Verus Christianus, or, Directions for private devotions and retirements dedicated to ... Gilbert Ld. Arch Bishop of Canterbury ... by David Stokes.

A Transition to what followes in the Appendix.

THese Meditations were primarily intend∣ed for such as live a Collegiate, and spe∣culative kind of life, freest for Retirements, Out of which commonly are taken the fittest Spies, and Intelligencers for the Kingdom of Heaven. In such men, rather then others, we expect as hearty desires, and serious resolutions of a constant progress in Piety, as appeared in Caeleb, and Josuah towards the Land of Pro∣mise. For they, being in a more Regular course of life, begin every Morning in via Sa∣cra, that is, in the way that leades to Gods House, where they are daily furnished with excellent Sermons and Prayers: I mean with the Lessons duly read out of the word of God, and with the Common Prayers of the Church, the best expressions of our daily wants. Who would not think such men in a fair way, in due time to be received into the Promised Land, with Joy, and Blessedness; while many other straglers in the Common Road, demurre so long upon it, that they often loose themselves at last, by diverting into some Wilderness of Trouble and vexation.

Those of the first ranck, in a better Retired course, (in some other employment) so fre∣quently found in viis Domini, are, or should

be, most of them, of David's mind, and men after Gods own Heart, first seeking the King∣dome of God, and the Righteousness thereof, resolving to follow David, rather then Saul, in hope they shall not end like Saul, but as David did.

For Saul began with seeking, and following after Asses, though he quickly stumbled up∣on a higher employment then he knew well how to manage: but David's walking so much in lege Domini, proved to be the better choice, and got him at last as good a Title as Saul's was, upon better tearmes, and with a better blessing, and seconded with a Heavenly crown.

Indeed a man might guess, that Saul dreamed of some such Happiness sometimes, because we read of some of his Enthusiasms, and some of his accidentall employments in good company. Though it was so seldome, alas! that all wondered at it, and it begat a Proverb [is Saul also among the Prophets] But when he fell once (to the purpose) upon worse courses, and followed the bias of his own in∣clinations, his punishment followed as hard after them, like a Fury, and haunted him to death, as appeares by his own last words 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 a costly-embroidered Coat hath laid fast hold on me, and will doe so, while my life and soul is within me: which (in the force and weight of the original words) seemes to bear this meaning. My enemies doe now com∣pass me about, and which way soever I look,

I see nothing but the grim picture of Death. But my greatest anguish is from my guilty Conscience, which represents unto me the likeness of such an Embroidered Coat, as I have seen the High Preist wear upon his Ephod. That puts me in mind of my rashly Murdering of many innocent Preists (whose Coat I should have somewhat regarded) and doing it upon a vain and slender pretence, by the hand of Doeg the Edomite, who after he had slain no less then 85 persons of that Holy Order, then smote the whole City of the Preists &c. The sad memory of this is now the worst sword that can goe through mee. Therefore, any Sword, in this extremitie, shall have leave to rid me, if it can, from this ghastly fight.

Thus ended Saul in the face of his Prophane Enemies, without any Preist to assist him: which is enough to fright all others out of his careless waies.

After his Death, the Crown was set upon David's head. Whose constant Pious Life, and Holy Devotions (in Hymnes, Psalms, and Spiritual Songs) are left, as the best Patterns, Directions, and Encouragements to all Poste∣rity. And we are sure enough, that he him∣self, after his own use of them (to shew the difference betwixt His end, and Saul's) was happily assured to be one of the Heavenly Quire above, and there Crowned again with an immortal Crown of Glory.

David is an ancient Pattern, a Royal Prophet, and Grand Guide to such, as are willing to fight the Battles of the Lord, in their Pil∣grimage towards the true Land of Promise,

If we would have another, an Eminent Holy Person of our Time, and Profession, and Country, whose memory is yet fresh a∣mongst us: In the Appendix I will endea∣vour to represent Him unto you, and with∣all, to acquaint you with somthing, that may be useful to your Evening-Devotions.