praiers when they intend to fall one upon another 48. To every good work we had need of renewed assisting grace 49 Against every evil we are tempted to we had need of delivering grace 50. O! how a sudden winde of temptations trips up the heels of a strong man sometimes 51. He that is privie to his own soul of good intentions to abstain from evil may presume God will assist him against evil 52. God not onely delivers from ill and out of ill but many times from a greater ill by a lesser 53. Rather then a man shall miscarry when God hath any work for him to do he will work a miracle 54. Death is sometimes a preservation it self sending a man to heaven his harbour and rest 55. It 's the fate of Kings many times to out live their glory and Kingdoms 56. He that keeps heaven for us keeps us also for heaven 57. The firm belief and hope of heaven are effectual for a holy life and conversation 58. We must one time or another have those graces on earth which fits us for heaven 59. An humble soul is ever thankful for the least measure of grace 60. Man's imploiment in heaven is singing of Psalms and so much as we are given to this exercise are we in heaven 61. The extent of our desires to God's glory should be carried to all eternity 62. A beggarly maintenance makes a contemptible Ministry 63. A Christians care is that there be no breaches made upon the Doctrine sealed by the blood of the Martyrs 64. An evil Governor is not onely a poison to the State and Church whilst hee he lives but the mischief of it afterwards 65. All the good actions of the life meet together and comfort a man in death 66. As men cast seed upon seed where the ground is fruitful so the more good we do the more opportunities of doing good are still offered 67. As we are in a perpetual Proficiency in this life so there 's a perpetual necessity of means and Ministry 68. We may enter upon all the means of saving knowledge upon this ground because Christ our teacher is able and willing to lead us from one degree to another 69. Christ not onely brings doctrine but wit and grace to the inward man 70. After Christ the Father loves all in Christ with the same love wherewith he loves Christ 71. As all heat in the creature is from the Sun so all piety and goodness flows from God above 72. The love of God is the spring of all duties and graces making us not onely good but comfortable as birds in the Spring 73. Faith is nothing but the act whereby we apprehend the love of God to us in Christ 74. They that have Christ for their Redeemer shall have heaven for their inheritance the Spirit for their guide the Angels for their attendance 75. God fills the bellies of many men with inward things whose hearts he never filled with his love 76. The sooner a sinner comes into God it 's the easier and his comfort will be the stronger 77. To thrive in a course of sin is a sign of reprobation 78. The way to keep God's love in us is to be careful to keep our selves under th means of salvation and to look on God as he is presented in the Gospel 79. Some are kept a little longer under the Law before they come under Grace 80. Seasonable afflictions sanctified are evidences of God's love 81. Our love to God is sincere when it comes from the Word and the Spirit and from good things there manifested to the soul 82. If we have God's love no matter what we want or in what condition we be 83. As the Sun doth not alwaies shine out so the love of God is not alwaies manifested 84. Rejoice in thy portion lesse or more whosoever thou be who finds the love of God in the best things 85. The want of feeling of God's love to us causeth the defect of our love to pity piety charity duty 86. He hath need of much reverence watchfulnesse and humility who will preserve himself in the love of God 87. God's love is better then life it self and if we have not this no matter what we have 88. All is love and mercie to those who are in Christ the beloved 89. Christ by his Spirit dwells in all believers therefore they should labour all to be one 90. How excellent were it if all men had the same thoughts the same religion the same aims and affections to good things a thing to be desired but not hoped for 91. If Christ be in the soul then tumults and fightings also for nature is long yielding to grace 92. They that are in Christ must not think it strange or be much troubled with inward oppositions 93. Into whatsoever soul Christ comes he will scourge out the lusts and sweep out the filth of that soul 94. They who entertain Christ onely in the brain give him as bad entertainment as they who forced him in a manger 95. It 's to no purpose or comfort to have Christ in our tongues and the world in our hearts 96. If Christ take up the heart and affection for his rooms then there flows a base esteem of all worldly excellencies 97. Christ was in Zacheus's heart before he was in his house else he had never been so charitable 98. Sometimes it 's needful we trust the judgment of others better then our own to know who dwells in us 99. As the Sun-beams are pure still though shining upon dunghills so is Christs Spirit not joining but wasting and consuming corruption 100. Christ dwells largely in that soul where the Word is its reason the Commandements its will God's glory its joy CENTURY 5. 1. A Heart having once entertained Christ is never content till it be with Christ in heaven 2. It 's dangerous thrusting our selves into such company whom we know to grieve the Spirit of God 3. If the soul apprehend Christ to bee gone let it observe how it lost him and recover him by the contrary 4. Discouragements proceed from carnal outward things but comforts proceed from the presence of divine things 5. Afflictions amongst the wise heathens could not hinder the life of reason and can they among Christians hinder the life of grace 6. God fits Prophets for persons giving them teachers sutable to their desires 7. Where grace is there will be without doubt mercy 8. It 's sign of life when a Christian is sensible of inconveniences 9. God first makes us fit and then makes use of us for to work 10. It 's a true disposition of a child of God to have a heart tender soft and pliable 11. Nothing so hard as the heart of man if wrought upon it must be by an Almighty power 12. The Adamant is only melted by blood so is the heart of man by Christ crucified 13. As water begining to freez will bear nothing almost but after a while any thing so a tender
heart at first doth tremble at the least sin or error but through custome and continuance will bear up any sin or error 14. The more sensible the soul is of outward things the lesse 't is of spiritual things 15. He that sets his love upon the creature loseth the very strength of his soul 16. Wise men when they go about spiritual duties cut themselves short of the use of the creatures 17. Conscience hardned in some great sin makes no stop in fin 18. A heart will not easily be kept tender that is not under the means of grace 19. A Reprobate hath joined with his heart security insensibleness obstinacie and contempt of the means 20. A Christian may have hardnesse of heart and yet feels it as a man that hath the stone and know it 21. If God take away the grace a man hath he becoms worse of himself then he was by nature 22. They that are not bettered by Religion under the means are so much worse by their use of the means 23. Spiritual grief for sin though it be not so vehement as outward grief for losses yet it is more constant 24. If there were no weaknesse in us what need Christ continue making peace for us in heaven 25. They that have a tender heart from God have also a tender heart for God 26. A tender heart is fit to run any errand of God's sending because its pliable 27. Tender hearts lay to heart other mens estates weeping over the misery of the wicked rejoicing at the good of the godly 28. A cerimonial hypocrite is more hard to be wrought upon then Turk or Pagan 29. It 's a disposition not unbefitting the greatest Monarch to humble himself before the great God 30. It 's the glory of a Christian that he hath got grace to humble himself 31. Many are humbled who are not humble and cast down who have proud hearts 32. True sorrow cannot speak distinctly for broken hearts speak but broken words 33. Justification of God and self-condemnation go with true humiliation 34. Hee that thinks highly of himself robs God of his glory and makes himself an Idol 35. An humble heart is a vessel of grace for so much humility so much grace 33. After the measure we empty our selvs in that measure we are filled with the fulnesse of God 37. All grace flows in upon the humble soul as water from the hills into the valleys making the soul rich in God 38. Seeing humble fouls are onely safe and secure we must either humble our selvs or God will 39. God works many times by graceless persons but he doth not work in them 40. Thunderclaps over our heads are feared but not those which are far off so wicked men fear judgment near but regardless if far off 41. If humiliation have not faith and hope to raise the soul to some comfort it turns to desperation 42. True humility makes a man nothing and yet fills the soul in God 43. A wicked man may be sensible of his judgment but not of the cause 44. Adversity will never hurt where there 's no iniquity 45. Outward expressions of sorrow are no further good then when they come from inward grief and affection for God must have inward affections or else he abhors outward actions 46. It 's an easie matter to force tears but it 's hard to afflict the soul 47. It 's the sin of many in stead of renting their cloaths in coming before God come to shew their bravery and to be seen 48. That man is falsly humble and truly proud who while he afflicts the body omits the soul 49. Tears for sin proceeding from inward grief is a temper becoming any Christian 50. All expression and manifestation of devotion is little enough so it be without hypocrisie 51. Magistrates who are tenderly affected with the condition of the people shall have a people carry a tender affection to them 52. It 's great cause of weeping to a gracious heart that it cannot weep 53. It 's a bad sign when we itch to hear of another man's fall thinking thereby to hide our own wickednesse 54. Praier begs blessing from God and thankfulnesse continues them with man 55. Many times there 's most grief where there are fewest tears 56. Spiritual sorrow is a great deal better then naturall for it fats the soul 57. God puts all his children's tears in a bottle But wicked men spare him a labour for they seldom weep though they have most cause 58. A broken heart expresseth it self more in sighs and groans then in words which the Spirit onely understands 59. It 's our wisdom to observe how God hears our prayert that so we may be suitably thankfull 60. He that prayes with a resolution to fin goes to God with a petition in one hand and a dagger in another 61. Whatsoever the crosses of a good man be his last end shal be assuredly blessed 62. God takes notice of every good word and work the godly do and will reward it 63. Hypocrites are recompenced because God will not be in their debt and it 's all their desire 64. When a Christian lookes onely on the ill that 's in him he robs God of his glory and himself of comfort 65. The good are scattered amongst the bad in their life but in death they shall be gathered to God 66. He that joins himself in love and affection to wicked men on earth shall be also joined in torment and destruction in hell 67. God sometimes reservs men in this life to worse miseries then death it self 68. One death is better then many and a sudden sometimes better then a lingring 69. A man may out-live his happinesse so that life it self may prove a judgement 70. Sight of misery works deeper on the soul then the hearing of it 71. Death indeed is the King of fears very terrible but that which is at the back of death is more terrible hell and damnation 72. Some men's death is like Josiahs a mercy and a correction 73. Many times good parents are taken away that they may not see the ruine of their children 74. Good Christians like good corn will sooner be ground to powder then yield either to the rough blasts of persecution or the smooth flattering gales of error and heresie 75. The chief care of the chief Magistrate is for the good of Church and State 76. Man is freed from the Law as it 's his Judge but not as it 's his Counsellor 77. If a godly man go out of the way he shall smart for it and be whipt home again 78. He that hath stuck long in the mire of sin must be haled and pulled out by violence and must not look for peace and comfort presently 79. Wee walk by faith in this world sense and sight is reserv'd for another world 80. No good is to be done to the soul by praiers and cries so long as we are carelesse of purifying the heart 81. Despise not the outward
Ministry of the Word for it is accompanied with the internal power of the Spirit 82. Let not thy affections rove and the world or Divel can do thee no hurt 83. He that suppresseth sin at the first motion shall assuredly find comfort 84. If we mean to come to heaven we must not live in any known sin for it wasts grace 85. A Christian must mend his pace every day that grace may shine more and more to the perfect day 86. Every poor map is not a blessed man except his bodily poverty bring him to spiritual poverty 87. He that hath spiritual comforts hath them cheap if they cost him many a tear 88. The heart is never so chearful as when it powrs out it self in tears and sighs to God 89. Spiritual mourning secures the soul from hell-mourning 90. The way to divert too much bleeding is to open a vein and the onely way to stop unseasonable grief Is to turn our tears against our sins 91. All worldly sorrow must be sorrowed against but sorrow for sin is a sorrow never to be repented of 92. The adventure and the return of the stock of Praier is most certain to increase more and more 93. God forfeits not his Word but we our Praiers when we seek things which crosse God's nature or will or are hurtfull or not necessary in themselves 94. He that knocks at heavens door onely in death deservs to have the door knockt against his head 95. He that would speed in temporal things must first seek spiritual 96. He that desires to speed in praier must go to God with a knowledg and sense of his own insufficiency to succour himself 97. Cold praiers have cold answers for how should God hear us when we hear not our selves 98. They must look to be denied in their praiers who deny Christ in his members 99. The forgetfulnesse of received mercies makes God to forget us 100. He that will be sure to have his praiers heard must make a trade of praier being constant in it CENTURY 6. 1. WE must lay our hand on the plow and then pray that our endeavours may second our devotion 2. To ask grace and not to use the meant is to knock at heavens gate and pull it to us that it do not open 3. He that saies Lord forgive me my sins without a desire to leave them cannot be heard except God forfeit his Word 4. Things inconvenient and unnecessary are profitably denied us 5. If heavenly things were soon obtained they would be soon forgotten 6. He that puts in his petition at one door may willingly go about to another door to have an answer so let God appoint the way and means and deliverance shall be the more speedy 7. Nothing more humbls the child of God then to be buffeted with base temptations 8. When God laies a plaister to our wound we cry take it off when by holding it on the cure is done 9. He hath not lost his praiers but is doubly paid who with the crosses of the world hath his heart driven off from the world 10. He that hath most grace bath most work to do and greatest trials to buckle with 11. He that lets himself loose to any gross sin shall be sure to find it in his praier 12. Some are as unfit to pray as ever David was to march in Saul's armor 13. The bringing forth of a right praier is in a manner like the bringing forth of a child with many throws yet when the child is born there is joy 14. He that sees not the print of his imperfections is neither humble patient nor pitiful not knowing himself brother or God 15. A Verbal confession of frailty without humility mercy and use of the means is meer hypocrisie 16. Man's body in the grace is free from pain but not dishonor 17. Uprightnesse may stand with imperfection beauty with deformity some light some darknesse in the best 18. Our infirmities should be matter of humiliation not desperation 19. He that studies not to know himself will soon grow proud 20. Though the glory of a Saint be not obvious to every eye yet they have an excellencie in them in the midst of all deformities 21. He that see 's not a true Christian to be a glorious creature hath but a fleshly eye 22. It neither comes from good nor works any good to delight in speaking and hearing other men's enormities 23. Some people come to the means at first as children to the School very eagerly but afterward very hardly drawn to it at all 24 No company or comfort should put off the thoughts of death 25. Death will be very terrible to that man who dies not in his thoughts daily 26. It 's an easie matter to speak of death but to bring it home to the heart is very hard 27. Sin unrepented will bring a sting in the time of death filling the heart with sorrow the soul with amazement the conscience with horror 28. Our eies should be casements to let in fresh air not corruption 29. He that laies much upon natures back will break it and he that trusts to natural parts shall be disappointed 30. All carnal pleasures and delights are but poison if grace in the heart be not an antidote 31. Peace of conscience makes a man rejoice in sorrow and live in death 32. He that sees his own wants and weaknesse will often desire to communicate 33. An hypocrite shews sometimes a greater measure of profession then a Christian but is like corn on the house tops that quickly grows and is quickly down 34. All the hands and hearts on earth will do no good upon a resolute sinner 35. A child of God coming to Christ's Table eats judgment to avoid condemnation 36. He that would profit by heavenly mysteries must be knit to them not by the brain but by affection 37. Christ's prepared medicines minister no comfort unlesse applied to our soul 38. We cannot have Christs benefits unlesse we have himself 39. The signs seal no grace to the soul where there is no faith 40. We are very sensible of bodily hunger but soul hunger is hardly felt 41. He that will not be broken from sin shall have no portion in Christ's body broken 42. Gentlemen-like qualities pride pleasure intemperance bring souls apace to hell 43. He that makes a divorce betwixt his soul and corruption is in the state of grace 44. 'T is no presumption but duty to judge by our calling of our election 45. To know there is a Christ and not our interest in him is rather a punishment then a comfort 46. Faith and hope may be distinguished but not separated for faith hath ever hope 47. A fearful doubting soul lives vext in the suburbs of of hell 48. A weak and dumb evidence may be true as the strongest 49. As grace and glory so sin and shame go alwaies together 50. The more sanctified affliction on earth the more weight of glory in heaven 51. It 's all
one to Christ thy surety to pay thy great debts as thy small ones 52. Upon whom God bestows much cost there he looks for some answerable fruits 53. Sin may draw down judgment on a godly man but it shall not rest on him 54. The Church hath evermore received more hurt by discord then open enemies 55. In all diseases take away the proud and dead flesh and the plaister will fall off 56. When the fuel of sin is taken away Gods fiery wrath ceaseth 57. Saints by their great falls lose their communion but not their union with God 58. Of all burthens the absence of God's favour is most intollerable 59. Except healing and pardoning mercy go together man hath no comfort and God no glory 60. It 's very ill when small temptations makes us question the truth of God's promises 61. It 's sad to see carnal men contriving other waies of coming to Christ then ever he ordained or revealed 62. We must go to the promises for enlargement to duty our service requiring no portion but meer poverty and emptinesse 63. He that is content Christ should take all from him and dispose altogether of him hath a holy frame of heart 64. It 's Satan's policy either to let us see no sin or nothing but sin 65. Never any saved but rebells nor received mercy but such as opposed mercy 66. No Scripture saith the greatnesse of man's sin hinders the greatnesse of God's mercy 67. It 's not properly some men's unworthinesse but their pride which hinders them from Christ desiring something in themselves and not to have all from him 68. There 's no limitation of the riches of God's free grace but onely in the sin against the Holy Ghost 69. God shews mercy not because wee please him but because mercy pleaseth him 70. Whatsoever sight of sin unfits a man for mercy that sight is sinful 71. He that depends upon the power and mercy of God in his Ordinances shall find proportionable succour and success 72. When all means fail let the soul look up to God and out from it self being the fittest time to meet God and disappoint Satan 73. As a tree may want leaves and fruit not wanting sap or moisture so a Christian may want sense and feeling when there is faith 74. Sometimes some mens souls are like sullen children refusing their meat because they have not what they would 75. It 's a bad custome some men have never to be well but when judging rashly of their eternal being 76. Some men in hearing study how to find answers to put by their comforts 77. He â—hat listens to carnal pleas sins deeply and wounds his soul dangerously 78. He that enters the lists with Satan concerning God's Decrees will be carried into a wood where no body comes and no comfort to be had 79. We must not measure the riches of God's love nor sweetnesse of his grace by our own conceits 80. In self-judging observe the good as well as the bad and do not lie at the catch with thine own soul to take it at the worst 81. There 's a great deal of evil in that self-willed proud heart who hath all his objections answered yet renews them afresh 82. It 's a sin to reject mercy when God offers it as to kill a man which he hath forbidden 83. It 's better crosse our own humors then crosse God's Spirit 84. Stubborn peevish souls if saved in the end yet they are as it were in hell upon earth 85. Let souls hold to the Word in their dispute with Satan and he will be weary and go away 86. Look from one end of the heavens to the other and see if ever any man leaning upon God was disappointed 87. A soul leavs all other things for that which is chief with the soul 88. Faith gives a kind of being to whatsoever we do or speak 89. We must not think to bring any good to the promises but go to them for all good 90. We must not look for sanctification till we come to the Lord in vocation 91. O precious faith which brings all goodnesse with it grace here happinesse hereafter 92. There would be a sweet mutual peace in God's holy mountain if every one kept in his own limits knowing his duty 93. It 's an eminent and infallible mark of regeneration to have the violence and fierceness of our nature taken away 94. He that refuseth works of mercy to those in need is a murtherer 95. The doctrine of Christ is preached to many but the power thereof extended but to few 96. That man is holy and harmlesse who when opportunity of doing evill is offered can abstain 97. It 's a blessed thing when we are provok'd to forbear to revenge our selves 98. It 's a sign of a woful state when our tongues flie out in words and our hearts are set on mischief in small matters 99 No man can love a saint as a saint but a saint 100. Religion and Rebellion are inconsistent CENTURY 7. 1 NO man is turned unto God but he loves the society he formerly hated 2. It 's dangerous too much to admire fleshly excellency for those gifts of goodness which are in the same 3. As there is a cruell justice many times so there may be a cruel mercy 4. A heart set upon chafing brawling and raging is void of comfort 5. He may be assured of the remission of sin who is released from the bondage of sin 6. No sin so small but there 's an enmity against God in it and a dishonour to God 7. He that would make all comfort sure to himself let him make this sure first that his sins are forgiven him 8. The onely way to quiet our hearts is to hearken what God saies 9. All God's children must be plowed and have the clods of their corruption broken 10. Misery to the righteous is as a sojourner but it rests on the back of the wicked man 11. The means time and measure of afflictions is of God's own appointment 12. The wounds of a friend with holy reproof are precious but his wounds by sinful counsel are pernicious 13. There 's another life besides the natural life and the root of it is Christ our life 14. That nothing can suffice man coms from a divine instinct to make him seek out another life wherein consists happinesse 15. He that finds such an antipathy betwixt his spirit and sin as betwixt him and poison hath true grace in his heart 16. We must hate the conversations of such who hinder us in the growth of spiritual life 17. As without shedding of blood no forgivenesse of sin so without the Spirit sealing the promises to our souls we have no comfort 18. Christ is the fountain of spiritual life but faith is the pipe conveying it to us 19. Better for us to sleep in a house full of Adders and Serpents then in a state of sin 20. Happy practice when with the day we clear the sins of the day fitting
sheets are but Collections out of other mens Works well Sumpsi non surripui and as Varro speaks of Bees de re rust lib. 6. Minime maleficae nullius opus vellicantes faciunt deterius what wrong have I done Si apparet unde sumptum sit aliud tamen quam unde sumptum sit apparet And as nature doth with the aliment of our bodies so do I concoquere quod hausi dispose of what I take Thou findst fault with Barbarisme Tautologie Dialect Method being without Art Invention or Judgement I will confess thou canst not think worse of me then I do of my self Nasutus fis usque licet fis denique nasus Non potes in nugas dicere plura meas Ipse ego quam dixi Yet let me tell thee Primus vestrum non sum nec imus I must abide the censure for Pro captu lectoris ha bent sua fata libelli Opinion alters so in humane race She makes the fancie various as the face Some come as Bees to suck honey others as Spiders are for poison And as the Dutch-host saith in a surly manner Aliud tibi quaeras diversorium betake thy self to some other Book if this please not And to conclude I humbly submit my self to the truly judicious and thorowly learned appealing to their candor intreating them to lay aside the persons of Judges for that of friends this being but a Pamphlet whether the bulk or worth be considered And though in this learned and knowing age wherein so many things are written by those with whom lam not worthy to be named and that I might have spared my pains the world already being under such a glut of Books I am encouraged by a saying of Saint Austins That it is good and profitable to the Church of Christ that the same things be written of by diverse men in diverse books because those books which come to the view of some will not come to the sight of others and by this means the truths of Christ will bee the sooner and easier spread and propagated And therefore to testifie my love to the truth that the sun of righteousness may not go down in our daies I shall exhort all to stick close to the interest of Christ For Christians have agood Master and God's work is such as will improve and crown it self From my Cottage inVdimer near Rye in Sussex 1658. Macte Good Company BEING A Collection of various serious pious Meditations useful for instruction consolation and confirmation Assistente Deo Mart. 18. 1657. CENTURY I. 1. BAd times amongst Christians should have a Christian construction that the changes of the time make us not Changelings 2. It 's a glory to behold amongst men of several opinions one heart and one spirit of grace and heavenliness in them all 3. Bodily misery is to make us sensible of soul-misery God pulling the rope without to make the bell speak within 4. He that lifts his soul out of sin by halfs lifts and lets fall again sinking the soul lower and so the Divel a little stirred and not cast out takes stronger hold 5. So long as we are sinful we must be sorrowful and to be entertained at David's Ordinary is no dishonor his tears were his meat day and night 6 As salt water upon sweet wax extingusiheth the tapour So brackish tears upon the broken heart puts out the blaze of sin 7. Grief without cause is madness and without moderation is hopelesse 8. God is upon the giving hand when he gives a new heart 9. The tear which floweth from the soul of a faithful man out of the sense of evil purifieth the conscience and makes it quiet 10. Since mans fall it hath been his sin not to weep yet too much weeping may be turn'd into sin For tears as they are the effects of sin so they may be the actors of sin 11. Christ alone who wept in the Garden can plead our atonement and by the power of his Passion restore us to comfort 12. Sin brings in sorrow but let not sorrow bring in more sin by causing us to murmure or charge God foolishly 13. God never delivered any man for his repentance and yet never any in mercy without repentance either giving repentance before or with the deliverance 14. Better troubles then sin continue to have peace return and hearts unturned is worse then war 15. Better know five words of Scripture by our own experience then five thousand by anothers Exposition 16. Such is Gods Sovereignty over us that he may use us as he pleaseth and wee must be quiet under his hand 17. There 's no trusting to any creature comforts they be so uncertain 18. No man is without sin yet the afflictions of many are not for their fins 19. True faith is often assaulted but never finally overthrown 20. God's judgments are often secret but never unjust 21. It 's not safe judging of our spiritual estate by God's dealing in our outward estate 22. No condition so low but Gods hand can reach us and save us 23. A choice blessings to have a healthful mind in a healthful body and of the two it 's better that the body be sick then the soul 24. From one sin there 's but a short and easie passage to another 25. Men who are too greedy to know others are too carelesse to know themselvs 26. True reformation is in abhorring not absteining loathing not leaving of sin 27. A good trial of a sincere heart when there 's sweet proportion and godly harmony betwixt our actions justifying one another 28. That is a man's God and treasure wherewith his heart is most affected 29 And as affection shews the heart so affliction discovers both corruption and grace 30. In sin man's deceitful heart abstracts the pain from the pleasure and in godlinesse it severs the crown of glory from the crown of thorns 31. That any thing is coeternal with the Creator is repugnant both to Religion and Reason 32. God from all eternity had the same power of Creation which in the beginning he put in execution 33. No man hath cause to brag of himself his beginning was of nothing 34. Man was created to do the will of the Lord not his own 35. God's gradual proceeding in the creation should occasion man's deliberate meditation 36. The creature was onely made had by sin and proves bad to sinners 37. Man hath no cause to be proud being made of that element on which every creature may set his foot and lay his dung 38. Man's rebellion against the Creator is often punished with the creatures rebellion against himself 39. God is so far from allowing man to live lawlesse in any estate that he put him under law in the state of innocency 40. The fruit we reap of the tree of knowledge is not too much to desire forbidden knowledg 41. It 's the sign of a base mind to think he can win more credit by his garments then his graces for a sanctified soul is
base 39. In our straits consider what we were and shall be ere long and it will work the soul to contentation 40. wicked men thrive often but they are never blessed their prosperity is their curse 41 He that blesseth God in his affliction his affliction shall be a blessing to him 42. That man is full of grace who is composed in word and thought under affliction 43. To be good when we suffer evil is the height of goodness 44. Nature teacheth a man to value his life above the world and grace teacheth to value the soul above the life 45. It 's a woful thing to put off repentance to a pained body which pain is powerful of it self to disquiet the mind 46. He lives miserably who lives by medicines and most miserable who is beyond the help of Physick 47 It 's an holy man's comfort to bee alone and yet they are never alone having an invisible friend to visit them 48. Wicked men think by Satan's perswasions that death is an end of outward trouble 49. Satan makes Duellists most willing when they are most unfit to die 50. Look upon evil as coming from the hand of God and it will quiet thy heart in bearing evil 51. If men did consider that the milk of the Word is the food of the soul they would rather their bodies be without souls then their Churches without Preachers 52. They who carry away the principal Tithes from the Church had rather lose their inheritance in heaven then let Christ have his inheritance on earth 53 If the buyers and sellers in the Temple deserv'd whipping the buyers and sellers of the Temple deserve hanging 54. Church-robbers on their death-beds or in hell will see that sacrilege is the worst of thefts and murthers 55. Church-goods prove as unfortunate to many as the gold of Tholossae to the followers of Scipio 56. Some men think to go to heaven by giving their Ministers the hearing which is all they give them 57. Wit and poverty seldom make up an honest man 58. That man is never truly thankful to God who is unthankful to the means 59. God's glory will make a good man speak when terrour it self hath commanded silence 60. Our Pharisees are worse then the Pharisees of old for they paid Tithes of all they had 61. Some mens shoo-ties cost them more in a year then their souls 62. Great is the affection of a Convert to a Minister who hath been the means of his conversion 63. The Lord hath committed the souls of Magistrates to their Ministers but the bodies of Ministers to the Magistrates 64. Our love to God is best known by our respect to his messengers and usage of his members 65. If persons were prized according to what is in them the world would be rightly ranked 66. The favour of God goes out for nothing in man but the wrath of God goes forth alwaies for something in man 67. The sins and afflictions of men are swiftly carried upon the wings of same and posted about by reports 68. A man then sets his seal to it that he is a friend when he willingly shares in his friends affliction 69. Some friends are like the swallow to come and sit and sing with us in summer but when winter comes they seek for a hotter climate 70. To visit the sick is not a complement but a commanded duty 71. It 's good manners to be an unbidden guest at the house of mourning 72. A suitable end is the grace and beauty of all our undertakings 73. No sicknesse or affliction can wear out the marks by which Christ knows us 74. Silent mournings are the sorest when lifting up the voice vents the sorrow 75. In great sorrows the mind is unfit to take in comfort 76. A talkative comforter is another disease to a sick man 77. Let sorrow have it's way a while and it will make way for comfort 78. Cursing is now made the common weapon of anger and wrath wishes the evil it cannot work 79. Eternity the day of glory is one continued triumph for our birth-day in grace 80 Grace doth not take away sense it heightens nature and doth not abolish it 81. The comfort of every day depends onely upon the blessing of God 82. Honor is but an higher unhappiness â—â—ches are golden thorns and strength ability to bear a heavier burthen 83. The same creature comfort may prove to us a curse or a blessing 84. No man on earth in so sad condition but he may be in a worse 85. Much of the comfort of our lives is brought in by the society of good friend 86. They who have no treasure in heaven cannot but be enraged when the hope of their gain is gon upon earth 87. He that is a knowing christian can hardly sin without a smart upon conscience 88. To commit sin against light is not so great an argument of an evill heart as to be troubled at the light which rebukes them 89. That man's damnation sleeps not who awakes the Devill to shew him sinning opportunities 90. He that loves wages will not stick to do that work which brings in wages 91. In sad times small comforts passe for great merits and in such times the removing of small comforts is a great affliction 92. Disappointment of expectation is no small provocation in the day of trouble 93. That hell is such a night as never shall see the dawning of the day hath more torment and pain then all the pains of hell 94. If God turn not the key of the womb the poor infant must lye in prison making his mothers womb his grave 95. We should consider there 's more of God's power in bringing us into the world then in bringing us out of any trouble in the world 96. Every step of life stands in need of a step of mercy 97. Life is a tempestuous sea-voiage and death brings us to our harbour 98. Paul had an ear to hear those word which his body had no tongue to express 99. To wish things otherwise out of tenderness that God should be offended is both lawfull and commendable 100. Secretly to surmise or openly to complain that the world is not well governed is plain blasphemy CENTURY 10. 1. IN things which we cannot understand let us adore God's secret Justice and unsearchable wisdom 2 Powr out your complaints into God's bosome and let second causes be look't upon but in the second place 3. To bear our crosse is the patience of necessity but to love to bear it hath in it the height of affection and the depth of subjection to Christ 4. Men may put riches with them in the grave but they cannot keep them one moment out of the grave 5. They who fall from God by impiety will quickly fall upon man by cruelty 6. It 's the character of an extream wicked man to be a troubler of the place and peopl where he lives 7. He that followeth sin and serveth pride and ambition serves a hard master
Good Company BEING A COLLECTION Of Various Serious Pious Meditations Christian Experiences Sayings Sentences useful for Instruction Consolation and Confirmation By JOHN MELVIN M. A. Preacher of the Word at Vdimer in Sussex Job 5.27 Loe this we have searched it so it is hear it and know thou it for thy good Erubescit quisque pravam mutare sententiam ne aut inconstans putetur aut diu errâsse seipso Judice teneatur August Nullum majus malum libertate errandi Id. LONDON Printed for Tho. Parkhurst and sold at his shop over-against the great Conduit at the lower end of Cheapside 1659. To my beloved Parishioners the Inhabitants of Udimer such sufficiency of Grace as may bring them to fulness of Glory Gentlemen and Neighbours IN Athens was a Law called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whereby all strangers were compelled to get them Patrons and the custome of Dedicating Books in antient and warrantable If therefore bountiful charitie good esteem of Gospel truths intire love to the Author be inducements to choos a Patrone I need not go far for in my own Parish are all these besides the Gentleman lives amongst you who presented me and hath hitherto been as good as his promise to me and I hope he will continue so besides many other civil courtesies from him in particular and you in general for all which I acknowledge my selfe much ingaged To you therefore I dedicate these my poor pains to testifie the equall duty which I owe and the impartial respect I bear to all to make you all as one Patrone I had a farr and free Call to this place and I have spent almost one full Apprenticeship amongst you who have ever accepted my labours and respected my person though a stranger When you were pleased to make choise of me there was probability of a competent subsistence in reference to the present allowance and the obtained augmentation but this shortly passed over as a cloud without water and was never enjoied the charitable contribution of well-affected people hath been much lessened also by their death which as it is my loss so I hope it is their gain But O the misery of this place beyond others which is no small grief to many of you that out of one Impropriation of 200 l. per annum onely 30 l. should be the painful incumbents allowance and but 8 l. of that pretended to be due the rest lookt upon as a gratuity This is harder measure then the most rigid Sequestrators use to their most supposed enemies allowing them the fift part and tying them to no duty I refer all Impropriators to the serious and timely consideration of these places Mal. 3.8 9 10. Act. 19 37. not onely the light of the Word but the light of Nature condemns it And let men remember that the antient and best Laws of this Nation so and though a toleration at present yet we shall be judged at last by God's Law not man's Adrichomious reports that Ahaz Diall was made of the Brazen Altar of whole burnt Offerings Fecit ex Altari holocausti aeneo 2 King 16 17. it was but poor reparation to set up a Diall with 12 hours in lieu of the 12 brazen Oxen which was under the great sea Thus carnal men conceive Out of Mr. Fullers Pisgah pag. 400. they may safely steal God's Dove stick down a feather in the room thereof Nature will be content with little and Grace with lesse for the just live by faith and comfortably too We must look upon the Apostle 1 Tim. 6.6 7 8 9. I shall onely remember you who are as a remnant left of this sharp but short Visitation of the same Apostles precept Gal. 6.9 this is the main end of my calling and the mark I aim at in publishing and dedicating this to you that by a conscionable observance and kind acceptance you may gain much profit and I much comfort In it you have the variety of many not the prolixity of few points Multum loqui est rem superfluis agere verbis Aug. Ep. 121. In presenting you with this Tract I will put you in mind of the charge of noble Alexander who conquered a great part of the world 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To esteem the whole world as their Country good men as their Country-men the bad as strangers Upon presumption of which I shall not fear to expose my brood as the Eagles do theirs to the raies of the open Sun Give me leave therefore as your loving Monitor to commend unto you the constant reading of the Scripture which may be called your Husbands Jesus Christ's Love-letter all other books being but scribling and pamphlets in comparison of that and to read it all pari pietatis affectu with the same holy reverence and affection yea to translate Scripture into your life that your working and walking may be Scripture explication for as David saith Psal 119.96 I have seen an end of all perfection but thy Commandement is exceeding broad And you have lived in an age to see a glorious King out-live his own and Kingdoms earthly glory besides many other great alterations O that your heart may be a repository to lay up carefully treasure this broad Commandement when all earthly perfections prove false and fading your souls may be furnished with holiness here and happiness hereafter and that you may be sensible that nothing can satisfie but grace or glory or God him self The way to heaven is not strewed with Roses but like the crown of Christ here on earth set with Thorns not smiles and loving embracements from the world but wounds and strokes do await all those who have received the press-money of the Spirit are enrolled for the Christian warfare and every soul must expect that of Jacob to Joseph Gen. 49.23 Therefore the Scriptures not onely makes us wise to salvation 2 lim 3. ver 15 16. and valiant for the truth Jer. 9.3 in these sceptick times but they present us with sundry platforms of the righteous conflicting with many troubles and in all your trials support and anchor your souls with these Scriptures Psal 34 19. Rom. 8.28 whatsoever God takes away from us if he give us a new heart we may conclude he is upon the giving hand and that he hath somewhat else to give when he hath given a love unto and a longing after his truth in the mean time these meditations may be a help to you in bearing all affliction a help to patience in suffering to faith in believing to hope in waiting for the salvation of the Lord. Here are Cordials for the reviving of spirits and medicine for the cure of distempers Antidotes against the infection of spreading and soul-destroying errors caveats against Hell-damning drowning sins Exhorting you to glorifie God in every condition and to have good thoughts and to speak good Words of God who minds us nothing but good and though he should strip you naked yet
or hurt 66. For a man to be stupid and sensless under spiritual afflictions argues a very ill temper 57. As all flowers wither when the Sun withdraws his influence so do all graces when Christ departs 58. Conscience kindles a fire upon the breach of integrity that burns inwardly and consumes the marrow and drinks up the spirits 59. Envie is an everlasting burning which nothing will satisfie but its own blood 60. It makes heavie afflictions light and long short to look where they end for the sight of the end shortens the way 61. Not to be warned by others is a sure presage of ruine for storms begin in one place and end in another 62. The greatest part of ourknowledge is the least part of our ignorance 63. The more worth is in any man the lesse self-conceitednesse and the lower in our own eies the higher in God's sight 64. The fire of heaven turns men into Saints and separates them from sinners 65. If bread fail feed on faith and thou maist make a good living of it for when meat is taken away God will take away the stomach and faith fears no famine it keeps us from diffidence in Gods promises and makes us possess our souls in patience 66. Our self-accusations in our confessions take out the sting and poison of Satan's malicious accusations 67. O! the deep sorrow our hearts should be filled withall when we see Christ bleeding upon the Cross 68. What soul-wound's so deadly that cannot or may not be healed by the death and healing wounds of Christ 69. The woâ—k of faith is to make the soul betake it self to the wounds of Christ as the Dote to the clefts of the rock for shelter and security against all fears and distresses that wrath and guilt may put the Considence to 70. Our whole life is a continual warfare and we must look for the continual hail-shot of Satanical assaults and suggestions 71. Christians fight and faint not your reward is sure your armor is of proof the old serpent hath his head bruised 72. Many tempt Satan to tempt them by venturing on the occasion of sin or by inconsideration and security 73. A full belly and a foul heart seldom go uncoupled for in the Anatomy of our bodies the parts of gluttony and lust are linked together and so are the sins themselvs 74. Too much eating quite takes away our stomachs from all holy duties 75. Holiness becoms all men but best of all publick persons both for example of good and liberty of controlling evil 76. It 's a gross dull capacity that cannot or will not distinguish betwixt the work and the instrument the weakness of the person and the power of the function 77. The glory of Israel the Ark was no waies lessened by coming from the Philistins 78. Far be it from us to think if the sacrificer be unclean that the offering is so 79. Elias was a holy wise man yet he rejected not his meat because Ravens brought it 80. Learning will pine away if forced to officiate at the Tables end for the trencher 81. The Pulpit is a place that requires both learning and industry for Saint Paul found as great want of his books as his Cloak in winter 82. He gives twice who gives speedily for the more speed the more comfort 83 Many a man's Executor proves the Executioner of his Will and Estate 84. It 's a general complaint that the end of our daies out runs the begining of good works 85. The poor most times may thank the death or disease of rich men not their charity 86. Happy is he who makes his candle go before him not behind him for early beneficence hath no danger many joies 87. The use of riches is great if there be qualification in our desires 88 It 's as impossible to expresse the joies of heaven as put the sea into a bottle 89. It 's but justice that he who hath sinned out his own eternity should suffer out God's eternity 90. The object of repenting sorrow is sin not punishment and a good man fears more the committing of the one then suffering of the other 91. Pardoned sin disquiets a repenting heart and grievs him to have been such a beast to offend so gracious a God remembring the sins God hath forgotten 92. He that sheds a sea oâ— tears and drowns not his sins in that sea is never the better 93. He that sighs prays and begs for mercy and lives in sin deceivs himself having no truth in that repentance 94. Every grace which brings to heaven must be a tried grace 95. A man's wealth and will must both be good for if his hands be full and the heart empty he deservs pity more then commendation having riches but neither goods nor blessings 96. It 's said of the Divel he abode not in the truth because no truth is in him so Sectaries abide not in Religion because no Religion is in them 97. Truth once in the heart will dwell and rule there 98. A man may preach soundly and discourse judiciously and yet be unsound at heart 99. A Christian must be careful to avoid all blemishes but especially covetousness as being most contrary to his profession whose hope is in heaven 100. God's children have variety of conditions some more comfortable then others CENTURY 3. 1. THe love of God is constant in the variety of conditions and there 's no shadow of change in God howsoever the changes of our life be 2. How rugged the way to heaven be it 's no matter so we come there 3. A prudent Christian in the variety of conditions knows how to avoid the sins incident to that condition 4. Grace is above all conditions making a man patient in a mean estate and not proud when he doth abound 5. He that hath an inheritance in another world sets a light esteem upon all things below 6. Self-denial is the first lesson in Christs school learn this and thou shalt be content in any condition 7. He that hath God to be his Father hath a large portion in any estate 8. There 's poison in every thing without grace and grace pulls out the sting and finds good in the worst things 9. The best things of a Christian are not at the mercy of the world nor at the mercy of his several conditions 10. Rising and murmuring of corrupt nature in any condition becomes not a true Christian 11. The right use of our daily infirmities is to make them the subject of humiliation and the object of mortification 12. Customary sins are not sins of infirmitie except the ground of the infirmity be rooted in the heart as an inclination to be angry which holy men repent of and get victory over it at last 13. He that pleads for sin discovers a false heart for this is an enormity not an infirmity 14. Universality of obedience is the triall of a sincere Christian being a good man in all his relations 15. Let us not think the good we
do in some things will excuse the bad we do in others 16. The Gospel requires truth and not perfection for sincerity is a Christians perfection 17. The want of wisdom and warinesse is the cause of many a Christians fall 18. A Christian may go very high upwards in good works onely with this exception that he never look to be justified by them 19. The Devill is busie at every good work either in the beginning to hinder it or in the end to defile it 20. No grace stronger then humility none weaker then the proud 21. So much faith as a man carries to Christ so much grace he brings from him 22. Wicked men may be freed from trouble onely the godly man hath grace to carry himself well in trouble 23. Holy men should know the strength of grace in their souls for confirmation of faith and bettering their obedience 24. The more grace the more a man is sensible of spiritual crosses 25. The life of grace is known by our spiritual appetites after the means of grace 26. God will set light by that man's salvation who sets light by his honour 27. Grace onely qualifies a man's actions and affections 28. Where there is no grace there is either all joy or all sorrow 29. Sorrow exceeds when it hinders in our callings as Christians and as men 30. Quietnesse is the stay of the soul to do or receive 31. Sorrow and sin agree in this to bring the soul of a poor man downward 32. The Divel since he cast himself down labours to cast all down 33. It'â— no wisdom to go to the highest step of the laâ—deâ— to our election before wee come to the fâ—ults of it in our sanctification 34. Some seek too much for comfort in sanctification when it should be lookt for in justification 35. It 's vain to trouble our selves with the issue of things for the future and neglect the means for the present 36. Vanity at one time or another brings vexation of spirit 37. A godly man in the greatest trouble recovers himself 38. A godly man who hath laid up store of grace before hand can remove solitarinesse having God and himself to speak to 39. Set thy soul in a right frame when trouble comes and nothing shall hurt thee 40. Every man hath a Court in himself to cite try and condemne himself 41. He that cites and condemns himself puts the Divel and tormenting conscience out of office 42. It 's a miserable thing to desire to know all things and yet not to know our selves to look alwaies abroad and never at home 43. The best work of the new creature is within which the world cannot see 44. Ask sin the reason of this or that and thou shalt find it most unreasonable 45. He that believs God will give him everlasting life will trust him for his daily bread 46. Faith hath a quieting and comforting power with it 47. It 's a shame to see Christians live so unquiet and discontented as if there were no Father in heaven or providence on earth 48. A Christian may mourn like a Dove but not roar like a beast under affliction 49. It 's no matter what the disease be if God be the Physician 50. As in a City men account more of their own house then of all the City biside so more comfort in this word My God then in all the world 51. He that makes God his God makes all other things his also 53. Mercy flows naturally from God as water flows from a fountain 54. God shoot's not his judgments as children arrows at randome but wheresoever they light he hath his aim 55. Happy man who hath God's mind with his rod instruction with correction 56. It 's neither wisdom nor holinesse to allow or defend the least infirmity 57. It 's folly to venture upon fin at any time for we shall at one time or another hear of it 58. They that come not to the Father in Christ by the Sacraments know not his goodness and they that come irreverently know not his greatnesse 59. God the wise Physician who loves his patients alike doth not administer potions to all but according to the nature of the disease and exigent of the party 60. Sick souls make sick bodies God aiming at the cure of the soul in the touching of the body 61. It 's better to be God's prisoner on the bed of sicknesse then sinfully to use health 62. He that sins with company must look to be tormented with company 63. Every stubborn wilfull sinner is a double murtherer of soul and body 64. Every man is naturally willing to deceive and be deceived in the state of his soul 65. Judging of our selvs prevents God's judging for things done in one Court cannot be judged in another by equity 66. As they who have a Plant which bears venemous fruit dig it at the root So if thou wouldst kill sin go to the heart 67. It 's not the having of corruption which damns men but the affections they carry to their corruptions 68. It 's our comfort to groan under infirmities looking upon them as enemies and objects of mortification 69. He that makes no conscience of secret sins shall fall into open sins 70. Poison is dangerously taken in sweet gloves so corruption mingles it self with our best duties 71. When men regard not the manner of doing holy things God regards not the matter 72. The want of sound judgment in some men makes them lay a plaister on a sound place and condemne a true man for a traitor 73. Bless that soul who labours by good counsel to hinder thee from any sinful course 74. It 's the character of a good heart to desire to converse with better then it self 75. It 's wisdome to prevent the trouble of sickness with the trouble of Physick so to judge our sins by conscience here that they bee not judged by God hereafter 76. Christ is very sweet to that soul who is excercised in the search of his own heart 77. It 's an ill time to get grace when we should use it 78. Pardoning mercy and healing mercy go alwaies from God to the godly together 79. When man spares no sin God spares all 80. They that are taken from the evil of the world have aims and ends above the world 81. Inward affections where our joy or delight is are the best discoveries of the state of our souls 82. There 's a concatenation betwixt grace and glory grace is the gate and glory is the reward 83. All the time a carnal man lives is but the time betwixt the sentence and execution 84. It overcomes many tentations many times to have a good conceit of God 85. No flesh without its scum no garden without its weeds no Christian without his failings 86. There 's a vaste difference betwixt the broacher and drinker of Error the one is possest with obstinacy the other with facility lenity and credulity 87. Errors are so dangerous and infectious
that the least error entertain'd prepares the heart for greater and disposeth it to reject all truth at last 88. Seducers arguments are not settling but startling keeping men in a wavering condition 89. Piety and verity truth and godlinesse are like Hippocrates twins living and dying together 90. Sectaries lay out their time in examination of opinions and not of conscience looking after the notions of the brain not the bettering of the heart 91. The endeavour of the erroneus are for party not piety faction not faith not considering so much now a man lives but what doth he hold 92. Seducers may be known by their crooked expression uttering truth and error in one sentence shadowing their opinions with the Veil of godlinesse and their mistakes with the flowers of truth 93. As Physicians give bitter pills in sugar sops so Seducers vent damnable errors in fine expressions 94. It 's no small tentation when men in high esteem for piety and ability fall into error 95. The Seducer changes his opinions as often as he can get customers for his new ones 96. The Polypus by changing his colour hunts and takes the fishes so Seducers serve their followers 97. Seducers arguments are like Spiders webs catching little flies simple Christians 98. Where there 's curiosity and wantonness of brain old truths are rejected as stale meat 99. It 's the Divels policy to reproach true Religion by sending many false ones into the world 100. Men's outward conversation should be no protection to their errors for we are to judge of persons by their faith and not faith by persons Century 4. 1. AS dead Fish are carried along by the stream so are dead Christians by the times 2. The new creature is nursed and born under the Ordinances for faith comes by hearing and grows by the same 3. Men commonly who cast off Ordinances cast off also godlinesse for Ordinances awe men's consciences and keep them in a sober modesty modest sobriety 4. He is but a bad Christian that is so by fits and girds in publick assemblies and not in closets in hearing and not in practising 5. All secondary causes are but the rods of affliction in God's hand therefore we should make our peace with the Judge and not go to the Serjeant 6. Error spreads much by the strangeness of people to their spiritual guides 7. It behoovs us to be wary and circumspect seeing all men may deceive and be deceived some errors are so like truths 8. The clearer the water is the deeper wee see so where there 's least passion there 's most judgment for passion muds the understanding 9. Scripture is the great Standard of truth unto which all opinions must bee brought 10. A man may attain much literal scriptural knowledge and yet the minde of God in the Bible not in the man's heart 11. Religion at some times without profession may be profitable but profession without Religion is alwaies execrable 12. Whatsoever a man receivs upon the account of dispute or argument he is bound to disown when he meets with a more subtil argument or Sophister 13. Every head is not big enough to grapple with the depth of some arguments 14. The arguing of every truth disputes men out of truth into Atheism 15. There 's a holy sympathie betwixt a regenerate heart and a precious truth 16. As Oyle mixeth not with other liquors nor incorporates into no body so the divine unction like a well-spring of water works out all the filth that 's cast into the soul 17. He that hath light in his understanding and no honesty in heart is like a ship with no ballast and a great Sayl lying open to every wind 18. Comfort when not found on earth is very sweet to thy soul from heaven 19. There 's more mercy in God then can be sin or evil in us 20. God who requires rather truth of heart then length of time makes sick souls by a sharp repentance shoot out suddenly that if taken out of the world they may be eternally saved 21. He that is good onely under the Crosse is never good doing it from the fear of punishment not hatred of sin 22. It 's hypocrisie when in sicknesse we desire our recovery not the grace of God 23. It 's the hell of hell to damned souls that they brought themselves thither 24. God in bringing his children home sees the furthest way about is nearest suffering them to fall in sin and by sin to shorten their daies and so occasion their repentance 25. A Child of God at the worst is better then a Worldling at the best 26. We have often more occasion to blesse God for crosses then for comforts 27. There 's a blessing to the godly hidden in the very worst things 28. It argues neither grace nor wit for a man to take occasion to sin because God will save him for though God save such a man's soul he will take such a course with him as to make him deeply repent of trying conclusions with God 29. It requires much wisdom to manage our profession to our own comfort and God's glory 30. Education may civilize but not subdue onely grace makes the new change on the heart 31. Hee who hath tasted of heavenly comforts cannot but shew pity to others which he hath felt from God himself 32. Deliverance shall come when wee are fit to receive the greatest comfort and to render God the greatest glory 33. Never despair of the Church for rather then it shall fail it shall breed in a Lion's den 34. That which is not enjoied with overmuch pleasure is parted withall without over-much grief 35. In great distresse the Spirit of Praier will difference a sincere heart from an hypocrite 36. Such is our own inclination and Satan's temptation that no lesse then an Almighty power can deliver us from evil 37. A true Christians desire is not onely to clear his conscience from the guilt of sin past but to avoid for it the future 38. Grief no further yields comfort then it hath care of prevention 39. The triall of repentance is when we turn not onely from sin but to the contrary good 40. We wrong both the goodnesse and greatnesse of God in not trusting him for the time to come by the experience of former favours 41. Old Christians ought to be strong in faith upon this account that their old favours should help them to set upon new 42. Wicked men have not any bettering deliverance no preservation but a reservation to a worse 43. Doing ill is the cause of all ills and we may thank our ill in doing for ill in suffering 44. The Crosse neither daunts the godly man's courage nor stains his conscience 45. A purpose to live in one sin is enough for the Divel to hold his possession and in death to claim us for his own 46. He that hath not a care to prevent sin never yet truly did repent for sin 47. It 's ridiculous for Duelists to go to