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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A17419	The light of faith: and, way of holinesse Shewing what to belieue, and for what to striue together, earnestly contend, and suffer for in this contending age. And how to liue in all estates, conditions, and degrees of relation, according to this faith. In both, deliuering (as neere as might be, in the life of Scripture phrase:) only things necessary, as we meane to be saued, and auoiding vtterly things arbitrary, that distract, rather then direct a Christian. Collected out of holy Scripture by an vnworthy labourer in Gods vineyard, Richard Bifield pastor in Long-Ditton, in Surrey.	Byfield, Richard, 1598?-1664.	1630 (1630)	STC 4239; ESTC S107158	133,233	536

he doth it oft times but say thou liue to the gray haire yet know that is the euill day ageit selfe is a disease disabling to duties of religion youth is euery way fittest let Solomon tell thee Remember thy creator in the dayes of thy youth before the euill day come of which thou shalt say I haue no pleasure in it Eccles 12. 1. For the Impatient desire of The cure of the impatient desire of death death it is cooled and tempered 1 ●● by strength of iudgment we know and knowing resolue that affliction is to be chosen rather then transgression Iob 36. 20. 21. the contrary hereunto made Iob impatiently to wish the day of his death Iob. 3. 2 If we consider that God teacheth by his works and herein none like him Iob. 36. 22. 3 If we weigh well what Iobs speeches cost him humiliation to dust and ashes though they came out of great extremities which wrested them from his heart otherwise full of patience but now distracted almost through bitternesse Iob. 42. 6. For the feare of death it is a The cure of the fear of death disease hereditary deriued to all Adams children yet is must and may be cured it may be cured Heb. 2. 14. 15. 2 Cor. 5. 5. it must Luke 14. 26. Rev. 22. 17. 1 Pet. 1. 3. 4. the desire of heauen is a part of the seed which is cast into the furrowes of our hearts in our regeneration I know there is a feare of death which is meerely naturall a shrinking from it and shunning of it as of a thing hurtfull because it dissolues the vnion of soule and body for a time but we speake of that distempered feare which leadeth into bondage abeslauing feare which suffers not a man to thinke of death or happinesse after it and leaueth the heart impotent and void of all spirituall courage comfort and counsell Againe there are men of two sorts some that liue and dye in their sinnes haue cause to feare death in these a cure can neuer be wrought not that the medicines are vnauaileable but because they cannot bee brought to take the receipts Some that dye to their sinnes before they dye in these that beslauing feare may be cured and hath in such vsually heretofore beone cured Death is the King of terrors consider it in its reall nature and hue Its vizar assumed It s natiue hu● is terrible 1 In the cause Sinne Gods wrath Sathan the executioner who hath the power of death Heb. 2. 14. 2 In the nature thereof in it selfe opposite to life a punishment of God a destroyer of natures fabricke a dissoluer of this earthly tabernacle 3 In the effects which are A depriuation of Friends pleasures honours riches of this world The good wee might doe in Church Common-wealth Family A deprauation of the state of the body leauing it a cadauer a car case in the graue 4 In the affrighting concomitants terriculamenta mortis which are miseries Corporall Painies Agonies sometimes which doe befall Gods children The kind of death Spirituall Terrors from Satan and from God himselfe Temptations Vnquietnesse and angor of conscience In its vizar it is fearefull as it cometh into our minds As the depriuer of happinesse as if it seperated from God As if it had no other face then that of wrath and curse from God and were in its nature no way corrected How shall these darts be quenched Briefely 1 The cause of death is to be euacuated 1 By the death of Christ and our assurance of our part therin whereby the fauour of God is established vpon vs and the Serpents head crushed Heb. 2. 15. Death is a Serpent the sting is sinne the strength of that sting is the law victory ouer it is by Iesus Christ who satisfieth the law 1 Cor. 15. 55 56. 57. 2 By mortification of our beloued sinnes by our study to keepe a conscience voide of offence towards God and man 3 By receiuing the Sacrament of the Lords Supper oft wherein we shew forth the Lords death vntill his comming againe 1 Cor. 11. 26. 2 The nature of death in it selfe is terrible indeed but to the godly it is changed Rev. 14 13. insomuch that their condition is blessed for they rest from their labours their workes follow no losse of any good worke that euer they did no condemnation to them Rom. 8. 1. it is no other then a sleepe 1 Thes 4. 14. a day of liberty Rom. 8. 21. our returne to our home to euerlasting habitations the mansions in our fathers house our birth day the funerall of our vices the putting off our old clothes that we might be clothed vpon 2 Cor. 5. 3. 4. the remoouing out of a mudde house where we ●ere but tenants at will into the pallace of the great king Lord of heauen and earth there to dwell as in our inheritance for euer the end of our race the day of our coronation no punishment now there are three degrees of life eternall of which death is our entrance into the second in this life in regeneration Ioh. 17. 3. in the day of our departure in translation to Paradise 2 Cor. 5. 8. at the last day in the redemption of our bodyes Rom. 8. 23. 3 As for friends whose society thou loosest oppose thereto the meditation of that glorious place to which thou goest an inheritance incorruptible vndefiled that fades not the fellowship of Angels and the congregation of the first borne and the spirits of iust men and women made perfect the communion with God and with the Lord Iesus for while thou art present in the body in the best condition thou art absent from the Lord that Lord whom though thou neuer sawest yet thou louest and beli●uing reioycest with ioy vnspeakeable and full of glory How then shall thy soule burne with the flames of loue to him when thou shall see him 1 Pet. 1. 8. And when the thought of thy treasures and pleasures meet thee bethinke thy selfe of thy calling and profession to bee a Christian that is o●e conformed to Christ whose kingdome is n●t of this world whose life was glorious in a holy contempt of the world Say then with Paul God forbid that I should reioyce saue in the Crosse of Christ whereby the world is crucified to me and I vnto the world Gal. 6. 14. What comfort canst thou haue that thou art not a cast away if thou beat not down thy body and bring it not into subiection although thou wert a Preacher of the Word and diligent in that worke 1 Cor. 9. 24. There are two sorts of men men of this world men of God they differ herein the men of this world are such as place their happinesse in a belly full of this hid treasure and wealth and lands enough to leaue behinde them to their babes but the other are men after Gods owne heart carried with the spirit of Dauid that in the loue of righteousnesse can say Deliuer mee from these

take hold of those things that fit thine owne particular For when we heare what we are to doe wee shall finde somethings abutt full vpon our selues somethings we are extreame faulty in somethings would maruailously encourage vs in righteousnesse now let thy wisedome appeare in marking those things chiefely retaine them though all the rest runne out 4 Auoide vaine iangling and Pro. 4. 26. Ier. 31. 32. keepe close to profitable knowledge Tit. 3. 9. 2 Tim. 2. 23. 1. Tim. 6. 20. Let thine eyes looke right on and let thine eye lids looke streight before thee Beware of going about lest thou heare from God the terme of Backslider 5 Goe vnto the wise and aske the way to Sion with thy face thitherward Pro. 15. 12. Ier. 50. 5. Stifle not but propound thy doubts Gods people are an inquisitiue people 6 Pray teach me thy way O Lord. Psal 27. 11. with a speciall lifting vp of heart seeke this way of him Hee is the God which teacheth thee to profit and leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest goe Psal 143. 10. Esa 48. 17. 3 The society of the righteous 3 To abandon the needlesse society of wicked and prophane persons and get into the way and company of good men that make conscience of their waies a rule of speciall note Away from me ye wicked for I will keepe the commandements of my God Psal 119. 115. Pro. 4. 14. Psal 1. 1. Rowles of such whose familiarity thou must eschew are giuen in 1 Cor. 5. 10. 11. 2 Tim. 3. 1. 2. 4. 5 Pro. 23. 19. 20. 21. be enwrapped in their society thou shalt be infected with their euill and then what winding out of their destruction But to sort thy selfe with discreet and sincere Christians hath in it vnknown gaine Pro. 2. 20. their path is as the shining light that shineth more and more vnto the perfect day Pro. 4. 18. 4 To shunne the false and 4 True guides take to true guides and rules These are false guides of liuing 1. the example of the multitude Exod. 23. entertaine Ioshuahs resolution Iosh 24. 15 1 Cor. 9. 24. I and my house will serue the Lord runne as if thou wert alone to obtaine runne though thou runne alone 2. Great and learned men if thou be a seruant forget not that thou art Christs freeman Let no mans humor be thy guide in religion 1 Cor. 7. 23. 3 Flesh and bloud carnall reason sense or carnall friends are not competent Iudges in diuine things with them consult thou not Gal. 1. 16. 4 A false faith as the Turkes their Alcoran the Papists Popes Decrees 5. Thy lusts which haue a three fold fronte the lust of the flesh the lust of the eye the pride of life 1 Ioh. 2. 16. These are true guides and rules 1 Gods word Gal. 6. Psal 119. 9. 2 The Holy example of the Godly Heb. 12. 1. Which will be like that cloud of the Lord to the trauellers in the Wildernesse of this world that walke in the day light of the holy precepts the way of Gods people is diligently to be sought Ier. 12. 16. 3 A setled ministery they a●e Starres in Christs right hand they are the light of the world the salt of the earth obedience is charged vpon vs to those that watch for our soules their Directions in the Lord must be followed Heb. 13. 17. and their holy conuersation is a Patterne giuen of God Phil. 4 9. 5 To keepe the heart withall 5 The guard of the heart diligence both in respect of secret hypocrisie of the beginnings of sinne Pro. 4. 23. the issues of life come therout if they be defiled with sin or tainted with hypocrisie such must al the streams be of necessity Eye eare hand and tongue shall be ouerflowne with that polluted spring abo●● all keepings keepe the fountaine cleare 6 To repaire daily to the 6 Triall of all our deeds light of Gods word to see whether our deeds be wrought in God or no Ioh. 3. 21. O excellent rule worthy the Sauiour the light of the world 7 To obserue our owne defects 7 The obseruation of our defects and thinke on with holy earnest couering all those gifts that are more excellent 1 Cor. 12. vlt. He that would euer grow and goe forwards now not to goe forwards is to goe backwards must obserue what is wanting what is weake what is out of the way what is crooked what corruptions preuaile where Sathan gets most aduantage that those things may bee supplied strengthened straitened subdued preuented and so the whole recouered and wee pressing on still for the price of our high calling to the marke Phil. 3 12. 4. 8 9. Is there any thing true honest praise-worthy of good report louely let that be thought of 8 To keepe aliue the affections 8 The preseruation of our first loue of godlinesse lest wee lose our first loue bee daily mortifying thy corruptions plowing vp thy fallow ground circumcising thine heart that thou maist keep it euer low tender and thankefull in all things 9 To auoid the snares which 9 The auoidance of snares catch most of Adams sonnes and fold them in a heap of euils and weaken if not destroy their vigor Vpon the bare discouery of them your hearts shall acknowledge it 1 Medling with others businesse 1 Thes 4. 11. 2 Desire of superfluities as to haste to be rich 1 Tim. 6. 9. 10. Pro. 23. 4. 28. 20. 3 The beholding of vanitie Psal 119. 37. 4 The sinnes of the time which the world accounts but spots Iam. 1. 27. 5 Carnall confidence relying vpon our wit memory praise-worthy parts dignity vertues and the like As if either power to doe good or reason why God should accept vs were found in any of these carnall things whereas in this new-created world of regenerate men Christ is all and in all Col. 3. 11. 6 Carnall feares which mightily beslaue The heart is no sooner set within to the desires after wel-doing but many a feare befals it that he shall neu●r bee able to doe this duty that God will not accept him and his worke Such a man will deride such friends will frowne vpon him there is also a meere counterfeit of humility which some delight in because it fauours much their lazy flesh presse to any duty and they plead their desires and their loue to it and now they wish they could so doe and what griefe it is to them they faile therein but they are flesh and bloud they dare not be so confident of their strength or and in very deed all is to saue their labour and keepe their old sinfull course or at least their former easie pace yea these feares are accompanied with vile mistrust of God and strange pleaes that he is not so good to them as to giue them that measure of grace that power of resolution and thus sticke not to charge God foolishly yet he giueth to him that

his worke alone and such as none but hee can do● it is also one speciall part of his office as he is our Prophet to giue comfort to distressed consciences and to speake a word in season to the weary soule Hee is consecrated a Priest for 11 Priestly Psal 110. 34. euer to his Church after the order of Melchisedech Our Lord He is the King and law-giuer 15 Kingly Esa 33 22. Luc. 1 33. Ioh. 18 36 Psal 2 8. whose kingdome is spirituall and not of this world and perpetuall and such as reacheth to all Nations Now that wee may know how the Sonne of God became flesh we beleeue and professe to the death Which was conceiued by the Holy Ghost borne of the Virgin Mary That in the fulnesse of time for 16 Of his I●e rnation Gal. 4 4. Heb. 2 16 4 15. vs men and for our saluation the Sonne of God tooke on him the true nature of man and was in all points l●ke vs sinne onely excepted He was conceiued not as other men but by the Holy Ghost and was borne of the Virgin Mary Mat. 1 18 20. vpon whom the Holy Ghost came and whom the power of Luc. 1 30 31 3● Esa 7. 14. the most High did ouer-shadow This is that great mystery of godlinesse God manifest in the flesh Hee is God and man in one person This is that lambe of God without 17 Of his actiue obedience 1 Pet. 1 19 Rom. 5 19 8 3 4 10 4. spot or blemish who for vs and for our sakes who doe or shall beleeue in his name kept the law that he might be the end of the law for righteousnesse vnto such He suffered vnder Pontius Pilate Who suffered also vnder Pontius 18 Of his p●ssiue Gen. 49 10. Act. 4 27 28. Mat. 26. Pilate an heathen Gouernour the Scepter failing from Iudah but for this Shiloh to which suff●rings he was deliuered by the determinate counsell of God Was crucified dead He was wounded for our transgressions Esa 53 4 5 6. and on him were laid the Rom. 3 25 Ephes 5 2. Phil. 2. 8. Gal. ● 13. Heb. 1 3 9. 26 28. iniquities of vs all and hereby he appeased Gods wrath and made expiation for all our sinnes For hee became obedient to the death euen the death of the Crosse and was made a curse for vs thus hee alone trode the wine-presse of Gods wrath and once for all by the sacrifice of himselfe tooke away sinne And buried he descended into hell He was buried and laid in the graue three dayes and three nights in the heart of the earth yet his soule was not left in hell neither did God suffer his holy One to see corruption The third day hee rose againe For hauing ouercome the 19 Of his resurrection Rom. 4. vlt. power of death hell and Sathan he rose againe the third day from 1 Cor. 15. 3 the dead for our iustification He ascended into heauen And went vp into heauen the 20 Of his ascension Pal. 68 18 Mar. 1● 19 Acts 1 9 10 11. 3. 21. Heb. 6 20. Ioh. 14 3. third heauen farre aboue all these heauens that are visible whom in respect of his bodily pr●sence the heauens must receiue till the time of the restitution of all things and hee ascended as o●● fore-runner to prepare a place for vs. And sitteth at the right hand of God And sits at the right hand of 21 Of his session and interecession God the Father Almighty exercising the office of King and Iudge for his Church being as God-man made Lord of all and crowned with glory and honour and ruling in all fulnesse of Maiesty power and Soueraignty being Act. 2. 34. 35. 36. Ph●l 2. ● Heb. 8. 1. 1. 3. Rom. 8. 34. Ioh. 17. 9. 20. set farre aboue all principality and power and euery thing that is named all things whether in earth heauen or hell being in subiection vnder his feet sauing alone that God did put all things vnder him Where also he euer liueth to make request for vs that are not of the world but haue beleeued through the word taught by his Apostles From thence hee shall come to iudge both the quicke and the dead This Iesus Christ shall come 2● Of the last iudgment Act. 1. ●1 17. 31. Mat. ●4 30 from thence that is from heauen into which he ascended after his r●surrection and not from thence that is from sitting at the right hand of God for n●uer shall his kingdome and power be more manifest then at this day to iudge the world at the last day for wee beleeue the world shall haue an end and at the last day Christ as hee is the Sonne of man shall iudge the world descending from heauen in the same visible forme in which hee went vp and comming in power and great glory at which day all shall be iudged 2 Tim. 4 1 Mat. 12 36 Eccles ●2 14. both those that shall be found then aliue and remaining till that day and those that haue beene dead from the beginning of the world to that day and they shall be iudged of all that they haue done in their bodies while they liued in them of euery idle word and of euery secret thing and euery one shall receiue without respect of persons according to 2 Cor. 5. 10 that he hath done while he liued here whether it be good or bad §. IIII. Wee beleeue also and professe and ought to hold till death I beleeue in the Holy Ghost THat the Holy Ghost is God 23 Of the Holy Ghost Ioh. 1● 26 2 Pet 1. 21. Esa 59 21. Gal 4. 1 Cor. 12 12 13. Ioh. 14 26. ● Ioh. 2 27 equall with the Father and the Sonne proceeding from the Father and the Sonne who spake by the Prophets in the Old Testament and by the Apostles in the New Testament and still worketh in and by that word who is also sent into the hearts of Gods children and is that one spirit that knitteth all Christians to Christ their head and san●●ifieth them by applying the ver●ue of Christs death and resurrection and comforteth and preserueth in the estate of holinesse the true members of Christ and abideth with them for euer This sanctification is to dye 24 Of Sanctification Rom. 6. 1 2 3 4. 1 Thes 5. 1 Ioh. 1. 8. Esa 64. 6. 1 Ioh. 3. ● Ioh. 3. 5. 2 Cor. 5 17. Ioel 2. ●8 Act. 2. 10 to sinne and rise againe to newnesse of life it is a work wrought in the whole man in soule and body and spirit yet but vnperfect in this life neuerthelesse the graces of this spirit wrought in vs at our new birth can neuer wholly or finally be lost and it is of absolu●e necessity that wee haue this spirit of Christ and find the worke thereof in regenerating vs and making vs a new or else we are not Christs nor

shall euer come to heauen This is the priuiledge of the Christian Church aboue the Iewish The graces and gifts of the Holy Ghost are powred forth on the Church in more plentifull measure in the time of the New Testament then they were in the Old §. V. Concerning the Church of God we beleeue The Holy Catholike Church THe Church is a company of 25 Of the Church Ioh. 17. 9. 14. Mat. 16. 18 Ephes 1. 3. 4. 5. men separate from the world gathered by the voyce of Christ in the ministery of his seruants which are his Cryers which company doe worship God in spirit and truth There was is and euer shall be to the end a true Church of God on earth Redemption Iustification Sanctification and Saluation with all spirituall blessings in heauenly places in Christ Iesus promised in the word belong onely to the Church This Church and euery member Esa 26. 1. 2 thereof is holy and shee is Catholique that is vniuersall so that in euery nation he that feareth Acts 10. 34 God and worketh righteousnesse is accepted of him Christ Iesus is the head of this Eph. 1. 22. 5. 23. Can. 1. 5 6 his body and the husband of this his spouse This Church on earth is militant liable to tentations crosses afflictions and oppositions of all sorts Now wheresoeuer the word of Esa 59. 21. 2. ● Eph. 5. 26. Mat. 2● 19 20. God is truely preached and embraced and the Sacraments rightly according to Christs institution administred there the Lord hath his Church Concerning her prerogatiues in this life 1 Communion of Saints ●● Of the communion of Saints Can. 6. ● There is a communion and fellowship of Saints they being knit all together into one with Christ by the holy Ghost that one 1 Cor. 12. Eph. 4. 4. 5. spirit and by faith and one with another by loue whence ariseth a glorious partaking mutually of all good things for as members of the same body they haue alike care one for the other and a fellow-feeling of wrongs and honour and labour to be of one minde and heart that there may be no schisme in the body and they employ their gifts for the good of the whole society 27 Of the forgiuenesse of sinnes 1 Ioh. 1. 10 Psa 18. 22. 51. 5. 2 Forgiuenesse of sinnes Euery man euen of this Church while hee is in this life needs forgiuenesse of sinnes and all the members of this holy Church here doe feele this need by reason of sinne dwelling in them of sinnes committed by them and of sinnes to which by nature they are more prone The Lord for his Sonnes sake Iesus Christ forgiueth the iniquity transgressions and sinnes Exod. 34. 6. 7. Psal 32. 1. 3. 4. Iob 33. 27. 28. 1 Ioh. 1. 9. Act. 3. 19. Rom. 4. 6. 7. 3. 20. 28. of all that truely repent so that he will neuer impute them nor punish them for them in this world nor in the world to come it is Gods free mercy that our sinnes are pardoned we are iustified freely by his grace through the bloud of Iesus Christ and the redemption which is in him of which righteousnesse and bloud-shedding o● Christ wee are made partakers by faith onely without the workes of the law for by the deeds of the law can no flesh be iustified in the sight of God Now being iustified by faith in Rom. 5. 1. the bloud of Christ wee haue peace with God The Ministers of the Gospell are sent by Christ with this authority that whosesoeuer sinnes Ioh. 20. 23. Mat. 18. 18. they doe forgiue according to the word of God which they are sent to dispense they are forgiuen in heauen and whosesoeuer sinnes they doe retaine according to the same word they are retained The resurrection of the body and life euerlasting At the last day the dead bodies 28 Of the resurrection Act. 24. 15. 1 Cor. 15. Iob 19. 13. 26. Ioh. 5. 28. 6. 44. 29 Of life eternall Rom. 6 23 of men the very same bodies in which both iust and vniust liued here though now laid in the dust and turned to corruption shall rise againe out of the dust of the earth and their own soules enter into them againe those that haue done euill to the resurrection of condemnation and those that haue done well to the resurrection of life euen of life euerlasting which is the gift of God through Iesus Christ our Lord and not the merit of our workes or any thing in vs. §. VI. These are the Articles of our beliefe to these God hath annexed two seales viz. Baptisme and the Lords Supper For wee are to beleeue and hold THat Christ hath ordained 〈◊〉 Of the Sacraments whole number nature two Sacraments alone and these two necessary to saluation Baptisme and the Lords Supper and that Sacraments are Signes giuen of God to bee seales of the righteousnesse of Faith euen of that righteousnesse of Iesus Christ brought in by his obedience to the death made ours by faith onely Vse they are to be vsed by vs as bands and vowes and solemne professions of our desires and endeauours after the beginnings and perfecting of In speciall of Baptisme the signe our faith and repentance The outward signe in Baptisme is the Ministers washing Mat. 28. 19 or dipping or sprinkling the beleeuer with water in the name of the Father of the Sonne and of the Holy Ghost The thing signified and sealed hereby to the beleeuing The grace Eph. 5. 26. Tit. 3. 5. penitent is the washing of the new birth by the Holy Ghost and the purging of the conscience from dead workes by the sprinkling of Christs bloud thereon by the same spirit of faith assuring vs of our adoption ingrafting into Christ deliuerance from Gods wrath forgiuenesse of sinnes communion with the Saints and resurrection of our bodies to life eternall The outward signe in the Of the Lords Supper the signe Lords Supper i● Bread Wine blessed broken powred forth and giuen by the Minister and taken and eaten and drunke by the faithfull The thing signified and sealed The grace to vs is the giuing of Christ by God the Father and Christ himselfe willingly giuing himselfe his body and bloud broken and shedde on the Crosse for our sinnes and transgressions that they might be forgiuen vs. which we must take eate and drinke by the hand and mouth of faith spiritually as it is offered to vs in the word of promise which saith This is my Body which is broken for you This is the New Testament in my bloud which is shed for you and for many for the remission of sinnes whereby our faith is strengthened and we grow in the assurance of Gods loue in the graces of his spirit in the life of holy duties in repentance towards God in loue of the communion of Saints in assured faith and hope of resurrection to life eternall 1 Cor.

with him giuing to God the first of our thoughts our first words and the first fruites of the day Psal 5. 3. 4. 119. 147. Pro. 6. 22. the time neede not bee long it may be in so much space done ●elnigh as one would say the Lords prayer ouer treatably this will season the heart and remember for thy incouragement that place in 2 Chro. 19. 9. The eyes of the Lord runne to and fro throughout the whole earth to shew himselfe strong in the behalfe of him whose heart is perfect towards him then after thy awaking with God it is to begin the day with solomne prayer it is to looke vp to the Lord in all thy wayes through the whole day Psal 119. 168. walking alwayes as in his sight this i● to remember God in thy wayes an admirable preseruatiue against all euill and it hath the promise Mat. 6. 33. 1 Tim. 4. 3. 4. G●n 24. 11. 12. 26 27. desire therefore to see God in ●ll in his prouidence in his workes 2 It is to doe all our labours not for gaine and the desire to be rich but as dutie and because we are set of God in our places doe serue God in doing our duty Col. 3. 24. Ios 1. 8. from whom also we exp●ct a reward and so liue as Pilgrimes and strangers auoiding worldlinesse not setting our hearts on riches if they increase Psal 62. 10. vsing the world not louing it not carefull any way about the successe or the after time but diligent and prouident and refering the rest to Gods blessing 1 Cor. 7. 32. Pro. 27. 1. 2 Iam. 4. 13. 14. 15. 3 It is to practice our Christian graces in our callings to the adorning of the doctrine of Christ our Sauiour in all things Tit. 2. 9. as piety the feare to offend faith patience obedience truth meeknesse innocency c that the Lord may be sancti●●ed in our hearts and glorified in our liues knowing we haue only so much and so many of these graces as we can expresse in the power and life of them in our liues If thou faint saith Salomon in the day of aduersity thy strength is small Pro. 24. 10. 4 It is to watch against the Temptations of our callings which are the sins or the crosses that meete vs in our callings 1 Sins that attend such a calling are such as wicked men the men of this world haue vsed for gaines sake ●ither out of couetuous desires to increase their estate or when they were hard bestead to get out of misery or avoid the inconueniences thou must so order thy estate that those sinnes may bee auoided 2 The Crosses and afflictions of thy calling Know that no calling is without his trouble and gr●iuance and therfore it is not for thee to be weary of thy state and to desire change as if another calling would be freer from trouble No no But rather arme thy selfe to beare and take vp thy crosses not harkening to the ill motions of thy flesh the wicked counsel of Satan tendred to thy heart to haste to ill meanes but rest on God who giueth an issue to the temptation that wee may be able to beare it Thus of our behauiour in our particuler callings in our generall calling now followeth § XXVIII The order of our conuersation in our generall calling all our liues OVr generall calling is to be Thy duty in thy generall calling Christians the highest dignity of the sonnes of men here i● behooueth all to bee inquisitiue what it is we owe in answerablenesse to this our high calling all our liues and in all conditions and changes of life that former text in 1 Cor. 7. 24. giueth it in the lumpe all thy dayes abide with God to whose communion and fellowship thou art called by the Gospell of Iesus Christ his sonne and in the seuerall states of life as in affliction in pouerty in sicknesse in persecution and in death in euery of those changes of thy mortall condition abide with God therein The remainder therefore of the rules concerning our conuersation towards our selues are thus cast as they concerne our generall calling they frame vs in our abode with God 1 All our liues 2 In seuerall changes of life To abide with God alwayes as in wealth affliction generally considered pouerty sicknesse persecution the last worke wee haue to doe which is how to dye or in preparation for death For our abode with God in Where the walkes of Christianity without consideration of the seuerall alterations of life we are subiect vnto seing here we walke by faith not by sight 2 Cor. 5 7. these things attend about thy faith 1 The examination and triall Rules about thy faith of thy estate Whether thou be in the faith or no a matter so fearefully neglected almost by all We are not more miserable in the multitude of our transg●essions and the numberlesse swarmes of inward masterlesse passions aff●ctions and lusts then in our wretchlessenesse about the triall of our estates wherein wee put all to hazzard and blesse our selues in our own wayes saying to our own heart surely no euill shall befall vs. Yet where the Ministery hath beene in any life and power nothing more speakes our reprobation then this Carelesse ouerture 2 Cor. 13. 5. and selfe deceit hath beguiled vs if we giue not all diligence to make our calling and election sure 2. Pet. 1. 10. Gal. 6. 4 5 7. I must from Gods owne mouth tell you that hee was neuer effectually called who careth not to be sure that hee is in the faith and in the estate of saluation The heart that was euer affected with the knowledge of his damnable estate by nature and of the way of Saluation by Christ alone cannot take quiet rest till he know in some measure out of the euidence of Scripture experience of grace wrought in his heart that Christ is in him and he translated out of that kingdome of sinfull darkenesse If now thy heart be wonne to this tryall I present thee with these two trees to behold in deepest thoughtfulnesse Note here that any one branch or fruit of either roote will proue thee enwrapped and folded in that blissefull estate or cursed condition 2 The second rule is that we build vp our selues on our most holy faith Iude 20 hauing examined and vpon examination found our selues to be in the faith and this we shall doe if 1 Wee indeauour to vnderstand more fully and to take into our hearts with more inlarged thoughts the mystery of God the Father and of Christ that our hearts may be comforted being knit together in loue vnto all riches of the full assurance of vnderstanding Col. 2. 2. and for this cause praying in the Holy Ghost that Christ might dwell in our hearts by faith c. Ephes 3. 17. 18. 19. 2 If wee inure our selues to liue by faith the onely safe happy and comfortable life for a Christian vpon earth By this the