hastening of it Neuelat 22. 10. 4 By his daily care to dispach all those godly duties which hee desires to doe before his death and accordingly by his willing disposing of his estate and endeuours to set his house in order And this desire of Christs comming is apparently the more sincere in him 1 Because it ariseth out of his loue to God and his hatred of his owne sinnes and his wearinesse vnder the obseruation of other mens sinnes 2 Because this desire is accompained with the care of the meanes by which he may be prepared for saluation 3 Because hee is thus affected euen in his prosperity when hee thrines in the world and is not in any uotable distresse Hitherto of his triall in such gifts as he is endowed withall in this life onely his triall in the gifts that will abide in him for euer follow CHAP. VI. His triall in respect of such heauenly gifts as will not bee abolished by death THe gifts that will abide in him for euer are these three Knowledge the loue of God and the lou◅ of the brethren These are perfected and not abolished by death And first in this knowledge he differs from all wicked men and so in diuers things as First in the things he knowes he knowes the nature of God in a right manner he knowes God in Iesus Christ hee knowes the vilenesse of his owne sinnes hee knownes after an effectuall manner the mysteries that concerne the saluation of his soule hee knowes his owne conuersion and the forgiuenesse of his sinnes and the things that are giuen him of God Math. 13. 13. Iohn 17. 3. Ier. 31. 34. 1 Cor. 2. 12. Hee knowes that Iesus Christ is in him 2 Cor. 13. 5. Secondly In the cause of his knowledge For flesh and blood did not reueale those things vnto him hee came not by them by the vse of naturall meanes but they are wrought in him by the word and Spirit of God Mathew ◅6 17. 1 Iohn 2. 27. and 5 10. 1 Cor. 1. 30. Thirdly In the effects of his knowledge for 1. It breeds in him an vnspeakeable refreshing and gladnesse of heart in Gods presence Psalm 36. 9 10. Psalme 119. 2 It inflames him to a wonderfull loue of the Word of God aboue all earthly things Psalme 119. 97 98. 3 It workes in him an effectuall sauouring and tasting of the goodnesse of spirituall things Rom. 8. 5. 4 It inclines him to a constant obedience and practise of Gods will Prou. 8. 9 17. Iohn 7. 17. Deut. 46. It redresseth his waies Psalme 1◅9 10. 1. Iohn 2. 3. and 3 24. 5 It beares downe pride and conceitednesse and frowardnesse and makes him humble and teachable Prou. 3. 5 6. and 8 13 14. Iames 3. 17. Fourthly In the proprieties of his knowledge for 1 It is infallible his knowledge hath much assurance in many things with strong confidence and resolution at some times especially when hee is before God 1 Thes. 1. 5. 2. It is indelible it cannot be vtterly blotted out it is fast grauen in his heart cōtrary doctrine or persecution cānot raze it out Ierem. 3◅ 34. Ephes. 4. 13. Pro. 4. 5 6. 4. It is sincere for first it inclineth him to giue glory to God and receiue all truth as well as any truth He receiues the doctrine of God though it bee aboue reason against the common opinion of men or crosse his profit or desires or the like Secondly it leades him principally to vnderstand his owne way and guides him to study the things chiefly that concerne his owne reformation and saluation Prou. 14. 8. Col. 3. 16. And thus he differs from wicked men in his knowledge Secondly in his loue to God hee hath these things which no wicked man can attaine to 1. Hee hath a deliberate inward inflamed estimation of God aboue all things accounting his louing kindnesse better then life and the signes of his fauour his greatest ioy Psal. 63. 3 11. 2. He loues and longs for the Lord Iesus Christ with certaine and sincere affection Ephe. 6. 24. 2 Tim. 4. 8. 3. He delights in Gods presence and shewes it by his vnfained loue to his house Psal. 26. 8. and by his heartie griefe for Gods absence Cant. 3. 1. and by his carefulnesse to set the Lord daily before him walking in his sight Psal. 16. 8. 4. He hates sinne heartily because God hates it and he dislikes sinners because they hate God accounting Gods enemies as if they were his owne enemies Psal. 139. 21 22. and 97. 10. 5. He constantly desires to be like God in holinesse being carefull to approue his affection to God by his obedience to his commandements so as it is not grieuous to him to receiue directions but serues God with all his heart being fearefull to displease God in any thing Ioh. 14. 21. 1 Ioh. 5. 3. Deut. 10. 12. and 11. 22. and is more affected with Gods approbation then al the praise of men Rom. 2. 29. 6. Hee is much affected with Gods mercie and the blessings bestowed vpon him which hee thankefully remembers to the praise of Gods free grace Esay 63. 7. Psa. 63. 2 3 4 6 8. and 107. 22. Iob 36. 24. Deut. 16. 2. 7. Hee loues all the godly for this reason chiefely because they are like vnto God in holinesse as being begotten by him 1 Iohn 5. 1. 8. Hee is heartily vexed for any dishonour done to God as for any disgrace offered to himselfe 9. Finally He shewes it in diuers cases that befail him in his course in this life as 1. If he bee put to suffer any thing for Gods sake he endures it with much ioy and patience 1 Thes. 1. 6. Acts 5. 14. Iohn 22. 15 to 19. 2. If at any time hee offend God by his owne faultinesse hee is heartily grieued cast downe and doth constantly desire to forsake any sinne though neuer so pleasing and gainefull vnto him rather then he would displease God Math. 26. 75. 3. In all streights and wants he runnes to God relying vpon God as his defence rocke and refuge in all times of troubles making his moane vnto him and powring out his prayers and complaints before him Psa. 18. 1 2. Thus of his loue to God Thirdly his loue to the godly doth also distinguish him from all the wicked men in the world because here are diuers things to be noted in his affection to them which cannot bee found in wicked men 1. As first he loues the godly aboue all other sorts of men in the world he accounts them as the onely excellent people Psal. 16. 3. 1 Iohn 3. 14. and affects them as if they were his naturall kindred Rom. 12. 9 10. 2. He loues them not for carnall respects but for the graces of God in them for the truths sake and because they are begotten of God 1 Iohn 5. 1. 2 Iohn 1. 2. 3 Iohn 1. 3. He delights in their fellowship and societie in
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 self-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
of the conscience vnsatisfied in diuers scruples I would therefore in the fourth place shew how we might bee comforted against the temptations of Satan and because the trouble of conscience ariseth vsually either from the burthen of our daily infirmity or from the feare of our falling away I would in the fifth place shew how we may be comforted against our daily infirmities and then in the last place I would vnfold those promises that may assure vs of perseuerance Now suppose a Christian soule clearly informed with the knowledge of those priuiledges wherin he excels all the people of the world and withall that he knew how to comfort himselfe against any outward afflictions and had store of consolations in his heart against the temptations of Satan and did know how to support himselfe against the sense of his daily weaknesses withall were settled and out of feare for falling away Would you not thinke such a one wonderfull happy And this may bee here attained vnto if wee be not slothfull and what can in this life be grieuous vnto vs if wee be soundly fenced in those things There can bee nothing that can seeme a misery vnto vs but wee may find comforts vnder some one of these Titles CHAP. III. Shewing the priuiledges of the godly aboue all other people THe first sort of promises or comfortable places of Scripture are such as in generall shew the happinesse of the godly in all estates of life these I call Priuiledges These are such comforts as are not restrained vnto some certaine time but are such as hee is enriched withall at all times These wee ought to know as the Foundation of all the rest and wee should striue to haue them perfectly in our memories so as any time we could number them if need were Euery godly Christian hath twelue priuiledges wherein hee excels all the men of this world The first is The loue and fauour of God The especiall grace of God towards him this is the foundation of all his happinesse and if hee could order his owne heart aright hee would easily see that hee could not bee miserable so long as hee was in fauour with his God If the fauour of great persons bee so much accounted of what reckoning is to be made of Gods fauour who is Lord of Lords Yea King of all Kings And the more should a Christian fill his heart with ioying in this prerogatiue if he consider three properties in the loue of God For first It is a free loue he stands not vpon desert He is gracious looking vpon his own goodnes and not on ours Hosea 14. 4. Secondly It is an eternall loue and vnchangeable God will neuer be wearie of louing him Ier. 31. 3. His louing kindnesse is better then life for it lasts vnto all eternitie without alteration The fauour of man in this world is mutable Kings may extremely loath whom they yer-while loued with their entirest affection But in God there is no shaddow of changing he loues with an euerlasting loue Thirdly It is infinitely immense and great no affection in any or in all the creatures in this world if they could be fastened vpon one man can reach to the thousandth part of Gods loue to vs Eph. 2. 4 7. Esay 40. 15 16. This light of Gods countenance shining vpon vs makes vs at all times more rich then they that are increased most in Corne and Wine and Oyle Psal. 4. 7 8. 2. The second is The donation of Christ Christ is his God hath giuen him Christ Rom. 8. 32. so as all Christ is his portion And how is Christ his Euen in all dearenesse of relation He is his Prince his Priest and Redeemer his Father his Lord his Master his Friend his Brother c. All these titles are giuen to Christ to signifie hee is all that which those things could shadow out No Father Brother friend could so loue their Child Brother or friend as Christ loues the Christian No Lord Master Prince can so preferre prouide or care for their Seruants or Subiects as Christ cares for the Christian. Looke what the fauour or power of any of those or all those could doe Christ is and will become much more vnto the godly Christian. 3. The third Priuiledge is Deliuerance And the Christians deliueâ—…ance is exceeding great if hee consider seriously how hee is deliuered from the kingdome of darkenesse from this present euill world from the hand writing of ordinances that was against him from the rigour and curse of the Law and from condemnation The fourth is free pardon of all his sins past his soule being washed in the bloud of Christ from all his sinnes so as now they are as white as snow though they had beene red like scarlet 1 Iohn 1. 7. Esay 1. 18. What rest and peace would this breed in our hearts if we did daily thinke of it in our particulars that we had obtained pardon and remission of all our sinnes The fifth priuiledge is the inhabitation of the holy Ghost The soule and body of a Christian is the Temple of the holy Ghost and the Spirit of God doth verily and truly dwell within the brest of a Christian and that not in a naked presence but the holy Ghost is there to teach him to guide him into all truth to tell him when he is ready to go out of the way on the right hand or on the left and to comfort him in all distresses and to seale the promises to his heart and to anoint him with the oyle of true knowledge and grace and to be as a pledge and earnest of his inheritance looked for from hâ—…auen and to teach him to pray when he knowes not how to pray for himselfe and many other excellent benefits he reapeth from the Spirit of God whom the world cannot receiue He hath for this respect a very spring of knowledge and ioy and grace in his belly The sixth priuiledge is the Image of God restored in him by the mighty power of Christs voyce in his first resurrection being made now a new creature to God and so partaking of the diuine nature in respect of the qualities wherein he doth excellently resemble God The seuenth priuiledge is the freedome of Gods house and to all the feasts and diuine entertainment which God makes there Psalme 36. 9. and 65. 4. Esay 25. 6. Luke 14. 17. Reuel 2. The Word and Sacraments are his hee is Gods bidden guest hee may alwayes come and wellcome The fatnesse and pleasures of Gods house oh how sweete are they Who can tell the excellencie of the Manna that is hid The eight priuiledge is entrance and accesse and audience with God in all his suites He may aske almost what hee will of God he will not deny him any thing hee askes in the name of Christ. And sure he is worthily miserable that will not make himselfe happie when he may
and to bee acquainted with him Ier. 9. 24. CHAP. VI. Rules that order vs about the manifestation of our loue to God HItherto of the Rules that concerne the knowledge of God as the foundation of our loue to God The Rules that should order vs in the exercise of our loue to God follow those are of two sorts for either they concerne the manifestation of our loue or our preseruation in the loue of God we must shew our loue to God and we must keepe our selues in the loue of God Iude 21. In our manifestation of loue to God wee must looke to both the matter as the thing whereby and also the manner how wee should expresse our loue to God For the first there be diuers excellent Rules to be heeded of vs in our practice in obseruing whereof we may soundly proue the truth of our loue to God if we say we loue God wee must shew it by these things following 1. We must auouch God to be our God Deuter. 26. 27. and so we doe if we do not onely make choise of God aboue all things to set our hearts vpon him but also maintaine our choise by a constant refusall of all idols in the world euen all things which might entice vs to loue them in stead of God by sound affection and practice declaring our resolution to cleaue to God as our sufficient happinesse though all the world follow their profits or pleasures c. 2. We must prouide and prepare a place for God that he may dwell with vs wheresoeuer wee dwell Exod. 15. 2. It is a signe of our true loue to God why wee cannot liue without him Hee that can be content to liue in any place where he is not powerfully present in his ordinances shewes no loue to God It should be our chiefe care to seate our selues so in the world as the Lord and his presence may bee prouided for that he may reigne amongst vs by the Scepter of his word 3. We must shew our loue to God by our loue to the Lord Iesus the Sonne of God we must kisse the Sonne Psal. 2. vlt. And if any man loue not the Lord Iesus hee hath not the Father 1. Cor. 16. 22 Wee shew that wee loue God when wee highly esteeme Iesus Christ and make much of him in our hearts and striue to fire our affections towards him and this must bee our care through the passages of our life to forme in vs the loue of the Lord Iesus that we may long after him and haue the desires of our soules after him and his comming 4. We must shew our loue to God by walking with him Gen. 17. 1. Mic. 6. 8. The Lord doth not account it a signe of loue to offer to him a thousand rams or riuers of oyle but this is it that pleaseth him To humble our selues to walke before him Now we walke with God diuers wayes 1. When we set the Lord alwaies before vs remembring his holy presence and not daring to goe alone without thinking of God Psal. 16. 8. 2. When we nourish the motions of the Spirit and retire our selues of purpose to entertaine them 3. When wee daily haue recourse to those meanes by which the Lord is pleased to conuerse with men and not rest in the base vse of the meanes but striue to finde out the Lord in his holy presence in euery ordinance of his Psalme 63. 1 2. When we vse our selues to Soliloquies with God taking all occasions to speake to God by prayer and priuate meditation of things offered to vs out of which we could extract matter for frequent ciaculations lifting vp our hearts vpon the very first motions of good vnto God Psal. 63. 5 6. 5. When our hearts are fired with longing desires after his presence of glory in heauen 2. Gor. 5. 8. Thus of our walking with God 6. We should manifest our loue to God by honouring him For this is one speciall way by which God requires to haue our loue shewed to him Mal. 1. 6. Now there are many wayes by which in our conuersation we may declare our desire to honour our God as 1. By performing the care of businesses that concerne his Kingdome aboue all other businesses and shewing our respect of the duties of the first Table that concerne God before the duties that concerne men in the second Table wee honouring him by seeking his kingdome first First I say in the precedencie of time and first in respect of the measure of our affections Math. 6. shewing a desire to please him rather then all the world 2. By making a bold and open profession of Gods truth vpon all occasions without feare of oppositions or snares of the world 3. By grieuing heartily for the dishonour done vnto him by the blasphemies or profanenesse of his enemies Psal. 42. 3. 4. By directing all our actions to his glory striuing in all things to order them so that some way God may be praised by vs or others 1. Cor. 10. 31. 5. By our willingnesse to suffer any thing for his sake though it were extremities euen the losse of all worldly things yea and life it selfe if it were called to it 6. By honouring them that feare his Name and are begotten of him and beare his Image receiuing them and making much of them and defending them for the loue we beare to God himselfe Psal. 15. 4. 1. Ioh. 5. 1. 7. By hating them that are his enemies as if they were our own conceiuing more dislike of them for dishonouring God then for any wrongs they could doe vnto vs Psal. 139. 21 22. 8. We honour God when we speake of the Oracles of God with all reuerence as may become the nature and glory of them Commandement 3. 1. Pet. 4. 11. 9. We honour him by gifts bestowed vpon him when we bring to him our free-will offerings such as are the first fruits of all our increase when out of all things wherin God hath prospered vs wee with gladnesse consecrate a part for the furtherance of his worship or the maintenance of his poore Prouerbs 3. 6. Esay 60. 6. 10. We honour him when we praise him One vsuall way by which we honour great persons in the world is by taking all occasions to magnifie them by commending their vertues or their worthy acts And this is likewise one great way of honoring God and therefore with sorrow for our neglects herein we should study his prayses for the time to come and striue for language to be able readily to do so Now God is praysed diuers wayes some of them belong not properly to this place and therefore I will but touch them We praise God 1. When wee keepe and obserue carefully the solemnities set apart for his prayse as when wee celebrate the Sacrament of the Lords Supper which is therefore called the Eucharist because it is to be performed as a thanksgiuing and praysing of God 2. When
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
sincere because it is constant hee desires the Word at all times and as his appointed foode daily as it is in the bodily appetite though after feeding the stomack may seeme to bee full and satisfied yet the hunger reuiues againe euery day so is it with the heart of a Child of God whereas wicked men regard the Word but by fits and in a passion and then at length fall cleane away from the affection to it Psal. 119. 20. Iob 23. 12. 3. By his loue to them that loue the Word 4. By his sorrow because other men keepe not the Word Psal. 119. 136. 5. By his vnfained estimation of the Word aboue all worldly things accounting it to bee an happy portion to enioy the word in the power and profit of it Psa. 119. 14 72 111. 6. By his desire and delight to exercise himself in it day and night that is constantly Psa. 1. 2. 7. By his griefe either for the want of the m◅ans by which the Word might be taught vnto him with power accounting such want of the meanes to be a sore famine or for want of successe in the vse of the meanes when he doth enioy it Psalm 42. 3. Amos 8. 12. 8. By the extent of his loue to all the Word of God euen the Law that with threatning shews him his sin and searcheth out his most secret corruptions being most affected with that ministery that doth most sharply rebuke sinne 9. By his resolution to labour as hard for the food of his soule as men doe or he would doe for the food of his body Iohn 6. 27. Amos 8. 12. 10. By the cōstant sweet taste he finds in it especially when it is powerfully preached Psal. 19. 10 2 Cor. 2. 15. 11. By the end hee propounds vnto himselfe in the vse of the word which is that hee might not sin and that his wayes might be pleasing to God hiding the word in his heart to this purpose Psal. 119. 11. 12. By his willingnesse and resolution to deny his owne reason and affections his credit his carnall friends his profites or his pleasures in anything when God should so require it of him and vpon any occasion to shew his heartie respect of the Gospell Marke 10. 29. 1 Cor. 1. 18. 13. By the effects of it as 1. When for the loue he bears to the Word hee will seperate himselfe from the wicked that might any way with-draw his heart or endanger his disobedience Ps. 119. 115. 2. When he accounts the Word to be his chiefe comfort in affliction and finds it to be the maine stay and solace of his heart Psal. 119. 23 24 50 51 54 143. 3. When it workes in him effectually the redresse of his wayes and freedome from the dominion of sinne Iohn 8. 32. Psalme 119. 45 9 59 1 Thessalonians 2. 13. 4. When it workes in him certaine and sensible assurance of heart before God This assurance is an infallible signe of the right vse of the Word 1 Thessalonians 1. 5. And thus of the second gift The third gift is the spirit of praier or supplication as the Prophet Zachary cals it Zach. 12. 10. and this gift hee hath aboue all wicked men which hee shewes many wayes as 1. Hee askes according to Gods will 1 Iohn 5. 14. 2. He prayes with perswasion that God will heare him Hee beleeueth in some measure that hee shall haue what hee prayes for Hee prayes in faith Marke 11. 24. Iames 1. 6 7. Psalme 6. 9. 1 Iohn 3. 22. 3. He prayes in the Name of Christ and is affected with the sense of his owne vilenesse and relies vpon the merits and mediation of Iesus Christ Iohn 14 13. Psa. 86. 1 2. and 143. 1 2. 4. He will pray at all times Iob 27. 9. Psal. 106. 3. 5. He is feruent in prayer his heart praieth he hath the affections of prayer Iames 5. 16. Psalm 6. 8. 6. Praier makes him exceeding weary of the world it giues him such a taste of his owne sinfulnesse and of Gods goodnesse and of the glory of Heauen that he is vehemently carried with desire to bee absent from the body that hee might be present with the Lord Psa. 39. 12. 7. When he knowes not how to pray as hee ought the Spirit prepares his heart excites in him holy desires supplyes him sometime with words sometime with affections and sometimes worketh inward vnexpressable groanes which yet it presents to God as effectuall prayers Romans 8. 26 27. 8. Hee findes an holy rest and quietnesse in his conscience and heart with spirituall boldnesse and confidence of trust in God if he heare him graciously and answer him in mercy Psalme 3. 4 5 6. and 116. 17. and 91. 15. Ieremiah 33. 3. 9. He loues the Lord exceedingly for hearing his prayer and desires to keepe himselfe in the loue of God Psalme 116. 1. Iude 20. 21. 10. His prayers proceed from an heart that loues no sinne but desires to depart from iniquitie and to doe that which is pleasing in Gods sight 2 Tim. 2. 19. 1 Ioh. 3. 22. 11. He loues prayer in others 2 Tim. 1. 21. 12. Hee striues against deadnesse of spirit and distractions as an heauie burthen Psalme 86. 3. 4. 13 He makes praier his chiefe refuge and he will pray though prayer bee in neuer so much disgrace Psalme 69. 10 13. and 142. 25. And thus of the third gift The fourth gift is the loue of his enemies Any Christian may loue such as loue him but to loue his enemies is onely to be found in the true Christian which he proues by these tokens of the sinceritie of his loue 1. He can pray heartily for them yea in some cases he can mourne and humble his soule before God for them in their distresses Psal. 35. 13 14. 2. Hee desires their conuersion so vnfainedly that hee is sure if they were conuered hee could reioyce in them as heartily as in those hee now much delights in 3 Hee can likewise forgiue them their particular trespasses against him being more grieued for their sinnes against God then for the wrongs they doe him Math. 6. 14. 4 He can freely acknowledge their iust praises 5 He cannot onely patiently endure their reuilings but can forbeare when he could bee reuenged by bringing shame or miserie vpon them 1. Peter 3. 9. Rom. 12. 14. 1 Sam. 24. 18 19. yea he doth as he hath occasion striue to ouercome their euill with goodnesse being willing to helpe them or relieue them in their miserie and doe th◅m any good for soule or body The last gift which is found in the true Ch◅istian while he is in the way in this life is His loue of the appearing of Christ which hee shewes 1 By the longing after the time of Christs comming whether by death or iudgement 2 By his gladnesse at the promises or signes of his particular or generall commings 3 By his often meditations of that day and his hearty prayers for the
can men draw neere vnto God in the full assurance of faith if they will not be at the paines to examine themselues Heb. 10. 22. Or how shall we euer know that wee are of God or attaine vnto any confidence of faith as we ought to doe 1 Ioh. 5. 19. Eph. 3. 12. How fearefully this point of sound triall is neglected and how miserably most men are deceiued for want of it may appeare by this obseruation which may vsually be made of men in the most places viz. that many that are carnall men say they are godly and many that are godly men say they are but carnall Besides that a multitude of men both good and bad liue in securitie the one not caring to get out of so wofull an estate and the other not regarding the riches of Assurance The causes of this miserable securitie may be obserued and noted both in wicked and in godly men In wicked men these things may be easily discerned 1 A lothnesse to examine themselues and try their estates exactly for feare lest they should finde that they are not in a good estate Their hearts secretly condemne them and they thinke if they should take particular notice of their owne condition it would be found that they haue indeed no true grace in them and therefore they rather chuse to liue in that doubtfull estate then to be put out of doubt and made to know that they haue yet no right to the Kingdome of heauen neuer considering that the knowledge of our misery may be one degree to get out of it 2. In such as see all is not well with them the cause is slothfulnesse mingled with horrible presumption they had rather weare out their dayes in danger then be at the paines to vse the means for their owne repentance and reformation they will wretchlesly put it to the venture 3. Others will aduenture vpon their common hope of mercy they haue certaine generall confused apprehensions of mercy in God vpō which they wilfully engage their hopes without care of reformation or the particular warrant of their hopes from the Word of God and so miserably perish their hopes prouing but as the house of the Spider and the imaginarie mercy failing them they die either as stockes without sense or as Iudas in horrible despaire 4. Others rest themselues vpon their outward profession of Religion and some general things wrought in them and the good opinion others haue of them so being somewhat neare the kingdome of God they are content to rest there as the Israelites did neare Canaan though they neuer possessed it We see many think there needsno more to be sure they are in a good cōdition then to heare Sermons abstaine from grosse outward prophannesse and to be well reputed of among the godly c. pleasing themselues with the shew of godlinesse though as yet they deny the power of it as hauing attained to other righteousnesse then the righteousnesse of the S◅ribs and Pharises 5. In multitudes of men there are seated euill opinions about assurance They thinke either it is impossible to bee had or it is needlesse or it is presumption to seeke it 6. All wicked men are hindered by their beloued sinnes which they are not willing to part with but of purpose forbeare the care of heauen that they may the more securely liue in sinne Thus of wicked men It is true also that many godly Christians haue beene and are extreamly faulty in neglecting the triall of their estates and their assurance and the causes of this negligence in them are diuerse as 1. Some are so much mis-led by the surmises of their owne hearts that they think that assurance would breed security and that it is a better way to keepe their owne hearts humble to be somewhat doubtfull not knowing that vnbeliefe is the chiefe cause of slothfulnesse and securitie and that the assurance of faith is the chiefe meanes to purge the heart and quiet the soule and works effectually in all the duties of loue 2. In the most Ignorance of their owne gifts and Gods promises is the cause for if Christians did see distinctly how far the Lord hath brought them by his grace and withall did behold the euidences of their faith and hope in Gods promises they should not faile of comfort and establishment of heart 3. Smothering of doubts and temptations is a great let in many diuers Christians are secretly and daily assaulted with certaine strange doubts which if they did propound get sound answer vnto their hearts would heale within them and the worke of faith prosper 4. Some Christians are kept without assurance through the ouermuch viewing of their owne daily infirmities in all parts of Gods seruice They are wicked ouermuch wheras if they would study those Scriptures that shew how graciously the Lord stands inclined toward his people notwithstanding their daily wants their hearts would be much eased and their minds cleerely resolued to trust vpon the euerlasting mercies of their God 5. In some the cause is found in the disease of their bodies Melancholy when it is growne to a disease is a most stiffe and pertinacious aduersary to Comfort and Assurance it doth fill the heart with so many sad conceits and fancies and is an humour so vnteachable that comfort for the most part is as water spilt vpon the ground And the more difficult it is to remoue this let because vsually the parties possest by this humour are so far from seeking help that they will not be perswaded that they are troubled with any such disease 6. Some Christians are hindred by their owne Passions they are so froward and vnquiet in their dispositions that their hearts are daily lifted off from the benefit of setled assurance by their own habituall discont◅nts Frowardnes is a mischieuous distemp◅r that weakens both body and minde and assurance and strength of faith seldome dwels in an vnquiet minde 7. Others want assurance because they neglect the meanes of assurance they doe not try all things and keepe that which is good or they call not vpon God daily feruently and constantly to giue them the spirit of reuelation to shew them the hope of their calling and their glorious inheritance Eph. 1. 18 19. 8. A barren life is an vncomfortable life and contrariwise to abound in good workes hath stedfastnesse and a secret rest of heart as an vnseparable companion of it 9. The loue of earthly things is another great impediment Many professours haue their thoughts and cares so eaten vp with worldlinesse that they cannot seriously seeke Gods Kingdome nor constantly hold out in any course for the attainement of assurance This degree of faith requires some degree of the contempt of the world 10. In some there lodgeth some secret sin which they know and do not purge themselues for and doth daily preuaile in them and
cannot haue such force to melt the waxe as the beames of Gods presence haue to melt the heart Iames 4. 6 7 3. 7. The Apostle Paul being a sturdy Pharisee had his heart beaten to power with the feare of the tenth Commandement that told him Hee must not lust The knowledge and consideration of the abundance of sinne-guiltinesse he hath drawne vpon himselfe by the inward fruits of his euill nature kil'd him outright brake his pride and mortified him as hee at large repeates Rom. 7. 8 Remember the passion of thy Sauiour the pouerty banishmēt ignominie temptations the apprehension forsaking arraignment condemning and cruell death which hee suffered for thy sinnes Looke vpon him that was pierced for thy sake Zach. 12. 10. 9. If of thy selfe thou canst not yet attaine vnto sorrow for thy sins get some godly Christian that is endued with the gift of prayer to ioyne with thee in priuate that so the Lord may bee pleased to grant in Heauen what we of him doe aske on earth 10. Lastly If all other meanes faile then set a day a part by fasting for the day of a fast was called the day of afflicting or humbling the soule Leu. 16. 29. both because it was the maine duty to bee driuen after on that day and besides because the Lord vsually did blesse his owne ordinance so as hee gaue an humbled heart to those that sought it of him CHAP. VII Shewing how the Spirit of adoption may bee attained and also how the seuerall gifts of the Spirit may bee framed in vs. THus of humiliation If followeth that I shew how he may attaine to the other sacred gifts which are markes of a godly man as in the first sort of gifts how he may attaine to the loue of the Word the gift of Prayer the f◅are of God the loue of his enemies and the desire of the comming of Christ But before I enter vponthese it is necessary to shew him how he may attain the Spirit of Adoption which is necessary for these al other graces And concerning the Spirit of Adoption if any aske how it may bee attained Or rather how it may bee stirred vp in vs that we may feele his working in vs I answer That hee is had and stirred vp by inuocation God is pleased to declare himselfe willing and ready to bestow his Holy Spirit vpon men If they aske him of him by hearty praier Hee that hath giuen vs his Sonne will not deny vs the Spirit of his Sonne to be giuen into our hearts Gal. 4. 6. And this our Sauiour Christ assures vnto vs in the Parable Luke 11. 9. And I say vnto you Aske and it shall bee giuen you Seeke and ye shall find Knocke and it shall be opened vnto you 10. For euery one that ask◅th receiueth and hee that seeketh find◅th and to him that knocketh it shall be opened 11. If a Sonne shall aske Bread of any of you that is a Father will he giue him a Stone Or if he aske a Fish will he for a Fish giue him a Serpent 12. Or if hee aske an Egge will he giue him a Scorpion 13 If yee then which are euill can giue good gifts vnto your children how much more shall your heauenly Father giue the Holy Ghost to them that desire him 2 Wee must waite vpon the preaching of the Gospel where the Holy Ghost vsually falls vpon the hearts of men 3 When we feele the motions of the Spirit knocking at our hearts or any way surprising vs we must with all readinesse open the doores of our hearts that the King of Glory by hi◅ Spirit may enter into vs. The next question is then What wee should doe to get and preserue in vs the constant loue to the Word 1 The answer is First That we should seeke to settle our selues vnder the powerful preaching of the Word euen such a ministerie as doth set out the glory of the truth and of the Kingdome of Iesus Christ. 2 Wee must make conscience of it to pray vnto God to quicken vs and inflame our hearts to the loue of his Lawes as Dauid often did Psa. 119. 3 Take heed of excessiue cares and the ouer-reaching of desires in the emploiments of the world or the immoderate vse of worldly delights for those choake the seed of the Word and alienate the affections from it and so doth any grosse or beloued sin Heb. 3. Math. 13. 4 Take heed also of personall discord with such as feare God especially with thy Teachers for this doth by secret degrees make the heart carelesse and negligent and in some things wilfull and if it be not looked to in time will bring men from the liking of the Word as they haue been drawne from the liking of such as loue the Word 5 Take heed of vngodly companie For in such companie is quenched the sparkles of liking when they are kindled yea and the flames of affection are much dulled in whom they are best excited Psal. 119. 115. 6. Such as find some beginnings of desire after the Word and liking to it must take heed that they estrange not themselues from the exercises thereof For if they heare or reade but now and then either the heart will neuer bee throughly heated or if it bee it will easily waxe cold againe and yet herein some are to bee warned to take heed of disordered excesse for that will breed dulnesse as well as neglect As when they will reade daily for diuers houres or when they prouide vnto themselues an heape of Teachers as some that liue in great Cities thinke it Religion to heare all sorts of men and all the Sermons can bee come vnto As if the power of godlinesse lay onely in the vse of the meanes of godlinesse 7. We must practise what we heare and labour to shew foorth the fruit of the doctrine He that would bee in loue with husbandry must sow his seed in his ground and then the gaine of the Haruest will still allure him to like the Trade If wee be fruitlesse hearers of the Word wee cannot loue it or if we doe it will be but for a flash or small time Thus of the loue to the Word He that would learne to pray must follow these directions 1. He must goe to God in the Name of Christ and beseech him to giue him words and by his Spirit teach him to pray It is God onely can make a man speake a pure Language For hee onely can instruct the heart of man and endue it with this heauenly gift Romans 8. 26 Ephesians 6. 18. 2 It will much helpe him to ioyne himselfe to such as call vpon the N◅me of the Lord with a pure heart ◅specially in the dayes of their humiliation 2 Timothy 2. 22. 3 There are three distinct things which a man may with singular profit propound vnto himselfe in his prayers
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
looke how wee dye as whither wee shall goe when we are dead 2. Christ dyed a cursed desth that so euery death might bee blessed to vs For hee that liues holily cannot dye miserably Hee is blessed that dyeth in the Lord what kind of death soeuer it be CHAP. XXI Shewing the cure of this feare of death by practice HItherto of the way of curing this feeare of death by meditation It remaines now that I proceed to shew how the cure is to be finished perfected by practice for there are diuers things to be heeded by vs in our daily conuersation which serue exceedingly for the extinguishing of this feare without which the cure will hardly euer bee soundly wrought for continuance The first thing we must frame our liues to for this purpose is the contempt of the VVorld wee must striue earnestly with our owne hearts to forgoe the loue of worldly things It is an 〈◊〉 thing â—…o be willing to dye when our hearts are cleansed of the loue of this world Wee must leaue the world before the world leaue vs and learne that lesson heartily To vse the world as if wee vsed it not Neither ought this to seeme too hard a precept for they that striue for masterie abstaine from all things when it is but to obtaine a corruptible crowne how much more should we be willing to deny the delights of this world and striue with our natures herein seeing it is to obtaine an incorruptible crowne 1. Cor. 9 24 25. VVe must learne of Moses who brought himselfe to it willingly to â—…orsake the pleasures of Egypt and to choose rather to suffer affliction with Gods people then to be called the sonne of Pharaohs daughter Heb. 11. 26. And to this end we should first restraine all needlesse cares and businesse of this world and study so to be quieâ—… as to meddle with our owne busines and to aâ—…idge thâ—…m into as narrow a scantling as our callings will permit Secondly we should auoid as much as may be the societie with the fauorites and minions of the World I meane such persons as admire nothing but worldly things and know no other happinesse then in this life that speake onely of this World and commend nothing but what tends to the praise of worldly things and so to the enticing of our hearts after the World And withall wee should sort our selues with such Christians as practise this contempt of the World as well as praise it and can by their discourse make vs more in loue with heauen Thirdly we should daily obserue to what things in the world our hearts must run and striue with God by prayer to get downe the too much liking and desire after those things Fourthly we should daily be pondering on these meditations that shew vs the vanitie of the world and the vilenesse of the things thereof Thus of the first medicine Secondly we must in our practice soundly mortifie our beloued sins our sins must dye before we dye or else it will not be well with vs. The sting of death is sin and when we haue pull'd out the sting we need not feare to entertaine the Serpent into our bosome It is the loue of some sin and delight in it that makes a man afraid to dye or it is the remembrance of some foule euill past which accuseth the hearts of men and therefore men must make sure their repentance and iudge themselues for their sins and then they neede not feare Gods condemning of them If any aske me how they may know when they haue attained to this rule I answer VVhen they haue so long confessed their sinnes in secret to God that now they can truely say there is no sinne they know by themselues but they are as desirous to haue God giue them strength to leaue it as they would haue God to shew them grace to forgiue it Hee hath soundly repented of all sin that desires from his heart to liue in no sin And vnto this rule I must adde the care of an vpright and vnrebukeable conuersation It is a maruellous encouragement to dye with peace when a man can liue without offence and can iustly plead his integrity of conuersation as Samuel did 1 Sam. 12. 3. and Paul Acts 20. 26 27. and 2 Cor. 1. 12. Thirdly Assurance is an admirable medicine to kill this feare And to speake distinctly wee should get the assurance first of Gods fauour and our owne calling and election for hereby an entrance will bee ministred into the Heauenly Kingdome And therefore haue I handled this doctrine of the Christians assurance before I meddled with this point of the Feare of Death Simeon can dye willingly when his eyes haue seene the saluation Feare of death is alwayes ioyned with a weake faith and the full assurance of faith doth maruellously establish the heart against these feares and breeds a certaine desire of the comming of Christ. Paul can be confident when he is able to say I know whom I haue beleeued and that hee is able to keepe that which I haue committed to him 2. Tim. 12. Besides wee should labour to get a particular knowledge and assurance of our happinesse in death and of our saluation Wee would study to this end the Arguments that shew our felicitie in death And to this purpose it is of excellent vse to receiue the Sacrament often For Christ by his Will beqâ—…eathed heauen to vs Ioh. 17. and by the death of the Testator this Will is of force and is further daily sealed vnto vs as internally by the Spirit so externally by the Sacraments Now if wee get our Charter sealed and confirmed to vs how can we be afraid of the time of possession He is fearelesse of death that can say with the Apostle Whether I liue or dye I am the Lords Rom. 14. 8. 4. That charge giuen to Hezekiah concerning the setting of his house in order Esay 38. is of singular vse for this cure Men should with sound aduice settle their outward estates and dispose of their worldly affaires and according to their meanes prouide for their wife and children A great part of the feare and trouble of mens hearts is ouer when their Wills are discreetly made but men are loth to dye so long as their outward estates are vnsettled and vndisposed It is a most preposterous course for men to leaue the making of their Wils to their sicknesse for besides their disabilities of memory or vnderstanding which may befall them the trouble of it breedes vnrest to their mindes and besides they liue all the time in neglect of their duty of preparation for death 5. Wee may much helpe our selues by making vs friends with the riches of iniquity we should learne that of the vniust Steward as our Sauiour Christ sheweth Since wee shall be put out of the Stewardship we should so dispose of them while wee haue them that when wee dye they may
receiue vs into euerlasting habitations Luk. 16. An vnprofitable life is attended with a seruile feare of death 6. It would master this feare but to force our selues to a frequent meditation of death To learne to dye daily will lessen yea remooue the feare of dying Oh this remembring of our latter end and learning to number our daies is an admirable rule of practice It is the forgetfulnesse of death that makes life sinfull and death terrible Deu. 32. 29. Psa. 90. 12. And wee should begin this exercise of meditation betimes Remember thy Creator in the dayes of thy youth Eccles. 12. 1. This is that is called for when our Sauiour Christ requires vs and all men so to watch and here in lay the praise of the fiue wise Virgins Matth. 25. 3. Thus Iâ—…b will waite till the time of his change come Iob 14. 14. And of purpose hath the Lord left the last day vncertaine that we might euery day prepare It were an admirable method if we could make euery day a life to begin and end as the day begins and ends 7. Lastly because yet we may find this feare cumbersome and our natures extremely deceitful there is one thing left which can neuer faile to preuaile as farre as it is fit for vs and that is hearty prayer to God for this very thing Thus Dauid prayes Psal. 39. 4. and Moses Psal. 90. 13. and Simeon Luke 2. 19. And in as much as Christ dyed for this end to deliuer vs from this feare wee may sue out the priuiledge and by prayer striue with God to get it framed in vs. It is a suite God will not deny them that aske in the name of Christ because it is a thing that Christ especially aimed at in his owne death To conclude then wee haue prooued that it is possible to be had and most vncomely to want it and likewise the way hath beene shewed how both by meditation and practice this Cure may be effected If then it be not wrought in any of vs we may here finde out the cause in our selues For if wee would hereby be soundly aduised and ruled we might attaine to it all the dayes of our life to sing with the Saints that triumphant Song mentioned both in the Old and New Testament Oh death where is thy sting O hell where is thy victory so as we are now the conquerors through him that loued vs and gaue himselfe to death for vs euen Iesus Christ the righteous to whom with the Father and the holy Ghost bee all praise in the Churches throughout all ages for euer AMEN FINIS The Contents of this Treatise 2. The contents of the second booke 3. The Contents of the third booke 4. The Contents of the fourth booke 5 The contents of the fift booke * Touching tâ—… Treatise of the Principles reade the Aduertisement printed at the end of the Rules of Life pag 640. 6 The contents of the last booke Whom these Treatises concerne 〈◊〉 to the sâ—…y of tâ—…se 〈◊〉 Generall directions by way of preparation 2 3 4. Note The course to be rid of sinne Motiues 3 Things he must be resolued of in his iudgement 1 2 3 If we do 4 things wee are râ—…d of the danger of all sins past 1 Make a Catalogue of thy sins How our sins are innumerable Look to a things The proof 2 Secondly thou must confesse thy sinnes particularly in the best words thou canst Note The proofes 3. Thirdly thou must seek godly sorrow not giue outr till thou feele thy heart melt within thee How it may bee attained 4. Fourthlâ—… thou must thâ—… lay hâ—…ld vpon the promises distinctly 〈◊〉 Sorts of promises How this may bee done Note 1. A taste of the 〈◊〉 hapâ—…e of sâ—…ch as haue 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…arte 2. 3. 4. 5. How thâ—…se promises are to bee vsâ—…d How wee may know whether our confession bee tighâ—… 1. 2. 3. 4. Note this well 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 5. This direction concernâ—…s three sortâ—… of men Other vsâ—…s of the Catalogue Tâ—…e misery of such as will not bâ—… 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thâ—…ir 〈◊〉 1. 2. 3. 4. The first sâ—…rt of sin Originall sinne Ignorance Procrastination Vainglory Security Incorrigiblenesse Carnall feares Hypocrisâ—…e Selfe-loue Luke warmnesse Vnchearefulnesse Inconsideration Inconstancy 1. Naturall Atheisme 2. Epicurisme 3. Defects 4. 〈◊〉 of our affections 5. 4 Sorts of pride 6. How many waies men sin against Gods mercy 7. 8. 9. 10. Offences against the fâ—…re of God 11. Offences against the trust in God 12 1. Not worshipping The aggrauations 2 Will worship The aggrauations 3. Idoll worshipping Sins in any part of Gods worship 1. Sinnes in hearing 2. Sinnes in Prayâ—…r 3. Sins abouâ—… the Sacraments of â—…he Lordâ—… Supper 4. About swearing More secret offâ—…nces against the Sabbath The open breaches Note The sins 1. Of wiues 2. Of husbands 3. Of children The aggrauations 4. Of Parents 5. Of seruants The aggrauations 6. Of Masters 1. Of subiects 2. Of Magistrates 1. Of hearers 2. Of Ministers 1 By omissi on The aggrauations 2. By commission 1. Enuie 2. Anger 3. Hatred 4. Worldly sorrow Sinnes externall 1. In gesture 2. In words The aggrauations 3. In wâ—…rks Sinnes against the body Sinnes against the soule The means of vncleannesse 1. In witnesse bearing 2. Lying The aggrauations 3. Slandering The aggrauations 4 Censuring 5. Vainglory 6. Flaterie 〈◊〉 Sins against Christ. 2. Sinnes against repentance The aggrauations 3. Sinnes against Faith The aggraâ—…ations 4. Against the graces of the Spiriâ—… Two Catalogues of signes The shorter Catalogue handled in this Chapter 1 He auâ—…ides the company of the wicked 〈◊〉 Hee is sâ—…rrowfull for his sin 〈◊〉 Hee is â—…hroughly reformed â—…n his con â—…ersation 4 He maketh conscience of lesser â—…ns as well as greater 5 Hee loues preaching 6 He esteemes the goâ—… aboue all men 7 He is carefull of the sancti fication of the Sabbath 8 He is not in loue with the world 9. He loues his enemies 10. He is constant in good courses though opposed 11. He serues God in his family The occasion of this Treatise The signes refâ—…rred to six heads The infallibility of the signes 3. Wâ—…ies to find out the signes of a godâ—…y man in Scripture â—…6 Signes of true humiliation 1. Hee sees his sinnes 2. He feares Gods displeasure 3. He trusts not vpon the merits of his own workes 4. Hemours For all sorts of sins For sin as it is sinne As much as for crosses 5. And for the sinnes of others 6. And for spirituall iudgemeÌ„ts 7. And is moued 8 And â—…ee is eased onely by spirituall meanes 9 And is carefull to learne how to be saued 10 And is fearefull of being deceiued 11 And earnestly desires to lead an holy life 12 And trusts vpon Gods mercy in his griefe 13 And is in loue with God if he heare his praiers 14 And daily iudgeth himselfe for his sinne 15 And prayers in the holy Ghost 16 Desiring to be rid of
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
allowes not the good he doth Rom. 7. 15. That doth the euill hee hates verse 15. 19. That hath not goodnesse dwelling in him ver 18. That doth not the good hee would ver 19. That hath euill present when he would doe good ver 21. That hath a law in his members rebelling against the law of his minde ver 23. That hath not knowledge to do good Ier. 4. 22. Hosea 4. 6. Isaiah 1. 3. This is aggrauated 1. If thou refuse knowledge and wilt not vnderstand Iob. 21. 14. Psal. 36. 4. 2. If thou walke not in the light whilst thou hast the light Iohn 12. 36. 3. If thou hate him that instructeth thee Amos 5. 10. 4. If thou detaine the truth for the loue thou bearest to wickednesse Rom. 1. 18. 5. That will not vnderstand though the foundations of the earth be moued Psal. 82. 5. That hath present occasion to doe good and yet puts it off though but till the morrow Pro. 3. 28. That seeketh his owne glory Prou. 25. 27. That boasteth of a false gift Prou. 25. 14. That praiseth himselfe Prou. 27. 2. That is pure in his owne eyes being not washed from his filthinesse Prou. 30. 12. That causeth others to goe astray especially the righteous Prou. 28. 10. That cals euill good or good euill or puts light for darknesse or darkenesse for light or that puts bitter for sweete or sweete for bitter Isaiah 5. 20. That changeth the ordinances or addeth to Gods Word or diminisheth ought from it Isa. 24. 5. Deut. 4. 2. Prou. 30. 6. That protects or defends others in sinne Ier. 44. 15. That sits still and is at rest ill sinne Zach. 1. 11. And considers not that God remembers his wickednesse Hosea 7. 2. and is without feare of Gods iudgements Prou. 28. 14. 1 Thess. 5. 3. That receiueth not correction but proudly hardeneth his heart and is wilfull in euill Ier. 5. 23. Ezech. 7. 10. Heb. 3. 15 16. That feares reproach for well-doing Isaiah 51. 7. or feares the displeasure of God for breaking mans traditions Math. 15. 2 9. or in things indifferent makes conscience of sinne where there is no sinne Rom. 14. That doth his worke to bee seene of men Math. 6. and 23. That hath the forme of godlinesse but denyeth the power of it 2 Tim. 3. 5. That is a louer of himselfe 2. Tim. 3. 2. That is neither hote nor cold Reu. 3. 15. That doth not good with a ioyfull heart Deut. 28. 47. That esteemes the way of the multitude Exod. 23. 2. That is not circumspect but foolish and rash and rusheth vpon things without knowledge or counsell or consideration of opportunities circumstances meanes or end Ephes. 5. 15. Prou. 15. 22. Ier. 8. 6. That is childish or vnconstant Ephes. 4. 14. as he is 1. That is carried about with euery winde of doctrine 2. That hath a diuided heart Hos. 10. 2. 3. That is mutable in his affection to godlinesse Gal. 4. 4. That falleth away from the truth or goeth backe Ier. 15. 6. Hos. 6. 4. Isai. 1. 4. Hitherto of the sinnes against the whole Law CHAP. II. The diuision of the sinnes against the first Table and the sorts of sinnes against Gods nature TThe sinnes against God forbidden in the first Table of the Law are of foure sorts 1. Some against his nature 2. Some against the meanes of his worship 3. Some against the manner of his worship 4. Some against the time of his worship For the first the sinnes against the nature of God are of two sorts 1. Some more vnusuall and personall 2. Some more vsuall and naturall The more vnusuall sinnes are such as are not found amongst Christians except it be in such persons onely as are most monstrously vile such as are 1. Blasphemie to reproach God 2. Idolatrie to worship the creature 3. Witchcraft or the seruice of the Diuell 4. Atheisme to defend there is no God or to desire constantly there were no God 5. That matchlesse Pride for a man to say hee is God or to exalt himselfe aboue all that is called God 6. Heresie to hold after conâ—…ction errors against the foundation of Religion 7. The inward hatred and loathing of God It shall 〈◊〉 to haue thus touched thâ—…se sins The more vsuall sins and such as are found in the most men by nature are such as these That naturall Atheisme of which he is guiltie 1. That customarily spends his time without God in the world Ephes. 2. 12. 2. That conceiues Atheisticall thoughts and of such thoughts he is guilty That with inward reasonings whether there be a GOD to which his heart inclineth Psal. 14. 1. That saith or thinketh God will neither doe good nor euill or that he neither seeth or regardeth Isai. â—…9 15 16. Zeph. 1. 12. Ezech. 9. 9. Iob 22. 13. That saith or thinketh there is no profit in seruing the Almightie Iob 21. 14. 22. 17. That in affliction saith or thinketh it is impossible to be deliuered 2 Kings 7. 2. That hath inward boylings about such things as God sheweth not reason of Iob 33. 13. That conceiueth rebellious thoughts about the decrees or prouidence of God Rom. 9. Thus of naturall Atheisme The second sin is Epicurisme which is shewed By fulnesse of bread and idlenesse Ezech. 16. 49. Phil. 3. 19. By liuing in pleasure Eccl. 11. 9. Iames 5. 5. By vanitie and strangenesse of apparell Isai. 3. Zep. 1. 8. The third sinne is the defect of those graces by which wee should cleaue vnto God and that also when we want thaâ—… life of them should be in vs such are the defects of the warmth of the knowledge loue and feare of God and of our ioying and trusting in God Psal. 36. 1. Zeph. 3. 〈◊〉 Prou. 30. 1 2. Rom. 7. These defects are the worse by reason of our impotency and extreme indisposition to seeke to mend those things And therefore it is an aggrauation of any of these defects that men doe not stirre vp themselues to take hold of God â—…sai 64. 7. Fourthly the misplacing oâ—… our affections in setting them vpon earthly things employing our confidence feare ioy or loue vpon the world and the things thereof whereby our hearts are any way alienated from God Ier. 17. 5. Isai. 51. 7. 1 Ioh. 2. 15. Math. 6. Fiftly Pride and there is a foure-fold pride 1. Arrogancie shewed By high lookes or indignation of spirit Isaiah 10. 12. and 16. 6. By fearlesnesse of a fall in prospâ—…ritie and that boasting hopefulnesse in a broken estate Psal. 30. 6. Isai. 9. 10. Obad. 3. 2. The pride of life which hath in it the secret lifting vp of the heart glorying in friends money meanes houses riches beauty or the like 1 Iohn 〈◊〉 17. 2 Kings 20. 3. with 2 Chron. 32. 25. 3. The pride of gifts exprest By great thoughts of our selues being wise in our selues Rom.
XI Shewing the sinnes against mans estate THe sins against the estates of men follow and these are either internall or externall Internall and so he offends That is discontented with his estate Heb. 13. 5. That is worldly and distresseth himselfe with bootlesse cares about his estate Prou. 15. 27. Mat. 6. 25 34. Luke 21. 34. That delights not in his calling Prou. 12. 17. That is couetous and in loue with the things of this world Eph. 5. 5. 1 Tim. 6. 10. 1 Ioh. 2. 15 The externall signes follow and so men offend both by omission and commission By omission he offends That employes not the good things he hath Iames 5. 2 3. That relieues not the poore and so with-holdeth the good from the owner thereof Prou. 3. 28. The aggrauations are To forsake the poore Iob 20. 19. To hide his eyes from the poore Prou. 28. 27. That brings not foorth his corne to sell Prou. 11. 26. That detaines wages Deut. 24. 14 15. Leuit. 19. 13. Iames 5. 4. That payes not what hee hath borrowed Psalme 37. 21. That is idle and neglects his calling Eccl. 4. 5. And of this sin he is guilty also That with-draweth not his foot from his neighbours house Prou. 25. 17. 1. Tim. 5. 13. That is giuen to much sleepe Prou. 6. 9 10. That is slacke in businesse Prou. 10. 4. and 15. 19. That neglects the opportunities of his calling Prou. 10. 5. The aggrauations are To be pertinacious in the defence of it Prou. 26. 16. To be a busie-bodie in other folkes matters 2. Thess. 3. 11. That is slothfull in the busines of others Prou. 26. That prouides not for his Family 1. Tim. 5. 8. Thus of sinnes of omission By commission he offends That steales robbes or piâ—…fers which is the sinne mentioned in the eighth Commandement That steales by consequent as he doth That is an Vsurer Exod. 22. 25. Leu. 25. 36. Deut. 23. 19. That is guiltie of oppression Iob 31. 38 39. Amos 4. 1. Prou. 4. 17. Esay 5. 8. and â—…0 12. especially hee that loues oppression Hosea 12. 7. Micha 2. 9. That vseth fraud in buying and selling in mete-yard waight and measure Deut. 25. 13 14 15. and he is guilty of this sinne also That selleth reffuse Micha 6. That maketh aduantage of the pouertie of others Leuit. 25. 39. c. Prou. 22. 22. That takes the Mill-stone to pledge c. Deut. 24. 6 12. That being a buyer saith It is naught contrarie to his owne iudgement and so likewise on the other side that being a seller doth commend it for good when he knowes it is not so Prouerb 20. 14. That vseth any other fraud though it bee not in buying or selling 1 Thes. 4. 6. And this sinne of stealing is to be extended further also as 1. To lesser stealths as robbing of vineyards or orchards or corâ—… in the field Deut. 23. 24 25. 2. To rash suretiship Prou. 6. 1 2. and 22. 26. 3. To extremities vsed in recouering our owne rights Iob 24. 3 4 9 10. 4. To not restoring of euillgotten goods Ezech. 33. 15. 5. To remoouing of Land-markes Deut. 19. 14. 6. To liuing in vnlawfull callings such as begging is 2 Thes. 3. 11. 7. To vnthriftinesse in following vaine persons or spending prodigally on pleasures or diet Prou. 12. 11. and 21. 17. and 22. 26. and 23. 26. 8. To the concealing of theft Prou. 29. 24. 9. To the Lordly vsage of the borrower Prou. 22. 7. The aggrauations of the sinne of stealing are To take from the poore Deut. 24. 14. Iob 20. 19. To reproue it in others and yet commit it himselfe Rom. 2. 21. To doe it vnder pretence of Religion 2 Cor. 11. 20. To oppresse strangers or widdowes or the fatherlesse Exodus 22. 21 22. To blesse the couetous Ps. 10. 3 To commit it in the place of Iudgement by peruerting of Iustice or by extortion Ezek. 22. 12. or by briberie Amos 5. 12. Exodus 23. 8. or by refusing to doe Iustice Prou. 21. 7. To steale thy masters goods Titus 2. 10. To steale consecrated things by sacriledge or simonie Mal. 3. 8. Acts 8. 18 20. To steale a man or maid Exo. 22. 16. CHAP. XII THus of the sinnes against mans goods The sinnes against mens good name follow and so men offend by omission or by commission By omission he offends That sets not forth righteousnesse Prou. 12. 17. That doth not cleare or deliuer the afflicted when hee may Gen. 40. 23. That disgraceth others by forbearing their company without iust cause Iob 19. 3 19. Psalme 58. 3. That is vnthankfull 2 Tim. 3. 2. By commission men offend internally or externally Internally he offends That despiseth his neighbour in his thoughts Prou. 14. 21. That disdaines at the credit and prayse of others as the Pharisees did That thirsts after all occasions of the contempt of others Iob 34. 7. That is suspicious and thinketh euill 1 Cor. 13. 5. Externally he offends 1. In witnesse-bearing and so he offends That condemnes a man without witnesse Deut. 19. 15. That beares false witnesse That is fearefull to beare witnesse to the truth Deut. 21. 7 8. That furthers the euill causes of wicked men Exodus 23. 1. 2. In lying Reuelation 22. 15. and the blame of this sinne reacheth To such as vse dissimulation Gal. 2. 13. To such as speake vntruth for feare Gen. 38. 2. The aggrauations of lying are To loue lyes Reuelat. 22. 15. Psalme 52. 3. To hate those thou haste wronged with thy lyes Prouerbs 26. vlt. To breake promise 2 Tim. 3. 3 To preach falshoods 1 Cor. 15. 15. To say to men in distresse There is no helpe Psalme 3. 2. Iob 13. 14. To colour sinne with pretence of Religion Marke 12. 40. 3 In slandering and euill reports Exodus 23. 1. which is to be extended also to Biting iests Ephes. 5. 4. 2 To reuealing of secret infirmities Prou. 11. 13. and 20. 19. 3 To the carrying about of tales Leu. 19. 16. Prou. 16. 28. To the receiuing and furthering of slanders Ier. 20. 10. 5. To the wresting of mens words or telling the truth of malice 1 Sam. 22. 9 10. Psalme 52. 1 2. The aggrauations of slander are 1. To encourage themselues in an euill matter and to commune together about it Psalme 64. 5. 2 To boast of his wickednesse therein Psalme 52. 1. 3 To slander the righteous and quiet of the Land Psalme 31. 18 and 59. 2. and 102. 8. and 35. 20 and 83. 3. 5. and 4. 2. 4. To raise an euil report of his Parents Gen. 9. 22. 5 To fill the eares of Princes with clamour Hosea 7. 3. 6 To be a make-bate or a rayler 1 Cor. 6. 9. 2 Tim. 3. 3. 4 In censuring and iudging Iames 2. 4. The aggrauations are To search and pry for faults in others that hee might censure them Psalme 64. 9. Prou. 16. 27. To doe it for things indifferent Rom. 14. To censure smal
Describing the godly man by such signes as discouer him to the obseruation of other men THe signes of the true Christian that hath true grace in this world and shall be saued in Heauen when he dies may be cast into two Catalogues The one more briefe the other more large The one Catalogue of signes describe him by such markes as for the most part doe outwardly distinguish him amongst men The large Catalogue 〈◊〉 intend especially as a more infallible and effectuall way of triall as containing such signes as for the most part are not obserued by other men or not fully but are knowne to himselfe and can bee found in no reprobate For the first Catalogue the true Christian vsually discouers himselfe by these markes First he will not haue fellowship with the vnfruitfull workes of darkenesse he will not walke in the counsell of the wicked nor stand in the way of sinners He will not sort himselfe with workers of iniquity Psalme 1. 1. and 26. 4 5. 2 Cor. 6. Secondly Hee will afflict and humble his soule for his sinnes mourning and weeping for them till the Lord be pleased to shew mercie and forgiue him He doth account his sins to be his greatest burthen He cannot make a mock of sinne c. Thirdly He labours to be holy in all parts of his conuersation watching ouer his owne waies at all times and in all companies Ps. 50. 23. Esay 56. 1. 2. Peter 3. 4 Fourthly he makes conscience of the least commandements as well as the greatest auoyding silthy speaking and vaine iesting and laciuiousnesse as well as whoredome lesser oathes as well as the greater reprochfull speeches as well as violent actions c. Fiftly hee loues and esteemes and labours for the powerfull preaching of the word aboue all earthly treasures Sixtly he honours and highly accounts of the godly delights in the company of such as truely feare God aboue all others Psal. 15. 4. Seuenthly hee is carefull of the sanctification of the Sabbath neither daring to violate that holy rest by labour nor to neglect the holy duties belonging to Gods seruice publike or priuate Esay 56. and 58. Eighthly hee loues not the world neither the things thereof but is more heartily affected in things that concerne a better life and so doth in some degree loue the appearing of Christ. Ninthly He is easie to be intreated hee can forgiue his enemies desires peace and will doe good euen to them that persecute him if it lye in his power Mat. 5. 44. Tenthly Hee goeth on in the profession of the sinceritie of the Gospel and doth such duties as he knoweth God requires of him in businesse of his soule notwithstanding the oppositions of prophane persons or the dislike of carnall friends c. Eleuenthly He setteth vp a daily course of seruing God and that with his family too if hee haue any and exerciseth himselfe in the word of God as the chiefe ioy of his heart and the daily refuge of his life calling vpon God continually c. CHAP. II. Shewing the generall diuision of the signes and the wayes how the signes were found out THus of the shorter Catalogue of signes Now it followes that I proceed to those infallible markes of Election and Saluation And whereas I haue diuers yeeres since published a Treatise which I called Essayes or Signes of Gods loue and mans saluation Hauing obserued that diuers haue accounted the manner of setting the Signes downe somewhat obscure in diuers parts of the Booke I will now by Gods assistance for the helping of the weakest Christians in this Treatise endeauour to expresse my selfe in this Doctrine of the tryall of a true Christian estate in a more plaine and easie course of exâ—…mination and leaue both the former Treatise and this new Catalogue vnto the blessing of God and the free choise of the godly Reader to vse which hee findeth most agreeable to his owne taste being both such as are warranted and founded vpon the infallible euidence of Gods vnchangeable truth In this proiect then I consider of the triall of a true Christian sixe wayes First in his humiliation Secondly in his faith Thirdly in the gifts of his minde with which he is qualified Fourthly in the workes of his obedience Fiftly in the entertainment he hath from God Sixtly in the manner of his receiuing of the Sacraments In all which hee differs from all the wicked men in the world so as neuer any wicked man could finde these things in his condition which are true of the weakest Christian in each of these signes And that the true Christian may not doubt of his estate hauing found these signes in himselfe let him consider the proofes annexed to each signe and that nothing may bee wanting to his aboundant consolation I will tell him how I found out these signes and by what grounds I proceeded There are three sorts of places in Scripture as I conceiue which do point out the grounds of infallible assurance in those that can attaine vnto them as first such places as expresly doe aâ—…firme that such and such things are signes As for example 1 Ioh. 3. 14. Hereby we know that we are translated from death to life because we loue the brethren Here the holy Ghost shewes vs expresly that the loue of the brethren is a signe by which a Christian may know that he is translated from death to life and so the Apostle Paul giues signes to know whether their sorrow were after God or no 2 Cor. 7. 11. So doth the Prophet Dauid Psalme 15 giue diuers signes by which the man that shall dwell in Gods holy hill may be knowne So the Apostle Iames tells vs how wee may know the wisedome from aboue by reckning the fruits and effects of it Iames 3. 17. So doth the Apostle Paul tell vs how we may know whether we haue the Spirit of Christ in vs or no Rom. 8. 9 15 c. Gal. 5. 22. and 4. 6 7. Secondly I find out signes by marking what graces in man the promises of God are made vnto For thus I reason Whatsoeuer gift of God in man brings him within the compasse of Gods promises of eternall mercie that gift must bee an infallible signe of saluation But such are such and such gifts as the instances in diuers Scriptures shew And therefore the man that can finde those gifts in himselfe shall bee certainly saued As for example The Kingdome of heauen is promised to such as are poore in spirit Mathew 5. 3. From thence then I gather that pouerty of spirit is an infallible signe The like I may say of the loue of the Word and of vprightnesse of heart and of the loue of God and the loue of the appearing of Christ c. Thirdly I finde out other signes by obseruing what godly men in Scripture haue said for themselues when they haue pleaded their owne
euidence for their interest in Gods loue or their hope of a better life For looke how godly men in Scripture haue proued that they were not hypocrites euen so may any Christian proue that he is not an hypocrite neither As for example Iob being charged to bee an hypocrite and lying vnder the heauy hand of God pleades his cause and proues that hee was not an hypocrite by his constancie in Gods wayes and by his constant estimation of Gods Word and desire after it as after his appointed food Iob 23. 10 11 12. More of this kinde thou maist find in the proofes of particular signes Now whereas some signes are general and thou mightest doubt of the exposition namely how that signe is infallible in such and such sences for thy establishment heerein thou mayest obserue that I expound the signe as it is expounded in other seuerall Scriptures As for example The loue of the brethren is a generall signe Now how shall I know that I haue the right loue of the brethren This I explaine by flying to diuers other Scriptures wherein the particular explications of this signe are pleaded CHAP. III. The tryall of a Christian by the signes of true humiliation THe first way then by which a Christian may trie himselfe is to examine himselfe about his humiliation for sinne whether it bee right or no. For vnder this head is comprehended the explication of the doctrine of pouerty of spirit and godly sorrow and so in generall of repentance for sinnes Now the true Christian in this matter of humiliation shewes himselfe to haue attained that which no reprobate could euer attaine and that in diuers particulars as First Hee hath a true sight and sence of his signes Hee discernes his sinfulnesse of life both past and present and is affected and payned vnder the burthen of his daily wants and corruptions and sees his miserie in respect of his sinnes Ier. 3. 12. Mathew 11. 28. Mathew 5. 4. Secondly He trembles at Gods Word and feares his displeasure while it yet hangs in the threatnings Esay 66. 1 2. Thirdly He renounceth his owne merits and disclaimeth all opinion of true happines in himselfe or in any thing vnder the Sunne as being fully perswaded that he cannot be saued by any worke of his own or be happy inenioying any worldly things and therefore is fully resolued to seeke for the chiefe good in Gods fauour in Iesus Christ onely Fourthly He mournes heartily and secretly for his sinnes and so he doth 1 For all sorts of sinnes for secret sinnes as well as knowne sinnes for lesser sinnes as well as greater for the present euils of his nature and life as well as sins past yea for the sinnes he hath loued or haue beene gainfull and pleasing to him Yea he grieues for the euill that cleaues to his best workes as well as for euill workes Esay 6. 5. Rom. 7. Esay 1. 16. Matth. 5. 4. 2 For sinne as it is sinne and not as it doth or might bring him shame or punishment in this life or in Hell 3 He is as much troubled for his sinnes as hee was wont or now should be for crosses in his estate Hee mournes as heartily for the sorrowes that fell vpon Gods Sonne for his sinne as if hee had lost his owne and onely Sonne Zach. 12. 10 11. or at least this he striueth for and iudgeth himselfe if worldly afflictions doe trouble him more then his sins Psalme 38. 5. Fiftly hee is truely grieued and vexed in soule for the abominations that are done by others to the dishonour of God or slander of true religion or the ruine of the soules of men Thus Lot 2 Pet. 2. 7. and Dauid Psal. 119. 136. and the mourners marked for Gods owne people Ezech. 9. 4. Sixtly he is heartily affected and troubled and grieued for spirâ—…tuall iudgements that reach vnto the soules of men as well as wicked men are wont to bee troubled for tempâ—…rall crosses and so he is greiued and perplexed for hardnesse of heart when he cannot mourne as hee would and for the famine of the word or for the absence of God or for the blasphemie of the wicked or the like Psalme 42. verses 2. 3. and Psal. 137. Nehemiah 1. 3 4. Esay 63. 17. Seuenthly he is most stirred vp to abase himselfe and mourne for his sinnes when hee feeles God to bee most mercifull The goodnesse of God doth make him feare God and hate his sinnes rather then his iustice Hos. 3. 5. Eightly his griefes are such as can be asswaged onely by spirituall meanes It is not sport or merrie company that easeth him his comfort is onely from the Lord in some of his ordinances As it was the Lord that wounded him with the sight of his sinnes so to the Lord onely he goeth to bee healed of his wounds Hos. 6. 1. 2. Psal. 119. 23 24 50. Ninthly in his griefs hee is inquisitiue he will aske the way desire to know how hee may bee saued Hee cannot smother and put off his doubts in so great a businesse He dares not now any longer be ignorant of the way to heauen He is not carelesse as he was wont to bee but is seriously bent to get directions from the word of God about his reconciliation sanctification and saluation c. Ier. 50. 4 5. Acts 2. 37. Tenthly he is fearefull of being deceiued and therefore is not slightly satisfied He will not rest vpon a common hope nor is hee carried with probabilities nor doth it content him that other men haue a good opinion of him nor is hee pleased that hee hath mended some faults or begun to repent but repenting he repents stil that is he takes a sound course to bee sure his repentance be effectually performed Ieremie 31. 16. Eleuenthly he is vehemently carried with the desires of the sound reformation of his life His sorrow is not water but washing nor is it euery washing but such as maketh cleane Worldly sorrow may haue much water but it maketh nothing cleane whereas godly sorrow alwaies tendeth to reformation sound amendment Twelfthly in all his sorrowes he is suppored by a secret trust in the mercie and acceptation of God so as no miserie can beate him from the consideration and inward affiance and hope in the mercie of God In the very disquietnesse of his heart the desire of his soule to the Lord and before his presence though it be neuer so much cast downe yet hee waits vpon God for the helpe of his countenance and in some measure condemnes the vnbeleefe of his owne heart and trusts in the name of God and his neuer sailing compassions Psalme 38. 9. and 42. 5 11. Lam. 3. 21. Zepha 3. 12. 13. He is wonderfully inflamed with loue to God if he at any time let him know that he heareth his prayers In the midst of his most desperate sorrowes his heart
be discerned by many things it worketh which are the fruits of it and by the fruits of Faith wee may know faith it selfe Faith is like the roote of a tree that lyeth vnder the ground and cannot be seene without much digging but by the fruit the tree beareth wee may know what kinde of roote it hath and of what sort it is Now the fruites of faith are these that follow and such like as 1. Loue to God and the godly for faith worketh by loue Gallat 5. 6. 2. Cleannesse of the thoughts and affections For faith purifieth the heart It maketh a man striue after inward purity as well as outward to get a cleane heart as well as cleane hands It worketh humiliation for inward sins as well as outward Act. 15. 9. and driues a man to seeke pardon in the Name of Christ for all sorts of inward perturbations and secret euils 3. Victorie ouer the World Faith ouer commeth the world 1 Iohn 5. 4 5. and so it doth when it maketh a man so rest vpon God and his truth and promise as if he be put to it to deny the respect of his owne credit or profit or pleasures or the displeasure of carnall friends or his hopes in matters of this world resting satisfied with the expectation of the treasures and pleasures of a better world yeelding himselfe ouer to be guided by Christ and his truth vnto the death Psalme 18. 14. Hee liues by his faith Gal. 2. 20. 4. Humilitie For a true faith excludes boasting of our owne labours gifts or praises and makes vs able out of the sense of our owne vilenesse to acknowledge all the glorie to Gods free grace and loune in Iesus Christ Rom. 3 27. Gal. 3. 22. The confession and profession of the truth Faith will make a man speake in defence of the truth I haue beleeued therefore haue spoken saith Dauid Psalme 116 which the Apostles plead to proue their faith also 2 Cor. 4. 13 14. 6 The putting on of righteousnesse which is not by the workes of the Law done by vs. The application of and relying vpon the righteousnesse of Iesus Christ is the proper and onely worke of true faith Rom. 10. 7 It opens a spring of graces in the heart of a true Christian he that is a true beleeuer is qualified with sundry heauenly gifts which were not in him by nature which gifts do daily discouer themselues in his heart flowing from thence as if there were a spring of liuing water in his belly Sanctification of the Spirit and faith of the truth be inseparable Iohn 7. 38. 2 Thess. 2. 13. CHAP. V. The tryall of a godly man by such heauenly gifts as serue him in his iourney to Heauen THus of his tryall in his humiliation and in his faith It followeth in the third place to try him by his gifts which are the fruits of faith The true Christian differs from the wicked man in two sorts of gifts Some of them are such gifts as are bestowed vpon him from aboue but serue him onely for spirituall vse while he is on the way in his iourney to Heauen and so onely in this life such as are the sacred thirst The loue to the word and meanes of his holinesse The spirit of supplication The loue of his enemies and his desire after the apparance of Iesus Christ. Other gifts hee hath which will accompany him home into his heauenly Countrey and abide vpon him for euer and are not abolished by death such as are sauing knowledge the loue of God and the loue of the godly First therefore of those heauenly gifts which will passe away and so he is qualified with fi◅e distinct holy gifts which cannot be found in any reprobate The first is his holy thirst which is an heauenly kind of appetite by which hee is carried to the desire of things aboue nature such as are the merits and righteousnesse of Christ the fauour of God the presence of God the full deliuerance from all sin the remouing of spirituall iudgements the saluation of other men and the like and this thirst is a signe the more infallible 1 Because it is constant and indelible in this life There is no part of this life but it continueth either in the sense of his affection or in the iudgement of his vnderstanding so as hee accounts spiritu◅ll things to bee the best things and though at some times his affection may be the lesse moued after them yet his appetite is daily renewed as it is in the hunger or thirst that is bodily 2. Because it is industrious For this holy thirst will guide him to a carefull vse of all the meanes by which good things may bee attained and doth not breathe it selfe out onely with sudden and vaine wishes or flashes of desire Psa. 27. 4. 1 Pet. 2. 2. Psa. 63. 1 2. Psa. 1. 2. Acts 2. 37. 3. Because it workes a constant and secret meditation of heauenly things desired the heart frequently seekes after God day and night Esa. 26. 9. Psal. 63. 1 6. For what wee desire feruently wee thinke on almost continually 4. Because if the Lord quench his thirst and satisfie his desire in spirituall things the soule becomes as a watred garden and then followes in him an heauenly kinde of satisfaction and contentment with singular delight in the soule and vowes and wishes of infinite and eternall thankfulnesse Psalme 63. 4 5. Ieremiah 31. 25 26. And thus much of the first gift Secondly The loue to the Word is another signe that hee is the Child of God and a cleare euidence of his saluation Now because all sorts of wicked men may resort to the exercises of the Word and those that haue but a temporarie faith may shew a great estimation of the VVord and find ioy in the hearing of it and shew much zeale in things that concerne the word and may yeeld some obedience to the directions of the VVord also it is profitable to consider how the true Christian may proue that his affection to the VVord is more sincere then that affection which any wicked man can bring to the word And thus he may find that his heart is sound in his loue to the Word by these markes 1 By his manner of receiuing it when hee doth receiue the Word as the Word of God and not of men setting his heart before Gods presence being affected as if the Lord himselfe should speake vnto him This no wicked man dares doe he dares not present himselfe with the whole intendments of his heart before the Lord. For this signe the Apostle Paul acknowledgeth the Thessalonians to bee true Christians 1 Thess. 2. 13. 2 By his appetite to his Word For there is in a godly man as true an hūger after the Word as the food of his soule as there is in his stomacke after the food of his body which shewes it selfe to be the more
the Gospell as accounting them the happy companions of this life Psal. 16. 3. 3 Iohn 8. Phil. 1. 5. 4. He hath a fellow feeling of their miseries he is in some measure affectioned to weepe with them that weepe and reioyce with them that reioyce especially he is glad when their soules prosper Rom. 12. 15 16. 3 Ioh. 3. 5. His desire is to walke inoffensiuely as being loth any way to be an occasion of stumbling or scandall to any Christian 1 Ioh. 2. 10. 6. He can beare their infirmities take things in the best sense suffer long and is not easily prouoked hee hopeth all things and boasts not himselfe nor enuies not them nor will receiue an euill report against them 1 Pet. 3. 8. 1. Cor. 13. 4 5 6. but rather makes apologie for them 7. Hee easily praiseth them in all places for their grace or obedience Rom. 16. 19. 3 Iohn 6. Psal. 15. 4. 1 Thess. 1. 8. 8. His wel-doing extends it selfe to them to his power he is bountifull pitifull and tender hee hath bowels of mercy according to the occasion of mercy either corporall or spirituall He gladly receiueth them and with a ready mind communicates to their necessities Philemon 7. 1 Pet. 3. 8. 4. 8. 1 Iohn 3. 17. 3 Iohn 5. 9. He loues all the brethren He hath not the glorious faith of Christ in respect of persons Iames 2. 1 2. Ephes. 1. 15. Col. 1. 4. Hee can make himselfe equall to them of the lower sort Rom. 12. 16. 10. Lastly hee loues them at all times euen when they are in aduersitie disgrace sicknesse or any other miserie Hitherto of the godly mans triall by his gifts CHAP. VII The triall of the godly man by his workes of obedience THE fourth way to trie him is by his workes or by his obedience in his life and conuersation and so his workes excell all the workes of vnregenerate men many wayes as 1. Because what he doth riseth out of the loue he beares to God and goodnesse and therefore hee doth good heartily and not by constraint or with repining or delay yea he is so stirred vp with the sense of Gods goodnesse to him that hee is much humbled when he hath done his best that hee cannot bring more glory to God Deut. 30. 20. Ios. 22. 5. Math. 4. 19 20. Rom 6. 17. 2. In doing good he hath respect vnto all Gods Commandements there is no part of an holy life but he desires to practise it and therefore he will obey Gods will in some cases when it is against his profit credit ease or the liking of carnall friends preferrings God 's commandements aboue all things yea life it selfe Ier. 35. Heb. 11. 8. Gen. 22. 12. Prou. 7. 2. Act. 5. 29. Mat. 16. 25. Exod. 15. 26. 1 King 9. 4. Ierem. 11. 4. Iohn 15. 14. 3. He will do good at all times and not for a fit making conscience of his wayes in all companies as well as any absent as well as present before meane Christians as well as before the best at home as well as abroad Philip. 2. 12. Gal. 5. 7. 2 Kings 28. 6. Psal. 106. 3. 4. Hee makes conscience of the least commandement as well as the greatest Mat. 5. 19. Iames 2. 10. 5. He comes to the light that his deeds might be manifest that they are wrought in God Iohn 3. 21. Hee is desirous in all things to bee guided by the warrant of the Word of God 6. He exerciseth his faith in the very discharge of the duties of his outward conuersation Hee liues by the faith in the Sonne of God and commits his way to God and trusteth vpon the Name of the Lord Gal. 2. 20. 7. Hee knoweth that his obedience is right because God heareth his prayers and entertaines him gratiously when he calls vpon him in secret whereas God heareth not sinners and if wickednesse were in his heart God would not regard his prayers Iohn 9. 31. Psalme 66. 18. And thus of his workes CHAP. VIII His tryall by the entertainment hee hath from God THe fifth way by which hee may bee tryed is by the entertainement that God vouchsafeth him in this life which hee neuer vouchsafeth to wicked men There are diuers specialties of fauour which God sheweth to him and not to any vnregenerate man As 1. His election in time is a manifest token of Gods election of him before time the Lord shews â—…hat hee hath chosen him from enerlasting when by the power of the Gospel hee seizeth vpon him particularly and effectually perswades him to leaue the world and the sinfull society hee liued in and to deuote himselfe as a liuing sacrifice vnto God 2. He is baptized with the Holy Ghost and with fire the baptisme by fire is onely proper to Gods Elect the Holy Ghost at some times falls vpon him sets him all on a fire on a fire I say both of sudden and violent indignation at sinne as it is sinne as also the fire of holy affections with which from God hee frequently and on a sudden is enslamed while he stands before the Lord. For besides the affection which a godly man bringeth with him to Gods worship he doth feele his heart oftentimes on a sudden surprised with strange impressions sometimes of sorrow sometimes of feare and awefull dread of God sometimes of feruent desires after God sometimes of strong resolutions of holy duties to be done by him and the like Matthew 3. 11. 3. He feeles at sometimes in the vse of Gods ordinances a maruellous work of the Holy Ghost in respect of much assurance and strange establishment of his heart both in the certaine perswasion of Gods loue and the infallible beliefe of the truth so as at that time no danger of death could amaze him but hee could willingly witnesse his confidence by vndergoing any thing could befall him 1. Thessalonians 1. 5. 4. He feeles at some times the vnspeakeable and glorious ioyes of the Holy Ghost which are differing from the carnall ioyes or illusions may bee found in wicked men because they are such ioyes as hee feeles onely in the vse of some ordinances of God and such as by effect make him more humble and vile in his owne eies and doe inflame him to an high degree of the loue of God and goodnesse which illusions can neuer doe 5. The sanctification of his afflictions is another infallible signe of Gods loue to him For God makes his crosses to become blessings vnto him and worke his good so as hee may plainely see that it was good for him to be afflicted and besides God giues him many times the experience of his goodnâ—…sse both by vnexpected consolation in his distresses and gratious deliuerance out of them Rom. 8. 28. Psal. 119. 6. Lastly To this place I may referre Gods hearing and answering of his prayers whereas God doth not heare sinners as was shewed in the end of the former Chapter CHAP. IX His
tryall by the Sacraments THe sixt and last way of triall of the estate of a Christian is by the Sacraments and in particular by the Sacrament of the Lords Supper For God hath appointed the two Sacraments to bee his broad Scales to assure his fauour vnto his people and because none but worthy receiuers can bee partakers of so great a priuiledge as the Couenant of Gods grace and the Gospel of Iesus Christ therefore hereby doth the true Christian distinguish himselfe from all men For in becomming a worthy receiuer hee doth diuers things not onely required in communicants but such as none but godly men can attaine vnto As 1. He doth forgiue his enemies as heartily as hee desires God to forgiue him his trespasses 2. Hee examines himselfe and vpon examination he both eateth with sowre herbes that is comes with some measure of griefe for his offences and withall finds as vnfained a desire that he might neuer offend God in anything as that God should there assure him of the forgiuenesse of his sinnes and that he will neuer punish him for any of them 1 Cor. 11. 3. The couenant of his heart is to cleaue to God and the care of godlinesse all the daies of his life 1 Cor. 5. 8. 4. He is in some measure perswaded of Gods loue to him in Christ and discernes the Lords Body so as he is secretly in some degree perswaded of the spirituall presence of Iesus Christ and of the operation of God so as he beleeueth that Christ will as certainly nourish his soule as the outward elements can any way be fit to nourish his body Marke 16. 16. Col. 2. 12. 1 Cor. 11. 5. He somtimes feeles the Holy Ghost inwardly setting to Gods Priuie Seale by sudden refreshings falling like the dew vpon his heart and establishing his soule before the Lord Eph. 1. 13. 2 Cor. 1. 12. 6. His heart is knit vnto the godly more and more and increaseth in his resolution to cleaue to them onely and forsake all other professions of men in the world louing them vnfainedly and desiring it for euer to a partaker of their lot 1 Cor. 10. 16 17. CHAP. X. The directions that shew him how to get assurance by the helpes of those signes HItherto of the signes of the godly man Now followes the course that the weak Christian should take by the vse of the former signes of tryall to establish his heart in the assurance of Gods fauour and his owne eternall saluation My aduice is therefore that the weake Christian that findes want of establishment and cleare assurance should take the former signes of tryall and goe apart and set himselfe in Gods presence emptying his heart of worldly distractions and seriously consider of euery rule of tryall apart and gather out into some little paper-booke so much as in euery signe hee can clearely find to be in himselfe and that which hee durst through Gods mercy resolutely auouch to bee wrought in him by the grace of God And this I would haue him to doe with deliberation trying himselfe by one or two of the chiefe heads at most in a day spending no more time about it then he may well allow without wearinesse or dulnesse Now because he may be perhaps discouraged with the obseruation of diuers things which he may find wanting in himselfe in euery signe hee must therefore take sound notice of the distinction of Christians made by the Apostle Iohn 1 Iohn 2. who casts al true Christians into three sorts Some are Infants and either new borne or but weakely qualified with the graces of Christ yet are right and haue true grace in some measure Others are strong men that is such as haue the gifts of the Spirit liuely and in their power in them Others are Fathers that is such as haue had long experience in the powerful practice of godlinesse and haue beene long exercised in all kinds of well-doing Now all these three sorts may be supposed to come to these signes The weake Christian onely takes to a few of the plainest markes in the explication of each signe The strong Christian he takes to the most of the markes The Fathers they in a manner discerne all the particulars of Gods graces and the seuerall workings of them Each of these euen the weake Christian may see so much as may stay his heart in assurance and so settle his faith and ioy When there are many signes of one and the selfe-same thing it is sufficient if it can be demonstrated though it be but a few wayes seeing euery particular marke being warranted by Scripture hath force to conclude for assurance and to proue that wee differ from all the wicked men in the world Though at the first in reading but a signe or two thou get but a few things may comfort thee yet hold out till thou come to the end of all the signes and then thou shalt see a faire armie as it were of arguments to prooue thy election and saluation For whereas the most and best of vs if wee be asked this question By what markes doe we know that we are the true children of God and not wicked men If we answer on a sudden and by present memory we can scarce giue two sound reasons to prooue the infallibilitie of our happy estate which shewes that the most of â—…s liue at a great vncertaintie Now he that hath gone through the signes shall finde perhaps twenty or thirty or fortie seueral and distinct arguments or markes which when he hath collected them all together may serue to answer all the obiections of all the Diuels in Hell The gates of hell cannot preuale against his faith which I declare thus If the Diuell say Thou art a wicked man and an hypocrite thou mayest readily answer that by the grace of God in Iesus Christ thou art none such and mayest put the Diuel to proue by the Word of God that euer any wicked man did attaine to all those signes thou hast collected Which because it cannot bee done thou mayest with much rest and full assurance commit thy selfe to God and bind thy selfe by Couenant neuer more to dishonour him by such vnbeâ—…efe as to call his loue and his saluation into question If a three-fold cord cannot bee broken how weake then should thy heart be if thou shouldst feare thy estate vnto which God hath so sealed and so many wayes marked thee out for himselfe And for thy further satisfaction after thou hast collected thy signes together thou mayest carrie them to thy godly Pastor and desire him to peruse them and accordingly giue thee his ministeriall testimonie concerning them in the name of Iesus Christ and this may adde much satisfaction and rest to thy conscience If in reading any of the signes thou finde any speciall doubts at any hand suppresse them not but seeke resolution from doubt to doubt and from signe to signe Thou mayst gaine much profitable knowledge by propounding these cases
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
Confâ—…ssion of sinnes Petition for grace and thanks-giuing for mercies receiued Nâ—…w the weakest Christian may be through Gods blâ—…ssing comfortably furnished for his owne particular if hee take such a coâ—…e as this to goe aside and with all sâ—…cie and attention of heart before the Lord aske himselfe these three Questions 1 What sinnes haue I committed which either now do trouble me or if I were to dye would make mee afraid Let him set them downe in a paper or in his memory distinctly till hee can can bethinke himselfe of no more It is no great matter for the order how hee sets them downe so hee be sure he haue the chiefe sinnes in which hee daily offends or hath offended 2 What would I haue the Lord doe for me if I might haue what I wish let him set the particulars downe till he can remember no more As for example I would haue him forgiue mee my sinnes and I would haue him giue mee strength against such and such sins and I would haue him giue mee faith and assurance and I would haue him giue me Heauen when I dye and so goe on with all the things he feeles a desire in his heart to seeke of God till he can remember no more and if at any other time hee remember some speciall thing which hee would further haue which hee hath not in his Catalogue let him set it downe as from time to time he sees cause 3 What speciall fauours hath God shewed to mee which I see I ought to take special notice of Let him set them downe distinctly whether they be deliuerances or such and such spirituall or outward mercis preseruing the memorie principally of the chiefest of them Now when hee hath thus furnished these three heads with things that in particular concerne himselfe they being all matters of weight hee must now carry these things or the chiefe of them in his mind and frame his heart to speake to God in the best words he can get to signifie his detestation of those sinnes his humble requests for those graces and his vnfained thankefulnesse for those blessings Howsoeuer hee may be rude or vnperfect in his Language about these at the first yet exercise will bring him to a ripenesse and by this course hee shall be sure to speake of things that concerne himselfe neerely and that God which hath taught Parents to regard the vnperfect language of their little Children when they begin to speak vnto them will himselfe much more delight to heare the desires of his Seruants that are grieued that they cannot speake in a better sort vnto him The profit and comfort of this course will appeare by experience to be exceeding great besides it is an easie way where there is in any a true desire to bee at the paines to learne this Language of speaking to God by prayer and Gods Spirit will helpe and teach the poore Christian and draw his petitions for him and prompt him both with words and affections And the Christian must know this that when hee hath confessed his sinnes and shewed what hee should haue God doe for him with the best words hee could in the truth of his heart he hath made a most effectuall prayer to God Thus of prayer The awefull of God and the reuerent dreading of God may bee begotten and increased in vs if we throughly remember and deepely ponder vpon 1. The surpassing glory and transcendent excelleÌ„cie and perfection of his Nature his absolute purity and exact lustice and Holinesse 2. The wonderfull workes of God especially those standing miracles shewed in the hanging of this mighty earth and those huge heapes of water in the cloudes and the bounding of these mighty Seas and such like 3. His fearefull threatnings of all sorts of woes against the transgressions of men 4. The terrour of the last day and the dreadfulnesse of death and Iudgement 5. The fearefull and sudden iudgements which haue fallen vpon wicked men either recorded in Scripture or reported in Histories or obserued in experience 6. Especially if wee thinke much and seriously of the great goodnesse of God to vs how hee hath striuen with vs to ouercome vs with his mercies Thus of the feare of God We should striue to stirre vp in vs affection and loue to our very enemies by such considerations as these 1. Because Christ to whom we are infinitely bound hath expresly charged vs to look to this That we doe loue our enemies and therefore for his sake wee should deny our selues and our owne corrupt desires and affections and striue to shew the truth of our loue euen towards them that hate and persecute vs. 2. There is none so wicked but they haue something good in them and worthy to be respected 3. Our enemies doe vs good though they intend it not wee ought to like the very rod that mends vs and regard the water that washeth vs white and make much of the stone that tries vs and the glasse that shewes vs our spots and not mislike the tents that search our wounds 4. If euer God turne their hearts they will be effectuall instruments of our praise Gods glory in the day of their visitation they will not willingly beare the shame of their owne sinfull oppositions I forbeare to set downe the directions for the attainement of the loue of the appearing of Christ because I haue at large handled that point in the Treatise of the Cure of the feare of Death CHAP. VIII Thus of the directions that concerne the first sort of gifts concerning the attainement of the other graces the directions now follow AND first for the attainment of sauing knowledge and the increase ofâ—… these directions are of excellent vse 1. In hearing or reading the Scriptures hee must bee wise for himselfe that is marke distinctly what he heareth or readeth that may especially concerne himself Prou. 〈◊〉 12. 2 He must study those things exactly which most concerne him auoiding vaine questions and fruitlesse contemplations and vaine ianglings and controuersies he must especially labour to know Gods Nature aright and the distinct manner of Gods true worship how he may serue him he must studie to know his owne particular offences and Christ crucified as his Sauiour with the benefits of his mediation and the necessary things that concerne his owne Iustification Sanctification and finall Saluation 3. He must redeeme the time and by forecast and order prouide so that some time may be daily allowed for holy studies to recouer his former time lost 4. Hee must enquire and take counsell hee must take heed of smothering his doubts but must carefully seeke satisfaction to his conscience as occasion ariseth There is more profit in this rule then many Christians are aware of 5. Hee must take heede of consulting with flesh and blood he must not regard other mens opinions or his owne carnall reason but resolue to giue the glory to Gods Word so
God p. 387. to 361. 2. Of Chriâ—… p. 391. 392. 4. Of our owne estate in Grace p. 392. CHAP. XIIII Three sorts of â—…ost comfortable prâ—…ises about prayer p. 393 to the end of the Booke CHAP. I. Containing the Preface THe drift of this Treatise is to shew a godly Christian who is already assured of Gods fauour and knowâ—…s he shal haue abundant happines when hâ—… dyes in Heauen how hee may support his heart with sufficient contentment against all the miseries can assault him from the time of his conuersion till his death For this purpose I shall breake open a Mine of Treasure For I intend from all parts of the book of God to select and set befoâ—…e thee those rich Promises which God hath there recorded to be as wells of comfort vpon all occasions Two things of necessitie must bee granted The one is That though wee haue gotten the assurance of Gods fauour and freedome from the power and guilt of our sins yet many things will still aile vs and oppose our consolation We shal meet with temptations and afflictions of al sorts reproches aduersaries trouble of spirit and such like The other is that there can be no such discouragement difficultie or affliction but in the Word of God we may haue a sure consolation or direction for it able euery way abundantly to sustaine vs. But before I enter vpon the vnfolding of this great Role of Promises I must preface about fiue things which tend to make vs more fit to receiue them First it will be profitable for vs to coÌ„sider briefly the worth of the promises they are called the vnsearchable riches of Christ to assure vs that he is a very rich man that hath his hart stored with the promises of God well applyed The Apostle Peter saith that they are great and precious promises which God hath giuen to vs. Promises in our hearts are better then pearles or precious stâ—…nes in our Chests They are the inheritance God giues to his people in this life therefore they are called the heires of promise a greater portion then any King on earth can giue to his Child The very keeping of the Records of these promises was a great prerogatiue to the Iewish nation and it is accounted a singular happinesse for the Gentiles that they may now partake of those promises Little do we know what wrong we do to our soules when we keepe them ignorant of the promises it is one of the greatest offices vnder the Sun to dispence these promises to maÌ„ 〈◊〉 Tim. 1. 1. Tit. 1. 1 2 3 Secondly Before I enter vpon the explication of the promises I must likewise tell you to whom they belong and who they are that haue interest in them For al vnregenerate men that liue in their sins without repentance are strangers from the 〈◊〉 of promise The children of the bondwoâ—…an haue no part in the Testament of Grace onely they that are Christs haue the benefit of the promises in Christ. The children of God are the heires of promise Men must haue godlines that haue the promises â—…ither of this life or that to come In short all those that haue repented them of their sins and beleeue in Iesus Christ may come to these promises with large hâ—…arts as knowing that thâ—…y reade and heare that which they haue cleare full interest in Thirdly Concerning the vse these promises may bee put vnto all our life long They will driue â—…way griefe discouragement or feares that at any time may seize â—…pon vs. They will sweeten all â—…ur afflictions They will exceedingly nurse vp and confirme our faith and further they will haue 〈◊〉 singular vse in preseruing vs against the enticements of the profits pleasures and lusts of the world and against the cares of this life Our affections are the feet of our soules and with the promises we may be daily shod so as neither thorny cares pricke vs nor foule pleasures defilâ—… vs Eph. 6. The Gospel shews vs still a better proiect when the Diuell or the world entice vs. And a true reason why many times we are not able to resist enticements is because our hearts are not filled with the promises which else would shew vs so much sweetnesse as all other things would seeme but base in comparison of them When we are teÌ„pted with the pleasures of sinne if we haue not a more delightfull proiect to offer to our hearts it is easie for vs to bee seduced And further these promises soundly studied and layd vp in our hearts will breed cheerfulnesse of spirit and that contentation which makes godlinesse to bee so great gaine And besides they will daily excite in vs all encouragements to well-doing and they doe also set out maruellously the glory and splendour of Gods loue power presence prouidence and grace toward vs. What shall I say The promises giue vs euen Heauen vpon earth and set ouâ—… the incomparable gaine of true godlinesse yeaby them we approach so neere vnto God that as Peter saith By them wee pâ—…ke of the Diâ—…ne nature A fourth thing which I would preface about is concerning the infallibilitie of the promises for that may much inflame in vs the desâ—…e to store our heartâ—… with their haâ—…ing heard of their worth if wee likewise bee fully assured concerning the certaine accomplishment of all the good which is coÌ„tained in them I suppose 〈◊〉 â—…n doubts but that if it could be made good that a poore Christian might haue al those excellent things were contained in all the promises of the Bible hee were in a matchlesse estate Now there are many things which may put vs out of all doubt in that point marke them heedfully for they may doe thee singular good 1 For obserue that the promises are in some Scriptures caâ—…d in the singular number the promise and why so as for other reasons so to assure thee it is as sure and as easie for God to fulfill all that goodnesse contained in all those promises as if they were but one onely promise 2 Consider the naâ—…ure of God He cannot lye it is impossible for him to deny his Word hee may as easily deny himselfe If God haue said it it must needs come to passe This argument is vsed in this point Titus 1. 1 2. 3 The antiqâ—… of these promises adde much to our assuraÌ„ce The Apostle in Tâ—…r 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 faith that these promises were made before the world was and hitherto in all this time God neuer failed of one word of his goodnesse 4. We haue the writing of God to shew for them they are vpon record in the Scripture and shall we mistrust when we haue Gods owne hand to shew for it His Word is true and righteous altogether Psal. 16. 9. 5. Yea we haue the oath of God too that by two things in which it is impossible for God to changâ—… the heires of promise
haue what hee will aske of him that is able to giue what hee can aske Marke 11. 24. Ephes. 2. 10. The ninth priuiledge is The seruice and attendance of the Angels The Angels doe pitch their tents about those that feare God Psal. 34. 7. and are ministring spirits to euery heire of saluation Heb. 1. vlt. Oh the dignity and safety of that man whom the glorious Angels do guard and attend vpon The poorest Christian hath a better guard vpon him then the greatest Monarch in the world that is not a Christian. The tenth priuiledge is the Communion of Saints he is mystically vnited in one body to all the worthies that are in heauen or earth and doth effectually enioy the benefit of communion of Saints too large to be here reckoned vp If it were no more but the profit he hath by the prayers of the godly all ouer the world were it not a great fauour Eph. 2. 19 3. 6. Phil. 1. 5. Col. 2. 19. besides all the comforts hee hath in the fellowship with the godly The eleuenth priuiledge is the inheritance of the earth which is restored to him in Christ so as he now possesseth that which he hath of the earth by as good a title as euer Adam held Paradise yea so as whatsoeuer in the whole earth is good for him shall not be withheld from him Math. 5. 5. Psal. 84 11 12. Outward prosperity he is sure of so farre as it is good for him Iob 8. 7. Psal. 37. 5. The last priuiledge is that Inheritance immortall incorruptible and that fadeth not reserued for him in heauen which for excellency passeth all that which euer the eye of m saw or the eare of man heard or the heart of man can conceiue 1 Pet. 1. 3 4. Now then to summe vp all this let a Christian tell his owne soule plainly and vpon cleare proofe by the signes of a childe of God that he is in fauour with God and that Christ is his and that he hath obtained strange deliuerance and that all his sinnes are forgiuen and that the holy Ghost dwels in him and that the image of God is restored in him and that he is free to Gods house and that he may beg any thing of God and that he hath Angels to waite vpon him and that he is neere of kinne to all the Saints in the world and that he is Lord of the earth and that hee shall certainly goe to heauen when he dieth Let this I say be told to his soule can he be dismaid will not the Peace of God which passeth all vnderstanding keepe his heart and minde and that constantly for euer CHAP. IIII. Shewing how the godly may support their hearts against all outward afflictions HItherto of the Priuiledges Now it followeth that I should open those consolations that may support the hearts of men against all the distresses of this life And first I would shew how the Lord is pleased to comfort his seruants in seuerall Scriptures against all the outward afflictions may befall his seruants in this world By outward afflictions I meane such as these wants losses wrongs troubles exile imprisonment sicknesse feares pouerty or any other thing wherewith the life of man is molested in any condition Now there are many excellent wayes of abundant comforts against these or any of these as First if wee consider by the commonnesse of them All thingâ—… fall alike in these things Eccles. 9. 2 3. Euery man that is borne of a woman hath but few dayes and is full of trouble Iob 14. 1. Christ had no Disciple but he is told afore hand Hee must take vp his crosse and that daily Luke 9. 23. There can be no affliction but what accompanieth or may accompany the nature of man 1 Cor. 10. 13. The same afflictions are accomplished vpon our brethren which are through the world 1 Pet. 5. 9. And we haue the Prophets and greatest worthies of the Lord for an example of suffering Iam. 5. 10. And 〈◊〉 the godly must through many tribulations enter into the kingdome of God Acts 14. 22. Secondly if wee consider that God takes notice of vs and of all our trials The Lord knowes the way of the righteous Psal. 1. 6 None of our 〈◊〉 are hid from him All our desires are before him and our groaning is not hid from him Psal. 8. 9. he knowes our soule is in aduersity Psal. 31. 7. And as he takes notice of all our troubles so he takes notice of all that is good in vs Hee knowes them that are patient and trust in him Naâ—…um 7. Thirdly if wee consider the wonderfull compassion of God in the afflictions of his people he doth not willingly afflict but regards vs with pitie with loue thinkes of redeeming vs and sends the Angell of his presence to comfort and saue vs and in all our afflictions is afflicted with vs Esay 63. 8 9. Fourthly iâ—… wee consider the high estimation that God holds of his seruants notwithstanding their afflictions Crosses may make men loue vs the lesse but they doe not a iâ—… discommend vs before God Hee can take notice of his seruants in their distresses as well as if they did shine in the greatest outward splendor in the world This is the consolation that GOD speakes to vs euen when he corrects as to his children and for that reason wee should not refuse his chastening Heb. 12. 6. Prou. 3. 11. We may bee honourable in Gods sight though wee be in a most forlorne and despised condition in the world we may I say bee precious in Gods sight greatly beloued Esay 43. 4 5 6. The Apostle Peter shewes that a poore seruant when he suffers hard words and ill vsage from his master doth herein finde acceptation with God 1 Peter 2. 19 20. Now this is an instance beyond exception For what condition more vile then of a seruant and what crosses were likely to be disregarded of God sooner then these domesticall indignities yet we see a proofe of the regard and loue of God euen in those things 5. Fifthly if we consider the victory of Christ ouer the world Our Sauiour vseth this as a consolation he tels his Disciples In the world they shall haue trouble but hee would haue them bee of good comfort hee hath ouercome the world so as now they shall neuer bee hurt by their troubles Their crosses may bee too hard for theÌ„ to master but Christ can order them so as in him they shal haue victorie ouer them But of this more afterwards Ioh. 16. 33 Sixthly if wee consider the presence of the holy Ghost hee is giuen of Christ and the Father to bee our Comforter and as our afflictions abound so shall our consolations also Ioh. 14. 16. 2 Cor. 1. 4. Now how shall a man be dismayed that hath Gods Spirit within him to hearten him and assist him and refresh him and make glad
though grace bee but in thâ—… buâ—… yoâ—… his blâ—…ssing shall bee upon â—…r budâ—… and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 grâ—… as the will owes planted by the water-courses The hopes of increase should stay vs against the present sense of weakenesse Esay 44. 2 3 4. 6. There are many things comfortable to bee thought vpon in Christ. For first He makes account to find vs sicke and sinners he doth not expect to find vs righteous altogether Hee came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance Marke 2. 17. Secondly Wee haue such an High Priest as knowes how to haue compassion vpon those that are out of the way Hee is touched with our infirmities hee doth rather pitty vs then hate vs for our weakenesses Hebr. 4. 15. Thirdly His intercession couers our infirmities If any man sinne wee haue an Aduocate euen Iesus Christ the righteous who is the propitiation for our sins He takes an order in Heauen that God shall not bee turned away from vs he makes daily intercessâ—…oÌ„ for vs. Fourthly His blood will powerfully cleanse our conscience from the deadnesse which is in our works Heb. 9. 14. Fiftly Hee is the Lord our righteousnesse that is his name by which hee will bee called Ier. 23. 6. His perfect righteousnesse is as truly ours as if we had performed it our selues So as although we be most vnperfect in our selues yet in Christ God can find no fault in vs nor see any trangression though our sanctification be spotted yet our iustification hath no blemish in it 7 The helpes God hath affoorded vs in his Ministers may bee some ease vnto vs though for weakenesse we be but â—…ambs yet God hath prouided for vs hee hath giuen vs Shepherds to feede vs and giuen them a charge to looke to his Lambes as well as his Sheepe The Church is compared to a nurse with brests and we haue a promise to suck out of the brests of her consolations Ierem. 23. 4. Esay 56. 11 12 13. Iohn 23. 19. 8 Wee should especially bee refreshed with the consideration of diuers particular fauours God hath assured vs of in his Word as First That he will not deale with vs after our sinnes nor reward vs after our iniquities Psal. 103. Secondly That he wil spare vs as a man spareth his sonne that serueth him No father can shew compassion like to that which God will bee bound to shew to his children Mal. 3. 17. Thirdly that the smoking flax shall not be quenched the bruised reed shall not bee broken though grace were in vs but like the heate in the weeke of the Candle when the light is out yet God hath taken order that it shall not bee extinguished Esay 42. 3. Fourthly That in all times of need wee shall haue accesse vnto the Throne of Grace and obtaine a supply of all our wants so as we may goe boldly to aske what we need in the Name of Christ and it shall be giuen vs Hebrewes 4. vlt. Fifth That hee will accept of our desires and our will to doe his seruice shall be taken for the deed so as he will reckon of so much good to be done by vs as wee desired and endeuoured to doe our workes are as good as wee desired to haue them to be The preparations of our hearts are reckoned with God as great things Esay 55. 1. Ierem. 30. 2. 2 Cor. 8. 12. Sixthly That in all his dealing with vs he will vse vs in all compassion with a tender respect of our weakenesse Our weeping and supplication shal be accepted before him and hee will cause vs to walke in a straight way in which we shall not stumble Ier. 31. 9. In all our afflictions hee is afflicted In loue in care in pittie hee will redeeme vs and carry vs as in the dayes of old Esay 63. 9. As he hath borne vs from the wombe so will hee bee the same still vnto old age euen vnto the gray haires He will carry vs in the armes of his compassion Hee hath made vs he will beare euen he will carry and will deliuer vs Esay 46. 3 4. He will gather the Lambes with his armes and carrie them in his bosome and gently leade those that are with young Esay 40. 11. Seuenthly That he will supply all our necessities out of the riches of his glorie Psa. 4. 19. Eighthly That he will passe by our meere frailties and take no notice of the errours of our liues that arise from meere infirmities There is no God like vnto him for passing by transgressions Mich. 7. 18. Ninthly That he will strengthen vs and make vs grow in the gifts bestowed vpon vs The Lord will bee the hope of his people and the strength of his Children of Israel Ioel 3. 16. He giueth power to the faint and to them that haue no might he increaseth strength they that waite vpon the Lord shall renew their strength Esa. 40. 29 31 He will be as the dew to his people They shall grow as the Lilly and cast forth their rootes as Lebanon Their branches shall spread and their beautie bee as the Oliue tree and their smell as Lebanon They shall reuiue as the Corne and grow as the Vine Hosh. 14. 5 6 7. And to assure all this God would haue vs to know that hee hath married vs vnto himselfe and holds himselfe tyed in the couenant of marriage with all kindnesse and faithfulnesse to take the care and charge of vs for euer Hosh. 2. 19. 9. To conclude the first sort of promises what knowest thou what God may bring thee vnto notwithstanding thy weaknesse Hee can make thee to multiply as the bud of the field He can make thee increase and waxe great He can make thee attaine vnto excellent ornaments Ezech. 10. 7. Since thou art the branch of his planting the worke of his hand hee may greatly glorifie himselfe in thee so as thy little one may be as a thousand and thy small one as a strong Nation God can performe it in his due time Esay 60. 21 22. Though thou haue but a little strength God hath set before thee such an open doore as no man can shut and God can make thee stand in the loue of the truth without denying his Name when the houre of temptation comes vpon the World and many of great vnderstanding fall Reu. 3. 8 9 10. Hitherto of the principall consolatioÌ„s in the case of infirmities CHAP. XII Diuers obiections are answered IT followeth that I should answer certain obiections which do vsually depresse the hearts of men and by the trouble of which they neglect the former consolations Ob. Some one may say My infirmities are the more grieuous because I find affliction of spirit ioyned with them These terrors and passions vpon my heart doe dismay me and make me doubt those comforts do not belong vnto me Sol. God may afflict thy spirit and yet be wel pleased with thee yea
to be able to attaine these skills how much more ought man to bee at the paines yea and cost too if it were required to get this admirable Skill to liue a religious life This most gainefull subiect is intreated of in this little Volume I may truely say that almost euery sentence in this little Treatise leads vs to much and rich treasure if the promises belonging to each dutie were annexed thereunto And therefore no Christian that loues his owne soule should thinke much of the paines of learning or practising these Rules I shall not need to exhort your Ladiship to the hearty care of those things you haue beene taught of God long since to profit haue learned Iesus Christ as the truth is in him your sincere profession and practise hath many witnesses and since you beleeued the Gospel of Saluation and were sealed by the Spirit of promise you haue a Witnesse within your selfe which will not faile in life or death to plead your aboundant consolation When I intreate of pietie righteousnesse mercie and temperance I intreate of things you haue aboue many profited in I haue presumed to dedicate these Directions to your Ladiship and not without reason You haue heard the preaching of them with speciall attention and haue bin a principall perswader to haue them published for the common good Being many wayes bound to acknowledge your Ladiship amongst my best hearers and friends I cannot but beseech your Ladiship to accept of this small testimonie of my vnfained obseruance of your many prayses in the Gospell and as a pledge of my thankefulnesse of all your workes of loue to mee and mine The God of Glorie and Father of our Lord Iesus Christ make you abound yet more and more in all the riches of his grace in this life and fill you with the comforts of the blessed hope of the appearing of Iesus Christ. Your Ladiships in the seruice of Iesus Christ to be euer commnaded N. BIFIELD THE Contents of the whole Booke Chapter 1. page 441. to the 448. THe Scope of the whole Booke is to shew briefly the choysest Ruâ—…s of life of all sorts Some obiections against this course answered and the warrant and profit of it shewed The easinesse of the course with some generall Directions Chap. 2. p. 448. to 470. THe Rules are either generall or particular The generall Rules concerne either the helpâ—…s to an holy life or the manner of well-doing Hee that would prepare himselfe to an holy course of life must doe diuers things and auoide diuers things The things he must doe are these 1. He must bee sure hee hath repeuted and doth beleeue 2. He must get knowledge how to doe well and that he may attaine knowledge 1. He must esteeme it 2. He must not consult with flesh and blood 3. He must redeeme the time 4. Hee must bee wise for himselfe 5. He must be swift to heare 6. He must study onely profitable things 7. He must striue to increase in knowledge 8. Hee must propound hâ—… doubts 9. He must be rightly ordered towards his Pastor to pray for him and obey him and not discourage him 3. Hee must auoid ill companie 4. Hee must resolue to practise these rules 5. Hee must order his outward calling so as he be freed from all needlesse incumbrances 6. He must keepe companie with such as doe liue well 7. He must not be a seruant of man 8. He must accustome himselfe to the thoughts of the comming of Christ. 9. He must not regard what the multitude doth 10. He must carefully remember to be in all things thankefull to God 11. He must studie to be quiet 12. He must be carefull to go on in a direct course 13. He must reade the Scriptures dayly 14. He must be carefull to preserue his first loue 15. He must especially striue for such good things as would make him more excellent in his place and calling 16. He must be often in the duties of mortification 17. He must obserue the opportunities of well-doing 18. He must be carefull of keeping the Sabbath 19. He must often meditate of the examples of the godly that excell in holinesse 20. He must daily pray God to direct him Chap. 3. p. 470. to 475. THus of what ee must doe what he must auoid followes and so he must take heed 1. Of 〈◊〉 2. Of rashnesse 3. Of carnall confidence 4. Of â—…asting to be rich 5. Of distrustfull fâ—…ares 6. Of adding to or taking from the Word of God 7. Of contempt of reproofe 8. Of beholding of vanitie 9. Of the beginnings of sinne Chap. 4. p. 475. to 491. NIne things to bee euer in our minds that in generall concerne the manner of well-doing for in all good workes wee must shew 1 1. Zeale 2 2. Sinceritie which hath in it Truth Respect to all Gods commandements A right end Obedience without obiâ—…cting Obedience in all companies 3. Constancie when wee doe good Without wearinesse Without discouragement Without resistance Without wauering Without declining 4. Feare 5. Simplicitie which is To rest vpon the word for the forme of holinesse and happinesse To be harmelesse To be simple concerning euill To loue goodnesse for it selfe To be meeke and lowly minded So to feare God as not to enuie the wicked 6. Circumspection which hath in it A respect of lesser commandements Abstaining from appearance of euill Obseruation of the circumstances of things Vnrebukeablenesse Auoyding euill when good might come of it 7. Growth which hath in it Abounding in goodnesse Finishing of holinesse Progresse 8. Moderation to bee neither iust nor wicked ouermuch which is expounded at large Chap. 5. p. 491. to 499. THus of the generall Rule the particular rules concerne either God or other men or our selues Our whole dutie to God concernes either his loue or his seruice The loue of God must be considered either in the foundation of it or in the exercise of it The foundation of the loue of God is the knowledge of God The Rules about the knowledge of God concerne either the right conceiuing of his Nature or our acquaintance with God That we may conceiue aright of the Nature of God 1. Wee must cast out all likenesses 2. We must striue to conceiue of him according to his speciall praises in his Word 3. Wee must bring with vs the faith of the Trinity 4. Wee may helpe our selues by the thinking of the Godhead in the humane Nature of Christ. 5. We must get cure for Atheisticall thoughts That we may be acquainted with God 1. Wee must prepare our hearts 2. We must begge acquaintance by prayer praying with all our hearts and early and constantly 3. Wee must giue our selues to God Chap. 6. p. 499. to 515. THus of the foundation of the loue of God the Rules that concerne the exercise of our loue to God either shew vs how to manifest our loue to God or how to preserue it We manifest our loue to God 1. By auouching him
preserue affection this spirituall loue in his heart and watch against and resist the first beginnings of decay or coldnesse or declining in his heart and take heede of suffering his heart to be drawne away by the deceitfulnesse of sinne or the enticements of the world 15. He must couet earnestly the best gifts 1 Cor. 12. vlt. There are some duties in piety or Mercie or Righteousnesse which in respect of our places doe most concerne vs would in a more speciall manner adorne our particular profession so are there some gifts which do aduance our communion with God and doe make vs more profitable amongst men Now these things we should study and earnestly labour to frame our selues to to expresse them more effectually in our conuersation This no doubt is the reason why the holy Ghost doth in the Scripture make Catalogues of certaine speciall duties or graces singled out from the rest and sitted to the cōditions of the people who are written to and this would be a singular aduantage to vs if we also would single out to our vse some few of the chiefest vertues or duties which we would daily set before vs an◅ striue by prayer and all holy endeauour to fashion them to the life in our hearts a◅d liues 16. He must renew often his mortification mans heart is like fallow ground which is not fit to receiue seed till it be broken vp and at best it is like a garden which will often need weeding If wee doe not at some times in speciall manner humble our soules before God worldly cares or carnall delights will ouer-grow our desires and our practice and choake the seed of the Word receiued by vs wee must keepe vnder our bodies and bring them in subiection and be often dragging our lusts to the crosse of Christ there to crucifie them Our practice is like to sowing which presupposeth plowing before Ier. 4. 3 4. Hosh. 10. 12. 1. Cor. 9. 27. 17. We must watch for the opportunities of well-doing and take heed of procrastination he must seeke righteous◅esse and haste to it he must not put it off till to morrow Esay 6. 8. Prou. 3. 28. and 2. 4. Amos. 5. 14. 18. Hee must remember the Sabbath Day to sanctifie it The commandement concerning the keeping of the Sabbath to sanctifie it is placed in the midst betweene the two Tabels of purpose to shew that the keeping of the Sabbath is a singular helpe to all piety and righteousnesse and God hath promised a speciall blessing to the obseruers of the Sabbath and giues strength by the rest of that day ◅he better to performe holy duties all the weeke after Commandement 4. Esay 38. 1◅ 19. Hee must meditate much on the example of the godly of all ages and striue diligently to learne their wayes and to quicken himselfe by the thought of their care zeale and sinceritie And thus hee may also profitably set before him the examples of such of his owne acquaintance as excell in the gifts of Christ and fruits of weldoing The example of good men should be as forcible to draw vs to good as the example of euill men is to incline others to euill wee haue beene compassed about with a cloud of witnesses who haue liued in all ages of the Church wee must therefore stand in the wayes see and aske for the old way to walke in it and with all gladnesse follow any that are fit to bee guides to vs therein Hebr. 12. 1. Ier. 12. 19. 6. 16. 20. He must go daily to him that teacheth to profit begging of God to shew him a way and to leade him by his Spirit vnto the right practice of euery holy duty euen to guide him in the plaine path Esay 48. 17. ◅sal 27. 11. Thus I haue s◅t downe those rules which are generall helpes vnto godlinesse and must be attended by a Godly Christian. CHAP. III. Shewing the things that are to bee auoided by such as would order their conuersation aright NOw before I proceed vnto the rules that concerne the manner of weldoing I will adde to the former directions nine Cautions or nine things which a Christian must take heed of in his practice of holy duties As First hee must take heed of wretchlesnesse or a scornefull carelesnesse of his owne wayes he must not despise his wayes as if he cared not how hee liued or rested satisfied to bee still as he was this carelesnesse proues the bane of many a soule whereas Hee that keepeth his soule keepeth his way Prou. 19. 16. and 2◅ 8. 2. He must take heed of precipitation or rashnesse or too much haste this is the ground of much false zeale and the cause of strange euils in the presence of some Christian but the godly Christian must learne of Salomon to prepare his worke in the field and then build his house he must get sound knowledge of the warrant of his actions guide his affaires by aduice and with serious preparation fit himselfe to the doing of what hee is sure is good Hee that hasteth with his feete sinneth what is done rashly cannot be done well Prou. 19. 2. As procrastination is a great vice so precipitation is no vertue Prou. 24. 27. 28. 26. 3. Hee must haue no confidence in the flesh he must not rely vpon his own wit memory reason desires vertues praises or power but all his comfort and affiance must be in the merits intercession vertue and assistance of Iesus Christ his Sauiour Phil. 3. 3. 4. He must not haste to be rich for the desire of money is the roote of all euill and they cannot be at leasure for good duties that are so eager to compasse great things in the world Pro. 23. 4. 28. 20. 5. Hee must take heed of the snares that rise from distrustfull feares There is a snare in feare Pro. 29. 25. There are many feares will assault a man that resolues to liue well as the feare that he cannot doe good duties the feare that God will not accept what he doth the feare lest men should scorne him or contemne him or lest he should lose the fauour of his friends or such like Now against all these must the godly minde be armed and take heede that those feares proue not great hinderances to him and especially take heed of that vnbeliefe or counterfeit humilitie by disabling himselfe or mistrusting God contrary to his nature and prom◅ 6. Hee must take heed of adding to or detracting from the word of God Hee must not imagine more sins then God hath made that is not trouble himselfe with feare of offending in such things as God hath not in his Word forbidden and so likewise hee must not impose vpon his owne conscience or other mens the necessitie of obseruing such rules of practice as God neuer prescribed This caution would ease the hearts of many Christians if it were
may continue in our loue to God wee must obserue these rules 1. We must separate our selues from all others to be his Leuit. 20. 26. auoyding fellowship with the seruants of a strange god that might any way entice vs from the loue of God yea we should so much alienate our heart◅ from all idols that wee should not make mention of their names and therefore daily confirme our hearts in that purpose to cleane to God alone Mal. 2. 11. Exod. 34. 11 14 15. and 23. 13. Act. 11. 23. Iosh. 23. 8. 2. We must beware that wee forget not God nor goe too long without effectuall remembrance of him They that can liue whole dayes and weekes without any care to thinke of God may bee sure their hearts are voide of the loue of God and as euer wee would continue to loue God we must be carefull euery day to remember him and thinke vpon him Deut. 6. 12. 32. 18. 3. We must labour to edifie our selues in our most holy faith wee must build vp our hearts in the assurance of that wonderfull loue God hath shewed to vs and this will preserue and keepe vs in our loue to him againe Iude 20. 4. Wee must pray in the holy Ghost as is shewed in the same place prayer preserues acquaintance with God and exceedingly quickens the heart and besides drawes from God new pledges of his loue to vs which may serue to kindle our affections towards him 5. In the same place another rule is imported and that is the daily expectation of the comming of Christ for the terrour of that Day will mooue vs to shew all possible loue to God and so will that singular glory we are assured to receiue in that day 6. In the vse of all Gods Ordinances we must be carefull to seeke out the face of God which is that speciall presence of his grace For the loue of God will decay in vs if once we come to vse the meanes only for forme and an outward shew Psal. 105. 4. And if we misse of God in his Ordinances we must neuer be quit till we finde him whom our soule loueth Cant. 3. 1. Psal. 63. 1. 7. We must preserue the truth he hath deliuered to vs yea we must contend for it for sound do◅rine laid vp in our hearts will preserue in vs soundnesse of affection to God Iude 3. 8. We must get Catalogues of Gods praises in particular and fill our hearts with the knowledge and contemplation of them 9. If we would be preserued in the loue of God we must labour to attaine to the abilitie to reioyce in God and delight our selues in God A wife that would increase her loue to her husband must striue to solace her selfe often with her husband and to forme in her heart a speciall delight in him So must wee doe to God This is miserably neglected and yet exceedingly necessarie Nor is it an ordinarie ioy we should take in God but we should ioy in him first with all our hearts secondly not for a time but alwaies euery day nor with common but with exceeding ioyes Phil. 4. 4. Psa. 37 4. and 68. 3 4. 105. 3. Now that this point may bee the better vnderstood I will consider of two things first what it is to delight and ioy in God secondly what we should do that we might delight and take pleasure in God For the first this delight in God hath in it foure things distinctly First a spirituall satisfaction or contentment arising from the assurance of Gods loue to vs as ◅ing enough that hee regards vs thus Dauid saith his soule was ◅tisfied as with marrow Psal. 63. 5. and 149. 2. Secondly a ioyfull entertainment of all passages of loue betweene God and vs especially in the vse of his Ordinances Thirdly a delightfull contemplation of God and his mercies Fourthly a glorying in God and extolling of his praises as by discourse so by singing of Psalmes 1. Cor. 1. 31. Psal. 33. 1. 105. 3. 68. 3 4. Now for the attainment of the ioying in God 1. We must mourne often for our disabilities herein and pray to God to forme this delight in vs. 2. We must restraine carnall ioyes and cares for the excesse of both doth exceedingly dull the heart and withdrawes it care of delight in God Phil. 4. 4 5 6. 3. Wee must exercise our selues with all the ioy wee can in the Word of God Psal. 119. 14 16. 4. We must take heed of listening to Obiections against the loue of God to vs whether they arise from Satan or our owne flesh 5. Wee must often obserue the miseries of the wicked in comparison of our happy estate in Christ Hab. 3. 17 18. 6. We must seeke a delightfull conuersation with the godly 7. We must take heede of domesticall euils our home sinnes the corruptions that would daily preuaile in vs Iob 22. 23 26. 8. Wee must restraine our owne beliefe about the acceptation of the good duties wee performe and to this end wee must take heed that we bee neither iust ouermuch by attributing too much to our selues nor yet wicked ouermuch in condemning all wee doe as hatefull to God For this last doth maruellously hinder vs from ioying in God CHAP. VIII Containing generall Rules about Gods seruice HItherto of the first sort of Rules that concerne o◅r carriage towards God namely those tha◅ concerne our loue to God Now the second sort of Rules follow and that is those that cōcerne the seruice of God and these may bee cast into two rankes for they either concerne the parts of Gods worship or the time of Gods worship The Rules that concerne the parts of Gods worship are either generall which binde vs to the good behauiour in all parts of Gods worship or else certaine specialties of Direction that concerne some part of Gods worship onely Now for the generall rules we should know and remember that there are nine things to bee looked to and brought to the practice of euery part of Gods ◅orship The first is preparation wee must i◅ some sort conferre with ◅ur owne hearts and prepare ◅m before we goe before God to doe any seruice Iob 11. 13. Psal. 4. 4. Ezech. 7. 10. Secondly we must come with ◅ll reuerence and godly feare Heb. 12. 28. Psal. 2. 11. Thirdly wee must performe the seruice in repentance for our sinnes Wee must not come before God in the loue of any sinne if wee doe wee lose our labour and God will loathe our workes Esay 1. Iob 11. 14. Wee must haue cleane hands and a pure heart or else no seruice of God will be accepted Psal. 119. 11. 24. 4. Fourthly it must grieue vs that others will not serue God Psal. 119. 139. Fifthly wee must performe euery seruice in the name of Christ or else it cannot be accepted b◅ r◅ason of that euill that cleane to our best workes whether w◅ pray or giue thanks or whatsoeuer we doe we
or prouocation but wee must also carry our selues discreetly and to this end there are these excellent Rules First thou must consider to speake what is acceptable and auoid what may irritate there is singular vse of this rule if it were followed Prou 10. 31 1â—… and 13. 3. Secondly thou must marke those that cause diuision and offâ—…nces and auoide them and shun the society of such Rom. 16. 17 18. This will breed thee much peace and deliuer thee from much suspition in others Thirdly thou must make no friendship with the angry man for either by much conuersing with him thou maist learne his waies or else it will be a snare to thee that thou shalt neither know how to keepe his fauour nor yet how to breake off from him without much vnrest and inconuenience Prou. 22. 24 25. Fourthly it is a great discretion in euill time to bee silent In things wherein thou mayest endanger thy selfe and not profit others it is thy best way and a wise course to forbeare speech of such things Amos 5. 13. Fiftly so likewise it is thy discretion in matters of dangers to forbeare the communicating of thy secret to any though thou mightest be tempted to a perswasion of trust in those to whom thou wouldest reueale them It may often repent thee to haue spoken but seldome to haue held thy peace Mica 7. 5. Sixthly withdraw thy feet from thy neighbours house lest he be wearie of thee and hate thee this is an excellent rule giuen by Saloman Prou. 25. 17. If thou wouldest conuerse with reputation take heed of idle gadding from house to house when thou hast no occasion or employment thou mayest draw hereby much secret contempt and loathing of thee when thy emptinesse and vanity shall be thereby discouered An empty conuersation that hath in it no exercise of pierie or vertue if it bee frequent occasioneth secret and vnutterable scorne 7. Restraine thine owne passions in conuersing There are none so wise but if they shew their passions of immoderate anger feare griefe yea or ioy they discouer much weaknes in their disposition which would bee couered if they did bridle the excesse of their passions A wise man couereth shame when a foole is presently knowne It is the best praise not to haue such weaknesses but the next to this is by discretion to bridle our selues so as we may hide our weaknesses from breaking out Lastly thou maist make good vse of that direction of Salomon about thy friend Blesse not thy friend with a loud voice rising early in the morning for it may bee accounted a curse to thee Take heede of flattery which in stead of effecting thine owne ends may bring thee out of all respect He doth not forbid the iust praise and encouragement of friends but the intending of praise of purpose to the vttermost notice of thy friend this is to praise him with a loud voice and the affectation of preuenting others in praising and of doing it in such things as are not yet suâ—…iently knowne to be praise-worthy and to set ones selfe so to praise as if he studied to doe nothing else but humour his friend especially if it be but once perceiued that thou doest it but for thy owne ends It is a great part of wisedome to know how to speake of the praise of others so as neither sinister ends be intended nor the humouring of those we praise to doe it sparingly and seasonably is a great discretion And thus of the Rules that make our conuersation amiable in respect of discretion Thirdly that our conuersation may not be hurtfull offensiue we must looke to the purity of it and so these rules following are of singular vse First in generall Refraine thy tongue from euill and thy lips that they speake no guile Psal. 34. 13. For he that keepeth his mouth keepeth his soule Prou. 21. 23. Take heed of the vsuall vices of the tongue for thereout may come much mischiefe and discontent to thy selfe and others Secondly in particular looke to thy selfe carefully that thou auoide those three euils mentioned by the Apostle Ephes. 5. 4. viz. filthy speaking foolish talking and iesting By iesting he meanes those biting iests that vnder pretence of shewing wittines or conceit doe secretly leaue disgrace vpon the persons whom they concerne Thirdly auoid with detestation the excesse in drinking and reuelling and suffer thy selfe vpon no pretence to bee drawne to giue way to thine owne practice in them 1 Pet. 4. 3. CHAP. XXII How we must carry our selues out of company THus of thy carriage in generall in company Now out of company thou must looke to these things First thou must fashion thy heart by the vse of all good meanes to the loue all sorts of men This 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 loue of men is a vertue little thought on yet greatly necessary as a foundation of all practice in conuersing with others and we should labour to abound in loue towards all men 1 Thess. 3. 12. Secondly remember to pray for all sorts of men This is a precept giuen vs in charge by the Apostle 1 Tim. 2. 1. and belongs to this place and we ought to make conscience of it according to the occasions of our callings or acquaintance with other men wee should euen in secret seeke to profit our neighbours by praying for them Thirdly we should prouide euen out of company to order our affaires so as that we may liue 1. Honestly without scandall 1 Cor. 10. 32. Phil. 1. 10. 2. Iustly without deceit or fraudulent dealing Leuit. 19. 35 36. 1 Thess. 4. 6. 3. Peaceably without strife with any if it be possible Prou. 3. 29 30. Zach. 7. 10. Heb. 12. 14. CHAP. XXIII Rules about worke of Mercy HItherto of the Rules that concerne Righteousnesse Mercy followeth Now in shewing mercy diuers things are charged vpon vâ—… First willingnesse We must giue cheerefully For the Lord loueth a cheerefull giuer We must loue mercy as well as shew mercy Our hearts should be euer answerable to our power We must bee readie and prepared to shew mercy abhorring delayes and putting off of time or seeking excuses Our eares should be open to the cryes of the poore Yea rather then be behind hand we should sel that we might giue almes Mich. 6. 8. 1 Tim. 6. 18. 2 Cor. 9. 4 5 6 7. Prou. 22. 22 23. Luke 12. 33. Prou. 3. 27 28. Secondly Labour and Diligence We should take paines and worke hard according to all the occasions of mercy This is the Apostles phrase God will not forget your worke and labour of loue Heb. 6. 10. We must be forward to doe those workes of mercy that require our paines and trauell about them as well as those we may doe and sit still 2 Cor. 8. 16 22. Thirdly Liberalitie We must open our hands wide Deut. 15. 8. we must be rich in good workes 1 Tim. 6. 18. We must not giue sparingly 2 Cor. 9.
being of one mind And certainely this earnestnesse in requiring this duty imports that some peruerse Christians will smoake one day for th◅ir presumption and waywardnesse and pride of opinions 2. Wee must follow the things which may make for outward peace and to this end we must labour to shew all meekenesse in our carriage and long-suffering in forbearing one another and forgiuing one another Ephesians 4. 2 3 4. 3. Wee must striue to heare our affection to such a degree as that it may be able to couer the infirmities of others He must get a couering loue that will liue constantly in the loue of the godly A loue that will couer a multitude of faults 1 Pet. 4. 8. Prou. 10. 10. 4. We must confesse our faults one to another Iames 5. 16. It doth exceedingly preserue loue if men when they haue offended or wronged others would quickly and easily and heartily acknowledge their offences Nor doth this rule hold in case of trespasse onely but when wee haue not wronged others yet discrcetly to complaine of the corruption of nature that cleaues to vs and the infirmities which daily trouble vs. This doth worke not onely compassion but great increase of affection in others towards vs For acknowledgement preuents their secret loathing of vs for such frailties if they should discerne them And besides it makes them the willinger to giue vs leaue to reprooue their faults when they see we are as willing to reprooue our owne besides the ease it brings to our own hearts many times to make our moane to others when our consciences are troubled CHAP. XVII What we must auoide that our loue may be preserued THus what wee must doe to preserue loue Now further that loue may bee preserued amongst the godly these things following are to be auoided First Suits in Law A Christian must haue many considerations of his cause before it can be lawfull for him to goe to law with his brother These kinds of contentions are most vnnaturall amongst Christians and proue not onely scandalous in respect of others but extremely grieuous and poisonous to themselues 1 Cor. 6. 1 4. Secondly Dissimulation our loue must bee without faining in deede and in truth not in shew or in words Rom. 12. 9. 1 Iohn 3. 18. Thirdly Conceitednesse This is a vice that extremely vexeth others and alienateth affection we must not be wise in our selues but rather in lowlinesse of minde esteeme another better then our selues shew it both by making our selues equall to them of the lower sort and by going before others in giuing Honour and Praise Rom. 12. 10 16. Phil. 2. 3 4. Pro. 12. 15. Fourthly reioycing in iniquity Our loue must be holy and pure if we would haue it preserued It must haue nothing in it that is vnseemly nor must it be an affection that will take pleasure in the vices or faults of those with whom we cōuerse 1 Cor. 13. 5 6. Fifthly the minding of our owne things we must not study for our selues and our owne ends onely in conuersing 1 Cor. 13. 5. The meaning is not that we should leaue our callings and our houses to spend the greatest part of our time in our neighbors houses but he prohibits 1. Worldlinesse and excessiue cares about our businesse and the things of this life which hinders needfull society with the godly and secondly hee forbids selfe-loue in conuersing when men in all things aime at their owne profit or pleasure or credit and doe not as well seeke the good of others we may minde our owne things but not onely 6. Sixthly Ficklenesse and Vnconstancy we must looke to it that brotherly loue continue Heb. 13. 1. and to this end wee must looke to the leuity of our owne natures and striue to make good by continuance the affection we haue conceiued and professed to others Some are of such vnconstant dispositions that they will loue vehemently for a fit and suddenly fall off without reason but not without singular shame and blemishing of their reputations For such tempers are hardly fit for any societie Now this must be repented of and reformed Seuenthly we must take heed of vaine-glory and ouer eager desire of credit and estimation aboue others For this is the cause of much vnrest in our own hearts and of much interruption in brotherly loue And why wouldst thou be so highly esteemed of Thou considerest not the hard taske thou layest vpon thy selfe to be euer carefull to answer that great praise or estimation thou desirest Nor markest thou how thereby thou art made to offend against thy brother by enuying him by backbiting or other wayes of prouocation nor yet how little this commends thee to God Gal. 5. 26. Eighthly take heed of iudging thy brethren not but that thou mayst say that sinne is sinne but looke to thy selfe in two things First that thou censure not thy brother about things indifferent or doubtfull such as ceremonies were and are This is flatly forbidden Rom. 14. 3 13. Secondly that thy suspitions transport thee not to condemne thy brother for hidden things the things of darkenesse and counsels of the heart till thou be sure of the fault or offence thou maist not iudge or censure 1 Cor. 4. 5. Ninthly if there be any occasion of grieuance that loue may be renewed or preserued looke to two things First that thou render not reuiling for reuiling 1 Pet. 3. 9. Secondly that thou grudge not against thy brother or by whispering depraue his actions or back-bite him or complaine against him to his disgrace in things where the right is not apparently discouered Iam. 5. 9. Lastly if thou wouldest preserue thy selfe in the loue of the godly then thou must take heed of forsaking the assembling together of the Saints Thou must preserue all wayes of exercising the Communion of Saints and hold fellowship with them in Gods House and in your owne dwelling Prophanenesse must not draw thee from the Temple nor worldlinesse from society and louing and profitable conuersation with thy godly friends and acquaintance Heb. 10. 25. CHAP. XXVIII How we must carry our selues towards such as are fallen HItherto of such rules of conuersation as direct vs in our carriage towards the godly considered in generall Now there are other rules which concerne onely some of the godly namely 1. Such as are fallen 2. Such as are weake 3. Such as are strong 4. Such as are especially knit vnto vs in friendship For the first those that are fallen are either fallen from God or fallen from thee Such as are fallen from God are either fallen grosly and of habit or by infirmity and suddenly Those that are fallen grosly are either guilty of soule vices or else of extreme omissions such as that which the Apostle instanceth in of idlenesse and the generall neglect of their callings Now towards both these thou must be thus ordered First warne
when thou art well Prou. 13. 7. Secondly Shame Be not ashamed of that condition God brings thee into beare thy crosses with spirituall magnanimity account not thy selfe dishonored by Gods hand who doth all for the best 1. Pet. 4. 16. Thirdly Impatience grieue not at Gods works sorrow not after the world Fret not at God or man Refuse not Gods chastening but with patience beare what is laid vpon thee It is the Lord let him do whatsoeuer he will with thee Prou. 3. 11. Fourthly Fainting or discouragement of heart Liue by faith call not Gods loue into question keepe thee in the good way Pro. 24. 10. Fifthly Trust not vpon carnall friends Relye not vpon man but vpon God Trust not in the arme of flesh Prou. 27. 10. Sixthly Too much Carefulnes for the meanes how to get out of affliction Commit thy way to God and put thy trust in him vse all lawfull meanes but distresse not thy heart with bootlesse cares Cast thy care vpon God for he careth for thee Phil. 4. 6. 1 Pet. 5. 7. Seuenthly Sudden feares Be not so amazed with the first tydings or beginnings of any affliction discouer not such want of faith as to be guiltie of those violent passions of feare Gods loue is vnchangeable though heauen and earth should goe together yet God will bee with thee Hee will not leaue thee nor forsake thee Prou. 3. 25. Eighthly and lastly carelesnesse of thy wayes Be not secure in sinning but let thy crosses melt off some of thy drosse and draw thee neere to God Goe not on boldly to sinne without regard if the Lord haue any quarrell against thee humble thy selfe and depart from iniquitie Pro. 14. 16. The things then thou must do on the contrary side are these When thou art in affliction thou must do these things First thou must pray and call vpon the name of the Lord as these expresse Scriptures require Iam. 5. 13. Psal. 50. 15. 1. Cor. 4. 12 13. Secondly thou must beare thy crosses with patience and contentation lam 1. 4. 1. Pet. 3. 15. Esay 5. Phil. 4. 5 6. 2. Cor. 6. 8. Pro. 12. 9. Thirdly thou must labour for wisedome to know how to carry thy selfe discreetly and to vse all good meanes for thy deliuerance Iam. 1. 5. Fourthly thou must be sure to shew thy trust in God and cast thy burthen on the Lord Iam. 5. 7 8. Nahum 1. 7. Psal. 27. vlt. 37. 7. 55. 22. Fiftly thou must shew thy obedience to God that thou dost 1. If thou submit thy selfe to Gods will Heb. 5. 8. 2. If thou iudge thy selfe and acknowledge thy sins to God Hosh. 5. vlt. Iob 36. 8 9. 3. If thou be constant in the good wayes of godlinesse Psal. 37. â—…4 4. If thou learne more righteousnesse and art made by thy crosses to do holy duties with better affections Esay 26. 10. FINIS An Aduertisement to the READER REligious Reader be pleased to take notice of the purpose and intention of the reuerend Author of these Treatises which he hath more fully expressed in the beginning of this Booke and in the sixt page directeth to the vse of his Treatise of the Principles of Religion a Worke well approoued and acceptable with good men Which Booke should in order follow next after the Rules of a holy Life But the Authors purpose hath beene hitherto disappointed by reason the right of Printing these Treatises did belong to seuerall men Which inconuenience is now prouided for all the whole sixe Treatises being to be had entire in one Volume if thou be not wanting to thy selfe Thine in the Lord Adoniram Bifield THE PRINCIPLES OR THE PATERNE OF wholesome Words Containing a Collection of such Truths as are of necessity to be beleeued vnto Saluation separated out of the Body of all THEOLOGIE Made euident by infallible and plaine proofes of Scriptures And withall The seuerall vses such Principles should be put to are abundantly shewed A proiect much desired and of singular vse for all sorts of Christians By N. BIFIELD late Preacher of Gods Word at Isleworth in MIDDLESEX The fourth Edition corrected and amended LONDON Printed by Iohn Legatt for Robert Allot at the signe of the Beare in Pauls Church-yard 1630. This is the Title of the Treatise mentioned in the Aduertisement The Treatise it selfe ought to follow in this place THE CVRE OF THE FEARE OF DEATH Shewing the course Christians may take to bee deliuered from those Feares about Death which are found in the hearts of the most A Treatise of singular vse for all sorts By N. BIFIELD late Preacher of Gods Word at isleworth in MIDDLESEX HEB. 2. 15. He died that he might deliuer them who through the feare of death were all their life time subiect to bondage LONDON Printed by Iohn Legatt and are to bee sold by P. Stophens and C. Meredith at the golden Lyon in Pauls Church-yard 1630. TO THE RIGHT Honorable and Noble Lady the Lady Anne Harrington Grace and comfort from God the Father and the Lord Iesus Christ be multiplied MADAM VVHen I had seriously bethought my selfe in what Doctrine especially to imploy my Ministerie in the place in which the Lord had by so strong and strange a prouidence settled mee Amongst other things I was vehemently inclined to study the Cure of the Feare of Death both because it may be vsually obserued that the most men are in bondage by reason of these Feares as also because I am assured that our liues will become more sweet yea and more holy too when the feare of death is remooued And the rather was I incited hereunto because I haue obserued some defect about this Point in the most that haue written about Death I am not ignorant of the censure which many may giue of this proiect as accounting it an impossible thing to bee effected but my trust is that godly and discreete Christians will restraine censure when they haue throughly viewed my reasons My vnfained desire to doe seruice vnto Gods Church in relieuing such Christians herein as are not furnished with better helpes hath emboldened me to offer this Treatise also to the publike view I haue presumed in your Honors absence to thrust forth this Treatise vnder the protection of your Honors name and withall I desire heartily to testifie my thankefulnes for the many fauors shewed vnto me mine while your Honor was pleased to be my hearer I should also much reioyce if my testim my concerning the singular graces God hath bestowed vpon you the many good workes in which you haue abounded in the places of your abode might adde any thing either vnto your Honours prayses in the Churches of Christ or vnto the establishment of the comfort of your owne heart in God and his Sonne Iesus Christ. I haue not made choyse of your Honour in this Dedication for any speciall fitnesse in this Treatise for your Honours condition in respect of your
minde and conscience liue shut vp with darknesse and horror The Diuels haue within thee strong holds and liue intrenched in thy thoughts Ephes. 4. 17. 2. Cor. 10. 5. Thy heart is spiritually dead and like a stone within thee Ephes. 2. 1. Ezech. ◅6 26. 4. Thy body is wretched through deformities and infirmities diuersly noisome to thee with paines that grieue thee either in respect of labour or diseases vnto which thou art so prone and there is no part or ioynt of thee but is lyable to many kinds of diseases Deut. 28. 31 22. Gen. 3. 19. And of the labours of thy life which is but the least part of thy bodily miseries Salomon saith All things are full of labour who can vtter it and for that reason life is but a vanity and vexation Eccles. 1. 8. 5. If thou looke vpon thy outward estate in the world with wh◅t fearefull frights may thy h◅art bee griped If thou consider 1. The common or gen◅rall or publike plagues with which God fights against the world as wars famines earthquakes pestilence and yeerely diseases inundations of waters and infinite such like 2. The particular crosses with which hee vexeth thee in particular either with losses of thy estate or the troubles of thy family Deut. 28. 15 16. c. 3. The preterition of God restraining many good things from thee so as thou wantst manie of those blessings of all sorts which yet God doth bestow vpon others Esay 56. 1 2. Ieremie 5. 25. 4 The cursings of thy blessings when God blasts the gifts of thy minde that thou canst not vse them for any contentment of thy life or makes thy prosperity to be the occasion of thy ruine Malach. 2. 3. Eccles. 5. 13. This is a sore euill Lastly consider yet further what may fall vpon thee in respect of which thou art in daily danger There are seas of wrath which hang ouer thy head Iohn 3. 36. and God may plague thee with the terrors of conscience like Cain Gen. 4. 14. or with a reprobate sense or the spirit of slumber Rom. 1. 28. Rom. 11. 8. strong illusions 2 Thess. 2. 11. or such other like dreadfull spirituall iudgements besides many other fearfull iudgements which thy h◅art is not able to cōceiue of as painefull diseases in the body or an vtter ruine in thy estate or good name but aboue all other things the remembrance of the fearefull iudgement of Christ and the euerlasting paines of hell with a miserable death should compell thee to cry out O men and brethren what shall I doe to bee saued and get out of this estate But because it is my purpose here chiefly to perswade with godly men and not with naturall men and because death it selfe is no ease vnto such men as liue in their sins without repentance who haue reason to loath life and yet haue no cause to loue death I passe from them and come to the life of godly men and say they haue great reason to loath life and desire the day of death CHAP. VI. Shewing the miseries of godly men in life NOw the miseries of the godly mans life are of two sorts for either hee may consider what he wants or what he hath in life for which he would be weary of it I will giue but a touch of the first consider of it in this life there are sixe things among the rest we want and can neuer attaine while wee liue here The first is the glorious presence of God while the body is present the Lord is absent 2. Cor. 5. 8. And is not this enough to make vs loath life Shall we◅ more esteeme this wretched car◅asse then our glorious God whose onely presence in glory shall fill vs with eternall delight O the vision of God! If we had but once seene God face to face we would abhorre that absence that should hinder the fruition of such vnspeakable beauties as would enamour the most secure heart to an vnquenchable loue The second thing wee want in life is the sweete fellowship with our best friends A fellowship matchlesse if we either consider the perfection of the creatures whose communion we shall enioy or the perfect manner of enioying it Who would be withheld from the congregation of the first borne from the societie with innumerable Angels and the spirits of iust men Alas the most of vs haue not so much as one entire and perfect friend in all the world and yet wee make such friends as we haue the ground of a great part of the contentment of our liues Who could liue here if he were not beloued Oh what can an earthly friendship bee vnto that in heauen when so many thousand Angels Saints shall be glad of vs and ◅ntertaine vs with vnwearied delight If we had but the eyes of faith to consider of this we would thinke euery houre a yeere till we were with them Thirdly in this world we want the perfection of our owne natures we are but maimed deformed creatures here we shall neuer haue the sound vnderstanding of men in vs till we bee in heauen our holinesse of nature and gifts will neuer be consummate till we be dead Fourthly in this world wee want libertie Our glorious liberty will not ◅e had here a thing which the spirits of the best men haue with much sighing longed after Rom. 8. 21 22. Oh who would liue in a prison a dungeon rather then a palace of royall freedom It hath been impliedly shewed before that wee are many waies in bondage here Fiftly we shall euer want here fulnesse of contentment If a man liue many yeeres so that the dayes of his yeeres be many if his soule bee not filled with good Salomon saith an vntimely birth is better then bee And it is certaine if a man liue a thousand yeeres twise told he shall neuer see solid good to fill his heart his appetite will neuer be filled Eccle. 9. 3 6 7. There is nothing in this life can giue a man solid and durable contentment but a man findes by experience vanitie and vexation of spirit in what hee admires or loues most and shall wee be so ottish as to forget those riuers of pleasures that are at Gods right hand Psal. 16. vlt. 6. The sixth thing we want in this world is our Crown and the immortall and incorruptible inheritance bought for vs with the ◅loud of Christ and shall not ◅ur hearts burne within vs in ◅onging after possession Can we ◅sire still to liue in wants and to be vnder age What shall moue vs if such an incomparable crowne cannot moue vs Wee that sweate with so much sore labor for the possession of some small portion of earth shall we I say be so sluggish as not to desire that this kingdome which our Father hath giuen vs might come quickly vpon vs or are we so transported with spirituall madnesse as to be afraid
IX The misery of life in respect of the world THirdly consider but what the world is in which thou liuest and that either in the apparent miseries of this world or in the vexations that accompanie the best things the world hath to offer to giue thee First for the apparent miseries 1. It is exquisitely like a wildernesse no man but for innumerable wants liues as in a desart here 2. It is a true Aegypt to the godly it continually imposeth hard taskes and seruile conditions Life can neuer bee free from grieuous burthens and inexorable molestation 3. This world is verily like Sodom full of generall and vnspeakeable filthinesse All the world lyeth in wickednesse scarce one Lot to be found in a whole Citie or Parish If God would seeke but fiue righteous men that are truly or absolutely godly they are not to bee found in the most assemblies in the world nay in the Church too 4. Yet more this world is a very Pâ—…st-house spiritually considered Euery man that a godly man comes neere hath a mischieuous plague-sore running vpon him yea the godly themselues are not without this disease so as there iâ—… a necessity as it were to infect or be infected still in all places or companies Oh who would loue to liue in a Pest-house that may dwell in a place for euer free from all infection 5. Yet more this World why it is a very Golgotha a place of dead men we liue amongst the Graues almost all we see or haue to deale with are but men truely dead Alas what should wee reckon of the life of mens carkasses when their soules are dead and both soule and body sentenced to eternall death Almost all that we meete with are malefactors vnder sentence ready to bee carried to execution the wrath of God hanging ouer their heads and vnquenchable fire kindled against them and shall wee bee so besotted as to loue the dead more then the liuing or the society of vile and miserable malefactors in a prison rather then the fellowship of the glorious Princes of God in their Palace of endlesse and matchlesse blisse 6. Why should wee loue the World that hateth vs and casts vs off as men dead out of minde Are we not crucified to the world Galat. 6. 14. and doe not wicked men hate vs and enuy vs and speake all manner of euill sayings of vs because we follow good The World loues her own but vs it cannot loue because we are not of this world Can darknesse loue light or the sonnes of Belial care for the sonnes of God In this world we shall haue trouble and if wee found not peace in Christ wee were of all men most miserable Ioh. 15. 19. Eccles. 4. 4. Ioh. 17. 14. 2 Cor. 6. 17. Ioh. 16. 33. And if they hate vs for well-doing how will they triumph if our seet do but slippe Wee should desire death euen to bee deliuered from the feare of giuing occasion to the world to triumph or blaspheme in respect of vs. Yea so extreme is the hatred of the World that a iust man may perish in his righteousnesse when a wicked man prolongs his dayes in his wickednesse Eccles. 7. 17. 8. 4. 7. Do we fall into any speciall miserie in this world why behold the teares of the oppressed and there is none to comfort them We are either not pittied or not regarded or the compassion of the world is like the morning dew it is gone as a tale that is told our mistery will last but there will soone bee none to comfort vs. Miserable comforters are the most that can bee had in the world and for this reason Salomon praised the dead that are already dead aboue the liuing that are yet aliue Eccles. 4. 1 2. 8. There is vsually no Christian but in thiâ—… woâ—…ld hee hath some speciall miserie vpâ—…n him either pouerty oâ—… debâ—… 〈◊〉 disease in his body or the 〈◊〉 c. 9. We daily â—…ffet thâ—…â—…se of our friends that were the companions of our life and the causes of contentment to vs. Now who would tarry behind them or esteeme of this world when they are gone from vs And thus much of the apparent miseries of this world CHAP. X. The vanities of the seeming felicities of the world NOw it followeth that I should intreat of the vanities that cleaue to the seeming felicities of the world and proue that there is no reason to bee in loue with life for any respect of them The best thing the world can make shew of are Honours Credit Lands Houses Riches Pleasures Birth Beauty Friends Wit Children Acquaintance and the like Now there be manythings which apparently proue thâ—…re can be no sound contentment or felicity in these For 1. All things bee full of labour who can vtter it Ecclesiasticus 18. Men must gaine the blessings of the earth with the sweate of their browes there is seldome any outward blessing but it is attained with much difficultie paines or danger or care or grieuance some way 2. How small a portion in these things can the most men attaine If the whole world were possessed it should not make a man happy much lesse those small parcels of the world which the most men can attaine Eccles. 1. 3. 3. It is manifest men cannot agree about the chiefe good in these things Life is therefore apparently vaine in respect of these things because there are almost infinite proiects and variety of opinions and in all these successions of ages no experience can make men agree to resolue which of these things haue felicity in them Who knows what is good for a man in this life all the daies of his vaine life which he spendeth as a shadow Eccles. 6. 12. 4. In all these things here is nothing now but it hath beene the same or the like to it Now things that are common are out of request Eccles. 1. 9 10. and 3. 15. 5. The world passeth away and the lusts thereof the eye is not satisfied with seeing nor the care with hearing If a man liue many dayes his soule is not filled with good the desire after these things will vanish men cannot loue them still Our life is spent in wishing for the future and bewailing of the past a loathing of what wee haue tasted and a longing for what wee haue not tasted which were it had would neuer more satisfie vs then that wee haue had Hence it is that men wearying themselues in seeking of variety of earthly things and yet cannot be contented The vexation that cleaues vnto them still breeds loathing We are like men that are Sea-sicke that shift from roome to roome and from place to place thinking to find ease neuer considering that so long as the same Seas swell and winds blow and humors are stirred alteration of place will not profit So it is with vs so long as wee carry with vs a nature so
thou forgotten the consolation that saith God will bee a father to the fatherlesse and a Iudge and a Protector of the widowes cause Hee will releeue both the fatherlesse and the widow as many Scriptures doe assure vs Psal. 146. 9. and 68. 6. Proâ—… 15. 25. 2. Thou leauest them but for a time God wil restore them to thee againe in a better world 3. Thou gainest the presence of God and his eternall coniunction who will be more to thee then many thousand wiues or children could be He can be hurt by the losse of no company that findeth God in Heauen CHAP. XVIII Why we should not be sorry to leaue the pleasures of life BVt might some other say My heart is sorely vexed because in death I must part with the pleasures of life There are many things might quiet mens mindes in respect of this obiection For thy pleasures are either sinfull pleasures or 〈◊〉 pleasures if they bee 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…west thy hatred of God by louing them and heapest vp wrath vpon thinâ—… owne soule by liuing in them But say thy pleasures be lawfull in themselues yet consider First that the paines of thy life are and will be greater both for number and continuance then thy pleasures can be No pleasure at once euer lasted so long as the fit of an Ague 2. Thou forgettest what end they may haue For thy pleasures may goe out with gall For either shame or losse or euill sicknesse may fall vpon thee or if not yet thine owne heart will loath them as they are vanity so they will proue vexation of spirit Thou will bee extremely tyred with them 3. Thou art far from giuing thy life for Christ that wilt not forgoe the superfluity of life for him 4. That in thy delights thou shewest the greatest weakenesse so as thou maist say of Laughter Thou art mad Eccles. 2. 2. 5. That death doth not spoile thee of pleasures for it bringeth thee to the pleasures that are at Gods right hand for euermore Psa. 16. vlt. CHAP. XIX Why wee should not be loth to leaue the honours of the world 9. IF any other obiect the lothnesse to leaue his honours or high place in the world I may answer diuers things 1. Why shouldest thou bee so in loue with the honours of this world if thou but consider how small the preferment is or can be â—…e whole earth is but as â—…e 〈◊〉 point and â—…nter in comparison with the circumference of the whole world besides 1. Now in true iudgement it is almost impossible to discern how a man should rise higher in a Center If thou hadst all the earth thou wert no more exalted then to the possession of a full point a little spot in comparison therfore how extremely vaine is thy nature to be affected with the possession of lesse then the thousand thousandth part of a little spot or point 2. Consider seriously the thraldome which thy preferment brings thee vnto Thou canst not liue free but still thou art fettered with the cares and feares and griefes that attend thy greatnesse There is little difference betweene thee and a prisoner saue that the prisoner hath his fetters of Iron and thine are of Gold and that his fetters binde his body and thine thy minde He weares his fetters on his legs and thou thine on thine head and in this thou art one way lesse contented then some prisoners for they can sing for ioy of heart when thou art deiected with the cares and griefes of thy minde If thou hadst a Crowne it were but a Crowne of thornes in respect of the cares it would put thee to c. 3. Say thou shouldst get neuer so high thou canst not protect thy selfe from the miseries of thy condition nor preserue thy selfe in any certainty from the losse of all â—…hou enioyest If thou wert as high as the top of the Alpes thou canst not gâ—…t such a place but the clouds winds stormes and terrible lightnings may find thâ—…e out so as thou wouldest account the lower ground to bee the safer place Thou standest as a man on the top of a pinacle thou canst not know how soone thou maiest tumble downe and that fearefully 4. If thou shouldest be sure to enioy the greatnesse of place in the world yet thou art not sure to preserue thine honour for either it may bee blemished with vniust aspersions or else some fault of thine owne may marre all thy prayses For as a dead Flye may marre a whole Boxe of Oyntment so may one sinne thy glory Eccl. 10. 1. 5. Thou losest no honour by dying for there are Crownes of Glory in Heauen such as shall neuer wither nor bee corrupted such as can neuer bee held with care or enuy nor lost with infamie CHAP. XX. Why it should not trouble vs to part with riches 10. IF thou bee infected with the loue of riches and that thou art loth to dye because thou wouldest not be taken from thy estate and outward possessions then attend vnto these considerations 1. Thou camest naked into the world and why should it grieue thee to goe naked out of the world 2. Thou art but a Steward of what thou possessest and therefore why should it grieue thee to leaue what thou hast employed to the disposing of thy master 3. Thou hast tried by experience found hitherto that contentment of heart is not found or had by abundance of outward things If thou hadst all the pearls of the East and wert master of all the mines of the West yet will not thy heart bee filled with good by heaping vp of riches thou dost but heape vp vnquietnesse 4. Riches haue wings thou maist liue to lose all by fire or water or theeues or suretiship or iniustice or vnthrifty children or the like 5. They are riches of iniquitie There is a snare in riches nets in possessions thy gold and siluer is limed vp or poysoned It is wonderfull hard and in respect of men impossible for thee to be a rich man but thou wilt be a sinfull man especially if thy heart be growne to loue money and haste to be rich 6. Thou must leaue them onâ—… therefore why not now Thou canst not enioy them euer and therefore why shouldest thou trouble thy heart about them 7. By death thou makest exchange of them for better riches and shalt be possessed of a more euduring substance Thou shalt enioy the vnsearchable riches of Christ thou canst neuer be fully rich till thou get to heauen Might some one say I should not 〈◊〉 dâ—…ath were it not that I know not what kinde of death I shall dye I may dye suddenly or by the hands of the violent or without the presence or assistance of my friends or the like 1. Sith wee must dye it is the lesser matter what kind of death wee dye wee should not so much
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
Passion 5. The temptations of thy calling 7 Profanenesse How wee must carry our selues in aâ—…liction 8. Things to be auoided 1 Dissembling 2. Shame 3. Impatience 4 Discouragement 5 Trust not in carnall friends 6 Perplexed cares 7. Sudden feares 8. Carelesnesse of thy wates 5 Thiâ—…gs to be done in the time of affliction The drift of the whole Treatise The prâ—… followinâ—… these dirâ—… ctions The parts of the treatise Eight arguments to prooue we may be helped against the feare of death Christ died to this end 2. It was intended in our regeneration 3 This cure hath bin foretold 4 We were bound to it when we were admitted to be Christs Disciples 5 It is taught in the Lords Prayer Liuely hope doth include it Examples of such as haue attained to it 8. The whole Church taught to seeke Fâ—…ene Râ—…asons why it is an vncomely thing to be afraid to dye 1 Wee shame our religion 3. We are worse then some Pagans 4 Wicked men dye vnwillingly 5 Death is but a shadow 6. It is a bondage to feare 7. If wee loue this life why not eternal life 8. Are wee worse then children mad men 9. Wee make our selues like the Israelites or rather more absurd then they 10. Is not death ordinary 11. The example of Moses 12 The example of al creatures 13. It is better we goe to death then that death shuld come to vs 1â—… It is vncomely to feare that which is common ceâ—…taine 15. Shal we be afraid of an enemy that hath bin soossen vanquished An exhortaâ—…ion to attend vpon the meanâ—…s of cure 2. Wayes of curing the feare of Death 1. By contemplation 2 By practice Thâ—… wayes of curing this feare by contemplation The happines of a Christian 〈◊〉 death shewed 17. waies 1. Death iâ—… the hauen 2 It is but a sleepe Iob 14. 12. 3. It is the day of receiuing wages 4 Then the seruant is free and the heire at full age 5 Then the banished returne 6. It is our birth-day 7. It is the funerall of our vices c. The dissolution of the body is the absolution of the soule 8. Then the soule is deliuered out of prison 9. Shewed by another similitude 10. It is but to put off our old clothes 11. it is but to remoue out of an old house 12. The seed cast into the ground is not spoiled 13. Then we shall be in Christ. 14 It is but to come to the â—…nd of the Race and receiue the prize 15. It is our Iubilee 16 Iâ—… is the day of our Coronation 17. Consider the glory to come Eâ—…l 71. The miseries of life two wayes considered The miseries of a naturall life shewed thrâ—…e waves Three dreadfull considerations about sin 1. Thou art guilty of Adams sin 2. Thou wast conceiued in sin which is like a Leprosie hard to cure Spread ouer thy whole soule or in thy minde Anâ—… in thy Conscience And in thy Affections 3 Innumerable Actuall sins The punishments inflicted vpon wicked men 1. They are banished from Paradise 2. The earth cursed 3. Their soules in wofull distresse 4 And so theâ—…r bodies 5. And so their estates in foure respects 1. CommoÌ„ plagues 2. Particulaâ—… crosses 3. Neglected of God 4 Their blessings cursed Fearefull things that may befall them A goâ—…ly man hath great cause to be weary of life if he consider 1. What he wants 2. What he cannot auoid 6. Thingâ—… euery goâ—…ly man wants while hee liues hâ—…re in thâ—…s 〈◊〉 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…f God 2 Fellowship with his best friends 3 The perfection of his nature 4. Liberty 5. Contentment 6. Thâ—… Crowne Life bitter in râ—…spect of God diâ—…ers wayes Eight aggrauations of the miseries of liâ—…e in respect oâ—… the coâ—…ctions of God 1. The world full of diuels 2. Our conflict with diuels 3. Their subtilty cruelty 9 Apparent miseries 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in this world 1. Like a wildern 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 like Egypt 3. Like Sodom 4. Like a Pâ—…st-house 5. Like a very Golgotha In this world the dead bury the dead 6 It hates VI 7 It wil not helpe vs if wee be in miserie 8 Euery Christian hath some speciall miserie What thâ—… seeming feliâ—…ties of the world are Fifteene arguments to proue the vanity of the best worldly things 1 All full of labour 2. A small portion that is attained 3. Men cannot agree about the good â—…hat iâ—… iâ—… them which should be best 4. Nothing 1. The desire after these things will not last 6 Their â—…re is vaâ—…e 7. Thâ—… amâ—…y of the world is â—…he enmâ—…ty with God 8. All subâ—…ect to vanâ—…ty or violence Ma. 6. 19 1â—… They may be lost at tâ—…e very seate of iâ—…â—…gement 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…6 1â—… 4 1 2 9 Tâ—…y wâ—…â—…ot helpe vâ—…â—…n the 〈◊〉 day 10. The loue of them is â—…amnable 11. One condition to all 12 God wiâ—… dispose 13. A man may want an heart to vse them 14. The euils of life euer â—…ingled with them 15. Thou art mortall Our mor tality aggrauated by 4 considerations 1 All â—…hou haâ—…t 〈◊〉 but the prouision of a Pilgrim 2 Thy death is vncertaine 3. When thou diest all will bee forgotten 4 Thy case in death whether thou die with or without issue The causes in our selues why we should not be in loue with life as 1. The remainders of corruption of nature Which is the more grieuous 1 Because it is spred all ouer vs. 2 Because in vs vâ—…curable 3. 4 Effects of 〈◊〉 of nature in vs. 1. Ciuil war within vs. 2. Insufficiencie for our calling 〈◊〉 A stirring kinde of madnesse 4. Swarms of euill thoughts and actions 2. In respect of the remainders of the pu nishment of sinne 3 If wee respect the condition of our bodies Ob. 1. Sol. Teareasons to shew the folly of men in pretending the feare of the paine of death 4. 5. 9. 10. 1. 2. 3. Ob. 2. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Ob. 3. Nine argu ments to shew the vanâ—…y of men in desiring to liue long 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Ob. 4. Six reasons against their pretence that would liue long to do good as they â—…ay 2. 3. Ob. 5. 1. 2. Against selfe murder Ob. 6 4. 6 Reasons about parting with our friends in death 5. 6. Ob. 7. Sol. 1. Ob. 8. Sol. Fiue arguments against the 〈◊〉 of life 1. 2. 3. 4. Ob. 9. Sol. 1. Fiue obseruations aboâ—… the honours of this world 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Ob. 10. Sol. 1. 1. Seuen moâ—…ues to leaue the loue of riches 2. 3. 4. 5. 6 7 Ob. 11. Sol. 1. 2. 7 Things thaâ—… cuâ—…e the feare of death in practice 〈◊〉 The contempt of the Word How the contempt of the world may â—…ee wrought in vs. 2. The mortification of beloued sins How wee may know when sin is mortified 3. Assurance 4 The setting of our houses in order 5 To make friâ—…nds with riches 6. A frequent meditation of death 7. Heartie prayer for this thing
neglect or forget to doe them Deut. 6. 17. and 32. 46. and 8. 11. 1 Cor. 16. 13. Prou. 4. 26. We must follow after righteousnesse 1 Tim. 6. 11. and binde directions as signes vpon our hands c. Deut. 6. 8. If wee could bee thus awakened this rule would breed vs vnspeakable good in our conuersation Fifthly he must endeauour to settle his head and his estate in respect of his worldly affaires It is a singular helpe to godlinesse to reduce our outward callings in order and euery dayes experience shewes that confusions in worldly businesse breed miserable neglect in Gods seruice And therefore hee that would profite in an orderly course of life must prouide to vse the world so as hee may serue the Lord without distraction He that would runne a race abstaineth from all things that might encomber him No man that warreth intangleth himselfe with the affaires of life that hee may please him who hath chosen him to bee a soùldür And therefore we may not think it much if in our spiritual course God lay some restraint vpon vs in respect of the cares and encombrances in our outward callings 1 Cor. 7. 29 35 c. 2 Tim. 2. 4. 1 Cor. 9. 25. Sixtly hee must walke in the way of good men both setting before him their practice as patternes of imitation as also by conuersing with them that thereby hee may gather encouragement and helpe in well-doing Hee is deceiued that thinkes to go alone and yet go prosperously in the course of a godly life He may profit and learne by many things he heareth receiueth and seeth among the godly Prou. 2. 20. Phil. 4. 8 9. Seuenthly hee must not be the seruaÌ„t of men 1. Cor. 7. 23. Other mens humours must not be the directioÌ„ of his practice Hâ—… must so depeÌ„d vpon persons by hopes to get any thing by in this world as he be not thereby hindered in workes of Religion knowing that he is Christs freeman He must haste to and looke for the comming of Iesus Christ 2. Pet. 3. 12. Hee must often remember his latter end and daily set before his eyes the comming of Christ striuing to stirre vp in his heart the desire after Christ praying for it and dispatching those workes that may prepare him therevnto The remembrance of our accounts in the day of Christ will wonderfully quicken men to the care of well-doing and the cause of viciousnesse and miserable neglect and procrastinations of many is their forgetting of their latter end A great reason why the directions about godlinesse are not entertained is because men put far away from them the Day of the Lord whereas the remembrance of the reuelation of Iesus Christ would put spirit and life into vs. He dares not say from the heart Come Lord Iesus come quickly that is not resolued diligently to worke the works of Christ. 9. He must not stay for company but rather choose to runne alone or with a few then hazard the losse of the Crowne Our life is a race and as in a race men stay not for company but striue who may runne formost so it is in the race of godlinesse He must so runne as he may obtain hee must set out with the first and runne as it were for his life As hee must make vse of the societie of the godly so hee must not stay till his carnall friends and acquaintance will set out with him He must be of Ioshua's minde that if the whole world will liue in wickednesse and prophanenesse yet hee and his house will serue the Lord 1. Cor. 9. 24. and 14. 12. Ioshua 24. 15. Tenthly hee must in all things giue thankes when God giues him successe in any thing or prospers the meanes to him and helpes him with victory ouer any sin or strength to performe any duty or bestowes vpon him any spirituall blessing hee must remember to praise God in the name of Iesus Christ. This will quicken him Daily thankefulnesse will breede daily alacritie in well doing He that will not be thankfull for beginnings of successe in the practice of holy duties will not hold out This is the speciall will of God in Christ that we should in all things giue thankes 1. Thess. 5. 18. 11. He must studie to be quiet and follow peace with all men medling with his owne businesse and auoiding all occasion of contention that might distract him in his owne course A busie bodie is as good as no body in respect of sound progresse in sanctification It is an excellent skill to be able to auoide the intanglements of discord especially he must prouide to haue perfect peace with the godly Though God be able to sanctifie the oppositions of vnreasonable men yet wee must take heed of drawing needlesse troubles vpon our selues for that makes vs neither to be nor to be accounted the more holy but contrariwise The Apostle could not speake vnto the Corinthians as vnto spirituall men but as vnto carnall at the best but Babes in Christ and the reason was because there was strife and enuie and diuision amongst them Heb. 12. 14. Mark 6. vlt. 1 Cor. 3. 3. 12. His eyes must looke straight and his eye-lids right before him Prou. 4. 25. He must take heed of going about and fetching of compasse in religion Ier. 31. 22. Hee must bee still amyâ—… at the marke of the high price of his calling being sure that the things he employeth himselfe in tend directly to the furtherance of his saluation not lose his time in vnprofitable studies or practices proceeding froÌ„ one degree to another till he come to a ripe age in Christ. 13. He must be conuersant in the Scriptures and be familiarly acquaintâ—…d with them that they may dwell plenteously in him For those good words of God haue not onely light in them to direct vs but power also to assist vs to do what they require and by the daily reading and hâ—…ring of them wee shall bee excited to more care of wel-doing we must excercise our selues â—…n the Word day and night and neuer let them depart out of our hearts but keepe our hearts still warme with the heate that comes from them neuer suffering the warmth to goe out through our long forbearance of the vse of them Col. 3. 16. Psal. 1. 2. Iosh. 8. Esay 8. 16 20. 14. He must carefully 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 first loâ—…e Reuel 2. 4. The Lord is wont at some times or other about the first conuersion of a sinner to shew himself with such power in his ordinances and to reueale vnto him such glories in the merits and gifts of Iesus Christ and the happinesse of his estate in him that his heart is thereby fired to a cheerefull liking of the means of saluation and of godly persons and to a wonderfull desire of God and care to please God Now he that would prosper in a Christian course must be wonderfull carefull to