performe Rom. 4.18.20 21. And never to cast away 〈◊〉 confidence which hath great recompence of reward He. 10 3â— But as I have great needâ—â— imbrace patience that after have done the will of my God by his grace I may receiâ—â— the promise Heb. 10.36 Being most confident that the hatred envy unpeaceablenesse malice scorne cruelty of Iosephs Brethren against him Gen. 37.4.8.11.19 their purpose to kill him their casting him into the pit their selling him to the Ismalites the Ismalites selling him againe to the Aegyptians Potiphar verse 22.24.28.36 the stander of his Mistresse his hard imprisonment thereupon Gen. 39.19 20. the Butlers Bakers Pharaohs dreames the extreame dearth and all things whatsoever seemed to make never somuch against him wrought in the end most remarkably for him Gen. 41.9 45.5 7 8. 50.24 so my God without doubt will most fatherly powerfully faithfully seasonably carefully constantly work in with and for me being the same God for ever for good to his that all my present and future inward perplexities and outward troubles all that Satan or any of his instruments doe or may doe against me all the malice and scorne of evill men all the oppositions and injuries of any though never so great and many all my instant seares cares and most hopelesse and helplesse miseries yea my folly sinne and misgovernment my felt or lookt for shame and losse my crosses and poverty yea even that intolerable hurthen Lord thou knowest my meaning and necessity that even overwhelmeth me and whatsoever doth or may seem to make most against me that all shall turne remarkably for good unto me Rom. 8.28 Lord thou hast spoken it and will also bring it to passe thou hast purposed it and wilt also doe it and nothing shall let it Isa 46.10 11. Therefore to conclude as Joseph did and to say to my selfe in every crosle and calamity yea though never so grievous and desperate even in my present misery as he did to his Brethren be not grieved nor angry that this or that betides thee it is God that sends it to thee and remaines thy most wise and tender-hearted Father continually howsoever he please to afflict thee and whatsoever by the devil or man may be intended or wrought against thee thy God intendeth and will work all for thy good undoubtedly Gen 45.5.7 50.20 Well then my soule is not all this enough for thee I thus beset with paine and grief did pray to God for grace plaint And he forthwith did heare my out of his holy place Ps 18 6. On me some signe of favour shew that all my foes may see And be ashamd because Lord thou doest help and comfort me Psal 86.17 And now my soul sith thou art safe returne unto thy rest For largely loe the Lord to thee his bounty hath exprest Ps 16.7 See more at large in my collection of Promises these following particulars which will by Gods blessing afford more matter of consolation and setling in any kind of misery as in my booke of the Promises concerning afflictions in generall page 102 to 112 Concerning trouble of mind pag. 116. Concerning a desolate estate pag. 118 Concerning any kind of outward want pag. 135 Concerning Gods blessing pag. 164. Concerning the manner of Gods hearing our prayers pag. 208. A briefe commending all to the LORD Oh Lord helpe mine heart to pray heare my prayers thy Name shall have the praises O Thou that art the onely and alwayes true God whom alone I desire to serve and trust â—ternall al-knowing every where present almighty most wise mercifull faithfull and immutable in Jesus Christ by vertue of thine owne most free and faithfull Covenant my reconciled God most gracious Father and alone al-sufficient helper it is thy will I should call upon thee in every need and hast promised thou wilt deliver me that I may glorifie thee I have never sought thee in vaine thou hast alwayes heard me and that most remarkably in greatest extremity thou hast often done more for me then I desired or expected from thee behold as well as I can though alas at the best exceeding weakly in the sense of my especiall necessities fully known to thee with all circumstances I set my soule to seeke all help at thy hands onely deâ—â—ying all other meanes of reliefe wholly this in obedience to thy will in the assistance of thy Spirit in the name and mediation of thy deare and onely Sonne my alone al-sufficient Saviour and continuall intercessor Christ Jesus founding my prayers on thy promises which I lay before thee with which I urge thee flying to thy mercies building on thy power submitting to thy will wisdome and providence acknowledging all my inward and outward welfare past present and to come to come onely from thee or else woe woe woe unto me and nothing could or can availe me a waiting for thy salvation continually promising all possible praises to thee onely for whatsoever grace or good thou hast pleased to vouchsafe or shalt please to vouchsafe unto me and now thou that art such a God as I acknowledge thee and thou hast revealed thy selfe to be intreated in mercy as thou hast promised by thy unresistable working in due season upon all occasions especially in greatest extremities more particularly in my particular present or future prossing inward and outward necessities to guide to prevent to governe to restore to receive to streng then to comfort to support to establish to relieve to protect to deliver every way to help and prosper me notwithstanding all my horrible ingratitude most hainous sinfulnesse exceeding unworthinesse extreame weaknesse and all other though never so many great impediments you according to all thy great name manifested and magnified to thine for good whereby so freely plainly plentifully infallibly thou hast revealed and assured audience and help to thine to hear and help me even beyond all that I now or at any other time can think or aske that it may appeare thou Lord hast done all for me all this all else as may be most to the glory of thy name the service of thy Zion the gracing of my Christian profession the stopping the mouth of prophanenesse malice scorn and injury the preventing my distasting others or others especially such as most wish and would be glad of my shame and harme having advantage against me the good of those most neare and deare unto me my outward credite and comfort in thy fear with thy favour my soules present peace and everlasting happinesse in Heaven with thee as seemeth best unto thee wherewithall in all good conscience and Christian considence make me contented heartily and it is enough for me and all the glory shall he thine onely to whom alone the same is due wholly and continually Amen Observe HEr Adversary provoked her sore for to make her fret therefore shee wept and did not eat shee was in bitternesse of soule and prayed unto the Lord and wept sore and shee vowed a
expect all mercy grace peace comfort strength health safety succour help deliverance and salvation onely from thee oh grant each seasonably and effectually unto me Lord work all thy works iâ— me that I may serve thee as â— ought and work all my work for me that I may prosper a thou hast promised Lord make me as thou would dest have me and require whâ—â— thou wilt of me give me which thou seest best for me and dâ—â— what thou wilt with me Lord be my strength refuge and ready help at hand mâ— sufficiency safety and good successe and when where and how thou pleasest imploy me Lord cleare my innocency stop the mouth of injury faithfully worthily and in-offensively make me to discharge each part of my duty Lord make me wise warned watchfull and well governed by my former folly rashnesse weaknesse and misgovernment Lord let me no more be conformable to the sinfull and unseemly fashions of the world but reforme my whole man according to thy will Lord forgive and keep me from those sinnes whereby I have most dishonoured thee disgraced my Christian profession injured others clog'd my conscience terrified my souse or any way procured my selfe shame or harme Lord make me to make and let me find each part of thy Word my guide and comfort Lord direct governe restore comfort support establish inable protect provide for and blesse me as every one of my especiall occasions doe or may require of thee Lord at one time or other by one meanes or other ere we do part hence work for the effectuall conversion and everlasting salvation of every one of mine and I desire no more for them of thee Lord prepare me to meet the ere thy wrath come upon me in the day of calamity hide me under thine hand till thy indignation be over past Lord in wisdome love and faithfulnesse visit me and deale as thou pleasest with me Lord when all is past hope thou canst most easily help my case is fully knowne and wholy commended to thee thou hast helped remarkably thy hand is not shortned thy mercy never faileth thy truth endureth for ever towards me Lord let not my hope deceive nor thy help faile me oh cause me to make and let me find thy providence my portion continually so shall I be supplied seasonably and never want any thing thou seest good for me Lord prepare me to suffer to dye let every thing draw me neerer to thee let death bring me to life eternall with thee doe then what thou wilt with me call then when where and how thou pleasest for me Lord from sin shame harme in thy feare in a good repute and peace preserve me Lord how shall I behave my selfe in my present distressed estate and how wilt thou therein deale with me oh that thou wouldest dispose and dispatch all my businesse for me Lord all help faileth me none cares for me every thing seemâ— to crosse me yet help thou and all shall goe well with me Lord cause me to goe the right way to work and to submit to thy disposing wholy Lord let it appeare the right way is the best way never of never faile forsake or forget me let them that now for wel-doing scorn me see thou fovourest and releevest me Lord cause me secretly and sensibly to sorrow for my owne sinnes and to mourne for the abominations of the times and this uncessantly Lord affect me with the affections of Joseph rightly dispose me to pray for the peace of Zion seriously in all reforme and pardon me Lord give me feeling feeling feeling of all the good things I know and utter before thee thou knowest and I acknowledge the same to be extreamly wanting in me Lord let no thought of my heart nor word of my mouth be in vain for me but thou that art my strength and my Redeemer accept all my Meditations and expressions continually Lord carry me with wisdome patience comfort and good successe through all my great occasions Lord change my disposition reform my conversation speedily and powerfully wherein I am most averse from good and prone to evill especially Lord that thou wouldest instruct and inable me sincerely and circumspectly to order my lawfull affaires substantially whatsoever others may thinke speake or worke against me and that thine owne seasonablâ— and effectuall working to afforâ—â—n happy issue might according to thy mercy and truth appeare towards me Lord put me not off with outward mercies but vouchsafe me a portion of thy best blessings From sloath lust and carelesnesse from tatling tipling and trifling away time from putting off my private devotions from discontent and discord Good Lord deliver me Grounds of comfort against the nick-name of Puritane and Round-head It is nothing in respect of what hath been objected against Christ and the godly for there hath been objected against them grieuous things (a) Acts 25.7 gluttony (b) Mat. 11.18.19 madnesse (c) Joh. 10.20 blasphemy (d) Mat. 26.65 Mark 9.3 Acts 6.11 13 14. murder (e) Acts 28.4 deceiving (f) Joh. 7.12 2 Cor. 6.8 rebellion (g) Acts 17.6 7. rayling (h) Acts 23.4 babling idolatry (i) Acts 17.18 bringers of strange things (k) Acts 17.20 scisme (l) Acts 28.22 wickednesse of life (m) 1 Pet. 2.12 the abjects abused them (n) Psa 35.15 drankards sang of them (o) Psal 69.12 the basest derided them (p) Job 30.1 they were a reproach of men (q) Psal 22.12 a by-word (r) Psal 44.14 a proverbe (s) Psal 69.11 a wonder (t) Psal 17.7 Isa 8.18 gazing-stocks (u) 1 Cor. 4.9 fools (w) 1 Cor. 4.10 insufficient despised (x) Idem defamed made as filth and off-scowring (y) 1 Cor. 4.13 great men rayle at them (z) Psa 31.13 godly men censure them (a) Jobs friends 1 Cor. 4.4.10 and by slander excommunicate them (b) Isa 66.5 are most fouly scandalized (c) Ps 69.7 44.15 condemned by a whole Counsell (d) Mat. 27.1 Joh. 11.47 48. Acts 6.12 4.6.15 5.27 23.1 yea to suffer as evill doers (e) 2 Tim. 2.9 Psal 37.32 33. Psal 41.8 Isa 53.4 well if God condemnes us not what matters the censures and reproachfull nick-names of others (f) 1 Pet. 3.16 If good bad men both should judge amisse Keep conscience cleare tâ—ou needst not care I wisse Alas this is not to resist unto blood h Heb. 12.4 my Saviour sayes Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and shall say all manner of evill falsly for my sake reioyce and be exceeding glad for great is your reward in heaven for so persecuted they the Prophets that were before you i Mat. 5.11 12. yea my most blessed Redeemer so have they abused thee and all thy dearest Servants oh then why should I that am not worthy the name of a Servant or Disciple think to be above my Lord and Master and better
grace and supplication that I may at this present poure out my heart in prayer before thee so that thou mayest be pleased to heare and help from Heaven seasonably and effectually thy great name shall have all the glory Or Thus O Lord prepare my miserable unprepared heart to pray heare me graciously though I be most unworthy as thou hast promised whatsoever opposeth thy great name shall have all the glory Or Thus O Lord help my heart to pray heare my prayers thy name shall have the praises If he comes into Gods House before the beginning of publike worship O Most holy Lord God prepare every one of our unprepared hearts in most holy manner to seek thy face in every one of thy most holy Ordinances work effectually with thy most holy spirit upon every one of our hearts that the meanes of grace may prove effectuall to every one of our most sinfull soules to the building of them up in all grace to our present comfort and eternall happinesse in Christ Jesus Amen When Amen is pronounced at the end of the publike prayers Amen Lord Amen of thy infinite mercy according to thy immutable truth by thy unresistable working notwithstanding our unworthinesse insufficiency and all other impediments thy great name shall have all the glory to which alone the same is due wholy When he gives Almes Good Lord accept the will for the deed forgive and reforme what is amisse vouchsafe a plentifull blessing in due season according to thy wonted goodnesse and faithfull promises in Christ Jesus When the blessing is pronounced O Lord our God most mighty mercifull and true vouchsafe graciously seasonably and effectually to leave thy promised blessing of mercy grace and peace behind thee Amen When he awakes in the morning O Lord my God it is of thine owne and onely wonted undeserved infinite never failing mercies that I have not in this night past been smothered in my sleep and sinnes that I may behold the light of this day in peace awaken my heart with all holy affections towards thee cause me to cast off all works of darknesse and to walk in the light before thee renew remission unto me for my sins of the night renewed against thee throughout this day governe me by thy Word and spirit in all I goe about and let thy blessing be upon me in all that any way concernes me my soule through Jesus Christ shall more and more magnifie thee Amen When he layes him downe at night to take his rest O Lord my God by thy especiall providence assistance I lay me downe in peace at this present and blesse thy name unfainedly that all things throughout this day hath gone so well with me whereas else I had been every way most unhappy Oh multiply pardon to me for my fauls multiplyed against thee even this day past I beseech thee and watch over me the rest of this night to preserve me from sinning against thee though never so secretly and to keep off whatsoever would any way harme me for all grace and good my soule shall more and more through Jesus Christ glorifie thee Amen Before his going to heare Gods Word preached O Lord my God whose word I goe to heare grant me thy grace to heare it as thy word with all due reverence earnest attention and holy affection oh help me against all dead heartednesse distractednes and wearinesse make my heart as the good ground rightly to receive this heavenly seed water the same with the dew of thy grace that it may bring forth fruit abundantly in my knowledge resolution and practice in faith and godlinesse with all patience and constancy thus work in and for me mercifully powerfully faithfully notwithstanding my unprepared insensible unprofitable hearing therof whereof alas I am most hainously continually guilty for which I beg pardon and amendment yea in spite of all that the flesh the world the devill labour to the contrary Amen Amen my Father in Christ herein help me I most humbly and earnestly beg pray and beseech thee Amen at this time and upon the like occasions continually When be comes from hearing Gods Word Now my good and gracious God having by thy especiall providence goodnesse and grace injoyed the gracious meanes happy opportunity and thy help to heare thy most holy word for which exceeding great favours make me truâ—â— thankfull and of which crave the continuance unto my lives end bring the same to my remembrance affect me with each part thereof throughly cause me to mix it with faith rightly and to put each part thereof in practice Christianly as the necessities of my poore soule require especially heare and blesse in mercy as thou hast promised though I have sinned and whatsoever opposeth Amen Before his reading Gods Word in private O my heavenly Father be intreated mercifully powerfully faithfully now and at all other times be I never so unworthy indisposed and whatsoever opposeth to strengthen and blesse me in the reading understanding remembring applying and practising of thy most holy word as may be most to thy great glory and my eternall good through Christ Jesus Amen After his reading Gods Word in private O my God I most heartily thank thee for this most inestimable Jewell of thy most holy Word for this great freedome and thy especiall help to be exercised therein and for all the good that by thy blessing my poore soul hath received thereby Oh forgive my unthankfulnesse therefore and abusing thereof reforme these foule offences in me and notwithstanding the same and whatsoever else would hinder continue these great mercies unto me and make each part of thy most holy word my guide and comfort in life and death through Jesus Christ Amen I beg of thee Before his meditating in private Good Lord it is my most humble earnest suit unto thy most sacred Majesty that thou wilt not lay to my charge my long wilfull neglect of miserable aversnesse from and extream indisposition to this so much required and exceeding needfull dutie of divine Meditation but notwithstanding these and though I neither know how nor have any abilitie to discharge the same as I ought I pray and beseech thee to learne me the right way thereto and to dispose me in some good measure to the performance thereof help me to begin goe on and end in respect of the present matter thereof with sound judgement moved affection powerfull application and unfained purpose to put all to conscionable practice to the encrease of all grace and godlinesse through thy alone deare Sonne my alone sweet Saviour Christ Jesus Amen After his meditating in private My deare God my soule magnifieth thee for this opportunitie and assistance thou hast vouchsafed me most weak and unworthie in the performance of this holy dutie oh pardon pittie and reforme my ignorance insensiblenesse and manifold distempers herein oh helpe me more and more better hereunto and doe me this exceeding great favour that I may constantly beare
you have said who seeth us who knoweth of it Isa 29.15 Therefore the Lord saith Behold I will bring a plague upon you which you shall not be able to escape and that which will be worst of all though you cry unto me I will not heare you Jer. 11.11 because when I called you refused Prov. 1.24 to 31. verse read and remember for your soules safeties sake I beseech you yea heare and give eare be not proud for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it Jer. 13.15 oh may not the Lord justly say to us as he said Jer. 6.15 were they ashamed when they had committed abomination nay they were not ashamed no neither could they have any shame and as is Chap. 8.6 I hearkned heard but none spake aright no man repented him of his wickednesse saying what have I done for many of us thinke and dare say it is shame for such as doe otherwise and instead of repenting most impudently say we have not sinned but these are rebellious people lying children and children that would not heare the Law of the Lord Isa 30.9 remember this and be ashamed bring it againe to mind O you transgressors Isa 46.8 the like places exceeding many oh then plead not plead not against the Lord be not high minded but feare Rom. 9.20 be not deceived God cannot will not be mocked Gal. 6.7 these things were written to admonish us 1 Cor. 10.6 and if we turne not the fierce wrath of the Lord shall not returne untill he hath done untill he hath performed the intents of his heart hereafter you shall understand it and if you take not heed smart for it for the Lord of hosts hath determined it and sworne to it it shall come to passe who shall disanull it his hand is stretched out who shall turne it awayâ— it is he hath consulted it shall stand he hath spoken it and will bring it to passe he hath purposed it and will also doe it the word and this is the word that goeth out of his mouth shall not returne voyd and shall accomplish that which he will Isa 14.24 27. 46.11 55.11 Dare we contend with God oh farre be it from us or else woe unto us for he is stronger then we 1 Cor. 10. â—â— and we shall find it a most fearfull thing to fall into his hands when he is angry For our God is a consuming fire Hebr. 12.29 How then what remedy oh provoke the Lord God most mighty just and jealous no more no longer to wrath but I most humbly for Gods sake and most earnestly for your owne sake beseech thee whosoever thou art let this my councell be acceptable unto thee break off thy sinnes by righteousnesse and thy iniquities by shewing mercy unto and dealing justly with the poore especially under thy command Dan. 4.24 and pitty thine own poore soule by confessing and forsaking all secret and open wayes of deceit and violence Pro. 28.13 make peace with the Lord be at one with him Isa 27.5 it will be far the wisest surest course for then the Lord hath promised thee all shall be wel with thee Is 3.10 God hath shewed thee O man what is good and what the Lord requireth of thee surely to doe justly to love mercy to humble thy selfe to walk with God Micah 6.8 now therefore without any longer delay Psal 95.7 amend your wayes and your works and hear the voyce of the Lord youâ— God Jer. 26.13 that the Lord may repent him of the plague that he hath pronounced against you Cease to doe evill learne to doe well come now saith the Lord and let us reason together though your sinnes were as Crimson they shall be made white as Snow though they were red like Scarlet they shall be as wools if you consent and obey you shall eat the good things of the Land you shall prosper here and for ever Isa 1.16 17 18 19. 1 Tim. 4.8 But if when a man heareth the words of the curse he blesseth himselfe in his heart saying I shall have peace although I walk according to the stubbornnesse of mine owne heart thus adding drunkennesse to thirst the Lord will not be mercifull unto him but when the wrath of the Lord and his jealousie shall smoak against that man and every curse that is written in this book shall light upon him and the Lord shall put out his name from under Heaven and every sicknesse and every plague which is not written in the book of this law will the Lord heap upon thee untill thou beest destroyed Deut. 29.19 20 21. 28.6 Behold I have set before thee life and good death and evill choose Deut. 30.15 heare and feare and doe no more so Oh consider the snortnesse of life and the certainty of death the suddennesse of judgement the plainnes of hell the terrour of that great day of account the meere nothingnesse of all worldly excuses and conceited priviledges 1 Sam. 12.21 and despise not the riches of Gods bountifulnesse patience and long-suffering consider that the goodnesse of God ought to lead thee to repentance doe not after the hardnesse of thy heart and impenitent disposition treasure up unto thy selfe wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God who will render to every man according to his deeds Rom. 2.4 5 6. yea the Lord will seperate thee unto evill Deut. 29.21 for although sentence against an evill work be not executed speedily and that therfore the heart of the children of men is fully set in them to doe evill yea though a sinner doe evill an hundred times and God prolong his dayes yet shall it not he well with him Eccle. 8.11 12 13. for sinne lyeth at his doore Gen. 4.7 he hath neither can or ever shall have true peace continuing so Isa 57.21 his owne wickednesse Num. 32.23 and Gods hand will find him out Jer. 2.19 and know for all these things God will bring thee to judgement Eccl. 11.9 But some will say I have taken too much upon me and medled with that which doeth not concerne me I might have been more generall covert and sparing you see I brought my warrant with me which makes me thus bold with you and as to you I speak to my selfe also therefore you may not teare this out what if you should tear them out hence you dare not teare the ground of these things out of Gods booke you cannot teare the truth and remembrance of them out of your own consciences Rom. 2.15 neither shall you teare Gods remembrance of them out of his book of accounts at that great and terrible day of judgement when he will set them all in order before you Psal 50.21 when even the chiefe Captains shall say to the Mountains fall on us and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the Throne and from the wrath of the Lambe for the great day of his wrath is come who shal be able to stand
The Christian CENTURIAN Observations Advices and Resolutions Containing Matters DIVINE and MORALL Collected according to his owne experience By PHILIP SKIPPON Serjeant-major-generall c. In all things I have said unto you be circumspect Exod. 23.13 Finally brethren whatsoever things are true whatsoever things are honest whatsoever things are just whatsoever things are pure whatsoever things are lovely whatsoever things are of good report c. Phi. 4.9 Those things which ye have both learned and received and heard and seen according to Gods warrant Isa 20.8 doe Phil. 4.10 London printed by T. B. for Samuel Enderby at the Starre in Popes-head Alley 1645. To all Souldiers of what degree soever that desire to walk Christianly and Circumspectly Fellow souldiers and friends TO the two former Treatises of Gods promises of good things to us and of our Vowes of obedience to him which by his alone help I have published I adde these few fragments following and because I will be as little tedious as I can I shall only commend them to your carefull consideration observation and practice as you may find them agreeable to sound doctrine and good manners and usefull to your occasions and them and you to the especiall blessing of our God in the Lord Jesus The Contents RIght rules to live by page 4. A sure Stay in extremity p. 8 The right way to goe to worke p. 46. Briefe Prayers upon divers occasions p. 53 Short Ejaculations p. 69 Comforts against the Nick-name of Puritane p. 81 Many divine and morall Observations p. 98 Renewed Resolutions p. 115 Some marks of a malicious man and the contrary p. 131 The former Observations continued p. 133 Resolutions in an especiall businesse p. 142 Christian carriage in a great calamity p. 145 Commendable carriage in his place p. 148 More Observations added p. 155 Sufficiency of Gods grace p. 171 How to urge the Lord to preserve us from sinne p. 173 Concerning governing the tongue p. 175 Concerning walking vvith God p. 181 Briefe Rules for particular practice p. 191 Examples of godly Souldiers p. 19â— Rules of Justice p. 19â— Undeniable proofe of the truth â—â— God 's Word p. 22â— A few plaine and pleasing in structions for all times p. 23â— An Advertisement about the sâ—â— of our Calling p. 23â— Concerning generall Obedience p. 272 Five sorts of Verses p. 277 The Observations continued p. 290 More of vvalking vvith God p. 292 More holy Resolutions p. 296 Of mourning for the sinnes among us p. 299 His acknowledgement of God p. 301 How to carry himselfe conscionably and commendably in the Leaguer p. 305 How to stirre up right Christian Resolutions for Gods Cause and against his Enemies p. Of Mortification p. 332 Helpes to an holy Life p. 337 Motives to Watchfulnesse p. p. 342 More Christian Resolutions p. 343 Decay in Prayer p. 346 Serious Admonitions to his Family when they are to worship God p. 379 Thus farre of the Contents briefly and acording to these numbers God willing you shall find the severall matters marked A Prayer O Lord God of all wisdome goodnesse grace power truth my reconciled God most gracious Father and onely helper in Jesus Christ I the most ignorant sinfull unworthy weake wretched of all other doe most humbly unfainedly instantly entirely and uncessantly befeech and urge thee of thy infinite mercy through thy unsearchable wisdome by thy unresistable working according to thy infallible promises notwithstanding my dark ignorance unmeasurable sinfulnesse great weaknesse and most extreame wretchednesse yea notwithstanding all my unworthniesse and all other impediments speedily seasonably effectually constantly through the assistance of thy most holy Spirit to stirre up my heart diligently to fearch to enlighten my understanding clearly to discerne to strengthen my memory constantly to retaine to sanctifie my affections feelingly to apply to inable me in my practice conscionably to make use of every particular of the following observations advices and resolutions as may be most to thy great glory the good of thy Church the gracing my Christian profeision the stopping the mouth of prophanenesse and injury the preventing distasting others and other advantage against me the benefit of my Family my outward credite and comfort in thy feare with thy favour and blessing my poore soules present peace everlasting happinesse all as 〈…〉 best in thy sight onely through the al-sufficient merits and peâ—petuall mediation of thy most deare and onely Son my alone sweet Saviour and intercessor Christ Jesus through whom as I have infinite cause beyond all I can conceive remember or expresse for all thy mercies for this and a better life afforded and assured to me especially for the understanding life health time opportunity and grace thou hast pleased to vouchsafe unto me to collect and write these observations advices and resolutions for my better government greater setting and further edification to thy most glorious Name be all honour ascribed by all meanes for evermore Amen even so be it Amen Amen Some short and streight solid and sound Rules to levell his life by 1. WHen thou risest let thy thoughts ascend that grace may descend let thy Sacrifice be an inocent heart offer it daily with that devotion that it may shew thou both knowest and acknowledgest his holinesse and greatnesse with whom thou hast to doe 2. Where thou owest pay duty where thou findest return curtifie where thou art known deserve love desire the best disdaine none but evill company take heed of proud peevish prating passionate dissembling distastfull jeering malicious lying contentious tipling filthy fellowes 3. Grieve but be not angry at discurtesies redresse but revenge no wrongs doe good to them that use thee unkindly yet so remember pitty that thou forget not decency 4. Let thy attire be such as may shew a sober mind frame thy selfe with such modesty as may silence the untemperate tongue 5. Be mindfull of things past carefull of things present and provident of things to come 6. Goe as thou wouldest be met sit as thou wouldest be found speake as thou wouldest be heard and doe as thou wouldest be seen 7. Beare affliction patiently converst cheerfully order thy businesse secretly wisely surely avoid freenesse and familiarity discover no affection hastily speak not thine owne suspitions suddenly meddle not in others matters needlesly trust God most in greatest extremity forget not how he hath helped formerly commend all in wel-doing unto him continually 8. Demeane thy selfe in all things as in the sight of God conâ—â—â—ually who is acquainted with all thy wayes throughly who though thou beest never so secret seeth thee who doubtlesse will have a strict account of thee therefore deceive not thy selfe for he will not be mocked by thee 9. Take heed of sinne and the occasions thereof watchfully having sinned lye not therein impenitently neither sooth thy self therein foolishly for sinne will bring sorrow and shame undoubtedly 10. Repent break off beg pardon grace and peace speedily and soundly watch to doe
roofe speak but one word and I shall be helped Mat. 8.8.13 Lord if thou wilt thou canst make me cleane I will be thou cleane say thou unto me and I shall be cleansed Mat. 8.2 3. Lord Jesus speak unto me that it is thou that will comfort and helpe me that I be not feared oâ— troubled over much Mat. 14.27 Well then by thy especiall grace O my God in Christ in the sorrow of my spirit I will poure out my soule before thee O Lord and ouâ— of the abundance of my complaint and griefe with Hannah will I speak 1 Sam. 1.15 19. And untill God shall grant an issue out of my pressing and even hâ—â—plesse fâ—are griefe and distresse I will with David continue seeking ease and reliefe from Heaven 2 Sam. 12.16.23 And say with him when he was in greatest misery If I shall find favour in the eyes of the Lord I shall be belped but if he thus say I have no delight in thee behold here I am let him doe to me as seemeth good unto him 2 Sam. 15.25 26. And according to his example even when he had distrusted God 1 Sam. 29.1 fled and fell to the enemy verse 2. when he made shew promise and proster of his service against Gods people ch 29.2 8. when in his absence his Towne was surprized spoyled pillaged and burned and the Wives of his Souldiers captived and all that he had was lost and carried away by the enemy when he and his people wept that they could weep no more when they murmured against him laid all the blame upon him and spake of stoning of him by all which judge how he was distressed I will encourage my selfe in the Lord my God and in all things seek direction and help from him doubtlesse the Lord as he did him will answer me graciously and deliver me effectually 1 Sam. 30.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 19. And though as Jacob served twenty yeers ere he could provide for his owne houshold Gen. 31.38 30.30 It hath pleased the Lord that I have served many yeers already and if God spare my life and please not to work wonderfully for me am like to serve many yeers more to serve others turnes to the great prejudice of me mine I hope by the good providence of my good God if he sees it good for me to live the day at Jacob did to acknowledge my God hath dealt graciously with me because he hath vouchsafed a competency and enough unto me Gen. 33.11 And although which mercy I am most unworthy to live to receive of acknowledge I dare not for conscience sake to help my selfe by indirect meanes in my misery whereby great losse and prejudice hath befallen me yet I will trust in this that the Prophet in the Lords name said to Amaziah who was troubled with the losse of the â—00 Talents that the Lord is able and if he sees it good for me will give more then this unto me 2 Chron. â—â— 8 9. And not to murmure grumble be impatient and discontented with my condition considering Jobs example of suffering and the end of the Lord towards him for the Lord is very pittifall and of tender mercy James 5.11 For Job was perfect and upright one that feared God and eschewed evill by the Lords owne testimony Job 1.1.5.8 chap. 2.3 yet though he looked for good evill came unto him and when he waited for light there came darknesse Job 30.26 for the thing that he feare greatly came upon him and that which he was afraid of befell him he was not in safety neither had he rest neither waâ— he quiet yet trouble came Joâ— 3.25 26. witnesse what followes The Sabeans fell upon hâ—â— Oxen and took them away 〈◊〉 1.14 15. fire fell from Heaveâ— and burnt his Sheep and Seâ—vants verse 16. The Caldeaâ—â— fell upon the Camels and caâ—â—ied them away verse 17. 〈◊〉 Sonnes and Daughters weâ—â— eating and drinking in theâ—â— elder Brothers house and bâ—hold there came a great winâ— and smote the foure corners of the house and it fell upon the young men and they are all dead verse 18 19. Satan gat leave from God to smite his body all over with fore and loathsome boyles that he was forst to sit in the ashes and scrape himselfe with a potsheard chap. 2.6 7 8. his wife that should have been his comfort was his heavy crosse urging him to curse God in this condition ch 2. â—9 and was as a stranger to him and would hardly know him or come at him chap. 19.17 his neerest kinred failed him his familiar friends forgot him his servants contemned him his most inward friends abhorred him children despised him ch 19.13 14 15 16 18 19. his most godly friends that should have been his best counsellours comforters in this his wofull comfortlesse estate grieved censured and pleaded against and reproached him Iob â— 1â—â— ch 16.20 19.21 God made his heart soft the Almighty troubled him Iob 23.16 and every way seemed to let himselfe against him chap. 19.8 to 13. yea the arrowes of the Almighty stuck within him perplexity and horrour seized on him ch â— â— c. yet at length the Lord turned away his captivity and gave him twice as much as he had before and blessed the latter end of Iob more then the beginning Iob 42.10 12. and is the same Lord God and helper for ever to them that feare before call upon and trust in him My sweet Saviour grant me as thou advisest and commandest me to possesse my soule in patience Luke 21.19 and to cast my care upon thee who takest care for me 1 Pet. 5.7 and because strict reservednesse keeps concealed my estate and affections and prevents giving advantage against me the Lord assisting me I will follow Micahs counsell Mac. 7.5 not to trust in a friend nor to put confidence in a guide but to keep the doore of my mouth from her that lyeth in my bosome And with Abrahams servant to hold my peace to wit whether the Lord will make my businesse prosperous or not Gen. 24.21 And in these times of generall calamities as the Lord wils Baruch upon the like occasions not to seek great things for my selfe nor to be overmuch troubled with these triviall personall perplexities and afflictions but to be humbly and heartily content if the Lord please as he hath done hitherto most remarkably to give me my life for a prey whethersoever I goe Ier. 45.4 5. To rest assured with Mordecay that God will send help one way or other if not as I conceived or imagine by some other means undoubtedly Est 4.14 To say as my most blessed Saviour did in his most bitterest passion O my Father if it be possible let this Cup passe from me neverthelesse not as I will but a thou wilt Mat. 26.39 And with Abraham to hopâ— beyond hope and to beleevâ— beyond sense being fully perswaded that what my God hatâ— promised he is also able to
Vow and said O Lord of hosts if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine hand-maid and remember and not forget me but wilt give unto me c. then I will give unto thee c. shee spake in her heart onely her lips moved but her voyce was not heard I am of a sorrowfull spirit and have poured out my soule before the Lord out of the abundance of my complaint and griefe have I spoken The Lord God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him so the woman went her way and did eat and her countenance was no more sad and the Lord remembred her and she said The Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him for the Lord is a God of knowledge and by him actions are weighed 1 Sam. 1.6 7 10 11 13 15 16 17 18 19 27. 2.3 If the Lord were pleased to kill us he would not have received a burnt Offering and a meat Offering at our hands neither would he have shewed us all these things nor would as at this time have told us such things as these Judges 13.23 Lord grant me the spirit of understanding and application of every one of these and according to my most urgent occasions thou that art the same for ever unto thine let me find the comfort and profit of these for thy mercy and thy truth unto me my soule my God in Christ shall alwayes and in all things magnifie thee Amen Who knoweth the work of the Lord who worketh all Eccl. 11.5 My God I wait the issue from thee I beseech thee make it good for me I unfainedly promise unto thee To observe diligently To remember constantly To regard carefully To acknowledge thankfully Thy gracious dealing towards me In this and every extremity Which so much overchargeth me That I can see no remedy Lord I depend upon thee Do thy good pleasure with me Oh heare forgive accept and help me Amen Amen my God in Christ I pray thee Some more though briefe yet sound Meditations for his further assurance of support and succour in his present exceeding great or any future though never so hopelesse and helplesse misery O Lord my God thou art throughly acquainted with my condition which threatneth extreame misery thou knowest what is best for me and dispofest all things according to thine owne will for my good in the end assuredly whatsoever doth or may oppose me behold I looke round about me and can see no hope of help left me but I looke up to thee in the highest Heavens from whom alone all my help commeth who knoweth thy worke that worketh all thou hast innumerable waies to help when al else faileth thou hast oftentimes heretofore seasonably unexpectedly amply wonderfully wrought for my reliefe and deliverance when I was most helplesse and whatsoever opposed and that of thine owne meere goodnesse notwithstanding my unmeasurable great sinfulnesse I know and beleeve thy hand is not shortned that thou art the same for ever unto me for good as thou art gracious work for my reliefe and deliverance notwithstanding my exceeding great unworthines all other impossibilities the earth is thine and the fulnesse thereof all things obey thy voyce speak but one word and it is done command and it shall stand fast all the world cannot hinder it thou hast provided thou doest canst hast promised must and wilt provide in the Mount in greatest extremity apparently it shall be Lord let it be seen Why then should I faint feare or doubt thou art my help in greatest need I give over all unto thee I call upon thee I depend alone on thee I await alwaies for thee thou hast never failed me never Oh never faile forsake or forget me I remember thy wonted goodnesse I fly to thy undeserved mercies I trust in thy almighty power I found my prayers on thy most faithfull promises I submit to thy most wise disposing now I beseech and urge thee most humbly and instantly in mercy as thou art wont and hast promised be pleased most powerfully as seemeth good unto thee to consider my condition to remember my estate to pitty my distresse to behold my trouble to regard my sighes to heare my prayers to relieve my wants to prevent feared calamities and to deliver me out of this great misery Oh if it be thy will let me find by experience thy fatherly love care and providence so manifested and magnified towards me that I may be freed from this in mans judgement irrecoverable misery with which and with all its circumstances thou art acquainted fully Oh let no man lose by me or have just cause to complaine of me Oh work for me that I may live of mine owne commendably without being chargeable to any that I provide for mine honestly and so remove and prevent much trouble in my selfe and sorrow shame and misery to mine that I may put all my things in good order before I depart hence that in this respect I may be the more willing to leave this world and the more desirous of a better life that in all these I may acknowledge thy goodnesse and praise thy name who hast dealt so graciously and wonderfully with me by thy grace if it please thee to doe it I will never forget it but will alwayes confesse that thy hand onely hath wrought it and shall ever endeavour to testifie true thankfulnesse for it yet O Lord my God in all these not as I will but as thou wilt who knowest what is most needfull for me yea rather deny in mercy then give me in displeasure what I conceive I so much want and doe so earnestly crave if it be thy will this burthen shall grow so heavy and lye so long upon me that I be brought unto the uttermost extremity doe buâ— encrease inward strength within me that I may come the nearer home unto thee and 〈◊〉 is enough for me I crave 〈◊〉 more of thee all shall goe well with me whatsoever betideâ— me doe not oh doe not suffeâ— me to use any unlawfull or unbeseeming means to help mâ—selfe thereby let no by-respect prevaile with me herein but direct and inable me conscionable and worthily to do my duty and so to leave the successe unâ—â— thee who wilt cause the samâ— to fall out well for me never oh never suffer me to be impatient discontented over doubtfull over carefull or discouraged or to murmure against to dispute with to complaint of or to limit thee but enable oh enable me to possesse mâ— soule in patience to rest heartly well contented with all thou sendest as that which thou in wisdome love and faithfulnesse seest best for me and wilt remarkably turne to good unto me help me to acknowledge thee aright in all my wayes oh direct my pathes cause me with an holy carelesnesse to cast my care upon thee oh take care for me make me to roule my burthen on thee oh nourish thou me raise up my heart to
be humbled to confesse 〈◊〉 waile beg pardon for 〈◊〉 strength against them resolving and endeavouring to 〈◊〉 sake them t Jâ—â— 4.16 Psal 3 â— 51.3.1 Pâ—â— 21.13 Jam. 4.9 Psal 86.16 Psal 17.3 119.28 106. ver 2 Cor. 5.9 Pro. 28.14 be to be c. If to crave especiall assistance against especiall faults and more fitnesse to serve God wherein I have most failed u Psal 19.13 51.10 14. Psal 71.9 Rom. 12.21 Psal 85.8 be to be c. If to resolve to suffer any shame or harme rather then to sinne wilfully w Heb. 11.25 1 Pet. 3.14 16. 1 Pet. 4.15 19. be to be c. If speedily and seriously to dispatch those businesses that concernes my eternall peace and to slight whatsoever can afford no solid comfort in the time of visitation or at the hour of death x Mat. 6.33 Luke 10.42 Pro. 10.2 11.4 1 Cor. 15.58 1 Thes 4.18 be to be c. If in the sense of any sinne or affliction not to be too much dejected if not to despaire of Gods mercies nor to distrust his promises nor to doubt of his providence or not to question Christs al-sufficient merits and perpetuall mediation y Rom. 8 37. 2 Cor. 4.8 9 Psal 77.7 8 9 10. 42.11.6 43.5 Psal 56.3 4 10 11 13 1 Tim 2.8 Acts 27.25 Gen. 11.8 Job 38.41 Mat. 6.25 to the end 1 Tim. 1.15 Heb. 7.25 2 Tim. 2.5 be to be c. If when I think I stand to taâ—â— heed least I fall if to labour a renew my first love if to string to increase inward grace and outward practice if to recover from former fals and bewail of future back slidings if moâ—â— to feare secret sinne then opâ—â— shame if in things doubtfull â—â— take he surest course if to peâ—severe in godlinesse and liveâ— hope if to dye in the feare aâ— favour of my God in Christ z 1 Cor. 10.12 Rom. 11.20 Rev. 2.4 5. Col. 1 10â— 2 Pet. 1.5 6 7 8. Psal 23.3 51.8 10. 2 Pet. 2.20 21 21. be to be c. If by true lively and stedfast faith at least in unsained desire and endeavour to seeke all wisdome righteousnesse sanctification redemption all mercy grace peace consolation and happinesse according to the free plain plentifull and faithfull promises of our reconciled God most gracious Father and alone almighty helper in covenant with us onely through the al-sufficient satisfaction and never failing intercession of his most deare and onely Sonne our alone Saviour and Mediator notwithstanding our most hainous sinfulnesse in nature and by life notwithstanding our daily many and great wants failings doubts and discomforts notwithstanding our unmeasurable grievous ingratitude unworthinesse insufficiencies and all other though never so many and great impediments and impossibilities be to be a Puritane or Round-head Lord in all these make and ever continue me to be a Puritane and Round-head I most humbly unfainedly and uncestantly beg pray beseech and urge let then the devill and all his instruments let then who that will and how they will miscall nick-name scorne and abuse me with the name of Puritane with a fulâ— mouth never so fouly Lord governe and help me Mark â—â— 22. Rom. 3.28 4.19 20. Câ—â— 5.1 1 Cor. 16.13 2 Cor 5. â— Gal. 3.22 Eph. 3.12 6 1â— Col. 2.5.7 1 Tim. 1.5 â—â— Heb. 10.22 11. Chapt. 1 Cor. 1.30 Mat. 15.22 1 Tim. 1. â—â— Gal. 6.16 2 Cor. 1.3 4 5 6 2 Thes 2.16 17. Heb. 6.17 18 Acts 4.12 Ezek. 36.22 Gal. 3 12. Hos 14.4 Psal 86.5 130 7. 1 Cor. 1.9 10.13 1 Thes 5 24. 2.3 3 Heb. 2.17 10 23. 2 Cor. 1.20 Rom. 5.10 2 Cor 5.18 20. Col. 1.21 Psal 86 15 111.4 145.8 2 Cor. 1.3 Dan. 3.17 2 Tim. 1.12 Heb. 2 18 7 25 Rom. 4 21 Psal 46 1 Jer 31 33 Heb 8 10 Col 3 11 1 Cor 3 21 22 23 Isa 53 chap Rom 4 25 3 24 25 1 John 2 1 Rom 8 34 Gal 3 19 Heb 8 6 9 15 12 24 Mat. 3 17 John 3 16 Heb. 11 17 Hos 13 4 2 Tim 2 5 Ezek 36 22 23 Hos 14 4 Isa 58 11 Psal 73 24 A commendable Course tending to contentment of divers necessary as well Divine as Morall Observations and Counsels gathered by experience IN regard of Gods worship because every holy duty cannot wel be every day performed with out great hast and hinderance so with little power profit I conceive it most convenient and comfortable no day to neglect the most necessary as prayer and reading the Scriptures and for the rest to redeem the time to performe them as we may also howsoever let every holy duty be performed with solemne preparation and sensible affection at least with an holy bewailing the want of the same and that the Lord will please to work the same in us In his ordinary course at home and abroad upon all occasions in all his words behaviour and actions out of conscience to God and by his government to demeane himselfe circumspectly plainly faithfully freely soberly and friendly without any by-respect or troubling himself with trifles or with what he cannot thereby prevent or remedy in his greatest perplexities and troubles using onely the lawfull meanes to serve Gods providence to commend all to hiâ— dispossing and blessing wholy and so to rest content with his good pleasure who in wisdome love and faithfulnesse will assuredly cause all to goe well goe all how it will Amen my heavenly Father in Christ Jesus in mercy as thou hast promised be I never so ugworthy and whatsoever opposeth Amen Be Pious and Patient Be Just and Quiet Be Temperate and Peaceable Be Direct and Sober Be True and Provident Be Faithfull and Contented Be Chaste and Wary Be Modest and Grave Be Watchfull and Reserved Be Retired and Compassionate Be Secret and Charitable Be Silent and Liberall Be Humble and Inoffensive Be Meeke and Teachable Be Friendly and Constant be not Prophane nor Impatient be not Unjust nor Captious be not Excessive nor Contentious be not Double nor Passionate be not False nor Prodigall be not Faithlesse nor Male-content be not Filthy nor Rash be not Wanton nor Light be not Carelesse nor Loose be not Gadding nor Cruell be not Open. nor Mercilesse be not Lavish nor Covetous be not Proud nor Oftensive be not Highminded nor Wilfull be not Surly nor Wavering Every one that shewes a smooth face or gives faire words is not a faithfull friend therefore take heed what you say and whom you trust Trust no man with that which if it ever be discovered may any way prejudice you for he that is now for you may hereafter faile discover or oppose you neither speake ill of him that doth not now befriend thee his mind may change towards thee and then it will repent thee Be friendly to and speak well of those that have wronged or doe not
pry into his papers that screwes himself in to search into his secrets that needlesly meddles with his matters and thrusts himselfe unsought into his businesses that judgeth of his proceedings by his owne conceited fancyes without knowing or weighing his reasons in a word he will keepe himselfe as close from him as he can for not quiet but much vexation is gotten by him The harshnesse of a Father the unkindnesse of a brother falsnesse or bitternesse in a friend and a divine or noted professor that mock goodnesse are grievous to my Soule and trouble me extreamly Whether Courtiers or great men frowne or laugh upon me is all one to me so my conscience cleare me His resolutions by Gods assistance in his businesses with some that may use him harshly and for their owne ends seeke and catch at advantage against him In generall to demeant himselfe advisedly soberly reservedly gravely and that constantly and to avoid rashnesse passion opennesse lightnesse and unsetlednesse Wherein he shall heare or observe just cause of former distaste or present discontent to passe the same by without notice taking thereof discreetly and meekly and to be in speech countenance and carriage even unto such cheerfull loving and friendly yet to free himselfe from such places persons and occasions with wisdome speed and secrecy as if he had never received cause of discontentment given him To use onely pre-considerate solid and few speeches and those to the purpose with all moderation lownesse truth and plainnesse to watch against and cut short unadvised frothy and superfluous discourses also all hasty loud double and circumstantiall expressions To shew a solemne setled seemly behaviour in looks and resture and to eschew loosnesse distemper and uncomelinesse to the contrary Not to listen to regard or be troubled with others conceits or their opposing speeches for their owne ends to forbear answering of them with a silent tongue and staid countenance to turne from them so without distasting of them to show he mislikes them and to goe conscionably and substantially about his own businesse notwithstanding them Commending all to the Lord first and that often and earnestly to aske counsell of wise honest and worthy men deliberately seasonably and judiciously to the uttermost to take heed of discovering his condition affections or intentions to any without very good assurance of secrecy or forced by necessity To resolve and doe with warrant from Heaven that which may afford him the freest use of what God in mercy hath given him without obligation to or dependance on others but if there be no remedy rather to trouble a friend then a brother All in the only assistance and relying alone upon the wonted most wise mighty mercifull and faithfully promised disposing and blessing of my heavenly Father in Christ Jesus Amen The particulars are not convenient to be expressed well in all with Christian wisdome loâ—â—ok to what concernes his own occasions not to what suits with anothers fancies BEing exceedingly troubled between hope of credit and profit and feare of shame and losse in a businesse that exceedingly concerned him he resolved by Gods government howsoever it went not to discover himself to any not to break out into folly or passion if the worst he feared should befall him but even then to be the more circumspect and sober-minded not to yeeld to dejection and distemper but the more to look to the hand of and to depend upon the Lord 2 Chron. 20 12. Who assuredly will cause help to come by some other meanes if not by this Est 4.14 and will cause even the shame and sorrow which he might justly suffer for his folly and sinne to turne remarkably to his good in the end Gen. 19.20 to rest his mind contented in the assurance of his Gods most wise gracious mighty and faithfull disposing of all to this end and because inward discontent or outward discovering his crosses and affections doth not redresse but make worse the businesse and gives the more cause of talke and keeps the same the longer in others memory and would give such as would joy in his misery the more advantage to vex and scorne him whereas his owne strict and constant reservednesse secrecy outward slighting the businesse will mittigate if not suppresse the tarling tongue and malicious mouth of curiosity contempt or injury but if God please the businesse goe well with him discreetly and christianly to triumph in Gods truth and mercy howsoever until the issue to commend all to the Lords disposing and blessing 2 Sam. 12.16 and then with a quiet heart chearfull countenance and well-ordered carriage to await the Lords leisure and good pleasure towards me 1 Sam. 1.18 Lord governe and work for me Whatsoever businesse ever so much hereafter may inwardly trouble me by no meanes in word countenance or carriage to shew the same outwardly then whatsoever thoughts trouble him his case is undiscovered to others and no advantage is given against him Besides keeping silence gaines time to overweigh how best to behave ones selfe whereas if a thing be once out and knowne it is too late to recall it O Lord God send me good speed I pray thee cause me to hold my peace to wit whether thou my God wilt make my businesse prosperous or no Gen. 24 12 21. A foole uttereth all his mind but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards Prov. 29.11 Lord thou knowest my meaning my former folly my exceeding weaknesse oh pardon what is past pitty what is present and governe me for time to come Briefe Observations of his own in his Calling and Place viz TO receive and execute commands without arguing or unwillingnesse readily and faithfully it is acceptable and furtherable To command advisedly with few and plain words freely and roundly with grave countenance and setled carriage this procures obedience gaines respect and maintaines authority To see that what he commands be executed to be an example of diligence faithfulnesse and resolution it wins imployment favour trust and honour Upon any Watch in Garrison March Quarter or approach to weigh seriously the instant circumstances of time place occasion what Perdues Centinels passages where and how to order all with most safety to take the Alarme timely and to be freest from surprize to settle the Guard to dispose of the Officers to tell them their severall duties concerning the present service to provide Ammunition to warne to vigilanty and if the Guard be within reach of the enemies Cannon by all watchfulnesse to warne to avoid them rather to dye with honour then to yeeld or flye with shame to be an example of watchfulnesse and courage once ill done alwaies undone therefore never to be secure say others what they will for it may happen once that never may happen againe then it is too late and in vaine to say who would have thought it There can be no greater dishonour to a Captaine then to be surprized upon his Guard remember the examples of other
that this way have suffered in their persons and reputation better fall into yea perish by an honourable enemy then to be called to account and censured by your owne party your businesse being well done and over be then at rest and let another take his turne if I might advise others as I doe my selfe let this be our constant course Lord my God govern and watch for and over me Feare and backwardnesse secures not from the perils that cause them but often layes more open to them howsoever they disable exceedingly and procure shame and harme inevitably Selfe Meditations and seasonable Exhortations being ready to goe upon dangerous services viz. with our soules let us now seek and trust God promise and performe sincere obedience to him if he please to grant help and deliverance be of good courage in the strength of the Lord let us doe worthily follow my example let the Lord doe what seemeth good unto him we fight for the Cause of God for our lives safety honour and victory Lord sight thou for us encourage strengithen preserve and prosper us of thy mercy as thou hast promised Psal 46.1 2. through Christ Jesus be we never so unworthy and whatsoever opposeth us Amen Observe this Lord let such as shame scorne or wilfully neglect to seek help of thee or that trust to their own wisdome worth or sufficiency or to any other meanes of help besides thee never have help from thee but as for me who am most sinfull weak and unworthy who deny my selfe and all other meanes of help without thee utterly who by thy grace doe seek for depend upon and await for thy help only afford thy wonted needfull most gracious mighty seasonable and faithfully promised help unto me (a) Prov. 2 6 Isa 40 13 14. Acknowledge and direction (b) Psal 59 10. Prov. 3 9. prevention and government (c) Isa 28 5. Isa 40.29 31 courage and sufficiency (d) 2 Cor. 3 5. 1 Sam. 8 6 14. strength and safety (e) Ps 18.2 Jos 1 8. deliverance and prosperity (f) 1 Chron. 29.10 11 12. Ps 121.2 come from thee O Lord onely (g) Jer. 21.33 Ephes 1.5 Therefore my God in Christ (h) Psa 120.1 1. Psal 136. all I beseech thee in mercy (i) Psal 71 20. Psal 119.49 as thou hast done and promised (k) Isa 41 14. Ezek. 36 22. be I never so weak and unworthy (l) Psal 9 9. Psa 46 1 2 3. in due season and greatest extremity (m) Psal 32 8 Prov. 3 6 to instruct and direct (n) Psal 79.8 Exod. 4 15. to prevent and governe (o) Isa 51 12. Is 41.10 to encourage and strengthen (p) Neb. 6.9 1 Tim. 1.12 every way to enable (q) Psal 68.12 Psal 68.35 to doe well and worthily (r) Job 15 20 2 Sam. 22.2 preserve and deliver (s) Deut. 31.8 Deut. 28.8.11 be with and prosper me (t) Psal 71.16 Ephes 6.20 I will goe forward â—n thy strength onely (u) Numb 24.18 Psal 108 13 through thee I shall doe valiantly (x) Psal 18.2 Psal 140 7 In the day of battle thou hast covered me (y) Pro. 3 6 Psal 37.5 I referre all alwayes to thee (z) 2 Sam. 15 26 Mat. 6.10 as thou pleasest deale thou with me (a) 2 Chron. 14.11 2 Chr. 20.12 help thou and all shall goe well (b) Psal 33.16 17 Ps 128 1 2. else nothing can avail me (c) Exod. 22 27 Ps 69.30 31. oh hear me graciously (d) Psal 34.1 Psal 103.1 2 my soul for all help blesseth thee (e) Mic. 7.7 Psal 72 12. and looks for all good onely from thee (f) Psal 62.1 Hos 13.9 for any help thou shalt vouchsafe me (g) Isa 63 7 Ps 56.12 my soule shall alwayes praise thee (h) Ps 41.18 Psal 31.9 Amen Amen I beg of thee Love is an honest faithfull thiefe stealing from us and yet letting us keep the graces God hath given us a most strange yet most certaine manner of curing the diseased when the Physician drinks the potion and the Patient is thereby cured so deales our Saviour by us The Jewes say there are 72 Members in a mans body and understand the curse Deutre 27. ult to be 72 plagues denounced thereunto Let all endeavours be done out of conscience or the best are bootlesse Things done in greatest shew of sanctity and not to Gods glory chiefly deceives us miserably and is but painted iniquity Better a good work laden with weaknesse if done in sincerity then glorious shewes from a false heart let thy heart be right with God approve it to him and care not what others speak or think of thee This I find and expect when his offend him the Lord will visit their transgressions with the rods of men and this I know and beleeve his everlasting mercies he will never take from me Better want the good we have had and would have to humble us then to abound and forget our Maker Oh most miserable and accursed prosperity where wickednesse gets wealth Oh rich and happy poverty that hath a good conscience though with never so little Afflictions of body or mind must turne to our good if they move us to seek God Feare not God for feare of a punishment onely yea feare him least he should punish thee for not fearing him Love not meerly in hope of good yet love him in hope he will doe thee good Sorrow for sinne not for feare of wrath simply yet sorrow for sinne least wrath over-whelme thee Practice as thou prayest or they prevaile not We pray rightly when we practice conscionably Sathan seeks to hinder one good work by moving to another lesse seasonable at the same time therefore divide the times aright and preferre the best first He that would meditate well must give his mind but to one good point at one time and beat that out throughly with prayer and application Better to have troubles in the flesh with a quiet conscience then the pleasures of sinne with horrour of heart Better to live in misery then sinne The worst of suffering is to be chosen before the best of sisning Soule lost all lost soule well all well Some while they think to free themselves from sorrowes by living in sinne thereby bring the same evils upon themselves and so are doubly wretched That which thou thinkst shall be thy comfort shall prove thy crosse yea thy curse except thou lookest chiefly to God in seeking it and he please to sanctifie it In reading labour for knowledge but chiefly for affection Miraculous help is not ordinary yet may and must we build upon the power of God for help be our distresse never so great and meanes of reliefe never so small By encrease of inward and outward troubles finding encrease of comfort and help why should I not willingly suffer Though we often strive against an evill without prevailing let us not
give over but strive the more for such striving is our victory Whose charity hath not been recompenced wherefore the ready way to be rich is to give liberally Yea this is a true though a strange saying the way to be richer is having much to give more The tenth to the Lord brings a tenfold blessing Wicked men neither know beleeve nor consider they fare the better for good mens sakes yet it is most true Are they not children fools and mad men who detest scorn slander and abuse their dearest friends Yet such are those though never so wise in their owne conceits who use good men so It is an infallible signe we shall obtaine if we persevere to aske the thing we want according to the will of God Impatiency in trouble neither easeth the mind nor relieveth the need why then should we give way to it All our carking cares cannot compasse our ends nor change the case therefore away with them Watch against all sinfull distempers in any case for the Lord is not pleased with nor bound to please our fond affections but doeth what he pleaseth Hope beyond hope beleeve beyond feeling in well-doing trust God most in greatest extremity and thou shalt help beyond present expectation The more zealous for God the more opposed in the world The better man the more hated of ill men but most dearly loved of God It is a signe of goodnesse to be nick-named of vaine persons It is a sinfull and false conclusion to say because most men and the greatest doe so it is well done common experience sayes otherwise Gods precepts not examples must be our rules Better goe to Heaven with a few poore creatures here contemned then burne in hell with multitudes of rich and glorious worldlings for there company brings no comfort but increaseth misery If riches made happy woe to the poore but the poore in spirit are the richest and shall be blessed Faithfulnesse in our calling is excellent yet a diligent man may be unfaithfull to God He that judgeth himself most censureth another least He that hath experience and feeling of his owne weaknesse will beare with anothers infirmities and feare his former falls A prophane person cryes out when a good man faileth but never thinks of his owne abominations An unregenerate Civilian thinks his owne case good and speaks largely of others failings but forgetteth that his owne case is more miserable Better often to fall and rise againe by repentance then live in secret sinne without remorse of conscience He that never doubted never truly beleeved so he that never sorrowed for sinne never repented of sinne Neither signes nor wonders judgements nor mercies prosperity nor adversity that can cause man rightly to seek his God except grace work upon the heart witnesse the hard-hearted Jewes in our Saviours time No mervaile though men remaine wicked who make not right use of what they heare see or feele This is a true token of repentance if we break off the sinne we lived in Oh the Sugar-bit under the tongue the darling sinne spit it out away with it or it will poyson all Better suffer open shame undeservedly then live in secret sinne impenitently Of all beautifull creatures a sanctified Soule pleaseth God best After deep affliction of spirit comes much sweet inward comfort to a conscionable Christian For want of humble thankfulnesse and carefull watching we fall into deepe dejections againe A sharp answer to an honest heart propounding a just matter throwes downe the mind exceedingly Take heed of bitternesse when a matter is moved to us considering the like would not please us It is not the doing but well doing of a good worke pleaseth God It is a good signe of sincerity to humble our selves in secret for the failings in our holiest performances and for such faults as others cannot discerne in us I take and find it a truth that to dispence with our selves for omitting of good duties openeth a door for the committing of foule offences He that speaks by experience is not deceived if he addes no more to it Bewaile in private thy failings in Gods publike services hold not habituall distractions for small matters for that savours of falshartednesse As we would our courses should not be mis-conceived let us take heed we give no just occasion of distaste When we think we stand surest we are like to fall soonest therefore be humble and watch then most Sinne cannot be good yet it is good for us we sinne sometimes to make us the more humble and watchfull thereby Take heed of spirituall pride it often procures spirituall disertion The more knowledge the more practice or else the more vexation of spirit or sharper stripes It is not amisse sometimes to a good end to doe a thing that may seem unseasonable if the same be lawfull All things unfitting are not unlawfull but whatsoever is unlawfull cannot be truly fitting Doest thou feele thou canst not pray pray that thou mayest pray for prayer quickneth prayer That prayer is not rejected that is without feeling if we have prayed in obedience and bewaile our insensiblenesse It is a signe we have feeling if we feele we want it No good work is accepted for its owne worth nor rejected for its wants if we be in Christ Set we our hearts to seek God in the duty we doe or our service is abominable Ceremonies are sometimes necessary yet make not the worke good or bad simply for the Lord looketh to the heart chiefly yet oftentimes seemly gestures shew inward holinesse they may be used as helps to devotion but we must not put holinesse in them When we ought and doe not reprove and punish sinne in others it is just with God to let us fall into the same sinnes and to punish us for them We have to do with a most holy al-knowing just and jealous God therefore take we heed of dallying delaying or excuses he sees whether our hearts stand right or no. He that hath authority and leaves vice unpunisht provokes the Lord to punish him He that useth not his bell meanes to convert his charge shall answer before God for such his neglect and their miscarriage Readily forgive him that injures thee but forbeare not him that offends God Authority may and must compell to outward obedience in the use of the meanes although to convert the heart is the onely work of God It is true the Lord saveth none against their wils yet none can be saved by their own free will It is not in him that willeth nor in him that runneth but in God that sheweth mercy yet he sheweth mercy to none but those that by his mercy will and runne Good in the worst men we ought to follow but evill in the best we are bound to eschew He that reveales my secrets though he intends my injury does me a curtesie in making me more circumspect and secret If one out of malice make knowne my misdemeanour and I thereby amend he does me a
thy most holy Spirit through the alone al-sufficient merits and mediation of thy most deare and onely Sonne my alone most sweet Saviour and perpetuall intercessor Christ Jesus even so be it Amen Amen Thus farre here for governing the Tongue now to God onely wise my onely helper be all the glory Concerning walking with God with some Meditations for Prayer according to the plain and powerfull word of God to be the better enabled thereunto 1 GOD commands it He hath shewed thee O man what is good and what doth the Lord require of thee but to doe justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God Micah 6.8 Thus saith the Lord stand yee in the wayes and see aske for the old paths where is the good way and walk therein Jer. 6.16 2. Examples of Obedience And Enoch walked with God Noah was a just man and Noah walked with God Ge. 5.24 6.9 3 Neglect hereof must be acknowledged Neither have we obeyed the voyce of the Lord our God to walk in his lawes c. Dan. 9.10 4 And our ignorance indisposition and insufficiency hereunto O Lord I know that the way of man is not in himselfe it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps Jer. 10.23 Not that we are sufficient of our selves to think any thing as of our selves but our sufficiency is of God 2 Cor. 3.5 Without me ye can doe nothing John 15.5 5 We must crave pardon for all these And now Lord what wait I for my hope is in thee deliver me from all my transgressions and forgive all my sinnes Psal 39.7 8. 25 18. 6 We must ask a way of God in generall Thus saith the Lord stand ye in the wayes and see and ask for the old paths where is the good way Jer. 6 16. 7 Yea this by solemne humiliation Then I proclaimed a Fast that we might afflict our selves before our God to seek of him a right way for us Ezra 8.21 We must beseech him to grant us these particulars 1 Knowledge of the good way Shew me thy paths O Lord teach me thy Statutes make me understand the way of thy precepts Psal 25.4 119 27. Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk for I lift up my soule to thee Psal 143 8. 2 An heart disposed to walke therein Incline my heart unto thy testimonies Psa 119.36 He will teach us his wayes and we will walk in his paths Isa 2 3. 3 Ability thereto Make me to goe in the path of thy Commandements Psal 119 35. 4 Restauration out of former errors relapsed into Renew a right spirit within me restore unto me the joy of thy sal-vation Psal 11 10 12. 5 To be sincere herein I am God al-sufficient walk before me and be thou perfect Gen. 17 1. Let integrity and uprightnesse preserve me Psal 25 21. Let my heart be sound in thy statutes Psal 19 80. 6 To be watchfull hereto Hold thou me up and I shall be safe and I will have respect unto thy Statutes continually Psal 119 117. Keep thy heart with all diligence ponder the path of thy feet and let all thy wayes be established turne not to the right hand nor to the left Prov. 4 23 26 27. 7 That we may encrease in all these Being fruitfull in every good work and encreasing in the knowledge of God Col. 1 â—0 8 And be established Uphold me with thy free spirit Psal 51 12. Uphold me according to thy Word that I may live and let me not be ashamed of my hope Psal 119 116. 9 And to persevere Teach me O Lord the way of thy Statutes and I will keep it unto the end Psal 119 33. I have inclined my heart to performe thy Statutes alway unto the end Psal 119 112. 10 We must pray to be freed and preferved from every evill way in opinion and practice The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the Congregation of the dead Prov. 21 16. The wicked have laid a snare for me yet I erred not from thy precepts Psal 119 110. Remove from me the way of lying I have refrained my feet from every evill way Ps 119.29.101 Incline not my heart to any evill thing to practice wicked works Psal 14 4. We must lay to heart rely upon urge God to reforme await his leasure till he please to make good his word unto us in every particular we have thus sought him for in generall Thy Word have I hid in my heart Psal 119.11 I will meditate in thy precepts and have respect unto thy wayes I will not forget thy Word v. 15 16. In God will I prayes his Word in the Lord will I prayse his Word Psal 56.10 Remember thy word unto thy servant on which thou hast caused me to hope this is my comfort in my affliction for thy Word hath quickned me Psal 119 49 50. Let I pray thee thy mercifull kindnesse be for my comfort according to thy Word unto thy servant Psal 119 76. Therefore I will look unto the Lord I will wait for the God of my salvation my God will heare me Micah 7 7. O my Father neverthelesse not as I will but as thou wilt Mat. 26 39. In the particulars following 1 In that we have acknowldged our neglects and defects The Lord saith he that confesseth and forsaketh his sinnes shall have mercy Prov. 28 13. If we acknowledge our sinnes he is faithfull and just to forgive us our sinnes and to cleanst as from all unrigteousnesse 1 John 1 9. 2 In that we have craved pardon The Lord saith I will save you from all your uncleannesses c. yet will I for this be enquired of to doe it Ezek. 36 29 37. 3 In that we have asked a my of God He sayes Ask and it shall be given you Mat. 7.7 We besought our God for this and he was intreated of us Ezr. 8 23 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way that thou shalt go and I will guide thee with mine eye Psal 32 8. 4 To the desire of knowledge the Lord saith If thou callest after knowledge and cryest for understanding thou shalt find the knowledge of God Prov. 2 3 5. 5 To the desire of a good disposition Thus a new heart also will I give you and a new spirit will I put within you Ezek. 36 2â— 6 And of ability to walk with God He promiseth thus I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walke in my Statutes and yee shall keep my judgements and doe them Ezel 36 2â— For it is he that worketh in you both to will and to doe of his good pleasure Phil. 2 13. 7 If we desire restauration He restoreth my soule and leadeth me into the paths of righteousnesse Psal 23 3. 8 If we desire herein sanctity Yee shall keep my Statutes and doe them I am the Lord which sanctifieth you Levit 20 8 24. 9 Watchfulnesse I will hearken what the
us which is an especiall token of his favour to us being the meanes to save our soules 3 And that if the enemy should prevaile we should not onely lose these blessings but they should be scofft at prophaned and trodden under foot by them and their abominations set up to the exceeding greeat dishonour of our blessed God and the Losse of innumerable soules 2 Couragiously and that 1 Because it is the Cause of God Almighty who is able to defend and deliver us in the middest of the greatest perils and if none apparent were nigh unto us 2 Who governeth all things in all places that no bullet can fly or any other instrument of warre move but according to his especiall disposing nor doe any hurt to me but by his expresse commission and according to his good pleasure 3 That he who is most faithfull in remembring and keeping his word hath abundantly promised he will preserve and deliver me as he sees best for me 4 That he hath preserved and delivered others even prophane persons who have shewed little care to obey seek or trust him and that in extreamest dangers 5 That he hath often and most remarkably done the like to others of his and to me the most helplesse and unworthy formerly 6 That many through feare seeking to avoyd danger have the sooner hurt and slaine and others who have been warrantably and worthily valiant have by Gods protection escaped 7 That divers have been slain in a Tent hut or house or in other places where they thought themselves secure have been hurt or slaine when others in the trench or battell have been safe 8 That if the Lord please I shall be safe be the perils never so many and great for he can preserve from the greatest as well as the least from many as well as any 9 If he please I end my dayes in fight against his foes I dye a Martyr and the very instrument of my death is a meanes to send me Heaven 10 If we be fearfull and insufficient in our selves to doe our duty valiantly let us seek courage and ability from the Lord he will in some good measure undoubtedly grant it because he hath expresly promised it 3 Faithfully because the Lord hateth eye service and all unfaithfulnesse and loveth a faithfull carriage in our callings 4 Diligently and vigilantly because 1 By sloathfulnesse negligence and backwardnesse much time is lost much evill may ensue to the businesse and much shame disfavour scorne and harme may come upon our selves 2 Because time is redeemed the Cause advanced and we shall be commended and be the better trusted with imployment 5 Circumspectly that is to pursue all lawfull imployments of our calling seasonably for time place and manner with good advice worthily weighing all circumstances throughly 6 Conscionably propounding Gods glory chiefly the goodnes of the Cause seriously and our sincere obedience to his Majesty and to testifie we are Christians indeed that lay his Cause to heart deeply 7 In faith resting fully perswaded that our good God of his great mercy for the worthinesse of the Lord Jesus will graclously accept our endeavours though never so full of unworthinesse and will assuredly blesse us 8 Wiâ—h humble instant and earnest prayer especially 1 That the Lord will supply with fitting gifts for his service 2 That our endeavours may be blessed for the maintainance of the Cause 3 That he will please by all meanes in all places continually to maintaine the same and oppose the contrary Thirdly divers motives to stirre up by all meanes to help to our uttermost to maintaine the Cause of God 1 Such as have respect to the Lord most blessed for evermore as he is our God in foure respects among many more 1 That he is our Creator and hath made us for his own glory and that we cannot any way better answer the end of our creation then by offering our service yea to the death if he thinks sit for his names sake 2 That he is our Father therfore it were an unnaturall cowardly and shamefull part to stand still and look on when other of our Christian brethren are abused smitten and slaine 3 That he is our Lord then were it a base uncivill hatefull part in us to be quiet when others of our deare and loving fellow-servants are wronged and persecuted 4 That he is our chiefe good from whom we have received and doe expect all good therefore we are bound to testifie our thankfulnesse in this respect especially 2 Such as have respect to the Lord Jesus Christ our Redeemer as 1 As he is our Redeemer and dyed for us we should not suffer his Crosse to be defaced his blood to be trodden under foot as is done by Idolaters against whom we must in this case contend to the uttermost 2 Because he is persecuted and fought against in his Church should we not take his part who hath done and suffered so much for us that were his enemies and with holy wrath and indignation and deep desire of godly revenge for the wrongs done to him fight and doe all we can 3 Because he saith he that seeketh to save his life and that not for him loseth it and he that loseth his life for his sake shall find it 4 And because he protesteth if we be ashamed of him here he will be ashamed of us before his heavenly Father and what greater shame for us then not to take his part against the subtle cruell mighty wicked enemies of his and our fellow-members 3 Such as have respect to God the holy Ghost our Sanctifier and Comforter 1 He sanctifying us how should we not help them whom he hath sanctified together with us also 2 And labour to maintaine the meanes of our sanctification even his Ordinances which these his enemies would bereave us of 3 As he is our comforter would we be comforted by him and should we not be a meanes as well as we and all we may to comfort others comfortlesse and afflicted 4 Because he worketh in us all that are his one faith one hope one way alike desires and affections and sealeth unto us the assurance of that onely and eternall happinesse and that to this end chiefly the more to oblidge us to love and help one another which can no way be better manifested then in this manner 4 Such motives hereunto as may be drawne from the consideration of the disposition and demeanour of those his and our enemies as 1 They blaspheme the name of our God by their abominable idolatries 2 They rob him of his honour and give that to their idolatries 3. They mock our prayers too and serving of God 4 They deride our trust in his name 5 They reproach and revile our holy profession 6 They have defiled do and will defile the places of Gods worship where they have the upper hand 7 They banish imprison torment and kill the sevants of God and will serve us so if they prevaile 2 They ravish
In particular 1 Taking all in the best part 2 Passing by offences 3 Rejoycing at others weifare 4 Contentation with his estate 5 Humility 6 Trust in God according to his nature and promises 7 To cast his care on God 8 Inward peace joy and assurance 2 In his house to avoid 1 In words 1 In generall all prophane talke 2 In particular 1 Hastinesse to mine 2 Medling in others matters In his house 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 In words 1 In generall all edifying talk 2 In particular 1 Sobernesse to mine 2 Speaking the best of others 2 To eschew in behaviour 1 All loosnesse 2 Unseemlinesse 3 Filthinesse 2 To imbrace in behaviour 1 Stayednesse 2 Comlinesse 3 Purity 3 In company to eschew 1 In heart 1 Evill surmises of the words or carriage of others towards him 2 Partiality 3 Self-conceitednesse 2 In words 1 Unadvisednesse 2 Superfluousnesse 3 Unseasonablenesse 4 Uncharitablenesse 5 Contentiousnesse 3 In carriage 1 Lightnesse or familiatity 2 Strangenesse 3 Loftinesse 4 Uncomlinesse 4 In actions 1 Society with prophane persons 2 Excesse or tipling 3 Giving any evill example to any 4 Shewing any liking of sin 5 Seeking to humour men in ill In company to embrace 1 In heart 1 Taking all in good part 2 Directnesse 3 Lowlinesse 2 In words 1 Pre-consideration 2 Paucity 3 To the purpose 4 Charitablenesse 5 Friendlinesse 3 In behaviour 1 Gravity or reservednesse 2 Affability 3 Humility 4 Seemlinesse 4 In action 1 Good company 2 Following good example 3 Giving good example 4 Wisely reproving sinne 5 By all meanes honouring God 4 Concerning Gods publike family or private worship 1 To eschew 1 All will worship 2 Superstition 3 Unpreparednesse 4 Negligence 5 Customarinesse 6 Habituall distractions 7 Relying too much on the meanes And to embrace 1 The warrant of Gods word for the duties 2 For the manner of performing them 3 Preparation 4 Attention 5 Conscionablenesse 6 Setlednesse 7 Resting on Gods blessing Amen Amen Considerations to move to Christian watchfulnesse 1 In seeking thus Gods glory he will honour us againe 1 Sam. 2.30 2 That we are every where in the sight of God who knoweth the heart Jeremiah 17.9 10. heareth our words Ps 139.4 beholdeth all our wayes ver 1 2 3. to reward every one according to their doings Jerem. 17.10 3 We shall hereby enjoy sweet communion with our God in Christ John 14.21 Rev. 3.20 4 And be most blessed here and for evermore in every thing Ps 144.15 84.11 Rom. 8.28 For the moouth of the Lord hath spoken it therefore it shall be performed and nothing shall let it Amens All by Gods grace onely From henceforth constantly Every day seasonably With Christian conveniency In the Morning To awake with God To shake off sloath To arise timely To pray for himselfe solemnly To read in Gods Word reverendly To call to mind some of his Vowes seriously And some of the promises deliberately To sing part of a Psalme understandingly In the Afternoon To pray for his Family affectionately To read in Gods Word advisedly And in his holy Advices observantly And somewhat in the Oracles of God distinctly In the Evening To pray for Gods Church humbly To read in Gods Word holily And somewhat in the Practice of Piety carefully And in the true watch for Examination impartially To lye downe to rest with prayer to avoyd all occasions of impurity And so to sleep securely Every Sabbath Besides accustomed publike Family and private duties on that day Three severall times to caâ—â— to mind some of Gods especiall and recorded mercies By the Lords most seasonable mercifull powerfull faithfully promised constant assistance which to this end I crave rest on and look for onely without which instead of doing better I shall doe worse then formerly yea every way most hainously I resolve and shall endeavour watchfully and constantly to avoyd all intemperance immoderate taking Tobacco vaine talking unseemly carriage pride lust passion and discord and all occasions of each and to embrace the contrary graces and all meanes thereto As thou art a God of mercy power and truth show it herein unto me and let thy grace my God in Christ be alwales sufficient for me Concerning decay in Prayer A Lwayes when he found himselfe so decay in zeale and care to pray his conscience checkt him for unthankfulnesse for former assistance in praying or for depending too much upon his prayers whereupon he felt a deadnesse to all other good duties a yeelding to the motions and occasions of sinne an inward puffing up a carelesnesse and self-presuming yea a miserable distemper in all things and then he conceived himselfe to be neare some sore temptation foule fall grievous inward dejection or great outward calamity therefore he held it his instantly to fall to prayer that the Lord would please to restore unto him the spirit of prayer to work in him a willingnesse to all other holy exercises to give him strength to resist and overcome the provocations to evill to humble him deeply in the sense of his former faults and present corruptions to make him truly thankfull and watchfull and in the strength of the Almighty onely out of conscience to doe his duty to bring all into good order and to keep all so constantly and most graciously powerfull and faithfully to prevent the sinnes perplexities and troubles he feares merits and hath cause to expect to be left unto and which he else by no means can escape so awaiting the Lords leasure and submitting to his good pleasure goe all how it will all shall goe well Amen my Father in Christ of thine owne meere mercy be I never so unworthy as thou hast promised whatsoever opposeth Amen Amen even so be it Amen Some most especiall choice places of sacred Scripture that concerne my self in most especiall manner reduced to these heads 1 COncerning government of the mind page 349 2 Of the tongue p. 351 3 Of the conversation page 361 4 Of passion and sobriety p. 368 5 Of pride and humility p. 374 6 Of strise and peace 7 Of envy and charity 8 Of discontent and quiet 9 Of medling and reservednesse 10 Of sullennesse and chearfulnesse 1 Concerning government of the mind In the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom Exod 31.6 Give therefore thy servant an under standing heart that I may discerne between good and bad 1 King 3.9 Keepe thy heart with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life Pro. 4 23. The preparations of the heart in man is from the Lord Pro. 16.1 The wise in heart shall be called prudent Pro. 16.21 A wise mans heart discerneth both time and iudgement Eccl. 8.5 A wise mans heart is at his right hand but a fools heart is at his left Eccl. 10.2 How weak is thine heart saith the Lord God seeing thou doest all these things Ezek. 16.30 Set thine heart upon all that I shall shew thee Ezek. 40.4 If our heart condemnes us God is