Certain select cases resolved specially tending to the right ordering of the heart, that we may comfortably walk with God in our general and particular callings / by Thomas Shephard ...
         Shepard, Thomas, 1605-1649.
      
       
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             Certain select cases resolved specially tending to the right ordering of the heart, that we may comfortably walk with God in our general and particular callings / by Thomas Shephard ...
             Shepard, Thomas, 1605-1649.
             Adderley, William.
          
           [7], 53 p.
           
             Printed by W.H. for John Rothwell ...,
             London :
             1650.
          
           
             "To the Christian reader" signed: William Adderley.
             Reproduction of original in the Union Theological Seminary Library, New York.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Christian life -- Early works to 1800.
        
      
    
       A59657  R33878  (Wing S3104).  civilwar no Certain select cases resolved. Specially, tending to the right ordering of the heart, that we may comfortably walk with God in our general a Shepard, Thomas 1650    17333 104 0 0 0 0 0 60 D  The  rate of 60 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the D category of texts with between 35 and 100 defects per 10,000 words. 
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           CERTAIN
           SELECT
           CASES
           
             RESOLVED
             .
          
        
         
           Specially
           ,
           tending
           to
           the
           right
           ordering
           of
           the
           heart
           ,
           that
           we
           may
           comfortably
           walk
           with
           God
           in
           our
           general
           and
           particular
           Callings
           .
        
         
           BY
           THOMAS
           SHEPHARD
           ,
           Sometimes
           of
           
             Emanuel-Colledge
          
           in
           
             Cambridge
             ,
          
           Now
           Preacher
           of
           Gods
           Word
           in
           
             New-England
             .
          
        
         
           
             LONDON
             ,
          
           Printed
           by
           
             W.
             H.
          
           for
           
             Iohn
             Rothwell
             ,
          
           at
           the
           Sun
           and
           Fountain
           in
           
             Pauls
          
           Church-yard
           ,
           near
           the
           little
           North-door
           .
           1650.
           
        
      
       
       
         
           Imprimatur
        
         
           This
           Reverend
           Author
           hath
           other
           practicall
           peeces
           .
           
             
               Viz.
               
            
             
               
                 The
              
               
                 Treatise
                 of
                 the
                 Sabbath
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 Sincere
                 Convert
                 ▪
              
            
             
               
                 Sound
                 Beleever
                 .
              
            
          
        
         
           
             Ioseph
             Caryl
             .
          
        
      
       
       
       
         
           To
           THE
           CHRISTIAN
           READER
           .
        
         
           THis
           holy
           Letter
           of
           that
           ready
           Scribe
           of
           Christs
           Kingdom
           ,
           is
           so
           full
           of
           Grace
           and
           Truth
           ▪
           
           that
           it
           needs
           no
           other
           Epistle
           commendatory
           then
           it self
           .
        
         
           Yet
           seeing
           the
           Lot
           is
           unexpectedly
           fallen
           upon
           my
           pen
           ,
           to
           give
           it
           a
           
             Superscription
          
           that
           it
           may
           passe
           
             current
          
           from
           hand
           to
           hand
           ;
           I
           do
           heartily
           in
           the
           first
           place
           ,
           dedicate
           it
           to
           
             thee
             ▪
             thou
             bleeding
             ,
             troubled-spirit
             .
          
           as
           a
           choice
           cordiall
           friend
           ,
           an
           Interpreter
           ,
           
             one
          
           of
           a
           thousand
           ,
           that
           doth
           not
           onely
           speak
           thy
           heart
           ,
           but
           by
           the
           Comforter
           (
           whom
           Christ
           hath
           promised
           to
           send
           )
           to
           thy
           heart
           .
        
         
           
             It
             may
             be
             this
             paper
             present
          
           is
           sent
           on
           Embassie
           from
           Heaven
           ,
           on
           purpose
           ,
           to
           set
           thy
           house
           in
           order
           ,
           to
           untie
           thy
           bosome
           knots
           ,
           to
           bind
           the
           strong
           man
           ,
           and
           cast
           him
           out
           of
           thy
           doores
           ,
           that
           thy
           heart
           may
           be
           once
           againe
           set
           at
           liberty
           ,
           to
           serve
           the
           Lord
           thy
           God
           in
           thy
           generall
           and
           particular
           
           Calling
           ,
           whose
           service
           is
           thy
           freedome
           .
           What
           is
           here
           sent
           by
           this
           Ambassador
           of
           Christ
           ,
           (
           who
           is
           now
           the
           voice
           of
           one
           crying
           in
           the
           wildernesse
           )
           to
           a
           wearie
           and
           heavy
           laden
           soule
           in
           this
           Island
           .
           I
           had
           rather
           it
           should
           appeare
           to
           thy
           judgement
           in
           the
           serious
           reading
           ,
           and
           to
           thy
           conscience
           in
           the
           ●ome
           application
           thereof
           ,
           than
           from
           my
           opinion
           of
           it
           :
           Therefore
           I
           shall
           onely
           adde
           (
           as
           the
           Contents
           of
           this
           letter
           )
           
             certain
             select
             Cases
             ,
             proposed
             and
             resolved
          
           in
           the
           severall
           paragraphs
           thereof
           ,
           as
           they
           lie
           in
           order
           in
           the
           pages
           following
           ,
           
             viz.
             
          
        
         
           Page
           3.
           
        
         
           Trouble
           of
           mind
           in
           civil
           affaires
           by
           the
           secret
           injection
           of
           religious
           thoughts
           .
        
         
           Page
           4.
           
        
         
           From
           what
           Spirit
           ,
           such
           suggestions
           do
           arise
           .
        
         
           Page
           8.
           
        
         
           How
           to
           entertain
           them
           when
           they
           crowd
           in
           .
        
         
           Page
           12.
           
        
         
           Concerning
           the
           not
           being
           humbled
           for
           sinnefull
           distractions
           that
           hinder
           and
           interrupt
           the
           spirituall
           performance
           of
           holy
           duties
           .
        
         
           Page
           16.
           
        
         
           How
           a
           Christian
           may
           be
           said
           to
           be
           under
           the
           Covenant
           of
           works
           .
        
         
           Page
           18.
           
        
         
           How
           to
           conceive
           aright
           of
           that
           Mystery
           of
           Mysteries
           ,
           the
           blessed
           Persons
           in
           the
           Trinity
           .
        
         
           Page
           22.
           
        
         
           The
           souls
           aptnes●e
           to
           go
           to
           God
           immediately
           in
           holy
           duties
           ,
           without
           taking
           Christ
           Jesus
           by
           the
           hand
           .
        
         
         
           Page
           26.
           
        
         
           How
           to
           apply
           absolute
           promises
           to
           thy selfe
           ,
           though
           they
           are
           made
           indefinitely
           without
           condition
           .
        
         
           Page
           38.
           
        
         
           A
           notable
           discovery
           of
           a
           secret
           unwillingnes
           in
           the
           soule
           ,
           to
           seek
           God
           in
           the
           strictest
           solemn
           services
           ,
           before
           it
           entreth
           into
           them
           :
           Weariness
           of
           them
           ,
           while
           they
           last
           ;
           and
           a
           gladnesse
           ,
           when
           they
           are
           ended
           .
        
         
           Page
           42.
           
        
         
           A
           sound
           confutation
           of
           that
           Heretica●l
           Arminian
           Tenet
           ,
           
             viz.
          
           That
           the
           strength
           of
           Grace
           is
           to
           be
           got
           rather
           by
           Argumentation
           ,
           then
           inward
           Communication
           and
           influence
           ,
           arising
           from
           union
           with
           Christ
           .
        
         
           Page
           44.
           
        
         
           The
           experiences
           of
           this
           tried
           servant
           of
           Christ
           ,
           (
           who
           is
           the
           Pen-man
           hereof
           )
           how
           he
           was
           cured
           of
           Atheisticall
           thoughts
           :
           whether
           they
           did
           wear
           out
           ,
           or
           whether
           by
           the
           di●t
           of
           Arguments
           they
           were
           rationally
           overthrown
           .
        
         
           Page
           48.
           
        
         
           Lastly
           ,
           whether
           those
           changes
           ,
           which
           a
           child
           of
           God
           hath
           sometimes
           ,
           and
           those
           movings
           of
           the
           spirit
           are
           caused
           by
           a
           naturall
           temper
           ,
           or
           Gods
           Spirit
           .
        
         
           All
           which
           
             select
             Cases
             .
          
           (
           and
           many
           more
           ,
           that
           collaterally
           issue
           from
           their
           sides
           )
           are
           judicio●sly
           
             resolved
          
           with
           much
           perspicuity
           and
           b●●vity
           in
           these
           few
           sheets
           ,
           by
           the
           onely
           judge
           of
           all
           C●ntroversies
           ,
           
             the
             two
             edged
             sword
             of
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             the
             Word
             of
             God
             .
          
        
         
         
           Thus
           humbly
           beseeching
           thee
           ,
           to
           read
           over
           this
           Epistle
           of
           Christ
           to
           thee
           ,
           with
           the
           same
           Spirit
           of
           love
           ,
           and
           of
           a
           sound
           mind
           ,
           which
           indited
           every
           line
           in
           it
           .
        
         
           I
           doe
           desire
           to
           leave
           thee
           at
           the
           Throne
           of
           Grace
           ,
           in
           the
           armes
           of
           Christ
           ,
           with
           the
           Father
           of
           all
           Co●fort
           ;
           that
           thou
           m●i●st
           receive
           the
           Peace
           of
           God
           which
           passeth
           all
           understanding
           ;
           and
           be
           crowned
           with
           joy
           unspeakable
           ,
           and
           full
           of
           Glory
           .
        
         
           
             I
             subscribe
             my selfe
             
               Friend
               ,
            
             Thine
             in
             any
             Spirituall
             furtherance
             of
             thy
             Faith
             ,
             
               William
               Adderley
               .
            
          
           
             Dated
             from
             
               Charterhouse
            
             in
             
               London
               ,
            
             
               Febr.
               1.
               1647.
               
            
          
        
      
    
     
       
       
         
           
             Deare
             Sir
             ▪
          
        
         
           I
           Dare
           not
           multiply
           many
           words
           in
           acknowledging
           and
           professing
           my
           own
           unfitnes●e
           and
           insusficiency
           to
           yeeld
           your
           loving
           and
           most
           welcom
           Letter
           ,
           that
           satisfaction
           which
           both
           your Self
           desire
           ,
           and
           it
           deserves
           :
           Neither
           yet
           will
           I
           be
           so
           unfaithfull
           to
           you
           (
           seeing
           your
           expectation
           ●uts
           me
           to
           reply
           )
           neither
           ought
           I
           (
           I
           think
           )
           be
           so
           unserviceable
           to
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           who
           in
           you
           ,
           and
           by
           you
           ,
           beckens
           to
           me
           to
           take
           this
           call
           to
           write
           to
           you
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           neglect
           so
           fa●r
           a
           sea●on
           ,
           seeing
           especially
           it
           may
           be
           possible
           my
           dy●ng
           Letter
           to
           you
           ,
           before
           I
           depart
           from
           hence
           ,
           and
           returne
           to
           him
           ,
           as
           not
           knowing
           but
           our
           ●ast
           disasters
           and
           Sea-straits
           (
           of
           which
           I
           wrote
           ●o
           you
           )
           may
           be
           but
           preparations
           for
           the
           execu●ion
           of
           this
           next
           approaching
           voyage
           .
           Yet
           our
           ●eies
           are
           to
           the
           hils
           ,
           and
           our
           desires
           are
           your
           ●rayers
           ;
           and
           at
           this
           time
           my
           endeavour
           shall
           
           be
           in
           respect
           of
           your self
           ,
           to
           break
           open
           that
           light
           to
           you
           ,
           and
           to
           prepare
           it
           to
           you
           ,
           with
           that
           brevity
           I
           may
           ,
           and
           with
           what
           plainenesse
           I
           am
           able
           ;
           beseeching
           the
           God
           and
           Father
           of
           our
           Lord
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           who
           must
           be
           when
           all
           failes
           ,
           the
           wonderfull
           Counsellor
           ,
           to
           give
           you
           the
           spirit
           of
           revelation
           ,
           and
           that
           after
           you
           have
           suffered
           a
           while
           by
           these
           outward
           temptations
           ,
           doubts
           ,
           fears
           ,
           desertions
           ,
           distractions
           ,
           which
           the
           Letter
           mentions
           ,
           hee
           would
           make
           you
           perfect
           ,
           stablish
           ,
           strengthen
           ,
           and
           settle
           you
           .
           And
           this
           I
           verily
           think
           will
           be
           the
           unexpected
           ,
           yet
           happy
           ,
           joyfull
           ,
           and
           most
           glorious
           end
           of
           them
           ;
           For
           since
           I
           have
           observed
           and
           seen
           the
           lamentable
           ruines
           of
           the
           soule
           ,
           and
           seeming
           graces
           of
           many
           men
           ,
           by
           being
           rockt
           a
           sleep
           in
           a
           quiet
           ,
           still
           ,
           calme
           ,
           easie
           performance
           of
           duties
           ;
           without
           such
           awaking
           temptations
           and
           tumults
           within
           ,
           which
           it self
           complaines
           of
           :
           I
           say
           since
           I
           have
           observed
           what
           a
           deale
           of
           mud
           is
           in
           the
           bottom
           of
           such
           standing
           Pools
           ,
           and
           what
           a
           deale
           of
           ●ilth
           is
           in
           such
           Moats
           ,
           which
           are
           inwardly
           at
           ease
           ,
           and
           not
           emptied
           from
           vessell
           to
           vessell
           ,
           next
           unto
           the
           donation
           of
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           to
           a
           man
           ,
           I
           have
           accounted
           such
           tumultuo●s
           heart-storms
           and
           uproars
           ,
           together
           with
           the
           fruitfull
           strange
           effects
           of
           them
           ,
           the
           second
           mercy
           .
           For
           I
           never
           saw
           that
           man
           kept
           from
           secret
           putrefaction
           and
           corruption
           ,
           that
           was
           not
           usually
           salted
           with
           such
           temptations
           (
           especially
           in
           a
           Christians
           first
           Apprentiship
           )
           which
           usually
           preserve
           him
           entire
           till
           death
           .
           And
           therefore
           (
           Dear
           Sir
           )
           faint
           not
           ,
           for
           Jesus
           Christ
           
           will
           raise
           a
           world
           of
           blessings
           out
           of
           your
           present
           Chaos
           and
           confusions
           .
           But
           I
           make
           hast
           to
           answer
           .
           Before
           your
           reply
           to
           my
           first
           Letter
           ;
           your
           complaints
           are
           many
           .
        
         
           Your
           first
           trouble
           is
           ,
           concerning
           your
           disturbances
           in
           civill
           affairs
           ,
           by
           the
           secret
           injection
           of
           Religious
           thoughts
           ;
           so
           that
           you
           know
           not
           how
           to
           follow
           the
           one
           ,
           without
           hazard
           of
           grieving
           the
           spirit
           ,
           and
           breaking
           your
           peace
           ,
           in
           not
           maintaining
           and
           nourishing
           the
           same
           time
           the
           other
           :
           and
           hence
           being
           drawn
           to
           go
           two
           waies
           at
           the
           same
           time
           (
           which
           you
           cannot
           wel
           do
           )
           your
           heart
           is
           disquieted
           ,
           and
           your
           peace
           much
           interrupted
           .
        
         
           This
           of
           yours
           ,
           puts
           me
           in
           mind
           of
           the
           complaint
           of
           an
           honest
           ,
           yet
           plain
           man
           ,
           to
           an
           able
           Minister
           once
           ,
           who
           in
           bewailing
           his
           condition
           to
           him
           ,
           among
           other
           miseries
           ,
           that
           was
           not
           the
           least
           :
           (
           
             viz.
          
           )
           that
           he
           was
           exceedingly
           troubled
           with
           good
           thoughts
           ,
           so
           that
           he
           could
           not
           follow
           his
           place
           ,
           ●nles●e
           very
           oft
           he
           did
           stand
           still
           and
           pray
           ,
           for
           fear
           of
           grieving
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           (
           as
           he
           thought
           )
           and
           l●●ing
           his
           season
           of
           being
           heard
           in
           Heaven
           :
           (
           for
           said
           Conscience
           o●t
           unto
           him
           )
           how
           dost
           thou
           know
           but
           this
           may
           be
           thy
           accepted
           time
           ,
           and
           if
           thou
           dost
           not
           take
           it
           ,
           it
           may
           be
           thou
           shalt
           never
           have
           it
           again
           ?
           I
           have
           forgot
           the
           Ministers
           answer
           ,
           but
           I
           am
           sure
           in
           these
           complaints
           you
           go
           not
           alone
           :
           I
           have
           lately
           known
           one
           very
           able
           ,
           wise
           ,
           and
           godly
           ,
           put
           upon
           the
           Rack
           in
           these
           kind
           of
           thoughts
           by
           him
           ,
           that
           envying
           Gods
           peoples
           peace
           ,
           knowes
           how
           to
           change
           himselfe
           into
           an
           
           Angell
           of
           light
           .
           For
           it
           being
           his
           usuall
           course
           in
           the
           time
           of
           his
           health
           ,
           to
           make
           a
           diary
           of
           his
           hourely
           life
           ,
           and
           finding
           much
           benefit
           by
           it
           ,
           hee
           was
           in
           Conscience
           prest
           by
           the
           power
           and
           delusion
           of
           Satan
           ,
           to
           make
           and
           take
           the
           same
           daily
           survay
           of
           his
           life
           in
           the
           time
           of
           his
           sicknesse
           ,
           by
           meanes
           of
           which
           ,
           he
           spent
           his
           enfeebl●d
           spirits
           ,
           cast
           on
           fuell
           to
           fire
           his
           sicknesse
           ,
           and
           had
           not
           a
           friend
           of
           his
           convinced
           him
           of
           his
           erronious
           co●science
           ,
           mis●eading
           him
           at
           that
           time
           ,
           he
           had
           murdered
           his
           body
           ,
           out
           of
           conscience
           to
           save
           his
           soule
           ,
           and
           to
           preserve
           his
           grace
           ,
           and
           do
           you
           think
           these
           were
           the
           motions
           of
           Gods
           spirit
           ,
           which
           like
           those
           Locusts
           ?
           
             Rev.
          
           9.
           9
           ,
           10.
           had
           faces
           like
           men
           ,
           but
           had
           tailes
           like
           Scorpions
           ,
           and
           stings
           in
           their
           tailes
           .
        
         
           Your
           thoughts
           I
           know
           ,
           are
           not
           likely
           to
           produce
           the
           same
           effects
           :
           although
           you
           have
           the
           same
           efficient
           :
           and
           because
           you
           say
           your
           peace
           is
           hereby
           disturbed
           by
           ignorance
           ,
           as
           not
           knowing
           what
           to
           doe
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           these
           Civill
           actions
           and
           these
           religious
           thoughts
           ,
           I
           conceive
           that
           two
           thin●●
           are
           to
           be
           sadly
           considered
           of
           ,
           for
           the
           cure
           of
           them
           .
        
         
           First
           how
           to
           know
           when
           such
           religious
           pious
           thoughts
           come
           from
           Gods
           spirit
           ,
           
           and
           when
           from
           the
           devill
           transforming
           himself
           into
           an
           Angell
           of
           light
           ,
           or
           from
           a
           well-melted
           stirring
           conscience
           ,
           yet
           blind
           .
           For
           when
           you
           know
           they
           come
           from
           Gods
           spirit
           ,
           you
           are
           bound
           to
           nourish
           them
           ;
           but
           when
           not
           ,
           you
           are
           bound
           not
           to
           embrace
           nor
           comply
           with
           them
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           learn
           how
           your
           soul
           is
           to
           behave
           and
           carry
           it
           
           selfe
           in
           Civill
           employments
           :
           For
           when
           you
           see
           how
           you
           doe
           ,
           and
           may
           honour
           God
           in
           following
           them
           ,
           your
           spirit
           will
           not
           be
           so
           unquiet
           ,
           if
           at
           any
           time
           you
           imbrace
           not
           the
           suggestions
           of
           the
           other
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           For
           the
           ●irst
           briefely
           ,
           all
           good
           motions
           and
           thoughts
           are
           not
           the
           spirits
           motio●s
           ,
           as
           may
           thus
           appear
           .
        
         
           There
           be
           three
           things
           chiefly
           by
           which
           were
           may
           discerne
           the
           motions
           ,
           
           suggestions
           ,
           and
           thoughts
           which
           come
           from
           Gods
           spirit
           :
           all
           which
           concurring
           together
           in
           a
           good
           action
           ,
           or
           thought
           ,
           or
           word
           ,
           (
           not
           one
           alone
           )
           will
           make
           discovery
           whether
           they
           are
           from
           Gods
           spirit
           or
           not
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           If
           it
           be
           suggested
           for
           Gods
           ends
           ,
           it
           s
           from
           
           Gods
           spirit
           ,
           to
           act
           so
           high
           as
           for
           a
           supernaturall
           end
           ,
           must
           arise
           from
           a
           supernaturall
           principle
           ,
           which
           only
           is
           Gods
           spirit
           ,
           Pharasaicall
           actions
           were
           for
           a
           double
           selfish
           end
           ,
           and
           hence
           ,
           not
           from
           Gods
           spirit
           ,
           but
           nature
           ,
           and
           their
           own
           spirit
           .
           1.
           
           To
           be
           seen
           of
           men
           .
           2.
           
           If
           they
           did
           any
           of
           them
           abhor
           this
           ,
           yet
           it
           was
           to
           purchase
           and
           gender
           in
           their
           own
           minds
           an
           opinion
           of
           holines●e
           before
           God
           ,
           and
           hence
           Christ
           gives
           them
           this
           Item
           ,
           in
           giving
           Almes
           ,
           that
           they
           should
           not
           let
           the
           right
           hand
           know
           what
           their
           left
           hand
           doth
           :
           for
           many
           men
           will
           doe
           good
           acts
           ,
           lest
           they
           should
           by
           the
           neglect
           of
           them
           ,
           thinke
           them
           hypocrites
           ,
           and
           so
           be
           troubled
           for
           them
           :
           Christ
           would
           have
           us
           not
           to
           take
           notice
           of
           what
           we
           do
           for
           such
           an
           end
           .
        
         
           If
           they
           be
           animated
           and
           quickned
           from
           Gods
           
           command
           ,
           for
           the
           higher
           measure
           of
           holinesse
           for
           glorious
           ends
           ,
           without
           a
           warrant
           from
           the
           Word
           ,
           is
           the
           more
           ●ordid
           superstition
           :
           Christ
           healed
           the
           L●per
           ,
           when
           he
           charged
           him
           with
           anger
           to
           tell
           no
           man
           ,
           he
           ,
           (
           no
           question
           for
           a
           good
           end
           )
           published
           the
           miracle
           the
           more
           ;
           this
           was
           a
           good
           motion
           ,
           but
           it
           was
           sinnefull
           in
           him
           ,
           being
           crosse
           to
           Christs
           command
           :
           when
           Christ
           would
           have
           washed
           
             Peters
          
           feet
           ,
           he
           had
           many
           thoughts
           that
           came
           into
           his
           head
           ,
           concerning
           his
           owne
           vilenesse
           ,
           and
           Christs
           glory
           ;
           and
           had
           a
           good
           end
           and
           meaning
           in
           his
           answers
           ;
           yet
           his
           humility
           crossing
           Christs
           command
           ,
           the
           Lord
           professeth
           against
           it
           ,
           and
           him
           for
           it
           ,
           that
           he
           had
           no
           part
           in
           him
           ,
           if
           hee
           should
           goe
           on
           in
           it
           .
        
         
           
           Gods
           Spirit
           sets
           a
           man
           on
           worke
           in
           due
           season
           ;
           for
           let
           the
           duty
           be
           commanded
           and
           rightly
           directed
           ,
           yet
           if
           it
           be
           not
           done
           in
           season
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           from
           Gods
           Spirit
           :
           hence
           Psal.
           1.
           
           
             The
             r●ghteous
             bring
             forth
             fruit
             in
             its
             season
             :
          
           and
           hence
           
             Solomon
          
           speakes
           of
           
             words
             spoken
             in
             season
             ,
             ar●as
             apples
             of
             Gold
             :
          
           and
           hence
           we
           read
           in
           Ecclesia●tes
           of
           
             a
             time
             ,
             and
             season
             for
             ●very
             thing
             under
             the
             Su●ne
             :
          
           and
           therefore
           when
           there
           is
           a
           season
           of
           Gods
           appointing
           for
           civill
           things
           or
           businesse
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           season
           now
           to
           be
           molested
           or
           perplexed
           in
           it
           ,
           by
           the
           injection
           and
           evocation
           of
           those
           thoughts
           which
           we
           thinke
           to
           proceed
           from
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           :
           I
           know
           indeed
           ,
           that
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           doth
           enable
           a
           man
           to
           do
           whatever
           good
           he
           doth
           ;
           but
           as
           Grace
           makes
           Nature
           sometimes
           to
           serve
           ,
           so
           sinnefull
           Nature
           
           brings
           Grace
           into
           captivity
           ,
           (
           which
           
             Paul
          
           complaines
           of
           ,
           Rom.
           7.
           )
           and
           makes
           Grace
           to
           serve
           it
           .
           To
           exhort
           and
           reprove
           another
           for
           sinne
           ,
           is
           from
           Gods
           Spirit
           that
           it
           is
           done
           ,
           but
           to
           reprove
           at
           an
           unseasonable
           time
           ,
           it
           s
           from
           sinnefull
           corruption
           ,
           abusing
           Gods
           grace
           ,
           and
           makeing
           
             S●●●son
          
           to
           grinde
           .
           It
           s
           from
           the
           excellency
           of
           a
           
             〈◊〉
          
           to
           cut
           well
           ,
           but
           to
           cut
           my
           singer
           with
           it
           〈◊〉
           ●
           should
           be
           cutting
           of
           my
           meat
           with
           it
           ,
           〈◊〉
           not
           from
           the
           end
           of
           the
           knife
           ,
           nor
           from
           the
           intention
           of
           him
           that
           made
           it
           :
           so
           to
           thinke
           of
           good
           things
           ,
           it
           is
           from
           the
           spirit
           ,
           I
           grant
           ,
           but
           to
           think
           of
           them
           in
           such
           a
           season
           that
           God
           sets
           you
           a
           worke
           to
           minde
           and
           follow
           other
           occasions
           ,
           it
           s
           from
           the
           enemy
           of
           Gods
           spirit
           ,
           and
           your
           owne
           peace
           ;
           for
           as
           it
           is
           a
           sinne
           to
           nourish
           worldly
           thoughts
           when
           God
           sets
           you
           a
           worke
           in
           spirituall
           heavenly
           imployments
           ,
           so
           it
           is
           (
           in
           some
           respects
           )
           as
           great
           a
           sin
           to
           suffer
           your self
           to
           be
           distracted
           by
           spirituall
           thoughts
           ,
           when
           God
           sets
           you
           on
           worke
           in
           Civill
           (
           yet
           lawfull
           )
           imployments
           :
           such
           thoughts
           (
           I
           conceive
           )
           are
           but
           the
           leven
           of
           Monkish
           holinesse
           ,
           if
           they
           divert
           you
           from
           your
           lawfulfull
           affaires
           ,
           when
           the
           Lord
           calls
           you
           to
           follow
           them
           .
           For
           the
           Lord
           never
           calls
           you
           to
           two
           divers
           imployments
           at
           the
           same
           time
           ,
           unlesse
           you
           make
           the
           one
           to
           be
           a
           meanes
           to
           further
           the
           good
           of
           the
           other
           ;
           which
           such
           pious
           thoughts
           in
           some
           civill
           imployments
           doe
           ,
           it
           being
           no
           peece
           of
           Christian
           wisdome
           or
           honesty
           to
           turne
           round
           in
           worldly
           imployments
           so
           long
           till
           by
           giddinesse
           wee
           fall
           down
           ,
           but
           by
           secret
           steps
           ever
           and
           anon
           to
           look
           up
           to
           heaven
           
           and
           to
           behold
           the
           face
           of
           God
           ,
           to
           whom
           onely
           therein
           wee
           are
           to
           approve
           our selves
           .
           But
           yet
           it
           seemes
           your
           thoughts
           are
           so
           far
           from
           being
           subservient
           the
           one
           to
           the
           other
           ,
           that
           you
           are
           distracted
           and
           molested
           ,
           and
           your
           peace
           interrupted
           ,
           and
           your
           Christian
           course
           made
           troublesom
           ,
           and
           an
           heavy
           burthen
           ,
           which
           surely
           can
           not
           be
           by
           the
           yoke
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           therefore
           you
           must
           first
           bring
           your
           troubles
           in
           this
           particular
           to
           this
           issue
           ,
           either
           you
           may
           follow
           your
           Civill
           affaires
           ,
           and
           nourish
           these
           thoughts
           as
           helps
           to
           maintaine
           your
           peace
           and
           make
           you
           heavenly
           minded
           in
           them
           ,
           (
           and
           if
           they
           serve
           sufficiently
           to
           such
           an
           end
           ,
           why
           are
           you
           troubled
           with
           them
           ?
           )
           or
           els
           you
           cannot
           ●ollow
           God
           comfortably
           in
           civill
           actions
           ,
           unlesse
           you
           banish
           from
           you
           thoughts
           which
           doe
           so
           miserably
           distract
           you
           ,
           and
           then
           why
           doe
           you
           fear
           you
           shall
           grieve
           Gods
           Spirit
           ,
           if
           at
           the
           same
           time
           you
           do
           not
           give
           entertainment
           to
           them
           ,
           the
           unseasonablenesse
           of
           which
           ,
           speaks
           plainely
           they
           came
           not
           from
           the
           spirits
           suggestions
           ,
           besides
           their
           hinderance
           of
           comfortably
           walking
           with
           God
           ,
           which
           the
           imployments
           themselves
           can
           never
           hinder
           .
        
         
           But
           you
           will
           say
           ,
           when
           is
           the
           season
           of
           nourishing
           such
           thoughts
           .
        
         
           I
           answer
           ,
           Entertaine
           those
           thoughts
           as
           (
           it
           may
           be
           )
           you
           have
           done
           some
           friends
           ,
           who
           came
           to
           you
           at
           that
           time
           you
           have
           businesse
           with
           strangers
           ,
           (
           whom
           you
           love
           not
           so
           well
           as
           your
           friends
           ,
           )
           you
           have
           desired
           them
           to
           stay
           a
           while
           ,
           untill
           you
           have
           done
           with
           the
           other
           ,
           and
           then
           you
           have
           returned
           to
           your
           friend
           ,
           and
           when
           
           the
           other
           hath
           been
           shut●out
           of
           the
           doores
           ,
           the
           other
           hath
           had
           the
           welcom
           ,
           and
           hath
           lodged
           with
           you
           all
           night
           ,
           and
           thus
           you
           have
           grieved
           neither
           ,
           but
           pleased
           both
           .
           It
           is
           so
           in
           this
           case
           ,
           Worldly
           employments
           are
           our
           strangers
           ,
           yet
           they
           must
           be
           spoke
           with
           ,
           Religious
           thoughts
           and
           practises
           are
           our
           friends
           ,
           these
           come
           unto
           us
           while
           God
           calls
           us
           to
           parley
           with
           the
           other
           ,
           you
           cannot
           speake
           with
           both
           at
           one
           time
           ,
           in
           one
           place
           ,
           without
           much
           perplexity
           :
           take
           therefore
           this
           course
           ,
           make
           much
           of
           the
           good
           thoughts
           ,
           but
           parley
           not
           with
           them
           till
           your
           businesse
           is
           done
           with
           strangers
           ;
           and
           towards
           evening
           ,
           which
           is
           your
           season
           ,
           set
           some
           time
           apart
           every
           day
           for
           meditation
           ,
           and
           then
           make
           them
           welcome
           ;
           then
           consider
           and
           ponder
           well
           what
           was
           suggested
           to
           you
           in
           the
           day
           time
           ,
           and
           ●i●t
           every
           good
           thought
           to
           the
           bran
           ,
           for
           then
           is
           your
           season
           ,
           and
           after
           that
           let
           them
           sup
           and
           lodge
           with
           you
           all
           night
           ,
           and
           keep
           the
           house
           with
           you
           every
           day
           .
           And
           surely
           ,
           when
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           shall
           see
           what
           a
           friend
           you
           shall
           make
           of
           his
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           how
           wisely
           you
           walke
           therein
           ,
           you
           shall
           not
           need
           to
           feare
           any
           grieving
           of
           it
           ,
           or
           unseasonable
           times
           :
           nay
           (
           I
           say
           )
           you
           will
           most
           fearefully
           grieve
           his
           Spirit
           ,
           if
           you
           parley
           with
           the
           conceived
           suggestions
           of
           it
           at
           unseasonable
           times
           ,
           
             What
             thou
             dost
             ,
             doe
             it
             with
             all
             thine
             heart
             .
          
           saith
           
             Solomon
             .
          
           Eccle.
           9.
           
        
         
           Therefore
           when
           you
           are
           to
           pray
           ,
           confer
           ,
           or
           meditate
           ,
           do
           it
           with
           all
           your
           minde
           ,
           and
           all
           your
           thoughts
           ,
           and
           all
           your
           strength
           .
           So
           when
           
           God
           calls
           you
           to
           worldly
           employments
           ,
           do
           them
           with
           all
           your
           mind
           and
           might
           ,
           and
           when
           the
           season
           of
           meditation
           comes
           ,
           take
           it
           ,
           which
           glorious
           ordinace
           of
           God
           ,
           although
           many
           Christiane
           use
           it
           occasionally
           ,
           and
           against
           some
           good
           time
           ,
           or
           when
           they
           have
           leisure
           meeting
           with
           them
           ,
           yet
           to
           set
           some
           time
           apart
           for
           it
           in
           a
           solemn
           manner
           every
           day
           ,
           and
           that
           in
           conscience
           as
           wee
           doe
           for
           prayer
           generally
           ,
           where
           is
           the
           man
           to
           be
           found
           that
           does
           thus
           ?
           Those
           men
           that
           thus
           neglect
           their
           season
           of
           musing
           and
           entring
           into
           parley
           with
           Gods
           Spirit
           dayly
           ,
           may
           be
           well
           said
           to
           grieve
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           
             through
             the
             neglect
             of
             which
             ordinance
             ,
             Gods
             S●irit
             is
             as
             much
             grieved
             by
             Professors
             in
             England
             ,
             as
             by
             any
             course
             I
             know
             .
          
           The
           Lord
           awaken
           us
           :
           but
           I
           have
           run
           too
           farre
           already
           in
           this
           first
           part
           of
           my
           answer
           .
        
         
           For
           the
           second
           meanes
           
             viz.
          
           
           how
           the
           soule
           is
           to
           carry
           it selfe
           in
           Civill
           employments
           ,
           that
           so
           you
           may
           not
           thinke
           you
           do
           for
           better
           ,
           when
           you
           listen
           to
           good
           thoughts
           as
           you
           mention
           ,
        
         
           
           I
           say
           but
           two
           things
           ,
           1.
           
           Learne
           to
           follow
           them
           out
           of
           an
           awfull
           respect
           to
           the
           eye
           ,
           presence
           ,
           and
           command
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           ;
           and
           to
           doe
           what
           you
           do
           in
           Civill
           businesses
           ,
           as
           the
           worke
           of
           Christ
           ;
           When
           you
           are
           riding
           ,
           or
           making
           up
           breaches
           between
           man
           and
           man
           ,
           then
           thinke
           I
           am
           now
           about
           the
           worke
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           .
        
         
           
           Secondly
           ,
           seeing
           your selfe
           thus
           working
           in
           worldly
           employments
           for
           him
           ,
           you
           may
           easily
           
           apprehend
           that
           for
           that
           time
           God
           calls
           you
           to
           them
           ,
           and
           you
           attend
           upon
           the
           worke
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           in
           them
           ,
           that
           you
           honour
           God
           as
           much
           ,
           nay
           more
           by
           the
           meanest
           servile
           worldly
           act
           ,
           then
           if
           you
           should
           have
           spent
           all
           that
           time
           in
           meditation
           ,
           praye●
           ,
           or
           any
           other
           spirituall
           employment
           ,
           to
           which
           you
           had
           no
           call
           at
           that
           time
           :
           It
           is
           noted
           therefore
           by
           some
           ,
           of
           
             P●ters
          
           wifes
           mother
           ,
           that
           when
           Christ
           had
           healed
           her
           of
           her
           Fevor
           ,
           she
           ●ate
           not
           downe
           at
           table
           with
           Christ
           in
           communion
           with
           him
           ,
           which
           (
           no
           question
           )
           was
           sweet
           ,
           but
           ministred
           at
           the
           Table
           ,
           and
           ran
           too
           and
           fro
           ,
           and
           so
           served
           him
           ,
           and
           acted
           for
           him
           ,
           wherein
           she
           shewed
           more
           love
           ,
           and
           gave
           him
           more
           honour
           ,
           
             viz.
          
           in
           that
           meane
           service
           ,
           and
           in
           acting
           for
           him
           ,
           then
           in
           having
           communion
           with
           him
           :
           now
           if
           the
           Lord
           would
           out
           of
           his
           abundant
           goodnesse
           ,
           set
           the
           soule
           in
           such
           an
           acting
           frame
           for
           him
           ,
           and
           if
           if
           could
           do
           its
           worldly
           employments
           ,
           as
           the
           worke
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           see
           how
           greatly
           it
           honours
           Christ
           in
           attending
           on
           him
           ,
           Oh
           what
           peace
           should
           a
           Christian
           enjoy
           ,
           notwithstanding
           all
           his
           distractions
           every
           day
           !
           And
           how
           easily
           would
           such
           devout
           thoughts
           you
           speak
           of
           ,
           be
           repell'd
           like
           darknesse
           before
           the
           light
           ,
           for
           the
           noblenesse
           of
           those
           good
           thoughts
           you
           speake
           of
           presenting
           themselves
           against
           the
           mean
           and
           base
           outsides
           of
           Civil
           affaires
           ,
           makes
           you
           ready
           to
           honour
           the
           one
           ,
           when
           you
           are
           call'd
           to
           serve
           the
           other
           :
           but
           now
           ,
           by
           seeing
           ,
           you
           do
           the
           work
           of
           Christ
           Jesus
           in
           them
           ,
           you
           shall
           hereby
           see
           a
           glory
           in
           the
           meanest
           service
           you
           performe
           
           in
           Civill
           affaires
           ,
           and
           this
           will
           make
           you
           cleave
           unto
           them
           .
           But
           I
           have
           said
           too
           much
           about
           repelling
           of
           good
           thoughts
           in
           these
           times
           ,
           wherin
           men
           have
           so
           few
           ,
           though
           (
           it
           may
           be
           )
           little
           enough
           to
           satisfie
           you
           .
        
         
           Your
           second
           trouble
           is
           this
           (
           
             viz
          
           )
           that
           your
           heart
           is
           kept
           from
           being
           humbled
           for
           sinnefull
           distractions
           ,
           
           that
           hinder
           and
           interrupt
           the
           spirituall
           performance
           of
           holy
           duties
           ,
           and
           that
           for
           two
           reasons
           :
           First
           ,
           Because
           they
           be
           involuntary
           and
           accidentall
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           Because
           they
           cannot
           breake
           the
           Covenant
           between
           God
           and
           your
           soule
           ,
           being
           but
           in●irmities
           .
        
         
           For
           the
           latter
           clause
           concerning
           breach
           of
           Covenant
           ,
           
           together
           with
           the
           other
           .
           1.
           
           I
           say
           ,
           not
           onely
           in●●rmities
           do
           not
           ,
           but
           the
           greatest
           sinnes
           cannot
           make
           a
           breach
           of
           Covenant
           between
           God
           and
           the
           soul
           that
           is
           once
           really
           (
           not
           rationally
           )
           wrapt
           up
           in
           the
           Covenant
           of
           grace
           .
           Indeed
           grosse
           scandalous
           sinnes
           ,
           nay
           infirmities
           ,
           when
           they
           are
           given
           way
           to
           ,
           and
           not
           resisted
           ,
           may
           keepe
           the
           soule
           from
           the
           fruition
           for
           a
           time
           of
           Gods
           Covenant
           ,
           but
           never
           from
           the
           eternal
           
             jus
          
           and
           right
           unto
           it
           ;
           for
           as
           the
           habit
           of
           Faith
           or
           Grace
           gives
           a
           man
           a
           constant
           right
           to
           the
           promise
           and
           Covenant
           (
           which
           seed
           ever
           remaines
           ,
           which
           habit
           ever
           lasts
           ,
           
             Ier.
          
           3.
           9.
           
           )
           so
           the
           act
           of
           Faith
           or
           Grace
           gives
           a
           man
           fruition
           of
           the
           Covenant
           and
           the
           benefit
           of
           the
           promise
           ,
           and
           hence
           by
           the
           acting
           and
           venting
           of
           some
           sinnes
           wherein
           there
           is
           included
           the
           neglect
           of
           the
           exercise
           of
           grace
           ,
           He
           that
           is
           really
           in
           covenant
           with
           God
           ,
           may
           be
           deprived
           of
           the
           fruition
           
           of
           it
           ;
           yet
           seeing
           the
           seed
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           habit
           of
           grace
           ever
           remaines
           ,
           he
           cannot
           by
           any
           sin
           break
           his
           covenant
           ,
           for
           the
           covenant
           of
           grace
           is
           absolute
           ,
           wherein
           the
           Lord
           doth
           not
           onely
           promise
           the
           good
           ,
           but
           to
           begin
           and
           perfect
           and
           fulfill
           the
           condition
           absolutely
           ,
           without
           respect
           of
           sin
           ,
           
             ex
             parte
             creatur●
             :
          
           Indeed
           if
           Gods
           covenant
           of
           Grace
           did
           (
           as
           that
           of
           works
           )
           depend
           upon
           man
           to
           fulfill
           the
           condition
           ,
           having
           sufficient
           grace
           to
           fulfill
           it
           ,
           then
           grosse
           sin
           might
           well
           breake
           the
           Covenant
           :
           but
           seeing
           God
           hath
           undertaken
           to
           fulfill
           the
           Covenant
           absolutely
           ,
           notwithstanding
           all
           the
           evills
           and
           sins
           of
           the
           soul
           ,
           no
           sinne
           can
           possibly
           break
           that
           knot
           and
           covenant
           which
           so
           firme
           and
           resolute
           love
           hath
           once
           knit
           .
           And
           therefore
           ,
           if
           this
           be
           a
           good
           argument
           ,
           Infirmities
           cannot
           break
           covenat
           :
           What
           cause
           have
           I
           to
           be
           humbled
           for
           them
           ?
           so
           as
           to
           say
           ,
           It
           is
           thy
           mercy
           Lord
           that
           I
           am
           not
           consumed
           for
           them
           (
           as
           you
           write
           )
           you
           may
           upon
           the
           same
           ground
           say
           so
           ,
           If
           the
           Lord
           should
           desert
           you
           ,
           or
           you
           forsake
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           so
           fall
           into
           the
           foulest
           sinne
           ,
           which
           I
           suppose
           corrupt
           conscience
           dares
           not
           be
           so
           bold
           as
           to
           think
           or
           allow
           of
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           I
           say
           the
           least
           sinnes
           or
           infirmities
           
           do
           break
           the
           first
           covenant
           of
           workes
           :
           and
           hence
           you
           do
           not
           onely
           deserve
           ,
           but
           are
           under
           the
           sentence
           of
           death
           ,
           and
           curse
           of
           God
           ,
           immediately
           after
           the
           least
           hairs-breadth
           ,
           swarving
           from
           the
           Law
           by
           the
           smallest
           sinne
           ,
           and
           most
           involuntary
           accidentall
           infirmity
           .
           According
           to
           the
           Tenor
           of
           the
           Law
           ,
           the
           soul
           that
           
           sinneth
           shall
           die
           :
           and
           
             cursed
             is
             he
             that
             continueth
             not
             in
             all
             things
             of
             the
             Law
             .
          
           Gal.
           3.
           10.
           
           The
           least
           sinne
           being
           .
           (
           
             ex
             part●
             o●ject●
          
           )
           in
           respect
           of
           God
           against
           whom
           it
           is
           committed
           ,
           as
           horrible
           and
           as
           great
           as
           the
           greatest
           .
           For
           it
           being
           an
           infinite
           wrong
           being
           the
           dishonour
           of
           an
           infinite
           Majesty
           ,
           there
           can
           be
           no
           greater
           wrong
           then
           an
           infinite
           one
           ,
           unlesse
           you
           can
           imagine
           a
           thing
           greater
           then
           that
           which
           is
           infinite
           ;
           and
           therefore
           in
           this
           respect
           ,
           there
           is
           as
           much
           venome
           and
           mischiefe
           done
           against
           God
           in
           the
           least
           ,
           as
           in
           the
           greatest
           sinne
           :
           And
           therefore
           it
           ,
           and
           whosoever
           commits
           it
           ,
           deserves
           death
           for
           it
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           had
           committed
           the
           foulest
           sinne
           in
           the
           world
           :
           and
           therefore
           after
           the
           least
           and
           smallest
           infirmities
           ,
           you
           may
           from
           hence
           see
           what
           cause
           you
           have
           freely
           to
           be
           humbled
           ,
           and
           to
           confesse
           for
           them
           how
           worthy
           you
           are
           to
           be
           destroyed
           ;
           yea
           ,
           even
           to
           look
           upon
           your self
           as
           lying
           under
           the
           sentence
           of
           the
           Law
           and
           death
           ,
           immediately
           after
           the
           commission
           of
           them
           ,
           and
           so
           to
           mourne
           bitterly
           for
           them
           .
        
         
           But
           you
           will
           say
           ,
           
           a
           Christian
           that
           is
           under
           the
           Covenant
           of
           grace
           ,
           is
           not
           within
           the
           Covenant
           of
           workes
           ,
           that
           Bond
           is
           cancelled
           ,
           the
           last
           will
           must
           stand
           :
           and
           therefore
           he
           being
           out
           of
           that
           Covenant
           ,
           no
           sinnes
           of
           his
           can
           be
           said
           to
           breake
           the
           Covenant
           ,
           for
           no
           man
           can
           be
           said
           to
           breake
           that
           Law
           under
           which
           he
           is
           not
           ,
           and
           which
           he
           is
           not
           bound
           to
           keep
           .
        
         
           I
           answer
           ,
           
           Every
           beleever
           hath
           a
           double
           being
           or
           standing
           ,
           and
           so
           there
           may
           be
           put
           upon
           him
           a
           double
           respect
           .
        
         
         
           First
           ,
           he
           may
           be
           considered
           as
           united
           to
           ,
           and
           having
           a
           spirituall
           being
           on
           Christ
           ;
           and
           so
           it
           is
           
           true
           ,
           he
           is
           under
           grace
           ,
           and
           the
           Covenant
           of
           Grace
           ,
           and
           not
           under
           the
           Law
           ,
           nor
           the
           Covenant
           of
           workes
           ;
           and
           hence
           not
           being
           under
           the
           Law
           ,
           nor
           bound
           to
           keep
           it
           as
           a
           covenant
           of
           life
           (
           though
           it
           be
           a
           rule
           of
           life
           )
           no
           sinne
           can
           condemn
           him
           ,
           there
           being
           no
           condemnation
           to
           them
           that
           are
           in
           Christ
           Jesus
           .
           
             Rom.
          
           8.
           1.
           
           But
           as
           Christ
           is
           above
           condemnation
           ,
           and
           law
           ,
           and
           death
           ,
           and
           curse
           ,
           so
           is
           he
           .
           And
           this
           truly
           understood
           ,
           is
           the
           foundation
           of
           a
           Christians
           joy
           and
           peace
           ,
           and
           glory
           every
           day
           ;
           yet
           so
           ,
           as
           though
           sinne
           doth
           not
           condemne
           him
           ,
           yet
           he
           hath
           good
           reason
           to
           say
           ,
           it
           is
           mercy
           ,
           and
           meer
           m●rcy
           ,
           Lord
           ,
           that
           I
           am
           not
           consumed
           ,
           that
           I
           am
           condemned
           .
           For
           sinne
           is
           the
           same
           ;
           nay
           grace
           and
           Gods
           love
           aggravates
           sinne
           ;
           for
           to
           sinne
           against
           the
           law
           deserves
           death
           without
           recovery
           ,
           but
           to
           sinne
           when
           grace
           hath
           received
           me
           ,
           and
           loved
           me
           ;
           when
           the
           blood
           of
           Christ
           hath
           bin
           shed
           abundantly
           to
           deliver
           me
           from
           sin
           ;
           Oh
           this
           makes
           the
           most
           secret
           silent
           sinne
           a
           crying
           one
           ●
           So
           that
           if
           you
           do
           consider
           this
           well
           ,
           you
           may
           see
           what
           little
           cause
           there
           is
           to
           have
           your
           heart
           rising
           against
           the
           deepest
           humiliation
           for
           the
           least
           sinne
           ,
           though
           you
           be
           in
           Christ
           ,
           and
           under
           grace
           :
           For
           as
           
             Daniel
          
           when
           he
           was
           put
           into
           the
           Lions
           den
           ,
           had
           not
           he
           cause
           to
           wonder
           that
           he
           was
           not
           torne
           in
           pieces
           by
           them
           ?
           and
           why
           ?
           because
           it
           was
           not
           from
           any
           defect
           on
           their
           parts
           to
           teare
           him
           in
           pieces
           ,
           but
           from
           the
           omnipotent
           power
           ,
           and
           mercy
           ,
           
           and
           grace
           of
           his
           God
           ,
           that
           muzzell'd
           their
           mouths
           ;
           so
           though
           no
           Lion
           can
           teare
           ,
           though
           no
           sinnes
           can
           hurt
           or
           condemn
           a
           Christian
           ,
           as
           hee
           is
           considered
           in
           Christ
           ;
           yet
           ,
           hath
           no●
           he
           cause
           to
           confesse
           and
           wonder
           ,
           and
           say
           ,
           Lord
           ,
           it
           is
           thy
           meer
           grace
           and
           mercy
           that
           it
           is
           not
           so
           ?
           (
           which
           is
           the
           act
           of
           humiliation
           you
           letter
           saith
           you
           can
           hardly
           come
           unto
           )
           and
           why
           ?
           not
           because
           Gods
           grace
           puts
           any
           lesse
           evill
           in
           sinne
           ,
           but
           because
           it
           is
           meerely
           grace
           that
           keeps
           it
           from
           spitting
           that
           venome
           which
           otherwise
           it
           would
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           A
           Christian
           may
           be
           considered
           in
           respect
           of
           his
           naturall
           being
           in
           himselfe
           ,
           and
           thus
           he
           is
           ever
           under
           the
           Law
           ,
           and
           as
           oft
           as
           hee
           sinneth
           ,
           under
           the
           sentence
           of
           death
           (
           and
           as
           the
           Apostle
           speakes
           )
           by
           nature
           even
           we
           (
           justified
           ,
           quickned
           )
           are
           the
           children
           of
           wrath
           as
           well
           as
           others
           .
           And
           thus
           after
           the
           least
           involuntary
           accidentall
           si●ne
           ,
           you
           may
           easily
           see
           what
           cause
           you
           have
           to
           lie
           down
           deepely
           humbled
           ,
           mourning
           under
           the
           sentence
           of
           death
           ,
           and
           Gods
           eternall
           curse
           ,
           as
           a
           condemned
           man
           going
           to
           the
           execution
           ,
           to
           feel
           that
           fire
           that
           shall
           never
           go
           out
           ;
           looking
           upon
           your self
           as
           you
           are
           in
           your self
           ,
           a
           forlorn
           castaway
           every
           moment
           :
           and
           this
           truly
           understood
           is
           the
           foundation
           of
           a
           Christians
           sorrow
           ,
           shame
           ,
           and
           confusion
           of
           face
           ,
           self-loathing
           ,
           self-forgetting
           ,
           self●forsaking
           ,
           and
           condemning
           every
           day
           :
           and
           (
           believe
           it
           Sir
           )
           it
           is
           no
           small
           piece
           of
           a
           Christians
           skill
           and
           work
           ,
           to
           put
           a
           difference
           between
           himselfe
           and
           himself
           ,
           himselfe
           as
           he
           is
           in
           Christ
           ,
           and
           so
           to
           joy
           and
           triumph
           ,
           and
           himselfe
           as
           hee
           
           is
           growing
           on
           his
           first
           root
           ,
           and
           so
           to
           sorrow
           ,
           and
           loath
           ,
           and
           condemn
           himself
           :
           so
           that
           (
           to
           wi●de
           up
           all
           that
           I
           have
           said
           )
           looke
           upon
           your selfe
           as
           in
           Christ
           ,
           you
           may
           say
           these
           involuntary
           infirmities
           do
           not
           ,
           shall
           not
           ,
           condemn
           me
           .
        
         
           But
           Lord
           it
           is
           grace
           ,
           Grace
           that
           it
           is
           not
           so
           ,
           and
           this
           is
           Evangelicall
           humiliation
           .
           Look
           again
           upon
           your self
           ,
           as
           you
           stand
           on
           your
           own
           bottom
           ,
           and
           live
           in
           your
           owne
           nature
           ,
           and
           so
           you
           may
           say
           after
           the
           least
           infirmity
           ;
           I
           have
           now
           broken
           a
           most
           holy
           and
           righteous
           Law
           ,
           and
           therefore
           I
           am
           already
           condemned
           :
           O
           woe
           is
           me
           ,
           I
           have
           already
           undone
           my selfe
           by
           mine
           iniquity
           :
           and
           this
           is
           Legall
           humiliation
           ,
           which
           serves
           for
           mortification
           ,
           as
           the
           first
           for
           vification
           .
           I
           know
           it
           is
           very
           difficult
           to
           bring
           the
           heart
           to
           acknowledge
           freely
           it
           deserves
           death
           after
           so
           ●mall
           an
           involuntary
           offence
           :
           but
           when
           the
           Lord
           reveales
           two
           things
           ,
           First
           ,
           himself
           in
           his
           glory
           ,
           Secondly
           ,
           how
           the
           least
           sinne
           strikes
           him
           :
           I
           perswade
           my selfe
           the
           vilest
           heart
           cannot
           but
           be
           forced
           to
           confesse
           how
           just
           God
           should
           be
           in
           his
           severest
           proceedings
           against
           him
           .
           And
           withall
           consider
           ,
           the
           more
           involuntary
           any
           sinne
           is
           ,
           the
           more
           strong
           and
           naturall
           it
           is
           ,
           and
           the
           more
           naturall
           ,
           the
           more
           horrible
           ,
           as
           to
           be
           a
           naturall
           Thief
           is
           farre
           worse
           then
           to
           be
           a
           deliberat
           thiefe
           ,
           who
           sometimes
           steales
           ;
           and
           therefore
           (
           good
           Sir
           )
           take
           heed
           of
           looking
           no
           deeper
           ,
           nor
           seeing
           no
           further
           then
           the
           bare
           act
           ,
           and
           unvoluntarinesse
           and
           accidentalnesse
           ,
           and
           suddennesse
           of
           your
           infirmities
           :
           for
           if
           you
           do
           ,
           you
           look
           through
           the
           wrong
           end
           
           of
           the
           glas●e
           ,
           and
           they
           will
           appear
           so
           small
           ,
           that
           you
           will
           find
           it
           a
           very
           tough
           work
           to
           bring
           your
           heart
           consentively
           to
           say
           (
           if
           I
           may
           say
           and
           use
           your
           owne
           phrase
           )
           It
           is
           thy
           mercy
           Lord
           that
           I
           am
           not
           consumed
           for
           them
           :
           but
           look
           upon
           them
           as
           indeed
           they
           are
           ,
           in
           respect
           of
           that
           infinite
           glory
           ,
           you
           strike
           doing
           the
           greatest
           mischiefes
           to
           God
           by
           them
           ,
           and
           (
           which
           makes
           them
           the
           viler
           )
           as
           they
           are
           so
           strong
           ,
           you
           cannot
           remove
           them
           ;
           and
           so
           horrible
           ,
           as
           that
           it
           is
           naturall
           to
           you
           to
           commit
           them
           ,
           &c.
           
           And
           surely
           you
           will
           not
           (
           through
           grace
           )
           finde
           such
           thoughts
           haunt
           you
           long
           ;
           not
           but
           that
           they
           wil
           be
           (
           haply
           )
           rising
           and
           tempting
           ,
           but
           never
           allway
           vexing
           and
           prevailing
           .
           Satans
           ground
           reaching
           as
           far
           as
           the
           minds
           of
           Gods
           people
           ,
           
           and
           therefore
           so
           farre
           he
           may
           come
           ,
           and
           there
           he
           may
           walke
           ,
           (
           for
           the
           came
           into
           the
           minde
           of
           innocent
           
             Adam
             .
          
           nay
           
             Iesus
             Christ
             .
          
           by
           his
           suggesting
           temptations
           )
           but
           the
           heart
           is
           Christs
           peculiar
           pos●ession
           and
           purchase
           ;
           and
           if
           he
           shall
           still
           there
           offer
           to
           come
           in
           and
           vex
           you
           ,
           and
           prevail
           against
           you
           ,
           and
           to
           lodge
           his
           suggestions
           this
           or
           any
           other
           way
           with
           you
           ,
           you
           have
           Law
           and
           Christ
           on
           your
           side
           ,
           by
           this
           little
           light
           now
           given
           you
           ,
           to
           cast
           him
           out
           .
        
         
           The
           third
           thing
           that
           troubles
           you
           ,
           is
           the
           disranking
           of
           the
           Persons
           in
           the
           Trinity
           ,
           
           for
           though
           you
           thinke
           the
           holy
           Ghost
           is
           God
           ,
           yet
           you
           have
           not
           so
           high
           a
           repute
           of
           him
           ,
           as
           of
           the
           Father
           and
           the
           Sonne
           ,
           because
           the
           Sonne
           addresseth
           himselfe
           to
           God
           the
           Father
           in
           all
           his
           prayers
           and
           acknowledgements
           ,
           in
           a
           more
           immediate
           
           manner
           then
           unto
           the
           holy
           Ghost
           ,
           and
           therefore
           you
           would
           know
           if
           the
           word
           Father
           (
           as
           in
           the
           Lords
           Prayer
           ,
           )
           includes
           not
           the
           Unity
           in
           Trinity
           .
        
         
           To
           this
           briefly
           consider
           three
           things
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Without
           all
           question
           ,
           
           the
           same
           God
           which
           lies
           under
           that
           relative
           property
           of
           Father
           ,
           is
           the
           same
           God
           with
           the
           God-head
           of
           the
           Sonne
           ,
           and
           the
           God-head
           of
           the
           holy
           Ghost
           ,
           there
           being
           not
           three
           Gods
           ;
           and
           therefore
           the
           God-head
           of
           the
           Sonne
           and
           Spirit
           ,
           are
           not
           excluded
           ,
           but
           included
           in
           the
           Godhead
           of
           the
           Father
           ,
           when
           we
           looke
           upon
           the
           Father
           as
           God
           ,
           in
           the
           Lords
           Prayer
           ,
           or
           anywhere
           else
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           But
           secondly
           ,
           the
           Father
           as
           Father
           ,
           is
           never
           taken
           for
           the
           same
           holy
           Ghost
           in
           Scripture
           ,
           nor
           the
           Sonne
           as
           Sonne
           ,
           is
           taken
           for
           the
           Father
           ,
           nor
           the
           holy
           Ghost
           as
           holy
           Ghost
           ,
           is
           at
           any
           time
           taken
           for
           the
           Sonne
           :
           For
           it
           is
           a
           rule
           in
           Theologie
           ,
           though
           the
           
             res
             subs●rata
          
           the
           thing
           that
           lies
           under
           the
           Relative
           property
           (
           
             viz.
          
           the
           God-head
           )
           of
           every
           person
           ,
           be
           common
           and
           communicated
           ,
           yet
           the
           same
           God-head
           considered
           as
           clothed
           with
           his
           Relative
           property
           (
           as
           Father
           ,
           Son
           and
           Spirit
           )
           it
           is
           not
           common
           ,
           but
           peculiar
           .
           For
           the
           God-head
           of
           the
           Father
           as
           Father
           ,
           is
           not
           the
           God-head
           of
           the
           Son
           as
           Son
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           3.
           
           Hence
           it
           followes
           that
           when
           Christ
           addre●seth
           himselfe
           to
           the
           Father
           as
           Father
           in
           Scripture
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           because
           he
           is
           either
           a
           diverse
           or
           greater
           God
           then
           the
           holy
           Ghost
           ,
           but
           it
           is
           for
           two
           other
           reasons
           .
        
         
         
           1.
           
           Because
           the
           Father
           as
           Father
           ,
           received
           primarily
           the
           wrong
           that
           sinne
           did
           against
           his
           worke
           of
           creation
           .
           For
           the
           Father
           being
           the
           first
           Person
           in
           order
           ,
           and
           creation
           ,
           the
           first
           transient
           act
           (
           as
           election
           and
           reprobation
           were
           the
           first
           immanent
           )
           hence
           this
           worke
           is
           attributed
           chiefly
           to
           God
           the
           Father
           ,
           in
           respect
           of
           our
           orderly
           apprehension
           ;
           and
           hence
           man
           sinning
           then
           when
           he
           was
           onely
           made
           ,
           this
           is
           chiefly
           attributed
           to
           be
           against
           the
           Father
           ,
           because
           his
           worke
           appeared
           to
           be
           chiefly
           there
           ,
           and
           not
           against
           the
           Son
           ,
           for
           his
           worke
           chiefly
           appeares
           in
           redemption
           ,
           hee
           being
           the
           second
           Person
           ,
           and
           this
           the
           second
           main
           and
           wonderfull
           work
           ,
           neither
           against
           the
           holy
           Ghost
           ,
           for
           his
           worke
           chiefly
           appeares
           to
           us
           in
           application
           ,
           being
           the
           third
           Person
           ,
           And
           this
           the
           third
           main
           act
           that
           ever
           God
           will
           do
           ,
           or
           show
           forth
           to
           the
           world
           in
           this
           life
           :
           hence
           God
           the
           Father
           receiving
           to
           our
           apprehension
           ,
           the
           wrong
           in
           creation
           by
           sinne
           ,
           he
           is
           the
           Person
           that
           is
           to
           be
           satisfied
           and
           not
           the
           holy
           Ghost
           .
           And
           hence
           Jesus
           Christ
           in
           all
           his
           prayers
           hath
           a
           most
           speciall
           eye
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           the
           holy
           Ghost
           (
           as
           holy
           Ghost
           )
           because
           he
           came
           into
           the
           world
           by
           his
           death
           ,
           and
           intercession
           ,
           and
           strong
           cries
           ,
           to
           satisfie
           God
           the
           Father
           ,
           and
           not
           God
           the
           holy
           Ghost
           as
           a
           third
           Person
           .
           And
           hence
           it
           is
           said
           ,
           1
           John
           .
           2.
           1.
           2.
           
           
             If
             any
             man
             sinne
             ,
             we
             have
             an
             Advocate
             with
             God
             the
             Father
             .
          
           (
           not
           God
           the
           holy
           Ghost
           )
           because
           he
           was
           (
           to
           our
           apprehension
           )
           the
           Person
           wronged
           :
           and
           hence
           we
           are
           after
           sins
           committed
           chiefly
           to
           eye
           the
           Father
           in
           our
           prayers
           ,
           
           and
           to
           go
           to
           him
           for
           pardon
           with
           our
           advocate
           with
           us
           ,
           because
           to
           whom
           offence
           is
           chiefly
           offered
           ,
           from
           ●im
           chiefly
           pardon
           and
           reconciliation
           is
           to
           be
           expected
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Therefore
           Christ
           addresseth
           himselfe
           chiefly
           in
           his
           prayers
           to
           God
           the
           Father
           ,
           because
           hee
           is
           the
           originall
           and
           first
           cause
           of
           all
           good
           ,
           because
           he
           is
           the
           first
           Person
           in
           order
           of
           subsisting
           ,
           and
           therefore
           first
           too
           in
           the
           manner
           of
           conveying
           .
           I
           know
           the
           God-head
           is
           the
           originall
           of
           all
           good
           :
           but
           consider
           the
           Persons
           one
           with
           another
           ,
           and
           so
           the
           father
           is
           ever
           the
           first
           in
           operation
           ,
           as
           the
           holy
           Ghost
           is
           the
           last
           in
           consummation
           ,
           for
           all
           good
           comes
           from
           the
           Father
           ,
           
             Iames
          
           1.
           17.
           through
           the
           Sonne
           by
           the
           holy
           Ghost
           .
           And
           hence
           in
           all
           our
           prayers
           we
           are
           to
           looke
           for
           all
           good
           from
           the
           Father
           ,
           for
           his
           Sonnes
           sake
           to
           be
           conveyed
           us
           by
           the
           holy
           Ghost
           :
           and
           hence
           it
           is
           said
           ,
           
             Iohn
          
           6.
           10.
           
           
             No
             man
             com●s
             to
             me
             but
             whom
             the
             Father
             draws
             :
          
           Why
           ?
           It
           is
           the
           immediate
           office
           and
           worke
           of
           the
           holy
           Ghost
           to
           draw
           and
           apply
           the
           soul
           unto
           Christ
           ,
           why
           then
           is
           it
           said
           ,
           
             Vnle●se
             the
             Father
             draw
             ?
          
           The
           reason
           is
           ,
           because
           that
           which
           was
           perfected
           and
           consummated
           by
           the
           holy
           Ghost
           ,
           was
           intentionally
           and
           by
           way
           of
           purpose
           and
           decree
           begun
           originally
           by
           the
           Father
           ;
           and
           this
           is
           that
           which
           Christs
           words
           have
           chiefly
           reference
           unto
           (
           
             viz
          
           )
           the
           Father
           through
           the
           Son
           by
           the
           holy
           Ghost
           draws
           .
        
         
           But
           I
           have
           waded
           too
           far
           in
           this
           Divinity
           ,
           the
           cleer
           knowledge
           of
           which
           is
           reserved
           for
           us
           in
           heaven
           :
           But
           thus
           much
           to
           satisfie
           you
           ,
           yet
           
           the
           word
           Father
           in
           the
           Lords
           Prayer
           ,
           I
           conceive
           under
           correction
           ,
           as
           it
           doth
           not
           exclude
           any
           person
           of
           the
           God-head
           ,
           so
           it
           s
           chiefly
           set
           downe
           there
           ,
           not
           so
           much
           to
           denote
           the
           Person
           of
           the
           Father
           ,
           as
           the
           affection
           of
           God
           as
           a
           Father
           to
           us
           his
           Sons
           by
           Christ
           ,
           which
           we
           are
           to
           believe
           in
           our
           first
           approaching
           to
           our
           prayers
           ,
           to
           be
           as
           ,
           nay
           to
           transcend
           the
           affection
           of
           any
           father
           to
           his
           Son
           :
           when
           we
           com
           to
           call
           upon
           him
           for
           those
           six
           things
           which
           the
           Petitions
           set
           down
           ,
           for
           those
           three
           ends
           ,
           kingdom
           ,
           power
           ,
           and
           glory
           ,
           which
           the
           Prayer
           concludes
           withall
           .
        
         
           Your
           fourth
           trouble
           is
           your
           aptnesse
           to
           go
           to
           God
           immediately
           ,
           
           especially
           when
           his
           graces
           are
           most
           striving
           in
           his
           ordinances
           ,
           contrary
           to
           that
           of
           Christ
           ,
           
             Yee
             believe
             in
             God
             ,
             believe
             also
             in
             me
             .
          
        
         
           So
           indeed
           it
           is
           usuall
           for
           religious
           nature
           often
           to
           out-run
           and
           get
           the
           start
           of
           grace
           ;
           
           as
           it
           appeares
           in
           many
           other
           ,
           so
           in
           this
           case
           you
           put
           ;
           looke
           as
           it
           is
           with
           every
           man
           when
           God
           awakens
           him
           effectually
           ,
           he
           first
           seeks
           to
           his
           kitchin
           physick
           to
           save
           himselfe
           ,
           by
           his
           duties
           ,
           praying
           ,
           mourning
           ,
           re●orming
           ,
           endeavouring
           ,
           repenting
           ,
           working
           ,
           before
           he
           will
           seeke
           out
           to
           the
           Physician
           ,
           and
           to
           Christ
           to
           save
           him
           .
           Because
           it
           was
           naturall
           to
           
             Adam
          
           to
           seeke
           to
           live
           by
           his
           working
           ,
           it
           is
           naturall
           to
           every
           Son
           and
           branch
           of
           that
           root
           ,
           to
           seeke
           to
           save
           himselfe
           by
           doing
           as
           well
           as
           hee
           can
           ,
           or
           as
           God
           gives
           him
           the
           strength
           and
           grace
           .
           So
           it
           is
           here
           .
           It
           was
           naturall
           to
           
             Adam
          
           to
           depend
           upon
           ,
           and
           go
           to
           
           God
           immediately
           ,
           as
           a
           creature
           to
           a
           Creator
           ,
           as
           a
           Sonne
           to
           go
           nakedly
           to
           God
           as
           a
           Father
           :
           Christ
           was
           not
           then
           known
           ,
           nor
           seen
           :
           so
           it
           is
           naturall
           to
           every
           man
           ,
           when
           rectified
           Nature
           is
           stirred
           up
           ,
           to
           go
           immediately
           to
           God
           .
           It
           is
           grace
           in
           the
           second
           Covenant
           that
           reveales
           and
           drawes
           to
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           and
           to
           God
           by
           Christ
           ,
           
             Heb.
          
           7.
           25.
           
        
         
           For
           cure
           of
           this
           distemper
           ,
           ponder
           but
           these
           three
           things
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Cleerely
           convince
           the
           soule
           that
           the
           immortall
           ,
           invisible
           ,
           and
           most
           holy
           God
           ,
           that
           dwelleth
           in
           an
           un-approachable
           light
           ,
           hath
           set
           out
           himselfe
           to
           be
           seen
           ,
           or
           made
           himselfe
           only
           visible
           in
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           so
           that
           he
           would
           have
           no
           man
           looke
           upon
           him
           any
           other
           waies
           ,
           then
           as
           he
           hath
           revealed
           himselfe
           in
           his
           Son
           :
           In
           whom
           (
           though
           in
           all
           other
           creatures
           his
           
             vestigia
          
           and
           footsteeps
           are
           to
           be
           seen
           )
           as
           he
           is
           God
           ,
           the
           face
           of
           God
           is
           to
           be
           seen
           ,
           which
           no
           creature
           is
           able
           to
           behold
           ,
           but
           there
           ,
           being
           the
           brightnesse
           of
           his
           glory●
           and
           the
           expresse
           Image
           of
           his
           Person
           ,
           
             Heb.
          
           1.
           3.
           
           And
           as
           hee
           is
           man
           ,
           the
           very
           heart
           of
           God
           ,
           both
           in
           respect
           of
           affection
           ,
           and
           will
           to
           be
           seen
           ;
           So
           that
           in
           and
           through
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           especially
           his
           humane
           nature
           ,
           the
           glory
           of
           the
           great
           God
           breakes
           out
           like
           the
           Sun
           through
           the
           clouds
           most
           brightly
           ,
           in
           respect
           of
           us
           ,
           and
           therefore
           in
           and
           through
           his
           humane
           nature
           we
           are
           onely
           to
           behold
           God
           ,
           in
           whom
           all
           that
           a
           Christian
           desires
           to
           know
           ,
           is
           to
           bee
           seen
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           face
           and
           heart
           of
           so
           deare
           a
           friend
           .
           2
           
             Cor.
             4.
             6.
             
             Ioh.
          
           14.
           9
           ,
           10.
           
           For
           
           we
           know
           by
           too
           lamentable
           experience
           ,
           how
           the
           whole
           world
           vanishing
           in
           their
           smoaky
           thoughts
           of
           the
           glory
           of
           God
           ,
           as
           he
           is
           considered
           in
           himselfe
           ,
           and
           not
           able
           to
           conceive
           or
           retain
           the
           knowledge
           of
           him
           ,
           did
           hence
           invent
           and
           set
           up
           I
           makes
           as
           ●it
           objects
           for
           their
           drunken
           staggering
           understanding
           to
           fasten
           upon
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           limited
           with
           ,
           and
           hence
           adored
           God
           before
           these
           ,
           (
           as
           our
           Popish
           Hypocrites
           doe
           before
           the
           Altar
           )
           and
           in
           these
           ,
           and
           at
           these
           ,
           as
           Papists
           doe
           in
           respect
           of
           their
           Images
           .
           Hence
           the
           Lord
           to
           cure
           this
           inveterate
           naturall
           malady
           ,
           hath
           in
           the
           second
           Person
           ,
           united
           himselfe
           to
           man
           Christ
           Jesus
           ,
           through
           whom
           we
           are
           both
           able
           to
           our
           everlasting
           wonderment
           to
           see
           him
           ,
           and
           also
           here
           bound
           onely
           to
           behold
           him
           ,
           who
           as
           he
           is
           a
           sit
           handle
           for
           our
           faith
           ,
           so
           he
           is
           a
           ●it
           object
           for
           our
           weak
           mindes
           to
           behold
           the
           glory
           of
           the
           most
           high
           God
           in
           .
           Wherefore
           then
           do
           you
           offer
           to
           go
           unto
           God
           without
           Christ
           ,
           when
           as
           you
           are
           not
           so
           much
           as
           to
           looke
           upon
           God
           ,
           but
           as
           he
           appeares
           in
           Christ
           .
           Is
           not
           the
           humane
           nature
           of
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           more
           easie
           to
           be
           seen
           and
           conceived
           of
           ,
           then
           the
           invisible
           unlimited
           eternall
           God-head
           ?
        
         
           2.
           
           Secondly
           ,
           See
           evidently
           that
           there
           is
           not
           any
           dram
           or
           drop
           of
           God
           you
           have
           ,
           especially
           in
           Gods
           ordinances
           ,
           but
           it
           issues
           from
           the
           blood
           ,
           and
           is
           purchased
           by
           the
           intercession
           ,
           and
           delivered
           unto
           you
           by
           the
           hand
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           .
           
             Eph●s
             .
             1.
             7.
             
             H●br
             .
             7.
             25.
             
             Iohn
          
           5.
           22.
           
           You
           should
           never
           have
           heard
           the
           sound
           of
           the
           gospel
           ,
           nor
           never
           have
           had
           day
           of
           Patience
           ,
           nor
           never
           
           have
           heard
           of
           Gods
           Ordinances
           to
           finde
           him
           in
           ,
           nor
           never
           have
           been
           comforted
           ,
           quickned
           ,
           enlarged
           ,
           affected
           by
           God
           Ordinances
           ,
           were
           it
           not
           for
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           the
           efficacy
           of
           whose
           blood
           ,
           and
           power
           of
           whose
           glorious
           intercession
           ,
           doth
           at
           the
           very
           instant
           you
           feele
           any
           good
           in
           Gods
           Ordinances
           ,
           prevaile
           with
           God
           the
           Father
           for
           what
           you
           feel
           ;
           for
           the
           Father
           loveth
           the
           Sonne
           ,
           and
           
             hath
             put
             all
             things
             into
             his
             hands
             ,
             Iohn
             .
          
           4.
           35.
           that
           all
           men
           might
           honour
           the
           Son
           ;
           all
           the
           three
           Persons
           plotting
           chiefly
           for
           the
           honour
           of
           the
           second
           ;
           so
           that
           you
           may
           see
           ,
           nay
           you
           are
           bound
           to
           believe
           ,
           at
           the
           time
           you
           feele
           your
           heart
           savingly
           affected
           in
           any
           ordinance
           now
           ,
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           who
           is
           at
           the
           right
           hand
           of
           God
           in
           heaven
           ,
           who
           is
           now
           in
           his
           glory
           ,
           now
           he
           remembring
           me
           a
           poore
           worme
           on
           earth
           ,
           now
           I
           feele
           the
           fruite
           of
           his
           death
           .
           O
           what
           a
           miserable
           forlorn
           wretch
           had
           I
           been
           ,
           were
           it
           not
           for
           Jesus
           Christ
           ?
           Mercy
           could
           never
           have
           helped
           ,
           enlightned
           ,
           comforted
           ,
           quickned
           ,
           assured
           ,
           enlarged
           me
           ,
           and
           Justice
           could
           never
           have
           relieved
           my
           dead
           ,
           bloudy
           ,
           peris●ing
           lost
           Soul
           ,
           had
           it
           not
           been
           for
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           whose
           Spirit
           ,
           power
           ,
           grace
           ,
           comfort
           ,
           presence
           ,
           sweetnesse
           ,
           I
           taste
           ,
           drink
           ,
           and
           am
           satisfied
           abundantly
           with
           ,
           and
           now
           doe
           enjoy
           .
        
         
           Oh
           Sir
           ,
           me thinks
           the
           sad
           meditation
           of
           this
           ,
           should
           make
           you
           in
           all
           Gods
           ordinances
           ,
           where
           you
           are
           apt
           to
           say
           you
           go
           immediately
           to
           God
           ,
           to
           hasten
           suddenly
           in
           your
           thoughts
           ,
           affections
           ,
           praises
           ,
           to
           Jesus
           Christ
           .
           Nay
           ,
           me thinks
           you
           
           should
           speedily
           have
           your
           heart
           elevated
           and
           lifted
           up
           to
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           and
           say
           ,
           I
           receive
           this
           ,
           and
           taste
           this
           from
           Jesus
           Christ
           .
           Oh
           ,
           but
           this
           is
           but
           a
           taste
           of
           the
           hony-comb
           with
           the
           end
           of
           my
           rod
           ,
           and
           if
           this
           presence
           of
           Christs
           Spirit
           I
           feel
           now
           be
           so
           sweet
           ,
           what
           is
           himselfe
           then
           ?
        
         
           3.
           
           Thirdly
           ,
           Labour
           for
           increase
           of
           love
           and
           familiarity
           with
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           by
           taking
           notice
           of
           him
           ,
           by
           comming
           often
           to
           him
           ,
           by
           musing
           daily
           on
           his
           love
           ,
           as
           on
           a
           fresh
           thing
           ,
           by
           banishing
           slavish
           false
           feares
           of
           his
           forgetfulnesse
           of
           you
           ,
           and
           want
           of
           everlasting
           love
           towards
           you
           :
           and
           then
           you
           know
           love
           will
           carry
           you
           speedito
           him
           :
           
             amor
             meus
             pondus
             meum
             .
          
           nay
           ,
           grant
           that
           you
           have
           been
           a
           stranger
           to
           Christ
           ,
           yet
           restore
           the
           love
           of
           Christ
           to
           life
           againe
           in
           your
           Soul
           ,
           and
           when
           you
           come
           to
           his
           ordinances
           where
           he
           dwells
           ,
           your
           Soul
           will
           make
           its
           first
           enquiry
           for
           him
           ,
           neither
           will
           it
           be
           satisfied
           till
           it
           hath
           seen
           him
           ,
           as
           we
           do
           them
           wee
           love
           ,
           towards
           whom
           wee
           have
           been
           greatest
           strangers
           .
        
         
           Your
           fifth
           trouble
           is
           ,
           you
           know
           not
           how
           to
           apply
           absolute
           promises
           to
           your selfe
           ,
           
           as
           in
           
             Heb.
          
           8.
           because
           they
           are
           made
           indefinitely
           without
           condition
           .
           Conditional
           promises
           you
           say
           you
           can
           ,
           if
           you
           can
           find
           the
           qualification
           that
           gives
           you
           right
           to
           the
           good
           of
           the
           promise
           within
           you
           .
        
         
           This
           usefull
           fruitfull
           question
           ,
           
           how
           to
           apply
           absolute
           promises
           to
           ones
           particular
           ,
           deserves
           a
           larger
           time
           and
           answer
           ,
           then
           now
           in
           the
           midst
           
           of
           perplexities
           ,
           I
           am
           able
           ,
           yet
           willing
           ,
           to
           give
           .
           For
           when
           the
           Lord
           saith
           absolutely
           without
           condition
           ,
           that
           hee
           will
           take
           away
           the
           stony
           heart
           ,
           and
           he
           will
           put
           his
           feare
           into
           his
           peoples
           hearts
           ,
           &c.
           and
           these
           kind
           of
           promises
           are
           made
           to
           some
           ,
           not
           to
           all
           ,
           to
           those
           only
           whom
           the
           Lord
           will
           ,
           and
           in
           generall
           to
           his
           people
           ,
           Hereupon
           the
           Soul●s
           of
           many
           Christians
           ,
           especially
           such
           as
           question
           Gods
           love
           towards
           them
           ,
           are
           most
           in
           suspence
           :
           and
           therefore
           when
           they
           complaine
           of
           the
           vilenesse
           of
           their
           hearts
           and
           strength
           of
           their
           lusts
           ,
           let
           any
           man
           tell
           them
           that
           the
           Lord
           hath
           undertaken
           in
           the
           Second
           Covenant
           ,
           to
           heal
           their
           backslidings
           ,
           and
           to
           subdue
           their
           iniquities
           ,
           they
           will
           hereupon
           reply
           ,
           it
           is
           true
           ,
           hee
           hath
           promised
           indeed
           to
           do
           thus
           for
           some
           absolutely
           ,
           though
           they
           have
           no
           good
           in
           them
           ,
           but
           I
           that
           feele
           so
           vile
           a
           heart
           ,
           so
           rebellious
           a
           nature
           ,
           will
           he
           do
           this
           for
           me
           ,
           or
           no
           ?
           and
           thus
           the
           Soule
           floats
           above
           water
           ,
           yet
           feares
           it
           shall
           sink
           at
           last
           ,
           notwithstanding
           all
           that
           God
           hath
           said
           .
           I
           will
           answer
           therefore
           briefly
           these
           two
           things
           in
           generall
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           I
           shall
           shew
           you
           to
           what
           end
           ,
           and
           for
           what
           use
           and
           purpose
           God
           hath
           made
           absolute
           promises
           ,
           not
           onely
           to
           them
           that
           be
           for
           the
           present
           his
           people
           ,
           but
           to
           them
           that
           in
           respect
           of
           their
           estates
           and
           condition
           are
           not
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           I
           shall
           shew
           you
           how
           every
           Christian
           is
           to
           make
           use
           of
           them
           ,
           and
           how
           and
           when
           hee
           ought
           to
           apply
           them
           .
           For
           the
           first
           of
           these
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           First
           ,
           I
           conceive
           that
           as
           in
           respect
           of
           God
           himselfe
           ,
           there
           are
           many
           ends
           which
           I
           
           shall
           not
           mention
           ,
           as
           being
           needlesse
           ,
           so
           in
           respect
           of
           man
           ,
           there
           are
           principally
           these
           two
           ends
           for
           which
           the
           Lord
           hath
           made
           absolute
           promises
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           To
           raise
           up
           the
           Soul
           of
           a
           helplesse
           sinnefull
           cursed
           lost
           sinner
           in
           his
           owne
           eyes
           ,
           to
           some
           hope
           (
           at
           least
           )
           of
           mercy
           and
           help
           from
           the
           Lord
           .
           For
           thus
           usually
           every
           mans
           Soul
           is
           wrought
           ,
           to
           whom
           the
           Lord
           doth
           intend
           grace
           and
           mer●y
           :
           he
           first
           turnes
           his
           eyes
           inward
           ,
           and
           makes
           him
           to
           see
           he
           is
           stark
           naught
           ,
           and
           that
           he
           hath
           not
           one
           dram
           of
           grace
           in
           him
           ,
           who
           thought
           himself
           rich
           ,
           and
           wanting
           nothing
           before
           ,
           and
           consequently
           ,
           that
           hee
           is
           under
           the
           curse
           and
           wrath
           of
           God
           for
           the
           present
           ,
           and
           that
           if
           the
           Lord
           should
           but
           stop
           his
           breath
           ,
           and
           cover
           his
           face
           ,
           and
           take
           him
           away
           ,
           which
           he
           may
           easily
           do
           ,
           and
           is
           to
           be
           feared
           he
           will
           ,
           that
           he
           is
           undon
           for
           ever
           .
           Hereupon
           the
           Soul
           is
           awakened
           and
           falls
           to
           his
           kitchin
           physick
           ,
           as
           I
           spake
           before
           ,
           prayes
           ,
           and
           hears
           ,
           and
           amends
           ,
           and
           strives
           to
           grow
           better
           ,
           and
           to
           stop
           up
           every
           hole
           ,
           and
           to
           amend
           it selfe
           of
           every
           sinne
           ,
           but
           finding
           it selfe
           to
           grow
           worse
           and
           worse
           ,
           and
           perceiving
           thereby
           that
           he
           doth
           but
           stirre
           ,
           and
           not
           clense
           the
           puddle
           ,
           and
           that
           it
           is
           not
           amending
           of
           nature
           that
           he
           must
           attain
           to
           ,
           but
           he
           must
           believe
           ,
           and
           make
           a
           long
           arme
           to
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           apprehend
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           ,
           (
           which
           so
           few
           know
           ,
           or
           ever
           shall
           enjoy
           )
           and
           hereby
           quench
           the
           wrath
           of
           God
           ;
           I
           say
           ,
           finding
           he
           cannot
           do
           thus
           ,
           no
           ,
           nor
           no
           meanes
           of
           themselves
           can
           help
           him
           to
           this
           ,
           hereupon
           he
           is
           for●aken
           of
           all
           his
           self
           wisdome
           ,
           
           and
           of
           all
           his
           vaine
           hopes
           ,
           and
           now
           sits
           down
           like
           a
           desolate
           widdow
           ,
           comfortlesse
           ,
           and
           sorrowfull
           ,
           and
           thinks
           there
           is
           ●o
           way
           but
           death
           and
           hell
           ,
           and
           the
           wrath
           of
           a
           displeased
           God
           to
           be
           expected
           .
           And
           if
           any
           come
           and
           tell
           this
           Soul
           of
           Gods
           mercy
           and
           pitty
           to
           sinners
           ,
           I
           saith
           he
           ,
           its
           true
           ,
           he
           is
           even
           infinitely
           mercifull
           unto
           them
           who
           are
           rent
           from
           their
           sinnes
           ,
           and
           that
           can
           believe
           ,
           but
           that
           I
           cannot
           do
           ;
           and
           am
           sure
           shall
           never
           be
           able
           for
           to
           do
           ,
           and
           therfore
           what
           cause
           have
           I
           but
           to
           lie
           downe
           in
           my
           sorrow
           ,
           and
           to
           expect
           my
           fatall
           stroke
           every
           moment
           ?
           Reply
           againe
           upon
           this
           Soul
           ,
           and
           tell
           him
           ,
           that
           though
           hee
           cannot
           believe
           ,
           or
           loosen
           his
           heart
           from
           sinne
           ,
           yet
           that
           the
           Lord
           hath
           promised
           to
           do
           it
           ,
           that
           he
           will
           subdue
           all
           his
           iniquity
           ,
           and
           he
           will
           pardon
           all
           his
           sinne
           ,
           and
           that
           he
           will
           cause
           men
           to
           walk
           in
           his
           waies
           ,
           &c.
           
           True
           ,
           saith
           the
           Soul
           againe
           ,
           hee
           will
           doe
           thus
           for
           his
           owne
           people
           ,
           and
           for
           them
           he
           hath
           chosen
           ,
           but
           I
           never
           had
           dram
           of
           grace
           in
           my
           heart
           ,
           and
           there
           is
           no
           evidence
           that
           the
           Lord
           is
           mine
           owne
           ,
           or
           that
           I
           am
           his
           :
           Here
           againe
           the
           Soul
           lies
           downe
           ,
           untill
           the
           Lord
           discovers
           to
           the
           Soul
           that
           he
           will
           doe
           these
           things
           for
           some
           that
           have
           no
           grace
           ,
           or
           never
           had
           grace
           ,
           for
           these
           promises
           were
           made
           to
           such
           .
        
         
           Here
           upon
           the
           Soul
           thinkes
           thus
           ;
           These
           promises
           are
           made
           for
           some
           that
           are
           filthy
           ,
           for
           why
           should
           God
           poure
           cleane
           water
           upon
           them
           ,
           for
           some
           that
           be
           hard-hearted
           ,
           for
           why
           should
           hee
           promise
           to
           take
           away
           the
           stony
           heart
           from
           them
           ,
           &c.
           and
           if
           unto
           some
           such
           ,
           and
           I
           being
           such
           a
           
           one
           ,
           why
           may
           not
           the
           Lord
           possibly
           intend
           and
           include
           me
           ,
           seeing
           hee
           hath
           not
           by
           his
           promise
           excluded
           nor
           shut
           me
           out
           ?
           Indeed
           I
           dare
           not
           say
           he
           will
           ,
           but
           yet
           how
           do
           I
           ,
           or
           men
           ,
           or
           Angells
           know
           ,
           but
           yet
           I
           may
           be
           one
           ?
           Hereupon
           Hope
           is
           raised
           to
           life
           againe
           ;
           seeing
           God
           hath
           undertaken
           the
           worke
           for
           the
           vilest
           ,
           it
           is
           possible
           he
           may
           doe
           it
           for
           me
           ,
           now
           when
           I
           am
           vile
           and
           can
           doe
           nothing
           for
           my selfe
           .
           And
           thus
           you
           may
           see
           the
           first
           end
           and
           use
           of
           absolute
           promises
           ,
           to
           be
           as
           it
           were
           ,
           twigges
           to
           uphold
           the
           sinking
           Spirits
           of
           hopelesse
           ,
           helplesse
           ,
           distressed
           Souls
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           The
           Second
           End
           and
           Use
           of
           them
           is
           this
           .
           To
           create
           and
           draw
           out
           faith
           in
           Jesus
           Christ
           in
           the
           promises
           .
           For
           as
           the
           Law
           begets
           terror
           ,
           so
           the
           promises
           beget
           Faith
           .
           Now
           no
           conditionall
           promise
           firstly
           begets
           Faith
           ,
           because
           hee
           that
           is
           under
           any
           condition
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           in
           that
           man
           there
           is
           a
           presupposed
           faith
           .
           It
           s
           Gods
           absolute
           promise
           that
           firstly
           begets
           faith
           ,
           for
           faith
           is
           not
           assurance
           ,
           but
           the
           comming
           of
           the
           whole
           Soule
           to
           Christ
           in
           a
           promise
           ,
           
             Iohn
          
           6.
           35.
           
           And
           then
           the
           Soule
           believes
           in
           Christ
           ,
           when
           it
           comes
           to
           Christ
           ,
           now
           this
           God
           workes
           in
           the
           Gospel
           .
           1.
           
           The
           Soule
           is
           raised
           up
           by
           hope
           .
           And
           being
           raised
           ,
           it
           Secondly
           comes
           to
           Christ
           ,
           which
           is
           faith
           ,
           by
           vehement
           unutterable
           desire
           .
           And
           being
           come
           to
           him
           ,
           it
           3.
           
           Embraceth
           Christ
           by
           love
           ,
           and
           thus
           the
           match
           is
           made
           ,
           and
           the
           everlasting
           knot
           is
           tied
           .
        
         
           Now
           as
           you
           have
           heard
           ,
           the
           absolute
           promise
           workes
           hope
           of
           reliefe
           from
           Christ
           :
           and
           
           if
           it
           workes
           hope
           ,
           it
           also
           workes
           a
           desire
           ,
           or
           comming
           to
           Christ
           by
           desire
           .
           Oh!
           that
           thou
           Lord
           wouldst
           honour
           thy
           grace
           ,
           thy
           power
           ,
           thy
           love
           ,
           thy
           promise
           ,
           in
           helping
           me
           a
           poore
           cast-away
           .
           And
           thus
           faith
           is
           created
           (
           as
           it
           were
           )
           by
           this
           absolute
           promise
           :
           for
           it
           cannot
           but
           move
           the
           heart
           of
           any
           one
           that
           ever
           felt
           his
           want
           ,
           to
           cry
           mightily
           to
           the
           Lord
           for
           help
           ,
           if
           he
           hath
           any
           hope
           ,
           seeing
           the
           Lord
           hath
           promised
           to
           do
           it
           for
           some
           .
           Oh
           saith
           the
           Soul
           ,
           that
           thou
           wouldst
           do
           it
           for
           me
           :
           And
           surely
           ,
           were
           it
           not
           for
           this
           absolute
           promise
           of
           God
           ,
           no
           Soul
           would
           desire
           ,
           because
           he
           would
           have
           no
           hope
           to
           be
           saved
           ,
           or
           to
           seeke
           for
           any
           thing
           as
           from
           the
           hands
           of
           God
           .
           And
           thus
           you
           see
           to
           what
           end
           God
           makes
           ,
           and
           to
           what
           use
           a
           Christian
           may
           put
           these
           absolu●e
           promises
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           For
           the
           second
           thing
           (
           
             viz
          
           )
           How
           and
           when
           a
           Christian
           may
           apply
           these
           promises
           .
           
        
         
           I
           answer
           ,
           every
           Christian
           is
           either
           ,
        
         
           1.
           
           Within
           Covenant
           with
           God
           ,
           and
           knowes
           it
           ,
           or
        
         
           2.
           
           Within
           covenant
           with
           God
           ,
           and
           knows
           it
           not
           ,
           or
        
         
           3.
           
           Out
           of
           covenant
           indeed
           ,
           for
           his
           present
           estate
           and
           condition
           ,
           yet
           he
           is
           
             in
             fieri
             .
          
           or
           making
           towards
           it
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           If
           he
           be
           in
           Covenant
           and
           knowes
           it
           ,
           then
           you
           may
           easily
           perceive
           how
           and
           when
           he
           ought
           to
           apply
           promises
           unto
           himselfe
           ,
           for
           he
           may
           boldly
           conclude
           ,
           If
           God
           be
           his
           God
           ,
           then
           all
           the
           promises
           of
           God
           shall
           be
           made
           good
           unto
           him
           ;
           if
           he
           be
           a
           Sonne
           of
           God
           ,
           he
           may
           boldly
           
           challenge
           at
           all
           times
           at
           the
           hands
           of
           God
           ,
           (
           nay
           if
           in
           some
           respects
           ,
           at
           the
           hands
           of
           Justice
           it selfe
           )
           the
           fulfilling
           of
           God
           the
           Fathers
           will
           delivered
           in
           the
           severall
           Legacies
           of
           the
           promise
           bought
           by
           the
           blood
           ,
           and
           sealed
           by
           the
           same
           blood
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           and
           shall
           be
           made
           good
           unto
           him
           that
           is
           clear
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Secondly
           ,
           If
           he
           be
           in
           covenant
           and
           knows
           it
           not
           ,
           and
           questions
           hence
           whether
           God
           is
           his
           or
           not
           ,
           and
           consequently
           ,
           whether
           the
           promises
           belong
           unto
           him
           :
           then
           the
           rule
           is
           to
           be
           observed
           ,
           let
           him
           so
           sue
           and
           seeke
           for
           the
           good
           of
           the
           absolute
           promise
           ,
           untill
           by
           reflecting
           upon
           his
           own
           acts
           ,
           herein
           he
           perceive
           himselfe
           adorned
           and
           dignified
           with
           the
           qualification
           of
           some
           conditionall
           promise
           ,
           and
           then
           if
           he
           can
           finde
           the
           condition
           or
           qualification
           within
           himselfe
           ,
           then
           as
           you
           judge
           and
           write
           ,
           he
           may
           conclude
           ,
           that
           the
           conditionall
           promise
           belongs
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           if
           one
           promise
           ,
           then
           all
           Gods
           promises
           ,
           and
           therefore
           that
           absolute
           promises
           are
           his
           owne
           ,
           because
           at
           least
           one
           conditional
           promise
           is
           .
           For
           no
           unregenerate
           man
           is
           within
           the
           compasse
           of
           any
           one
           conditionall
           promise
           of
           grace
           ,
           unlesse
           you
           will
           say
           he
           is
           under
           the
           everlasting
           love
           of
           God
           ,
           the
           promises
           of
           grace
           being
           but
           the
           mid-way
           between
           the
           eternall
           purpose
           and
           decree
           of
           love
           ,
           and
           the
           glorious
           certain
           execution
           of
           that
           love
           in
           time
           .
           The
           promise
           being
           the
           breake
           day
           of
           Gods
           most
           glorious
           love
           ,
           which
           must
           shine
           out
           in
           time
           .
        
         
           But
           here
           you
           will
           say
           is
           the
           difficulty
           ,
           
           
             viz.
          
           how
           I
           should
           to
           seeke
           for
           the
           good
           of
           absolute
           
           promises
           ,
           as
           therein
           to
           finde
           my self
           within
           the
           compasse
           of
           some
           conditionall
           one
           .
        
         
           I
           answer
           ,
           It
           is
           done
           chiefly
           by
           three
           acts
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           By
           being
           humbly
           contented
           ,
           that
           seeing
           the
           Lord
           hath
           absolutely
           promised
           ,
           to
           work
           and
           doe
           all
           for
           the
           Soule
           he
           intends
           for
           to
           save
           ,
           even
           when
           it
           can
           doe
           nothing
           for
           it selfe
           ,
           and
           that
           he
           hath
           taken
           the
           worke
           into
           his
           owne
           hands
           ;
           so
           that
           it
           is
           his
           promise
           ,
           offer
           ,
           office
           and
           honour
           to
           doe
           all
           ,
           that
           therefore
           you
           lie
           downe
           ,
           not
           sluggishly
           ,
           but
           humbly
           at
           the
           feet
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           contented
           to
           have
           him
           to
           be
           your
           God
           ,
           and
           for
           ever
           to
           be
           disposed
           of
           in
           any
           thing
           by
           God
           ,
           if
           he
           will
           fulfill
           his
           covenant
           in
           you
           ,
           contented
           to
           part
           with
           any
           sinne
           ,
           if
           he
           will
           rend
           it
           from
           you
           ,
           contented
           to
           know
           any
           truth
           if
           he
           will
           reveale
           it
           to
           you
           ,
           contented
           to
           do
           any
           duty
           if
           he
           will
           enable
           you
           ,
           contented
           to
           shine
           bright
           with
           all
           his
           glorious
           graces
           ,
           if
           he
           will
           create
           and
           maintaine
           them
           in
           you
           ,
           contented
           to
           beare
           any
           evill
           if
           he
           will
           lay
           his
           hand
           under
           your
           head
           ,
           and
           thereunto
           strengthen
           you
           ;
           and
           so
           seeing
           the
           Lord
           promised
           to
           undertake
           the
           work
           for
           some
           ,
           put
           out
           the
           work
           ,
           and
           put
           over
           your
           Soule
           to
           him
           ,
           that
           he
           would
           fulfill
           the
           good
           that
           his
           covenant
           promiseth
           in
           your selfe
           .
           Now
           when
           you
           do
           thus
           ,
           which
           (
           no
           question
           )
           you
           and
           many
           a
           Soul
           doth
           ,
           many
           times
           reflect
           upon
           this
           act
           ,
           and
           see
           if
           you
           cannot
           or
           may
           not
           finde
           your selfe
           by
           it
           under
           the
           condition
           of
           some
           conditionall
           promise
           ,
           and
           if
           you
           do
           ,
           then
           are
           you
           bound
           to
           believe
           all
           Gods
           promises
           are
           and
           will
           be
           
             Yea
          
           and
           
             Amen
          
           unto
           you
           .
           Now
           that
           you
           do
           so
           by
           
           this
           act
           ,
           it selfe
           speake
           :
           ●ainely
           ,
           for
           how
           many
           conditionall
           promises
           〈◊〉
           made
           to
           the
           meek
           ?
           
             Blessed
             are
             the
             meek
             ,
             Mat.
          
           5.
           and
           to
           the
           hum●ble
           ?
           whom
           god
           will
           raise
           up
           .
           For
           this
           is
           not
           saving
           meekenesse
           ,
           to
           be
           quietly
           contented
           to
           be
           ,
           or
           to
           do
           ,
           or
           to
           bear
           any
           thing
           that
           the
           Lord
           will
           have
           me
           from
           mine
           owne
           strength
           and
           feeling
           ,
           but
           to
           be
           ,
           to
           do
           ,
           or
           to
           bear
           any
           thing
           that
           the
           Lord
           will
           have
           me
           ,
           if
           the
           Lord
           enable
           me
           .
           Many
           a
           stout
           heart
           would
           gladly
           have
           Christ
           ,
           but
           if
           he
           cannot
           have
           him
           in
           his
           owne
           termes
           ,
           
             viz.
          
           Christ
           and
           his
           lusts
           ,
           Christ
           and
           the
           world
           too
           ,
           or
           by
           his
           owne
           strength
           and
           power
           ,
           he
           will
           have
           none
           of
           him
           ,
           but
           desperately
           casts
           him
           away
           ,
           and
           saith
           ,
           what
           shall
           I
           looke
           after
           him
           any
           more
           ?
           I
           cannot
           pray
           ,
           I
           cannot
           believe
           ,
           I
           cannot
           breake
           this
           vile
           and
           unruly
           will
           ,
           this
           stony
           adamant
           heart
           ,
           thus
           the
           pride
           of
           a
           mans
           heart
           workes
           .
           Now
           he
           that
           is
           truly
           meekned
           and
           humbled
           ,
           he
           is
           contented
           gladly
           to
           have
           God
           his
           God
           ,
           and
           Christ
           his
           Redeemer
           ,
           and
           that
           upon
           Jesus
           Christ
           his
           owne
           termes
           .
           First
           ,
           on
           his
           owne
           covenant
           ;
           now
           what
           is
           that
           ?
           why
           it
           is
           this
           ,
           I
           will
           give
           you
           the
           good
           ,
           and
           worke
           in
           you
           the
           condition
           too
           ;
           I
           will
           give
           you
           my selfe
           ,
           and
           therefore
           will
           not
           sticke
           to
           give
           you
           an
           eye
           to
           see
           ,
           and
           a
           heart
           to
           receive
           too
           .
           This
           is
           the
           covenant
           ;
           now
           hereupon
           a
           humbled
           Soul
           accepts
           of
           Christ
           according
           to
           his
           covenant
           ,
           on
           his
           owne
           termes
           thus
           ,
           
             viz.
          
           upon
           that
           condition
           Lord
           ,
           that
           thou
           wilt
           humble
           me
           ,
           teach
           me
           ▪
           perswade
           me
           ,
           cause
           me
           to
           believe
           ,
           and
           in
           every
           thing
           to
           honour
           thee
           ;
           Lord
           ,
           I
           am
           
           contented
           gladly
           and
           joyfully
           to
           have
           thee
           ,
           doe
           therefore
           what
           thou
           wilt
           with
           me
           .
           Just
           as
           a
           sicke
           man
           tells
           his
           Physician
           ,
           who
           comes
           not
           to
           him
           on
           thesetermes
           ,
           If
           you
           will
           make
           your self
           halfe
           whole
           ,
           then
           I
           will
           cure
           you
           ,
           and
           doe
           the
           rest
           for
           you
           ;
           but
           being
           utterly
           unable
           to
           cure
           ,
           or
           to
           know
           how
           to
           cure
           himselfe
           ,
           he
           tells
           his
           Physician
           ,
           I
           am
           content
           you
           should
           begin
           and
           perfect
           the
           cure
           ,
           and
           so
           honour
           your
           skill
           and
           love
           in
           me
           ,
           to
           be
           contented
           to
           take
           any
           thing
           if
           you
           will
           give
           it
           me
           ,
           and
           if
           I
           offer
           to
           resist
           that
           ,
           you
           should
           bind
           me
           ,
           and
           so
           do
           any
           thing
           with
           me
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           The
           second
           act
           is
           ,
           earnestly
           to
           long
           and
           come
           to
           Christ
           ,
           to
           cleave
           unto
           Jesus
           Christ
           by
           servent
           and
           ardent
           desire
           ,
           that
           he
           would
           make
           good
           those
           absolute
           promises
           to
           you
           ,
           seeing
           that
           they
           are
           made
           to
           some
           ,
           and
           that
           they
           doe
           not
           exclude
           you
           ;
           for
           when
           you
           ponder
           well
           ,
           and
           see
           what
           wonderfull
           great
           things
           the
           Lord
           promiseth
           to
           some
           ,
           whose
           heart
           cannot
           but
           be
           stirred
           up
           to
           say
           ,
           as
           that
           woman
           in
           another
           case
           ,
           
             Lord
             ,
             give
             me
             of
             that
             watè●
             to
             drinke
             ?
          
           and
           as
           they
           in
           the
           fifth
           of
           John
           ,
           
             Lord
             ,
             evermore
             give
             us
             that
             bread
             .
          
           Now
           doing
           this
           ,
           reflect
           upon
           this
           Second
           act
           ,
           and
           see
           if
           unto
           it
           ,
           no
           conditionall
           promise
           belongs
           ,
           and
           you
           shall
           find
           an
           affirmative
           answer
           from
           the
           word
           .
           For
           what
           is
           this
           longing
           after
           the
           good
           ,
           not
           of
           some
           (
           which
           many
           hypocrites
           do
           )
           but
           of
           all
           the
           promises
           ,
           but
           that
           which
           the
           Scripture
           calls
           thirsting
           ,
           who
           are
           commanded
           to
           
             come
             and
             drink
             of
             the
             waters
             of
             life
             freely
             .
          
           Isa.
           55.
           1
           ,
           2.
           and
           hungring
           ,
           to
           
           which
           all
           good
           things
           are
           promised
           ,
           
             Mat.
          
           5.
           6.
           and
           which
           comming
           to
           Christ
           (
           as
           I
           spake
           even
           now
           )
           who
           hath
           given
           this
           as
           the
           ●irst
           fruit
           of
           eternall
           election
           ,
           and
           which
           kind
           of
           people
           he
           will
           never
           cast
           away
           ,
           
             Iohn
          
           6.
           37.
           
           Now
           when
           you
           see
           these
           promises
           belonging
           unto
           you
           ,
           why
           dare
           you
           not
           conclude
           but
           that
           all
           these
           absolute
           ones
           are
           yours
           also
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           The
           third
           act
           is
           this
           ,
           Seeing
           God
           hath
           promised
           absolutely
           such
           good
           things
           in
           the
           Second
           Covenant
           ,
           but
           hath
           not
           set
           downe
           the
           time
           when
           ,
           or
           how
           much
           grace
           he
           will
           give
           ;
           and
           seeing
           onely
           he
           can
           helpe
           ,
           therefore
           looke
           up
           ,
           and
           waite
           upon
           the
           Lord
           in
           the
           use
           of
           all
           knowne
           meanes
           ,
           untill
           he
           makes
           good
           what
           he
           hath
           promised
           to
           do
           ,
           and
           performe
           ,
           and
           worke
           for
           you
           .
           Say
           as
           beggars
           that
           have
           but
           one
           doore
           to
           go
           to
           for
           bread
           ,
           if
           none
           heare
           ,
           or
           hearing
           help
           not
           ,
           lay
           themselves
           downe
           at
           the
           doore
           ,
           and
           say
           ,
           I
           will
           wait
           here
           ,
           I
           am
           sure
           I
           perish
           if
           I
           goe
           away
           ,
           or
           quarrell
           with
           them
           in
           the
           house
           ,
           because
           they
           helpe
           me
           not
           so
           soon
           as
           I
           would
           ,
           and
           therefore
           I
           will
           waite
           ,
           for
           it
           may
           be
           their
           compassions
           may
           move
           them
           as
           they
           passe
           by
           to
           helpe
           me
           .
           So
           doe
           you
           ,
           Many
           a
           Soul
           comes
           and
           longs
           for
           the
           good
           of
           the
           promises
           ,
           but
           if
           the
           Lord
           doe
           not
           speedily
           help
           him
           ,
           he
           goes
           with
           discouragements
           ,
           fears
           ,
           and
           discontents
           ,
           or
           despair
           ,
           or
           sinne
           away
           ,
           and
           saith
           one
           of
           these
           two
           things
           ,
           either
           I
           shall
           never
           have
           helpe
           ,
           or
           I
           come
           not
           truly
           ,
           and
           hence
           I
           feel
           no
           helpe
           .
           Oh
           remember
           that
           bread
           is
           only
           to
           be
           had
           at
           the
           doore
           ,
           to
           be
           distributed
           when
           
           the
           Lord
           seeth
           need
           ,
           not
           when
           we
           would
           ,
           or
           thinke
           wee
           have
           need
           ,
           and
           therefore
           wait
           here
           and
           say
           ,
           if
           I
           perish
           ,
           here
           I
           will
           ,
           at
           the
           feet
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           at
           the
           feet
           of
           the
           promises
           and
           covenant
           of
           God
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           Now
           reflect
           upon
           this
           act
           ,
           and
           see
           if
           you
           may
           not
           finde
           some
           conditionall
           promise
           annexed
           unto
           it
           ,
           which
           surely
           you
           may
           ,
           and
           I
           will
           name
           you
           but
           two
           ,
           
             Isa.
          
           40.
           29
           ,
           30
           ,
           31.
           and
           
             Isa.
          
           64.
           4.
           and
           if
           the
           conditionall
           promise
           belongs
           to
           such
           a
           Soul
           ,
           you
           may
           easily
           conclude
           the
           absolute
           promises
           are
           your
           owne
           ,
           and
           the
           chiefest
           use
           you
           are
           to
           make
           of
           them
           when
           you
           know
           them
           that
           they
           are
           your
           owne
           ,
           is
           to
           presse
           God
           to
           make
           them
           good
           daily
           to
           you
           :
           and
           to
           believe
           as
           verily
           and
           really
           ,
           as
           if
           you
           had
           the
           performance
           of
           them
           ,
           that
           they
           shall
           .
           It
           may
           be
           you
           will
           aske
           me
           ,
           how
           shall
           I
           know
           whether
           I
           have
           these
           conditions
           truly
           in
           me
           ?
           I
           answer
           ,
           sincerity
           is
           a
           very
           witnessing
           grace
           ,
           the
           frequent
           meditation
           of
           the
           Scripture
           will
           give
           you
           much
           light
           ,
           to
           judge
           of
           the
           sincerity
           of
           them
           ,
           and
           that
           which
           Saint
           
             Paul
          
           speakes
           1
           Cor.
           2.
           12.
           
           I
           say
           unto
           you
           ,
           
             We
             have
             not
             received
             the
             spirit
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             but
             of
             God
             ,
             wherby
             we
             know
             .
          
           (
           or
           may
           know
           )
           
             the
             things
             that
             are
             freely
             given
             to
             us
             of
             God
             .
          
        
         
           3.
           
           Thirdly
           ,
           If
           he
           be
           out
           of
           the
           covenant
           ,
           but
           yet
           God
           begins
           to
           worke
           with
           some
           common
           worke
           of
           his
           grace
           upon
           him
           :
           all
           that
           I
           would
           say
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           use
           he
           can
           make
           of
           such
           absolute
           promises
           ,
           consists
           in
           these
           things
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Let
           him
           consider
           the
           freenes●e
           of
           Gods
           
           promise
           ,
           whereby
           he
           may
           be
           stirred
           up
           to
           conceive
           some
           hope
           it
           may
           be
           made
           good
           to
           him
           in
           time
           .
           For
           the
           promise
           is
           very
           free
           and
           large
           ,
           excluding
           none
           (
           except
           those
           that
           sin
           unpardonably
           )
           be
           their
           sinnes
           and
           natures
           never
           so
           vile
           before
           God
           ,
           and
           yet
           not
           including
           any
           by
           name
           ,
           for
           that
           is
           in
           the
           conditionall
           promise
           ▪
           and
           hence
           such
           an
           one
           is
           to
           make
           this
           use
           of
           it
           ,
           who
           knowes
           but
           the
           Lord
           may
           have
           pitty
           upon
           me
           in
           time
           ;
           and
           so
           hang
           thy
           hope
           upon
           him
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Let
           him
           consider
           the
           worth
           and
           price
           of
           Gods
           promise
           bought
           by
           blood
           ,
           and
           for
           which
           some
           men
           would
           give
           a
           thousand
           worlds
           for
           the
           benefit
           and
           comfort
           of
           ;
           and
           hereby
           raise
           up
           his
           heart
           ,
           as
           by
           the
           freenesse
           of
           it
           to
           hope
           ,
           so
           by
           the
           price
           of
           it
           to
           esteem
           of
           the
           thing
           promised
           ,
           above
           pearls
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           honour
           and
           pomp
           of
           the
           world
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           Let
           him
           consider
           the
           fulnesse
           of
           the
           promise
           ,
           which
           is
           a
           plaister
           as
           big
           as
           his
           sore
           ,
           just
           answerable
           to
           all
           his
           wants
           ,
           nay
           infinitely
           more
           large
           then
           his
           wants
           .
           And
           surely
           these
           three
           things
           will
           draw
           his
           heart
           to
           long
           for
           the
           promise
           ,
           and
           then
           you
           know
           what
           is
           conditionally
           promised
           and
           bequeathed
           to
           them
           that
           thirst
           :
           For
           similitude
           is
           the
           ground
           of
           love
           .
           Now
           when
           the
           fulnesse
           of
           the
           promise
           is
           seen
           ,
           there
           will
           appeare
           such
           a
           suteablenesse
           and
           fitnesse
           of
           the
           promise
           to
           his
           soule
           ,
           that
           hee
           cannot
           but
           long
           for
           it
           .
           
           Thus
           much
           for
           the
           fifth
           trouble
           .
        
         
           Your
           sixth
           trouble
           set
           downe
           in
           two
           heads
           ,
           
           put
           into
           one
           for
           brevity
           ,
           
             viz.
          
           secret
           unwillingnesse
           to
           seeke
           God
           in
           the
           strictest
           sol●mn
           services
           ,
           before
           you
           enter
           into
           them
           ;
           wearinesse
           of
           them
           while
           they
           last
           ,
           and
           glad
           when
           they
           are
           gone
           :
           the
           reasons
           which
           you
           mention
           are
           ,
           partly
           feare
           of
           not
           using
           them
           aright
           ,
           together
           with
           melancholy
           ,
           and
           lastly
           ,
           the
           strictnesse
           of
           them
           .
           
        
         
           It
           is
           very
           true
           ,
           there
           is
           abundance
           of
           wildnesse
           in
           our
           hearts
           ,
           which
           naturally
           seeke
           to
           have
           their
           liberty
           abroad
           ,
           and
           cannot
           endure
           to
           be
           pent
           in
           the
           narrow
           room
           of
           holy
           performances
           ,
           extraordinary
           duties
           ,
           &c.
           no
           more
           then
           children
           can
           be
           pent
           up
           from
           their
           play
           .
           And
           hence
           it
           is
           weary
           of
           them
           ,
           and
           glad
           to
           think
           of
           their
           depa●tures
           and
           ends
           .
           And
           truly
           it
           is
           one
           of
           the
           most
           grievous
           miseries
           that
           a
           holy
           heart
           can
           feel
           ,
           and
           I
           beseech
           the
           Lord
           of
           heaven
           and
           earth
           to
           keepe
           you
           ,
           and
           me
           ,
           and
           all
           his
           for
           ever
           ,
           while
           wee
           are
           here
           in
           our
           valley
           ,
           under
           the
           sense
           of
           such
           distempers
           as
           our
           greatest
           misery
           .
           And
           therefore
           me
           thought
           it
           was
           a
           solemn
           sweet
           speech
           of
           an
           honest
           man
           to
           his
           friend
           ,
           who
           seeing
           him
           oppressed
           with
           such
           distempers
           as
           you
           mention
           ,
           and
           perceiving
           him
           to
           droop
           under
           them
           ,
           hee
           came
           chearefully
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           suddenly
           said
           unto
           him
           ,
           I
           can
           tell
           you
           good
           newes
           ,
           the
           best
           that
           ever
           you
           heard
           ,
           
             viz.
          
           Assoon
           as
           ever
           you
           are
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           you
           shall
           serve
           Christ
           without
           wearinesse
           :
           Which
           words
           well
           thought
           on
           ,
           revived
           the
           man
           .
           That
           which
           I
           would
           speak
           with
           as
           much
           tendernesse
           of
           compassion
           as
           I
           am
           able
           to
           you
           ,
           I
           refer
           to
           these
           things
           .
        
         
         
           1.
           
           That
           a
           child
           of
           God
           is
           never
           usually
           weary
           of
           the
           ●uty
           ,
           but
           rather
           of
           his
           vile
           heart
           ,
           to
           thinke
           of
           ,
           and
           to
           looke
           upon
           ,
           that
           in
           the
           duty
           
             Christs
             yoke
             is
             easie
             ,
             and
             his
             burthen
             light
             ,
          
           to
           him
           that
           takes
           it
           on
           his
           necke
           ,
           and
           puts
           his
           Soul
           under
           it
           .
           The
           duty
           nakedly
           considered
           in
           it selfe
           ,
           is
           glorious
           in
           his
           eyes
           ,
           and
           sweet
           to
           his
           Soule
           ,
           and
           hence
           sometimes
           never
           well
           ,
           but
           when
           he
           considers
           his
           dead
           ,
           blinde
           ▪
           barren
           ,
           and
           senselesse
           heart
           that
           he
           is
           to
           carry
           to
           the
           duty
           ,
           and
           that
           he
           feares
           ,
           and
           hath
           felt
           will
           abide
           with
           him
           in
           the
           duty
           :
           Oh!
           this
           grieves
           ,
           here
           the
           Soule
           pincheth
           .
           An
           Hypocrite
           is
           weary
           of
           the
           duty
           ,
           a
           childe
           of
           God
           rejoyceth
           in
           it
           ,
           but
           hee
           is
           weary
           of
           his
           sinne
           ,
           and
           unsavourinesse
           and
           wearinesse
           in
           the
           duty
           .
           I
           perswade
           my selfe
           Sir
           that
           you
           may
           soone
           mistake
           your
           spirit
           herein
           :
           you
           thinke
           you
           are
           unwilling
           to
           come
           to
           the
           duty
           ;
           and
           are
           weary
           of
           it
           ,
           when
           indeed
           ,
           it
           is
           your
           glory
           ,
           joy
           ,
           and
           love
           ;
           but
           it
           is
           because
           you
           feare
           you
           can
           doe
           it
           no
           better
           ,
           that
           troubles
           you
           ,
           that
           you
           have
           such
           a
           vile
           heart
           in
           it
           .
           And
           if
           your
           trouble
           be
           from
           hence
           ,
           the
           good
           Lord
           increase
           it
           in
           you
           daily
           ;
           and
           withall
           ,
           blesse
           the
           Lord
           and
           say
           ,
           Lord
           ,
           though
           I
           am
           weary
           of
           my
           vile
           heart
           ,
           in
           these
           daies
           of
           humiliation
           ,
           in
           these
           Sabbaths
           ,
           yet
           I
           blesse
           thee
           ,
           the
           daies
           and
           duties
           themselves
           thou
           knowest
           are
           deare
           unto
           me
           ,
           It
           is
           not
           Lord
           because
           I
           am
           weary
           of
           thy
           word
           ,
           but
           because
           I
           can
           doe
           it
           no
           better
           ,
           I
           am
           weary
           of
           my selfe
           ,
           and
           this
           vile
           heart
           ;
           here
           is
           much
           love
           in
           such
           a
           spirit
           to
           the
           Lord
           .
           And
           believe
           it
           Sir
           ,
           your
           love
           wants
           not
           its
           recompences
           
           and
           remember
           that
           the
           Lord
           respects
           you
           not
           according
           to
           your
           duties
           done
           ,
           but
           according
           to
           your
           love
           in
           them
           ,
           and
           to
           them
           .
           And
           therefore
           those
           duties
           you
           are
           ashamed
           to
           owne
           ,
           the
           Lord
           will
           not
           be
           ashamed
           to
           crown
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Consider
           you
           must
           and
           shall
           be
           baited
           with
           these
           distempers
           of
           heart
           ,
           sometimes
           more
           ,
           and
           sometimes
           lesse
           ,
           as
           long
           as
           you
           live
           .
           It
           is
           part
           of
           
             Pauls
          
           body
           of
           death
           which
           hee
           must
           carry
           with
           him
           ,
           till
           he
           come
           to
           bury
           himselfe
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           Those
           means
           which
           may
           helpe
           you
           to
           be
           freed
           from
           them
           (
           a
           little
           at
           least
           )
           are
           these
           among
           many
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Be
           but
           truly
           and
           really
           ,
           not
           by
           fits
           and
           darkly
           ,
           sensible
           of
           them
           ,
           men
           in
           deep
           miseries
           ,
           are
           not
           unwilling
           to
           be
           helped
           out
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Judge
           ye
           not
           rigorously
           of
           God
           ,
           although
           he
           we●e
           a
           bloody
           austere
           God
           ,
           as
           he
           did
           of
           his
           master
           whose
           talent
           he
           had
           ,
           and
           hence
           never
           improved
           it
           ;
           but
           looke
           upon
           God
           as
           having
           a
           Fathers
           heart
           and
           affection
           towards
           you
           in
           the
           meanest
           and
           greatest
           performances
           ;
           which
           is
           double
           ,
           either
           to
           give
           you
           strength
           to
           do
           what
           you
           cannot
           
             (
             I
             can
             do
             all
             things
             through
             Christ
             )
          
           or
           having
           come
           to
           him
           for
           it
           ,
           to
           accept
           of
           what
           you
           would
           do
           for
           him
           ,
           as
           if
           it
           were
           done
           ;
           and
           this
           will
           make
           you
           joy
           in
           the
           poorest
           performance
           ,
           that
           though
           it
           be
           never
           so
           full
           of
           vilenesse
           ,
           yet
           the
           Lord
           out
           of
           his
           fatherly
           love
           ,
           accepts
           of
           it
           as
           glorious
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           Renew
           morning
           and
           evening
           by
           sad
           and
           
           solemne
           meditation
           ,
           the
           sense
           of
           Gods
           love
           to
           you
           in
           Christ
           ;
           and
           in
           every
           duty
           that
           he
           sets
           you
           about
           ,
           and
           love
           will
           love
           and
           like
           the
           yoke
           ,
           and
           make
           the
           commandements
           that
           they
           shall
           not
           be
           grievous
           to
           you
           .
        
         
           Thus
           I
           have
           briefly
           done
           with
           your
           new
           troubles
           which
           you
           mention
           ,
           you
           say
           ,
           because
           you
           may
           not
           have
           the
           like
           opportunity
           of
           writing
           again
           .
           It
           may
           be
           so
           ,
           and
           therefore
           I
           have
           desired
           to
           satisfie
           you
           ,
           which
           I
           beseech
           the
           Lord
           himself
           to
           do
           .
        
         
           Next
           you
           come
           to
           reply
           to
           my
           first
           Letter
           ,
           of
           which
           I
           have
           kept
           no
           copy
           ,
           as
           I
           never
           did
           of
           any
           ,
           and
           hence
           may
           and
           doe
           forget
           what
           I
           writ
           then
           unto
           you
           .
           So
           much
           light
           as
           your
           Letter
           lends
           me
           to
           bring
           things
           to
           mind
           ,
           I
           will
           gladly
           take
           ,
           and
           be
           more
           briefe
           in
           answer
           .
        
         
           You
           finde
           the
           strength
           of
           grace
           to
           be
           got
           in
           you
           rather
           by
           argumentation
           ,
           
           then
           inward
           communication
           and
           influence
           arising
           from
           the
           union
           to
           Christ
           .
           And
           this
           troubles
           you
           .
        
         
           To
           which
           I
           answer
           these
           three
           things
           .
           
        
         
           1.
           
           That
           as
           the
           old
           sinnefull
           nature
           is
           communicated
           from
           
             Adam
          
           the
           first
           to
           us
           ,
           without
           any
           argumentation
           ▪
           so
           the
           new
           nature
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           seed
           ,
           foundation
           ,
           and
           plot
           of
           all
           grace
           ,
           is
           diffused
           into
           us
           by
           the
           second
           
             Adam
          
           when
           we
           are
           united
           to
           him
           ,
           without
           argumentation
           .
           It
           is
           onely
           by
           divine
           operation
           .
           The
           Lord
           leave
           not
           me
           ,
           nor
           any
           friend
           I
           have
           ,
           to
           a
           naked
           Arminian
           illumination
           and
           perswasion
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           That
           to
           the
           increase
           of
           those
           habits
           ,
           and
           
           drawing
           out
           the
           acts
           of
           the
           new
           creature
           ,
           the
           Lord
           is
           pleased
           to
           use
           morall
           and
           rationall
           perswasions
           ;
           as
           in
           the
           instance
           you
           gave
           ,
           Christ
           died
           for
           us
           ,
           then
           hence
           the
           love
           of
           Christ
           constraines
           :
           but
           remember
           withall
           ,
           It
           is
           not
           the
           bare
           meditation
           ,
           or
           strength
           of
           reason
           or
           perswasion
           ,
           that
           elicits
           such
           divine
           and
           noble
           acts
           in
           the
           heart
           and
           affection
           ,
           but
           it
           is
           the
           blood
           of
           Christ
           sprinkling
           these
           serious
           meditations
           ,
           that
           makes
           them
           worke
           such
           graces
           in
           the
           Soule
           ;
           which
           I
           might
           shew
           at
           large
           :
           which
           blood
           is
           the
           salve
           ,
           though
           argumentation
           is
           the
           cloth
           or
           leather
           to
           which
           it
           sticks
           ,
           and
           by
           which
           it
           is
           applied
           ;
           but
           from
           such
           leather
           comes
           no
           vertue
           ,
           all
           of
           it
           is
           from
           the
           blood
           of
           christ
           ,
           which
           by
           argumentation
           heales
           the
           Soule
           .
           For
           if
           it
           were
           nakedly
           in
           the
           argumentation
           to
           stir
           your
           heart
           ,
           and
           to
           worke
           strength
           of
           grace
           ,
           what
           should
           be
           the
           reason
           that
           some
           times
           you
           are
           no
           more
           moved
           by
           all
           your
           argumentations
           ,
           then
           a
           mountaine
           of
           brasse
           is
           by
           the
           windes
           ?
           why
           should
           the
           same
           truth
           affect
           you
           at
           one
           time
           ,
           and
           not
           at
           another
           ,
           when
           you
           are
           as
           fitly
           dispoto
           be
           affected
           as
           at
           the
           first
           ?
           Therefore
           consider
           it
           is
           not
           your
           reason
           and
           argumentation
           ,
           but
           Christs
           blood
           that
           doth
           all
           ,
           by
           as
           admirable
           ,
           and
           yet
           secret
           operation
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           Your
           union
           to
           Christ
           on
           your
           part
           is
           begun
           ,
           and
           partly
           wrought
           by
           the
           understanding
           ,
           and
           hence
           the
           good
           that
           you
           get
           by
           it
           at
           any
           time
           ,
           it
           is
           from
           your
           union
           ,
           or
           part
           of
           it
           at
           lest
           .
        
         
           Againe
           you
           aske
           me
           ,
           
           whether
           
             Calvin
          
           doth
           
           not
           expresse
           fully
           my
           thoughts
           about
           our
           Spirituall
           union
           ,
           in
           his
           
             lib.
             4.
             cap.
          
           17.
           
        
         
           I
           answer
           ,
           I
           have
           forgot
           what
           he
           hath
           writ
           ,
           
           and
           my selfe
           have
           read
           long
           since
           out
           of
           him
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           present
           I
           have
           no
           bookes
           about
           me
           where
           I
           am
           ,
           and
           therefore
           cannot
           satisfie
           you
           in
           this
           ,
           neither
           know
           I
           when
           I
           shall
           seeke
           to
           finde
           out
           the
           booke
           and
           place
           ;
           If
           I
           have
           leisure
           ,
           I
           will
           either
           write
           to
           you
           ,
           or
           tell
           some
           of
           your
           friends
           before
           I
           am
           gone
           ,
           what
           he
           hath
           said
           or
           writ
           that
           way
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           Againe
           thirdly
           ,
           
           You
           desire
           me
           to
           tell
           you
           how
           my selfe
           came
           to
           the
           cure
           of
           Atheisticall
           thoughts
           ,
           and
           whether
           they
           did
           weare
           out
           ,
           or
           whether
           they
           were
           rationally
           overthrown
           .
        
         
           I
           answer
           ,
           
           at
           first
           they
           did
           wear
           out
           ,
           meeting
           with
           fruitlesse
           and
           dead-hearted
           company
           ,
           which
           was
           at
           the
           University
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           The
           Lord
           awakened
           me
           again●
           ,
           and
           bid
           me
           beware
           lest
           an
           old
           sore
           broke
           out
           again
           :
           and
           this
           I
           found
           that
           strength
           of
           reason
           would
           commonly
           convince
           my
           understanding
           that
           there
           was
           a
           God
           ,
           but
           I
           felt
           it
           utterly
           insufficient
           to
           perswade
           my
           will
           of
           it
           unlesse
           it
           was
           by
           fits
           ,
           when
           as
           I
           thought
           Gods
           Spirit
           moved
           upon
           the
           Chaos
           of
           those
           horrible
           thoughts
           ;
           and
           this
           I
           thinke
           will
           be
           found
           a
           truth
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           I
           did
           groane
           under
           the
           bondage
           of
           those
           unbelieving
           thoughts
           ,
           looking
           up
           ,
           and
           sighing
           to
           the
           Lord
           ,
           that
           if
           he
           were
           as
           his
           workes
           and
           word
           declared
           him
           to
           be
           ,
           he
           would
           be
           pleased
           to
           reveale
           himselfe
           by
           his
           owne
           beames
           ,
           and
           perswade
           my
           heart
           by
           his
           owne
           Spirit
           of
           his
           
           Essence
           and
           being
           ,
           which
           if
           he
           would
           do
           ,
           I
           should
           account
           it
           the
           greatest
           mercy
           that
           ever
           he
           shewed
           me
           .
           And
           after
           grievous
           and
           heavy
           perplexities
           ,
           when
           I
           was
           by
           them
           almost
           forced
           to
           make
           an
           end
           of
           my selfe
           and
           sinnefull
           life
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           mine
           owne
           Executioner
           ,
           the
           Lord
           came
           between
           the
           bridge
           and
           the
           water
           ,
           and
           set
           me
           out
           of
           anguish
           of
           spirit
           ,
           (
           as
           she
           prayed
           for
           a
           child
           )
           to
           pray
           unto
           him
           for
           light
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           so
           great
           darkenesse
           ;
           In
           which
           time
           he
           revealed
           himselfe
           ,
           manifested
           his
           love
           ,
           stilled
           all
           those
           raging
           thoughts
           ,
           gave
           returne
           in
           great
           measure
           of
           them
           ;
           so
           that
           though
           I
           could
           not
           read
           the
           Scripture
           without
           blasphemous
           thoughts
           before
           ,
           now
           I
           saw
           a
           glory
           ,
           a
           majesty
           ,
           a
           mistery
           ,
           a
           depth
           in
           it
           ,
           which
           fully
           perswaded
           ,
           and
           which
           light
           (
           I
           desire
           to
           speake
           it
           to
           the
           glory
           of
           his
           free
           grace
           ,
           seeing
           you
           call
           me
           to
           it
           )
           is
           not
           wholly
           put
           out
           ,
           but
           remaines
           while
           I
           desire
           to
           walk
           closely
           with
           him
           ,
           unto
           this
           day
           .
           And
           thus
           the
           Lord
           opened
           mine
           eyes
           ,
           and
           cured
           me
           of
           this
           misery
           ;
           and
           if
           any
           such
           base
           thoughts
           come
           (
           like
           beggers
           to
           my
           doore
           )
           to
           my
           minde
           ,
           and
           put
           these
           scruples
           to
           me
           ,
           I
           use
           to
           send
           them
           away
           with
           this
           answer
           ,
           Why
           shall
           I
           question
           that
           Truth
           ,
           which
           I
           have
           both
           knowne
           and
           seen
           .
        
         
           But
           you
           say
           this
           remedy
           is
           good
           ,
           
           
             viz.
          
           of
           prayer
           ,
           but
           that
           you
           cannot
           use
           it
           ,
           especially
           because
           you
           question
           the
           truth
           of
           God
           .
        
         
           Yet
           (
           deare
           Sir
           )
           give
           not
           over
           this
           Trade
           ,
           
           you
           will
           doubtlesse
           finde
           it
           gainefull
           ,
           when
           it
           may
           be
           God
           hath
           laden
           you
           more
           with
           these
           
           thoughts
           ,
           and
           made
           you
           loath
           your selfe
           for
           them
           .
           But
           the
           thing
           seemes
           strange
           to
           me
           ,
           if
           I
           mistake
           you
           not
           ,
           
             viz.
          
           that
           your
           heart
           will
           not
           be
           perswaded
           ,
           but
           that
           you
           must
           resolve
           your
           doubts
           concerning
           the
           perfection
           of
           Scripture
           ,
           not
           by
           seeking
           to
           h●rmonise
           those
           passages
           that
           seeme
           to
           crosse
           one
           another
           ,
           but
           by
           ascribing
           some
           humanity
           or
           error
           ,
           (
           if
           I
           may
           interpret
           you
           )
           to
           the
           pen-men
           ,
           seeing
           St.
           
             Paul
          
           saith
           ,
           
             We
             prophesy
             but
             in
             part
             .
          
           and
           seeing
           one
           of
           the
           Evangelists
           leaves
           out
           the
           doxology
           in
           the
           Lords
           prayer
           .
        
         
           Sir
           ,
           if
           you
           take
           these
           thoughts
           ,
           arising
           from
           these
           and
           the
           like
           grounds
           ,
           as
           your
           burden
           ,
           I
           do
           not
           blame
           you
           ,
           but
           pitty
           you
           in
           that
           respect
           ;
           but
           if
           your
           judgement
           indeed
           thinke
           so
           ,
           I
           am
           sorry
           you
           should
           harbour
           such
           thoughts
           one
           houre
           within
           doores
           :
           for
           you
           know
           that
           holy
           men
           writ
           the
           Scriptures
           (
           but
           so
           far
           they
           might
           erre
           ,
           but
           it
           is
           added
           )
           as
           they
           were
           inspired
           ,
           or
           (
           as
           the
           Originall
           hath
           it
           )
           as
           they
           were
           moved
           or
           carried
           in
           the
           armes
           of
           the
           holy
           Ghost
           ,
           and
           so
           how
           could
           they
           erre
           ?
           how
           could
           God
           lie
           ?
           It
           is
           true
           ,
           
             Paul
          
           did
           prophesie
           but
           in
           part
           ,
           and
           is
           this
           an
           argument
           ,
           because
           he
           did
           not
           prophesie
           fully
           ,
           therefore
           in
           some
           things
           he
           did
           not
           prophesie
           truly
           ;
           I
           am
           perswaded
           you
           will
           say
           there
           are
           many
           things
           my
           poore
           thoughts
           have
           suggested
           to
           you
           ,
           as
           true
           ;
           and
           yet
           I
           am
           perswaded
           I
           doe
           in
           them
           prophesie
           (
           if
           I
           may
           so
           say
           )
           but
           in
           part
           .
           The
           Spirit
           of
           God
           directed
           the
           foure
           Evangelists
           to
           write
           ,
           yet
           so
           ,
           as
           they
           did
           not
           all
           write
           what
           another
           writ
           ,
           but
           in
           
           great
           wisdome
           left
           some
           things
           doubtfull
           ,
           and
           short
           in
           one
           ,
           which
           are
           more
           cleare
           and
           full
           in
           another
           :
           and
           hence
           the
           Doxologie
           is
           fully
           set
           downe
           in
           one
           ,
           and
           not
           in
           another
           ,
           and
           many
           reasons
           I
           could
           set
           you
           downe
           why
           ,
           but
           that
           it
           is
           needlesse
           .
           I
           grant
           you
           ought
           not
           to
           put
           up
           all
           with
           a
           charitable
           opinion
           of
           Scripture
           ,
           but
           if
           you
           can
           ,
           by
           reason
           ,
           reading
           ,
           and
           comparing
           ,
           helpe
           your
           heart
           to
           a
           full
           perswasion
           ,
           this
           is
           Scripture
           :
           but
           many
           things
           you
           cannot
           get
           satisfaction
           for
           ,
           by
           that
           way
           and
           meanes
           ,
           but
           still
           your
           Spirit
           will
           be
           left
           darke
           and
           doubtfull
           ;
           What
           course
           will
           you
           here
           take
           for
           resolution
           ,
           which
           is
           Scripture
           ?
           The
           Papists
           say
           it
           is
           so
           ,
           because
           the
           Church
           hath
           christned
           it
           for
           Scripture
           ;
           you
           say
           you
           will
           see
           reason
           for
           it
           that
           it
           is
           so
           ,
           or
           else
           you
           cannot
           be
           satisfied
           ,
           then
           I
           feare
           you
           wil
           never
           be
           satisfied
           .
           (
           I
           thinke
           )
           In
           this
           case
           therefore
           these
           two
           things
           you
           are
           to
           do
           ,
        
         
           1.
           
           To
           go
           to
           God
           by
           prayer
           ,
           to
           give
           you
           a
           resolution
           of
           all
           your
           doubts
           ,
           and
           by
           some
           meanes
           or
           other
           ,
           some
           light
           to
           see
           whether
           this
           is
           his
           word
           or
           not
           ,
           Secondly
           ,
           if
           this
           be
           his
           word
           ,
           that
           he
           would
           perswade
           your
           heart
           of
           it
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           so
           :
           For
           the
           least
           resolution
           which
           is
           Scripture
           ,
           and
           which
           is
           not
           ,
           is
           made
           by
           the
           same
           perswasion
           ,
           and
           sole
           perswasion
           of
           the
           same
           Spirit
           that
           writ
           the
           Scripture
           .
           Concerning
           the
           Angels
           that
           appeared
           to
           
             Mary
             .
          
           see
           
             Gerard
             .
          
           and
           he
           briefly
           ,
           (
           I
           thinke
           )
           will
           satisfie
           you
           :
           In
           your
           answer
           to
           the
           particular
           scruples
           about
           the
           Scripture
           sense
           ,
           and
           the
           dissonancy
           
           of
           them
           .
           Onely
           this
           I
           will
           adde
           to
           the
           last
           clause
           about
           these
           things
           ,
           that
           if
           the
           Scripture
           be
           inspired
           by
           the
           holy
           Ghost
           ,
           and
           that
           not
           in
           the
           sum
           and
           substance
           of
           it
           ,
           but
           to
           every
           word
           and
           sentence
           of
           it
           ,
           which
           I
           thinke
           you
           will
           not
           doubt
           of
           ,
           when
           you
           have
           considered
           it
           ,
           then
           I
           thinke
           it
           will
           undeniably
           follow
           ,
           that
           the
           same
           Spirit
           of
           truth
           is
           also
           a
           Spirit
           of
           order
           ,
           and
           hence
           the
           method
           of
           various
           penning
           of
           it
           ,
           is
           from
           the
           Spirit
           too
           ,
           which
           you
           say
           you
           sticke
           at
           .
        
         
           Againe
           to
           your
           third
           thing
           ,
           
           concerning
           your
           spirit
           being
           burthened
           with
           involuntary
           infirmities
           ,
           as
           burdens
           ,
           but
           not
           as
           sinnes
           .
           I
           say
           nothing
           now
           ,
           because
           I
           perceive
           by
           one
           part
           of
           your
           reply
           that
           the
           Lord
           hath
           done
           you
           some
           good
           by
           the
           first
           answer
           ,
           onely
           it
           is
           your
           griefe
           you
           cannot
           feare
           them
           ,
           nor
           condemn
           your selfe
           for
           them
           ,
           as
           damning
           sinnes
           .
           For
           satisfaction
           of
           which
           ,
           I
           hope
           this
           reply
           to
           your
           second
           trouble
           will
           give
           you
           some
           satisfaction
           .
        
         
           Againe
           to
           your
           fourth
           question
           ,
           
           to
           know
           whether
           these
           changes
           you
           have
           sometimes
           ,
           and
           these
           movings
           of
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           are
           not
           of
           naturall
           temper
           ,
           or
           Gods
           Spirit
           .
           It
           seemes
           I
           did
           a
           little
           mistake
           the
           meaning
           ,
           because
           you
           meant
           not
           the
           maine
           worke
           of
           grace
           ,
           but
           occasional
           stirrings
           and
           movings
           of
           heart
           ,
           as
           by
           reading
           some
           pa●heticall
           Letter
           ,
           your
           Spirit
           is
           moved
           with
           joy
           or
           sorrow
           ,
           which
           it
           may
           be
           will
           not
           be
           stirred
           at
           some
           other
           time
           ,
           as
           by
           drinking
           a
           cup
           of
           wine
           ,
           the
           spirit
           is
           made
           more
           chearfull
           and
           lively
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           I
           answer
           these
           three
           things
           .
           
        
         
         
           1.
           
           First
           ,
           That
           it
           is
           very
           usuall
           for
           naturall
           affections
           to
           be
           raised
           by
           a
           naturall
           temper
           ,
           as
           by
           drinking
           ,
           eating
           ,
           noveltinesse
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           
             Iohn's
          
           candle
           flies
           were
           ravished
           with
           the
           Gospel
           :
           People
           are
           naturally
           moved
           sometimes
           by
           a
           thundering
           Minister
           ,
           yet
           never
           a
           whit
           the
           more
           grace
           ,
           &c.
           and
           it
           is
           a
           good
           speech
           of
           Doctor
           
             Ames
             :
          
           Arminian
           universall
           grace
           (
           as
           they
           describe
           it
           )
           may
           be
           the
           effect
           of
           a
           good
           dinner
           sometimes
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           That
           though
           the
           being
           of
           grace
           depends
           not
           upon
           the
           temper
           of
           the
           body
           ,
           yet
           the
           exercise
           of
           grace
           ,
           and
           many
           gifts
           of
           grace
           ,
           together
           with
           the
           feeling
           of
           it
           doth
           .
           And
           hence
           a
           good
           dinner
           ,
           and
           sometimes
           wine
           to
           a
           sad
           melancholy
           (
           if
           gracious
           )
           heart
           may
           remove
           
             rem
             prohibentem
          
           that
           may
           keepe
           grace
           ,
           as
           joy
           and
           thankefullnesse
           from
           working
           ,
           and
           so
           take
           the
           grace
           and
           draw
           it
           out
           ,
           not
           create
           and
           diffuse
           the
           grace
           :
           The
           Prophet
           called
           (
           you
           know
           )
           for
           a
           Minstril
           ,
           which
           some
           thinke
           ,
           (
           and
           that
           upon
           good
           grounds
           )
           was
           to
           raise
           up
           his
           heavy
           heart
           ,
           and
           make
           him
           chearfull
           and
           fit
           to
           speake
           ,
           the
           body
           is
           the
           instrument
           ,
           which
           if
           it
           be
           broken
           ,
           the
           best
           grace
           will
           hardly
           sound
           ,
           but
           if
           whole
           ,
           then
           they
           will
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           If
           you
           would
           know
           when
           these
           things
           onely
           draw
           out
           grace
           ,
           or
           make
           a
           thing
           like
           un●o
           grace
           in
           the
           Soul
           ,
           I
           answer
           ,
           by
           these
           two
           things
           chiefly
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           If
           it
           be
           true
           grace
           ,
           it
           ever
           makes
           you
           more
           humble
           and
           vile
           in
           your
           owne
           eyes
           ,
           and
           say
           ,
           Lord
           ,
           why
           dost
           thou
           give
           me
           any
           desire
           
           to
           thee
           ,
           any
           cheerfulnesse
           in
           serving
           thee
           ?
           &c.
           
        
         
           2.
           
           It
           makes
           you
           more
           thankefull
           ,
           and
           to
           blesse
           the
           Lord
           that
           he
           thus
           remembers
           you
           ,
           for
           this
           is
           a
           standing
           rule
           ,
           what
           ever
           comes
           from
           nature
           ,
           and
           a
           mans
           selfe
           ,
           it
           ever
           builds
           up
           it selfe
           ,
           and
           returnes
           to
           selfe
           againe
           ;
           what
           ever
           grace
           comes
           from
           Christ
           ,
           it
           drives
           a
           man
           out
           of
           himselfe
           ,
           by
           making
           him
           humble
           ,
           and
           draws
           him
           unto
           Christ
           that
           sent
           him
           ,
           by
           making
           him
           thankfull
           ;
           I
           thinke
           all
           grace
           ,
           and
           stirrings
           ,
           and
           movings
           ,
           that
           have
           not
           this
           double
           effect
           in
           some
           measure
           ,
           are
           to
           be
           suspected
           ,
           and
           if
           they
           have
           ,
           it
           is
           dangerous
           to
           doubt
           whether
           they
           are
           true
           or
           no
           .
        
         
           5.
           
           Again
           ,
           Your
           ●ifth
           thing
           about
           providence
           ,
           you
           say
           you
           cannot
           see
           a
           positive
           providence
           ,
           although
           you
           do
           see
           a
           negative
           providence
           in
           all
           your
           occasions
           ,
           and
           comforts
           ,
           and
           crosses
           ,
           you
           meet
           withall
           ,
           as
           namely
           ,
           you
           can
           thanke
           God
           for
           not
           taking
           away
           your
           life
           ,
           &c.
           but
           you
           cannot
           see
           God
           giving
           it
           .
        
         
           I
           answer
           ,
           
           1.
           
           Consider
           what
           I
           writ
           to
           you
           at
           first
           about
           this
           question
           in
           generall
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Ponder
           sadly
           whether
           any
           creature
           or
           appurtenance
           to
           it
           ,
           hath
           its
           being
           from
           it selfe
           ,
           or
           from
           the
           will
           and
           word
           of
           God
           ,
           
             viz.
          
           I
           will
           have
           such
           a
           man
           to
           be
           ,
           and
           such
           a
           memory
           to
           be
           ,
           &c.
           
           I
           thinke
           you
           will
           say
           nothing
           can
           make
           it selfe
           ,
           therefore
           here
           is
           a
           positive
           providence
           in
           having
           life
           ,
           liberty
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           3.
           
           Consider
           whether
           the
           same
           will
           and
           word
           that
           gives
           it
           a
           being
           ,
           together
           with
           all
           the
           appurtenances
           
           to
           it
           ,
           doth
           not
           also
           give
           it
           act
           and
           motion
           .
           That
           it
           is
           so
           ,
           I
           thus
           demonstrate
           it
           .
           1.
           
           Every
           creature
           is
           made
           for
           an
           end
           ,
           for
           no
           wise
           efficient
           ,
           but
           workes
           for
           some
           wise
           end
           .
           2.
           
           That
           no
           creature
           can
           lead
           it selfe
           to
           its
           end
           ,
           if
           sinnefull
           or
           irrationall
           .
           3.
           
           God
           must
           and
           doth
           lead
           it
           by
           its
           severall
           acts
           and
           movings
           to
           that
           end
           .
           Hence
           4.
           
           Every
           act
           is
           determined
           by
           God
           .
        
         
           And
           although
           I
           grant
           some
           creatures
           move
           freely
           ,
           some
           necessarily
           ,
           yet
           it
           is
           from
           a
           positive
           will
           and
           providence
           that
           they
           move
           ,
           act
           and
           see
           .
           Therefore
           you
           see
           what
           cause
           there
           is
           to
           see
           a
           positive
           providence
           in
           every
           thing
           .
        
         
           Concerning
           the
           rest
           of
           your
           letter
           ,
           Oh
           that
           I
           had
           time
           and
           heart
           to
           write
           more
           ,
           yet
           I
           hope
           I
           have
           writ
           enough
           for
           this
           time
           ,
           and
           the
           Lord
           knowes
           whether
           evermore
           or
           no
           .
           However
           I
           thanke
           you
           heartily
           for
           improving
           me
           this
           way
           of
           writing
           ,
           who
           have
           my
           mouth
           slopt
           from
           speaking
           .
           I
           wish
           I
           had
           more
           such
           friends
           to
           deale
           thus
           with
           me
           ,
           and
           my selfe
           more
           time
           ,
           and
           a
           more
           fruitfull
           head
           and
           heart
           to
           improve
           my selfe
           ,
           this
           ,
           or
           any
           other
           like
           way
           for
           them
           :
           For
           who
           knowes
           what
           breathings
           of
           Gods
           Spirit
           are
           lost
           for
           want
           of
           writing
           ,
           especially
           when
           there
           is
           no
           season
           of
           speaking
           .
           Truly
           Sir
           ,
           I
           meet
           with
           few
           that
           are
           much
           troubled
           in
           that
           manner
           as
           your selfe
           ,
           but
           they
           goe
           on
           in
           an
           easie
           ,
           quiet
           ,
           and
           very
           dangerous
           way
           :
           which
           troubles
           (
           I
           perswade
           my selfe
           )
           keep
           you
           awaking
           ,
           when
           other
           virgins
           are
           slumbring
           ,
           and
           after
           which
           (
           I
           am
           perswaded
           )
           the
           Lord
           intends
           
           to
           use
           you
           for
           more
           then
           common
           service
           ,
           if
           you
           wade
           well
           through
           them
           ;
           however
           as
           I
           said
           before
           ▪
           be
           not
           discouraged
           ,
           or
           too
           much
           perplexed
           in
           sorrow
           for
           them
           .
           For
           surely
           ,
           as
           farre
           as
           I
           can
           guesse
           ,
           the
           Lord
           is
           preparing
           you
           for
           himselfe
           by
           them
           .
           I
           shall
           not
           forget
           you
           ,
           though
           I
           never
           saw
           you
           :
           and
           I
           beseech
           you
           if
           you
           have
           any
           sparke
           of
           affection
           toward
           me
           ,
           kindled
           by
           these
           few
           lines
           ,
           remember
           when
           you
           are
           best
           able
           to
           pray
           for
           your selfe
           ,
           to
           remember
           to
           looke
           after
           me
           and
           mine
           ,
           and
           all
           that
           go
           with
           me
           on
           the
           mighty
           waters
           ,
           and
           then
           to
           looke
           up
           and
           sigh
           to
           Heaven
           for
           me
           ,
           that
           the
           Lord
           would
           out
           of
           his
           free
           grace
           but
           bring
           me
           to
           that
           good
           land
           ,
           and
           those
           glorious
           Ordinances
           ,
           and
           that
           there
           I
           may
           but
           behold
           the
           face
           of
           the
           Lord
           in
           his
           Temple
           ,
           though
           hee
           never
           delight
           to
           use
           me
           there
           ,
           though
           I
           and
           mine
           should
           possibly
           beg
           there
           ,
           and
           that
           if
           the
           Lord
           should
           call
           me
           to
           my
           solemne
           worke
           and
           service
           for
           the
           good
           of
           his
           Church
           and
           People
           ,
           and
           company
           that
           goe
           with
           me
           ,
           or
           are
           gone
           before
           me
           ,
           that
           then
           the
           ●ord
           Jesus
           would
           reveale
           his
           secrets
           to
           me
           ,
           and
           enable
           me
           the
           little
           time
           I
           have
           to
           live
           ,
           to
           bef●uitfull
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           to
           have
           a
           larger
           heart
           then
           ever
           for
           him
           .
           As
           for
           your selfe
           ,
           I
           shall
           desire
           the
           Lord
           to
           keep
           you
           blamelesse
           and
           unspotted
           in
           an
           evill
           world
           ,
           and
           that
           as
           he
           hath
           begun
           ,
           so
           he
           would
           perfect
           ,
           and
           crowne
           his
           divine
           graces
           and
           worke
           in
           you
           ,
           and
           that
           you
           may
           be
           preserved
           from
           nationall
           sins
           ,
           which
           shortly
           bring
           National
           and
           most
           heavy
           plagues
           .
        
         
         
           And
           the
           presence
           of
           the
           Lord
           may
           abide
           with
           you
           ,
           and
           in
           you
           ,
           untill
           the
           Lord
           call
           for
           you
           .
           Remember
           my
           kinde
           love
           to
           your
           Father
           ,
           whose
           name
           I
           have
           forgot
           ,
           and
           by
           whom
           I
           could
           not
           send
           these
           lines
           ,
           being
           then
           hindred
           by
           businesse
           .
           Now
           the
           peace
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           be
           with
           you
           and
           keepe
           you
           upright
           and
           blamelesse
           till
           death
           .
           And
           if
           I
           never
           see
           you
           more
           till
           the
           last
           and
           great
           day
           ,
           then
           Farewell
           ,
           Farewel
           .
        
         
           
             Yours
             in
             Iesus
             Christ
             
               T.
               S.
               
            
          
        
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A59657e-300
           
             
               Mr.
            
             Shepherd
             
               of
            
             New-England
             .
          
        
         
           Notes for div A59657e-850
           
             Two
             things
             to
             be
             considered
             about
             motion●
             .
          
           
             How
             to
             try
             the
             motions
             of
             Gods
             Spirit
             .
          
           
             2
             Meanes
             .
          
           
             Quest
             .
             2.
             
          
           
             Answ.
             
          
           
             Object
             .
          
           
             Answ.
             
          
           
             Answ.
             
          
           
             Quest
             .
             3.
             
          
           
             Answ.
             
          
           
             Quest
             .
             4.
             
          
           
             Answ.
             
          
           
             Quest
             .
             5.
             
          
           
             Answ.
             
          
           
             How
             to
             apply
             absolute
             promises
             .
          
           
             Object
             .
          
           
             Quest
             .
          
           
             Answ.
             
          
           
             Quest
             .
             1.
             
          
           
             Answ.
             
          
           
             Quest
             .
             2.
             
          
           
             Answ.
             
          
           
             Quest
             .
             3.
             
          
           
             Answ.
             
          
           
             Object
             .
          
           
             Answ.
             
          
           
             Answ.
             2.
             
          
           
             Quest
             .
             4.
             
          
           
             Answ.
             
          
           
             Answ.
             1.