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

It is the society of holy Angels, and blessed Saints, the sweet Communion with its dearest Spouse, that unapproachable light which crowns GODS sacred Throne, the beauty and brightness of that most glorious Place, the shining Body of the SON of GOD, the beatifical fruition of the Deity it self, the depth of Eternity, and the like everlasting Fountains of spiritual ⟨p. 13⟩ravishment and joy, which only can feed and fill the restless and infinite appetite of that immortal Thing with fullness of contentment, and fresh pleasures, world without end.

It is the society of holy Angels, and blessed Saints, the sweet Communion with its dearest Spouse, that unapproachable light which crownes GODS sacred Throne, the beauty and brightnesse of that most glorious Place, the shining Body of the SONNE of GOD, the beatificall fruition of the Deity it selfe, the depth of Eternity, and the like everlasting Fountaines of spirituall ⟨p. 13⟩ravishment and joy, which onely can feed and fill the restlesse and infinite appetite of that immortall Thing with fulnesse of contentment, and fresh pleasures, world without end.

Thrice blessed and sweet then is the advice of our Lord and Master JESUS CHRIST, who would have us to turn the eye of our delight, and eagerness of affection from the fading gloss, and painted glory of earthly treasures; wherein naturally the worm of corruption and vanity ever breeds, and many times the worm of an evil conscience attends; the one of which eats out their heart when we expect an harvest; The other seizes upon the Soul in the time of sorrow, and sinks it into the lowest hell: And as Men of GOD, and Sons of Wisdom, to mount our thoughts, and raise our spirits, and bend our affections to things above; which are as far from diminution and decay, as the Soul from death; and can be no more corrupted or shaken, than the Seat and Omnipotency of GOD surprised. For, besides that, they infinitely surpass in eminency of worth and sweetness of pleasure, the comprehension of the largest heart, and expression of any Angels tongue; they also out-last the days of heaven, and run parallel with the life of GOD, and line of Eternity. As we see the Fountain of all material light to pour out his beams, and shining abundantly every day upon the world without weariness, emptiness, or end; so, and incomparably more doth joy and peace, glory and bliss, spring and plentifully flow every moment with fresh ⟨p. 14⟩streams from the face of the Father of Lights upon all His holy ones in heaven, and that everlastingly. O blessed then shall we be upon our beds of death, if (following the counsel of our dearest LORD, who shed the most precious and warmest blood in His heart to bring our souls out of hell) we treasure up now in the mean time, heavenly hoards which will ever happily hold out, a stock of grace, which never shrinks in the wetting, but abides the trial of the spirit, and touch-stone of the Word in all times of danger, and Day of the LORD: even that accurate, circumspect, and precise walking, pressed upon us by the Apostle, Eph. 5. 15. Though pestilently persecuted and plagued by the enemies of GOD in all ages: And that purity which Saint John makes a property of every true-hearted Professor, 1 John 3. 3. So much opposed and bitterly oppressed by the world; and yet, without which none of us shall ever see the face of GOD with comfort.

Thrice blessed and sweet then is the advice of our Lord and Master IESVS CHRIST, who would have us to turne the eye of our delight, and eagernesse of affection from the fading glosse, and painted glory of earthly treasures; wherein naturally the worme of corruption and vanity ever breeds, and many times the worme of an evill conscience attends; the one of which eats out their heart when we expect an harvest; The other seizes upon the Soule in the time of sorrow, and sinks it into the lowest hell: And as Men of GOD, and Sonnes of Wisdome, to mount our thoughts, and raise our spirits, and bend our affections to things above; which are as farre from diminution and decay, as the Soule from death; and can be no more corrupted or shaken, than the Seat and Omnipotency of GOD surprised. For, besides that, they infinitely surpasse in eminency of worth and sweetnesse of pleasure, the comprehension of the largest heart, and expression of any Angels tongue; they also out-last the dayes of heaven, and run parallell with the life of GOD, and line of Eternity. As we see the Fountaine of all materiall light to powre out his beames, and shining abundantly every day upon the world without wearinesse, emptinesse, or end; so, and incomparably more doth joy and peace, glory and blisse, spring and plentifully flow every moment with fresh ⟨p. 14⟩streames from the face of the Father of Lights upon all His holy ones in heaven, and that everlastingly. O blessed then shall we be upon our beds of death, if (following the counsell of our dearest LORD, who shed the most precious and warmest bloud in His heart to bring our soules out of hell) we treasure ap now in the meane time, heavenly hoards which will ever happily hold out, a stocke of grace, which never shrinks in the wetting, but abides the triall of the spirit, and touch-stone of the Word in all times of danger, and Day of the LORD: even that accurate, circumspect, and precise walking, pressed upon us by the Apostle, Eph. 5. 15. Though pestilently persecuted and plagued by the enemies of GOD in all ages: And that purity which Saint Iohn makes a property of every true-hearted Professour, 1 Iohn 3. 3. So much opposed and bitterly opprest by the world; and yet, without which none of us shall ever see the face of GOD with comfort.

If while it is called To Day, we make our peace with His heavenly Highness, by an humble continued exercise of repentance; by standing valiantly on His side; by holding an holy acquaintance at His merciful Throne with a mighty importunity of prayer, and godly conversation above; by ever offering up unto Him in the arms of our Faith (when he is angry) the bleeding Body of His own crucified SON, never giving Him over, or any rest, until He be pleased to register and enrol the remission of our sins in the Book of Life, with the bloody lines of CHRISTS Soul-saving sufferings, and golden ⟨p. 15⟩characters of His own eternal love. If now, before we appear at the dreadful Tribunal of the ever-living GOD, (and little know we whose turn is next) we make our friends in the Court of Heaven: the blessed Angels, in procuring their joy and love, by a visible constancy in the fruits, tears, and truth of a sound conversion. The Spirit of comfort by a ready and reverent entertainment of His holy Motions and inspirations of grace: the Son and Heir of the King of glory, the Foundation and Fountain of all our Bliss, in this world and the world to come: from whose meritorious blood shed and blessed mediation arise all those floods of mercy and favour, which refresh our Souls in this vale of tears; and also those unknown bottomless seas of pleasure, peace and all unspeakable delights, which will superabound, and overflow with new and fresh sweetness for ever and ever in the Paradise of GOD. Blessed are they, that ever they were borne, who have already got Him their Advocate at the right hand of His Father. For, besides many other glorious privileges thereby, in all their exigents and extremities, they may be ever welcome to the Seat of mercy, and be sure to speed. If a man had a suit unto the King, it were a comfortable and happy thing to find a friend in Court. But if the Kings special and choicest Favourite; nay, His own only Son were his Intercessor; how confident would he be to prevail and prosper, to conquer his opposites, and crown his desires? Why then should any poor Christian be discomforted ⟨p. 16⟩and cast down: nay, why should he not be extraordinarily raised and ravished in spirit with much joyful hope, and sweet assurance, when he throws himself down at the Throne of grace;

If while it is called To Day, we make our peace with His heavenly Highnesse, by an humble continued exercise of repentance; by standing valiantly on His side; by holding an holy acquaintance at His mercifull Throne with a mighty importunity of prayer, and godly conversation above; by ever offering up unto Him in the armes of our Faith (when he is angry) the bleeding Body of His owne crucified SONNE, never giving Him over, or any rest, untill He bepleased to register and enroll the remission of our sinnes in the Booke of Life, with the bloudy lines of CHRISTS Soule-saving sufferings, and golden

Thus that saying of Solomon, and this counsel ⟨p. 17⟩of CHRIST makes good the truth of the Point, which may further appear by these Reasons.

Thus that saying of Salomon, and this counsell ⟨p. 17⟩of CHRIST makes good the truth of the Point, which may further appeare by these Reasons.

1. Taking this counsel betime, and hoarding up heavenly things in this harvest time of grace, mightily helps to assuage the smart, mollify the bitterness, and enlighten the darkness of the evil Day. It is sovereign, and serves to take the venom, sting and teeth, out of any cross, calamity, or distress: and so preserves the heart from that raging hopeless sorrow, which, like a devouring Harpy, dries up, dissolves, and destroys the blood, spirits, and life of all those who are destitute of such a divine Antidote. What vast difference may we discern between Job and Judas; David and Ahithophel, in the days of evil? The two men of God being formerly enriched with his favour and familiarity, so behaved themselves, the one in the ship-wrack of his worldly happiness, the other in the hazard of his Kingdom, as though they had not been troubled at all: The LORD¹ gave; and the LORD hath taken away, saith Job, when all was gone, blessed be the name of the LORD. If I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD, saith² David, He will bring me again, and show me both it, and His habitation. But if He thus say, I have no delight in thee: behold, here am I, let Him do to me, as seemeth good unto Him. But the spirits of the other two false and rotten-hearted fellows in the time of trouble were so overtaken, nay, over whelmed with grief, that they both hanged themselves. 2. This holy providence before hand may ⟨p. 18⟩happily prevent a great deal of restless impatience, reprobate fears, forlorn distractions of spirit, hying to the caves, crying to the mountains, bootless relying upon the arm of flesh; Cursing their King and their GOD, and looking upward, roaring out with hideous groans; Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? Who among us shall dwell with the everlasting burnings? &c. All which desperate terrors and tumultuations of conscience are wont to surprise and seize upon unholy and unprepared hearts, especially when GODS hand is finally and implacably upon them. 3. And we shall hereby excellently honour and advance the glory of Profession; when it shall appear to the world, and even the contrary minded are enforced to confess;

1. Taking this counsell betime, and hoarding up heavenly things in this harvest time of grace, mightily helps to asswage the smart, mollifie the bitternesse, and illighten the darknesse of the evill Day. It is soveraigne, and serves to take the venime, sting and teeth, out of any crosse, calamity, or distresse: and so preserves the heart from that raging hopelesse sorrow, which, like a devouring Harpie, dries up, dissolves, and destroyes the bloud, spirits, and life of all those who are destitute of such a divine Antidote. What vast difference may we discerne betweene Iob and Iudas; David and Achitophel, in the daies of evill? The two men of God being formerly enriched with his favour and familiarity, so behaved themselves, the one in the ship-wracke of his worldly happinesse, the other in the hazard of his Kingdome, as though they had not beene troubled at all: The LORD

that there is a secret heavenly vigour, undauntedness of spirit, and nobleness of courage which mightily upholds the hearts of holy men in those times of confusion and fear, when theirs melt away within them like water, and be as the heart of a woman in her pangs. Worldlings wonder, and gnash the teeth hereat: When they see, as Chrysostom truly tells us, the Christian to differ from them in this; that he bears all crosses courageously; and with the wings (as it were) of faith, out soars the height of all humane miseries. He is like a Rock, incorporated into JESUS CHRIST, the Rock of eternity, still erect inexpugnable, unshaken, though most furiously assaulted with the tempestuous waves of any worldly woe, or concurrent rage of all infernal powers. But all the imaginary ⟨p. 19⟩man-hood of graceless men doth ever in the day of distress either vanish into nothing, or dissolve into despair. 4. Expression of spiritual strength in the time of trouble from former heavenly store, is a notable means to move others to enter into the same good way, and grow greedy after grace; to draw and allure them, to the entertainment and exercise of those ordinances, and that One necessary thing, which only can make them bold and unmoveable like Mount Zion in the day of adversity. I have known some, the first occasion of whose conversion, was, the observation of their stoutness and patience under oppressions and wrongs, whom they have purposely persecuted with extremest malice and hate. So blessed many times is the brave, resolute, and undaunted behaviour of GODS people in the time of trial, and amidst their forest sufferings, that it breeds in the hearts of beholders, thoughts even of admiration and love, nay a desire of imitation, and turning on the other side. When they represent to the eye of the world their ability to pass through the raging flames of fiery tongues untouched, to possess their souls in peace, amidst scorpions, thorns, and rebels, to pass by basest indignities from basest men without wound or passion, to hold up their heads above water in the most boisterous tempests, and deepest seas of danger, to triumph over all adversary power in the evil day; I say, by GODS blessing, this may make many come in and glorify GOD, marvelling and enquiring, ⟨p. 20⟩whence such invincible fortitude, and braveness of spirit should spring;

that there is a secret heavenly vigour, undauntednesse of spirit, and noblenesse of courage which mightily upholds the hearts of holy men in those times of confusion and feare, when theirs melt away within them like water, and be as the heart of a woman in her pangs. Worldlings wonder, and gnash the teeth hereat: When they see, as Chrysostome truly tels us, the Christian to differ from them in this; that he beares all crosses couragiously; and with the wings (as it were) of faith, out soares the height of all humane miseries. He is like a Rocke, incorporated into IESVS CHRIST, the Rocke of eternity, still erect inexpugnable, unshaken, though most furiously assaulted with the tempestuous waves of any worldly woe, or concurrent rage of all infernall powers. But all the imaginary

concluding with Nebuchadnezzar: Surely, The servants of the most high GOD. And so at length their affections may be so set on edge after the excellency and amiableness of JESUS CHRIST, who being, The mighty GOD, and The Lion of the Tribe of Judah, doth alone inspire all His with such a Lion-like courage; that they may seriously and savingly seek His face and favour; saying with those, Cant. 5. 9. What is thy Beloved more than another Beloved, O thou fairest among women?—That we may seek Him with thee. When they behold such a deal of Majesty and mirth to shine in his face whom they make the mark of all their spiteful rage and revenge; their teeth with which they could have torn him in pieces, may water; and they industriously desire to know, what that is, which makes such a man so merry in all estates.

concluding with Nabuchadnezzar: Surely, The servants of the most high GOD. And so at length their affections may be so set on edge after the excellency and amiablenesse of IESVS CHRIST, who being, The mighty GOD, and The Lion of the Tribe of Iudah, doth alone inspire all His with such a Lion-like courage; that they may seriously and savingly seek His face and favour; saying with those, Cant. 5. 9. What is thy Beloved more than another Beloved, O thou fairest among women?—That we may seeke Him with thee. When they behold such a deale of Majesty and mi•th to shine in his face whom they make the marke of all their spitefull rage and revenge; their teeth with which they could have torne him in peeces, may water; and they industriously desire to know, what that is, which makes such a man so merry in all estates.

Uses▪ 1. This may serve to awaken and reprove all those secure and careless companions, who, if they may enjoy present contentment, and partake in the mean time of the prosperity and pleasures of the times, wherein they tumble themselves with insolency, luxury, and ease; take no thought, make no provision at all against a day of reckoning, provide no food against a foul day, treasure up no comfort against the LORDS coming, prepare no armour or aid for that last and dreadful conflict upon their beds of death. Alas poor souls! Did they know and feelingly apprehend what a deal of horror, astonishment ⟨p. 21⟩and anguish dogs them continually at the heels, ready and eager after a few days of filthy and fugitive pleasures, to seize upon them like travail upon a woman with child, suddenly, unavoidably, and in greatest extremity, and that so intolerable, that they shall never be able either to decline or endure, the very weakest biting of the never-dying worm, or the least sparkle of those everlasting flames; they would think all the days of their life few enow to gather spiritual strength against that fearful hour. Nay, some are such cruel caitiffs and Cannibals to their own souls, and so accursedly blinded by the Prince of darkness, that instead of comfortable provision, they heap up wrath against the day of wrath; instead of grace, GODS favour, and a good conscience, peace, joy, and refreshing from the presence of the LORD, they lay up scourges, and Scorpions for their naked souls and guilty consciences against the time and terror of the LORDS visitation. For, let them be most assured; all their lies, oaths, rotten and railing speeches; all their covetous, lustful, ambitious and malicious thoughts; all their swaggering and furious combinations against GODS people, sensual revellings, jovial meetings, &c. will all, When their fear cometh as desolation, and their destruction cometh as a whirlwind, like so many envenomed stings, run into their sinful souls, and pierce them through with everlasting sorrow. Alas! What will the sons and daughters of pleasure do then? And all those spiritual beggars and bankrupts, who have greedily ⟨p. 22⟩hunted, all their life long after these mortal things of this life, as if their souls had been therein immortal;

Vses▪ 1. This may serve to awaken and reprove all those secure and carelesse companions, who, if they may enjoy present contentment, and partake in the meane time of the prosperity and pleasures of the times, wherein they tumble themselves with insolency, luxury, and ease; take no thought, make no provision at all against a day of reckoning, provide no food against a foule day, treasure up no comfort against the LORDS coming, prepare no armour or aid for that last and dreadfull conflict upon their beds of death. Alas poore soules! Did they know and feelingly apprehend what a deale of horrour, astonishment

and utterly neglected those things which are immortal, as if their selves after the world had been but mortal? What do you think will be their thoughts upon the very first approach of the Port of death, to which in the mean time all winds drive them? Full sad, and heavy thoughts (LORD thou knowest) then at leisure enough to reflect severely upon their former folly, though formerly beaten from them by their health and outward happiness, and will pay them to the uttermost for all the pleasing passages of their life past. O then they shall lie upon their last beds like Wild Bulls in a net, full of the fury of the LORD; And in the morning they shall say, would GOD it were even: and at even they shall say, would GOD it were morning, for the fear of their heart wherewith they shall fear, and for the sight of their eyes, which they shall s•e. Then (though too late) will they lamentably cry out and complain: What hath pride profited us? Or what good hath riches with our vaunting brought us? All those things are passed away like a shadow, and as a Post that hasteth by. And as a ship that passeth over the waves of the water, and when it is gone by, the trace thereof cannot be found: neither the path-way of the keel in the waves. Or as when a bird hath flown through the air, there is no token of her way to be found, but the light air being beaten with the stroke of her wings, and parted with the violent noise, and motion of them, is passed •horow, and therein afterwards no sign where she went ⟨p. 23⟩is to be found. Or like as when an arrow is shot at a mark, it parteth the air, which immediately cometh together again; so that a man cannot know where it went through: Even so we in like manner, as soon as we were borne, began to draw to our end, and had no sign of virtue to show: but we consumed in our own wickedness. For the hope of the ungodly is like dust, that is blown away with the wind, like a thin froth that is driven away with the storm. like as the smoke which is dispersed here and there with a tempest, and passeth away as the remembrance of a guest that tarrieth but a day. If a Minister who labours industriously all his life long, to work upon such as sit under him every Sabbath; Of which, some all the while prefer some base lust before the LORD JESUS:

and utterly neglected those things which are immortall, as if their selves after the world had been but mortall? What do you think wilbe their thoughts upon the very first approach of the Port of death, to which in the meane time all winds drive them? Fullsad, and heavy thoughts (LORD thou knowest) then at leisure enough to reflect severely upon their former folly, though formerly beaten from them by their health and outward happinesse, and will pay them to the uttermost for all the pleasing passages of their life past. O then they shall lie upon their last beds like Wild Buls in a net, full of the fury of the LORD; And in the morning they shall say, would GOD it were even: and at even they shall say, would GOD it were morning, for the feare of their heart wherewith they shall feare, and for the sight of their eyes, which they shall se. Then (though too late) will they lamentably cry out and complaine: What hath pride profited us? Or what good hath riches with our vaunting brought us? All those things are passed away like a shadow, and as a Poste that hastth by. And as a ship that passeth over the waves of the water, and when it is gone by, the trace thereof cannot be found: neither the path-way of the keele in the waves. Or as when a bird hath flowne thorow the aire, there is no token of her way to be found, but the light aire being beaten with the stroke of her wings, and parted with the violent noise, and motion of them, is passed horow, and therein afterwards no signe where she went

others will not out of their formality to the forwardness of the Saints, do what he can, or press he them never so punctually and upon purpose; I say, if it were possible, that he might talk with any of them, some two hours after they had been in hell: Oh! How should he find the case altered with them? How would they then roar, because they had dis-regarded his Ministry? What would they not give to have a grant from GOD, to try them in hearing but one Sermon more? How would they tear their hair, gnash the teeth, and bite their nails, that they had not listened more seriously, and taken more sensibly to heart those many heavenly instructions, spiritual discoveries, secret (but well understood) intimations, that their state to GOD-ward was stark naught, by which he sought with much earnestness and ⟨p. 24⟩zeal, even to the wasting of his blood and life, to save the blood of their souls? And yet for all this, you will not be warned in time, charm the charmers never so wisely: But some of you sit here before us from day to day, as senseless of those things which most deeply and dearly concern the eternal ruin, or welfare of your precious souls, as the sea•es upon which you sit, the pillars you lean unto; nay, the dead bodies you tread upon: others looking towards heaven afar off, and professing a little, sit before us as though they were right and truly religious; and they hear our words, but they will not do them: For with their mouth they show much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. And lo, we are unto them, as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: For they hear our words, but they do them not. They are friends to the better side, may go far, and even suffer sometimes in good causes, &c. But let us once touch them in point of commodity, about their enclosures, immoderate plungings into worldly affairs, detaining Church-dues, usury, and other dishonest gain, and base niggardise; If out of grief of heart for their shaming Religion, exposing the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST to blasphemy, and •dening others against Profession, we meddle with their fashions, their pride, their worldly mindedness, and conforming to the world almost in every thing, save only some religious forms;

others will not out of their formality to the forwardnesse of the Saints, do what he can, or presse he them never so punctually and upon purpose; I say, if it were possible, that he might talke with any of them, some two houres after they had been in hell: Oh! How should he find the case altered with them? How would they then roare, because they had dis-regarded his Ministry? What would they not give to have a grant from GOD, to trie them in hearing but one Sermon more? How would they teare their haire, gnash the teeth, and bite their nailes, that they had not listened more seriously, and taken more sensibly to heart those many heavenly instructions, spirituall discoveries, secret (but well understood) intimations, that their state to GOD-ward was starke naught, by which he sought with much earnestnesse and

If we press them more particularly upon danger of damnation to more holy strictness, preciseness ⟨p. 25⟩and zeal, knowing too well, by long observation and acquaintance, that they never yet passed the perfections of formal Professors, and foolish Virgins: Alas! We then find by too much woeful experience; if they politically bite it not in, that this faithful dealing doth marvellously discontent them; and these precious Balms do break their heads with a witness, and make the blood run about their ears; whereupon they are wont to fall upon us more foul, (such true Pharisees are they) than would either the drunkard or good-fellow, the Publicans and harlots do in such cases: they presently swelling with much passionate heat, proud indignation, disdain, and impatience to be reformed, have recourse to such weak and carnal cavils, contradictions, exceptions, excuses and raving; that in nothing more do they discover to every judicious man of GOD, or any who doth not flatter them, or whom they do not blind with their entertainments and bounty, or delude with painted pretences, and art of seeming, their formality, and false-heartednesse. And yet, as they are characterized Isa. 57. 2. They seek the LORD daily, and delight to know his ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their GOD: they ask of Him the ordinances of justice: they take delight in approaching to GOD: They may have divine Ordinances on foot in their families, entertain GODS people at their Tables, fast and afflict their souls upon days of humiliation, as appears in the fore-cited Chapter, Verse 3. Hear the word gladly, with Hero•; and ⟨p. 26⟩with much respect and acceptation observe the messenger, &c. But they will not stir an inch further from the World, or nearer to GOD, say what he will, let him preach out his heart, as they say. They will not abate one jot of their over-eager pursuit after the things of this life, or wag one foot out of the un-zealous plodding course of formal Christianity; no, not for the Sermons, perhaps of twenty years, and that from him who hath all the while laboured faithfully so far to enlighten them, as that they might not depart this life with hope of heaven; and then with the foolish Virgins, fall (utterly against all expectation, both of themselves and others) into the bottomless pit of hell.

O quàm multi cum hac spead aeternos labores, & bella descendunt! How many (saith one) go to hell with a vain hope of heaven; whose chiefest cause of damnation is their false persuasion, and groundless presumption of salvation! Well, be it either the one, or the other; the besotted sensualist, or self-deluding formalist, could we speak with them upon their beds of death (their consciences awaked) or the day after they were damned in hell; we should find them then, though in the mean time they suffer many sour apprehensions to arise in their hearts against us, in a much altered tune and temper. Then would they with much amazedness and terrible fear, yell out those now too late hideous complaints: We fools counted his life madness, &c. we wearied our selves in the way of wickedness and destruction, &c. What hath pride profited us? &c. Then would they curse all ⟨p. 27⟩daubers, and justify all down-right dealers: contempt¹ of whose counsel, would now cut in pieces their very heart-strings with restless anguish and horror, and mightily strengthen the never-dying worm; whereby the enraged soul will thrust its own hands, as it were, into its own bowels, and tear open the very fountain of life and sense to feed upon it self. For, the worm of conscience (say Divines) is only a continual remorse and furious reflection of the so•le upon its own wilful folly, and thereby the woeful misery it hath brought upon it self.

O quàm multi cum hac spead aeternos labores, & bella descendunt! How many (saith one) go to hell with a vaine hope of heaven; whose chiefest cause of damnation is their false perswasion, and groundlesse presumption of salvation! Well, be it either the one, or the other; the besotted sensualist, or selfe-deluding formalist, could we speake with them upon their beds of death (their consciences awaked) or the day after they were damned in hell; we should find them then, though in the meane time they suffer many sowre apprehensions to arise in their hearts against us, in a much altered tune and temper. Then would they with much amazednesse and terrible feare, yell out those now too late hideous complaints: We fooles counted his life madnesse, &c. we wearied our selves in the way of wickednesse and destruction, &c. What hath pride profited us? &c. Then would they curse all ⟨p. 27⟩

2. This may serve to stir up all the sons and daughters of wisdom to hoard up with all holy greediness, instead of earthly pelf, transitory toys and shining clay, the rich and lasting treasures of divine wealth and immortal graces. For, these heavenly jewels purchased with CHRISTS blood, and planted in the heart by the omnipotent hand of the HOLY GHOST, will shine comfortably upon our souls with beams of blessedness and peace, amid all the miseries and confusions, the darkness and most desperate dangers of this present life: nay, in the very valley of the shadow of death, their splendour and spiritual glory will not only dissolve, and dispel all mists of horror which can possibly arise from the apprehension of hell, the grave, those last dreadful pangs, or any other terrible thing; but also enlighten, conduct and carry us triumphantly through the abhorred confines of the King of fear upon the wings of joy, and in the arms of Angels, to unapproachable light, ⟨p. 28⟩unknown pleasures, and endless bliss. It may be, as yet, thou standest upright without any changes, unstirred in thy state by any adverse storm, supposing thy mountain so strong, that thou shalt never be moved. Thus long perhaps the Almighty hath been with thee: His candle hath shined upon thy head, and His patient providence rested with all favour and success upon thy Tabernacle; so that hitherto thou hast seen no days of sorrow; but even washed thy steps with butter, and the rock hath poured thee out rivers of oil, &c. Yet for all this, the day may come, before thou die, that thou mayest be stripped of all, and become as poor as Job, as they say, by fire, robbery, suretyship, ship-wrack, the destroying sword, desolations of war, or by the hand of GOD in some other kind; Even, A day, an hour, a moment (saith one) is ¹enough to over-turn the things that seemed to have been founded and rooted in adamant: Labour therefore industriously before-hand so to furnish and fortify thine heart with patience, nobleness of spirit, Christian fortitude, the mightiness of Jobs faith, Cap. 13. 15. And his manifold integrities, Cap. 31. That if such an evil day should come upon thee (and who can look for exemption when he looks upon Jobs affliction) thou mayest with an unrepining submission to GODS good providence and pleasure, take up his sweetest resolution and repose:

2. This may serve to stirre up all the sonnes and daughters of wisdome to hoard up with all holy greedinesse, instead of earthly pelfe, transitory toyes and shining clay, the rich and lasting treasures of divine wealth and immortall graces. For, these heavenly jewels purchased with CHRISTS bloud, and planted in the heart by the omnipotent hand of the HOLY GHOST, will shine comfortably upon our soules with beames of blessednesse and peace, amid all the miseries and confusions, the darknesse and most desperate dangers of this present life: nay, in the very valley of the shadow of death, their splendour and spirituall glory will not onely dissolve, and dispell all mists of horrour which can possibly arise from the apprehension of hell, the grave, those last dreadfull pangs, or any other terrible thing; but also illighten, conduct and carie us triumphantly thorow the abhorred confines of the King of feare upon the wings of joy, and in the armes of Angels, to unapproachable light,

Naked came I out of my mothers womb, ¹and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away, blessed be the name of the LORD. Though, as yet, by a miracle of ⟨p. 29⟩rarest mercy, calmness and serenity rest upon the firmament of our state; yet who knows how soon, especially, sith many of GODS dearest servants beyond the seas have lien so long in tears and blood, some dismal cloud and tempestuous storm may arise out of the hellish •ogs of our many heinous sins and crying abominations, and break out upon us, and that with greater terror, and far more horribly, by reason of the unexpectedness and our present desperate security: Though the Sun of the Gospel, and glory of a matchless Ministry shine yet full fair among us in the Meridian of our peace and prosperous days, yet little know we, how soon and suddenly it may decline and set in a sea of confusion, calamity and woe: And therefore hoard up greedily in the mean time, and while the Sun shines, a rich treasury of saving knowledge, grace and good life; that if need require, thou mayest then resolutely reply with blessed Paul against all contradictions and temptations to the contrary: I am ready not to be ²bound only, but also to die for the name of the LORD JESUS: Though at this present thou doest perhaps with much sweet contentment enjoy thy GOD comfortably, and His pleased face; many heavenly dews of spiritual joy, glorious refreshings, and abundance of spiritual delights fall upon thy soul from the Throne of mercy every time thou comest near Him; Thou canst say unto thy Dearest out of thy present feeling, I am ³my Beloveds, and my Beloved is mine, and in some good measure keep a part with the Saints of old, ⟨p. 30⟩in such victorious and triumphant Songs as these▪ Oh that my words were now written, Oh that they were ⁴printed in a book! That they were graven with an iron pen and lead, in the rock for ever. For, I know that my Redeemer liveth, &c. We will not fear,

Yet for all this, that only wise GOD of thine may hereafter for some cause seeming good to Himself, and for thy good, with-draw from thee the light of His countenance, and sense of His love, and leave thee for a time to the darkness of thine own spirit, and Satan's •orest temptations, &c. Ply therefore in this prosperity of thy soul all blessed means; the Ministry, Sacraments, Prayer, Conference, Meditations, humiliation-days, holiness of life, clearness of conscience, watching over thy heart, walking with GOD, sanctified use of afflictions, experimental observation of GODS dealings with thee from time to time, works of justice, mercy, and truth, &c. Thereby so to quicken, fortify and steel thy faith, that in the bitterest extremity of thy spiritual distress, thou mayest be able to say with Job, Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him, Job 13. 15. A thousand crosses moe, calamities and troubles may over-take thee before thou takest thy leave of this vale of tears: It will be thy wisdom therefore, now in this calm to ⟨p. 31⟩provide for a storm; to treasure up out of GODS Book many mollifying medicines and sovereign antidotes against all slavish and vexing forethought of them in the mean time, and their bitterness when they shall come upon thee. Thou mayest be assured, if thou be a son, thy heavenly Father will ever correct thee; 1. ^aNever before there be need: and always in 2. ^bWisdom. 3. ^cMeasure. 4. ^dLove and tenderness. 5. For ^ea moment only. 6. To ^ftry thee; what dross of corruption, and what sound metal of grace is in thee. 7: To ^gpurge out sin. 8. To