly Rebel within himself, ready to overthrow the whole body of Man, the little Model of a Common Wealth which as S. james speaks is The tongue, 
Jam. 3 7.8.  an unruly evil that no Man can tame. james 3.7.8. Blessed is the Man that hath not fallen by the word of his mouth. Ecclus 14.1. 
Ecclus 41.1.  For he that keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth his soul from afflictions. Pro. 21.23. 
Pro. 21.23.  But he that openeth his lips unadvisedly destruction shall be to him. Pro. 13.3. 
Pro. 13.3   
Dost thou then find thyself addicted to swearing, and other abuses of the tongue? why then betake thyself to God, implore his aid, for though the preparation of the heart in Man, yet the answer of the tongue is of the Lord. Pro. 16.1. 
Pro. 16.1.  Pray therefore with David, Set a watch, 
Psal. 141 3  O Lord before my mouth, and keep the door of my lips. Psal. 141.3. 
Psal. 141.3  O Lord Father and governor of all my whole life leave me not to their counsel, and let me not fall by them Ecclus 23.1. 
Ecclus 23.1   
Set a watch before my mouth, and a seal of Wisdom upon my lips, that I fall not suddenly by them, and that my tongue destroy me not. Ecclus 22.26. 
Eccles 22.26.    

G  JOB 32.9. 
GREAT men are not always wise, neither do the aged always understand judgement.  
1. AS sick Men convert wholesome meats into the nature of the disease they labour off; So do evil Men subvert good, that it becomes exceedingly bad: Wit, and Learning without grace; is worse than honist sottishness: the greatest Clerks are not always the holiest Men. Seldom hath their been any great error in God's Church, which hath not been the offspring of some great wit: What hath brought forth amongst us, our Separatists, or Pharises, and other troublers of our Church? but an overweening conceit of their own worth and learning; all ages have proved, that there was never any that did so much mischief in the Church of GOD, as those who for wit and learning have been most Eminent.  
Hast thou then knowledge, wit, learning, etc. Pray hard for a good spirit from God to guide and direct thee in thy proceed.  
I read of a sweet answer which one William Times made to those bloody butchers Winchester and Bonner, 
Acts and Monum:  being convented before them: Times said the Bishops thou hast a good fresh spirit, it were well, if thou hadst learning to thy spirit, yea my Lord said Times, and it were well also, that you are learned so you had good spirits to your learning.  
To the Serpent join the Dove, both together will do excellent: but if they be severed, let the World say what it will, a dram of holiness is better than a pound of wit; for it is not policy, but piety, not wit, but wisdom that escaps damnation.  
GOD will lay up the sorrows of the Father for the children; when he rewardeth him he shall know it. job. 21.29.  
2 THE soul that sinneth it shall die; doth God then pervert judgement! or doth the Almighty subvert justice? 
Joh 8 3.  that the sins of the Fathers should be visited upon the children, 
Exod 20.5  and that the sour Grapes which they have eaten should set their children's 
Jer. 31.29.  teeth or edge? Surely no, but it is commonly seen that wicked fathers have children like themselves, who make their father's sins their own by imitation; and therefore as Princes do with equity disinherit the posterity of Traitors; so wicked children having their father's sins, and their own upon their heads, they are Traitors themselves to God; and so are much more justly punished of the Lord.  
Go not then about to charge God falsely, neither do thou cavil at him, or find fault at his just proceed; The Law allows the heir, or executor to be sued for the father's debt, and what injustice is it in God, to proceed in like manner? 
Psal. 101.2  Walk therefore in the uprightness of thine heart in the midst of thine house, that thou mayst neither hearten thy family in evil, nor hinder them in that which is good.  
GIVE admonition to the wise, and he will be the wiser; teach a righteous Man, and he will increase in learning. Pro. 9 vers. 9  

Psal. 133.  3 AS the costly ointment on Aaron's head, so is admonition to a good Man, it breaks not his head but as that ran down to his beard and so to the border of his garment so doth this distil into all the paths & faculties of soul and body, suppling and softening the heart, that grace may work upon it to salvation.  
Submit therefore to reproof, whether it be by gentle admonition from thy friend, or by open reviling from thine enemy: for howsoever it proceed from malice in him, and be done with a desire of revenge, yet thou mayst make good use of it: for admit thou be not guilty of the particular things he chargeth thee with, yet it may be thou art faulty in some other things, which God would chastise in thee by this means. 
Seneca de moribus  Be not thou like the dull beast who can hardly be put forward with Spur or Switch, whereas the more noble Steed is ruled by the shadow of the rod only; regard correction, 
Pro. 13.18  and so shalt thou be honoured; 
2 Sam. 16.10.  Thus was it with David when Shimei railed on him, whom before he reviled, he presently after honoured, and so shall it be with thee, 
2 Sam. 19.18.  and with every one that receiveth instruction.   

H.  PROVERBS 10. Vers. 5. 
HE that gathereth in Summer is the son of wisdom: but he that sleepeth in harvest; is the son of confusion.  
1. THERE are a sort of people in the World, who are conceited that it is not according to their Birth, and breeding, to spend their time in labour; and that there is no better way to manifest their gentility, then with the Nagros (noble Men amongst the Malabars in the East Indies) by wearing long nails on their hands, to show they are no workers; but whilst they thus follow the idle, 
Pro. 28.19  who seethe not how suddenly they are filled with poverty; which comes upon them like an armed man, 
Pro 6.11.  
Pro 12.11.  and cannot be resisted: whereas he that laboureth, and tilleth his Land shall be filled with bread; 
Ecclus 20.27.  and shall increase his heap. Let this therefore exhort thee to thrift, which hath both a watchful eye, and diligent hand for the saving of what we have from perishing. Diligence is requisite for getting, and providence for saving: Remember that it is the commendations of salomon's virtuous Woman (among many other) that she overseeth the ways of her household. 
Pro 31.27.  Therefore she hath a double portion, to wit, The fruit of her hands, 
Vers. 31.  and praise in the gates, whereas such as think it a disparagement to their worth to be their own servants; do take a ready way to become other men's slaves in drudgery and beggary.  
HE that passeth by, and meddleth with the strife that belongeth not unto him, is as one that taketh a Dog by the ears. Pro. 26. vers. 27. 
Pro. 20.3   
2 IT is a Man's honour (saith Solomon) to cease from strife, but every fool will be meddling, And as a wise Man will labour as much as in him lieth to appease a quarrel, or else departed, before it grow to too great a height: so he that is void of understanding sides in contentions, till at length it fall heavy upon his own head. Therefore when thou seest the fire of contention beginning to break forth, either labour to suppress it by gentle and friendly admonitions; or (when thou perceivest that they may not take place) withdraw thy self, least meddling too fare, and stirring the fire too much, the sparks fly into thy face, and at length the flame thereof catch hold of thee, and so thou perish together in the same combustion. When Lentulus in a beastly and filthy manner did spit in Cato's face as he was pleading at the bar; he only wiping his face, returned him this answer, Well Lentulus well, I will henceforth affirm it among all Men, that they are wonderfully deceived, who say thou hast no Mouth; thus whilst with the tender Plant thou yieldest to the violent blast, thou shalt recover, and keep thy station, whilst the busy, and violent meddler, needlessly thrusting his hand into every fire, shall hardly return unscorcht, if not utterly consumed.  
HE that committeth adultery with a woman, is destitute of understanding; he that doth it destroyeth is own soul. Pro. 6. vers. 32.  
3 MARRIAGE is honourable among all men, and the bed undefiled, 
Heb. 13.4  but whoremongers, and adulterer's God shall judge; and that with shame and poverty, (as Solomon speaks) 
Pro. 6.26  because of the whorish woman a Man is brought to a morsel of bread, shame, and dishonour; or if he escape these, yet rottenness sendeth, like joab after Abner, and smiteth him to the death; or suppose he live free from all these, so that none of them overtake him in this life, yet God's judgements shall surely find him in the World to come. So that he who wantoness it in the Chamber, or plays the beast in the field here, he shall howl it in Hell, and fry in torments there; as he burned in lust on Earth, so he shall broil in woe there, and as he coveted darkness rather than light, so darkness shall be his covering, and that without end. Keep thee therefore from the wicked, 
Pro. 31.3.  and strange woman, give not thy strength unto her; neither desire her beauty in thine heart, neither let her take thee with wylies, go not into thy neighbour's wife, nor climb up to his bed; 
Pro 5.19.  But let thine own wife be as the loving hind, and pleasant Roe, let her breasts satisfy thee at all times, and delight in her love continually.   

I.  PROVERBS 1. vers. 10. & 15. 
IF sinners do entice thee consent thou not, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path.  
1. AS it is with sin, so is it also with sinners, they cannot endure to go alone, they hold the old rule, the more the merrier: and being bad themselves, they have a desire to make the good bad also, that they may be bad like themselves. If therefore thou be'st called out of the good way wherein thou goest, by such as may say unto thee, come do as we do, and thou shalt be rich as we are, consent thou not at any hand; for howsoever it may delight thee for a time, yet the end will be with woe and anguish. What got Balaam by those wages of sin which he loved? was he not cast away by them? 
Judge. 11.  so whilst thou sidest with ungodly ones, in the pursuit of unlawful gain thou takest a ready course to split thyself against a dangerous and inevitable Rock, whereon thou must needs make Shipwreck of thy precious soul: 
Psal. 37 38  For the transgressors shall perish together, and the end of the ungodly is, they shall be rooted out at the last. Though it be fair sunshine with them for a season, yet ere long a storm will arise, which will dash them with this heavy Memento, 
Psal. 50.18  when thou sawest a Thief thou went'st with him. 
Psal. 37 37  Keep thou therefore innocency, and take heed to the thing that is right, and that shall bring thee peace at the last, though it seem no thriving trade at the first, but a ready road to poverty, yet at length it will cause thee to inherit the land, 
Psal. 37.29  and to dwell therein for ever.  
IS there not an appointed time to man upon Earth, and are not his days as the days of an hireling? job. 7. vers. 1.  
2. MAN is not unfitly compared to a Lamp which may have some violent blast, or puffed to put it out, or if it escape these, yet there is but a proportioned measure of oil which will be soon extinguished; so, though neither untimly death, nor hart-kiling care do consume, yet is there but an appointed time for Man to walk in, which he speedily traces over and then as the hireling (with his penny in his hand, when the Sun is set) returns to his own home, so Man when the Sun of life set over him (after all his toil) with his wages about him returns to his house, 
Job. 17.13  the Grave. Let this then teach thee christian wisdom, not to stand idling all day long in the Market place, but to labour and do the thing that good is, that Men seeing thy good works may glorifiie thy Father which is in Heaven: thus shalt thou have praise of the Master of the Vineyard, in the great Audit, and receive thy wagiss with comfort, even an immortal Crown of glory.  
IN Many words there cannot want iniquity, but he that refraineth his lips is wise Pro. 10. vers. 19  

Ecclus 7.3.  3 THERE is a time to speak, and a time to keep silence, and happy is the Man that knows the season; 
Pro. 17 18  for as a fool when he holdeth his peace is counted wise, so a wise Man sealing up his lips, when his wisdom should be manifested, may well bear the badge of a fool, and among many go for such. Therefore count silence a virtue, and seasonable talk no less; let thy words be rather good than many: set a diligent watch before the door of thy mouth, that nothing may come out thence but what thou hast seriously pondered between thyself and thee, and then keep not back counsel, 
Ecclus 4.  when it may do good, neither hide thy wisdom when it may be famous, this shall bring joy to thyself and others, for a word in due season, 
Pro. 15.23.  how good is it? it is then like a goad, & like a Nail fastened by the master of the assembly, 
Ecclus 12.11.  pricking forward, and stirring up the good to a ready embracing of it, and taking such deep root in them, that it cannot at any time be removed, or forgotten.   

K.  PROVERBS 4.23. 
KEEP thine heart with all diligence, for thereout cometh life.  
1. THE Rudder is but a small thing, yet it guideth the whole Ship, the heart is fare less, yet it ruleth the whole man: Now as the Mariner though he know all the dangerous shelves in the Sea, yet many times for want of present heed, he rushes upon them and suffers Shipwreck; so though Man knows many things to be evil, yet the heart being neglected he falls upon them, and so makes havoc of all. Therefore set watch and ward over thine heart that it depart not from the living Lord: watch to pray, and pray to watch, that thou enter not into temptation the devil thine adversary is always watching, and if he catch thee napping, he will take thee as he finds thee, if the guard of thine heart (grace, faith, &c) be fallen asleep within thee, look not to be awaked by thine enemy's warning-piece, but make account (as those who are stung with the Aspis) that thou art fallen into a deadly sleep, and shalt be gone in (a trance) a trice the Lord knows whither.  
KEEP thy way fare from the strange woman, and come not near the door of her house. Pro. 5.8.  
2 THERE is a way which seems good in a Man's eyes and void of danger, which notwithstanding if he travail in, it bringeth him either with the Ox to the slaughter, 
Pro. 7 22.  or with the fool to the stocks: though it be decked with ornaments, carpets, & laces, and seem all smooth way, yet are there many dangerous Pitfalls wherein many fall down wounded, and at length are slain outright, the best end of it, is woe, sorrow, and certain destruction for it goeth down to the chambers of death: and this is the way of a Man with a Maid. Though the strange women speak praceable, and her words be softer than butter, yet are they very swords pricking to the heart, and killing the Soul; though she have a Virgin's face, yet hath she a ravenous tail, and though she tune most Sweet lullabies to the ear, yet if we stop them not and lend her a deaf one, when all both flesh and blood, 
Pro. 5.11.  is consumed, we shall mourn at the end. Come not therefore near unto the strange woman for it is ill jesting with her, thou mayest as safely preserve thine health among infectious people, or venomous Serpents, as thy goodness among harlots: wherefore avoid them and go not by them, turn from them and pass by.  
KEEP not company with drunkards, nor with gluttons, for the drunkard and the glutton shall be poor. Pro. 23. verse. 20. & 21.  
3. THERE are two Nations of sin, eternal enemies to the people of God, (like Moab and Ammon begotten of those two base daughters of health in their father's forgetfulness) Drunkenness, and Gluttony, of either of which may be said that of Ambrose concerning dancing, How many faults are in that one wickedness. Intemperance in meat and drink (like the witch Circe) transformeth Men into several sorts of beasts, in which Metamorphosis, they think themselves borne only to pour down strong drink, and to devour the good creatures of God: but as the Moth secretly fretteth the garment, so poverty cometh upon them unawares, and they end in rags. Become thou not therefore a pledge with such, neither be thou of that ragged regiment; If thou chance to sit at their costly table stretch not thine hand wheresoever thine eye looketh, 
Ecclus 31 12.  and thrust it not with it into the dish, Remember that an evil eye is a shrew, 
Ecclus 19.1.  and that a man that is given to drunkenness shall not be rich.   

L.  PROVERBS 12. Vers. 28. 
LIFE is in the way of righteousness, and in that pathway there is no death.  
1. WHO so believeth in the Lord keepeth his commandments, and he that trusteth in the Lord shall take no hurt, for the eyes of the Lord have respect unto them that love him to deliver their souls from death, to cover them under his wings, and to keep them sure, under his feathers: so that though a thousand fall at their side, 
Psal. 91.7.  and ten thousand at their right hand, yet none evil shall come nigh them. Whilist Israel walked in the way of the Lord, neither Man, nor beast, Earth nor water, nothing could annoy them, 
Exod 14. ●….  The Sea shall part to make them an easy passage; the earth in forty years travail shall not make their foot to swell, 
Deut. 8.4.  the noisome, and pestilent beast shall not come nigh to hurt them, 
Ezek. 34.28 ibid.  neither shall Men though Anakims prevail against them: But when they once forsook the King's highway, to wander in by paths, who then were they not a prey unto? If then thou desire to live long, and to see good days, eschew evil and do good; 
Psal 1.1.  Walk not in the counsel of the wicked, neither stand thou in the way of sinners, for he that followeth evil, 
Pro. 11.19.  seeketh his own death, and becometh his own murderer, but righteousness delivereth from death, 
Pro. 10.2  and leadeth unto life Pro. 11.19.  
2 LET another Man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger and not thine own lips. Pro. 27. Vers. 11.  
2 THERE are a sort of People in the World, who do not so much talk of their good deeds because they have done them, as do them that they may talk of them, but what do such Men else, then with a great deal of cost, and no less pains purchase hatred to themselves? For 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. 
Suidas.  (i: e:) Many will hate thee if thou love thyself. Let not then thy mouth be the Herald to proclaim thine own worth: rather let that be the office of some other Man, only let it be thy chiefest care to do all things well that others may profit thereby, in imitating that themselves, which they commend in thee; It is, I grant, a good thing to be praised, but it is a better to be praiseworthy: desire not so much the acclamation of many, as of those that are good; account it as great a misery to be commended of bad Men; as if thou wert well spoken-of for doing ill: let it be thy joy when the evil are displeased at thy well-doing & judge it a commendations beyond compare, when thou art traduced, & evil spoken-of for thy goodness.  
LOOK not thou upon the Wine when it is red, and when it showeth his colour in the cup, ●or goeth down pleasantly. Pro. 23. vers. 31.  
3 THE sight as it is the most noble and excellent sense, so is it also the most delectable, and can hardly be removed from what it hath once entertained; what a sin, and shame than is it, to puddle that Crystalline Spring by presenting a Basilisk to infect, 
Pro. 23.32.  and poison it? Such is Wine and strong drink, which whilst some have immoderately hunted after, and with too eager a desire gazed upon, they have found death in their pots. 
Gen. 1.  God in the beginning made all things good, and shall Man the best of those good creatures pervert the first institution? shall that which God ordained to make glad the heart contristate and sade the same? 
Psal. 104.15.  God forbidden, yet this is done by an excessive use, and superabundant lusting after the same. Let therefore the counsel of Paul to Timothy; 
1 Tim. 5.23.  be thy doctrine: use Wine or strong drink, but let it be little, such as may conduce to health, and not put nature to too heavy a task, in easing of the burden which hath unmeasureablie been laid upon it. Remember that Wine is a mocker, 
Pr. 20.1.  and strong drink is raging, desire it not therefore over much lest it make thee unwise.   

M.  JOB 17. vers. 1. 
MY breath is corrupt, my days are cut off, and the Grave is ready for me.  

Psal. 58.3.  1. BIRTH begets sin, (the wicked from the belly have erred, and speak lies) sin sickness, sickness death, and so all dy forasmuch as all do sin: 
Rom. 5.12.  had not Man sinned, he should have drawn out his life to a comfortable maturity, or if his life like some long-kindled Lamp must have consumed it should have been without all pain, for without sin there could have been no punishment. But sins generation became Man's corruption, and no sooner was it borne but Man began to die. 
August. de lib. arbit lib. 3. c. 8.  Which is not the nature of Man thereto ordained, but the punishment of him condemned, because he willingly died in spirit, he must though against his will die in body; 
Job 17.13.  The grave must be his House, And Here he must rest, 
Mr. Austin inedit in fine.  and  
Where else should he rest? Is not a man's own house (to sleep in) best?  
Seeing then this is the condition of all Men, let it be thy care to furnish this house; that thou mayest be rich and happy in it. Here lay up the precious Ointment of a good name, here lay up the well kept books of a good conscience, here lay up the works of mercy, here lay up thy bills of exchange of convey, thy treasure to Heaven, where neither thief, nor Moth, nor rust shall annoy it, and having thus decked, and garnished the same, lay thee down in the sweet bed of faith, and assurance of mercy, and looking for a glorious Resurrection, say, 
Now farewell World,  
here in my house i'll rest,  
Sepulchrum enim domus  
mea est.   
MANY devises are in a man's heart, but the counsel of the Lord shall stand. Proverbs 19 vers. 21.  
2 THE way of man is not in himself, 
●…er 10.23.  neither is it in man to walk and direst his steps, he proposeth, but God disposeth; Man determines, but GOD'S decree must stand. To morrow saith Man, I will go to such, or such a place, or do this or that whereas he ought to say if the Lord will, and if I live I will do this or that. 
James 4.13.15.  Vain Man may think to get him a lasting name, by erecting his cloudy piercing Tower, but God determines to make it Babel a confusion, so vain are the devices of Man. Do not thou therefore peremptorily determine of any thing, either in the Service of God, or thine own affairs: but desire of the Lord to bow thine heart unto him, 
1 King. 8.58.  that thou mayst walk in his ways, and begin all thy works in his name, and fear; and so shalt thou be sure to end them in his favour.  
MANY Men will boast every one of his own goodness but who can find a faithful Man? Pro. 20. vers. 6.  
3 IT is bad for a Man to sin, it is worse to delight in it, but it is worst of all to extenuate, and lessen it. Whilst Man seeks to shroud his faults under virtue's habit, and boasts himself to be a very good Man, because he is not an incarnate Devil, what else doth he but pass on to the second death, like the offender to the first, with merry company? whereby the way may seem somewhat shortened but the punishment nothing lessened. It is a block which Satan casts in the Christian Man's way (and whereat many stumble) when he makes a Man to compare himself with others, and to think himself a very holy Saint, if he be not worse than the very worst, and more notoriously wicked, than the most profligate wretch. But alas! this is no sure fence, it is no better than Adam's thicket; which cannot shelter a Man from God's inquisition, who will find him out in his deepest Hypocrisy.  

Pro. 20 9  Therefore say not thou I have made my heart clean, I am clean from my sin; but rather acknowledge thyself to be an unprofitable Servant, a miserable sinner, and in the publicans tone implore God's favour, 
Luke 18.2 13  O God be merciful to me a sinner.   

N.  JOB 1. vers. 21. 
NAKED came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither the Lord hath given & the Lord hath taken it.  
1. 
Job. 5.6.  MISERY cometh not forth of the dust, neither doth afflicton spring out of the Earth; but a supreme hand rules over all, 
1 Sam. 2 7  and it is the Lord only that maketh poor and maketh rich. Notwithstanding Man, who is of a dogged nature, and currish disposition (like the dog that bits the stone that is thrown at him but regards not him that threw it) is ever wrestling and striving with the Cross, and affliction that is laid upon him, but he never looks to the hand that sent it; 
Psal. 14 1.  and with David's fool he can hardly be brought to think on God, 
Exod 8.19  till with Pharoahs' enchanters he be compelled to confess it to be his finger & handiwork. Man hath nothing but what he hath received from God in trust, who when he sees good, will call for what is his own: and then Man as he came naked into the World, shrouded only in blood; so he shall return as naked wrapped up peradventure in a sorry clout. In his pilgrimage here he vainly affected what he must leave behind him, and like a foolish traveller, burdens himself with more than is needful.  
Let this then teach thee, so to use this World, as though thou usedst it not. 
1 Tim. 9.8  Hast thou food and raiment, be therewith content, for it is not much that nature wants, it is less that she requires: Take up therefore the care of riches, only to serve thy turn in this life, and as thou findest thyself drawing nearer home, the more disburden thyself of them, knowing that he is but a foolish traveller that will furnish himself for a little way, as if his journey were of many Miles: and if in thy journey thou meet with any cross or affliction (which the good are most subject unto, being here from home in a strange place) in body, goods, or good name, first look back to thyself, what thou hast deserved, and then looking up to heaven, 
1 Sam. 3.18.  say with Eli, It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good.  
No man that warreth, entangleth himself with the affairs of this life, because he would please him that hath chosen him to be a Soldier 2. Tim. 2. ver. 4.  
2 IT ill becometh a Soldier that is upon service for his King and Country, when he should be bending both wit and force for the annoying of the enemy, then to be contriving, or making Merchandise with him: and as ill, or rather worse, it becometh a Christian, when he hath given up his name to become the Soldier of Christ jesus, then to be traffiqueing and trading with the Devil, dealing with him about worldly affairs.  
Thou therefore that hast by Baptism put on Christ jesus, 
Gal. 3.27.  proclaiming him to be thy King, and vowing thy self to be his Soldier; stand to thy tackling, be strong and quite thee like a Man, fear none but God, and yield to nothing but godliness, which hath the promise of this life, and of that which is to come. Turn thine eyes from the things of this World, and fix them upon heavenly, consider it is a Crown thou runnest for, a kingdom thou fightest for, fight therefore manfully, and so at last having fought that good fight of faith, thou shalt inherit the Kingdom, and rain regally without opposition or annoyance for ever, for thou shalt please him whose Soldier thou art, 
1 Sam. 2.30.  and who hath thus honoured thee.  
NOW will I arise sayeth the Lord, now will I be exalted now will I lift up myself. Esay. 33. ver. 10.  
3 AS the nurse to wean her child from the too earnest desire after her breast, lays some bitter thing thereupon, which having prevailed, she either wipes it off, or throws it away: So deals God, with the bitter enemies which he stirreth up against his peopl to wean them from sin, & the love of the World; he at the last turns their rage and fury upon themselves: though they be for the present Thorns in his Church's side, 
Numb. 33.55.  and Pricks in their eyes, and vex them in the land wherein they dwell; yet having executed, and brought to effect his purpose, he at the last sweeps them away with the bosom of destruction, 
Esay 14.23  and kills their root with famine. For their actions proceeding from an hatred against God's people, and not from obedience, they are at the last justly punished of God, for that they have in such cruel manner made havoc of his people.  
Let this then arm thee with patience when the Hand of God is upon thee, 
Job 13.15  To trust in him though he slay thee, or when he doth exercise thy faith by wicked instruments, yet still to rely upon him for deliverance, for he will in his due time deliver thee: he will arise and be exalted, so that thou shalt see thy desire upon thine enemies.   

O.  JOB 21. verse, 23.25. 
ONE dyeth in his full strength, being in all ease, & prosperity. And another dyeth in the bitterness of his soul and never eateth with pleasure.  
1. WHAT is the life of man, but a journey, or pilgrimage through the desert of Sin, toward the land of Promise, the heavenly jerusalem? 
Esay 33.24  where no inhabitant shall say, I am sick. In which progress some parents see their children consumed for presumption, like Nadab and Abihu. 
Leut. 10.2.  Some both parents and children are devoured for rebellion, like Corah & his company. 
Numb. 16.31.  but most children see their parents interred in the Wilderness, for their manifold transgressions, and disobedience. Man is borne with a condition to die: and not only old men must, but the youngest and lustiest may die. Nay our whole life is a continual death, Infancy dies in childhood, childhood in youth, youth in strong age, that in old age, and old age is our Nebo, from whence having taken a view of the holy Land, we die according to the word of the Lord; for it was Satan's language; he first spoke the word, ye shall not die at all. 
Deut. 34.5.  Some depart out of this World like a guest out of his Inn, willingly, others leave it like a Man plucked out of his house, 
Gen. 3.4.  against their will, one dies like a Lamp, or Candle wasted, and consumed, so dies the old man: the other like fire quenched with water, violently, so ends the young man, so that will they, nill they, yet all return to Golgotha. The works of God are unsearchable, and his ways past finding out, wherefore the godly, and the wicked are many times deceived in the end God aims at. The wicked do many times so flourish, and end in such pomp, and the godly are so afflicted, and die so despisedly in the eye of the World, that the one thinks the godly man's life to be but madness, 
Wisd. 5.4.  and the other, that he hath cleansed his heart in vain: but the time will come when the wicked shall be scattered away like chaff, 
Psal. 1.5.  and the righteous shall stand in great boldness before the face of such as have tormented him. 
Wisd. 5.1.   
Therefore judge not thou thyself hated of God because thou art poor, and endest thy days without pleasure, neither judge thyself beloved because thou art rich, and departest in prosperity; but labour in both estates to die the Servant of the Lord, and so be thou low, 
Wis. 5.5.  or high; rich, or poor; thou shalt have thy Portion among the Saints.  
ONLY by Pride doth Man make contention. Pro. 13, 10.  
2. PRIDE is a disease of the mind, whose efficient cause is the good gift of God abused, to wit, a wealthy estate: yea so easily doth prosperity infect, that hardly can a Man be rich, and not tainted with this disease. While the families of Abraham & Lot were not great, there was peace and quiet, but as soon as they were increased, peace was excluded, and debate admitted into the room: then began the hearts to be possessed with that contentious rhetoric of Mine and Thine, which parted those, whom neither adversity, nor peril's in famine, or exile, could sever, or part asunder. It is commonly said, that poverty parts good company, but it is, more often seen, that those have been severed by prosperity, whom a meaner estate had lovingly knit in a firmer bond: for wealth inflameth the hart, with a desire of priority, so that he now scorns to budge a foot, who a little before would have been content to have licked up the very dust of thy feet. Hinc Rixae, I this is it. Wealth begets pride, which dies not issueless, but brings forth contention.  
Art thou rich, be not high minded, 
1 Tim. 6.17, 18.9.  trust not in uncertain riches, but in the living Lord, (which giveth us abundantly all things to enjoy) do good, and be rich in good works, be ready to distribute, and communicate, laying up in store for yourself a good foundation against the time to come, that you may obtain eternal life.  
OPEN thy mouth for the dumb, in the cause of all the children of destruction. Pro. 31. ver. 8.  
3 THERE is a dumb orator who by his silent thetorique implores our aid, The poor and helpless wretch, whom God or none cares for: We say to our lazars, God help you, but God sayeth to them that are godly and want help, I will help where Man will not: If no man else will plead their cause, God will out of the mouth of Babes and Sucklings ordain help for his.  
Oh, therefore join in Commission with God, 
Pro 31.9.  open thy mouth, judge righteously, and judge the afflicted, and the poor; defend their cause, who are not able to help themselves. 
Pro. 3.8.  So health shall be to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones, & when time hath consumed itself, and wasted these, when time shall be no more time, then shalt thou inherit an eternal life.   

P.  PROVERBS 4. Vers. 26. 
PONDER the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be ordered aright.  
1. THE Devil perceiving that man by humble obedience may ascend thither, from whence he by his pride is fallen, envieth him, and is become a Satan, that is, an adversary unto him, and that a malicious one, a strong one, and a politic one: he hath set infinite snares before our feet, and filled all our ways with traps to catch our souls, he putteth into our hearts evil thoughts, into our Mouths lewd speeches, into our members sinful actions, when we are awake he stirreth us up to unlawful deeds, in our sleep to filthy dreams, if we be merry he makes us dissolute, if we be sad he laboureth to drive us to desperation. Nay, he doth not only labour to lead us out of the way by manifest error, but where he sees us walking by good works, there he seeketh to ensnare us.  
Seeing then thou art beset with so many temptations, thou hadst need to have Argus' eyes, and the faces of janus, that thou mayst look round about on every side for fear of danger. Wherefore as they that know they have enemies lying in wait for them, will not go abroad without their weapons. So thou knowing that the devil continually lieth in wait for thee seeking to devour thee, shouldst have a care to thy paths, that he may never take thee at advantage, for as he finds thee he will take thee. 
Ephes. 6.11  Stand therefore always completely furnished with the whole armour of God, that so thou mayst be able to withstand the assaults of the Devil, and (as a piece most necessary and bee-hovefull) take unto thee prayer, which is a strong Tower: the righteous runneth to it and is exalted. 
Pro. 18 18.   
PRIDE goeth before destruction, and an high mind before the fall. Pro. 16.18.  
2 IT is Gods ordinary proceeding against proud persons, to subdue, and bring under their pride by vile, and base means: and then to bring them to shame when their hearts are puffed up with a fond conceit of their own worth: when Herod was lifted up, and swelled in pride at the acclamations of those flatterers who told him he spoke more like a God than a man, 
Acts 12.22  than was he suddenly smitten by the Angel of the Lord, and miserably consumed, being eaten up of worms.  
Therefore labour thou for humility, think basely of thyself, and be lowly in thine own eyes, and so shalt thou be exalted in the sight of God: The Sun the higher he is in the firmament, the shorter shadow he maketh, and the nearer he cometh to the Earth, the shadows of all things are the longer: So virtue the higher, and the more eminent it is, the less ostentation it maketh, whereas, where virtue is wanting, there is nothing but pride and arrogancy; even as the ears of Corn that have nothing in them but light stuff, stand perching up above all the rest, but those that are laden with full grains, hang down their heads. The deeper the Well is the sweeter is the Water, so the more humble any man is in his own conceit, the more acceptable he is to God, and when the other in their high conceits imagining they stand fast come tottering down, this man stands fast indeed and at the length shall be exalted with glory.  
PREPARE thy work without, and make ready the things in the field; and after build thine house. Pro. 24.27.  
3 IN Worldly affairs deliberation is very necessary, and it is held a great point of policy for a man to deliberate long before he determine any thing: for want of this wise forecast, many men worthily undergo the censure of inconsiderate, and receive nothing else but a mock for what they take in hand. When Israel without the Commandment of the Lord, 
Numb 14.40.41.42.  nay, contrary to his appointment would be so forward, as to go up, and fight against the Amalekites, what was the issue? presuming obstinately, and rashly to go up to the top of the Mountain, they became a prey to their enemies the Amalekits and Canaanites, 
Num. 14.45.  who smote them and consumed them unto Hormah.  
In all thy affairs therefore whether spiritual, or temporal, be not too forward either with tongue or hand, but take hands with advice, in worldly business, be sure of means how to compass it, before thou take any enterprise in hand: and in Spiritual matters, when thou purposest to give up thy Name to Christ, first sit down, & cast thine accounts, what it will cost thee to become a Christian: lest not being able to undergo the troubles that shall accompany that profession, thou be found unworthy to be his Disciple.   

Q.  PSAL. 30. vers. 18. 
QVICKEN us, and we will call upon thy Name.  
1. NITIMUR in vetitum is not more old than true, the forbidden Fruit still hangs in our eyes, and we long to be tasting: and whereas we are dead, 
Colos. 3.3.  and therefore should mind worldly things no more then dead men do: yet nevertheless, we are sprightly, and lively in worldly affairs, but heavy, and lumpish, nay dead in spiritual matters: So that unless Christ say to us, 
Mark 4 41.  as sometime to the Maiden, I say unto you arise, There could not be the least endeavour in any of us, to further the work of grace in himself by calling upon God: for as the Apostle sayeth, It is not in him that willeth, 
Rom. 9.16.  nor in him that runneth, but in God that showeth mercy. He both prepares the good will of man, 
August. Enchir: cap. 3 1. Repent. Peter fol. 117.  that it may be fit to be helped by grace, and also aideth it being prepared. He preventeth him that is unwilling that he may be willing, and followeth him that is willing, that he may not will in vain. Blasphemous then is it to hold, that the will of man should work with God's Grace in any thing that is good. Indeed as they are works and actions, so they proceed from the will of man; but as they are good works they are only the works of grace, as our Saviour Christ told his Disciples, 
John 15.5  Without me ye can do nothing. Yet in the very act of conversion, the will of man is not idle, nor without all motion, and sense, as a dead image, but it followeth the Spirit of God, that draweth it, not by any violent necessity, but by sweetening and softening our hearts by his holy Spirit. For in one and the same moment, God moveth and boweth the will, 
Non violenta necessi●…ate, sed infandendo suavitatem ●…er spiritum sanctum bid.  and causeth us to be willing indeed: but yet so, as all the efficacy of the work is from the Spirit of God, who of unwilling maketh obedient, and of slow and dull maketh us run.  
Let this then teach thee himiliation: for if there be no goodness nor any aptness to that which is good in us, why should we be lift up with any conceit of ourselves? rather glorify God with acknowledgement of thy poverty, and by earnest Prayer crave the assistance of God's grace to quicken thee, and effect the work of thy conversion; that so thou mayst perform those duties, which God requireth of thee. Thus doth the Church of God in diverse places: Convert thou me, 
Jer. 31.18  and I shall be converted. And again, Turn thou us unto thee O Lord, 
Lam. 5.21.  and we shall be turned. Yea, 
Da Domine quod jubes, & jube quod vis Soliloq. cap. 18.  St. Augustine had that sweet Prayer oft in his Mouth, Lord give grace to do what thou commandest, and then command what thou wilt. Otherwise there can be no good looked for in any of us. And therefore Moses maketh this the cause, why the people were no more moved to repentance, by all the gracious proceed, and administrations of God toward them in the wilderness; namely, That the Lord had not given them an heart to perceive, 
Deut. 29.4.  nor eyes to see, nor ears to hear unto this day.  
QVENCH not the spirit. 1 Thes. 5.19.  
2 THE graces of the holy Spirit in this life, are like sparks of fire, which may soon be quenched with a little water; as oft as we sinne we cast water upon the Spirit of God, and as much as in us lies, we put out the same.  
Therefore let it be thy special care to avoid, and make conscience of every thing wherein thou mayst offend, and grieve the holy Spirit of God. He is a Spirit most pure, and will have an undefiled Temple to dwell in; keep therefore thy Vessel clean, thy body pure, which is his Temple, do nothing that may disquiet, or molest him, lest by abusing thyself by sin thou cause the Holy Ghost with grief to departed from thee.  
QUEEN Esther also being in danger of death resorted unto the Lord Esther 14.1.  
3 THERE be two things that fill the heart full of endless grief, outward calamities, and a wounded conscience which (as Solomon speaks) none can bear; 
Pro. 18 14  and the only comfort in distress is to have recourse to GOD by earnest Prayer: and although he seem not to hear presently, 
Job 13.15.  yet to trust in him with job, even unto the death.  
Roll thyself therefore upon the Lord, and cast all thy care upon him, who careth for thee, and though GOD or wicked men afflict, and vex thee, yet let it not drive thee from this Rock of comfort, to vain and sorry shifts. The Lord hath comforts for his children that will quiet and support them in any fears and dangers, his consolation will make a man sleep without a Bed, live almost without a Soul; they will make a man bold in danger, quiet in trouble, and live in the jaws of death. Rejoice therefore in all thy troubles, but let it be in the Lord, and he will give thee strength to withstand them, for the joy of the Lord is our Strength.   

R.  PROVERBS 11. Vers. 4. 
RICHES avail not in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivereth from death.  
1. RICHES of themselves are not simply evil, but as they are corrupted by abuse; it is possible (though hard) for a Man to be rich, and yet to be a good Man: neither doth the Prophet advise us to have no riches, 
Psal. 62 10.  but that we should not set our hearts upon them. But alas; so easily doth a prosperous estate make a corrupted mind, that poverty were much better for many. There is a fond imagination possesseth the heart of most men, that wealth brings some happiness, and that if they have abundance, they are then in safety, and in an happy case; This is evident, by a common speech, that such, or such a man cannot do amiss, for he is wealthy and hath the World at will; as if they should say, he is free from danger, no hurt can come unto him. But wealth is a very weak defendant against the LORDS assaults, it shall not stand them in any stead, neither deliver them in the day of the wrath of the Lord. 
Ezeck 7.19.   
Trust not therefore to thy riches, 
Ecclus 5.1  and say not I have enough for my life, for thou knowest not how soon they may be taken from thee, or thou thyself plucked from them: 
Ecclus 1 1●… 19  the time draweth near, that thou must leave all such things unto others, and then whose shall those things be that thou hast provided.  
RIGHTEOUS lips are the delight of Kings, and the King loveth him that speaketh right things. Pro. 16. ver. 13.  

Ecclus 10.17.  2 BLESSED is the Land when the King is the son of Nobles, virtuously trained up, and delighting in the grave advice of his Sage counsellors; then doth he (like the Sun in the Firmament) shine gloriously, and as it, so he comforteth, and rejoiceth the hearts of all that are under his rule. But when his ears are stopped to honest and wholesome Counsel, and tied only to the tongues of flatterers, and Thrasonical Sycophants, a woe it is to the land, 
Pro. 11.14.  for the people must needs fall. 
2 Chron. 12.1.  When foolish Rehoboam the Son of wise Solomon forsook the Law of the Lord, all Israel went with him. Look what manner of Man the ruler of the City is such, 
Ecclus 10.2.  are all they that dwell therein: his very example is a secret kind of Law, and whatsoever he doth himself, he seems to command it to others.  
Which may be a warning not only to Princes themselves but to all that be in authority, to have a care that they become not public and notorious offenders.  
Let me counsel you in particular, as S. Barnard did Eugenius the Pope; It makes much to thy perfection, to avoid both evil, and the show of evil in the one thou shalt provide for thy conscience, in the other for thy credit.  
REMEMBER thy Creator in the days of thy youth, whiles the evil days come not, nor the years approach, wherein thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them. Ecclus 12. ver. 1.  
3 THERE are many enemies to grace, but none more to be feared, than those that fight within us against us: and though all Ages be fruitful in evil, yet none more than Youth, which, besides all other enemies, hath itself the greatest enemy to itself, being destitute of its own, and scorning the good advice of others. That which Solomon spoke in jest and derision, the Young man takes in good earnest. 
Eccles 11.9.  Rejoice O young man in thy youth, and let thine heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the light of thine eyes, etc. And therefore takes his swinge in pleasures, presuming that old age is the only fit time to turn to God. So that many times by continuance and longer custom in sin, he makes his sins of a double die, even Crimson sins: yea, his sins, 
Esay 1.18.  become like a Disease in the bones, whereof if one recover many do rot away.  
Oh therefore harden not thy heart, but to day hear God's voice calling thee to repentance, remember the evil days will come; 
Ecclus 12.1.  wherein if thou presume to do great matters, (to frequent the Church, to hear the Word, etc.) thou mayst peradventure be deceived. It is reported of Alexander that great Conqueror, that when his Master Aristotle persuaded him to forbear the Wars till he were grown to a full and perfect age; that he answered, I fear that if I tarry till I come to that age, I shall lose much of the heat and vigour of my youth: So do thou answer all temptations whatsoever, which shall persuade thee to put off thy repentance till thou be'st old: Old Age hath enough to do with its own griefs, there are so many Aches in thy bones, so many Cramps in thy joints, and so many pains in all parts of thy body, that thou shalt have little leisure to think on any thing that is good.  
Would not all Men condemn him for a fool, or a madman that should lay the heaviest burden upon the weakest beast, who hath enough to do to bear up itself? and should let a stronger go empty by? So remember, that it is no less folly, to exempt thy youth which is strong and lusty, from the task of repentance, and to impose the same upon thy decrepit old age, already sinking under its own burden.  
And that it is the greatest injury unto the Lord that can be, for a man to consecrate the prime day of his youth to the service of the Devil, in the pursuit of sinful pleasures, and to serve God with the rotten bones of his doting old age; herein men deal with God like the Israelites, who if they had ever a Lame, a Scabhed, 
Mat. 1.8.  or a sick beast, that they would bring to the Altar: as if any thing had been good enough for the LORD, but all the fat and well-liking they kept to themselves: and as to the Israelites, so will God say to such men as these, I have no pleasure in you, neither will I accept your offerings at your hands. 
Mal 1.10   
O therefore let it be thy care to turn unto the Lord betimes, And to seek him while he may be found: 
Esay 55.6. Eccles 12.3.  before the keepers of the house do tremble, and the strong men bow themselves, and the grinders cease, because they are few, and they wax dark that look out by the windows So shalt thou be an happy old man in thy Youth; as too too many (by deferring the work of their Repentance) are unhappily young in their Age.   

S.  JOB 2. vers. 4. 
SKIN for skin, and all that ever●d man hath will he give for his life.  
1. We are easily glued to the things of this life, and do quickly fasten our minds upon each small contentment we find here; and hence it is that we are so hardly drawn from them, being is loath to part from them as from our dearest lives, and only in this case we sing loath to departed: yea with an eye in Sodom, and an hoof in Egypt with much auckwardnesse, and backwardness we forsake the one, to save the other; how dear soever we prize these wordly commodities, yet we set life at an higher rate, and gladly fell all that we have to purchase this jewel.  
Do not thou then stain the glorious Splendour of this precious gem by vicious living; much more take heed thou prove not a Rebel against GOD, by a wilful destroying of his workmanship, do not thou either for the avoiding of evil, or procuring of good, lay violent hands upon thyself, least seeking to shun a temporal calamity, thou fall into an eternal misery: like the fish that leapeth out of the broiling Pan, into the burning flame.  
The Crocodiles of Nilus pursue such only as fly from them, but fly such as stand to them, so doth the Devil, if he be resisted he turneth his back; and only presseth upon such as give him ground: Give not place therefore to the Devil, 
Ephel. 4.27.  nor to such horrible motions as he will be ready to suggest, 
●ohn 5.39  but have recourse to the Scriptures, search them for the sweet and gracious comforts which they afford, arm thyself with a constant faith in them, 
Ephes. 6.16.  and so shalt thou be able to quench all the fiery Darts of Satan, do thou stoutly, and valiantly resist him, 
jam. 4.7.  and he will fly from thee: but if thou yield unto him, thou must needs fall into his fearful Snares, and offer violence to that, which should be most charily preserved, and wilfully perish by thine own hand.  
SHALL we receive good at the hand of God, and not receive evil. job 11. ver. 10.  
2 GOD alone knows best When to wound and when to heal, 
Deu 32.39  when to kill, and when to make alive, when to afflict with sorrow, & when to send comfort, thus doth he many times deal with his dear Children, putting into all their Cups of comfort, and contentment, the bitter drams of sorrow and grief. And all this to teach us, not to expect any perpetuity of felicity here: we are all subject to vicissitude, change, and alteration, and what we are to day, we cannot say with warrant, and make it good, that we shall be the same to morrow.  
Do thou therefore from hence learn how to entertain comforts when GOD sends them, to use them like the World, as though thou usest them not, so to resolve of them to day, as if to morrow thou wert to take thy leave of them. And as for Crosses, and afflictions, when thou, findest thyself eased from them, yet think that they have left thee (as the devil did Christ) only for a little season; and therefore so take thy leave of them to day, as to morrow to expect their return.  
SUCH are the ways of everyone that is greedy of gain; he would take away the life of the owners thereof. Pro. 1 ver. 19  
3 COVETOUSNESS is called (by the Apostle S. Paul) The root of all evil, 
1 Tim. 6.10.  and not without cause, for a covetous man may easily be drawn to commit any sin, be it never so heinous: nothing is too hot, nor too heavy for him, whosoever standeth in his way between him and his Profits he saith of him (as the husbandmen in the Gospel concerning the heir) Come let us kill him, 
Mat. 21.38.  that the inheritance may be ours. If Naboth's vine-yard lie commodiously for Ahab, 
1 King. 21.2.13.  he must have it, though it cost the poor man his life.  
Yea, Covetousness many times maketh men so unnatural, that they do not spare the lives of their own Parents: or if they proceed not so fare, yet they are as sick of the Father as may be, and wish him fairly laid in his Grave, that they may enjoy his living.  
Hate thou this corrupt tree which bringeth forth such evil and accursed Fruit; 
Mat 7.17.  
Luke 12.15.  Take heed and beware of covetousness, and because it is an hereditary evil, bred in the bones, and will hardly out of the flesh, therefore as much as in you lieth let your conversation be free from it, 
Col. 3.5.  which will be when thy heart shall be continually fenced about with this Prayer of David, Incline mine heart unto thy Testimonies, 
Psa. 119.36  and not unto covetousness.   

T.  JOB 4. vers. 8. 
THEY that Blow iniquity, and Sow wickedness, Reap the same.  
1. EVIL words and deeds are like Arrows shot on high, which lighting on the Shooter's head, do wound his Look what measure men meet to others, 
Mat 7.2  the same shall be measured to them again, He that doth evil, must needs receive evil, 
Gal. 6.7.  for what a man soweth that he shall reap. 
Mat. 18.24 28, 30, & 34  That merciless Servant, who was forgiven the debt of 10000 Talents, and would not bear with his fellow in an hundred Pence, had the like cruelty showed to him, being cast into Prison till he should pay the whole Debt, which he was never able to do. If a man's heart be set upon mischief, mischief shall light upon his own pate; self do, self have; Breach for breach, 
Levit. 24 10.  eye for eye, tooth for tooth, Such a blemish as he hath made in any, such shall be repaid to him: If Adonibezek cut off the Thumes of the Hands and Feet of other kings, 
judg. 1.6.  his own, though a King, shall be cut off.  

Mat 7.12.  Do that therefore to others, which thou wouldst have done to thyself, Remember how jesabel that fed on blood, 
2 Kin. 9.35  fed Dogs with her blood; therefore do no evil though thou mightest, and when thou art tempted to do an evil work, think that Satan is where his business is, and therefore say thus to thyself, What shall I answer Christ at the Day of Audit? if contrary to my knowledge, and conscience I shall do this wickedness.  
TEACH a child in the trade of his way, and when he is old he shall not departed from it. Pro. 22. ver. 6.  
2 NATURE truly is very powerful, and can hardly be changed, only education can alter nature's property, and mould a man a new. Themistocles seeing men wondering at a young man, whose lewd behaviour was changed into good, said, A ragged Coalt may make a good Horse, if he be well ordered, and skilfully broken. The young man's mind is like Wax heated, apt to receive any form; and what is therein imprinted, it retains when it is cold. The Pot must be fashioned while the Clay is soft; the Vessel seasoned with good liquor, while it is new; the Tree straightened while it is a Twig; otherways if they be suffered to continue, they may soon 〈◊〉 be broken and spoiled, then bettered, and mended. The same must be done in the institution of youth, and what we hope to have him in age, we must fashion him to in his tender bud.  
Let it be thy chiefest care therefore in this business, to banish from his eyes, and ears, all obscene and filthy talk, and actions, for these little pitchers have ears, and do derive there liberty of sinning from what they hear, and see done by others. Let the chiefest of his time be taken up in the repetion of godly and wholesome instructions, and he shall continue in the same, and so shalt thou deliver his soul from Hell (i: e.) from destruction. 
Pro. 23.24   
THOUGH Hand join in Hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished Pro. 11. ver. 21.  
3 PHYSICIANS when they meet with a body hard to work upon, they double their dosses and use more violent means: and so deals God with sinners when he finds them obstinate; if his lesser punishments cannot prevail to bring them home, than he will lay his loins upon them, They must not think to run away with their sins without check, because God in the love of a Father with a great deal of patience expects their return, No, though God be slow yet is he sure, and however he paces with leaden feet, yet will he fall upon them with iron hands. In vain then do the wicked bandy against GOD, and fortify themselves against him: though he defer his punishments for a time, and do not presently execute his judgements upon them, yet at length he will bend his bow, 
Psal. 7.  and destroy with his prepared Arrows, he will draw his whetted Sword, and smite his enemies upon the cheek bone, and will not give over till his Sword have eaten their flesh, and his Arrows are drunk in their blood.  
Hast thou then sinned? do so no more, but confessing thy sin get thee to the Lord right humbly, abuse not his patience and long sufferance by making them no better than bawds to thy sin, lest he come upon thee suddenly & spoil thee of thine, arrmour wherein thou trustedst, and so give thee a shameful overthrow.   

V  ECCLUS 1. vers. 2. 
VANITY of vanities, sayeth the Preacher; vanity of vanities, all is vain.  
1. TERRENE things are like to Bridlime and the delight Man takes in them doth so clog the wings of his mind, that whereas he thinks to take God for his comfort, by soaring a loft unto him; he flags in his flight, falling short of Heavenly things, and lights upon honours, pleasures, profits, or the like, which he then gins to dote upon, and adore as his only help and secure. But alas; how doth he disquiet himself in vain, and how weakly doth he fortify himself against God's assaults, who in the turning of an Hand, makes all his day's sorrows, 
Eccles 2.23.  and his travail grief.  

1 Joh. 2.15  Therefore love not the World, nor the things of the World, for they will bring thee nothing but vexation of spirit: But delight thyself in the Lord, 
Psal. 37.4.  and he shall give thee the desires of thy heart.  
Others may make a goodly show, and promise thee all the Kingdoms of the World, and the glory thereof; but trust them not: 
Mundus deficit.  for though the World promise ease, comfort, and contentment, yet her Motto is Deficiam, I will fail you: though the flesh promise as fair as the World, 
Caro infic●t  yet his Word is Inficiam, 
Daemod inte●ficit,  I will infect you; though the devil come not short of either in his promises, yet his word is Interficiam, I will destroy you, so that vain is all comfort that can be expected from them.  

Deus reficit.  But what God promiseth thou mayst build upon, his Motto is Reficiam, 
Mat. 11.28  I will refresh you.  
Say therefore unto him as Peter did to Christ, Master unto whom shall we go. etc. I have no other comfort but thee, I delight in none but thee, for all other delights shall fail, but With thee there is pleasure for evermore. 
Psal. 16.11   
UPON the Land of my people shall grow Thorns and Briars: yea, upon all the houses of joy in the City of rejoicing Esay 30. ver. 13.  

Psal 107.34.  2 GOD maketh a fruitful Land barren for the wickedness of them that dwell therein; the Briars and Brambles which it bringeth forth, 
Gen. 3.18.  do still catch at the heels of us the woeful inhabitants, and by their silent rhetoric seem to bid us to behold the fruits of our Rebellion. Yea, 
Esay 32.14  the City of God's delight shall be made an heap of desolation, the delight of wild Asses: yea his holy Temple shall be destroyed, and defiled by profane wretches, rather than wickedness shall go unpunished though in his own people.  
Let this stir up in thee an hearty hatred against sin, which bringeth forth such fearful effects, let it Spur thee forwards to holiness of life; though wicked worldlings mock thee for the same, yet thou shalt find that thou art highly in God's esteem: for the Heaven over thee shall not be Iron, 
Levit. 26 19  nor the Earth under thee as Brass, the Lord will not turn our Land into a standing Pool, nor cause Thornes and Briars to grow upon the same: 
Psal. 67.6.  but the Earth shall bring forth her increase, and God even our God shall bless us.  
AS VINEGAR is to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the slothful to them that send him. Pro. 10. ver. 26. 
Pro. 15.19   
3. THE way of the slothful man, is as an hedge of Thorns, When he should go about his employments he forecasteth a thousand fears: a Lion is without, he shall be slain in the street, 
Pro. 22.13.  a Bear will meet him, 
Amos 5.19.  or a Serpent out of the wall will bite him onething or other is a continual rub in his way, so that he is but a trouble, and a grief to him that employeth him about any business.  
Have no fellowship therefore with the slothful man that maketh poor, but deliver thyself from him, 
Pro. 10 4.  as a Do from the hand of the Hunter, and as a Bird, 
Pro 6.5.  from the hand of the Fowler, so shalt thou find comfort, & abundance of precious Treasures.   

W.  PRO. 2. Vers. 10.11. 
WHEN wisdom entereth into thine heart, & knowledge delighteth thy soul, then shall counsel preserve thee, and, understanging shall keep thee.  
1. 
2 Chron. 1.7.  SALOMON being bidden of God to ask what he would, desired not silver nor any such earthly trash, but give me wisdom (saith he) to go in, 
2 Chron. 1 10.  and out, to govern this people. If he who was a governor of men's bodies only, made this choice: then how much more wary ought every one to be in his election, when body, and soul are under his charge?  
The Word of God is called a Lantern, 
Psa 119.105.  and a Light: now as a man who hath a Lantern and a Candle carried before him keeps himself from falling in the darkest night; so he that suffers himself to be guided by God's Word, placing it always before him, and letting it shine to his heart, he shall by the light thereof keep himself from falling, 
Psal. 119.11.  so that he shall not sin against the Lord, or if he do fall through infirmity, (as who sinneth not) yet he shall not lie along impenitently, for he hath the seed of God's Word abiding in him, 
1 John 3 9  which will reduce, and bring him into the way again.  

Pro. 6.21  Bind therefore the precepts of God's Word upon thy heart, and tie them always about thy neck, have them always in remembrance and before thine eyes, and then like a Lantern, and a light they shall preserve thee from falling into sinful ways, 
Psal. 141.4  with men that work iniquity.  
WINE is a mocker, and strong drink is raging; and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. Pro. 20. vers. 1.  
2 THE Vine bringeth forth three sorts of Grapes, the first of plesantness, the second of drunkenness, & the third of shame, when men are so taken with the colour, or plesantness of the Wine in going down, that they tarry by it till night, till the Wine inflame them: 
Esay 9.21.  Then (besides other woes, and sorrows which attend thereupon) 
Pro. 23.29.  shame follows, and leaves them not, till she hath made them ridiculous: so when it hath stripped them as bare as Noah, than it exposeth them like Noah to Cham, and all that see them do mock them.  
It is recorded of a Bird which hath the face of a Man, but is so fierce of nature, that sometimes for hunger she will set upon a man, and slay him: afterwards coming for thirst unto the water, and seeing a face in the water like the face of him whom she had devoured, for grief that she had killed one like herself, takes such sorrow, that she never eateth, nor drinketh after, but frets, beats, and pines, herself to death. What then shall they do who have not slain one like themselves, but themselves their very selves with a Cup of Wine?  
As Christ therefore said remember Lot's wife; 
Luke 17.32.  so say I, Remember Lot: one nights drunkenness did him more hurt then all his enemies in Sodom. 
Gen. 19.33.  Remember Noah, one hour's drunkenness exposed him to shame, and the contempt of his own child, by discovering the nakedness of those things, which he had concealed, 
Gen. 19 21.22.  and kept hid, six hundred years together. 
Ephes. 5.18.  Be not then drunken with wine, or strong drink, wherein is excess, and all kind of riot, joined with all kind of filthiness, and shamefulness of living. 
1 Thes. 5.8  But thou which art of the day, be sober, and trust perfectly on that grace that is brought unto you, 
1 Pet. 1.13  in the Revelation of jesus Christ, as an obedient child, not fashioning, yourself unto the former lusts of your ignorance: but as he which hath called you, is holy so be thou holy in all manner of conversation. 1. Peter. 1.13, 14, 15.  
WHO ever perished being an innocent? or where were the upright destroyed? job 4. ver. 7.  
3 MAN'S extremity is God's opportunity, and many times he suffers his children to sink so low, that all means of help seems to fail in so much that they many times become a byword to wicked and profane worldlings; Lo these are the men that trusted in God; these are they that took him for their comfort: 
Psal. 37.24  Yet then in mercy he putteth under his hand, not suffering them to perish, or to be cast off.  
Do thou then who hast an heart spiritually afflicted stay thyself here. Fear not any affliction, whether immediately from God, or from his instruments happening unto thee, for God hath comforts for thee in all, and will send comfort above all tribulation. Though he suffer thee to be evil entreated of Tyrants and cruel oppressors, yet despise not the chastening of the Lord, neither faint when thou art rebuked of him, 
Heb. 12.5 10  knowing that he doth it for thy profit, that thou mayst be partaker of his holiness.   

Y.  PROVERBS 27. vers. 17. 
IRON sharpeneth iron, so doth man sharpen the face of his friend.  
1. THERE is no speedier conjunction of Fire and Gunpowder, Fire and Tow, Tinder, or of any other such combustible matter, than there is of words: for no sooner is an hasty word sent from the mouth of an angry man, but it catches, and kindles, burning on till it have inflamed him who is of the like humour: then as if it reached some concave it is repercussed, and Echoed into the throat of the speaker. Hence many times it comes to pass, that even between most loving friends, for trifles, and matters of no moment, most bitter discords, and unnatural bloudsheads have arisen, for (saith Solomon) grievous words stir up anger, 
Pro. 1 1.  which ends not in the teeth or tongue, nor dies till it come to blading, or handing at the best.  
Therefore let it be thy commendation that thou canst put up an angry words, and pass by an injury offered, or done unto thee: howsoever the World befool thee for it, yet art thou God's wiseman, 
Pro. 14 29  for he that is slow to wrath is of great wisdom, whereas he that is an angry man never lacks woe, and a man of much anger shall suffer punishment. 
Pro 19.19.   
YE are all the children of light, and the children of the day. 1 Thes. 5. vers. 5.  
2 TRUTH however it may sometimes be blamed, yet it can never be shamed, but with a constant, and settled countenance it dares behold the Sun: whereas sin, though it be a bold audacious brood, yet it seeks to shroud itself in obscure places, not daring to behold the light. 
Pro. 7 9  The whoremaster seeks out whore-howses in the twilight, in the evening, when the night gins to be black and dark. 
Job 24 15  The eye of the Adulterer waiteth for the twilight, and sayeth no eye shall see me, and disguiseth his face. And they that be drunk, are drunk in the night: in which security whilst they are deep buried, singing sweet lullabies to their souls, yea are ensnared in an evil hour, and sudden destruction comes upon them, 
1 Thess. 5.3.  that they cannot escape.  
Whereas the child of God standing in awe of, and yet joyfully expecting that day, prevents the bitterness thereof by walking soberly as in the Daytime, not fearing who seethe, or scanneth his actions.  
Thou therefore who art of the day, be sober & watch, do such things as do belong, and appertain to the light, not walking in the ways, nor doing the works of vanity that when thy Master cometh, and findeth thee doing such things as are pleasing in his eyesight, thou mayst partake of that comfortable invitation, It is well done good servant, 
Mat. 25.13.  and faithful, enter into thy master's joy.  
YES, ye are our glory and joy. 1. Thes. 2.20.  
3 AS in all other professions, so likewise in the Ministry; perfection and a good effect is the thing principally intended, and the salvation of souls chiefly aimed at a good success is that which every one exspects upon his labours, 
1 Thes. 2.19.  and the Ministers Crown of rejoicing is, when the word of God, which is by him sown in the hearts of his people, takes root downwards, 
Esay 55. ●1.  and bears fruit upwards, prospering in the things whereunto it is sent.  
Let it therefore be your care (as it is his) when you come to the hearing of the holy word of GOD, to come with a desire to profit by it, and to grow in grace, through the powerful operation of the same: and to this end pray unto God, to open your heart, as he did the heart of Lydia, 
Acts 16 12.  that you may diligently attend to that which shall be taught; that so GOD by his holy Spirit working with the Ministry of his messenger, they may in the great harvest of souls stand before the Lord with great comfort, and boldness, and joyful say, Behold here are we, 
Heb. 2.13.  and the children, which God hath given us. which is their joy & glory.   

Z.  PSAL. 69. vers. 9 
The ZEAL of thine house hath eaten me up.  
1. COVETOUSNESS is a lepry, which did not only infect the common sort of people, but appeared also in the Priest's skin; yea it had spread, to their hearts and rather than any one should think to be excused (by reason of his long journey) from his sacrifice at the Pasover, the House of God shall be made an House of Merchandise for such necessaries as were then required. Christ seeing this, winks not at it, but was so inflamed, that he whipped then all forth; fulfilling that Scripture, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me. up  
And because every action of Christ, aught to be a pattern for us, to do the like, though not the same, Therefore let it be thy care to be eaten up with the zeal of God's house, (i: e) to be zealously affected always in good things; 
Gal. 4.18  think it not enough to save one, by caring only for thine own self, but labour ro reduce others, when thou seest them straying from the good way. Reprove sin wheresoever, and in whomsoever thou espiest it. Remember, that servant was condemned, not for losing, but because he had not made advantage of his Talon: 
Mat. 25.27  So will it be with thee, if (as much as in thee lieth) thou seek not to win souls unto Christ. Be zealous therefore and amend, repent, and in all things be a means to bring others to Repentance.  
FINIS.   

Imprimatur  
Tho. Wykes March 27. 1637.