Moses his prayer. Or, An exposition of the nintieth Psalme.: In which is set forth, the frailty and misery of mankind; most needfull for these times. Wherein [brace] 1. The sum and scope. 2. The doctrines. 3. The reasons. 4. The uses of most texts are observed. / By Samuel Smith, minister of the Gospel, author of Davids repentance and the Great assize, and yet living.

Vers. 12. Teach us O Lord to Number our dayes, that mee may apply our herts to wisdome.

Hitherto we have spoken of the two first generall parts of this psalme. viz. The complaint of Moses and the people, that they put up unto God now in the wildernesse in great af∣fliction and distresse, vers 1, 2. Second∣ly, the Narration of the frailty and misery of man from the third verse to the 11.

Now in the 12. ver. and so to the end of this Psalme, He comes to the third and last generall of this Psalme; and that is the prayer of Moses and the rest of the people of God, put up to God for grace and mercy.

And this prayer of theirs hath in it two parts.

• 1. They beg for reconciliation a∣gaine with God, ver. 13. Return O Lord, how long? &c.
• 2. They pray for the happy fruits and effects of Gods favour and reconciliation from verse 17. to the end of the Psalme.

Teach us O Lord to number our daies &c.

In this v. we have their first petition wherein Moses this man of God pray∣eth, that the Lord would make them to consider of the shortnesse and un∣certainty of their time, that so they might be wise, to provide for their lat∣ter end. God seeing our life is so short so fraile, and so momentary, But as yesterday that is past as a watch in the night. And that death comes as a flood unresistable, and suddainly, that our life is but as grasse and all our ex∣cellencies, but as the flower of the field, and our dayes but as a tale that is told. And that we are so suddainly cut downe and we flye away, that we may throughly consider of this brevitie & shortnesse of our life, and being here to the end that laying aside the excessive

cares for the things of this life, we may apply your hearts to wisedome, that is, to repent of our sins past to cast up our accounts, and to provide for a better life: where we have

• 1. the petition it self, which Moses made for himselfe, and in the behalfe of the people, teach us O Lord to number our dayes.
• 2 the end of this petition, on the use of this request, viz: that we may apply our hearts to wisdome.

Note we first of all, How Moses prayeth to God to teach him and the rest of the people of God, to Number their dayes, that is to be perswaded of the shortnesse of their time in this world, and what shall become of their soule in Death, hence we learne that.

Though God in his word hath plentifully taught us and experience daly before our eyes, [Doct. 1] * 1.1 doth confirme the same, that our life is short, fraile and momentary; yet unlesse God become our Schoolemaster, we shall herdly take out this lesson, our foolish hearts are so ignorant of this knowledge, as Christ said to Peter, when he had

made that confession of Christ, * 1.2 flesh and blood, hath not revealed this unto thee but my father which is in heaven. So no man by nature can attaine this know∣ledge to judge aright of the frailty and shorinesse of his life, but must have God to be his teacher from whom every good gift, * 1.3 and perfect gift pro∣ceedeth. How earnest is David with God to teach him this lesson, Lord make me know my end and the mea∣sure of my dayes what it is, * 1.4 that I may know how fraile I am

And indeed we have manifold ex∣amples in the word, that let us see, that naturally we do the cleane contrary viz. forget our latter end, and put the thoughts of death, far from us, and what shall become of our soules at last: that Rich man that was so wise for the world yet was a starke foole in this knowledge, he could number his Rich∣es, his Gold and his silver, His Sheepe and his herds of cattle, but had no Skill at all to Number his dayes. But reckoned them up by the grosse summ even many yeares to come. And yet a∣las poore man, he lived not one day.

But even that night had his soule taken from him, and was sent to hell.

So that ungratious servant, * 1.5 that thought his Master would not come yet, but fell to eating & drinking, and beating his fellowes, was suddainly taken tardy, * 1.6 and what shall I say of those foolish virgins, who never thought of providing of oyle, but slumbred and slept, and at midnight the Bridegrome came and then it was too late to cry and call, Lord, Lord, * 1.7 open unto us, so that you see that naturally we are ready to forget the Numbring of our dayes, and are not easily brought to consider the shortnesse, and uncer∣tainty of our life. Besides, experience makes this cleare, for what man is there amongst us, though he have lived three∣score or fourescore years, which doth not flatter himselfe, to thinke that hee may rub out yet another yeare, and so another to that, so that you see it is naturally given to us to be igno∣rant of this knowledge that Moses prayes for, unlesse we are taught of God; neither nature, learning nor dayly experience, can teach us this les∣son, that our life is short

It is God onely that must teach us this wisedome, [Reas. 1] in regard it is not the pregnancy of naturall wit, not the ripe∣nesse of years, neither is it common to gray haires, to be perswaded of the shortnesse of life, and to prepare for Death. * 1.8 But as Job sayth, It is the inspi∣ration of the Almighty that giveth understanding; till we come to be wea∣ned from the world, and have our eyes set upon more glorious things, thou are here below, our hearts will b•• bound up from this wisedome.

Because none can teach the heart, [Reas. 2] but he that made the heart. A man may search the register, and know his age, and by Arithmetique number his dayes and howers that he hath li∣ved, and yet be ignorant of this wise∣dome, to esteeme of every day as his last day, and so to live as if every day were his dying day; God alone must teach this wisedom: well then seeing Moses and the people of of God acknowledge their ignorance and forgetfulnesse in this poynt, and withall pray to God that he would give them wisedome, to number their dayes, then let us lay this

Doctrine to heart, let us try and examin our selves, whether we be not as forget∣ful of this poynt, & do promise long life to our selves. If this be our case, let us likewise intreate the Lord to give us this wisedome, and to teach us and perswade us of the exceeding shortnesse of our life, that we might apply our hearts to this wisedome of learning to dye; for till the Lord od open our eyes, & become our Schoole-master, we shall never come truely to know it, nor to make that right use of it as we ought to doe.

Secondly, [Use 2] this shewes the extreame folly of the greatest part of the world, who think it so easie a matter to num∣ber their dayes.

Moses was a wise man, yet as not sufficiently instructed in this poynt, he humbly intreats the Lord to teach him this knowledge, that he might number his dayes aright, this is that David doth so earnestly beg for at Gods hand, * 1.9 Lord make me to know my end, and the measure of my dayes, that I may know how fraile I am. And therefore seeing it is so hard a lesson to

be learned, and of so great use being at∣tayned, let us intreat the Lord to teach it us.

To number our dayes.

But may not this seeme strange that Moses should so beg for this? [Quest.] Did not Moses know how to number his dayes; He could number Adams dayes and set downe how long he lived; Hee could number Enoch his dayes, and set downe how long he lived, Methusala, Abraham, Izack, Jaacob, and all the. patriarks dayes, and how long they lived, and could not Moses number his own dayes? this may seeme strnage: we see a child of ten or twelve years old can by arithmetike quickly tell you how many days he hath lived, yea how many howres and minuts.

I answer that neither Moses, [Ans.] nor the wisest man living, though he may be never so expert, in all kind of Arith∣meticke and humane learning, so as he knowes the nature of the Stars, their distances, motions, longitudes latitudes altitudes, &c. can skill of this num∣bring, unlesse the spirit of God be his

Schoole-master, unlesse God give him wisedome and grace from above, to perswade us, of the shortnesse of our time, and of the suddain and speedy coming of Death, can truly learne this lesson to number his dayes aright, but it must be the Lord that must teach it us.

Hence we learne, [Doct. 2] that it should be our chiefest care and study, * 1.10 to practise that which they so earnestly prayed for, viz: that upon the same grounds that they were moved withall, that we learne to number our dayes aright, and make account of every day as our last day. O that men were wise (sayth Moses) that they would consider their latter end! True wisedome consists in this, in the continuall meditation of the shortnesse of our life, when we arise in the morning, to thinke that we may be dead, ere night, and every night to thinke this may be my last.

Many men thinke to what end is this? who knoweth not that our life is short & uncertaine, who knoweth not this?

But it is not for naught that the spi∣rit of God in the scripture beats so

much upon this poynt and puts us so often in remembrance of it, would men be so carefull for the world, and so carelesse for heaven, and eternitie, did we truly know and were perswaded of the frailty and uncertainty of our be∣ing here?

Surely if we could but reckon our life and dayes as Moses doth all along in this Psalme, that it is but as vester∣day, nay not so long, but rather as a watch in the night, the space of three howers, that death comes as a flood, that our life is but as a sleepe or a Dream, suddainly vanishing away, that it is but as grasse. And all the excellen∣cies of man, as Beauty, Honour riches strength pleasures &c. but as the flo∣wer of grasse, and that our dayes are but as a ta••e that is told, were these thoughts throughly imprinted in our hearts they would dam all our plea∣sures, and cause us to thinke more of Death then we doe.

Could we reckon our days upon our fingers ends, as we can other things, and withall the great work that God hath sent us into this world to doe,

and how prodigally we have mispent our time; how little we have done and how much is yet to doe, when we are ready to drop into our graves could we, I say, thus number our life and dayes we would never live as we doe, so carefull for this life, and so carelesse for Heaven.

We see that those that shoot at Buts, they pricke their arrowes, sometimes here, and sometimes there, round about the marke, at last they hit the white thus doth Death cast his Darts, some∣times a friend is taken away, sometimes a kinsman sometimes he comes nearer and takes a Husband wife, child, at last we our selves are struck with death and away we must.

Though we see this daily before our eyes, and see coarses daily carried upon mens shoulders to the grave•• yet who layes it to heart and considers that the feete of these that carried them may carry us to our long home, ere long; we passe not away one minute of our life, but we have taken one slep more towards the grave to day wee heare that A. B. is dead to morrow

we may heare that C. D. is dead, short∣ly you shall here that S S. is dead.

It is noted for the great commen∣dations of Joseph of Arimathea, * 1.11 who whilst he was in health made his tombe in his garden: and why in his gar∣den? No doubt to put him in mind continually of his Death, and that in the midst of all his delights, and plea∣sures he might think on his latter end. Thus it is said of that godly Father St. Jerom, that he thought with him∣selfe, that whether he did eat or drink, or whatsoever he did, he thought he heard that voice, Arise yee dead, and come vnto Judgement.

Now that we ought thus to make accompt of every day as our last day, let this reason perswade.

Because of that inevitable necessitie that lies upon all Adams posterity that dye we must, [Reas. 1] as the woman of Tekoah said to David, that mourned so ex∣cessively for the death of Absalom, We must all dye.

And as the Psalmist hath it; * 1.12 What man liveth and shall not see death? and shall hee deliver his Soule from the

hand of the grave. Againe Man shall enter into the generation of their Fa∣thers, and shall not live for ever. And, It is appointed for all men once to dye. The consideration where of may put us in mind of our duty, to be in a continu∣all readinesse for death.

We ought to make accompt of every day as our last day, [Reas. 2] because we cannot sever our life and death, but such as our life hath beene, such will our death be: for albeit that all must dye, and sleep in the dust, yet there is a great diffe∣rence betwixt the godly, and the wic∣ked in death.

They that dye in the Lord are bless∣ed, * 1.13 Blessed are the dead that dye in the Lord: and these at last shall rise againe to life and glory: but as for the wicked, it is not so with them, for they enter by death into everlasting paine, where the worme dyeth not, and the fire shall never be quenched; so that our weale or woe for ever doth depend vpon that short inch of time that is allotted unto us here, which also should put us upon this duty to be in a continuall readi∣ness when death comes.

This serves to instruct us in the necessity of learning this lesson well, [Vse 1] of the mea∣suring out the length of our time, and the numbring of our dayes aright There is a great deale of art, and skill, to doe this. This is the best Arithme∣tick, whē we know how to number our dayes aright: the numbring of our acres of land the numbring of our sheep and cattel, is nothing to the numbring of our dayes.

[Quest.] But what is it to number our dayes?

[Answ.] It consist principally in these things.

First in Accompting every day as our last day, [unspec 1] and so to live as if every day we were to dye: now what would we do if we were sure to dye ere night, if you were sure that this were your last sabbath, & this were your last Ser∣mon that ever you should heare, you would not need to be warned of sleep∣ing, you would not willingly have death to take you tardy, we would that rather death should take us upon our knees, then upon our Ale-bench.

To number our dayes aright is to dye daily; [unspec 2] * 1.14 this was the care of the bless∣ed Apostle, I protest by our reioycing which I haue in Christ Iesus our 〈◊〉〈◊〉 I

〈◊〉〈◊〉 dye dayly: that is, by the continuall thoughts, and meditation of death, inure our selves by litle and litle, whilest we are here, of the art of dying well, before we come to dye indeed. Paul dyed daily, because he knew not the day and time when God would call him away by death, the more we fit and prepare our selves for death, the lesse terrible will death, this King of feare, be unto us, when it cometh.

Thirdly to number our dayes aright and to be prepared for death; [unspec 3] is to pluck out the sting of death, now the sting of death is sin, * 1.15 the sting being ta∣ken out, death cannot hurt. The Phi∣listimes were so wise as to discover wherein the strength of Sampson lay. * 1.16 And therein they prevailed; it shall be our wisdom to repent us of our sins, for therein lyes the strength of death.

And last of all, [unspec 4] if we desire to live for ever in the kingdom of glory, that we begin it here, that we lay a good foundation for the time to come. Those virgins that still expected the coming of the Bridgroome, and had their lamps stored with oyle, hereby meri∣ted

the name of wise Virgins, and en∣tred into the marriage chamber, whilst those foolish Virgins that were carelesse of the bridgrooms coming, and rested themselves with the bare name of Virgins, and with the bearing the Lamps of an outward profession, without the oyle of grace in their hearts, were for ever shut out.

This serveth to discover unto us the reason why sin doth so abound, [Use 2] drun∣kenesse, swearing, uncleannesse propha∣nesse, and all other abominations in the lives of men. It is because men have not learned this heavenly Arithmetick, to number their dayes, and to esteeme of every day as their last day.

This was the reason of that dam∣nable securitie in that rich man; * 1.17 That bad his soule to take her fill of all pleasures and delights, little thinking that that night his soul should be haled from him.

And this is the reason why men powre out their hearts to all manner of sins & abominations, they never consi∣der the shortness & uncertaintie of their lives. Is there any so vile or so wretch∣ed,

that if they were perswaded that they should dye this night before to morrow, would they deck and trim, paint and pounce, and pamper those bodyes of theirs, that so suddenly must feed the worms? no, no, if men made this accompt of their life, as at an howers warning, they would provide better for that life that shall last for ever. This was the reason why that evill servant fell to eating and drinking and beating his fellow servant, * 1.18 he thought his master would be long a coming.

A contrary example we have in Moses this man of God, that albeit he might have inioyed the pleasures of Phara∣ohs Court, with honour, wealth, and what not; yet refused them all upon this accompt that they were but for a season. All the pleasures, comforts, con∣tentments, and outward felicities that the world can afford us, are but for a season, short and momentany, and must have an end. And the end of a wicked mans pleasures ends in paine. Son remember that thou in thy lif time, * 1.19 &c. when one howers torment in hell,

will make the wicked forget all their pleasures on earth.

And therefore this should serve in the last place for Exhortation. That we al∣wayes have death before our eyes, and to think upon it, to accompt of the present time and day as our last, and so to live as if every day we should dye, that we may be in a continuall readinesse for our dissolution, and change, when we shall goe hence and be no more.

There can be no worse deceipt then when a man deceives himselfe in this reckoning. [Vse. 2] * 1.20 He was worthily called a foole that said, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years, eat, drink and be merry.

And since it is the Lord that must teach us this wisdome, we must pray unto him to teach us this lesson, to number our dayes aright, for till God teach us this wisdom, we shall never repent, forsake the world, and seek for a better life. And therfore I earnestly commend this duty to you, and it is my desire to presse it upon my self, that we all reckon this with our selves, as though this day

should be our last day, and this nigh our last night that when the Lord shal call us hence, he might find us so do∣ing: hitherto of the petition, Lord, teach us to &c.

That we may apply our hearts to wisdom.

HEre we have the second part at first propounded. [Part. 2] And that is the end of this petition, or the use of this request. viz. that we may apply our hearts &c.

These words may be taken in a double sence.

That we may apply our hearts to wis∣dom. That is, that seeing our life is so short here, and so uncertaine, we may no longer live in sin, as we have done, but may truly repent, [Doct. 3] live more wisely and circumspectly, feare thy anger, * 1.21 and be afraid to provoke thee by our sins as we have done this Moses accompts true wisdom. And the words being ta∣ken in this sence, the doctrine is.

That men are never truly wise, till they accompt of every day as their last day. Herein lyes true wisdom. O that

men were wise, * 1.22 then would they remem∣ber their latter end. As if men were never truly wise till then.

There is nothing more naturall un∣to us, then to perswade our selves of long life. And that we shall still conti∣nue in a happie and flourishing estate.

It was Davids case to be thus lifted up in times of prosperitie. I said (saith he) I shall neve be removed, * 1.23 thou Lord of thy goodnesse hast made my hill so strong. When God had setled David in his Kingdom, had made him to prosper, and given him the upper hand of his enemies. He was ready to fall asleep and to make his reckoning that he should ever continue thus happie. That his good dayes should last for ever, and his prosperitie should never faile.

And this was the case of Iob, that holy man; In the time of his prosperitie; he had such thoughts as these. I said I shall dye in my nest, * 1.24 and I shall multiply my dayes as the sand. And againe, my glory shalbe renewed, * 1.25 and my bowe shall be strengthned in my hand. What is this but to reckon without our host, when we shall thus flatter our selves that we shall continue in our state:

whereas our very lives, and being here, with whatsoever we have and enjoy is only at his pleasure; we have nothing soe intayl'd upon us here, that we injoy in life and death, but the Lord, when it pleaseth him, can either take us from it, or it from us.

It is wisdom then to provide for our change before the evill day come upon us; this is Solomons advice, * 1.26 Remember thy creator in the dayes of thy youth, while the evill dayes come not, nor the yeares of affliction, wherein thou shalt say, I have noe pleasure in them. q. d. certainly the time of sicknes, and death will come, when all these earthly com∣forts will fly away. A man never comes to be truly wise, till he thus comes to esteeme of his life, and to provide for his change.

And indeed, what man will have his evidence then to seek, when his cause comes to be tryed? In the mat∣ters of this world men are so wise in summer to provide for winter, in health to provide forsickness. We will count but such a one a foole that will then goe to sowe when other men goe to

reape: O where are our hearts, that we are noe more spiritually wise for our souls. * 1.27 Wise men (sayth Solomon) lay up knowledg before hand. And such prove themselves fooles at last: With those foolish virgins, that have not the oyle of grace in readiness when death comes.

Seeing that herein lyes true wisdom, [Vse 1] to be in a continuall readiness for our change; this shewes that the wisdom of the world is but foolishness to God; * 1.28 for whom doe men commonly judge to be wise men, but such as have reach∣ing heades to buy and to sell, that can tell how to purchase lands and livings and grow rich in the world, and grow great and mighty here. All this wis∣dom comes from nature, and may have nothing in it but nature. If this be not guided by the word, you shall see what reckoning and accompt the Lord makes of it. When he saith, they have rejected the word of the Lord, * 1.29 and what wisdom is in them? what greater folly can there be in the world, then for these vaine and foolish trifles, the pleasures of sin, that are but for a sea∣son,

to lose for ever a mans most pre∣tions soul, to passe away for earthly things with Esau the birth-right of our inheritance, which such do that are not wise for eternitie.

O then would we be loath to be accompted fooles in death as, Nabal was, who when he came to dye the text sayth, His heart dyed like a stone within him, let us take out this lesson whilst we are alive, to number our dayes aright and to provide for death continually.

Secondly, [Use 2] seeing true wisdom is that, when men are wise for their souls. This may serve for exhortation, that as we desire to approve our selves to be the sons of wisdom, to make this our principal care to make sure for eterni∣tie. This is that one thing that is so ne∣cessary, that if we misse of that, we are undone for ever.

But how may we come by this wisdō? [Quest.]

Saint Iames tels us. [Answ.] If any man lack wisdom, let him aske it of God. * 1.30 And Moses his practice here may also in∣forme, us Lord teach us to number our dayes: It is God that must be our

Schoolmaster to teach us this wisdom And the humble he will teach in his way. The humble and most self deny∣ing christian, is ever the most wise chri∣stian, whereas God rejecteth the proud & sendeth the rich empty away. Seldom doth any grace either grow or prosper in a proud man, or in a proud heart. The humble christian tastes of the kernell, and sweetness of religions when the prond man hath only the shell.

Now in seeking this wisdom, these Rules must be observed.

Come in a self-deniall of thy selfe and of thy owne wisdom, [unspec 1] * 1.31 let him that would be wise, became a foole that he may be wise.

Seek it at Gods hand dy humble and hearty prayers earnestly, [unspec 2] nor cold∣ly and uegligently. * 1.32 Search for wisdom as for treasure, Saith Solomon, the kingdom of God suffereth violence, and violent take it by force.

Meditate much and oft of the doctrin now taught, [unspec 3] viz Of the frailty of mans life, and our uncertaine being here, & that this grace must be had to make us happie.

That we may apply our hearts to wis∣dome.

A Gaine, the words may be taken in this sence, that is, as we have heretofore lived in sin, now we may live to God, to repent, and amend our lives, and to walke more humbly, and more holily with God. And thus Moses seemes to expound the words. This is your wisdome, * 1.33 and your under∣standing, in the sight of the nations which shall heare all these statutes, and say, surely this nation is a wise, and understanding people, viz by keeping of the Commandements and doing them.

In this sence, the thing that Moses prayes for, is for wisdom and care to keepe the Commandements of God, that for the time to come they might walk in his feare as obedient children before him and then the doctrine is.

That Heavenly wisdom doth consist principally in keeping the Commande∣ments of God, to live in faith, [Doct. 4] * 1.34 Repen∣tance and true obedience to God. This is true wisdom by the testimony of Moses himselfe. Or thus, true wisdom doth consist in true obedience to the will of God.

True wisdom and the knowledg of God is the candle of the soul to light it, and to shine unto it in the wayes of God. Thy word (saith David) is a Lanthorne unto my feete, and a light unto my paths. When we carry an awfull and reverent awe and dread of the maiestie of God, and feare to sin against him, this is true wisdom. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledg, * 1.35 but fooles despise wisdom.

And thus have the Saints and ser∣vants of God approved themselves to God in walking in the Commande∣ments of God; thus Enoch is said to walke with God. * 1.36 And Zachary and Elizabeth walked in all the Comman∣dements of God. When we are holy, as he is holy, * 1.37 perfect as our Heavenly fa∣ther is perfect; when our desire is to walke in an universall obedience to all Gods Commandements with Da∣vid. * 1.38 O that my wayes were so direct, that I might keep thy statutes, so shall I not be confounded, whilest I have respect to all thy Commandements. These are truly wise and truly blessed. * 1.39 Blessed are they that are undefiled, and

walke in the law of the Lord. And in this did Iob comfort himselfe, and approved the uprightnesse of his heart to God. * 1.40 He knoweth my way and tri∣eth me, and I shall come forth as gold. But whence hath Iob this confidence? * 1.41 this he shewes, My foot hath followed his steps, his way have I kept.

A contrary example whereof we have in Iehu, * 1.42 that howsoever he did many things that God had comman∣ded him in the matter of Ahab, yet this is left for a blot upon his name that shall never be wiped out; * 1.43 Iehu tooke not heed to walk in the Comman∣doments of God, with all his heart. And hence it is, that the Lord threatned to charge upon Iehu, all the blood of the house of Iesreel. And this is it the Lord requireth of his people. A Son Honoreth his father, and a servant his master. If I be a father where is my honour &c. So that the poynt is cleare, that heavenly wisdom consists principally in this in walking hum∣bly and holily before God, and in keeping his commandements.

By this we are known to be Gods, [Reas. 1]

as a servant by his livery is knowne to belong to such a Master; hereby we know; And by this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, &c.

Secondly we owe unto God our lives our liberties, [Reas. 2] and all that we have, and therefore when he commands, he com∣mands but his owne. * 1.44 Ye are not your own, but ye are bought with a price, therfore glorifie God in your bodies and spirits, for they are Gods; we cannot serve a better master, neither can we expect a surer reward.

We shal all be iudged at last, [Reas. 3] according to things we have done in our bodies whether they be good or evill. * 1.45 Then such as have lived after the flesh shall dye. And such as have lived after the spirit shall live. Then we shall see the Difference betwixt him that served God, * 1.46 and him that served him not. Then those wise virgins that with the Iamps of an outward profession had the oyle of grace in their hearts, shall be knowne from the foolish that wanted grace.

[Vse 1] This lets us see how far the greatest part of the world are from this wisdom

who want this feare of God before their eyes, that live in all manner of iniquitie and prophannesse, these reiect the word of the Lord. They cast away all care of keeping Gods Commande∣ments, And what wisdom is in them? * 1.47

Secondly noe less folly appeares in those that are so wise for the world & such fooles for their souls, [Vse 2] wise for the earth, but fooles for Heaven. Hee that must shortly part with his house and home & must away into another Coun∣try, will be so wise as to turne his lum∣ber into Silver and Gold, that he may have somthing to live upon when he is gone. * 1.48 Lay not up for your selves trea∣sures on earth (saith Christ) where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where theeves breake thorough and steal. But lay up for your selves treasures in heaven &c.

Christ commends Maries choice that she had chosen the better part, * 1.49 she sat at Christs feete, she heard his heavenly doctrine. Whilest Martha was busie for the body, Mary provided for h••r soule; what if Martha had let the pott seeth over, for that time, it had been

a very tollerable neglect; but now Ma∣ry carries the praise, the lord knowes we have many Marthas, few Maries, for almost all be for the world, looke after their bodies, few for heaven, that take care for their pretious Soule.

Notes

• * 1.1

  We can not num∣ber our dayes unlesse God teach us
• * 1.2

  Mat. 16.17.
• * 1.3

  Iam. 1.17
• * 1.4

  Psa. 39.4.
• * 1.5

  Luk. 12
• * 1.6

  Mat. 24.49, 50.
• * 1.7

  Mat. 25.
• * 1.8

  Iob. 32.
• * 1.9

  Psal. 39.4.
• * 1.10

  Wee ought to esteem of every day as our last day. Deut. 32.29.
• * 1.11

  Jo. 19.
• * 1.12

  Ps. 89.48 Ps. 49.19 Heb. 9.27.
• * 1.13

  Rev. 14.13.
• * 1.14

  1 Cor. 15.
• * 1.15

  1 Cor. 15 56.
• * 1.16

  Iud. 16.5
• * 1.17

  Luk. 12.37.
• * 1.18

  Mat. 24.48.
• * 1.19

  Luk. 16.
• * 1.20

  Luk. 12.37.
• * 1.21

  Men are never truly wise till they ac∣compt of every day as their last day.
• * 1.22

  Deut. 32 29.
• * 1.23

  Psal. 30.6.
• * 1.24

  Iob 19.18.
• * 1.25

  ver. 28:
• * 1.26

  Eccle. 12.1.
• * 1.27

  Pro. 10.14.
• * 1.28

  1 Cor. 1.
• * 1.29

  Ier. 8.9.
• * 1.30

  Jam. 1.5.
• * 1.31

  1 Cor. 3.18.
• * 1.32

  Pr. 2.1.
• * 1.33

  Deut. 4.6
• * 1.34

  True wisdome consists in true obedi∣ence.
• * 1.35

  Pro. 1.7.
• * 1.36

  Gen. 5.21. Lu. 1.6.
• * 1.37

  1 Pet. 1.
• * 1.38

  Psal. 119
• * 1.39

  Ps. 119.1
• * 1.40

  Iob 23.10.
• * 1.41

  verse 11.
• * 1.42

  2 Reg. 10.31.
• * 1.43

  Hos. 1.4.
• * 1.44

  1 Cor. 6.19, 20.
• * 1.45

  2 Cor. 5.10. Rom. 8.14.
• * 1.46

  Mal.
• * 1.47

  Ier. 8.9.
• * 1.48

  Mat. 6.19.
• * 1.49

  Luk. 10.