The Second SHEET FOR Poor Families.  
INSTRUCTIONS FOR A HOLY LIFE.  
By Richard Baxter.  
LONDON, Printed by Robert White, for Francis Titan, at the three Daggers in Fleetstreet: and for Nevil Simmons, Bookseller in Kederminster. 1665.   

The Second Sheet for Poor Families: INSTRUCTIONS FOR A Holy Life.  
ALL is not done when men have begun a Religious life: All Trees that blossom prove not fruitful: 
Colos. 1.23. Hebrews 4.1. 2 Pet. 2.20. 1 Cor. 3. Gal. 3. & 4. Matthew 13.41. & 18.7.  and all fruit comes not to perfection. Many fall off, who seemed to have good beginnings: And many dishonour the Name of Christ, by their scandals and infirmities: Many do grieve their Teacher's hearts, and lamentably disturb the Church of Christ, by their ignorance, errors, self-conceitedness, unruliness, headiness, contentiousness, sidings and divisions: In so much that the scandals and the feuds of Christians, are the great impediment of the Conversion of the Infidel and Heathea world, 
Phil. 3.21. Acts 20.30.  by exposing Christianity to their contempt and scorn, as if it were but the error of men as unholy and worldly and proud as others, that can never agree among themselves: And many by their passions and selfishness are a trouble to the Families and Neighbours where they live: And more by their weaknesses and great distempers, are snares, vexations and burdens to themselves. Whereas Christianity in its true constitution, is a life of such Holy Light and Love, 
Matth. 5.16. 1 Pet. 3 1. 1 Pet. 2.15. & 1.8. 2 Cor. 1.12.  such Purity and Peace, such fruitfulness and Heavenlyness, as if it were accordingly showed forth in the lives of Christians, would command admiration and reverence from the world, and do more to their conversion, than swords, or words alone can do: And it would make Christians useful and amiable to each other; and their l●ves a feast and pleasure to themselves. I hope it may prove some help to these excellent ends, and to the securing men's salvation, if in a few sound experienced Directions, I open to you the Duties of a Christian life.  
I. Keep still the true form of Christian Doctrine, Desire and Duty orderly printed on your m●nds: 
2 Tim. 1.13. & 3.7. Heb. 5.12. Phil. 1.9. Rom. 15.14.  that is, Understand it clearly and distinctly, and remember it. I mean the great points of Religion contained in Catechisms: you may still g●ow in the clearer understanding of your Catechisms, if you live an h●ndred years: Let not the words only but the matter, be as familiar in your minds, as the rooms of your house are. Such solid knowledge will establish you against seduction and unbelief, 
Eph. 4.13, 14. Colos●. 1.9. & 2.3. & 3.10. 1 Tim. 6.4.  and will be still within you a ready help for every Gra●e, and every duty, as the skill of an Artificer is for his work: And for want of this, when you come among Infidels or Heretics, their reasonings may seem unanswerable to you, and shake, if not overthrew your says: And you will easily err in ●esser po●●●, and trouble the Church with your dreams and wranglings. This is the calamity of many Professors; that while they will be most censorious Judges, in every controversy about Church-matters, they know not well the Doctrine of the Catechism.  
II. Live day'y by faith on Jesus Christ, as the Mediator between God and you: 
john 17.3. Ephes. 3.17, 18. Matth. 28.19. Eph. 1.22, 23. & 4.6.16. Romans 5. 2 Cor. 12.9. john 16.33. 1 john 5.4. Heb. 4 14.16. Col. 3 3, 4. Acts 7.59.  Being well grounded in the Belief of the Gospel, and understanding Ch●ists Office: make use of him still in all your wants. Think on the Fatherly Love of God as coming to you through him alone: and of the Spirit as given by Him your Head; and of the Covenant of Grace as enacted and sealed by him; and of the Ministry as sent by him; and of all time, and helps, and hope as procured and given by him: When you think of sin, and infirmity, and temptations, think also of his sufficient pardoning, justifying and victorious grace. When you think of the world, the flesh and the Devil, think how he overcometh them. Let his doctrine and the pattern of his most perfect life, be always before you as your Rule. In all your doubts, and fears, and wants, go to Him in the Spirit and to the Father by Him, and Him alone. Take him as the root of your life and mercies, and Live as upon him and by his life. And when you die, resign your souls to Him, that they may be with Him where he is, and see his Glory To live on Christ, and use Him in every want and address to God, is more than a General consufed believing in him.  
III. So Believe in the Holy Ghost, as to Live and work by Him, as the Body doth by the soul. You are not Baptised into his name in Vain: 
Gal. 5.16.25. Matth. 28.19 john 16.13. Heb. 2 3, 4. 1 Cor. 12.12, 13. Rom. 8.9.13. john 3.5, 6.  (But too few understand the sense and reason of it.) The Spirit is sent by Christ for two great works: 1. To the Apostles (and Prophets) to inspire them infallibly to preach the Gospel, and confirm it by miracles, and leave it on record, for following ages in the Holy Scriptures: 2. To all his members, to illuminate and sanctify them, to believe and obey this Sacred Doctrine (beside his common gift to many to understand and preach it.) The Spirit having first indicted the Gospel, doth by it, first Regenerate, and after Govern all true Believers. He is not now given us; for the revealing of new doctrines, but to understand and obey the doctrine revealed and sealed by him long ago. 
2 Tim. 3.15, 16. jude 19, 20. Ezech. 36.27. Isa. 44.3. Rom. 8.1.5. 1 Cor. 6.11. Zech. 14.20.  As the Sun doth by its sweet and secret influence, both give and cherish the natural life of things Sensitive and Vegetative; so doth Christ by h●s Spirit our spiritual life. As you do no work but by your natural life, you should do none but by your spiritual life: you must not only Believe and Love and pray by it; but manage all your Callings by it: For Holiness to the Lord must be written upon all: All things are sanctified to you, because you being sanctified to God, devote all to Him, and use all for Him: and therefore must do all in the strength and conduct of the Spirit.  
iv Live wholly upon GOD, as All in All: As the first Efficient, principal Dirigent, 
Rom. 11.36. 1 Cor. 10.31. 2 Cor. 5 7, 8. ● john 3.1. Rom. 5.1, 2, 3. Matth. 22.37. Ephes. 1.6. 2 Cor. 5.19. Gal. 4.4, 5, 6.  and Final Cause of all things. Let Faith, Hope and Love be daily feeding on Him. Let [Our Father which art in Heaven] be first inscribed on your hearts, that he may seem most amiable to you, and you may boldly Trust him, and filial Love may be the spring of duty. Make use of the Son and Spirit to lead you to the Father; and of Faith in Christ to kindle and keep alive the Love of God. The Love of God is our Primitive Holiness, and specially called, with its fruits [Our Sanctification,] which Faith in Christ is but a Means to. Let it be your principal end in studying Christ, to see the Goodness Love and Amiableness of God in him: A condemning God is not so easily loved, as a Gracious Reconciled God. You have so much of the Spirit, as you have Love to God: This is the proper gift of the Spirit to all the Adopted Sons of God, to cause them with filial affection and dependence, to cry Abba Father. Know not, desire not, love not any creature, but purely as subordinate to God Without him, let it be Nothing to you; But as the Glass without the face; or scattered Letters without the sense; or as the corpse without the soul. Call nothing Prosperity or pleasure but his Love; 
Psalm 30.5.  and nothing adversity or misery, but his displeasure, and the cause and fruits of it. When any thing would seem Lovely and  which is against him call it Dung! 
Psalm 63.3. Phil. 3.7, 8. Matth. 16.23. 2 Thess. 3.5. 2 Cor. 13.14.  And hear that man as Satan or the Serpent, that would entice you from Him: & count him but Vanity, a Worm, and dust, that would affright you from your duty to Him. Fear him much, but Love him more! Let Love be the soul and End of every other duty: It is the end and Reason of all the rest: but it hath no End or Reason, but its Object. Think of no other Heaven, and End, and Happiness of man, but LOVE the final act, and GOD the final object: Place not your Religion in any thing but the Love of God with its means and fruits. Own no grief, desire, or joy, but a Mourning, a Seeking, and a Rejoicing Love.  
V Live in the Belief, and Hopes of Heaven, and seek it as your part and end; and daily Delight your souls in the forethoughts, 
Col. 3.1, 2, 4. Mat. 6.19, 20, 1.33. 2 Cor. 4.17, 18. & 5.7. Luke 12.20. Heb. 6.20. 1 Cor. 15.28. Ephes. 4.6. & 1.23. Phil. 3.18.20. Ps. 73.25, 26. john 18.36.  of the endless sight and Love of God. As God is seen on earth but as in a glass, so is he proportionably enjoyed. But when mourning, seeking Love hath done, and sin and enemies are overcome, and we behold the Glory of God in Heaven, the Delights of Love will then be perfect. You may desire more on Earth, than you may Hope for. Look not for a Kingdom of this world, nor for Mount Zion in the wilderness. Christ Reigneth on Earth, as Moses in the Camp, to guide us to the Land of Promise: Our perfect blessedness will be, where the Kingdom is delivered up to the Father, and God is All in All. A doubt, or a strange heartless thought of Heaven, is Water cast on the Sacred fire, to quench your Holiness and your Joy. Can you travel one whole day to s●ch an End; and never think of the place that you are going to? which must be intended in every righteous act (either notedly, or by the ready unobserved act of a potent habit.) When Earth is at the best, it will not be Heaven. You live no further by Faith like Christians, than you either live for Heaven in seeking it, or else upon Heaven in Hope and joy..  
VI Labour to make Religion your pleasure and delight. Look oft to God, to Heaven, to Christ, to the Spirit, to the Promises, to all your mercies; call over your experiences, 
Psalm 1.2, 3. & 84.2.10. & 63.3.5. & 37.4. & 94.19. & 119.47.70. Isa. 58.14. Psalm 112.1. Romans 14.17. & 5.1, 3, 5. 1 Pet. 1.8. Mat. 5.11, 12. Psalm 32.11.  and think what matter of high Delight is still before you: And how unseemly it is, and how injurious to your profession, for one that saith he Hopeth for Heaven, to live as sadly, as those that have no higher Hopes than Earth? How should that man be filled with joy, who must live in the joys of Heaven for ever? Especially rejoice when the messengers of Death, do tell you that your Endless Joy is near. If God and Heaven, with all our mercies in the way, be not Reason enough for a joyful life, there can be none at all. Abhor all suggestions which would make Religion seem a tedious inksome life. And take heed that you represent it not so to others: For you will never make them in Love with that, which you make them not perceive to be delectable and lovely. Not as the Hypocrite, by forcing and framing his Religion to his Carnal mind and pleasure; but bringing up the heart to a holy suitableness, to the pleasures of Religion.  
VII. Watch as for your souls, against this flattering tempting world; 
Gal. 6.14. 1 joh 2.15, 16. james 1.27. & 4.4, 5. 1 john 5.4, 5. Rom. 12.2. Gal. 1.4. Titus 2.12. Mat. 19.24. Luk. 12.16.21. & 16.25. james 1.11. & 5.1.2.4. Luke 8.14. H●b. 11.26.  especially when it is represented as more sweet and delectable, than God, and Holiness, and Heaven. This world with its Pleasure, Wealth, and Honours, is it that is put in the balance by Satan, against God and Holiness and Heaven: And no man shall have better than he chooseth and preferreth. The bait taketh advantage of the brutish part, when Reason is asleep; and if by the help of sense it get the Throne, the Beast w●ll ride and rule the Man; and Reason become a slave to Sensuality. When you hear the Serpent, see his sting: and see Death attending the forbidden fruit. When you are Rising, look down and see how far you have to fall! His Reason as well as faith is weak, who for such fool-gawds, as the pomp and vanities of this world, can forget God and his soul, and death and judgement, Heaven and Hell, yea and deliberately command them to stand by. What Knowledge or Experience can do good on that man, who will venture so much for such a world, which all that have ●●yed it call Vanity at the last? How deplorate then is a worldlings case? O fear the world, when it smileth, or seems sweet and amiable. Love it not, if you Love your God and your salvation.  
VIII. Fly from temptations, and crucify the flesh, 
Rom. 8.1.13. Gal. 5.24. Rom. 13.14. Gal. 5.17. jude 8.23. 2 Pet. 2.10: Eph. 2.3. 1 Pet. 2.11. Mat. 6.13. & 26.41. Luke 8.13.  and keep a constant Government over your appetite and senses. Many who had not designed stated vice, of worldly interest, have shamefully fallen by the sudden surprise, of appetite or lust. When custom hath taught these to be greedy and violent, like a hungry Dog, or a lusting Boar, it is not a fl●ggish wish or purpose, that will mortify or rule them! How dangerous a case is that man in, who hath so greedy a Beast continually to restrain? that if he do but neglect his watch one hour, is ready to run him headlong into hell? Who can be safe, that standeth long, on so terrible a precipice? The tears and sorrows of many years, may perhaps not repair the loss which one hour or act may bring. The case of David and many another, are dreadful warnings. Know what it is that you are most in danger of; whether lust, or idleness, or excess in meat, or drinks, or play; and there set the strongest watch for your preservation. Make it your daily business to mortify that lust; and scorn that your brutish sense or appetite, should conquer reason. Yet trust not purposes alone; but away from the temptation; Touch not, yea look not on the tempting bait: Keep far enough off, if you desire to be safe. What miseries come from small beginnings! Temptation leads to sin, and small sins to greater, and those to Hell! And sin and Hell are not to be played with. Open your sin or temptation to some friend, that shame may save you from the danger.  
IX. Keep up a constant skilful Government, 
james 1.19. jam 3.13.17. 1 Pet. 3.4. Mat 5.5. Ephes. 4.2, 3. Col. 3.12. james 1.26. & 3.5, 6.  over your Passions and your Tongues. To this end, keep a lender Conscience, which will smart when in any of these you sin. Let Holy Passions be well ordered: and selfish carnal passions be restrained. Let your Tongues know their duties to God and man, and labour to be skilful and resolute in performing them. Know all the sins of the Tongue, that you may avoid them; for your innocency and peace do much depend on the prudent Government of your Tongues. 
Psalm 34.13. Prov. 18.21.   
X. Govern your Thoughts with constant skilful diligence. In this, 
Deut. 15.9. 2 Cor. 10.5. Gen 6.5. Psalm 10.4. Psalm 94.19. Psal. 119.113. Prov 12.5. & 15.26.  right Habits and Affections will do most by inclining them unto Good. It's easy, to Think on that which we Love. Be not unfurnished of matter for your Thoughts to work upon! And often retire yourselves for serious meditation: Be not so solitary and deep in muse, as to over-stretch your thoughts, and confound your minds, or t●ke you off from necessary converse with others: But be sure that you be Considerate, and dwell much at home, and converse most with your consciences and your God with whom you have the greatest business Leave not your thoughts unemployed, or ungoverned: scatter them not abroad upon impertinent vanities: O that you knew what daily business you have for them! 
Psal. 119 59 Prov. 30.32. Ier 4.14. Deut. 32.19.  Most men are wicked, deceived and undone, because they are inconsiderate! and dare not or will not retiredly, and soberly use their Reason; or use it but as a slave in chains, in the service of their passion, lust and interests. He was never wise, or good, or happy, who was not soberly and impartially considerate. How to be good, to do good, and finally enjoy good, must be the sum of all your Thoughts. Keep them first Holy, then charitable, clean and chaste. And quickly check them when they look towards sin.  
XI. Let Time be exceeding precious in your eyes, and carefully and diligently Redeem it. 
Ephes. 5.16. joh 14 1, 2. Acts 17.21. 1 Cor. 7.29. 2 Cor. 6.2. john 9.4. Luk. 19.42.44. Psalm 39 4. Mat. 25.10.12.  What haste doth it make! and how quickly will it be gone? and then how highly will it be valued, when a minute of it can never be recalled. O what important business have we, for every moment of our Time, if we should live a thousand years! Take not that man to be well in his wits, or to know his God, his End, his work, or his danger, who hath time to spare. Redeem it, not only from needless sports, and plays, and idleness, and curi●●●●, and compliment, and excess of sleep, and chat, and worldliness; but also from the entanglement of ●●ss●● good, which would hinder you from greater. Spend Time as men that are ready to pass into another world; where every minute must be accounted for; and it must go with us for ever as we lived here. Let not Health deceive you, into the expectation of living long, and so into a senseless negligence: See your glass running, and keep a reckoning of the expense of Time: and spend it just as you would review it when it is gone.  
XII. Let the Love of all in their several capacities, become as it were your very Nature: 
1 Tim. 1.5, 6. Mat. 19.19. Rom. 13.10. 1 john 4.16. Ephes. 4.2.15, 16. Col. 2.2. & 1.4. 1 Tim. 6.11. james 3.17. Phil. 2.1, 2. 1 Thess. 4.9. john 13.35. Mat. 5.44, ●5. 1 Cor. 13. james 4.11. Gal. 6 10. Titus 2.14. Phil. 2.20, 21. Rom. 15.1.3.  and doing them all the good you can be very much of the business of your lives. God must be loved in all his creatures: His natural Image on all men; and his spiritual Image on his Saints. Our Neighbour must be Loved as Ourselves: that is, our natural neighbour as our natural self, with a Love of Benevolence; and our spiritual neighbour as our spiritual self, with a Love of Complacence. In opposition to complacence, we may hate our sinful neighbour, as we must ourselves (much more:) But in opposition to Benevolence we must neither hate ourselves, our neighbour, or our enemy. O that men knew how much of Christianity doth consist in Love, and doing good? With what eyes do they read the Gospel, who see not this in every page? Abhor all that selfishness, pride, and passion which are the enemies of Love, and those opinions, and factions, and censurings and backbitings, which would destroy it. Take him that speaketh evil of another to you, without a just cause and call, to be Satan's messenger, entreating you to hate your Brother, or to abate your Love. For to persuade you, that a man is bad, is directly to persuade you so far to hate him. Not that the good and bad must be confounded: but Love will call none Bad without constreining evidence. Rebake backbiters: Hurt no man, and speak evil of no man; unless it be not only just, but necessary to some greater good. Love is lovely: They that Love shall be beloved. Hating and hurting makes men Hateful. Love thy neighbour as thyself; and, Do as thou wouldst be done by; are the golden Rules of our duty to men; which must be deeply written on your hearts. For want of this, there 〈◊〉 nothing so false, so bad, so cruel, which you may not 〈◊〉 drawn to Think, or Say, or Do against your Bre●●●● selfishness and WANT of LOVE, do 〈◊〉 ●●turally tend to Ambition and Covetousness, and 〈◊〉 to cruelty against all that stand in the way of 〈◊〉 ●●●●es, as the nature of a Wolf to kill the Lambs. 〈…〉, and contentions, and persecutions in the 〈◊〉 proceed from selfishness, and want of charity. 〈…〉 malice is the Devilish nature. Be as zea●●● 〈◊〉 ●●●ng good to all, as Satan's servants are in 〈◊〉. Take ●t as the use of all your talents, and 〈◊〉 ●●em as ●o● would hear of it at last. Let it be your business, and not a matter on the by: Especially fo● public good, and men's salvation. And what you cannot do yourselves, persuade others to. Give them good Books; and draw them to the means, which are most like to profit them.  
XIII. Understand the right terms of Church-Communion: especially the Unity of the Universal Church, 
1 Cor. 12. Eph. 4.3.16. Col. 1.4. Heb. 10.25. Acts 2.41. & 8.37.12, 13.  and the Universal Communion which you must hold with all the parts; and the difference between the Church as Visible and Invisible. For want of these, how woeful are our divisions? Read oft, 1 Cor. 12. & Eph. 4.1. to 17. john 17.21, 22, 23. Acts 4 32. & 2.42. 1 Cor. 1.10, 11, 13. & 3.3. Rom. 16.17. Phil. 2. ●, 2, 3, 4. 1 Thes. 5.12, 13. Acts 20 30. 1 Cor. 11.19. Titus 3 10. james 3. Study these well. You must have Union and Communion in Faith and Love, with all the Christians in the world. And refuse not local communion when you have a just call; so far as they put you not on sinning. Let your usual meeting be with the purest Church, if you lawfully may, 
1 Cor. 1.2. & 11.18 21. & 3.3, 4. & 1.12, 13.  (and still respect the public good.) But sometimes occasionally communicate even with defective faulty Churches, so be it they are true Christians, and put you not on sin: that so you may show, that you own them as Christians, though you disown their corruptions. Think not your presence maketh all the faults of Ministry, Worship, or people to be yours (for then I would join with no Church in the world.) Know that as the mystical Church consisteth of Heart-Covenanters, so doth the Church as Visible consist of Verbal-Covenanters, which make a credible profession of Consent: And that Nature and Scripture teacheth us to take every man's word as credible, till perfidiousness forfeit his Credit; which forfeiture must be proved, before any sober Profession can be taken, for an insufficient title. Grudge not then at the Communion of any Professed Christian in the Church Visible (Though we must do our part to cast out the obstinately impenitent by Discipline; 
Mat. 13.41.  which if we cannot do, the fault is not ours.) The presence of hypocrites is no hurt, but oft a mercy to the sincere. How small else would the Church seem in the world? 
john 16.2. 1 Cor. 1.10. Rom. 16.17. james 3.14, 15, 16, 17, 18.  Outward privileges belong to outward Covenanters: and inward mercies to the sincere. Division is wounding, and tends to death. Abhor it as you love the Church's welfare or your own: The wisdom from above is, first pure, and then peaceable. Never separate what God conjoineth. It is the Earthly, sensual, devilish wisdom, which causeth bitter envying, and strife, and confusion and every evil work. Blessed are the Peacemakers. 
1 Tim. 3.6. Col. 2.18. 1 Cor. 8.1. 1 Cor. 4.6. 1 Tim. 6.4. 1 Pet. 5.5. james 3.1.17.   
XIV. Take heed of Pride and Selfconceitedness in Religion: If once you overvalue your own understandings, your crude conceptions, and gross mistakes, will delight you as some supernal light: and instead of having compassion on the weak, you will be unruly and despisers of your Guides, and censorious contemners of all that differ from you; and persecutors of them if you have power; and will think all intolerable, that take you not as Oracles, and your words as Law. Forget not that the Church hath always suffered by censorious, unruly professors on the one hand, (and O what divisions and scandals have they caused!) as well as by the profane and persecutors on the other. Take heed of both: And when contentions are afoot, be quiet and silent, and not too forward; and keep up a zeal for Love and Peace. 
Eph. 5. & 6. Col. 3. & 4. Rom. 13.1.7. 1 Pet. 2.13.15.   
XV. Be faithful and conscionable in all your Relations. Honour and obey your Parents, and other superiors: Despise not, and resist not Government: If you suffer unjustly by them, be humbled for those sins, which cause God to turn your Protectors into Afflicters: and instead of murmuring and rebelling against them, reform yourselves, and then commit yourselves to God. Princes and Pastors I will not speak to: Subjects, and servants, and children, must obey their superiors as the Officers of God.  
XVI. Keep up the Government of God in your families: 
Command. 4. I●s. 24.15. Deut. 6.6, 7, 8. Daniel 6.  Holy Family's must be chief preservers of the interest of Religion in the world. Let not the world turn God's service into a customary lifeless form. Read the Scripture, and edifying Books to them: Talk with them seriously about the state of their souls, and everlasting life: Pray with them fervently: Watch over them diligently: Be angry against sin, and meek in your own cause! Be examples of Wisdom, Holiness and Patience: And see that the Lords Day be spent in holy preparation for Eternity.  
XVII. Let your Calling be managed in Holiness and Laboriousness. 
H●b. 13.5. Command. 4. 2 Thess. 3.10.12. 1 Thess. 4.7. 1 Tim. 5.13. Proverbs 31. 1 Cor. 7.29.  Live not in idleness: Be not slothful in your work; whether you be bound, or free: In the swear of your brows you must eat your bread, and labour the six days, that you may have to give to him that needeth! slothfulness is sensuality as well as filthier sins. The body (that is able) must have fit employment as well as the soul; or else body and soul will far the worse. But let all be but as the labour of a Traveller, and aim at God and Heaven in all.  
XVIII. Deprive not yourselves of the benefit of an able faithful Pastor, 
M●l. 2.7. Eccles. 4.10, 11. Prov. 12.1. & 15.5.10.31. H●b. 3.13.  to whom you may open your case in secret: or at least of a holy faithful friend: And be not displeased at their free reproofs. woe to him that is alone! How blind and partial are we in our own cause! And how hard is it to know ourselves without an able faithful helper? You forfeit this great mercy, when yo● love a flatterer, and angrily defend your sin.  
XIX. Prepare for sickness, sufferings, and death: Overvalue not prosperity, 
Luke 12.40. 2 Pet. 1.10.  nor the favour of man! If selfish men prove false and cru●l to you, even those of whom you have deserved best, marvel not at it; but pray for your enemies, persecutors and slanderers, 
Phil. 1.21, 23. jerem. 9 4, 5. Mat. 7.4, 5. 2 Cor. 5.1, 2, 4, 8.  that God would turn their hearts and pardon them. What a mercy is it to be driven from the world to God? When the Love of the world is the greatest danger of the soul? Be ready to die, and you are ready for any thing: Ask your hearts seriously, what is it that I shall need at a dying hour? and let it speedily be got ready, and not be to seek in the time of your extremity.  
XX. Understand the true method of Peace of Conscience, 
Exod. 34.6. Heb. 7.25. john 4.41. john 3.16. 1 Tim. 4.10. & 2.4. Matth. 28.19, 20. Rev. 22.17. Isaiah 55.6, 7.  and judge not of the state of your souls upon deceitful grounds: As presumptuous hopes do keep men from Conversion, and embolden them in sin; so causeless fears do hinder our Love and praise of God, by obscuring his Loveliness; And they destroy our Thankfulness, and our Delight in God, and make us a burden to ourselves, and a grievous stumbling block to others: The General grounds of all your comfort, are 1. The Gracious Nature of God: 2. The sufficiency of Christ, and 3. The Truth and Universality of the Promise, which giveth Christ and Life to All if they will Accept him: But this Acceptance is the proof of your particular title; without which these do but aggravate your sin. Consent to God's Covenant is the true Condition and proof of your title to God as your Father, Saviour and Sanctifier, and so to the saving blessings of the Covenant: which Consent, if you survive, must produce the duties which you consent to. He that Hearty consenteth, 
Luke 14.26.33. 1 john 2.15. Mat. 6.19, 20, 21.33. Coloss. 3.1.4. Rom. 1.8.13.  that God be his God, his Saviour and Sanctifier, is in a state of life. But this includeth the rejection of the world. Much knowledge, and memory, and utterance, and lively Affections, are all very desirable! But you must judge your state by none of these; for they are all uncertain: But 1. If God and Holiness and Heaven have the highest estimation of your practical judgement, as being esteemed Best for you; 2. And be preferred in the Choice and Resolution of your Wills, and that Habitually, before all the pleasures of the world: 3. And be first and chief sought in your endeavours; this is the infallible proof of your sanctification.  
Christian, upon long and serious study and experience, 〈◊〉 dare boldly commend these Directions to thee, as the way of God, which will end in Blessedness. The Lord Resolve and Strengthen thee to obey them.  
This is the true Constitution of Christianity: This is true Godliness; and this is to be Religious indeed! And all this is no more than to be seriously such as all among us in general words, profess to be. This is the Religion which must difference you from Hypocrites; which must settle you in peace, and make you an honour to your profession, and a blessing to those that dwell about you! Happy is the Land the Church, the Family, which doth consist of such as these! These are not they that either Persecute or Divide the Church; or that make their Religion a servant to their Policy, to their Ambitious designs, or fleshly lusts; nor that make it the bellows of Sedition, or Rebellion, or of an envious hurtful zeal; or a snare for the innocent; or a Pistol to shoot at the upright in heart: These are not they that have been the shame of their profession, the hardening of ungodly men and Infidels, and that have caused the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme. If any man will make a Religion of, or for his Lusts; of Papal tyranny, or Pharisaical formality, or of his private opinions, or of proud censoriousness, and contempt of others, and of faction and unwarrantable separations and divisions, and of standing at a more observable distance from common professors of Christianity, than God would have them; or yet of pulling up the hedge of Discipline, and laying Christ's Vineyard common to the Wilderness; the storm is coming, when this Religion founded on the sand will fall, and great will be the fall thereof: When the Religion which consisteth in Faith, and Love to God and Man, in mortifying the fl●sh, and crucifying the world, in Self-denial, Humility, and patience, in sincere obedience, and faithfulness in all Relations, in watchful self-government, in doing good, and in a Divine and Heavenly life, though it will be hated by the ungodly world, shall never be a dishonour to your Lord, nor deceive or disappoint your souls.  
May 10. 1665.  
FINIS.