hast either 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 labour more earnestly with God for a further grace Phil. 3. 13. 8 And yet be thankful 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 glorie thereof 1. Corinthians 15. 10. And thus shalt thou bee 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 shall be thy graue 1. Pet. 1. 24. 2 Thy sleepe heereby shall bee much sweeter and dreames more comfortable Psal. 4. 8. 3 Thou shalt auoyd nocturnall pollutions and vncleannesses 4 Thy reines shall teach thee in the night season and the darkenesse shall be as the noone day Psa. 16. 7. And this is performed 1 By resigning vp our selues into the hands of God 2 Ascribing vnto him the glorie of all the good we 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 Iâ—sus Christ and laying our selues asleepe in his bosome 1. Iohn 1. 9. 5 Comforting our selues if sense of faith be not present yet with former experience and inward habit thereof Psal. 22. 10. 6 Yeelding vp our selues in a willingnes to death in full expectation of the life to come Phil. 1. 20 23. And thus guiding our selues by these former rules we shal lie down in peace and so shall we comfortably performe the daily sacrifice And thus far concerning such necessarie dueties as we are bound in some measure daily to performe CHAP. XVI FOR our better encouragement and furtherance heerein obserue these rules 1 That being conuinced in conscience with the necessity of these dueties wee purpose and solemnly vow vnto the Lord the attempting and prosecuting thereof Psal. 119. 106. Psal. 119. 7. 2 That God principally respects the purpose of the heart and if there be a willing mind accepts according to what we haue and requires not what we haue not 2. Cor. 8. 12. 3 That we giue not eare to the flesh pleading noueltie impossibility c. Gal. 1. 16. 4 That we trie the Lord who is wonderfull in blessing the vnfained endeuours of his children Hag. 2. Malachi 3. 10. 5 Then let vs make triall at first in one of these and grow readie therein so shall we with more willingnes and skilfullnes proceed in the rest Iames 2. 10. Iames 3. 2. 6 Let vs not faile to meete the Lord with vnsayned thankfulnes when we see him comming effectually in the weak performance therof Psal. 81. 7 And so condemne and prouoke thy selfe as before and thou shalt see by Gods mercie a good crease Yea thou shalt not onely be able to performe these duties with comfort but also thou shalt be able to entertaine each seuerall occasions of the day to Gods glorie thy exceeding profit and benefit of others CHAP. XVII AND this is the second part of this daily sacrifice Namely to consecrate our daily occasions as a reasonable sacrifice vnto God Here obserue First That though the occasions of the day are diuers and so not more necessary and easily to be directed yet some principall there are which doe vsually occur The well ordering whereof will easily informe vs in the holy entertayning of the rest CHAP. XVIII And these Principall are FIrst To arise with God and as wee layed our selues downe in peace so to awake with the comfort thereof Psal. 23. 6. Lam. 3. 23. The reason whereof is Because 1 Wee maintaine hereby conconstancie in wel-doing 2 Wee renue that soundnesse wherewith we laie downe 3 We preuent that no roote of bitternes breake out at the first 4 We prouide for our more setled courses all the day after and so begin a new to liue the daily life of grace 5 Wee make our hearts mery in the Lord. 6 Wee are made principally more apt to prayer which is the next occasion to bee entertayned of vs. This is performed 1 By meditating of the true life of God and day of the rresurection 1. Cor. 1. 2 By magnifying our sweete repose and resting in the bosome of Gods protection Psalme 3. 5. 3 Taking occasion by the light that appeareth to consider of the armour of light or by the outward darkenesse that compasseth to blesse God for the inward light and to mourne for the ignorance and blindnes that is yet in vs yea to resolue the casting away of the workes of darkenesse c. Rom. 13. 12. 4 Praysing the mercie and patience of the Lord that yet wee liue to prayse him and are spared to make our election more sure and thereto especially meditating on the constancie of Gods loue toward vs. Iohn 13. 1. Psalme 19. 2. Psal. 102. 27. Ieremie Lament 3. 23. And this is furthered if wee perceiue dulnes 1 By striuing euen in the night when wee awake to sigh for sinne and hunger after mercy Psal. 16. 7. Cant. 31. 2 By opening our hearts if occasion serue to our chambersellow if such fellowshippe be enioyed and so shaming of our selues Iacob 5. 3 By auoyding ouermuch sleep â—ea scanting and stinting our selues thereof and rowsing vppe our selues from drousines by checking our hearts and complayning of them to our blessed God Proue 24. 32. 33. 4 Taking occasion by our dreams or nocturall infirmities to magnifie Gods mercie that it is not so as we dreamed or to checke our infidelity in relying superstiously vpon dreames or to condemne our security and prophanenes in neglecting them vtterly And if we haue beene assaulted with terrors and corruptions yet either they haue not preuayled or shall not be imputed vnto vs. 5 Calling to mind some place of the word for our better stirring vp as Rom. 13. 11. 12. 13. 14. Ephes. 5. 14. 1. Thes. 5. 4. 5. c. And prouoking our selues by the examples of the saints who haue risen early to prayse the Lord. Psal. 5. 34. c. And so rising with the Lord we shall he fitted to entertaine the next speciall occasion of the day Which isâ— Prayer CHAP. XIX THE necessity and right vse thereof you haue before Onely here obserue these points for direction herein As First That howsoeuer this duety of praier in familâ—es be neglected and not esteemed necessary yet the not vse thereof at all argueth irreligion and contempt of God Psal. 14. 4. Secondly That not once but oftentimes in the day wee must performe the same Daniel 6. 10. Thirdly And that not onely in priuate in our closets c. but publiquely with our families Genes 18. 19. Iob 1. 5. Fourthly That
yet the hypocrite in pride and obstinacie falles at length from loose meanes to none and so to a despising and persecuting the same the elect though hee leaue in his heart yet hee returnes with shame and cleaues more conscionable to the meanes and is profited thereby 8 They both may be losers by their fall and not recouer all their life long but with these differences 1 The reprobate loses all graces and becomes a very beast Psal. 49. without knowledge ciuility c. The regenerate recouers necessarie graces as faith in some measure of vse and feeling but that full perswasion ioy in the spirit c. he happily recouers not againe all his life long 2 The reprobates losse is without feeling causing him to set vp his rest more securely in this life and so prepares him to sudden destruction that of the elect humbles him in all things causes him to worke out his saluation with feare and trembling to goe downe with sorrow to his graue and to be wearie of the world and to desire to be with Christ. Phil. 2. 12. This may we discorne betweene the fallâ— of Gods children and the wicked And this serueth 1 To trie vs in our decaies and to comfort vs in the same Pro. 24. 16. 2 To iustifie Gods faithfulnes who neuer forsakes his children 1. Cor. 10. 13. 3 To stop the mouthes of the wicked who reioyce at our falles Mich. 7. 8. 4 To assure vs of constancie perseuerance to the end 2. Tim. 4 18. CHAP. XIII A second helpe hereunto is FIrst watchfulnes ouer our hearâ—s and waies that they may continually be acceptable vnto God And that because 2. Tim. 4. 18. 1 Hereby we are prepared to tentations Luc. 21. 34. Mat. 13. 25. 2 Enabled to vndergoe them Ephes. 6. 3 And to haue a good issue out of them Luc. 21. 36. 4 Without this our whole life and best actions are either rashnes or securitie Pro. 28. 14. 5 By it we attaine certainty and resolution in wel-doing Ephe. 6. 13. 6 We preuent some euill which may make all other comforts vnsauory which we are sure to looke for in well doing Mat. 26. 41. 7 Hereby the other graces of God in vs are much beautified and encreased 8 And our infirmities much auoyded or couered Psalm 119. 9. 9 The best without it haue bin deceiued Genes 3. Dauid 2. Samuel 12. 10 Hypocrisie in weldoing and spirituall pride is preuented or mastered 11 Dulnes and wearisomenesse also in good things is much holpen 12 And so we prepared happily to perfection Now this watchfulnes is performed 1 And especially by obseruing the heart and yoaking it 2 In keeping vnder the outward man 3 And this not for a spurt but all our life long because so long endures the combate 4 And that obseruing and suspecting our greatest strength 1. Cor. 10. 12. 5 Ayming and heeding principally the sinnes that we haue most delighted in Psal. 19. Psal. 25. 6 Examining the best graces of God in vs lest some dead flie be in them Pro. 28. 9. Mat. 6. Helpes hereunto are 1 The glasse of the Word Psal. 119. Hebr. 11. 6. 2 Continual feare of our selues Pro. 28. Phil. 2. 12. 3 To haue the feare of God continually before our eyes 1. Cor. 7. 1 4 Sobriety in our knowledge and vse of outward things 1. Pet. 5. Rom. 12. 3. CHAP. XIIII FOurthly Earnest and constant prayer vnto God to vphold vs by his mightie power in cheerefulnes prouoking one another to holy duties Psal. 40. 4. 1 Publiquely in the Congregations 2 In priuate as well with our families as in our closets or such like secret recourse Mat. 6. Psal. 4. Conditions of prayer are 1 That our prayer must be in faith without doubting Iam. 1. 6. 2 In loue forgiuing one another Luc. 6. praying one for another 3 In wisedome praying first for the fauour of God when we would haue any blessing and when wee would haue an euil remoued praying for the forgiunes of sinne which is the cause of it and diuiding the times for prayer and our callings Dan. 6. 10. 4 In zeale and feruency from the heart and affection 1. Cor. 14â— Iam. 5. 16. 5 In constancy and patience waiting the Lords good leisure Psal. 40. 1. Psa. 135. Psa. 147. 6 In humilitie abasing vilifying our selues before the Lord. Ge. 32. 7 With thankesgiuing vnto God for all his mercies Psalme 103. 1. 8 Renuing our vowes and promises vnto God Psal. 116. 9 With strong cries groanes begging the pardon of our own sin and the sin of the Church land wherein we liue Dan. 9. 10 Crauing such necessaries for our selues and others with a holy submitting of our selues for the matter manner time and measure to the will of God Mat. 26. 42. Thus must our prayers be made vnto the Lord and by them we shall be First Much strengthened in the grace of perseuerance Luke 22. 32. as also 2 Kept in the vigor and power of our Christian life Ephes. 6. 3 Experienced in our sweet fellowshippe with God Romanes 8. 15. 4 Our spirituall armour alwaies fitted and exercised Ephes. 6. 5 Our daily wants supplied or recompensed Iames 1. 5. 2. Corint 12. 6 Tentations conquered and happily diminished Mat. 4. 7 All our occasions well seasoned turned to our good 1. Timo. 4. 8 Our whole life sanctified and we prepared comfortably to a better Phil. 1. 19. CHAP. XV. AND thus beeing prepared wee are ready for sweete Peace with God either to lay our selues downe therwith in peace to our sweete repose or to yeeld vp our liues with ioy vnto the hands of our redeemer Psal. 4. 8. Acts 7. 59. 1. Cor. 1. 7. And this is the last duety daily to be performed of vs and this peace is principally to be laboured to vs Because 1 We must respect not so much what we haue done but how the Lord hath accepted it Rom. 5. 1. 2 Heereby wee shall with courage go forward and be comforteâ— in the imperfection of our actioâ—â—2 Cor. 8. 3 We shal obtaine maintainâ— that vnspeakeable ioy of the holâ— Ghost in our hearts Phil. 4. 4. auoyd the contrary sadnes and distraction which proceedes from want of this peace 4 We shall refresh the graces of God in coÌ„mending them thus with our selues to the peace of God Now this duety is performed and blessing obtained 1 By performing the daily duties in their former order and with constancy 2 If by some vrgent occasion or tentation we haue bin interrupted yet to returne to theÌ„ to redouble what we haue omitted the next day 3 And this to be done not superficially with wearisomnes or of custome but determiately for conscience sake 4 Examine thy selfe how thou couldest one houre well be without one of the former graces as without the comfort of the remission of thy sinnes c. 5 Iudge and earnestly bewaile thy selfe if thou
THE CHRISTIANS DAILY SACRIFICE CONTAINING A daily direction for a setled course of Sanctification Expressing The scope of the seuen Treatises of Master ROGERS as also the summe of Master GREENHAM his spirituall obseruations with some further increase tending to perfection By THO. COOPER LONDON Imprinted by H. B. for WALTER BVRRE and are to be sold in Paules Church-yard at the signe of the Crane 1608. ¶ TO THE HIGH and excellent Princesse Elizabeth eldest daughter to our Soueraigne Lord King IAMES MOST gratious Princesse vouchsafe I beseech you the remembrance of that duty which we owe vnto God for all his benefits namely to take vp the cup of saluation and call vpon the name of the Lord. This is the subiect of this smal Treatise Which I am the rather emboldened to present vnto your grace because as the Lord hath renued his mercies continually vpon your princely person especially shewed himselfe merueilous in that your admirable deliuerance from these bloodie hunters so it pleased your highnes to accept very fauourably the remembrance thereof and to patronage my first labors to that end with the prime of your Graces protection which as it hath the rather bound me to consecrate my selfe and al my studies to your Graces deuotion so doe I in all humble maner tender vnto your Excellency a pledge hereof in these short meditations which as they may bee your daily practise of thankefulnes to God for all his mercies toward you so will they also proue verie profitable directions for the information of your tender yeeres in the waies of God that so beeing daily crowned with new blessing you may at length be fitted for that crowne of glory which the Lord Iesus hath purchased for you To whose blessed protection I doe most heartily commend your Highnes and so most humbly take my leaue Your Graces most affectionate in all duety Tho. Cooper TO THE RGIHT Honorable the Lord Harington and his vertuous Ladie RIGHT Honorable the princelie charge that the Lord hath honored your elder yeares withall that your age may bee a crowne of glorie beeing found in the way of righteousnesse as it hath laid vpon your Honours a greater care for the discharge thereof so hath it prouoked also those who as in priuate they wish your well-fares so especially they desire your happie sucesse in that publicke Charge as being in all heartie loyalty obliged therto These I say haue bin stirred vp to deuise all holy and profitable meanes whereby your Charge may be more Honorable and your care more comfortable Among whom seeing it hath pleased your Honours formerlie to accept of me daily to bind me therto by renued fauours I haue therefore endeuored to testifie the heartie continuance of my dutie towards your Honours in this Briefe of holy rules and instructions which I haue been bold to dedicate to the hopefull and happie dayes of your Gracious Charge not therein presuming to teach your Honour what you should doe but rather proposing the same as a Glasse wherein you may view what you haue done well and so both to encourage your Honours in a happie proceeding and to giue you sound comfort in the good successe thereof which as I shall not cease to pray daily vnto the Almightie for so I doe most humblie beseech your Honours thus to conceiue of my endeuours to continue as you doe the true paterns of vertuous nobility the Honorable patrons of religion learning And so I most hartilie commend your Honors to the grace of God Your Honours to command in all loue and dutie Tho. Cooper ⧠To the Christian Reader grace and peace THE manie excellent treatises larger discourses cōcerning the power of godlines which it hath pleased the Lord of glorie to furnish his Church withall in these last daies as they haue made good the faithfulnes of our God vnto vs of this Church of England so if they shall not be a witnesse against vs do they necessarily require the right vse thereof that we be transformed into the same image from glory to glorie And therefore howsoeuer it may seeme both needelesse and preiudiciall after so manie graue and experimentall rules concerning sanctification to adde any more in this kind yet seeing it hath pleased God to direct me to a further labour herein waigh with mee I pray thee in equitie these reasons hereof First I doe hereby professe my thankefulnes vnto God for those excellent labours 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 foolishnes of preaching and practick Diuinity which is such a mysterie 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 herein conceined yet I would haue thee know further that I would rather haue a rule to condemne sinne in the flesh and so confound the old man that thereby the new man may follow hard after the marke then not to giue testimony to that ligh◠which hath shined so gratiously vnto me then to conceale my iudgement though it may condemne th◠practise Fourthly May it please thee to consider with me Can a man walke in the sunne and not be warme and where twolie together will there not be heat and can the light be hidden nay ought it to be hidden 5 Can wee doe lesse in these dayes then conuince a prophane world 6 Can wee doe better then strengthen that which is readie to die 7 Shall not Gods remembrancers renue their strength when the diuels instruments do so rage with all licentiousnes 8 Doe we not iustifie the good by seeking out their wayes 9 Should we not discourage the wicked by making a good profession 10 Owe we not this duety to our mother 11 Shall not this redound to the glory of God Let this content thee and prouoke thee to make vse of these labours and the Lord giue thee vnderstanding in all things that thou maiest trie the Spirits and heereby thine owne whether thou art in the faith or no and so for euer maiest follow the true Shepheard To whose blessed protection I do most hartily commend thee THE CONTENTS OF the booke CHAP. I. Of Man and his 1 Creation 2 Fall 3 Redemption how 1 performed 2 The benefit thereof 3 How applied CHAP. II. Of the word 1 How it leads to Christ. 2 And so in him to a constant course of holines that so we may be happie CHAP. III. Of the daily direction to serue God CHAP. IIII. What this daily direction is And 1 Though it be impossible to be kept yet it is to be knowne 2 It is not impossible in some measure 3 Nay it is necessary to be kept 4 Yea most conuenient 5 And profitable 6 And also exceeding pleasant CHAP. V. The Parts of this daily Sacrifice CHAP. VI. 1 To bee Humbled before the Lord in the sense of sinne here
1. 27. Fiftly The Lord ordained the Fall of man and therefore his estate was mutable that so his fall might be from himselfe that God might make a way for the manifestation of the glory of his mercy iustice in the execution of his decree concerning the saluation of the elect condemnation of the reprobate by such meanes as from all eternity the Lord had sealed thereunto and thereupon man fell Gen. â— 6. Sixtly Man hauing receiued an estate for himselfe and his posterity by his fall vtterly depriued himselfe and all his issue of Gods fauor and the fruit thereof the right and possession of heauen and earth and plunged himselfe and all his posterity into a most wofull bondage of sinne and Satan Ge. 2. 17. Ro. 6. 12. Seuenthly The fall of man made a way to the worke of Redemption which was performed by Iesus Christ. Eightly Christ Iesus was first decreed from all eternity secondly promised immediately after the fall of Adam thirdly exhibited in the fulnes of time to performe a full redemption for vs. Gal. 4. 4. Gen. 3. Ninthly Our redemption by Christ is either performed or applied Tenthly Christ Iesus performed our redemption first by obedience And that 1. To God his Father in comming to redeeme vs. 2. In taking our nature vpon him 3. To the Law in fulfilling it perfectly which we had broken 4. In vndergoing the punishment when hee had fulfilled the Law And by these his sufferings our redemption was secondly wrought out These sufferings of Christ were First either in his whole liâ—e such miseries as sinne had drawne vpon vs that so he might sanctifie them vnto vs as hunger cold c. Heb. 2. 18. Heb. 4. 15. Secondly Or at his death such paines as we had deserued and here he suffered First in his body as 1. preparations to death 1. Buffetings by the Souldiers Mat. 27. 28. 2. Whipping and scourging 3. Crowning with Thornes 4. Carying of his Crosse. 5. Nayling to the Crosse. Ioh. 19. Secondly death it selfe here consider 1 The ignominious manner vpon the cursed tree Gal. 3. 2 The cruelty vsed vpon his dead bodie as being pierced to the heart by that mercilesse Souldier Ioh. 19 34. 3 His ignominious buriall and detaining for three daies in the graue These were his sufferings in bodie Secondly he also suffered for vs in his soule and that 1. In his whole life 1 Griefe for the sin of the world and especially of his owne countrymen who refused him Ioh. 1. 2 The mockings of the wicked and treachery of his owne was no small anguish vnto him Especially at his death as First that he was betrayed by Iudas his owne disciple Luk. 22. 48. 2 His agony in the garden where he sweat water and blood in great abundance Luke 22. 3 His trouble in soule Ioh. 12. 7. 4 The withdrawing of the assistance of the Deitie for the present Phil. 2. 8. 5 The curse of God vpon him for mans sinne Gal. 3. 10. 6 The power of Satan preuailing for a time 7 The horror of being ouerwhelmed with the heauie wrath of God Heb. 5. 7. 8 His detaining vnder the sorrows of death Acts. 2. 24. All these Christ Iesus our redeemer suffered in his humane nature but they were accompanied with the merit and efficacy of the diuine nature the dignitie whereof enabled them hereunto made them meritorious for our saluation Now because it was not possible that the Sonne of God should be holden of the sorrowes of death for then had he not beene iustified and acquitted from our sinnes therfore by the power of his God-head he raised vp himseâ—fe and so accomplished yet further the worke of our redemption Rom. 4. 25. Act. 2. 24. And so Christ Iesus our redeemer obtained a glorious conquest by his resurrection from the dead and that First Ouer the Law in abolishing the dominion and rigour thereof Secondly Ouer Satan and Hâ—ll chaining vp Satan destroying for euer the powers of hel 1. Co. 15. 57. Thirdly Ouer sinne and that 1 in taking away the sting and guiltines thereof 2 Abating the rage and fury of the same Rom. 7 24. 25. 3 Healing in some measure the corrupt fountaine of the same 4 Wealâ—â—ng the force and daily eating out the verie corruption thereof Rom. 6. 12. 3. Fourthly death is also conquered and subdued and that 1 By taking away the sting therof 2 By destroying the dominion of the same Rom. 5. 14. 3 Sanctifying it to the Godly to whom it is the gate to euerlasting life 1. Thes. 4. 4 Raysing vp our flesh from the graue 1. Cor. 15. And thus by this glorious conquest of our Captaine Iesus Christ is recouered vnto vs Heb. 12. 2. First The fauour of God our Father whose children we are now become in Iesus Christ. 2. Cor. 5. 18. 1. Iohn 3. 1. Colos. 1. 20. Secondly The fruits of this fauour which are 1 Faith in the sonne of GOD wherby being iustified before God we haue 2 Peace of conscience with God and man 1. Rom. 5. 1. Rom. 7. 4. 3 Ioy vnspeakeable in the holy Ghost 1. Pet. 1. 8. 4 We become fruitfull in all good workes and so thereby become meete partakers Colos. 1. 12. 5 Of saluation The earnest whereof wee haue in this life first by the inward testimony of the spirit â— Cor. 1. Ephes. 4. Secondly By our outward similitude and conformity to our head Christ Iesus being changed into the same Image from glory to glory as by the spirit of the Lord. 2. Cor. 3. 18. And we shall fully enioy it in the life to come where shall be 1 Ceasing of all sinne and sorrow Reuel 7. 17. 2 Perfect righteousnesse and holinesse Ephes. 5. 27. 3 Fulnes of ioy Psal. 16. 4 Immediate fruition and coniunction with God 1. Cor. 13. 12. 5 Eternity of happines and bliffe for euermore â— Pet. 1 4. All these hath the Sonne of God purchased for vs. The meanes whereby all these are made ours is Faith This Faith is wrought in vs by the preaching of the word Rom. 10. 17. And that first of the Law First Discouering our miserie vnto vs in particular both 1 From what a blessed estate wee are fallen Roman 3. Roman 7. as also Into what a woful and desperate condition we are now plunged not onely by reason of our sinne Being able to doe nothing but displease God Gen. 6. 5. And that in regard 1 Of the transgression of Adam which lies vpon vs. Rom. 5. 2 The fruite of this transgression euen a generall infection and corruption of all the powers and faculties of soule and body 1 Of the vnderstanding filled with blindnes darknes not sauoring the things of God Eph. 4 17 2 The Conscience wounded seared defiled neuer soundly peaceable Timot 4. 1. Corinth 1. 2 Esay 57. 1. 3 The memory fit to retaine euill and to forget good Heb. 10 22. 4 The will captiuated to euill and yet running headlong
thereto but to doe good altogether auerse Rom. 8. 5 6. 5. And so the affections ledde violently after the sway thereof as also 6 The conuersation most lothsome to God and man 1. Tim. 1. 15. 7 The thoughts impotent and vnsatiable to euil and infinite therein 8 His best actions greatest abominations Pr. 28 9. Io. 9 3â— Ps 50 16. A second part of mans misery is the fruit of his â—inne Namely that First He is most odious to God most iustly accursed of him Col. 1. 21. and this curse is manifest First Vpon his body by those fearefull and inumerable plagues diseasâ—s iudgements of famine c. which he vpon men and consume theÌ„ in this life Dâ—u 28 15. Ge 3. 17. Secondly By that horrible abuse of Gods blessings which are bestowed on him making the creature to grone vnder this bondage of corruption and so to increase the score against the life to come Rom. 8. 19. Secondly Vpon his soule and that â—â—st in this life 1 In being giuen vp to a reprobate sense Rom. 1. 23. 2 Depriued of the knowledge of God but so farre as shall make him without excuse Psalme 49. 15. 3 To be past feeling through the hardnes of his heart Ephes. 4. 19. 4 Thence to fall into wofull and irrecouerable despaire Gen. 4. and to discouer the same by madnes blasphemies c. Secondly In the life to come by first 1 Vtter separation from the presence of God and happinesse for euer 2. Thes. 1. 21. 2 Perpetuall communion with Satan and the infernall spirits and so of all torments Especially First Desperate sorrow for an irrecouerable losse Secondly Insufferable waight of the wrath of God Thirdly Sensible torment yet not to be expressed Fourthly The worme of conscience accusing gnawing continually Fiftly Bitter enuie at the happines of the elect Sixtly Restles content in this fearefull condition Thus the Law discouers to man his miserâ— and therefore First It is to be preached to sinners 2. Tim. 4. 2. Secondly Men are to be acquainted with the particulars of it Thirdly And to yeeld to the power thereof that so it may leade them to Christ who is properly reuealed vnto vs in the preaching of the Gospel which doeth especially beget perfect the worke of Faith and that 1 By making vs to beleeue our misery through a particular application thereof vnto our selues Rom. 7. 9. Rom. 15. 4. Matth. 9. 12. 2 By working anguish and sorrow inspirit for the same Act. 2. 37. Ierem 21. 1â— Iudg. 2. 3 10. 3 Aduising what to do Luk. 15. 17. Ierem. 8. â— 7. and considering deeply what we haue done Reu. 7. 24. 4 Submitting to Gods will to bee guided hereafter according to the same Luk. 17. 9. Eze. 36. 2. Act. 9. 6. 5 Heereupon the Lord further reueales himselfe vnto the sinner in working a secret desire of forgiuenes from the consideration of the kindnes and readines of God to pardon yea though it be but a droppe of mercie Luke 15. 17 18. Mat. 12. 20. Mat. 11 28. Mat. 5. 4. Matth. 9. 12. Luke 7. 38. Ion. 3. Hest. 4. Pro. 28. 9. Iob 33. 33. 6 This desire workes a resolution to go to this gracious God though yet he feele not pardon for his sins Luke 15. 7 Comming to God sinne is confessed in most conscionable and in particular manner Psal. 19. 12. 8 Pardon is most instantly and boldly begged for the same Mat. 15. Rom. 10. 14. 9 Râ—solution to renounce all to buy this precious pearle which is a kind of assurance of the purchase of this pardon Mat. 13. vpon the due valuation of the price of it and so he promiseth a full forsaking of the woâ—ld Mat. 19. 29. Heb. 11 25 and vtter renouncing of sinne Hose 14. 9. c. for euer Luke 19. 9. 1. Samu. 7. 3 4. Pro. 28. Phil. 1. 7 8 10 Hereupon followeth an application of Christ and his promises by the seale of the spirit Rom. 8. 16. 2. Cor. 1. 22. And hence proceed 1 Contentation spirituall peace with God and our owne consciences 2 Following the true Shepheard Iohn 10. 3 Ioy in the Spirit and sweetnes extraordinary Rom. 5. 2. 4 Admiration heauenly at this wonderfull worke 2. Cor. 1. 12. 5 Tendernes of conscience in all our actions Heb. 13. 18. 6 Boldnes to approch the throne of Grace Rom. 8. Heb. 10. 7 A minde estranged from the world and loue thereof Gal 5. 8 Holy conference and asking the way to Sion 9 Heauenly conuersation Phi. 3. 20. 10 Readines and patience to and vnder the Crosse Rom. 5. 11 Desire to be dissolued and to be with Christ. Phili. 1. 23. Thus is Faith wrought in vs thus may we discerne the worke thereof And this Faith is thus effectuall when it bringeth forth the fruite of an holy life whereby we are made partakers of the diuine nature so made meet to that happines whereinto no vncleane thing shall enter IaÌ„ 2. 2. Pet. 1. 3. Col. 1. 11. Reu. 21. 27. Hence we may learne 1 That there is no holinesse in nature and therefore no happines from thence Rom. 3. 9. 2 Our righteousnes is of faith laying hold on Iesus Christ. Phil. 3. 9. 3 Being redeemed by Christ we must be zealous of good workes which God hath ordained vs to walke in Ephes. 2. 10. 4 That we may not erre in wel-doing nor be weary therof we must haue a Guide to direct vs therein Iohn 11. 9. CHAP. II. This Guide is onely the perfect word of God 1 BEcause it is the briefe of Gods reuealed wil. Ps 40. 7. 2 It reacheth not only to the outward but inward man also and is a discerner of the secret thoughts and raines Heb. 4. 12. 3 It is that will of God which the Lord would haue to this end communicated vnto all Colos. 1. 6. Iohn 5. 35. 4 It is sufficient and absolutely perfect to accomplish whatsoeuer concernes our entrance or perfection to eternall life 2. Tim. 3. 16. 5 It is a sure and euerlasting word able to accomplish that which it promiseth or threatneth and giuing grace to performe that in some measure which it enioyneth Ephe. 6. 17. 1. Pet. 1. 2. Pet. 1. 19. Psal. 19. 7. Psal. 119. 93. 6 It is most plaine and easie to be appreheÌ„ded as being a light shining in a dark place 2. Pe. 1. Pr. 8. 2. 2. Cor. 4. 4. Hence it followeth 1 That whatsoeuer is not warranted by the word is sinne Apoc. 22. 18. Deut. 4. 2. Pro. 30. 6. 2 That the Law of nature written in our hearts is no sufficient rule of life 1. Cor. 2. 14. Matth. 16. 17. Rom. 2. 12. 3 Much lesse the Lawes of nations are perfect rules to liue by Deu. 4. 6. 4 No wil-worship is accepted of God Mat. 15. 9. Col. 2. 2 3. Deu. 12. 8. 5 Neither a good intention makes a good action 2. Sam. 6. 6. 6 Nor an erroneous conscience excuseth an euill fact or maketh that which is doubtful
To make them more able to winne and hold others Rom. 14. 1. 3 To acquaint them with the deepenes of Satan Apoc. 2. 24. 4 To prepare them to greater glory Dan. 12. 3. 5 To humble them in the sense of their extraordinary graces 2. Cor. 12. Thirdly it is fit for men in prosperity and that 1 To preuent security Esai 5. 12. 2 To humble them in regard of those temporall things Luc. 12. 48. 3 To teach them how to vse them to Gods glorie their owne and their neighbours good 1. Tim. 6. 17. 4 That they may part with them willingly Pil. 4. 12. 5 That all may be counted as dung in respect of heauen Philip 3. 8. Fourthly this practice also will be very necessary in the time of affliction And that 1 To prepare vs thereunto Pro 28. 14. Iob 3. 25. 2 To qualifie the sharpenes of it 3 To be conquerors in our troubles and ouer them Rom. 8. 4 To be deliuered finally from them Psal. 34. And therefore though doe what wee can some corruptions shall still remaine yet this labour is not vnprofitable 1 Because God accepts herein the purpose of our hearts 2. Corrinth 8 12. 2 The Lord will haue some infirmities still left in vs to humble 〈◊〉 withall â— Cor. 12. 3 Our hatred of sinne shall bee perfited hereby though it remainâ— in vs. 4 The strength of sinne shal also much be abated in vs. 5 Our edge to eternall happines shall be still sharpened and ouâ— desire enflamed to fit vs thereto Rom. 7. Neither is this labour vncomfortable For 1 We encrease hereby an assurance of our saluation 2. Peter 1. 9. 10. 2 Wee grow more setled and resolued in godlinesse and get the masterie of inconstancie Ephes. 3. 18. 19. 3 We performe holy duties more easily Ps. 119. 32. Ioh. 4. 34. Mat. 11. 24. 4 We haue more neere sweete fellowship with our blessed God and his holy spirit 1. Tim 4 10. Mat. 10. 30. Ps. 1. 3. Rom. 8. 31. Ps. 2. 12. 5 We preuent many noysome lusts which otherwise would fasten on vs. Psalme 119. 10. 11. Iohn 15. 15. Exod. 19. 5. Pro. 19. 23. 6 We are freed from many temporall iudgements which vnstaied soules are subiect to Psalme 91. 11. Psal. 32. 10. 11. 7 Our score shall be the lesse and our reckoning more easie at the day of iudgement 8 Hereby wee shall haue our conuersation in heauen Philip. 3. 21. 9 Our heart and the inordinate lusts thereof shall be keept at a bay 10 We shall be armed against all temptations and secured in the midst of them Ephes. 6. 13. 11 We shall be weaned from the loue of this wretched world 12 Yea led forward constantly to obtaine the end of our faith which is the saluation of our soules Ephes. 6. 2. Tim. 4. 13 We shall approue our selues not to be of the world by our contrary fashion to it Rom. 12. 14 We shall recouer our first Image in being holy as God is holy 1. Pet. 1. 15 And readie to meete our Sauiour whensoeuer hee shall come Ephes. 6. Math. 24 25. c. 16 We shall see our daily weaknesse and inability to serue God and so acknowledge vnfainedly our vnworthines of the least mercies and so happily preuent spirituall pride 17 We gaine hereby a certaine knowledge of our estate in grace and by the light hereof we know whither we walke 1. Iohn 3. 1. 18 Wee shall be raised vp from our fals into sinne 1. Ioh. 2. 2. 19 Wee shall vse prosperity aright Iob 3. 1. 24. Ier. 8. 4. 6. 20 And ouercome all troubles Rom. 8. 36. 21 Yea we shall be fitter to win others Gal. 6. 1. 22 And so grow forward to perfection Col. 1. 9. Ioh. 7. 52. 23 And happily be continued to the end CHAP. V. IT being now apparent that there is a daily sacrifice of obedience to be performed vnto God And that it is neither impossible nor vnprofitable but very necessary fit and behoosefull vnto vs let vs consider further these two points 1 What duties we are necessarily bound in conscience to performe daily 2 How we are to entertaine the seuerall occasions of the day as vsually they fall out in this holy and constant manner CHAP. VI. That which we are necessarily bound to doe daily is FIrst to bee humbled before the Lord in the sense of our owne or others sinnes by true and vnfained repentance And that because 1 The best seruice we shall doe must be sanctified by repentance 2 Hereby we giue glorie vnto God and offer a daily sacrifice acceptable vnto him Psal. 51. 18. 3 Hereby wee deny our selues and daily take vp our crosse Math. 16. 4 We approue our right and estate in Christ Iesus in that we confesse our selues to be sinners and such as haue daily neede of his mercie and so daily fit our selues vnto the same Math. 11 28. 5 Wee iustifie the truth of our religion against all the imaginarie perâ—ection of Popery and securitie of Libertines and Atheists whomsoeuer and so do daily giue an account of our faith 1. Pet. 3. 15. Now this dutie is conscionably performed First By taking a strict view and account of them by the glasse of the law Psal. 19. 11. Secondly by mourning before the Lord in the sense of them not so much for feare of the punishment as that we haue offended so good a God Luke 15. 21. Thirdly by acknowledging our sinnes vnto the Lord. Prou 28. 13. and that 1 From the fountaine originall sinne Psal. 51. 5. 2 From the streames both our thoughts so farâ—e as we may our idle words and prophane actions Psal. 19. 12. 13. And here both 1 What good we haue omitted 2 What â—uil we haue coÌ„mitted 3 How we haue sinned of ignorance Psal. 73 22. 4 How of knowledge we haue transgresâ—ed c. Especially and more particularly we must acknowledge 1 The sinnes we haue bin subiect to Psalme 51. 14. 2 Those which for the presenâ— we grone vnder 3 Those which we feare most Psal. 19. 13. 4 The sinnes of our fathers Nehem 9. 5 The sinnes of the Land and State among whom we liue Daniel 9. 6 Yea such as in particular wee knowe not we are notwithstanding to yeeld vp to bee searched by the Lord and by his mercie either to be brought to our remembrance or to be gratiously passed ouer Psal. 19. 12. Fourthly Sinne being thus acknowledged wee must further proceede to a detestation thereof Iob 42. and of our selues for the same Fiftly Then we must feele them a burthen which wee are not able to beare Act. 2. 37. Psal. 8. 4. Lastly Wee must flie vnto Iesus Christ by faith to be eased of this burthen Matth. 11 28. Helpes hereunto are 1 The due contemplation of the Maiesty of God whom we haue so highly offended Psalme 51. 4. 2 The vilenes and abiectnes of man that durst commit such wickednes against God 3 The danger
in due season Psalme 1. 3. 3 Of the place that in outward things we conforme therto 1. Cor. 9. 20. 4 Of the persons that we giue no iust offence 1. Cor. 10. 33. Here our guides must be Loue which seekes not our own 1. Cor. 13. Wisedome to become all vnto all 1. Cor. 9. And our ends 1 Expediencie that we may be fitting 1. Cor. 10. 2 Vnder that which may bee seemely Col. 2. 3 Edification that which may benefit our selues and others 1. Cor. 10. 4 And principally the glorie of Almightie God 1. Cor. 10. 31. Sixtly We must entertaine and cherish the motions of the Spirit of God 1. Thess. 5. 19. 2. Tim. 1. 6. This is performed 1 By a wise discerning of them 1. Tim. 4. 14. 2 By an high esteeme of them 3 By reioycing in them as if we had found the greatest treasures Mat. 13. 44. 4 By putting them speedilie in execution Psal. 45. 1. 5 By offring vp an extraordinary sacrifice of praise for them abasing our selues in regard of such excellent graces and acknowledging the free mercy of God in so gracious a fellowship Psalme 116. 7 12. Seuenthly If the Spirit of God shall lie asleepe in vs Psal 119. This we shall discerne 1 By great terrours in the conscience 2 A kind of loathing of holy duties 3 Great coldnes and deadnes in the vse of them 4 Little sensible comfort when we haue performed them Psal. 77. 2 3. 5 Much discontentment in the mind and blindnes in the same Psa. 6. 3. 6 Aptnes to rush into the sinnes we haue heretofore conquered 7 Vnwillingnes to die c. Here then we must at no hand blesse our soules in this estate but First rouse vp the Spirit and labour to be quickned and that by vsing the holy meanes as 1 The Ministerie of the word Psal. 6. 6. 2 Priuate and strong crying vnto God Psal. 51. 3 Crauing the effectuall prayers of the saints Iames 5. 15. 4 Vsing more conscionably their fellowships and opening our state vnto them 5 Racking our harts by a serious and impartiall examination and committing our most speciall tentations to record 6 Promising more faithfulnes for the time to come Psal. 80. 18. 7 And binding our selues more constantly to the conuersion of others Psal. 116. 18. Psal. 32. 8. 9. Ps. 34. 3. 8. 11. 8 Exercising a daily course of repentance 9 Not neglecting also to humble our selues in this behalfe in some priuate fast vnto God Psal. 35. in our closets or families Eightly make we some experiment vpon some chiefe lust of the heart to get the mastery ouer it for by an experimentall conquest ouer one we shall learne in time to conquere all the rest And this must be done 1 By obseruing the deepenes of Satan in his variety of baits to draw vs into the snare 2 Considering the deceitfulnes of the heart how gladly it would close with Satan 3 Remembring our former tripping by the like tentation 4 Thereupon confesse wee in humble prayer vnto God that wee haue deserued to be ouertaken with it 5 Detest we our selues that sinne hath got such ground of vs. Iob 42. 6 Hereupon vow wee reuenge against our treacherous flesh 2. Cor. 7. 11. 7 And practise wee 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 shall happilie get the conquest of it Prou 14. 9 Wee must daily recount how wee haue profited in godlinesse Psal. 119. 10 we must prepare our selues continually to afflictiōs Luk. 9. s 23. 11 Wee must bee plentifull in good workes 2. Pet. 1. 9. 12 In all our actiōs specially extraordinary we must not trust to that soundnes of heart which hath beene but trie them by that which is that so from the sense of the purenes of the fountaine the streames may flow more certainely and purely Luke 6. 43. Mat. 13. 13 Though the heart may appeare to be sound yet the goodnesse of the action must not so much depend vpon the soundnes of the heart appearing as vpon the free mercies of God accepting the same 14 We must prouide a complet armour for the heart being prepared to preserue it Ephes. 6. 13. CHAP. IX And this is the fourth duty of necesssity to be 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 we shall be able to cast downe all strong holds 2. Cor. 10. 4 which stand in our way to happines 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 points 1 What this armor is 2 How it is to be put on 3 How to be kept on This armo◠hath many peeces First the Girdle of truth and sincerity Ephes. 6. 14. this consisteth of these parts The first is a rectified iudgment proceeding from an illightned and sanctified vnderstanding wrought by a liue faith through the word of God Ephes. 4. 13. And it hath these properties 1 It is sound in what it knowes Coloss. 1. 6. 9. 2 It retaineth safely what it knowes Psal. 119. 11. 3 It is wise to distinguish betweene things that differ Philip. 1. and so to trie 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 knows no man after the flesh 2. Cor. 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 be reformed in what it hath beene misinformed 2. Tim. 2. 16. 9 It is apt and desirous to receiue further illumination Colos. 1. 10 2. Tim. 3. 7. 10 And daily increaseth in this sauing knowledge Heb. 5. 12. Helpes to put on this armour are 1 A discerning of our owne inward blindnes Psal. 119. 28. 2 A daily meditation in the word and workes of God Psal. 1. 3 A faithful recording and comparing of things past with things present and so collecting for the time to come Luk. 2. 51. And this part of the Girdle serueth 1 To condemne the blindnes of nature 1. Corint 2. 14. Matthew 16. 17. 2 To discerne between the light of nature and grace the illightning and sanctifying Spirit Col. 1. 9 Ephes 5. 8. 3 To direct all our actions for as we know so we 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
sinne 12 And let the day of thy death and appearing before the iudgment seate of Christ be alwaies in thy mind make thou sure account of it daily make readie for it 2. Pet. 3. 13 Cease not crying out against thy corruptions and complaining vnto God of thy rebellions that he may strengthen thee against them Psal. 119. 49. 14 Bind thy selfe by the oath and by the curse to forsake all sin to continue constant in the seruice of thy God Ezra 10. 3. 2. Chro. 15. 15 Reprooue sinne boldlie in others and plucke them out of the fire Iude 23. though thou beest scorcht for thy labour 16 Suffer affliction as a good souldier of Iesus Christ and prepare thy soule vnto tentations 2. Tim. 2. Thus shalt thou cut off sin and happily preserue thy selfe in a constant course of godlines For thy better instruction herein 1 Cal to mind what before is deliuered in the sixth part of the girdle of truth concerning holy actions which may helpe thee both in the true knowledge of God to informe thy iudgment as also in the right holy practise of good things which must be part of thy daily sacrifice CHAP. XI BEing thus instructed in generallâ— auoyd euill and doe good the next duetie that thou must performe is thankefulnes vnto God 1. Thes. 5. 18. And this duty is necessary because 1 We doe approoue our right in Gods blessings 1. Tim. 4. 2 We make them profitable and durable Mat. 14. 19 20. 3 We encrease them and make them pledges of heauen 4 We do ease our selues of much begging and so approch to the life of glory 5 We acknowledge God to be the giuer and blesser of them 6 We do answer the end why God bestowed them on vs. Deu. 8. 7 And do by this duty performe a most principall part of worship glory to our God Psal. 50. 23. 8 Security and hardnes of heart is hereby preuented 9 Our faith in God is confirmed and encreased 10 Spirituall pride and hypocrisie is ouer-mastered 11 The certainty of our saluauation hereby pledged coÌ„firmed 12 Our account made readie so we prepared to meet the Lord. And it is to be performed daily 1 Because we daily receiue good at the hands of God Lam. 3. 23. 2 And by this meanes shal preuent many euils which daily do assault vs And this duty is performed on this manner First The hart must be prepared 1 With sound notice of the blessing conceiuing more excellently of God then wee possible can see him by his blessings 2 True humility for the same by serious meditation both of the Maiesty power and goodnes of God and also of it owne vnworthines 3 As also it must be purged by â— setled purpose of not offending sâ— bountifull a God 4 And an holy perswasion that we haue receiued the benefit in the fauour of God 5 And aâ— holy desire to set forth the glory of God 2 The mouth must speake of the mercies of God And that 1 Reuerently and holily noâ— lightly or loosely 2 Particularly as neere as wee may recounting the same Genes 32. 10. 3 Publikely euen in the great congregations vnto the Church 〈◊〉 GOD yea to the generations to come Ps. 66. 102. 4 Priuately betweene God and our owne soules to auoyd hypocrisie Matt. 6. 5 Wisely and orderly for spirituall blessings and then for temporall Ephe. 1. 3. 6 Faithfully aswel for blessings promised and to come as for those we haue receiued 2. Chro. 6. 7 Constantly aswel when God takes as when he giues Iob 1. 21. 8 Humbly acknowledging our selues to bee vnworthy of the least of them Iacob Gene. 32. 9 Speedily if it bee possible to preuent the Lord. Gene. 24. 10 Continually euen all our life long 11 Charitably prouoking others to the like duty 12 Acknowledging Gods graces in others and without enuie or detraction aduancing the same 13 Yea wishing that all may be partakers of the same graces with vs. Num. 11. 14 Impartially aswell for the least as for the greatest 3 We must praise God in our life actions Here obserue these principall actions of thankefulnesse Psalme 1. 1 To renue our obedience 〈◊〉 encrease our seruice of God Psalâ—â— 116. 2 Continual mortification of 〈◊〉 old man Psal. 106. 3. Ezr. 10. 3 Casting out the speciall 〈◊〉 beloued sinne Mat. 5. 29. 4 Making much of the mean whereby Gods blessings are sanctfied so continued vnto vs namâ—ly the Preaching of the gospell Rom. 10. 15. 5 Labouring hartilie the coâ—uersion of others Psal. 51 6 Releeuing and forgiuing 〈◊〉 praying one for another Eph. 8. 7 Beleeuing Gods promises 〈◊〉 waiting patiently the full accoâ—plishment of them Psalme 40. â— Heb. 11. 8 Erecting monuments and troâ—phes of Gods benefits to posteriâ—â— Gen. 22. 15. c. 9 Writing registring the nâ—ble acts of the Lord. Psal. 102. 10 Imposing fit names vnto 〈◊〉 children in remembrance of God mercies Gen. 41. 11 Paying our vowes vnto God and men Psal. 65. 1. Ion. 2. 9. 12 Being content with whatsoeuer God bestoweth vpon vs. Thus are we to performe thankefulnes vnto God Which that wee may performe more happily First Let vs beware of these euils which are maine enemies to this duety As 1 To imagine that we deserue any thing Luc. 17. 10. 2 That wee haue any thing meerely by our owne labour and industry Psal. 127. 3 That wee harpe more vpon our troubles then Gods fauours and benefits 4 That we be alwaies begging but neuer recounting what we haue receiued 5 That we consider what others haue rather then what wee haue need of 6 That we be not secure in the blessings of God but rather feare our estate most when we haue most fauours Iob 1. 7 That we tie God vnto these outward things 8 That we dote and rest vpon these and not rather forget them in regard of the things of the life to come Phil. 3. 9 That we conceiue basely and meanely of Gods mercies and doe not see worship God in the least of them Secondly Let vs vse these helpes 〈◊〉 thankefulnes As 1 Rest we vpon God as the giuer of all good blessings 2 Vse we all holy meanes for the obtaining of them 3 Leaue we the successe to Go depending on his prouidence 4 Thinke we not what God can giue but what is fit for vs to receiue 5 Consider wee how small a tribute the Lord requires for all his blessings 6 What a prerogatiue we attain by thankesgiuing that God is the receiuer and we giuers vnto God and how much better it is to giue then to receiue 7 Let the creatures prouoke vs hereto left otherwise they condemne vs. Heb. 6. 8 Let our commodity perswade vs either if we will haue or vse or hold Gods fauours comfortably 9 And lastly consider we the account to bee made in the life to come which is made vp by thankefulnes vnto God in this life Ioh. 3. And thus
the Master of the familie is fittest to be the mouth of God for his people as beeing therein their Priest and Prophet Reuel 1. 6. Fiftly That to this end set times are to be appointed and kept constantly vnlesse by sickenes or other more inuincible occasions wee be interrupted Sixtly That we keepe our selues in an holy temper and peace of minde by a constant course in all occurrents and so prepare our selues to prayer 1 Fixing our hearts on God and meditating of his power and Maiestie to worke reuerence in vs. 2 Looking vnto Iesus the author and finisher of our faith to breede affiance Heb. 12. 2. 3 Considering and examning our wants to breede humilitie and patience Psal. 39. Psal. 4. 6. 4 Excluding worldly â—ares which may hinder deuction Luke 8 Mat. 6. 5 Not fretting at the prospertity of the wicked Psal. 37. 1. 6 In patience bearing the wrongs of enemies and leauing reuenge to God Rom. 12. 7 Doing al things as in Gods presence 8 Auoyding euill for conscience sake 9 Meditating still on the day of iudgement lest we be vnfitted or interrupted in prayer 2. Pet. 3. 2. Cor. 5. 11. 7 Consider wee the manifold blessings wee haue â—eceiued from God to prouoke vs to thankesgiuing without which our prayers are ineffectuall Ephes. 6. c. 8 Here it is requisite that wee also quicken our hearts by reading and meditating twice or oftner in the day on some part of the Scriptures either First Taking the Scripture in order before vs. Nehemiah 8. Acts 13. Or els 2 Vpon extraordinarie occasions making choice of fit Scriptures 9 Bewaile wee seriously our neglect of closet prayer and condemne wee our selues for our lip-labour and customarie deuotions our wearisomnesse in wel-doing our contentment with little feelings 10 Renue wee our vowes for more often conscionable performance hereof 11 Rest we especially vpon the continuall intercession of our blessed Aduocate Iesus Christ who continually maketh intercession for vs and is now both praying for vs and readie to present our prayers to the throne of grace and to couer all the infirmities and failings of them 12 Stirre wee vp the blessed Spirit as before which may helpe vs with sighes and groanes vnâ—peakeable Rom. 8. 13 And be wee well aduised of the particular thing we desire that it may be fit for God to giue vs and vs to aske for our present occasion Matth. 6. Iames 4. 2. Being thus prepared we must powre out our prayers as before Auoyding here especially 1 Constraint and ceremoniousnesse 2 Customarinesse praying rather for the times sake then for Gods glorie Psal. 119. 108. 3 Conceit of the wel-doing hereof in regard of the thing done 4 Pride and ostentation in the opinion of our wel-doing Matthew 6. 5 Lip-labour and idle repetition of words 6 Confusion and disorder praying for earthly things before heaâ—enly Mat. 6. 33. 7 Carnalnesse when wee praie more for earth than heauen 8 Hypocrisie doing it to bee seene of men Mat. 6. 9 Vncharitablenes praying for reâ—enge c. of priuate wrongs Eccle. â—0 20. Iam. 4. 7. 10 Wearisomnes and dulnesse Gal. 6. Exod. 15. 11 Hastinesse and rashnesse as â—we would faine haue done 12 Presumption begging such â—â—ings as are not seasonable Luke 54. or beseeme vs not 13 Impietie praying for indulence in sinne or indenting with God and limiting him to our will â—â—helpe vs at such a time or in such manner Act. 1. Dan. 4. 14 Infidelitie when wee pray without the assurance of the acceptance of our persons which is the case of all popish deuotion Iac. 1. 6. Obseruing well 1 That as well for the least blessing as for the greatest wee sue to God in prayer and so bee thankefull vnto him left otherwise we denie God the giuer and so hinder our receiuing 2 That wee measure not the prayer by the outward successe because an euill prayer may bee heard in anger Osee 13. and a good deferred in mercie Yea a good prayer though in much weakenesse may be granted in loue Matthew 6. to keepe vs from despaire and yet a more strong and feruent prayer may be denied in greater loue both to humble vs that wee put not confidence in the meanes and to encourage vs to constancie therein assuring our selues that the â—ssue of our prayers shall be gratious 3 That in the greatest feeling of Gods mercie we pray against tentations Matth. 16. 4 That we especially commend vnto God the afflicted state of the Church and desire our welfare in the prosperitie thereof Psalme 122. 6. Psal. 126. 5 That we redouble our sighes and prayers not suffering any repulse Psal. 119. 164. Matt. 15. Gen. 32. Gen. 18 c. Ephes. 6. 6 That wee highly efteeme of the thing wee pray for Matth. 5. 6. 7 That we finde as much comfort in abiding long at prayer as at hearing the word 8 That we be as readie to praise God for his mercies receiued as to sue for the obtaining of them Psal. 116. Luke 17. 12 18. 9 That we rebuke our selues in our prayers and relie onely vpon Christ. The benefit hereof is manifold 1 We renue our right in the day 1. Tim. 4. 4. 2 Wee arme our selues against tentations Ephes. 6. 14. 15. 3 We are readie for any good that shall be offered vs as consolation of the sick conference c. 4 We are prest to do al things in the sight of of God 5 And so very much fitted and furthered to set vpon our callings CHAP. XX. ANd this is the next maine occurrenâ— that falls out in the day euen to follow our Callings And here obserue First that to walke in a set calling for the common good is the ordinance of God imposed on euery Christian. 2. Thes. 3. 12. Gen. 3. 19 Ephes. 4. 28. And that 1 To communicate Gods prouidence in the gouernment of the world 2 To maintaine a comely order in the administration thereof 3 To imploy such varietie of gifts as God bestoweth on men aright 4 To maintaine humane societies in the bond of peace 5 To auoyde idlenes and curiosity 6 To preuent errors and distraction in religion 7 To fit vs to the ends of Gods prouidence 8 That God may be glorified in ordering such infinite varietie of callings both for the common and each priuate good and that especially for the life to come And this serueth 1 To teach vs to trie our callings by this that they haue their warrant from the word of God and that we be fitted thereto and so to reiect the contrarie 2 To sanctifie our callings by bounding them in the Lord. Ephes. 6. 1. because they are preserued by the same meanes by which they were ordained Secondly learne we That howsoeuer callings be the ordinance of God yet in these daies we are to expect them 1 By the ministerie of men and 2 Our owne industrie fitting vs thereto 3 Submitting our selues herein to the rule of the word And that