answer hereunto I say that the true Christian doth proue his faith and petswasion to bee right by these signes following First His faith or perswasion was wrought by the hearing of the Word preached And therefore thou must first aske thy selfe how thou commest by thy perswasion For if thou say thou wast alwayes so perswaded or didst attaine it by meere naturall meanes or helpes thou are deceiued For faith is first wrought by the Holy Ghost in the preaching of the Gospel as it is most cleare by the words of the Apostle How shall they beleeue in him of whom they haue not heard and how shall they heare without a Preacher Romans 10. 14. And whereas it may bee that many Christians haue not obserued the workings of their faith and haue forgotten the time of their conuersion haue not iudgement to discerne how the Lord by the ministery of his seruants did change their hearts and leade them to Christ therefore when this first signe cannot comfort they must try themselues by the rest that follow Secondly Hee hath an high estimation of Iesus Christ. For the man that hath true Faith accounts all things most base in comparison of the knowledge of Christ and the loue of God in him He had rather be sure of Christ then to gaine the whole world Christ is more precious then all the world Yea is the onely thing in request in the desires of the Christian. Now Christ is precious onely to them that beleeue 1 Peter 2. 6. and by this signe Paul knew that he was growne farre beyond himselfe in his former life and beyond all the Pharises in the world Phil. 3. 9. Thirdly Hee readily receiues the testimony of Gods Ministers speaking out of the Word and stickes to it against all the contradictions of the World The Apostle Paul 2 Thess. 1. 10. shewes that this signe will bee pleaded and acknowledged in the day of Christ Christ saith hee will be made admirable in them that beleeue Now some may say But how shall wee know that wee doe beleeue Why saith hee you are true beleeuers because yee receiued our testimonie and this shall bee to your praise in that day Fourthly Hee cannot abide counterfetting and hypocrisie If it bee a right perswasion it is a faith vnfained Vnfained I say as in other respects so in effect because it cannot abide fainting but with speciall hatred purgeth out hypocrisie which the perswasion of hypocrits neuer doth 2 Tim. 1. 5. Fifthly This perswasion is permanent it will endure triall it will hold out in the euill day it inclines the heart to cleaue to Iesus Christ euen in the fire of tribulation in the midst of manifold afflictions and disgraces and temptations It is like the Gold in the Fornace that perisheth not nor will it barely hold out but a Christian by his faith comforts and supports himselfe in affliction so as his faith becomes to him both a brest-plate and an helmet whereas the best faith that is not the faith of Gods Elect will proue but drosse if it be cast into the Fornace of temptation further then it is supported by carnall meanes and helpes 1 Peter 1. 6 7. 2 Tim. 1. 12. 1 Thess. 5. 8. Epho 6. Luke 8. 13. Sixthly Hee will beleeue all things I say all things that he apprehēdeth to be required threatned or promised in the word To beleeue some things only may be in any other kind of faith especially when they are such things as stand with their own reasons or wils or affections or the common opinion of other men But this is the glory of a liuely iustifying faith it will giue glory to God in all things What can God speake it can beleeue so soone as it knowes it is spoken of God though it bee neuer so contrarie to the iudgement of flesh and blood Acts 24. 14. Seuenthly Hee will not make haste This was the signe giuen in the Prophet Esayes time He that beleeueth will not make haste He had prophesied of hard times to fall vpon all the people now this would shew amongst them who were true beleeuers For those that trusted in God would not make haste to vse ill meanes to helpe themselues they would stay their hearts in ◅est and quietnesse and they would stay their feet too from running to Aegypt or to Ashur which God had forbidden Esay 28. 16. If faith be right and thy perswasion a sound perswasion and well grounded there are ioyned with it these things following Eighthly His perswasion is ioyned with a good and pure conscience a conscience I say that makes him carefull to auoid sinne and doe good duties and to serue God in sinceritie whereas the perswasion that is in wicked men is not accompanied with a good conscience they doe not make conscience of their wayes Now this is a cleare rule of difference 1 Tim. 1. 5 19. and 3. 9. Hebr. 10. 22. Ninthly He hath a spirit of discerning There is a great deale of light comes into the heart with faith A man cannot beleeue and bee ignorant still The Christian that is endued with faith from aboue is endued with wisedome from aboue so as he can conceiue of the things of God that concerne saluation which the naturall man perceiueth not Though he may want still in many knoledges yet he hath skill in some measure to learne how to be saued The doctrine of saluation hee can now vnderstand which is taught in the ministery of the Word and hee now can make some good vse of reading the Scriptures that before discerned little or nothing in them The veile that lyeth vpon the hearts of all flesh is now taken from his eyes yea the very entrance into Gods Word giueth light to the simplest beleeuer He that was stupid and vnteachable before doth now heare as the learned with an holy kind of in-sight and iudgement 2 Tim. 3. 15. Psalme 119. 130. Prou. 1. 4 8. and 9. 4 5. Tenthly Hee hath a witnesse within himselfe He that beleeueth hath a witnesse in himselfe 1 Iohn 5. 10. For hee hath the Spirit of adoptiō to certifie him infallibly of Gods loue to him and that he is the child of God Rom. 8. 15 16. thus the beleeuers are said to be sealed by the Spirit of promise Eph. 1. 13 14. God leaues a pawne a pledge with euery Christian that shall bee saued to be as the earnest of his saluation and this pledge and earnest is Gods spirit And the Spirit testifies to the beleeuer partly by reuealing vnto him the certainty and truth of Gods promises in his Word and partly by printing vpon his heart these sauing graces which distinguish him from all others and partly by powring vpon him the ioyes which are called the ioyes of the Holy Ghost in the vse of Gods Ordinances as the inward ratification of the assurance of Gods loue and goodnesse to the beleeuer Of which after Lastly Faith may
the tryall without despaire for the signes doe not shew them that they cannot be saued but onely that for the present they are not in the estate of saluation actually which though it may and ought to be grieuous vnto them to consider in what fearefull misery and sinne they liue in yet they haue reason to know and beleeue that they may bee saued as well as others yea the acknowledgemeÌ„t of their misery is one step to saluation Now that wicked men may not die but take a course to bee saued two things are by them to be attained first the arguments of hope that proue they may bee saued and that there is remediâ—… for their miserie Secondly the rules that shew them what they must doe which being done they may be certaine of their saluation For the first that they may be saued these things may hopefully assureâ—… 1. That God hath sworne that he desires not that the wicked should die but rather that he should turne from his â—…uill 〈◊〉 â—…d liue Ezâ—…k 18. 31. 2. That God hath with singular patience borne with him all this while and hath not laid him beneath for all his sinnes wâ—…o long since deserued hell and the Lord hath taught it too that he is patience that men might repent and be saued Rom. 2. 4. 2 Peter 3. 9. 3. That God offers his grace to all and hath made no exception against any particular man and therefore why shouldest thou except thy selfe from saluation when Gods grace is tendred to thee as well as others God sends his Gospell to euery creature euen to all Nations Marke Chap. 16. ver 15. 4. That God hath sent his owne Sonne to bee a sufficient sacrifice and propitiation for the sinnes of men He is the Lambe of God that taketh away the sins of the world Iohn 1. Romanes 3. 25. 1 Iohn 2. 1. and in him God is well pleased and would haue all men know that hee is content to take satisfaction from Christ Math. 3. 17. 5. That God hath placed them in the visible Church and doth yet continue the meanâ—…s that is able to saue their soules Acts 20. 32. Iam. 1. 21. 6. That God hath declared himselfe concerning sinne that there is one onely sinne that in it selfe is simply vnpardonable all the rest may be forgiuen 7. That God hath saued as great sinners as they such as were Manasses Mary Magdalen Dauid Paul Many amongst the Corinthians were fornicators drunkards raylers and the like yet were iustified sanctified and saued 1 Cor. 6. 10 11. And these haue obtained mercy that in them Iesus Christ might shew forth all long-suffering for a patterne to them which should afterwards belâ—…eue to euerlasting life 1 Tim. 1. 13 16. CHAP. V. Shewes how faith may be gotten THE rules of directions follow This then is the question What should a man doe that he may be sure of his saluation the man I say that for the present doth not finde the grace of Christ in his heart I answer That his principall care must be to vse all meanes to get the graces of the godly Christian formed in his heart And herein the Lord hath shewed vnto men singular mercy that as hee hath shewed wayes in his Word how his seruants may discerne the graces that are so many signes and pledges of Gods loue and their owne saluation so hath he in the same word laid downe cleere directions that shew how euery grace may be attained and formed and nourished in the hearts of men And first I will begin with Faith And the question is What should a man doe that hee might attaine Faith Hee that would beleeue must obserue these rules 1. Hee must in the first place betake himselfe to Gods promises For without the promise of grace it is impossible Faith should euer bee formed aright in a man hee must labour to see what the Lord saith distinctly vnto sinners I will instance in that one promise Ioh. 3. 16. God so loued the world that hee gaue his onely begotten Sonne that whosoeuer beleeued in him should not perish but haue life euerlasting Now his care must bee seriously to marke and cleerly to vnderstand Gods meaning which in this promise is to assure saluation to any in the world that wil beleeue in Christ. 2. He must then consider Gods commandement concerning faith that God doth require him to beleeue and is so farre from being displeased with him for beleeuing in Christ that for this cause hee will damne him in hell if hee beleeue not Iohn 3. 18. 1. Iohn 3. 23. Hee doth as exactly require vs to relye vpon this course of saluation by Iesus Christ as hee doth require any thing of vs in the morall Law and as we ought not to sweare or commit adultery or steale so ought wee not to dare to liue without beleefe in Iesus Christ. 3. Hee must pray heartily to God to giue him a heart to beleeue and to forme faith in him for faith is the gift of God Eph. 2. 8. Hee should pray ouer the promises and beseech God to incline his heart to rest vpon them as the best treasures in the world cry vnto the Lord Lord helpe my vnbeleefe 4. Hee must absolutely lay aside all thought of his owne righteousnesse by the workes of the Law and looke onely to Iesus Christ and the righteousnesse in him else he will faile of the righteousnesse of God Rom. 10. 3. 5. Hee must waite vpon the powerfull preaching of the Gospell as the onely outward ordinarie meanes to beget faith offering his soule daily vnto God and attending to the Word of God ready to obey the motions of the Spirit knocking at the doore of his heart in the ministerie of the Word knowing that from this ordinance of God he is to expect the gift of faith he should betake himselfe to it with resolution to waite with daily expectation till the Lord bee pleased to send the Holy Ghost into his heart And this is a generall rule for this and all other graces of the Spirit as men loue their owne soules so they must prouide to liue where the Word of God is preached constantly in the power of it for from thence they shall receiue vnspeakeable helpe and furtherance in all the wayes of God Rom. 10. 14. CHAP. VI. Shewing how true humiliation may be attained THus of Faith In the next place he must labour for true and sound humiliation for his sins and to this end he must distinctly striue to get formed in him two things 1. pouerty of spirit 2. godly sorrow for to these two belong all the branches of true humiliation For the attaining of spirituall pouerty these rules are of great vse First make a Catalogue of thy sinnes which thou mâ—…yest â—…o either by memory or by booke By memory thus Goe aside set thy soule before the Lord as if thou werest presently to be
Ioel 1. 2. Leuit. 16. 29. Secondly the time must bee spâ—…t in religious duties as a Sabbath especially in the exercises that concerne the humiliation of the soule in renewing of our repentance for the obtaining of pardon of sinne or some speciall blessing of God or the preuenting or remoouing of some great iudgement of God The former rule concernes onely the ceremony or outward exercise of the body but this rule containes the substance of the dutie without which a religious Fast is not kept vnto God who regardeth not the hanging downe of the head like a bull-rush if the soule be not humbled before God for sinne Leuiticus 16. 29. Ioel 1. 14. and 2. 16 17. CHAP. XVIII Rules about the Sabbath HItherto of the Rules that concerne the parts of Gods worship The rules that concerne the time of Gods worship follow and this time especially is the Sabbath Day Now the rules that binde vs to the good behauiour concerning the Sabbath concerne either the preparation of the Sabbath or the manner of performing holy duties on the Sabbath The preparation to the Sabbath containes in it these things First the ending of all our works on the sixe dayes as God did his Gen. 2. 2. This example of God is set downe not onely to shew what he did but to prescribe vnto vs what we should doe as is manifest by vrging this example in the reason of the commandement We must then take order to finish the works of the weeke dayes with such discretion that neither our heads bee troubled with the cares of them nor our hands tempted to worke about them on the Sabbath Day Secondly the preuenting of domesticall grieuances and perturbations Leuit. 19. 3. Ye shall feare euery man his mother and his father and keepe my Sabbath Discords and contentions and heart-burnings in the members of the family extend their infection and hurt euen to the prophaning of Gods Sabbath The Lord lookes not to be serued aright in his house if people liue not quietly and louingly and dutifully in their owne houses Thirdly we must cleanse our selues that wee keepe the Sabbath Nehemiah 13. 22. Which place though it speake of Legall cleansing yet it shadowes out that Morall and perpetuall care of cleasing our selues that ought euen to be found in vs. And thus we do cleanse our selues when we humble our selues that we may walke with God confessing our sinnes euen the sinnes of the weeke past and making our peace with God through the name of Iesus Christ. Thus of the duties of preparation Now for the manner of keeping the Sabbath the rules prescribe vnto vs these things 1. Rest from all your works whether they be works of labour or workes of pleasure Works of labour the Scripture instanceth in such as are selling of victuals Nehemiah 13. 15. Carrying of burthens Ier. 17. Iourneying from our places Exod. 16. 29. the businesse of our callings done by our selues our children seruants or cattell which the words of the Commandement forbid And as workes of labour so also workes of pleasure are forbidden Esay 58. 13. 2. Readinesse and delight We should loue to be Gods seruants on this day Esay 56. and consecrate it with ioy as a glorious priuiledge to vs Esay 58. 13. abhorring wearinesse or a desire to haue the Sabbath gone and ended Amos 8. 3. Care and watchfulnesse We must obserue to keepe it Exod. 31. 16. wee must take heed to our selues that no duty bee omitted and that wee no way prophane it attending our hearts and our words Ier. 17. 21. 4. Sinceritie and this sinceritie wee should shew diuers wayes First by doing Gods worke with as much care as we would do our owne or rather shewing more care for the seruice of God They had their double sacrifices on the Sabbath in the time of the Law and we should studie how wee might please God in especiall manner on that day choosing out the things that might delight him God hath taken but one day of seuen for his worke and shall wee not doe it willingly Further if we respect our selues shall wee not bee as carefull to prouide for our soules on the Sabbath as for our bodies on the weeke dayes 2. By obseruing the whole day as well as a part and keepe the Sabbath in our dwellings as well as in Gods house God requires the whole day and not a part As wee would be contented our seruants should worke for vs onely an houre or two in the sixe daies so neither should we yeeld lesse vnto God then we require for our selues Nor will it suffice to serue God by publike duties in his House vnlesse we serue him also by priuate duties in our owne dwellings Commandement 4. Leuit. 23. 3. 3. By auoiding the lesser violations of the Sabbath as well as the greater especially not transgressing of contempt or wilfulnesse in the least things we know to bee forbidden The Prophet instanceth Esay 58. 13. We must not speake our owne words Thus of sincerity 5. The fifth thing required of vs is Faith wee must glorifie God by beleeuing that he will make it a day of blessing vnto vs and performe that blessing he hath promised accepting our desire to walke before him in the vprightnesse of our hearts and passing by our infirmities and frailties Wee many times disturbe the rest and Sabbath of our soules by vnbeleefe Commandement 4. Gen. 2. 2. Exo. 31. 13. Ezech. 20. 20. 46. 2 5. 6. The last thing is Deprecation we must beseech God when we haue done our best to shew vs mercie and spare vs for our defects and weakenesses Thus we must end the day and reconcise our selues to God that the Rest of Iesus Christ may bee established in our hearts Nehe. 13. 22. And thus of the rules that bind vs to the good behauiour in respect of the time of Gods worship CHAP. XIX Rules that shew vs how to carrie our selues when we come into companie in respect of Religion HItherto of the Rules that concerne our carriage towards God Now it followes that I breake open those directions that should bring our liues into order in respect of men And these rules are of two sorts for either they are such as binde vs to the good behauiour towards all men or such as order our conuersation towards some men onely as they are considered to be either wicked or godly The rules that concerne all men may be cast into 2. heads as they belong either to righteousnesse or to mercy The rules that belong to righteousnesse order vs either in company or out of company The rules which wee are to obserue in company concerne either 1 Religion or 2. The sinnes and faults of others or 3. Our owne inoffensiue behauiour towards all men For the first when wee come in company we must be carefull to bee that which may become the glory of Gods truth and the Religion wee professe that weetake not vp the
I haue likewise out of the Scripture gathered the rule of Life which will shew him distinctly how he should carrie himselfe towards God and towards men in all parts of his life how hee should behaue himselfe at home and abroad in company and out of company c. and all this shewed him by the expresse words of the Scriptures In the fifth place if a man aske himselfe what yet he wants that is necessarie for his state he may and ought to bethinke himselfe of this question What are those necessarie truths which God hath absolutely tied him to know and beleeue without which he cannot bee saued and which are fundamentally needfull for him To this end I haue collected a fift Treatise called the Principles which are an extract out of all the Doctrine of religion of such truths in euery part of religion as a man is bound of necessitie to know And this I haue not onely proued by Scripture but shewed what vses hee may put such knowledge to all the dayes of his life The sixt and last thing which ought to bee enquired after is how a man thus fitted to liue the life of God may also bee cured of the feare of death and to this end I haue published that Treatise of the Cure of the feare of Death which shewes plaine and comfortable wayes how any Christian may deliuer his heart from those feares I suppose that no man that readeth this will conceiue that any of these is needlesse And as I would aduise such Christians as abound with abilitie and lâ—…isure to furnish themselues with the labours of such worthy Diâ—…ines as haue written of any of those subiects so vnto such Christians as haue not that abilitie or leysure I commend these Treatises both for their breuity and the distinct digesting of the things he would seek after there being nothing of mine in these but the labour of disposing them the maine substance of them being Gods owne Word and things deuised and inuented by God himselfe I may lawfully commend the care and study of these things vnto thee and that with so much authority from the Lord as to tell thee that thou maiest not safely bee negligent in any of these if thou consider the worth of them or thy owne nâ—…ed If thou say that here is prescribed a hard tasâ—…e and so many things are to bee done as may make any man afraid to mâ—…ddle with directions of such variety and number I answer that in many of these Treatises the way is not made harder then is required or in the doctrine of the Church manifested but rather things are made more plaine and so more easie Besides thou knowest already that the way to heauen is a narrow and straight way and fâ—…w find it But especially thou shouldest weigh with thy selfe the great encouragements and motines to abide the hardship and difficulties of any godly and necessary course Though the way to Canaan with the Israelites were through a solitary wildernesse yet it should comfort thee that it is but a way of three dayes as they say being about to get out of Egypt God will keepe thee at worke but a little time and therefore thou shouldst not thinke much of thy paines And further thinke of it that this is a course of wonderful comfort and safety when a Christian followes the euident directions of Gods Word in these most weighty things he walks safely He is in the good way the way of life the way of peace he is sure to see the saluation of God To follow those directions soundly is to keepe our soules All Gods waies will be mercy and truth to vs. God will cause vs to heare his louing kindnesse in the morning Our way will be full of refreshing Gods waies are wayes of pleasure and if any man set himselfe exactly to take notice of Gods will in these things and will be at paines to store his heart distinctly in such solid truths it is certaine the Lord will recompence his way vpon him God will not cast away the exact man till he fill his mouth with laughter as it is said Iob 8. 20 21. Sure it is that in the study of these things lyeth the way of eternity and though thou thinke the way to be hard and narrow yet this may somewhat case thee it is a plaine way For the simple may profit by it as is auouched to bee true of all the courses which God by his Word so expresly required Psal. 119. Isaiah 26. 7. 52. 16. Prou. 8. And besides thou hast many helpes the word of God will not only shew thee what to dâ—…e but it will beget in thee a secret power to doe it God will teach thee to profit and the Spirit of God will helpe thy infirmitie and God will send his Angels to guide thee in thy way Christ will be the Way and the Life to thee And thou hast good company for this is the old way the way of all Gods seruants in the substance of the course Onely before thou set vpon any of these directions let mee giue this generall aduice to looke to these few things First thou must giue ouer and forsake vngodly company for else it is in vaine to meddle with any religious course as these places will shew thee Psal. 1. 1 2. Prou. 4. 14 15. 9. 6. 23. 19 20 29 27. Psal. 26. 2 Cor. 6. Secondly thou must get thee into the way of good men prouide for thy self â—… if it be possible the fellowship and societie of godly persons Prou. 2. 20. Isai. 19. 23 24 25. For this fellowship will take away the tediousnesse of the way and much preserue thee against giuing ouer and their examples will bee as patternes for thee and by acquaintance with them thou wilt be brought into acquaintance with God himselfe Isaiah 16. 23 24. 2 Cor. 6. 16 17 18. Prou. 2. 20. Thirdly thou must remember to pray vnto God by all meanes to direct thee and shew thee the way in all these things thou must beg a way of God and beseech him to remoue from thee all lying and deceitfull wayes Ezra 8. 21. Psal 119. 26. Ier. 2. 33. Fourthly thou must when thou comest to Gods directions lift vp thy soule and giue not way to thine owne carnall reason and the sluggishnesse of thy owne nature and the deceitfulnesse of thy owne heart but let the Lord see thou art willing to doe any thing thou canst Psal. 143. 8. Bring a mind desirous to obey in all things By any meanes take heed thou be not like those complained of Isaiah 58. 2. that haue a great mind to know Gods wayes and to read all sorts of directions as if they sought righteousnesse in a speciall manner of care and yet do not follow any of the courses they so much desire to knâ—…w seeme to commend and like If euer thou wouldest haue thy soule to dwell at
12. 16. By fretting with enuy at the gifts and respects of others Num. 1â—… 2 8 9. By being ouer-confident of our owne innocency Iob 34. 5 6. By desire to prie into the secret things of God being not content with things reuealed Deut. 29. vlt Rom. 12. 3. 4. Pride in sinning and so he is guilty That dares commit great euils against his knowledge That seemes wise in maintaining sinne Prou. 3. 7. Psal. 52. 7. That hardens his heart against repentance 1. Sam. 15. 22 23. Numb 15. 30 31. Ierem. 16. 12. Iob 34. 37. That sinnes with affectation that glories in it as he that takes a pride in drunkennesse Isai. 28. 1 3. That frets because he is croâ—… in sinne Prou. 19. 3. And thus 〈◊〉 Pride The sixt sinne is the neglect 〈◊〉 Gods mercy and this is the morâ—… grieuous offence because mercâ—… is the most eminent attribute 〈◊〉 God For the sinnes of this kind worlds of men are damned iâ—… hell Iohn 3. 19. And against Gods mercy hee offends That askes wherein God hath loued him Mal. 1. 2. That abuseth Gods blessings Hos. 10. 1. 11. 3 4. That obserues not the mercy of God in his prouidence Hosea 2. 8. That in aduersitie saith God cares not for him or hath passed ouer his iudgements or hath forsaken him Isaiah 40. 28. and 49. 14. That enquireth not after God Zeph. 1. 6. That beleeues not Gods premises through neglect or despaire That blesseth his heart against Gods threatnings Deut. 29. 19. That forsakes his owne mercy by trusting to lying vanities Ionah 2. 8. That scoffes at the signes of Gods mercy Isai. 7. 12 13. That sacrificeth to his owne net ascribing the praise to himselfe Hab. 1. 16. That seekes not to God in his distresse 2 Chron. 16. 12. That sayes God cannot deliuer 2 Kings 6. 33. and 7. 2. That answers not when God calls Isai. 50. 2. That limits God Psal. 78. 41. That hath a spirit of bitternesse through discontent Hosea 12. 14. That dishonours God by his euill life Rom. 2. 24. Thus of the sins against Gods mercie The seuenth sinne is resorting to witches Isai. 8. 19 20. Leuit. 20. 6. Deut. 18. 11. Eightly hee offends that disregards Gods Workes Isaiah 5. 12. Ninthly that lies against God hauing professed to haue God to be his God Isai. 29. 13. And so he doth That opposeth the truth and objects against it That performes not what hee promised in his sicknesse or aduersity or at the Sacraments That falleth away from the truth Tenthly that feares not God or not in a right manner and so he sinneth That feares God onely for reward Iob 1. 9. That feareth God onely because of punishment Hos. 3. 5. That is not afraid of Gods presence or threatnings Psal. 36. 1 2. Isaiah 66. 1. Ierem. 6. 10. That comforts not men in misery Iob 6. 14. That meddles with changers or the seditious Prou. 24. 21. That in matter of sinne is wise in his owne eyes and will not depart from iniquitie Prou. 3. 7. That sins because God doth forbeare to punish Eccles. 8. 13. Psal. 50. 19 21. That feares the signes of Heauen Ierem. 10. 2. That finds an hardnesse of heart against Gods feare Isaiah 63. 17. Thus of the sinnes against the feare of God Eleuenthly That trusts not in God and so he offends That asketh not counsell of God Isaiah 31. 1. and 30. 1 2. but vseth carnall helpes That saith there is no hope Ierem. 3. 23. That trusts in man and makes flesh his arme Ierem. 17. 5. That puts his confidence in his wealth Prou. 10. 15. Iob 31. 24. That leanes to his owne vnderstanding Prou. 3. 5. That drawes not neere vnto God in aduersitie Zeph. 3. 2. That impatiently desireth death Iob 7. 15. Thus of the sinnes against trust in God Twelfthly That neglects communion with the godly he hath not God for his God that is noâ—… ioyned to Gods people and this is aggrauated against him That in contempt of godlinessâ—… goeth in the company of the wicked Iob 34. 8 9. That reprocheth Gods people Psal. 74. 10 18. Esay 57. 3 4. That accounts the godly as signes and wonders Esay 8. 18. That reioyces in their disgraces Ezechiel 25. 6. That forsakes their fellowship either through carelesnesse and aposâ—…y Heb. 10. 25. or through â—…hisine Esay 65. 2 5. That for malice persecutes them or casts them out of the Church Esay 66. 5. And thus of the sinnes against the nature of God CHAP. V. Shewing how men offend against the meanes of Gods worship THe sins against the meanes of Gods worship follow and these are of three sorts 1. Not worshipping 2. Will-worshipping 3. Idoll worshipping For the first he offends in generall That worships not God Zac. 14. 17. That calls not vpon the Name of the Lord Ps. 14. 4. Esay 64. 7. That comes not to the Church 2. Chron. 29. 6 7. That prayes not in his family Ier. 10. 25. That receiueth not the Preachers of the Gospel Mattheâ—… 10. 14. The aggrauations are when a man is so far from worshipping atight That hee offers the blind and the lame for the maintenance 〈◊〉 Gods seruice Mal. 1. 8 14. That he deuoures things sanctified that should be employeâ—… for the furtherance of Gods seruice Prou. 20. 25. That forbids Gods faithful Ministers to preach in the Name of Christ Acts. 4. 17. 1. Thes. 2. 16 That disswades men from Gods worship vpon pretenâ—… that it is either polluted Malâ—… 7 12 13. or vaine Mal. 3. 14. That is wayward or neueâ—… pleased with all or any part 〈◊〉 Gods worship or the meanâ—… thereof Math. 1â—… 16. Thus of sinnes of irreligiousnesse or not worshipping Will-worship followes and so he offends 1. That deuiseth any thing of himselfe to the intent to serue God by it Numb 15. 38 39. 2. That serues God for custome or after the old manner making the example of Fathers or fore fathers the rule of his seruice 2 Kings 17. 34. Ier. 9. 13 14 Amos 2. 4. 1. Pet. 1. 18. 3. That feares God after the precepts of men Esay 29. 13. 4. That being not a Minister doth the worke of a Minister vpon pretence of necessity or deuotion 2 Chron. 26. 16. 5. That vrgeth the lesser things of the Law and neglects the greater Math. 23. 23. The aggrauations are To vrge menstraditions with opinion of necessity and with neglect of Gods Law Matthew 15. 2 3 9. To desire to bee taught vaine things Esay 30. 9 10 11. To borrow rites and obseruations from the professed enemies of God to adde them as parts of Gods worship 2 Kings 17. 34. Deut. 12. 3 4 13. Ezech. 11. 12. Idoll worship followes and so men offend either first inwardly or second outwardly Inwardly he offends that conceiues of God in the likenesse of any thing created and manifests his offence If he direct his worship to that likenes Comman 2. Acts 17.
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
might haue abundant consolation whensoeuer they make recourse vnto the promises Heb. 6. 17 18. 6 Wee haue these promises preached vnto vs by Ambassadours sent of purpose at the com◅andement of God who hath enioyned them to make it manifest that God will bee as good as his word in all those Tit. 1. 3. 7. Yea Christ Iesus himselfe did employ his ministery to assure and confirme the promises made before to the Fathers as the Apostle shewes Rem 15. 8. Yet more wee haue the blood of Christ and the death of the Testator to confirme this New Testament and all the promises contained therin Hebr. 9. 16. so as in Christ they are now all Yea and Amen there can bee no nay nor deniall of them they well may bee now pleaded in any Court of the Iustice of God 6 The Ano◅uting that is vpon vs may assure vs and establish vs. Was there euer any king anointed of God to bee a King that made doubt of the kingdome why the anointing of God is vpō our harts the graces of the Spirit poured out vpon vs are our assurāce that God wil not with hold from vs our regall pri◅edges if we seeke them 2 Cor. 1. 20 21. 10 It is some settling to vs to consider the exte◅ of the right to those promises For God hath excepted no sort of men but in Christ they may get to haue their part in those promises as the Apostle shewes Galatians 3. 27 28 29. 11 The Law was the onely thing that might hinder vs of the enioying of the promises And the Apostle hath proued that the Law cannot disanull the Promises in which the Nations of the earth should be blessed made foure hundred yeeres before the Law was giuen on Mount Sinai Gal. 3. 17 21. 12 We haue the Seale of God to this Writing Now God hath sealed foure wayes First in his Councell The Book of his eternall councell was written within and without it had seuen Seales to signifie that it was perfectly ratified and though none in Heauen and Earth could reade it yet for our comforts wee know◅ that the Lyon of the Tribe of Iuda the Lord Iesus Christ our Sauiour hath opened it now and made it manifest Reu. 1 2 c. 2. In his Sonne For him hath God the Father sealed Iohn 6. 27. God made all sure when he sent out Christ He sealed his Commission in all things that concerned the happinesse both of Iewes and Gentiles 3. In his Spirit And thus all the beleeuers are said to be sealed by the Spirit of Promise And this is Gods Priuy Seale 4. God hath sealed to all his promises in the Sacraments which are giuen vs as Gods Broad Seales and outward tokens and pledges to confirme our faith 13. We haue the experience also of al the Saints who in all ages found God as good as his Word and had euer reason to say as Dauid did In the Lord will wee prayse his Word Psalme 56. 10. The Patriarches embraced the Promises as the chiefe stay of their liues in their pilgrimage on earth Heb. 11. 24. Thus of the fourth point 5. A fifth thing I would preface about is concerning certain rules to be obserued if we would euer receiue the sound profit of these promises and so we must looke to sixe directions 1. When wee come to these promises we must renounce our owne merits and all opinion of our owne worthinesse and acknowledge from our hearts that all the grace we find in the promises is in and through Iesus Christ All the promises are yea and Amen through him and onely in him 2. When we haue the promises laid open before vs wee must beleeue them and apply them to our selues or else they will do vs no good 3. We must be further carefull to hide them in our hearts and to commit them to memorie that wee may bee often thinking of them and musing vpon them It will not serue the turne that wee haue them written in the Bible or in our Note-bookes but wee must get them written in our hearts too Wee must be at the paines to acquaint our selues distinctly with them and to fill our heads with store of them 4 When any thing ayleth vs we must fly to them for-refuge and cast the anchor of hope vpō them that God himselfe may see that our hearts are bent to trust vpon his Word 5 We must neuer cast away our confidence in them but waite with patience and not limit God to the time or manner or meanes of accomplishment but hold fast to his promises and leaue the rest to God as in many places of Scripture may appeare especially Hebr. 10. 36. Rom. 4. 21 22. 6 In short Wee must looke to it that we be not slothfull and idle and such as will not bee at the paines to study and commit to memorie and rest vpon these glorious comforts but wee must follow them which through faith and patience doe inherite the promises Thus of the Preface CHAP. II. The diuision of the Promises THe promises may be diuided into three parts The first may containe such places of Scripture as shew the Priuiledges of the godly aboue other men and that is one chiefe way by which the Lord doth refresh the hearts of his people by assuring them in generall of such such prerogatiues which he will confirme vpon them and vpon none but them The second may containe comforts that is places of Scripture which doe foretell what goodnesse the Lord will shew to his people in affliction For hither-vnto belong all those promises which are giuen of purpose for the comforting and supporting of the godly in all their tryals The third part may containe such Promises as are made to certaine particular graces in the godly as promises made to prayer faith trusting in God or such like It is the second part of promises which I intend here more at large to intreate of I should shew what variety of comforts they are with which a godly man may inflame his hart according to the seuerall distresses may fall vpon him and these may bee thus subdiuided All afflictions are either outward or inward For outward afflictions it were too tedious and to little purpose to gather comforts against euery particular crosse and therefore one head may suffice for the generall viz. the promises or consolations against all outward afflictions Now because godly people are oftentimes more troubled with the stormes and reproaches of the world which are cast vpon them for well-doing then with the ordinary afflictions of life therefore I would in the second place gather the comforts against reproaches and withall I would adde in the third place consolations against aduersaries Now for inward afflictions they are the afflictions of the spirit of man and arise either from the temptations of Satan or from the trouble
dayly we take all occasions in priuate to blesse God for his dayly mercies But let these and such like passe as not proper to this place We must prayse him in our discourse to others This is required of vs in many Scriptures Psal. 33. 1. Iob 36. 24. Psal. 96. 4. But because this must not bee done cursorily diuers rules are to be obserued As 1. That wee may prayse him effectually wee must wisely consider of his workes and so of his nature to extract from thence sound arguments of prayse Psal. 64. 9. 2. We should do well for this purpose to keepe Records and Register vp the speciall glorious works of God Iob 36. 24. 37. 14. Psal. 78. 7. 3. When we do prayse him it must be done with our whole heart speaking of his prayses with all possible affection and not as if we speake of ordinarie things Psal. 9. 1. 4. We must thus prayse him not once or for one worke of his but we must prayse him for all his workes especially his wonderous workes Psal. 9. 1. and 105. 1 2. and 106. 2. 5. We must prayse him from day to day and continue to doe it while wee liue Psal. 63. 4. and 96. 23. 6. This is a dutie that all the kindreds of the people are bound to All the people must prayse him Psalme 148. 12 13. and 96. 6 7 8. Thus of the fift way of shewing our loue to God and that is by honouring him The sixt way by which wee must shew our loue to God is by trusting in him as men shew whom they loue most by relying most vpon them and their fauour and helpe Now there are diuers cases in which we must shew our trust in God 1. By relying vpon his mercie for our iustification and saluation and in this wee should most vse our trust as being in a businesse that most highly concernes vs Esay 44. 24 25. 2. By committing all our workes to him for assistance in them or successe of them This is to commit our way to God to be carefull to seeke his assistance to helpe vs to doe our duty and then to leaue the successe of all to his blessing Psalme 37. 3 5. Prou. 16. 3. 3. By beleeuing all that he saith is true whether h◅e pro◅ threaten or cōfort by his wo◅ vpon all occasions beleeuing his Prophets 2. Chron. 20. 20. 4. By staying our hearts vpon him in all our distresses Now in the time of distresse wee may proue that wee trust in God diuers wayes As 1. By running to him and powring our hearts before him making our moane vnto him Psal. 18. 2. 62. 8 10. Looke amongst men to whom we first runne to make our moane in our distresse and that person is he whom we most loue and trust so is it towards God 2. By casting our cares and burthens vpon him Psal. 55. 22. 3. By not respecting the proud and such as turne aside to lyes Psal. 40. 4. 4. By relying vpon his helpe ◅oel 3. 16. Esay 50. 7. But then wee must obserue how wee must relye vpon Gods helpe for there are many things wee must cast cut of our hearts in affliction When wee haue beene with the Lord and committed our selues to him wee must relye vpon him 1. Without leaning to our owne vnderstanding or wilfull inclination to follow our owne courses and proiects Prou. 3. 5. 2. Without murmuring or repining at our condition or vexing our selues at the prouidence of God towards vs Psal. 37. 7. 3. Without feare that is without mistrustfull feares and seruile perturbations imagining euils which the Lord hath not brought vpon vs Psal. 3. 6. and 27. 1. 4. Without vsing ill meanes to get out of distresse Amos 5. 4 6. 5. Yea lastly without care that is without distrustfull carking cares Phil. 4. 6. Thus of the sixth way of shewing our loue to God and that is by trusting in him The seuenth and last way by which wee must shew our loue to God is To obey him For this is the loue of God that we keepe his commandements Neither is the signe in this that we doe what God requires for the matter but that his commandements are not grieuous vnto vs We loue God if we loue to doe his worke and if we lift vp our hearts in his wayes setting vpon his worke with a speciall readinesse and strength of desire and more then ordinary care 1. Ioh. 5. 2. 2. Chron. 17. 6. and 19. 2. Thus of the matter that is the thing by which wee must shew our loue to God the manner also is to be considered For in all those things which wee would doe at any time to prooue our loue to God we must looke to the manner how we do them as was a little touched before Now distinctly wee must bring to the declaration of our loue to God two things 1. Feruencie 2. Feare For the first wee must loue God and shew it in feruencie of ◅ur loue How Euen with all our hearts and all our soules and all our might and all our vnderstanding Our hearts must be more inflamed then they are in shewing loue to Wife Children Friends Parents c. We must loue God aboue all Deut. 6. 5. and 30. 6. For the second we must loue God and shew it too but it must be with feare Howsoeuer with men true loue casts out feare yet God being so infinite in glorie and maiestie wee must loue him but yet with feare Now that this may not be mistaken I will set downe the particulars of this feare We must shew our feare 1. By entertaining lawfull thoughts of his dreadfull Maiestie casting out all vile meane and vaine thoughts of him Dan. 6. 26. 2. By departing from euill that might any way displease him being tender in this point not daring to presume or plead impunitie or freedome from danger but in all things desire to auoide what might anger him Prou. 3. 7. 3. By vsing all tearmes of heartie abasement of our selues when we come before him Thus Abraham cals himselfe dust and ashes and thus we should humble our selues vnder the mightie hand of God 1. Pet. 5. 6. 4. By doing his will without fearing man or any other creature Esay 8. 12 13. 5. By a dayly and reuerent remembrance of his continuall holy presence 6. By trembling at his iudgements Psal. 4. 4. Hab. vlt. 7. By the humble vsing of all the meanes of communion with God vsing his Ordinances with all conuenient reuerence attention and abasement of our selues Mal. 2. 5. 8. Lastly by the reuerend vse of his very Titles fearing that great and fearefull Name of the Lord our God Deut. 28. 58. CHAP. VII Rules that concerne the preseruation of our loue to God HItherto of the Rules that concerne the manifestation of our loue to God The rest of the Rules serue to teach vs how to preserue in vs this loue to God Now that wee
must doe it in the name oâ—… Christ Col. 3. 17. Sixtly in euery seruice of God wee must as neere as it may bee giue God the first prayse preferring the respects of God and his worship before our selues or the regard of others wee must serue him betimes seeking God in the first places Iob 8. 5. Matth. 6. 34. Psal. 5. 3. Seuenthly when wee doe any seruice to God wee must doe it with all our hearts with as much willinguesse as may be so as it may appeare that wee loue to be his seruants as the Prophets phrase is 1. Sam. 16. 7. 1. Chron. 28. 9. Esay 56. 6. Eightly in all seruice wee must striue so to serue God that wee may please him not onely carefull to doe tâ—… dutie but carefull of Gods acceptatiâ—… 〈◊〉 good duties being chiesâ—… carefull to see Gods approâ—…ation not caring so much for the prâ—…ise of â—…as as the praise of God â—…n eâ—…ery part of Gods worship our praise mâ—…st be of God anâ—… not of men Heb. 12. 28. Rom. 2. 29. Ninthly wee must cleane to God with detestation of all things oâ—… persons that might aâ—… way draw vs away from his sâ—…uice Deut. 13. 4 5. CHAP. IX Shewing how we should carry our selues in Gods house HItherto of the Rules to be obserued in all parts of Gods worship generally The speciall Rules concerne either Gods publike worship in his house or else the particuâ—…ar parts of Gods worship each by themselues The godly Christian ought with all care to lay before him the Rules that binde him to the good behauiour in Gods house and to striue to fashion his nature and practice as may become the glorie of Gods publike seruice and presence and so there be diuers things which in a speciall manner he must looke to in performing Gods publike seruice For coÌ„cerning these publike duties these rules must be obserued First that all sorts and degrees of men must appeare before God publikely to do him homage and seruice None must be spared or freed men women and children must all take notice of it that they are bound hereunto Deut. 31. 11 12. Secondly we must come our selues with all possible reuerence and looke to our feete when we enter into the house of God and striue to shew before all men our most carefull respect of God and his holy Ordinances For God will be sanctified in them that come nigh him and he lookes for it at our hands by our reuerent behauiour to be glorified before all the people Leu. 10. 3. Eccl. 5. 1. Wee should then shew a most holy feare of Gods name and presence Psal. 5. 7. Thirdly in publike duties that of the Prophet Dauid should be true of vs The zeale of Gods house should eate vs vp Ps. 69. 9. and this speciall zeale we should shew 1. By louing Gods house aboue all the places in the world Our hearts should be fired in vs in thâ—… respect that we may truly say with Dauid O how I loue thy house Psal. 2â—… 8. 2. By confirming our owne hearts in a resolution to resort to Gods house with ioy and gladnesse notwithstanding the scornes oppositions of worldly men and persons 3. By stirring vp others with all importunitie to goe vp with them to worship God in Sion Esay 2. 2. 4. By making haste to Gods worship going to the house of God with the first and with willing hearts with an holy thirst after the meanes flocking and flying thither as the clouds or as so many doues to their windowes Zach. 8. 22. Psal. 110. 3. Esay 35. 1. and 60. 8. 5. By forwardnesse and chearefulnesse in contributing towards the maintenance of Gods house and seruice in the meanes thereof Esay 60. 8 9. 6. By grieuing heartily because other men neglect or contemne the house of God and haue no more minde to keepe Gods law Psal. 119. 136. Thus of that speciall zeale we should shew about Gods publike worship Fourthly wee should in all publike duties serue God with one consent and one heart There should appeare in Gods seruants a wonderfull desire of vnanimity and concord They should serue the Lord with one shoulder that when they speake to God it may be as the voice of one man when the Lord speakes to them they should heare with one heart It is a maruellous glory in Religion when people can come once to this to serue the Lord with one shoulder Zeph. 3. 9. Lastly in the 52. Psalm v. 8 9. wee may gather three other rules which in a speciall manner fit vs for a right behauiour in Gods house First we should alwayes be as greene Oliue trees in the house of the Lord. Howsoeuer it goe with men in the world yet when wee come before the Lord our hearts shall reioyce and reuiue and our spirits be fresh cheerfull and our affections should be healed of all the cares or distempers were before in them Gods Ordinances should haue such a power ouer vs as to make a sudden fresh spring of desires and holy thoughts in vs. There is this power in the Ordinances of God to effect this if the fault be not in vs I meane when these Ordinances are exercised in the power and life of them Secondly wee must trust on the mercie of God bringing an heart readie to beleeue euerie good Word of God resoluing that if the Lord will speake comfortably to his seruants wee will not dishonour his consolations through carelesnesse or vnbeliefe but receiue them with all our hearts and establish our selues in the safe-keeping of his good Word Thirdly wee must resolue to be thankefull with all tendernesse for all experiences of Gods presence and goodnesse toward vs in the meanes vowing with Dauid to praise him for euer for them And if the Lord doe withhold his power and presence for a time so as we feele not the effectualnesse of his ordinances yet wee should resolue without distemper to waite vpon the Lord and obserue him according to the seasons of his grace CHAP. X. Rules that order vs about hearing of the Word THus of the rules that wee must obserue in all publike seruice of God Now there bee certaine speciall rules which must bee particularly heeded in each part of Gods worship by it selfe And first I will begin with those rules which wee must more specially obserue in hearing the Word of God and these are of three sorts 1. Some bind vs to the good behauiour before wee come to heare 2. Some at the time of hearing 3. Some after we haue heard 1. Before we come to heare wee must bring with vs two things 1. A resolution to deny our owne wits reasons opinions and conceits and emptie our heads of all perswasion of our owne skill to iudge in the things of the kingdome of God being ready to beleeue and thinke in all things as God shall teach vs out of his Word Wee must be fooles that we may be wise
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.
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