in them And this is not alwayes but for a time to fit them thereby to their seuerall ends 2 Though hee punish not the wicked out of band yet he deferreth so as to ripen their sin that so they may be prepared to greater vengeance 3 And therefore he doth vs no harme when he doth correct vs to make vs better if wee were perfect we should not be afflicted 4 And if he seeme to do somewhat contrary to his law it is but an abridging of somewhat from his generall will by his speciall will 5 Giuing to each what is no way their due howsoeuer he giue to men of equall condition vnequall rewards 6 Yea though he hath promised and promise is debt and so due vnto theÌ„ euen in iustice yet is he not simply bound by man but by his owne will and so though the promise of creatures may be debt yet the Creators promise is not so 7 And therefore learne we to be iust in all our wayes as the Lord our God is 8 And condemne we all iniustice either in word or deed 9 And comfort wee our selues that seeing our God is iust therefore hauing laid the chasticement of our peace vpon his Son hee hath acquitted vs from the curse of the law and hauing promised in Christ vnto vs happinesse hee will performe it and giue vs patience to expect the same Heb. 10. Thirteenthly this God is True 1 Because he hath the true and certaine knowledge of all things Heb. 4.13 2 He neither willeth nor speaketh things repugnant nor contrary 2. Cor. 2.19 3 He faineth nothing nor deceiueth any man Rom. 3.4 4 He neuer changeth his mind Psal. 89.33.34 5 He ratifieth his sayings by the euent Math. 24.35 6 He loueth and commandeth truth to be kept in all Iohn 14.17.15.26 16.13 Pro. 12.22 Math. 24.51 And therefore 1 This condemneth Philosophie that acknowledgeth God to be true but they are to seeke where to find this Truth 2 This resolueth that if God foretell what hee meanes not to do he doth it not but conditionally Luke 24.28.29 3 If he bee said to deceiue the Prophets Eze. 14. It is not by infusing any euill quality but by giuing them vp in iustice to bee deluded by Satan 1. Reg. 22.22 4 And therefore that wee may not be seduced let vs obey the truth which we know and cleaue alone to the word for our information therein comforting our selues 3 That if the word bee taken away yet the spirit shall not bee denied if we shall waite vpon our God in conscionable obedience euen to leade and keepe vs in all truth and howseeuer 4 The world is full of faire words yet our God will alwayes ratifie his word by his deedes 2. Cor. 1. And perfect the worke hee hath begun in vs. Fouretenthly our God is Chast. 1 Because he is the most pure and vndefiled husband of his Church Ose. 2.19 2 His nature is most pure and free from all mixture 3 He is the louer and authour of chastity Malach. 2. 4 He doth most seuerely punish all vncleanesse both inward and outward Leuit. 18 24. 5 Hereby hee distinguisheth himselfe from vncleane spiris filthy diuels 1. Thess. 4. And therefore this 1 Condemneth the Atheist filthy person that coÌ„ceiues vnreuerently of God vnseemly of his word Psal. 50. So do some of the Canticles and other places and plaine speeches in the word As also those that iustifie fornication and condemne chaste mariage 1. Tim. 4. 2. It instructeth to imitate God in this holy grace and to vse mariage as a meanes thereto and an image thereof 3 It conâ—â—â—meth vs in our neere communion and fellowship with God Ephes. 5. 4 And comforteth vs that this bond shall neuer be dissolued Ose. 2.19 5 And withall aduiseth vs to auoide all Idolatrie and spirituall whoredome whereby especially we violate the diuine chastity 6 And resolueth vs why outward fornication and vncleanenesse do abound euen because of inward and spiritual whoredoms Amos. 7. Fifteenthly our God is mercifull 1 In that he will haue all men to be saued that are saued and reiecteth none but those that exclude themselues 2 And therefore deferreth punishment and inuites all to repentance Eze. 33. Exod. 35. 3 And to this ende applyeth himselfe to our infirmities both by inward and outward supplyes as his Spirit Word Oathes Sacraments and Miracles 4 Hee embraceth and deliuereth his Elect from sin and troubles Reuel 7.17 and 21.4 Isa. 49.15.54 5 And to this end when no other means could be found gaue his Sonne for vs. Iohn 3.16 6 And performeth all his promises freely notwithstanding our dayly failings Exod. 33.19 7 Yea he is exceeding compassionate and bountiful euen to his very enemies Rom. 5.10 8 And sanctifieth the affliction of his children to their exceeding good Rom. 8.29 9 Yea brings light out of darknesse 2. Cor. 4. turning our very sinnes to profit And therefore Though this doth not imply any carnall affection in God but rather an vnspeakeable liking or disliking of the Obiect yet doth it not chalenge the Lord to bee vnmercifull because he somtimes is sayd to reioyce in auengement seeing he onely reioyceth not in the punishing of the creature but in the execution of diuine Iustice. Pro. 1.26 Isa. 1.24 And though his Free and Great mercies be denyed to the wicked Psal. 51.1 Though his euerlasting mercy doth not belong vnto them yet is he more mercifull then they do deserue yea hee is more patient and bountiful then they do desire Psal. 73.7 And howsoeuer hee doth not saue all seeing he might do it yet is it his mercy that he saueth any and his mercy must not hinder his iustice and therefore he may not saue all Nay it is his mercy to offer meanes of saluation though the wicked may refuse them because howsoeuer hereby they shall not attaine saluation yet shall they bee partakers of such outward blessings whereby they measure chiefly the mercy of God and wherein they do repose their principall happinesse Againe though the Lord accept none into fauour without the satisfaction of his Sonne and therefore it may seeme he doth it not freely yet doth he both freely giue vs his Sonne and also giues vs faith to beleeue in him yea freely continues vs to bring forth more fruite that we may be perfect and entire wanting nothing And therefore seeing our God is thus mercifull 1 Let the mouth of iniquitie be stopped that blasphemeth his mercy by conceiuing it to bee vniuersall And reiecteth Gods mercy in reiecting the word and meanes thereof Or abuseth and traduceth the mercy of God by presumption apish imitation therof in sparing the wicked becaue the Lord spareth them 2 Let the mouth of misery be opened to praise the Lord in embracing his mercy in the meanes and that in time when it is offered freely let him approue himselfe to haue his portion therein by louing the Lord and shewing mercy to his brethren yet by renouncing his
pleading noueltie impossibilitie c. Gal. 1.16 4 That we trie the Lord who is wonderfull in blessing the vnfained endeauours of his children Hag. 2. Malach. 3.10 5 Then let vs make trial at first in one of these and grow readie therein so shall wee with more willingnesse and skilfulnesse proceed in the rest Iames 2.10 Iames 3.2 6 Let vs not faile to meete the Lord with vnfained thankefulnes when we see him comming effectually in the weake performance thereof Psal. 81. 7 And so condemne and prouoke thy selfe as before and thou shalt see by Gods mercy a good encrease Yea thou shalt not only be able to performe these dueties with comfort but also thou shalt be able to entertaine each seueral occasions of the day to Gods glory thy exceeding profite and benefit of others Motiues and Helpes hereunto thou shalt find 1 A dayly discerning of thine owne inabilitie And 2 So renouncing of thy selfe to be found in Iesus Christ. 3 When thou hast found thy selfe in Christ yet still to deny thy best righteousnesse that thou maist wholly liue by and in the life of thy Sauiour in whom thy person shal be accepted aboue all worth of thy seruice 4 And meditate often not so much on the ioy the Saints haue in heauen as in the matter there of their constant and free glorifying of God 2 Cheering vp thy heart that thou hast so far communion with them in that heauenly worship as that now thou performest that in truth which they doe in perfection and so hast thy conuersation also in heauen yea thou art hastening to that perfection by dayly denying of thy selfe and growing in Christ thy head and hast both their examples to encourage and prayers to further thee thereto yea seeing without thee they shall not be perfected Therefore thou shalt also aspire to perfection that so the body of thy Sauiour may be fully compleate 1. Cor. 1.24 Neb. 11 40· 6 And seeing all lets shall by Gods mercie proue furtherances hereunto thy very sins shall prouoke thee much lesse then affliction shall hinder therefore learn to liue by faith in the discerning of thy estate and wrastling with these oppositions that so not yeelding to tentation or not lying vnder the burthen thereof thou maist still goe forward more humbly with thy God and bee more then conquerour through Christ that hath loued thee Rom. 8. 7 Adde hereunto a dayly meditation of the time vnprofitably spent heretofore and hence wee shal be prouoked to redeeme it in this constant manner for the time to come Romanes 6.22 1. Pet. 4.4.5 8 Especially if we weigh withal the wonderfull mercy of our God that hath not yet called vs to an account for our former abuse and vnprofitablenesse surely if wee make a right vse hereof wee cannot choose but resolue to answer this loue of God in our more earnest and constant endeauors for the time to come Rom. 2.4 9 And if we shal now withal wisely lay to heart what litle assurance we haue of any time to come how that there is not any howre nay moment wherin we shall promise security to our selues and put the euill day farre from vs that wee may approach to the seat of iniquitie whereas we may say to our soule Now soule cast care away be bold a litle with God remit off thy sinceritie c. But that euen in that moment it may bee said vnto thee Thou foole thy soule shall bee taken from thee surely this would moue vs rather to this dayly and continuall seruing of God to adde somewhat vpon euery occasion to the making sure of our election Luke 12.21 11 Especially if we consider that our aduersary the diuell goeth about continually to entrap deuoure vs 12. and our owne wicked and trecherous hearts are neuer a sleepe to sinne to entertain Satan ought wee not continually to stand vpon our guard that so we may resist the diuel preserue our soules frō bondage 1. Pet. 5.8 13 Surely if we did but consider that while wee do not serue our blessed God in this holy constāt maner we in that meane time are seruants vnto sin so both break the peace of our consciences interrupt hinder our sweet felowship with our God grieue his blessed Spirit so expose our selues not onely to many secret wounds of conscience but also to many outward blowes and reproachfull buffetings not onely tending to bring some heauie affliction vpon our selues but especially to lay reproach vppon our profession to cause the name of our glorious God to bee blasphemed This if either wee loue our selues or haue any zeale to the glory of our God must certainly constrain vs to the conscionable performance of this duty euen daily to endeauour somewhat to maintain our peace with God 14 And had we no other respect but this how wee might lay our selues downe in peace how wee should sleep sweetly how to lay al our cares vnder our pillow preuent filthy fearfull dreams how to auoide feares of worldly casualties as fire theeues c. Surely we would settle our hearts by this course in the day that they might not be vnsetled in the night 15 Nay must we not be guilty of despising the blood of the couenant and esteeming of the Son of God as a prophane thing If seeing the Lord Iesus makes continuall intercession for vs at the throne of grace that wee might dayly offer vp our soules and bodies as a liuing sacrifice in obedience vnto our God wee shall notwithstanding neglect this holy dutie either not serue our God at all or serue him at our pleasure 16 Will not this proue euen plaine wil-worship and so abominable to God! 17 And shal we not be condemned of horrible in gratitude that when our God bestowes such blessings on vs and renues his mercies euery morning vnto vs especially reuiues our liues to make vs capable thereof wee shall yet despise this bountie of our God and riote out his blessings to the dishonour of the giuer 18 See that thou praise God for these that walke thus constantly not enuying their strictnesse but imitating the same delighting in their company c. So the Lord giue vs vnderstanding in these things And this shall be thy triall that thou hast profited by this direction 1 If thy conceit and iudgement concerning the excellencie and benefit of a christian life be more confirmed and comfortable 2 If thou findest more ease and delight in the practise thereof 3 And yet by this practise attainest to a greater sense of thy corruption shortnes of perfection 4 And canst go with more boldnesse and assurance vnto thy God to begge mercie and strength against thy corruptions 5 If thou canst now more deny thine owne righteousnes that so still thou maist bee found in Christ Iesus feeling in him more comfortably the acceptance of thy person 6 And dayly drawing new vertue from him to walke more constantly with thy God
THE CHRISTIANS Daily Sacrifice CONTAINING A daily direction for a setled course of Sanctification The third edition corrected and enlarged with a thousand spirituall rules tending to Perfection Diuided into threâ— Bookes by TH. COOPER LONDON Imprinted by N. O. for WALTER BVRRE and are to bee sold in Paules Church yard at the signe of the Crane 1615. TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE AND TRVELY NOBLE LAdies my very bountifull Patronesses the Lady LVCIE Countesse of Bedford the Lady HARINGTON Barones of Exon grace and peace from God the Father through our Lord Iesus Christ bee multipleed RIght worthie Ladies As there is nothing that better becommeth the righteous then to bee thankefull vnto the Lord for his great mercies bestowed vpon vs. So I am perswaded in nothing more hath our gratious God aduanced his wonderfull goodnesse vnto our sinfull nation Then in that great deliuerance of our Prince and people from that hellish plot of the Gunpowder Treason For as the Redemption of mankind by the pretious blood of Iesus Christ hath therefore the priuiledge to be of all other benefits the most excellent farre exceeding our Creation or any other blessing of God because thereby mankind was restored to a more excellent estate then it lost in Adam so how soeuer the Lord in mercie vouchsafed vnto this Nation as it were a new creation by the Ministerie of good Queene Elizabeth of happy memory who restoring vnto vs the glorious Gospel of Iesus Christ we were thereby euen pluckt out of the fiery fornace of Antichrist and new borne again to the hope of eternall glory yet because we haue not receiued the loue of the truth and did not gloryfie our blessed God in our obedience therunto therfore did we iustly forfaâ—â—â—te our right in that great blessing and so deserued vtterly to bee depriued thereof And was not this our general fere in those dayes when the Light of our eys grew dimme and the sunne of our happines was set in these parts that together therewith the light of the Gospel also should haue bene taken from vs surely if the Lord had not them beene on our side when the arme of the flesh failed vs. If hee had not reserued an â—â—â—â—â—â—ly seed to stand in the gappe wee must needs haue bene as Sodome and Gomorrha But blessed be the name of our God for euer that in his eternall mercie had reserued a Ioseph for vs euen a royall Branch of that holy seede to renue and maintaine our glorious light And haue wee walked worthie of so great saluation surely if there were nothing else to condemn our vnthankefulnesse for so great a blessing Euen that accursed Powder Plot in steed of all other arguments is sufficient hereunto For as the vnthankefulnesse of the Papists was here noâ—â—â—oâ—â—â—iously discouered that hereby intended the subuersion of the state which had so gratiously vouchsafed lâ—â—â—fe and peace vnto theÌ„ So did this also conuince the vnprofitablenesse of the Protestant who for the abuse of his Talent was hereby summoned to his account and in his owne desert must needes haue beene ouertaken with this iudgment And therefore was it not the free mercie of the Lord that wee were not vtterly consumed Were wee not plucked euen as a brand out of the fire were wee not wonderfully redeemed euen by the mightie power of God from that horrible pit Did not the Lord thereby raise vp a mightie saluation for vs euen by his owne immediate arme that he alone may haue the glory And shal we not theÌ„ take vp the cup of saluation giue thanks vnto the name of the Lord. Surely as there remaines no more sacrifice for sin for such that do treade vnder foote the blood of the Son of God So I am perswaded that if we shall despise so great saluation and forget this wonderfull worke which our God hath done for vs we shall in vaine hope of the like deliuerance The Lord will do no more such great workes among vs because of our vnthankefull and vnbeleeuing hearts And therefore seeing the gratious Lord as he sanctified that deliuerance vnto me his vnworthie seruant by a speciall deliuerance from the malice of vnreasonable men which in the verie instant of our reioycing had layde a snare to entrappe my soule so hee hath hitherto giuen me my life for a pray from many other extremities Can I do better then I haue begun so still to imploy it in the meditation of Gods great mercies Ought I not do my vttermost to awaken this secure age and prouoke the Saints to an holy entertainement of so great saluation Can I do lesse then take occasion hereby to testifie my thankefulnesse vnto those that haue bin instruments for the maintenance of my life and studies Surely deare ChristiaÌ„ Ladies as I must acknowledge my selfe hereby bound for euer vnto your Honours so accept I beseech you this vnfained pledge thereof and bee prouoked herby to a wise redeeming of the time that so you may be prepared to a blessed eternitie Take these holy rules herein contained as a true guide to leade you safely in all occasions thereunto and make account of my best deuotions and endeuour here after to further to the same And so I commend your Ladiships to the grace of God in Iesus Christ. Resting in him To your Honours euer deuoted TH. COOPER The Preface to the Christian Reader describing the occasion and seuerall vses of this Treatise THE many excellent treatises and larger discourses concerning the power of godlinesse which it hath pleased the Lord of glory to furnish his Church withal in these later daies as they haue made good the faithfulnes of our God vno vs of our Church of England therein auouched against all schismaticall spirits that yet there is an holy seed among vs so if they shall not bee a witnesse against vs doe they necessarily require in the right vse thereof that we be transformed into the same image from glory to glory And therfore howsoeuer it may seeme both needlesse and preiudiciall after so many graue and experimentall rules concerning sanctification to adde any more in this kinde yet seeing it hath pleased God to direct mee to a further labour herein weigh with me I pray thee in equitie these reasons hereof First I doe hereby professe my thankefulnesse vnto God for those excellent labors of his Saints that now rest from their labours and their fruits follow them Secondly I would haue thee know that I am not ashamed of this foolishnesse of preaching and practicke Diuinitie which is such a mystery to the world and stumbling blocke vnto the wisedome thereof Thirdly howsoeuer I do professe that I am not able to attaine such perfection as I haue here in conceiued yet I would haue thee know further that I would rather haue a rule to condemne sinne in the flesh and so to confound the old man that thereby the new man may follow hard after the marke then not to giue testimonie to that light
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
suspecting especially the shew and colour watching ouer our naturall corruption and the sinnes of our Calling 12 Also labouring to discouer and conquer the contrary tentation as in affliction impatiency and distrust Helpes hereunto are 1 Consider wee that the best doe faile in watching as they should 2 That it is no bondage but a blessed liberty thus to looke to our selues 3 Looke we our selues dâ—â—â—ily in the glasse of the word Psalm 119. Heb. 11 6. 4 Suspect wee also our selues and feare we alwayes Pro. 28.14 5 Let the feare of God be continually before our eies 1. Cor. 7.1 6 Vse we sobriety in our knowledge and vse of outward things 1. Pet. 4. Rom. 12.3 7 Prouoke we each other cheerfully to holy duties Psal. 122. 8 Consider wee how watchfull worldlings are to obey the precepts of men 9 If we haue slipped let vs returne againe in feare and trembling 10 Obserue we the checkes of conscience for euery action 11 And let not the motions of the spirit be vnrespected 12 Extraordinary and speciall mercies of God be we catefull to record 13 And tremble we at his iudgments wisely laying them to our heart 14 Let the day of our death be alwayes in our eye 15 And make we full account to come to iudgement 2. Cor. 5. CHAP. X. Of Prayer A Further helpe to Constancy is Earnest and constant Prayer vnto GOD to vphold vs by his mighty hand Ephes. 6.14 15. And that 1 Publicke in the Congregation Psa. 92. Psa. 122. Mat 6. 2 In priuate as well with our families as in our closets and secret recourse Mat. 6. Psa. 4.6 And this is necessary 1 Because the Lord hath commanded it Psalm 50.15 Matth. 6. Luk. 11. to oppose against our vnworthinesse 2 Hereby wee approue our selues to bee louing membes of Christs body and the truely adopted sonnes of God Rom. 8.13 Psa. 14.22 3 We performe a speciall part of worship vnto the Almighty Psa. 50.15.23 4 We vse the especiall meanes whereby all Gods blessings are enioyed and sanctified Luke 11.13 1. Tim. 4.5 5 And though the Lord know what we haue need of before wee aske yet hereby wee acknowledge and discerne the same Isa. 65.24 6 Hereby we are also humbled vnder the mighty hand of God 7 Wee do also performe thankefulnesse vnto God for al his mercies 8 As also we giue vnto God this prerogatiue that he is the searcher of our hearts and also 9 We acknowledg his speciall prouidence that he careth for vs. Psal. 34 10 Heerby our faith and patience is gratiously exercised and confirmed Now that we may pray aright 1 Our prayer must bee in faith without doubting Iam. 1.6 to God not to Saints or Angels Rom. 10. 2 In loue forgiuing one another and praying for each other Luk. 1. Math. 6. yea for our enemies 3 In wisdome praying first for the fauor of God wheÌ„ we would haue blessing and when we would haue any euill remoued praying for the forgiuenesse of sinne which is the cause thereof As also 2. diuiding the times wisely for prayer and our callings 4 In zeale and feruency 1. from the heart and affections principally aiming at Gods glory c. 1. Cor. 14. Iacob 5.16 5 In constancie and patience waiting the Lords good leasure Psa. 40.1 Psal. 135. Psal. 147. 6 In sinceritie from our right in Christ Iesus and out of the holy purpose of our heart denying our selues 7 In an holy order 1. for those that concerne Gods glory 2. such as concerne saluation 3. such as respect this life And so on the contrary we are to pray against such as crosse these things in their order 8 Our minds must be free from all worldly and carnal respects 9 In humilitie abasing our selues before the Lord Dan. 9. Gen. 32. 10 With thankesgiuing vnto God for all his mercies Psal. 116.12 11 As also with true repentance renuing our vowes to the Lord. Psal. 26.6 Isa. 1.15 1. Ioh. 3.22 Thus must our prayers bee 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 Rom. 8.15 4 Our spirituall armour always fitted and exercised Eph 6. 5 Our dayly wants supplyed or recompensed Iames 1.5 2. Cor. 12. 6 Tentations conquered and happily diminished Mat. 4. 7 All our occasions well seasoned and turned to our good 1. Tim. 4. 8 Our whole life sanctified and wee prepared comfortably to a better Phil. 1.19 To this end also serueth another omitted or sleightly performed any of these 6 Be sure so to performe these as that thou doest not neglect thy calling 2. Thess. 3.12 7 If thou hast performed them in some poore measure yet rest not in it but labor more earnestly with God for a further grace Phil. 3.13 8 And yet bee thankefull vnto God for these small grapes and fruits acknowledging that it is his great mercie that thou canst doe any thing and giuing him all the glory thereof 1. Corinth 15.10 And thus shalt thou be sure to obtaine this peace of God And hauing obtained it thou must lie downe therewith and carie it with thee to thy bed 1 Because thou knowest not whether thy bed shal be thy graue 1. Pet. 1.24 2 Thy sleepe hereby shall bee much sweeter and dreames more comfortable Psal. 4.8 3 Thou shalt auoyd nocturnall pollutions and vncleanesses 4 Thy reines shall teach thee in the night season and the darknesse shall bee as the noone day Psal. 16.7 And this is performed 1 By resigning vp our selues into the hands of God 2 Ascribing vnto him the glory of all the good wee haue performed Psal. 115.1 Esay 26.12 3 Acknowledging our selues to bee vnprofitable seruants if God should enter into iudgement with vs Luke 17.10 4 Crauing earnest pardon of our imperfections in Iesus Christ and laying our selues a sleepe in his bosome 1. Iohn 1.9 5 Comforting our selues if sense of faith bee not present yet with former experience and inward habit thereof Psal. 22.10 6 Yeelding vp our selues in a willingnesse to death in ful expectation of the life to come Phil. 1.20.23 And thus guiding our selues by these former rules we shall lie downe in peace and so shall wee comfortably performe the dayly sacrifice And thus farre concerning such necessarie duties as wee are bound in some measure dayly to performe CHAP. XII How to profit in this direction FOR our better encouragement and furtherance heerein obserue these rules 1 That being conuinced in conscience with the necessity of these dueties we purpose and solemnly vow vnto the Lord the attempting and prosecuting thereof Psal. 119.206 Psal. 119.7 2 That God principally respects the purpose of the heart if there be a willing minde accepts according to what wee haue and requires not what wee haue not 2. Cor. 8.12 3 That wee giue not eare to the flesh