the most vnlikely contemptible meanes for our good seeing the Lord made vs of such 3 Neither to seeke after great matters in the world seeing our originall was so meane 4 Neither to set vp our hearts in this life but rather to prepare to death seeing to the earth we must 5 Comforting our selues that our misery in this life is not eternall seeing we are of the earth 6 And seeing this corruption must put on incorruption therefore learne we to follow hard after the marke if by any meanes we may attaine to the resurrection of the dead looking by faith a farre off for the changing of these vile bodies And comforting our selues in our better part that the soule is immortall and therefore labouring to haue our conuersation in heauen and to be made meete for that glorious inheritance Thirdly that man was made a liuing soule immediatly breathed from the Lord eternally to liue with him This teacheth 1 That the soule is immediatly subiect vnto God ought onely to bee bound by him principally must depend on his blessed will 2 That it must be exercised in heauenly things agreeable to the nature and end thereof 3 That it is subiect to eternall punishment for sinne and therefore ought to saue it selfe from that fearefull vengeance Matth. 3. 4 That eternall hapinesse is due thereto for wel-doing and therefore should not faint nor be weary thereof 5 That as the creation is immediate from God though the body be from man so also is the Recreation and Renuing of the soule immediatly from his meere mercy in Christ without any help or concurrence from man 6 And therefore we are not to rest in any naturall faculties of the soule as if they were sufficient to saluation or could further thereto but rather discerne wee wisely That the wisedome of the flesh is enmity against God 7 And so let vs deny our selues that we may be found in Christ not hauing our owne righteousnesse Phil. 3.8.9 Yet so 8 As that seeing we haue free-will in naturall and morall actions concerning the outward act though not for the truth or manner or end of well-doing therefore do we what is ours in entertaining the meanes of saluation As come wee to the word and though we cannot discerne it naturally neither propose the right end therein least if wee forsake God in not doing so farre as wee may he may iustly forsake vs in denying a blessing to the means that so our condemnation may be iust and inexcusable 9 That the soule was breathed into the nostrels not into the eares or mouth or eyes this argueth the imbecillity and frailty of our life as if it depended on our nostrels Esay 2 22. Thus of the matter Fourthly consider we the manner of our creation and therein the Excellencie and ends thereof For the manner we were created in Gods Image not that either wee were made of the Essence of God or that God must bee like to vs hauing humane shape although if we respect the second person in Trinity it might wel be that as he was to take flesh in the fulnesse of time so euen at the present when man was made hee assumed extraordinarily an human forme and so also after that forme and Archetype made man But we were created after the Image of God in holinesse and righteousnesse that is The soule being breathed into the body from the Lord was indued with diuine and heauenly qualities As 1 Immortality 2 Excellent light of reason and vnderstanding acknowledging God and his will discerning the nature and essence of things 3 True righteousnesse of the minde and heart and all the faculties thereof in which was inflamed true loue and feare and confidence in God 4 Most absolute consent of the will obeying the iudgement of right and reason from compulsion bondage and misery 5 Excellent strength and vigor of body free from all infirmitie diseases troubles death And 6 Admirable glory and maiesty 7 Destinated to eternall life in heauen 8 Which should haue propagated an immortall kinde according to the Image of God 9 Yet all this mutably 1 That so if Man had ouercome the Tempter his glory had beene the greater 2 That way might bee made hereby to the reuelation of the eternall mercy of God to his elect in Iesus Christ as also of his Iustice in the condemnation of the wicked for the refusall of the Messiah and in him of their saluation And hence ariseth the excellency of Man 1 By the consideration of his creation especially that in respect of the mutability thereof hee was to be interessed in the Messiah so to be restored preserued by him vnto saluation Hence also arise the ends of mans creation 1 To aduance the goodnesse and bounty of the Lord in ordaining saluation for him by his sonne 2 That the Lord hereby might haue the onely glory of all his mercies 3 That Man might haue the dominion ouer all the Creatures 4 That also he might bee as it were a sweet Companion with the Lord in eternall glory and happinesse And 5 That hee might bee made meete hereunto by the knowledge of his Creator and Redeemer Ioh. 17. And by spirituall and bodily worship according to his knowledge 1. Cor. 6. Whence we may learne 1 To admire and conceiue worthily of this loue of God in making vs thus like vnto himselfe and so to expresse our loue vnto him in striuing to bee like vnto him 1. Ioh. 4. 2 To magnifie his admirable wisedome in making our estate such as in regard of our free-will to be subiect to change and so to rest content with the will of God in things more contrary to nature and vnlikely for our God seeing the Lord out of this mutable estate raised so much good euen to aduance his holy sonne Iesus and in him to renue and establish our formerly mutable condition 3 And seeing the Lord did ordaine this condition to be therefore mutable that so man being left to himselfe might bee the chooser and author of his owne fall therefore learne we to iustifie God and to condemne our selues that so we may not be iudged of the Lord. Lastly seeing the Lord as hee ordained the fall of man mutable so hee ordained a Redeemer before the fall to recouer the same Therefore let this comfort vs in all our troubles whether vpon vs or expected that vndoubtedly we may expect a good issue therein seeing we were first apointed to glory so to deliuerance from thē and so appoynted to afflictions to make vs sit for glory And we are here taught to loue the person of man as bearing Gods Image though we may hate the sinne Thus of the Creation CHAP. IX Of the fall of Man WHerein man continued not as being left to himselfe and so fell away from God in obeying the suggestion of the Serpent and so fell away from his former estate of Innocencie and happinesse through disobedience of the Commandement plunged himselfe and
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
the same by the former rules of humiliation and such as hereafter shall bee laid downe 8 And so being wise to feare our selues in regard of the said tentation we shal happily get the conquest of it Pro. 14. 9 We must daily recount how wee haue profited in godlinesse Psal. 119. 10 We must prepare our selues continually to afflictions Luk. 9.23 11 Wee must bee plentifull in good workes 2. Pet. 1.9 12 In all our actions specially extraordinary we must not trust to that soundnesse of heart which hath beene but try them by that which is that so from the sense of the purenesse of the fountaine the streames may flow more certainly and purely Luk. 6.43 Matthew 13. 13 Though the heart may appeare to bee sound yet the goodnesse of the action must not so much depend vpon the soundnesse of the heart appearing as vpon the free mercies of God accepting the same 14 Wee must prouide a compleat Armour for the heart being prepared to preserue it Ephes 6.13 CHAP. IIII. Of the spirituall Armour and arming of the Heart ANd this is the fourth duty of necessity to bee performed daily by vs Namely to arme our hearts against all tentations And that 1 Because such an Armour is commended vnto vs in the word Ephes. 6. 2 Our enemies are mighty princes and armed wickednesses Ephes 6.16 3 The heart without it lies open to all tentations 4 By it wee shall bee able to cast downe all strong holds 2. Cor. 10.4 which stand in our way to happinesse 1. Tim. 6.11 5 And so shall lay hold on eternall life and finish our course with ioy 2. Tim. 4.6 Here consider these three poynts 1 What this Armour is 2 How it is to be put on 3 How to be kept on Thus Armour hath many peeces Fist the Girdle of Truth Sincerity Ephes. 6.14 And this consisteth of these parts The first is a rectified Iudgement proceeding from an illightned and sanctified vnderstanding wrought by a liuely Faith through the Word of God Eph. 4.13 And it hath these properties 1 Is is sound in what it knowes Coloss. 1.6.9 2 It retaineth safely what it knowes Psa. 119.11 3 It is wise to distinguish betweene things that differ Phillip 1. And so to try the Spirits 1. Iohn 4.1 4 It discernes all things 1. Cor. 2.15 5 It comprehends the height and bredth and depth and length Ephes. 3. 6 It knowes no man after the flesh 2.5.16 7 It knowes but in part and so is subiect to errour 1. Cor. 13. 8 It is not obstinate in errour but willing to bee reformed in what it hath beene mis-informed 2. Tim. 2.16 9 It is apt and desirous to receiue further illumination Col. 1.10 2. Tim. 3.7 10 And daily increaseth in this sauing knowledge Heb. 5.12 11 It maintaines perfection of godlinesse and resolues that we cannot be too righteous 12 In our failings of practise it remaines sound and giues no warrant to any decay 13 And cleaues to the word for it further establishing howsoeuer wee may bee humbled in our contrary practise 14 Yea it iustifies God and the truth though it bee to the temporall confusion of our present practise 15 It laboureth to enlighten and informe others Helpes to put on this Armour are 1 A discerning of our owne inward blindnesse Psal. 119.28 2 A daily meditation in the word and workes of God Psalm 1. 3 A faithfull recording and comparing of things past with things present and so collecting for the time to come Luke 2.51 And this part of the Girdle serueth 1 To condemne the blindenesse of nature 1. Cor. 2.14 Matth. 16.17 2 To discerne between the light of nature and grace the illightning and sanctifying Spirit Col. 1.9 Eph. 5.8 3 To direct all our actions for as wee know so wee doe Rom. 14.5.23 4 To make triall of them for if they haue not the light it is because there is no truth in them Ioh. 3.21 5 To informe and instruct others Psal. 34. The second part of this Girdle is a sanctified conscience and it is discerned 1 By this that it excuseth for all sinnes as our persons are accepted in Christ 1. Cor. 4.4 2 It checkes for the least sinne before actuall repentance be performed 1. Ioh. 5.17 3 It feares falling in regard of the weaknesse of the flesh though repentance be performed 4 It endeuours in all things to please God Act. 20. Heb. 13.18 5 It is not suspicious but iudgeth charitably where it knowes not the contrary 6 It stands only bound by Gods word and to his glory 7 It so stands vpon it cleering that it relies wholly on Christ. 8 It applies particular chasticements to particular and secret sins 9 It approues our vpright walking in the whole course of our life Act 23.1 Psa. 26.1 10 It procures vs peace with God Rom. 5.1 and with men so farre as it is possible and expedient Rom. 12.18 11 It breedes contentment in the life and all occasions Phil. 4.12 12 It procures cheerfulnesse in the countenance and readinesse in all our businesse Pro. 28.1 13 It makes vs couragious for the truth and willing by all meanes to defend the same Act. 4.13 Act. 6.15 Act. 18.26 14 It makes vs victorious in troubles and 15 Ready to yeeld vp our liues to the hands of God Act. 21.23 And it is put on and preserued 1 By making conscience of all things commanded Psa. 119.6 2 By keeping it tender and sensible of the least euill Hebr. 13.18 3 To this end view wee it daily in the glasse of the world that so the iudgement may bee kept cleere to preuent security 4 Examine we and censure the daily errors thereof by calling it before the Lord to auoid spirituall blindnesse 5 Auoid wee aboue all things doubtfulnesse and distraction in our actions Rom. 14.5 6 Especially keepe wee our selues from wilfull fighting against the light thereof in committing grosse and presumptuous sinnes Psa. 19.12 7 Haue wee alwayes more regard of it in the sight of God then of our owne credit with men 1. Cor. 4.4 Rom. 2.29 8 Flye wee into the bosome thereof when outward things crosse vs Act. 23.1 9 Rest we not so vpon the iustification thereof but that we referre it â—â—â—o the mercie of God 1. Cor. 4.4 The measure of this sincerity is 1 Because we know but in part therefore either wee may not make conscience of some things which others are bound to and so not only dissent from them for a time but euen afflict them Or else 2 We may through ignorance bee scrupulous and suspicious in some things wherein others hauing knowledge are free and so afflict our selues vnnecessarily in not taking our Christian liberty 3 Or because wee know but in part therefore make we account to be subiect to error and so to distraction and anguish of spirit 4 As also to curiousity and searching after speculations 5 And so to pride and negligence in well-doing 6 And so to
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
of our parents Rom. 5.14 Psal. 51.5 Ephes. 2.3 2 That hereby our nature is wholly tainted with corruption and vncleanenesse Iob. 14. Psalme 51. 3 That wee are depriued of all originall and actual righteousnes Ephes. 2. Rom. 6. 4 And prone yea desparately set to commit all sinne with greedinesse Gen. 6. 5 That we delight in sinne and repose our chiefe contentment therein Pro. 2. 6 That naturally we hate to be reformed and pluckt out of sinne Rom. 10.21 7 That we cannot but necessarily and yet willingly sinne 1. Cor. 12.2 8 That our best actions are beautifull sinnes Esay 64.6 9 That in our nature sinne yet remaineth Rom. 7.1 Iohn 1.7 And that Reason How farre sinne remaineth in the Regenerate and why 1 That we might haue dayly experience of the vertue of Christs sacrifice 2 As also discerne the worke of sanctification by the contrary tentations 3 That by renued repentance we might maintain the assurance of the forgiuenesse of sinne 4 That we might be dayly humbled vnder the hand of God 5 That we might giue God the glory of his freee mercy in working wholly our saluation And this knowledge serueth 1 To iustifie God in his iudgements Rom. 3.5 2 To confound the goodnesse of nature Rom. 3.19 3 To magnifie the riches of Gods mercy Ephes. 2.3.7 4 To send vs to Christ. Romans 3.22 5 To prouoke vs to hunger after heauen Concerning God we are thus to conceiue of siâ—â—â—nâ—â—â— 1 That hee hateth all euill as a righteous God Psal. 5. and no vncleane thing shall dwell with him Reuel 21. 2 That he permitteth and ordereth euill in speciall wisedome to his glory Act. 5. As 1 In that hee presustaineth the subiect of sinne 2 Hee denieth or withdraweth his assistance by which necessarily we fall 3 He turneth all euill to good 3 That he knoweth and searcheth the most inmost closet of sin Ierem. 17.10 4 That he is able to punish and to take vengeance of the same Isa 40. 5 That he punisheth sinne with sinne and yet most righteously 2. Thess. 2.11 6 That though hee haue laide the chastisement of our peace vpon on his Sonne yet he will correct vs as his children for sinne Isa. 53 Psal. 88.89 7 That he leaueth to grosse and open sinnes to preuent and purge out spirituall wickednesse in his children 8 That he giueth vp the wicked to spirituall wickednesse of selfe-loue pride hardnesse of heart security to preuent hereby for a time grosse euils which might be a means to bring to repentance whereby they are detained in a false conceit of their estates so are ripened to eternal vengeance And this knowledge serueth 1 To iustifie the perfect holines of God Psal. 18.30 Psal. 145.17 2 To magnifie his wisedome in disposing of euill Rom. 11.33 3 To giue him his prerogatiue that he is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the searcher of the heart Ier. 17.10 4 To ascribe vnto him the glory of his power and super excellent greatnesse that we might be humbled before him Psa. 86.9 10. 5 To worke in vs an hatred of euill loue of righteousnes Gen. 17.1 because god hates him Ps. 139 6 To preuent presumption and cause vs to worke out our saluation with feare trembling 2. Co. 5. 7 To trust perfitly in him that so gratiously orders euil and turnes hem about to our good Secondly Our iudgment being thus rectified we must proceed to the practise of auoyding euill And this is seene either in 1 Preuenting sinne or 2 Recouering out of it by vnfained repentance Sinne is preuented either 1 Generally or 2 Particularly Generally by 1 A continuall watchfulnesse ouer our heart and outward man 2 A feare and suspecting of our selues as at all times so when wee haue most experience of Gods mercy Prou. 28.14 Iob. 1. 3 A continuall resigning of our selues into the hands of God 4 Walking as alwayes in his presence Gen. 5.22 Gen. 17.1 5 To haue a continuall eye to Gods commandements Psalme 119. 6 To meditate on Gods iudgements inflicted on his deerest children for sinne 2. Sam. 12.11 14. 7 Consider the inestimable loue and mercy of God towards vs. Exod. 34 6. Eightly Imploying our selues in some honest calling 2. Thess. 3.11.12 And that 1 In faith and without distrust of Gods prouidence with a good conscience Mat. 6.25 Heb. 13.18 2 With cheerefulnesse and contentment without murmuring couetousnesse Heb. 13.5 3 Committing the successe to God and waiting for his blessing without making haste to be rich or indenting with God for these outward things 1. Tim. 6. Gen. 30. 1. Ha. 1.16 4 In humilitie and lowlines not sacrificing to our net but giuing God the glory Gen. 32.10 5 In holines sanctifying the same by the word and prayer and laying a good foundation therby towards heauen 1. Tim. 6. 1. Tim. 4. 6 In faithfulnes and diligence redeeming the time accounting for it Eph. 5 16 Psal. 90. Ninthly learning to vse our Christian libertie a right 1 Herein not so much to stand on lawfulnesse as expedience 1. Cor. 10. 2 That all things be done to edification not offence 1. Cor. 14. 3 That as wee remit of our liberty in regard of such as are weak of ignorance so we vse it in respect of the obstinately ignorant lest we harden them in their sin Mat. 15.14 4 That we vse the things of this life within the compasse of our callings 1. Cor. 7. 1. Cor. 10. 5 For our recreation that it be in things indifferent Phil. 4.8 2 Very spare and sober 3 Tending to a spirituall end not the satisfying of the flesh Ga. 5.13 6 That all things be done to the glory of God 1 Cor. 16. Tenthly By auoyding the occasions of sinne which are 1 Euill company Ephes. 5.11 2 Excesse in the vse of the creatures Luk. 21.34 3 Giuing the bridle to the outward man Gen. 31.1 4 Opportunitie and seasonablenesse Eccles. 3.1 5 Appearance and shew of euill c. Thess. 5.22 And thus sinne generally may be preuented particularly thus when wee are assaulted by any tentation 1 To mourne at the priuy motions of sinne and at no hand to set light by it 2 To know that I beare a traytor in my bosom therfore here here at no hand consult with flesh nor giue away to the temptation Iames. 1.14 3 To choake it by strong cryes and groanes to God Mat. 6.13 4 To put it off by exercising the mind with contrary meditations and affecting the contrary vertue Psalme 1. 5 Examine thy heart why it is thus thou shalt find some cause of this tentation Psalme 4. 6 The cause found either 1 Want of found repentance for some former sinne 2 Security 3 Some greater euill like to follow whereof this tentation is a messenger or such like negligence dispose thy selfe accordingly 4 Forget not hartily to mourne for thy former yeelding to the like tentations and so renue thy repentance for former sins And