Mr. Bolton's last and learned work of the four last things death, judgement, hell,…Mr. Boltons last and learned worke of the foure last things death, iudgement, hell,…

Let no man deceive himself; such caveats as this are wont to be premised when men out of their carnal conceits are peremptory to the contrary, and would venture their salvation (as they say) that it is not so. See Ephes. 5. 6. 1 Cor. 6. 9. Mat. 5. 2. And did not most of your hearts rise against these words of mine (you must become fools, or never be saved) until I brought Scripture? Give me here leave (I pray you) to intimate in a few instances the meaning of the place, and the truth of your false and self-cozening hearts in obnoxiousness to the point. Suppose a messenger of GOD should deal faithfully with you, and tell you, that upon the LORDS Day you must not serve yourselves, and your own turns, in idleness, travailing, sports, gaming: in any earthly business, or mis-employment whatsoever: but spend that whole blessed Day wholly and only in spiritual refreshing, heavenly businesses, divine worship, and holy duties: in meditation upon the creatures spiritually, upon the great work ⟨p. 248⟩of redemption and resurrection of CHRIST: and upon that everlasting rest above: of all which the Christian Sabbath is a remembrancer unto us, in both public and private prayer, reading, singing of Psalms, hearing Sermons, conference, &c. and in ruminating, and (as it were) chewing the cud upon Scripture points. I say, ruminate (as it were) and chew the cud: for, it is the very phrase of the Church of England in the Homily for reading Scriptures. And those reverend and godly men which composed them, express the benefit thereof emphatically: Thus run the words; Let us ruminate of the Scriptures sc.) that we may have the sweet juice, spiritual effect, marrow, honey, kernel, taste, comfort, and consolation of them. I say, suppose ye were thus pressed, would ye not presently out of your worldly wisdom and impatience to be so snaff•d at, to be tied all the day to spiritual exercises, and restrained from ordinary recreations, conceive of it, and cry out against it as a puritanical novelty, and foolish preciseness? Because you mention preciseness and novelty; I could (as I am wont, and to make you without excuse) appeal unto, and implore the aid of antiquity, which will utterly take off such aspersions.