The Scripture the true storehouse of soul physick.
It is true that thewordofGod, and all his holyOrdinances, they are not only of afeeding, andnourishing, but also of apurging, andcleansing Nature, of apreserving, and arestoring Quality: and therefore out of these, we must takedirectionfor all ourspirituall Remedies, against thosefoul distempers, unto which ourspirituall, andinnermen are subject.
1.
The remembrance of our sins bitter, yet an wholsome pill.
First, then it is anwholsomethoughbitter pill, often to call to mind ourmany, ourgreat, ourknown, ourunknowntransgressions against; theLordas aCreatour, against theLordas aFather, against theLordas aRedeemer, againstChrist Jesus, against his holySpirit, against hisOrdinances, against hisSaints, against ourselves, &c. Yea thesinsand severallcorruptionsof ourNatures,callings, andconditions, to which we yet are subject, and lye open, and withoutsupplyofGrace, andstrengthfromHeaven, we shall fall, and tumble into, as well as the strongest ofGods servants, of whose wofullfallswe read of in holy Scripture.
Obj.It is a part of theLords New Covenant, that he will forgive oursins, and remember ouriniquitiesno more.
Gods children bound to beg for pardon of sin.
I answer, unto all thepromisesof all sorts, (Ezek. 36.) it pleaseth theLordto adde this GospelProviso; For all this I will be sought unto saith theLord, according to that most holy direction, of theLord Jesus, to pray daily, not only fordaily Bread, but also fordaily forgivenes.
Obj.The Lord hath forgiven them already inChrist, what need to pray for forgivenesse of them again.
I answer, We must marke theLords Ordinance, for all this I will be sought unto:Prayerand otherspirituall Ordinanceshath the Lord appointed for oursoulsgood, as well ascorporall meanesfor our bodily comfort.
Godly sorrow not inconsistent but subservient to spirituall joy.
Hence the many examples of the servants ofGodthroughout the whole Scripture, both beforeJesus Christand since,David,Peter,Mary Magdalen, breaking forth into heavenly showres of godlyteares. Hence thePaschall Lambe, (the figure ofChrist Jesus) was appointed by theLordto be eaten withbitter herbs, implying and teaching thatJesus Christhimselfe, hisblood,pardonofsin,LifeandSalvation, and all thespirituallandeternall sweetsthat here below we finde inChrist Jesus, they have not theirnativeand proper rellish without the helpe of such sharp and bitterhearbs.
Gods councels absolve not us from menes & endeavours.
What though therefore inGods councelbefore theworldwas, all his works ofcreationandredemption,vocation,justification,glorificationare knowne to him and acted by him? I say, in the most inconceivable deepcouncelsof his will, according to which he worketh all things,Ephes. 1. 11? yet were itpresumptuous madnessein us, and a tempting of thejealous eyesof the mostHigh, to neglect thewayes, andmeanes, andpathsofmercyforSoulorBody, which his most holyWisedomeout ofinfinite Graceandgoodnessehath appointed to us?
The due consideration of Gods justice is an heavenly though bitter pill.
A second sharp and bitterpillto purge out spirituallcorruption, is a due and serious pondering of thenature, of thejusticeof the mostHigh; notwithstanding all the infinitesweetnesseof theOceanof hismercy, and notwithstanding all thecoloursandpretenceswhich we poor sinners invent to our selves, to hide from our eyes, thegreatnesseanddreadfulnesseand terrours of it.
Well therefore mightJobsay: therefore am I troubled at his presence, and when I consider I am afraid of him; andDavid,Psal. 119. MyFleshtrembleth for fear of thee, and I am afraid of thyjudgements.
Object.ButJohnsaith, perfectlovecasteth outfear.
I answer, The true love ofGod, never casteth out the true feare ofGod, but only that which is false andcounterfeit, that which is the fear of aBeastofslavesandDevils.
Hence it is that theSpiritof the fear of theLordwas poured upon theLord Jesushimself.
Thisfeareis an holyaweorreverenceproper to a true and heavenly ingenuous child ofGod, even (first and chiefly) toChrist Jesus, theelder Brother(in a sence) of all thechildrenofGod. To cherish which holyfearofGod, let us cast our eyes upon the fiery flashes of his severejusticerevealed unto us in a three-fold time, the timepast,present, and tocome.
The dreadfull rejection of the Angels
For the time past, how dreadfull is that we finde of therejectionandejectionof so many glorious heavenly Spirits theAngels, tumbled down for their sin ofPride, from the heighth ofHeaven, and their glorious attendance uponGod, to the depth ofHellin horribleslaveryto everlasting sinnes and torments.
The dreadfull sentence upon all mankind.
How dreadfull was that dolefullSentenceupon the whole race ofmankinde, for the Sin of the firstroot, our firstParentsinParadice? How wonderfull thosePlaguesandDestructionsuponPharaohand the land ofÆgypt, for their oppressing Gods people.
The destruction ofEgyptandSodom, & the whole world.
And (before that) how fearfull and horrible was thatdestructionandburningup ofSodom, andGomorrahand otherCitieswithfireandbrimstonefrom Heaven?
And (before both these) how wonderfully fearefull and universall was, thedestructionof the wholeworld, in that choaking, and All-o'erwhelmingfloodordeluge.
Fearfull stroaks of Gods justice uponIsrael.
How fearfull were the stroaks ofGodsdispleasure upon his owne people ofIsrael, in their manyDestructionsandCaptivities? How fearfull the rejection of the tenTribeswholly swallowed up and lost for so manyagesandgenerations?
Upon theJewsandJerusalem.
How lamentable were thedestructions(and especiall that byTitusandVespasion) of the holyCity, that gloriousJerusalem, in the slaughter and captivity of 1100000 thousandJewes,men,womenandchildren?
How fearfull was the rejection of that wholeNationof theJewes, ever since but acurseand ascorneto all the rest of theNationsof the world to this day?
Upon the Son of his love theLord Jesus.
And (above all) who can but tremble at theimpartiall flamesofGods justiceon thatgreenandinnocenttree, his owne, and only begotten sonChrist Jesus, when he stood surety in the room ofsinnersto makesatisfactionfor theirtransgressions?
Object.GrantGods justiceandfierce wrathto be so hot, so fiery and fearfull towards hisenemies, yet, what need hischildrenfear hisjustice, since that it is satisfied and his wrath appeased towards his people, by thesufferingsandblood-shedofChrist Jesus.
The heavy & dolefull stroaks of Gods righteous hand upon his own people in this world.
I answer, It is so evident, that althoughChrist Jesushis blood, hath quenched the fire ofGods eternal wrathtoward his people, and sweetened the bitterCupof all presentJudgementsandafflictions: yet for hisNameandJusticesake in this world,Gods childrenhave temporally felt the fearfull stroks of his displeasure, and judgment must begin at the house ofGod.
Hence that dreadfullblowofGodsrighteoushandupon our firstParents AdamandEve, cast out ofParadicewith theirposterity(even the whole race ofmankind) notwithstanding their belief in thepromised seed of Christ Jesus.
Hence the heavystroakesuponLot, uponLots wife, uponMoses, uponAaron, uponSampson, uponEli, uponDavid, uponHezekiah, uponJosiah, &c.
Object.But some may say,Godsees no sin inJacob, &c.
Gods holy end in his sore afflictions upon his people.
I answer, Their calamities are Judgements, that is righteous sentences of the most high,Judgements, though not eternall Judgements: these vindicateGodsname andJusticebefore an unrighteousworld, and beare him witnesse of hisimpartiality, even towards his ownechildren; these humble and bring his people to repentance and confession, and quicken their pace, and their hearts, to watch against futuresinsandprovocations.
Hence saith theSpiritofGodexpresly,1. Cor. 11. For thiscause(that is for his childrens abuse of theLords Supper) many areweakandsick, and some are falneasleep;Godchastiseth his own people, truechristian Churches, for the abuse of his holyOrdinancesandappointments.
Gods justice visibly seen in the present sorrows of all sorts.
In the second place, let us cast our eyes abroad and behold the direfull signs and tokens, ofGodssevere Justice executed at this present in theworld. How lamentably doe we see before our eyes the daily and continued effects of that firstwrathupon mankind, in so manysorrowsof all sorts for the first transgression.
Let us consider of the great constantreproachand misery over all theNationsof theWorld, by reason ofGodsrighteousSentencein the division of so manyTonguesandLanguages.
The horrible desolations of late years.
O come and see (saithDavid) whatDesolations(Psal. 46.) theLordhath wrought in theEarth? How manyhundred thousandsofmen,womenandchildrenhave of late years been swept away in theworld, bywars,faminesandpestilences?
And since we are commanded toweepwith them thatweep; O that ourheadswerefountains, and oureyes riversofwaters, that wee might weep withGermany, weep withIreland, yea, weep day and night withEnglandandScotland(to speake nothing of other remoteNations) in laying againe and again toheartthe stroakes ofGodsmost righteousjudgements, in their most fearfull slaughters anddesolations.
The wonderfull spirituall judgements upon the Nations.
The direfull judgement upon the Jewes.
The effects and marks of these most dreadfullblowes, everyeyeis forced to see but yet there are somestroakes, more fearfull and yet not easily perceived; such are the righteousjudgementsofGod, giving up theNationsof theworldto so many horrible and blasphemousworships,idolatriesandsuperstitions. To speak nothing of wholeNationsandKingdomes, that know not at all the true and livingGod, howcoldandhardis thatstonethat lyes upon themouthof that wonderfullgraveofunbeliefe, wherein theNationof (Godschoice and love) theJeweslye buried and o'rewhelmed to this day?
The direfull judgement of Mahumatanism, and Antichristianisme.
Who can butwonderandtrembleat so many hundreth thousand and millions of men given up for so long a time (in so many and so mighty flourishingNationsof the world) I say, given up to those two monstrously bewitchingWorshipsofMahumatismeandAntichristianisme, the dire effects ofGodsmost righteous judgements upon theEasterneandWestterneprofessors of the knowledge ofGodinChrist Jesus?
The lamentable captivity of Gods own people to Antichristian worships.
Adde to these that most fearfull and deplorablecaptivityof the verysoulesandconsciencesofGodsowne people (for so many hundred years) under false and superstitiousWorships. A righteousjudgement, though not so easily discerned, yet in it selfe most dreadfull, and exceeding all the temporall calamities in theworld.
The dreadfull and eternall judgement yet to come.
But (thirdly) from these two times ofpastandpresent, let us cast our eyes on the third which is yet to come, assureandwonderfull, will shortly be these two most wonderfull and dreadfulldownfalsof those two so mightyMonarchies(so great enemies toChrist Jesus) theTurkishand thePopish: according to the Prediction of the holyProphets. How fearfull theeffusionof theViols, in part fulfilled, and yet to be powred forth in their season? And not a little wonderfull is that mightydestructionof theNations GogandMagoggathered as thesandof the Sea against the camp of thesaintsof the holyCity.
And (to come to the fullperiodandfinall sentenceof the most righteousJudgeof the wholeworld) with whathorroursandterroursshall theseHeavensandEarthpasse away; thisEarthwith the works thereof being consumed and burnt up? How inconceivably direfull will the lasteternall judgementbe, when two worlds of men (the former destroyed bywater, and this byfire) shall appeare, before the most gloriousTribunallof the Son ofGod? When all the mostsecret sinsshall be brought totryal, and an account shall be given forevery idle word?
O who who can conceive theterroursof that thunderingsentence[Goe yee cursed into everlasting fire, prepared for the Devill and his Angels, where the worm never dyes, and the fire never goes out.]
Object.But some may say, Can these sayings be any other then aParableorsimilitude? for is theDevillcapable of anymateriall fire? such as now is grievous and painfull tofleshandblood?
The Parables of holy Scripture are ful of heavenly kernels of Truth.
I answer, Grant these sayingsParabolicallorsimilitudes, as also that ofDivesandLazarus: yet what areParablesandsimilitudesbutGlassesto represent unto us in more plain and easie wayes the holytruthand mind ofGod?
The worme that never dyes, and the fire that never goes out.
TheKernelloftruthis not the lesse sweet though wrapt up in theshelsandhusks; Beyond all question thereforeChrist Jesusforetels most sure and inconceiveable plagues to all that know notGod, and obey not his gloriousGospel: And by thisWormethat never dyes, and thisfirethat never goes out, declares atormentto be inflicted upon bothmenanddevilswhich shall be extream like fire which shall be universall upon the whole sinfullcreature, no part exempted, which shall be alsoeternall, never dying, never ending, yet we may adoreGodsrighteous judgements and (working outSalvationwith fear and trembling) make sure of aJesusaSaviourto deliver us from thewraththat is to come.
The meditation of death.
In the next place (my deare Love) let us downe together by thestepsof holymeditationinto thevalleyof the shadow ofDeath. It is of excellent use to walke often intoGolgotha, and to view the rottenskulsof so many innumerable thousands of millions of millions of men and women, like our selves, gone, gone forever from this life and being (as if they never hadlifenor being) as the swift Ships, as theWeavers shuttle, as anarrow, as thelightningthrough the aire, &c.
It is not unprofitable to remember the faces of such whom we knew, with whom we had sweet acquaintance, sweet society, with whom we have familiarly eaten and lodged, but now growneloathsome,ugly,terrible, even to their dearest, since they fell into thejawesofdeath, theKingofterrors.
And yet they are but gone before us, in thepathallfleshmust tread: How then should we make sure, and infinitely much of aSaviour, who delivers us from thepower, andbitternesseofDeath, andGrave, andHell, who is aresurrectionandlifeunto us, and will raise up and make our bodies glorious, like his gloriousBody, when he shall shortly appear in glory.
It is further of great and sweet use against thebitternesseofDeath, and against thebitter-sweet delusionsof this world daily to thinke each day ourlast, the day of ourlast farewell, the day of the splitting of thisvessell, the breaking of thisbuble, the quenching of thisCandle, and of our passage into the land ofDarknesse, never more to behold a sparke oflightuntill the Heavens be no more.
3 Terrible uncertainties.
Meditations of death powerfull as to many heavenly purposes.
Those three uncertainties of that most certainblow, to wit, of theTimewhen, thePlacewhere, theMannerhow it shall come upon us, and dash ourEarthern Pitcherall to pieces, I say the consideration of these three, should be a threefoldcordto bind us fast to an holywatchfulnessfor ourdepartures, and aspurto quicken us to aboundantfaithfulnesseindoingandsufferingfor theLordand hisChrist, it should draw up our minds untoheavenly objects, and loosen us from the vexingvanitiesof this vainepuffeof this present sinfull life.
Oh how weaned, how sober, how temperate, how mortified should ourspirits, ouraffections, ourdesiresbe, when we remember that we are but strangers, converse withstrange companies, dwel in strange houses, lodge in strange beds and know not whether this day, this night shall be our finall change of this strange place for one farstranger, darke and dolefull, except enlightened by theDeathandLifeof the Son ofGod.
How contented should we be with anyPittance, anyAllowanceofBread, ofCloaths, ofFriendship, ofRespect, &c.?
How thankfull untoGod, untomanshould we poor strangers be for the leastcrum, ordrop, orrag, vouchsaf'd unto us, when we remember we are but strangers in anIn, but passengers in a Ship, and though we dreame of longSummerdayes, yet our very life and being is but a swift shortpassagefrom the bank oftimeto the other side orBanckof a dolefulleternity?
How patient should ourmindsandbodiesbe under thecrossing, disappointing hand of our all-powerfullMaker, of our most graciousFather, when we remember that this is the shortspanof ourpurgingandfittingfor an eternallGlory, and that when we arejudged wearechastenedof theLord, that we should not becondemnedwith the world?
How quietly (without theswellingsofrevengeandwrath) should we bear the dailyinjuries,reproaches,persecutings, &c. from the hands of men, who passe away and wither (it may be before night) likegrasse, or as thesmoakeon the chimnies top, and theirloveandhatredshall quickly perish?
Yea, howbusie, howdiligent, howsolicitousshould we be (likestrangersupon a strangeCoast) waiting for awindeorpassage) to getdispatchedwhat we have to doe before wee hear that finall call,Away, Away, let us be gone from hence, &c.
How should we ply to getaboardthat which will passe, and turne to blessedaccountin our owncountrey?
How should we over-look and despise thisworlds trashwhich (as the holywomangoing to be burnt forChristsaid of money) will not passe in Heaven?
How zealous for the trueGod, the trueChrist, hispraise, histruth, hisworship, how faithfull in an humble witnesse against thelyesand cozening delusions of theFather of lyes, though guilded o're withtruth, and thatbythe hands of the highest or holyest upon the Earth?
How frequent, how constant (likeChrist JesusourFounderandExample) in doing good (especially to theSouls) of all men, especially to theHouseholdofFaith, yea even to our enemies, when we remember that this is ourseed time, of which every minute is precious, and that as oursowingis, must be our eternallHarvest: for so sayeth the Spirit byPaulto theGalathians:He that soweth to the flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruptionorrottennesse, and he that soweth to the Spirit, shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
FINIS.
FOOTNOTES:Professor Knowles, in his Memoir of Roger Williams, makes the following statement: Mr. Williams is said to have published, in London, in 1652, a work entitled "Experiments in Spiritual Life and Health, and their Preservatives." Of this book, no copy has come to our knowledge.[A]Cromwel and Lambert.[B]
Professor Knowles, in his Memoir of Roger Williams, makes the following statement: Mr. Williams is said to have published, in London, in 1652, a work entitled "Experiments in Spiritual Life and Health, and their Preservatives." Of this book, no copy has come to our knowledge.
Cromwel and Lambert.
Transcriber's Notes:Obvious printer's errors were corrected.Every effort has been made to replicate this text faithfully, including obsolete and variant spellings, inconsistent and non-standard punctuation, inconsistently hyphenated words, and other inconsistencies.There are several places where opening or closing parentheses marks appear, and it is not clear from the text where the paired parenthesis would appear. In each case, the single parenthesis was left in place and no opening or closing parenthesis added.However, where printing issues interfere with readability, and the intent is absolutely clear from the text, changes were made to the transcribed text.For example: multiple spellings of "Iesus" have been changed to "Jesus".
Obvious printer's errors were corrected.
Every effort has been made to replicate this text faithfully, including obsolete and variant spellings, inconsistent and non-standard punctuation, inconsistently hyphenated words, and other inconsistencies.
There are several places where opening or closing parentheses marks appear, and it is not clear from the text where the paired parenthesis would appear. In each case, the single parenthesis was left in place and no opening or closing parenthesis added.
However, where printing issues interfere with readability, and the intent is absolutely clear from the text, changes were made to the transcribed text.
For example: multiple spellings of "Iesus" have been changed to "Jesus".