take it in vaine 3 That we finde our selues coÌ„forted and established in our faith by taking of this great and glorious name as being hereby drawne nerer vnto God and setled more constantly in our loue of his Maiestie To this end vse not the name of God without some addition of his attributes as the Liuing Lord the Glorious God My God c. Ephes. 1. 3. 4 Take we heede that the name of God become not ordinarie and for custome 5 Publish we the works of God not onely for the present but to posterity Exod. â—4 26. Concerning our neighbor our speech may be either good or euill If we are to speake good of our neighbour then we must doe it 1 Cherefully and vpon euery fit occasion Luke 5. 29. 2 Wisely rather in his absence then in his presence 3 Indifferently as well if he bee our foe as friend 4 Constantly maintaining the same testimony without any corruption or gaine-saying 5 Truely that wee giue him no more nor lesse then his due 6 Charitably if the matter bee doubtfull rather with the better 1. Cor. 13. 7. 7 Preserue wee his good name by answering for him in a case of slander 1. Sam 20. 32. 8 If he be fallen raise wee him vp with the spirit of meeknes Gal. 6. 1. Here are to be auoyded these extreames First those that are in the defect as 1 Deprauing of the actions of our brethren from the intent Iob 1. 9. 11. as if we knew their hearts 2 Extenuating of them in the measure 3 Mistaking them in the quality which is the common practise of the world to call good euill and euill good Esay 5. 19. 4 Outfacing and bearing men downe in ther sincerity and if were possible to driue them from the same Iob 4. 8. 11. c. 5 Misiudging of it by the outward euent Iob 27. 6 CoÌ„uincing thereof by false witnesse and periurie 1. Reg. 20. c. 7 Disgracing spirituall gifts for want of natures complement 1. Sam. 1. 14. Secondly We must here take heede of the other extreame in the excesse As 1 Commending them to their faces 2 Ascribing that vnto them which is not theirs Act. 12. 3 Yelding more vnto them indeede then is theirs 4 Daubing vp their sinnes with vntempered morter Eze. 13. as presumpton of Gods mercy or such like 5 Crying peace peace and putting farre off the euill day Ier. 6. 6 Approuing them for the gifts of nature though they be not sanctified Pro 31. 30. 7 Flattering them as if what they had came by their owne industry 8 Saying as they say be it true or false Mich. 2. 11. And thus is our speech to be ordered when we will speake good of our neighbour If wee haue occasion to speake the contrary of him let vs consider these bounds First wee must not speake what we certainly know not but haue by reports surmises c. We may speake that to himselfe which wee must not speake of him to another Matt. 18. 15. Secondly wee must not speake all what we know vnlesse we haue an especial calling hereunto And that is 1 When the Magistrate requires it 2 When his case by admonishment needs it 3 When danger to others thereby is preuented as in case of murther treason c. 2. King 6. 8. Gen. 37. 2. Est 2. Hence it followeth First That auricular confession is abominable which bindeth to the concealement of such wickednes Secondly That it is sinne to discouer where we are bound to conceale As in cases hereafter laid downe Thirdly We must not speake that of our neighbour which we know and is necessary to be knowne to all persons as neither To the weake lest they stumble at it nor to the wicked lest they insult in the infirmities of others Gen. 8. 2. Sam. 1. Fourthly Some may speak that euill of their brethren which it is not lawful for others As the Magistrate or Minister in reproouing of sinne may abase the persons with names sorting with their sinnes Galla. 4. 1. Matth. 3. which priuate men may nor doe 5 If it be thought fit to mention the euill which we know by any man here first it must bee done onely in a generall manner the person and all circumstances which will descrie the parson concealed 1. Cor. 6. 11. 2. Sam. 12. 1. 6 The partie also in some cases may bee discouered but yet with a double respect First if his sinne be of infirmitie here wee may in some sort conceale the sinne As 1 That it might bee mistaken in regard of the person Actes 3. 17. 2 That the fact may bee misreported and falsely conceiued c. If we see the partie ashamed and cast downe for his sinne here wee are bound much more to couer it And that 1 From God by harty praier that it may be forgiuen Actes 7. Matth. 27. Secondly From our selues And that 1 By not taking notice of it willingly 2 Not beleeuing it 3 Interpreting it to the best 4 Forgiuing it if it be apparent 3 We must also hide the sinne from the sinner And that First If we see him vnfit to be reproued 1. Sam. 25. Secondly If we see him sufficiently checked already by his conscience then we must also hide his sinne from him And that 1 By opposing his contrary intent Act. 3. 17. Rom. 10. 2. 2 Comforting him with his former course of holines 3 From the occasion that it was in his heat or prouoked thereto in his defence 4 From the qualitie that it was in ignorance not wilfulnes infirmitie not presumption 5 From Gods mercie which is aboue all his sinne Rom. 5. 20. 6 Age that it was done in his youth Psal. 25. 7. 7 The time of life that yet there is hope to recouer Psal. 95. 2. Tim. 2. 25. and that it was but the first in that kind 8 From the examples of the Saints the best of whom haue had their slips Iam. 3. 2 Psal. 19. 9 From his person opposing other good parts to counteruaile that euill 1. Kin. 15. 5. Thus may we hide the sinne from the sinner and thus also may we hide his sinne from the world If the sinne be grieuous and cannot be excused yet heere we must moderate our speech 1 And prepare mercie for the party 2 Acknowledge wee it might haue beene our case if God should haue left vs and so may be Galat. 6. 1. 3 Intimating his sorrow and detestation of the fact as the truth shal be 2. Cor. 2. 6 7. 4 Recounting circumstances that induced thereunto though not to excuse altogether yet to diminish the same or at least to make known the deceitfulnes of sinne 5 Labour his outward release from the hope of the time to come 6 Howsoeuer commend his case to the Church in prayer also in thy priuate vnto God If the fact be such as must needes bee punished yet here we are 1 To lay it soundly to the conscience of the offender to bring him to repentance that
what we suspect or know behind his backe Psal. 50. 20. 2 Adding to or changing the thing said or done Mat. 26. 60 61. 3 Open traducing and reuiling to his face 2. Sam. 16. 4 Telling that was neuer done Ierem. 37. 13. 5 Colouring their reports with pretences of griefe or necessity or publick profit inioyning secrecy by the party to whom he tels it c. 6 Rash censuring before euident knowledge Therefore here we are 1 To interrupt such talke 2 To giue no heede to it 3 Not to beleeue it 4 To reproue it The seuenth and last grace of speech is slownes and briefenesse Slownes is seene either in First Prouoking or Secondly Answering Herein obserue 1 That it is better to be prouoked to speech then prouoke especially if we be inferiour 2 Not to take a tale out of ones mouth but to heare it thorowly 3 To consider whither it be to be answered or no. 4 To ponder on it before wee answere what answere is to bee made thereto 5 To answere to the points omitting partiall respects 6 To cut off idle interruptions and vaine cauils Here is to be auoyded 1 Pride to heare a mans selfe speake 2 The fruit thereof namely First Obscurity Secondly Affectation 2 We must auoyd tempting speeches whereby wee may fift and vndermine others 4 As also that spirit of contradiction whereby thwarting others and contradicting euery man heresie and Atheisme is bredde and maintained 5 We must also refraine bitternes and captious taking vp of our brother a fault incident to briefenes of speech 6 As also wee must beware of sottishnes and inconsequence of speech while happily we thinke to shew our skill in breuitie Hitherto appertaine 1 Restrayning of our passion by interrupting our selues if by course of speech we grow into an heate 2 Correcting our selues by silence wherein we haue missaid 3 Contracting our matter into the briefest forme of words 4 Disposing it methodically to the best capacity of the hearer Generall rules to be obserued herein 1 That what is here spoken of speech is to bee vnderstood also of writing in which all these graces are to be practised and vices to bee auoyded 2 That in all kind of speech as well Latine as English c. exemplarie as wherin though the phrases of other tongues may leade vs to prophanenes yet we must auoyde them c. Hitherto of speech Now because we cannot speake well vnlesse we know also how to hold our peace wee are therefore in the second place to consider of silene Here obseru 1 That the ruleof silence must be Gods word 2 Matter of silence concernes God our neighbour our silnes 3 Persons before whom 4 The end which is Gods glorie ours and others good Things concerning God are 1 His secrets which we knowe not and therefore are to admire them in silence Deut. 29. 29. 2 His strange and extraordinary works which we may not speake boldly of but rather in silence wonder at Iob 36. 37. Leuit. 10. 3. 3 We are to conceale the mercies of God from obstinate sinners Matth. 7. 6. 4 We are to conceale his iudgements from humbled sinners Esay 40. 1. 5 We are to be silent at his corrections Psal. 39. hereby shewing our submission to his will 6 We are to yeeld to the known truth in silence to glorifie God Act. 11. 18. Touchiâ—g our neighbour obserue 2 That we may conceale some truth from him not being demanded yea being questioned we may conceale either the whole or part Prouided that it 1 Hinder Gods glorie 2 Or my neighbours good Truth in the whole is to be concealed 1 When the speaking of the least word is hurtfull as for example the father son lieth sicke at once the son dieth first the father asketh whether the son be dead or no if it be said No an vntruth is told if yea the fathers life is endangered therefore silence is best 2. Sam. 12. 2 When the reuealing thereof endangers the life of the innocent and therefore I am not to reueale my brethren in affliction nor to be compelled thereto by oath Prouided first that the authoritie requiring this be vnlawfull 2 The thing I conceale not in it selfe euill but so mistaken 3 That in the coÌ„cealing of it I prefer not a priuate before a publicke good Truth in part is to concealed when I speake a part of the truth but not the whole 1. Sam. 16. 1. 23. Ier. 38. 24. Exod. 5. Act. 23. 6. Q. When I am demaunded may I answere in part Yea so 1. I purpose not to deceiue 2 CoÌ„teÌ„t the mind of the answerer Secondly I am to conceale the infirmities of my neighbour vnlesse as before we be called of God to speake Prou. 17. 14. Pro. 19. 11. 3 All vnseemely matters 4 Such as concerne vs not 5 And such as are aboue our reach are to be buried in silence 3 Ministers must conceale the infirmities of their people 4 Magistrates secrets of state left the enemy know of them Concerning my selfe I am 1 To conceale mine owne secrets Iud. 14. or else if neede be tell those that are faithfull 2 That which thou wouldst haue no man know tell no man As for the persons before whom we must keepe silence they are 1 The malicious enemies of religion Mat. 7. 6. Mat. 27. 14. 2 Before Magistrates in open courts Act. 24. 10. til we be bidden 3 In the presence of our elders and betters Iob 32. 8. 4 Fools pratlers are to be huÌ„bled coÌ„uicted with fileÌ„ce Pr. 26. Thus farre concerning the guidance of the tongue The sixt and last part of this Girdle of truth containes the fitting and conforming of our outward actions to the will of God which is performed 1 When they proceed from a true ground 2 And are performed by true meanes and a holy manner 3 When they aime at a right end The ground of all good actions is faith in Iesus Christ. Rom. 14. Heb. 11. 6. 1 Assuring vs that our persons are accepted of God so our actions Heb. 11. 4. 2 Enabling vs to performe the worke acceptably vnto God in knowledge wisdome season Psa. 1. 3 Comforting vs that the imperfection of the action shal not be laid to our charge 2. Cor. 8. 12. 4 Applying vnto vs the righteousnesse of Iesus Christ to couer the same Psal. 32. 5 Strengthing vs to go forward in well doing and so to attaine perfection so the iust liueth by faith Heb. 10. 38. In the manner of weldoing obserue these notes 1 That we principally performe the actions of the first table and then of the second Act. 4. 19. 2 That our obedience to the second table bee included and deriued from our obedience to the first Math. 22. 39. Ephes. 6. 1. 3 That in regard of the truth necessity of wel-doing we haue equall respect vnto all Gods commandements Psal. 119. 9. 4 That we at all times and to al times
yet the hypocrite in pride and obstinacie falles at length from loose meanes to none and so to a despising and persecuting the same the elect though hee leaue in his heart yet hee returnes with shame and cleaues more conscionable to the meanes and is profited thereby 8 They both may be losers by their fall and not recouer all their life long but with these differences 1 The reprobate loses all graces and becomes a very beast Psal. 49. without knowledge ciuility c. The regenerate recouers necessarie graces as faith in some measure of vse and feeling but that full perswasion ioy in the spirit c. he happily recouers not againe all his life long 2 The reprobates losse is without feeling causing him to set vp his rest more securely in this life and so prepares him to sudden destruction that of the elect humbles him in all things causes him to worke out his saluation with feare and trembling to goe downe with sorrow to his graue and to be wearie of the world and to desire to be with Christ. Phil. 2. 12. This may we discorne betweene the fallâ— of Gods children and the wicked And this serueth 1 To trie vs in our decaies and to comfort vs in the same Pro. 24. 16. 2 To iustifie Gods faithfulnes who neuer forsakes his children 1. Cor. 10. 13. 3 To stop the mouthes of the wicked who reioyce at our falles Mich. 7. 8. 4 To assure vs of constancie perseuerance to the end 2. Tim. 4 18. CHAP. XIII A second helpe hereunto is FIrst watchfulnes ouer our hearâ—s and waies that they may continually be acceptable vnto God And that because 2. Tim. 4. 18. 1 Hereby we are prepared to tentations Luc. 21. 34. Mat. 13. 25. 2 Enabled to vndergoe them Ephes. 6. 3 And to haue a good issue out of them Luc. 21. 36. 4 Without this our whole life and best actions are either rashnes or securitie Pro. 28. 14. 5 By it we attaine certainty and resolution in wel-doing Ephe. 6. 13. 6 We preuent some euill which may make all other comforts vnsauory which we are sure to looke for in well doing Mat. 26. 41. 7 Hereby the other graces of God in vs are much beautified and encreased 8 And our infirmities much auoyded or couered Psalm 119. 9. 9 The best without it haue bin deceiued Genes 3. Dauid 2. Samuel 12. 10 Hypocrisie in weldoing and spirituall pride is preuented or mastered 11 Dulnes and wearisomenesse also in good things is much holpen 12 And so we prepared happily to perfection Now this watchfulnes is performed 1 And especially by obseruing the heart and yoaking it 2 In keeping vnder the outward man 3 And this not for a spurt but all our life long because so long endures the combate 4 And that obseruing and suspecting our greatest strength 1. Cor. 10. 12. 5 Ayming and heeding principally the sinnes that we haue most delighted in Psal. 19. Psal. 25. 6 Examining the best graces of God in vs lest some dead flie be in them Pro. 28. 9. Mat. 6. Helpes hereunto are 1 The glasse of the Word Psal. 119. Hebr. 11. 6. 2 Continual feare of our selues Pro. 28. Phil. 2. 12. 3 To haue the feare of God continually before our eyes 1. Cor. 7. 1 4 Sobriety in our knowledge and vse of outward things 1. Pet. 5. Rom. 12. 3. CHAP. XIIII FOurthly Earnest and constant prayer vnto God to vphold vs by his mightie power in cheerefulnes prouoking one another to holy duties Psal. 40. 4. 1 Publiquely in the Congregations 2 In priuate as well with our families as in our closets or such like secret recourse Mat. 6. Psal. 4. Conditions of prayer are 1 That our prayer must be in faith without doubting Iam. 1. 6. 2 In loue forgiuing one another Luc. 6. praying one for another 3 In wisedome praying first for the fauour of God when we would haue any blessing and when wee would haue an euil remoued praying for the forgiunes of sinne which is the cause of it and diuiding the times for prayer and our callings Dan. 6. 10. 4 In zeale and feruency from the heart and affection 1. Cor. 14â— Iam. 5. 16. 5 In constancy and patience waiting the Lords good leisure Psal. 40. 1. Psa. 135. Psa. 147. 6 In humilitie abasing vilifying our selues before the Lord. Ge. 32. 7 With thankesgiuing vnto God for all his mercies Psalme 103. 1. 8 Renuing our vowes and promises vnto God Psal. 116. 9 With strong cries groanes begging the pardon of our own sin and the sin of the Church land wherein we liue Dan. 9. 10 Crauing such necessaries for our selues and others with a holy submitting of our selues for the matter manner time and measure to the will of God Mat. 26. 42. Thus must our prayers be made vnto the Lord and by them we shall be First Much strengthened in the grace of perseuerance Luke 22. 32. as also 2 Kept in the vigor and power of our Christian life Ephes. 6. 3 Experienced in our sweet fellowshippe with God Romanes 8. 15. 4 Our spirituall armour alwaies fitted and exercised Ephes. 6. 5 Our daily wants supplied or recompensed Iames 1. 5. 2. Corint 12. 6 Tentations conquered and happily diminished Mat. 4. 7 All our occasions well seasoned turned to our good 1. Timo. 4. 8 Our whole life sanctified and we prepared comfortably to a better Phil. 1. 19. CHAP. XV. AND thus beeing prepared wee are ready for sweete Peace with God either to lay our selues downe therwith in peace to our sweete repose or to yeeld vp our liues with ioy vnto the hands of our redeemer Psal. 4. 8. Acts 7. 59. 1. Cor. 1. 7. And this is the last duety daily to be performed of vs and this peace is principally to be laboured to vs Because 1 We must respect not so much what we haue done but how the Lord hath accepted it Rom. 5. 1. 2 Heereby wee shall with courage go forward and be comforteâ— in the imperfection of our actioâ—â—2 Cor. 8. 3 We shal obtaine maintainâ— that vnspeakeable ioy of the holâ— Ghost in our hearts Phil. 4. 4. auoyd the contrary sadnes and distraction which proceedes from want of this peace 4 We shall refresh the graces of God in coÌ„mending them thus with our selues to the peace of God Now this duety is performed and blessing obtained 1 By performing the daily duties in their former order and with constancy 2 If by some vrgent occasion or tentation we haue bin interrupted yet to returne to theÌ„ to redouble what we haue omitted the next day 3 And this to be done not superficially with wearisomnes or of custome but determiately for conscience sake 4 Examine thy selfe how thou couldest one houre well be without one of the former graces as without the comfort of the remission of thy sinnes c. 5 Iudge and earnestly bewaile thy selfe if thou
the Master of the familie is fittest to be the mouth of God for his people as beeing therein their Priest and Prophet Reuel 1. 6. Fiftly That to this end set times are to be appointed and kept constantly vnlesse by sickenes or other more inuincible occasions wee be interrupted Sixtly That we keepe our selues in an holy temper and peace of minde by a constant course in all occurrents and so prepare our selues to prayer 1 Fixing our hearts on God and meditating of his power and Maiestie to worke reuerence in vs. 2 Looking vnto Iesus the author and finisher of our faith to breede affiance Heb. 12. 2. 3 Considering and examning our wants to breede humilitie and patience Psal. 39. Psal. 4. 6. 4 Excluding worldly â—ares which may hinder deuction Luke 8 Mat. 6. 5 Not fretting at the prospertity of the wicked Psal. 37. 1. 6 In patience bearing the wrongs of enemies and leauing reuenge to God Rom. 12. 7 Doing al things as in Gods presence 8 Auoyding euill for conscience sake 9 Meditating still on the day of iudgement lest we be vnfitted or interrupted in prayer 2. Pet. 3. 2. Cor. 5. 11. 7 Consider wee the manifold blessings wee haue â—eceiued from God to prouoke vs to thankesgiuing without which our prayers are ineffectuall Ephes. 6. c. 8 Here it is requisite that wee also quicken our hearts by reading and meditating twice or oftner in the day on some part of the Scriptures either First Taking the Scripture in order before vs. Nehemiah 8. Acts 13. Or els 2 Vpon extraordinarie occasions making choice of fit Scriptures 9 Bewaile wee seriously our neglect of closet prayer and condemne wee our selues for our lip-labour and customarie deuotions our wearisomnesse in wel-doing our contentment with little feelings 10 Renue wee our vowes for more often conscionable performance hereof 11 Rest we especially vpon the continuall intercession of our blessed Aduocate Iesus Christ who continually maketh intercession for vs and is now both praying for vs and readie to present our prayers to the throne of grace and to couer all the infirmities and failings of them 12 Stirre wee vp the blessed Spirit as before which may helpe vs with sighes and groanes vnâ—peakeable Rom. 8. 13 And be wee well aduised of the particular thing we desire that it may be fit for God to giue vs and vs to aske for our present occasion Matth. 6. Iames 4. 2. Being thus prepared we must powre out our prayers as before Auoyding here especially 1 Constraint and ceremoniousnesse 2 Customarinesse praying rather for the times sake then for Gods glorie Psal. 119. 108. 3 Conceit of the wel-doing hereof in regard of the thing done 4 Pride and ostentation in the opinion of our wel-doing Matthew 6. 5 Lip-labour and idle repetition of words 6 Confusion and disorder praying for earthly things before heaâ—enly Mat. 6. 33. 7 Carnalnesse when wee praie more for earth than heauen 8 Hypocrisie doing it to bee seene of men Mat. 6. 9 Vncharitablenes praying for reâ—enge c. of priuate wrongs Eccle. â—0 20. Iam. 4. 7. 10 Wearisomnes and dulnesse Gal. 6. Exod. 15. 11 Hastinesse and rashnesse as â—we would faine haue done 12 Presumption begging such â—â—ings as are not seasonable Luke 54. or beseeme vs not 13 Impietie praying for indulence in sinne or indenting with God and limiting him to our will â—â—helpe vs at such a time or in such manner Act. 1. Dan. 4. 14 Infidelitie when wee pray without the assurance of the acceptance of our persons which is the case of all popish deuotion Iac. 1. 6. Obseruing well 1 That as well for the least blessing as for the greatest wee sue to God in prayer and so bee thankefull vnto him left otherwise we denie God the giuer and so hinder our receiuing 2 That wee measure not the prayer by the outward successe because an euill prayer may bee heard in anger Osee 13. and a good deferred in mercie Yea a good prayer though in much weakenesse may be granted in loue Matthew 6. to keepe vs from despaire and yet a more strong and feruent prayer may be denied in greater loue both to humble vs that wee put not confidence in the meanes and to encourage vs to constancie therein assuring our selues that the â—ssue of our prayers shall be gratious 3 That in the greatest feeling of Gods mercie we pray against tentations Matth. 16. 4 That we especially commend vnto God the afflicted state of the Church and desire our welfare in the prosperitie thereof Psalme 122. 6. Psal. 126. 5 That we redouble our sighes and prayers not suffering any repulse Psal. 119. 164. Matt. 15. Gen. 32. Gen. 18 c. Ephes. 6. 6 That wee highly efteeme of the thing wee pray for Matth. 5. 6. 7 That we finde as much comfort in abiding long at prayer as at hearing the word 8 That we be as readie to praise God for his mercies receiued as to sue for the obtaining of them Psal. 116. Luke 17. 12 18. 9 That we rebuke our selues in our prayers and relie onely vpon Christ. The benefit hereof is manifold 1 We renue our right in the day 1. Tim. 4. 4. 2 Wee arme our selues against tentations Ephes. 6. 14. 15. 3 We are readie for any good that shall be offered vs as consolation of the sick conference c. 4 We are prest to do al things in the sight of of God 5 And so very much fitted and furthered to set vpon our callings CHAP. XX. ANd this is the next maine occurrenâ— that falls out in the day euen to follow our Callings And here obserue First that to walke in a set calling for the common good is the ordinance of God imposed on euery Christian. 2. Thes. 3. 12. Gen. 3. 19 Ephes. 4. 28. And that 1 To communicate Gods prouidence in the gouernment of the world 2 To maintaine a comely order in the administration thereof 3 To imploy such varietie of gifts as God bestoweth on men aright 4 To maintaine humane societies in the bond of peace 5 To auoyde idlenes and curiosity 6 To preuent errors and distraction in religion 7 To fit vs to the ends of Gods prouidence 8 That God may be glorified in ordering such infinite varietie of callings both for the common and each priuate good and that especially for the life to come And this serueth 1 To teach vs to trie our callings by this that they haue their warrant from the word of God and that we be fitted thereto and so to reiect the contrarie 2 To sanctifie our callings by bounding them in the Lord. Ephes. 6. 1. because they are preserued by the same meanes by which they were ordained Secondly learne we That howsoeuer callings be the ordinance of God yet in these daies we are to expect them 1 By the ministerie of men and 2 Our owne industrie fitting vs thereto 3 Submitting our selues herein to the rule of the word And that