not repent this little paine â—o much will be thy comfort and thy gaine â—e all be done as thou Lord seest fit Amen Amen Lord Jesus so be it Woe for the abuses of these sinful times Our Callings common crying chiefest crimes IS it not a wicked world when honesty Is called and counted childish foolery When lying perjury and falshood foule Are followed gract maintaint without controule When to extort opresse by force or fraud Instead of right and mercy most applaud When place and power abused are shamefully To wrong the poore and suppresse equity When avarice pride lust excesse to cherish We cause our owne and others soules to perish No attestations false to prov 't I need Those most accursed do it leave off take heed When great ones customes though in things amisse Before Gods expresse Law preferred is When because most doe so it must so be Or who doth otherwise strange man is he When vertue is for shew not deed esteemed When all is well if honest he be deemed Though guilty conscience tels us to our face Seem what we will we are in evill case When to our shame if but our turnes we serve We crouch to such who small respect deserve When he the wise wise man a counted is That closest carrieth all 〈◊〉 knaveries When he that freely plaâ—â— deales and truly Is worthlesse witlesse held 〈◊〉 most unruly Is hated scorned frowned of and hardly used Belyed defamed watcht scoâ—â— at and misused When the malicious partall man doth threat Yet his best cause before faâ—â—e justice seat Dares not present who darknesse works hates light A conscience foule dares not appeale to right But underhand scandall 〈◊〉 raise ne're ceaseth Th' are heard stood for by such as such things pleaseth When a wrongd-just cause which craves to be righted Shall scarce be heard at best put off and slighted When falshood many truth few friends shall find A true discovery how we are inclin'd Enough vaine foolish men run on your race Horrour shame mischiefe misery disgrace Your portion is and truth that now is blamed Shall once prevaile and never be ashamed Comfort help Heaven in no wise looke you for Continuing thus your wayes he doth abhorre The right Religion understand me well The galled guilty will fret raile and swell He that 's a griev'd and findeth fault with this I more then think himselfe most faulty is Silence with godly sorrow and t' amend To just suspition sinne shame harme puts end THe proud peevish jest mâ— and vexing humour of a Preacher is most offensive and unseemly An humble quiet grave and friendly carriage does much good and is most comely Hate thy sinne as well as know it forsake it as well as beg pardon for it if thou my self practice it it little availes thee to reprove it Doe well trust God and be merry whosoever mislikes it There is no fence against the ungrounded suspitions oâ— the slanderous spitefull injurious uncharitable speechs oâ— others which thou knowest not of in this case approve thy heart to God give no cause of offence and care not for harme shee they shall not Parents must not be tyrants nor children masters To be temperate in eating and drinking To make a covenant with our eyes To be more watchfull sober and wise in speaking To rise every morning timely To premeditate before holy â—uties To strive against deadnesse wearinesse customarinesse in performing them To labor for an holy harmlesse carriage furthers inward quier and prevents outward scandall Avoid all by-respects all evill thoughts all misgovernment of the tongue all unscemly behaviour and all sinfull actions Endeavour Gods glory in all things to entertaine godâ— thoughts to strive to govern the tongue to embrace a coâ—â—ly behaviour to walk always as in Gods presence to apprâ—â— our hearts to him helps forwâ—â— in holinesse Pray pray pray that God would shew thee the right way 1 Because he requires it Jer. 6.16 2 Because he hath promised to shew it Psal 32.8 Jer. 33.3 3 And to cause us walk in 〈◊〉 Ezek. 26.37 Hos 14.19 4. And that we shall perseven therein Psal 66.9 5 And because the Lord hath promised his blessing to all that walk in it Ps 1. 50.23 119. Gal. 6.16 Or thus of the same Pray to be enabled to walke with God and therefore to avoid evill company a maine hinderance thereof Prov. 4.14 1â— to imbrace good society a great furtherance therto Pro. 2. â—0 to be shewed the right way Ps 119.5 part Jer. 10.23 to be kept from all deceitfull wayes Psal 119.5 part and that the Lord will knit our hearts to feare his Name Psal 86.11 For the attaining to and furtherance of a pious acceptable profitable conversation keep my heart above all things therfore avoid and strive against prophane uncharitable lofty thoughts ungrounded discontented conceits spirituall worldly pride hipocrisie deceitfulnesse in heart dispensation to neglect good or to commit evil inward danger envy fretting at others prosperity murmuring against disputing with God to strive against the occasions of sinne offered and the sinne it selfe be it never so secret To entertaine and to labour after reverend awfull holy thoughts in respect of God presence loving charitable thoughts in respect of others humble and lowly thoughts is respect of our selves soundnesse of judgement to discerne thing aright inward content meâ—â—nesse sincerity sobriety stâ—â—ednesse peaceablenesse to dea good and fly evill according â—â— the light of a well informeâ— conscience Pray to leave sinne whereof we are guilty to be preserved from those whereof we are not so apparently faulty to mount for what we cannot mend For the first sort confesse them flye the occasions of them falling sometimes through frailty not to lye still therein but to repent and amend speedly and to watch there-against more carefully vow the more earnestly against them For the second feare our selves think we our selves never so free watch against the accasions least we fall before we feare For the third lay them before the Lord beg reformation endeavour to practice all we can If we would pray to be heard ground all on the word of God pray in the name of Christ beleeve acceptation in him await such an answer as he sees fit rest on the Lords al-sufficient assistance attend with good endeavours let words be few at least with great judgement and affection let thy heart be lift up be advised what thou prayâ—â— for strive against habituall at stractions passions lusts be fervent in spirit with instanty without failing or discouragement with perseverance truth Lord thou requirest it but I am wholly insufficient to it but thou hast promised to give it therefore I crave it relying thereon for times of prayer when he can to be more large and solemne wanting convenicy hereto to be full of short Ejaculations and when neither of these can be conveniently performed to pray in hean for all are commanded commended acceptable and powerfull all in the name
matter seem it never so much precisenesse especially of such duties to which thou art most indisposed or in which thou hast been most carelesse or the which stesh and blood thinketh least necessary for the Lord will have sincere and seasonable obedience in every particular 4 Think it not enough to doe one good thing and then to follow some other evill as to make conscience of sanctifying the Sabath and yet to take leave to take Gods Name in vaine or to apply thy selfe diligently to Gods publike worship yet not to stick to lye sweare deceive forsweare extort in thy particular calling or to be strict in thy outward conversation and yet dare to harbour discontent envy hatred malice discord revenge or to seeme friendly abroad or yet be currish at home or to be temperate in some places and companies and yet to tipple drink healths and be drunk in some other or to be modest in behaviour and yet abound in filthy conceits or to seem religious and yet want government of the tongue or to be just in outward dealings and yet be uncharitable and the like as also on the contrary for every sinne as well as any sinne must be conscionably avoided or none is sincerely eschewed 5 Neither rest contented in straining at a Gnat if thou darest to swallow a Camell or though thou escapest grosse and open sinnes if thou allowest thy selfe in some lesser and secret evils these are most deceitfull dangerous devillish and without repentance damnable conceits and are sure signes of an huge hypocrite and must unsound soule But O my soule who is sufficient for these things well endeavour uprightly watchfully constantly in every particular that the Lord hath revealed to thee and it is in Gods estimation perfect obedience onely give not thy selfe the least freedome in the least matter against conscience to transgresse then beleeve and thou mayest be assured the Lord Jesus Christ his alsufficient satisfaction both in his absolute obedience and infinite sufferings is imputed unto thee and thou in him hast fully obeyed and suffered all that the Lord can in his exactest justice require of thee we may keep all though we cannot fulfill any one of Gods Commandements we may often break and yet not forsake his holy Covenant Thus farre of this His Verses on the Bible P leasure and profit piety and peace H ealth for the soule all happinesse encrease I n each estate within this golden Mine L yes couched close yet of pe to all mens eyne L ets then delves search and curiously pry I nto the same and mark what we can spy P repare good instruments the ground is hard P romise is made we shall find rich reward S oare first in faith with prayer above the Sunne K eep constant courses carelesnesse still shunne I oyne with your reading reverence be attent P ractice with knowledge from on high are sent P ray more and more such graces to attaine O n Sacred Writ to meditate take paine N eglect not application of the same N o doubt so striving we shall win the Game His Verses on his Hour-Glasse AS this Glasse runs so runs thy Glasse of life Each houre one houre neerer thy lives end Ere sand be out Death with his fatall knife Cats short thy dayes perhaps repent amend Delay no time see how away he hyes Once past past calling backe with loudest cryes Behold this Glasse and then take heedfull view What 's thy estate more brittle then the same Soon broke as sand in wind in hast oh rue Thy sinnes forepast with sorrow and with shame Henceforth aye runne of godlinesse the race While thy Glasse runs and daies fleet hence apace Let thy oft turning of this running Glasse Cause in thy mind to run that thou still turne To great Jehovah let no houre passe While God vouchsafe thou in this world sojourne Without some worke of grace oh spend no time In plotting following any sinfull crime So though this Glasse and life at once run out Time past mispent bewaild to come redeemd Of dying well thou needst not stand in doubt Ill having hated done what best beseemd Were every houre the latest of thy breath The happiest houre shall be the houre of death Morning Thoughts BEthink performe each morning thou survivest Thy duty to thy God while here thou livest Arake with him in humble chearfull wise Open thine heart as early as thine eyes Who holy thoughts his Majesty salute Of a true godly life what is the fruit Of rising from thy sinnes to wayes of grace The resurrection set before thy face Eke unto judgement thy most sure arising By light of day be with thy self devising Of that most glorious armour of pure light And of thy naturall darknesse take in sight And works of darknesse labour off to cast Bidding thy God good morrow thus make hast Upon his holy Name to invocate Confessing and bewailing thine estate By nature actuall offendings too Labour for feeling though with much adoe Weigh to thy sinnes all judgement are most due Thy just desert whereof take paines to rue With deprecation then will fervency To thy good God in Christ for pardon cry Resolving by his grace which beg henceforth In heart word deed to esteem of highest worth His holy feare and service every way Beleeve for these in faith will reeling pray In and from danger preservation Strength to resist Satans temptation Comfort in griefe help in adversity Reliefe in any kind of misery For deaths preparing dying to the world That it's and flesh his lusts may be controld Heaven hungred after in each thing content To please the Lord in all that heart be bent To walke uprightly in thy lawfull calling In others matters not thy selfe inthralling For companies and privaties right use Against thoughts words deeds behaviours abuse Concerning all in each alwaies to watch That thou nor others harme thereby to catch Briefly to thy most blessed God commend Whatsoever any way thou dost intend That better and not worse they still mayest grow By all thou hearest seest or else doest know Labouring to keep sweet peace with thy sweet God Which being even no maner what is odde In every thing submitting to his will Then from thy heart thy mouth with praises fill For all his blessings great and manifold Past present and to come both new and old In speciall for protection in the night Judgements prevented now with morning light Sweet motions grant every gift firme fading For this or better life thy selfe perswading Thy Gods rich mercy is the ground of all Thou didst before doest now or ever shall Enjoy and entire thanks to manifest Let soule and body all thou hast be prest To doe his will in all his Word requireth That thou mayest be such as his heart desireth To live and dye in happy state of grace And so in mercy aye behold his face Thus as thine owne thinke on the Churches peace To attend thy prayers with practice doe not cease And thou wilt
grace and supplication that I may at this present poure out my heart in prayer before thee so that thou mayest be pleased to heare and help from Heaven seasonably and effectually thy great name shall have all the glory Or Thus O Lord prepare my miserable unprepared heart to pray heare me graciously though I be most unworthy as thou hast promised whatsoever opposeth thy great name shall have all the glory Or Thus O Lord help my heart to pray heare my prayers thy name shall have the praises If he comes into Gods House before the beginning of publike worship O Most holy Lord God prepare every one of our unprepared hearts in most holy manner to seek thy face in every one of thy most holy Ordinances work effectually with thy most holy spirit upon every one of our hearts that the meanes of grace may prove effectuall to every one of our most sinfull soules to the building of them up in all grace to our present comfort and eternall happinesse in Christ Jesus Amen When Amen is pronounced at the end of the publike prayers Amen Lord Amen of thy infinite mercy according to thy immutable truth by thy unresistable working notwithstanding our unworthinesse insufficiency and all other impediments thy great name shall have all the glory to which alone the same is due wholy When he gives Almes Good Lord accept the will for the deed forgive and reforme what is amisse vouchsafe a plentifull blessing in due season according to thy wonted goodnesse and faithfull promises in Christ Jesus When the blessing is pronounced O Lord our God most mighty mercifull and true vouchsafe graciously seasonably and effectually to leave thy promised blessing of mercy grace and peace behind thee Amen When he awakes in the morning O Lord my God it is of thine owne and onely wonted undeserved infinite never failing mercies that I have not in this night past been smothered in my sleep and sinnes that I may behold the light of this day in peace awaken my heart with all holy affections towards thee cause me to cast off all works of darknesse and to walk in the light before thee renew remission unto me for my sins of the night renewed against thee throughout this day governe me by thy Word and spirit in all I goe about and let thy blessing be upon me in all that any way concernes me my soule through Jesus Christ shall more and more magnifie thee Amen When he layes him downe at night to take his rest O Lord my God by thy especiall providence assistance I lay me downe in peace at this present and blesse thy name unfainedly that all things throughout this day hath gone so well with me whereas else I had been every way most unhappy Oh multiply pardon to me for my fauls multiplyed against thee even this day past I beseech thee and watch over me the rest of this night to preserve me from sinning against thee though never so secretly and to keep off whatsoever would any way harme me for all grace and good my soule shall more and more through Jesus Christ glorifie thee Amen Before his going to heare Gods Word preached O Lord my God whose word I goe to heare grant me thy grace to heare it as thy word with all due reverence earnest attention and holy affection oh help me against all dead heartednesse distractednes and wearinesse make my heart as the good ground rightly to receive this heavenly seed water the same with the dew of thy grace that it may bring forth fruit abundantly in my knowledge resolution and practice in faith and godlinesse with all patience and constancy thus work in and for me mercifully powerfully faithfully notwithstanding my unprepared insensible unprofitable hearing therof whereof alas I am most hainously continually guilty for which I beg pardon and amendment yea in spite of all that the flesh the world the devill labour to the contrary Amen Amen my Father in Christ herein help me I most humbly and earnestly beg pray and beseech thee Amen at this time and upon the like occasions continually When be comes from hearing Gods Word Now my good and gracious God having by thy especiall providence goodnesse and grace injoyed the gracious meanes happy opportunity and thy help to heare thy most holy word for which exceeding great favours make me truâ—â— thankfull and of which crave the continuance unto my lives end bring the same to my remembrance affect me with each part thereof throughly cause me to mix it with faith rightly and to put each part thereof in practice Christianly as the necessities of my poore soule require especially heare and blesse in mercy as thou hast promised though I have sinned and whatsoever opposeth Amen Before his reading Gods Word in private O my heavenly Father be intreated mercifully powerfully faithfully now and at all other times be I never so unworthy indisposed and whatsoever opposeth to strengthen and blesse me in the reading understanding remembring applying and practising of thy most holy word as may be most to thy great glory and my eternall good through Christ Jesus Amen After his reading Gods Word in private O my God I most heartily thank thee for this most inestimable Jewell of thy most holy Word for this great freedome and thy especiall help to be exercised therein and for all the good that by thy blessing my poore soul hath received thereby Oh forgive my unthankfulnesse therefore and abusing thereof reforme these foule offences in me and notwithstanding the same and whatsoever else would hinder continue these great mercies unto me and make each part of thy most holy word my guide and comfort in life and death through Jesus Christ Amen I beg of thee Before his meditating in private Good Lord it is my most humble earnest suit unto thy most sacred Majesty that thou wilt not lay to my charge my long wilfull neglect of miserable aversnesse from and extream indisposition to this so much required and exceeding needfull dutie of divine Meditation but notwithstanding these and though I neither know how nor have any abilitie to discharge the same as I ought I pray and beseech thee to learne me the right way thereto and to dispose me in some good measure to the performance thereof help me to begin goe on and end in respect of the present matter thereof with sound judgement moved affection powerfull application and unfained purpose to put all to conscionable practice to the encrease of all grace and godlinesse through thy alone deare Sonne my alone sweet Saviour Christ Jesus Amen After his meditating in private My deare God my soule magnifieth thee for this opportunitie and assistance thou hast vouchsafed me most weak and unworthie in the performance of this holy dutie oh pardon pittie and reforme my ignorance insensiblenesse and manifold distempers herein oh helpe me more and more better hereunto and doe me this exceeding great favour that I may constantly beare
expect all mercy grace peace comfort strength health safety succour help deliverance and salvation onely from thee oh grant each seasonably and effectually unto me Lord work all thy works iâ— me that I may serve thee as â— ought and work all my work for me that I may prosper a thou hast promised Lord make me as thou would dest have me and require whâ—â— thou wilt of me give me which thou seest best for me and dâ—â— what thou wilt with me Lord be my strength refuge and ready help at hand mâ— sufficiency safety and good successe and when where and how thou pleasest imploy me Lord cleare my innocency stop the mouth of injury faithfully worthily and in-offensively make me to discharge each part of my duty Lord make me wise warned watchfull and well governed by my former folly rashnesse weaknesse and misgovernment Lord let me no more be conformable to the sinfull and unseemly fashions of the world but reforme my whole man according to thy will Lord forgive and keep me from those sinnes whereby I have most dishonoured thee disgraced my Christian profession injured others clog'd my conscience terrified my souse or any way procured my selfe shame or harme Lord make me to make and let me find each part of thy Word my guide and comfort Lord direct governe restore comfort support establish inable protect provide for and blesse me as every one of my especiall occasions doe or may require of thee Lord at one time or other by one meanes or other ere we do part hence work for the effectuall conversion and everlasting salvation of every one of mine and I desire no more for them of thee Lord prepare me to meet the ere thy wrath come upon me in the day of calamity hide me under thine hand till thy indignation be over past Lord in wisdome love and faithfulnesse visit me and deale as thou pleasest with me Lord when all is past hope thou canst most easily help my case is fully knowne and wholy commended to thee thou hast helped remarkably thy hand is not shortned thy mercy never faileth thy truth endureth for ever towards me Lord let not my hope deceive nor thy help faile me oh cause me to make and let me find thy providence my portion continually so shall I be supplied seasonably and never want any thing thou seest good for me Lord prepare me to suffer to dye let every thing draw me neerer to thee let death bring me to life eternall with thee doe then what thou wilt with me call then when where and how thou pleasest for me Lord from sin shame harme in thy feare in a good repute and peace preserve me Lord how shall I behave my selfe in my present distressed estate and how wilt thou therein deale with me oh that thou wouldest dispose and dispatch all my businesse for me Lord all help faileth me none cares for me every thing seemâ— to crosse me yet help thou and all shall goe well with me Lord cause me to goe the right way to work and to submit to thy disposing wholy Lord let it appeare the right way is the best way never of never faile forsake or forget me let them that now for wel-doing scorn me see thou fovourest and releevest me Lord cause me secretly and sensibly to sorrow for my owne sinnes and to mourne for the abominations of the times and this uncessantly Lord affect me with the affections of Joseph rightly dispose me to pray for the peace of Zion seriously in all reforme and pardon me Lord give me feeling feeling feeling of all the good things I know and utter before thee thou knowest and I acknowledge the same to be extreamly wanting in me Lord let no thought of my heart nor word of my mouth be in vain for me but thou that art my strength and my Redeemer accept all my Meditations and expressions continually Lord carry me with wisdome patience comfort and good successe through all my great occasions Lord change my disposition reform my conversation speedily and powerfully wherein I am most averse from good and prone to evill especially Lord that thou wouldest instruct and inable me sincerely and circumspectly to order my lawfull affaires substantially whatsoever others may thinke speake or worke against me and that thine owne seasonablâ— and effectuall working to afforâ—â—n happy issue might according to thy mercy and truth appeare towards me Lord put me not off with outward mercies but vouchsafe me a portion of thy best blessings From sloath lust and carelesnesse from tatling tipling and trifling away time from putting off my private devotions from discontent and discord Good Lord deliver me Grounds of comfort against the nick-name of Puritane and Round-head It is nothing in respect of what hath been objected against Christ and the godly for there hath been objected against them grieuous things (a) Acts 25.7 gluttony (b) Mat. 11.18.19 madnesse (c) Joh. 10.20 blasphemy (d) Mat. 26.65 Mark 9.3 Acts 6.11 13 14. murder (e) Acts 28.4 deceiving (f) Joh. 7.12 2 Cor. 6.8 rebellion (g) Acts 17.6 7. rayling (h) Acts 23.4 babling idolatry (i) Acts 17.18 bringers of strange things (k) Acts 17.20 scisme (l) Acts 28.22 wickednesse of life (m) 1 Pet. 2.12 the abjects abused them (n) Psa 35.15 drankards sang of them (o) Psal 69.12 the basest derided them (p) Job 30.1 they were a reproach of men (q) Psal 22.12 a by-word (r) Psal 44.14 a proverbe (s) Psal 69.11 a wonder (t) Psal 17.7 Isa 8.18 gazing-stocks (u) 1 Cor. 4.9 fools (w) 1 Cor. 4.10 insufficient despised (x) Idem defamed made as filth and off-scowring (y) 1 Cor. 4.13 great men rayle at them (z) Psa 31.13 godly men censure them (a) Jobs friends 1 Cor. 4.4.10 and by slander excommunicate them (b) Isa 66.5 are most fouly scandalized (c) Ps 69.7 44.15 condemned by a whole Counsell (d) Mat. 27.1 Joh. 11.47 48. Acts 6.12 4.6.15 5.27 23.1 yea to suffer as evill doers (e) 2 Tim. 2.9 Psal 37.32 33. Psal 41.8 Isa 53.4 well if God condemnes us not what matters the censures and reproachfull nick-names of others (f) 1 Pet. 3.16 If good bad men both should judge amisse Keep conscience cleare tâ—ou needst not care I wisse Alas this is not to resist unto blood h Heb. 12.4 my Saviour sayes Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and shall say all manner of evill falsly for my sake reioyce and be exceeding glad for great is your reward in heaven for so persecuted they the Prophets that were before you i Mat. 5.11 12. yea my most blessed Redeemer so have they abused thee and all thy dearest Servants oh then why should I that am not worthy the name of a Servant or Disciple think to be above my Lord and Master and better
1 All manner of in justice by plotting counselling pleading or any other way by secret subtlely by abuse of wit or power furthering the same by or for themselves or others Levit. 19.15.13 2 Doing injustice with the most voyces or greatest number desiring to please or be applauded by the multitude or too much regarding or fearing their frownes scorns censures because they are many and mighty and may upon some other occasions further or hinder them as they may herein please or displease the most Exod. 23.2 Wresting the Law for their owne or others evill ends misinterpreting the same seeting false glosses therupon subtiely perswading or violently working to make wrong seem right and right wrong hereby to pleasure others to serve their owne turnes and to wrong the guiltlesse Deut. 16.19 4 Judging by outward appearance according to the a first unsearcht-seeming-simplicity or sincerity and right of the cause or person or according to the like unexamined seeming foulnesse of the fact â—nesse of the cause or guiltinesse of the party or whatsoever our owne or others conceits may be of the matter or manner without due examination deep deliberation and impartiall judgement concerning both John 7.24 5 Hasty and rash judgement before they be throughly acquainted with the case and all its circumstances and having fully heard out the party accused John 7.51 1 Cor. 4.5 1 Tim. 5.22 6 All falshood and double-dealing pretending one thing and intending another labouring to make that which is apparently false seem true Exodus 23.7 7 Taking bribes which most fouly corrupt and oft times wholly overthrowes the course of justice and turne all up side down Deut. 16.18 8 Covetousnesse the cause of bribe-taking so helping him that gives most be he or his case good or bad Evod. 18.21 9 Whores who will seduce and mislead and intice prevaile against right and to the Judges destruction Proverbs 31.3 10 Drunkennesse impaire the judgement besots the Judge makes them forget the Law and pervert judgement Prov. 31.4 5. 11 Highmindednesse which causeth a contempt and carelesnesse of doing justice as if it did not concerne them or that they were too good therefore Deut. 17.20 12 Gathering wealth which stirreth the mind by any way whatsoever to attaine thereto Deut. 17.17 13 Partiality to any for any regard of feare favour pleasure profit or desire of praise c. Deut. 1.17 16.19 Prov. 18.5 24.23 1 Tim. 5.21 14 Partiality to the poore out of untimely and unfitting pitty to him his cause being bad or because his adversary is thine enemy or because thou lookest for service from him Exod. 23.3 Lev. 19.15 15 Partiality to the rich and mighty in desire of their good will or feare of their evill will towards us Levit. 19.15 Deut. 1.17 16 Wronging the poore because he cannot fee thee or withstand his powerfull adversary who can pay thee better Exod. 23.6 Prov. 22.22 Zech. 7.10 17 Wronging the innocent out of private spleene against him or friendship to his wicked adversary c. for God will not justifie but plague such wickednesse Exod. 23.7 Prov. 18.5 Jer. 22.3 18 Wronging the Widdow the fatherlesse the stranger because they are so and so contemned poore and helplesse or for any of the fore-mentioned or any other respect Zech. 7.10 Jer. 22.3 19 Overthrowing a righteous cause by quirks in law of other glosses to make right seem wrong wrong right Exod. 23.6 Prov. 18.5 20 Cruelty oppression exactions to serve their passion lusts covetousnesse or any other base and sinfull humour yea though in regard of men they have power in their hand to doe it and may be unquestioned Ezek. 45.9 21 Fearing the face of man be they who they will and take it how they will for the judgement is the Lords to secute them spite of those that distaste threaten or would harme them for judging justly and to plague them if they doe otherwise whosoever may seem promise and endeavour to stand for them Deut. 1.17 22 Passing judgement upon one Witnes be the Witnes who he will be the Offender what he will and the offence as it will Deut. 19.15 23 Wearinesse in doing justice to any in any place upon any occasion 1 Sam. 7 15 16. Exod. 18.22 2 What Magistrates must do in executing justice 1 They must write and study and labor by all good means to acquaint themselves throughly with Gods Law being the ground of all good lawes to be the better able to understand and execute justice Deut. 17.18 2 In feare to offend and trembling at Gods displeasure for offending they most must wisely and worthily discharge this duty Ps 2.10 11. 3 They must be sure their endeavours in Christ be accepted and blessed least vengeance come upon them and they perish in their unjust wayes Psl 2.12 4 Their charge is strictly given them to execute justice uprightly Deut. 1.16 5 They must help one another in judgement for more ease and better furtherance and speedier dispatch Exod. 18 22. 6 They must shew the parties their warrant for their proceeding in the course of justice concerning the cause out of Gods Word for that if any thing will satisfie Exod. 18.16 7 Solid Counsell may be given by others and ought to be accepted by them concerning justice both for choosing â—â— persons to and for the manner of executing the same Exod. 18 â—â— 17 18 19 20 21 22 24 at large 8 Good counsell in these must be followed and men must not wholy rely on their owne wisdome opinion or sufficiency herein Exod. 18.24 9 They are to choose them well qualified persons to help them in judgement Exod. 18.25 see before how Magistrates should be qualified 10. They must warne the people to take heed they sinne not by standing in a bad cause least they suffer by Gods hand and by the hand of justice 2 Ch. 19.10 11 In doubtfull matters they must enquire diligently till what was obscure be cleared and all circumstances be rightly conceived Deut. 19 18. Job 29.16 Josh 7.19 John 7.51 Gen. 3.11 11.5 18.21 Iudg. 20.3.12 Prov. 18 13. 12 They may and must require an Oath if need be for clearing the truth and ending of strife Exod. 22.10 read from the 7 ver 13 An Oath that cannot be disapproved must be accepted Exod. 22.10 14 They must heare both parties deliberately patiently throughly to informe themselves in all part culars rightly and fully Deut. 1.17 Prov. 18.13 17. Iohn 7.51 15 If the matter be too hard for them they must bring it to God by prayer Deut. 1.17 16 They may and must give judgement upon the testimony of two or three Witnesses Deut. 19.17 17.16 Matth. 18.16 John 8.17 2 Cor. 13.1 Hebr. 10.28 17 They must doe with a false witnesse as he would have done to the party whom he falsly accused Deuter. 19.16 to the end 18 They must plead the just cause of the poore who want the understanding sufficiency boldnesse to plead their owne case or have no
have not followed such courses then for my part 〈◊〉 there be no other remedy if I must needs dye poore I would rather dye poore and honest and leave a good repute then dye miserable and wicked and â—ink in the esteem and report of others or if some seem to grow rich by these wayes I dare boldly say such ill gotten goods shall not long prosper but either they or theirs shall find Gods hand one way or other against them and why should we not be perswaded the Lord can as easily and remarkably help us as he hath helped others and ours though many as if they were but one and ouâ— of the most and greatest troubles as if they were never so few and small for it is all on with him to whom nothing is impossible if we but as conscionable Christians depend upon his fatherly providence oh it is cur propanenesse and distrust that with-holds his fatherly help from us Further there are I feare but very few among us that will take no more by ill meanes then the States by ill payment take from us witnesse if the profit of twelve men would make good that charge the profit of thirty men will not serve our turne and this makes them say if we would allow the Captaines tenne or twelve dead payes they would cozen us neverthelesse therfore why should they have that allowance true the States know they are cozened but know not precisely who cozens them or by what meanes and although forcingly they conive at they doe not approve of it witnesse their strict forbidding and if they find any faulty their sharp punishing of it howsoever if the meanes I use be forbidden by God as the very best of these are being at least lying and deceiving I cannot see that any conivance or other circumstance can warrant me to use them I acknowledge againe ingeniously that Captaines in these Countries serve in a most uncomfortable and unhappy condition who by the ill payment are forced to live theeves or dye beggars or spend their owne meanes and that it is extream hard that in recompence of all our labour and danger which our calling is subject to more then others we and our wives and children cannot ear bread except it be the bread of deceit and violence which though it seem sweet for the present will choake us in the end neither can I see any reason or equity in them that are the cause of such our extremities and if they can doe not redresse neither doe I see how authority will ever be able to answer it before Gods judgement sear that they have not removed the cause of such unrighteous dealings whereby I dare averre it for experientiâ doeet it is now come to that passe that it is impossible to serve the Land truly and hold fast our integrity are we not then in a fine case and is not the Lands service come to a fine passe and are we not like to prosper when we that are imployed in the service serve in a course of unrighteousnesse or ruine our selves and ours without remedy and for those places the labourer is worthy of his hire c. they shew what ought to be and not what alwayes is for another Scripture sayes woe to them that detaine the Labourers hire so indeed we ought to have out appointed pay or else how can we be content with our wages yet for all this we have no warrant to follow any unlawfull wayes forbidden and accursed by God as is proved before Grant I doe not as I say the truth remaines truth and if I dare doe otherwise the same will turne to my greater condemnation knowing and saying so much as I doe and this is that above all I abhor and condemn in the discourses of others concerning these things that because they doe not as they ought they dare justifie what they do yea some dare say they hold it no sin to do so and they do it will do it Oh horrible presumption it is too much we doe ill would God we were sensible thereof and we would not so plead therefore but to justisie our selves therein as if we not onely faultlesse but did well is too too bad oh if we doe no more let us at least give God his glory thus farre as to acknowledge we doe amisse doing so fouly amisse Take this in good part in some part of answer to these Objections which I vvish with my soule may satisfie others as they doe me To conclude I freely friendly and faithfully give this counsell in this case Take this as an infallible ground there is no circumstance whatsoever can make an unlawfull thing lawfull That the worst of suffering is to be chosen before the best of sinne That it is better to live in misery then in iniquity That in the day of visitation and at the houre of death which sooner or later will come upon every one of us these courses cannot any whit comfort but if we dye not stupid impenitent Beasts will torment us That God hath no need of our sinnes to serve his providence towards us That this our prophanenesse and distrust hinders his help and blessing from us That the right way is the best way procuring inward contentment boldnesse before the strictest authority a good repute freedome from the base accusations of vile persons all which our crooked wayes mislead us from proove the Lord by trusting him in wel-doing rather then thou shalt want convenient help he will work wonders for thee Mal. 3.10 and will doe more for us then we can lose thereby 2 Chron. 25.9 Let us with all due respect seeke to authority for redresse joyntly Let us be humbled for what is amisse hitherto confesse crave pardon for resolve to forsake labor against pray for strength to overcome our forepast evils in this kind and that unfainedly and constantly and beseech God to work upon the heart of authority and that we may preferre the generall good of Gods cause before our private profit seriously and we shall find a remarkable change and all shall goe well for Piety hath the promise undoubtedly 1 Tim. 4.8 And here I end this matter Somewhat concerning generall Obedience not to be neglected IT is written Acts 24.16 herein doe I exercise my selfe to have alwayes a good conscience voyd of offence towards God and towards men Ps 119. then shall I not be asnamed when I have respect unto all thy Commandements and ver 101. I have refrained my feet from every evill way Out of which O my soule observe these few yet needfull and profitable Lessons 1 THat though thou doest many good things and yet dispensest with thy selfe in the omitting or evill performing any one duty required it will not serve the turne 2 Though thou forsakest many sinnes if thou givest thy selfe liberty to live in any one thou deceivest thy selfe and it will not availe thee 3 Learne hereby to make strict conscience every thing required even in the smallest