be discerned by many things it worketh which are the fruits of it and by the fruits of Faith wee may know faith it selfe Faith is like the roote of a tree that lyeth vnder the ground and cannot be seene without much digging but by the fruit the tree beareth wee may know what kinde of roote it hath and of what sort it is Now the fruites of faith are these that follow and such like as 1. Loue to God and the godly for faith worketh by loue Gallat 5. 6. 2. Cleannesse of the thoughts and affections For faith purifieth the heart It maketh a man striue after inward purity as well as outward to get a cleane heart as well as cleane hands It worketh humiliation for inward sins as well as outward Act. 15. 9. and driues a man to seeke pardon in the Name of Christ for all sorts of inward perturbations and secret euils 3. Victorie ouer the World Faith ouer commeth the world 1 Iohn 5. 4 5. and so it doth when it maketh a man so rest vpon God and his truth and promise as if he be put to it to deny the respect of his owne credit or profit or pleasures or the displeasure of carnall friends or his hopes in matters of this world resting satisfied with the expectation of the treasures and pleasures of a better world yeelding himselfe ouer to be guided by Christ and his truth vnto the death Psalme 18. 14. Hee liues by his faith Gal. 2. 20. 4. Humilitie For a true faith excludes boasting of our owne labours gifts or praises and makes vs able out of the sense of our owne vilenesse to acknowledge all the glorie to Gods free grace and loune in Iesus Christ Rom. 3 27. Gal. 3. 22. The confession and profession of the truth Faith will make a man speake in defence of the truth I haue beleeued therefore haue spoken saith Dauid Psalme 116 which the Apostles plead to proue their faith also 2 Cor. 4. 13 14. 6 The putting on of righteousnesse which is not by the workes of the Law done by vs. The application of and relying vpon the righteousnesse of Iesus Christ is the proper and onely worke of true faith Rom. 10. 7 It opens a spring of graces in the heart of a true Christian he that is a true beleeuer is qualified with sundry heauenly gifts which were not in him by nature which gifts do daily discouer themselues in his heart flowing from thence as if there were a spring of liuing water in his belly Sanctification of the Spirit and faith of the truth be inseparable Iohn 7. 38. 2 Thess. 2. 13. CHAP. V. The tryall of a godly man by such heauenly gifts as serue him in his iourney to Heauen THus of his tryall in his humiliation and in his faith It followeth in the third place to try him by his gifts which are the fruits of faith The true Christian differs from the wicked man in two sorts of gifts Some of them are such gifts as are bestowed vpon him from aboue but serue him onely for spirituall vse while he is on the way in his iourney to Heauen and so onely in this life such as are the sacred thirst The loue to the word and meanes of his holinesse The spirit of supplication The loue of his enemies and his desire after the apparance of Iesus Christ. Other gifts hee hath which will accompany him home into his heauenly Countrey and abide vpon him for euer and are not abolished by death such as are sauing knowledge the loue of God and the loue of the godly First therefore of those heauenly gifts which will passe away and so he is qualified with fi◅e distinct holy gifts which cannot be found in any reprobate The first is his holy thirst which is an heauenly kind of appetite by which hee is carried to the desire of things aboue nature such as are the merits and righteousnesse of Christ the fauour of God the presence of God the full deliuerance from all sin the remouing of spirituall iudgements the saluation of other men and the like and this thirst is a signe the more infallible 1 Because it is constant and indelible in this life There is no part of this life but it continueth either in the sense of his affection or in the iudgement of his vnderstanding so as hee accounts spiritu◅ll things to bee the best things and though at some times his affection may be the lesse moued after them yet his appetite is daily renewed as it is in the hunger or thirst that is bodily 2. Because it is industrious For this holy thirst will guide him to a carefull vse of all the meanes by which good things may bee attained and doth not breathe it selfe out onely with sudden and vaine wishes or flashes of desire Psa. 27. 4. 1 Pet. 2. 2. Psa. 63. 1 2. Psa. 1. 2. Acts 2. 37. 3. Because it workes a constant and secret meditation of heauenly things desired the heart frequently seekes after God day and night Esa. 26. 9. Psal. 63. 1 6. For what wee desire feruently wee thinke on almost continually 4. Because if the Lord quench his thirst and satisfie his desire in spirituall things the soule becomes as a watred garden and then followes in him an heauenly kinde of satisfaction and contentment with singular delight in the soule and vowes and wishes of infinite and eternall thankfulnesse Psalme 63. 4 5. Ieremiah 31. 25 26. And thus much of the first gift Secondly The loue to the Word is another signe that hee is the Child of God and a cleare euidence of his saluation Now because all sorts of wicked men may resort to the exercises of the Word and those that haue but a temporarie faith may shew a great estimation of the VVord and find ioy in the hearing of it and shew much zeale in things that concerne the word and may yeeld some obedience to the directions of the VVord also it is profitable to consider how the true Christian may proue that his affection to the VVord is more sincere then that affection which any wicked man can bring to the word And thus he may find that his heart is sound in his loue to the Word by these markes 1 By his manner of receiuing it when hee doth receiue the Word as the Word of God and not of men setting his heart before Gods presence being affected as if the Lord himselfe should speake vnto him This no wicked man dares doe he dares not present himselfe with the whole intendments of his heart before the Lord. For this signe the Apostle Paul acknowledgeth the Thessalonians to bee true Christians 1 Thess. 2. 13. 2 By his appetite to his Word For there is in a godly man as true an hūger after the Word as the food of his soule as there is in his stomacke after the food of his body which shewes it selfe to be the more
of thy particular conscience The least gaine that can bee imagined by this course is that whereas before thou hadst few euidences or none for thy estate thou shalt now haue many of all sorts and it must needes bee thy owne way wardnesse if assurance follow not For these signes will ransacke thee and try thy very heart and reignes and all thy secretest desire and practices Yea this benefit thou maiest reape by the signes that they wil tell thee all the dayes of thy life how it is with thee whether thou goe forward or backward For if by examination now thou gather out all thou canst finde by thy selfe these will not onely lie by thee to helpe thee against any temptation at any time but besides if thou try thy selfe againe either against the next Sacrament or the next yeere thou mayest discerne what ground thou hast gotten or lost If thou prosper thou wilt discerne it by taking in diuers things in each signe which before thou durst not acknowledge and besides it will exceedingly shew thee what thou wantest in each grace of God and so what thou shouldest set thy selfe about and get thy wants supplyed It will at all times make a true Anatomie of thy estate which to the well aduised Christian ought to bee accounted a matter of great moment The God of peace giue thee all peace and ioy in beleeuing If thou receiue any good by this Treatise praise God and pray for me FINIS THE SIGNES OF THE WICKED MAN TOGETHER WITH Directions that shew how the seuerall Gifts and Graces of Gods Spirit may be maintained NEEDFVLL FOR SVCH AS want those Graces and for such as desire to increase in them By N. BIFIELD late Preacher of Gods Word at Isleworth in MIDDLESEX LONDON Printed by Iohn Legatt and are to bee sold by P. Stephens and C. Meredith at the golden Lyon in Pauls Church-yard 1630. TO THE MVCH HONORED LADIE the Ladie Bridget Tracie Nicholas Bifield wisheth all prosperity in the things of the Kingdome of CHRIST MADAM BEing destitute of a better gift to bestow vpon your Ladiship to testifie my thankefulnesse or obseruance I present this little Treatise vnto you It may haue more vse then it shewes for For if things shine more cleerly when their contraries are set by them then may this description of the estate of a wicked man by Signes serue much to establish the godly in the point of Assurance when he seeth himselfe freed from those fearefull forlorne markes And if men vse to make much of all those directions by which any gaine or treasure may be certainely compassed then ought the Directions not to bee despised that shew how the Spirit of God and the Graces thereof may bee attained For by these directions both those that want the true graces of Christ may here learne how to get them and such as haue them but in weake measure may by the same Rules learne how to increase them I haue beene induced to thinke of your Ladiship in this Dedication partly in acknowledgement of the great respect due to the Family out of which you came as it hath beene a principall meanes of causing the light of the Gospel for many yeeres to shine in those places where the people had sitten in darkenesse and in the shaddow of death And partly drawne by the many praises I haue obserued in your Ladiships since the time of your noble soiourning in the noble Familie you now liue in Your great respect of my Ministery and your constant paines to employ your selfe about religious duties deserue from mee more acknowledgment then so meane a gift as this can discharge Madam you are happy aboue many that God hath inclined your heart to beare the yoke of Christ in your youth and discerne the glory of the spirituall kingdome of Iesus Christ. Your meeknesse assures me libertie to beseech you to goe on in the good way of God and to cleane fast with all heartie affection vnto the Truth as you haue learned Iesus Christ. It shall bee a great increase of your glory to increase in the knowledge and grace of Christ and in sound deniall of your selfe and contempt of the world to fashion your selfe to all the courses by which you may bee pleasing in the eyes of God whiles multitudes in the Gentri◅ of the land of both sexes by following foolish vanities forsake their owne mercie Now the God of peace sanctifie you throughout so prosper his owne worke in you that your whole spirit and soule and body may bee preserued blamelesse vnto the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ March 9. 1618. Your Ladiships to bee commanded in Christ Iesus N. BIFIELD THE CONTENTS THE Preface shewing the necessitie of the tryall of mans estate and the causes why wicked men will not try themselues and also why diuers godly persons are negligent herein Page 119. to 209. CHAP. I. THirtie signes of an open wicked man pag. 209. to 218. CHAP. II. THirteene signes of an hypocrite pag. 218. to 222. CHAP. III. SIxteene signes of such Professors as are likely to fall away page 222. to 226. CHAP. IV. SEuen arguments of hope that shew a wicked man that he may bee saued if hee will bee directed page 226. to 230. CHAP. V. HOw hee may get faith page 230. to 234. CHAP. VI. HOw he may get to be poore in spirit pag. 234. to 239. How hee may attaine godly sorrow page 239. to 245. CHAP. VII HOw the Spirit of Adoption may be had pag. 245. to 247. How hee may get alone to the Word pag. 247. to 250. How hee may get the gift of prayer pag. 250. to 255. How he may attaine to the feare of God pag. 255. to 256. How he may be made to loue his enemies page 256. to 258. CHAP. VIII HOw sauing knowledge may be gotten and increased pag. 238. to 260. How the loue of God may bee wrought in vs. pag. 260. to 262. How the loue of the godly may be attained and how it may bee preserued pag. 262. to 366. CHAP. IX HOw vprightnesse and sound sincerity of conuersation may be attained pag. 266. to the end THE PREFACE TO THE CHRISTIAN and carefull Reader HOw necessary it is for all sorts of men in the visible Church to trie their estates whetherthey be true Christians or no may appeare by the expresse charge giuenin the Scriptures concerning it The Apostle Paul chargeth men to examine themselues whether they be in the faith and whether Christ Iesus be in them vnlesse they be reprobates 2. Cor. 13. 5. And the Apostle Peter would haue all Christians diligently to make their calling and election sure 2. Pet. 1. 10. And the like commandemēt lay vpon them in the Church of the Iewes in the old Testament as may appeare by that exhortation Lam. 3. 40. Let vs search and try our wayes and turne againe vnto the Lord and the Prophet Dauid in this case chargeth men to commune with their owne hearts Psal. 4. 4. How
I haue likewise out of the Scripture gathered the rule of Life which will shew him distinctly how he should carrie himselfe towards God and towards men in all parts of his life how hee should behaue himselfe at home and abroad in company and out of company c. and all this shewed him by the expresse words of the Scriptures In the fifth place if a man aske himselfe what yet he wants that is necessarie for his state he may and ought to bethinke himselfe of this question What are those necessarie truths which God hath absolutely tied him to know and beleeue without which he cannot bee saued and which are fundamentally needfull for him To this end I haue collected a fift Treatise called the Principles which are an extract out of all the Doctrine of religion of such truths in euery part of religion as a man is bound of necessitie to know And this I haue not onely proued by Scripture but shewed what vses hee may put such knowledge to all the dayes of his life The sixt and last thing which ought to bee enquired after is how a man thus fitted to liue the life of God may also bee cured of the feare of death and to this end I haue published that Treatise of the Cure of the feare of Death which shewes plaine and comfortable wayes how any Christian may deliuer his heart from those feares I suppose that no man that readeth this will conceiue that any of these is needlesse And as I would aduise such Christians as abound with abilitie and lâ—…isure to furnish themselues with the labours of such worthy Diâ—…ines as haue written of any of those subiects so vnto such Christians as haue not that abilitie or leysure I commend these Treatises both for their breuity and the distinct digesting of the things he would seek after there being nothing of mine in these but the labour of disposing them the maine substance of them being Gods owne Word and things deuised and inuented by God himselfe I may lawfully commend the care and study of these things vnto thee and that with so much authority from the Lord as to tell thee that thou maiest not safely bee negligent in any of these if thou consider the worth of them or thy owne nâ—…ed If thou say that here is prescribed a hard tasâ—…e and so many things are to bee done as may make any man afraid to mâ—…ddle with directions of such variety and number I answer that in many of these Treatises the way is not made harder then is required or in the doctrine of the Church manifested but rather things are made more plaine and so more easie Besides thou knowest already that the way to heauen is a narrow and straight way and fâ—…w find it But especially thou shouldest weigh with thy selfe the great encouragements and motines to abide the hardship and difficulties of any godly and necessary course Though the way to Canaan with the Israelites were through a solitary wildernesse yet it should comfort thee that it is but a way of three dayes as they say being about to get out of Egypt God will keepe thee at worke but a little time and therefore thou shouldst not thinke much of thy paines And further thinke of it that this is a course of wonderful comfort and safety when a Christian followes the euident directions of Gods Word in these most weighty things he walks safely He is in the good way the way of life the way of peace he is sure to see the saluation of God To follow those directions soundly is to keepe our soules All Gods waies will be mercy and truth to vs. God will cause vs to heare his louing kindnesse in the morning Our way will be full of refreshing Gods waies are wayes of pleasure and if any man set himselfe exactly to take notice of Gods will in these things and will be at paines to store his heart distinctly in such solid truths it is certaine the Lord will recompence his way vpon him God will not cast away the exact man till he fill his mouth with laughter as it is said Iob 8. 20 21. Sure it is that in the study of these things lyeth the way of eternity and though thou thinke the way to be hard and narrow yet this may somewhat case thee it is a plaine way For the simple may profit by it as is auouched to bee true of all the courses which God by his Word so expresly required Psal. 119. Isaiah 26. 7. 52. 16. Prou. 8. And besides thou hast many helpes the word of God will not only shew thee what to dâ—…e but it will beget in thee a secret power to doe it God will teach thee to profit and the Spirit of God will helpe thy infirmitie and God will send his Angels to guide thee in thy way Christ will be the Way and the Life to thee And thou hast good company for this is the old way the way of all Gods seruants in the substance of the course Onely before thou set vpon any of these directions let mee giue this generall aduice to looke to these few things First thou must giue ouer and forsake vngodly company for else it is in vaine to meddle with any religious course as these places will shew thee Psal. 1. 1 2. Prou. 4. 14 15. 9. 6. 23. 19 20 29 27. Psal. 26. 2 Cor. 6. Secondly thou must get thee into the way of good men prouide for thy self â—… if it be possible the fellowship and societie of godly persons Prou. 2. 20. Isai. 19. 23 24 25. For this fellowship will take away the tediousnesse of the way and much preserue thee against giuing ouer and their examples will bee as patternes for thee and by acquaintance with them thou wilt be brought into acquaintance with God himselfe Isaiah 16. 23 24. 2 Cor. 6. 16 17 18. Prou. 2. 20. Thirdly thou must remember to pray vnto God by all meanes to direct thee and shew thee the way in all these things thou must beg a way of God and beseech him to remoue from thee all lying and deceitfull wayes Ezra 8. 21. Psal 119. 26. Ier. 2. 33. Fourthly thou must when thou comest to Gods directions lift vp thy soule and giue not way to thine owne carnall reason and the sluggishnesse of thy owne nature and the deceitfulnesse of thy owne heart but let the Lord see thou art willing to doe any thing thou canst Psal. 143. 8. Bring a mind desirous to obey in all things By any meanes take heed thou be not like those complained of Isaiah 58. 2. that haue a great mind to know Gods wayes and to read all sorts of directions as if they sought righteousnesse in a speciall manner of care and yet do not follow any of the courses they so much desire to knâ—…w seeme to commend and like If euer thou wouldest haue thy soule to dwell at
hastening of it Neuelat 22. 10. 4 By his daily care to dispach all those godly duties which hee desires to doe before his death and accordingly by his willing disposing of his estate and endeuours to set his house in order And this desire of Christs comming is apparently the more sincere in him 1 Because it ariseth out of his loue to God and his hatred of his owne sinnes and his wearinesse vnder the obseruation of other mens sinnes 2 Because this desire is accompained with the care of the meanes by which he may be prepared for saluation 3 Because hee is thus affected euen in his prosperity when hee thrines in the world and is not in any uotable distresse Hitherto of his triall in such gifts as he is endowed withall in this life onely his triall in the gifts that will abide in him for euer follow CHAP. VI. His triall in respect of such heauenly gifts as will not bee abolished by death THe gifts that will abide in him for euer are these three Knowledge the loue of God and the lou◅ of the brethren These are perfected and not abolished by death And first in this knowledge he differs from all wicked men and so in diuers things as First in the things he knowes he knowes the nature of God in a right manner he knowes God in Iesus Christ hee knowes the vilenesse of his owne sinnes hee knownes after an effectuall manner the mysteries that concerne the saluation of his soule hee knowes his owne conuersion and the forgiuenesse of his sinnes and the things that are giuen him of God Math. 13. 13. Iohn 17. 3. Ier. 31. 34. 1 Cor. 2. 12. Hee knowes that Iesus Christ is in him 2 Cor. 13. 5. Secondly In the cause of his knowledge For flesh and blood did not reueale those things vnto him hee came not by them by the vse of naturall meanes but they are wrought in him by the word and Spirit of God Mathew ◅6 17. 1 Iohn 2. 27. and 5 10. 1 Cor. 1. 30. Thirdly In the effects of his knowledge for 1. It breeds in him an vnspeakeable refreshing and gladnesse of heart in Gods presence Psalm 36. 9 10. Psalme 119. 2 It inflames him to a wonderfull loue of the Word of God aboue all earthly things Psalme 119. 97 98. 3 It workes in him an effectuall sauouring and tasting of the goodnesse of spirituall things Rom. 8. 5. 4 It inclines him to a constant obedience and practise of Gods will Prou. 8. 9 17. Iohn 7. 17. Deut. 46. It redresseth his waies Psalme 1◅9 10. 1. Iohn 2. 3. and 3 24. 5 It beares downe pride and conceitednesse and frowardnesse and makes him humble and teachable Prou. 3. 5 6. and 8 13 14. Iames 3. 17. Fourthly In the proprieties of his knowledge for 1 It is infallible his knowledge hath much assurance in many things with strong confidence and resolution at some times especially when hee is before God 1 Thes. 1. 5. 2. It is indelible it cannot be vtterly blotted out it is fast grauen in his heart cōtrary doctrine or persecution cānot raze it out Ierem. 3◅ 34. Ephes. 4. 13. Pro. 4. 5 6. 4. It is sincere for first it inclineth him to giue glory to God and receiue all truth as well as any truth He receiues the doctrine of God though it bee aboue reason against the common opinion of men or crosse his profit or desires or the like Secondly it leades him principally to vnderstand his owne way and guides him to study the things chiefly that concerne his owne reformation and saluation Prou. 14. 8. Col. 3. 16. And thus he differs from wicked men in his knowledge Secondly in his loue to God hee hath these things which no wicked man can attaine to 1. Hee hath a deliberate inward inflamed estimation of God aboue all things accounting his louing kindnesse better then life and the signes of his fauour his greatest ioy Psal. 63. 3 11. 2. He loues and longs for the Lord Iesus Christ with certaine and sincere affection Ephe. 6. 24. 2 Tim. 4. 8. 3. He delights in Gods presence and shewes it by his vnfained loue to his house Psal. 26. 8. and by his heartie griefe for Gods absence Cant. 3. 1. and by his carefulnesse to set the Lord daily before him walking in his sight Psal. 16. 8. 4. He hates sinne heartily because God hates it and he dislikes sinners because they hate God accounting Gods enemies as if they were his owne enemies Psal. 139. 21 22. and 97. 10. 5. He constantly desires to be like God in holinesse being carefull to approue his affection to God by his obedience to his commandements so as it is not grieuous to him to receiue directions but serues God with all his heart being fearefull to displease God in any thing Ioh. 14. 21. 1 Ioh. 5. 3. Deut. 10. 12. and 11. 22. and is more affected with Gods approbation then al the praise of men Rom. 2. 29. 6. Hee is much affected with Gods mercie and the blessings bestowed vpon him which hee thankefully remembers to the praise of Gods free grace Esay 63. 7. Psa. 63. 2 3 4 6 8. and 107. 22. Iob 36. 24. Deut. 16. 2. 7. Hee loues all the godly for this reason chiefely because they are like vnto God in holinesse as being begotten by him 1 Iohn 5. 1. 8. Hee is heartily vexed for any dishonour done to God as for any disgrace offered to himselfe 9. Finally He shewes it in diuers cases that befail him in his course in this life as 1. If he bee put to suffer any thing for Gods sake he endures it with much ioy and patience 1 Thes. 1. 6. Acts 5. 14. Iohn 22. 15 to 19. 2. If at any time hee offend God by his owne faultinesse hee is heartily grieued cast downe and doth constantly desire to forsake any sinne though neuer so pleasing and gainefull vnto him rather then he would displease God Math. 26. 75. 3. In all streights and wants he runnes to God relying vpon God as his defence rocke and refuge in all times of troubles making his moane vnto him and powring out his prayers and complaints before him Psa. 18. 1 2. Thus of his loue to God Thirdly his loue to the godly doth also distinguish him from all the wicked men in the world because here are diuers things to be noted in his affection to them which cannot bee found in wicked men 1. As first he loues the godly aboue all other sorts of men in the world he accounts them as the onely excellent people Psal. 16. 3. 1 Iohn 3. 14. and affects them as if they were his naturall kindred Rom. 12. 9 10. 2. He loues them not for carnall respects but for the graces of God in them for the truths sake and because they are begotten of God 1 Iohn 5. 1. 2 Iohn 1. 2. 3 Iohn 1. 3. He delights in their fellowship and societie in
cannot haue such force to melt the waxe as the beames of Gods presence haue to melt the heart Iames 4. 6 7 3. 7. The Apostle Paul being a sturdy Pharisee had his heart beaten to power with the feare of the tenth Commandement that told him Hee must not lust The knowledge and consideration of the abundance of sinne-guiltinesse he hath drawne vpon himselfe by the inward fruits of his euill nature kil'd him outright brake his pride and mortified him as hee at large repeates Rom. 7. 8 Remember the passion of thy Sauiour the pouerty banishmēt ignominie temptations the apprehension forsaking arraignment condemning and cruell death which hee suffered for thy sinnes Looke vpon him that was pierced for thy sake Zach. 12. 10. 9. If of thy selfe thou canst not yet attaine vnto sorrow for thy sins get some godly Christian that is endued with the gift of prayer to ioyne with thee in priuate that so the Lord may bee pleased to grant in Heauen what we of him doe aske on earth 10. Lastly If all other meanes faile then set a day a part by fasting for the day of a fast was called the day of afflicting or humbling the soule Leu. 16. 29. both because it was the maine duty to bee driuen after on that day and besides because the Lord vsually did blesse his owne ordinance so as hee gaue an humbled heart to those that sought it of him CHAP. VII Shewing how the Spirit of adoption may bee attained and also how the seuerall gifts of the Spirit may bee framed in vs. THus of humiliation If followeth that I shew how he may attaine to the other sacred gifts which are markes of a godly man as in the first sort of gifts how he may attaine to the loue of the Word the gift of Prayer the f◅are of God the loue of his enemies and the desire of the comming of Christ But before I enter vponthese it is necessary to shew him how he may attain the Spirit of Adoption which is necessary for these al other graces And concerning the Spirit of Adoption if any aske how it may bee attained Or rather how it may bee stirred vp in vs that we may feele his working in vs I answer That hee is had and stirred vp by inuocation God is pleased to declare himselfe willing and ready to bestow his Holy Spirit vpon men If they aske him of him by hearty praier Hee that hath giuen vs his Sonne will not deny vs the Spirit of his Sonne to be giuen into our hearts Gal. 4. 6. And this our Sauiour Christ assures vnto vs in the Parable Luke 11. 9. And I say vnto you Aske and it shall bee giuen you Seeke and ye shall find Knocke and it shall be opened vnto you 10. For euery one that ask◅th receiueth and hee that seeketh find◅th and to him that knocketh it shall be opened 11. If a Sonne shall aske Bread of any of you that is a Father will he giue him a Stone Or if he aske a Fish will he for a Fish giue him a Serpent 12. Or if hee aske an Egge will he giue him a Scorpion 13 If yee then which are euill can giue good gifts vnto your children how much more shall your heauenly Father giue the Holy Ghost to them that desire him 2 Wee must waite vpon the preaching of the Gospel where the Holy Ghost vsually falls vpon the hearts of men 3 When we feele the motions of the Spirit knocking at our hearts or any way surprising vs we must with all readinesse open the doores of our hearts that the King of Glory by hi◅ Spirit may enter into vs. The next question is then What wee should doe to get and preserue in vs the constant loue to the Word 1 The answer is First That we should seeke to settle our selues vnder the powerful preaching of the Word euen such a ministerie as doth set out the glory of the truth and of the Kingdome of Iesus Christ. 2 Wee must make conscience of it to pray vnto God to quicken vs and inflame our hearts to the loue of his Lawes as Dauid often did Psa. 119. 3 Take heed of excessiue cares and the ouer-reaching of desires in the emploiments of the world or the immoderate vse of worldly delights for those choake the seed of the Word and alienate the affections from it and so doth any grosse or beloued sin Heb. 3. Math. 13. 4 Take heed also of personall discord with such as feare God especially with thy Teachers for this doth by secret degrees make the heart carelesse and negligent and in some things wilfull and if it be not looked to in time will bring men from the liking of the Word as they haue been drawne from the liking of such as loue the Word 5 Take heed of vngodly companie For in such companie is quenched the sparkles of liking when they are kindled yea and the flames of affection are much dulled in whom they are best excited Psal. 119. 115. 6. Such as find some beginnings of desire after the Word and liking to it must take heed that they estrange not themselues from the exercises thereof For if they heare or reade but now and then either the heart will neuer bee throughly heated or if it bee it will easily waxe cold againe and yet herein some are to bee warned to take heed of disordered excesse for that will breed dulnesse as well as neglect As when they will reade daily for diuers houres or when they prouide vnto themselues an heape of Teachers as some that liue in great Cities thinke it Religion to heare all sorts of men and all the Sermons can bee come vnto As if the power of godlinesse lay onely in the vse of the meanes of godlinesse 7. We must practise what we heare and labour to shew foorth the fruit of the doctrine He that would bee in loue with husbandry must sow his seed in his ground and then the gaine of the Haruest will still allure him to like the Trade If wee be fruitlesse hearers of the Word wee cannot loue it or if we doe it will be but for a flash or small time Thus of the loue to the Word He that would learne to pray must follow these directions 1. He must goe to God in the Name of Christ and beseech him to giue him words and by his Spirit teach him to pray It is God onely can make a man speake a pure Language For hee onely can instruct the heart of man and endue it with this heauenly gift Romans 8. 26 Ephesians 6. 18. 2 It will much helpe him to ioyne himselfe to such as call vpon the N◅me of the Lord with a pure heart ◅specially in the dayes of their humiliation 2 Timothy 2. 22. 3 There are three distinct things which a man may with singular profit propound vnto himselfe in his prayers
Sonne Iesus Christ our Lord. Secondly the Decree of God concerning which the Apostle saith That the foundation of God remaineth sure hee knoweâ—…h who are his Though Hymeneus and Philetus fall away yet none that call vpon the name of the Lord and depart from iniquity can euer be lost 2 Tim. 2. 19. Thirdly the attributes of God and so there bee three things in God may wonderfully settle vs against this feare The one is his faithfulnesse The other is his power The third is his immutable loue All three are laid to pawne for the performance of this preseruation so pleaded in Scripture For his faithfulnesse the Apostle thence concludes that the godly shall bee confirmed to the end as was alleadged before 1. Cor. 1. 8 6. and so he reasoneth writing to the Thessalonians The Lord is faithfull who shall stablish you and keepe you from euill 2 Thess. 3. 3. And of the power of God these places speake we are kept by the power of God to saluation 1 Pet. 1. 5. I know saith Paul whom I haue beleeued and I am perswaded that hee is able to keepe that which I haue committed to him against that day 2 Tim. 1. 12. Now vnto him that is able to keepe you from falling saith Iude and to preserue you faultlesse before the presence of his glory with exceeding ioy to the onely wise God our Sauiour be glory and maiestie dominion and power now and euer Iud. 24. And for the loue of God that it is vnchangeable there is apparent proofe Whom he loueth he loueth to the end Iohn 13. 1. so as we may bee confident in this that hee which hath begun a good worke in vs will performe it till the day of Christ Philip. 1. 6. Fourthly wee haue the seale of God for it and he hath giuen vs earnest that we shal certainly enioy the inheritance purchased for vs. And thus euery one that beleueth is sealed by the holy Spirit of promise which is our earnest Eph. 1. 14 15. and therefore we shall be established 2 Cor. 1. 22. Now for the second If any aske how God will doe this I answer that the Scripture shewes how this will be performed thus For 1. God will not cast off his people he will neuer forsake his inheritance Psal. 94. 14. 1 Sam. 12. 22. For the Lord loueth iudgement and forsaketh not his Saints and therefore they are preserued for â—…uer Psal. 37. 28. 2. God will put his feare into their hearts that they shall not depart from him For this is his Couenant with his people that he will not turne away from them to doe them good and hee will put his feare into them that they shall not depart from him Ier. 32. 40 41. 3. To make all the surer he will put his Spirit into them which shall leade them into all truth and cause them to keepe his statutes and to doe them Iohn 14. Ezech. 36. 4. He will vphold them and order their wayes and keepe their feet that they fall not The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord and he delighteth in his way Though he fall he shall not vtterly bee cast downe for the Lord vpholdeth him with his hand Psal. 37. 23 24. He holdeth our soule in life and suffereth not our feet to bee moued Psal. 66. 9. He will keepe the feet of his Saints 1 Sam. 2. 9. 5. Lastly God will worke their workes for them and continually assist them with his presence and blessings Esa. 26. Ezech. 36. Phil. 2. 13. And thus the comforts that we may gather from God Now secondly in Christ there are three things may minister much establishment in our harts against this feare 1. His intercession hee hath specially prayed for vs that God would keepe vs from euill Iohn 17. and therefore is able to saue vs to the vttermost because hee euer liueth to make intercession for vs Heb. 7. 15. 2. The consideration of his office herein It is his worke to be Omega as well as Alpha to bee the finisher of our faith as well as the author of it He is the end as well as the beginning Reuel 21. 6. Heb. 12. 2. 3. The power of Christ. None can take vs out of his hand Iohn 10. and as was said before he is able to saue vs to the vttermost Heb. 7. 25. Thus of the consideration of Christ also Now thirdly in our selues wee may looke vpon three things as we are in the estate of grace For first we are borne againe to a liuely hope of an immorall inheritance reserued for vs in heauen Our new birth intitles vs to heauen and it is kept for vs and our hope is liuely 1 Pet. 1. 3. Secondly our seed abideth in vs It cannot be blotted out Hee that is borne of God sinneth not because his seed remaineth in him 1 Iohn 3. 9. Thirdly eternall life is begun in vs Iohn 17. 3. Now if it be life eternall how can it end How can we fall away from it Naturall life may end but Splrituall life can neuer end CHAP. XIIII Promises that concerne Prayer HItherto of Promises that concerne affliction And in as much as my purpose was but to fence the godly man settled in his iustification against the grieuances which might befall him in respect of afflictions during the time of his pilgrimage here I shall end with the discourse of those promises sauing that I will giue a taste of the last sort of promise viz. such as are encouragements to holy graces or duties I will not instance in the promises made to the loue of God to meeknesse to such as seeke God to the loue of the word and the like but onely I wil open the promises made to the prayers of the godly and the rather because Christians are most troubled about their prayers The promises that concerne prayer may be referred to three heads For either they are such as assure vs that God will heare the prayers of his seruants or they shew vs what in prayer he will heare or else they describe the wonderfull goodnesse of God in the manner how he wil heare For the first that the Lord will certainly heare prayer these places of Scripture doe most comfortably assure vs. Esay 58. 9. Then shalt thou call and the Lord shall answer thou shalt cry he shall say Here I am Math. 21. 22. And whatsoeuer ye shall aske in prayer if ye beleeue ye shall receiue it Iohn 14. 13. And whatsoeuer ye aske in my name that will I doe that the Father may be glorified in the Sonne 1 Iohn 5. 14 15. And this is the assurance that wee haue of him that if wâ—… aske any thing according to his will he heareth vs. And if we know that he heareth vs whatsoeuer we aske we know that we haue the Petitions that wee haue desired of him Iob 22. 27. Thou shalt make thy prayer vnto him
to bee our God 2. By prouiding him a place to dwell with vs. 3. By louing Iesus Christ. 4. By walking with him which hath fiue things in it 5. By honouring God and we honour him By seeking his kingdome first By open profession of his Truth By grieuing for his dishonour By directing all our actions to his glory By suffering for his sake By honouring such as feare him By hating his enemies By speaking of his truth with all reuerence By free-will offerings By praising him where diuers Rules 6. By trusting in him and this trust in God we shew By relying vpon his mercie for our saluation By committing all our workes to his blessing By beleeuing what he saith By staying vpon him in all distresses praying to him and casting our care vpon him and relying vpon his helpe Without leaning to our owne vnderstanding Without murmuring Without feare Without care Without vsing ill meanes 7. By obeying him In the manner also of our manifesting our loue to God wee must doo it 1. With feruencie 2. With feare and our feare of God we shew By awfull thoughts of God By departing from euill By all reuerence of minde By not fearing men By remembring his presence By trembling at his iudgements By humilitie in the vse of his Ordinances By the reuerend vse of his very Titles Chap. 7. p. 515. to 522. THus of the manifestation of our loue to God for the preseruation of our loue to God 1. We must separate our selues from all others to be his 2. We must beware that we forget not God 3. Wee must edifie our selues in our holy faith 4. Wee must pray in the holy Ghost 5. We must waite for the comming of Christ. 6. Wee must seeke his speciall presence in his Ordinances 7. We must preserue the Truth he hath deliuered to vs. 8. Wee must studie his praises 9. Wee must study to reioyce in God which containes in it 4. things where eight rules to obtaine this ioying in God Chap. 8. p. 522. to 525. THus of our loue to God his seruice followes and the rules about the seruice of God concerne either the parts of his seruice or the time of it The rules that concerne the parts of Gods worship and either generall to all parts or speciall Nine things to be remembred in all parts of Gods worship 1. Preparation 2. Godly feare 3. Penitencie 4. Griefe that others serue not God 5. That all be done in the name of Christ. 6. Precedencie before other businesses 7. That wee serue him with all our hearts 8. Desire to please him 9. Detestation of what might draw vs from his seruice Chap. 9. p. 525 to 531. THe speciall Rules concerne either his publike seruice or the particular parts of his seruice Vnto the publike seruice All must come With speciall reuerence And zeale and this zeale to be shewed sixe wayes And with our consent With speciall gladnesse before God And trusting in his mercie And thankefulnesse for all successes Chap. 10 p. 531. to 536. THe speciall parts of Gods worship are 1. Hearing where the rules concerne vs. 1. Before hearing A resolution to deny our owne wits and affections A meeke and humble spirit 2. In the time of hearing Speciall attention Prouing of the doctrine 3. After hearing 1. Meditation 2. Practice Chap. 11. p. 536. to 543. 2. THe Sacraments which are either Baptisme or the Lords Supper Concerning Baptisme wee haue diuers things to doe 1. About our children to present them to Baptisme In due time In faith With thankefulnesse 2. About our selues to make vse of our owne Baptisme In case of doubting In the case of temptation to sinne where our Baptisme serues for vse three wayes In the case of doubting of our perseuerance 3. About others to acknowledge the Baptized Chap. 12. p. 543. to 546. COncerning the Lords Supper we are charged with 1. Examination 2. The discerning of the Lords Body 3. The shewing forth of the death of Christ. 4. The vowes of louing the godly 5. Reconciliation 6. Vowes of holy life Chap. 13. p. 547. to 550. 3. PRayer about which the Rules are 1. Thy words must be few 2. Thy heart must be lifted vp which hath three things in it vnderstanding freedome from distractions and feruencie 3. Thou must vse all manner of prayer 4. Thou must perseuere in prayer 5. Thou must be instant without fâ—…inting or discouragement 6. With supplications for all sorts 7. In all things thou must giue thankes Chap. 14. p. 550. to 554. 4. REading the Scriptures the rules are 1. Reade daily 2. Meditate of what thou readest 3. Conferre vpon it 4. Resolue to obey Chap. 15. p. 554. 555. 5. Singing of Psalmes the rules are 1. Teach one another by Psalmes 2. Sing with the heart 3. Sing with grace 4. Make melody to the Lord. Chap. 16. p. 555. to 558. 6. VOwes the rules are 1. Before thou vow consider 2. When thou hast vowed defer not to pay 7. Swearing the rules are 1. Sweare not by any thing which is not God 2. Sweare in truth 3. Sweare in iudgement 4. Sweare in righteousnesse Chap. 17. p. 558. to 560. 8. FAsting the rules concerne 1. The strictnesse of the abstinence 2. The humbling of the soule Chap. 18. p. 560. to 566. HItherto of the parts of Gods worship The time followes which chiefly is the Sabbath and the rules about the Sabbath concerne 1. The preparation to it End thy worke Auoide domesticall vnquietnes Cleanse thy selfe 2. The celebration of it where is prescribed 1. Rest from all worke 2. Readinesse and delight 3. Care and watchfulnesse 4. Sinceritie to be shewed By doing Gods workes with as much care as our owne By obseruing the whole day By ausiding the lesser violations of the Sabbath 5. Faith by trusting vpon his blessing 6. Discretion Chap. 19. p. 566. to 570. HItherto of the Rules that concern our carriage towards God Towards man followes and so either towards all men or towards some men The Rules that order vs in our carriage towards all men concerne either righteousnesse or mercy The Rules that concerne righteousnesse either order vs in company or out of company In company we must be ordered either in respect of Religion or the sinne of others or the way how to carry our selues inoffensiuely For matter of Religion looke to it 1 That thou take not vp the name of God in vaine 2 That thou auoid vaine ianglings about doubtfull disputations or curious questions or vnprofitable reasonings 3 If thou be asked a reason of thy hope answer with all reuerence and meekenesse 4. Let thy communication bee yea yea and nay nay Chap. 20. p. 570. to 574. AS for the faults of others 1. Iustifie not the wicked nor condemne the righteous 2. Conuerse without iudging 3. Walke not about with tales 4. Reprooue but hate not 5. Passe by frailties 6. Giue soft answers Chap. 21. p. 574. to 582. THat thou mayest conuerse inoffensiuely thou must looke to three things
then though he run fiercely for the time hee must not trifle and looke behinde and stand still at his pleasure and then run againe but he must be alwaies running so ought it to bee with vs in the race of godlinesse It will not serue the turne to bee good by fits and to be forward in good things onely at sometimes and then bee carelesse and off the hookes as wee say at other times 5. Without declining or going backe Iob comforts himselfe against the aspersion of hypocrisie by this that his foote had held on his steps and Gods wayes he had kept and not declined nor had hee gone backe from Gods commandements Iob 23. 11 12. Though he had not made such progresse as he desired yet this was his comfort he had not backe slided by Apostasie And thus of the third thing also required in the manner of well-doing which is Constancie 4. The fourth thing required is feare thus Prou. 28. 14. The man is blessed that feareth alwaies And 1. Pet. 1. 17. 3. 2. Our conuersation must be with feare This feare excludes rudenes carelesnesse conceitednesse pride and the like and includes reuerence lawful regard of Gods holines or holy presence whom wee should set alwaies before vs and the feare of the deceitfulnesse of sinne and our owne corrupt dispositions and the care to auoid all occasions of offending God or men The fifth thing is Simplicitie This is so necessary as the Apostle mistrusted most the subtiltie of the diuell in beguiling Christians of this simplicitie which they had in Iesus Christ 2. Corinth 11. 〈◊〉 Now this simplicity containes in it distinctly diuers things 1. A resting in those formes of holinesse and happinesse which God hath prescribed when a man desires no more to make him happy then what God hath offered and giuen in Iesus Christ 2. Corinth 11. 3. and when hee accounts nothing to defile him but what God hath forbidden and nothing needfull to be done by him what God hath in his word required 2. A Doue-like innocencie and harmlesnes when the Christian shewes a desire to be iniurious to no man but rather to seeke the good of others as well as his owne 1. Cor. 10. 24. 3. An ignorance of the depths of Satan and the methods of sin when hee is not cunning in sinning but simple concerning euili no way desirous to get subtil excuses or arguments to defend himselfe in euill Romanes 16. 19. 4. A loue of Godlinesse for it selfe and hatred of sinne as it is sinne 5. Meekenesse of Wisedome â—…mes 3. 13. which is shewed three wayes First by lowlinesâ—…e of mind when a man is not conceited or wise in himselfe but retaines a sense of his owne vnfitnesse and vnworthinesse Iob 37. 24. Secondly by silence from his owne praises Prou. 27. 2. Thirdly by auoiding vaine ianglings which arise out of enuy or contempt of others 6. The preseruing of himselfe in the feare of God notwithstanding the prosperitie of euill doers not enuying the wicked that hath successe in his way Prou. 23. 17. The sixt thing required in the manner of well-doing is Circumspection Ephes. 5. 15. Now he walketh circumspectly or exactly 1. That makes conscience to obserue the lesser commandements as well as the greater Math. 5. 19. 2. That abstaines from the very appearance of euill 1. Thess. 5. 22. 3. That with discretion lookes to the circumstances of things to be done as time place persons order and the like that doth not onely doe good but is wise to doe good Romanes 16. 19. 4. That liues without rebuke and is vnspotted of the world Phil. 2. 15. Iames 1. vlt. that is not guilty of any scandall and giues no iust cause to the wicked to blaspheme but prouides for things honest in the sight of all men 2. Cor. 8. 21. 5. That will not doe euill though good might come of it Rom. 2. 8. The seuenth thing required in the manner of well-doing is growth and increase Wee must not onely get grace and knowledge and do good but we must grow in the grace and knowledge of Iesus Christ 2. Pet. 3. 18. and this growth should haue in it distinctly three things 1. Abounding in good workes or a more frequent practice of al sorts of duties that we haue opportunitie and power to practise 1. Corinth 15. 58. Coloss. 1. 10. 2. The perfecting of holinesse 2. Cor. 7. 1. or the ripening of our gifts and finishing of the good things we begin not leauing off till wee haue accomplished them in some good measure and manner 3. Progresse so as our workes bee more at last then at first And all this we should striue for both that so our profiting might appeare 1. Tim. 4. 15. and we may be fit to be an example to others 1. Thess. 1. 7. The eighth thing required in the manner of well-doing is Faith wee must walke by faith in all our actions 2. Cor. 5. 7. Now faith is employed partly in taking notice of Gods will as the warrant of our actions and partly in ouercomming the difficulties of well-doing making vs hold out though we be scorned or disgraced or opposed in the world and raising vp our hearts to beleeue Gods assistance notwithstanding our owne weakenesses and partly in trusting God for the successe beleeuing Gods promises The ninth and last thing required in the manner of well-doing is Moderation This rule is expressed in these words Eccles 7. 16. Be not iust ouer much neither be thou wicked ouer much Now for the sence of these words we must know in the negatiue that this place is most prophanely alleaged by such as produce it as a reproof of strictnesse of life and the refusall of the excesses of the time There are many things said to giue a sence of those words 1. Some referre these words to Iustice either Distributiue or Commutatiue and that either in the case of a priuat person or of a Magistrate A priuate man must neither stand too much vpon his right nor yet suffer his innocencie to bee too much wronged A Magistrate must not be too seuere in a selfe-conceited iustice not yet too remisse in sparing or fauouring wickednesse 2. Some thinke it restraines curiositie and carelesnesse as if the sense were Bee not curious to pry or search into secret things that are not reuealed for he that will be searching into Gods maiestie may bee oppressed by his glorie nor yet be so carelesse as not to take notice of the truth reuealed 3. Some thus Exceede not by too much precisenesse on the right hand or by too much prophanenesse on the left hand On the right hand they goe out that bring in workes of supererogation and such as worship God after the precepts of men such as tye mens consciences to obserue or auoide things without warrant of Scripture and such as say they haue no
1 Cor. 3. 18. humbling our selues at his very feete to receiue his Law Deut. 33. 3. 2. Wee must bring with vs a meeke and quiet spirit a minde quieted from passions lusts and perturbations and at rest from the turmoyling cares of this world The Word is able to doe great things in our hearts if we receiue it with meeknesse Iames 1. 21. Secondly at the time of hearing wee must looke to two rules First we must hearken without distraction we must heare as if it were for our liues wee must incline our eares and shake off all impediments arising from our owne drowsinesse preiudice or vaine thoughts or distracting obiects Esay 55. 3. Psal. 116. 113. Secondly wee must proue all things and keepe that which is good We must heare with iudgement hearken for our selues hauing speciall care to looke to that doctrin which in particular concerns vs to lay it vp in our hearts and apply it effectually This is a rule of singular thrift in godlines If we did marke what sin in vs the Lord reproues or what comfort is speedily fitted to our hearts or what direction doth specially concerne vs He hath an honest memory that will bee sure to keepe these things though he forget all the rest and hee hath a wretched memory and heart too that forgets these things though he could repeate all the Sermon verbatim Thirdly after we haue heard two things also must be further done First we must by meditation labour to make those things wee haue heard which concerne vs fast that they runne not out of our mindes and we must take heed that neither the diuell steale away the good seed nor our owne heart through negligence forget it Neither is this a worke for an houre after to keepe these things till we may repeate them to others but ought to be our daily worke especially the weeke after to thinke so often of them till there be a sure impression of the Word in our hearts Hebr. 2. 1 2. Secondly wee must yet further see to it that we be doers of the Word yea we must obserue to doe as the phrase of the holy Ghost is It is the wisedome of God so to dispose of his ordinances that we receiue our directions by parcels and there is a time of interim betweene Sabbath and Sabbath Sermon and Sermon that we might in that space learne to frame our selues to the obedience of the truths receiued that so we might be ready to receiue new lessons from the Lord. The surest way for the husband man to keepe his seede is not to lay it vp in his baâ—… but to cast it into the ground for what is sowed he may receiue againe with aduantage or if he might faile of an haruest from his seede in nature yet godly men shall neuer faile to receiue what they sow by practice with increase So much of the truth as is put into practice is sure for euer the rest may be lost and it is a singular helpe to a Christian if he set vpon his obedience while the doctrine is yet fresh in his minde for delay will compasse him about with many difficulties and he will want those inward incitations that might stirre vp his heart with power and strength to obey CHAP. XI Rules about the Sacrament of Baptisme THus of the rules of our carriage about hearing Next we are to consider how we are to order our liues in respect of the Sacraments The Sacraments are two Baptisme and the Lords Supper The duties we are bound to in respect of Baptisme concerne either 1. Our children 2. Our selues 3. Others For our children it is our duty to present them vnto Baptisme but withall we must looke to it that it be done in due time and with faith and thankfulnesse to God In due time so as thereby we signifie our great estimation of Gods mercy to our seed and our great desire to haue the Couenant sealed euen vnto them We must also bring them to Baptisme with saith in Gods couenant The Lord hath bound himselfe to bee our God and the God of our seede Now it is our parts to giue glory to God and to declare before the Lord our perswasion of his goodnesse and claime to that part of his Couenant By faith we plead our right whereas by vnbeleefe wee giue God occasion to neglect our seed I adde also with thankefulnesse because we ought with great ioy and acknowledgement of the free grace of God to behold our seede admitted in the sure couenant of mercy and saluation with our selues and ought to thinke that God hath done more for our children to admit them into the couenant by Baptisme then if the greatest person on earth had made vpon them the assurance of some great estate of maintenance or preferment Secondly for our selues we must make conscience of it to make vse of our owne Baptisme and that throughout the whole course of our life It is giuen vs as a seale of Gods promises and as a vow of our obedience and so we must make vse of it all the dayes of our life especially in three cases First in the case of doubting and feare of the forgiuenesse of our sinnes or of the saluation of our soules for Baptisme saueth vs that is effectually assures vs of our saluation and we doe not offend in trusting Gods promise made in his word signed and sealed in Baptisme As certainly doth it saue our soules as the Arke saued the bodies of Noah and his houshold so as we cannot miscarry if we leape not out of the Arke into the Seas of water Let vs sticke to our Baptisme and then we are safe The washing in Baptisme did assure the washing of our soules by the blood of Christ for our sinnes If I be tempted to doubt of my saluation I must say to my owne soule Hath not the Lord prouided me the Arke of Baptisme to preserue me from the seas of his wrath And if I doubt the forgiuenesse of sinnes I must sayâ—… Hath not the Lord washed mee â—…om my sinnes by the blood of his Sonne Did he not shew mee so much in Baptisme We sin shamefully in that we doe not make this vse but neglect the confidence Baptisme should worke in vs as if the Lord had but dallied with vs or that Baptisme were but some idle Ceremony 1 Pet. 3. 21. 1 Cor. 15. 29. Acts 22. 16. Secondly in the case of temptation to commit sin we ought to fight against sin by this mighty weapon of our Baptisme and so we may do by diuers Arguments As First in my Baptisme I haue made a vow to God that I would cleaue to him in Iesus Christ and renounce the world the diuell and sinne and shall I breake my vow to God that would be ashamed to breake my promise to men Secondly my Baptisme was the Baptisme of repentance and shall I yet liue in sinne My body was washed and shall
Ioel 1. 2. Leuit. 16. 29. Secondly the time must bee spâ—…t in religious duties as a Sabbath especially in the exercises that concerne the humiliation of the soule in renewing of our repentance for the obtaining of pardon of sinne or some speciall blessing of God or the preuenting or remoouing of some great iudgement of God The former rule concernes onely the ceremony or outward exercise of the body but this rule containes the substance of the dutie without which a religious Fast is not kept vnto God who regardeth not the hanging downe of the head like a bull-rush if the soule be not humbled before God for sinne Leuiticus 16. 29. Ioel 1. 14. and 2. 16 17. CHAP. XVIII Rules about the Sabbath HItherto of the Rules that concerne the parts of Gods worship The rules that concerne the time of Gods worship follow and this time especially is the Sabbath Day Now the rules that binde vs to the good behauiour concerning the Sabbath concerne either the preparation of the Sabbath or the manner of performing holy duties on the Sabbath The preparation to the Sabbath containes in it these things First the ending of all our works on the sixe dayes as God did his Gen. 2. 2. This example of God is set downe not onely to shew what he did but to prescribe vnto vs what we should doe as is manifest by vrging this example in the reason of the commandement We must then take order to finish the works of the weeke dayes with such discretion that neither our heads bee troubled with the cares of them nor our hands tempted to worke about them on the Sabbath Day Secondly the preuenting of domesticall grieuances and perturbations Leuit. 19. 3. Ye shall feare euery man his mother and his father and keepe my Sabbath Discords and contentions and heart-burnings in the members of the family extend their infection and hurt euen to the prophaning of Gods Sabbath The Lord lookes not to be serued aright in his house if people liue not quietly and louingly and dutifully in their owne houses Thirdly we must cleanse our selues that wee keepe the Sabbath Nehemiah 13. 22. Which place though it speake of Legall cleansing yet it shadowes out that Morall and perpetuall care of cleasing our selues that ought euen to be found in vs. And thus we do cleanse our selues when we humble our selues that we may walke with God confessing our sinnes euen the sinnes of the weeke past and making our peace with God through the name of Iesus Christ. Thus of the duties of preparation Now for the manner of keeping the Sabbath the rules prescribe vnto vs these things 1. Rest from all your works whether they be works of labour or workes of pleasure Works of labour the Scripture instanceth in such as are selling of victuals Nehemiah 13. 15. Carrying of burthens Ier. 17. Iourneying from our places Exod. 16. 29. the businesse of our callings done by our selues our children seruants or cattell which the words of the Commandement forbid And as workes of labour so also workes of pleasure are forbidden Esay 58. 13. 2. Readinesse and delight We should loue to be Gods seruants on this day Esay 56. and consecrate it with ioy as a glorious priuiledge to vs Esay 58. 13. abhorring wearinesse or a desire to haue the Sabbath gone and ended Amos 8. 3. Care and watchfulnesse We must obserue to keepe it Exod. 31. 16. wee must take heed to our selues that no duty bee omitted and that wee no way prophane it attending our hearts and our words Ier. 17. 21. 4. Sinceritie and this sinceritie wee should shew diuers wayes First by doing Gods worke with as much care as we would do our owne or rather shewing more care for the seruice of God They had their double sacrifices on the Sabbath in the time of the Law and we should studie how wee might please God in especiall manner on that day choosing out the things that might delight him God hath taken but one day of seuen for his worke and shall wee not doe it willingly Further if we respect our selues shall wee not bee as carefull to prouide for our soules on the Sabbath as for our bodies on the weeke dayes 2. By obseruing the whole day as well as a part and keepe the Sabbath in our dwellings as well as in Gods house God requires the whole day and not a part As wee would be contented our seruants should worke for vs onely an houre or two in the sixe daies so neither should we yeeld lesse vnto God then we require for our selues Nor will it suffice to serue God by publike duties in his House vnlesse we serue him also by priuate duties in our owne dwellings Commandement 4. Leuit. 23. 3. 3. By auoiding the lesser violations of the Sabbath as well as the greater especially not transgressing of contempt or wilfulnesse in the least things we know to bee forbidden The Prophet instanceth Esay 58. 13. We must not speake our owne words Thus of sincerity 5. The fifth thing required of vs is Faith wee must glorifie God by beleeuing that he will make it a day of blessing vnto vs and performe that blessing he hath promised accepting our desire to walke before him in the vprightnesse of our hearts and passing by our infirmities and frailties Wee many times disturbe the rest and Sabbath of our soules by vnbeleefe Commandement 4. Gen. 2. 2. Exo. 31. 13. Ezech. 20. 20. 46. 2 5. 6. The last thing is Deprecation we must beseech God when we haue done our best to shew vs mercie and spare vs for our defects and weakenesses Thus we must end the day and reconcise our selues to God that the Rest of Iesus Christ may bee established in our hearts Nehe. 13. 22. And thus of the rules that bind vs to the good behauiour in respect of the time of Gods worship CHAP. XIX Rules that shew vs how to carrie our selues when we come into companie in respect of Religion HItherto of the Rules that concerne our carriage towards God Now it followes that I breake open those directions that should bring our liues into order in respect of men And these rules are of two sorts for either they are such as binde vs to the good behauiour towards all men or such as order our conuersation towards some men onely as they are considered to be either wicked or godly The rules that concerne all men may be cast into 2. heads as they belong either to righteousnesse or to mercy The rules that belong to righteousnesse order vs either in company or out of company The rules which wee are to obserue in company concerne either 1 Religion or 2. The sinnes and faults of others or 3. Our owne inoffensiue behauiour towards all men For the first when wee come in company we must be carefull to bee that which may become the glory of Gods truth and the Religion wee professe that weetake not vp the