A poore mans rest founded vpon motiues, meditations, and prayers. Expressing to the inward man, true consolation. In all kindes and times of afflication. By Io. Norden.

A Motiue to thankefulnesse to GOD, for Comfort and Reliefe receiued of him, after long praying vnto him in the time of necessity and affliction.

PSAL. 28. 7.

The Lord is my strength and my shield, my heart trusteth in him, and I was hol∣pen therefore my heart shall reioyce, and with my tongue will I praise him.

AS no man knoweth how profitable a thing phy∣sicke is, but he that hath béene sicke, and hath béene eased by it, nor of what value faithfull friends are, but hée that hath béene brought to extreme néede, and tasted of

their help: so none can sufficiently com∣prehend, how great the goodnes of God is, but such as haue béene tried by some affliction, and felt grieuous calamity, and haue béene deliuered by God, out of their dangers, and miseries, or in some measure béene eased. And if hée that in sicknesse hath receiued health by physick: if he that in his great necessity and want hath bin relieued by friends, doe not acknowledge the benefit recei∣ued by either of them, will not all men of ciuill carriage condemne them of in∣gratitude? So, and far more, worthy is he to be condemned, that being afflicted by whatsoeuer meanes, and is deliue∣red by the prouidence and fauour of God, if he stand silent and mute, not endeauouring to giue God the praise and glory of his deliuery. This I con∣fesse is my case, and no doubt there is no man exempted out of the number of them, whom God hath deliuered out of one danger, and affliction, or ano∣ther: But some being blinde of that side, sée no other meanes of their deli∣uery, but their selfe-wit, policie, strength, or carnall meanes, neuer tur∣ning eye to the true helpe, the power and prouidence of God: and that is the

cause why (as there were of ten Le∣pers, but one returned to giue thankes to Christ) so few, scarcely one of ten that receiue blessings and comforts at the hands of God, returne thankes truely to God for the same, and yet there is not one of what estate, degrée, or profession he be of, but must (if he be not an Atheist) acknowledge himselfe a debter vnto God in this behalfe, who requireth but onely thankfulnesse for al his benefits. Some may say, they were neuer afflicted, neuer oppressed, neuer distressed, neuer in danger, for they haue had continual prosperity, and therefore could neuer obserue, wherein God hath shewed them any such néed∣full deliuerance: some are borne noble, some left rich, many preferred to Offi∣ces, and that immediately of their Pa∣rents, Friends, or themselues, neuer conceiuing that the hand of God had a share in these. And therefore (it to a∣ny) they giue the glory to the wrong meanes, forgetting their Creator, by whom they were made, preserued, and by whom they were (indéede) preferred to place of dignity or profit, by whom they were taught and instructed in the mysteries, whereby they become glori∣ous

in the •…•…orld, and so become grace∣lesse vsurpers of Gods gracious and frée blessings: in recompence whereof it is often obserued, that God (as it were) winking at their vanities for a time, permitteth them to runne their owne race, vntill they fall into some apparant dangers: as some into want, some into disgrace, some into sicknesse, some into the hands of Enemies, some into grosse fatuity and foolishnes. In all which they run vnto their former vaine considerations, séeking redresse by wrong meanes, and finding none, they then consult with some better guide, who set them in the way to séeke God, who being mercifull, refuseth not to be their refuge that come vnto him, at length, by faith in prayer, who yet will séeme not to heare them by and by, when they speake vnto him, nor to giue what, and when they aske, to make them the more earnest and ser∣uent in asking, and finding at the length Gods fauour, and receiuing in some measure what they want, then the vpright in heart (as Dauid saith,) become thankefull, hauing gotten comfort from the Lord, they willing∣ly giue him the glory: the true Chil∣dren

of God cānot rest contented, when God hath refreshed them with his mer∣cies, till they haue truly giuen the Lord againe his due praises: a marke to di∣stinguish the Children of God from the wicked, who swallow vp all Gods blessings, namely the profitable and pleasing things of this life, ascribing the glory, and doing their Sacrifices (as it were) vnto their owne armes for the same: what blessings soeuer God doth bestow vpon them, they are ne∣uer the fuller of thankefulnesse, nor made thereby the more obedient to God, like the Lake Asphaltis or the dead Sea, whereinto Iordan runneth, the water of it selfe being salt, becomes nothing the fresher by the swéetenesse of the qualitie, nor the bigger by the quantitie of the water of Iordan; they take from the Lord without giuing againe, like barren and vnprofitable ground, that receiueth the séede, but returneth none, and therefore is neere vnto burning (as the Prophet Hosea saith) whose end is to be burned. Let vs therefore learne to be thankefull to God for euery benefit receiued of God, which if it increaseth not thankfulnes, it increaseth iudgement. It is a dan∣gerous

thing to forget God, in thanks∣giuing, neglecting heauen, and heauen∣ly things, and to minde the world one∣ly and worldly things, they that preach vnto themselues peace, without peace with God, in what outward state of contentment soeuer they stand in their owne conceits, and in the view and admiration of men, they be but in slip∣pery state, though they séeme to haue no occasion to flye vnto God for suc∣cour; they are in déeper danger then he, whose estate without séemeth most dangerous, who yet within hath an as∣surance of the helpe of Iehouah. Such as to whom Christ spake, Ioh. 16. Veri∣ly, verily, I say vnto you, ye sh••ll weep and lament, but the world (such as haue all things in the world at their desires) shall reioyce, and ye shall sorrow, but your sorrow shall be turned into ioy.

You shall be deliuered from all your dangers wherein you shall reioyce, and glorifie God for your deliuerance, whereas this sentence being turned contrary, may be applied vnto such as forgetting their duties and thankful∣nesse to God, because they are full, and thinke they haue no néede of Gods as∣sistance; Verily, verily, I say vnto you,

yee shall reioyce and triumph, but the god∣ly shall lament and mourne, ye shall laugh, but your laughter shall be turned into weeping.

But I will leaue the ingratefull Worldlings, whom not I, but God will iudge, and will onely séeks to stir vp my selfe and others that are affli∣cted to flye vnto God, as I haue done, assuring them in the good time they shall be comforted. And let patience haue it true worke in you that are in any aifliction, and let true thankeful∣nesse appeare in you, that haue béene a∣ny way comforted by the Lord. Pati∣ence and Thankfulnes are qualities, or rather vertues, obserued onely in the Children of God, yet are they not in these accounted fooles or mad men? for if a man that feareth God fall into penury, pouerty, want, or into any kind of misery, or is ouer-taken with a∣ny strong temptation, or tryed by Gods visitation, hee is censured ac∣cording to the naturall and caruall o∣pinions of the worldly minded; who as they are blinde in heauenly things, as in the secret disposition of the things of God, so iudge they amisse of the man afflicted, holding him as a

man accursed of God, because he is cha∣stened of God: and themselues, whose matters prosper wel in the world, to be only blessed as by desert: and this brée∣deth such coniempt of the rich towards the poore fearing God, and this vsur∣peth such reuerence of the poore to∣wards the rich, both which especially procéede of an ouer-good opinion that the rich haue of themselues, & of a base conceit they haue of such as are of law estate, though they be the dearest chil∣dren of God: which in the rich is arro∣gancy, and in the poore fearing God, humility: yet it often commeth to passe, that the rich are made poore, the high are •…•…ade low, & the most glorious be∣come despised: and again, the poore are made rich, the lowly exalted, & such as were before despised, become honorable euen among men, according to the say∣ing of the blessed Wirgin: The Lord sheweth strength with his a••me, hee scat∣t••reth the proud in the imaginations of their hearts, he putteth downe the mighty from their seats, and exalteth the humble and meek, he filleth the hungry with good things, and sendeth the rich empty away. These are the works of Gods iustice & prouidence: his iustice then sheweth it

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selfe, when hée plucketh downe the in∣gratefull arrogant, and his prouidence in prouiding for, and exalting the faithfully thankfull poore man.

The first cannot pretend iniustice or wrong in God, for taking away from him that which he falsely suggested to be his, in such sort, as he was not be∣holden to God for it: neither can the other (nor will hee) assume vnto him∣selfe merit to haue that bestowed vp∣on him by desert, which he cannot but acknowledge, and thankfully accept to be the frée gift of God: as God is ••ust, so is he mercifull, and euen in this case of his iustice hée sheweth mercy, to the end men may séeke and finde mer∣cy: and in this case of his prouidence hée confirmeth his mercy, and perfor∣meth his promise: the one to moue to thankefulnesse, the other to increase and continue it: hée interrupteth the haughty and high-minded in the way of their pride, fatherly to reclaime them from the way of death, the end of Gods corrections. The godliest men are many times, and by many meanes likewise plunged in dangers, but they féele in their sharpest afflictions swée∣test comforts: for though they féele the

rod of Gods correcting hand, yet they hold fast by the staffe of his mercy, praying vnto God for deliuery, not as they will, but as the Lord will: not for their owne priuate benefit onely, but also, and especially, that his glory and power, by their deliuerance, might be the more celebrated of all that feare him: for there is not a more forcible inducement of imitation then successe: when men sée the issue of another mans course, they will in discretion follow or forsake, as is the profit or danger, especially men of one profession, ob∣serue time, and meane, and matter, and place, and person, of precedent good or euill: and by the same endeuour to frame and shape vnto themselues a course answerable for their owne pri∣uate commodities, this is the manner of worldlings: and shall not the chil∣dren of God make vse of other mens most blessed successe, of faithfull prayer for deliuery out of their miseries▪ who being in danger, séeing before his eyes the manner how another in like perill was deliuered, and will not séeke the same way to be relieued? It is the na∣ture of true godlinesse to publish euery benefit receiued at the hands of God,

as Dauid in many places by his owne example, and many other holy men haue done: and left their examples for vs to follow, to the end that all, were it possible, might be partakers of the knowledge of Gods prouidence & loue towards all that séeke him with a true zeale, contrary to the course of worldly men, who couet to conceale the meanes whereby they atchieue commodities, not willing that any should partake of their gaine. The man of God hauing that celestiall Jewel in what measure soeuer, willingly and fréely maketh all others that are desirous, partakers of it, that all may grow likewise rich in the same faith, knowledge, and vertue with him; the godly much reioyce in him that most excelleth in diuine ver∣tues, notdisdaining any for his pouerty or basenes of his worldly estate, but im∣bracing the pouerty of the body, & the estate of outward wants, in regard of the inward riches of the minde: for as hee that séemeth rich in outward things, may be indéede a banckerupt; so hee that is poore in carnall things, may be rich in heauenly: else were the miserable poore man more wretched then any creature, that walketh or

créepeth vpon the earth, flyeth in the ayre, or that floateth in the waters: of whom all haue a contented being; but the poore oppressed man hath no com∣fort at all, if he be not inwardly com∣forted of God: in whom if he be truly comforted, his comfort is beyond all that the world can afford.

The worldly farmer, the rich Mar∣chant, the gallant Gentleman, the ho∣norable person, and the greatest Mo∣narch without the same, hath no true comfort, but earthly and vanishing shaddows of things without true com∣fort or continuance: yet is not this so taken, nor so accounted; for the glori∣ous hauing onely terrene reuerence, receiue their glory from the basest: but the poore despised, hauing confidence in God, haue their glory from aboue: whereunto no earthly honor can com∣pare. This then may worke in them patience to beare the burthen of mise∣ry, here for a while, and for euery small benefit or blessing which God shall be∣stow vpon them to be truly thankfull, and yet not to deiect themselues, and be so carelesse of their estates, as to neglect all lawfull meanes of worldly prosperity, because pouerty, affliction,

and persecution in the godly, séeme to be a glorious title, bearing as it were, the Crosse of Christ thereby. But so farre to endeuour to atchieue necessary ability and outward peace, as that am∣bition may be farre from the thought in desiring; and auarice in vsing, or repineth against what God sendeth. And to be carefull, diligent, and faith∣full in the execution of their callings, praying for a blessing at the hands of God: and if endeuors prosper, alwaies to returne for all things praises vnto God, that maketh all things prosper vnto vs: and if the industry of our bo∣dies, and the continuall care of our hearts cannot attaine to that which we thinke fit, wée must rest contented with the portion allotted by him vnto vs, who knoweth better what is fit for vs, then wée our selues, and yet ne∣uer to giue ouer praying vnto the great giuer, who will neuer faile to adde more and more comfort, as hée séeth most iust occasion, best knowne to himselfe, & can turne all our crosses and deepest afflictions to our greatest consolation, when the best and most pleasing earthly delights tend to the euill of such as haue them, and either

abuse them, or be not thankefull for them. Such as are ignorant of the dis∣cipline which God vseth to instruct and educate his children, can conceiue of no comfort in crosses, berause as they are strangers from the Schoole of God, so learne they not the things be∣longing to such as are Gods di••ciples: but condemne what is to be approued, and approue what is to be condemned; holding no man happy, but he that pro∣spereth in his wayes, and he to whom all things succéede according to his hearts desire, when indéede nothing is more dangerous, then fulnesse of all things, which bréedeth security, and security killeth all other vertues, and reuiueth all vices: carnall security plucketh vp faith (as it were) by the rootes, Faith being the trée of all ver∣tues, it dying, Neglect of God, and all goodnesse, beginnes to branch, and beares Forgetfulnesse of duty to God and men. Where then is thankeful∣nesse? Where is giuing Glory to God? Where is prayer and séeking to God for blessings, when hée findeth no cause to aske, for what he supposeth he inioyeth? blessing himselfe in his own wretched estate, which he foolish∣ly

déemeth a most warthy and incom∣parable portion. But he that is godly, abandoneth all carnall security, ac∣knowledging himselfe euer in so great danger, as when hée carnally thinkes himselfe most safe, and there∣fore taketh continuall occasion to flye vnto God for daily supply of daily wants, hauing no assurance of the continuance of any earthly thing, but from day to day: and therefore daily and hourely acknowledgeth the good∣nesse of God, in giuing him what hee daily enioyeth. He forgetteth not that all things that hée hath, he hath from God, his creation, his life, the vse of all his limbes, his senses, his foode, his raiment, his health, his ablenesse to performe the least duty in his calling, and whatsoeuer else, inward or out∣ward, hée holdeth them at the will of the Almighty, to whom he prayeth for all graces and diuine vertues, that he may be furnished with that riches that none can possesse, but such as haue them from that great God, who gi∣ueth to them that aske, and vpbraideth no man, neither denyeth he any mans request, if it be according to his will reuealed in his word: and for all that

he giueth, requireth onely true thank∣fulnesse for requitall: not that thank∣fulnesse, which some carnally minded rich men would séeme to afford him, a cap vailed with both the hands, with words onely, I thanke God: This may be counterfeit and lip-thankefulnesse, which God respecteth as the offring of hypocrites. The organs of the tongue & lips are necessary instruments to de∣clare the meaning of the heart, if they moue by the power of a féeling spirit: but if the mouth speake in these diuine offices what the heart inforceth not, it shall not onely not profit, but witnes a∣gainst the heart & conscience that déepe dissimulation before men, & hypocrisie before God, that shall worke their own iust condemnation. But wée must fall downe vpon the knées, not onely of the outward body, but of a liuely féeling heart, & acknowledge that all we haue receiued, to be his blessing and especial gift: which if we can rightly performe, it will follow, that of the same faith wil procéede with words of thankfulnesse, workes of obedience, which God ac∣cepteth aboue all sacrifices whatsoe∣uer. But who so still asketh and recei∣ueth blessings, and onely saith, They

are the gifts of God, and disposeth of them contrary to the rule which God hath prescribed in his Word, that thankfulnes will returne into his bo∣some as sin, and he be imputed a plaine vsurper of his blessings. For, as when a man by faire and flattering meanes obtaineth any thing of his friends, and hauing obtained it, reiecteth the kind∣nesse of the giuer, and becommeth in∣gratefull and vnkinde, what is it but méere extorting of the thing obtai∣ned? Although the all-séeing eye of God fore-séeth the heart, and knoweth how and to what end wée aske, whe∣ther for our owne gaine, or his glory: and hée often bestoweth great benefits vpon men, neuer desiring them in o∣pen spéech. The very groanes of the heart ascend vnto God, and God is moued euen with the méere desires, and that oftentimes when they pro∣céede not of faith; yea, hée granteth the very things that the wicked long for, but not for their comfort, onely to ful∣fill their carnall appetites, to make them so much the more beholden to him, for their worldly and corporall prosperity, and makes their condem∣nation so much the more iust, by how

much they are inexcusable, for not ser∣uing God in true obedience, which is the summe of most acceptable thanke∣fulnesse for all blessings. It is the na∣ture of al men, to couet earthly things, which wée sée God giueth to the euill as well, and in greater measure then to the godly: yet are the godly farre more thankfull for their smallest, then the wicked for their greatest portions; which last doe hunger and thirst con∣tinually to adde more and more corpo∣rall meanes vnto what they haue: and no abundance can make a stay to their coueting, neither can there be satisfa∣ction to the couetous. And howsoeuer it increase, all their thankfulnesse is swallowed vp in their Chests, or cast vpon their fields, giuen to their wits, to their Art, or drowned in their vani∣ties, the backe and belly haue their condigne gratifications of the most, and they are most beholding to some, who rest as much indebted vnto these two, in answering their necessities, as vnto God, in a sort, to whom they owe many, and will neuer pay any thankes. And yet the prophanest of these will say, that all the things they inioy, are the gifts of God. But as for

the cordiall and true thankefulnesse, it is a language vnknowne vnto them. The blessings of God to many, may be compared to swéet showres, and our hearts to dry ground, receiuing them to refresh it when it is weary, but returning no drops backe againe: no more doe vnthankefull men returne condigne thankes for Gods greatest benefits, but as the Sun by his force and exhalations, draweth vp the moi∣stures of the ingratefull earth by force, so when men can kéepe their vsurped and extorted earthly blessings no lon∣ger, then they bestow them, and yet oftentimes not at all consulting with the true owner, God the lender, but bestow them to some such ends as are displeasing vnto him, as was their former abusing them. They dispose of them by their wils, as it were against their wils: their Testaments are as testimonies of their vnwillingnesse to leaue what they so dearely loued, which proueth their grosse ingrati∣tude, euen in their last conflict with death, who commonly is not so cruell an Enemy, but he telleth a man by one token or another, that he must prepare himselfe to endure his encounter, some∣times

many dayes, many moneths, and often many yéeres before hee shew his vttermost force: in all which time, the most forgetfull and most vnthankefull man might call himselfe to minde, and consult and consider wherefore, and by whom the things he enioyeth were bestowed vpon him: if by his owne deserts, or by his owne méere indu∣stry, let him then kisse his owne hand, as the author of his happinesse: but if it came of the frée gift and méere bene∣uolence of God, let him rather cut off his hands, then rest vnthankefull to God, who can turne (as we sée) wealth into wretchednesse, mirth into mour∣ning, health into sicknesse, strength into weakenesse, and all whatsoeuer a man in this world delighteth in, in∣to bitternesse and wormwood: all which may be assured to turne to their good, whosoeuer rest patient and thankfull. Who then will not affoord so small a recompence for so great blessings?

And all thankefulnesse is compre∣hended vnder this one word Obedi∣ence. Sacrifices were acceptable du∣ties done in their time vnto God, but obedience is more acceptable then all other kindes of sacrifices. This obedi∣ence

consisieth not in the outward ce∣remonies of performing onely the out∣ward duties required at our hands, as to liue in this World without doing hurt to others, in paying that wée owe, in doing good to such as doe vs seruice, and to loue them that loue vs: but in doing good to them that doe vs hurt, in giuing them that take from vs, in forgiuing them that offend vs, in louing them that hate vs, in feeding them that wee sée hunger-starued, in cloathing them that we see want their corporall couering, in comforting the sad and ••rowfull, in visiting such, both with counsell and aide, that haue not their wished liberty of Body or Minde, and in performing such other offices of Christian commiseration and piety, as are commanded vs in the Word of God, to be done towards our Brethren and Neighbours. These are outward workes, which being perfor∣med by a féeling heart, touched with the Spirit of God, are swéet sacrifices to God, and are accepted of God, as that true thankfulnesse, which God re∣quireth in recompence of our abun∣dance, which God so fréely and louing∣ly bestoweth vpon vs aboue others in

this life: and for his spirituall gifts and blessings, as the blessing of the inward peace of conscience, the bles∣sing of the knowledg•• of his Word and Testimonies, the benefit of Faith, of Repentance, & of other diuine gra∣ces, hée onely requireth the true vse of them, as to loue him aboue all things, to liue in sobriety, temperance, in his feare, in the exercise of true religion, in prayer, in hearing his Word preached, in reading the same with reuerence, in continuall going forward from faith to faith, from one heauenly vertue to another, and in behauing our hearts inwardly, in such a liuely and willing remembrance, and execution of his di∣uine Will, as nothing may miscarry vs from what hée hath commanded, or draw vs into what hée hath for∣bidden.

Thus if hée finde vs prepared, hée will then, as hee hath promised, blesse vs more and more, and giue and be∣stow vpon vs, more and more of his spirituall benefits, and adde vnto our stocke and store such abundance of all necessary outward things of this life, as wée shall not onely be able to féede, cloathe, maintaine, and relieue our

selues with wished contentment, but will giue such continuall increase, as we shall be able to performe these for∣mer duties to his néedy members, and there by not onely testifie to the World our Faith by our workes, who will glorifie God for vs: but God shall sée our faith in him, and approue our out∣ward workes amongst men, to be good by our faith. These being the fruits of true obedience, and obedience the most acceptable sacrifice of thankfulnesse, a worke not onely not painefull or tedi∣ous, but most swéet vnto the soule, let vs unbrace it as the true wisedome, which, for the swéetenesse, passeth the hony and the hony-combe, and for pre∣ciousnesse and worth, of more value then the finest gold, or dearest earthly Jewels. Who will not then apply his heart vnto this most acceptable thankefulnesse, to which is promised a new and daily renuing of blessings, one blessing shall follow another, as the swéet drops of the morning dew: happy is the man that is in such a case. But most vnhappy the man for∣getting God, and Gods benefits, nay, who offereth the sacrifice of praise in a false, or a cold, or counterfait manner,

as Cain did, who would be séene to giue vnto God part of his earthly a∣bundance, but because it was done with no true affection, it was not ac∣cepted: no more are these vnworthy praises, which many worldlings séeme to flatter God withall, offering the Sacrifices not of idle, but of hatefull fooles, though in common spéech they can make semblance of great piety: As when they speake of Gods bles∣sings, the increase of their Corne, Oile, and Wine, the prosperity of their Cattle, the long continuance of the health of their bodies, good suc∣cesse in their affaires, they can vse an outward kinde of humiliation, bow∣ing their counterfait knée, and ••ailing their dissembling ••onnet; as if the true praise of God consisted in these ceremonies, when indéede their hearts are full of ••••arice, their hands of Bribes, and their lips of dissimulati∣on Hath God respect to these kinds of offerings▪ No, he accepteth the obedi∣ence to his will: and his will is, that thankfulnesse to him (being in heauen not séene) should begin in earth, in do∣ing good to our brethren whom we dai∣ly see: else though God vouchsafe to se••

(as hée did vpon Cain) a marke vpon such vngratefull dissemblers, that they come not into misfortune in this life, like other men, yet it shall be a marke of their reprobation, which they shall cary with them to their eternal graues. Had not the men of the old world great blessings at the hands of God? But where was their thankefulnesse? The earth was full of cruelty: a base recom∣pence for so many blessings: yet did thinke themselues very secure: yea, when God in his secret Justice prepa∣red their general confusion. Was God so strict in obseruing, & so seuere in pu∣nishing the whole world for vnthanke∣fulnes, hauing but the Law of nature their guide? and will hée be lesse to a stiffe-necked people, or to one disobedi∣ent person, hauing the vse of his word▪ Is not mans vnthankfulnes towards man, censured in most euill part by man? how much more mans vnthank∣fulnesse to God? Laban found great benefit, and many blessings to grow vnto him in his earthly estate, by Ia∣cobs faithfull and true seruice, yet how vnkindly did he reward him? Gen. 31. 2. Yet sée the mercies of the Lord, who séeing thankfull Iacobs afflicted heart,

vnder his vngratefull and seuere Ma∣ster, wrought his deliuery, and sent him from cruell Laban, rich. But did Iacob attribute his successe, and in∣crease of his wealth, to procéede from his care and industry▪ or did he attri∣bute it to his ••rt of speckled Rods▪ No, hée confessed by whose meanes he was so blessed, namely, by God, to whom, as to the Author of all the good that befell him, he gaue the glory, say∣ing, (at his returne) Ouer this Brooke I came with my staffe and scrippe onely; but lo••, Lord, I now returne with mighty Droues. Here was the true and liuely image of the Sacrifice of praise in god∣ly iacob▪ and the very picture of ingra∣titude in vnthankefull Laban, giuing thankes neither to God nor Men, for his prosperity.

Many Labans now liue, that receiue the benefits of poore mens trauels and endeauours, and at the hand of God, rich blessings; and yet they will not admit, either the helpe of man, nor the prouidence of God, to be the meanes of their aduancement, but their owne wit, policie, desert, or humane friend∣ship: and to defend their grosse and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ingratitude, ••••icke not to a••∣firme,

that the Seruant that laboureth is worthy of his hire, I am (saith this caruall Logician) the Seruant of God, and therefore worthy of the gifts I receiue from him. Such hellish Syllogisms worldly men, the Schol∣lers of perdition, can frame against themselues, not finding the subtilty of the Diuell in these Arguments, who striueth to colour by his Sophi∣stry, this erronious conceit of theirs, in assuming desert to receiue good, where they deserue to receiue euill e∣uermore.

The Seruant of an earthly Master may performe in some measure his Masters worke, and may thereby de∣serue his promised hyre: but who so thus pretendeth himselfe to be, or is indéede the seruant of God, by whom a lawfull calling may be assigned him, howsoeuer he wade in the execution of his externall vocation, yet hée com∣meth to farre short of his true duety commanded, as he not onely meriteth no earthly or temporall benefits, but to be corrected with many stripes. As who so looketh into, or compareth his owne performance with the Comman∣dements of God, shall finde himselfe

so farre behinde with God in thanke∣fulnesse for his least benefits, as hée shall be driuen to confesse he is vnwor∣thy of the Bread and Rayment, (be it neuer so meane) that hée inioyeth: which also, how meane soeuer it be, it is the gift of God, and in no other, nor by any other meanes made ours, but in Christ alone, without whom the greatest Riches, the most glorious E∣state, and most wished earthly prospe∣rity, becommeth a curse vnto them, that make them not theirs by him that is blessed for euer. Heathen men are thankfull vnto their false gods, for the supposed good turnes they doe receiue of them, and in recompence they do not onely giue verball thanks, but will of∣fer vnto them, euen their dearest Chil∣dren in Sacrifice, to shew their thank∣fulnesse. And yet such as receiue euery day new blessings of the true God, yea although their plenty and health neuer so much increase and continue, they will not offer vnto him the least part of their superfiuous store, in giuing it to the Poore, in whom euen Christ himselfe maketh Petition for a cup of cold water, (as it were) and yet can hardly obtaine it at their hands, that

will not sticke to affirme they are most thankefull to God. But know that God will not be serued as Men are. Masters can no further iudge of their Seruants and their seruice, then they sée: the idlenesse and loytering of their Seruants they may in presence ob∣serue, but the hidden and concealed falshoods they cannot discerne: and if it be discouered, it is but by doubtfull meanes, as by coniecture, or report: but our great and all-knowing Master hath neuer his eye from our work; nay, he séeth and knoweth our wils, the se∣cret idlenesse or vanity of the heart, howsoeuer the hands or lips may seeme to labour in the praise of God before men, he can finde out our counterfait holinesse, and dissembling thankes. It is no boote to tell men, We be thankfull to God, though men cannot reproue vs, nor distinguish betwéene our dissi∣mulation and true thankfulnesse. Who would or could haue condemned Ana∣nias and Saphira, that voluntarily gaue the most part of their goods to the vse of Gods people? & yet the holy Ghost finding their hypocrisie, gaue them the reward of death, for that which they concealed from men.

Man could not haue found out the bribery of Gehezi, nor the hypocrisie of Iudas. It is a dangerous thing to dally with holy things, much more to dissemble with him that is most holy.

Ingratitude is a contemptible vice, yet not so odious as is hypocriti∣call vnthankefulnesse, for by the one, man findeth apparantly, who are thought vnworthy of a second good turne, but by the other, man is drawne to doe a fauour vnto the vndeseruing, that by dissembling insinuation, and counterfait thankes for a former, ob∣taines a second kindenesse, when in truth hée is méerely vnthankefull for both: but God is not thus ouer-ta∣ken, he cannot deceine by dissembling gifts, nor be deluded by counterfeit thankes. And yet God oftentimes gi∣ueth new gifts, as health, wealth, honor, office, fauour of friends, a good wife, and dutifull children, and many such like earthly blessings, to the most vnthankefull, by which the mindes of carnall men are so much the more be∣sotted, in obseruing that all things succéede so well, they thinke God is well pleased with them, flattering

themselues, that they stand much in Gods fauour, because their occasions succéede better then other mens, per∣swading themselues that to kéepe a formall & morall course of life among men, and to make a superficiall shew of thankfulnesse vnto God, and at their death to allot some matter of forced be∣neuolence to the World, as the buil∣ding of an Almes-house, Hospitall, Colledge, or such like, is so high a re∣compence to God, for the loane of his benefits, as he resteth rather in such a benefactors debt for this good déede, then such a vaine-glorious giuer in∣debted to God for his long vsing and abusing of his blessings.

By which, I condemne not such workes, tending to charitable vses, as are done in due time, and by men, first, séeking to be themselues in the true fa∣uour of God, before they so séeke the glory and commendation of the world: for I presume to say, that the bestow∣ing of mens goods, while they are their owne, by their owne hands, in secret to the needy members of Christ, is more acceptable to God, then the former (though commendable) intendments after their deaths: while we liue, wée

know what is for the time in our dis∣position, but after death wée cannot take knowledge what course will be taken with that we intend to best acti∣ons: neither doth the giuing after death, testifie a mans assurance of Gods prouidence, as doth the liberall giuing in time of life: for who so kéepes his treasure till hée dye, hee lea∣ueth it perforce, and against his will, which no man can deny, and though he grieue to forgoe, he cannot feare to want them: but hee that giueth in his life time, giueth in assurance, that hée that gaue it him, and made the pro∣mise of rewarding the Giuers to the poore, dependeth so surely thereupon, as hée shall neuer want what may be sufficient, which indéede is a worthy testimony of truest thankefulnesse to God, for the things he enioyeth in this life.

Preparatiues to thank∣fulnesse.

SAluation belongeth vnto the Lord, and his blessing is vpon all that are his,

Psal. 3. 8.

The Lord hath heard my petition, the Lord doth receiue my Prayer,

Psal. 6. 10.

I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, I will be glad and re∣ioyce in thee, Oh thou most High,

Psal. 9. 1.

Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the poore, thou preparest their heart, thou bendest thine eare vnto them,

Psal. 10. 17.

In my trouble did I call vpon the Lord, and cryed vnto my God, hee heard my voyce out of his Temple, my cry came before him, and he helped me,

Psal. 18. 6.

I sought the Lord, and he heard me; yea, hee deliuered me out of all my feare,

Psal. 24. 7.

Taste ye, and see how gracious the Lord is: blessed is the man that trusteth in him,

Psal. 34. 8.

Let the Lordline, and blessed be my strength, and the God of my salua∣tion be exalted,

Psal. 18. 46.

Thou art my Lord, my well do∣ing extendeth not to thee, but to the Saints that are in the earth,

Psalme 26. 2. 3.

THough men by their best gifts can∣not enrich God, yet they must be∣stow Gods gifts to the vse of his children, and that is the best recompence they can make vnto him for all his earthly blessings, and to be obedient vnto him ac∣cording to his will reuealed in his Word, is the Sacrifice wherewith hee is pleased for all his benefits spirituall and corporall, which who so neglecteth, is meerely vn∣thankfull, what shewes so euer he maketh

of outward Thankesgiuing. Therefore e∣uery faithfull receiuer of any his blessings, will fall downe before his Maiesty in this or the like manner of hearty thankfulnes, to manifest with his words, the inward willingnesse of the heart.

A generall thankesgiuing vnto God, for all his benefits, spiri∣tuall and corporall.

ETernall God, and euerliuing, and most louing Father, I the poorest and most vnworthy of all thy crea∣tures, doe bowe and prostrate the knées of a truely thankefull heart vn∣to thy maiesty, yéelding vnto thée all humble, vnfained, and possible thankes for all thy fatherly fauours, both di∣uine and corpora••l; aboue all (Oh Father) I thanke thée, for that thou diddest elect and chuse me to saluation before all worlds: for that thou crea∣tedst mee being nothing, and being borne a sinfull reprobate by nature, diddest redeeme mée from Satan and hell, and adoptedst mée one of thine owne children, by thine owne Sonnes

bloud, in whom, and for whose sake, thou acceptest me an heyre, with thy Saints, of the glory of Heauen. And for ••ine assurance here in this life, hast giuen mée not onely thy promise in thy Word, but hast sanctified mée with thy holy Spirit, whereby I be∣léeue: and can in some measure resist the motions which arise in mee, by meanes of that originall corruption which I brought into the world, and beare about mée, which could not but condemne mée, were it not that the death and resurrection of. Jesus Christ the righteous did iustifie me by a liue∣ly apprehension, and a faithfull féeling of his most frée merits, working for me, and in my behalfe.

These most swéete spirituall fauors so farre surmount the apprehension of the most wise in the world, and any féeling to the comfort of carnall men, that they cannot assure themselues of their owne saluation, a more misera∣ble estate then which cannot light vp∣on man. How much then, Lord, am I wretched creature, bound vnto thy frée mercy, in choosing mee to be one of thine owne by Adoption, and to giue mée the earnest-penny of thy Spirit,

to assure mee thereof, and that so farre from presuming vpon any desert of mine owne, as I wholly condemne my selfe, and acknowledge all my hope and assurance to be wrought in me by thine owne frée loue, I vnworthy, de∣seruing nothing lesse, deseruing rather thine heauy and high indignation, and consequently thy iust Judgements, whereby, in stead of my frée election, I should be reiected, in stead of my re∣demption, I should be condemned, and to be retained in the fearfull power and bondage of Satan and hell: in stead of my sanctification and iustification, I haue merited reprobation, and yet, deare Father, in the abundance of thy fauors, I haue, and doe inioy the bles∣sings of all spirituall comfort and con∣tentment, and withall haue inioyed so many corporall comforts, and earthly graces at thy hands, as are more in number then my sinnes, which are more then the dust of the earth: my life I had of thée, the continuance thereof of thée: the health of my body thou preseruest, and when I haue beene sicke, thou hast healed me. In my hun∣ger thou féedest mée, and refreshest me, when I am thirsty: thou cloathest me,

and which is more, thou bearest me as the Eagle doth her young, euen vpon the wings of thy prouidence: so that I haue bin defended from infinite im∣minent dangers, both from the perill of the sword, and the plague, and from the violence of many misfortunes which might haue befallen me, where∣by had I not béene protected by thée, I had perished long agoe, and many times being poore, thou hast relieued mée: being e••uied, thou hast kept mee from the power, and open force, and secret deuices of my many enemies. And moreouer, which is not the least, (Lord) thou hast not onely giuen mée the vse of my limbes, and seruice of my senses, but hast taught my heart to conceiue, and my hands to performe that, by which, in thy prouidence, I profit in my calling, and liue. How then, most gracious and louing Fa∣ther, am I bound vnto thy diuine Ma∣iesty, for such and so many heauenly and spirituall blessings, and corporall and ••arthly benefits, the least of which as I haue not deserued, so can I not make recompence vnto thée for the least? But as thou hast fréely bestow∣ed them all vpon me in Christ: so in

Christ I returne to thée the glory, in whom thou art well pleased, and in him reconciled vnto mée, or else would the benefits which I receiue, become rather a curse then a blessing vnto me.

Oh that I were therefore of wise∣dome sufficient, of power able, in dis∣position willing, and in zeale so ser∣uent, as I might powre forth thy de∣serued praises with a ioyfull heart. But, good Father, accept the sacrifice of my wi••ling minde, and impute not vn∣to me either weakenesse or vnwilling∣nes, vnthankfulnesse or forgetfulnesse of this high duty, forasmuch as that all-sufficient Lambe sacrificed for mée, mediateth as well for me, and in my be∣halfe my inward thanksgiuing, & pre∣senteth them vpon thine altar of mer∣cy, as he euer presenteth vnto thée my prayers for pardon of my sins. Of my selfe, Lord, I cannot bring thée Abel or Elias sacrifice, but an heart of true thanksgiuing, which it may please thée to accept, as thou didst the sacrifice of Bullockes and Goates. ••nd let mée, Lord, be truely able to offer vnto thée Dauids morning and euening sacrifice of praise: especially that most swéete and preuailing sacrifice of ••iliall obe∣dience

which thou so much acceptest: and although it can merit no fauour at thy hands, as it is my worke, it be∣ing sanctified in Christ, it is the speci∣all meane, not onely to discharge my duety in part, but to obtaine new and continuing blessings and benefits at thy hands in Christ: to whom, with thée and the holy Ghost, be all honour, power, praise, and thanksgiuing, for euermore,

Amen.

O Lord increase my Faith, and make me euermore thankfull.