teipsum know thy self The Heathens Lesson is very fit for a Christian The benefit of Sâ— Acquaintance tends much to right Discretion and the Government of our Lifeâ— Which makes many invert that of Sâ— Paul I know nothing by my self for want of reflection they can curse swearâ— lie and work abomination and theirâ— heart never smites them So they are lefâ— to themselves and put under the saddâ—â— plague of getting success in sin Better 〈◊〉 have the Way hedged with Thorns leaâ—â— thou run to ruine and labour so to guidâ— thy self that thy Heart condemn thee not and to exercise thy self with St. Paul to have 〈◊〉 Conscience void of Offence towards GOD and Man § 12. Many other things may be aded as rashness 〈…〉 and following vain customs 〈…〉 into a calling and course of life 〈◊〉 with no Deliberation but meerly from fondness and folly drive like Jehn in the pursuit of their carnal love and enter into a married staâ—e so rashly and indiscreetly that thev may have leasure eneugh after to regrate and so youth runs himself into inextricable difficulties But quod faciendum semel deliberandum diu And he should engage in this warefare with good advice but of the most of these I may have occasion to speak to after this § 13. And so I come to the second thing to wit The directions and motives for his recoverie and the ordering this state of Age. 1. As long as Man climbs to the top of the Wheel and Ascends to the hight of his Temporary Horizon he should take leasure to look back on his bygone life and view well that he act contrary Good to these evils fore-mentioned that he be Considerate Knowing tender hearted busie in good Exercise rhat his Conscience be awak'd himself humble even cloathed with humility which layes a good foundation for the Reception of Grace in his after Age that he learn to change Vain thoughtsâ— into Deliberation and Passions to rule them by a quiet Mind peaceable by patience and Moderation and the sooner he listens to the Call of GOD it will be easier for him that with great Aug he be alarmed with that of the Apostle Rom 13. 11. It is 〈◊〉 time to awake out of sleep Memory may decay in old Age. But Youth must remember hear Children the instruction of Wisdom Prov 6. 7. And since some aâ—â— snatched away in their younger yeaâ— some sin away and some play away their time Youth should not think iâ— too soon to be serious since posibly hâ— may not live till he think it time to bâ— serious § 14. It is Good for youth that is ready to stare upon rarities to take Wisdom from the example of such as miscarry least he himself become an Example and all sad accidents to others should make us listen to that of Solomon Follow the way of good men Better to be A monument of mercy than of wrath He must impartially correctâ— the errors of his bygon life and not be sparing in his own case to cry out with Judah against the Harlot and yet be the man himself that is defiled Gen. 38. 24. He must consider how he hath carried in all relations what sentiments he had of Religion what was his Temptation inclination humour and phansie what was his gift and what little good he hath done And if he Consider well he may acknowledge that he hath not obeyed the voice of his Teachers and that his Religion hath but Come by fiâ—s and that Possibly he hath harboured and does harbour some predominant sin and if he were serious he would find out the Dalilah that hath possessed his heart and know where the strength of his sin lyes and pray with the Psalmist LORD who knows his errors Psal 19. 12. § 15 It is high time then to smite thy thigh and knock thy breast and to be humble for thy bygon errors which thou may know to be a sincere repentance for them that if thou were placed in the former circumstances thou wouldst not react these follies And that thou doest not relish them with wonted affection And since they have not ruin'd thee show thy zeal revenge against these thy former Idols keep no reserve least thy Religion be Partial and Unpleasant look back with grief and redeem it with Duty sell not thy time for nought be no more beguild with toyes look back with Repentance and before thee with Prudence § 19. It is more then time also to consider thy Baptismal Engagement Whereby thou art sworn to GOD gets his mark and his Cognizance of Christianity Thou must renunce sin and Sataâ— GOD can make thy Baptism Effectual but 't is by Faith Repentance and Obedience that it works in the Adult Thoâ— must give the Answer of a good Consciencâ— 1 Pet. 3. 21. to thy Baptism as St. Peter speakâ— thou must wash in the Laver of Regeneration till it produce the new Creature Anâ— draw Vertue as a living Member from thy Blessed Head § 16. Who is now wise to consider these things look how the LORD trains thee in his Providence from Childhood to Youth GOD may bring thee homâ— with the voice of the Rod look theâ— what Influence Providence hath upon thy Younger heart if it be humbled and 〈◊〉 to receive the Blessings of Religion § 17. And yet more particularly to direct this ingoverned Age that needs solidity to keep it from Reeling 〈◊〉 the Scripture teacheth thee 1 to remember thy Creator in the dayes of thy Youth It is a part and a great part that layes the foundation of practical principles Memento 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vere memento Mori both to remember how to live and how to die And 2ly the Scripture bids thee flee youthfull lusts 2 Tim 2 2 1 What these lusts are thou reads not there but certainly youth hath its 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 proper lusts the vice of their age of their nature person and Nation Yet if thou look to the contrary Vertues which the Apostle there commends as Righteousness Grace Faith Love c. Thou shalt find Injustice Ambition Animosity Carnality Vnruliness Facileness Broils Tumults Contests and Duels that produceth dearfull deaths all which are against Charity which the Apostle there commends bnt thou must follow after Faith Love and Peace Secondly Shun idleness and evil Company beware of the Tavern and Stew If sinners entice thee consent thou not It is a Token that GOD hath called thee If thou choice a Right Calling It is time for thee now to think how to live Every minute of our short day has its Work Consider then well what Work thou puts thy Hand to and what Calling by the Advice of these that are Wiser than thy self may through GOD's Blessiing serve thee in this World and not Impede thy general Calling as a Christian Let thy Calling not be insnaring but approved propone not so much Gain as Contentedness And as I hinted before Oeteris paribus the Holy
7. Fifthly How thou art Resolved to encountâ—â— the Trâ—als of this Period § 6. The longer man lives he is 〈◊〉 more subject to infirmities and becaâ—â—â— of our rudeness and many Indisposiâ—ioâ— we are subject to the Rod and Discipliâ—â— of the Holy JESUS Man in the beginniâ—â— of his Life is much inconcerned in 〈◊〉 Youth like a Bullock unacquainted wiâ—â— the Yoak and in his after life he haâ—â— need to be keept under by Fatherly Chastilement and so is subject to personal domestick and publick Tryals Bâ—â— he hath this for an Antidote that the Spirit of GOD in the Word representâ— these Tryals very favourably as instances of Fatherly Love and Mercy Heb 12. 6 Whom I love I chastice sayeth the LORD Kev 3. 19. And count it all Joâ— when ye fall into divers tempâ—ations sayeth St. James Jam 1. 2. It is the great Concern then of a Christian to hear the voice of the Rod To let patience have its perfect Work Jam 1. 4. To be of a contented â—ind to guard against Melancholyâ— Desâ—ondency to kiss the Rod to humble â—nder the Mighty Hand of GOD and to â—mprove the Rod as well as the Word â—or the purpoles of Religion 〈◊〉 But now in â—is declining Age he enters into broken â—aters and therefore should have a well â—uilt Ark and Cast his Anchor within â—he Vail Which in all the Tâ—ssings and Troubles of this Period remains sure and stedfast Heb 5. 4. He must arm with paâ—ience and have his Feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace Eph 6. 15. that so through Faith and patience he then may inherit the promises Heb 6. 12. Sixthly If all Delayes be defeated and thou be now intent on thy Work § 7. 'T is dangerous to delay till now yet the Nature of Man is prone to pro 〈…〉 and put off till to morrow but if thy Work be undone thâ—â— will be undone for ever There are many wants and defects indeed for which thou hast an All sufficient Help to recover thee yet must thou be dilligent in the â—use of the Means and GOD that prevents with free Grace can cure it to His Glory Seventhly What is thy Stock and Store in Grace and Vertue § 8. A Vertuous Man brings his Work to some fine and thou should have provision against evil dayes found well upon a Rock that will stand out the storm Labour to be Rich in Faith and good Works and to have fresh Oyl for thy Lamps and the Weddlng Garment neatly wrought Thy Heart and House in order that Tryals and Death do not surprise thee and the cry be at midnight Matth 25. 6. when thou art Sleeping and sudden destruction come when thou sayes Peace And after this serious Recollection thou must ponder aright Secondly What now remains to be done § 1. EVEN the Work that GOD hath given thee to do Look then to thy great bussiness Proficiency and wherein thou are short double thy diligence See that thou has First The methods of thy Life ordered unto Salvation 2ly Thy Progress and middle Work betwixt Youth and declining Age And then how you are prepared to enter the Vltima or the last things It is clear then thou should be now serious and seek first the Kingdom of GOD with all Seeking and persevering Constancy Be faithfull unto Death and the LORD will give thee the Crown of Life § 2. But particularly there are three things ought to be done 1 st That thy house and Affairs be in as good Order as possible 2ly that you may work out the work of your own salvation And 3ly that you Give all dilligence to make sure your Calling and Election § 3. First that thy house and affairs be in as good order as possible To manage thy Earthly concern with Discretion that thou may leave to thy Issue a good example and a 〈◊〉 the portion which GOD hath 〈◊〉 thee with a Blessing Least through thy Neglect thou render those behind thee destitute and despicable without a settled calling and course of vertue And if through incident accidents thou has been hurt in thy Estate GOD can make any remnant be like the Widows Cruse for thee and thine If thou improve dispensations to the best And to all that desire to thrive I cannot but Recommend a discreet Charity The merciful man disperseth and gives to the poor lends to GOD And his seed shall be well behind him as in Psal 37. and 112 But thy great work is 2ly to work out the work of thy own salvation Phil 2. 1. That thou put on the copstone as well as lay the foundation that thou perfect thy Faith and Repentance Charity and other Graces to have thy soul â—rim'd with the Wedding Garment and thy Lamps full of Oyle till the cry come Behold the Bride Groom cometh That thou fight that fight of Faith that so upon good Ground thou may expect the Crown of Righteousness that will be given all those who love Christs appearing 3ly That thou give all diligence to make thy Callling and Election sure which is not obtained by listening to humour and instinct but by that diligence that becomes a Christian in the exercise of faith And good works for it is not by the Revolving the leavs of destinie but by a diligent search of the Book of GOD and by a life suitable thereunto that thou canst secure thy peace and thy soul for there is no peace layeth my GOD to the wicked A Continuation of this STAGE From 50 to 70. and to the uttermost extent of Mans Life § 1. ALtho many fall ere they arrive to this stage of Life Yet since GOD hath given it and does give it to some to teach the length thou art seriously to consider thy Duty and how thou may improve it to the best which through Grace may be done If 1. thou labour to arrive at any pitch of Wisdom 2. If thou be well resolved to encounter and endure incident personal afflictions 3ly What account thou can give of thy self to GOD and Man 4. If through CHRIST helping thee thou labours to perfection 5. If thou be running thy Race in the good fight of Faith 6ly If thou be buâ—ie now in ripening thy self for Heaven 7ly If thou dayly prepare for Death and have thy Soul fixed upon wing to flee to yonder Regions where CHRIST is And last of all to consider the means and motives to advance these § 〈◊〉 First If now thou hast arrived â—o any pitch of Wisdom The Apostle James Gives a full direction as to this Who is a wise Man among you let him shew forth by a good Conversation with Meekness Wisdom For as the Fear of GOD is beginning of Wiâ—dom so it compleats Wisdom forseeth and is provident Fâ—â—rageth with vain confidence Wisdâ—â— makes thee a wise Virgine to provide 〈◊〉 in thy Lamps it directeth and clearâ— your affairs it puts thy house and Soul order and it keeps a clear account by good conscience since
are like to fall in a Ditcâ— Some act as in a dream and roave as inâ— Fever with an unjoynted Judgementâ— and a Scopeless Life their Tongues are thâ—â— own sayeth their way who is LORD over them They think Religion eitherâ— phansie or a Superstitious restraint of theiâ— lusts And say Come let us break his Bondâ— assunder And do all they can to ruâ— on Precepieces and a fatal fall Yet somâ— as has been before observed are moâ—â— tractable To shew that there is an Election and that GOD has His Jewels amonâ— a heap of Stones Some are taught oâ— GOD from their Youth and are underâ— His Discipline and the Life of Graceâ— spruting forth in little buds Which makes them serious at their Studies Pioâ—â— in their Devotion solid in their Conversation and in stead of all the Gayetâ—â— from without They cloath themselves with Humility Charity and Holiness and act by the Principles of Wisdom and Discretion § 5. But alas This Light shines but in few for the most take pleasure to live in darker Regions Now this Particular consideration shal be 1. To observe the evils incident to this State of Mans Age. And 2ly The Directions and Motives for his Recovery § 6. As to the first I condescend upon First The ignorance and prejudice of the Mind of Youth against all Vertue And Inclinations to Vice carryed on with great Inconsideration Secondly Pride and Vanity Thirdly Stoutness in sin with an aptness to follow the ill customs of the Generation Fourthly Idleness and omissions of Duty and good Exercise Fifthly A sleeping and unexercised Conscience § 7 First The Philosopher as well as the Divine observes Praejudicia Juventutis Great prejudice against Vertue And Experience may teach any Man that his imaginations have been evil from the beginning And if there be any thing of acquired Knowledge which is learned in the School Yet Speculation without Grace and saving Knowledge is not warm light and doth not nourish the tender Plants For tho the man were as learned as Plato or Aristotle he is but rude and dull as to that Knowledge which tends to Salvation And the fums that come from the forge of his lusts darken the heart and the head and if he hath the Advantage of the Gospel Light surely his Ignorance flows from Supine Negligence or self Conceit and feest thou a man wise in his own Eyes there 's more hope of a fool than of him GOD gives Grace to the humble but youth for the most is so swelled with self Conceit and vanity that he will nâ—â— bow himself to learn to wise to Salvation But it's better for him to learn of the Royal Psalmist to â—eek the gift of right Vnderstanding And at the wisest of Kingâ— to dig and labour for Wisdom as the Principal thing as the greatest accomplishment either of Youth or Riper yearâ— And no Man that looks to his Instinct but finds it naturally tending to that which is Evil. Till the Old Man be Mortified sin lives and Reigns without controul especially the sin that agrees with our present frame Concupisce not now rides in a hot Career sets up the Brute and puts down the Man It Corrupts the affections and blasts the Plants of Zion with corrupt Breath It makes the Man Degenerate and by giving place to carnal quencheth the Flams of Seraphick and Divine Love It makes the Man a brute Who might by Grace be made an Angel Awake then out of sleep For if thou live after the flesh thou shalt die Rom 8. 15. § 8. 2ly As to Pride and Vanitie much incident to youth Because he knows not well where he is and hath such complasancy in his present Circumstances as not to consider what mav fall out to a mortal Man Pride and vanity may soon be layed with Herod's And a little time of a Disease may Make him more feeble then an Infant Solomon saw much of this vanity and saw no cure for it but by Religion and the consideration of our account at Judgement Pride is devilish it turned Lucifer to a Devil And the higher any towers up the more subject is he to a vertiginous fall His 〈◊〉 as well as his Brains prove Air but GOD hates the proud and Agur prayes LORD Remove from me vanity and lies Prov. 38. 8. Let no man then Glory in Strength Wisdom Riches or Beauty but let him that Glorieth Glory in the LORD Jer. 9 23. 24. This vanity makes a man walkinâ— vain show and act the worst part of the Scene to play the Fool. § 9. 3ly Stoutness in sin c. Hearâ—â— ye stout hearted sayes the Prophet you must stoup e're GOD look upon you This is a Natural contracted hardneâ— of heart that alienates Man from the Lifeâ— GOD Eph 4 18. His blindness makeâ— him bold Yet he hath not only an Angel with Balaam but the Great GOD for his Enemy Consider this thou that forgets GOD least he tear thee in pieces whâ— there is none to deliver Psal 50 22. Aâ—â— make your stout heart turn into a fechâ—â— Mind for who can stand against GOD when He is angry Yet alas how liceâ—tious is this state of Age And do speak 〈◊〉 as their tongue were indeed their own bâ—â— GOD will break this fool-hardiness maâ—â— thee either contreet or crush thee Neveâ— then be stout in sin except thou think 〈◊〉 master thine Enemy If thou Kick agaâ—â— the pricks CHRIST can cast thee doâ—â— and turn a stout hearted Saul into a humble Paul to cry out LORD What wilt Thâ—â— have me to do Acts 9. 6. § 10. 4ly Idleness and emissions of Duty 〈◊〉 Youth 's very prone thereunto to forâ—â— GOD when he should remember his Creator as he dwelr in a Land of Forgetfulness Wherein he passeth much of his time ere he consider the great use thereof He lets the Night come on him Wherein no man can work Joh. 9. 4. And may drop into the Grave Where no bussiness is Eccles 9. 10. His Life is but a Digression if he work not while it is called the day and work not for Eternity Our Life is but a Minute and for a Day O that thou knew in this thy Day the thiâ—gs that belongs to thy Peace § 11. 5lv A sleeping and unexercised Conscience This is a great Disease in Youth which occasioneth bad conduct Youth is subject to Inconsideration layeth not things to heart as he should do his Conscience lyeth under a heap of humours And so is void of Action and neither informed or Employed He looks not to the Rule nor reflects upon his way whereas he should first consult the Word and thereby awaken and inform his Conscience to have his bosom Monitor Vigilant And the Witness within him honest And judge impartially according to the Rule Man cannot want Conscience because there is a GOD But Conscience may sleep be brideâ— deadned and to Government useless and unactive as Tertullian long ago hath observed because it is not a God noscc
your selves and ere you give slumber to your eye lids seek out a habitation for the mighty GOD of Jacob that he may dwell in your heart and house And Pray after this manner The Evening Prayer O Most Gracious GOD and Father of mercies we thy unworthy servants come this Night before the Throne of thy Grace to present our Evening oblation through the perfect sacrifice of thy Son our Saviour once offered and still effectual through his containued Intercession in presenting that meritorious blood on our behalf We adore thee Our Good and Gracious GOD and gives Glory to thy name confessing our sinfulness Original and actual and our escapes in thought word and deed We have sinned Alace we have sinned againâ—t thy mercies and the warnings of thy word and Rod In the sight of an all-seeing GOD LORD give us Repentance and Remission and from henceforth guide us in the pathes of Righteousness for thy Name sake LORD watch over us this night that we may be Refreshed under the Cloud of thy covert and have matter of rejoicing in thee in the morning prepare us for all duty and all tryals and our last tryal Be with us to the end and in the end of our life and hereafter receive us into thy Glory Lord let thy Kingdome come have mercy on the World heal the Christian Church and in this Nation powr out a spirit of Grace truth peace and charity upon it be with all our friends and all that fear thee give us Charity to give and forgive as thou requires We commit our selves and all ours to thy keeping through Jesus Christ our LORD The grace of our LORD JESVS The love of GOD the Father and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with us for now and ever Amen § 9. If thou can read or if there be some few to sing a Psalm GOD's Word and Praise may help to Hallow your House if not fail not to make use of these Prayers till thou get better and be more dexâ—â—rous in Devotion and wait on GOD in the way of Duty Shun Idleness and Sin and wandring from your house which will obstruct this work and consider that it is good to begin well and to bring forth fruit in this Season Use makes perfection and ye can not breath a free Air till you dwell in the Wholesome Regions of Religion Make progress under the Gale of the Spirit Stir up the faculties of reason to be holy happy in the flower of your age and you shall find that Dimidium facti qui bene cepit habet that a Good beginning is a great progress for true Wisdom hews her Pillars and builds her house Prov. 9. 1. The Prayer O LORD through thy providence I am now come to some consiâ—â—ence of age I thank thee for the happy opportunities I have Enjoyed of the light of thy word teaching me to be wise sober solid Just and honest And had I improved well I had been an expert souldier of CHRIST Pardon my Fâ—â—lours wherein I have been shaken by temptation I desire now to stand under the Guard of the whole Armour of GOD. LORD thou has led me by thy invisible hand through a labyrinth of Childhood and Indigested youth It is a mercie I have not spleeted upon Rocks and ruined but by Grace I stand LORD unite my heart to fear 〈◊〉 Name I know that difficulties attend me 〈◊〉 the credit of my course the assistance of my Câ—â—tain the honour of my engagement and 〈◊〉 comfort of my Reward do animat me 〈◊〉 to faint for in due time I shall Reap throâ—â— JESUS CHRIST Amen STAGE Third Which commenceth from the 30 to the 〈◊〉 year of our age or there about which being a very material part of our Life I shall for clearness sake consider in three courses 1. Of the Ordering thy person Familâ—â— and walking in the pathes of Vertâ—â— and Religion 2. A Discourse to several Ranks of peoplâ—â— with all seriousness and modesty 3. What fine your labour in Vertue Piety Good Government of your lifâ—â— and family and the progress of your Religion the ordering of your House and the setting forth of your Childrenâ— to Laudable and Lawfull callings and settlement hath come to COURSE first The Contents Of the Right methods of Religion and Vertue for the Ordering of our person our Families And General and particular calling in this long and serious course of our life with means and motives for the furthering of these ends and suteable Devotion § 1. HAving led thee hitherto to some digested and setled Course of Life and helped thee by the Light and guidance of Religion out of the darker cells of Minority to clearer Air And from the beginning of thy Majority a very difficult scene of thy Life to the consistence of thirty Years of thy Age wherein if ever thou look to be Vertuous thou wilt make some ground of Hope bud fâ—rth This is a time wherein thou must either appear to be a man and a Christian Or a Mushrome and a Grape of unsavoury fruit â—ook first then to thy bygone way if thy work be begun and carried on hitherto or yet any solid Work of Grace very imperfect and scarse well founded For experience anâ—â— perhaps thine own senses if exerciseâ—â— will make thee feel thy pronness to 〈◊〉 off and delay Make â—ound work therefore and follow the streight Line of Religion and Morality Redeem misspeâ—â— time cleave to the LORD with full purpose of Heart and because thy Heart 〈◊〉 inconstant say with the Psalmist Unâ—â— my Heart O LORD to fear Thy Namâ—â— Psal 36. 12 Serve thy Generation anâ— carry worthily in it 2ly After this Reflection see what form thou now are itâ— If thy Heart be Right and stedfast in thâ— Covenant if thou be free of visible Blemishes Deut 32. 5. Which are noâ— the spots of GODS Children If thy lifâ— and family begin to blink with anâ— lustre If thou be thriving in Vertue anâ— piety if thou carry Creditably and be reputed to have an Honest and Religioâ—â— family and Grace and Peace beautifie the same 3ly If thou grow in Grace For Grace being a principle of new life iâ— may ly hid in the Root for some Seasons as a Plant or a Tree in Winter after which verdent greenness doth appear So is it with Grace it may lurk in the Heart and then come forth with greater Life and Fruit And this will distinguish betwixt a Real and Counterfit Christian his Light Life and Fruit will declare that the Seed of GOD remains in him And this you may perceive by the decay of sin and the greater vigour of Vertue in thee And it is with thee as it was with the House of Saul and David The House of Saul waxed weaker and weaker The House of David Stronger and Stronger Thou must be as Joseph a fruitful Bough both in thy General and Paricular Calling Water thy Garden every Morning for the refreshing of thy tender Plants Learn the
GOD is the Jâ—dâ— and knoweth all things And now its hâ—â— time that thy Wisdom appear to maâ—â— thee wise unto Salvation otherwise iâ— but worldly wit For true Wisdom is Siâ—plicity heavenly sincerity and accurate walkinâ— which as it makes thee useful in thy Geâ—â—rationâ— So makes it thy face to shine aâ—elevates thee to a clearer orb there to Râ—main as a fixed Star § 3. 2ly What resolutions thouâ— hâ—â— to encounter incident personal afflictioâ—â— Afflictions spring not out of the dust buâ— they attend dust ashes they flow from many causes And now in thy declining age thou art to encounter with the decay of a frail Body occasioned By obstructions Rehums distillations and manifold distempers which requires a great deal of fortitude and firmitie of mind to â—â—dure and improve together with all inciâ—ent tryals from without that are appointâ—d for thee which thou should sweeten by â—â—e consideration of Christ's sufferings â—rm thy self with patience and poise thy â—elf with Christian Contentment in all â—he counterbuâ—s of tryal know with the Aâ—ostle How to be abased and how to be exâ—lted through Christ strengthening thee Phil. 4. 12. § 4ly What account thou can give of thy self to GOD and man Every one must give account of himself to GOD enquire then if thou hast any register of thy diurnal and Annual accounts if thy conscience doth report to thee that thou art serious in Religion and dissintangled from any affection to sin and false way which if thou find as it will afford great peace so will it commend thee to Men especially to such as deserve the name of Men and thou shalt by such accuracy deservedly get the name of a good wise and honest man and go off the Stage of time with a Euge and an applause well done good and faithful servant enter into thy Masters joy Matt. 28. 21. § 5. 4ly If thou through CHRIST helping thee labours to perfection It is tâ—â— nature of Grace still to grow and such 〈◊〉 are planted in the LORDS house by 〈◊〉 hand off GOD bring forth fruit in thâ— old age there is no time for sloth 〈◊〉 Man be now as to his outwardframe muâ—â— abâ—agendo yet the Spirit is loosing and nearer Heaven and hath more of Heavâ—â— and so the inner Man is renewed day 〈◊〉 day and thou canst do all things throuâ—â— CHRIST strenghning thee if thy dutâ— be lame and thy graces weak thou mâ—strive to make them up and labour 〈◊〉 square thy self by Religion for that 〈◊〉 which lyeth four square let no part 〈◊〉 thee be without its policy that thou maattain unto that perfection that can 〈◊〉 reached here § 6. 5ly If thou be running thy Raâ— in the good fight of Faith Thou must noâ— stop till thou come to the end and obtain the prize and tho thy limbs be noâ— weak thy faith should be strong anâ— thy Soul vigorous to take Heaven 〈◊〉 Violence § 7. 6ly If thou be busie now in ripening thy self for Heaven As thy Soul should be purified so should it be ready and all in white with the holy Vesture of the Wedding Garment that thus adorned thou mayest meet the Bridegroom The world now may clog thee but it should be little in thy Eye for it is empty and nothing can satisfie thy Soul but GOD and thy thus continuated Grace must take fire with the sparks of Divine Love till it be consummate in Glory and thou attain to the Regions of Love Life Peace and Joy § 8. 7ly If thou dayly prepare for death and have thy Soul upon readiness Thou must now wait the Gail of Grace with a Calm and comfortable Air to conduct thee to thy fathers house death hath already entered thy windows ceased upon thy faculties and loosed thy Tabernacle and there remains but little of animal and Vital Spirit in thy â—ead and heart Thou shouldst now have thy Loyns girt up and be ready to shake of thy fetters when thy Master calls that thou mayest resolutely render up thy Soul into the hands of a Faithfull Creatour And § 9. 8ly Come I now to consider the Means Motives to advance this Beside all that has been said the great â—ean now to be used consists in Consideration Action and Devotion To conâ—ider well where ye are and whither ye tend If every thing relating to Eternity be well ordered 〈◊〉 disposed If Faith and Repentance 〈◊〉 had their perfect Work And if nâ—â— thou be disposing thy â—elf by Heaveâ— Mindedness that with thy Eyes cloâ— upon the World thy faith as a prospâ— beholds in the Heavenly Visions of soâ— and serious Contemplation the Gloriâ—â— thy Fathers House To which thou mâ— add sincere Devotion and by a constaâ— Course of lively Prayer labour to attaâ— unto the Land of Praise For which 〈◊〉 thing can be added by way of Motiâ— more useful than the consideration 〈◊〉 thy Heavenly Aid to help and assist thâ—â— in duty with the proposal of that greaâ— Recompence of Reward that is laid uâ— for thee in Heaven with all that Lovâ— the appearing of our LORD JESUS CHRIST § 10. And altho in this stage of thy Liâ—â— to which few attaiâ—n thou must make use of thy stock and live upon it as a Beâ— doth in Winter upon hony tho through the Infirmity of Old Age the outward Organs be much weakened the inward faculties not as before yet must thou bring forth fruit in old age Psal 92. 14. as much as possible Guard against that which is called Dottleness by dissentangling thy self â—rom the cares and affairs of the World and labour by wisdom and wariness to keep thy self from the weakness of a Crazy Brain and a fible mind that thou do not much affect converse except that with GOD who is the Ancient of dayes that thou lean not to thy memory but learn of St. James To be swift to hear and slow to speak and that through the direction of GOD Thou follow the Patriarchs in old and the Primitive Fathers under the new dispensation as Polycarp St. Johns disciple who Vigorously Endured his Tryal in the 86 year of his Age * Eus Hist liâ— 5. Cap. 15. and to seek in to the GOD of Wisdom that thy Judgement and intellectuals be clear which is a mercy that should be much sought after by all that thus the strength of thy mind may be fresh after the toils of thy life and that thou esteem the mercy of GOD that has lengthned thy dayes on earth against long and everlasting Eternity And that thô GOD for Holy ends may remove some who are hopefull in the very Bud and Alas Thô many hasten their own fate and shorten their dayes by misdiet Passion and follâ— Yet if thou persevere in the way of rightâ— ousnses thou shall have the advantagâ— of great experiâ—nces and have a freâ— and nearer prospect of the promised land every hour looking for Eternity anâ— with old Simeon waiting the LORD's pasâ— and not only Dye with
so much neglected The Pharises in old turned superficial in their Religion by their Zâ—al for their traditions and it is to be feared that Christianity is much exanimated by such a cry for the outward part with too great neglect of Charity and the holiest of all where only we can find the propiratory And to be more particular these things that we are mainly to insist upon may be taken up in these particulars following 1. The necessaria or things absoluty needfull to Saâ—vation 2ly The Prosecution of the great design of the Gospel 3ly The Right informing of what we have been what we are and what we shall be 4ly The consideration of the last things so useful for the salvation of our souls and so clearly manifested in the Gospel First the things absolutly necessary for salvation as the true Knowledge of GOD and the Mediator and the operations of the Holy Ghost in the illumination and sanctification of our hearts These are the Revelation of that mystery that was hid from ages which refresh the Soul in the true knowledge of GOD and directs our Spirit to worship him in spirit and in trâ—th and to love fear â—bey and châ—ose him as our Portion â—â—â—e and hereafter wâ—ich overaweth the â—â—ul with a reverential fear of his naâ—e and shaâ—tech abroad Divine love in our hearâ—s whereby we are veâ—â—y much Refâ—â—shâ—d with the Bread of Angels and Saint And â—hen we look upon GOD in the Mediator we take him up aright And by our applying of and imploying CHRIST in his Mediatorial office we come to get Victory oâ— ver Hell and Death and by the commiting our selves to the Guidance of the Spirit it makes a spirit of Glory Rest upon us It fills our hearts with a wonderous Jubilation and joy and fiâ—â—s us tâ— have our Conversation in Heaven from whence we look for the Saviour Phil. 3. 20. 2ly The prosecution of the great design of the Gospel We are taught by the Aâ—pâ—aâ—ance of the Grace of GOD to deny all ungodliness and Worldly lusts and to live Godly Righteousâ—â— and Soberly in this present World Tiâ— 2. 11. This is the right management oâ— our Knowledge and Christian Calling whereby we are directed and assisted to put in Practice our holy Religion 3ly And it is very behoovful in our Christian Course well to consider what we have been that we may be humbled To consider what we are that we may be Cautious and Circumspect And Iabour to grow in Grace and in the Knowledge to our LORD JESUS CHRIST To answer our Gospel Education in all tke Relations and Turns and Exigents of our Life And what we shall be is best known by 4ly The consideration of the Novissima or Last Things That we entertain frequent Meditations of Death that so we may be ready when GOD's time comes To be wise to consider our latter End and wisely to number up our Dayes To Judge our selves that we be not condemned at the Last Judgement To consiâ—er Hâ—ll that we may put a Beacon over Tophet to flee from it And to recreat our selves with the Prospect of Heaven to encourrage us To make meet for that Inheritance with the Saints in Light Nâ—w that all these things may be layed to Heart entertained and improved in our Christian Life I shall subjoyn these Reasons following 1st The Orignal of these things 2ly These things contain our Right and Title to Glorv And 3ly They contain our Portion and Patrimonâ— in HEâ—VEN First There Original They are ◠〈◊〉 from above They are wholy Divâ—ne the Etâ—rnal Truth of the Eternal GOD They are neither Humane Inventions nor Traditions but the â—â—ictates of Eternal Reason so Pure so Excelâ—ent so True and so Just that they discover the Fountain from whence they flow The Gospel then is a Divine Thing every Truth thereof is a Ray of Eternal Light and the Preaching of the â—ross of CHRIST tho to the blinded World of no account being to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness Yet is it to be Gloried in by true Beleivers as the Issue of Eternal Love and the great product of Heavenly Council and Covenant 'T is wholly composed of Glories discovers unto us the everlasting Love Precious CHRIST and Precious Promises great Rewards and an Eternal Crown 2ly These Things contain our Title to Glory Our Charter of Inheritance with the Saints in Light Which Composed according to the Terms of the Covenant of Grace That GOD is our GOD and we His People Which Charter wâ— should understand as being sealed with the Word aâ—d Oath of GOD And upon our part ougâ—t to be sealed with persevering Fidelity so that we need not run to turn the leaves of our destiny in the secret Council of GOD but search the revealed Will that our names by Well doing may appâ—ar to us to be written in the Book of Life 3ly These things contain our Portion and Heavenly Patrimonie For 1 Cor 3. End If we be CHRISTâ— all is ours If Genuine Christians Then are we Sons Heirs and Coheirs with CHRIST Gal 4. 7. The Unsearchable Riches of CHRIST are Thine We should then oftâ—n read our Charter rejoice in our high Descent improve our Priviledges as the Children of GOD and labour to comprehend with all Saints the dimensiâ—ns of the Love of GOD seek to have a heart to these things for they contain a great prize if not put in the hand of a fool These Things are the Light of a Christian and the Conscience of them the Conduct of a Believer and the Beleif of these Things his â—rown And as to the manner of the Apostle's bearing in these Things upon People is by way of Remembrance Gospel Ministeâ—â— are subordinate Mediators betwixt GOD and â—eople They are the LORD 's Râ—â— membâ—ances Isa 62. 6. 7. For the Peoples Good and Peoples Remembrances of their Duty to GOD they must warne admonish Remember and inculcate Truth upon Peoples hearts by frequent Admonition and Repetition Phil 3. 3â— But this Remembring being so much mentioned by the Apostle here I shall refer to a particular discourse ere I conclude this subject and so I come to the last parâ— ticular Which containeth the Knowledge and Establishment of Christians in the prime of Christianity and clearly informeth us of the exact Instruction and stability of Primitive Christians in the 〈◊〉 3d. Faith The Prophets foretold this Light that the People should be all taught of GOD. Which is clearly fulfilled under the Gospel as you may see by comparing 2 Chap of st John with 2 Chap of the Acts For in effect Ignorance is the greatest impediment of the Comfort and Duty of Religion and a great Prognostick of a fatal and judicial stroak it hindereth the Action of Religion and the Pleasures of it and puts People in an Element where Satan the prince of darkness works and hinders them from the Light and Liberty of the Children of GOD. Sermon III. The Expediency and Vsefulness of