Devotionis Augustinianae flamma, or, Certaine devout, godly, and learned meditations written, by the excellently-accomplisht gentleman, William Austin, of Lincolnes-Inne, Esquire. The particulars whereof, the reader may finde in the page following;) set forth, after his decease, by his deare wife and executrix, Mrs. Anne Austin, as a surviving monument of some part of the great worth of her ever-honoured husband, who changed his life, Ian 16. 1633

2. Quando.

FOr the Time. They began to doe it, when the Angels were de∣parted from them: when they had given the hint, and were gone into heaven againe. It is like, that as long as the Angels would have preached such heavenly newes, and sung such sweet Anthemes, that they could have beene content, to have stood still gazing there: but, that was not their Errand, to delight their Eyes, or Eares: but to send them to Christ. Therefore, as the Angel knew when, discreetely to end his Sermon, in fit time; so the rest sung but a short Psalme after it, that the Shepheards might be gone, to seeke their Saviour: which is, plus agendo, quàm audiendo: what ere we thinke (now a dayes).

It is not sitting all day at a long Sermon, that is the onely way (though indeed it bee in the Way): nor, being at an Exercise: but, by Exercising; that wee come to Christ.

When the Shepheards heard the Angel; Christ, sought them: but, when they went from thence, they sought Him. That, was their part. Wee learne heere, when it is time to seeke him. When the Angell is departed. When the Preacher is gone out of the Pulpit, immediately after the Sermon is done: then, to goe a∣bout it, presently. For, to that end they preach: and as soone, as wee have heard, wee must practise: wee must not deferre, but (as these Shepheards did) festinantes, making all the haste wee can; while it is hot in us: And, it is necessary so to doe: For, since we cannot doe it of our selves, it is good to catch the first occasion, or touch, lest it come no more. For, if it doe not, we can come no more by it, of our selves: it growes not in our Garden. Take heed: the Shepheards were but once called: they had but this one Apparition, and they went. Therefore now is the time; as soone as we heare of a Saviour: wee must seeke him: Not, stand (all day) hearing; but, goe about it. So, did they: The Text affirmes it: Factum est ut discesserunt, &c. As soone as the Angels went, (factum est,) It came to passe; They went too. This, learne wee of the Shepheards, to keepe time: But if wee marke; here is, not onely drinke, for us; but water, for our Cammels: Our Servants may learne heere. For, the Angels went backe into Hea∣ven,

as soone as they had done their errand: and, so should they.

A Messenger that is sent, should know the way home againe, and not stand loytring by the way.

Those Angels, that came from heaven, and never returned backe, became Devils: and, the Bird that Noah sent forth, and came no more into the Arke, was no better then a Raven. But, if wee would have our Servants learne of the Angels, let us learne of the Shepheards. For, if wee (like them) doe the will of our Master, readily, when wee have our Hint from our Pastors, they shall be as Angels to us; and wee shall be, as Angels to our Fami∣ly: teaching them, by our example to obey us, as readily. So, as the Shepheards were Schollers, to the Angels; and Angels, to us; wee, may be Schollers, to them; and Angels, to our Servants.

Notes

• Gen. 24. 19.
• Gen. 8. 7.