A guide to godlynesse or a Treatise of a Christian life shewing the duties wherein it consisteth, the helpes inabling & the reasons parswading vnto it ye impediments hindering ye practise of it, and the best meanes to remoue them whereunto are added diuers prayers and a treatise of carnall securitie by Iohn Douname Batcheler in Diuinitie and minister of Gods Word.

CAP. XXXVI.

Of those Christian duties which are to be performed in the Euening and Night.

§. Sect. 1 That the Eue∣ning must not bee spent in sloth and idlenesse.

HAuing intreated of those Christian duties belonging to the day; it now followeth that wee set downe some directions how wee are to behaue our selues when the day is ended. And these are such as concerne our carriage in the Euening, before wee goe to rest; or afterwards, when wee are laid in our beds. In the Euening, if we be not taken vp with the duties of our cal∣lings, wherein in the day wee were imployed (as it is the case of many, whose states, trades, and necessary occasions require the continuance of their labours) we must not vpon the cessation of our paines, thinke our selues at full liberty to thinke, speake, and doe what we list (as it is the pra∣ctice of many, who when they cannot worke any longer in their callings, spend their long Euenings in the winter season, either in sloth and idle∣nesse, or in vnlawfull gaming, or in vaine, fruitlesse, and oftentimes hurt∣full and vnsauoury communication, by traducing their absent neighbours, and blemishing their credits with slanders or vncharitable truths, or cor∣rupting those that are present, by light and wanton discourses) but we must be carefull of spending our precious time in some meditations, speeches, and actions which are profitable for our selues, and for the edification of those that are in our company and society. For though it may bee very lawfull, and sometime necessary, after our wearisome businesses are dis∣patched, to take some liberty, and to spend some conuenient time in rest∣ing of our bodies, or refreshing our minds with some honest recreations; yet me thinkes it is too much, that so great a part of our time should be so imployed; seeing our liues are so short and vncertaine, and our affaires of much greater waight and importance, which tend mainely to the ad∣uancement of Gods glory and our owne saluation, being so many, might with much more profit and true comfort challenge vnto them a great part of this time. In which regard, though I would not prescribe lawes to bind the consciences of my brethren, but leaue vnto them their liberty to bee guided with Christian prudence, yet I would, as in other things, so herein also giue my aduice; namely, that they would improoue this time to the best, as becommeth wise redeemers of it, so as they may giue some good account of it vnto God when he calleth them vnto it; and not thinke that he hath giuen vnto them the comfortable warmth of the fire, to make them freeze harder in the dregs of sinne, nor the light of their candles, that they should act by them the workes of darkenesse, but that he bestoweth vpon these corporall comforts, that they might be furtherances vnto their soules in the spirituall growth, vsing such good exercises as may tend to the in∣lightening of their mindes in the knowledge of God and his will, and may warme their hearts with true and feruent zeale in the louing and imbra∣cing of them.

§. Sect. 2 Of the Eue∣ning exercises, as Meditation, reading, and Christian con∣ferences.

And first, it were fit that some little part of this time, after the surceasing

of our labours were spent in some short meditation, wherein wee are to recount and recall to our remembrance the speciall fauours and mercies of God, which in the day past hee hath vouchsafed vnto vs, either in deli∣uering vs from dangers corporall or spirituall, of sinne or of punishment, or in bestowing vpon vs reall and positiue benefits, as his blessing vpon our labours, whereby they haue prospered vnder our hands, the comfort of his creatures, the loue and assistance of our friends, and such like: lif∣ting vp our hearts vnto God in the acknowledgement of these benefits, and rendring vnto him such thankes and praise as is due vnto him. Se∣condly, as wee haue best opportunity, both in respect of our leasure and our company, it were good to spend some part of this time in rea∣ding of the Scriptures, or other holy and religious writings, the Histories of the Church, or some such Ciuill and Morall Bookes and Stories, as may make vs grow in grace and spirituall wisedome, or at least, in honest pru∣dence, whereby we may be directed for the better carriage of our selues in the affaires of this life, by adding vnto our owne knowledge the wise∣dome of others, and the experience of former times. Thirdly, as occasion serueth, it is good to spend some part of this time in Christian conferen∣ces, either with our friends and familiars that accompany vs, or with those of our owne family, husbands, wiues, children, seruants, labouring in our speeches to build vp one another in all sauing grace, and to bee mutually bettered in the more cleare vnderstanding of the truth, more hearty im∣bracing it in our hearts and affections, and the more zealous and fruitfull practice of it in our liues. But though I chiefly commend these Christian and religious conferences, yet would I not be so taken, as though I meant hereby to exclude all others, for it is lawfull also to spend some of our time in ciuill discourses, and about the affaires of this life, the duties of our cal∣lings, our worldly estates, the disposing and ordering of our businesse, or any other subiect not idle, vnprofitable, or sinfull, which present occasion shall offer vnto vs as most seasonable. Onely I would aduise, that wee doe not (as it is the common custome amongst the most) spend our time so wholly about these, as that wee doe thereby exclude the other, which in their nature are much more excellent, and for our vse farre more profitable and necessary. Lastly, wee must spend some part of this time in pray∣sing God by singing of Psalmes, as our company and occasions will giue vs opportunity; but aboue all other exercises, wee must constant∣ly, either before or after Supper (as in our discretion wee see best and fittest for the assembling of our company) pray with our families, as before wee gaue direction for the like exercise in the Morning; Of both which, my purpose is (God assisting) to set downe some formes in the end of this Worke, for the direction and benefit of weaker Chri∣stians.

§. Sect. 3 Duties to be done at our going to bed.

And these are the duties which are to be performed in the euening. In the night we are also to watch ouer our thoughts and actions, that they may in some sort bee sutable to those in the day, and that in all of them wee may carry our selues so as becommeth Christians. And in this regard there are some duties to be performed at our going to bed, and some in the rest of the night. At our going to bed we are generally to cōsider, that

wee are still in the sight and presence of God, who seeth our downe-lying and our vprising, and searcheth our most secret actions, yea euen our hearts and reines. And that there is also a guard of holy Angels, who are ap∣pointed by our great Lord, to pitch their tents about vs, and to watch o∣uer vs, that they may preserue vs from all perils and dangers, vnto which wee are, waking and sleeping, continually subiect. In regard of which glorious and holy presence, we are as carefully and conscionably to behaue our selues in all Christian duties, as if all the world should looke vpon vs. The first whereof is, that at our lying down, when all things being quiet about vs, and wee freed from all worldly distractions, wee spend some little time in holy meditations, calling to our remembrance, and exami∣ning our conuersation, how wee haue behaued our selues in the perfor∣mance of all Christian duties required of vs in the day past, of which we haue before spoken. As first, how wee haue performed those generall du∣ties which belong to euery day and all parts of it. Whether and in what manner wee haue renewed our couenant with God, by renewing of our faith and repentance. How wee haue sought the Lord our God, by con∣secrating our selues wholy both in our soules and bodies vnto his worship and seruice; and haue laboured to make him our owne in and through Christ, and to recouer our right in him, which we had lost in Adam. How wee haue profited in the sauing knowledge of him, and in our adhering vnto him with our hearts and affections, how our sweete com∣munion with him hath bin increased, and the comfortable fellowship of his holy Spirit dwelling in our hearts sealed and assured in vs; and how we haue indeuoured to haue and hold his face and fauour in Iesus Christ. Whether wee haue kept the whole Armour of God fast buckled vnto vs; and if wee haue failed herein, then in what graces wee haue found grea∣test defect. How wee haue indeuoured to arme our selues against all sinne, and what new strength wee haue gathered to withstand and mor∣tifie our corruptions, especially those vnto which wee are naturally most inclined; and with what desire and resolution wee haue imbraced all ver∣tue, and laboured to performe all Christian duties vnto God, our neigh∣bours and our selues. Whether wee haue rightly disposed our hearts, tongues and actions, so as they might in all things bee conformable to the Law of God. How we haue submitted our selues in all things to Gods will and pleasure, and resigned our soules, bodies, and states to be gouer∣ned and guided by his wise prouidence, without murmuring and repi∣ning. Finally, whether wee haue beene frequent and feruent in pow∣ring forth our soules in prayer vpon all good occasions, desiring the things wee neede, and praysing him for those benefits which we haue receiued.

§. Sect. 4 That we must examine our selues, how we haue spent the day past.

So likewise we may examine our selues, how we haue performed those duties which belong to the particular parts of the day; As whether wee did awake with God, and offred vnto him our morning sacrifice of prayer and meditation; with what faithfulnesse wee haue walked in the duties of our callings, and how therein we haue ioyntly aymed at Gods glory, and the good of our neighbours, together with our owne profit; whether we haue done the duties of them in the obedience and loue of God, and

haue performed our earthly duties, with heauenly minds and affections. Whether we haue rightly vsed our recreations, refreshing our bodies and mindes with lawfull sports, in a good manner, to right ends, with obser∣uation of the rules and cautions required in them, especially in respect of their time, that we haue not beene ouer-lauish to the thrusting out, but rather fitting our selues for better exercises. How wee haue carried our selues in receiuing of our food, blessing it by prayer and thanksgiuing, and vsing it with temperance and sobriety, so as wee haue thereby beene better fitted for Gods seruice. Whether wee haue rightly vsed our soli∣tarinesse, spending our time neither idly nor vnprofitably: and how we haue behaued our selues in our society, both in our choyse of good company, and in performing with them all Christian duties of piety, Iustice, and ciuill honesty, for the mutuall good of one another. How we haue performed duties belonging to the family, and what care wee haue had, that not onely our selues, but also those who are vnder our charge should serue the Lord. How we haue carried our selues in our prosperity, by praising God for it, and by so vsing it, as that wee might be the better inabled to glorify him, and to performe all good duties to our neighbours; and how also we haue profited by our afflictions and chastizements, for the drawing of vs neerer vnto God in all holy and righteous duties, and the weaning of our hearts and affections from the loue of the world. The which examination wee should not thinke too tedious and laborious, if at least wee be in our health and strength, and not disabled thereunto by our weakenesse, infirmities, and vnaptnesse to take our rest, if at the first it be but a little disturbed; in which case if our imployments will affoord vnto vs any fit leysure and opportunity, it were good to allot some short time vnto this exercise before our going to bed, seeing if wee bee once accustomed vnto it, wee shall performe it, at least in those points which are most necessary for our owne particular, with great facility and in a little time. Yea in truth if wee would but consider how farre some of the Heathens themselues haue proceeded in this dutie, and what singular fruits and benefits arise from it, we might well be ashamed who professe Christianity, of our great neglect, and bee moued to spare some little time from our sleepe, when as wee may improue it to so much spirituall profit and aduantage. I vse (saith Seneca) this authority, * 1.1 and daily pleade my cause with my selfe. When the light is taken away, and my wife being acquainted with my custome, holdeth her peace, I examine vvith my selfe the vvhole day past, and reuievv all that I haue said or done. I hide nothing from mine ovvne scrutiny, I passe by no∣thing; for vvhy should I feare any thing, by reason of my errours, vvhen as I can say; See that thou doest it no more, and for this time I vvil pardon thee. And the same counsaile hee giueth to his friend Lucilius: Conuince * 1.2 thy selfe (saith hee) as much as thou canst, search into thy selfe. First, ex∣ecute the office of an accuser, then, of a Iudge, and lastly, of a mediatour to craue pardon; and sometime find out thy selfe. For hee willingly er∣reth, who knoweth not his errour, and too much loueth himselfe, who will haue others erre, that his errour may lye hid. By which exercise wee should receiue singular profit: For hereby wee should preserue our soules

and hearts in a thriuing estate, when wee doe like wise Merchants and shopkeepers, examine them and search ouer our consciences (as it were) our bookes of accounts, to see whether wee haue gayned or lost in our spirituall trading, by examining what wee haue receiued, and what we haue layd out: which if we would doe, we should not easily be cast behind hand, when as we preuent our errours, and vse meanes to repaire our losses in their first beginnings, nor (as many are) be bankrupted in our estates at vnawares for want of care to examine them. Wee should sleepe much more sweetely and securely, when as we haue so composed and set straight our reckonings, as that wee neede not to feare though the great Iudge should before morning call vs to an account. In which regard, the same Author commendeth this exercize. The minde (saith he) is daily to be called to an account. Sextius vsed at the end of the day, and when he reti∣red himselfe to rest; to examine his minde. What euill of thine hast thou cured? What vice hast thou withstood? in what art thou better, that an∣ger will cease or be more moderate; which knoweth that it shall not es∣cape the censure of an vnpartiall Iudge? What therefore is more excel∣lent * 1.3 then this custome of examining euery day? How sweete is that sleepe which followeth the reuiew of our selues? How quiet, sound and free; when the minde is commended or admonished, and as a watchman and secret censurer of it selfe, doth iudge of it owne manners? We should also preserue our hearts in their purity and soundnesse, if not from all infirmities and corruptions, yet at least from deepe putrifaction and the festering sores of sinne, when as we cure the wounds being yet greene, and cast out sinne by repeetance, as soone as it is first entred, not suffering it to lodge and sleep with vs, no not one night. We should hereby keepe our spi∣rituall state well settled, so as it would not easily be shaken, or at least o∣uerthrowne with the assaults of the enemies of our saluation, when as we constantly looke to our Christian Armour, and watching ouer our hearts, as our chiefe forts, repaire the breaches as soone as they are made. Final∣ly, wee shall preuent carnall security and hardnesse of heart, when wee examine our selues daily; and bee better fitted and prepared for the day of death and Iudgement, when as wee keepe our accounts euen, and haue our bookes of reckonings betweene God and our consciences made vp and in continuall readinesse. For he may soone cleare his accounts with his Master at the yeeres end, who like a faithfull and diligent Factor, doth make all reckonings straight at the end of euery day.

§. Sect. 5 Meditations at our first lying downe.

Besides this examination, there are also other Meditations very profit∣able; as to call to our remembrance Gods manifold blessings and benefits bestowed vpon vs the day past, respecting our soules, bodies, and states; in that he hath preseru'd vs from innumerable euils, with which many others haue beene ouertaken; for continuing vnto vs still the acceptable time and day of saluation, and suffering vs with so much patience to continue in this life, that we may make our calling and election sure, notwithstanding our manifold and grieuous sinnes; for giuing vnto vs some poore desires and indeuours to doe him seruice, and to accept of it in Christ, though in it selfe full of wants and imperfections. Especially, if we haue in any mea∣sure performed the former duties of the daily exercise, we must not forget

to render vnto God the praise and glory due vnto him for it, by the gra∣cious assistance of whose holy Spirit, we, who of our selues, are not able so much as to thinke a good thought, haue beene inabled vnto them. So likewise it is requisite, that at our lying downe we call our sinnes to our re∣membrance, the duties which wee haue omitted, or corruptly performed, and the vices which we haue committed, and though through Gods mer∣cy wee haue beene preserued from grosser sinnes, yet wee must not thinke our selues so excused, but call to minde our frailties and infirmities, for which, God in his righteous iudgement might condemne vs. Our sloth and backwardnesse to good duties, our coldnesse, wearinesse, and many distractions in Gods seruice, our excesse in mirth or sorrow, the neglect of our Christian watch ouer our thoughts, senses, words and workes; our idle∣nesse or vnprofitablenesse, pride, selfe-loue, vniust anger, sinister conceits, and vniust censures of our neighbours, and such like. In the sight and sense whereof, we must truely humble our soules before God by vnfained repen∣tance, and earnestly begge in Christs Name mercy and forgiuenesse. Fi∣nally, it is profitable then to remember our mortality and mutability, death and Iudgement; that we who now goe well to bed, may shortly bee cast vpon the bed of sickenesse, and we that now liue, may within a while be imprisoned vnder the arrest of death; yea, let vs not looke vpon it as a thing farre off, but approching at the threshold, and ready to knocke at * 1.4 the doore, and thinke that this very night, as well as another, may bee the time when God by sicknesse and death will summon vs to appeare before his Tribunall. And if in respect of thy health and strength this seemeth vn∣likely, * 1.5 consider that it hath beene the case of many before thee; and that which befalleth any, may happen to all. In which regard, let vs not dare to sleepe, till through Christ we are at peace with God, haue made our accounts euen by pleading Christs satisfaction and full payment, and haue our pardon in our hands to shew, sealed to all the faithfull with his blood, and to vs in particular, by his holy Spirit and a liuely faith, applying the fruit and benefit of his death vnto vs. And then resigning our soules and bodies into the hands of him who is a faithfull Sauiour, and able to keepe safe whatsoeuer is intrusted vnto him, we may with Dauid, lying downe in * 1.6 peace, take our rest; because it is he onely that maketh vs dwell in safety.

§. Sect. 6 Duties to bee done in the night. And first, Prayer and Thanks∣giuing.

In the night also there are other duties to bee performed; for euen then we must seeke the Lord, according to the example of the Church, which * 1.7 professeth, that with her soule shee desired the Lord in the night, and that with her Spirit within her shee would seeke him early. So the Spouse in the Can∣ticles; By night on my bed I sought him whom my soule loueth. And the Pro∣phet Dauid was careful euen in the night to approoue himselfe vnto God, by performing these religious exercises; I haue (saith he) remembred thy Name, O Lord, in the night, and haue kept thy Law. And this the Lord requi∣reth of vs, as being Lord both of night and day, according to that of the Psalmist; The day is thine, and the night also is thine. And will be serued as * 1.8 with our whole hearts, so with our whole time, seeing he is the God of our saluation, who day and night preserueth vs, and multiplyeth his blessings vpon vs, whereby he incourageth vs to doe him seruice. Yea, euen in the night the Lord goeth in his visitation to see how wee carry our selues, and

will call vs to account, either to reward vs if we doe well, or to punish vs if wee neglect our dutie; as Dauid sheweth by his owne experience; Thou hast prooued my heart (saith he) thou hast visited mee in the night; thou hast * 1.9 tryed me, and shalt finde nothing. And therefore wee must in the night ap∣prooue our hearts and actions vnto him; and not thinke that the darke∣nesse giueth vs any priuiledge to doe the workes of darkenesse; seeing, as the Psalmist speaketh; The darkenesse hideth not from him, but the night shi∣neth as the day, the darkenesse and the light are both alike to him. Now the * 1.10 duties of the night doe consist chiefly in Prayer and Meditation. For when wee awake out of sleepe, we must not suffer our mindes to roue after worldly vanities, nor our hearts to be fixed vpon them, but as wee are to esteeme the Lord, and spirituall and heauenly things our chiefe treasure, so our hearts and minds at our first awaking must be exercised about them, as their chiefe ioy and comfort. And first, we must lift them vp vnto God in prayer, according to the example of holy Dauid, who professeth, that in the night his song should be with him, and his prayer vnto the God of his life. * 1.11 And againe; O Lord God of my saluation, I haue cried day and night before * 1.12 thee. The which is chiefly to be done, when the hand of God is heauy vpon vs by some grieuous affliction, because then being freed from all worldly distractions, we may with greatest zeale and feruency of Spirit, powre foorth our soules before God for helpe and deliuerance. And thus Dauid in his great extremity calleth vpon God day and night; O my God (saith he) I cry in the day time, but thou hearest not, and in the night season I am not silent. * 1.13 So the afflicted Church and people of God, in their heart cryed vnto the Lord; O wall of the daughter of Sion, let teares runne downe like a riuer day * 1.14 and night; giue thy selfe no rest, let not the apple of thine eyes cease. Arise, cry out in the night, in the beginning of the watches, powre out thine heart like water before the face of the Lord; lift vp thine hands towards him, for the life of the yong children that faint for hunger in the top of euery streete. And our Sauiour Christ himselfe in his bitter agonie, made choyce of the night, as * 1.15 the fittest time for those powerfull and effectuall prayers which hee made for himselfe and his Church vnto God his Father. Whereby wee learne, that when we haue suits of great importance, which wee would sollicite with all earnestnesse and importunity, the night is a fit time to commend them vnto God in our feruent prayers. Yea euen at ordinary times, if there be any speciall suite which we would make vnto God, either for the assist∣ance of his holy Spirit, for the mortifying of some strong corruption which cleaueth vnto vs, or the pardon of any sinne, which hath lately wounded our consciences, or for the obtaining of some speciall grace, wherein we finde our selues most defectiue, or for deliuerance from some imminent danger; it is most profitable that at our first waking we present∣ly pitch vpon them, and in some short Prayer and earnest desire of the heart, offer vp our suites vnto God in the mediation of Iesus Christ. And as we are thus in the night to pray for the things we want, so also ought we to praise and giue thankes vnto God for his gifts and blessings already re∣ceiued; according to the example of Dauid, who did not content him∣selfe to shew foorth Gods louing kindnesse in the morning, but also his faithful∣nesse * 1.16 in the night. The which duty, vpon extraordinary occasions, must be

extraordinarily performed, and in some set and solemne manner; as when our hearts are rauished with the apprehension of Gods mercy and boun∣ty, after the receiuing of some speciall and singular benefit; as we see also in Dauids practice, who at midnight did rise to giue thankes vnto the Lord, as * 1.17 he professeth. The which his night-songs as they were his solace in the time of his flourishing prosperity, so the remembrance of them were his chiefe comfort in his deepest distresse, as being infallible signes of Gods loue, and his owne integrity. For when his afflictions both of body and mind were so great, that he had no manner of consolation in his present sense and feeling, he calleth to remembrance his songs in the night, and the sweet visitations of Gods holy Spirit in these spirituall exercises. * 1.18 Which example let vs learne to imitate; and if no other occasion come presently to our minds, yet at least let vs when we awake, lift vp our soules vnto God, praising him for his gracious preseruation hitherto, and our quiet rest, and commending our soules and bodies into his gracious pro∣tection for the rest of the night, desiring the continuance of his fauour for our preseruation, and of our quiet sleepe, for the refreshing and streng∣thening of our fraile and weake bodies.

§. Sect. 7 Meditations fit for the night.

The other duty is meditation, in which we are to exercise our mindes after an holy and religious manner, when wee cannot, or list not to sleepe, and not suffer them to range and roue after idle or hurtfull vanities, which will not bring vnto vs any profit. The subiect matter of which our meditation may be diuers, according to our seueral occasions and estates. As first and principally we must call God to our remembrance, and medi∣tate on his sauing attributes, his infinite loue, mercy, goodnesse and boun∣ty towards vs, wherein holy Dauid tooke singular comfort and delight: My soule (saith he) shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatnesse; and my * 1.19 mouth shall praise thee with ioyfull lips: when I remember thee vpon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night-watches. Secondly, we may make some part of the Word of God, the subiect of our meditation, as Dauid also did, whose * 1.20 eyes preuented the night-watches, that hee might meditate in Gods Word. The which he maketh a speciall note of a blessed man, that hee taketh such de∣light in the Law of God, that he meditateth therein day and night. And thus * 1.21 we may take occasion to thinke of the purity and perfection of the Law, what exact righteousnesse it requireth, and how farre wee come short of this perfection, that so we may be humbled in the sight of our owne cor∣ruptions and imperfections; or of the excellency of the Gospell, and of the gracious promises therein contained, applying them by a liuely faith vnto our selues, that our hearts thereby may be replenished, and euen ra∣uished with the sweet comforts of Gods holy Spirit, or of Gods mani∣fold blessings bestowed vpon vs, especially the day past, and the singular priuiledges which we haue through Iesus Christ; of which we shall haue occasion to speake more hereafter. Or finally, we may thinke of some texts of Scripture, which haue some similitude with our present estate. As that * 1.22 it is now high time to awake out of sleepe, for now is our saluation neerer then when we beleeued. The night is farre spent, the day is at hand; let vs therefore cast off the workes of darknesse, and let vs put on the armour of light: let vs walke ho∣nestly as in the day, not in rioting and drunkennesse, not in chambering and wan∣tonnesse,

not in strife and enuying, &c. And againe, Awake thou that sleepest, and * 1.23 stand vp from the dead, and Christ shall giue thee light. But ye brethren are not * 1.24 in darkenesse, that the day of the Lord should ouertake you as a thiefe. Yee are all children of light, and the children of the day: wee are not of the night, nor of darknesse; therefore let vs not sleepe as doe others, but let vs watch and bee sober, &c. Finally, we may from present occasions haue good matter ministred vnto vs for our meditations; as from the terrour of darknesse, wee may thinke how much more fearefull is the spirituall darknesse of sinne, from which the Lord hath graciously deliuered vs, leauing innumerable others to liue and dye in it; and that horrible estate of the wicked, who are cast into vtter darknesse, vnto whom the light shall neuer appeare, nor the Sun of righteousnesse euer shine, to bring vnto them any ioy and comfort; and so take occasion of praising the Lord for freeing vs from these feares; and notwithstanding our vnworthinesse, for causing the light of truth and saluation to shine vnto vs rather then to them. So from our awa∣king out of sleepe, we may take occasion to thinke of our awaking out of the sleepe of death at the day of Iudgement; and from the crowing of the Cocke, of the lowd and shrill sound of the last Trumpet, whereby be∣ing raised from the dead, we shall be summoned to appeare before Gods Tribunall, to giue an account of all that we haue done in the flesh, either good or euill; that so night and day we may prepare our selues for Christs comming, and be still in readinesse to giue vp our reckonings. Finally, as we are not much to regard our dreames, in respect of any ghesse to bee made thereby of any future things; so are we not vtterly to neglect them in regard of other vses. For we may not onely by them ghesse at the tem∣perature of our bodies, and our naturall disposition in respect thereof, and vnto what sins we are most inclined; but also we may take occasion from them of good meditations; as to thinke of our owne frailty and corrup∣tion, when wee finde and feele that carnall concupiscence, euen in our sleepe, hath wrought in vs, and caused either such dreames as are wanton and lasciuious, or cholericke, prouoking vs to reuenge: and on the other side, to meditate on Gods mercy and goodnesse, if wee haue had any dreames that sauour of vertue and Religion, who by his Spirit hath san∣ctified our minds and hearts, which of themselues are not able naturally to thinke a good thought, or to conceiue a good desire.

§. Sect. 8 That the pro∣fit of these du∣ties will farre exceede the paines.

Now if any obiect, that though these duties are good and commenda∣ble, yet they are hard and difficult, and that it bringeth great wearinesse * 1.25 thus to serue God both day and night in these spirituall and religious ex∣ercises: vnto such I dare promise, that their profit will farre exceed their paines; and their spirituall ioy and comfort, will abundantly recompence that carnall distaste which our corrupt flesh causeth in them. For if our minds and hearts be thus continually night and day taken vp for Gods vse in these religious exercises, it will bee a notable meanes to keepe out Satan and his suggestions from entring and taking possession; as they easi∣ly will, if they be swept cleane and empty of good meditations and de∣sires. For they who are idle and doe nothing, are at the next step to doing ill; and if we be not imployed in the seruice of God, the diuell will take vs vp like masterlesse men, and hire vs with the wages of sinfull pleasures,

to spend our time and strength in the workes of darkenesse. Secondly, if they bee thus replenished with good meditations at our lying downe, it will bee a notable meanes to preserue vs from vaine, idle and sinfull dreames, and contrariwise dispose vs euen in our sleepe to good thoughts and cogitations. Thirdly, if we thus keepe them well-ordered at our go∣ing to bed, and throughout the whole night, wee shall with much more ease and pleasure keepe them in this state the day following, and haue them apt and ready vnto the well-performance of all good duties. For as those Ouens are easily heat in the morning, in which we baked in the night; and the fire soone kindled when wee rise, which wee well ra∣ked vp and couered when wee went to bed; so if wee bee thus exercised ouer night, we shall finde the spirituall warmth thereof, making vs able and actiue for all good duties in the morning, and by adding some new fuell vnto this holy fire, we shall with much facility and comfort cause it to burne and blaze out in all Christian and religious duties. Finally, if with the fiue wise virgins we thus keepe our lamps trimmed night & day, being alwaies in readines, we shall not need to feare the suddaine approching of the Bridegroome; but at the least noyse of his comming wee shall rise to meet him, and so entring with him into the marriage Chamber of heauen∣ly happinesse, we shal there eternally solace our selues in the fruition of his loue, and those rauishing ioyes which he hath prepared for vs.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Ʋtor hac pote∣state, & quoti∣die apud me causam dico, &c. Senec▪ de ira, lib▪ 3. cap. 36
• * 1.2

  Quantum potes, teipsum coar∣gue, &c.
• * 1.3

  Quid pulchrius hac consuc••udi∣ne excutiendi to∣tam diem, &c? S••ne••. de ira. lib. 3. cap. 36.
• * 1.4

  Luk. 12. 19, 20.
• * 1.5

  Cuiuis potest ac∣cidere quod cui∣quam potest. Sen.
• * 1.6

  2. Tim. 1. 12. Psal. 4. 8.
• * 1.7

  Esa. 26. 9. Cant. 3. 1. Psal. 119. 55.
• * 1.8

  Psal. 74. 16. Infoelix tota qui∣cunque quiescere nocte sustinet: & somnos praemia magna vocat. Ouid. Amor. El. 9.
• * 1.9

  Psal. 17. 3.
• * 1.10

  Psal. 139. 12.
• * 1.11

  Psal. 42. 8.
• * 1.12

  Psal. 88. 1.
• * 1.13

  Psal. 22. 2.
• * 1.14

  Lam. 2. 18, 19.
• * 1.15

  Luk. 22. 44.
• * 1.16

  Psal. 92. 2.
• * 1.17

  Psal. 119. 62.
• * 1.18

  Psal. 77. 6.
• * 1.19

  Psal. 63. 6.
• * 1.20

  Psal. 119. 148.
• * 1.21

  Psal. 1. 2.
• * 1.22

  Rom. 13. 11, 12, 13.
• * 1.23

  Eph. 5. 14.
• * 1.24

  1. Thes. 5. 4, 5.
• * 1.25

  Mal. 1. 13.