The practice of piety directing a Christian how to walk, that he may please God / amplified by the author

A Prayer before taking of Physick.

O Merciful Father, who art the Lord of health, and of sickness, of life, and of death; who killest, and makest a∣live; who bringest down to the grave, and raisest up again: I come unto thee as to the only Physician, who canst cure my Soul from sin, and my Body from sickness. I de∣sire neither life nor death, but refer my self to thy most holy Will. For, tho' we must needs die, and being dead, our lives are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gather'd up again: yet hath thy gracious Providence (whilst li•••• remaineth) ap∣pointed means which thou wilt have thy Children to use; and (by the lawful use thereof) to expect thy blessing upon thine own means, to the curing of their sickness, and restitution of their health. A••d now, O Lord, in this my necessity, I have ac∣cording to thine Ordinance, se••t for thy Servant (the Physician) who hath pre∣pared for me this Physick, which I re∣ceive as means sent from thy fatherly hand: I beseech thee therefore, that as by thy blessing on a l••••p of dry Figs, thou didst heal Hezekiah's sore, that he reco∣vered; and by seven times washing in the

river of Jordan didst cleanse Naaman the Syrian of his Leprosie, and didst restore the Man that was blind from his birth, by anointing his Eyes with Clay and Spittle, and sending him to wash in the Pool of Si∣loam; and by touching the hand of Pe∣ter's Wife's Mother, didst cure her of her Fever; and didst restore the Woman that touched the hem of thy Garment, from her bloody Issue: So it would please thee of thine infinite goodness and mercy, to sanctifie this Physick to my use, and to give such a blessing unto it, that it may (if it be thy Will and Pleasure) remove this my sickness and ••ain, and restore me to health and strength again. But if the number of those days which thou hast appointed for me, to live in this Vale of misery, be at an end; and that thou hast sent this sickness, as thy Messenger, to call me out of this mortal life, then, Lord, let thy blessed will be done; for I submit my will to thy most holy Pleasure. Only I beseech thee, increase my faith and pa∣tience, and let thy grace and mercy be ne∣ver wanting unto me; but in the midst of all extremities, assist me with thy Holy Spi∣rit, that I may willingly and chearfully resign up my Soul (the price of thine own Blood) into thy most gracious hands and custody.) Grant this, O Father, for Jesus Christ his sake, to whom with thee, and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, both now and evermore. Amen.

Meditations for the sick.

WHilst thy sickness remaineth, use often (for thy comfort) these few Meditations, taken from the ends wherefore God sendeth afflictions to his Children. Those are ten.

1. That by afflictions God may not only correct our sins past, but also work in us a deeper loathing of our natural corruption; and so prevent us from fal∣ling into many other sins, which other∣wise we would commit: like a good Fa∣ther, who suffereth his tender Babe to scorch his finger in a candle, that he may the rather learn to beware of falling into a greater fire. So•• that the Child of God may say with David,a It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn thy sta∣tutes, forb before I was afflicted I went a∣stray, but now I keep thy word. And indeed (saith St. Paul)c We are chastened of the Lord, because we should not be condemned with the World. With one Cross God maketh two Cures: the chastisement of sins past, and the prevention of sin to come. For though the eternal punishment of sin (as it proceed∣eth from Justice) is fully pardoned in the Sacrifice of Christ, yet we are not (without serious judging of our selves) exempted from the temporal chastisement of sin: for this proceedeth only from the love of God, for our good. And this is the reason that when Nathan told David, from the Lord, that his sins were forgiven, yet that

thea Sword (of Chastisement) should not de∣part from his house, and thatb his Child should surely die. For God like a skilful Physi∣cian, seeing the Soul to be porsoned with the setling of sin; and knowing that the reigning of the flesh will prove the ruine of the Spirit, ministereth the bitter Pill of affliction, whereby the reliques of sin are purged, and the Soul ••ore soundly cured; the Flesh is subdued, and the Spirit is sanctified. Oh the odiousness of sin, which causeth God to chasten so severely his Children, whom otherwise he loveth so dearly.

2. God sendeth affliction, to seal unto us our Adoption: for every child whom God loveth, he correcteth: And he is a Bastard that is not corrected. Yea, it is a sure note, that where God seeth sin and sinites not, there he detests and loves not. Therefore it is said that he suffered the wicked sons of Ely to continue in their sins without cor∣rection, because the Lord would stay them. O•• thec other side, there is no surer token of God's fatherly love and care, than to be corrected with some Cross, as oft as we commit any sinful crime. Affliction there∣fore is a seal of Adoption, no sign of Repro∣bation. For the purest Corn is cleanest ••anned, the finest Gold is of••est tryed, and the sweetest Grape is hardest pressed, and the truest Christian heaviest crossed.

3. God sendeth affliction, to wean our hearts from too much loving this world and wordly vanities; and to cause us the

more earnestly to desire and long for E∣ternal Life. For as the Children of Israel (had they not been ill intreated in Egyp••) would never have been so willing to go towards Canaan: so (were it not for the crosses and afflictions of this life) God's Children would not so heartily long, and willingly desire for the Kingdom of Hea∣ven. For, we see many Epicures that would be content to forego Heaven, on condition that they might still enjoy their earthly Pleasures; and (having never tasted the joys of a better) how loth are they to depart this life? Whereas the Apostle (that saw Heavens glory••) tells us, that there is no more comparison betwixt the joys of eternal life, and the Pleas••res of this world, than there is be∣twixt the filthiest dung and the pleasantest meat; or betwixt the stinkingest† Dung∣hill, and the fairest Bed Chamber. As therefore a loving Nurse puts 〈◊〉〈◊〉 or Mustard on the Breast, to make the Child the rather to forsake the 〈◊〉〈◊〉: so God mixeth sometimes •• affliction with the pleasures and prosperity of 〈…〉〈…〉, lest (like the Children of this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ration) they should forg•••• God, and fall into too much love of this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sent evil World; and so by Riches grow proud; by Fame insolent; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••i∣berty wanton, and† 〈…〉〈…〉 against the Lord, when they 〈◊〉〈◊〉. For if God's Children love the World so well when (like a curst Step-mother) she mis••∣seth

and strikes us, how should we love this Harlot, if she smiled upon us, and stroak∣ed us, as she doth her own worldly Brats? Thus doth God (like a wise and loving Father) embitter with crosses the pleasures of this life to his Children, that (finding in this earthly state no true and permanent joys) they might sigh and long for eternal life, where firm and everlasting joys are only to be found.

4. By affliction and sickness God ex∣erciseth his Children, and the Graces which he bestoweth upon them. He re∣fineth and tryeth their faith, as the Gold∣smith doth his Gold in the Furnace, to make it shine more glistering and bright; he stirreth us up to pray more diligently and zealously, and proveth what patience we have learned all this while in his † School. The like Experience he ma∣keth of our Hope, Love, and all the rest of our Christian Vertues: which without this Trial, would rust like Iron unexercised, or corrupt like standing Waters, that either have no current, or else are nota pour∣ed from Vessel to Vessel; whose taste re∣maineth, and whose scent is not changed. And rather than a Man should keep still the scent of his corrupt Nature to damna∣tion; who would not wish to be changed from state to state, by crosses and sickness to salvation? For as the Camomile which is t••odden, groweth best, and smelleth most fragrant; and as the Fish is sweetest that lives in the saltest Waters, so those Souls

are most precious unto Christ, who are most exercised and afflicted with his Cross.

5. God sendeth afflictions, to demon∣strate unto the world, the trueness of his Childrens love and service. Every Hypo∣crite will serve God whilst he prospereth and blesseth him, as the Devil falsly accu∣seth Job to have done; but who (save his loving Child) will love and serve him in adversity, when God seemeth to be angry and displeased with him? yea, and cleave unto him most inseparably, when he seem∣eth (with the greatest frown and disgrace) to reject a Man, and to cast him out of his favour? yea, when he seemeth to wound and kill as an enemy: yea, then to say with Job: Though thou Lord kill me, yet will I put my trust in thee. The loving and the serving of God, and trusting in his mercy in the time of our correction and misery, is the truest note of an unfeigned Child and Servant of the Lord.

9. Sanctified affliction is a singular help to further our true Conversion, and to drive us home by Repentance to our hea∣venly Father. In their affliction (saith the Lord) they will seek me diligently. Egypts burthens madea Israel cry unto God.b Da∣vid's troubles made him pray.c He∣zekiah's sickness made him to weep, and misery drove thed prodigal Child to return and sue for his Father's grace and mercy. Yea, we read of many in the Gospel, that by sicknesses and afflictions were driven to c••me unto Christ, who, if they had had

health and prosperity, as others, would have (like others) neglected or contemn'd their Saviour, and never have sought unto him for his saving health and grace. For as the Ark of Noah, the higher it was tossed with the Flood, the nearer it mounted towards Heaven: so the sanctified Soul, the more it is exercised with affliction, the nearer it is lifted towards God O blessed is that Cross that draweth a sinner to come (upon the knees of his heart) unto Christ, to confess his own misery, and to implore his endless mercy! Oh blessed, ever blessed be that Christ, that never refuseth the sin∣ner that cometh unto him, though wea∣ther-driven by affliction and misery.

7. Affliction worketh in us pity and compassion towards our fellow brethren, that be in distress and misery; whereby we learn to have a fellow-feeling of their Calamities, and to condole their estate, as if we suffer'd with them. And for this cause Christ himself would suffer, and be tempted in all things like unto us (sin only excepted) that he might be a merciful High Priest, touched with the feeling of our infirmities. For none can so heartily be∣moan the misery of another, as he who first suffered himself the same affliction. Hereupon a Sinner in misery may boldly say unto Christ,

Non ignare mali, miseris succurito Christe. Our frailty sith (O Christ) thou didst perceive, Condole our state, who still in frailty cleave.

8. God useth our sicknesses and affli∣ctions, as means and examples both to manifest unto others the faith and ver∣tues which he hath bestowed upon us, as also to strengthen those who have not received so great a measure of Faith as we. For there can be no greater encouragement to a weak Christian, than behold a true Professor (in the extreamest sickness of his Body) sup∣ported with greater patience and con∣solation in his Soul. And the comfort∣able and blessed departure of such a man will arm him against the fear of death, and assure him that the hope of the godly is a far more precious thing than that flesh and blood can understand, or mor∣tal eyes behold in this vale of misery. And were it not that we did see many of those whom we know to be the undoubted Children of God, to have endured such afflictions and calamities before us; the greatness of the miseries and crosses which oft-times we endure, would make us doubt whether we be the Children of God or no. And to this purpose St. James saith, God made Job and the Prophets an example of suffering adversity, and of long patience.

9. Bya afflictions God makes us con∣formable to the Image of Christ his Son, who being theb Captain of our Salvation was made perfect through sufferings. And therefore he first bare the Cross in shame, before he wasc crowned with glory; and

did first tasted gall before he did eat the e honey-comb: and was first derided, King of the Jews, by the Soldiers in the High-Priests Hall, before he was salutedf King of Glory, by the angels in his Father's Court. And the more lively our Heavenly Father shall perceive the Image of his natural Son to appear in us, the better he will love us; and when we have, for a time, born his likeness in his sufferings, and fought and† overcome, we shall be crown∣ed by Christ; and with Christ sit on his Throne, and of Christ receive the precious white Stone and morning Star, that shall make usg shine like Christ for ever in his Glory.

10. Lastly, That the godly may be hum∣bled in respect of their own state and misery; and God glorified by delivering them out of their Troubles and Affli∣ctions, when they call upon him for his help and succour. For though there be no Man so pure, but if the Lord will strait∣ly a mark Iniquities, he shall find in him just cause to punish him for his sin: yet the Lord in mercy doth† not always in the affliction of his Children, respect their sins, but sometimes layeth afflicti∣ons and crosses upon them for his glories sake. Thus our Saviour Christ told his Disciples, That the man was not born blind for his own or his Parents sin: but that the work of God should be shewed on him. So he told them likewise, that Lazarus's sick∣ness was not unto the death, but for the

glory of God. O the unspeakable goodness of God, which turneth those afflictions, which are the shame and punishment due to our sins, to be the subject of his honour and glory.

These are the blessed and profitable ends, wherefore God sendeth sickness and affliction upon his Children; where∣by it may plainly appear, that afflictions are not signs either of God's hatred, or of our reprobation; but rather tokens and pledges of his fatherly love unto his Chil∣dren, whom he loveth, and therefore chasteneth them in this life, where up∣on repentance, there remains hope of pardon; rather than to refer the punish∣ment to that life, where there is no hope of pardon, nor end of punishment. For this cause, the Christians in the Pri∣mitive Church, were wont to give God great thanks, for afflicting them in this life. So the Apostles rejoyced, that they were counted worthy to suffer for Christ's Name, Acts 5. 41. And the Christian He∣brews suffered with joy the spoiling of their goods, knowing that they had in Heaven a better, and an enduring substance, Heb. 10. 34. And in respect of those holy Ends, the Apostle saith,† That though no affliction for the present seemeth joyous, but grievous; yet afterwards it bringeth the quiet fruit of righteousness to them who are thereby exer∣cised. Pray therefore heartily, that as God hath sent unto thee this sickness, so it would please him to come himself

unto thee with thy sickness; by teaching thee to make those sanctified uses of it, for which he hath inflicted the same upon thee.

Notes

• 1 Sam. 2. 6.
• 2 Sam. 14. 14
• 〈…〉〈…〉
• •• King. 5. 14.
• ••h. 9. 6, 7.
• Ma••. 8. 15.
• Matth. 9. ••0, &c.
• Job 14. 5.
• Deus suo•• Percutit ut e∣mendet. Hi∣er. Com•• in Esa. 1. 6.
• D••us calami∣tates infligit, non ex••in∣guere, sed castigare nos cupiens Basil Jerm. 3. in divites.
• a

  Psal. 119. 71.
• b

  Psal. 119. 67.
• c

  1 Cor. 11. 32.
• a

  2 Sam. 12. 10.
• b

  Verse 14.
• ••eb. 12. 6, 7, 8.
• Ad 〈◊〉〈◊〉 servant••r non 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••di. 1 Sam. ••. 25.
• c

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 favor 〈◊〉〈◊〉 non ••st favor, ira sed in∣gens. At fa∣vor in mag∣no s••••pe do∣lore late•• Ba∣sil. Antho. ••a••r.
• Cr••bris tri∣bulationibus Ecclesiam su∣am Dominus exercet: nè si cun••ta tem∣poralia fortè prosperè cur∣rant; incola∣tu praesentis exilii delecta∣ta, minùs coe∣lestem patri∣am suspiret. Beda in Cant. Mundanus affectus prae∣sentia amat, temporal••a cumulat, spi∣ritulia ••••∣ligit, & cum totus se sp••r git in imis, nil potest a∣mare de sum mis. Justin. Patriarch. •••• di•••• menast. cap. 4.
• •• Cor. 12. 4.
• †

  Phil. 3. 8. •••• ••aucti 〈◊〉〈◊〉 aliquà 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in 〈…〉〈…〉, qui basdam ten∣••••••ionibus 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••ch. in 1. Reg.
• †

  Deut 32. 15.
• 1 Pet. 1. 7. Ut igne pur∣gati & ab ad∣mixtione vi∣ti••rum carna∣lium defaeca∣ti, splend••ant exanimatae innocentiae claritate. Hi∣lar. in Psal. 95.
• †

  Schola cru∣cis, schola lu∣cis. Guberna∣tor in tempe∣state digno∣scitur, in acie miles proba∣tur: delicata jactatio est, cùm pericu∣lum non est: conflictatio in adversis, probatio est veritatis. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Su••. 1 de ••m.
• a

  Jer. 48. 11.
• Job 1. 9, 10.
• Job 13. 15.
• Hos. 5. 15.
• a

  Exod. 3. 7.
• b

  Psal. 86. 7.
• c

  Isa 38. 2, 3.
• d

  Luke 15. 16, &c.
• Deus non delectatur poenis no∣stris, sed con∣fessionem quaerit er∣roris. Alb. in Psalm. 4. Poenitent.
• Heb. 13. 3.
• Heb. 4. 15. & 2. 18. & 5. 8, 9.
• Sinit Deus justum inci∣dere in cala∣mitates, ut virtutem quae in illo late∣b••t, aliis a∣p••rtam ma∣nifestamque faciat. Dam. l. 2. de Orth. cap. 29.
• a

  Rom. 8. 18. 1 Pet. 4. 14.
• b

  Heb. 2. 10.
• c

  Heb. 2▪ 7.
• d

  Mat. 27. 34.
• e

  Luk. 24. 42. Favus post mella gufta∣vit. Ter. lib. de Coron. milit. c. 24.
• f

  Psal. 24. 7.
• 2 Tim. 4. 7, 8.
• †

  Rev. 3. 21.
• Rev. 2. 17.
• g

  Phil. 3. 21. Ideo tentan∣tur Sancti, ut ipsi se agno∣scant. Primas. Esse se mag∣narumvirium homo crede∣ret, si nullum unquam eá∣rundem viri∣um defectum sentiret.
• Greg. l. 2.
• Moral. Job.
• a

  Psal 130. 3.
• †

  In his quae patimur, nul∣lum contra Deum mur∣mur cordi nostro subre∣pat: quia ad quod hoc Creator no∣ster operetur, ignot••m est.
• Greg. Epist. 31.
• John 9. 3.
• John 11. 4
• Malum pati malum non est: malum facere ma∣lum est.
• Chrys. de Prod. Ind.
• Cum vexa∣mur ac pre∣mimur, tum maximas gratias agi∣mus indul∣gentissimo Patri, quod corruptelam nostram non patitur lon∣gius proce∣dere, sed plagis ac verberibus emendat.
• †

  Heb 12. 11.
• Lact. lib. 5. cap. 23.