went out to meet God God will take notice whether our hearts set rightly out with him though after in the journey we may for some season loose our way Thus saith the Lord I remember thee the kindness of thy youth the love of thine Espousals when thou â—entest after me Psalm 110.7 c. Christ hath a dew of youth in a gracious heart as well as Holy Church and this Divine and early dew of pretious thoughts is fairest when freshest Coin fairest out of the Mint-house as from the Womb of the morning Gods Coin is brightest when it first comes out of the Mint-house of mans heart for such is mans Mind a Mint-house for thoughts when it passeth farther it comes to be discoloured to contract blackness especially by lying for some time in the Earth and so sometimes to grow suspicable to others perhaps hardly discernable to our selves without much rubbing c. Repentance and Reformation yet if it were right for mettal and stamp at its first setting out when we our selves dare hardly trust it yet God that knows its Original will own it It is said of King Asa 2 Chro. 15.17 that his heart was perfect all his dayes perfect with the Lord yet the poor man took many a wrong and wretched step 1 King 15.14 for a man of a right heart yea how was Gods stamp sometimes as it were worne off little left of his Image or Superscription to be seen for besides that the high places were not remoâ—ed which was a blot upon his Government In the business of Baasha 2 Chron. 16. Verse 8.19 He relyed on the King of Syria and relyed not on the Lord his God And when he that had eminent experience of God in the business of the Ethiopians and Lubims had done thus foolishly and Hanani the Seer had reproved him faithfully Verse 10. he was wroth yea in a rage with him and put him in Prison and oppressed some of the people at the same time nay in the very evening of his dayes and towards his very Eâ—â—t 't is said that in his Disease he sought not to the Lord Verse 13. â— but to the Physitians yet there was something found at bottom notwithstanding all this Contrariwise 2 Chrâ— 25.2 Amazia did that which was right in the sight of the Lord but saith God not with a perfect heart Like some counteâ—se pieces now abroad that being â—ased or plated over with Silver are observed to have fewer cracks and flaws in the Edges perhaps than the Kings own Coin and yet they are but Copper-hearted The gratious soul is the Spouse of Christ Cant. 6.8 who as she is attended with a number of Holy and Royal affections as so many Queens so also with pure thoughts as with Virgin without number And our Heavenly Solomon eyes them most that wait next and immediately as it were upon his Queens person now our thoughts as you have heard they he next to our hearts Sect. XIII Fifthly IT cannot but be granted that God judgeth as man cannot We look at each others outsides God judges as man cannot therefore by the thoughts Luke 6.45 Prov. 26.23 1 Sam. 16.7 and oftentimes are not deceived for ordinarily the abundance of the heart will break out either some tiâ—e or other by the tongues clinking what the heart thinks as the Proverb hath it or some way or other so that the wary observer may come to discern the Potsheard notwithstanding the covering of Silver dross oft times I say but not alwayes That 's Gods Prerogative so the Lord seeth not as man seeth How then for man looketh on the outward appearance but the Lord looketh on the heart We hear mens words He seeth their thoughts we weigh their Actions and Appearances Prov. 24.12 Chap. 16.2 the Lord ponders their hearts and weigheth their spirits as the wise man speaks In the Levitical Law the Swan was pronounced unclean a Bird whose Feathers are excceeding white Lev. 11.18 God judges most by what is in most 2. Cor. 11.14 Maâ— 23.27 Verse 28. Verse 25. but her Skin black God judgeth most by what is In-most God can easily discern the trans-formed Devil under the Angel of Light the rottenness within through the whited Tomb and painted Sepulchre Wee unto you Hypocrites saith Christ for ye make clean the outside of the Cup and of the Platter but within they are fâ—ll of Extortion and Excess Even so ye also appear outwardly righteous unto men but within ye are full of Hypocrisy and Iniquity Oh what horrid Spectacles were the most of men even of many that desire to make a fair shew in the flesh Gal. 6.12 as the Apostle speaks if their Insides were but turned out-side But alas They are all out-side to him that is All eye Sect. XIV Conscience Gods Deputy judgeth by our Thoughts Rom 2 13. Verse 16. LAstly That God sentenceth and Dooms us by our Thoughts is hereby evident in that Conscience that is Gods Vicegerent in mans brest doth so which shew the work of the Law written in their hearts their Conscience bearing witness and their Thoughts the mean while accusing or excusing one another it follows In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my Gospel God and Christ and the Gospel they will judge men by their Consciences and their Consciences they will judge them by their Thoughts in the great day Judge we therefore our selves now as then we must be judged CHAP. V. Disc vers what those Right Thoughts are that are the Righteous mans Evidence and how to be known Sect. I. Objection Psal 64.6 Jer. 17.9 BUt alas may some one say Is not Mans heart a great deep and desperately wicked and deceiptful above all things I am afraid of Judging my self by my Thoughts of my self least I should Mis-judge of my self finding my self so apt to think amiss doth not the Apostle speak of some that measuring themselves by themselves are not wise 2 Cor. 10.12 Prov. 16 2. and 21. 2. There is so much Pride Partiality and Self-love that almost every way of man will seem clean and right in his own eye if his own Thoughts may but be his Judges Why all this is true Solution Not what Thoughts we have of our selves but in our selves Gal. 6.3 4. yet all that hath been said before true also We never said that every mans Case is as his thoughts are of himself but yet by his thoughts that are In himself he may come to discover his own state For if a man Think himself to be something saith the Apostle when he is nothing he deceiveth himself But yet let every man prove his own works and then he shall have rejoycing In himself alone and not in another This he speaks in respect of Sincerity not of Righteousness or Justification in the sight of God for of the later he saith we rejoyâ—e only in Jesus
thy good who never mindst God nor good No no if God think upon thee it will be to destroy thee for not remembring him that made thee The wicked shall be turned into Hell And all the Nations that forget God Now consider this all ye that forget God lest he tear you in peices while there is none to deliver you Even such are the paths of all that forget God and the Hypocrites hope shall perish Job 8.13 In vain is hope in God harboured where thoughts of God cannot be Sect. X. Secondly GOd looks especially to mans thoughts Because if there be any Grace Grace first stirs in thoughts 1 John 3.9 1 Peter 2.2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is called the seed of God in Man it first stirs there The new-born babe as the Apostles expression is it first breaths in Prayer but it first stirs in thought and its stirring as in Nature is before its breathing Nay even that privation which according to the Old Philosophy is as it were a kind of principle of this Spiritual Generation begins there This is called a Casting down Imaginations 2 Cor. 10.5 and a bringing of every thought of the heart into captivity to the obedience of Christ Grace I say Psal 119.59 first stirs in the Thought I thought on my ways and turned my feet unto thy test monies Luke 15.17 20. Deut. 30.1 1 King 8.46 47 48 49 50. The Prodigal came to himself before he came to his Father First thought of his Fathers house and then turned his feet thither-ward Solomon in his Prayer a Type of Jesus Christ our Lord in his Intercession speaks thus If they sin against thee c. Yet if they shall be think themselves c. and so return to thee c. Then bear thou their Prayer c. and forgive thy People c. First they bethink themselves and then return Thus the Accomplishment of the new Covenant in the work of Grace is called the putting of Gods Laws into mens minds and the writing them in or upon their hearts Hebr. 8.10 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Cor. 10.5 1 Pet. 1.23 Hebr. 4.12 The Greek word signifies I will give them into their Thoughts and write them upon their hearts Thoughts are the Gate and In-let to all the affections Grace first knocks at this door Therefore also the word of Grace which is the great Engine for the foresaid Privation and the very Seed of Regeneration is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a strict and curious observer of the thoughts and intentions of the Heart And if Gods Word be such sure God is so Sect. XI THirdly God principally requires the heart and therefore especially looks at the Thoughts Thoughts to the Heart are as motion to the Watch Therefore especially looks to the thoughts Prov. 23.28 Deut. 32.46 47. Psal 119.41 Sailing to the Ship and 't is those that render these valuable My Son give me thy heart We must give God our Hand too and our all but out heart in All and above All. Thus set your Hearts unto all thâ— words c. for is it not a vain thing for you because it is your life We must lift up our Hands too to Gods Commandments saith David but especially our Hearts and Thoughts and therefore he adds and I will meditate in thy Statutes Thoughts can reach farther than deeds can and God requires our most Psalm 137.1 5 6. Rom. 7.24 25. Our Thoughts can reach farther than our Deeds can and God requires and looks for our utmost The poor Captivated Souldier when he cannot get to his party he can think of his party As the Captives in Babylon could think of Sion nay could not but think of it the Apostle captivated to the Law of sin by the Law in his Members did yet with his MIND serve the Law of God And God minds carefully how your minds stand which way they serve to the World or Heaven Sin or Holiness Christ or Belial Sect. XII Thoughts the Hearts primary productions Exod. 13.1 First born Gods part Job 5.7 Fourthly THoughts are the primary productions of the Mind and Heart therefore God principally eyes these Of old times the first born were under Gods especial eye The Hebrews call sparks the Sons of the burning coal as you may see by comparing that Text in Job with the Margin The Thoughts are the sparklings of mans Mind the very Issue of it if it be enkindled with Heavenly Fire Mat. 3 11. that inward Baptisme what numberless numbers of these Divine sparks are there daily flying upward if with Fire of Hell as the Apostle James speaks of the Tongue James 3.6 thy very thoughts as it were stink of Brimstone and look like Hell in Gods eye they are earthly Ver. 14.15 16. sensual and Devilish there is confusion and every evil work Thoughts I say are the proper Issue nay the first born of the heart Mat. 15.19 for out of the heart proceed evil thoughts Murthers Adulteries Fornications Thefts Blasphemies Mark First Evil thoughts and then all the rest Evil Thoughts are the File-leaders these stand in principal view Evil Thoughts are the hearts first begotten which no sooner are they born but the heart incestuously begets on them again Murthers Adulteries Thefts Blasphemies what not Thoughts you see lie next to the heart and if we would judge of a Fountain we judge of it by the waters that flow next and immediately from the spring head going farther Fountain to be judg'd by what flows most Immediately from it they may come to be altered from their natural taste or look The waters of a salt spring by being distreined and percolated through the fresh earth may loose their brackishness So that which is hatred in heart and every Brine in the Thoughts may seem sweet in the mouth through the intermediation of the dissembling tongue of him whose hatred is covered by deceipt he that hateth dissembleth with his lipes maketh his voice gracious Prov. 16.24 Verse 26. so the Hebrew Hail Master may be in the mouth while Bloud and Treason are in the thoughts and the very Devil and All in the Heart Contrariwise the waters of a pure and wholsome Fountain may receive some other kind of tincture from the Channel they passe through and thus too often Holy thoughts springing from an Heavenly heart may seem lost as it were in the croud of wordly occasions temptations and perturbations Thus Isaac went to MEDITATE in the Field in the evening tide Gen. 24.63 and behold the Camels 'T is not said he went out to meet the Camels and some good thought dropt in as a good Thought may now and then fall in a wicked mans way as the Angel in Balaams But he went out to meditate and the Camels fell in Rebeckah Verse 65. God eyes â—he hearts first setting our Jerem. 2.2 she thought as she said he came to meet her but the Lord saith he
yet was alive once without the Law and gives this as the Reason He did not by all their Doctrine know LUST He knew not that thought-sins were such sins untill the Commandment came in another manner and by another kind of teaching then ever he had from them For this was our Saviours great business in that Incomparable Sermon upon the Mount to vindicate the Spirituality of the Law from their carnal and corrupt Dotages they put the great stress of the Rule upon the outward man He puts it upon the Heart also Poverty in spirit he begins with that He layes the breach of the Sixth and Seventh Commandments in heart and thought as well as outward Act He condemns carking cares Anxiety of Thoughts 'T is strange indeed they should be so blinded seeing the very last of Gods Ten Words goes down to the very bottom of the mind and thought Thou shalt not COVET so that when the scales were but fallen from the Apostles eyes He could easily-see in the light of that Law that THOUGHT was Sin He knew LUST to be SIN then He knows now that the Law is Spiritual Yea and thus he Schools others 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That ye might learn not to think above what is written Gods written WORD is the measure of mans Right THOUGHTS yet even some Heathens had some glimmerings of this Deut est animus therefore mente colendus God it a Spirit and requires mental worship and conformity to his will And this is indeed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 our reasonable Service when the Internal 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 THOUGHT and mind serve the Law of God Sect. I. Secondly AS a man must have a right Rule for his Thoughts Right thoughts of the Rule James 4.11 1 Cor. 2.14 so he must have Right Thoughts of the Rule The Apostle speaks of some that Judge the Law Take we heed that we do not misjudge it Therefore it is necessary that we look on the Spiritual Law with a Spiritual eye To carnal Thoughts the Right wayes of the Lord seem crooked and unequal Gods right Rule why seems crooked to men not that the Law is so but because the medium is such through which it is looked upon as if a man put part of a strait staff into the water it appears crooked because of the inequality of the medium All Gods Rule to David Psal 119.228 All right But now a right heart hath right thoughts of the Rule I esteem all thy Precepts concerning all things to be right So we Read it but the Text is I esteem all thy Precepts to be all right every one and every way Right 'T is true There may be some kind of approving the things that are excellent Rom. 2.18 Some approve some excellent things As Herod Mark 6.20 And yet the Heart not be Right But if there be not an approving of excellent things the Heart cannot be Right A bad Heart may think good of many good wayes as Herod but a good heart thinks good of every good way as David Then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect unto all thy Commandments Psal 119.6 But David all Gods Laws Universal respect fair evidence 1 Tim. 3.16 Men may have a fair respect to many of Gods Laws yet have hard Thoughts of some But an universal respect is a fair Evidence of Sincerity For ALL SCRIPTURE is given by Inspiration of God and is profitable for Doctrine for Reproof for Correction for Instruction in Righteousness c. THE Second Part. Contents of the II. Part. AN Introduction of particular Instances of Thoughts suited to their several Subjects according to Scripture Rule .. 1. In thinking of Scripture it self 2. Of Our Selves 3. Of others 4. Of Creature-comforts 5. Of Ordinances 6. Of Sin 7. Of Holiness 8. Of Afflictions 9. Of Temptations 10. Of Persecutions 11. Of the present Condition of Life 12. Of the present Time of Life 13. Of Death 14. Of Judgment 15. Of Eternity 16. Of Angels Evil Good 17. Above all in Thinking of GOD. To have High Thoughts and Sweet Thoughts but in all points Regular and Scriptural Of his Being Highness Holiness Unshangeableness Unity yet Trinity in Unity Eternity Omnipresence Omniscience Omnipotence Invisibility Terribleness and just Severity Truth Verity Loveliness and Goodness not only in his sparing Mercies and means of Grace but even in His Judgments and Destruction of the ungodly in the First Covenant especially in the New Covenant of Grace richest Theme for thoughts CHRIST the Objeâ—t of Gods Eternal thoughts and of all good mens of Old and of Angels though Men otherwise concerned in Him than They. Immanuel God with us makes All in God Ours Justice Holiness Highness c. Gods Love in Christs Incarnation Suffering The Necessity and Excellent Vertue of Christs Death Right thoughts of Christs righteousness Imputed High thoughts of Christ sweet thoughts of Christ Holy thoughts of Christ as tho great Enemy of Sin though Friend of Sinners right thoughts of God the Holy Ghost High thoughts of God the Spirit in his Essence Subsistence and Operations Sweet thoughts of him and our high Obligations to Him the finishing work in mans Salvation the Spirits Holy Ghost the great Promise of the New Testament as Christ of the Old Fruits of the Spirit sweet Thoughts For God must be Scriptural as well as Of God Conclusion Exhorting to Self-reflection by and upon Our thoughts Giving Motives and Rules for keeping thoughts RIGHT THE Second Part. WHICH Contains an Induction of particular Instances of Thoughts suited to their several Subjects according to Scripture-Rule and concludes with an Exhortation to self-Reflection and Motives and Rules for keeping Thoughts Right NOw then supposing a Man have a right Rule for his thoughts and right thoughts of the Rule The great inquiry for the tryal of thoughts is whether they be suited to their several Subjects according to that Rule Right thoughts of Scripture Adoro Scripturae plenitudinem Tertul. cont Hermog See B. Tayler's Dissuasive from Popery 2 Tim. 3.15 16 17. John 5.39 As for Example Sect. I. IN thinking of SCRIPTURE that it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 All divinely inspired and a sufficient Rule in all things pertaining to God and our Souls Able to make the man of God perfect throughly furnished to every good work able to make wise to Salvation and therefore to be searched by every one that desires to be Saved Search the Scriptures saith our Saviour for in them ye think to have Eternal Life and they are They that testifie of Me. Now to think otherwise of Scripture then we are taught by it is to think strangely of it which is a thing the great God takes strangely at their hands that do it a dishonour done to our Spiritual MAGNA CHARTA the great Charrer of our Salvation I have WRITTEN to Him saith God the GREAT THINGS of my Law Hosea 8.12 but they counted them as a strange thing Great things indeed
must we needs think them being sent from the Great God Exod. 8.19 John 11.74 confirmed by Great Works and Miracles Many in Number Mighty in Nature uncontrolable and infallible in their Evidence witnessed by Friends confessed by Enemies admired by All in succession of Ages attending the Holy Pen-Men and the Doctrine thereof And yet alas â—how strangely have these things of HOLY WRIT been thought of even as the Holy men themselves as Troublers of States Acts 24.5 and Movers of Sedition throughout all the World and as Ring-leaders of all Sects and Schismes And therefore 't is the wisdom and the piety of Popery to take away this dangerous Key of Knowledge from the Common People Luke 11.52 and to perswade that ignorance is the Mother of Devotion they mean sure their own Devotion but God calls Ignorance the Mother of Destruction when he saith Hosea 4.6 My People are destroyed for lack of knowledge But thanks be to God We have not so learned Christ Scriptures must be searched by All. Psal 119.7 Magistrates Deut. 17 1â— Psal 119.24 Ministers as to dare to think that Book unfit for the study and reading of the meanest which God hath ordained for making wise the simple that cryes to the simple turn in hither and declaredly puts it self as I may say into the Hands of all sorts and sizes conditions ages and sexes The Prince must read in it all the days of his Life and think it his safety to take the Testimonies thereof to be the Men of his Councel And the Officers in Gods House must be ready Scribes in the Law of God as was said of Ezrah Yea Ezra 7.6 People Rom. 10.8 this is the Comfort of all the People of God to have this Word nigh them even in their mouths and in thâ—ir Hearts for saith the Apostle to Community of the People Col. 3.16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly that they through patience and comfort of the SCRIPTURES might have hope Rom. 15.4 Deut. 3.6 Old Yea this is their wisdom saith Moses in the sight of all Nations Here none may think themselves too old to learn for David by this study came to understand more then the Ancients Psal 11.10 Young Psal 119.9 Women Children 2 Tim. 3.15 Nor too young neither for wherewithall shall a young man cleanse his way by taking beed thereto according to thy Word Yea and Women and Children are commended in Scripture for their study and knowledge of it Thus Timothy is commended for this that from a Child he had known the Holy Scriptures continue in the things that thou hast learned and been assured of saith S. Paul knowing of whom thou hast learned them Chap. 1.5 viz. of Lois his Grandmother Acts 16.1 and his Mother Eunice which was a Jewess and believed but his Father was a Greek And the truth is for any one to think that the Scripture is not to be read by any but those that understand it perfectly is to think that it is to be read by none till there will be no more need of Reading it for here the Ablest and most knowing do know but in part 2 Cor. 13.9 and do Prophesy but in part And therefore it is that We have this sure word of Prophesy 2 Peter 1.19 whereunto we are to think that We do well to take heed as unto a light shining in a dark place until the day of Glory dawn and the Day-Star arise in our Hearts the Interpretation and Explication of which word of Prophecy we are taught Verse 20. True meaning how to be sought 1 Cor. 2.15 in the next Verses not to seek as some do from our own private Phansies but by comparing the New Testament with the Prophecies of the Old Scripture with Scripture Spiritual things with Spiritual and in all our study and reading most humbly to implore and believingly to wait for the guidance of that Spirit that indited and gave it forth for as was the Genesis 1 Peter 1.20 so must be the Analysis for it came not in old time by the will of Man therefore may by no means be expounded by mans will but Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost And therefore the Bereans are highly commended in that they received the Word preached with all readiness of mind Acts 17.11 and searched the Scriptures whether those things were so He therefore that thinks rightly of SCRIPTURE esteems it his Darling to be laid in his Bosom to be bid in his Heart as the Psalmist speaks the incorruptible seed Psal 119.11 whereby he was born again from the miserable state of Corrupt Nature 1 Pet. 1.23 for the Law of the Lord and the Testimonies of the Lord are they that convert the soul and make wise the simple Psal 1.7 the sincere milk whereby he was nourished as soon as new born and his strong meat when he is grown up to be a strong man for man lives not by Bread only Heb. 5.13 14. Math. 4.4 Jer. 15.16 Job 23.12 but by every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God Therefore when he finds these words he eats them as Jeremy Yea esteems them as Job more then his necessary food And as his food when he is well so his Physick when he is sick he holds fast the form of sound words 2 Tim. 1.13 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of healing words so the Greek for God sends his Word and heals and delivereth from destructions his Antidote against Infection Psal 17.4 for concerning the works of men saith David by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the Destroyer his weapon when he warreth for the Sword of the Spirit is the Word of God Ephes 6.17 and this was it that our Saviour foiled Satan with and kept him off at the points end of Mat. 4.4 7 10 11. It is WRITTEN saith Christ thus and thus then the Devil leaveth Him his light when he walks or works by day and his Lamp or Lantern to his feet by night his best friends Will and Testament confirmed by the Death of the Testator Heb. 9.16 Psal 119.111 He takes Gods Testimonies as an Heritage for ever and thinks it less pernitious to the World to have the Sun plucked out of the Firmament then the Bible taken away from the sight of the Sons of Men. Sect. II. 〈◊〉 our selves Rom. 12.3 Low thoughts of our selves 2 Cor. 11.11 With high thoughts of the Grace of God in and toward us IN thinking of OUR SELVES for no man to think of Himself more highly then he ought to think but to think soberly as God hath dealt to every man the measure of Faith not boasting beyond his measure nor yet denying the grace of God that is given to him The great Apostle speaks thus of himself in Nothing am I behind the very chiefest of the Apostles though
saith the Text they thought upon his Name And as for Love And Love Levit. 2.7 Cacabus ◠Rad. Hebr. ebullivit Psalm 45.1 as the Holy Fire under the Frying-pan made the Oyl of the Oblation to bubble and boyl up which is the Psalmists very word Holy Love is this Fire that makes Thoughts boil up for the very first word of that Psalm which is entituled a Song of Love is this My heart boileth up with a good matter Experience tells us Animus est non ubi animat sed ubi amat that the affectionate and tender Mother can leave her thoughts behind her at home with her sucking Child when she goes abroad Thus worldly Love will have worldly Thoughts and Gracious Love will have Gracious Thoughts O how I love thy Law it is my Meditation all the day Psalm 19.97 And 't is a sign Holy Love is but weak and feeble when holy thoughts are but faint and few Deut. 6.5 And here let the Reader most carefully observe that where Moses layes down the First and great Commandment thou shalt Love the Lord thy God only in three words with all thy Heart and with all thy Soul and with all thy Might or strength Mat. 22.37 Mark 17.30 Luke 10.27 Our Saviour repeating the Law adds a Fourth viz. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ex omni Cogitatione so Bez. vulg c. with all thy Thought or Mind plainly enough suggesting unto us that the Strength of the Heart cannot be reckoned as engaged to the Love of God where the Thoughts of the Heart are not drawn Out by it And therefore labour to ascertain and to clear up thine Interest in God and Christ Mark 12.30 and Heavenly things daily more and more for Christ saith not where Anothers but where your treasure is Luke 10.27 there will your heart be also for as Interest raiseth Love Love hath power to levy Thoughts and to keep them in readiness for its use and service so that if thy Treasure be in Heaven there will thine heart be also Luke 12.34 IV. Last Practical Rule 4. Practical Rule Begin thy Days and thy Weeks with Right thoughts Exod. 12.1 John 20.2 Coloss 3.1 Revel 1.10 LAstly As the Israelites were to reckon their Beginning of Moneths from the time of their Deliverance so let the Thoughts of thy DELIVERER still begin both thy Weeks and thy Dayes for it was both upon the First of the Week and of the Day that our Blessed Lord Rose again from the Dead and We must imp our Thoughts if we would help their flight upon the wing of Our Saviours Resurrection S. John was in the Spirit on the LORDS-DAY that is on the First of the Week for it is generally confest that the First day of the Week was as well known by the Primitive Christians in the Apostolical Age by the Name of the Lords-day as any other day was or is by Jews or Gentiles known and distinguished by any other Name Thus did the dear Disciple begin the Week and thus did Holy David still begin the day whose constant course was to take his slight for Heaven on the wings of the Morning Psal 139.18 when I was awake saith he to God I am still with thee And thus should the First-lings of the flock of our Thoughts be for God still Gen 4.4 Matth. 6.33 still First seek the Kingdom of God that is not onely above All but also every Week and every Day first of All. Of all the Ten there is but One Commandment that begins with a REMEMBER O forget not that Exod. 20.8 Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy This is the standing Law commanding one Day or Seventh part of the Week blessed of God above all the rest to be set apart for God for so also the Commandment ends Verse 11. Hookers Ecclesiastical Policy the Lord Blessed the Sabbath Day and hallowed it The Perpetual obligatoriness of which Law is strongly asserted by the Learned Hooker and declaredly owned by the Church of England there being subjoyned to the publick reading of this fourth Commandment as well as of the rest a Lord have mercy upon us See also the Hom. of the Place and Time c. Titus 1.16 John 1.3 and encline our Hearts to keep this Law And if in Words we confess this Law O let not our Works deny it Now as the SON of God being Maker both of the First Creation and Sabbath for by Him were All things made and without Him was nothing made that was made as we have already seen First blessed that Day wherein He first Rested for the Commemoration of that First and Glorious work of his So after that He became the SON MAN Mark 2.28 being still LORD of the SABBATH He hath dignified the First Day of the Week with the glorious Title of the LORDS-DAY having Rested therein from a greater Work viz. the Suffering and state of Death which was the last and Finishing Work of his state of Humiliation and therein blessed and hallowed it for our Commemoration of the more glorious work of Redemption For as the glory of the later Temple Hag. 2.9 was greater then that of the former because Christ was more manifestly to appear in it it may be as truly and for the same reason said of Gods Workmanship Eph. 2.10 created in CHRIST JESUS unto good works that the glory of the New Creature excels that of the Old for the more manifestation of Christ still the more Glory till at last He shall come to be perfectly glorified in his Saints and admired in all them that believe 2 Thes 1.10 For herein hath he obsignated and given an undubitable pledge of that REST or SABBATISM that remains for the People of God Hebr. 4.9 when upon the general Resurrection of their Bodies they shall Eternally rest from Sin and Death 1 Cor. 15.20 for Christ is risen as the First Fruits of them that sleep and therefore saith He thy Dead Men shall live Isaiah 26.19 John 14.19 together with my Dead Body shall they arise for because I LIVE Ye shall live also To allude then to that Word of our Saviour John 12.31 When I am lifted up I will draw all men to me and indeed when the King is up and gone 't is not for the Courtiers to loyter and lag behind O me-thinks this Resurrection of Christ should DRAW All our Hearts and Thoughts to him Colos 3.1 If we then be Risen with Christ saith the Apostle Let us seek those things that are above Psalm 24.7 Psalm 110.7 and then especially when He arose Then Lift up your heads O ye Gates and be ye lift up ye Everlasting Doors for this Day did your dearest Lord lift up that head from the Conquered Grave John 19.30 which He bowed before upon that bitter Cross that as his Death was the Death of our Sins so his Resurrection might be the life of our Souls Psal 118 24. This this is the day that Our Lord hath made We will Rejoyce and be glad in it Every other Sun-Rising can make another Day Mal. 4.1 but it is onely the Rising of the Sun of Righteousness with healing in his wings that made the Day we stile the LORDS-DAY and therefore when the Burthen of the Week for sufficient to every day is the Evil thereof hath made our Shoulders shrink Mat. 6.34 and gall'd our back this blessed Day takes off the Burthen and layes on the Balm heals the aking Heart Relieves the weary Thoughts and in a word it brings Heaven half down to us and takes us half up to Heaven Wherefore good Reader let thine Early Thoughts and Spicie Meditations begin every morning of this blessed Day as the good Women in the Gospel with a gracious and holy visit of thy Saviours Sepulchre Luke 24.1 6. till the Heavenly Ordinances of that Day proclaim to thee as the Angels to them He is not here but is risen John 14.2 3. and is gone before thee to prepare a place for thee that he may come again and receive thee that where He is there mayest thou be also And as the First day of each Week thus employed will sanctifie unto thee the rest of the Week so will the First of each Day the rest of the Day when by a Sun-beam thou canst climb to God Herber◠in Temple Close thy dayes with good thoughts as Divine Herbert most sweetly expresseth it And now having found thee with Him and Holy David in the Morning I would chuse to leave thee with Isaac in the Evening who was wont at that time to go out to MEDITATE That as God is Alpha and Omega of all things He may be the Beginning and the End of thy Thoughts for with Him it is that this little Book both designs and desires to leave Thee Amen Amen FINIS