Eighteen Directions FOR Saving Conversion UNTO GOD. WITH Directions for Daily Holy Living. And Motives, with Directions, unto Religious Discourse; such as tends to promote Conversion and holy Conversation. By Daniel Burgess, Minister of the Gospel. Thus Published for the Poor.  
LONDON, Printed for Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns at the lower end of Cheapside near Mercer's Chapel. 1691.   

EIGHTEEN DIRECTIONS FOR Saving Conversion UNTO GOD. By Daniel Burgess, Minister of the Gospel. Thus Published for the Poor.  
LONDON, Printed for Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns at the lower end of Cheapside near Mercer's Chapel. 1691.   

To my Friends in the Counties of Wilts, Berks, Somerset, Gloucester, Oxford, Southampton, Middlesex, Grace and Peace.  
Sirs,  
I thankfully remember all your old true Love. And, by your frequent Salutations, I am comfortably assured of its continuance. Having not any thing better, I Resalute you all together, with this Fragment.  
I entreat that your Children may be exercised in Learning to Understand them and Recite them. Especially those Children whom I Baptised; and do with an especial Affection remember.  
This Inscription obtains its end; if it certify you, that You and Yours live in the affectionate memory, of one that sticks not, to go out of the common Road to fetch in one Soul unto Jesus Christ.  
Your Fervent Lover and Orator. D. Burgess.   

Eighteen Directions for Saving Conversion unto God, etc.  
D. 1. BE Men. Be not content to be Flies and Worms, or Dogs and Swine in Men's Shape. You have REASON; a faculty of Understanding and Judging what is True and what is False. You have a WILL; a freedom of Choosing what you understand to be Good, and of Refusing what you think to be Evil. You have a CONSCIENCE also, obliging you always to ACT upon Choice, and to CHOOSE upon Judgement. Be not then, as if you had neither of the three. Be not swayed by brutish Sense; and acted by Colours, Smells, Sounds, and Tastes, as if you had been Born in the Field among , and had in you no nobler Principle than they. Rise presently and say, each of you; From this moment I will use my Powers. My Nature is better than Brutes, and my Life shall be better. I will follow my exercised Reason; and seek GRACE. which is its Perfection.  
Till this be resolutely said, you have no proper Manhood. No, but are Bruits and worse, Morally; though you are Men, Naturally, Psal. 49.20.  
D. 2. Know your Maker. Endure not to be Silly Children that know not their own Father. You know, you made not yourselves. Your Parents know little of your inner parts; and confess that they did not form the same. You believe your Maker to be one, that was Himself never made: But an Eternal Being, and the common Father and Fountain of all Being's. And by consequence, of more Wisdom, Power and Goodness than all. And more worth Knowing, than all. Rise then, and say every one of you; What good shall my Life do me, if I may not know the Father of it? Give me the Knowledge of my Father, or else I die. I will never know rest, till I understand WHO and WHAT He is.  
Go, learn the Sixteen things concerning GOD in the first of my Three Questions resolved. Till He be known, nothing can be rightly known. 2 Thes. 1.7, 8.  
D. 3. Love yourselves. Being descended from so excellent a Father, LOVELINESS and LOVE itself; and being so excellent a race of his, as Men bearing his Image; do not make light of yourselves. The visible Creation is not, by millions of times, worth one of your Souls. Say then straightway in your Souls, every of you: I see nothing, but my God, better than my Soul. Next to his Glory, I will therefore make this Souls good, my chief End and Care. If this Soul be lost, it shall not be for want of any thing I can do to Save it. I will do and suffer, work and beg, Live and Die for this Soul of mine. For its Felicity in my Maker's Love and Favour, and Likeness.  
Until this be said, you do but Flatter, you do not Love yourselves. No, but, interpretatively, you Hate yourselves. And you Mischief yourselves, more than Devils can do, Prov. 8.36.  
D. 4. Visit Heaven and Hell. You know there is another World; (none of you all pretend to be sure, that there is not another.) If there be another, confine not your Acquaintance unto this. Heathens, Turks, and Jews themselves believe another World: And say it is a Bigger than this, and an Everlasting one. And one, whose Pleasures exceed those of this lower Worlds, as much as the Light of the Sun exceedeth the Gloworm's. Whose Pains and Torments also be such, that the worst Torments here would be very Refreshments unto the tormented there. Let every one then say, I will as daily think of the next World, as I breath in this. And Fear the torments of that World, more than the pains of this. And Desire and seek the Pleasures of that World, more than all of this.  
Before this Practice, you do not see afar off, but are blind. You live in this World, as Spiders in their Webs; careless and thoughtless of the Besom of destruction. And as Serpents in the Dust, regardless of the glory of higher Regions, 2 Cor. 4.18.  
D. 5. Call Earth your Purgatory. Your Time here, is, all of it, given you on Trial; and for Preparation for your Eternal State. Your Maker is Holy; his Heaven is Pure; All that enter it must be Purified; their Time is allowed them for Purification. As they are Purified or not Purified here on Earth, they are taken into Heaven or excluded. No other Place of Purifying, or Time, is set by God. Say then, Reader, say often unto thyself; My time is my trial for Eternity; I am here, on my good behaviour; as I Live here, I Speed for ever. After my death God will neither hold me on trial in that World, nor send me back again, and try me in this. If I am Glorified I must be Purified; and if Purified, it must be now. My Motto shall be NOW or NEVER, Eph. 5.15, 16. 2 Cor. 5.9, 10.  
D. 6. Believe and search God's Word. Believe the H. Scripture so to be. It is, in a manner, as plain that the Scripture is his Word, as that the World is his Work. Men could no more invent such a Bible, than they could make such a World. (Read Dr. Manton, Dr Bates, Mr. Baxter hereof, you shall say so.) As sure as there is a God, his Will must be Revealed; but if it be not Revealed in the H. Scripture, where is it Revealed? And what is there in the Scripture but is like Him, and speaks itself His? And if His it be, how Continually, Awfully, and Affectionately should it be studied? Rather than neglect it, I would burn all my other Books, and read the Scripture by the light of them. Say thou that readest this; upon due consideration say thou; If I had a thousand Souls, I would venture them all upon the truth of these H. Scriptures. I resolve to Live and Die by them. And I engage myself here, in presence of their blessed Author, that I will as daily read this his Word, as I eat his Bread, Joh. 5.39. Col. 3.16. Psal. 119.97.  
D. 7. Esteem Godliness God-likeness. You know little of God's Word till you do so. It's true, Flesh and Blood, and the World, and the Liar from the beginning, do give Godliness another report. Even a very black Character. They represent it as a very Hell upon Earth. But God's Word says the clean contrary; as his Children also feel the clean contrary. Godliness, all agree, is nothing but Imitating, and Obeying of God. Now, to Imitate him (in Wisdom, Truth, and Goodness,) can be nothing but Beauty and Pleasure, and Benefit and Honour. And to Obey him, is no other. Being He is too Great, to have his service any disparagement unto Angels; and too Good, to let it go unrewarded unto Men. Nor puts He his Children on Earth upon any thing, but what He put his Son in Heaven upon, whiles he was here. Will He have us Suffer, as well as Labour for him? Beside that, we may thank our Sin for it; let us consider, The Natural Son of God suffered the Curse of the Law; the Adopted Children of God suffer nothing but the Chastisements of Grace. He was made perfect by vastly greater Sufferings. Add hereto; what are light Sufferings and but for a moment, for an exceeding great Crown and Eternal? And think too; Can the Devil name any thing in Holiness, so hard as we can prove all things in Sin to be? And, all places in Hell to be? Love is all Religion, and all Pleasure is Love. God only, is more blessed than a Man Godly. Conclude thou thus, Reader, and say; Henceforth will I seek Fish in the Air and Fowls in the Sea, as soon as seek Pleasure or Honour any where but in Godliness. Psal. 119.92. Prov. 3.13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18.  
D. 8. Beware of the Mill and the Circle. Of the Mill of worldly Business, and of the Circle of Sensual Pleasure. They be the Traps that take most Souls; and are the Death of all that they take. The Mill doth store Hell with you poor Tenants, and the Circle stores it with your Rich Landlords. You have but one Soul, and can Love best but one thing; if the World's Profits or Pleasures get the Throne of your one Soul, you have no other for God; and He will sit no where but on the Throne, and in your BEST Love. Nor have you but one Life-time for working out your Salvation. If this one be eat up by the foresaid Praetors, your Salvation is lost. Say then Reader, if thou carest to be saved; Heart and Life-Religion, shall be my prime Mill and Circle; my chief Business and Pleasure. Worldly ones will follow me; but I will follow these. And of all things in the World I will keep the Throne of my Heart from Worldly Business and Pleasures. The Bloodiest Tyrants and Butchers of Humane Souls, 1 Joh. 2.15, 16, 17. 1 Cor. 7.29, 30, 31.  
D. 9 Keep out of Pest-houses. Out of the Company of ¹ Men falsely so called; ² Men, that know not their God; ³ Men that love death, and wrong their own Souls; ⁴ Men, that look not into any World but this; ⁵ Men, that mind not Times End and Use; ⁶ Men, that value Bibles no more than Plutarch 's Morals; ⁷ Men, that fancy God's Service wretched Bondany; ⁸ Men, like Bees, either busy in gathering Honey or Drowned in it. Wisdom hath said it, Justice hath ordered it, and Goodness hath warned you of it. A Companion of Fools shall be destroyed. Come not of choice therefore, near unto their Doors. The choice of Company, is in a great degree the choice of your State; of Sin and Misery, or of Grace and Salvation, I mean. Say, if thou art Wise, or if thou ever wouldst be Wise; say and hold; I will henceforth choose to associate with Frogs and Toads, rather than with God's Enemies. I will have no Bosom Friend that hath not some Holiness to the Lord wrote on his Forehead, 2 Chron. 19.2. 2 Thes. 3.6. Psal. 139.21.  
D. 10. Have a care of your Eyes. In Nature you may be Blind, and Live; in Grace you cannot. Ignorance and Error Damn Souls, as surely as Sins against Light and Knowledge. Especially where there is plenty of means of Knowledge. Heaven's a far Country; Holiness is a narrow way to it; And is a Blind Man like to hit it, do you think? Besides, Darkness is that whereof Satan is the Prince a●●●●orance is called the Power of the Devil; and Christ is said to be coming to take vengeance of all that KNOW NOT God, and that (do not more than Know,) that OBEY not the (whole) GOSPEL. Reader, go beg God's Eyesalve, say presently; Grace is called Light, and Glory is called Light; I will no more endure this dark Heart of mine. I will never be quiet until I get to understand all the Fundamental TRUTHS, GRACES, and DUTIES of Christianity.  
For thy Life get understanding of the Assemblies Catechism. Of the Summaries of Truths in my Three Questions resolved, etc. Prov. 4.5, 7, 8, 9 Prov. 7.4. The Grand Charter Issued out and Granted by Jesus Christ for the Plantation of the Christian Faith in all Nations. By George Lawson, Rector of More in the County of Salop.  
D. 11. Highly prise Sunshine and Thunder. Plain and clear, Rousing and piercing Sermons. How dull are your Heads? What can Benefit you, that doth not Inform you? And what can Inform you that is not as plain as the Sun? Your Hearts be likewise cold and frozen desperately. What besides Thunderbolts can break 'em? What besides Flashes of Fire can thaw them? Believe it, dark and dull Preachers be fearful Judgements and Curses to such as I suppose you. Ignorance, makes some Preachers dark; Pride, maketh others; but Sin makes both; and both do promote Sin. Say thus, thou that valuest thy Soul; I will pray God to direct me to a Ministry both Shining and Burning: Plain for my dull Mind, Powerful for my rocky Heart. Clear to inform my Understanding, and as Cutting and Searching to excite me Affection, Isa. 58.1. Hos. 6.5.  
D. 12. Beg of God Golden Snuffers. We do all need Reprovers. And so peevish we, all, are, that unless they be excellent ones; very Compassionate and very Discreet, and very Innocent themselves; we cannot bear them when they reprove us. We receive no good from the Snuffers, except they be of pure Gold; it is seldom that we ever do. Great need therefore there is, that thou Prayest the Over-ruler of all things, to bestow upon thee some Righteous ones to smite thee. Some Skilful Friends, and Faithful, and of excellent Holiness to tell thee ever and anon of thy Miscarriages. Such as thy Minister never hears of; and can but generally reprove. Psal. 141.5. 1 Thes. 5.14. Exod. 37.23.  
D. 13. Suppose the worst of yourselves. Your own Hearts will be forward to Presume all is well quickly; and that God and you are Reconciled. Satan also still bushes on toward presumption. Towards Hope without any ground for it: Or, at least, without just ground for it. But fair and soft, goes best and farthest. Think thus; if you are indeed Reconciled, your Examination of yourself will not break; no, but Clear and Strengthen the Reconciliation; and bring you in abundance of comfort. But if you are not Reconciled to God, you never can be reconciled until you know your want of it. And Examination, is God's appointed way for your Knowledge. Do not say, But this Knowledge will scare us. For, I pray, what will Hell do? What! Will you not bear the Judgement Seat of your own Consciences? Whether you will or no, you shall bear God's greater Judgement Seat. Go resolve then, and say thou; Never will I be highminded; but Fear. I will maintain a godly Jealousy of myself and my State. Daily will I Examine, and pray God to Examine, my Heart; and try my Ways. I will Consult my God, my Heart, my Minister and my Friends, about the grounds of my Hopes, and Comforts, 2 Cor. 13.5. 1 Cor. 9.27. Rev. 3.17.  
D. 14. Sleep not on the top of a Mast. Do not Delay to mend your Condition, while it is apparently dangerous. He that is on the Ladder, is near to Execution; and Unregenerate men be all on the Ladder. Delay is not for them; every breath, for aught they know, is their Last. (See my Sermon against Delay in the Morning Lectures.) Say to thy Soul, as the Angel to Lot; Arise, lest thou be consumed; Escape for thy Life, NEITHER STAY THOU. Escape, lest thou be consumed. If thou dost not flee, wrath will come; and thou wilt not be able to flee from it, Eccles. 12.1. Now, in days of Youth. No Delay, in Youth itself, 2 Cor. 6.2.  
D. 15. Let thy Sins be but Falls, and not Leaps. Though, after all, thou dost the Evil that thou wouldst not do; see that thou dost not one more, than what is against thy will. Thou fallest into Sin, when for want of strength thou committest it: Thou leapest into it when thou committest it with consent, of choice, and for very pleasure. True, the wages of all sin, is DEATH; yet the former is a Gnat, and the latter a Camel. So wide is the difference. And the Gospel is plain; Lambs fall into the mire, but they are Swine that leap into, and wallow in it, Psal. 19.13. Rom. 7.15, 16, 17. Heb. 10.26.  
D. 16. Row against the stream. The World wonderfully mistakes CANNOT for WILLNOT. Beware you of it; for it may soon become fatal. Use yourselves unto this Language: Here is a Duty, against which my mind is full of carnal Objections; and my Will full of like Oppositions. But against both, I will Fight; God help me by his Grace to Conquer. The Duty goes against me, I confess; but I, for God, will go against myself. I am ashamed that I cannot do it more Freely, but I will go force myself to perform it. Though I cannot Cheerfully, I will Mournfully perform it. Men are sometimes bid to Eat for a Stomach; I will go Obey to get a better Heart to Obey with. Isa. 64 7. God rewards Duty with Duty, Psal. 119.55, 56.  
D. 17. Flee from Popery. When you have gone thus far, admit no conceit of Merit in it. Dream not that your own strength brought you so far, neither. Without the Grace of Christ, nothing can be done. And it must be for his alone Merit, that all is accepted, when it is done. Every one of your good Thoughts, are the works of his Spirit. And every kind look of God upon you, is the purchase of his Blood. You must never expect to Repent, Believe, or Obey, but by his Strength. And when you do, you must never look for acceptance with God but upon the Merit of his Obedience. Rom. 5.18, 19 Rom. 10.4. 1 Cor. 1.30. Colos. 3.17. NB. 1. Christ satisfied God offended with us; He paid what we Owed, and could not pay. 2. God Accepted what Christ performed, as performed on our behalf. 3. Believers enjoy the Fruits of Christ's Performance being so Accepted. 4. And, therefore must not Believe or Obey for those Ends for which Christ did Obey; I mean, to Satisfy God's Justice, and to Merit his Mercy.  
D. 18. Finally and Principally; Take no rest, and give God none; till, through his Grace, you discern yourselves to have risen up, orderly, these seven Steps. By these he leads every one of his Chosen, unto the Glory prepared for them. Nor are you to preach peace unto your Souls till they have ascended them all.  
1. CONVICTION. Or a thorough Persuasion of the Sinfulness, Miserableness, but Changeableness of your Condition. (See Twelve necessary Convictions in my Call unto Sinners.) John 16.8.  
2. CONSIDERATION. Or Serious, Much, and Frequent Meditation of the things whereof you are Convinced in your Hearts, Psal. 119.59.  
3. CONTRITION. Or Fear, and Grief, and Shame and Hatred of Sin, wrought by the Consideration aforesaid, as the means thereof. Psal. 51.17.  
4. CONSULTATION. Or Enquiry and Taking Counsel of God, and of his Servants, what to do for Covenant Union unto Christ and Saving Interest in him. Acts 2.37.  
5. ACCEPTATION. To wit of the Lord Jesus Christ to be your Prophet, Priest, King, and Pattern or Exemplar. Intelligent and Sincere CONSENT to his being all four, unto and for you. John 1.12.  
6. DEDICATION. Or, Solemn Completing of that said Acceptation, by Purpose, Promise, and Vows to Learn 2of Christ, to Trust in him, to Obey him, to Imitate him. And this, both by Inward and Spiritual, and Outward and Sacramental Covenanting, Isa. 44.5. 2 Cor. 8.5. Ezek. 16.8. Gal. 3.27. 1 Cor. 10.16, 17.  
7. CONVERSATION. Or, a Life expressive of all aforesaid. A Life aptly signifying that the Soul has been Convinced, Considerate, Contrite, Consultative, Acceptive of Christ, Dedicative of itself unto Christ. A Life of endeavoured, though not attained, Perfection. Col. 2.6. Psal. 50 21. Rom. 6.18, 19 Mark here, the AS YE HAVE, and the SO NOW YIELD; and observe well the Doctrine of it. We should SO serve God and Holiness in our Regenerate State, AS we did serve Sin and Satan in our Unregenerate State. Even SO, 

1. So Readily and Freely.  
2. So Resolutely and Invincibly.  
3. So Carefully and Studiously.  
4. So Painfully and Industriously.  
5. So Pleasantly and Delightfully.  
6. So Perpetually and Incessantly.  
7. So Progressively and Proficiently.  
8. So Perswasively of others, and with Zeal provoking many.    
NATURE will not let a Man live, without some Service of God. And GRACE. will not let a Christian live, without such Service as this, Performed, or at least Endeavoured.  
Go, Reader, and say to this effect; Morning, Noon, and Night, I will be Catechising my Soul about these seven things. Yea, and I will desire my Pastor to Catechise me concerning them. And till I have ALL, I will account myself NOTHING; yea WORSE than Nothing.  
May every Peruser, be a Practiser of these Directions! May all my Imperfections in them, be forgiven, in the Blood of my Redeemer, by my gracious God May my more Judicious Brethren (more able in Speaking, and more able in Writing,) be drawn to publish their more Elaborate Directions, by the good Success of these so hastily thrown together! May these Lines Live, when I am Dead; and Speak, when my Breath is Stopped; and (in the mean time) may they Preach unto Thousands, of whom I can never see the Faces, till the Resurrection! Amen and Amen.  
FINIS.   

Books Printed for, and Sold by Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns in Cheapside near Mercer's Chapel.  
A Call to Sinners, such as are under Sentence of Death, and such as are under any Prospect of it: from the Long-suffering and Gracious, but most Righteous God.  
Three Questions resolved briefly and plainly, viz. (1.) What Conceptions ought we to have of the blessed God? (2.) What are those Truths, whereof the Knowledge appeareth most indispensibly necessary unto our Salvation; and (therefore) to be first and most learned by us? (3.) What is the change wrought in a Man by God's H. Spirit, before he can safely conclude himself passed from Death to Life? Being the Sum of three Sermons.  
A seasonable Question plainly resolved: viz. What are we to judge of their Spiritual Estate, who neglect the Lord's Supper? And, What is that discerning of the Lord's Body in it, without which Men do eat and drink their own Damnation?  
Man's whole Duty, and Gods wonderful Entreaty of him thereunto. Set forth from 2 Cor. 5.20. and published at the Request of some Hearers.  
Advice to Parents and Children. The Sum of a few Sermons, Contracted, and Published at the Request of many Pious Hearers.  
Christian Commemoration, and Imitation of Saints Departed; Explicated, and Pressed from Heb. 13.7. occasioned by the Decease of the Reverend Mr. Henry Hurst, Lately Minister of the Gospel in London. All Six by Daniel Burgess Minister of the Gospel.  
FINIS.   

Directions for Daily Holy Living, by D. Burgess Minister of the Gospel.  
D. 1. LImit your sleeping hours. Let them not be as many as brutish Sense demandeth. Let Reason fit their number to your Health and Labour. Your Motion is not by the Rule of Religion, if your Rest be not so, Psal. 139.18. I awake, that I may be still with thee. So, some Learned read it.  
D. 2. Consecrate your waking thoughts. Let your God have those first Fruits. He always Loved the first of all things. The first Fruits, and first Born, under the Law, were his. Present Him with these, every morning. Thoughts are inward Speeches. Let God hear Himself first spoken of by you, still. It will argue that He is your Beloved, and it will make Him more so Love makes Thoughtful; and Thoughtfulness makes Love. A Potter is known by his Vessels, and a Heart by its Thoughts; and of all Thoughts, by its first in the morning, and last at night. My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord! Psal. 5.3.  
D. 3. Regulate your Bodily Dresses. Long Dresses bewray large Consciences, if no worse. He that duly prefers his Soul above his Body, would rather go like the wild Indians, than dress like some Londoners. The Hebrew word Beged, signifies Clothing and Covenant-breaking. God seems to have taught thereby, that the  on our backs should humble us for the sin of our first Parents and Persons. But if they do not so; and if outward Adorning be that which employs our early hours, and severe thoughts, it will be dearly paid for in our dying hours, with tormenting thoughts, 1 Pet. 3.3. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning.  
D. 4. Time well your Closet and Family Worship. They be not the same things in season, and out of season. Let the Word be read; one verse rather than none; and Prayer be made; the shortest, rather than none; both by yourselves alone, and with your Families. If it may be, worship first by yourselves. But, needlessly tie not yourselves, being God hath not bound you unto such and such hours. Still do, as you verily think is most for Edification, Mat. 6.6. Enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut the door, pray to thy Father. Josh. 24.15. As for me and my House, we will serve the Lord.  
D. 5. Sanctify your worldly Business. Nothing is your business but that which God your Master sets you about. Dare not then do any thing, but that whereto you can entitle Him. Nor dare you to do it for any other chief end, but to please Him. When you do WHAT He sets you, and supremely BECAUSE He sets it, and wills that you do it; knowing and hoping for his Direction in it, and Blessing of it; you then sanctify it: Then HOLINESS TO THE LORD is written upon it, whatever it be, 1 Cor. 10.31. Whether ye Eat or Drink, or WHATSOEVER ye do, do all to the glory of God.  
D. 6. Moderate your Pains in your Callings. Pains must be; Sweat, is required. But by Reason and Religion they must be measured. God's Laws be all Just and Good. Drones that will not work must not eat. He that is a sluggard in his work, is branded as Brother of the Prodigal waster, Prov. 18.9. Drudges, of whose Labour there is no end, and who bereave their Souls of good; who use themselves worse than God allows Oxen to be used; Treading out the Corn, and muzzling themselves; these are branded by the Spirit of God, as inconsiderate, absurd, and self-destroying fools, Eccles. 4.8. Diligent hands have the promise of being made rich: That is, Hands that be neither Drones nor Drudges, Prov. 10.4. The hand of the diligent maketh rich.  
D. 7. Strengthen your guards against your strongest Enemies. Sin, is our Enemy; even One and All. God hates nothing but sin; and man can be hurt by nothing but sin. Sin's name is Legion; for it is many. And of the many, there is some one or other in every man, that has more power than all the rest. That gives strength unto all the rest. And, being mortified, all the rest are mortified. There be also beside that KING-sin in the Souls, some kind of PEER-sins, which, of all, next unto the KING-sin, are by far the most dangerous. The KING-sin is (always or mostly) your Temperamental sin; the sin of your Constitution. The PEER-sins, be the Radical ones, of Sensuality, Unbelief, Hypocrisy; and the waylay ones, whereunto Temptations will every day meet us in our Company and Business. You can never have any but a false Peace, till you can say, as Psal. 18.23. I am upright before the Lord; I keep myself from my own iniquity. Doctor Bates, his little Book upon that Text is a Light and a Lamp, a Rod and a Staff.  
D. 8. Govern your Thoughts and your Words. Let not your Minds or Tongues be unbridled, and run whither they will. You are in your Shops and your Business very often, alone; Reverence your Conscience, and dare not in the presence of God's Vicegerent to suffer a sinful or useless self-discourse. But talk with yourselves of great and good Subjects, and with designs of great and good Effects upon your hearts by them. When you are in company, consider your Tongue's need of Government: All its words be Meat or Poison to your Hearers, and yourselves: They do still holily make for Edification, or subserviently for Recreation, or contrarily for Corruption, Prov. 24.9. The THOUGHT of foolishness is sin, Mat. 12.36. Of every idle WORD that men shall speak, they shall give account in the day of Judgement.  
D. 9 Preserve the Prerogative of your King. I mean, of your Love. Your Love of God, of Angels, of Men: That is your Principal Grace; your Prince. Keep that Prince on horseback; let that ride, and reign, and rule you in all you do. Let not any thing lower, move and sway you more, in any of your ways. Remember still, it is Love that is the highest improvement of our Faculties, the End of all other Graces, the Excellency in all other Graces. For this is the Word of God given, for this is the Spirit given, for this was his Son given, that we might Love! Never please yourselves therefore with any Quality, or any external Duty, without Love, internal Love, animating, enlivening, exalting it, Rom. 13.10. Love is the fulfilling of the Law.  
D. 10. Value highly your Time. Do so really, in more than empty pretence. And do so apparently also. Apparently unto your own Conscience, Family, Friends, Neighbours. Tell all in the Language of Practice, you account them as the worst of Thiefs, who rob you of your Time. Say as Mr. Fowler, My Time and Strength is God's, and he shall have it. And as Mr. Calvin, Christ shall not find me idle. Esteem every small moiety of Time, as you do of Gold. Expend none at all, of it, but in mowing and whetting your Sith; in very Duty, and necessary Recreation. Buy a great deal of it; I mean, part with much vain pleasure, secular profit, fools favour and kindness, and good men's to sometimes, to save your Time. To save it from doing of evil, and from doing of lesser good, when you may do greater. That is indeed, as we are bid, Eph. 5.16. To Redeem the Time.  
D. 11. Exercise Christian Temperance in all your Meals. Brutes, are more temperate in use of food, than many men. And, may I not say, that some unregenerate men are more temperate, than here and there a well reputed Christian appears? This is a shame. Excess in Meat and Drink, is not the least fruitful sin against Body or Soul. To be abstemious and sparing for Health's sake, is to be as wise as Brute creatures, and some men graceless. Abstinence, for Conscience sake; of love to God and Christ, to our own Souls and others; of faithfulness unto our Baptismal Engagement; this is Christian Temperance, Ezek. 16.49. Behold this was the sin of Sodom, Pride, FULLNESS of BREAD, and abundance of IDLENESS was in her. Sin came in by eating; remember then Prov. 23.2. Put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to Appetite. And, Be not desirous of Dainties; for they are deceitful meat, Rom. 8.13. If ye live after the flesh, ye shall die.  
D. 12. Hasten your Recoveries out of your wilful sins. For, sins of unavoidable Infirmity, God threatens not Eternal Plagues, or Temporal Judgements on you. Sincere and constant Humiliation for them, is indeed necessary and natural, to Lovers of God and Christ. But sins that are not of common and insuperable Infirmity, they make fearful breaches of your Peace with God, and sore wounds in your Souls. They sadly lessen God's Love of Complacence in you, and your Love and all graces towards God. When you fall into these, dare not to lie one minute in them; Lament them presently; Confess them presently to God, and (if need be) unto man also. Repent, rend your hearts for them, and rend them also from them, without delay. Cry for the Balm of Christ's Blood to be presently dropped into your wounds; and for the clean Water of his Spirit to be presently poured on you. Cry mightily for Pardon of them, and Assistance against them. Every minute's delay may cost you so many days, weeks and months' dolours and anguish. Chosen delays may make so many Spira's of you, for aught I know, Psal. 32.3. While I kept silence, i. e. would not confess my sin, my bones waxed old, i. e. I suffered dearly.  
D. 13. Examine strictly your Relative Duty. Often say, What Subject am I? What Fellow-Subject? What Observer of Magistrates and Ministers? What Friend am I? How do I carry it toward my Enemies? For a Christian can be no one's Enemy! as far as he is a Christian, he cannot. What Husband or Wife am I? What Parent or Child am I? What Master or Servant am I? What Superior, what Inferior, what Equal am I? Sincerity or Hypocrisy, is, for the most part specially seen in these things, 2 Pet. 3.11. What manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy Conversations and Godlinesses? Psal. 119.6. Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy Commandments.  
D. 14. Repeat every Evening your double use of the WORD and PRAYER. I mean, in your Closet and Family. Dare not for the gain of a Kingdom to omit it, of choice. Nor to perform it without greatest Seriousness, Willingness & Thankfulness, Psa. 55.17. Evening and Morning, and at Noon, will I pray and cry aloud, and he shall hear my voice.  
D. 15. Repair every days Losses, and be chary of every days Gains. I mean your extraordinary ones. The Womb of some days doth bring you forth huge Hindrances of Duty to God, to yourselves, and to your Families. III Persons or Things obstruct your Solemnities. When they do so, consider and consult, and strain hard to make it up the next day. Read, Pray, Meditate, etc. so much the more. Another day brings forth huge Helps. A Lecture, a Fast, or Public Thanksgiving, a Funeral Sermon, a meeting with some Servants of God of extraordinary Talents; apt to Teach, and forward so to do. When such a day comes, lay up, and lock up your Spiritual Gains. Rost what you take, as Solomon speaks; keep, feed on it, enjoy it. Eph. 5. v. 16. Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. John second Epistle, verse 8. Look to yourselves that we lose not those things that we have wrought, but may receive a full reward.  
D. 16. Improve both of the holy Sacraments. Most lamentably these are neglected among us! The God of all Grace, that hath condescended to extremity in the ordaining of them, awaken Ministers and People to better use of them! On God's part they are Signs and Seals, on our part they are Bonds and Badges. Baptism and the Lords Supper, are the utmost confirmations God giveth us of his Promise to be our God; and the utmost we give of our Engagement to be his. Forget not this, nor vainly remember it. Plead with God for your Souls, his Signed, Sealed Promises unto you; to the expulsion of Distrust. And plead with your Souls for God, your Sacramental Bonds given unto him, and Badges of being his put upon you; to the Conquest of Disobedience. Sacramental Obligation is the chief Storehouse and Magazine to draw Armour from, in an Hour of Temptation. There is none like it. Rom. 6.1, 2, 3. What shall we say then? shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbidden. How shall we that are dead to sin live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were Baptised into Jesus Christ, were Baptised into his death? 1 Pet. 3.21. The like figure whereunto, even Baptism, doth also now save us, (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh; but the answer of a good Conscience toward God) by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. 1 Cor. 10.16, and 21. The Cup of Blessing which we bless, is it not the Communion of the Blood of Christ? The Bread which we break, is it not the Communion of the Body of Christ? Ye cannot drink the Cup of the Lord, and the Cup of Devils; ye cannot be partakers of the Lords Table, and of the Table of Devils.  
D. 17. Hear yourselves daily your Catechism. I mean, the Summary of Religion, unto which you have attained. There be several set down in my Three Questions Resolved long ago Printed, I advise all, once a day, to go over that which they have Learned, and can Remember. Let grown Christians ask and answer themselves, how they do in their Hearts BELIEVE each Article of the Apostles Creed; how they PRAY each Petition of the Lords Prayer; how they PRACTISE each Commandment of both Tables; how they are ENCOURAGED and ENGAGED unto all three; unto the Life of Holy Faith, Prayer and Practice; I mean, by their Holy Baptism and the Lords Table. Rom. 2.21. Thou which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? Psal. 4.4. Commune with your own Heart. Psal. 16.7. My Reins instruct me.  
D. 18. Command your last Thoughts to be fit to be your last. When you compose you to sleep, suppose that you may die in that sleep. And if so, the God unto whom you must go in that death, is fit to be thought of in the entrance to it. If not, it will be sweet in the Morning to review last thoughts of him at Night. Yea, and those thoughts of Faith and Love, and Trust, at Night, will be generative of more of the same Spirit and Goodness in the Morning. Psal. 63.6. I remember thee on my Bed, and meditate of thee in the Night Watches.  
He that in these things serveth Christ, is acceptable to God, and approved of Men, Rom. 14.18.   

Motives, with Directions, unto Religious Discourse; such as tends to promote Conversion and holy Conversation. By the same Author. Thus Published for the Poor.  
THE H. Spirit setting forth the sin of all the Members of the Body, insisteth longest upon the Instruments of Speech. Rom. 3.13, 14. Their Throat is an open sepulchre, with their Tongues they have used deceit, the poison of Asps is under their lips: Whose Mouth is full of cursing and bitterness. He declares also, that our Safety depends upon the right or ill using hereof, Prov. 18.21. Death and Life are in the power of the Tongue, and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. And that one of the prime things that shall be brought to Judgement are our Words, Mat. 12.37. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. He makes our Speech the great discovery of our Heart, Mat. 12.34. O generation of Vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. Psal 37.30. The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgement.  
And accordingly holy men, watch against the sins of the Tongue, Psal. 39.1. I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my Tongue: I will keep my Mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me. Yea and Pray unto God to assist their watch, Psal. 141.3. Set a Watch, O Lord, before my mouth: Keep the door of my Lips. They make conscience of expressing the Image of their hearts in holy discourses, Psal. 37.30. The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgement. And count it absurd to pretend to be religious, if their Discourse be not governed by Religion, Jam. 1.26. If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's Religion is vain.  
God, for Christ's sake forgive me my trespasses! And prosper unto many others, with me, these twelve Motives to Religious and Useful Discourse.  
M. 1. Our Speech is given us by God for Religious Discourse. Jam. 3.9. Therewith we bless God. We do so, it we use it to the end for which He gave it. It is a Faculty most Excellent; and therefore aught to be consecrated unto the holy uses, for which it was by Him intended. Otherwise, we oppose his just Design, and abuse his rich and extraordinary Gift. That which He hath bestown upon no Creatures, but those that are capable of Religion; and bestown it on them for no use so much as of Religion.  
M. 2. Religious Discourse is the most Honourable. Doth God excel Creatures? Doth Eternal Blessedness transcend momentany things? As truly and plainly doth Religious discourse outshine all other. Men, despise children's talk of their Play-things; Princes, contemn Subjects talk of their Shops and Farms; and, no less, do Newborn Souls slight Princes talk of Crowns and Kingdoms, in comparison of talk concerning Heaven. It is only holy Breath, that is Nobly spent.  
M. 3. Religious Discourse is the most Delightful. It is most apt to Delight; and doth actually Delight Men most, when Sin corrupts not their Sense. As Honey is incomparably sweeter than Whites of Eggs, when no Disease hath vitiated our Palates. For, what is Delightful, but Goodness? And what is Goodness, but Pleasingness unto God? And, what Discourse so pleaseth God, as Religious? And who have so much Pleasure as they in Heaven, who have no discourse but Religious? Prov. 15.26. The words of the pure are pleasant words.  
M. 4. Religious Discourse is the most Profitable. It trafficks in the richest Commodities. God hath no richer, than what it trade's for. Yea, and its words be a wind that do always blow good unto both the Speaker and Hearer. They prevent evil Words and Thoughts abundance of them; if not much other Sin. They awaken the Speakers Mind, and affect his Heart; and give him a rich promise of God's Blessing. Prov. 11.25. The liberal Soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. Mal. 3.16, 17. Then they that feared the Lord, spoke often one to another, and the Lord harkened, and heard it; and a book of remembrance was written before him, for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his Name. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of Hosts, in that day when I make up my Jewels, and I will spare them as a man spareth his own Son that serveth him. They also Save and Convert some Souls; and Quiet and Comfort others of the Hearers. Talk of Health and of Riches will not cure the Sick, nor enrich the Poor. But full often hath talk of Holiness made holy and blessed the Hearers of it. Who knows not many Instances?  
M. 5. Religious Discourse is a Duty most Undoubted, most Cheap, and most Advantageous to do good. Undoubted; for no Law forbids any man to praise his God- Cheap, for what doth cost less than words? or what will you spend for God, if you will not speak for Him unto your Friends? Advantageous; for in Discourse, you may better know any man's Capacity; and so, suit it better, in the matter and language, than in Preaching. Besides, you speak singly and more particularly, and insinuatingly. Deut. 6.7. And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy Children, and shalt talk of them, when thou fittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.  
M. 6. Religious Discourse is a Duty of greatest opportunity. Not a day, but Providence gives you an opportunity, for more or less of it. Not any Company you ever come into, but every Soul needs it. Converts, men Unconverted, and men Doubtful whether they are Reconciled unto God, or no; all do need the Lips that disperse Knowledge, Gal. 6.10. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.  
M. 7. Religious Discourse is a Duty helpful unto the best Ministry. The Ministry has done little good upon you, until it has brought you unto the use of it. But when you do use it, you will exceedingly further the good of the Ministry. Some will not hear the fittest Ministers for them, till Discourse bring them. Others cannot Understand, or Remember much, till Discourse help them.  
M. 8. Religious Discourse is a Duty forced upon us by Satan's party. They are all of them, every day, speaking against Godliness. How can any of the Lovers of God hold their peace, therefore? It is said, that a dumb Child did once break silence, when his Father was spoke against. Our heavenly Father is spoken against every day; shall he not every day be spoken for? He is every where Reviled; shall he not be every where Praised? All sorts, young Men and Maidens, old Men and Children, let their Tongues run out against Him; shall not all sorts of his true Servants Plead for Him? O Lord, open the mouths of all, and let them show forth thy Praise! Amen and Amen.  
M. 9 Religious Discourse is a Duty that every good man has had the blessing of. I do not think any one can say, that all the good he ever reaped, was from set continued Sermons. Doubtless, all have tasted the good of familiar Discourses. All must say; that gracious words, dropped from one and another good man occasionally, at Tables ends, and by Fire sides, have been worth more than a little unto their Souls. And if so, how Unnatural is the cruelty, to see Souls about them perishing, and not minister unto them as they themselves were ministered unto? Not so much as dropping the words, which, by experience, they know to be helpful. Luke 24.32. And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the Scriptures?  
M. 10. Religious Discourse is a Duty that is inseparable from Charity. From the Love of God and of Men. If I Love God, I shall Desire his Glory. If I rightly Desire it, I shall Endeavour it. If I Endeavour it, surely as I have opportunity, I must Speak for it. If I Love Men's Souls, I cannot grudge a few words for their Conversion or Edification. Love is i'll where holy Discourse is scarce; and dead, where it is absent. In all appearance dead. Ephes. 4.16. From whom the whole Body fitly joined together, and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.  
M. 11. Religious Discourse is a Duty that is a mighty Promoter of Charity. Love, I think, is all Religion. The Soul of all. And who knows not this? Love of God is the grace we can least spare; but the grace that of all is the most subject to abate in us. It is in us as Fire in green Wood, that needs continual blowing. And Religious Discourse is an experienced Bellows to blow it. Love of one another also, easily waxeth cold. But what exciteth that, will excite this. And let Experience speak; who do so Love each other, as those who most edify and are edified by each others Religious discourse? I can Love no Man so intensely as him, who either helps me toward Heaven, or receives help from me. Philem. v. 12, and 16. Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is mine own bowels. Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beleved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord?  
M. 12. Religious Discourse is a universal Ministry. All and every one, of Christ's adult Disciples, are more or less Qualified for it, and Commissioned unto it. If thou hast not in some measure Tasted and Seen that the Lord is good, thou art not a Christian. If thou hast, thou art able to say somewhat of that which thou hast Seen and Tasted. And if thou hast such a Talon as that Ability, the exercise of it is thy unquestionable Duty. Who doubts but that our Saviour calleth all his Servants the SALT of the Earth, and the LIGHTS of the World? though one Order of them be so most eminently. But what Salt are they, that rarely drop a savoury word? Or what Lights be they, who carry it so that no body Knows or Remembers God ever the more for them? Of all vile creatures, the Ministers that neglect Preaching, are contemned in the eyes of God and of good Men. But thus far as I say, you that are Christians are Ministers. And if you neglect this Ministry of yours that I speak of, you are more sinful and vile than you are ware. Tell me not that there be some, who say, that it's not for Children, Women, or Unlearned men to talk of Religion. I know many do say so; and I know if many such Sinners entice you, it will be your death to hearken, consent, and follow them against God's express and plain Word. Young Men and Maidens, old Men and Children are bid to praise God. Even CHILDREN themselves. It is made the praise of the Excellent Woman, Prov. 31. that in her mouth was the Law of Kindness. By which, Commentators of the best rank do understand no less than the Law of Grace, the Word of Reconciliation, the Doctrine of the Kindness and Love of God towards us. Whereof this rare Matron was perpetually discoursing with her Children and Handmaids. To conclude; Our Words have a middle place between our Thoughts and our Deeds; and of a mighty influence they are upon both; and certainly the ordering of them, as I have said, is a great Ordinance of God for Making and Keeping good our Thoughts and Works, and our Neighbours also. Wherefore a needful prayer it is for us, O Lord, open our mouths! that is, give us DISCRETION wherewith to open them, and HOLY AFFECTION wherewith to open them, and desirable OPPORTUNITIES wherein to open them for thy Glory, and our own and our Brethren's Edification. Amen.  
Twelve Directions for Religious Discourse. Prov. 1.5. A wise man will hear, and increase Learning. Good Proficients will give heed to first plain Elements.  
D. 1. Understand well the TRUTHS and DUTIES of Religion. Read, Hear, Inquire, spare no Pains to get a good understanding of the Creed, Lords Prayer, Ten Commandments, and Doctrine of the Sacraments. A well informed mind it is, that must teach the Mouth, and add Learning to the Lips. Prov. 16.23. The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. An inquisitive humble man will not long be Ignorant. And when he ceases to be Ignorant, he will presently be usefully Eloquent. [And it is no matter if he be not gaudily so]  
D. 2. Believe the things of Religion to be real. Even as the things that you see with your Eyes. Believe thus the Being and Glory of God, the Sinfulness of Sin, the Beauty and Importance of Holiness, the Joys of Heaven, the Torments of Hell, the Eternity of Both. Whatever your Head be, if your Heart be faithless, your Discourse will be heartless. And must be extorted from you too; it will not come freely, as little as its worth will be. But strong Faith, makes forward to speak, bold in speaking, and unrestrainable from it. 2 Cor. 4.13. It is written, I Believed, and therefore have I spoken: we also Believe, and therefore speak.  
D. 3. Love the real things of Religion with all your Heart. Knowledge, and Faith too, is an idle mute, without Love. They work, yea and speak also, by Love. It is out of nothing of the heart, so much as Love, that the Mouth speaks. Love maketh the Lips of those that are asleep to speak, Cant. 7.9. And the roof of thy mouth like the best wine, for my beloved, that goeth down sweetly, causing the lips of those that are asleep to speak. Nothing sooner casts out dumb Devils. Who ever knew a great Lover of his God, a silenced Man? Undoubtedly our Affections are chilled, before our Tongues are tied.  
D. 4. Perfect the Subjection of yourselves unto Religion. Be constantly and universally under its government, in all your ways. Eat and Drink, by religious rule. Buy and Sell by the same. Pray and Worship by the same. For if you allow yourselves in any one Sin, you cannot reprove others for any. You cannot Decently, nor can you Sincerely. Under the Law the Snuffers were to be made of pure Gold. Teaching, that Reformers of other Men, were to be Unspotted and Inoffensive themselves, and Praiseworthy. Exod 37.23. And he made his seven lamps, and his snuffers, and his snuff-dishes of pure gold.  
D. 5. Compassionate the Souls that be void of all sound Religion. Consider their Misery; and their Helplesness unless help be brought quickly. Remember that Sinners be Stray creatures, from God their Owner. And be sinking under the burden of their sins, into Hell's bottomless Pit. Remember also, that God who hath called thee into his way of Salvation, and hath forgiven thy Sins, will be exceeding angry, if thou hidest thyself from thy perishing Neighbours. If thou Pretendest that thou knowest not the case of their Souls; or Passest them by unreproved and uninstructed, as though thou didst not know it. God will be angry if thou showest not more Pity upon an Ox, or a Sheep, or an Ass; yea though it be thy very Enemies. Exod. 23.4, 5. If thou meet thine enemy's Ox or his Ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again. If thou see the Ass of him that hateth thee, lying under his burden, and wouldst forbear to help him, thou shalt surely help with him. Deut. 22.1, 4. Thou shalt not see thy Brother's Ox or his Sheep go astray, and hid thyself from them: thou shalt in any case bring them again unto thy Brother. Thou shalt not see thy Brother's Ass or his Ox fall down by the way, and hid thyself from them: thou shalt surely help him to lift them up again. They be Cruel as Ostriches, that are Dumb as Dogs. Yearning Bowels will bring forth Edifying Discourses.  
D. 6. Covet earnestly your own Proficience in Religion. In the Gifts, Graces, Services, and Comforts of it. Prov. 11.25. The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. To water others, is one way, a sure one, and an excellent to have God water us. God never muzzles the Mouths of such as do kindly and painfully tread out Corn to others. He doth then most sensibly Teach us, while we are Teaching others. Ordinarily he doth so, as Experience tells us. I believe we may all say, as one great man saith expressly.— I am never backward to help or cold in helping the Souls of others, until a base cold is gotten into my own Soul; and it is waxed careless of itself. Desire of our own Spiritual good, will certainly put upon Endeavours for other Men's good. Although Covetousness of earthly things puts upon a contrary practice.  
D. 7. Keep a Law of Moral Kindness in your Lips towards Religious men, and Irreligious. Remember still that Gospel Precept, 1 Pet. 3.8. Be ye courteous. Forgetfulness of it, is an extreme damage to the Interest of the Gospel. It is an unknown mischief that one rough rugged word will many times do. How many thousands of good ones it will prevent, or frustrate. Whereas, Affable ones do wonderfully open our Ears, Mouths, and Hearts unto each other. Do not think to impart Wisdom, where you do not pleasantly express Love. It must be your Lovers, to whom you will have much pleasure to Discourse. And who will with much pleasure Hear you. Neither may you expect to make or keep many such Lovers, without Morosity and Sourness of behaviour abandoned. If Love cast not them out, they will soon cast Love out; and then farewell to good Discourse. You may see how the very Apostles were fain to carry it, to maintain their Ministry, and its Usefulness, 1 Thes. 2.7. We were GENTLE among you, even as a NURSE cherisheth her Children. A winning Affability is as necessary as Breath itself to profitable Discourse; especially with weak Christians.  
D. 8. Perfume your own Houses with Religious Discourses. Make it said in your Neighbourhoods, that happy are your Children, and happy your Servants which live continually near you, and hear your Wisdom. Be sure that your Lips disperse Knowledge at home; and that your Families have Precept upon Precept. Fail not to be Guides of your own Blind. Of your own Relations, of Souls under your own Roofs. Unless you exercise this Charity at home, it will justly enough be concluded Vainglory, that sets your Tongue going religiously abroad. And by and by you shall be told what is true, Prov. 26.7. The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a Parable in the mouth of fools. Pious speeches out of a fools mouth, make the fool ridiculous, and become themselves contemptible.  
D. 9 By Counsel and with good Advice order your religious Discourse. It is War against Sin and Satan, Offensive. For God's Glory, and men's Salvation, Defensive. It well deserves good thinking; and will requite it well. Wherefore rush not into it, rashly. And do not fancy that extemporary suggestions are all you need bestow upon it. I would that upon the walls of your houses you had written, Heb. 10.24. And let us consider one another, to provoke unto love, and to good works. The Duty required, is provocation of one another by religious Discourses unto Love and good Works. The Means prescribed, as necessary for its right performance; is Consideration of one another; to wit, of one another's Circumstances, Conditions, Estates, Lives, Virtues, Faults, Wants, etc. Even that we may suit our Ministrations unto them with a due heedfulness. And take the most proper Matter, Language, Method, Time, and every thing else to do them good. Thus do, and many shall say unto you, as David to Abigail, 2 Sam. 25.32, 33. David said to Abigail, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me. And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand.  
D. 10. Let the one thing Needful, be the main one in all your religious Discourse. Even RIGHTEOUSNESS; Imputed, Inherent, and Practical. HOLINESS to the Lord; the Principle of it, the Practice of it, the Progress, and the Perseverance. As high as they sour in notions, & in profession, and in vogue, they be not the true Eagles of Heaven, that spend their time in catching at Flies. The Kingdom of God is not in Meat and Drink; i. e. Christianity consists not in the Circumstantials of Religion. woe to them whose Discourses consist of little beside. You shall not repent it, if you determine as St. Paul, 1 Cor. 2.2. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. The Converting, Edifying, Comforting Knowledge of Jesus Christ, Crucified and Glorified. Doubtless so meant the Apostle.  
D. 11. Believe Reproaches for truly religious Discourses to be honours and treasures. Otherwise, you will soon faint. But you know who thought it their Honour, to suffer more than Reproach. Acts 5.41, 42. And they departed from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his Name. And daily in the Temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. And who thought it Treasure, even richer than Egypt's. Heb. 11.26. Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward. Neither may you expect to reach their Heaven, if you possess not their Temper, and walk not in their way. And this remember; it is dangerous to be without sinners Reproaches; and more dangerous to have their Applause. 'Tis its own that the World loveth. The Witnesses of Christ's Truth, are said to have tormented them that dwelled upon the Earth; or earthly sensual lives Solomon's Throne was supported by Lions; and truly so must Christ's Kingdom and Interest be. Dastardly Spirits will never be Trumpets of his praise; for the fear of man brings such a snare on the heart, as tieth the tongue it self.  
D. 12. Be Companions of them that best maintain Religious Discourse. With best Understanding, Zeal, Humility, and Success. Have no other Company of choice, but that which will either Teach you, or Learn from you What will be your Physicians, or your Patients. Let all your Delight be in these as the excellent ones of the Earth. And be always willing to Borrow and to Lend. To Lend to those that know less than you do; and to Borrow from such as know more than you. Otherwise, whatever company you keep, it is little, by them, that you are like to gain. For there is no Edification, where men too Ignorant to Teach, are too Proud to Learn: and they who have very much knowledge, have too little humility and grace to draw it forth; except it be in public places, where they expect applause and acceptation with multitudes. Pious Humility makes us both Communicative of the knowledge we have, and Inquisitive after more. And it is certain, that by communicating, the wisess do grow wiser; and by enquiring, the weakest do get to be wise. Eccles. 10.15 The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the City. The sense is this, I judge: Because a Fool is to proud, or too bashful and fearful to go and inquire in the City, of one able to Direct him to dispose of his Labour therefore doth he unprofitably throw it away, that it doth but Weary him and not Benefit or every him (Let the Learned see in l. Ludou. de Dieu. in Po. Synop●   

POSTSCRIPT.  
Reader; The Serpent's Seed will Hiss, and especially against such Arguments as those, and such Management of them. I pray God they may but Hiss, and no Sting thy Soul; for their Venom cast on my Name, is worthy of no complaint or fear. Very probably thou wilt be told, this Discourse is rankly Fanatical. Let such as do suggest so, be told; that, godly Learned Episcopal Men have praised this Fanaticism. Have Encouraged the printing it; do buy it and communicate it. And Bishop Wilkins (the late honour of his Order,) in a Sermon published by Dr. Tillotson, (a Dean of a thousand) hath these words, which are full out as Fanatical as any of mine, Practical Religion would be much advantaged, if men were but more free towards one another in communicating their Doubts, Temptations, Comforts; warming their Affections, and building up one another by MUTVAL CONFERENCE. O that we Dissenters may make good use, and not evil, of the honour put upon us in this Nation; by men's calling all serious practical CHRISTIANITY, Fanatical Presbyterian, etc.  
FINIS.