Saints memorials, or, Words fitly spoken, like apples of gold in pictures of silver being a collection of divine sentences / written and delivered by those late reverend and eminent ministers of the gospel, Mr. Edmund Calamy, Mr. Joseph Caryl, Mr. Ralph Venning, Mr. James Janeway.

To avoid the Curses,

We must endeavour to be Recon∣ciled to God through Christ.

We must endeavour to be really Justified and Sanctified.

We must endeavour to love God's Word in Sincerity.

We must endeavour to walk ac∣cording to the Rule of it.

We must endeavour to have our minds fixed on God.

We must endeavour to trust in him effectually.

We must endeavour to be up∣right before him.

We must endeavour to please him in all our ways.

We must endeavour to do that which is good in his sight.

The bare Title of a Christian is not sufficient for Salvation: if we are not obedient to the will of Christ, we are no more Christians, than a Picture is the Body of a man.

At the last day, the Great Que∣stion

will be, Did you serve Christ, or only pretend to do so?

Behold, the great Assize is draw∣ing nigh, and our Judge is coming to the Court.

A Crown of Glory, and a con∣suming Fire, attend for the appea∣rance of the trembling Sinner.

Then the poor Soul appears to answer for what was done in the flesh.

At the Resurrection, that power of the Almighty God that made man of nothing, will new make him again.

Repentance and a good Faith, are sure guides to Eternity.

Obstinate Impenitence leadeth to destruction.

Though it be above our powers to bring men acquainted with their hearts, to assure them their Faiths are infirm, and their Repentance lame; the Great Judge that search∣eth all mens hearts, will at last con∣vince them.

Though we hold the Candle of the Gospel in our hands, yet the men we plead with are in the

dark: for they shut their eyes, and will not see;* 1.1 But the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in behalf of them whose heart is perfect towards him.

He is not onely an all-seeing God, but he is eyes to the blind,* 1.2 and feet to the lame.

* 1.3God is our refuge and strength: a very present help in trouble.

This God we should endeavour to know; but many men know many things, yet do not know them∣selves.

Wherefore we should return from things External, to things Internal; and from things Internal, ascend to things Supernal.

So may a man know from whence he came, or whither he shall go: the way to know God, is for a man to study the art of knowing him∣self.

By how much the more I profit in the knowledge of my self, by so much the more I approach to the knowledge of God.

I finde three things in my mind,

by which I remember, consider and desire God; and these are my Me∣mory, Understanding, and Will.

By my Memory I remember, by my Understanding I consider, and by my Will I desire and love.

When I remember God, I finde him in my memory; and that gives me an occasion to rejoyce.

By my understanding I consider what God is in himself, what he is in his Angels, what he is in his Saints, what he is in Men, and what he is in his Creatures.

In himself he is incomprehensible, because the beginning and end; the beginning without beginning, the end without end.

I understand from my self, how incomprehensible God is, because I cannot understand my self whom he hath made.

In his Angels he is desireable. Which things the Angels desire to look into.* 1.4

In his Saints he is delightful; for they being happy continually re∣joyce in him. Do ye not know that the Saints shall judge the world?* 1.5

In his Creatures he is admirable, because he Powerfully createth, Prudently governeth, and Sweetly disposeth of all things. Every crea∣ture of God is good.* 1.6

* 1.7In men he is Amiable, as he is their God, and they are his people.

* 1.8He dwelleth in them, as in his Temple.* 1.9 Ye are the Temple of the living God, as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Since God is so ready to inhabit in man, how happy is that man that can entertain so great and so good a Guest!

How great is the Humility of such an Omnipotent Creator, to dwell in so poor a Cottage!

Why then should we despise o∣thers? he doth not visit the Rich for their riches,* 1.10 but he saveth the poor from the sword.

Despise no man, though never so wretched: but be moved toward him with a brotherly affection.

Think another mans miseries to be thine; and take the like care to relieve them.

Reverence the poor, for they are those that receive others into the E∣ternal Tabernacles.

If thou seest an apparent sin in a∣nother, be as sorrowful for his Ini∣quity, as if thou sawst an imminent danger of death to thine own body.

For one Soul wounded with sin, is of more value than all the bodies in the whole world.

As I would be careful to defend my body from death, much more I ought with all diligence to endea∣vour to withdraw my Neighbour from sin, by my Prayers, Example, and Exhortations.

Let no man envy his Neighbours success, but rather affect his good as his own, and rejoyce at his wel∣fare, especially in spiritual Affairs, tending to the good of his Soul.

Give no credit to reports, but believe more good of your Neigh∣bour, than you can see with your corporal eyes.

Love your Neighbour as your self, but not with so strong an af∣fection, but that you still keep the

chief room in your heart for your God.

Love that man best that is most vertuous; he may requite benefit for benefit, and for courtesies received offer prayers to God.

* 1.11As we have opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially those who are of the houshold of Faith.

When you discourse with another, let God be in your minde; and con∣sider he sees you, and you see him, as effectually as you see the person you discourse with.

Whatsoever you attain to, ac∣knowledge it to be the benefit of God.

* 1.12Every good and perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the father of lights, with whom is no variableness, nor shadow of turning.

Think every man better than your self, neither be proud in your own conceit: for God resisteth the proud,* 1.13 and giveth grace to the hum∣ble.

Give no cause of discontent to any, neither be apt to commend

your self, though to your familiar Friend. Charity suffereth long,* 1.14 and is kind: Charity envyeth not, vaunt∣eth not it self, is not puffed up.

Keep your Vertues secret, rather than your Vices; and be ever ready to hear another man praised, rather than discommended.

Let your Discourse be of few words, and those compounded of Truth and Piety.

If any person discoursing with you, proposeth impertinent Que∣stions, cut off his discourse as soon as you can, and divert your speech to other matters.

Shun prophane and vain Bablings,* 1.15 for they will increase unto more un∣godliness.

Whatsoever doth happen to your friend or to your self, be neither grieved nor over-joyed, but praise God, and be content,* 1.16 for godliness with contentment is great gain.

When you see any thing in ano∣ther which misliketh you, mark whether the same be in your self, and amend it.

But if you observe any thing

which pleaseth you, mark whether that be in you; if so, retain it; if not, assume it: By this means you shall make all things as a mirrour, or a looking-glass to your self.

* 1.17Prove all things: hold fast that which is good.

Never affirm or deny any thing, with over-much eagerness, but let your assertions and denials be al∣ways seasoned with the salt of doubtfulness.

Abstain from immoderate laugh∣ter. Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.* 1.18

When sloath, or idleness, doth surprize you, stir up your Spirits with reading some part of Scripture, or some other book of Devoti∣ons.

When you are in Tribulation, consider, that they that are in Hea∣ven,* 1.19 feel no such things, for there are pleasures for evermore.

Choose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God,* 1.20 than to en∣joy the pleasures of sin for a sea∣son.

When you are merry and joyful, remember, those which are in Hell feel no comfort at all.

Consider the words of Solomon:* 1.21 I said in my heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore en∣joy pleasure: and behold, this also is vanity.

I said of laughter, It is mad:* 1.22 and of mirth, What doth it?

Rejoyce O young man in thy youth, and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth,* 1.23 and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things, God will bring thee to Iudgment.

Death doth daily threaten us, the Devil waits to seize our Souls, as soon as they depart our bodies; but the Lord is above them both.

He is faithful to those that hope in him; neither doth he forsake them, unless they forsake him.

O love the Lord, all his ye Saints,* 1.24 for the Lord preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.

* 1.25Be faithful unto death, saith the Lord, and I will give you a Crown of Life.

Have God often in your mouth, but more often in your heart and manners.

Lest the Lord should say of you, as of the Jews:* 1.26 For as much as this people draw neer me with their mouth, and with their lips do ho∣nour me; but have removed their hearts far from me, and their fear towards me is taught by the precepts of men:

* 1.27Therefore behold, I will do a mar∣vellous thing among this people: for the wisdome of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.

If with your Tongue you speak, and with your Heart you meditate on the Law of God all the day long, and your works do contrary to the same, your zeal is counter∣feit and blind.

The days of man are as a shadow upon the earth, and there is no abiding; and when he seemeth to

be most firm, then he is properly nothing.

Why then doth man heap up Treasures upon earth, since that which is gathered, and he that ga∣thereth, passeth away and perish∣eth?

Therefore labour not for the meat which perisheth,* 1.28 but for that meat which endureth to everlasting life.

What profit hath man in his la∣bour, whose fruit is Ruine, and whose end is death?

O that men were wise, and that they understood this,* 1.29 and would prudently provide for their latter end.

Know ye not that to day you are at the brink of danger? then let not your Repentance be de∣ferred, that you may be preser∣ved by the hand of your Media∣tor.

To day you are in the way to Hell; Repent, that you may finde the way to Heaven.

Repentance and Conversion, are the Fabricks of Salvation.

* 1.30Bring forth therefore fruits meet for Repentance.

But what do these admonitions avail, unless you blot out of your Conscience the spots of sin and iniquity?

Apply your heart therefore to an inward reading of your Conscience, that so you may come to under∣stand your self.

Study the practice of that great Apostle of the Gentiles,* 1.31 Paul: To exercise your self, to have a Con∣science voyd of offence, towards God, and towards man.

Study to say as Simon Peter said to Jesus;* 1.32 Behold, we have left all things and followed thee.

* 1.33So shall you eat and drink at the Table of the Lord Iesus, and sit on a Throne of Glory, judging the twelve Tribes of Israel.

Obedience certainly is a most faithful and familiar help to Salva∣tion.

* 1.34To obey is better than Sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of Rams.

It is a Vertue which our Saviour himself preferred before his life, choosing rather to yield that, than not to fulfil his obedience.

The great opposer of Obedience, is Pride, and that is not onely the Original of all Vices, but the Ruine of all Vertues.

It is the worst of sins, for it cap∣tivateth the minde of man.

Other Vices assault those Vertues only by which they are destroyed; as Lasciviousness, Chastity, Anger, Patience, &c. but Pride like a contagious Plague corrupts every Vertue of the mind.

Pride goeth before Destruction,* 1.35 and an haughty Spirit before a Fall.

He that feareth the Lord must hate Pride and Arrogancy.* 1.36

And those that walk in Pride, he is able to abase.* 1.37

Pride is never found in a noble nature, nor Humility in an unwor∣thy mind.

It is a sin that our Saviour ab∣hor'd: for in his Birth, Life & Death,

he was all Humility, nothing of Pride.

The fear of the Lord is the in∣struction of Wisdome,* 1.38 and before honour is Humility.

* 1.39Wherefore O Lord, teach us so to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

Notes

• * 1.1

  2 Chron. 16.9.
• * 1.2

  Job 27.15
• * 1.3

  Psal. 46.1.
• * 1.4

  1 Pet. 1.12
• * 1.5

  1 Cor. 6 ••.
• * 1.6

  1 Tim. 4.4
• * 1.7

  Exod. 6.7.
• * 1.8

  Levit. 16.12
• * 1.9

  2 Cor. 6.16.
• * 1.10

  Job 5.15.
• * 1.11

  Gal. 6.10.
• * 1.12

  Jam. 1.17.
• * 1.13

  Jam. 4.6.
• * 1.14

  1 Cor. 13.4.
• * 1.15

  2 Tim. 2.16.
• * 1.16

  1 Tim. 6.6
• * 1.17

  1 Thes 5.21.
• * 1.18

  Eccl. 7.3.
• * 1.19

  Psal. 16.11
• * 1.20

  Heb. 11.25
• * 1.21

  Eccl. 2.1.
• * 1.22

  2.
• * 1.23

  Eccl. 11.9.
• * 1.24

  Psal. 31.23
• * 1.25

  Rev. 2.10.
• * 1.26

  I•• 29.13.
• * 1.27

  14.
• * 1.28

  Joh. 6.27.
• * 1.29

  Deut. 32.29.
• * 1.30

  Mat. 3.8.
• * 1.31

  Act. 24.16
• * 1.32

  Mat. 19.27
• * 1.33

  Luk. 22.30
• * 1.34

  1 Sam 15.22.
• * 1.35

  Prov. 16.18.
• * 1.36

  Prov. 8.13
• * 1.37

  Dan. 4.37.
• * 1.38

  Prov. 15.33.
• * 1.39

  Pfal. 90.12