SOME PRISON MEDITATIONS AND DIRECTIONS On several Subjects: Viz.  

On The Fall of Man.  
On The Sufferings of Christ.  
On Repentance and Faith.  
On Reproof and Counsel.  
On The Holy Scriptures.  
On Prayer.  
On Love to Mankind.  
On Sincerity.  
On The Vanity of the World.  
On The Benefit of Afflictions.  
On Heaven and Hell.   
By SAMVEL YOUNG, Minister of the Gospel.  Jer. 33.1, 3. 
Moreover the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah, the second time, (while he was yet shut up in the Court of the Prison) saying, Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.  Luther's Song, Col. Men. 
Credens tribulatur, Tribusatus invocat, Invocans auditur, Auditus laudat.  
LONDON, Printed by J. A. for Tho. Cockeril at the three Legs in the Poultry, over against the Stock-market. 1684.   

To all that are serious in the Profession of Religion, whether Conformists or Nonconformists, Ministers or People.  
My Brethren,  
THe Eternal God having spread open the everlasting arms of Mercy, and embraced you, hath made you so like himself, as that you have such a hatred to sin, as sin, and love to holiness, as holiness, that cannot be quenched: Hence it is, that you being such Godlike Creatures, are often in ●angs, because of a distracted world; whose Lives are a delectable Frenzy, or a continued fit of madness: To you do I call, that being Converted, you would often speak of the chief things in Religion (such as are contained in this Book) to a vain world, that Many may be by you turned unto Righteousness: I foresee that several Questions will by several men be made, concerning the Author and the Book: As,  
Q. What Opinion is the Author of?  
A. I Answer. He is of this Opinion, that to love God with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole Burnt-offerings and Sacrifices, Mar. 12.33. He disowneth all those Names which have occasioned so many heats and heart-burnings among us, and wisheth they were as little known among the Saints on Earth, as they are among the Saints in Heaven. He is an impartial enquirer after Truth, without regard to interest or parties; he is of all your Religions to whom he writes, and yet of none of them; of all, so as to mind the great things you plead for, as Love to God, Christ and Souls, etc. above all; of none, so as to be tied to any of your controverted modes of Discipline; he is a mourner over all your parties, that God and one another are no more loved, but a furious Contend for none.  
Q. Why in the following Meditations and Directions, are Books Quoted, and not Chapter and Page?  
A. Because I have been for above two years from my Study: The Observations are my own, in the diligent perusing and reading over all the Authors I have named: And now I call on you that know God, and are known of him, that you love one another: If your heads must differ, resolve that your hearts shall unite.  
Are you such as frequent the Liturgy? Call on them that worship with you, not to mock God, when they profess to come before him with an humble, lowly, penitent and obedient heart; when they say to God, Pitifully behold the sorrows of our hearts: Persuade them, when they bring their Children to Baptism, not to make it only a matter of custom to give the Child a Name, etc. Choose no ignorant or scandalous Godfathers or Godmothers that never mind their own Souls, and therefore in vain promise to mind the Souls of your Children: Remember what a weighty matter it is to give up your Children to the Lord: What cries should there be at the throne of Grace, what pains should you take as they grow up, that they may indeed be his: Those that go with you to the Lords Table, as you have opportunity, persuade them, that their words be right, when they say, The thoughts of our sins are grievous, the burden of them is intolerable; and when they resign themselves to God, to do it unfeignedly.  
You that frequent private Assemblies, chief or only; Love them that hate you, Pray for them that are in Authority, let all men by your good Conversations which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation, 1 Pet. 2.12.  
In whatsoever dress your Religion is clothed, whether in a more plain or curious one, Love one another. Perhaps a Prison may, in time, make many of you to fall into one another's Arms, and weep bitterly for your former Animosities. Remember Ridley and Hooper! The same Spirit seems to be among you, that once was between Cox of England, 
Fuller's Church-Hi●●.  and Knox of Scotland; when at Frankfort, the extreme zeal of one for the Liturgy, and of the other against it, made them fall into preternatural heats. I am ashamed to write the whole, but cover all with that of the holy Ghost concerning the great send between Paul and Barnabas, 
Act 15 39  that sharp was the contention between them. I cannot but take notice however, That the Common-prayer-man was the sharpest.  
I would ask them that have not yet learned Paul's directions, when contentions were in the Church of God, about little things in Religion, as Meats, Drinks, and holidays, Rom. 14.22. Hast thou Faith, have it to thyself before God: Let every man be persuaded in his own mind: What if Origen, Augustine, and many of the Ancient Fathers, and Holy Martyrs were now alive? would they have them silenced for ever, and cast out of the Church, because they had some Principles that rendered them uncapable to subscribe and swear as some expect? When there is an Uniformity in the Stature of all men's Bodies, in the feature of all faces, in the found of all Voices, then, and not till then may we expect an Uniformity in the Opinions, and so practices of the People of God.  
Our Divisions are the great stumbling-block to a Profane world, who if we persuade them to live soberly, righteously and godly, tell us, You are not of one mind; though our answer be ready, Neither are Physicians nor Lawyers, yet that man would not be himself that should say, if my Body and my Estate be in never so great danger, I will hearken to none of them. Great have been the Controversies of late years on foot about Succession, if any man should therefore say, Government is needless, 'tis fatal to the world; how soon might he be answered? If any man should say, because one man accounts a house of one figure best, and another of another figure, I will therefore dwell in no House; Because one thinks  of one colour and fashion best, and another of another, I will therefore put on no Apparel; because one man loves such a dish that another cares not for, therefore I will eat nothing; he were Distracted: Let such mind the things wherein we agree, and then if they mistake in the things about which we differ, they will be saved: We all grant Repentance, Faith, and a Holy Life necessary; Mind these things: Would to God I had spent some of the hours in enquiring how my Soul might be bowed down before God in Prayer, that I have spent in enquiring whether I should Pray in my own words, or the words of others; that I had more enquired how I might come to the Lords Table, Hungering and Thirsting after Righteousness, and less what gesture I should there use.  
You know my Brethren, your own Judgements often change in the smaller matters of Religion, which may make you moderate towards them that descent from you, seeing you so often descent from yourselves: As the Body changeth in a few years, old matter passeth away, and there comes a succession of new; so every enquiring, thinking man knows, that what he thought lawful at one time, he hath thought unlawful at another, and cannot help it.  
Testify my Brethren, testify against the formal men of all your persuasions, who when they plead for the high things in Religion, do it with so much coldness, as if their words did freeze in their mouths; but when for their little notions, are so full of rage and fury, as if wrath and envy had chosen their faces, to discover their complexion to the world; But remember you are Christians, and Christians must love one another. Germanicus in his Speech to the Soldiers, when there was a mutiny among them, 
Tacitus.  said, Divus Julius seditionem exercitus uno verbo compescuit, Quirites vocando; that Julius Caesar ended a sedition in an Army, by one word, calling them Romans, he bade them remember they were Romans; so you are Christians: If the hand have the Palsy, and shakes much, and can hardly hold any thing, who is presently for Amputation or cutting it off? Learn you of Paul, Rom. 1●1, 2. Him that is weak in the Faith, receive you, but not to doubtful disputations: For one believeth that he may eat all things, another who is weak, eateth herbs: v. 13. Let us not therefore judge one another any more: v. 19 Let us therefore follow after the things that make for Peace, and the things whereby we may Edify one another. I know not how my counsel may take with some of you; I know that he that cometh between two that are fight, to part them, is sometime beaten by both: I know that some on the one hand will be offended, and charge me that I seem to countenance Superstition; and others on the other hand will say that I favour Schism, but I matter not.  
The Protestant Church, the Vessel in which we are, is ready to sink, Lord save us, or else we perish; God be merciful to those desperate Souls, who because we cannot agree, therefore reject all Religion, as if a man at Sea, seeing the waves urgent, and hearing the winds roaring, should say, if this 'tis to be in a Ship, I will never here abide, and so commit himself to the vast Ocean: So are they that reject all Religion, because of the Contentions that are in the Church of God, and fall into Atheism and Profaneness: Accept kindly of this plain Discourse, devoid of all Embellishments of fine words and Phrases, and take up with the great things of Religion, as you are directed by one that is of Paul's mind, who saith of himself, 1 Cor. 9.20, 21, 22. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the Law, as under the Law, that I might gain them that are under the Law; to the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made (observe) all things to all men, that by all means I might save some: Had some weak headed Christians among us seen him thus to do, perhaps they would have said, that Paul often changed his Religion, or could not tell what Religion to be of; that he was not fixed, or a man of no Principles: Hear what he says elsewhere, 1 Cor. 10.33. Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they might be saved: As far as I can, I am yours in your divers ways of worshipping one Lord Jesus Christ: This I am resolved on, that having been instrumental for the Conversion of many Souls, and I hope shall of many more, yet ungathered, that I will Preach Repentance, Faith and Obedience to the Gospel.  
Grow my Brethren, Grow in Grace, that you may have that commendation given to the Church of Thyatira; I know thy Works, and Charity, and Service, and Faith, and thy Patience, and thy works, and the last to be more than the first, Rev. 2.19. But Oh! That my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of Tears, that I might weep day and night; not only for the Profaneness of the Ungodly, but for the backwardness of the Righteous to all good works; I cry to you as in that Song, Judg. 5.12. Awake, awake Deborah: Awake, awake: Set about the work, to be more serious yourselves, and to sound an Alarm in the ears of a drowsy, sleepy world, that they may be saved: That this may be your work, is the hearty Desire and Prayer of him, who is  
Your Brother, And Servant in our Lord, Samuel Young. Gloucester Goal, Feb. 2. 1683/ 4   

TO ALL SEAMEN, THAT ARE, Or would be Serious.  
HAving in this Book, spoken of the chief things in Religion, I could not but call on you to mind these things yourselves, and to put others in mind of them: I have you daily on my heart, before the Throne of Grace, that you that are serious may endeavour by Prayer, by Admonitions, by a good Example to make many so: You that are Baptised, have taken Christ's Press-money, have taken Christ's Livery, and are under an engagement to Fight under his Banner, against Sin, the World and the Devil; testify against the Drunkenness, Swearing, Uncleanness, Sabbath-breaking, Contempt of Prayer and Reading of Scriptures, and other sins many among you are guilty of. I know your great Objection, is,  
Obj. That you shall be derided, if you so do; this I have heard from many of you.  
A. 1. Deride their Derision. Remember what is said of Christ; and when his friends heard of it, they laid hold on him, for they said, he is beside himself, Mar. 3.21. If you are accounted mad by them that are really so; you have Christ for your Companion.  
2. It is better be derided by men now, for the faithful discharge of your duty; than be derided by Christ, Angels, and Saints, another day, for the neglect of your duty.  
3. The Derision of some, may soon turn into imitation. They that at first mock at good counsel, may in time take it, and give it to others. I have seen an instance, one laughing to see another minding secret Prayer, and yet seeing constancy, and resolution for that duty, practised the same.  
Remember, if you mourn not, if you pray not over the ungodly, their sin is yours; if you reprove not, you are the cause of their damnation. I have read in the dreadful Tragedy of the destruction of the English, by the Dutch at Amboyna, that one Dunchin, who had falsely accused them, one day passing by the Pit where sixteen of them were cast in, that he fell on it raging, and was distracted, considering there lay so many men he had ruined. How many go into Eternity, whose Souls you have betrayed into the Infernal Pit, by your sinful discourse, or by your sinful silence! Stop the mouth of the Swearer, and Blasphemer as much as you can; James 3.4, 5, 6. Behold also the Ships, which though they be so great, and are driven with fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small Helm, whithersoever the Governor listeth. Even so the Tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things: Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth. The tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity:— And it is set on fire of Hell. I wish you Moses's Blessing, Deut. 33.18, 19 Rejoice Zebulon, in thy going out,— Suck of the abundance of the Seas, and hid treasures in the Sands.  
Have you been as those Mariners, Jon. 1.15.16. When Seas have raged, and ceased, made Vows to the Lord? Keep your Vows; Instruct poor Pagans in the way to God. Consider the worth of your Souls and theirs. The better your Cargo is, the more you fear Shipwreck. O man thou art richly laden, that Vessel, thy Body, carries a Soul of greater value, than all the Treasures upon earth: Let it never be said of it, what was said of that Ship, and men in it, Acts 27.20. That all hope of being saved, was taken away.  
S. Y.   

THE PREFACE.  
ALcinous the Platonist tells us, That Plato thought that the work of a Philosopher consisted in three things, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Which I think, taking the liberty the Poet speaks of, Nec verbum verbo curabis reddere fidus Interpres. 
Herat. de Art. Poet.   
I may t●u● English:  
In thinking well, in doing well, and in speaking well. What their Philosophy, which was much of their Natural Religion, taught them; doth Christianity, which is our supernatural Religion, teach us, but in a different way, and in a fuller manner. The design of the following discourse is to help in this work. There are many things for Meditation of God, his Word, etc. many practical Directions for a holy useful life, several helps to speak to God, and for God. I know dangerous it is, for a man in my circumstances to be a Writer: But I care not if my counsel be accepted, what becomes of my person. I am persuading the World to play the Christian, to play the Man: As Solomon brings in Wisdom speaking, so do I, Unto you O men, do I call, and my voice is unto the Sons of men. Are you men, learn to act according to the excellency, and dignity of your natures.  
Let me beseech those, into whose hands this Book may come, if they have given up themselves to the Immoralities of the Age, Drunkenness, Adultery, Swearing, Oppression, etc. that have all vices, that may make their lives a full Systeme of wickedness; Vices, the nanning of which may seem to corrupt the Air we breathe in; Vices, that need little more to their confutation, than to be thought on; I say, let me persuade you to consider: Is Sin an evil thing, Grace a desirable thing? Is God, and your Souls to be minded above all things, or not? If not, why do you say they are? If they are, why do you not live as those that thus believe? I do not despair but that some, who are guilty of the unpresidented Sins of the times, Sins of the first Edition; if they would consider, they may yet learn to walk soberly, righteously and godly in this present World. I know such are ready to say,  
Object. Religion is abused to very bad purposes by some.  
Answ. I Answer, And used to very good purposes by others. Is Rhetoric to be despised, because by it some bad men learn to colour a bad cause; as well as some good men to flourish a good cause? Is Logic to be despised, because some learn to dispute Sophistically; as well as others Topically? Is the light of the Sun to be despised, because one steals by it; as another works in his Calling? How many men had lived as Incarnate Devils, that now live as Terrestrial Angels, had not Religion healed their Natures, and regulated their Lives! Remember, Sin is a great part of the misery and punishment of these men. They are out God, his Grace, and Love, and content to be so; they serve the Devil and Sin, and are glad of the work. The Lord bring in such, as their Elder Brother in the Gospel, that was healed of his distraction, and was placed in his right mind at the Feet of Jesus.   

SOME Prison Meditations AND DIRECTIONS ON Several Subjects.  

CHAP. I. Of the Fall of Man.  

MEDITATIONS.  
THat the finding out of our Disease, is necessary in order to a Cure; is not more true of the Natural Distempers of our Bodies, than of the Spiritual Distempers of our Souls. The Apostle mentions the Fall of man at large to the Romans, to make way for the discovery of the Necessary and Excellency of a Saviour. Ronvere, 5. In the Fall of man, I shall consider, that we all were in the First Man, as in Heb. 7.9.10. Levi is said to pay Tithes to Melchisedeck, as he was in the loins of his Father Abraham. So we may be said to eat Forbidden Fruit, as we were in the loins of our Father Adam. We were in him, as a Nation in their King. Adam was our Repre●●e●●ative: If he had stood, we had had the benesit of his obedience, though he, not we obeyed: So he disobeying, we are brought under the Curse, though he and not we offended. It is in vain in war, if Subjects be taken, to say, our King proclaimed and made the War, not we; we never consented to it. If the Posterity of a Traitor be disinherited, it is in vain for them to plead, Our Father, not we, conspired the death of the Prince, we were not then born. Besides, the nature of man by the Fall was corrupt, and a clean thing cannot come out of an unclean. 
Job. 14.4.  It is true indeed what God said by Ezekiel, The Children shall not bear the Iniquity of the Father: 
Ezek. 19.20.  If the Father sin alone it is so, but this is not our Case; for we find our Principles, and so Practices corrupted. Adam was but one man personally, but he was all men potentially, and originally. I shall in order consider, 

1. What we were before the Fall.  
2. What Sin we were guilty of in the Fall.  
3. What misery we brought on ourselves after the Fall. I may sometimes name Adam only, but it must be thus understood, that we all were Herald    
1. What Adam was before he fell. Adam and Eve, Gen. 5.2. are both called Adam, Male and Female created he them, and blessed them, and called their name Adam: In the day when they were Created they were one, though not by a Physical, yet by a Conjugal Union; they were two distinct persons, yet one by nearness of relation; and so I may consider them both, though sometimes I name one only, as I see occasion. Before the Fall, great were the privileges they had for their Body; and Souls: Of the first sort.  
1. Their Bodies were sound and free from all distempers, bodies that could not be disturbed by any outward colds or heats, or by any inward malignity or humours, Gen. 2. ult. Ask the sick and unhealthy, that are chained by many pains in Head, Stomach, what this mercy was.  
2. All the Creatures were in subjection to him, Gen. 1.28, 29, 30. God gave man Dominion over the Birds of the air, and over the Beasts of the earth, and over the Fish of the sea, and over the living things that creep on the earth: The Creatures saw such a lustre in the countenance of man, that they feared him; so much majesty yet appears, though sin hath lessened it, that the Beasts fear us not a little: For venomous Creatures, they either had no venom, or that venom could not hurt.  
3. He was seated in a pleasant Habitation, Gen. 2.8. And the Lord God planted a Garden eastward in Eden, and there he put the man, whom he had form. The Excellency of which place we read in the 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. verses. Where he was placed, or where Eden was, a Learned Author hath spent much time to inquire. 
Sir Walt. Rawley Hist. of World.  That Paradise was not the whole world, is clear from Gen. 3.24. So he drove out the man; not sure out of the world, for Adam lived, Gen. 5.5. nine Hundred and thirty years. For the idle notions that the Rivers signify virtues, etc. I will not honour them with a confutation.  
The good things of the Soul were these.  
1. It was enriched with wonderful knowledge, Gen. 2.19, 20. When God brought the Creatures to Adam, he on the first sight gave names to them; that is, names significative, or expressive of their natures; as if we should call a Lion Rage, a Lamb Meek, a Dove Innocent, etc. His Knowledge much exceeded ours; his was habitual, ours acquired; his was complete, ours imperfect; His knowledge was as much above the knowledge of the wisest man on earth, as the knowledge of a wise man above the knowledge of a Child.  
2. He had a perfection of Holiness, not only a perfection of degrees, but of parts: he was perfect, not only if we consider Perfection in opposition to Hypocrisy, as Abraham, Noah, and many Saints in Scripture are said to be perfect: But perfect in opposition to any defect, or imperfection. Adam in Paradise was as an Angel in Heaven, was as free from any Sin or contempt of God.  
3. He had frequent, and immediate, and full Communion with God, Gen. 2.16, 17. God speaks to man, and man to God without any fear, or dread. What an honour is it for a mean man to have the ear of a Prince, or great man at his pleasure! Hence it was that Paradise was a lower Heaven; which makes some think, if man had not sinned, he had there continued for ever.  
2. We come to consider what Sins we were guilty of in the Fall. Man had very bad thoughts of a good God; very good thoughts of a bad Devil; very high thoughts of low Self, Adam and Eve.  
1. They made God a Liar, and justified the Devil as a Speaker of truth; Gen. 2.17. God said, In the day you eat thereof, you shall die, Gen. 3.3. The Devil said, You shall not surely die, Gen. 3.4. The Woman said, Lest you die. God affirms, the Devil denies, and the woman doubts. Many Temptations Adam had that we know not; Now this was by Interpretation to give God the Lye. How tedious is it among men to be called a Liar, and what effusion of blood hath it caused! Now the Devil the Father of Lie is believed more than God.  
2. They looked on God as unworthy to be their Commander, and took the Devil for their Counsellor: God must stand by, the Devil takes place. They chose this God, or Guide, for themselves and Posterity; hence it is the Devil is called by the Apostle, The God of this World, 2 Cor. 4.4.  
3. They thought it unbecoming them to be restrained by any Law. They should be as Gods, Gen. 3.5. That there was some hidden virtue in the Tree, that would make the Eaters of its fruit, more like an absolute God, than God would have them be; and therefore God forbade the touching that Tree. This was the Temptation.  
3. We shall consider what Miseries we brought on ourselves after the Fall.  
1. We were deprived of the Image of the Blessed God: According to supernatural endowments, it was totally gone, there was not one Spark of Grace left; nothing of holiness remained in man. According to natural endowments, this Image was in part gone; much wisdom, much power over the Creatures was gone, Gen. 3.7. They were as naked in their Souls, as in their Bodies. As Aaron in the matter of the Golden Calf, is said to make the people naked, Exod. 32.25.  
2. We were cast out of Paradise among the rest of the Beasts, Gen. 3.24. Cherubims appeared in Shape like an Ox. Now man by Sin, had made himself like the Beasts that perish; and therefore God sends him to be their companion. He is not now in Paradise, but in a Wilderness, not in a place of pleasure, but of toil and sorrow, Gen. 3.19.  
3. We are naturally inclined to all sin, and so exposed to all Judgements. The Understanding is clouded with error; the judgement fails, both in directing what is to be done, and judging of the lawfulness or unlawfulness of what is done: The affections are carnal: In a word, the Soul is blinded, 
Gen. 3.19.  nay, some so blind as hardly to see the Being of God: That what once God said to Adam, they are ready to say to God, Where art thou? Gen. 2.17. I know it is enquired, what Death was threatened in those words, 
Gen. 2.17.  In the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. Some think only the death of the Body. But I thus argue, That Death that followed man's sin was there threatened, and the death that followed was the natural death of the Body, the spiritual death of the Soul, and the eternal death both of Body and Soul; and therefore all was threatened in those words, Thou shalt die. Is it reasonable to think, that the great Lawmaker put more in the Execution, than there was in the Threat? In Adam, you find no confession of Sin to God, but adding Sin to Sin, Gen. 3.10. When he fled, God calls to him, how doth he reply? I heard thy voice in the Garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself: As if he had said, I am hid, because I heard thy voice; it is exceeding piercing, it is the voice of a God; and I am but Flesh and Blood, and I cannot bear it. But did he not hear God's voice before, Gen. 2.16, 17. when God gave him a charge, not to eat of the Tree in the midst of the Garden? I was naked, was another Excuse, Gen. 2.25. Were they not before both naked, and not ashamed? When God told Adam plainly of his Sin, Gen. 3.11. Hast thou eaten of the Tree, whereof I commanded thee, that thou shouldst not eat? One would think, now there is no room for an excuse: verse 12. you read, The woman thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the Tree, and I did eat. He lays it on the woman, but the woman could not compel, though she did tempt: Nay, rather than take the blame to himself, he lays it on God; Thou gavest. If thou hadst not given me the woman, she had not tempted, nor I eaten. Few know or consider the hardening nature of Sin. One might have expected, he should have cried, Lord pity me, Lord contrive a way to show mercy, if there be any; or if none, Lord thou art just in all the evil that shall come upon me. So was man exposed to all Judgements temporal, distempers, troubles, losses, death, and at last to eternal Judgements, where the Worm dyeth not, and the Fire is never quenched.  
And now to these Meditations, I shall add a few Directions.   

DIRECTIONS.  
1. Mourn over yourselves and Brethren, fallen into sin and misery. Complaints against Adam are in vain; Complaints against God are worse. It was necessary, as Calvin says, that the will of man should be flexibilis in utramque partem: God having made man, it was convenient he should put him on Trial of Obedience. God gave him but one Law, not many; an easy one, not difficult; a negative one, not positive; no thanks had been to Adam to obey, if he could not have disobeyed. Consider it, and it fell out that he sinned. What have we lost in losing Paradise, and the blessings there! When Ziklag was burnt, what an outcry was there! 1 Sam. 30.3, 4. So David and his men came to the City, and behold, it was burnt with fire; and their Wives, and their Sons, and their Daughters were taken Captives: What follows? Then David and the People that were with him, lift up their Voice and wept, until they had no Power to weep. What was Ziklag to Paradise? what was the Captivity of the Body, to that of the Soul? How sadly do men look back on a  House, and Treasures there; and weep bitterly!  
2. Cry against the Tempter, that you may through Grace out-wit him. Was he too hard for man in innocency, how much more now? If any man wants wisdom, let him ask it of God: 
James 5.  Cry to God against Satan, as David against Ahithophel, that God would confound the Policy of Ahithophel; so Lord, 
2 Sam. 15.31.  confound the Devices of the evil one.  
3. Strive against all Objections against God in this matter. Though the Act Physically considered is of God; yet not Morally. And though it is true, that second Causes cannot act without the first, aliquid Positioum; yet they may aliquid delinquens. We have learned of Adam to lay all on God. To them that deny any thing of Predetermination, I humbly offer this to Consideration. Whether it be rational to imagine, that it depended upon so pitiful, and weak, and changeable a thing as Adam's Will, without God's Determination? Whether Christ should come into the World, and die, and so be a Saviour? Whether the Providences of God in the World, should be such as they are? Whether the greatest part of Mankind should be in Hell for ever, and thousands before the Throne, Praising God for a Redeemer? However, Let every Mouth be stopped before God. Luther says, I put off questions about God's Predeterminations, with that of Christ to Peter, when he asked an unnecessary question about John; 
Joh. 22.23.  What is that to thee? follow thou me; Officium agamus, said, Melancton, 
Loci. Com.  & disputationes de Predestinatione Seponamus: Rom. 11.33. How unsearchable are his Judgements, and his ways past finding out! Many would search out unsearchable Judgements, and find out ways past finding out. I will not cut a knot that I cannot untie. We that cannot solve the Phoenomena of Nature; how can we satisfy ourselves about the great Mysteries of Religion?  
We are by Nature Children of wrath, 
Ephes. 2.3.  and let us not so curiously inquire, how Original sin got into our Heart, as carefully inquire how to get it out. For that Objection against Sin in Infancy:  
Obj. Omne peccatum est voluntarium. Every sin is Voluntary. Mel. in his Com. Places, says, that must be understood in civilibus Delictis, in civil Offences among men: and yet sin is voluntary in Infancy, quia (saith the same Author) eo delectamur, because we delight in it.  
As for such foolish Questions, Whether if Adam had begotten Children before he fell, Sin had been imputed to those Children; we will not waste time to consider them. Catarinus affirmed, Soto denied, 
Hist. of the Council of Trent.  as F. P. says. Run to Christ, who by once Suffering can save you, as Adam by once sinning hath destroyed you. Rom. 5.19. For as by one man's Disobedience many were made Sinners; so by the Obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Christ was obedient unto Death, 
Phil. 2.8.  even the Death of the Cross. The Law is in full force against every ungodly man: God hath still his Power of commanding, though we have thrown away our Power of obeying. God sees more sin in one wrathful thought, than we do in actual Murder; in one covetous thought, than we do in open Theft. Oh then run to Jesus that justifieth, that sanctifieth, that saveth. He is our Joseph, that hath all the Storehouses of Provision, in a time of Famine: As the distressed Egyptians said to him, let us say to Christ, Gen. 47.18, 19 We will not hid it from my Lord, our money is gone;— Give us bread, let us be Servants unto Pharaoh. We will not, nay, we cannot hid it from our Lord: All is gone; let us have Grace from him, that we may serve our God; and all Believers must say to Jesus, as they to Joseph, v. 25. Thou hast saved our lives, let us find Grace in the sight of our Lord. When sin had slain us, Christ had Compassion on us, as David had on his Son, when his own Folly had ruined him. 2 Sam. 18.33. And the King was much moved, and wept, and as he went, thus he said, O my Son Absalon, my Son, my Son Absalon; would God I had died for thee, O Absalon my Son, my Son. Yet Absalon sought his Father's Crown and Life; and we would be as Gods. Christ seem'd to say over us, Would to God I might die for thee; and indeed, it pleased the Father to bruise; 
Isa. 53.10. — I believe that Adam through this Christ was saved, Gen. 3.16. God immediately on the fall applied himself to him, and promised a Redeemer. Paul to the Romans, makes Adam a Figure of him that was to come. 
Rom. 5.14.  If sin and guilt might have made any man pine away, Adam had been the man, that opened the Floodgates of Sin and Wrath to break in upon the World, and was the ruin of the greatest part of his Posterity; yet hearing of a Saviour, he lived almost a thousand years. We are not so to mourn for sin, as to forget to rejoice in Christ our Saviour. Of this blessed Saviour, I shall speak in the next Chapter.    

CHAP. II. Of the Sufferings of Christ.  

MEDITATIONS.  
GOD is more pleased with the Sufferings of Christ, than displeased with the Sin of Adam: he more loveth us as the Children of Christ, than he hated us as the Children of Adam. We must often consider the Death of Christ, and be affected with it. It was Prophesied of old, 
Zach. 12.10.  They shall look on him whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for the loss of an only Son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. And O what wring of hands, what deep Groans, what doleful Outcries are there made oftentimes for the loss of an only Child, or Firstborn! 
Act 2.37.  What made Peter's Converts to be pricked at the Heart, but the Preaching of a crucified Christ?  
I shall here consider, (1.) What Crucifying was. (2.) Who were the Agents in this Work. (3.) Who, and what he was on whom this Cruelty was acted.  
1. For the manner of Crucifying. There was Lignum Geminum, as the learned Weems speaks at large in his Christian Synagogue: The Cross had four things; Arrectarium, or Maintree; Scabellum, the Tree where the feet were Nailed; Lignum transversum, whereunto their Arms were fastened with Cords, and there Nailed; Vertex, the Title with the Inscription above the Head. This way of putting to Death, was so shameful and so lingering, that the Romans inflicted it on none but Slaves, or the vilest sort of men. Constantine, in Honour of Christ, took away this Punishment. Christ had carried his own Cross (as all Crucified Persons did) but they had so weakened him, 
Mat. 27.32.  that they made Simon of Cyrene to carry it, not out of Kindness to Christ, but hatred; lest he being so severely handled before, should faint by the way, and their bloodshot eyes lose the Pleasure of beholding him tormented on the Cross. The Romans called this Punishment Servile Supplicium, for the reason beforenamed.  
2. We come to consider the Actors in this woeful Tragedy. They were not the profane Gentiles, or common Rabble among the Jews, that only did this; but the High Priest, the Scribes, the Pharisees.  
1. They that had so long prayed, and waited for his coming. Before he came into the world, the Devout Jews thought Blessed were the eyes that should see the promised Messiah in the Flesh. It was a Petition commonly made by them, in their Giving of Thanks at their Tables; Let our eyes be made worthy to see the Messiah in the Flesh. What cries were there, 
Isa. 64.1.  O that he would rend the Heavens, and come down! Malachi that closed up the Old Testament, foretold, how though they longed for him, yet they could not stand before him. 
Mal. 3.1, 2.  Behold I will send my Messenger, and the Lord whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his Temple, even the Messenger of the covenant in whom ye delight: But what follows? But who may abide the day of his coming? And who shall stand when he appeareth? For he is like Refiners Fire, and as Full●rs Sope. He dealt too plainly with the world concerning their Sin and Duty, to be welcomed by them. They expected a Messiah, to deliver them from the power of the Romans; and God sent a Messiah to deliver from the power of the Devil.  
2. They that were acquainted with the Law and the Prophets; That might by Types and Prophecies have known that Christ was the promised Saviour.  
3. They that heard his Doctrine, and saw his Miracles. His Doctrine was spitual and Heavenly, reaching the Heart and Soul; His Miracles were not done in a Corner; as feeding many thousands with a few Loaves, his raising Lazarus from the Dead.  
3. We now come to consider who, and what he was who thus suffered.  
1. He that did their Bodies so much good: Paul says, for a good man some would even dare to die: Though scarcely for a Righteous man, Rom. 5.7. That is, consider him as righteous before God, and so few love him so well, as to die for him; but consider him as good to man, so some would lose their lives for him. But here they were so far from dying for this good man, that they contrived his death. He cured all sorts of men, of all sorts of Distempers; he raised the Dead, etc.  
2. He that came to save Souls from endless burn, and to bring them to endless Blessedness. 
1 Thes. 1.10.  It is not more true that our Bodies and Souls are now in the world, than that they had been in endless misery had not Christ died.  
3. He that was God. God suffered in the Person, Acts 20.28. though not in the Nature. Hence it is, that his Temporal Sufferings were as much as our Eternal would have been. Christ had his Sonship but not his Substance from the Father, who begat him in respect of Personality, not of Essence. The dignity of his person, made the Sin of crucifying him so great. I will suppose, that all the Saints in Heaven and Earth were met together, yea that all the Angels were incarnate and among them, and that a man or number of men should murder them all; this Sin were no sin in comparison of what I now speak of, the Crucifying of the Lord of Glory.  
Christ suffered from first to last. In his Birth; for the Ancient of Days to be born in time, for the Eternal God to become a Babe, this is soon said, but who understands the depth of these things? Luke 2.12. And this shall be a sign unto you, you shall find the Babe wrapped in swadling-cloaths, lying in a Manger: yet was all ordered by the infinite wisdom of God. Had Christ been the Son of Herod, or Caesar, than it had been no wonder, that all the world went out after him; but that one so obscurely born, should carry the world before him, was wonderful! John when in Patmos, 
Rev. 11.15.  foresaw, That the Kingdoms of the World would become the Kingdoms of the Lord, and his Christ; which then was very unlikely in outward appearance. He was sorely tempted by the Devil, we read at large in Mat. 4. God's end in all we have, Heb. 2.18. Being tempted, he is able to secure them that are tempted. Ask the Saints what Suffering this is, that often sweat under this Saddle, when they are tempted to hate God, or distrust him, have such suggestions as are not fit to be named.  
He was despised in his common converse with men: 
Luk. 8.20.  The Foxes had their holes, and the Birds of the Air their nests, but Jesus had not where to lay his head. He was reviled as one that had a Devil; 
Joh. 10.20. Mark 2.16. Luk. 22.44.  and was made as a Friend of Publicans and Sinners.  
In his Agonies in the Garden, He sweat drops of Blood, though it were such a cold season, that one might think would have struck the Blood inward: It was a cold time, for Peter stood to warm himself. Our Sin was the heavy burden that lay upon him.  
When, and after he was Betrayed: Betrayed he was by a Friend, a Bosom-friend; to be Betrayed, and that in point of Life, and all by an intimate acquaintance, goes near the Heart. What David said to him that betrayed, might Christ say to Judas: Had it been an Enemy, 
Psal. 11.13, 14.  I could have born it; but it was thou, my Companion, we took sweet Counsel together, and walked together as Friends. He was severely handled by Soldiers, who battered his Ears with Blasphemy, as well as tormented his Body: when he was on the Cross, Mat. 27. v. 39, 40. they waged their Heads, tell him of what he was accused, vers. 41, 42, 43. The great men revile him; when usually men that scarce pray all the year long for themselves, if they see any infamous Criminal executed, they never tell him in a way of scoffing, of his Fault or Crime, but say, God be merciful to his Soul. At last, Christ cries out, Mat. 27.46. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? We must warily understand this, not as if God had forsaken Christ in respect of Strength, for an Angel was sent to strengthen him; 
Luk. 22.33.  nor in respect of Essence, nor of Complacency; but God forsook him as to present comfort in a great measure. Imagine you stood as the Devout Women at the Cross, and saw this. I now come to lay down a few Directions.   

DIRECTIONS.  
1. Look on, and wonder. Are these things so? 
2 Tim. 3.1.  Then great is the Mystery of Godliness, God manifested in the flesh! If it be a Mystery, it cannot be fathomed. Wonder at what Christ is, and at what he doth: What he is, Prov. 30.4. It was the wise man's Problem, or hard Question, What is his name, or his Son's name, if thou canst tell? His Name is called Wonderful, Isa. 9.6. Wonder that the Divinity did not swallow up the Humanity, that the fire and the bush can so well agree together. All the Attributes of God are given to Christ, all the Works of God spoken of him, as of Creation, Sanctification, Glorification: Therefore Christ is God not only by name, or secundum divi; but God by Nature. He was God that he might satisfy, he was Man that he might suffer. Wonder at what he doth. Patereulus says, that when the Lacedæmonians opposed Attica, the Pythian God told them, that that Army whose General was taken should conquer: Codrus deposita veste regia, etc. Codrus laying aside his Princely Robes, went among his enemies, and was slain by them. Our King on Maunday Thursday, (so called, as some say, because of the Command of Love, Christ gave his Disciples before his Passion, Mandatum novum do vobis,) I say our King useth to wash the feet of as many poor People as he hath lived years, and yet not the less a King for this humble act. Our Lord Jesus the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, died that we might live, abased himself, that he might exalt us. Psalm 126.1, 2. When God delivered the Church out of Babylon by Cyrus, they were like men that dreamt. How much more should we be Astonished at our deliverance from Sin and Satan by Jesus Christ!  
2. Let Love be attactive of Love. Let the Love of Jesus to us, make us to Love him. I have read of Agilmond King of the Lombard's, that one day he went a fishing, and saw a Babe sprawling in the Water (perhaps a base child) he took it up, and made it his adopted Son, and called him Lama, and left him his Crown and Kingdom: You may easily imagine what delight this Lama took in seeing of King Algilmond whilst he lived, and in thinking and speaking of this King after he was dead. How excellently doth God express his love to the poor Jews of old! Ezek. 16.4, 5, 6. As for thy Nativity, in the day thou wast born, thy Navel was not cut, neither waist thou washed in water;— None eye pitied thee to do any of these unto thee, to have compassion on thee; but thou wast cast out into the open field, to the loathing of thy person, in the day that thou wast born. And when I passed by thee, and saw thee polluted in thy own Blood; I said unto thee when thou wast in thy Blood, live; (And lest this should be soon passed over, the Holy Ghost bids them, as it were, stand and hear it the second time,) Yoa, I said unto thee, when thou wast in thy Blood, live: When Tiberius was in a Village named Spelunca, Stones fell from the house where he was: Sejanus genu, vultu, manibusque super Caesarem suspensis opposuit seize, satis incidentibus; saith Tacitus: Sejanus covered the Emperor, that if the Stones fell where they were, Sejanus might die, and not the Emperor; which as the Historian observes, made the Emperor ever after to love Sejanus, though he loved him not before. The wrath of God fell from Heaven, because of man's sin: Christ hath embraced the Sinner and that wrath hath fallen on him, that else had crushed us. O let us love him, let us not be satisfied till we find our hearts burning in love.  
3. Crucify Sin, that crucified Christ. Be the death of those Sins, that were the death of Jesus; Pride, Wrath, Covetousness, and every abominable thing, which the Soul of God hates: Rom. 6.6. Knowing this, that our Old man is crucified with Christ, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin: Sin is only destroyed by his death; had not Christ died for us, we could no more have killed our Corruptions, or been made Saints, than the Devils can cease to be Devils, and become Angels.  
4. Come to God as those that expect to be justified no other way, but by Christ and his Righteousness: In him is God well pleased with Believers. The Names given to Christ are in Scripture given to a Christian, as Son of God, an Heir, King, yea the name Christ; The Apostle saith, 
1 Cor. 12.12.  As many Members make one Body, even so is Christ: Where it is understood not of Christ personally, but mystically, for Christians, or the Church of Christ. Now as Adam's sins is imputed to us, though he, and not we disobeyed; so Christ's Righteousness is imputed to us, though he, not we obeyed, 2 Cor. 5. last verse; Though Adam's Sin be imputed to us, yet we were not the first sinners, nor the involvers of all Mankind into Misery: So, though Christ's Righteousness be imputed to us, yet we are not therefore Saviour's or Mediators. We are often commanded to be sanctified, but not to be Justified; for Justification is Gods own work without us. The Grace of Christ, that is the efficient cause of our Sanctification, and is the essential cause, the matter and form of our Justification. And therefore when God is said to reward men according to their works, it shows the order of following, not the Cause; Vno Scripturae exemplo, ista quaestio elucescit, 
Calv. Inst. lib. 3. cap. 19  saith Calvin: One example in Scripture, shall make it clear. Gen. 15.5. The Promise made to Abram in Uncircumcision, in Gen. 22.16, 17. is there made again on his Offering up of Isaac; By myself have I sworn, because thou hast done this thing— I will multiply thy Seed as the Stars of the Heavens: Now his Obedience was not the Cause of that blessing, for Abraham had it before, but was an occasion of renewing it at that time: God rewarded his good works, and so will ours, with Blessings promised before the good works were done. Heaven is an Inheritance of Children.  
Obj. If good works justify not, what need is there to press after them? Take Luther's answer: This is just as if we should say, Money Justifies not, therefore throw it away; our Hands justify us not, therefore cut them off: 
Luther's Comment on the Epist. Gala.  We must attribute (saith he) to every thing its proper Work, and Office. A Woman may not wear a Man's Apparel, nor a Man a Woman's. The Sun shineth by day, and the Moon by night: So he. Gal. 4.7. Wherefore thou art no more a Servant, but a Son; and if a Son, than an Heir of God by Christ. An Heir is not Agent, but Patient; hath all by Birth, not by Labour; no more than to be born. The Promise, being of Grace, is sure to all the seed: It was not sure to Adam, he had his Treasure in his own hand, and so lost it; but we have ours in the hand of Christ. Justification, and Sanctification are not separated, though they be distinguished: He that is justified will be holy, 
Tit. 2.14.  and zealous of good works. The Objection, that we are enemies to good works is in vain. King Henry the Eighth, in his Book against Luther, de Septem Sacramentis, (for which Book the Pope gave him the Title of Defender of the Faith) chargeth our Reformers, with pleading for all manner of Sins from this Doctrine; but how true, the world now knows. If any of the Church of England are offended, I beseech them to read the Homilies about these matters, and Bishop downham's large Folio of Justification, and they will find my opinion not different from the old Protestants, though I confess different from the Opinion of some of the late new Protestants, both Conformists and Non-conformists.  
5. If you are through Christ related unto God, give Christ the Glory, and take to yourselves the comfort of this relation. We are said to be of his Flesh and Bone; 
Eph. 5.31, 32.  to be married to Christ; Now if the Husband be beyond Sea, thousands of miles from the Wife, yet they are one: So is God and a Believer, 
Joh. 17.21.  though God be in Heaven, and he upon the earth.  
Remember Christians what Christ hath done for you: He hath paid your debts that you could never do. If a woman were in debt Thousands of Pounds, and by working hard every day, should pay  now and then; yet she could never all her life time pay the Sum: But if a Rich Man come, and pay down the whole and take the woman to wife, he doth that in a day, which she could never have done in her life time. Christ hath done that in a little time, that we had been doing of to eternity: He satisfied Divine Justice. The Dignity of the person, makes the Sufferings of such great value. Give God the glory, that you hear of Christ that you believe in him: pity and pray for the poor Jews, whose eyes are not yet opened. They have not been a Church, nor Nation for Sixteen Hundred years past.  
When they were under the Babylonish Captivity, it was but Seventy years, and they had Prophets to Comfort them; but now none comes from God to them, which Consideration hath converted some of them, Schamaria, and Jacob, two great Jews by Luther. I know no Consideration (in my little Converse with them) that so convinceth them, that they have not been the Church of God for so long time. Eleazar Bargisha a Converted Jew, in his vain hopes of the Jewish Messiah, hath discovered many of their vain Dreams, and Dr. Addison in his Hist. of the Jews. Stir up thine Affections, O Christian, let thy Heart burn within thee, in the Consideration of the Excellencies of Christ. Muse a little on these following Scriptures: Heb. 1.2. God hath spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed Heir of all things: Great Heirs are desired in Marriage; will not this do? Once again, Colos. 2.3. In him are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge. We delight in men of Wisdom, though where they know one thing, they are ignorant of many. Now Christ is the Wisdom of God; will not this do? I will try once more, and a threefold Cord is not soon broken: Rev. 19.12. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his Head were many Crowns, and he hath a name given that no man knoweth but himself. In him is wonderful Majesty, Dignity, and Excellencies incomprehensible by Creatures. 
Cant. 2.5.  This is my Beloved, may a Believer say, I am sick of Love. God takes more kindly our Love to Christ, than he doth the Love of Angels: they see him in his Glory, and cannot but love him; but we meet with many Oppositions and Temptations. For the Persuasion of the Love of Christ to our Souls, we should press after it, though (as our English Divines of the Synod of Dort say, 
Suf. Brit.  that which many find by sad Experience) this Satisfaction in a Christian is sometimes vivida, sometimes languida, and sometimes as nulla; sometimes lively, sometimes weak, and sometimes even as none.  
Remember, all the Saints in Heaven and Earth are Redeemed by Christ, Col. 1.20. And (having made Peace through the Blood of his Cross) by him, to Reconcile all things to himself by him; whether they be things in Earth, or things in Heaven. All the Saints that went to Glory before our Lord came in the flesh, were bought by him: As a man may be said to buy that, which he hath not yet paid for; Lands, Goods, , whilst there is a Satisfactory Promise made, and Security given: So Christ bought them, in the Covenant between the Father and him, that he should in the fullness of time, shed his blood for them.  
When Christ came into the World, the way to come to him was Repentance, and Faith; the Apostles preached it, and of these in the next Chapter.    

CHAP. III. Of Repentance and Faith.  

MEDITATIONS.  
THE Apostle Paul gives us a Compendium, or Abridgement of his Doctrine, and Preaching Repenarnce and Faith, Acts 20.22. Repentance showeth a man his sin. When a Convert is in his Agonies and Pangs; in his throws and conflicts, than the heart, the once hard heart, falls a bleeding before God. Faith showeth a man his Saviour. 
Acts 16.13.  We are often called upon to believe in Christ.  
Quest. Why might it not be as well expressed to believe in the Father, or in the Holy-Ghost, as in the Son? It is true, the Father, Son, and Holy-Ghost save us, but in a different way: The Father by sending the Son; The Holy-Ghost as sent from the Father and the Son, in the Hearts of Believers; but the Son by his Merits, by his Death. The Father contrived, the Spirit applied, but Christ procured the Remedy. This Repentance wounds, and Faith heals. By Faith we are said to be justified, 
Rom. 5.1.  and the Righteousness of God is revealed from Faith to Faith. Now when Christ's Righteousness is imputed unto us by Faith, it is not the Righteousness of Christ as God; for that is his uncreated Righteousness, and this essential Righteousness cannot be communicated to us, and made our accidental Righteousness; and this is the Righteousness of the Father and Spirit, as well as of the Son. And then Father and Spirit might be said to justify us, as well as the Son: But it is the Righteousness of Christ the Mediator, who is God man, Jer. 23.6. And this is his name whereby he shall be called, The Lord our Righteousness.   

DIRECTIONS.  
Stay Reader ere thou goest any farther, if thou art an unconverted man, get, and cherish a few Resolutions, to put in Practice the few following Directions: Lift up thine eyes unto that God whose dwelling is not with flesh, that he would thus incline thy heart: in hopes of this I direct,  
1. Go in secret, sit down and consider the great sins of thy Heart and Life: Allow time enough for this. Are you guilty of the horrible Sins of the Age? Try yourselves by the Word, by the Ten Commandments. Can you not do this? will you do it?  
2. Consider these things, till you find your Hearts to ache, and Countenance to change. If you have such Convictions as to say, O that I had not done these things! Can I live over my time again, things should be otherwise: Tho' such Convictions may not be saving, yet they are too good to be thrown away. Strike, man, whilst the Iron is hot.  
3. Fall down on the Ground, pray to God for Pardon, and Acceptance through Christ: Say as Ezra, Chap. 9.6. O my God, I am ashamed, and blush to lift up my face unto thee, My God: for our iniquities are increased over our Heads, and our Trespass is grown up to the Heavens. Cry as the Leper, 
Mat. 8.2.  Lord, if thou wilt thou canst make me clean. Look to Jesus typified by the brazen Serpent, 
John 3.14, 15.  that thou mayest be healed.  
4. Away to the minding of Secret, and Family Duties. Read the Scriptures, call on God, lest the sparks of Convictions you have gotten, go out.  
5. Converse with them that Converse with God; say as David, Psal. 119.115. Away from me you Evil-doers, for I will keep the Commandments of my God. 
Psal. 119.63.  I am a Companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy Precepts. Tell them your Case, beg their Prayers; hear their Instructions.  
I have lain down a few plain Directions: Wherefore (I pray thee) O Sinner, Let my counsel be acceptable in thy sight, as an Ambassador of Christ: I pray thee as in Christ's stead, as though God did beseech thee, be thou Reconciled to God. 
2 Cor. 5.20.  Will not this do? Then I adjure thee by that God that made thee, by that Jesus that shall judge thee another day; Consider thy ways. If any think a Death-bed-repentance will serve thy turn, the famous Bolton saith, (that Oracle of his time) in his Directions for distressed Consciences, That he could not get proof of any man Converted on a sick Bed. I knew one reform three years upon sick bed Repentance, but at last grew more vile than ever. In some Respect we may bless God, that blasteth such Convictions: The World too much depends on them now, what would they do, if they saw them in any Persons sound and saving? 
Mat. 20.7, 12.  If you say, some were called at the last hour; I answer, But none were called at the last minute. If a man in old age be converted (which is very seldom) will it follow, therefore a man on a Deathbed may be so. Dr. Hammond (in his Discourse of Sickbed Repentance) tells us how we should deal with such. God's example, saith he, must be our rule, Judg. 10. v. 13, 14, 16. to dispense comfort by Degrees: When they cried, God seems to deny Deliverance, and when they were greatly humbled, the Lord was grieved for them. He adviseth Ministers and others to show such men, the necessity of mourning, and self-indignation: If I be too forward to comfort them, I ruin them, saith he: I would to God they were of his mind, who are so forward to absolve upon dry Confessions, and to Canonize in Funeral Sermons, to the great hardening of the Hearers. God will say by Conscience on a sick bed, What I have written, I have written, The Soul that Sins shall die. Some are ready to say, If they mind these things now, they shall be out of their Wits. Miserable Souls! they have long since told the World by their Lives, that they were never well in their Wits. You know Physicians sometimes say to their Patients, Had I come timely, I might have cured you: If a Patient say, I will take no Physic, I will not be confined to my Chamber, I will eat and drink what I please; this is to say, I will not recover, I will die: So to say in the heart, I will not follow Directions, is to say, I will be damned.  
Remember, God that calls you, needs you not, Job 22.33. Is it any Pleasure to the Almighty that thou art Righteous? or is it any gain to him, that thou makest thy way perfect?  
Let none deceive themselves, and think they have repent and believed, when it is not so. They may say as Agag, Surely the bitterness of Death is past, 
1 Sam. 15.32.33.  and yet be hewed before the Lord. O Blessed God what a dreadful Surprisal will it be, in the time of Death to many great Professors, that thought for twenty, thirty years or more, that they were in the Way to Heaven, and then, then find themselves mistaken; who find themselves at the Gate of Hell, when they thought themselves at the Gate of Heaven.  
Have you Convictions now? stifle them not, bring them before God, lest he say of you, My Spirit shall no more strive with you, O man; 
Gen. 6.3.  I take an everlasting Farewell of thee, seeing thou wilt be unholy, be unholy still; and seeing thou wilt to Hell, to Hell shalt thou go. Do as Jacob, cry and strive long for the Blessing, Gen. 32.26. And he said (that is the Angel) Let me go, for the day breaketh; and he said, I will not let thee go until thou bless me. What if he had given over an hour or two after he began to wrestle, or but an hour before he had the blessing, he had spoiled all: No, but he strove the whole Night.  
You that have repent, and believed, give Glory to the Lord your God. When God made a Covenant with Abraham, he fell upon his face, Gen. 17.3. When Israel heard of their deliverance out of Egypt, they bowed down the head and worshipped. He that believeth, feeleth he believeth; he knows the Acts of Faith physically considered, though not Morally: he hath the Faith of Adhesion, though it may be not of Evidence: he finds the lively workings of Faith, though he may not know whether they be of the right kind. But though our Safety depends upon the having of Faith, yet our Comfort dependeth on our knowing that we have it. If you know it, say as David, when he had great things from God, he went and sat in his house before the Lord, and said, 2. Sam. 7.20. And what can David say more unto thee? for thou Lord God knowest thy Servant. Or as Paul to the Romans, 
Rom. 8.31.  What shall we say to these things? What indeed! Now may you rejoice, that instead of the Thorn is come up the Fir-tree, and instead of the Brier is come up the Myrtle-tree, Isa. 55.13. Instead of Sin in the heart, Grace now grows, and instead of abominable practices in the life, there are now good works.  
They that have repent, and believed, should endeavour the Conversion, and Confirmation of many in the Faith, as they did, Acts 2.47. that by them, may be added unto the Church, such as shall be saved. But of this in the Following Chapter.    

CHAP. IU. Of Reproof and Counsel.  

MEDITATIONS.  
WHO can sufficiently bewail the neglect, or slight performing of this Duty by most good men? though the blessing that followeth the serious practising of it by some, be very great. How many times have we been by Land, by Water a long time with many Persons, and never drop one Word suitable to their Condition! Nay, sometimes the Spirit hath spoken to our Consciences, what once it did to Philip concerning the Eunuch, Go join thyself to him, Act. 8.29. yet Shame, want of Courage, Laziness hath kept from it. All sorts of Christians may be useful this way. We read, Act. 18.24. Priscilla a Woman, taught Apollo's a man, an eloquent man, a man mighty in the Scriptures, the Way of God more perfectly, vers. 26. Bishop Usher (converted when eleven years old, by a Sermon on Rom. 12.1.) would as soon preach at the Request of a poor Woman, as of a Magistrate; and he delighted more to converse with poor weak Christians, than with many Learned men. I may truly say to many Women, on whose Souls the Image of God hath been drawn in a lively manner, what David said to Abigal, 1 Sam. 25.32, 33. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me, and blessed be thy Advice. It is the Property of a proud Pharisee, not of a humble Christian, to contemn Reproof and Counsel from an inferior, or a mean Person; John 9.34. The Pharisees could not bear a few plain, pious considerations from a poor blind man, but said to him, Thou wast altogether born in Sin, and wilt thou Teach us? and they cast him out: Thou, us. Thou an illiterate man, as blind in thy Soul, as once in thy Body: Us great men, great Professors. Let the Counsel be never so good, it will not take with many wise fools, if it come from a plain man. 
F. P. Coun. of Trent.  Mattheo Longi Archbishop of Saltzburge, after he read the Augustine Confession of Faith, by the Luthetherans in Saxony, and Zwinglians in Zuric, he told every one, That the Reformation of the Mass was honest, and the liberty of meats convenient, and the request just, to be disburdened of so many Commandments of men; but that Luther a poor Monk, should Reform, was not to be endured.  
God is so well pleased with this work of turning Souls to Righteousness, that the Blessed Apostle Paul had his name changed from Saul, to Paul, because he was the instrument of Converting a famous man, called Paul; Acts 13.9. Then Saul who also is called Paul; There is the change of his name, verse 7. Paulus, a prudent man, a Deputy, called for Barnabas and Saul to hear the Word of God. So one says of this Apostle Paul, 
Platina de vita Pon. tif.  A Paulo proconsule Cypri, nomen accepit, quem praedicatione sua ad fidem redegerat. What care then should Parents take of the Souls of their Children, Masters of their Servants, Friends of one another? For Children, it is true, whilst they are Infants they cannot be instructed, but may be prayed for: for as Sin and misery comes on them, and they not sensible of it, so may God's Grace and Mercy: they are Members of a Kingdom, Subjects of a King, and yet cannot understand this: So they may be Members of the Body of Christ, Subjects of the Lord Jesus, and have no knowledge of this. They may have great Estates, and the benefit of Rents, and yet know not what an Estate is, or Rents are. Admonished they should be as they grow up, that they may say of their Parents as Solomon of his, Prov. 4.3, 4. I was my Father's Son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my Mother. He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thy heart retain my words. Keep my Commandments and live. Happy are those children, that can say when their Parents are dead: I remember what my Father and Mother now in Glory, said to me; how they instructed me. In the second Epistle to Tim. 1.5. we read of the good effects of this duty: When I call to mind the unfeigned Faith that is in thee, which first dwelled in thy Grandmother Lois, and thy Mother Eunice, and I am persuaded that it is in thee also. What comfort may good Parents take in good children! Socrates Scholasticus says of Leonides the father of Origen, that when his Son was asleep, he would sometimes uncover his breast, and kiss it with a kind of veneration, knowing his Son was a Temple for the Holy Ghost to dwell in: Leonides was wont, when Origen was very young, to teach him some Aphorisms, and Sentences in Christianity every day, which made such a deep impression upon him, that he was soon called Senilis Puer, the Old Boy; Vir magnus ab Infantia, A great man from his Childhood: Young he was in years only, but old in Knowledge and Grace. When Bathsheba had a Promise from King David, that Solomon her Son should be King after him, it is said, 1 Kings 1.31. That she bowed her face to the earth, and did reverence to the King, and said, Let my Lord King David live for ever. Adore the Lord God if he hath made your Children, by his Grace, Heirs of the Kingdom that cannot be shaken. Give me leave, by the way, to bewail the great and common sin found among us, That many children are sooner taught what Jupiter, Mars, and such Pagan Gods were, than what Father, Son, and Spirit is. Josiah, when he was young, 
2 Chron. 34.3.  enquired after the God of David his Father; but many now when young, after Heathen Gods. Augustine of old complained of this, 
Aug. Confess. lib. 6.  of hearing in Schools, Jove's Thundering, and Adulteries, and for giving an account of such things, saith he, Et ob hoc bonae spei puer appellabar, I was called a hopeful Lad. Luther also complained, that our Schools were more Pagan, than Christian. I refer the unsatisfied Reader to Pasors Preface to his Lexicon; he observeth of Pythagoras his golden verses, so much esteemed of (and I fear accounted more golden by too many, than our Saviour's Sayings on the Mount) how they begin;  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉— Honour the Immortal Gods, etc. And (as I have observed) worse after. I knew an Aged Famous Schoolmaster, that after he had kept School about fifty years, said, with a very sad countenance, That it was a great trouble to him, that he had spent so much time in reading Pagan Authors to his Scholars; and wished it were customary, to read such a Book as Duports Greek Verses upon Job, rather than Homer and such Books. I beseech Schoolmasters, if they must read such Authors, do as they do that eat Mushrooms, or such dangerous meats, use strong Correctives. Show Youth the vanity of the Pagan Religion, and the excellency of the Christian Religion: Persuade them above all things, to be acquainted with the Holy Scriptures, which alone can make them wise to Salvation, 2 Tim. 3.15. when many vain books make many wise to Damnation. If Children die, what doth it signify to say they were ingenious, if they be graceless? will Ingenuity save them? They are as Thales Milesius, that was gazing on the Stars, minding their magnitude, situation, and influences, when he should have been minding his way, and so fell into the water, and was drowned. I pray God put it in the hearts of a wise Parliament, to purge our Schools; that instead of learning vain Fictions, and filthy stories, they may be acquainted with the Word of God, with Books containing Grave Sayings: And learn in Prose or Verse, the Histories of the Kings of England, the chief Passages in their Reigns, and some Maxims in Law, and things that may make them truly wise, and useful in the world. I know I shall offend not a few in thus writing: But let such remember my Authors before named, Austin, Luther, Pasor, and others that I might name, and if I must have a Reprimand, I am glad that I have such good company. It is storied of the old Waldenses in France, in the dark times of Popery, 
R. his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  they so instructed their Children in the great things of God, that some Popish Doctors said, that they learned more of the Doctrine of Salvation, by talking with those Children, than they did by the Disputations of great men. There is another fault among us to be condemned, the early and unnecessary sending of young men beyond Sea, to see countries', speak Languages, before they have studied the grounds of our Religion, and so are infected with Popery, or Atheism. I desire such, before they send their Children away, or the Children before they go, to read Bishop Hall his Quo vadis, a Book to which little can be added: And then I hope; they may be willing to stay at home.  
How sad is it in most houses, where the fear of God is not! Of which it may be said, what is said of Babylon, Rev. 18.2. that they are a Habitation of Devils, and the hold of every foul Spiri●● and the cage of every unclean and hateful Bird; so many wicked persons, and so much wickedness is in them, that the serious Christian may sometimes say in the beholding of it, what Job said in another case, O that my grief were thoroughly weighed, and that my sorrow were laid in the balance, for than would it be heavier than the sand of the Sea! That there is so much Lying, Profaning the Name of God, and so much of unsavoury, rotten communications in most families, and among Children, that when they are men and women, these things become common to them: That if it be then asked, what Christ asked the Father about his Child's disease, how long ago this happened to them; the same answer may be given, even from a Child, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Mark, 9.21. I now come to a few Directions.   

DIRECTIONS.  
1. Cry to God for Bowels of Compassion toward Souls, and for Dexterity in this work of Reproving and Counseling, that you may say with Paul, Rom. 9.1, 2, 3. I say the Truth in Christ, I lie not, my Conscience also bearing me Witness in the Holy Ghost, that I have great heaviness, and continual Sorrow in my Heart, for I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ, for my Brethren, my Kinsmen according to the flesh. As if he had said, I could almost be willing to perish for their sakes: say with David, Psal. 119.158. I beheld the Transgressor's, and was grieved, because they kept not thy Word. You Parents, that are so tender of the Bodies of your Children, be much more concerned for their Souls. You that desire great Estates for them, much more desire Heaven for them. How many mind their Oxen, Sheep, and Swine, more than the Souls of their Children? saul's Father Kish, 1 Sam. 10.2. Gave over caring for the Asses, saying, What shall I do for my Son? So, be less concerned about the things of the World, and say, What shall I do for the Souls of my Children? that it may be said, of you, as in Prov. 10.20. The Mouth of the Righteous is as choice Silver; when you speak with tender Bowels of Compassion, It is not you that speak, but the Spirit of your Father that speaketh in you, Mat. 10.20. When God bade Moses to speak to Pharaoh, and Moses Objected want of Eloquence, said God, Exod. 4.12. Now therefore go and I will be thy mouth, and I will teach thee what thou shalt say: That you may by your good Counsel overcome Satan, as David, by playing with his Musical Instrument, made the evil Spirit to departed from Saul. 
1 Sam. 16.23.  I know for some audacious Sinners, it is better to be silent, than reprove. Hezekiah his command was prudent, when Rabshakeh Blasphemed, Isa. 36.21. But the People held their peace, and answered him not a Word; for the King's Commandment was, saying, Answer him not. Let Prayer accompany the work of Exhorting; 
Neh. 2.4.  stand before the man, as Nehemiah before the King and Queen, praying to the God of Heaven to direct you what you shall say. Pray, Lord, let my words administer Grace to the Hearers, Ephes. 4.29. Ask some that are under you, after the reading of a Chapter, or hearing of a Sermon, what Christ asked his Disciples, Mat. 13.51. Have ye understood all those things? Heal their Ignorance, direct their Souls.  
We see Afflictions do many times stir Christians up to this Work, and prepare them for it: Paul speaks of great Troubles he endured; 2 Cor. 6.4. But in all things approving ourselves as the Ministers of Christ, in much Patience, in Afflictions, in Necessities, in Distresses. Vers. 9.10. As unknown, and yet well-known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and not killed; as sorrowful, yet always Rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. What did this blessed Apostle get by all? vers. 11. O ye Corinthians, our Mouth is open unto you, our Heart is enlarged. He got a Heart to pity Souls, and a Tongue to Counsel them. There is Gold, and a multitude of Rubies, but the Lips of Knowledge are precious Jewels, saith Solomon, Prov. 20.15. Good Counsel given, is better than the giving of Gold. Whilst you are musing, the fire may kindle, and then you speak with your Tongue. If you cannot speak to some, writ to them; Letters will not blush, if Faces do.  
2. Have an eye upon the Sins they are most addicted to, and Reprove for them; and on the Duties they are most averse from, and persuade to them. It is not enough that the Words spoken by you be good, but they must be seasonable. Words. Some are apt to use the Name of God irreverently in their Communications: Nay, many great Professors, I am ashamed to mention it. It hath been a comfortable Consideration to me many a time, that when I die, I shall be tormented with hearing the Name of God irreverently used, 
☜  no more. Would to God the third Commandment (Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain) were often before the eyes of men. Tell such men, that they ought to fear that great and terrible Name, the Lord thy God: That they have Reason to adore him, that he will give us leave to use his Name at any time, and therefore we should not take it in vain: whether theusing in common Discourse the Word Faith, be Swearing, I know the great Sanderson saith, 
Saunder. de juro mento.  (that per fidem though from the manner of some Nations, and intention of some Speakers, it may, be an Oath) yet he saith, Non est ex vi Verborum, because (saith he) Fides Humana non est res Sacra, but civilis; and in those words we call not God a Witness, and therefore is Asseveratio tantum, aut ad plurimum Testatio: And so he adds, that per fidem, is the same with Ex animo loquor, Pignerofidem meam, si rem ita se non habere, aut si sciens fallo, nulla mihi in posterum fides habeatur. So he. If you ask, Is it unlawful thus to use the Word Faith? I answer, I am sure it is not unlawful to let it alone: it is not a thing of good report to use, and the more serious decline it. Are they addicted to Lying, Scoffing at Religion? Show them the evil nature, and consequents of these things. If they slight Prayer, the Holy Scriptures, Alms-deeds, persuade to them.  
3. Be not soon discouraged, because of the Ignorance or Backwardness of them with whom you deal: God may in time work on them. Are they ignorant? speak to them of Christ, and the Covenant of Grace, and of the way of Sinners coming to God through a Mediator; show them kindness, and seek to make their lives comfortable as much as you can, that you may the better win them. If any say, We are ignorant ourselves, and how can we instruct others? This is the way to get knowledge. You know that God made the world: That Jesus Christ is a glorious Redeemer: That all men are hastening to Eternity. Come man, come on, thou knowest enough to fall on the practice of this duty; speak to vain spirits of these things. Mr. eliot in his Account of the Progress of the Gospel in New-England, written in the year 43. speaks of one Hiacoomes, a plain, ignorant, but yet pious and serious man; he converted one Towanquetick a plain Indian, and this Towanquetick was the Instrument of the conversion of about a hundred Indians in a little time. If others say, We are ignorant, after all counsel, and therefore are discouraged; let such often call to mind what they hear, and time may make an impression. I have read of Hilarius Pictavienses a famous man of France, 
Hanmore's View of Antiqu.  finding that little that he read was remembered by him, threw away his Books: One day passing by a Well, he saw, that by frequent drawing up of the Bucket, the rope had made a deep impression on the Stones; he thought that by frequent consideration, and meditation, the things he heard and read might make a deep impression on him; he fell closely to his work, and proved a famous man.  
You that are ungodly, and hear not your Instructors, you discourage them in their work, that they are ready to say as Jeremiah, Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But zeal for God, and love to Souls, makes them at last to come to themselves; and add as h●●, 
Jer. 20.9.  But his word was in my heart, as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary of forbearing, and I could not stay. How many serious Souls have experienced this! 
The Life of Mr. Janeway.  When Mr. Janeway overheard some unsavoury discourse, in a room nigh to him, he wrote down their discourse, and asked them, after he had read what they said, whether they were willing to hear of such discourse another day. Many men by their evil discourse, poison many hearers, as the Basilisk doth men, 
Morney's Resolver.  not by looking on them (according to the vulgar error) but by Poison coming out of the mouth. Children, harken to your Parents, that prerswade you to mind your Souls; grieve them not by your folly. Let good men hearken to Reproof from their Brethren, as Aaron did from Moses, and Peter from Paul. When Luther reproved Bullinger, for some errors he had about the Word of God, Bullinger came forth before all the company, and fell at the feet of Luther, and said, Blessed be the day wherein I saw this gracious face, and had these reproofs. Let good men counsel then their Children, and Servants, and Friends. It is sad, that such should say, My Father, my Master, my Friend, that is a great Professor of Religion, and with whom I am on all occasions, by day, by night, never was the man that asked me, what I thought of my present, or eternal condition; never ached me whether I thought I was converted, or should be saved. Yet set closely to the work, and let it prosper in thy hands, that you may shine as the brightness of the Firmament, and as the Stars for ever and ever, Dan. 12.3. But because the Scripture instructs us, and contains the things about which we must instruct others, I shall next speak of them.    

CHAP. V Of the Holy Scriptures.  

MEDITATIONS.  
GOD'S Works declare, that he is; but his Word only declares what he is, and how he may be known and served. If we see a Ship under Sail, going towards its Port, we ascribe not this to the wood the Ship is made of, but to the skill of the Mariners, whether they be seen by us or not. If I see an Arrow run to the Mark, I know it is shot off by a skilful hand, whether I see that hand or not. The Sun, that great and glorious light, knoweth its rising, progress, and going down, and acts like an intelligent, rational being, which shows it is guided by a wise God. As for God's Providences, which make some doubt his being, Sir W. R. in his History of the World, Chap. Of Predestination, hath this saying of Gregory (which he said was of great use to him) Qui in Dei factis rationem non videt, infirmitatem suam consideret, et cur non videt rationem videat. He that cannot see a reason in some of God's Works, let him consider his weakness, and then he will see the reason why he sees no reason. I conclude, That the reason why many would hope they shall die like Beasts, is, that they desire to live like such. Now the Scriptures contain a declaration of the Mind and Will of this God. I will not determine how many Chapters every one should read, every day, any more than how much meat every one should eat every day. Three Chapters a day (the usual direction) are too many for some, and (sometimes) too few for others. I am not persuading to much reading, but serious reading: And for young Beginners, I think it proper, that they be directed to the chief places in Scripture, and well to understand them, before they read the Bible in order. The reading of Scripture with a good Comment, is of great use to some persons, and Families: I know none for shortness, and plainess, like to Bishop Hall's Paraphrase on the Bible.   

DIRECTIONS.  
1. Come to the Scriptures, as those that know a Divine Authority stamped upon them. It is God's Book, read it as such: It teacheth you the two things Austin would often pray for;  cognoscam te, ut cognoscam me; That I may know Thee, that I may know myself.  
2. Beg the assistance of the same Spirit in reading the Scriptures, that the Penmen had in penning them. A Dial is nothing, unless the Sun shine on it: The Scriptures are nothing, unless the Spirit illuminate our Understandings. If you say, what need then of Scriptures? You may as well say, what need then of a Dial? The Spirit will make you humble. and let you see your own Folly, that the more you know, the less you know. 
Weems Christ. Syn.  In Athens in Greece, the Students were the first year called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, wise men; the next year 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Lovers of wise men; but ever after 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Fools; the more they knew, the more sensible they were of their Ignorance.  
3. Whatever Objections you have against Scripture, be not satisfied till you have silenced them. To confirm your Faith, remember what is said of Christ's Resurrection: Had the Jews been able to show the dead Body of Christ after the three days, they had overthrown the Gospel. Remember Paul's Conversion, Acts 9 who left a life of ease, for one of affliction. Judas his betraying Christ, proves that he knew Christ to be no Deceiver: He had not hanged himself to have accused Christ, had he not known his Miracles were real; many of them were not done in a Corner, the place named, the Street, and done before many people. The Disciples conversed with Christ forty days after his Resurrection, and saw him ascend into Heaven. They preached this to the world, when they knew this Doctrine would cost them their Lives, and it was never pretended that in all their torments that any one of them confessed a Cheat, 
Leviath. Christ. Pol.  but rejoiced that they were going to that Christ whom they had thus seen and preached. Mr. Hobbs, though he is pleased to tell us, that the Scriptures were in the hands of the ecclesiastics, for about three hundred years after the Apostles, (he had done well to have proved it as well as said it,) yet saith, he believed the Scriptures were not corrupted by them. If there seem to be any Coutradictions in Scripture (saith Morney) we should do with Scripture, as Scholars with Classical Authors: If they meet with a hard Sentence, they do not presently throw away the Book, 
Morney, de ver. Christ. Rel.  but turn it this way, and that way, rather than say, the Author wrote not sense, or true Latin, or Greek: Discipulus praeceptorem, praeceptor ignorantiam accusat: The Scholar blames the Master, the Master his Ignorance, but neither blame the Author. Many passages in Scripture History we cannot easily reconcile, for want of knowing some Occurrences in those times: I have in this case, often made use of such a Meditation as this (which one night came into my thoughts:) If two men writing the History of the Reign of our present King, one should write, that this year was the thirty fifth year of his Reign; and the other should write, that this was the twenty third year of his Reign: A Stranger, or some Beyond Sea would wonder at this different account, and would cry out, that there was a notorious Contradiction in these two Historians: but we that know how Affairs have been in England, know that both wrote true: This is the 35th year of his Reign, if we consider how long he hath Reigned the jure, upon the death of his Father; this is the 23d year of his Reign, if we reckon how long he hath Reigned the facto, or since his retnrn. A young Grammarian, might quarrel with his Grammar, when he read of a Singular Number, when Number must be at least of two: Of a Conjunction Disjunctive, and cry, O Horrible Contradiction in Terms! when there is a conjunction of words, where there is a Disjunction of Sense.  
If any say, But a great part of Scripture we understand not. I answer, And a great part of Scripture you do understand: What can be more plain than those Scriptures against Sin and for Holiness? I have heard of an Unchaste Lady, that was objecting the obscurity of the Scripture, and that she could not understand it: How Madam (replied one) what more plain than this? Thou shalt not Commit Adultery. Consider again, what did the Eunuch understand? Acts 8.30. God helped him said Philip to him, Understandest thou what thou readest? A good question, How can I, (said he:) And Philip instructed him: Here all met, that some would part; Here was Scripture, for he read some of Isaiah his Prophecy. Here was the Spirit that bad Philip go to him; Here was the Preacher, for Philip expounds all to him. Who throws away a letter of great concern, because he cannot read all, nor understand all? he reads it the oftener, takes the more pains, calls for help, and glad to understand most of it, when he cannot understand all. If any plead, We cannot read: A good Woman (in Queen Mary's time) that could not read, got a new Testament, went from house to house, and desired others to read to her, and soon got much knowledge: Knowledge doth not get into the Soul by the Eye only, but by the Ear. Many understand the mysteries of their Trades, that never read Books about them: Many can tell what news is going, that never look into Gazettes, or News-letters, by hearing and considering. I have (saith God, Hos. 8.12.) written to them the great things of my Law, but they were counted as a strange thing.  
If any say, I want time. Can you find time to eat, to sleep, and not to look into the Word of God? Some can find time to read vain books, that can find none to read Scripture: Tho' such are as Politianus, that left reading the Scripture, 
Morney de ver. Rel. Christ.  and studied and disputed about such questions as these, whether we should write Carthaginenses, or Carthaginienses, etc. As insignificant are all other Studies, when men contemn the Word of God.  
4. If you find Convictions from God's Word, lose them not as you have too often done; Cain, when terrified in his mind, built Cities: Saul called for Music; so some run to their profits, and pleasures. If a man had great Treasure about him, and came by a dangerous way where many were rob, and he himself had some time been rob, how would he fear? As the Lord liveth, thou art the man: Thou hast been many times richly laden with good convictions, affections, and purposes gotten from the Word of God; the Cares and Temptations of the world have rob thee, and seek to do it again.  
5. Remember, You that are Believers, what Encouragement they had in Scripture, you have; and by them, 
Josh. 1.5. Heb. 13.5.  God directeth and comforteth you; Hos. 12.4, 5, 6. where he speaks of Jacob, Yea, he had Power over the Angel, and prevailed; he wept and made supplication unto him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spoke with us;— Therefore turn thou to thy God: Keep mercy and Judgement, wait on thy God continually. God by giving Jacob the blessing, speaks to us to wait on God. But to the Scripture, we must add Prayer: But of that in the next Chapter.    

CHAP. VI Of Prayer.  

MEDITATIONS.  
THE great Benefit and Comfort of Prayer, we read of often in Scripture; and the People of God find often by experience. Family Prayer, 
Psal. 13.2  and Secret Prayer, 
Acts 10.2.  have been minded by the Saints of Old. In Secret Prayer, it is good to stop sometimes after some Confessions, Petitions and Praises, that the heart may be more deeply affected with them. Never did any Believer pray in vain, though sometimes it may seem long before God answer. When Corn is sown, Rain comes, Snow comes, Prost comes, and all seems to be lost, but stay till the time of Harvest, and there is a good Crop; so after Prayer Temptations come, sad Providences come, and yet at last all is well. When a Child of God is in Prayer, he is not weary of God, nor of the duty; but weary of himself, and the corruption of his nature; of Satan and his Temptations; but still may say, How good is it to draw nigh to God In Secret Prayer, if unsuitable thoughts come, of men or business, pray about those things as occasion may be, so will ye catch the Devil in his own craft. He is not so wise, but he may be outwitted: He hath helped me by his Temptations to matter of Prayer thousands of times, against his Will.   

Directions in answer to a Question.  
Q. But what if I have no heart to the work?  
1. Pray obedientially, when you cannot pray comfortably. God calls for Prayer, wait on him in the face of all discouragements. Obedience will make an unpleasant work pleasant.  
2. Remember, that discomposure may quickly end in enlargement. Abraham found his Ram on the Mount, 
Gen. 22.13.  and that in the Thickets: So many find their hearts in Prayer (not before) and that in the midst of violent Temptations.  
3. Remember, that many Prayers, we reckon some of the worst, God accounts as some of our best Prayers; Great are the rewards for what some think to be dead Prayers. We reckon the goodness of Prayer by composure of thoughts, by affections, but God by self-loathing, and seeing nothing in ourselves and duties, but all in Christ.  
Let us cry earnestly to our God. Pagans have cried aloud to their Gods, 1 Kings 18.26. They cut themselves, and leapt upon the Altars which they made. If any say, I know not how to pray in Secret, I never yet did it, I know not what to say: Go to God and say so. It is a good Confession, Lord here I am come, I would pray, but know not what to say. It may be given you in that hour, what to confess, and pray for, and that with great melting of heart. Ask the Experience of the people of God: Love them, but of that in the following Chapter.    

CHAP. VII. Of Love to Mankind.  

MEDITATIONS.  
LEt Brotherly Love continue, 
Heb. 13.1.  is in many men's mouths, but in few men's hearts. If we inquire who is our Brother? Not the man nearly related, or the man of the same persuasion, or opinion only; but chief all of the Household of Faith. How many men of several Parties, are as Jews and Samaritans, that have no dealing one with another! We must love the Saints, as rich, so poor ones; ignorant as well as learned; the weak as well as the strong. We must love the ungodly, yea our Enemies: Love is to be shown in forgiving injuries, in supplying necessities: If any hate us, we must love them; if they deferve bad of us, they (and we also) deferve worse of God, yet God feedeth them, clotheth them, 
Mat. 5.45.  and shows them mercy. If God will use them as his Rod to chastise us, we must be content. Who knows what wrath will do, or where it will end? It is storied of Pope Stephen, that he so hated Pope Formosus, that he caused his Body to be taken out of the Grave, and cut off those Fingers that had blessed the Clergy, and so made void all his Canons, and Ordinances: And he that came after him took measures somewhat like, so that at last, saith Platina, Nihil enim aliud, high Pontifices cogitabant, quam & nomen & dignitatem Majorum suorum extinguere; and yet all these men were Infallible all the while. Let Husbands and Wives resolve, that their contentions shall not easily take Air, or be seen by them in the Family; They are one Body, and contentions between them, are as if there should be a fight between the Members of the Body; As if the mouth should by't the hand, and the hand strike the mouth. A wrathful temper is commonly gotten by conversing with angry men, and therefore saith the Wise man, Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go; lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy Soul, Prov. 22.24, 25. Beware of men of keen Spirits. That man will never live comfortably, that hath not learned to slight what others think, and say of him; that liveth not in the frequent consideration of other men's virtues, and his own defects: Epictetus in the 48 Chap. of his Morals, saith; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. If any man tell you, that such a man spoke against you, do not so much stand in vindication of yourself, as ingenuously to confess; that if that man had known the whole course of your life, he had charged you with more faults. Few men are so humble, as to say, The fault was mine, though they certainly know it is so.  
Kindness and Love is shown, as in forgiving injuries, so in supplying necessities. Here we may bewail the disparity, that is between many poor men's pains, and their wages. Though common wages be paid, yet the pay is according to custom more than desert; Etiamsi stipendia usitata praestentur (saith Ames de Consci.) consuetudini, magis quam sufficientiae satisfaciunt. Then for Charity to the poor; No man that hath loved the world better than his duty, or Christ in his Members, 
Mat. 25.35.  shall be found at the right hand of Jesus in the great day. The saying of Salvian, ad Ecclesiam Catholicam, hath been of great use to me, times without number; Opens, quas habes in hoc mundo temporarias, bene utendo facies sempiternas; Charity makes Temporal Riches to be Eternal: We have the benefit of them for ever.   

DIRECTIONS.  
1. Remember, what God Commands you to give to the poor, that you have no right to; and it is theft to detain it, as may be made clear by this plain comparison: One man, by a Carrier sends so much money, or goods to another; if that Carrier keep all, because all came to his hands, he is a Thief, and is dealt with as such. God hath sent so much to the distressed by you, if you give not, you wrong them.  
Obj. God hath sent so much, some may say, How much?  
Answ. Ask God by Prayer, Scripture by reading, Conscience by Consideration: Prov. 3.97. Withhold not good from him, to whom it is due. Luke 16.12. If ye have been unfaithful in that which is another man's.  
2. Conclude on it, if the poor die for want of what we are bound to give them, we are Manslayers, and Murderers before God. He that sees a man in the water, and will not help him out when he can with ease, he is as really guilty of his death, as if he had thrown him in. How many poor men, good men have perished for want of their right! If God should say to some great men, rich men, as he did to Cain, Where is Abel thy Brother? So where is the poor man, thy Brother? It may be he would answer as he, Am I my Brother's Keeper? But the same reply shall be made by the Lord, What hast thou done? The Voice of thy Brother's Blood cryeth unto me from the ground, and now thou art Cursed, Gen. 4.9, 10, 11.  
3. Remember what an honour it is to be God's Almoner. What if God in Scripture had named you, as Josiah by name, and called on you to the work, would you not cheerfully have set about the work? How did Job rejoice in the performance of this duty! Job 29.13, 14, 15, 16. He caused the Widow's heart to sing: That his Judgement was a Robe, and a Diade: That he was eyes to the Blind, and feet to the lame, and a Father to the Poor.  
Some object, Times are hard.  
I answer, men's Hearts are so.  
Obj. Money is scarce.  
Answ. How is it then you have so much to lay out in unnecessary Attire; Dishes at your Tables; in Pleasures? How comes so much to be spent in Alehouses and Taverns? This, O vain man, is but a Fig-leaf to cover thy nakedness.  
Obj. Others do plead, Few of the great Professors of Religion do mind this work.  
Answ. I answer, But from the Beginning it was not so. The Jews under the Old Testament did much, Christians in Paul's time did much. Do not what most Professors do; but what the best do. Many in our time have acted worthily: The famous Mr. Gouge (now in Glory) he set up an Hundred and fifty Schools in Wales, and went (at least) once a year to visit them, gave away many Bibles, and Catechisms, and took great pains in instructing Children in the Principles of Religion, and would often say; That he had two Live, the one in Wales, the other in Christ-Church Hospital in London (where he had done much good) that he would not part with for a world. My never to be forgotten Friend, the Reverend Mr. Fairclougb of Bristol, his Purse was always open for pious uses, especially for educating young men in order to the Ministry. I might say much of Mr. Henry Stubbes my Father-in-Law, were it not that it seems better to become another man's Pen than mine. There are yet alive many men that are forward for works of Charity.  
Obj. Some say, What shall I do for hereafter?  
Answ. If thou hadst Faith as a grain of Mustardseed, thou wouldst say to this Mountain of Distrust, be thou removed and cast into the Sea, and it would be done: Can you trust God for things eternal, and not for things momentary? 
Luk. 16.9.  Make you friends with the Mammon of unrighteousness. Riches are unrighteously gotten by some, unrighteously spent by others, but unrighteously kept by many more. Many get that honestly, which they do not honestly keep. It is by God's Law another man's right: I say to the Covetous, as Christ to that man, Stretch forth thy withered hand. We read of them, Amos 6.4, 5, 6. That invent instruments of Music, drink wine in Bowls, and are not grieved for the Afflictions of Joseph: Let such yet say as David, when the Lord gave him rest, 2 Sam. 7.1, 2. When he sat in his house, he said to Nathan the Propet, I dwell in a house of Cedar, but the Ark of God dwelleth within Curtains. So I am at ease, but many Saints in trouble. Love to the Ungodly is also evidenced in mourning for their Sins, 2 Pet. 2.8. would there were more Lots! whose Righteous Souls, in hearing, and seeing, are vexed from day to day, for the Sins of the Wicked. It is not, how many tears there are in the eyes; but how much sorrow there is in the heart: Let your heart bleed because of them who are going merrily to the place of Lamentation, Misery and Woe; Like men that should go on singing, and dancing, and calling for their Cups and Music, to the place of Execution.  
I have spoken of several Duties, of reading Scripture, Prayer, Charity, but we must remember all must be done in Sincerity, and this is the next thing we shall consider.    

CHAP VIII. Of Sincerity.  

MEDITATIONS.  
MAny there are, I doubt not, whose Sincerity no man questions, that will be found formal another day; and many that few thought well of will be saved. Snow covers Dunghills; Gilt makes common Wood and Stones look like Gold: So doth a Profession, and some attainments, make many Unconverted Men look like true Christians. When Judas went up and down Preaching the Gospel, if any one had said to him, Judas, thou art now persuading the world to close with Christ, within a little time thou thyself wilt betray this Christ to death for thirty pieces of Silver; would he have believed it? or would he not rather have said as Hazael to Elisha, 
2 Kings 8.13.  Am I a Dog that I should do this thing? Many famous Ministers, great Preachers, men of great Parts and Zeal, much followed by all, and accounted Angels from Heaven, I fear will in a little time, 
Mat. 258.  cry, Our Lamps are gone out! Many forward hearers, that have done many things, set on Reformation, and minded reading, and praying in their Families, will I fear, in a little time, be found to be Cakes half baked: 
Hos. 7.8.  On the other hand, there are many Ministers and People, that are taken but little notice of for Religion, that I hope will be saved. Their Heavenly Father sees that in secret (hearts broken for Sin, and breathing after Christ) for which he will reward them openly. Many that deceive themselves thus plead,  
I can remember the time when, the place where, the Minister by whom, I was Converted: 1 Kings 21.27, 28.29. When Ahab heard these words, he rend his , he fasted, etc. God takes notice of it to the Prophet, Seest thou not how Ahab humbleth himself before me? Then Ahab remembered the time when, the place where, the Prophet by whom he was terrified, so as to pray, fast, and had a Promise from God on the doing this work. Acts 8.13. Simon himself believed, and was Baptised; Verse 21. And yet his heart was not right in the sight of God. Philip's Doctrine and Miracles Converted seemingly him that had deceived many: Simon might say, I remember the time when, the place where, the Minister by whom I was convinced and awakened; and yet he was in the gall of Sin, and the bond of Iniquity, Gal. 4.14, 15, 16. Once again, many of them received Paul as an Angel of God, even as Christ Jesus, (high words) were ready to have plucked out their eyes, and have given them to him; and yet at last they accounted him their Enemy, because he told them the truth: No doubt many of them were but formal, to whom he said, Where is then the Blessedness you spoke of? These men could remember the time when, the place where, the Minister by women they were reform. Many such men can say but little else, but their first Convictions, and Terrors.  
Others plead, That God hath heard and wonderfully answered their Prayers: and that they are assured from the Scriptures of Truth, 
John 19.31.  That God heareth not Sinners, but if any man be a Worshpper of God, him he heareth: And they will tell you of Extraordinary Providences, that they have met with, as an answer to Prayer. I answer, It may be God heard not your Prayers, but your Murmur, as Numb. 11. The Quails came at the people's request; here was a Providence, but what was the close of all? Some have desired Children, Riches, etc. but unless these things have made them love and serve God, they never were given in a way of Mercy, but Judgement: Or it may be, God heard only the Cry of nature in you, as he hears the cries of Young Lions and Ravens: Gen. 21.17, 19, 20. God heard Hagar's and Ishmaels' Cry; When Hagar lift up her voice, and wept, an Angel calls to her, and tells her God had heard the Cry of the Lad, and it is said, vers. 21. God was with the Lad. Hagar and Ishmael, might they say, God hath heard, and wonderfully answered our Prayers, and God heareth not Sinners: And yet both were cast out. I doubt not but God doth work Wonders, or Miracles for their Preservation, or Deliverance, that shall never be saved. Some plead. But I find I have Repentance, I have Faith, I yield Obedience to the Gospel, etc. Amen; would to God it may appear to be so! Yet hear the Word of the Lord, 
Mat. 8.12.  The Children of the Kingdom shall be cast out. Conclude on it, there is nothing in Art, that doth more resemble a thing in nature, than Legal Repentance resembles Evangelical; Temporary Faith Saving; Partial Obedience, Universal; Never was there the picture, or Statue of a man, that did more resemble a living man, than common Grace doth Saving: Never was any Brass Half-Crown more like one of good Silver, than the life of a Hypocrite may the life of a Christian. Have you so repent of Sin, as to loath Sin as Sin, for its malignity, and evil nature? Hath your faith made you to esteem of Christ, his Ordinances and People, more than of all Treasures? Your Obedience unfeigned, without reserves? In the account we have of the sickness, and death of Bellarmine, done by C.E. the Jesuit, one passage he hath, to make him famous to the world, (which makes me more to hate the name, and memory of Bellarmine, than any thing recorded of him,) That when his Confessor came to him, Such, saith he, was the innocency of the man, that he could hardly tell what to confess; insomuch that his Ghostly Father was in some perplexity, wanting matter of Absolution, till by recourse to his life past, he found some small defects of which he absolved him. The Author cries, O Zealous Mind! O Noble Bishop! (but let the Christian, poor in spirit, that complains with Paul, Rom. 7. of a Body of Sin and Death, cry, O stupid Soul! O vile Hypocrite!) how secure was thy Conscience, that at thy death hadst not scruple, but the exchanging of one good work for another, and that when commanded to it! That was his leaving the Archbishopric of Capua, for better preferment. What is related of him, his lying on his bed with his eyes and hands lift up to Heaven; his falling prostrate on the ground to receive the Sacrament; his bestowing so much to feed the poor; all these things signify nothing, when the heart is so proud, so insensible of its own Gailt. Then every man must try himself: The Famous Divines in the Synod of Dort gave these Marks of Sincerity, 
Dordrehti Synodus.  Vera in Christum fides, filialis Dei timor, dolour de peccatis secundum Deum, sitis & esuries justitiae: A True Faith in Christ, (when a man humbly relies upon him for Life and Salvation) A filial Fear of God, (when we fear his displeasure, as well as his Judgements) a sorrow for Sin according to God, (when we hate Sin, so as to fly from it to God) a Hungering and Thirsting after Righteousness (a desire of Grace more than any thing on earth.)   

DIRECTIONS.  
1. Conclude on the absolute necessity of Sincerity, and beg the Prayers of Gods Sincere ones: Say then to your Souls, we must be upright. If it were proclaimed from Heaven, that but one man in a Town, or City, should be saved; every man had reason to give all diligence, that he might be the man, knowing he cannot dwell with Eternal Burn. Are your doubts many? beg the Prayers of the Faithful, do as God commanded Jobs Friends, Go to my Servant Job, and he shall pray for you, and him will I accept, Job. 42.8. Go to such a Minister such a Christian, be not ashamed to go to them, to knock at their doors, to speak with them, and inquire, 
Acts 16 30.  What must I do to be saved? Cry as they in the Vision to Paul, 
Acts 16.9.  Come over into Macedonia, and help us. If a man be distempered, or wounded in his body, away he goes to the Physician, or Chirurgeon: Be as careful of your Souls, as you are of your Bodies. If there be any good desires, cherish them: Cant. 2.3. The Figtree putteth forth her Green Figs, and the Vines with the tender Grapes give a good Smell. Arise my Love, my Fair One, and come away. Thy sincere, though weak desires and breathe of Soul, are pleasant to God, and promise well. Can any Babes in Christ say, as the poor Indian when first awakened, being asked what Sin was, Oh, said he, it is the continual Sickness of my Heart? It argues they are alive to God.  
2. Do not too soon shake off all fears, and doubts. Some come and tell Ministers, how they cannot sleep some nights, being terrified about Sin, and wrath: I am ready to tell them, where they awake one night, I would they did many: They that have been so before them, have no reason to wish they had slept the mean while.  
Wounds must smart much before they can be cured. Many break their sleep by night about loss of Children, of Goods, etc. and make no great matter of it. You may in a little time, say of your hearts, as Jacob of that place, 
Gen 28.16  The Lord was here, and I knew it not. The first cry of the New Creature pleaseth God, tormenteth the Devil. If you are full of fears now, the comforts of God will be sweeter to you when they come. If you on a Journey were benighted on a Down, darkness comes, Rain pours down, one Clap of Thunder and Flash of Lightning followed another, and you were wet to the skin, affrighted, and every hour seems as long as ten, and in the morning, when light appeared, and the Sun began to shine, and you were brought into your Inn, and had the comfort of a good Fire, warm , good provision, and a good bed; would you not be the more sensible of the sweetness of these things, because of your night's misery? O Christian, Sorrow may continue for a night, 
Psal. 30. Isa 50.10.  but joy cometh in the morning. Are you in darkness, and so see no light? Hear you the Thundrings of the Law? See you the Flashes of God's Judgement? Do the Terrors of God fall upon your Soul? When God shines upon you, than his Promises and Comforts will be sweet to your Souls.  
3. Never stick at any attainments, but be always going on. Are you weak? The strongest in Christ were once so. One hath a good meditation upon this, The greatest Giant was once a Babe in the Cradle; The greatest Oak was once a Twig; And the greatest Scholar, was once in his Hornbook, learning letters: So saith he, the greatest Christian, was once a Babe in Christ, and weak in grace. All must grow; sad it is for any to say, if I have so much Grace as will bring me to Heaven, I am content: But who is content with just so much meat as will kill hunger, and save life? Or with just so much money as will keep him from debts, and so from Goal? Strive more and more against Sin: Get greater power over Constitution Sins, Company Sins, and the Sins of your Callings. If any should say, our hearts are still bad after praying, watching, and striving, remember still to go on. If a man went to cut down an Oak, the first blow with the Axe tends to the fall of the tree, as well as the last; if one should see one blow given, and another, and an hundred, and the Oak seems as firm as ever, and should say, it is but in vain to strike any more, what weakness were he guilty of? At last down falls the Tree: So the first acts of Repentance, Faith, Obedience, tend to the pulling down of Sin, as really as the last. How many are prone to Pride, Covetousness, unchaste desires, revenge, have found this to be true? they have prayed many years, and Fasted, and striven against Sin, and yet found (as they thought) but a little change, and at last down hath fallen the Sin: And God hath made them very humble, very mortified, very chaste, very patiented. Then take up the Axe, strike, strike, and spare not Sin; Sin shall be destroyed.  
4. If you find you are Sincere, give God the glory through Jesus Christ. When King Solomon was Crowned, what rejoicing was there! 1 Kings 1.40. They piped w●●h Pipes, and rejoyeed with great joy, so that the earth rend with the sound of them: Cant. 3.11. Go forth ye Daughters of Zion, and see King Solomon with the Crown wherewith his Mother Crowned him in the day of his Espousaels, and in the day of the gladness of his heart. God that hath sanctified you, hath Crowned you with a better Crown, of Grace, and will with a Crown of Glory. The Angels rejoiced at your Conversion, and therefore you should rejoice: God in heaven, and those your friends there are glad for you, Luke 15.32 and you should be glad for yourselves. You once were under the same Condemnation with the wicked. God sometimes pardons Sinners of the greatest sort, and pardons ●ot some of the lesser sort: As if a King seeing two men, whom the Law had Condemned, the one for Murdering his Child, and contriving to Murder him; another only for stealing of a few , or a sum of Money, he pardons the Traitor, and lets the Thief go to Execution: Even so Father, 
Mat. 11 26  for so it seems good in thy Sight. Paul runs up all to the Will of God, Rom. 9.23. Yet, says Calvin, Neque tamen ingerin●us commentum absolutae potentiae: He is not pleased with saying only, That God is a Law to himself: It is God's Will, saith he, that is true, but why God wills, is not for us to know; why he would wrap up so many men in Adam, and they all fell by his Sin; Why Beasts be not men; or why I was not Christ's Humane Nature, is not for us to ask: so he. 
Ephes. 1.4.  You that were chosen, that you might be holy, not because he foresaw you would be holy, so you were chosen to Grace, as well as to Glory. Blessed are the eyes that see the things that you see. You are kept by the mighty power of God, through Faith unto Salvation. No man shall be able to pluck you out of Christ's hand. If any say then, let the Sincere do what they will, they cannot be damned. Though they shall not be damned, yet they may be severely scourged. God can take away their peace of Conscience, deprive them of much Communion with himself, cross them in their enjoyments, and make them to go weeping to their Graves. If any reading our Statute-Law say, The breaking of such a Law is only the loss of my liberty, not of my life; or of my hand, not of my head; and therefore I fear not Law, every one would deride him; 
2 Pet. 3.18  Grow in Grace, is God's Command to them that have Grace; and they do so, though the change at first be more sensible: Let a white cloth be died black, the first dip makes a sensible, wonderful change, dip it again it is more black, but the change not so sensible as before: So it is with the first and after acts of Grace, first and after Duties.  
5. Let us learn more, to inquire into the state and condition of our own Souls, and less into the state and condition of other men's Souls. I may know myself, but not so easily another man; some great Professors prove vile, some weak ones serious, that Dr. Sibs saith, that Bucer after long experience of this, said, he would not exclude from the Lords Supper that man that had Aliquid Christi, any thing of Christ. I have heard of that holy man of God, Mr. Cotton of New-England, that he once said to his Congregation (who were not pleased with it) That if any Indian, or other should step forth, and say, I love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity and truth; and should testify his willingness to walk according to the Gospel, though his defects were great, for Ignorance, etc. that he would admit him to the Lords Table. We all are of the mind of the Church of England, that no scandalous person, etc. should be admitted (and therefore, by the way, many Ministers are Non-conformists to their own Canons and Orders) I would admit any man, that by converse with him, I had reason to believe to be sincere; though I had great fears to the contrary. Whilst I am writing of this blessed Ordinance, this binding Ordinance, this Ordinance God so much blesseth for the carrying on a work of Grace; Remember we there receive the Body of Christ. 
Mat. 26.26  The Elements though not changed in nature, yet are changed in use: As Wax in Writings, of great use, differs from common Wax. One thus expresseth himself: A Prince sends an Ambassador, and offers a Woman his Son, and gives the Effigies, or Picture of him? the young Prince in Person, not the bare Effigies of him is now given: In Person, how? Not in present, personal, physical possession; but in the true right of Relation, as a Husband. So is Christ given, how? Not by any transubstantiation, but as a Saviour. In this Ordinance God reviveth the decaying Graces of his People, and gives them more strength. It is with our Souls, as with our Bodies, they are sometimes sick, and out of Order: As sometimes when the body is sick, the eyes cannot see well, nor the mouth taste well, nor the hands work well, nor the feet go well; by Physic, Cordials, or some means we are revived, and all is well. Some temptations, corruptions, cares of the world, bring our Souls out of order, that the Eye of Faith waxeth dim, the hands of good Works grow weak, and hang down, the feet of affections are feeble: But God's Ordinances, and especially this of the Sacrament revives us, and sets us right again. Sincerity then is the chief thing, and above all get we should get it, the Price of it is above Gold, above all Treasures: He that gets it not, gets nothing in the world worth the having. Solomon saith, Fearing God, keeping his Commandments (which is the same with being sincere) is the whole of man, Eccles. 12.13. for he had proved all other things to be Vanities: But of that in the next Chapter.    

CHAP. IX. Of the Vanity of the World.  

MEDITATIONS.  
ALL things are Vanity. All our Enjoyments pass away like our dreams: We sometimes have really eaten, drunken, and diverted ourselves with our Friends, which time we desired before it came, delighted in it when it came: We have sometimes dreamt we have eaten, drunken, and diverted ourselves with our Friend, and we had then pleasure in our imaginations: What difference is there now in respect of delight between the using these things, and the dreaming of them? So omon saith it often in his Ecclesiastes, that all things are vanity: but who thinks of it! O Death, when thou whisperest this truth in the ear of a vain, ungodly man, thou wilt make him to tremble, though the often hearing of it now, will not make him thoughtful. Whatever in matters of Religion, men may deny, this they cannot deny. Take the Goliahs of their Camp, the Giants in all Acts of wickedness, they cannot gainsay this; such a place as this cuts to the heart, Job 14.20. Thou prevailest for ever against him, and he passeth; thou changest his countenance, and sendest him away. All the poor shift is, that they will put these things out of their Minds: Oh but they cannot put them out of the Bible: Here we are but for a moment, and we are all hastening to a place, where we shall be for ever. O Eternity! thou that hast made so many stout hearts to quake and tremble, let all men ever remember thee. When we were Children, we thought we should never forget the Servants that we loved, the delights that we took up with, and now all is nothing to us: within a little time, all our present enjoyments, will signify no more to us, than those do now. Above five thousand years were gone in the world, before ever we were seen or thought of, and here we look about the world, and are gone out of it.   

DIRECTIONS.  
1. Call to mind, how uncertain the things of the world have been, to many of our fellow-Creatures before us. 
Exod. 14.2  Pharaoh King of Egypt, was drowned in the Red Sea: 
Dan. 4.33.  Nebuchadnezar was made as a Beast in the field, for seven year: 
Acts 12.2.  Herod, that glittered in his Royal Robes, was eaten of Worms: Antonius Heliogabalus Emperor of the Romans, his Garments were very costly, and yet he would never wear one Garment twice, his Shoes were embellished with Pearls and Diamonds; his way was strewed with Powder of Gold and Silver; his Vessels of base sort were all of Gold, his Rings and Jewels would he never use but once: Who, among the voluptuous sort of men, would not be Antonius Heliogabalus now? yet this man had always about him a silver Cord, or golden Knife to dispatch himself if he saw occasion; but he did not escape so, the Romans took Him and his Mother (after he had reigned four years) and dragged them through the streets of Rome, and broke their arms, and threw them into Tiber, 
Speeds Chron.  that they might not be buried, or the Air be infected by them: Who would be Antonius Heliogabalus now? How have many flourishing Nations, as well as men, been brought to nought? 
Heylins' Cosmog.  The Spaniards in seventeen years destroyed six Millions of men, roasted some, plucked out their eyes, cut off some men's arms and threw them to be devoured by Wild Beasts. This is represented in that dream of Daniel, Dan. 4.11, 13, 15. Of a tree that grew, and was strong, the height of it reached unto Heaven, and the sight thereof to the ends of the Earth. He that came down from Heaven cried with a loud voice, saying, Hue down the Tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his Fruit:— What is become of the house that Solomon built for Pharaohs Daughter? Where are the famous Structures we have read of, or the men that dwelled in them?  
2. Conclude on it, the things of the World are but vain, else Christ, and many good men had never had so few of them, and so many of the worst of men, had never had such an abundance of them. 
Mat. 17.27 Mat. 27.29  Christ was so poor he could not pay tribute, etc. had a Crown of Thorns on his head, when Tiberius that Idolatrous Pagan, had a Crown of Gold on his. It is a Privilege the Saints shall have for ever in Heaven, that they shall never see, nor use any of these toys there. The vilest of men for Blasphemy, Intemperance, Uncleanness, Oppression, they have much of the world, when thousands that breath after God, and love him above all, have Poverty and contempt: God would never deny these things (if they were not Vanities) to the righteous, and give them to the wicked.  
3. Make the thoughts of a time of dying familiar to you. Think, Must I die! then Lord it is high time for me, to begin to live; which no man doth, till he be dead to the world. If you had been made when Adam was, and had from that time to this, lived in all the delights of the Sons of men, and were now to die, you would be convinced, that all past enjoyments were vanity. If you knew for certain where your Graves should be, where your Bodies should lie till the Resurrection, would you not (if you could) go often to that Grave, and weep there? But that Curse seems to come on most men, that came on the King of Babylon, Dan. 4.16. Let his heart be changed from man's, and let a Beasts heart be given to him: Hence it is they delight not in God, but in brutal, beastial Pleasures; and though they know they must die, yet prepare not for it. As if a man playing at Cards, were told his house were on fire, and desired to hasten away to save his House, Goods and Children, should say, I will end my Game first, and by that time he came all were burnt.  
4. Let the spiritual man, the Heavenborn Soul, be ashamed, that these Vanities have had so much of his time, thoughts and desires. Epictetus' directed his followers, when tempted to flattery, today, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉; Art thou a Philosopher? So when you are tempted to immoderate delight in Vanity, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉; Art thou a Christian? A Disciple of Jesus that was de●d to these Gaieties? Trust not you in Men, they are Vanity. When Isr●●l was in Egypt, in cruel Bondage, News comes from the Court, Pharaoh will let them go: You may imagine how glad they were, and how they did comfort one another; but there comes a Counter word, than they are sad: Then a Promise again, and they had the Word of a King for it and then it is revoked again.  
Trust not to Men, nor Things; your Treasures, your Relations are uncertain Comforts. Look oftener to God, less to the World; yet am I not calling a Christian to any unnecessary sadness: He may and aught to take delight in the things of the World, seeing they help him to serve his God: Meats, Drinks, Diversions serve the Body, the Body serves the Soul, the Soul serves God; so that there is a high end in common things. It is unbecoming a Child of God to be melancholy, and casts a blot on his Profession. The Turks indeed account their melancholy Men their greatest Saints, and keep them, as such, on a public Stock: They, as such, (as melancholy) are sitter for Turks, than Christians; yet in all our Mirth and Cheerfulness we should fear Sin. I know Zeal and Langhter may be conversant about the same thing; but (saith Ames, De Consci.) Non sub eadem ratione; Z●lus enim respicit 〈◊〉, & turpe, risus autem inexpectatum aliq●●● leviter placens absque consideratione, vel honesti vel turpis: Zeal is conversant about a thing, consider it as good or evil; but laughter may be occasioned by some unexpected thing, that please●h a little, without the consideration of the thing as holy or profane.  
Is all vanity? then wicked men need not much rejoice in their abundance, not the righteous much trouble themselves for their afflictions. Their sanctified tribulations shall do them much good; when the unsanctified Prosperity of the wicked, shall do them much hurt. But the Benefit of Afflictions is the next thing to be considered.    

CHAP. X. Of the Benefit of Afflictions.  

MEDITATIONS.  
THe brightest day, hath an approaching Night; and the pleasant Summer, a sharp Winter. Some of the best of men have been taken from their enjoyments, and plunged into all manner of miseries: Job is a great instance of this; In the Morning he had Children, in the Evening none; in the Morning he was a Rich man, in the Evening a Poor man: He draws his own Picture, as it were, when in prosperity, in the 29. chapped. of Job, and also when in adversity, in chap. 30. of Job: See what a great change a little time made upon him; at one time he was as a King in the Army; at another time they had him in derision, whose Fathers he had disdained to set with the Dogs of his Flock. We should expect and prepare for the greatest suffering, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Let the Fire, the Cross, or any of the Devils buffet come, saith Ignatius, (if I mistake not, to the Smyrneans, for I have him not by me) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, I am, saith he, meat for beasts; and yet was satisfied. Some have been driven into Caves and Dens of the Earth: 
Heb. 11.38.  So were many of the Primitive Christians: What (saith one) would keep them warm, was their clothing; the Ground was their Table, Herbs and Roots their diet, Wild fruits and Berries their dainties; Hunger their sauce, their Fingers their knives, their Hands their Cups; and the next Well their Wine-celler: but he adds, what they wanted in cheer, they had in Grace, their lives being spent in Meditation and Prayer. Fuller's Church-History. Sad indeed was the case of Mr. Glover, in Queen mary's days, he was in a Prison very close, very cold, and very dark, he had no Form or Stool to sit on, only a little straw for a Bed; but the worst was this, that all this while he was much disquieted in his mind, and under fear of God's displeasure, and so continued sad, and sorrowful, till he was within view of the stake, and then the Comforts of God flowed down upon him. Whatever our troubles be from men, we should carry it seriously, and then cheerfully: We should be as the Leviathan, of whom it is said, Job 41.22. In his neck remaineth strength, and sorrow is turned into joy before him. The Church were Brick-makers in Egypt, strangers had taken their houses, and sore troubles we read of in the Lamentations. 
Lam. 5.2. Lam. 5.8.  If God make us to be Servants to Servants, we must bear all patiently. But by the way, let us bring ourselves no lower than God brin●s us, and discover courage under the contempt of some, that would insult over us in the time of our Trouble: To such a one did the Poet writ, when he said, 
Non ego sic ceidi, 
O●id.  quamvis ab●estus ut infra  
Te quoque sim, inferius quo nihil esse potest.   
What if such a day should be, Isa. 10.14. when the King of Assyria said, My hand hath found as a Nest the riches of the people: and as one that gathere●h Eggs that are left, have I gathered all the earth, and there was none that moved the wing, that opened the ●outh, or peeped? When we can no more resist, th●n a Bird can us, when we take Eggs out of the Nest. Now we have gone from God, it may be, afflictions will bring as home: We read in Jeremy 2.24. The Wild Ass in the Wilderness snuffeth up the wind, in her month they shall find her; that is, in the impregnation of her womb, than she is burdened, and so stayed: so many when troubles come.   

DIRECTIONS.  
1. Look unto Christ, and his followers before us, with what patience they have born afflictions. How was Christ reviled, spit on, crucified, and yet as a Lamb before the Shearers, 
Isa. 53.7.  so was he! Do they contemn and hate us, whom we have shown great kindnesses to? consider how Moses was dealt with by an ungrateful people, though he left the pleasures of Pharaohs Court for their sakes, yet sometimes they were ready to stone him: 
Exo. 17.4.  Though Paul suffered so much for the Gospel's sake, yet some in the Church of Corinth said of him, that he walked after the flesh, 2 Cor. 10.2. Because he pleaded the power he had to forbear working, to have carnals from them, that had spirituals from him, 2 Cor. 4.1. Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy we faint not: Hopes he had of doing some Souls good, and that quieted him. The Pagans of old were wont to ask, 
Tertul. Apol.  how many Children the Christians devoured, and who were the Cooks that dressed them, & c? All which reproach they bore patiently: Christ was not strict enough in his converse, for a number of proud Pharisees; they accused him with Sabbath-breaking, and keeping company with vain men. Solomon's Counsel must take place, Prov. 26.4. Answer not a fool according to his Folly, lost thou also be like unto him; and though there seems to be a contradiction in the next verse, vers. 5. Answer a fool according to his Folly, lost he be wise in his own conceit: Answer him not maliciously, wrathfully, or using sinful words, as he doth: but answer him wisely, and with good and convincing words.  
2. Call to mind the wonderful Providences that have attended God's People in their greatest afflictions. What did God do for Abraham, when he went he knew not whither, and met with troubles every where? 
Josephus  for Moses when Tharmutis (for so was the Daughter of Pharaoh called) took care of him? 
Sir W. R. Hist.  When God drowned Cheneres (for so was that Pharaoh called as some say;) For the Church in Queen esther's time, when the day for their destruction was appointed? Bish. Spotswood in his History of the Church of Scotland, speaking of that Holy man Cragge, the night before he was to be executed, Pope Paul the 4th died, which caused his getting out of Prison; having lost himself in a Wood, and wanting conveniences, a Dog came and fawned about him, having a Purse of money in his mouth, and laid it at Craggs feet, and guided him to Milan, where a company of Banditti, or Robbers set upon him; one of them told him that he knew him, and once had his Charity, and to requite that kindness, he would now secure him out of the hands of that sort of men. 
Lam. 3.27.  I will not say much of myself, who bore the yoke in my youth, nor of a series of wonderful Providences, that nine years ago I met with, in the day when I had not where to lay my head, which for a year after, I did seldom think of with dry eyes: I will add no more of that, because I will offend none. God's care is such of his own, that he saith, Isa. 45.11. Ask me of things to come, concerning my Sons, and concerning the works of my hands, command you me. I know some would read by way of Interrogation, Do you command me? but we will consider the words, as signifying Gods great condescension; yet it is not to be endured, for any to say (as once I heard a Minister do) Lord we therefore command thee. If a King say to an ordinary man, in such a thing you may command me, he doth not expect the man should reply, Then, Sir, I command you; but that he should thus understand him: Your request shall as certainly be granted, as if it had the force of a Command, or as if you had the power of commanding me: Let us consider Gods past Providences to us, to take encouragement from them; Luk. 22.35. When I sent you without Purse or Scrip, lacked you any thing? and they said, Nothing: What did God for Joseph in all his troubles? Psal. 105.18, 19 Whose feet they hurt with fetters, he was laid in Iron, until the time that his word came, till the word of the Lord tried him: Then the King sent and made him Lord of his house, and Ruler of his substance. 1 Kings 7.21. When the Pillars of the Porch of the Temple were set up, the right Pillar was called Jachin, (which signifieth, He shall establish) and the left Pillar was called Boaz, (which signifieth, Strength is in it;) All this shows the care God hath of his Church and People, notwithstanding all contrivances against them.  
3. Take a Prospect of all the happy consequences of sanctified Afflictions. 1. 
Rom. 5.4, 5.  They work Patience, and Patience Experience, etc. They bring forth the peaceable fruits of righteousness. 2. They make us look to God for comfort, seeing none can be found in Creatures; Micah 7.5, 6, 7. Trust ye not in a Friend, put not confidence in a Guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom: For the Son dishonoureth the Father, the Daughter riseth against her Mother, the Daughter-in-law against her Mother-in-law; a man's enemies are the men of his own house. This was a sad case, but how much good came of it? Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my Salvation: Trust not in an Enemy, or a Stranger, one would think to be good counsel; yea, but trust not in a Friend: But what if that Friend be an intimate one? No, put not confidence in a guide: But my Wife is my second Self; shut the door of thy lips from her that lieth in thy bosom: But if I am a Father, I hope I shall have comfort in my Children whom I so much love, and of whose Education I am so tender; No, the Son dishonoureth the Father; but saith the Mother, Daughters are more flexible, and I may have Comfort in them; No, the Daughter riseth against the Mother; well, if my Children be bad, I hope to please myself in Children in Law, Sons Wives; No, The Daughter-in-law riseth against the Mother-in-law: If the case be this, than I will (say some) take comfort in Servants, or any one in the house that loves me; No, there is no Comfort there, For a man's Enemies are them of his own House: What follows? Therefore I will look unto the Lord; Therefore, wherefore? because he could not comfortably look to any other: Away to Prayer, to Meditation, to Reading: When any say they can take Comfort in nothing in their Houses; No, have you no Bible's there? 3. Afflictions make us call to mind our own faults; do others wrong, abuse us, have not we done the like to some men in time past? Solomon dissuades from fretting, if we hear our Servants Curse us, from this consideraon, 
Eccl. 7.21, 22.  Thou thyself knowest that in time passed thou hast cursed others: I have heard of a man that beat his Father, and drew him by the hair of his head towards the street, when he came to the Threshold, Stay Son, (said the old man) drag me no farther, for so far I dragged my Father, and here I left him: I have had the Story from the Inhabitants of that Town, it being a place where Providence hath often called me. 4. Afflictions make us also to desire Heaven. A man in a Journey, if the way be bad, if the weather be bad, if his Horse be bad, and if his Body be out of order, he more desires to be at his Journeys end, than otherwise he would do. When the Saints come there, they shall have their reward. Josephus saith, that when Caius Caligula caused Agrippa to be brought out of Prison, that was committed there by Tiberius, he gave him a Chain of Gold that weighed as much as his Chain of Iron, and preferred him: Now the heavier the Chain of Iron was, the better for him, the greater was his Chain of Gold. The righteous man will bless God for ever, for all his trouble; when the wicked man shall for ever, curse the time in which he enjoyed Prosperity. 5. Afflictions put us on Prayer. David was a man of great troubles, and therefore much given to Prayer, and God delivered, and his Prayers were turned into Praises. If any say, I have prayed long, and yet the trouble is not over. Long: How long? Thy Life is not long. How long did the Jews pray, and wait for Deliverance from the Babylonish Captivity? Even seventy years. Continue in Prayer, and you know not how soon God may appear.  
Whilst I mention Afflictions, let me call on all sorts of men, to prepare for national Calamities; they may be such as God speaks of, Deut. 28.34. So that thou shalt be mad for the sight of thine eyes, which thou shalt see. Where then will be the Cups, Cards, Music of vain men? I speak to you from God, as Moses to Pharaoh, 
Exod. 10.3.  How long refusest thou to humble thyself before me? 
Jer. 6.4.  We may cry as the Prophet Jeremy, Woe unto us! for the day goeth away, the shadows of the evening are stretched out. The day of peace, the day of the enjoyment of Gospel Privileges seems to draw to a close, when that judgement may be executed, Jer. 20.25. Wherefore I gave them Statutes that were not good, and judgements whereby they could not live. I humbly conceive, he speaketh not of the ceremonial Law that he appointed, but of Idolatrous Commands from men, vers. 23. I lifted up my hand also to them in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the Heathen, etc. I gave them statutes that were not good: not as if God gave them by command, but only by his Providence. If any say, if that be the worst of it, we care not: If Popery prevail, we will never be Non-conformists. Go Judas, take thy thirty pieces of Silver; and thy ease and treasures shall do thee as much good, as that Money did him, which he purchased by betraying his Lord.  
The Wicked, that now receive their good things, shall be tormented; and the Righteous that receive their evil things shall be comforted. 
Luke 16.25.  But of this in the next Chapter.    

CHAP. XI. Of Heaven and Hell.  

MEDITATIONS.  
OUT of many Tribulations shall the Righteous enter into the Kingdom of God: 
Acts 14.22.  Lo, this is the happy condition of every Man that hath minded the Duties we have before considered. In Heaven they enjoy a completing of gracious Principles; there they have what here they groaned for, prayed for, a perfect and uninterrupted Love to God, and Enjoyment of Him. The Love the Soul hath now to Christ, is so powerful, that he may say with the Spouse, I am sick of Love; and yet, that Love, if compared to that in Heaven, is but as a drop of Water to a Fountain: Yet if now you ask the Christian, which he loves most, God or the World; his Love is so strange, that it is such a Question, as if you should ask, Which were better, or which he most loved, a piece of Gold, or a clod of Earth: There is also in Heaven Converse with the best Company; Mat. 8.11. Many shall come from the East, and from the West, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the Kingdom of God. What would we now give for an hours sight of Paul, David, or other Saints in Heaven, or Converse with them? Remember, if we have wicked, unkind Relations, with whom we now dwell, in a little time we shall be with them above. We are now pleased not only to see a King, but his Lords about him; (here is my Lord such a one, famous for such a thing;) so above, there is my Lord Moses, by whom God wrought Wonders, my Lord David, a Man after God's Heart, my Lord Paul, the great Converter of the Gentiles. Joseph when he saw his Brother Benjamin, 
Gen. 45.14  fell on his neck, and wept for joy; so will they rejoice in Glory, as Children of the same Father, God, and of the same Mother, the Church of Christ on Earth. There is also the Society of Angels, Creatures of such excellency, that they seldom come into the world, and when they do, they are soon gone, here being no place worthy to entertain them. There is in Heaven an immediate fruition of the blessed God, 1 Cor. 13.12. Then shall we see him face to face, and know even as we are known: He seems not to speak of the Vision of the divine Essence, for that is every where; but of the knowledge of God, and his glorious attributes. And by the way we must consider, that the communicable Attributes are as really the undivided Essence of God, as those we call incommunicable; and therefore no Attributo of God can properly or strictly be communicated to any Creature, for they are the Divine Essence; and if the Attributes were communicated, so would the Divine Essence be: And therefore the Communication we speak of, is only Analogical, no Communication of the Attributes themselves to us; (for they are all infinite, and therefore no Creature is capable of them) but in respect of the Fruit and Effects of those Attributes, God works that in Man which resembles his Perfections: So we shall be made like him, 
1 John 3.2.  as John says; 
2 Pet. 1.4.  and so be Partakers of the Divine Nature, as Peter saith. How sweet is Communion with God now! how much more sweet will it be then! Bernard saith, Tuipse Coronatores, 
Ber. Med.  & Corona; Promissor, & Promissio; Praemiator, & Praemium. O God, Thou art the Crowner, and the Crown itself; the Promiser, and the Promise itself; the Rewarder, and the Reward itself. 1 Thes. 4.17. We shall be for ever with the Lord. Well may we comfort one another with these words, Where I am, 
John 14.3. Joh. 17.21.  there shall you also be, saith Christ; for we are one with Christ, though not Naturâ, yet I acto: The Husband will have the Wife with him. As we now have Communion with God, and Christ, is our Heaven begun, Eph. 2.6. And hath made us to sit together in heavenly places, in Christ Jesus. Heaven is such a place, Heb. 11.10. whose builder and maker is God. The Structure is too glorious to be made by the Saints above, or Angels there; they cannot build their own Dwellings, as Men do on Earth, for the Workmanship is too curious for them; no, God doth it: Infinite Wisdom contrived the Mansions there, and infinite Power made them. This is the place that God purposed to bring his People to from Eternity. 
Mat. 25.34 1 Kings 7.8, 9, 10.  What was the House that King Solomon built for the Daughter of Pharaoh, when he took her to be his Wife, but as a mere Dunghill in comparison of this House that God hath made for the Sons and Daughters of Men, whom he hath made his beloved Ones? Then shall that be fully accomplished, Zeph. 3.17. The Lord thy God will rejoice over thee with joy: He will rest in his Love, he will rejoice over thee with singing. Courts on Earth have their Troubles with their Pleasures: 
A. to his Son.  one saith that well knew what they were; That a Court is a place of most uncertain Air, full of Damps and Exhalations; then there is over-scorching Heat, and soon over-casting of Clouds, by the sudden rising and depressing of Favourites. Great Men are most alterable; every puff of Wind fans them into various shapes; they which have extremely loved to day, have hated deadly the morrow. So he. But in Heaven there is no fear of the frowns of God, nor abatement of his Love to Eternity.  
But the  shall be cast into Hell. I shall not contend about the place, whether it be in the Air, or whether in the Centre of the Earth, or whether beyond the Superficies of it; I content myself with that of Luther, I am satisfied in not knowing where Hell is, whilst I know that it is: We had better inquire how to escape the place, than where the place is: It is a place of Misery, where the Ungodly shall for ever bear the Indignation of the Lord, against whom they have sinned, Mat. 25.46. Sin is objectively infinite, as it is committed against an infinite God: An infinite Offence calls for an infinite Punishment: This Punishment must be either infinite for Nature, or Duration; for Nature it cannot be, no finite Creature could then bear it; it must be therefore infinite for Duration. God hath given to Man an immortal Soul; this Soul goes out of the World laden with Sin and Gild; is it not reasonable, that whilst Sin remains, Punishment should remain? But Sin will remain for ever; for, how should it be gotten out, or taken away? What was the punishment of the Vestal Nuns in Campo Scelerato, among the old Romans? What is the Spanish Inquisition? What is our Pane fort & dure, or Pressing Men to death? Nothing to this: And yet, were any Man sure, that after ten or twenty years' Pleasures he should endure such Misery, how would he quake at the thoughts of it, in the midst of his Delights? Mat. 25.41. The Ungodly are committed to the rage of the Devil. What becomes of the Lamb, if the Lion have him? How sad is it for any Man to be delivered over to the Will of his greatest Enemy, that had no Pity, no Humanity, but should take more delight in torturing, than in eating when hungry? It is not in vain put in, Depart from me, 
Mat. 25.41 — with the Devil and his Angels: Now they are but Executioners, God is the Judge. Well might David say, Who knoweth the Power of thy Wrath! Psal. 90.11. It is the Wrath of an infinite God, of a sin-revenging God. Let such as fear not Eternal Burn consider, what would an eternal Gout, an eternal , an eternal Strangury be? The Ungodly shall cry, and not be heard; cry as they, Jer. 47.6, 7. O thou Sword of the Lord, how long will it be e'er thou be quiet? put up thyself into thy Scabbard, rest and be still. But that answer shall be given? How can it be quiet, since the Lord hath given it a charge to destroy? I have many times thought, when I have read the 48, & 49 chapters of Jeremy, and the last Verses of both, though dreadful things were threatened to be executed on Moab and Elam, yet the Close of all is, Yet will I bring again the Captivity of Moab, in the latter days, saith the Lord; but it shall be in the latter days. I will bring again the Captivity of Elam, saith the Lord. But when Christ will condemn the Wicked in the great day, there is not the least Promise of Pity after thousands of Years or Ages. Egyptian Bondage (though long, yet) ended, so did the Babylonish Captivity, but there will be no end of this misery; God is not a man that he should repent; 
1 Sam. 15.29.  there will be no change of his mind; If God changeth, 
Al. in Philos. Platon.  (saith a Platonist, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, etc.) he must be changed of himself, or some other; if of another, he must be greater than God, or wiser, which none can be; if of himself, he must change either for the better or the worse, both which would argue imperfection in God, and therefore he shall be known for ever to be a God that changeth not: God is now preparing his Instruments of Death, though vain men consider it not, but are as Sheep, or Oxen, or other Beasts of the field, that are grazing or sporting, when one stands by whetting his Instruments to slay them.   

DIRECTIONS.  
Prepare for the day of Judgement, and when prepared, pray for it. The completing of the happiness of the Saints, as to their body, will be in that day: What think you of the particular Judgement in the time of Death? When Saul was told he should die, (for that is the meaning of the word, be with me, that is in the number of the dead; for Jonathan was a good man,) 1 Sam. 28.19, 20. Then Saul fell straight way all along on the earth, and there was no strength in him: In the sixth verse we find, In the day of his trouble God answered him not, neither by Dreams, nor by Vrim, nor by Prophets: Neither will God speak comfortably to ungodly men when they die, by Ministers, nor Scripture, nor Conscience: If you ask what that Vrim was? we read not of it as a thing made by Moses or the People; some think it was a precious stone in the breast of the Highpriest, that by the change of its colour, shown what success the People should have in War; as by Thummim what Offerings were accepted: I know Mr. Weems throws in one rub against this, Because, (saith he) when the Priest put on Vrim and Thummim, he asked Counsel at the mouth of the Lord: He pleads, if there were such a wonderful miraculous change of the colour of Vrim, there was no need of ask of God; his Opinion therefore was, when the Priest had it on, he was inspired to answer to the question: I will not gainsay the Opinion, only I conceive the objection is of no force, for that change of the colour might be made by, or in Prayer, and calling upon God: Saul had no answer: the Ungodly shall cry in a time of Death, and not be heard; and when the day of judgement cometh, that great day, the Consciences of the despisers of Christ, may say to them, what once Zebul said to Gaal, Judg. 9.38. Where is now thy mouth, wherewith thou saidst, Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him? Where is now thy mouth, wherewith thou saidst, Who is Christ that I should serve him? Then will he say to such, 
Exod. 6.1.  what once God said to Moses of Pharaoh, Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh: Now shall Angels and Saints see what God will do to the ungodly; but such as are prepared for that day, may Pray for it; 
Aug. Medit.  Aspice Domine Jesus, (cries Angustine) viduitatis, & orbitatis meaelacrymas, quas tibi offero donec redeas: Behold Lord Jesus the tears of my Widowhood or fatherless condition, which I pour out till thou returnest: Pray for the Judgement day, that sin may be no more, that all the faithful may be gathered in: Pray for the eternal Kingdom. 
Mat. 11.12  The Kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force: You see how poor hungry Beggars cry at your doors for an alms, if you do not presently answer them, if you frown on them, they will not be gone. Let us all smite our breasts; Blessed God, what an infinite disproportion is there between my desires, and their objects! how coldly do I Pray for a Heaven!  
2. Get a Settlement in your Hearts of the truth and certainty of all these things. It is reasonable to believe, that verily there is a Reward for the Righteous; 
Psal. 58.11  verily there is a God that judgeth the earth. God rewardeth not his People now, God punisheth not his Enemies now, and therefore will do it hereafter. The worst of Men have many times the best of the World, and the best of men the worst. God hath put breathe and long of Soul in his own after the full enjoyment of himself in Glory, and he puts not those desires there to torment them, but to satisfy these desires. Men venture much at Sea in hopes of great gain: Let hopes, even weak hopes in many, put them on diligence in God's Service. Wherefore, 
1 Cor. 15.58.  my Brethren, be constant, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing your labour shall not be in vain.  
3. Let all the Saints admire and adore our Lord Jesus, that saveth them from Hell, and brings them to Heaven. Mr. Ambrose in his Looking unto Jesus, saith thus; Suppose for an Offence thou wert to be racked leisurably, that thy Bones and Sinews might be pained thirty or forty years; that so much Flesh should be cut off-one day, such a Bone broken another; and by Art the Flesh should be restored, and the Skin cured again; and all th●se years thou be dying, and never dead; and all this while thou shouldest have no , F●od, or Sleep convenient for thee; and when thou thought'st there was no hope, a great Prince should come, and deliver thee from all this misery; and not only so, but give thee great Treasures, and one of the most pleasant Habitations in his Kingdom; how wouldst thou love that Prince!— Our Sin had condemned us to far greater Misery, and our Lord Jesus hath procured for us far greater Mercy. It is well God hath prepared an Eternity to admire this Love in.  
4. Do God that Service here on Earth, that you can never do him in Heaven. I will name a few Particulars, and leave the Amplification to your Meditation.  
1. Take thy fill of spiritual Mourning for shine own and other men's Sins now: Thou canst not do this when thou comest to Heaven; for there is no Sin there.  
2. Bear up patiently under all thy Trials now; thou canst not do this in Heaven, for there is no trouble there.  
3. Deal liberally with distressed Christians now; thou canst not do this in Heaven, for there is no distressed Christians there.  
4. Delight in Scripture and Ordinances for the healing of thy Soul now; thou canst not do this in Heaven, for there is no unhealed Soul there.   

A Word to the unconverted.  
Are these things so? Then may I say to you what the Prophet said of Moab and Kirharesh, Isa. 16.11. Wherefore my Bowels shall sound as a Harp for Moab, and my Inwards for Kirharesh. When Men ran from God, though God offered Grace and Mercy, it is said, Gen. 6.7. It repent the Lord that he had made Man, and it grieved him to the heart: Sin hath made him such a Monster, that God loatheth him, and the People of God are often in Anguish of Spirit because of him. What aileth the Unconverted Man, that though he knoweth he hath sinned, and is exposed to eternal Judgements; yet can eat and drink by day, and sleep by night, as if all were well? Men condemned to die for Theft, Murder, how sad do they look! but Sin is of a hardening nature: Hence it is that their Hearts feel not the kennest Considerations in Religion. Ungodly Men are, as one says, 
Whately's N●w-birth.  as little Devils, and differ from the great Devil, not in Parts of Corruption, but Degrees; as a Child differs from a Man.  
But O man! thou must die, and if it be so thou diest before thou art made a new creature, thou art damned for ever. Hell from beneath is moved for thee, to meet thee at thy coming, Isa. 14.9. If there were a Sword, a Pistol at thy breast, how wouldst thou beg for life, if thou hadst any hopes of being heard! the Sword of Justice is drawn against thee, and ready to be sheathed in thy bowels. Cry, cry aloud to the merciful God for Mercy. How often in the night season, is there a scroll before thine eyes of thy past iniquities, and of judgements to come; and thou turnest from one side to another, Shall I, shall I yet reform! When shall it once be? If any say, I hope to be saved though I obey not the Gospel: This is to say, I hope God will prove false of his word: or as if a man called to work, and promised pay, should say, Though I sport, or sleep, (but work not) all day long, I doubt not of my wages; and should argue from the goodness of the nature of that man that employed him: If others say, I will repent hereafter; So thou shalt; but I fear that hereafter will be in Hell for ever, when there is no hope of mercy. The Scripture calleth obstinate Sinners, Sons of Belial, 1 Sam. 2.12. 2 Sam. 20.1. the Sept. read in one place 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Pestilent men, infectious men; in the other place, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Men yokeless, against all Law: And this is the case of men, that were once glorious Creatures, when in subjection to their Maker. It is a comfortable consideration to them that are holy, 
1 Cor. 6.9. Rev. 21.27.  That no unclean thing shall enter into the Kingdom of God: Your graceless Faces shall occasion no sorrow to them there. When they see you in the great day, yet they, nor their God will have any pity upon you. Fathers, whose hearts were once ready to break for their ungodly Children, or Husbands for their ungodly Wives; or Brothers for their ungodly Brethren; they will not wish in that day, O that I could save them from the Wrath of God They will be contented, and not only so, but will rejoice that Justice is executed upon them; that God hath honour upon them in their eternal Damnation, who had none by them by any Reformation or good works. Turn you, 
Ezek. 33.11.  turn you, why will you die? Mind the duties I have persuaded to before. Let none complain for want of time, when they know, that many of as much business as they, can find time to mind God, and their duty in. 
Jer. 13.17.  But if you will not hear, my Soul shall mourn in secret for your pride. You that cry in Youth, It is too soon to be serious, or in Middle-age, It is time enough, will in old age say, It is too late. I turn from you, to them that I know will hear me, and with whom my pains are never lost.   

To the Righteous.  
Praise the Lord all ye his Saints, whom God hath sanctified, whom God will save: You may sing that Song, Exod. 15.21. The Horse, and his Rider, hath he thrown into the Sea: So your vile affections and Satan hath God conquered for you. Grow in grace, as the Children of God, and as the Brethren of the holy Prophets and Apostles. Epictetus gives a direction to Philosophers, to consider when about to do an action; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉; What would Socrates, or Zeno do? So how would David, Paul pray, read, or do the works of Religion, if they were by you, and were to do the same? If your Brethren in Heaven could speak to you, how would they persuade you to be zealous in good works, as Children of the same Father, and Heirs of the same Kingdom with themselves? A strange sight would it be, to see a King, with a Crown on his Head, taking in a Dunghill: Sad is it, to see the Christian that hath Grace, and shall have glory, to be immoderately concerned about the things of this life. I persuade you to that which tends to make your lives happy on all accounts, and which I have often spoken of; Piety, Industry, usefulness, and Cheerfulness. Piety, be serious in Religion, and seek for comfortable Persuasions of the Love of God: Industry, be laborious in your Callings: usefulness, do good to the Souls and Bodies of many: Cheerfulness, flee all needless sorrow, adorn the Gospel of Christ, and let your Conversations invite others to receive it. Faults in you are bad indeed: The better the Garment is, the worse is the rent; the better the Cup, the worse is the crack; the better the man, the worse the disorder. For your encouragement to walk with God, hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches: 
Rev. 2.7.  To him that overcometh, will I give to eat of the Tree of Life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God. 
Rev. 7.16, 17.  They are before the Throne of God, and serve him day and night in his Temple: And he that sitteth on the Throne shall dwell among them: They shall neither hunger nor thirst any more; Neither shall the Sun light on them, nor any heat; for the Lamb, that is in the midst of the Throne, shall feed them, and shall lead them unto the Fountain of living waters; and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. 
Rev. 22.1.  There is that pure River of the water of Life, clear as Crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God, 
Rev. 22.6.  and of the Lamb. These say are faithful, and true. And the Lord God of the holy Prophets hath shown to his Servants the things which must shortly be done. Blessed are they that do his Commandments, 
Rev. 22.14  that they may have right to the Tree of life, and may enter in through the Gates into the City. I end all with this humble Address unto the Lord, That he would come with all his Train of Graces, and put an end to all our Heats and Contentions about the smaller things in Religion, and make us zealous of all good Works, and then bring us to himself in Glory.  
Even so come, 
Rev. 22.20  Lord Jesus; That all the Saints may enjoy those Delights, of which it shall never be said, Here is    
THE END.