sincere because it is constant hee desires the Word at all times and as his appointed foode daily as it is in the bodily appetite though after feeding the stomack may seeme to bee full and satisfied yet the hunger reuiues againe euery day so is it with the heart of a Child of God whereas wicked men regard the Word but by fits and in a passion and then at length fall cleane away from the affection to it Psal. 119. 20. Iob 23. 12. 3. By his loue to them that loue the Word 4. By his sorrow because other men keepe not the Word Psal. 119. 136. 5. By his vnfained estimation of the Word aboue all worldly things accounting it to bee an happy portion to enioy the word in the power and profit of it Psa. 119. 14 72 111. 6. By his desire and delight to exercise himself in it day and night that is constantly Psa. 1. 2. 7. By his griefe either for the want of the m◅ans by which the Word might be taught vnto him with power accounting such want of the meanes to be a sore famine or for want of successe in the vse of the meanes when he doth enioy it Psalm 42. 3. Amos 8. 12. 8. By the extent of his loue to all the Word of God euen the Law that with threatning shews him his sin and searcheth out his most secret corruptions being most affected with that ministery that doth most sharply rebuke sinne 9. By his resolution to labour as hard for the food of his soule as men doe or he would doe for the food of his body Iohn 6. 27. Amos 8. 12. 10. By the cōstant sweet taste he finds in it especially when it is powerfully preached Psal. 19. 10 2 Cor. 2. 15. 11. By the end hee propounds vnto himselfe in the vse of the word which is that hee might not sin and that his wayes might be pleasing to God hiding the word in his heart to this purpose Psal. 119. 11. 12. By his willingnesse and resolution to deny his owne reason and affections his credit his carnall friends his profites or his pleasures in anything when God should so require it of him and vpon any occasion to shew his heartie respect of the Gospell Marke 10. 29. 1 Cor. 1. 18. 13. By the effects of it as 1. When for the loue he bears to the Word hee will seperate himselfe from the wicked that might any way with-draw his heart or endanger his disobedience Ps. 119. 115. 2. When he accounts the Word to be his chiefe comfort in affliction and finds it to be the maine stay and solace of his heart Psal. 119. 23 24 50 51 54 143. 3. When it workes in him effectually the redresse of his wayes and freedome from the dominion of sinne Iohn 8. 32. Psalme 119. 45 9 59 1 Thessalonians 2. 13. 4. When it workes in him certaine and sensible assurance of heart before God This assurance is an infallible signe of the right vse of the Word 1 Thessalonians 1. 5. And thus of the second gift The third gift is the spirit of praier or supplication as the Prophet Zachary cals it Zach. 12. 10. and this gift hee hath aboue all wicked men which hee shewes many wayes as 1. Hee askes according to Gods will 1 Iohn 5. 14. 2. He prayes with perswasion that God will heare him Hee beleeueth in some measure that hee shall haue what hee prayes for Hee prayes in faith Marke 11. 24. Iames 1. 6 7. Psalme 6. 9. 1 Iohn 3. 22. 3. He prayes in the Name of Christ and is affected with the sense of his owne vilenesse and relies vpon the merits and mediation of Iesus Christ Iohn 14 13. Psa. 86. 1 2. and 143. 1 2. 4. He will pray at all times Iob 27. 9. Psal. 106. 3. 5. He is feruent in prayer his heart praieth he hath the affections of prayer Iames 5. 16. Psalm 6. 8. 6. Praier makes him exceeding weary of the world it giues him such a taste of his owne sinfulnesse and of Gods goodnesse and of the glory of Heauen that he is vehemently carried with desire to bee absent from the body that hee might be present with the Lord Psa. 39. 12. 7. When he knowes not how to pray as hee ought the Spirit prepares his heart excites in him holy desires supplyes him sometime with words sometime with affections and sometimes worketh inward vnexpressable groanes which yet it presents to God as effectuall prayers Romans 8. 26 27. 8. Hee findes an holy rest and quietnesse in his conscience and heart with spirituall boldnesse and confidence of trust in God if he heare him graciously and answer him in mercy Psalme 3. 4 5 6. and 116. 17. and 91. 15. Ieremiah 33. 3. 9. He loues the Lord exceedingly for hearing his prayer and desires to keepe himselfe in the loue of God Psalme 116. 1. Iude 20. 21. 10. His prayers proceed from an heart that loues no sinne but desires to depart from iniquitie and to doe that which is pleasing in Gods sight 2 Tim. 2. 19. 1 Ioh. 3. 22. 11. He loues prayer in others 2 Tim. 1. 21. 12. Hee striues against deadnesse of spirit and distractions as an heauie burthen Psalme 86. 3. 4. 13 He makes praier his chiefe refuge and he will pray though prayer bee in neuer so much disgrace Psalme 69. 10 13. and 142. 25. And thus of the third gift The fourth gift is the loue of his enemies Any Christian may loue such as loue him but to loue his enemies is onely to be found in the true Christian which he proues by these tokens of the sinceritie of his loue 1. He can pray heartily for them yea in some cases he can mourne and humble his soule before God for them in their distresses Psal. 35. 13 14. 2. Hee desires their conuersion so vnfainedly that hee is sure if they were conuered hee could reioyce in them as heartily as in those hee now much delights in 3 Hee can likewise forgiue them their particular trespasses against him being more grieued for their sinnes against God then for the wrongs they doe him Math. 6. 14. 4 He can freely acknowledge their iust praises 5 He cannot onely patiently endure their reuilings but can forbeare when he could bee reuenged by bringing shame or miserie vpon them 1. Peter 3. 9. Rom. 12. 14. 1 Sam. 24. 18 19. yea he doth as he hath occasion striue to ouercome their euill with goodnesse being willing to helpe them or relieue them in their miserie and doe th◅m any good for soule or body The last gift which is found in the true Ch◅istian while he is in the way in this life is His loue of the appearing of Christ which hee shewes 1 By the longing after the time of Christs comming whether by death or iudgement 2 By his gladnesse at the promises or signes of his particular or generall commings 3 By his often meditations of that day and his hearty prayers for the
sinne and neede not the grace of God 4. Lastly the fittest interpretation is theirs that expound the words in this sense Bee not iust ouer-much that is thinke not too highly of thy selfe in any thing thou doest well nor yet be wicked ouer-much that is account not too vilely of thy selfe denying Gods gifts in thee and refusing the iust comforts thou shouldest take to thy selfe aggrauate not against thine owne soule thy weakenesse aboue reason and measure CHAP. V. Intreating of the rules that concerne our carriage towards God and in particular about the knowledge of God HItherto of the generall rules The particular rules that concerne the right ordering of our conuersation may be cast into three heads as they direct vs in our carriage 1. Towards God 2. Towards men 3. Towards our selues All the rules that concerne our duties to God may bee cast into two heads For they concerne either the loue of God or the seruice of God This is an exact diuision for all we owe to God is fitly compreheÌ„ded in these two Loue and Seruice and the Scripture so diuides in these and the like places Commandement 2. Deut. 11. 22. 30. 16. Iosh. 22. 5. Esay 56. 6. Now that we may be rightly ordered in respect of our loue to God we must coÌ„sider of this loue either in the foundation of it or in the exercise of it The foundation of our loue to God is the true knowledge of God 1. Chron. 28. 9. So that in the first place we must soundly informe our selues concerning this knowledge of God Now the rules that concerne the right knowledge of God concerne either the right conceiuing of his nature or our acquaintance with God when we doe aright conceiue of him That we may conceiue aright of Gods nature 1. Wee must exclude out of our thoughts all likenesses so as men do not thinke of God representing him by the similitude of any creature Hee that forbids Images of him in Churches forbids it also in our heads Commandement 2. Esay 40. Deut. 4. 2. We must striue to conceiue of him according to his praises declared by his workes or in his Word This is an excellent and easie way to think of God Since our hearts cannot conceiue his nature we should fill them with the impression of his praises and according to them direct our affection and seruice to him as I would bring this mind to prayer or any other seruice of God I cannot make any resemblance of the diuine substance whom I am about to serue yet this will I doe I will remember that hee that I pray vnto is most wise most omn potent most iust most gracious c. Thus God proclaimes himselfe by his praises Exo. 34. 6. where God himselfe shews vs a way how to conceiue of him 3. Thou 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 silence thy reason and exalt thy faith in the point of the Trinity which must be conceiued of necessitie because all seruice is due to the whole Trinity Now thou needest not to striue to resemble the Trinity in any likenesse in thy minde but onely bring faith to beleeue that thy God is three in one 4. It may yet helpe thy vnderstanding to conceiue that God is in Christ and the fulnesse of the Godhead dwels in him bodily and therefore when thou commest to worship thou maist set before thy minde the Humane Nature of Christ adoring the Godhead in him as conceiuing of God in that humane nature thou thinkest of Col. 2. 9. Ioh. 17. 3. 5. That this may be the more clearely and comfortably done thou must labour by sound aduice and direction to expell out of thy head those secret and rebellious Atheisticall thoughts which arise in thee about his nature Decrees Attributes or Workes Men must take heed of smothering these obiections but seeke helpe against them in time Thus of the knowledge of God as it concernes the right conceiuing of his Nature There is required further such a knowledge as brings vs acquainted with God we are commanded to acquaint our selues with God Iob 22. 21 22. Now because it is an exceeding hard way for a mortall man to finde out God so as to enioy familiaritie with him therefore I will adde some directions about it For if thou wouldest acquaint thy selfe with God 1. Thou must prepare thy heart for this Vision of God by driuing out filthy and vnholy thoughts and affections For without holinesse no man can see God The pure in heart shall see God Math. 5. 8. Hebr. 12. 14. 1. Chron. 19. 3. God delights to shew himselfe familiarly in a cleane heart 2. Thou must begge this acquaintance by prayer if thou seeke it of him earnestly though God bee in himselfe inuisible to moâ—…tall eyes yet he will shew himselfe to the eyes of thy mind pray for his acquaintance and he will be acquainted with thee This is to aske after the Lord and to seeke God if we seeke him hee will be found Psal. 105. 3 4. But then we must remember three things 1. To seeke him with our whole hearts we must pray with great earnestnes and desire Psa. 119. 10 2. To seeke him early and while hee may bee found Hos. 5. 15. Esay 55. 6. God offers acquaintance in his Ordinances and sometimes comes neere and knocketh at mens hearts and workes greater impressions vpon them now if thou wouldest call vpon God heartily hee would shew thee his presence 3. To seeke him constantly we must seeke his face continually both til we finde it and after we haue had acquaintance with him it must be continued wee must not thinke much if we be put to pray often and long before wee ataine such an incomparable benefit 4. Thou must giue thy selfe soule and body to God seriously and from thy heart deuoting promising to spend thy dayes in his seruice and then he will reueale himselfe vnto thee Rom 12. 1 2. 5. Thou must waite vpon his Ordinances and watch how the Lord speaks vnto thee either by his Word or by his Spirit For in them he shewes himselfe to men and conuerseth with them 6. It is a great furtherance to our acquaintance with God to keepe company with his Houshold for with them he dwels and by conuersing with them we may occasionably often see God 1. Ioh. 4. 6 7 8 12. Thus of acquaintance with God There are other things to bee further noted concerning our knowledge of God such as these That when wee attaine vnto any acquaintance with God we must neuer rest till wee know him to be our God Col. 2. 2. That it must be our daily care to increase in the knowledge of God labouring to plant in our hearts a more large and affectionate contemplation of the glories of Gods Nature and Loue. That aboue all earthly things we should glory in it if wee attaine some happie admission into Gods presence and abilitie to conceiue of God
may continue in our loue to God wee must obserue these rules 1. We must separate our selues from all others to be his Leuit. 20. 26. auoyding fellowship with the seruants of a strange god that might any way entice vs from the loue of God yea we should so much alienate our heart◅ from all idols that wee should not make mention of their names and therefore daily confirme our hearts in that purpose to cleane to God alone Mal. 2. 11. Exod. 34. 11 14 15. and 23. 13. Act. 11. 23. Iosh. 23. 8. 2. We must beware that wee forget not God nor goe too long without effectuall remembrance of him They that can liue whole dayes and weekes without any care to thinke of God may bee sure their hearts are voide of the loue of God and as euer wee would continue to loue God we must be carefull euery day to remember him and thinke vpon him Deut. 6. 12. 32. 18. 3. We must labour to edifie our selues in our most holy faith wee must build vp our hearts in the assurance of that wonderfull loue God hath shewed to vs and this will preserue and keepe vs in our loue to him againe Iude 20. 4. Wee must pray in the holy Ghost as is shewed in the same place prayer preserues acquaintance with God and exceedingly quickens the heart and besides drawes from God new pledges of his loue to vs which may serue to kindle our affections towards him 5. In the same place another rule is imported and that is the daily expectation of the comming of Christ for the terrour of that Day will mooue vs to shew all possible loue to God and so will that singular glory we are assured to receiue in that day 6. In the vse of all Gods Ordinances we must be carefull to seeke out the face of God which is that speciall presence of his grace For the loue of God will decay in vs if once we come to vse the meanes only for forme and an outward shew Psal. 105. 4. And if we misse of God in his Ordinances we must neuer be quit till we finde him whom our soule loueth Cant. 3. 1. Psal. 63. 1. 7. We must preserue the truth he hath deliuered to vs yea we must contend for it for sound do◅rine laid vp in our hearts will preserue in vs soundnesse of affection to God Iude 3. 8. We must get Catalogues of Gods praises in particular and fill our hearts with the knowledge and contemplation of them 9. If we would be preserued in the loue of God we must labour to attaine to the abilitie to reioyce in God and delight our selues in God A wife that would increase her loue to her husband must striue to solace her selfe often with her husband and to forme in her heart a speciall delight in him So must wee doe to God This is miserably neglected and yet exceedingly necessarie Nor is it an ordinarie ioy we should take in God but we should ioy in him first with all our hearts secondly not for a time but alwaies euery day nor with common but with exceeding ioyes Phil. 4. 4. Psa. 37 4. and 68. 3 4. 105. 3. Now that this point may bee the better vnderstood I will consider of two things first what it is to delight and ioy in God secondly what we should do that we might delight and take pleasure in God For the first this delight in God hath in it foure things distinctly First a spirituall satisfaction or contentment arising from the assurance of Gods loue to vs as ◅ing enough that hee regards vs thus Dauid saith his soule was ◅tisfied as with marrow Psal. 63. 5. and 149. 2. Secondly a ioyfull entertainment of all passages of loue betweene God and vs especially in the vse of his Ordinances Thirdly a delightfull contemplation of God and his mercies Fourthly a glorying in God and extolling of his praises as by discourse so by singing of Psalmes 1. Cor. 1. 31. Psal. 33. 1. 105. 3. 68. 3 4. Now for the attainment of the ioying in God 1. We must mourne often for our disabilities herein and pray to God to forme this delight in vs. 2. We must restraine carnall ioyes and cares for the excesse of both doth exceedingly dull the heart and withdrawes it care of delight in God Phil. 4. 4 5 6. 3. Wee must exercise our selues with all the ioy wee can in the Word of God Psal. 119. 14 16. 4. We must take heed of listening to Obiections against the loue of God to vs whether they arise from Satan or our owne flesh 5. Wee must often obserue the miseries of the wicked in comparison of our happy estate in Christ Hab. 3. 17 18. 6. We must seeke a delightfull conuersation with the godly 7. We must take heede of domesticall euils our home sinnes the corruptions that would daily preuaile in vs Iob 22. 23 26. 8. Wee must restraine our owne beliefe about the acceptation of the good duties wee performe and to this end wee must take heed that we bee neither iust ouermuch by attributing too much to our selues nor yet wicked ouermuch in condemning all wee doe as hatefull to God For this last doth maruellously hinder vs from ioying in God CHAP. VIII Containing generall Rules about Gods seruice HItherto of the first sort of Rules that concerne o◅r carriage towards God namely those tha◅ concerne our loue to God Now the second sort of Rules follow and that is those that cōcerne the seruice of God and these may bee cast into two rankes for they either concerne the parts of Gods worship or the time of Gods worship The Rules that concerne the parts of Gods worship are either generall which binde vs to the good behauiour in all parts of Gods worship or else certaine specialties of Direction that concerne some part of Gods worship onely Now for the generall rules we should know and remember that there are nine things to bee looked to and brought to the practice of euery part of Gods ◅orship The first is preparation wee must i◅ some sort conferre with ◅ur owne hearts and prepare ◅m before we goe before God to doe any seruice Iob 11. 13. Psal. 4. 4. Ezech. 7. 10. Secondly we must come with ◅ll reuerence and godly feare Heb. 12. 28. Psal. 2. 11. Thirdly wee must performe the seruice in repentance for our sinnes Wee must not come before God in the loue of any sinne if wee doe wee lose our labour and God will loathe our workes Esay 1. Iob 11. 14. Wee must haue cleane hands and a pure heart or else no seruice of God will be accepted Psal. 119. 11. 24. 4. Fourthly it must grieue vs that others will not serue God Psal. 119. 139. Fifthly wee must performe euery seruice in the name of Christ or else it cannot be accepted b◅ r◅ason of that euill that cleane to our best workes whether w◅ pray or giue thanks or whatsoeuer we doe we
my soule be still impure Mat. 3. 11. Mark 1. 4. Acts 13. 24. Thirdly by Baptisme I was assured of the vertue of the death of Christ to kill sinne in me and shall I not beleeue the operation of God that he can deliuer mee from the powerfull temptations or inclinations to any sinne Shall I not seeke strength of Christ or shall I betray my selfe to the diuell and the flesh In Christ I am dead to sinne and shall I yet liue therein Rom. 6. 1 3. Col. 2. 12. Thirdly our Baptisme must bee vsed against the doubts of perseuering or whether we shall be kept vnto saluation and whether our body shall be raised againe at the last day for God hath assured all this vnto vs in our Baptisme that we haue our part not onely in the death of Christ but also in the resurrection of Christ and if Christ be raised in vs Christ can dye no more either in himselfe or in our hearts and the same power that raised him out of the graue will also raise vp our bodies at the last day as is pleaded Romans 6. 10. c. Galat. 3. 27 28. 1 Cor. 15. 29. 1 Pet. 3. 21. If we be baptized and beleeue we shall certainely be saued Mark 16. 16. Thus as it concernes our selues 3. In respect of others we are bound to the good behauiour in Baptisme as to acknowledge the communion of Saints so are we tied to preserue our selues in all brotherly loue with the godly who weare the same Liuery with vs and are Souldiers prest to the same warre and haue taken vpon them the same holy Vow with vs we are bound in Baptisme to loue them to stand for them aboue all other people and to liue with them in all holy loue to our liues end Eph. 4. 3 4 5. 1 Cor. 12. 1â—… 1. 13. Gal. 3. 27 28. CHAP. XII Rules about the Lords Supper HItherto concerning Baptisme The rules that concerne the Lords Supper follow Now concerning this Sacrament we are charged with these things First Examination 1 Cor. 11. we must examine our selues and so eate and drinke Examine our selues so as we be sure there bee no sinne in our hearts and liues which we haue committed but we are desirous to forsake and doe vnfainedly iudge our selues for it being as desirous to forsake as we desire God should in the Sacrament forgiue it Secondly The diseerning of the Lords Body and Blood so comming to partake of these outward signes of Bread and Wine as we withall know and beleeue the presence of Christ and that God doth as effectually giue Christ to the soule of the beleeuer as he giues Bread and Wine to his body yea we must thus discerne and beleeue that he is there offered and giuen vnto vs also and that God doth not delude vs but as truly giues vs the Body and Blood of Christ as he doth by the Minister giue vs the Bread and Wine 1 Cor. 11. Thirdly The shewing forth of the death of Christ This is a solemnity where we must intend to make a solemne remembrance of the Passion and Death of our Sauiour not onely in being present at the breaking of the Bread and powring out of the Wine but in raising vp in our heart a thankefull remembrance of his grieuous sufferings and death for our sins Math. 26. 1. Cor. 11. Fourthly Fellowship and louing communion with the godly which we both signifie and vow in the Sacraments and testifie before God and men that we wil cleaue vnto them aboue all the people in the world as being the same bread with vs euen members of the same mysticall Body of Christ 1 Cor. 10. Fifthly speciall reconciliation with such as we haue offended bearing malice to no man and desiring and seeking peace with all sorts of men Matth. 5. Rom. 12. Sixtly and lastly The vowes of sincerity resoluing to keepe this feast all our life in the vnleauened bread of sinceritie and truth euen to spend our daies in all vprightnesse of heart and vnfeigned hatred of all sinne and hypocrisie 1 Cor. 5. 8. CHAP. XIII Rules about Prayer THus of the Sacraments The Rules concerning prayer follow where besides the generall Rules that belong to all worship these things in speciall must be heeded concerning prayer 1. Thy words must be few Eccl. 5. 1 2. and the reason is because God is in heauen and thou art on earth He is full of maiesty and wisedome and thou art an infirme and sinfull creature Length of it selfe doth not commend prayer we must speake as becomes the Maiestie of God without vaine repetitions and bablings pattering ouer of the same things is not pleasing to God as affectation is ill in any thing so much more ill in prayer This rule may be vnsauory to the taste of some that are transported with rash zeale but let them take heede of wil-worship the words are so plaine in the text as they must informe themselues about them The Lord knew what was fittest for vs when he gaue vs this charge 2. Thy heart must be lifted vp in the performance of this dutie this is often imported in diuers Scriptures and this lifting vp of the heart hath diuers things in it 1. Vnderstanding thou must bee aduised what thou prayest for and know thy warrant that what thou askest is according to Gods will 1 Cor. 14. 15. Ioh. 5. 30. 2. Freedome from distractions thy heart must be cleansed from passions and lusts thy prayer must bee without wrath 1 Tim. 〈◊〉 8. And as the distractions arising from passion must be auoided so must al other distractions 3. Feruencie or the stretching out of the affections according to the matter of prayer thou must expresse the affections of prayer for God lookes at the prayer of thy heart not at the prayer of thy lips onely 3. Thou must pray with all manner of prayer according to the occasions of prayer Thou must pray at thy set times daily and thou must pray also with eiaculations as the Diuines call them that is those sudden and short speeches to God when thy heart is moued vpon speciall occasion Thou must vse Supplications Deprecations Intercessions Confessions giuing of thankes or the like according to thy necessities or the other occasions of thy life Thou must striue to get a fitnesse and language to speake vnto God for thy selfe in thine owne words as may best expresse the desires of thine heart Eph. 6. 18. 4. Thou must continue and perseuere in prayer without ceasing prayer must be the worke of thy whole life not an exercise for a fit for a day or two or a weeke or two or a moneth or two thou must make conscience of prayer alwaies Eph. 6. 18. 1 Thes. 5. 17. 5. When thy prayer is grounded vpon Gods will thou must be instant and not faint or be discouraged Thou must pray without doubting and wauering as resolued neuer to
else those sinnes so spared may buffet thee a long time after thou hast finished this course and besides they may get head and preuaile against thee in practice if by this course they bee not brought vnder Now that thou oughtest thus seriously to examine and call to minde thy sinnes and that this is one of the things God requireth of thee to bee distinctly done these places of Scripture do euidently proue and withall shew that God doth take euen this beginning of thy repentance well Lament 3. 40. Psal. 4. 4. Ezec. 16. 43 61. 20. 43. 36. 31. Ier. 8. 6. 1 Cor. 11. 28. Gal. 7. 3 4. Iob 11. 13. While thou art doing this thou shalt do well to doe no other exercise of Religion at that time but onely to attend this The second thing that God requireth of thee distinctly to be done is the confession of those sins thus gathered into the Catalogue and for the performance of this dutie set sometime apart and present thy selfe before the Lord and if thy memory will not carrie all the particulars of thy offences take with thee the written enditement and as Hezechiah did with his letter spread thy Catalogue before the Lord and then take vnto thee words in the best manner thou canst to iudge thy selfe for those offences Let the Lord know that it is thy hearts desire to pleade guiltie to each of those sins and in speciall vrge against thy selfe those sinnes wherein thou hast more especially offended Be not ouer-carefull for words the Lord requireth thee but to doe it in the best words thou canst onely let thy words bee the true voice of thy heart and thou maiest bee sure the Lord vnderstandeth the meaning of thy heart Let no obiection driue thee off from the practice hereof but doe it so as thine owne conscience may witnesse with thee that thou hast done it in the best manner thou canst Now that it is a dutie necessarily required these Scriptures plainly shew Hos. 14. 2 3 4. Pro. 28. 13. Leuit. 16. 21. 26. 40 51. Iob 33. 27 28. Psal. 32. 5. Ier. 3. 12 13. Mat. 3. 6. Act. 19 18. Dan. 9. Neh. 9. 2. Rom. 10. 10 1 Cor. 11. 1. Ioh. 1. 8 9. This is the second dutie The third thing thou must labour for distinctly is to conceiue true mourning and sorrow for these sinnes thus confessed This is that sacrifice is so well pleasing to God and this is euery where in Scripture expresly required and the promises fastened diuers of them vpon this condition as these places manifestly shâ—…w Mat. 5. 4. Iam. 4. 9. Ioel. 2. 12 13. Zach. 12. 12. Isai. 1. 16. Psal. 31. 9 10. Isai. 61. 1 2 3. Ier. 50. 4. Ier. 31. 18 19. Now that thou mayest attaine vnto softnesse of heart I aduise thee to take this course Resolue with thy selfe to set some time apart at least once euery day for this businesse and when thou doest stand before the Lord with thy former mournefull inditement while thou striuest to iudge thy selfe and to keepe an assise vpon thy owne soule begge of God to giue thee that soft heart he promised Ezech. 36. 26. begge it I say of God but let thy prayers bee without limitation for the time If the Lord heare thâ—…e not the first time yet pray for it the next time againe and so the third day and so still till the Lord doe heare thee and make thee feele thy heart to melt and if it may bee teares to trickle downe thy châ—…kes before the Lord yea put on this resolution that thou wilt neuer stand before the Lord for any request while this course lasts but thou wilt remember this Petition to beseech him to giue thee secret sorrow and sensible for thy sinnes It may bee the Lord will heare thee at the first or in the beginning while thou art preparing thy selfe to speake vnto him or while thou callest vpon him at the first or second time but yet if he doe not persist thou thy sute is iust and importunity will ouercome the Lord and this very desire to sorrow being resolute is a degree of true godly sorrow But yet that thou maiest be sure of it giue not ouer till the Lord heare the letter of thy desire if it may be And withall striue against the perplexities of an vnquiet heart feare not but that time of the day which thou setst apart for religious duties bee as earnest as thou canst and when that is done goe chearfully about the works of thy calling Hang not downe thy hâ—…ad like a bulrush as if thou must do nothing else but sigh and bemoane thy selfe and shew a troubled mind in all things Euen the freer and readier thy mind is the more fit thy heart will be for this or other holy employments And further know that the vse of this Catalogue is not for euer nor do I require this speciall mourning all the dayes of thy life but in this case of first repentance by which the body of sinne may be remoued Thereforâ—… thou oughtest so long to vse the Catalogue of thy confessions of sins till thou feele in some measure this sorrow and melting of heart which when thou hast attained eithâ—…r sooner or later then addresse thy selfe to the fourth rule The fourth râ—…le concernes the 〈◊〉 of the Promises especiâ—…lly the Promises of two sorts First sâ—…ch as shew that God hath giuen Iesus Christ to make satisfaction for the sinnes of men and then in speciall such promises as shew that through the merit of Christ hee that hath thus confessed and felt sorrow for his sin shall be receiued to fauour Now for this purpose thou must get thee a distinct Catalogue of promises made to such as confesse their sinnes with sorrow and mourning and in them thou shalt see most plainly vnto how much riches and treasure thiâ—… entrance vnto godlinâ—…sse hatâ—… brought thee For the conditioâ—… of the Promises being alreadâ—… formed in thee by this grace 〈◊〉 God thou maist safely assure thâ—… soule of so much fauour froâ—… God in particular as is expresâ—… contained in those promises Marâ—… it thou as yâ—…t dar'st not claimâ—… all the prerogatinâ—…s or gooâ—… things contained in any Promisâ—… in Scripturâ—… et thou maist safely lay vp as treasure so mucâ—… as the Promises that concernâ—… confession and godly sorrow dâ—… assure and estate vpâ—…n thee anâ—… so thou shalt finde tâ—…at thâ—…u hasâ—… 〈◊〉 in Câ—…rist already for 〈◊〉 and rich fauours and maist shâ—… Gods expresse Word to warraâ—… thy claime as for example Goâ—… hath assurâ—…d thee First that thou shalt not bee damned thou maist rest vpon it thâ—…se be plaine Scriptures 1 Cor. 11. 31 32. Iob 13. 18 19. Secondly that God will haue mercy vpon thee and loue thee freely and take away his anger from thee Prou. 28. 13. Ioel 2. 12 13. Hos. 14. 3 4. Ierem. 31. 18 19 20. Thirdly that all thy
the Gospell as accounting them the happy companions of this life Psal. 16. 3. 3 Iohn 8. Phil. 1. 5. 4. He hath a fellow feeling of their miseries he is in some measure affectioned to weepe with them that weepe and reioyce with them that reioyce especially he is glad when their soules prosper Rom. 12. 15 16. 3 Ioh. 3. 5. His desire is to walke inoffensiuely as being loth any way to be an occasion of stumbling or scandall to any Christian 1 Ioh. 2. 10. 6. He can beare their infirmities take things in the best sense suffer long and is not easily prouoked hee hopeth all things and boasts not himselfe nor enuies not them nor will receiue an euill report against them 1 Pet. 3. 8. 1. Cor. 13. 4 5 6. but rather makes apologie for them 7. Hee easily praiseth them in all places for their grace or obedience Rom. 16. 19. 3 Iohn 6. Psal. 15. 4. 1 Thess. 1. 8. 8. His wel-doing extends it selfe to them to his power he is bountifull pitifull and tender hee hath bowels of mercy according to the occasion of mercy either corporall or spirituall He gladly receiueth them and with a ready mind communicates to their necessities Philemon 7. 1 Pet. 3. 8. 4. 8. 1 Iohn 3. 17. 3 Iohn 5. 9. He loues all the brethren He hath not the glorious faith of Christ in respect of persons Iames 2. 1 2. Ephes. 1. 15. Col. 1. 4. Hee can make himselfe equall to them of the lower sort Rom. 12. 16. 10. Lastly hee loues them at all times euen when they are in aduersitie disgrace sicknesse or any other miserie Hitherto of the godly mans triall by his gifts CHAP. VII The triall of the godly man by his workes of obedience THE fourth way to trie him is by his workes or by his obedience in his life and conuersation and so his workes excell all the workes of vnregenerate men many wayes as 1. Because what he doth riseth out of the loue he beares to God and goodnesse and therefore hee doth good heartily and not by constraint or with repining or delay yea he is so stirred vp with the sense of Gods goodnesse to him that hee is much humbled when he hath done his best that hee cannot bring more glory to God Deut. 30. 20. Ios. 22. 5. Math. 4. 19 20. Rom 6. 17. 2. In doing good he hath respect vnto all Gods Commandements there is no part of an holy life but he desires to practise it and therefore he will obey Gods will in some cases when it is against his profit credit ease or the liking of carnall friends preferrings God 's commandements aboue all things yea life it selfe Ier. 35. Heb. 11. 8. Gen. 22. 12. Prou. 7. 2. Act. 5. 29. Mat. 16. 25. Exod. 15. 26. 1 King 9. 4. Ierem. 11. 4. Iohn 15. 14. 3. He will do good at all times and not for a fit making conscience of his wayes in all companies as well as any absent as well as present before meane Christians as well as before the best at home as well as abroad Philip. 2. 12. Gal. 5. 7. 2 Kings 28. 6. Psal. 106. 3. 4. Hee makes conscience of the least commandement as well as the greatest Mat. 5. 19. Iames 2. 10. 5. He comes to the light that his deeds might be manifest that they are wrought in God Iohn 3. 21. Hee is desirous in all things to bee guided by the warrant of the Word of God 6. He exerciseth his faith in the very discharge of the duties of his outward conuersation Hee liues by the faith in the Sonne of God and commits his way to God and trusteth vpon the Name of the Lord Gal. 2. 20. 7. Hee knoweth that his obedience is right because God heareth his prayers and entertaines him gratiously when he calls vpon him in secret whereas God heareth not sinners and if wickednesse were in his heart God would not regard his prayers Iohn 9. 31. Psalme 66. 18. And thus of his workes CHAP. VIII His tryall by the entertainment hee hath from God THe fifth way by which hee may bee tryed is by the entertainement that God vouchsafeth him in this life which hee neuer vouchsafeth to wicked men There are diuers specialties of fauour which God sheweth to him and not to any vnregenerate man As 1. His election in time is a manifest token of Gods election of him before time the Lord shews â—…hat hee hath chosen him from enerlasting when by the power of the Gospel hee seizeth vpon him particularly and effectually perswades him to leaue the world and the sinfull society hee liued in and to deuote himselfe as a liuing sacrifice vnto God 2. He is baptized with the Holy Ghost and with fire the baptisme by fire is onely proper to Gods Elect the Holy Ghost at some times falls vpon him sets him all on a fire on a fire I say both of sudden and violent indignation at sinne as it is sinne as also the fire of holy affections with which from God hee frequently and on a sudden is enslamed while he stands before the Lord. For besides the affection which a godly man bringeth with him to Gods worship he doth feele his heart oftentimes on a sudden surprised with strange impressions sometimes of sorrow sometimes of feare and awefull dread of God sometimes of feruent desires after God sometimes of strong resolutions of holy duties to be done by him and the like Matthew 3. 11. 3. He feeles at sometimes in the vse of Gods ordinances a maruellous work of the Holy Ghost in respect of much assurance and strange establishment of his heart both in the certaine perswasion of Gods loue and the infallible beliefe of the truth so as at that time no danger of death could amaze him but hee could willingly witnesse his confidence by vndergoing any thing could befall him 1. Thessalonians 1. 5. 4. He feeles at some times the vnspeakeable and glorious ioyes of the Holy Ghost which are differing from the carnall ioyes or illusions may bee found in wicked men because they are such ioyes as hee feeles onely in the vse of some ordinances of God and such as by effect make him more humble and vile in his owne eies and doe inflame him to an high degree of the loue of God and goodnesse which illusions can neuer doe 5. The sanctification of his afflictions is another infallible signe of Gods loue to him For God makes his crosses to become blessings vnto him and worke his good so as hee may plainely see that it was good for him to be afflicted and besides God giues him many times the experience of his goodnâ—…sse both by vnexpected consolation in his distresses and gratious deliuerance out of them Rom. 8. 28. Psal. 119. 6. Lastly To this place I may referre Gods hearing and answering of his prayers whereas God doth not heare sinners as was shewed in the end of the former Chapter CHAP. IX His
iudged of him call to minde particularly whatsoeuer thou canst remember by thy selfe consider thy want thy omissions and commissions of euill in youth or riper age in heart or life in things that concorne God or man or thy owne soule and disposition thoughts affections words or deeds Thou mayest then see an armie of rebellious euils thou hast beene guilty of By booke thus Procure thee the labour of some reuerend Diuine that hath briefly gathered the sins of euery commandement from thence gather out so many sins as thou knowest by thy selfe that thou hast beene guilty of lay those sins daily before thy conscience and consider how many wayes thou hast made thy selfe guilty Secondly consider then the iustice of God how he hateth all sinne which thou maiest be assured of if thou remember how he plagued our first parents the old world Sodom and Gomorrha how fearefully he neglected the Gentiles cast off the Iewes yea how he spared not his owne Sonne Iesus Christ when he became a surety for other mens sinnes Thirdly thinke of the terrible woes and threatnings and curses which are denounced euery where in Scripture against such offences as thou art guilty of Fourthly force vpon thy selfe the remembrance of thy latter end and thy appearance before the tribunall seat of Christ to receiue according to all that thou hast done in thy flesh Fifthly obserue with what iudgement the Lord euery day fights against wicked men in all parts of the world sometimes by common plagues sometimes by speciall particular calamities Sixtly aboue all things marke with all thy heart Gods goodnesse to thee in particular in enduring all this at thy hands his blessings of all sorts daily bestowed vpon thee chiefely his mercy offered to thee in Iesus Christ that can be content to forgiue thee all thy debts so thou bee sorry and weary of offending Nothing can more breake thy heart then to obserue how God dealeth with thee euen with thee in particular that hast deserued so much euill at his hands Seuenthly Try thy selfe by a particular examination of thine owne estate by euery particular of the signes of Gods children and then thou mayest see what a poore creature thou art what shew soeuer thou makest in the world and what naturall gifts or prayses soeuer thou hast for then thou shalt find how exceeding emptie thy heart is of solid gifts and the best graces and that many a poore creature that maketh little shew in the world hath an heart better graced by farre then thine Eightly thou must beg hartily an humble heart of God and a greater discerning of thine owne vilenesse The Lord wil be sought vnto and he is ready to be found if thou seeke him constantly and diligently It is not a small worke to breake the pride and stoninesse of thy heart it needs power from aboue Ninthly Pruoide to liue if it may bee vnder a forceable ministery where thou mayest heare such doctrine daily as will search thy heart and ransacke thy life where thou maist feele the Word of God go downe into thy heart and reynes Tenthly Marke what things they are which by nature thou art proud of and labour seriously both by arguments and restraint to alienate thy affection from them In particular take heed of the snare that is in gay Clothes delicious fare worldly titles and the like Eleuenthly Shun and auoide with detestation the flatterer and seeke vnto thee a righteous companion that may smite thee for thy fallings and reproue thee and not hate thee in his heart Twelfthly Labour to keepe in thy memory and thoughts six or eight or more or fewer of thy faults that thou wouldest be more ashamed of and hast more offended in and compell thy selfe daily to remember them this will wonderfully doe thee good and tame thy pride make thee more meeke and more tractable and mercifull all the day after thou hast duly thought of them Thus of the way how to get thy spirit to bee truly poore and humble The next question is What a man should do to get a soft heart and true godly sorrow that hee might be able to mourne for his sinnes before God 1 Hee must first consider of Gods promises who hath bound himselfe by couenant to take away the stony heart and giue an heart of flesh vnto them that seeke vnto him for it Ezech. 36. 16. 2 Hee must daily in the best words hee can keepe a constant course in the confession of his sinnes before God begging of God with all importunitie this mercie that hee would melt and soften his heart and resolue that hee would neuer stand before the Lord but hee would remember this petition alwayes iudging himselfe giuing glory to God It may bee the Lord will heare at the first or second time of prayer but if he doe not thou must resolue to watch and pray still without limiting God to the time of effecting thy desire as knowing that it ought not to seeme grieuous vnto thee that the Lord doth not presently worke what thou prayest for considering how long the Lord hath called vpon thee and thou didst not answere and withall the Lord is well pleased with these preparations in thy heart and excepts thy endeauour to mourne because thou canst not mourne 3 Hee must obserue how the Lord deales with him in prayer and be sure with all thankfulnesse to acknowledge any mercy God shewes him in prayer as if hee make him willing to pray or giue him words in prayer or let him feele any ioy in the time of prayer or that hee find his heart in any degree to melt he should be wonderfull thankfull if he can get but one teare in prayer or that hee find his heart in any degree to melt and this obseruation of Gods goodnesse letting him know that hee regards his particular requests will melt his heart indeed further and perhapâ—… set him all on a flame in desires to praise God and to abase himselfe euen to the dust before thâ—… Lord Hos. 14. 3. 1. Thes. 5. 18. 4. That rule of the Apostle Iames is sometimes of singular vse in this case of breeding softnesse of heart and that is acknowledging your sinnes one to another when in secret wee make our moanes to wise and mercifull Christians and shame ourselues for our speciall offences it many times hath melting of heart ioyned with it so as that heart that before seemed hardned and dry now easily dissolues into teares Iam. 5. 16. 5. To goe into the house of mourning may bee in this case profitable resort to such as be in sorrow for the hand of God vpon them especialy such as mourn through the affliction of their spirits conuerse with humble tender-hearted Christians Ecc. 7 2. 6. â—…n all the seruices of God be sure to draw neare to God and keepe thy mind from distraction and hypocrisie The Sun
cannot haue such force to melt the waxe as the beames of Gods presence haue to melt the heart Iames 4. 6 7 3. 7. The Apostle Paul being a sturdy Pharisee had his heart beaten to power with the feare of the tenth Commandement that told him Hee must not lust The knowledge and consideration of the abundance of sinne-guiltinesse he hath drawne vpon himselfe by the inward fruits of his euill nature kil'd him outright brake his pride and mortified him as hee at large repeates Rom. 7. 8 Remember the passion of thy Sauiour the pouerty banishmēt ignominie temptations the apprehension forsaking arraignment condemning and cruell death which hee suffered for thy sinnes Looke vpon him that was pierced for thy sake Zach. 12. 10. 9. If of thy selfe thou canst not yet attaine vnto sorrow for thy sins get some godly Christian that is endued with the gift of prayer to ioyne with thee in priuate that so the Lord may bee pleased to grant in Heauen what we of him doe aske on earth 10. Lastly If all other meanes faile then set a day a part by fasting for the day of a fast was called the day of afflicting or humbling the soule Leu. 16. 29. both because it was the maine duty to bee driuen after on that day and besides because the Lord vsually did blesse his owne ordinance so as hee gaue an humbled heart to those that sought it of him CHAP. VII Shewing how the Spirit of adoption may bee attained and also how the seuerall gifts of the Spirit may bee framed in vs. THus of humiliation If followeth that I shew how he may attaine to the other sacred gifts which are markes of a godly man as in the first sort of gifts how he may attaine to the loue of the Word the gift of Prayer the f◅are of God the loue of his enemies and the desire of the comming of Christ But before I enter vponthese it is necessary to shew him how he may attain the Spirit of Adoption which is necessary for these al other graces And concerning the Spirit of Adoption if any aske how it may bee attained Or rather how it may bee stirred vp in vs that we may feele his working in vs I answer That hee is had and stirred vp by inuocation God is pleased to declare himselfe willing and ready to bestow his Holy Spirit vpon men If they aske him of him by hearty praier Hee that hath giuen vs his Sonne will not deny vs the Spirit of his Sonne to be giuen into our hearts Gal. 4. 6. And this our Sauiour Christ assures vnto vs in the Parable Luke 11. 9. And I say vnto you Aske and it shall bee giuen you Seeke and ye shall find Knocke and it shall be opened vnto you 10. For euery one that ask◅th receiueth and hee that seeketh find◅th and to him that knocketh it shall be opened 11. If a Sonne shall aske Bread of any of you that is a Father will he giue him a Stone Or if he aske a Fish will he for a Fish giue him a Serpent 12. Or if hee aske an Egge will he giue him a Scorpion 13 If yee then which are euill can giue good gifts vnto your children how much more shall your heauenly Father giue the Holy Ghost to them that desire him 2 Wee must waite vpon the preaching of the Gospel where the Holy Ghost vsually falls vpon the hearts of men 3 When we feele the motions of the Spirit knocking at our hearts or any way surprising vs we must with all readinesse open the doores of our hearts that the King of Glory by hi◅ Spirit may enter into vs. The next question is then What wee should doe to get and preserue in vs the constant loue to the Word 1 The answer is First That we should seeke to settle our selues vnder the powerful preaching of the Word euen such a ministerie as doth set out the glory of the truth and of the Kingdome of Iesus Christ. 2 Wee must make conscience of it to pray vnto God to quicken vs and inflame our hearts to the loue of his Lawes as Dauid often did Psa. 119. 3 Take heed of excessiue cares and the ouer-reaching of desires in the emploiments of the world or the immoderate vse of worldly delights for those choake the seed of the Word and alienate the affections from it and so doth any grosse or beloued sin Heb. 3. Math. 13. 4 Take heed also of personall discord with such as feare God especially with thy Teachers for this doth by secret degrees make the heart carelesse and negligent and in some things wilfull and if it be not looked to in time will bring men from the liking of the Word as they haue been drawne from the liking of such as loue the Word 5 Take heed of vngodly companie For in such companie is quenched the sparkles of liking when they are kindled yea and the flames of affection are much dulled in whom they are best excited Psal. 119. 115. 6. Such as find some beginnings of desire after the Word and liking to it must take heed that they estrange not themselues from the exercises thereof For if they heare or reade but now and then either the heart will neuer bee throughly heated or if it bee it will easily waxe cold againe and yet herein some are to bee warned to take heed of disordered excesse for that will breed dulnesse as well as neglect As when they will reade daily for diuers houres or when they prouide vnto themselues an heape of Teachers as some that liue in great Cities thinke it Religion to heare all sorts of men and all the Sermons can bee come vnto As if the power of godlinesse lay onely in the vse of the meanes of godlinesse 7. We must practise what we heare and labour to shew foorth the fruit of the doctrine He that would bee in loue with husbandry must sow his seed in his ground and then the gaine of the Haruest will still allure him to like the Trade If wee be fruitlesse hearers of the Word wee cannot loue it or if we doe it will be but for a flash or small time Thus of the loue to the Word He that would learne to pray must follow these directions 1. He must goe to God in the Name of Christ and beseech him to giue him words and by his Spirit teach him to pray It is God onely can make a man speake a pure Language For hee onely can instruct the heart of man and endue it with this heauenly gift Romans 8. 26 Ephesians 6. 18. 2 It will much helpe him to ioyne himselfe to such as call vpon the N◅me of the Lord with a pure heart ◅specially in the dayes of their humiliation 2 Timothy 2. 22. 3 There are three distinct things which a man may with singular profit propound vnto himselfe in his prayers
Confâ—…ssion of sinnes Petition for grace and thanks-giuing for mercies receiued Nâ—…w the weakest Christian may be through Gods blâ—…ssing comfortably furnished for his owne particular if hee take such a coâ—…e as this to goe aside and with all sâ—…cie and attention of heart before the Lord aske himselfe these three Questions 1 What sinnes haue I committed which either now do trouble me or if I were to dye would make mee afraid Let him set them downe in a paper or in his memory distinctly till hee can can bethinke himselfe of no more It is no great matter for the order how hee sets them downe so hee be sure he haue the chiefe sinnes in which hee daily offends or hath offended 2 What would I haue the Lord doe for me if I might haue what I wish let him set the particulars downe till he can remember no more As for example I would haue him forgiue mee my sinnes and I would haue him giue mee strength against such and such sins and I would haue him giue mee faith and assurance and I would haue him giue me Heauen when I dye and so goe on with all the things he feeles a desire in his heart to seeke of God till he can remember no more and if at any other time hee remember some speciall thing which hee would further haue which hee hath not in his Catalogue let him set it downe as from time to time he sees cause 3 What speciall fauours hath God shewed to mee which I see I ought to take special notice of Let him set them downe distinctly whether they be deliuerances or such and such spirituall or outward mercis preseruing the memorie principally of the chiefest of them Now when hee hath thus furnished these three heads with things that in particular concerne himselfe they being all matters of weight hee must now carry these things or the chiefe of them in his mind and frame his heart to speake to God in the best words he can get to signifie his detestation of those sinnes his humble requests for those graces and his vnfained thankefulnesse for those blessings Howsoeuer hee may be rude or vnperfect in his Language about these at the first yet exercise will bring him to a ripenesse and by this course hee shall be sure to speake of things that concerne himselfe neerely and that God which hath taught Parents to regard the vnperfect language of their little Children when they begin to speak vnto them will himselfe much more delight to heare the desires of his Seruants that are grieued that they cannot speake in a better sort vnto him The profit and comfort of this course will appeare by experience to be exceeding great besides it is an easie way where there is in any a true desire to bee at the paines to learne this Language of speaking to God by prayer and Gods Spirit will helpe and teach the poore Christian and draw his petitions for him and prompt him both with words and affections And the Christian must know this that when hee hath confessed his sinnes and shewed what hee should haue God doe for him with the best words hee could in the truth of his heart he hath made a most effectuall prayer to God Thus of prayer The awefull of God and the reuerent dreading of God may bee begotten and increased in vs if we throughly remember and deepely ponder vpon 1. The surpassing glory and transcendent excelleÌ„cie and perfection of his Nature his absolute purity and exact lustice and Holinesse 2. The wonderfull workes of God especially those standing miracles shewed in the hanging of this mighty earth and those huge heapes of water in the cloudes and the bounding of these mighty Seas and such like 3. His fearefull threatnings of all sorts of woes against the transgressions of men 4. The terrour of the last day and the dreadfulnesse of death and Iudgement 5. The fearefull and sudden iudgements which haue fallen vpon wicked men either recorded in Scripture or reported in Histories or obserued in experience 6. Especially if wee thinke much and seriously of the great goodnesse of God to vs how hee hath striuen with vs to ouercome vs with his mercies Thus of the feare of God We should striue to stirre vp in vs affection and loue to our very enemies by such considerations as these 1. Because Christ to whom we are infinitely bound hath expresly charged vs to look to this That we doe loue our enemies and therefore for his sake wee should deny our selues and our owne corrupt desires and affections and striue to shew the truth of our loue euen towards them that hate and persecute vs. 2. There is none so wicked but they haue something good in them and worthy to be respected 3. Our enemies doe vs good though they intend it not wee ought to like the very rod that mends vs and regard the water that washeth vs white and make much of the stone that tries vs and the glasse that shewes vs our spots and not mislike the tents that search our wounds 4. If euer God turne their hearts they will be effectuall instruments of our praise Gods glory in the day of their visitation they will not willingly beare the shame of their owne sinfull oppositions I forbeare to set downe the directions for the attainement of the loue of the appearing of Christ because I haue at large handled that point in the Treatise of the Cure of the feare of Death CHAP. VIII Thus of the directions that concerne the first sort of gifts concerning the attainement of the other graces the directions now follow AND first for the attainment of sauing knowledge and the increase ofâ—… these directions are of excellent vse 1. In hearing or reading the Scriptures hee must bee wise for himselfe that is marke distinctly what he heareth or readeth that may especially concerne himself Prou. 〈◊〉 12. 2 He must study those things exactly which most concerne him auoiding vaine questions and fruitlesse contemplations and vaine ianglings and controuersies he must especially labour to know Gods Nature aright and the distinct manner of Gods true worship how he may serue him he must studie to know his owne particular offences and Christ crucified as his Sauiour with the benefits of his mediation and the necessary things that concerne his owne Iustification Sanctification and finall Saluation 3. He must redeeme the time and by forecast and order prouide so that some time may be daily allowed for holy studies to recouer his former time lost 4. Hee must enquire and take counsell hee must take heed of smothering his doubts but must carefully seeke satisfaction to his conscience as occasion ariseth There is more profit in this rule then many Christians are aware of 5. Hee must take heede of consulting with flesh and blood he must not regard other mens opinions or his owne carnall reason but resolue to giue the glory to Gods Word so
to be able to attaine these skills how much more ought man to bee at the paines yea and cost too if it were required to get this admirable Skill to liue a religious life This most gainefull subiect is intreated of in this little Volume I may truely say that almost euery sentence in this little Treatise leads vs to much and rich treasure if the promises belonging to each dutie were annexed thereunto And therefore no Christian that loues his owne soule should thinke much of the paines of learning or practising these Rules I shall not need to exhort your Ladiship to the hearty care of those things you haue beene taught of God long since to profit haue learned Iesus Christ as the truth is in him your sincere profession and practise hath many witnesses and since you beleeued the Gospel of Saluation and were sealed by the Spirit of promise you haue a Witnesse within your selfe which will not faile in life or death to plead your aboundant consolation When I intreate of pietie righteousnesse mercie and temperance I intreate of things you haue aboue many profited in I haue presumed to dedicate these Directions to your Ladiship and not without reason You haue heard the preaching of them with speciall attention and haue bin a principall perswader to haue them published for the common good Being many wayes bound to acknowledge your Ladiship amongst my best hearers and friends I cannot but beseech your Ladiship to accept of this small testimonie of my vnfained obseruance of your many prayses in the Gospell and as a pledge of my thankefulnesse of all your workes of loue to mee and mine The God of Glorie and Father of our Lord Iesus Christ make you abound yet more and more in all the riches of his grace in this life and fill you with the comforts of the blessed hope of the appearing of Iesus Christ. Your Ladiships in the seruice of Iesus Christ to be euer commnaded N. BIFIELD THE Contents of the whole Booke Chapter 1. page 441. to the 448. THe Scope of the whole Booke is to shew briefly the choysest Ruâ—…s of life of all sorts Some obiections against this course answered and the warrant and profit of it shewed The easinesse of the course with some generall Directions Chap. 2. p. 448. to 470. THe Rules are either generall or particular The generall Rules concerne either the helpâ—…s to an holy life or the manner of well-doing Hee that would prepare himselfe to an holy course of life must doe diuers things and auoide diuers things The things he must doe are these 1. He must bee sure hee hath repeuted and doth beleeue 2. He must get knowledge how to doe well and that he may attaine knowledge 1. He must esteeme it 2. He must not consult with flesh and blood 3. He must redeeme the time 4. Hee must bee wise for himselfe 5. He must be swift to heare 6. He must study onely profitable things 7. He must striue to increase in knowledge 8. Hee must propound hâ—… doubts 9. He must be rightly ordered towards his Pastor to pray for him and obey him and not discourage him 3. Hee must auoid ill companie 4. Hee must resolue to practise these rules 5. Hee must order his outward calling so as he be freed from all needlesse incumbrances 6. He must keepe companie with such as doe liue well 7. He must not be a seruant of man 8. He must accustome himselfe to the thoughts of the comming of Christ. 9. He must not regard what the multitude doth 10. He must carefully remember to be in all things thankefull to God 11. He must studie to be quiet 12. He must be carefull to go on in a direct course 13. He must reade the Scriptures dayly 14. He must be carefull to preserue his first loue 15. He must especially striue for such good things as would make him more excellent in his place and calling 16. He must be often in the duties of mortification 17. He must obserue the opportunities of well-doing 18. He must be carefull of keeping the Sabbath 19. He must often meditate of the examples of the godly that excell in holinesse 20. He must daily pray God to direct him Chap. 3. p. 470. to 475. THus of what ee must doe what he must auoid followes and so he must take heed 1. Of 〈◊〉 2. Of rashnesse 3. Of carnall confidence 4. Of â—…asting to be rich 5. Of distrustfull fâ—…ares 6. Of adding to or taking from the Word of God 7. Of contempt of reproofe 8. Of beholding of vanitie 9. Of the beginnings of sinne Chap. 4. p. 475. to 491. NIne things to bee euer in our minds that in generall concerne the manner of well-doing for in all good workes wee must shew 1 1. Zeale 2 2. Sinceritie which hath in it Truth Respect to all Gods commandements A right end Obedience without obiâ—…cting Obedience in all companies 3. Constancie when wee doe good Without wearinesse Without discouragement Without resistance Without wauering Without declining 4. Feare 5. Simplicitie which is To rest vpon the word for the forme of holinesse and happinesse To be harmelesse To be simple concerning euill To loue goodnesse for it selfe To be meeke and lowly minded So to feare God as not to enuie the wicked 6. Circumspection which hath in it A respect of lesser commandements Abstaining from appearance of euill Obseruation of the circumstances of things Vnrebukeablenesse Auoyding euill when good might come of it 7. Growth which hath in it Abounding in goodnesse Finishing of holinesse Progresse 8. Moderation to bee neither iust nor wicked ouermuch which is expounded at large Chap. 5. p. 491. to 499. THus of the generall Rule the particular rules concerne either God or other men or our selues Our whole dutie to God concernes either his loue or his seruice The loue of God must be considered either in the foundation of it or in the exercise of it The foundation of the loue of God is the knowledge of God The Rules about the knowledge of God concerne either the right conceiuing of his Nature or our acquaintance with God That we may conceiue aright of the Nature of God 1. Wee must cast out all likenesses 2. We must striue to conceiue of him according to his speciall praises in his Word 3. Wee must bring with vs the faith of the Trinity 4. Wee may helpe our selues by the thinking of the Godhead in the humane Nature of Christ. 5. We must get cure for Atheisticall thoughts That we may be acquainted with God 1. Wee must prepare our hearts 2. We must begge acquaintance by prayer praying with all our hearts and early and constantly 3. Wee must giue our selues to God Chap. 6. p. 499. to 515. THus of the foundation of the loue of God the Rules that concerne the exercise of our loue to God either shew vs how to manifest our loue to God or how to preserue it We manifest our loue to God 1. By auouching him
allowes not the good he doth Rom. 7. 15. That doth the euill hee hates verse 15. 19. That hath not goodnesse dwelling in him ver 18. That doth not the good hee would ver 19. That hath euill present when he would doe good ver 21. That hath a law in his members rebelling against the law of his minde ver 23. That hath not knowledge to do good Ier. 4. 22. Hosea 4. 6. Isaiah 1. 3. This is aggrauated 1. If thou refuse knowledge and wilt not vnderstand Iob. 21. 14. Psal. 36. 4. 2. If thou walke not in the light whilst thou hast the light Iohn 12. 36. 3. If thou hate him that instructeth thee Amos 5. 10. 4. If thou detaine the truth for the loue thou bearest to wickednesse Rom. 1. 18. 5. That will not vnderstand though the foundations of the earth be moued Psal. 82. 5. That hath present occasion to doe good and yet puts it off though but till the morrow Pro. 3. 28. That seeketh his owne glory Prou. 25. 27. That boasteth of a false gift Prou. 25. 14. That praiseth himselfe Prou. 27. 2. That is pure in his owne eyes being not washed from his filthinesse Prou. 30. 12. That causeth others to goe astray especially the righteous Prou. 28. 10. That cals euill good or good euill or puts light for darknesse or darkenesse for light or that puts bitter for sweete or sweete for bitter Isaiah 5. 20. That changeth the ordinances or addeth to Gods Word or diminisheth ought from it Isa. 24. 5. Deut. 4. 2. Prou. 30. 6. That protects or defends others in sinne Ier. 44. 15. That sits still and is at rest ill sinne Zach. 1. 11. And considers not that God remembers his wickednesse Hosea 7. 2. and is without feare of Gods iudgements Prou. 28. 14. 1 Thess. 5. 3. That receiueth not correction but proudly hardeneth his heart and is wilfull in euill Ier. 5. 23. Ezech. 7. 10. Heb. 3. 15 16. That feares reproach for well-doing Isaiah 51. 7. or feares the displeasure of God for breaking mans traditions Math. 15. 2 9. or in things indifferent makes conscience of sinne where there is no sinne Rom. 14. That doth his worke to bee seene of men Math. 6. and 23. That hath the forme of godlinesse but denyeth the power of it 2 Tim. 3. 5. That is a louer of himselfe 2. Tim. 3. 2. That is neither hote nor cold Reu. 3. 15. That doth not good with a ioyfull heart Deut. 28. 47. That esteemes the way of the multitude Exod. 23. 2. That is not circumspect but foolish and rash and rusheth vpon things without knowledge or counsell or consideration of opportunities circumstances meanes or end Ephes. 5. 15. Prou. 15. 22. Ier. 8. 6. That is childish or vnconstant Ephes. 4. 14. as he is 1. That is carried about with euery winde of doctrine 2. That hath a diuided heart Hos. 10. 2. 3. That is mutable in his affection to godlinesse Gal. 4. 4. That falleth away from the truth or goeth backe Ier. 15. 6. Hos. 6. 4. Isai. 1. 4. Hitherto of the sinnes against the whole Law CHAP. II. The diuision of the sinnes against the first Table and the sorts of sinnes against Gods nature TThe sinnes against God forbidden in the first Table of the Law are of foure sorts 1. Some against his nature 2. Some against the meanes of his worship 3. Some against the manner of his worship 4. Some against the time of his worship For the first the sinnes against the nature of God are of two sorts 1. Some more vnusuall and personall 2. Some more vsuall and naturall The more vnusuall sinnes are such as are not found amongst Christians except it be in such persons onely as are most monstrously vile such as are 1. Blasphemie to reproach God 2. Idolatrie to worship the creature 3. Witchcraft or the seruice of the Diuell 4. Atheisme to defend there is no God or to desire constantly there were no God 5. That matchlesse Pride for a man to say hee is God or to exalt himselfe aboue all that is called God 6. Heresie to hold after conâ—…ction errors against the foundation of Religion 7. The inward hatred and loathing of God It shall 〈◊〉 to haue thus touched thâ—…se sins The more vsuall sins and such as are found in the most men by nature are such as these That naturall Atheisme of which he is guiltie 1. That customarily spends his time without God in the world Ephes. 2. 12. 2. That conceiues Atheisticall thoughts and of such thoughts he is guilty That with inward reasonings whether there be a GOD to which his heart inclineth Psal. 14. 1. That saith or thinketh God will neither doe good nor euill or that he neither seeth or regardeth Isai. â—…9 15 16. Zeph. 1. 12. Ezech. 9. 9. Iob 22. 13. That saith or thinketh there is no profit in seruing the Almightie Iob 21. 14. 22. 17. That in affliction saith or thinketh it is impossible to be deliuered 2 Kings 7. 2. That hath inward boylings about such things as God sheweth not reason of Iob 33. 13. That conceiueth rebellious thoughts about the decrees or prouidence of God Rom. 9. Thus of naturall Atheisme The second sin is Epicurisme which is shewed By fulnesse of bread and idlenesse Ezech. 16. 49. Phil. 3. 19. By liuing in pleasure Eccl. 11. 9. Iames 5. 5. By vanitie and strangenesse of apparell Isai. 3. Zep. 1. 8. The third sinne is the defect of those graces by which wee should cleaue vnto God and that also when we want thaâ—… life of them should be in vs such are the defects of the warmth of the knowledge loue and feare of God and of our ioying and trusting in God Psal. 36. 1. Zeph. 3. 〈◊〉 Prou. 30. 1 2. Rom. 7. These defects are the worse by reason of our impotency and extreme indisposition to seeke to mend those things And therefore it is an aggrauation of any of these defects that men doe not stirre vp themselues to take hold of God â—…sai 64. 7. Fourthly the misplacing oâ—… our affections in setting them vpon earthly things employing our confidence feare ioy or loue vpon the world and the things thereof whereby our hearts are any way alienated from God Ier. 17. 5. Isai. 51. 7. 1 Ioh. 2. 15. Math. 6. Fiftly Pride and there is a foure-fold pride 1. Arrogancie shewed By high lookes or indignation of spirit Isaiah 10. 12. and 16. 6. By fearlesnesse of a fall in prospâ—…ritie and that boasting hopefulnesse in a broken estate Psal. 30. 6. Isai. 9. 10. Obad. 3. 2. The pride of life which hath in it the secret lifting vp of the heart glorying in friends money meanes houses riches beauty or the like 1 Iohn 〈◊〉 17. 2 Kings 20. 3. with 2 Chron. 32. 25. 3. The pride of gifts exprest By great thoughts of our selues being wise in our selues Rom.
euidence for their interest in Gods loue or their hope of a better life For looke how godly men in Scripture haue proued that they were not hypocrites euen so may any Christian proue that he is not an hypocrite neither As for example Iob being charged to bee an hypocrite and lying vnder the heauy hand of God pleades his cause and proues that hee was not an hypocrite by his constancie in Gods wayes and by his constant estimation of Gods Word and desire after it as after his appointed food Iob 23. 10 11 12. More of this kinde thou maist find in the proofes of particular signes Now whereas some signes are general and thou mightest doubt of the exposition namely how that signe is infallible in such and such sences for thy establishment heerein thou mayest obserue that I expound the signe as it is expounded in other seuerall Scriptures As for example The loue of the brethren is a generall signe Now how shall I know that I haue the right loue of the brethren This I explaine by flying to diuers other Scriptures wherein the particular explications of this signe are pleaded CHAP. III. The tryall of a Christian by the signes of true humiliation THe first way then by which a Christian may trie himselfe is to examine himselfe about his humiliation for sinne whether it bee right or no. For vnder this head is comprehended the explication of the doctrine of pouerty of spirit and godly sorrow and so in generall of repentance for sinnes Now the true Christian in this matter of humiliation shewes himselfe to haue attained that which no reprobate could euer attaine and that in diuers particulars as First Hee hath a true sight and sence of his signes Hee discernes his sinfulnesse of life both past and present and is affected and payned vnder the burthen of his daily wants and corruptions and sees his miserie in respect of his sinnes Ier. 3. 12. Mathew 11. 28. Mathew 5. 4. Secondly He trembles at Gods Word and feares his displeasure while it yet hangs in the threatnings Esay 66. 1 2. Thirdly He renounceth his owne merits and disclaimeth all opinion of true happines in himselfe or in any thing vnder the Sunne as being fully perswaded that he cannot be saued by any worke of his own or be happy inenioying any worldly things and therefore is fully resolued to seeke for the chiefe good in Gods fauour in Iesus Christ onely Fourthly He mournes heartily and secretly for his sinnes and so he doth 1 For all sorts of sinnes for secret sinnes as well as knowne sinnes for lesser sinnes as well as greater for the present euils of his nature and life as well as sins past yea for the sinnes he hath loued or haue beene gainfull and pleasing to him Yea he grieues for the euill that cleaues to his best workes as well as for euill workes Esay 6. 5. Rom. 7. Esay 1. 16. Matth. 5. 4. 2 For sinne as it is sinne and not as it doth or might bring him shame or punishment in this life or in Hell 3 He is as much troubled for his sinnes as hee was wont or now should be for crosses in his estate Hee mournes as heartily for the sorrowes that fell vpon Gods Sonne for his sinne as if hee had lost his owne and onely Sonne Zach. 12. 10 11. or at least this he striueth for and iudgeth himselfe if worldly afflictions doe trouble him more then his sins Psalme 38. 5. Fiftly hee is truely grieued and vexed in soule for the abominations that are done by others to the dishonour of God or slander of true religion or the ruine of the soules of men Thus Lot 2 Pet. 2. 7. and Dauid Psal. 119. 136. and the mourners marked for Gods owne people Ezech. 9. 4. Sixtly he is heartily affected and troubled and grieued for spirâ—…tuall iudgements that reach vnto the soules of men as well as wicked men are wont to bee troubled for tempâ—…rall crosses and so he is greiued and perplexed for hardnesse of heart when he cannot mourne as hee would and for the famine of the word or for the absence of God or for the blasphemie of the wicked or the like Psalme 42. verses 2. 3. and Psal. 137. Nehemiah 1. 3 4. Esay 63. 17. Seuenthly he is most stirred vp to abase himselfe and mourne for his sinnes when hee feeles God to bee most mercifull The goodnesse of God doth make him feare God and hate his sinnes rather then his iustice Hos. 3. 5. Eightly his griefes are such as can be asswaged onely by spirituall meanes It is not sport or merrie company that easeth him his comfort is onely from the Lord in some of his ordinances As it was the Lord that wounded him with the sight of his sinnes so to the Lord onely he goeth to bee healed of his wounds Hos. 6. 1. 2. Psal. 119. 23 24 50. Ninthly in his griefs hee is inquisitiue he will aske the way desire to know how hee may bee saued Hee cannot smother and put off his doubts in so great a businesse He dares not now any longer be ignorant of the way to heauen He is not carelesse as he was wont to bee but is seriously bent to get directions from the word of God about his reconciliation sanctification and saluation c. Ier. 50. 4 5. Acts 2. 37. Tenthly he is fearefull of being deceiued and therefore is not slightly satisfied He will not rest vpon a common hope nor is hee carried with probabilities nor doth it content him that other men haue a good opinion of him nor is hee pleased that hee hath mended some faults or begun to repent but repenting he repents stil that is he takes a sound course to bee sure his repentance be effectually performed Ieremie 31. 16. Eleuenthly he is vehemently carried with the desires of the sound reformation of his life His sorrow is not water but washing nor is it euery washing but such as maketh cleane Worldly sorrow may haue much water but it maketh nothing cleane whereas godly sorrow alwaies tendeth to reformation sound amendment Twelfthly in all his sorrowes he is suppored by a secret trust in the mercie and acceptation of God so as no miserie can beate him from the consideration and inward affiance and hope in the mercie of God In the very disquietnesse of his heart the desire of his soule to the Lord and before his presence though it be neuer so much cast downe yet hee waits vpon God for the helpe of his countenance and in some measure condemnes the vnbeleefe of his owne heart and trusts in the name of God and his neuer sailing compassions Psalme 38. 9. and 42. 5 11. Lam. 3. 21. Zepha 3. 12. 13. He is wonderfully inflamed with loue to God if he at any time let him know that he heareth his prayers In the midst of his most desperate sorrowes his heart
be discerned by many things it worketh which are the fruits of it and by the fruits of Faith wee may know faith it selfe Faith is like the roote of a tree that lyeth vnder the ground and cannot be seene without much digging but by the fruit the tree beareth wee may know what kinde of roote it hath and of what sort it is Now the fruites of faith are these that follow and such like as 1. Loue to God and the godly for faith worketh by loue Gallat 5. 6. 2. Cleannesse of the thoughts and affections For faith purifieth the heart It maketh a man striue after inward purity as well as outward to get a cleane heart as well as cleane hands It worketh humiliation for inward sins as well as outward Act. 15. 9. and driues a man to seeke pardon in the Name of Christ for all sorts of inward perturbations and secret euils 3. Victorie ouer the World Faith ouer commeth the world 1 Iohn 5. 4 5. and so it doth when it maketh a man so rest vpon God and his truth and promise as if he be put to it to deny the respect of his owne credit or profit or pleasures or the displeasure of carnall friends or his hopes in matters of this world resting satisfied with the expectation of the treasures and pleasures of a better world yeelding himselfe ouer to be guided by Christ and his truth vnto the death Psalme 18. 14. Hee liues by his faith Gal. 2. 20. 4. Humilitie For a true faith excludes boasting of our owne labours gifts or praises and makes vs able out of the sense of our owne vilenesse to acknowledge all the glorie to Gods free grace and loune in Iesus Christ Rom. 3 27. Gal. 3. 22. The confession and profession of the truth Faith will make a man speake in defence of the truth I haue beleeued therefore haue spoken saith Dauid Psalme 116 which the Apostles plead to proue their faith also 2 Cor. 4. 13 14. 6 The putting on of righteousnesse which is not by the workes of the Law done by vs. The application of and relying vpon the righteousnesse of Iesus Christ is the proper and onely worke of true faith Rom. 10. 7 It opens a spring of graces in the heart of a true Christian he that is a true beleeuer is qualified with sundry heauenly gifts which were not in him by nature which gifts do daily discouer themselues in his heart flowing from thence as if there were a spring of liuing water in his belly Sanctification of the Spirit and faith of the truth be inseparable Iohn 7. 38. 2 Thess. 2. 13. CHAP. V. The tryall of a godly man by such heauenly gifts as serue him in his iourney to Heauen THus of his tryall in his humiliation and in his faith It followeth in the third place to try him by his gifts which are the fruits of faith The true Christian differs from the wicked man in two sorts of gifts Some of them are such gifts as are bestowed vpon him from aboue but serue him onely for spirituall vse while he is on the way in his iourney to Heauen and so onely in this life such as are the sacred thirst The loue to the word and meanes of his holinesse The spirit of supplication The loue of his enemies and his desire after the apparance of Iesus Christ. Other gifts hee hath which will accompany him home into his heauenly Countrey and abide vpon him for euer and are not abolished by death such as are sauing knowledge the loue of God and the loue of the godly First therefore of those heauenly gifts which will passe away and so he is qualified with fi◅e distinct holy gifts which cannot be found in any reprobate The first is his holy thirst which is an heauenly kind of appetite by which hee is carried to the desire of things aboue nature such as are the merits and righteousnesse of Christ the fauour of God the presence of God the full deliuerance from all sin the remouing of spirituall iudgements the saluation of other men and the like and this thirst is a signe the more infallible 1 Because it is constant and indelible in this life There is no part of this life but it continueth either in the sense of his affection or in the iudgement of his vnderstanding so as hee accounts spiritu◅ll things to bee the best things and though at some times his affection may be the lesse moued after them yet his appetite is daily renewed as it is in the hunger or thirst that is bodily 2. Because it is industrious For this holy thirst will guide him to a carefull vse of all the meanes by which good things may bee attained and doth not breathe it selfe out onely with sudden and vaine wishes or flashes of desire Psa. 27. 4. 1 Pet. 2. 2. Psa. 63. 1 2. Psa. 1. 2. Acts 2. 37. 3. Because it workes a constant and secret meditation of heauenly things desired the heart frequently seekes after God day and night Esa. 26. 9. Psal. 63. 1 6. For what wee desire feruently wee thinke on almost continually 4. Because if the Lord quench his thirst and satisfie his desire in spirituall things the soule becomes as a watred garden and then followes in him an heauenly kinde of satisfaction and contentment with singular delight in the soule and vowes and wishes of infinite and eternall thankfulnesse Psalme 63. 4 5. Ieremiah 31. 25 26. And thus much of the first gift Secondly The loue to the Word is another signe that hee is the Child of God and a cleare euidence of his saluation Now because all sorts of wicked men may resort to the exercises of the Word and those that haue but a temporarie faith may shew a great estimation of the VVord and find ioy in the hearing of it and shew much zeale in things that concerne the word and may yeeld some obedience to the directions of the VVord also it is profitable to consider how the true Christian may proue that his affection to the VVord is more sincere then that affection which any wicked man can bring to the word And thus he may find that his heart is sound in his loue to the Word by these markes 1 By his manner of receiuing it when hee doth receiue the Word as the Word of God and not of men setting his heart before Gods presence being affected as if the Lord himselfe should speake vnto him This no wicked man dares doe he dares not present himselfe with the whole intendments of his heart before the Lord. For this signe the Apostle Paul acknowledgeth the Thessalonians to bee true Christians 1 Thess. 2. 13. 2 By his appetite to his Word For there is in a godly man as true an hūger after the Word as the food of his soule as there is in his stomacke after the food of his body which shewes it selfe to be the more
hastening of it Neuelat 22. 10. 4 By his daily care to dispach all those godly duties which hee desires to doe before his death and accordingly by his willing disposing of his estate and endeuours to set his house in order And this desire of Christs comming is apparently the more sincere in him 1 Because it ariseth out of his loue to God and his hatred of his owne sinnes and his wearinesse vnder the obseruation of other mens sinnes 2 Because this desire is accompained with the care of the meanes by which he may be prepared for saluation 3 Because hee is thus affected euen in his prosperity when hee thrines in the world and is not in any uotable distresse Hitherto of his triall in such gifts as he is endowed withall in this life onely his triall in the gifts that will abide in him for euer follow CHAP. VI. His triall in respect of such heauenly gifts as will not bee abolished by death THe gifts that will abide in him for euer are these three Knowledge the loue of God and the lou◅ of the brethren These are perfected and not abolished by death And first in this knowledge he differs from all wicked men and so in diuers things as First in the things he knowes he knowes the nature of God in a right manner he knowes God in Iesus Christ hee knowes the vilenesse of his owne sinnes hee knownes after an effectuall manner the mysteries that concerne the saluation of his soule hee knowes his owne conuersion and the forgiuenesse of his sinnes and the things that are giuen him of God Math. 13. 13. Iohn 17. 3. Ier. 31. 34. 1 Cor. 2. 12. Hee knowes that Iesus Christ is in him 2 Cor. 13. 5. Secondly In the cause of his knowledge For flesh and blood did not reueale those things vnto him hee came not by them by the vse of naturall meanes but they are wrought in him by the word and Spirit of God Mathew ◅6 17. 1 Iohn 2. 27. and 5 10. 1 Cor. 1. 30. Thirdly In the effects of his knowledge for 1. It breeds in him an vnspeakeable refreshing and gladnesse of heart in Gods presence Psalm 36. 9 10. Psalme 119. 2 It inflames him to a wonderfull loue of the Word of God aboue all earthly things Psalme 119. 97 98. 3 It workes in him an effectuall sauouring and tasting of the goodnesse of spirituall things Rom. 8. 5. 4 It inclines him to a constant obedience and practise of Gods will Prou. 8. 9 17. Iohn 7. 17. Deut. 46. It redresseth his waies Psalme 1◅9 10. 1. Iohn 2. 3. and 3 24. 5 It beares downe pride and conceitednesse and frowardnesse and makes him humble and teachable Prou. 3. 5 6. and 8 13 14. Iames 3. 17. Fourthly In the proprieties of his knowledge for 1 It is infallible his knowledge hath much assurance in many things with strong confidence and resolution at some times especially when hee is before God 1 Thes. 1. 5. 2. It is indelible it cannot be vtterly blotted out it is fast grauen in his heart cōtrary doctrine or persecution cānot raze it out Ierem. 3◅ 34. Ephes. 4. 13. Pro. 4. 5 6. 4. It is sincere for first it inclineth him to giue glory to God and receiue all truth as well as any truth He receiues the doctrine of God though it bee aboue reason against the common opinion of men or crosse his profit or desires or the like Secondly it leades him principally to vnderstand his owne way and guides him to study the things chiefly that concerne his owne reformation and saluation Prou. 14. 8. Col. 3. 16. And thus he differs from wicked men in his knowledge Secondly in his loue to God hee hath these things which no wicked man can attaine to 1. Hee hath a deliberate inward inflamed estimation of God aboue all things accounting his louing kindnesse better then life and the signes of his fauour his greatest ioy Psal. 63. 3 11. 2. He loues and longs for the Lord Iesus Christ with certaine and sincere affection Ephe. 6. 24. 2 Tim. 4. 8. 3. He delights in Gods presence and shewes it by his vnfained loue to his house Psal. 26. 8. and by his heartie griefe for Gods absence Cant. 3. 1. and by his carefulnesse to set the Lord daily before him walking in his sight Psal. 16. 8. 4. He hates sinne heartily because God hates it and he dislikes sinners because they hate God accounting Gods enemies as if they were his owne enemies Psal. 139. 21 22. and 97. 10. 5. He constantly desires to be like God in holinesse being carefull to approue his affection to God by his obedience to his commandements so as it is not grieuous to him to receiue directions but serues God with all his heart being fearefull to displease God in any thing Ioh. 14. 21. 1 Ioh. 5. 3. Deut. 10. 12. and 11. 22. and is more affected with Gods approbation then al the praise of men Rom. 2. 29. 6. Hee is much affected with Gods mercie and the blessings bestowed vpon him which hee thankefully remembers to the praise of Gods free grace Esay 63. 7. Psa. 63. 2 3 4 6 8. and 107. 22. Iob 36. 24. Deut. 16. 2. 7. Hee loues all the godly for this reason chiefely because they are like vnto God in holinesse as being begotten by him 1 Iohn 5. 1. 8. Hee is heartily vexed for any dishonour done to God as for any disgrace offered to himselfe 9. Finally He shewes it in diuers cases that befail him in his course in this life as 1. If he bee put to suffer any thing for Gods sake he endures it with much ioy and patience 1 Thes. 1. 6. Acts 5. 14. Iohn 22. 15 to 19. 2. If at any time hee offend God by his owne faultinesse hee is heartily grieued cast downe and doth constantly desire to forsake any sinne though neuer so pleasing and gainefull vnto him rather then he would displease God Math. 26. 75. 3. In all streights and wants he runnes to God relying vpon God as his defence rocke and refuge in all times of troubles making his moane vnto him and powring out his prayers and complaints before him Psa. 18. 1 2. Thus of his loue to God Thirdly his loue to the godly doth also distinguish him from all the wicked men in the world because here are diuers things to be noted in his affection to them which cannot bee found in wicked men 1. As first he loues the godly aboue all other sorts of men in the world he accounts them as the onely excellent people Psal. 16. 3. 1 Iohn 3. 14. and affects them as if they were his naturall kindred Rom. 12. 9 10. 2. He loues them not for carnall respects but for the graces of God in them for the truths sake and because they are begotten of God 1 Iohn 5. 1. 2 Iohn 1. 2. 3 Iohn 1. 3. He delights in their fellowship and societie in
constantly without any awefull regard of Gods Maiestie Thirdly By sinning in secret with all securitie being onely careful to auoid the eyes of men Fourthly By contempt of the threatning of God in his Word 28. That is dead in trespasses and sinnes Eph. 2. 1 2. that can be guiltie of many and monstrous crimes and as if he were a dead man continues vnder the burden of them without sorrow or feare or remorse or care of amendment Eph. 2. 1. 29 The Apostle Paul puts a number of offenders in diuers grosse sinnes into a Catalogue and pronounceth of them all that without repentance they cannot inherite the Kingdome of Heauen 1 Cor. 6. 9. Fornicators Idolaters Adulterers the Effeminate Sodomites Theeues Couetous persons Drunkards Reuilers and Extortioners and so in the Galatians 30. All those that cannot repent that is such as cannot pray nor confesse their sinnes to God nor bewayle them nor any way set themselues soundly to reforme them CHAP. II. Containing the signes of Hypocrites THus of the markes of notorious and wicked men The signes by which Hypocrites may bee knowne follow and these are of two sorts First Such as describe them so that themselues may thereby know themselues Secondly Such as giue occasion to men to feare their soundnesse and shew that they are likely to fall away though for the present they make shew and profession of religion and doe escape much of that filthinesse which is in the outward liues of others For the first these are the signes of an hypocrite 1. To professe Gods Couenant with his month and deny it in his workes Psal. 50. 16. 2. To do his workes of purpose to be seene of men when he might conceale the knowledge of them and doth this of purpose chiefly because he would haue the praise and applause of men not seeking the approbation or praised of God Mat. 6. Rom. 2. 29. 3. To make cleane the out-side of the platter and let the inside bee foule To bee like a painted sepulcher To auoide apparant outward faults and yet to harbour a world of wickednesse in his heart without any true repentance for it Math. 23. 4. To censure small matters in others and be guiltie of great crimes himselfe To see a moate in another mens eye and not care to cast out the beame in his owne eyes Mat. 7. 5. To pretend care of pietie towards God and yet be vnmercifull to men or neglect workes of mercy to the poore that he is able to do and yet vnconscionably omits it Iam. 1. 26. 6. To require many things of others in their practice and yet make no conscience of obseruing them in his owne practice To binde heauy burthens vpon other mens shoulders and not to touch them with his owne finger Math. 23. 7. To arrogate to himselfe the titles of godlinesse and yet enuie and hate godlinesse in others and to endeauour to hinder them oâ—… opposethem that would enter into the kingdome of heauen Mat 23. To praise the dead or the absent seruants of God and yet despise and persecute such of Gods faithfull seruants as are set ouer them and to disobey them Mat. 23. 9. To speake faire to mens faces and behinde their backes to reuile and slander them 10 To draw neere to God with his lips when his heart is far from him In the daily seruice of God to allow himselfe in the habit of distractions making no conscience to worship God in his spirit Esa. 29. 13. 11. Neuer in secret to make conscience of prayer to God and not to cry to God except it bee in sickenesse or great aduersity disregarding prayer in health and prosperity Iob Chap. 27. ver 9 10. 12. With prophanenesse to neglect Gods commandements and to be onely diligent to vrge and obserue mens precepts or the traditions of men Mat. 15. 13. To punish or reproue sin in some because he hates them or to forbeare reproofes or punishments of others because he feares or fauours them CHAP. III. Containing the signes of such as are likely to be vnsound and will not hold out THus of the first sort of signes of hypocrites Now follow such probable signes of hypocrites as men may take notice of and do vsually foreshew their falling away at length though for the present they make great shewes Amongst them then that make profession of religion aboue the common sort of people these are likely to bee vnsound and not to hold out 1. That ioyne not themselues to Gods people but forbeare constantly or forsake apparently their fellowship Hebrewes 10. 24 25. 2. That are not carefull and desirous to reforme their housholds and to set vp Gods worship in their Families that are good abroad but practise not godlinesse at home 3. That customarily liue in any sin knowne to be so to themselues without sorrow or amendment whether it be in their particular calling or generall conuersation 4. That constantly and with delight choose out vngodly men to bee their chiefe companions and friends 5. That are wilfull in the vse of the vanities of the world and will not bee reclaimed from their excesses or offences that way 6. That are stiffenecked and will not abide reproofe and admonition but shew themselues conceited and selfe-willed 7. That are full of rash zeale and shew it by passions and violent furies about lesser matters and yet haue some notable faults in themselues which they make no conscience of 8. That are swift to speake and full of words and forward to expresse their masterlike conceits when they neither haue calling nor fitnesse nor power of the holy Ghost The language of an humble Christian that hath true grace differs wonderfully from the empty and impertinent language of an hypocrite who is seldome assisted with efficacy of matter 9. That liues inordinately being idle and attends not the labours of a lawfull calling that is found ordinarily in his neighbours house and is apparently negligent and slothfull in the duties of his calling 10. That is more vexed for want of respect from others then for his owne disabilities in his conuersation 11. That seemes glad of the company of some that feare God but cannot abide others either for the meanenesse of their place or because the world contemnes them though without cause and though there be no iust exception against their sincerity They that haue religion in respect of persons loue not any for religion sake 12. That liues customarily in the sinne of swearing or lying 13. That is carelesse of the sanctification of Gods Sabbath 14. That hath had no manner of affliction of spirit for particular sinnes 15. That is pertiâ—…acious in the â—…fence of gainefull and delightfull sinnes 16. That confirmes himselfe in the customary neglect of some of Gods ordinances either publike or priuate CHAP. IIII. Shewing vnto the wicked the hope to be saued if the fault be not in himselfe HItherto of the signes of wicked men who must bee perswaded to abide
as to submit himselfe to what he shall finde therein required to be beleeued or done or auoided Other rules he may finde in the directions for the priuate reading of the Scriptures as also in Rules of life Thus of sauing Knowledge That thou maiest inflame in thy heart the loue of God 1. Thou must auoid with speciall care these things First Forgetfulnesse of God Thou must not dare to go whole daies or weekes without communion with God or remembring his holy presence Secondly the loue of the World We cannot loue the Father while our hearts dote vpon any earthly thing Of necessity some degree of the contempt of the world must be bred in vs before we can loue God 2. Wee must labour for a distinct knowledge of the dreadfull prayses of Gods Nature and Workes as they are described in the Scriptures or may be obserued by experience This is a needfull direction and miserably neglected 3. VVe must frequent his house especially when his glory doth shine in the power of his Ordinances in his Sanctuary 4. Wee should especially studie the mercies of God and all the good things hee hath promised or giuen vnto vs that wee may after a solid manner cause our hearts to know how infinitely we stand bound to God 5. Wee should obserue carefully and daily our owne sinfulnes and vilenesse and vnworthinesse For vnlesse wee cast out selfe-loue wee shall neuer get in the true loue of God 6. Wee should pray much for an holy course in prayer doth breed in men a wonderfull loue of God and admiration of that fellowship which thereby they haue with God 7. We should resort often to such as vse to speake much of the praises of God and marke the experience of Gods wonderful prouidence or the glory of his Word 8. It will much further the loue of God to get and increase in vs a louing respect of and behauiour towards such as feare God and beare his Image Thus of the loue of God Concerning the loue of the brethren two questions may bee demanded The one what wee must doe to get a hearty loue to the godly and the other what we must doe to preserue it when it is gotten For the first hee that would heartily bee affected towards all the godly with a brotherly loue must obserue these Rules 1. Hee must not haunt with vicious persons nor goe with dissemblers nor hold needlesse society with such as hate godlines and godly persons Psalme 26. 4 5. 2. He must much meditate of Gods loue to him and of the great things were done by Iesus Christ and of those rich mercies are offered him in Christ and of the wonderfull loue that God and Christ do beare to true Christians and how glorious they shall be in the kingdome of heauen The arguments taken from Gods loue to vs or Christs suffering for vs are often vsed in the first Epistle of Iohn to perswade vsto the loue of the brethren as 1 Iohn 4. 8 9 10 11 12. Psalme 16. 2 3. 3. Hee must take notice of Gods peremptory commandement who requireth this of him as one principall duty that hee loue the godly with an vtter disclaiming of him if hee doe not loue them 1 Ioh. 3. 10 11 12 13. For the second That he would continue and increase and abound in loue 1. He must seeke and hold and not forsake the fellowship that he hath with the godly in the Gospel but make them the constant companions of his life Heb. 10. 25. 2. When he finds his affections stirred vp he must make vse of all opportunities by his deeds to shew the fruits of his loue vpon all occasions of mercie and well-doing else affections will dye in him The fruits of righteousnesse must be sowed by practise 1 Ioh. 3. 18. If affection bee onely in shew or in words or in the conceptions of the heart and be not expressed and made fast by the engagements of practise it will much decay if not wholly be lost 3. He must by all meanes take heed of discord with any of them striuing with a resolution to take things in the best part to beleeue all things and endure all things suffering long without enuy or reioycing in iniquity doing all things without reasonings or murmurings or censuring or complaining auoiding vaine ianglings and selfe-conceitednes begging of God an ability to beare with the infirmities of others See further directions about this point in the Rules of Life CHAP. IX Hitherto of the directions that concerne the attainment of the sacred gifts of the minde Now it followeth to shew what thou must doe that in all thy wayes thou mightest walke vprightly and attaine vnto sound sincerity of heart and life HEE that would walke vprightly or take a sound course to continue in his vprightnesse must earnestly looke to these rules 1. If thou haue beene guiltie of any grosse sinne know it is vnpossible thy heart should bee vpright till thou haue with speciall repentance humbled thy selfe before God for that sinne and that also by conscionable practise thou keep thy selfe from the great transgression Psalme 19. 13. 2. Thou must in a speciall manner watch and striue against hypocrisie and that intwo things chiefly First that in thy setting out into religion thou fashion not thy course more to get credit then grace Secondly that in Gods seruice thou by all meanes auoide distractions and so resist and checke thy pronenesse of heart thereunto iudging thy selfe seuercly when thou so offendest till thou bee able in some happie degree to serue God with thy spirit as well as with thy body The habit of dissembling with God is extremely dangerous 3. In thy conuersation take heed of that feare full carelesnesse of the most 〈◊〉 shewed in the knowne and wilfull practice of sinne vpon pretence that it is but a small offence or secret Take heed of the sinnes of deceit how gain of all so euer they might be to thee thou maiest together with vprightnesse lose the kingdome of heauen for daring so wilfully to breake one of those little commandements Math. 5. 19. Take heed in generall of a stiffe and wilfull heart they are seldome vpright that are heady and peremptory and hard to bee perswaded Iam. 3. 17. Prou. 21. 29. Heb. 2. 4. 4. As much as may bee accustome thy heart to the obseruing of Gods presence walke as before him Gen. 17. 2. 5. Yeeld thy selfe ouer to bee wholly guided by Gods Word Without knowledge the minde cannot be good Prou. 19. 2. and hee that walketh according to this rule shall haue peace in his heart and conscience Gal. 6. 16. Let Gods Law be the light for thy seete and the lanthorne for thy paths Psal. 119. Labour therefore to get a particular warrant for the lawfulnesse of thy practice in the occasions of thy calling either generall or particular where thou doubtest enquire so shalt thou walke in
and hee shall heare thee and thou shalt render thy vowes Iob 33. 26. He shall pray vnto God and he will be fauourable vnto him and he shall see his face with ioy for he will render vnto man his righteousnesse Psal. 34. 15 17. The eyes of the Lord are vpon the righteous and his eares are open vnto their cry The righteous cry and the Lord heareth them and deliuereth them out of their troubles Psal. 50. 15. Call vpon mee in the day of trouble so will I deliuer thee and thou shall glorisie mee Iohn 15. 16. That whatsoeuer ye shall aske of the Father in my name he may giue it you Iohn 16. 23. And in that day shall ye aske me nothing Verily verily I say vnto you whatsoeuer ye aske the Father in my name hee will giue it you For the second it may much comfort vs if we consider that God will not onely heare our praiers in generall but our voice Psal. 5. 3. Our very desires Psal. 10. 17. Our teares Psalme 29. 12 The very naming of Christ shall not be done without regard 2. Tim. 2. 19. Our groaning Psal. 102. 20. When we are destitute of words to expresse our selues our groaning our teares yea the very desires of our hearts is an effectuall prayer to God He doth not looke what wee doe say but what wee would say If we come like little children and but name our Fathers name and cry making moane it shall bee heard 3. But in the third point appeares the wonder of his compassion For 1. God will heare without despising their prayer Psalm 102. 17. 2. He will not reproach them nor hit them in the teeth with what is pâ—…st or their present frailties Iam. 1. 5. 3. He will prepare their hearts too he will as it were helpe them to draw their petitions Psal. 10. 17. 4. He takes delight in hearing their prayers Prou. 15. 8. 5. Hee lookes from heauen of purpose to heare their groanes Psal. 102. 19 20. his eares are open there is not the least impediment in his hearing Psal. 34. 15. It is his very nature to be a God that heareth prayers It is not contrary to his disposition Psal. 65. 1 2. 6. Hee thinkes thoughts of peace to giue an end expectation Ier. 29. 11 12 13. 7. He will be plenteous in mercy to them that call vpon him Psal. 86. 5. Iam. 〈◊〉 5. He giueth liberally 8. He will answer them and sometimes shew them wonderous things which they know not Ier. 33. 3. 9. Hee will refresh them also with much ioy and comfort of heart He will be many times as the dew vnto their hearts Iob 33. 26. 10. It is a singular compassion that he will heare euery one that comes with petitions to him he will except no man all shall bee heard whosoeuer asketh shal haue Mat. 7. 7. Luke 11. 10. 11. It is yet more compassion that God will heare them in all they aske whatsoeuer they desire of him in the Name of Christ They may haue what they will Marke 11. 24. Iohn 15. 7. 12. The Spirit shall helpe their infirmities when they know not what to pray for as they ought Rom. 8. 26. 13. God will crowne the praiers of his Seruants with this honour that they shall be the signes both of their sanctification and of their saluation Iohn 9. 31. Rom. 10. 13. If God heare their prayers hee will receine them vp to glory 14. Lastly The Lord shewes a wonderfull compassion in the very time of hearing prayer he will heare in the morning Psa. 5. 3. In the very season the due time when wee are in trouble yea so as hee will in our affliction in a speciall manner let vs know that hee is our God and that hee will deliuer vs Zach. 13. 9. Psa. 50. 15. and 91. 15. He is ready to be found Psal. 46. 1. Daniels praiers were heard from the very first day he made them Daniel 10. 12. Yea God will heare vs while we speake vnto him and answer vs before we can expresse our selues vnto him many times Esay 65. 24. Yea the Lord heareth the prayers of his people euen when they thinke they are cast out of his sight Psalme 31. 22. FINIS THE RVLES OF A HOLY LIFE OR A TREATISE CONTAINING the holy order of our liues prescribed in the Scripture concerning our carriage Towards God Towards men Towards our selues With generall Rules of Preparation that concerne either the helpes or the manner of a holy conuersation By N. BIFIELD late Preacher of Gods Word at Isleworth in MIDDLESEX Psalme 50. vlt. To him that ordereth his conuersation aright will I shew the saluation of God LONDON Printed by Iohn Legatt for Robert Allot at the signe of the Beare in Pauls Church-yard 1630. TO THE NOBLE AND RELIGIOVS Lady the Lady Mary Vere increase of ioy and peace in beleeuing MADAM IT was most truely said by the Apostle of the Gentiles Godlinesse is great gaine Importing thereby that if a man would be incited to the care to get any thing for the profit might come thereby it should bee godlinesse No skill in the world being comparable to that skill of beeing able to lead a godly life for the sure and speedy and matchlesse gaine it will bring vnto a man For besides that it only hath the promise of a better life godlinesse were to bee desired and with all possible diligence to be sought after for the very gaine of it in this life For to omit the consideration of the fauour it breeds with God and the vnspeakeable treasures of the grace of Christ which alwayes goe with it it were to be desired for the immediate effects it workes vpon men in it selfe For if men loue themselues what should they desire more then that which tends to make themselues perfect What should it aduantage a man to haue all things good about him if himselfe bee ill and vile If men that were onely guided by the light of nature could some of them see clearely that nothing was so good for a man as to liue well when yet they knew no other liuing well then what was prescribed in their naked and naturall Ethickes then how much more happy must it be for a man to liue a Religious life by which he is brought more neere to God himselfe and farre aboue the condition of any naturall man Yea if there were no more to be had by it but the peace and rest it brings vnto a mans heart it were aboue all outward things to bee desired For no man walkes safely that walkes not religiously nor can any actions of men produce any sound tranquillity and rest of heart but such actions as are prescribed by true Religion What shall I say If for none of these yet for it selfe were a godly life to bee had in singular request For if men with much expence of outward things seeke but the skill of diuers naturall and artificiall knowledges and thinke it worth their cost but
to bee our God 2. By prouiding him a place to dwell with vs. 3. By louing Iesus Christ. 4. By walking with him which hath fiue things in it 5. By honouring God and we honour him By seeking his kingdome first By open profession of his Truth By grieuing for his dishonour By directing all our actions to his glory By suffering for his sake By honouring such as feare him By hating his enemies By speaking of his truth with all reuerence By free-will offerings By praising him where diuers Rules 6. By trusting in him and this trust in God we shew By relying vpon his mercie for our saluation By committing all our workes to his blessing By beleeuing what he saith By staying vpon him in all distresses praying to him and casting our care vpon him and relying vpon his helpe Without leaning to our owne vnderstanding Without murmuring Without feare Without care Without vsing ill meanes 7. By obeying him In the manner also of our manifesting our loue to God wee must doo it 1. With feruencie 2. With feare and our feare of God we shew By awfull thoughts of God By departing from euill By all reuerence of minde By not fearing men By remembring his presence By trembling at his iudgements By humilitie in the vse of his Ordinances By the reuerend vse of his very Titles Chap. 7. p. 515. to 522. THus of the manifestation of our loue to God for the preseruation of our loue to God 1. We must separate our selues from all others to be his 2. We must beware that we forget not God 3. Wee must edifie our selues in our holy faith 4. Wee must pray in the holy Ghost 5. We must waite for the comming of Christ. 6. Wee must seeke his speciall presence in his Ordinances 7. We must preserue the Truth he hath deliuered to vs. 8. Wee must studie his praises 9. Wee must study to reioyce in God which containes in it 4. things where eight rules to obtaine this ioying in God Chap. 8. p. 522. to 525. THus of our loue to God his seruice followes and the rules about the seruice of God concerne either the parts of his seruice or the time of it The rules that concerne the parts of Gods worship and either generall to all parts or speciall Nine things to be remembred in all parts of Gods worship 1. Preparation 2. Godly feare 3. Penitencie 4. Griefe that others serue not God 5. That all be done in the name of Christ. 6. Precedencie before other businesses 7. That wee serue him with all our hearts 8. Desire to please him 9. Detestation of what might draw vs from his seruice Chap. 9. p. 525 to 531. THe speciall Rules concerne either his publike seruice or the particular parts of his seruice Vnto the publike seruice All must come With speciall reuerence And zeale and this zeale to be shewed sixe wayes And with our consent With speciall gladnesse before God And trusting in his mercie And thankefulnesse for all successes Chap. 10 p. 531. to 536. THe speciall parts of Gods worship are 1. Hearing where the rules concerne vs. 1. Before hearing A resolution to deny our owne wits and affections A meeke and humble spirit 2. In the time of hearing Speciall attention Prouing of the doctrine 3. After hearing 1. Meditation 2. Practice Chap. 11. p. 536. to 543. 2. THe Sacraments which are either Baptisme or the Lords Supper Concerning Baptisme wee haue diuers things to doe 1. About our children to present them to Baptisme In due time In faith With thankefulnesse 2. About our selues to make vse of our owne Baptisme In case of doubting In the case of temptation to sinne where our Baptisme serues for vse three wayes In the case of doubting of our perseuerance 3. About others to acknowledge the Baptized Chap. 12. p. 543. to 546. COncerning the Lords Supper we are charged with 1. Examination 2. The discerning of the Lords Body 3. The shewing forth of the death of Christ. 4. The vowes of louing the godly 5. Reconciliation 6. Vowes of holy life Chap. 13. p. 547. to 550. 3. PRayer about which the Rules are 1. Thy words must be few 2. Thy heart must be lifted vp which hath three things in it vnderstanding freedome from distractions and feruencie 3. Thou must vse all manner of prayer 4. Thou must perseuere in prayer 5. Thou must be instant without fâ—…inting or discouragement 6. With supplications for all sorts 7. In all things thou must giue thankes Chap. 14. p. 550. to 554. 4. REading the Scriptures the rules are 1. Reade daily 2. Meditate of what thou readest 3. Conferre vpon it 4. Resolue to obey Chap. 15. p. 554. 555. 5. Singing of Psalmes the rules are 1. Teach one another by Psalmes 2. Sing with the heart 3. Sing with grace 4. Make melody to the Lord. Chap. 16. p. 555. to 558. 6. VOwes the rules are 1. Before thou vow consider 2. When thou hast vowed defer not to pay 7. Swearing the rules are 1. Sweare not by any thing which is not God 2. Sweare in truth 3. Sweare in iudgement 4. Sweare in righteousnesse Chap. 17. p. 558. to 560. 8. FAsting the rules concerne 1. The strictnesse of the abstinence 2. The humbling of the soule Chap. 18. p. 560. to 566. HItherto of the parts of Gods worship The time followes which chiefly is the Sabbath and the rules about the Sabbath concerne 1. The preparation to it End thy worke Auoide domesticall vnquietnes Cleanse thy selfe 2. The celebration of it where is prescribed 1. Rest from all worke 2. Readinesse and delight 3. Care and watchfulnesse 4. Sinceritie to be shewed By doing Gods workes with as much care as our owne By obseruing the whole day By ausiding the lesser violations of the Sabbath 5. Faith by trusting vpon his blessing 6. Discretion Chap. 19. p. 566. to 570. HItherto of the Rules that concern our carriage towards God Towards man followes and so either towards all men or towards some men The Rules that order vs in our carriage towards all men concerne either righteousnesse or mercy The Rules that concerne righteousnesse either order vs in company or out of company In company we must be ordered either in respect of Religion or the sinne of others or the way how to carry our selues inoffensiuely For matter of Religion looke to it 1 That thou take not vp the name of God in vaine 2 That thou auoid vaine ianglings about doubtfull disputations or curious questions or vnprofitable reasonings 3 If thou be asked a reason of thy hope answer with all reuerence and meekenesse 4. Let thy communication bee yea yea and nay nay Chap. 20. p. 570. to 574. AS for the faults of others 1. Iustifie not the wicked nor condemne the righteous 2. Conuerse without iudging 3. Walke not about with tales 4. Reprooue but hate not 5. Passe by frailties 6. Giue soft answers Chap. 21. p. 574. to 582. THat thou mayest conuerse inoffensiuely thou must looke to three things
preserue affection this spirituall loue in his heart and watch against and resist the first beginnings of decay or coldnesse or declining in his heart and take heede of suffering his heart to be drawne away by the deceitfulnesse of sinne or the enticements of the world 15. He must couet earnestly the best gifts 1 Cor. 12. vlt. There are some duties in piety or Mercie or Righteousnesse which in respect of our places doe most concerne vs would in a more speciall manner adorne our particular profession so are there some gifts which do aduance our communion with God and doe make vs more profitable amongst men Now these things we should study and earnestly labour to frame our selues to to expresse them more effectually in our conuersation This no doubt is the reason why the holy Ghost doth in the Scripture make Catalogues of certaine speciall duties or graces singled out from the rest and sitted to the cōditions of the people who are written to and this would be a singular aduantage to vs if we also would single out to our vse some few of the chiefest vertues or duties which we would daily set before vs an◅ striue by prayer and all holy endeauour to fashion them to the life in our hearts a◅d liues 16. He must renew often his mortification mans heart is like fallow ground which is not fit to receiue seed till it be broken vp and at best it is like a garden which will often need weeding If wee doe not at some times in speciall manner humble our soules before God worldly cares or carnall delights will ouer-grow our desires and our practice and choake the seed of the Word receiued by vs wee must keepe vnder our bodies and bring them in subiection and be often dragging our lusts to the crosse of Christ there to crucifie them Our practice is like to sowing which presupposeth plowing before Ier. 4. 3 4. Hosh. 10. 12. 1. Cor. 9. 27. 17. We must watch for the opportunities of well-doing and take heed of procrastination he must seeke righteous◅esse and haste to it he must not put it off till to morrow Esay 6. 8. Prou. 3. 28. and 2. 4. Amos. 5. 14. 18. Hee must remember the Sabbath Day to sanctifie it The commandement concerning the keeping of the Sabbath to sanctifie it is placed in the midst betweene the two Tabels of purpose to shew that the keeping of the Sabbath is a singular helpe to all piety and righteousnesse and God hath promised a speciall blessing to the obseruers of the Sabbath and giues strength by the rest of that day ◅he better to performe holy duties all the weeke after Commandement 4. Esay 38. 1◅ 19. Hee must meditate much on the example of the godly of all ages and striue diligently to learne their wayes and to quicken himselfe by the thought of their care zeale and sinceritie And thus hee may also profitably set before him the examples of such of his owne acquaintance as excell in the gifts of Christ and fruits of weldoing The example of good men should be as forcible to draw vs to good as the example of euill men is to incline others to euill wee haue beene compassed about with a cloud of witnesses who haue liued in all ages of the Church wee must therefore stand in the wayes see and aske for the old way to walke in it and with all gladnesse follow any that are fit to bee guides to vs therein Hebr. 12. 1. Ier. 12. 19. 6. 16. 20. He must go daily to him that teacheth to profit begging of God to shew him a way and to leade him by his Spirit vnto the right practice of euery holy duty euen to guide him in the plaine path Esay 48. 17. ◅sal 27. 11. Thus I haue s◅t downe those rules which are generall helpes vnto godlinesse and must be attended by a Godly Christian. CHAP. III. Shewing the things that are to bee auoided by such as would order their conuersation aright NOw before I proceed vnto the rules that concerne the manner of weldoing I will adde to the former directions nine Cautions or nine things which a Christian must take heed of in his practice of holy duties As First hee must take heed of wretchlesnesse or a scornefull carelesnesse of his owne wayes he must not despise his wayes as if he cared not how hee liued or rested satisfied to bee still as he was this carelesnesse proues the bane of many a soule whereas Hee that keepeth his soule keepeth his way Prou. 19. 16. and 2◅ 8. 2. He must take heed of precipitation or rashnesse or too much haste this is the ground of much false zeale and the cause of strange euils in the presence of some Christian but the godly Christian must learne of Salomon to prepare his worke in the field and then build his house he must get sound knowledge of the warrant of his actions guide his affaires by aduice and with serious preparation fit himselfe to the doing of what hee is sure is good Hee that hasteth with his feete sinneth what is done rashly cannot be done well Prou. 19. 2. As procrastination is a great vice so precipitation is no vertue Prou. 24. 27. 28. 26. 3. Hee must haue no confidence in the flesh he must not rely vpon his own wit memory reason desires vertues praises or power but all his comfort and affiance must be in the merits intercession vertue and assistance of Iesus Christ his Sauiour Phil. 3. 3. 4. He must not haste to be rich for the desire of money is the roote of all euill and they cannot be at leasure for good duties that are so eager to compasse great things in the world Pro. 23. 4. 28. 20. 5. Hee must take heed of the snares that rise from distrustfull feares There is a snare in feare Pro. 29. 25. There are many feares will assault a man that resolues to liue well as the feare that he cannot doe good duties the feare that God will not accept what he doth the feare lest men should scorne him or contemne him or lest he should lose the fauour of his friends or such like Now against all these must the godly minde be armed and take heede that those feares proue not great hinderances to him and especially take heed of that vnbeliefe or counterfeit humilitie by disabling himselfe or mistrusting God contrary to his nature and prom◅ 6. Hee must take heed of adding to or detracting from the word of God Hee must not imagine more sins then God hath made that is not trouble himselfe with feare of offending in such things as God hath not in his Word forbidden and so likewise hee must not impose vpon his owne conscience or other mens the necessitie of obseruing such rules of practice as God neuer prescribed This caution would ease the hearts of many Christians if it were
cease praying till God heare and shew mercy It is basenesse of minde not humilitie to be quickly discouraged if God entertaine vs not according to our expectation or liking we must not be weary of seeking to God but set vpon prayer with a resolution to take no nay Luk. 18. 1. Iam. 1. 6. 6. Thou must remember supplication for all Saints especially to pray heartily for Magistrates and Ministers especiall those vnder whose charge thou art Eph. 6. 18 19. 1 Tim. 2. 1. 7. Thou must looke to it that in all things thou giue thankes Let the Lord see the truth of thy heart herein that what thou obtainest from God especially by prayer thou wilt with all gladnesse remember and acknowledge this Rule must by no meanes be forgotten 1 Thess. 5. 18. Col. 4. 2. CHAP. XIIII Rules about reading the Scriptures THus of the Rules that concerne prayer There remaines the reading of Scripture and singing of Psalmes as the other part of the ordinary worship of God Concerning the reading of the Scriptures I will instant in one place of Scripture onely which containes the charge giuen to Ioshua Cha. 1. 8 9. which comprehends the substance of the necessary directions about priuate reading I say necessary for godly men may and haue aduised diuers courses for reading of Scripture which are not absolutely necessary but arbitrary as may stand with the leasure and capacity of the persons that will reade such are those directions that shew how many Chapters may be read in a day and what things may be obserued in reading c. which as they may be profitable to many Christians and expedient too yet they must not bee vnderstood so as that those persons sinne which reade not so often or so many Chapters or the like The things therefore that must necessarily be obserued by such as can reade the Bible I take to be these First they must exercise themselues therein daily they must constantly be employed therein and if their occasions interrupt them at some time they must redeeme it at other times This is the praise of the blessed man That he exerciseth himselfe in Gods Law day and night that is constantly Psal. 1. 2. Secondly in reading they must meditate therein that is they must obserue profitable things as they reade attending to reading and marking what the Lord saith vnto them by that part of the Word which they reade This is that meditation which is chiefly required of Christians to get into their hearts good thoughts from the matter they reade of so as they may the better be enabled to employ their thoughts all the day after Thirdly the Word of God must not depart out of their mouth they must make the best vse of it they can in conference to speake of it to others for the edification of themselues and others Fourthly they must obserue in their reading what the Lord saith vnto them that concernes their practice They must obserue to doe according to those holy directions they reade of They must bring a mind desirous and resolued to let the Word of God both informe them and reforme them making conscience of it to let God direct them by his holy Word read and not onely by the word preached to them their liues must bee bettered by their reading and to that end they must obserue the chiefest things they can out of their reading to remember them in their practice CHAP. XV. Rules about singing of Psalmes THe rules that concerne the singing of Psalmes are summarily comprehended in that place Coloss. 3. 16. and they are these First they must teach one another by their Psalmes and Hymnes and spirituall songs They must learne to profit and make good vse of the holy matter contained in the Psalmes they sing Secondly they must sing with their hearts they must attend to the matter they sing of and lift vp their hearts as well as their voices Thirdly they must sing with grace in their hearts they must employ the graces of Gods Spirit in singing of Psalmes as well as in praier or any other ordinance of God Fourthly they must make melodie to the Lord They must direct their songs to God and to his glory and not vse them as meere ciuill employments but as parts of Gods seruice CHAP. XVI Rules about Vowing and Swearing HItherto of the Rules that concerne the most vsuall part of Gods seruice there are other parts of Gods seruice which are to be vsed but at certaine times and vpon speciall occasions and these are Vowes and Oathes and Fasting The rules about Vowing are briefly comprehended in that place Eccl. 5. 4 5. and they are chiefly two First before thou vowest consider consider I say thine owne strength whether thou be able to doe it and consider also the end that it be to Gods glory and consider the matter that thou vow not things vnlawfull and consider what may be the euents of thy vow for all vowes being made before the Angell that takes notice of all couenants it will be in vaine afterwards to pleade It was an errour thou wast mistaken God may bee angry at thy voice and destroy the worke of thy hands Be not rash therefore to cause thy flesh to sinne therein Secondly when thou hast vowed thy vow to God deferre not to pay it be sure thou performe it it is a grieuous offence to breake a lawfull vow Better it is thou shouldest not vow then that thou shouldest vow and not pay Thus of vowing Concerning the Oath when thâ—…u art called to sweare thou must obserue these rules First that thou sweare not by any thing which is not God Ier 5. 7. Secondly that thou sweare in truth that is that thy conscience know what thou swearest is true Thirdly that thou sweare in iudgement that is with due consideration of the nature of God and with sound deliberation not rashly diligently weighing all things that belong to the matter thou swearest about Fourthly that thou sweare in righteousnesse that is about lawful things and iust matters Thou must not sweare to doe vniust things as Dauid sware to kill Nabal nor must thou sweare about impossible things or about things that are doubtfull and vncertaine nor in the forme of thy oath must thou vse such words as bee contumelious to God or expresse not sufficient reuerence to the Diuine Maiesty as they that wickedly sweare by any part of Christ or such like CHAP. XVII Rules about Fasting THus of Vowes and Swearing Fasting followes Now if wee would keepe a religious Fast vnto God we must obserue these two Rules First wee must looke to the strictnesse of the abstinence of the day of our Fast for so we must abstaine from all sort of meate as well as one and from our costliest apparell and from recreations and vsuall delights We must keepe the day as we keepe the Sabbath in forbearing our owne workes Ion. 3. 6 7. 1 Cor. 7. 5.
Pet. 2. 7. 1 Cor. 16. 14. Now the rules which in particular bind vs to the good behauiour in respect of our loue to the godly concerne either the manifestation of our ioue to them or the preseruation of our leue to them We must shew our loue to the godly diuers wayes First by courtesie and kindnesse towards them and that in a speciall manner being affectioned towards them with a brotherly loue and kindnesse No brethren in nature should shew more kindnesse one to another then Christians should Eph. 4. 32. Rom. 12. 10. Secondly by receiuing and entertaining them we must receiue one another and be barbarous one to another and this with entirenesse of affection Negatiuely it must be without grudging 1. Pet. 4. 9. Affirmatiuely we must receiue one another as Christ receiued vs into glory that is First without respect of desert We haue done nothing to deserue heauen yet Christ hath receiued vs to glory So though the godly haue not pleasured vs any way greatly yet because they are the children of God wee should make much of them and entertaine them gladly Secondly not thinking any thing too deare for them Christ hath not ennied vs the very glory of heauen and therefore what can we doe to the brethren that should answer the example of Christ Rom. 15. 7. Thirdly by bearing their burthens for so we should fulfill the Law of Christ Galat. 6. 2. There are two sorts of burthens presse the godly One inward such as are temptations and their owne corruptions the other outward such as are afflictions of all sorts Now in both these this rule holds for when we see a godly Christian mourne and lament his distresse in respect of his â—…firmities or temptations we must beare his burthen not by soothing him in his sinne as if it were no sinne but by laying his griefe to our owne hearts and striuing to comfort him with the promises of God This is not to make our selues guilty of their sinnes but to helpe them out of their griefe by consolation out of their sin by direction Note that this is charged vpon vs when sinne is a burthen to them not before for till then wee are rather to reprooue them or admonish them But then we are to taâ—… notice of this rule when they confesse their sinnes and are weary of them and sorry for them And thus also in their outward burthens wee must beare them by comforting them and aduising them and helping them and shewing our affection to them as if it were our owne case so farre as we haue a calling and power to helpe them Fourthly by considering one another to prouoke vnto loue and good workes Heb. 10. 24. Note the dutie and the manner how it is to be done The dutie is to stirre vp others all we can to the increase of loue and abundance of all good workes the manner is shewed two waies First we must prouoke them to it both by example and by exhortation and all good wayes that might fire in them the desire of well-doing Secondly we must consider one another we must study the estates of others their wants impediments meanes gifts callings c. and accordingly apply our selues for the best aduantage to helpe them forward It is not enough to doe it occasionally but we must meditate of it and castabout how where and when we must yeeld this helpe and incouragement and furtherance Fiftly by doing whatsoeuer we doe for the godly heartily and with all faithfulnesse as if it were for our selues or our owne brethren or kindred in nature not being slothfull in seruice or such as disappoint the trust reposed in vs we should doe all things we vndertake for them with all sidelity and care 3 Ioh. 5. Rom. 12. 6 7 8 9 11. Yea we should care for their good and profit as we would care for the good of the members of our owne body for such are they to vs in the mysticall body of lesus Christ as the former place to the Romanes sheweth Lastly we should shew our loue to the godly by employing the gifts of our mind as may be best for their good As euery man hath receiued the gife hee must so minister the same as good Stewards of the manifold grace of God There are diuersity of gifts in the godly as knowledge vtterance prayer and the like Now these are giuen to profit withall 1 Pet. 4. 10. 1 Cor. 12. As for example The lips of the wise must disperse knowledge Prou. 15. 7. So when Christians meete together as any haue receiued a doctrine or a Psalme or an Interpretation so must he minister it for the profit of others 1 Cor. 14. 26. and so must we help one another by prayer either absent or present 2 Cor. 1. 11. CHAP. XXVI How we should preserue our loue to the godly THus of the rules that concerne the manifestation of our loue to the godly Now there are further diuers things to be obserued for the preseruation of our loue to them and these may bee cast into two heads for they are either such things as we must doe or such things as we must auoide The things that wee must doe to preserue loue are these First we must striue to be like minded in matters of opinion many discords or abatements of affection grow among Christians for their offences of opinion in diuers things It is true that difference of Iudgement should not cause difference in affection If we cannot be of one minde yet we should be of one heart yet we see the contrary and therefore euery Christian should make conscience of it to be so wary and so humble in his opinions especially in things doubtfull or not so necessary as to take heed of admitting what might shew dissent from the godly or if he must needs dissent yet to be very wary how he discouer it to the vexation or entanglement of others Now because this is very hard to perswade Christians vnto marke how vehemently the Apostle speaks of it Rom. 15. 5 6. Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to bee like minded that ye may with one mouth and one mind glorifie God Wee must learne of the Apostle to pray feruently for this that our natures and the natures of others with whom we conuerse may be fitted hereunto and 1 Corinth 1. 10. the Apostle adiâ—…res them by the name of Iesus I beseech you brethren by the name of our Lord Iesus Christ that ye all speake the same thing and that there be no diuions amongst you but that yee bee perfectly ioyned together in the same mind and in the same iudgement And in the Epistle to the Philippians Chap. 2. ver 1 2 3. he vrgeth them with strange vehemencie to import the necessity of this duty If saith he there be any consolation in Christ or any fellowship of the Spirit or any bowels of mercy be like minded hauing the same loue
age or absence in a place so far remote for my earnest trust is that God will adde yet many yeres to your happy life on earth and besides I haue had heretofore occasion to know how little you were afraid to dye when the Lord did seeme to summon you by sicknes That GOD which hath ennobled your heart with heauenly gifts and so made you an instrument of so much good and contentment vnto that most excellent Princesse with whom you now liue and towards whom you haue shewed so much faithfull obseruance and dearenesse of affection and carefulnesse of attendance euen the Father of mercie and God of all consolations encrease in you all spirituall blessings and multiply the ioy of your heart and make you still to grow in acceptation and all well-doing Humbly crauing pardon for my boldnesse herein I commit your Honor to God and to the Word of his Grace which will build you vp to eternall life resting Your Honors in all humble obseruance N. BIFIELD Isleworth July 14. 1618. The chiefe Contents of this Booke THE drift is to shew how wee may be freed from the feare of Death pag. 6. 35 First it is prooued by eight apparent Arguments that it may be attained to pag. 655. to 660 Secondly it is shewed by fifteene Considerations how shamefull and vncomely a thing it is for a Christian to be afraid to die pag. 660. to 670. Thirdly the way how this feare may be remooued is shewed where may be noted An exhortation to regard the directions p. 670 671 Two wayes of Cure the one by Meditation the other by Practice p. 671. 1. The Contemplations either serue to make vs to like Death or else to bee lesse in loue with life pag. 672. Seuenteene Priuiledges of a Christian in death pag. 670. to 685. The contemplations that shew vs the misery of life are of two sorts for either they shew vs the miseries of the life of nature or else the miseries that doe vnauoidably accompanie the very life of grace p. 685. c. The miseries of the life of nature from p. 8â—… to 693. The miâ—…eries of a godly mans life are two-fold which appeares both in the things he wants and in the things hee hath while he lives pag. 693. c. Sixe things which euery godly man wants while he liues p. 694. to 698. What should make a godly man wearie of life in respect of God pag. 698. to 704. And what in respect of euill angels p. 704. c. And what in respect of the World p. 706. c. And what in respect of himselfe p. 721. c. Eight aggrauations of Gods corrections in this life p. 702. Eight apparent miseries from the world p. 706. c. Fifteene manifest defects and blemishes in the greatest seeming felicities of the world p. 712. to 721. Many aggrauations of our miserie in respect of corruption of nature in this life p. 721. c. The remainders of the first punishments yet vpon vs. p. 725. The remoouall of the Obiections men make about death from whence their feare ariseth and these Obiections are answered p. 7â—…7 1. About the paine of dying where are ten answers p. 721. c. 2. About the condition of the body in death p. 733. 3. About the desire to liue longer yet p. 736. 4. About the pretence of desire to liue long to doe good p. 740. 5. About casting away of ones selfe p. 472. 6. About parting with friends p. 745. c. 7. About parting with wife and children p. 747. 8. About leauing the pleasures of life p. 748. 9. About leauing their honours of life p. 750. 10. About leauing their riches p. 753. c. 11. About the kind of death p. 756. The second way of curing the feare of death is by practice where seuen directions are giuen from p. 757. to the end THE CVRE OF THE FEARE OF DEATH CHAP. I. Shewing the Scope and parts of this Treatise THat which I intend in this Treatise is to shew how a godly man might order himselfe against the feare of Death or what course hee should take to liue so as not to be afraid to die This is a maine point and exceeding necessary Life is throughly sweet when death is not feared A mans heart is then like Mount Sion that cannot be moued He can feare no enemie that doth not feare death As death is the last enemy so it workes the longest and last feares and to dye happily is to dye willingly The maine worke of preparation is effected when our hearts are perswaded to be willing to dye Now in the explication of this point I would distinctly handle three things First I will proue that to liue without feare of death is a thing may bee obtained one may be deliuered from it as certainly as a sicke man may be cured of an ordinary disease Sâ—…condly I will shew how vncomely a thing it is for a Christian to be afraid of death that so wee may be stirred vp the more to seeke the cure for this disease Thirdly I will shew by what mâ—…anes wee may bee deliuered from the feare of death if we vse them Of the two first more briefly and of the last at large CHAP. II. Prouing that we may be cured of the feare of Death FOr the first That the feare of death may be remoued and that we may attaine to that resolution to be willing to dye without lothnesse is apparent diuers wayes First it is euident Christ dyed to deliuer vs not onely from the hurt of death and from the diuell as the executioner but also from the feare of death too Now Christ may attaine to the end of his death vnlesse we will deny the vertue of Christ and his death and thinke that notwithstanding it cannot be obtained Heb. 2. 14 15. And the more apparent in this because in that place he shews that there is vertue in the death of Christ to cure this feare of death in any of the Elect if they wil vse the meanes For as our sins will not be mortified though there be power in the death of Christ to kill them vnlesse we vse the meanes to extract this vertue out of the death of Christ so is it true that the feare of death may be in some of Gods elect but it is not because Christ cannot deliuer them but because they are sluggish and will not take the course to bee rid of those feares The Physician is able to cure them and vsually doth cure the same disease but they will not take his Receipts Secondly the Apostle intreating of the desire of death saith That God hath wrought vs vnto the selfe same thing 2 Cor. 5. 5. We are againe created of God that we might in our selues aspire vnto immortality and are set in such an estate as if we answered the end of his workmanship we should neuer be well till we be possessed of the happinesse in another world which hee
looke how wee dye as whither wee shall goe when we are dead 2. Christ dyed a cursed desth that so euery death might bee blessed to vs For hee that liues holily cannot dye miserably Hee is blessed that dyeth in the Lord what kind of death soeuer it be CHAP. XXI Shewing the cure of this feare of death by practice HItherto of the way of curing this feeare of death by meditation It remaines now that I proceed to shew how the cure is to be finished perfected by practice for there are diuers things to be heeded by vs in our daily conuersation which serue exceedingly for the extinguishing of this feare without which the cure will hardly euer bee soundly wrought for continuance The first thing we must frame our liues to for this purpose is the contempt of the VVorld wee must striue earnestly with our owne hearts to forgoe the loue of worldly things It is an 〈◊〉 thing â—…o be willing to dye when our hearts are cleansed of the loue of this world Wee must leaue the world before the world leaue vs and learne that lesson heartily To vse the world as if wee vsed it not Neither ought this to seeme too hard a precept for they that striue for masterie abstaine from all things when it is but to obtaine a corruptible crowne how much more should we be willing to deny the delights of this world and striue with our natures herein seeing it is to obtaine an incorruptible crowne 1. Cor. 9 24 25. VVe must learne of Moses who brought himselfe to it willingly to â—…orsake the pleasures of Egypt and to choose rather to suffer affliction with Gods people then to be called the sonne of Pharaohs daughter Heb. 11. 26. And to this end we should first restraine all needlesse cares and businesse of this world and study so to be quieâ—… as to meddle with our owne busines and to aâ—…idge thâ—…m into as narrow a scantling as our callings will permit Secondly we should auoid as much as may be the societie with the fauorites and minions of the World I meane such persons as admire nothing but worldly things and know no other happinesse then in this life that speake onely of this World and commend nothing but what tends to the praise of worldly things and so to the enticing of our hearts after the World And withall wee should sort our selues with such Christians as practise this contempt of the World as well as praise it and can by their discourse make vs more in loue with heauen Thirdly we should daily obserue to what things in the world our hearts must run and striue with God by prayer to get downe the too much liking and desire after those things Fourthly we should daily be pondering on these meditations that shew vs the vanitie of the world and the vilenesse of the things thereof Thus of the first medicine Secondly we must in our practice soundly mortifie our beloued sins our sins must dye before we dye or else it will not be well with vs. The sting of death is sin and when we haue pull'd out the sting we need not feare to entertaine the Serpent into our bosome It is the loue of some sin and delight in it that makes a man afraid to dye or it is the remembrance of some foule euill past which accuseth the hearts of men and therefore men must make sure their repentance and iudge themselues for their sins and then they neede not feare Gods condemning of them If any aske me how they may know when they haue attained to this rule I answer VVhen they haue so long confessed their sinnes in secret to God that now they can truely say there is no sinne they know by themselues but they are as desirous to haue God giue them strength to leaue it as they would haue God to shew them grace to forgiue it Hee hath soundly repented of all sin that desires from his heart to liue in no sin And vnto this rule I must adde the care of an vpright and vnrebukeable conuersation It is a maruellous encouragement to dye with peace when a man can liue without offence and can iustly plead his integrity of conuersation as Samuel did 1 Sam. 12. 3. and Paul Acts 20. 26 27. and 2 Cor. 1. 12. Thirdly Assurance is an admirable medicine to kill this feare And to speake distinctly wee should get the assurance first of Gods fauour and our owne calling and election for hereby an entrance will bee ministred into the Heauenly Kingdome And therefore haue I handled this doctrine of the Christians assurance before I meddled with this point of the Feare of Death Simeon can dye willingly when his eyes haue seene the saluation Feare of death is alwayes ioyned with a weake faith and the full assurance of faith doth maruellously establish the heart against these feares and breeds a certaine desire of the comming of Christ. Paul can be confident when he is able to say I know whom I haue beleeued and that hee is able to keepe that which I haue committed to him 2. Tim. 12. Besides wee should labour to get a particular knowledge and assurance of our happinesse in death and of our saluation Wee would study to this end the Arguments that shew our felicitie in death And to this purpose it is of excellent vse to receiue the Sacrament often For Christ by his Will beqâ—…eathed heauen to vs Ioh. 17. and by the death of the Testator this Will is of force and is further daily sealed vnto vs as internally by the Spirit so externally by the Sacraments Now if wee get our Charter sealed and confirmed to vs how can we be afraid of the time of possession He is fearelesse of death that can say with the Apostle Whether I liue or dye I am the Lords Rom. 14. 8. 4. That charge giuen to Hezekiah concerning the setting of his house in order Esay 38. is of singular vse for this cure Men should with sound aduice settle their outward estates and dispose of their worldly affaires and according to their meanes prouide for their wife and children A great part of the feare and trouble of mens hearts is ouer when their Wills are discreetly made but men are loth to dye so long as their outward estates are vnsettled and vndisposed It is a most preposterous course for men to leaue the making of their Wils to their sicknesse for besides their disabilities of memory or vnderstanding which may befall them the trouble of it breedes vnrest to their mindes and besides they liue all the time in neglect of their duty of preparation for death 5. Wee may much helpe our selues by making vs friends with the riches of iniquity we should learne that of the vniust Steward as our Sauiour Christ sheweth Since wee shall be put out of the Stewardship we should so dispose of them while wee haue them that when wee dye they may
all sinne Note this 17 And is willing to suffer affliction 18 He dislikes sinne in all 19 Sinne reignes not in him 20 Hee humbles himselfe for sin euen in his prosperitie 21 And in aduersitie his heart is vpright 2â—… He accouâ—…ts of spirituall things as thy best things 23. He doth not fauour the things of the slesh and the world 24. He is much grieued if God hide himselfe 25. Of a Lyon hee becomes a Lambe 26. His spirit is without guile Why wee should try out faith The drift is to shâ—…w how faith may bee proued not how it may bâ—…e bred A second câ—…ueat Theâ—… note by way of preface The true fâ—…ith 1. Was wrought by the Word preached 2. Esteems Christ aboue all things 3. Receiues the testimony of Gods Ministers before all the world 4 Casts out by pocrisie 5. Will abide triall 6. It beleeues all things 7 Will not make hast 8. Is accompanied with a pure conscience 9. And a spirit of discerning 10. And the witnesse of the Spirit of adoptioÌ„ 11. Beareth those fruits following 1. Loue 2. Purity of heart 3. Victory ouer the World 4 Humility 5 Confession 6 Application of Christs righteousnesse 7 A very spring of grace Two sorts of graces in a Christian The holy thirst that is in the godly Christian tryed by foure signes His tryall by his loue to the Word 13. Signes to try his affection to the Word by His triall by his gift of prayer 13. Rules of tryall His loueto his enemies tried His tryall by the loue to the appâ—…aring of Christ. The triall of his knowledge And so he differs from wicked men In the things hee knowes 2. In the cause of his knowledge 3. In the effects of his knowledge 4 In the properties of his knowledge His loue to God tried by nine signes His loue to the godly tried by ten signes 5. Six fauours God bestowes vpon him which the wicked neuer feele 1. Election in time 2. The baptisme by fire 3. Much assurance 4. Ioy vnspeakeable 7. The sanctification of his afflictions 6 The answer of his prayers Sixe Rules of his trial about the Sacrament Note Why wicked men neglect the triall of their estates 〈◊〉 Because they are afraid all is noâ—… well 2. They are slothfull 3. They rest vpon the common hope Or 4 vpon their outward profession of Religion Or 5. they 〈◊〉 euâ—…l opinions 〈◊〉 assurancâ—… 6. They are lettâ—…d by their beloued sins Why soâ—…e that are godly neglect the triall of their estates 1. Euill opinions 2. Ignorance 3. Smothering of doubts and temptatioÌ„s They are wicked o uermâ—…ch 5. Melancholy 6. Passions 7. Neglect of the meanes 8. A barren life 1 Cor. 15. 58 9. Too much loue of earthly things 10. Secret sin 1 He is a wicked â—…an 1 That liues without God 〈◊〉 That auoids the societie of the godly 3. That sauours oâ—…ly earthly things 4. That iâ—… discernes not the things of God 5. That sorts with wicked men 6 Thaâ—… of malice persecuteth the truth 7. That allowes himselfe in Atheisticall thoughts 8 That cals not vpon God 9 That is not chastened of God 10 That neuer examines himselfe â—…n knowne sinnes 11 That applaudes himselfe in knowne sinne 12. That lothes the Word of God constantly 13. That allowes himselfe in hypocrisie 14. That refuseth knowledge 15. That in great distresses humbles not himselfe 16. That care not for the afflictions of the godly 17. That will not vnderstand to do good 18. That is â—…esensible of spiritual iudgemeÌ„ts 19. That is an ordinary swearer 20. That is carelesse of Gods Sabbath 21. That is a worker of iniquity 22. That beleeues not in Christ. 23. That hates to be reformed 24. That hath not the Spirit of Christ. 25. That cannot forgiue his enemies 26. That loues not God 27. That â—…ares not God â—…8 That is dead in sin 29. That is guiltie of any of his sinnes in the Apostles Catalogue 30. That cannot repent Two sorts of these signes 〈◊〉 Signes of hypocrisie 16 Signes of an vnsound Professor Note Arguments of hope 1 Gods oath 2 Gods Patience 3. The offer of grace to al 4. Suffiâ—…ient satisfaction made by Câ—…st 5. The meanes continued 6. One only sin vnpardonable 7. As grâ—…t sinners saued Quest. Answ. 1. He must consider of Gods promises 2. He must take notice of Gods commandement to beleeue 3. Hee must pray for faith 3. He must renounce his owne righteousnesse 5. He must waite vpon the Word preached 1 Gather a Catalogue of thy sins either by memory Or by booke 2. Consider Gods iustice 3 Think of his threatnings 4 Remember thy latter end 5. Obserue Gods iudg ments vpon the wicked 6. Especially Gods goodnesse to thee 7. Try thy selfe by the signes 8. Beg an humble heart of God 9. Liue vnder 〈◊〉 searching ministery 10. Wâ—…tch against the things â—…hou art naturally proud of 11 Auoide the flatterer 12 Thinke still of some of thy worst fruits Quest. Answ. 1 Consider Gods promise about a soft heart 2 Daily confesse thy sinnes to God and beg sorrow 3 Bee thankefull for euery mercie in prayer 4 Acknowledge thy faults to otheâ—… 5 Go into the house of mourning 6 â—…e heed of distraction in Godâ—… seruice 7 Study the tenth commanment 8 Remember the sorrowes of Christ for thy sinne 9. Get others to pray for thee 10. Vse fasting Quest. How the Spirit of Adoption may be had Answ. 1 He must pray for it 2 Waite vpon preaching 3 Cherish the motions of the Spirit Quest. How wee may get a loue to the Word Answ. 1 Sâ—…ttle vâ—…der a powerfull mi isterie 2 Pray God to quicken thee 3 Take heed of worldly cares 4 And of personall discord with such as feare God 5 And of vngodly companie 6. And of neglect of the increase thereof Or excesse 7. Practise what thou hearest To attaine the gift of prayer 1. Pray God to teach thee 〈◊〉 Ioyne wâ—…h such as can pray 3 How he â—…y 〈◊〉 himsâ—…lfe in euerâ—… part of prayer Three Questions How the feare of God may bâ—…â—…gotten in vs. How loue to our enemies may be excited How to increase sauing knowledge 1 He must be wise for himselfe 2 He must study only profitable things 3. He must redeeme the time 4. He must propoundâ—… his doubts 5 He must not consult with flesh and blood How the loue of God may bewrought in thee 1. Thou must auoid forgetfulnesse of God and the loue of the world 2. Thou must study Gods praises 3 Thou must frequent his house 4 Thou must study Gods mercies 5Thou must obserue thy daily infirmities 6 Thou must pray much 7 Thou must râ—…sort to experienced Christians 8 Thou must behaue thy selfe louingly towards the godly What wee must do to get the loue of the godly 1 Auoide the company of the wicked 1. Meditate much of Gods loue to vs. 3. Consider Gods Commandemét For the preseruatlon of our loue three things must bee looked to How sound sincerity of
loue 15 He must couet the best gifts 16. He must often humble his soule be fore God 17 He must watch for the oppor tunities of wâ—…-doing 18 Hee must be 〈◊〉 of sanctifying the Sâ—…bbath 19. Hee must often thinke of â—…he example of the godly that haâ—…e excâ—…lled 20. He must daily seek 〈◊〉 way of God He must â—…oide 1. Carelesnessâ—… Rashnes 3. Carnall confidence 4. Hast to be rich 5. Distrustfull 〈◊〉 6 Adding to or ta king from the Word of God 7 Coâ—…teÌ„p of reproof 8. Beholding vanity 9. The be ginning of sinne There are 5 things to be still remembred which concerne the manner of wel-doing Zeale with continual willingnes and feruen cie 1. Sinceritie which hath in it fiue things 1 Truth 2 Respect to al Gods commandements 3 Right end 4. Obedience with out expostulation 5. Obedience in all places The third thing required in the maner of well-doing is constancie And hee is constant that doth good duties 〈◊〉 Without discouragement 3. Notwithstanding impediments 4 Without wauering 5. Without declining 4. Feare Simplicitie which is 1 To rest vpon the Word for the formes of holines and happines 2 To bee harmelesse 3 To bee simple concerning euill 4 To loue goodnesse for it selfe 5. To 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 6. Feare God and not enuie the wicked The sixth is circumspection which hath fiue things in it The 7 is growth or increase Which hath three things in it 1 Abounding in goodnes 2. Perfecting of holinesse 3. Progresse 〈◊〉 Tâ—…m 4. 2. 1 8. Faith The last is moderation The place in Eccles. 7. 16. expounded The diuision of the particular rules The subdiuision The rules that con cerne the right knowledge of God of 〈◊〉 sorts That wâ—…e â—…ay conceiue â—…right of Gods nature 1 Wee must cast 〈◊〉 all likenesses 6. Wee must conceiue of him according to his prayses 3. Wee must beleeue the Trinity of Persons 4. Thou maist conceiue of God in the Humane Nature of Christ. 5. Thou must resist Atheistical thoughts 2. Of acquaintance with God That thou maiest bee aquainted with God 1. Thou must prepare thy heart 2 Thou must beg it by prayer 2. We must beleeue the Trinitie of Persons 3. 4. Thou must giue thy selfe to God Other things about our knowledge of God Rules about the exercise of our loue to God Sâ—…en wayes to manifest our loue to God 1. By auouching him to be our God 2 By prouiding him a place to dwel where wee dwell 3. By shewing our loue to Iesus Christ. 4. By walking with God Men walke with 5. wayes 6. By honouring God to waies of honoring God Rules about the praise of God When wee commend God diuers things are to be obserued 6 By trusting in him How wee must shew it that wee â—…rust God How wee may proue that wee trust God in distresse In relying vpon God in affliction We must auoid fiue things 7 By obeying him 2 Things in the manner of shewing our loue to God 1. Feruencie 2. Feare Eighâ—… wayes by which wee shew our feare of God About reioycing in God What it is to reioyce or delight our selues in God What wee must doe that wee might bee able to ioy in God Ruleâ—… about the seruice of God 9. Things to bee remembred in euâ—…ry part of Gods worship Rules about the publike worship of God 1. All must come 2. With all possible reuerence 3. And zeale And this zeale wee shâ—…uld shew sixe wayes 4. With one consent Three other rules gathered out of the Ps. 52. 8 9. Rules that order vs in hearing the Word of God 1 Before we come 1. In the time of hearing Noâ—… 3. After we haue heard Rules about Baptisme 1. Abouâ—… our children 2. About our selues In 〈◊〉 thingâ—… How Baptisme may help vs against sin 3. In respect of oâ—…hers Rules about the Lords Supper 1. We must examine our selues 2. We must discerne the Lords Supper 3. We must shew forth Christs death 4. We vow to cleaue to the godly 5. We must be reconciled 6. We vow an holy life Rules about prayer Thy words must be few 2. The heart must bee listed vp 3. Vse all manner of prayer 4 Thou must perseuere in prayer 5. Thou must be instant without fain ting or discourage â—…tat 6. With supplication for all Saints 7 In all things giue thankes Rules about reading the Scripture 1 Reade daily 2 Meditate of what thou readest 3. Confer vpon it 4. Resolue to obey Rules about singing of Psalmes The rules about vowing Rules about swea ring The rules about a religious fast Rules about the Sabbath 1. The preparation to it 2. Of the celebration of the Sabbath Rules that direct our carriage towards men Towards all men And so 1 in company Wâ—…th due râ—…spect of Religion Auoiding vaine ianglings in three thingâ—… How wee must behaue our selues in company concerning the faults of others Note Reproue but hate not Passe by mâ—…re frailties Rules that concerne the inoffensiuenesse of our carriage in company An humble behauiour hath three things in it 1. 2. 3. Note 8 Rules that concerne discretion in our behauiour Three rules that concerne the purity of our conuersation 1. The rules that order vs out of company 8. Things required in shewing mercy 1. Willingnesse 〈◊〉 Labour 3. Liberalâ—… ty 4. Humility Humility shewed fiue waies in doing workes of mercy 5. Faith in two respects 6. Discretion in 4. things 7. Sympa thy 8. Sinceritie in fiue things Needlesse socretie with them must bee auoyded Great wisdome required in conuersing with them Diuers things that affect the hearts euen of the worst men are 1. A mortified life 2. Reuerend speech of Religion 3. Meekenes of wisdome 4. Reseruednesse in foure things 5. Mercy 6. Vndauntednesse in a good cause 7. Patience in affliction Sixe waies of manifesting our loue to the godly 1 By courtesie 2. By receiuing them 3. By bearing their bur thens Note 4. By prouoking them to good duties 5. By faithfulnesse in all their businesse 6 By enioying our gifts for their good What wee must do to prâ—…serue our loue to the godly We must labour to be of one iudgement with them 2. We must 〈◊〉 peace 〈◊〉 We must couer their weakenesse 4. We must confesseour faults one to another 10. Things to be auoided 1. Suits in Law 2. Dissimulation 〈◊〉 Conceitednesse 4. Reioycing in iniquitie 5. Worldlinesse and selfe-loue 6. Ficklenesse 7. Vaine-glory 8. Iudging 9. Euill words and complaining 10. Forsake not their assembly How we must carry our selues towards such as are fallen from God How wee must carry our selues towards such as trespasse against vs. How wee must carry our selues towards weake Christians How wee must carry our selues towards the strong How wee must carry our selues towards our special friend How we must carry our selues in our â—…enerall calling 1 In matters of faith 2 About thy repentance 3 About thy hope 7. Things to be auoi ded in our particular calling 〈◊〉 Vnfaithfulnâ—…sse 3. Rashnes 4
is eased if he speed well in prayer Psalme 116. 1 6. 14. Hee daily keepes an assise vpon his owne soule hee iudgeth himselfe for his sinnes before God arresting accusing and condemning his sinnes Hee confesseth his sinnes particularly to God without hiding any sinne that is without forbearing to pray against any sinne hee knowes by himself out of any desire he hath still to continue in it and by this signe he may be sure he hath the Spirit of God and that his sinnes are forgiuen him Esay 4. 4. Psal. 32. 5. 1 Iohn 1. 7 9. 1 Cor. 11. 32. 15 His requests are daily powred out vnto God Hee cryes vnto God with affection and confidence though it be with much weakenesse and many defects as the little child doth vnto the father and thereby hee discouers the Spirit of adaption in him Rom. 8. 15. Zacha. 12. 10. Ephesians 3. 12. 16 Hee is vnfainedly desirous to be rid of all sinnes as well as one There is no sin he knowes by himselfe but he doth desire as heartily that he might neuer commit it as he doth that God should neuer impute it This is a neuer failing signe a fundamentall one 2 Tim. 2. 19. 17. Hee is content to receiue euill at the hand of God as well as good without murmuring or letting go his integrity as beeing sensible of his owne deserts and desirous to approue himselfe to God without respect of reward This proued that Iob was an holy and vpright man Iob 1. 1. and 2 3 10. 18. Hee dislikes sinne in all euen in those that are neere and deare vnto him in other respects 1 King 25. 12 13 14. 19. Hee is innocent from the great transgressions and keepes himselfe from his owne iniquity He is not subiect to the damnation of sinne Sin doth not reigne in him Psal. 19. 13. 2. Sam. 22. 24. 20 He finds a desire to be rid of sinne and to humble himselfe for it in prosperitie as well as aduersitie He leaues sinne before sinne would leaue him He forsakes it then when hee could commit it without apparent danger Iob 8. 5 6. 22 Or if he be in aduersity his heart is vpright without lying or dissimulation Hee so seeketh the pardon of his sinnes then and so promiseth amendment as that he is also carefull to practise it when he is deliuered He is not like the Israelites mentioned Psal. 78. 36. 37. 22. Hee makes a supernaturall valuation of spirituall things accounting them as pearles of the best price not too deare bought if he purchased them with all the worldly things he hath and contrariwise accounting himselfe exceeding poore if hee want them or the means of them Mat. 13. 45 46. Ps. 42. 63. 1 3. 23. Hee hath lost his wonted taste in earthly things his heart is not transported with the admiration of them or the inordinate desire after worldly things He loues not the world and this life as he was wont to doe Though he vse the world yet he easily confesseth himselfe to be a stranger and pilgrim here He giues ouer the vnnecessary pleasures and profits of this life Heb. 11. 13. 1 Ioh. 2. 14 15. Rom. 8. 5. He is wearie of the world and willing to forgo societie with the men of this world the workers of iniquitie Psal. 6. 8 9. and 36. 12. and 26. 1 2 3 4. 24. If the Lord be silent and answer not his desires but hides his face his spirit faileth and he is as one that goeth downe into the pit it troubles him as a sore crosse and so contrariwise Psal. 26. 1. and 88. 13 14 15. and 143. 7. Iohn 16 23 28. 25. If hee hath beene a man subiect to boisterous violent and hurtfull affections he is now become tame Of a Lyon hee is become a Lambe and a little child may lead him Esay 11. 6. 24. Hee hath a spirit without guile Psalme 32. 2. Hee is more desirous to be good then to bee thought to be so and more seeks the power of godlinesse then the shew of it Iob 1. 1. Prou. 20. 6 7. His praise is of God and not of men Rom. 2. 29. And thus much of the triall of his humiliation The signes of his faith follow CHAP. IIII. The tryall of a godly man by his Faith FAith is the next thing to bee tryed in a child of God And in as much as there are diuers kindes of faith and experience shewes in many that giue no signes of repentance that they will not bee beaten from a confident presumption that Christ dyed for them euen for them in particular it stands vs in hand to try our perswasion by true rules of Scripture that so if it will abide the trial of the touchstone we may lay it vp as a hid treasure and a wonderfull grace of God and if otherwise wee may repent vs of presumption as a deceiueable sinne But before I open the signes of this sinne the Reader must be admonished of three things First that I intend not by these signes to shew how faith may be bred or begotten in vs but how faith may be proued and declared to be in vs. For it is the promises of God in the Scripture that breed faith nor can humane reason beleeue such great things from God for any thing that is in vs but onely because wee see the Word of God assuring such happinesse vnto such as lay hold vpon them So that that which breeds faith is the reuelation of Gods promises by his Word and Spirit Yet notwithstanding the assurance of faith is much increased and confirmed by the sight of those signes of the truth of our faith and other graces of God in vs. Secondly that I stand not precisely vpon the order of these graces of God in vs nor determine that question which graces are wrought first in the heart of a man but that which I haue specially aimed at in the order of setting them downe is to begin at those that either first appeare in a Christian or are easiest as I conceiue to bee discerned in him Thirdly that I intend especially the tryall of such Christians as agree in this that they a re perswaded that Christ died fo r them that so the true Christian may see reason to comfort himselfe that his perswasion is no presumption as is the perswasion of the most It is true that diuers of the signes of faith here to be handled will shew faith in the weakest Christian though he will not yet be brought to acknowledge any perswasion For this perswasion may bee secretly wrought vpon the heart as it is when it relieth vpon the merits of Christ onely for saluation though the iudgement of the Christian be not resolued against his doubts The question then is how a Christian may trie his perswasiō of Gods mercy and his interest of Christs mer◅ts whether it be right or no. For