occasion wherof we speake Genes 43. Rom. 16. 1. Cor. 16. c. 5 Take we heed that the name of God become not ordinary and for custome 6 Publish we the works of God not onely for the present but to posterity Exod. 14.26 Concerning our neighbour our speech may be either good or euill If wee are to speake good of our neighbour then we must doe it 1 Cheerfully and vpon euery fit occasion Luk. 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 gain-saying 5 Truly 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 we 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 meeknesse Gal 6.1 Here are to be auoided these extreames First those that are in 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 Esa. 5.19 4 Out-facing and bearing men downe in their sincerity and if it were possible to driue them from the same Iob. 4.8.11 c. 5 Mis-iudging of it by the outward euent Iob. 27. 6 Conuincing thereof by false witnesse and periury 1. Reg. 20. c. 7 Disgracing spirituall gifts for want of natures complement 1. Sam. 1.14 Secondly We must here take heed of the other extreame in excesse As 1 Commending them to their faces 2 Ascribing that vnto them which is not theirs Act. 12. 3 Yeelding more vnto them indeed then is theirs 4 Daubing vp their sinnes with vntempered morter Ezek. 13. as presumption of Gods mercie 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 bee not sanctified Pro. 1.30 7 Flattring 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 we 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 we must not speake of him to another Math. 18.15 Secondly wee must not speake all what wee know vnlesse wee haue an especiall 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 wee 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 speake that euill of their brethren which is not lawfull for others As the Magistrate or Minister in reprouing of sinne may abase the persons with names sorting with their sins Gal. 4.1 Matth. 3. which priuate men may not do 5 If it be thought fit to mention the euil which we know by any mā here 1 It must be done onely in a generall manner the person and all circumstances which will descrie the person concealed 1. Cor. 6.11 2. Sam. 12.1 2 We must speake of his sinne not with delight or contentment but with griefe Psalm 119. 3 Vnlesse we perceiue obstinacy and scorning of the meanes then we are in an Ironicall manner to leaue them to their owne lusts 1. Reg. 22. Eccl. 11.7 6 The party also in some cases may be discouered but yet with a double respect First if his sinne be of infirmity here we 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 party ashamed and cast downe for his sin here we are bound much more to couer it And that 1 From God by hearty prayer that it may be forgiuen Actes 7. Math. 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 bide the sinne from the sinner And that First if we see him vnfit to bee reproued for the present 1. Sam. 25. Secondly if wee see him sufficiently checked already by his cōscience 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 holinesse 3 From the occasion that it was in his heate or prouoked thereto in his defence 4 From the quality that it was in ignorance not wilfulnesse infirmity not presumption 5 From Gods mercy 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 that it was but the first in that kinde 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. King 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 bee grieuous and cannot bee excused yet here wee must moderate our speech 1 And prepare mercy for the party 2 Acknowledge wee it might haue been our case if God should haue left vs and so may be Gal. 6.1 3 Intimating his sorrow and detestation of the fact as the truth shall be 2. Cor. 2.6.7 4 Recounting circumstances that induced thereunto though not to excuse altogether yet to diminish the same or at lest to make known our selues 1. Cor. 15.10 5 Our speech must rather tend to the defect then to the excesse 6 Wee must do it soberly and sparingly rather shewing that we are compelled thereunto then of our owne accord 2. Cor. 11. 7 We must here especially regard how we are made manifest to the conscience of the Saints 2. Cor. 5.9.10 8 And lastly wee must herein especially aime at Gods glory 1. Cor. 10.31 Thus may we speake good of our selues 3 We are also bound to speake euill of our selues in these cases 1 We must
Giuing the Lord no rest till by praier we haue obtained this assurance 5 An holy indignation and displeasure at our selues for offending so good and gratious a Father Psal. 73.22 6 A feruent affection to Gods word and spirituall things Psal. 51. Psalm 32. 7 Zeale of Gods glory and in regard thereof a iudging of our best graces and mourning for our failings in them 8 A spirituall execution and taking vengeance on our selues by cleering of others in affliction and condemning our selues Esay 30.21 2. Sam. 16.17 Ier. 31.19 2. Sam. 24. 9 Yea desirous to bee more vile 1. Timoth. 1.13.14 and exposing our selues to confusion for the same 10 And because wee cannot bee so abased as wee should Mourning and complaining of the hardnesse of our hearts Esay 63.17 11 Prouoking deeper sorrow for our owne by mourning for the sinnes of others Psal. 119.136 Dan. 9. Eze. 9. 12 Trembling at the word and yet louing the sharpest blowes thereof Psalm 119.120 And so melting at the sweet promises therein 13 Submitting our selues willingly to Gods chastisements Psal. 39.9 Mich. 7.9 14 Labouring vnfaignedly the conuersion of others Psalm 51.17 And admonishing them to take heed by our example Ezech. 18.30 15 Shame of humane society Ezech 16.61 Ier. 3.3 16 Feare of the wrath of God Psal 119.120 17 Strong cryes for mercy Io. 2.17 18 Desire of the restoring of for sin though we alwayes shed not teares for it 4 And though we forsake not sinne wholly yet out endeuour is accepted with God so that wee finde the power of sinne weakned in vs and relapse into former sinnes breed greater feare of our selues and humility 5 Considering that our repentance is not to purge out our sinne or deferre pardon but onely 1 To testifie our thankfulnesse vnto God 2 To assure vnto our selues the renued life of grace 3 And to proceed and goe forward therein 6 As also resoluing that in all these things whosoeuer will lead a godly life in CHRIST the power of God is to bee made perfect by their infirmities 2. Cor. 12.9 7 Comforting our selues that if being in our wayes wee bee kept from sinne this is the mercie of GOD but if out of our wayes we seeme to maister sinne this is in Iustice and deceiuable 8 As also beeing assured that what we faile in at one time will be supplied at another and God will accept the measure of his worke in vs. 9 And lastly accounting it a good measure of forsaking sinne if wee see what wee cannot do and grone vnder the burthen desirous to bee dissolued Rom. 7 24. And for our further tryall and resolution obserue wee these things 1 That our sorrow for sinne neither vnfits vs for our callings nor excludes from such comforts as are tendered in Christ Iesus 2 That wee so iudge our selues that we iudge not either peremptorily of our owne estate to preiudice Gods mercy or censure our brethren vncharitably who stand or fall to their Maister 3 Yet neglect wee not reproofe for sinne seasonably and conscionably that either others or at least our selues may bee kept from security and kept in the tendernesse and true iudgement of the conscience 4 That wee are more grieued that wee haue not serued God longer time then that we haue for the present dishonoured him by sin And yet 5 Are more grieued by this that the name of God is blasphemed and his spirit grieued by our sin then that any hurt hath or for any that shall redound to vs hereby The benefite hereof is as before CHAP. II. Of the raising vp of a sinner by a true and liuely faith THe soule beeing thus humbled must bee raised vp againe by a true and liuely Faith And this is the second duty daily to be performed Obiect But cannot we bee truly humbled without faith Is this a worke of nature and so a preparation to grace Or else rather a worke of Sanctification Answer 1 Some kinde of humiliation and sorrow for sinne may be naturall as being forced from the conscience accusing naturally and furthered by the spirit of illumination So that 2 In the outward act the Hypocrite may bee like the sound Professour yea in some measure in regard of the power of conscience let loose exceed him in outward humiliation especially if wil-worship sway for our owne credit 3 But the truely humbled Soule expressed in those Markes and Rules before is so wrought by faith apprehending the pardon of sinne in Christ our sinnes This is performed 1 By a serious meditation on the promise of the Messiah Iohn 3.16 2 By exercising our selues more conscionably in the reading and hearing of the word taught Iohn 5.39 Secondly Faith is quickned by reuiuing our apprehension of the promise and this is is done 2. Chr. 17. vers 16.17.18.19 and to the end of the Chapter 1 By earnest prayer vnto God for the renuing of his Spirit in vs. Psal. 51.12 2 By an hearty acknowledgement that we haue iustly grieued the Spirit of God and so are deseruedly depriued of the feeling thereof Psalme 51.4 Lamentation 3.22 37. 3 Meditating of our former comfort and assurance herein Ps. 77. And this reuiuing hath many degrees First A liuely sense what need I haue of Christ and that without him I must certainly perish Rom. 7.24 25. Secondly Hope of pardon whereby though we yet feele not our sinnes certainly pardoned yet we beleeue that they are pardonable not in respect of thēselues as if they were lesse heinous but in respect of God whose mercies are aboue them Esay 1.18 Thirdly An hungring and thirsting after grace offered in Iesus Christ. Ioh. 6.35.7.37 Reu. 21.6 And this is discerned 1 By our prizing and preferring it aboue all other comforts Phil. 3. 2 By our fainting and languishing after it Psal. 42 3 By our strong cries and endeuours for the same Psalme 51.12 13. c. Fourthly Wee approch to the throne of grace and flying from the terrour of the law wee take hold on Christ and find fauour in God Heb. 4.16 Heb. 10.19 And this is performed 1 By an humble confession of thy sinne in particular wherupon followeth a full remission of them Psalme 32.5 2 Crauing pardon of some speciall sins with vnspeakeable sighs and perseuerance Luk. 15.21 Act. 8.21 Fiftly Hereupon followeth a particular perswasion imprinted in the heart by the holy Ghost whereby euery faithful man doth particularly apply vnto himselfe those promises which are made in the Gospell Mat. 9.2 Math. 15.28 Psal. 143.12 This perswasion is discerned by these markes 1 It goes before experience Mat. 15.23 and so our faith is supernaturall and contrary to all reason Heb. 11.1 2 It holds beyond experience Iob. 13.15 Heb. 11.1 and is aboue all feeling 3 And neuer leaues vs till wee haue obtained the ende thereof which is the saluation of our soules 1. Pet. 1.9 This perswasion hath these degrees First it takes hold weakely not without doubting and yet soundly
cut off idle interruptions and vaine cauils 7 Not to powre out all our mindes at once but to keepe some what till afterwards Prou. 29. Here is to bee auoyded 1 Pride to heare a mans selfe speake 2 The fruit thereof namely First Obscurity Secondly Affectation 2 We must auoid tempting speeches whereby wee may siâ—â—â—â—â—â— and vndermine others 4 As also that spirit of contradiction whereby thwarting oothers and contradicting euery man Heresie and Atheisme is bred and maintained 5 We must also refraine bitternesse and captious taking vp of our brother a fault incident to briefenesse of speech 6 As also wee must beware of sottishnes and inconsequence of speech while happily we thinke to shewe our skill in breuity Hitherto appertaine 1 Restraining of our passion by interrupting our selues if by course of speech wee grow into an heate 2 Correcting our selues by silence wherein we haue mis-said 3 Contracting our matter into the briefest forme of words 4 Disposing it methodically to the best capacity of the hearer An eighth grace of speech is Wisedome 1 That we minister a word in due season Isa. 50. As comfort to whom comfort belongs and when he is fit for comfort being throughly humbled and so reproofe 2 That we submit subordination to the best ends 3 That we affect not words but labour to expresse our matter in the fewest and plainest 4 And also neglect not to ascribe what in ciuility belongs to each And 5 In charity ascribe for religion what is outwardly apparent leauing the heart to God 6 Not iudging peremptorily of any though his estate bee outwardly desperate 7 Neither discouering our owne good or euill but when as before we heare a calling Generall Rules to be obserued herein 1 That what is here spoken of Speech is to be vnderstood also of Writing in which all these graces are to be practised and vices to be auoyded 2 That in all kinde of speech as well Latine as English c. exemplary as wherein though the phrases of other tongues may leade vs to prophanesses yet we must auoyd them As in Grammer Would God I did c. Hitherto of speech Now because wee cannot speake well vnlesse wee know also how to hold our peace wee are therefore in the second place to consider of silence Here obserue 1 That the Rule of silence must be Gods word 2 Matter of silence concernes God our Neighbour our Selues 3 Persons before whom 4 The end wich is Gods glory ours others good Things concerning God are 1 His secrets which wee know not and therefore are to admire them in silence Deut. 29.29 2 His strange and extraordinary workes which wee may not speake boldly of but rather in silence wonder at Iob. 36.37 Leuit. 10.3 3 We are to conceale the mercy of from God obstinate sinners 4 We are to conceale his iudgements from humbled sinners 5 We are to be silent at his corrections Psal. 39. hereby shewing our submission to his will 6 Wee are to yeeld to the knowne truth and in silence to glorifie God Act. 11.18 Touching our Neighbour obserue 1 That we may conceale some truth from him not being demanded yea being questionâ—â—â—d we may conceale either the whole or part Prouided that it do not 1 Hinder Gods glory 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 and sonne lieth sicke at once the sonne dieth first the father asketh whether the sonne be dead or no if it bee 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 indangers the life of the innoceÌ„t and therefore I am not to reueale my brethren in affliction nor to be compelled thereto by oath Prouided first that the authority requiring this bee vnlawfull 2 The thing I conceale bee not in it selfe euill but so mistaken 3 That in the concealing of it I preferre not a priuate before a publicke good Truth in part is to be 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 demanded may I answere in part Yea so 1 I purpose not to deceiue 2 Content the minde 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 Prou. 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 vnlesse they be otherwise vnreclaimable 4 Magistrates secrets of state least the enemy know them Concerning my selfe I am 1 To conceale mine owne secrets Iud. 14. or else if need be tell those that are faithfull of silence concerning my selfe 2 That which thou wouldst haue no man know tell no man As for the persons before whom wee must keepe silence they are 1 The malicious enemies of religion Mat. 7.6 Mat. 27.14 Ps. 39.2 2 Before Magistrates in open Courts Act. 24 10. till we be bidden 3 In the presence of our elders and betters Iob. 32.8 4 Fooles and pratlers are to bee humbled and conuinced with silence Pro. 26. Thus farre concerning the guidance of the tongue The sixth and last part of this Girdle of truth containes the fitting and conforming our outward actions to the will of God which is performed 1 When they proceed from a true ground 2 And are to be performed 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 and so our Gods meere mercy in Iesus Christ. Phil. 3. 12 That we bee that we seeme to bee 13 That wee make conscience of the least as well as the greatest 14 That we prouide things honest before men as well as in the sight of God 15 Distrust the goodnes of that worke in wâ—â—â—ich thou hast not a contrary tentation 16 Especially if thou beest not rowsed with an imputation of hypocrisie 17 That we measure not the substance of wel-doing by particular actions 18 That the rule for approbations of our actions be the acceptance of our persons in Christ not any perfection that is in theÌ„ 19 That in all well-doing wee discerne a kind of foolishnesse in regard of the wisedome of the world and of the flesh 1 To be abased in our selues 2 To giue God the glory 3 To try the sincerity thereof in regard of the opposition of the world 1. Cor. 3.18 The end of our actions is 1 That whatsoeuer we do it be done to Gods glory 1. Cor. 10.31 and this is performed 1 In sanctifying and auspicating them by prayer inuocation of the name of God 1. Tim. 4. 2 In
righteousnesse and so holding meerely of mercy Let him measure Gods mercy not by time present but eternity And so let him forget all present measure in comparison of what is to come that so hee may bee partaker of Gods euerlasting mercies Yea let him freely loue God as God freely loues him not as an hireling for his wages but as a sonne in obedience not for what God will giue but what he hath commanded that so he may rightly intitle himselfe into the mercies of his God when hee preferres his glory euen aboue his own good 3 Comforting himselfe that he can bee no looser where the Lord gaines glory Sixeteenthly our God is bountifull 1 Because he createth and gouerneth all things Psal. 95. 2 He is the onely fountaine of all good things Zach. 13.1 3 Euen which befall to all Creatures 4 Yea to his enemies Math. 5. 5 And that of his owne meere loue goodnes and free mercy to the creature 6 But especially to mankind 7 And among them especially to his Church 8 And herein to Angels and the Elect principally 9 Yea euen in his anger he is exceeding good as ayming onely thereby at the defect and corruption of the creature to amend purge it still louing the substance and nature it selfe 10 And though he inflict many euils vpon the creature yet doth he withall sustain it in those euils and bestoweth many excellent blessings vpon it to inuite to repentance and if it do repent remoueth the euils and perfiteth the good And therefore 1 This reproueth the prophane person that despiseth the bounty of God by continuing in sinne and also 2 The proud person that challengeth this bounty as due vnto him 3 And is not the weake Christian here taxed that doubts of and distrusteth this bounty of the Lord especially in afflictions 4 And this condemneth the wicked that measure Gods fauor by prosperitie And therefore coÌ„demne the generation of the iust because of their afflictions as if God had forsaken them Psal. 71.11 Psal. 7.3 5 And also they are here iustly reproued that complain of Gods bounty and condemne him of cruelty as if he delighted in their destruction and made a sport at their torments laying the falt on God that they are iustly condemned seeing themselues are the choosers and executioners thereof 2 This instructeth to obserue the bountie of God wisely in all his workes as not to neglect it in the least seeing the least may be an hand to lead vs to greater therefore we must often meditate on our creation preseruation and so especially to take notice of the works of his speciall prouidence in the Church and so to confirme our faith thereby as that wee rest not so much vpon what is performed neither measure the fauour of God by any present or particular action but rather looke forward yea a farre of into that which is promised laboring if by any means we may attaine the resurrection of the dead Pil. 3.13 2. Pet. 1.8 Psal. 119. 3 Hereby we are comforted 4 That as all this bountie properly belongs to vs so wee must liue by faith in the discerning and enioying of the same preparing our selues thereto by emptying our hearts of al sâ—â—â—fe-loue and coÌ„ceite of our owne righteousnes and assuring our selues then to haue the greatest measure when we haue haue most need when the world seekes most to strippe vs thereof Seuenthly our God is most Free 1 Because his nature is free from all 1. misery 2. bond 3. subiection 4. constraint 2 He doth will and execute all things most freely and iustly when as much and in what manner he will 3 Neither can hee bee constrained by any law of others nay his Will is the Rule euen of his owne Law And therefore 1 Though second causes worke necessarily yet 1 Because this necessity is not absolute but conditionall according to the good pleasure of God therefore are they freely ordered from him though necessarily they worke in themselues 2 And though our God himselfe be necessarily good yet is this necessity not of constraint our mindes we delight in the law of God yet in the law of our members we are still led captiue vnto sinne yet so as that wee daily discerne the weakning of this body of sinne and hunger daily the putting off therof comforting our selues that our head Christ Iesus is ascended vp on high and shall in due time drawe vs vp after him that we may enioy perfect liberty in his glorious kingdome Lastly our God is a Iealous God hating sinne being angry against it and in his Iustice will certainly punish the same both with temporall and eternall plagues And therefore 1 Though the wicked cannot discerne hereof 1 Because they neither can nor indeed desire to know sin 2 Neither are acquainted with that price of the bloud of the son of God yet both doe they for the present partake thereof in that they are Iustly giuen vp to a reprobate sence and to their owne lasts to commit sinne with greedinesse that so they may be prepared thereto and are not without some present pangues of conscience and outward plagues concerning their estate and shall when sin is ripe drinke the full vials of Gods indignation by the worme of conscience and those endlesse torments that are prepared for them in hell 2 Labour we therefore to discerne the power of this wrath Psalm 9.10 euen in the death of Christ that so wee may hide our selues therein to auoyd the same 3 And neglect we not the least checks of conscience within or outward stroakes vpon our selues or others that so we may auoyde the entrance thereof 4 Assuring our selues that seeing the anger of th' Almighty is spent vpon his Sonne therefore the waight thereof shall not lie vpon vs. 5 And therefore comforting our selues that though our God may seeme to be angry with vs if we measure him by such outward meanes as are common to the wicked yet doth he in anger remember mercy because mercy pleaseth him yea his tokens of anger are meanes to preuent the same and so proue occasions to prepare vs to his mercy to make vs capable thereof 6 Yea he doth not in any thing more reueale his loue vnto vs then by these corrections which vnto the wicked are messengers of hell because when we are iudged we are chastened of the Lord that we may not bee condemned with this wolrd 1. Cor. 11.31.32 CHAP. IIII. Of the knowledge of God in Vnitie THus is Iehoua knowne by his Attributes and hence ariseth this necessary conclusion That there is but one God As appeareth not onely by Testimonies of the word Deut. 6.4 32.39 Isai. 44.6 1 Cor. 8.4 Ephes. 4.5 1 Tim. 2.5 Deut 4.31 Psal. 8.31 Isay 37.16 45.21 Hos. 13.4 Malach 2.10 Mark 12.32 Rom 3.30 Gal. 3.20 But also by such euidences as none else can performe 1 As beeing reuealed in the word to worke miracles to foretell things to come which
thereby in the vse of things indifferent 2 To bee ordered thereby for the vse thereof 3 To be punished for the abuse 4 Yea to bee ordered for the outward circumstances of time place decency concerning the worship of God 5 And to bee censured for default therein both in our goods and bodies enduring patiently and amending thereby Secondly in our Christian liberty we must haue regard to the Ministers As 1 Being wise to try the Spirits and so to affect accordingly 2 Reuerencing their persons 3 Receiuing them as Gods Embassadours yea as Iesus Christ. Gal. 4. 2 Cor. 5. 4 Embracing their message as the counsell of God whatsoeuer the vessell may be 5 Yeelding them maintenance cheerefully and bountifully 1. Tim. 5. 1 Cor. 9. 6 And submitting to the censure of the Church with all humility and good conscience as to bee reformed by the same 1. Cor. 5. Secondly in our Christian liberty wee must haue respect to our equals and that to such are equall either in the Ciuill or calling Christian calling Towards our equal in the Ciuill calling wee are to order our selues thus 1 To deale truly and iustly with them in our commerce that so they may either iustifie and loue religion or else haue their mouthes stopt and bee made inexcusable 2 We are to communicate vnto them by occasion of worldly commerce some heauenly riches labouring to bring them to Christ Ioh. 4.1 Ioh. 3 To this end faile wee not to conuince and represse knowne corruptions by the word and to bring forth secret by searching and launcing resoluing rather to loose our gaine then to be partakers of his sin 4 And here we must euen refraine in our liberty in diet apparel being an example of modesty c. that so we may weane him the rather from the loue therof and by our example may iustifie our profession 1. Cor. 9. 5 And so with all meeknesse of wisdome and long suffering wait vpon him if at any time God may giue him repentance that hee may bee saued 2. Timoth. 2.24.25 6 Choosing to this end what may most edifie what least giue offence and exasperate taking opportunity from his naturall inclination from his present afflictions and temptations to worke vpon him 7 And labouring to roote out Distrust and Couetousnesse that so setting bounds to his earthly desires by true cōtentation he may haue more scope for heauenly Thus are we to order our liberty towards our equall in his ciuill calling him to sence of inward corruption and purge wee out hypocrisie and spirituall pride 9 Preparing him to this purpose to endure the crosse 10 Informing him to discerne the raigning sinnes of the time 11 Especially the corruption that most hangs vpon him the sin that hee hath or is most subiect vnto 12 And so prouoke we him stil to perfection not to liue by examples nor to stint himselfe in religion but to follow hard after the marke for the high price of his calling in Iesus Christ. Thus are we to carry our selues in our liberty towards our equals in their generall callings We are also herein to respect our inferiours As 1 Labouring to be equall with them in affection though superiors in gifts 2 Not to despise or disgrace or discourage or separate from thē but rather to take vnto vs him that is weake and wee which are strong to support him that is weake 3 Not contemning or measuring his inward estate by the outward condition but rather helping the outward estate that it may further the inward 4 Not being aduanced in our selues because we haue more but rather fearing because we haue a greater burthen a greater account to make so easing our selues by communicating vnto oothers yet correcting our selues by scattring our ouer-plus Prou. 11. 5 Yea submitting our selues for the Lords sake vnto meanest conditiō in al lawful things to bring them vnto Iesus Christ 1. Cor. 9.21 2. Cor. 11.29 6 And as a tender Nurse cherishing and dandling of them not to pamper them in their weaknes but to leade them on to perfection 1. Thess. 2. Heb. 6.1.2 7 And yet not alwaies enduring their weaknes but by seueritie to compell to what lenitie could not perswade vnto at least to preuent obstinacie and infection of others Thus are we to vse our Christian libertie toward inferiors 8 And thus behauing our selues in the conuerting of others wee shall by this meanes encrease Gods graces in our selues 9 If we neglect not withal conscionable walking in our ciuill callings And 10 Labour to maintaine the fellowship by exhorting prouoking to loue and good works Heb. 10. 11 Not neglecting to take notice of and offer vp vnto our blessed God euery mercy vouchsafed vnto vs in a dayly sacrifice of obedience and so renuing our repentance for our failing therein And 12 So considering the shortnesse of our liues and sodainnesse of Christ Iesus comming vse we all diligence to make our election sure and redeeme wee the time because the dayes are euill These are the meanes whereby we may grow in grace Now that wee bee not deceiued nor discouraged herein obserue we in the next place the manner of this encrease which is 1 A comming forward in euerie part together as when the first wheele of a clocke moues it carrieth about all the rest so the heart being enlarged the conscience and wil and affections yea the members of the body in some measure are enliued As 2 Yea so as that this growing is not alwayes sensible by reason of the different working of the Spirit 1 Sustaining and cherishing sometimes inwardly sometimes putting forth the sap into the branch and bud 4 Seeing the power of God must bee made manifest in weaknesse therefore resolue wee that the manner of this growth at the best must be in great weakenesse Yet so 5 That wee shall by Gods mercie dayly weaken corruption more clearely discerning it loathing it more hartily more meekly groane vnder it more sighes to be deliuered from it 6 And therefore though the grace of God shall not be in vaine in vs for the subduing of corruption Yet shall our encrease in grace rather appeare in discerning the greatnesse of corruption and deceitfulnesse of sin then in any manifest conquest ouer the same 7 And seeing the best wee cancan doe is subiect to much mixture of corruption therefore shall wee best discerne the manner of our growth by the right vse of grace yea herein shall wee haue best euidence thereof because we finde aboue the worke of wel-doing our persons accepted of our gratious Father in Iesus Christ. Thus are wee to conceiue of the maner of our growth Now for the measure 1 Wee are dayly growing vntill the moment of our death 2 In holinesse howsoeuer wee may come short of many of the elect yet we shal exceed our selues yea the most vaine glorious Pharisees in the power and conscience of well doing though happily not in the shew Mat. 3. 4 Wee purpose the
blessings we haue receiued from God to prouoke vs to thankesgiuing without which our prayers are ineffectuall Eph. 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 as 1 Taking the Scripture in order before vs. Nehemiah 8. Act. 13 Or else 2 Vpon extraordinarie occasions making choyce of fit Scriptures 9 Bewaile wee seriously our neglect of closet prayer and condemne wee our selues for our lippe-labour and customarie deuotions our wearisomnesse in well-doing our contentment with little feelings 10 Renue wee our vowes for more often and 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 ready to present our prayers to the Throne of grace and to couer all the infirmities and failings of them 12 Stirre we vp the blessed Spirit as before which may helpe vs with sighes and grones vnspeakeable Rom. 8. 13 And be wee well aduised of the particular thing wee desire that it may be fit for God to giue vs and vs to aske for the present occasion Mat. 6. Iam. 4.2 Beeing thus prepared we must powre out our praiers as before Auoyding here especially 1 Constraint and Cerimoniousnesse 2 Customarinesse praying rather for the times sake then for Gods glory 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 Matth. 6. 5 Lip-labour and idle repetition of words 6 Confusion and disorder praying for earthly things before heauenly Math. 6.33 7 Carnalnesse when wee pray more for earth then heauen 8 Hypocrisie doing it to be seene of men Math. 6. 9 Vncharitablenesse praying for reuenge c. of priuate wrongs Eccle. 10.20 Iam. 4.7 10 Wearisomnesse and dulnesse Gal. 6. Exod. 15. 11 Hastinesse and rashnesse as if we would faine haue done 12 Presumption begging such things as are not seasonable Luke 9.54 or beseeme vs not 13 Impietie praying for indulgence in sin or indenting with God and limiting him to our wil to helpe vs at such a time or in such a manner Act. 1. Dan· 4. 14 Infidelity when wee pray without the assurance of the acceptance of our persons which is the cause of all Popish deuotion Iam. 1.6 Obseruing well 1 That as well for the least blessing as for the greatest we sue to God in prayer and so be thankefull vnto him lest otherwise wee deny 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 Ose. 13. and a good deferred in mercy Yea a good prayer though in much weakenesse may bee granted in loue Mat 6. to keepe vs from despaire and yet a more strong and feruent prayer may bee denied in greater loue both to humble vs that we put not confidence in the meanes and to encourage vs to constancie therein assuring our selues that the issue of our praiers shall be gracious 3 That in the greatest feeling of Gods mercy wee pray against tentations Math. 16. 4 That we especially commend vnto God the afflicted state of the Church and desire our welfare in the prosperity thereof Psa. 122.6 Psa. 126. 5 That we redouble our sighes and prayers not suffering any repulse Psa. 119.164 Mat. 15. Gen. 32 Gen. 18. c. Eph. 6. 6 That wee highly esteeme of the thing wee pray for Mathew 5.6 7 That we finde as much comfort in abiding long at prayer as at hearing the word 8 That we be as ready to praise God for his mercies receiued as to sue for the obtaining of them Psal. 116. Luk. 17.12.18 9 That wee rebuke our selues in our prayers and relye onely vpon Christ. Further triall hereof that wee haue the spirit of prayer 1 If we especially aime at Gods glory in doing his will 2 That wee especially are affected not with bodily but sinfull wants 3 That vppon good euidences and from infallible grounds wee presse the Lord to bee mercifull vnto vs. 4 That wee can single out our speciall wants 5 And find our zeale encreased in the continuance of prayer 6 And yet can so submit to Gods will as by faith to assure our soules that the Lord will answer and so quiet our soules in acceptance of our God and vndoubted expectation of that which shall turne to most good 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 Wee are ready for any good that shall bee offered vs as consolation of the sicke conference c. 4 We are prest to doe all things in the sight of God 5 And so verie much fitted and furthered to set vpon our callings CHAP. IIII. Of callings and following thereof ANd this is the next maine occurrent that fals out in the day euen to following 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. Thess. 3.12 Gen. 3.19 Ephes. 4.28 And that 1 To communicate Gods prouidence in the gouernement 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 auoyd idlenesse and curiositie 6 To preuent errors and distractions in religion 7 To fit vs to the ends of Gods prouidence 8 That God may be glorified in ordering such infinite variety of callings both for the common each priuate good and that especially for the life to come And this serueth 1 To teach vs to trye our callings by this That they haue their warrant from the word of God and that wee bee fitted thereto and so to reiect the contrarie 2 To sanctifie our callings by bounding them in the Lord Ephesians 6.1 because they are preserued by the same meanes by which they were ordained 3 To labour in our callings especially to approue our selues vnto God Nehem. 13. 4 To looke for the recompence of our labours especially from the Lord. 2. Timoth. 4. Psalm 127. Esay 48.1.2 5 To condemne such as vnfit for humane society that will liue in no calling Secondly learne we That howsoeuer callings be the ordinance of God yet in these dayes we are to expect them 1 By the ministery of men And 2 By our industry fitting vs thereto 3 Submitting our selues herein to the rule of the word And that because 1 Extraordinary callings belonged to the infancy of the Church times of extremity c 2 We haue a sure word better then any such extraordinary reuelations Heb. 1. 2. Pet. 1. 3 The prouidence of God is subordinate to meanes 4 God hath ordained this labor to humble vs
to be ordered in the same manner as before 2 The more partiâ—â—â—â—â— Ecclesiasticall gouernments and Consistories of the Ministery for the correcting of manners and due execution of the discipline of the Church Hitherto appertaine 1 The Schooles of the Prophets as being the nurseries of religion and Seminaries of the Church and commonwealth Ie. 1. Amos 7.14 Act. 6.9 2. Reg. 2.15 2 Religious Feasts tending to nourish the societie of the Saints Iud. 12. 3 Contributions and collections for the poore 1. Cor 16.1 1 To bee performed on the Sabaoth 2 And distributed according to the necessitie of the Churches Thus farre of the vse of spirituall societie The Ciuill followeth and it is manifold 1 State assemblies to determine for the good of the body politick among which the highest and most authenticall are the Parliaments Next to these the Councell Table Thirdly the Starre-Camber Fourthly the Exchequer and Kings Bench. 2 Corporations and Brotherhoods Cities and Towns concerning the right vse of trades and mysteries 3 Thirdly Contracts and Bargains which must bee with these conditions 1 That we vse no deceit either in word or deede to entrap or ouer-rate 2 That promise be kept vnlesse with consent on each side 3 That we sell not time making more profit in regard thereof 4 That we sell what is good and saleable Amos. 8. 5 Mercy is to be shewed if wee haue our brother at an aduantage Fourthly Ciuill societie may fall out in suits and controuersies Here obserue 1 That these hinder not our spirituall societie in the worship of God 2 Neither impeach other ordinary kindnesses which ought to passe betweene neighbours 3 Yet rather wee should suffer wrong then fall into these suites 1. Cor. 6. 4 Seeke wee all meanes of priuate agreement before wee goe to law 5 Delay we not suits to weary out a brother 6 Much lesse by bribery seek to ouerthrow a good cause 7 But to ouercome euill with good seeking peace and ensuing it Rom. 12. Psal. 34. A fifth vse of societie is for Recreation Here obserue 1 That we be as carefull to vse recreation a right as to haue liberty in it 2 That we make choyce of a fit time when we haue need by reason of wearisomnesse in our callings 3 That wee make no ocupation of it neither labour so much for skill therein as rather to make vs more skilfull to moderate the same 4 Looke we vp still to God for continency in the vse of our libertie 5 Our kinds of recreation must be honest and of good report 6 We must vse great moderation of our affections therein 3 Neither enrage them by vnseasonable ouer bitter reproofs vnlesse the glory of God presently lie in the ballance Mat. 7.6 4 Take wee heed lest by labouring in simplicitie to approue our selues vnto them wee expose our selues as a prey But that wee may benefit them we are 1 To conuerse grauely but yet humbly with them Neh. 2.12 12 To wait some good occasion from their speech and so to worke vpon it Act. 16. 3 To call to mind some present blessing or iudgement that so we may put by idle talke Amos 6.6 Esa. 5.12 4 Commend wee what is likely spoken of them yet with an holy drawing them on to better by graue exhortations 2. Tim. 2.24.25 5 In all our speech let it appeare that loue is the ground and the soules good the principall end Math. 5.44 6 Contrary we them not always in their weakenesse but expound it to the best vnlesse wee see apparent contempt and desperate scorning Iudges 22.23 Ro. 14.1 7 If we cannot benefit by conference then let vs take heede that we do not communicate with them in euill but rather wisely breake it we off as Sampson did by some riddle or such like as neâ—â—â—e as may be leaue we them with peace that so afterward there may bee hope to win them 2. Thess. 3.15 Rom. 12.18 Thus are we to behaue our selues in euill company if by occasion they light vpon vs c. But purposely wee are not to make choyse of them Either in holy duties concerning the worship of God Here learne 1 That wee are to pray for the communion of Saints and perfection thereof 1. Cor. 15. 2 Not to ioyne any otherwise with 〈…〉 in charity partly by our owne experience we hope guesse their fitnes to our felowship 3 If we know otherwise we are after priuate admonition to make knowne the offence and our dislike thereof that we bee not partaker of other mens sins 1. Tim. 5. 4 If the partie will not refraine or by the lamenesse of discipline is not repelled wee are not to refuse our comfort because he turns his into poyson 5 Yet are we to eate with sowre herbes euen to mourne and sigh for further puritie 2 Wee are not to admit the wicked to our priuate tables Psal. 101. and families 3 Nor to assume them as partners in our priuate recreations 4 Neither to employ them in our ciuill and domesticall affaires Gen. 14. 5 Especially not to acquaint them with our secrets Iudg. 10. 6 Generally wherein it stands with our libertie and their saftie we are not purposely to sort with them The vse of euill company is 1 That wee make more of the better sort 2 And labour to make the bad better 3 That wee long after heauen where wee shall finde none but good company Phil. 1. Heb. 12. 4 That wee grow more priuate and learne to bee a part with our God Gen. 5.21 CHAP. VIII Of solitarinesse ANd this is the next occasion of the day wisely to be entertained of vs. Namely To order wisely solitarinesse And that because First now we lie naked and open to spirituall tentations which are most dangerous as Pride c. Secondly and may with best aduantage least hinderance pursue the best things and so are capable of the greatest good or subiect to the greatest euill Here therefore obserue these Rules 1 That though we be from the presence and company of men yet we haue the presence and fellowship of the Almighty and the ministery of his holy Angels and therefore that now especially we reioyce in this fellowship Psal. 16. 2 Yet so as that wee neglect not our callings but be sure that wee be kept from idlenesse 2. Thess. 3. 3 That we especially call to mind those ill neighbours which we shall neuer be rid of so long as we liue namely our sinnes and in our greatest freedome of solitarinesse forget not our bondage vnder this tyranny to prâ—â—â—uent spirituall pride and securitie Rom. 7.24.25 4 That we take heed of idle and curious speculations feeding thereby our melancholy and vaine thoughts lest Satan take aduantage of our curiositie and so prouoke vs to schismes and heresies or else breede fearefull distractions and defections of the mind Heb. 10.23 5 Prouoking hereby to singularity and so forsaking of the