A CHRISTIAN new-year's GIFT: OR Exhortations to the chief Duties of a Christian: Written in Latin by HARBOT. GRIMSTONE, Esquires; one of the Members of the House of Commons in Parliament. Translated for the more public benefit. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, That they which have believed in God, may be careful to maintain good works. Tit. 3.8. Printed by R. Daniel, Printer to the University of Cambridge. Ann. Dom. 1644. ¶ To my son G. Grimstone. I Charge thee before God, who quickeneth all things, and before Jesus Christ, who witnessed a good confession that thou read these Exhortations, meditate and teach them, unto others: that so thy profiting may be known unto all men. Let no man despise thy youth, but be thou an example of believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. And the God of peace, who brought again from the dead Christ Jesus, that great Shepherd of our souls, through the blood of the eternal covenant, establish thee unto every good work for the performance of his will; working in thee that which is acceptable in his sight by Jesus Christ: These things I entreat thee, I exhort and beseech thee, who am Cal. JAN. 1644. Thy father▪ Harbottle Grimstone. CHAP. I. The Exercise of Faith. IN the morning, after thy solemn and CHRISTIAN Prayers, standing in heart before the tribunal of God, thou shalt make Confession of thy Faith, saying the Apostles Creed. 2 Let the Holy Scriptures be thy chaste delight, read them often, and be sure that God's word is the most exact Rule of Truth. In matters of Faith admit of nothing, but what agrees with the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets. Abide in all things, which thou hast learned; For the Holy Scriptures are able to make thee wise unto salvation through the faith of Jesus Christ. 1. Tim. 3.14. add not unto the words of God lest perhaps thou be found a liar, and he rebuke thee. Prov. 30.6. 3 prefer the Bible before all treasures in the World, and as oft as thou goest to read, take it into thy hands with reverence and pray after this manner: O Lord Jesus! reveal unto me what here lies hidden, open the mysteries, enlighten things that are dark, define what are doubtful: Make me to hate all vices, and to love all virtues; to tremble at thy Judgements, and to have a respect unto thy Rewards. Preserve me in thy truth, and correct me in my errors: Confirm me in all Truth which I stagger in; and free me from false and noxious opinions which I stumble in: That so I may know thy Word rightly, and perform it religiously, and may profit therein to the glory of thy holy Name, and the salvation of myself, and others. Amen. 4 Behave thyself according to the Pattern of holiness which is set down in holy Writ. 5 When thou art tempted to any heinous or beastly sin, either in thought or deed, exercise thyself in this act of Faith; I verily believe, that my God is present here and everywhere else a Beholder and Searcher, and a severe Judge, not only of my actions, but even of my very thoughts. I see not Thee indeed, O my God yet thou beholdest me; And shall I be so impudent, as to do this wickedness before thy face? oh rather let me die a thousand deaths. 6 Thou shalt pray often, & by good works strive to obtain of God the conversion of heretics and infidels, either by thy own means, (if so God hath enabled thee) or by the means of others who can and aught to further the propagation of the Gospel. 7 And lastly, as oft as time and occasion require, with a cheerful heart and countenance thou shalt make profession of thy Christian Religion and Devotion. But if the Devil go about to shake thy faith, the foundation of thy ghostly building, (which chiefly he strives to do at the hour of Death) answer him: I defy thee, O thou deceiver! whatever shadows of arguments thou pretend, I shun and detest; and verily believe whatever God by his Prophets, Evangelists and Apostles hath revealed to his Church. I place all my confidence in the merits of Christ, and in the mercies of my heavenly Father in Christ, which for his sake he hath promised unto me and all that believe in him; In this faith I will live and die. God is my witness. Wherefore if any idle word hath fallen from me, I utterly renounce it. Increase O Lord this my faith; and undertake for me, for I am oppressed. CHAP. II. The Exercise of Hope. IN the morning amidst thy other devotions pray thus: O God infinite in power and mercy! Ay, a weak and wretched man, who of myself neither have nor am any thing, come unto thee, O thou wellspring of all goodness! and trusting in thy immense goodness, through the merits of thy dear Son and my Redeemer, hope assuredly to obtain of thee grace and power and aid and all other goods of body and mind, which are needful to the attaining of heavenly happiness. O WHEN WILL THAT TIME BE, WHEN I SHALL COME AND APPEAR BEFORE THE PRESENCE OF GOD? Grant me so to run that I may obtain. Then shalt thou say the Lord's Prayer with all vehemency of mind. Our Father which art, &c. 2 In a fair day or a starry night, when heaven and earth smile together, or any other pleasing, beautiful, or glorious object presents itself unto thy eyes, then cry out with Saint Augustine; O my God, If thou showest so glorious works to us here in prison, what wilt thou show us there, when we enter into thy Courts! If thou bestowest thus many and various benefits on thy enemies as well as friends, how great & pleasant things hast thou reserved for thy friends alone! If such comforts for this time of tears what will our Bridegroom bring us on that wedding day! 3 When thou feelest thy mind moved at trifles, chide and rebuke thyself for shame. Alas, poor soul! why dost thou admire these toys, and heap up riches with so much peril of thy salvation! God is All, and this world is nothing. dost thou love pleasures, God hath laid up for thee eternal ones in heaven; dost thou seek honours? pursue those true honours there, why dost thou catch at shadows, and fumes and follies? And why feedest thou thy mind with fancies, husks for swine, who art invited to the King's table? sigh and look up to Heaven, for which thou wert created: There be treasured the true and eternal goods; these below are beneath thee, therefore tread and trample them under thy foot. 4 When thou sufferest pain and anguish in thy body, being afflicted with diseases or other miseries, then stir up thy tired ass with this spur: It will not be thus ever, nor long neither. It is but momentany what ever hath an end. But I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that at the last day I shall rise out of the earth, and be clothed with my skin again; and in my flesh shall behold God my Saviour, whom I shall see myself with these eyes, and not another. Job 19.25. In his bosom will I repose my hope. 5 When crosses contrary to flesh and blood are to be undergone for God and heaven's sake, sweeten the bitter Cup with this sugar and honey: O my soul, The sufferings of this present life are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. These light and short afflictious which are but for a moment, work in us a far more exceeding weight of glory, while we look not at the things which are seen, but the things which are not seen, for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal; Rom. 8.18. With this handkerchief that excellent wrestler S. Paul wiped away all the sweat of his most hard labours; by the proposal of this prize the other most valiant soldiers of Christ fought with beasts, with flames, with gibbets, nay with death itself, and overcame. 6 If through strong temptations thou feel thyself falling into the pit of despair, especially on thy deathbed, cast forth this Anchor of hope, and say, Why dost thou make shipwreck of thyself, O my soul! Put thy trust in God, for I will yet give him thanks who is the help of my countenance, and my God, Psal. 43.5. Cast thy burden upon him, he will not suffer thee to fall: for he is infinitely good, more ready to give than we to ask or hope. He is thy Father who made thee, and made so much of thee that he gave his only begotten son to redeem thee a bondslave And for three and thirty years together how much did he do and suffer for thy sake! And now thou hast this same Jesus an Advocate for thee with the Father, who is the propitiation for thy sins, and his blood shall cleanse thee from all sin, 1. Joh. 2.1. O be thou with me my dear Jesus, help thy humble supplicant lest thy blood be shed in vain for me: by thy help I shall hope as long as I live; and though war rise up against me, yet shall not my heart be afraid. CHAP. III. The Exercise of Love to God, and zeal of his glory. THou shalt use these ejaculations to inflame thy mind to the love of God: It is written, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and all thy mind, & all thy strength. He that loveth not abideth in death, Matth. 22.37. He who loveth not his brother, 1. Joh. 3.19. how much more he that loveth not God? Thou therefore commandest me to love, O good God, and threatnest death, eternal death, if I love thee not. Is it not torment enough not to love thee, or need we be tied by laws and threats to love thee? Am I so blind as not to know thy manifold blessings and graces, and immense perfections? or rather am I so stupid and senseless, that I have no heart to love thee, O thou infinite goodness: Thou bottomless sea of goodness! Thou immense goodness itself! And now if love ought to be requited with loving again, what love is that which can equalise thy love? Thou lovedst me from eternity, before I was, or could gainsay thy love. Thou createdst soul & body and all things else, which were nothing to thee, for my sake; and conservest them for me to this day. Thou hast given thy angels charge over me, to keep me in my ways, even then (ah wretch) when I am sinning against thee. Thou hast prepared for me an exceeding great reward, and hast called me into thy grace that I might inherit it. And when I fell away so oft and lost thy love, yet didst thou call me back again unto repentance. The cogitation of this is pleasant to my soul: But, O far more sweet (O sweetest Saviour) that thou shouldest deign to become Man, to suffer so bitter and horrid things, and at last to die upon the cross for me; O cruel me! who crucified thee. But that which lies sweetest of all upon my soul, is, That when thou wert about to die, thou ordainest the Sacrament of thy precious Body and blood, a wonderful token of thy love towards me. And now to make amends for so great benefits, thou requirest only that I love thee again, O Love! ecstasy of love! How dost thou deserve, O thou infinite goodness! to be loved of all and above all created things! So let me love thee therefore, O Jesus! Thou Saviour of lovers, and only love of all that are saved. Let the fire of thy love consume me quite, that so I may live and die for love of thy love, as thou vouchsafedst to die for love of mine. When thou hast thus blown this fire of Divine Love, then let it break forth into these flames: O my God my infinite goodness! I do love thee above all created beings: I love thee with all my heart, with all my mind, and with all my strength, & am steadfastly purposed to keep all thy righteous commandments, and to conform myself to thy most holy will. And why do I love thee thus? but because thou art infinitely more lovely than it is possible thou canst be loved of me: for thy unmeasurable perfections sake, thy incomprehensible power, most unsearchable wisdom, for thy unbounded holiness and goodness sake, viz. For thine own sake, O Father, son and Holy Ghost, three persons and one God I will love thee above all things, who art become all things to me. 2 Frequent this duty often, chiefly when any tentations befall thee; for it helps much thy perseverance in grace. 3 Often looking up towards heaven, thou shalt crave this excellent gift of love toward God, with this short prayer: O Thou love, which art always flaming and never exstinct, my God Love inflame me with the fire of thy love. Ah! too late do I love thee. O Beauty so ancient and so fresh! too too late have I loved thee. Make me to know myself and to know thee, that so I may despise myself, and love thee. 4 Be glad whatsoever happens to thee, if thou find that God's providence would have it so. Rejoice though adversity and afflictions befall thee, and let righteous Jobs song be thine, As the Lord pleased, so is it, Blessed be the Name of the Lord, Job 1.21. 5 Be sorry if any thing happen repugnant to the will of God; if any man sin and offend God, let this trouble thee. And do thy endeavour to prevent such deeds, and remove the offence when it is committed, if thou canst 6 If the devil tempt thee with any grievous temptation, pray thus: Thou permittest me to be tempted, O Lord, to try me whether I love thee or not; yet thou wilt not suffer me to be tempted above what I am able; I know that without thy grace, I should contemn thee, O thou universal goodness! and to please that enemy of Mankind, incur eternal death for a momentany pleasure. But I have sworn and am steadfastly purposed to keep thy righteous judgements. Be thou my helper, O forsake me not, neither despise me. 7 When upon any occasion thou runnest into any danger of a mortal sin, O let me be torn into a thousand pieces, and rent asunder (shalt thou say) rather than prefer any thing before the love of God: often objecting to the devil that Christians sentence, I had rather die then be defiled. 8 But if thou chance to fall (wretch that thou art) make all haste to rise again; and by renewing thy first love, eschewing evil and doing good, defer not to reconcile thyself to God, through the merits of Jesus. 9 Be sure thou commit not the least fault wittingly or willingly for the dearest friends sake: O rather let all friendship fall to the dust, than thy friendship with God should be endangered. 10 Thou shalt pray for all men, and strive to obtain of God truly to know him, love him, worship him, and thou shalt endeavour by all means truly to bring all to the knowledge of him, to love him, and to worship him. 11 Fail not to be a frequent partaker of his holy Communion, that so thou mayst cleave nearer to him by faith, and more sweetly converse and delight thyself with him in one Spirit. 12 In every creature thou shalt contemplate God, who in the least things is most great. Thou shalt love him in them, and them for his sake. Seest thou the sun? It is God (say) that sendeth forth these beauteous beams, who is the Fountain of all beauty himself, and ten thousand times brighter than the Sun. Is meat set before thee? say, God hath prepared a table for me. And so forth of the rest. CHAP. iv. The Exercise of Religion towards God. IN all distresses and afflictions make Prayer thy refuge. 2 And upon all occasions, at any time or place when thou prayest, pray not only in spirit, but also exhibit a lowly reverence by the outward gesture of thy body: especially in thy private devotions, where God alone is witness of thy actions: and in public so far forth as thou seem not unto men to affect hypocrisy, or vain ostentation with the Pharisee, Matt. 6.5. But in private ejaculations which are the arrows of the soul shot to heaven, every outward gesture is not so needful to be expressed. 3 The commonprayer, and Sermons, and other duties of devotion neglect not; but say with David, I was glad when they said unto me, We will go into the House of the Lord, Psal. 122. 4 Be careful that Divine Service be performed aright, and delight thyself in the beauty of God's House. 5 If God hath given thee riches, adorn Churches therewith, buy Books, Chalices, Vestments, and other ornaments for them at thine own cost; especially in such places where Divine Service is not altogether so devoutly and purely administered. 6 Set aside appointed times for thy private devotions, and observe them not only out of custom, but of fervency to increase thy piety. 7 Use not thyself to swearing, yet if thou swear, perform thy oaths. 8 Vow nothing rashly, but upon great deliberation; and when thou hast vowed, pay. 9 Imitate the life of Jesus Christ, and follow the steps of his Saints in all things, wherein they may or aught to be imitated. 10 The pious rites and Ceremonies of the Church esteem highly of, which are not repugnant to God's word; and on the other side, fly superstition. CHAP. V. The Exercise of charity towards our Neighbour. IF thou seest men flourishing and in prosperity, think that thou beholdest God in them, who is the wellspring of all good: If on the contrary thou seest any poor and despised, Christ and him crucified. By these considerations thou wilt nourish and show love to both sorts. In love make no difference between thy friends and enemies, charity embraceth these as well as them; them indeed with more tenderness, these with more nobleness. 2 Thou shalt strive by all wishes and prayers, all pains and endeavours, that all may have sufficiency of the gifts of Nature and prosperity, but especially of divine Grace, that so they may be truly happy: And if thou seest any to abound in these with affluence, show thyself glad of it, with all cheerfulness of countenance; but if thou findest any to want them, or be in any distress or peril, thou shalt be sad and endeavour by all means to rid him from his calamity. 3 Thou shalt interpret all things from others in the better sense, thou shalt scorn none, nor detract from any; nor provoke them by opprobrious terms. Honour all with due respect. If any detract or rail against other thou shalt interpose, & maintain his credit with what buckler thou canst Thou shalt further all thou canst in the fear and worship of God; and to good works thou shalt persuade by word but much rather by example, they indeed move, but these draw. 4 deny not to succour, to lend when thou art asked, nay do such courtesies without asking; Feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, entertain the stranger, clothe the naked, and visit the sick, redeem the prisoners, and bury the dead: This charity belongs to the body. 5 As for the soul, Instruct the ignorant, correct the sinner, counsel the doubtful, comfort the afflicted, endure injuries, forgive wrongs, pray for others, yea for thy enemies. 6 Observe friendship with constancy, fasten that knot, and if it be loosed, tie it again: Reconcile those who are fallen out; strifes and contentions which are the bane of charity extinguish and wipe away: these and all other deeds of mercy and goodness perform with all cheerfulness. CHAP. VI. The Exercise of Zeal for the salvation of Souls. Use constantly the appointed prayers for the Church, by name, For the King's majesty, his royal Consort, and their princely progeny; for all the Magistrates and clergy. It much concerns the public good, to have special care of public Persons. 2 Thou shalt promote the good of others by setting forth books, catechisms, exhortations, sermons, lections, either by thyself or others; by thy munificence towards the university and Schools, &c. or by any other ways thou canst. 3 If any offends or hath incurred any fault, do thy endeavour to forbid it, or take it away; and be as diligent as if thou thyself hadst been wounded thereby. 4 And if it shall please God hereafter to make thee a Father of a family, and bless thee with wife and children, thou shalt have a singular care of them, they are more near to thee. Discipline thy children betimes, provide a good nurse, good guides for them: Here lies the main business, if thy children or servants offend grievously, correct & chastise them severely; rule thy wife with prudence, and provoke her to good works. Be vigilant and careful night and day for the chastity of thy daughters: thou hast no treasure so much exposed as these. 5 Lastly, govern all thy family piously and religiously, let all resort to Prayer morning and evening, privately or publicly if it may be. Let all that can assemble in Common Prayers at Church; let this be a law to thy family; Whosoever comes within this house let him be sober, chaste, just, religious honest in all things. Lie not, forswear not, blaspheme not; detract not from others: mind not cups and revels: offend not anybodies eyes or ears or mind, either by words or deeds, Who so doth otherwise, let him depart hence. CHAP. VII. The Exercise of Repentance and Contrition. INto the bottom of thy penitent soul shoot these fiery darts: Ah me! What thoughts have I had! what have I said? what have I done? mad man that I am! I have transgressed contrary to all reason and conscience: and oh me! against whom? and who am I that have done it? I a vile and contemptible wretch, a base clod of earth, more foul and more unworthy than all Creatures, have dared (and with what face!) in the presence of my God himself, to defy him who is my Maker, who formed me out of nothing: who is my Redeemer, and ransomed me with his blood, when I had made myself worse than nothing: Who is my God, my only God. Yet the wages of sin is death. Oh what a terrible thing is it to fall into the hands of the living God 2 And for a momentany pleasure (ah shameful Merchant that I am!) in contempt of heaven I have purchased to myself the everlasting torments of hell fire. I am confounded and ashamed; for though none be privy to my sin besides my self, yet what will become of me when my uncleanness shall be unfolded before, all Saints and Angels. And how great is my ungratitude to offend him thus who hath done so much for me? to have despised all his mercies and loving kindnesses? O unthankful ay! who have trampled his blood under my feet: O cruel and thrice wicked me! who have thus often crucified thee, O sweet Jesus! And yet thou art patient, nay stretchest forth thy nailed arms to embrace me, and hangest down thy blessed head to kiss me! O infinite goodness! I am sorry sorry for my sins, and lament now, not so much that I have lost heaven and purchased hell, as that I have offended thee O merciful Father, who now dost not only not strike me dead, but also knockest, that I may come to thee and beg for mercy; which thing surely thou wouldest not do, unless thou intendedst to have mercy upon me. And now fallen flat on my face I come to thee like the prodigal son that had spent all, and cry, Father, I have sinned against Heaven and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son, Luke 15. But pardon me, O my Father. 3 Then when thou feelest thy soul to grow warm with a heavenly fire, break forth into these Flames of lively sorrow: O my most Gracious God O my most sweet Jesus! I repent from the bottom of my heart, that by my foul transgressions I have offended thy majesty and most infinite goodness, which I ought and will now love above all created things; and this, cause thou art the God almighty, wise, holy, and good, to whom all sin is more odious and detestable then can be possibly imagined. Wherefore for this thy Love sake I firmly resolve never to offend thee any more, to shun all occasions of evil, and perform all that thou hast commanded me: Forgive I beseech thee, as I forgive all trespasses against me: and as I humbly crave pardon of my offences so I hope by thy merits of thy precious blood, O Jesus! I shall obtain what I ask for, and by thy Grace shall amend the remainder of my life and persevere in thy service unto my death. Amen. 4 Let this be thy constant duty, morning and evening, and as oft as thou shalt fall into any sin, that so thou mayest recover God's favour to thee again. 5 And to prove thy repentance to be sincere, chastise and mortify thy flesh, by abating thy flesh of all pleasant food, by sobriety and temperance in thy diet, by prayers labours and fastings; that thy flesh may be subdued to the spirit, and yet think not that thou deservest or mayest challenge pardon at God's hands for all these. CHAP VIII. The Exercise of humility. THou art a sinful & a wretched man, and art mad if thou arrogate any thing to thyself: Wherefore if thou be commended at any time by others or highly esteemed of ascribe all the praise to God who is the Fountain of all goodness, from whence whatever good is in thee first flowed. 2 If in all thy life thou hast committed any sin against God or thy Neighbour, either by will or deed, thou hast deserved hell fire; if therefore by God's providence thou suffer any afflictions or injuries or reproaches from thine enemies think thus with thyself, I have deserved to be punished in hell, how small then are these troubles in comparison of those torments! 3 fly riot in clothes or feasting, and all vain pomp and gaudiness in family or householdstuff. 4 If the spirit of pride move thee at any time, say with that humble and humbled Saint, I have said to rottenness thou art my father, and to the worm thou art my mother and my sister. Job 17. And add, Wherefore art thou proud, O dust and ashes! 5 Make no open of thy good works, yet let them think that so God may be glorified thereby and the Church edified. 6 Scorn not to put thy hand to the lowest and meanest offices for thine own good or the good of others. 7 Give good heed to wholesome counsel and correction, and be not thou forward to make excuses. 8 Think oft and oft upon thy death, judgement and hell; let these be always written in the tables of thy mind. Especially when thou goest to bed, think that thy bed is thy voluntary grave, and sleep but the image of thy death. 9 Repeat not what may make for thy own commendation, brag not, nor vaunt of great matters; of thy natural endowments, thy virtues, learning, nor thy ancient stock. What hast thou which thou didst not receive? and if thou receivedst it, why dost thou brag as if they were thine own? 1. Cor. 4.7. O most vain man! cover thyself with thy dust, for dust thou art and to dust shalt thou return. Gen. 3.19. Nothing is properly thine own but sin, which may justly make thee ashamed but not proud. 10 carry thine eyes lowly, behold the earth sometimes, and judge thyself an unprofitable burden thereof. 11 When thou passest through a churchyard, say, This is our home, appointed for all men, hither we all tend, and are we proud? 12 Cast not angry looks upon any out of hate, nor offend them by word or gesture. Gentleness is daughter or the sister of humility. 13 Yield to other men's judgements if they agree with right reason, Be not high minded nor wise in thine own conceit, Rom. 12. Give the place which is more honourable and fit for others: Converse willingly with the poor and lowly: Visit Prisons, hospitals and Almshouses to do good to them. 14 Moreover account not only thyself the meanest and lowest of all, but profess it openly to others; and if others esteem so of thee, be not sad but rather rejoice, Jam. 1.10. 15 Lastly, if thou find thy mind at any time prone unto pride, keep down its swelling with this thought, What was I once, O Lord! what am I now, and what shall I be hereafter? I was nothing once, I am nothing, and perhaps shall be worse than nothing. I was conceived in sin and have heaped up actual transgressions, and now unless I repent and obey the Gospel, I shall be damned for ever, Mar. 1.15 ibid. 16.16. Luk. 13.5. I was once unclean seed, and am now but a mass of corruption and shall be food for worms. If I had remained as thou at the first created us, I could not have been damned, and now by reason of my sins I cannot be saved but through thy merits, and I shall be at last either eternally damned for my own faults, or eternally saved for thy mercy's sake. I know what once I was; I know not what I am now, except thou illuminate me; and what I shall be hereafter I am ignorant unless thy Spirit confirm me. Pardon O Lord what I have been rectify what I am now, and guide me in thy paths hereafter, that I may ever meditate these things and think humbly of myself CHAP. ix.. The Exercise of Modesty. MOdesty, the sister or daughter of humility, regards the decency and fit carriage of the whole body. 2 Let thy garments be neither too gay, nor yet beggarly. 3 Let thy gesture be without affectation, yet not fantastical; but as becometh thee. 4 Let thy countenance be free, but not lofty: cheerful, not louring. Thine eyes neither frowning, nor yet wanton; fixed upon no bad object. Carry thy mouth seemly. Let thy voice be manlike, and yet not loud. Thy speech pure, simple, harmless; and express no stage-player in thy gesture, without mimical actions. Consider whether thou art faulty in these, and take to thee a faithful counsellor, because we cannot so well behold ourselves. 5 Use modesty even then when thou art alone, else thou mayest easily slip in public, and behave thyself in thy private closet as if the eyes of all looked upon thee. CHAP. X. The Exercise of Patience. TAke it not grudgingly if unseasonable weathers, cold, and heat, and rain, and other inconveniencies of nature; nay, though drought & famine happen to thee; because thy manifold offences which thou hast committed, have deserved a thousand-times more heavy plagues then these be. If thou considerest those, these will seem lighter to thee. 2 Diseases also be they never so grievous and continual, thou oughtest to kiss these rods as love tokens received from the almighty. What thou thinkest to be strokes are strokings. That holy man knew this to be true, who once cried, Burn me here, O Lord! cut me, and lance me here, so thou spare me hereafter. 3 If through tedious and heavy sickness thou break into impatience, cheer up thy troubled soul thus; Be strong, O my heart, be strong. He who now chastiseth thee is thy most indulgent Father. He who cauterizeth thee and lanceth thee now, remember, is thy most wise and skilful physician. It will be better with thee ere long, and he that torments thee a little now, will spare thee for ever hereafter. This fiery trial does but purge away thy dross, and make thy gold show brighter. Meditate moreover upon Christ dying on the cross, and so many Martyrs dying for him: If we suffer with him, we shall also reign with him. 4 And if revilements, reproaches, or other injuries be thrown upon thee, strengthen thy soul and undergo them not only valiantly, but also constantly. 5 In all these (whatever the causes may be) be silent, for 'tis impatiency to complain. Beware thou accuse not heaven, or the elements, or men. None is more injurious to thee than thou to thyself, if thou be impatient: Righteous is the Lord, & true are his judgements. 6 If thou find no comfort all this while, nor thy soul any dew of heaven, but only gall to drink, yet drink even that, and say, Why, It is not fit to take the children's bread, and throw it unto dogs. It is enough that the dogs gather up the crumbs under their Master's table, but my sinful life hath not deserved the least crumb. 7 But here take heed lest in these worldly troubles, forgetting thy creator, thou seek redress by vile means & desire to thrive by unlawful courses; for it may often happen when thou wouldest hold fast and retain thy innocence, divers occasions and men may dissuade thee, objecting thy poverty and crosses, but do not thou therefore let go, nor depart from thy righteousness. 8 Thy wrongs tell not unto others, neither reckon them, up to thy self. If thy friends, thy father and mother forsake thee, yet say, I will leave all and follow my Jesus. Then say with greater fervency, Our Father which art in heaven, &c. and with David, When my father and my mother forsake me, the Lord taketh me up, Psal. 27. and Know this, that in the last times troublesome days shall come, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution, 2. Tim. 3.12. 9 If the times compel thee to suffer for Religion and righteousness sake, be not afraid of imprisonment, nor death itself: but rather rejoice with the Apostles, that thou art accounted worthy to suffer shame for the name of Jesus, Acts 5.41. and with S. Paul be ready to lay down thy life, if need require. CHAP. XI. The Exercise of leaving all for Christ's sake. UPon urgent necessity part with thy wealth, as when the general poverty of thy brethren requires it, when heat of persecution rages, or lastly, when temptations from thence increase so upon thee, that either thou must forsake all, or lose Christ, Act. 4.32, 34, 35. Hebr. 10.34. Matth. 19.21. And yet if thou leave all, pride not thyself in any desert. The Apostle S. Paul said, Those things which were gain to me I accounted loss for Christ; yea, and I account all but dung, that I may gain Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness which is by the Law, but the righteousness which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith, Phil. 3.7. &c. 2 Throw away all vain desire of riches; despise this world, yea, all solace of acquaintance & worldly goods, if they hinder thee from Christ, or a godly life. 3 If our Profession require not to forsake all, and give all to the poor; yet thou shalt cast off all superfluous cares and anxieties of this life: Hate and fly covetousness which the Apostle calls worshipping of idols, Col. 3.5. 4 Avarice is the root of all evils, which some following have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, fly these things and follow righteousness, holiness, faith, charity, patience, meekness, 1. Tim. 6.10. 5 If riches increase set not thy mind upon them, said that Kingly Prophet, Psal. 62.10. Be thou lord over thy wealth, but let not that be over thee. 6 Settle thyself rather to endure poverty and death itself, then to increase wealth by fraud or any sin. Nay, be ready to forsake Crowns and sceptres if thou hast them, if the Crown and kingdom of heaven call thee away. 7 At any feasting, if thou prepare a wedding or a funeral feast, or the like, set aside a portion for the poor and sick, whom the prison or bed detains. 8 If thou hast wherewithal, give something daily to the poor; He that hath pity on the poor, lendeth unto the Lord, Prov. 19.17. Wherefore to him that asketh thee an alms, give without delay: to those chiefly whom necessity may urge to take evil courses, or modesty will not permit to beg. And if thou hast nothing to give give them good words at least. For remember that it is the Lord who of all he hath given thee, requires a penny back again, a morsel of bread, a cup of drink, by the hands of the poor. And teach thy children or servants to say, Father, or Master, Christ stands at the door desiring an alms. Let thy children carry it, that they likewise may learn to have mercy. Out of thy daily gains sever one part to give to the poor. This is true piety. Some do so; and happy art thou if thou do likewise. 9 This same duty to the poor forget not on thy dying bed, and in thy Will make Christ heir of some of thy estate at least. So shalt thou purchase a reward in heaven. CHAP. XII. The Exercise of Justice. DO Justice, and speak the truth from thy heart detract not with thy tongue, and do no evil to thy neighbour. If thou swear to thy neighbour disappoint him not, though it be to thine own hindrance. 2 Render to every man his due, hurt nobody, do as you would be done by: As ye would that men should do unto you, so do unto them, Matth. 7.12. 3 Pay that thou owest, restore what is not thine own: Beware that thou keep not the hire of the poor by thee, it is an abomination unto the Lord, Lev. 19.13. 4 Thou shalt not have divers weights in thy bag, a greater and a less; neither shalt thou have measures, a greater and a less in thine house; but thy weight shall be just and true, and thy measure even & true, that thou mayst live long in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee: For the Lord thy God hateth him who doth so, and turneth away himself from all unrighteousness, Deut. 25.13. etc 5 Be not unthankful, but acknowledge and profess from whom & how great benefits thou hast received, and show thyself willing and ready to return all possible and honest thanks to thy benefactors. 6 Thou shalt not justify the wicked, neither shalt thou pervert judgement, nor shalt thou judge with respect of persons. Thou shalt not take a gift; because gifts blind the eyes of the wise, and alter the sentence of the just, Deu. 16 7 Preserve peace and quietness, and prefer the public good before thy private. CHAP. XIII. The Exercise of Obedience. harken unto the commands of thy Fathers, especially of God's Ministers, as unto the Oracles of God. 2 Obey Rulers and thy Parents, and do what they bid thee. Thou shalt perform all their commands whom God hath set over thee, Deut. 17.10. 3 Observe truly and constantly the laws of the Commonwealth or society wherein thou livest. Let every soul be subject unto the higher Powers. Rom. 13.1. 4 If thou be a son or a servant attend the will of thy superiors, and do what they command thee. 5 If their commands distaste thee, yet be thou obedient, unless they command a thing apparently evil: for when any thing is commanded against God, then obey God rather than men, Acts 5. 29. 6 But if their commands be just, perform them though they be adverse to thy inclination; and do them heartily without delay. CHAP. XIIII. The Exercise of chastity. THou shalt stir up in thee an exceeding love of chastity, and a vehement hatred of all wantonness. 2 By all means shun all occasions of luxury; Turn away thine eyes from alluring beauties, and look not after women, fix them not there. 3 Keep with a double lock thy ears and tongue from obscenity and scurrility. Abstain from impudent jests & gestures; from shameless companions and evil conversation fly as from a serpent. 4 When thou art alone, incline not to lust, sin not; for God seeth. 5 Pamper not thy flesh; soft raiment, drinking, and dainty meats effeminate both mind and body. Go not to suspicious places; use not idleness, wanton Books, lascivious Pictures, nor immodest dances: It is a true saying, Who flies wantonness, puts it to flight. 6 When thou goest to sleep, close up thy eyes with heavenly thoughts. When thou awakest shake off all foul imaginations. Call on thy Jesus, and set thy mind on divine objects. 7 If in the day time foul imaginations and suggestions arise, repel them by Prayer and strengthen thy mind against them. Meditate of the presence of God and his holy Angels, of the cross of Christ, thy own death, judgement, and hell. Such golden nails will soon drive out the other. 8 Wash and cleanse thy soul full oft; if thou hast polluted thyself with sins of the flesh, confess with David thy transgressions unto the Lord, Psal. 32.5. Take to thee some wise and faithful Nathan who may comfort thee in thy Repentance, and say, The Lord hath taken away thy sin, thou shalt not die, 2. Sam. 12.13. 9 Go, and sin no more. Confession is the sinner's physic: But resist by all means temptations in the beginning. When first therefore thou feelest thy sensitive appetite to rebel against reason, and the devil at hand; resist him presently or thou art undone. If the old serpent gets but in his head, he will soon draw in his whole body: therefore be ready to crush that cockatrice in the shell; think of some other matter. Call upon God, for his aid, set thyself to some hard labour, honest and profitable, lest the devil find thee idle. 10 I beseech thee by the mercy of God, to present thy body a lively sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, Rom. 12. Make not the members of Jesus Christ the members of an harlot. Thy body ought to be the temple of the H. Ghost; Thou art bought with a price, therefore glorify God in thy body and in thy spirit which are God's: S. Paul speaks excellently of this, 1. Cor. 6. CHAP. XV. The Exercise of Temperance. EAt such aquantitie of food as may stand with the health of thy body, and not the destruction of thy soul. In feeding fly all greediness and voracity. Take thy food but as physic. 2 Be sober and vigilant, because your adversary the devil goeth about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour, 1. Pet. 5.8. Take heed lest at any time thy heart be burdened with surffeting and drunkenness and cares of this life, and the day of the Lord come upon thee unawares, Luk. 21.34. woe to thee if thou risest early to follow strong drink, and continue till night. Woe to thee if thou be strong to mingle strong drink. Isa. 5. 11, 22. Wherefore I command thee and adjure thee by that terrible day of judgement, to fly drunkenness with all thy power, and God's help. drunkard's together with fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, lascivious, abusers of themselves with mankind thieves, covetous, railers, extortieners, are utterly excluded from the kingdom of God, 1. Cor. 6.9, 10. 3 Give not strong drink to another to make him drunk. Woe be to thee if thou dost. We may here apply that of the Prophet, speaking, of the judgement of the Chaldeans, Hab. 2. 15, 16. Drink thou also— The cup of the Lord's right hand shall be turned unto thee, and shameful spewing shall be on thy glory. 4 Though thou be adjured by great and dear names to drink off whole ones, consent not. 5 Thou oughtest to abstain not only from imitating, but also from the company of drunkards; according to that of the Apostle; If any who is called a brother, be a drunkard, with such an one do not eat, 1. Cor. 5.11. And if the Church neglect to excommunicate such a notorious unrepentant sinner; if the Magistrate punish him not, yet let every man in particular shun his company, lest they appear to comply with other men's sins, or to partake with them This is to be done then at least, when there is no hope of his repentance. 6 Let it suffice thee for the time past to have lived as the heathens live; walking in lasciviousness, lusts, drinkings, revelings, and abominable idolatries— The end of all is at hand, be thou therefore sober, and watch unto prayer, 1. Pet. 4.3. I charge thee by Christ to consider what I say, and the Lord grant thee understanding in all things. God sanctify thee throughout, that thou mayst be blameless in soul and body, and mayst be found so at his coming, when he shall come to judgement to render unto all according to their works. The Lord preserve thee unto his heavenly kingdom: To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. FINIS. The Table. CHAP. I. The Exercise of Faith. pag. 1. CHAP. II. The Exercise of Hope 10 CHAP. III. The Exercise of charity towards God, and zeal for his glory 22 CHAP. iv. The Exercise of Religion to godward 39 CHAP. V. The Exercise of charity towards our Neighbour 44 CHAP. VI. The Exercise of zeal for the salvation of souls 50 CHAP. VII. The Exercise of repentance and remorse for sins 55 CHAP. VIII. The Exercise of Humility 65 CHAP. ix.. The Exercise of Modesty 76 CHAP. X. The Exercise of Patience 79 CHAP. XI. The Exercise of forsaking all for Christ's sake 88 CHAP. XII. The Exercise of Justice 96 CHAP. XIII. The Exercise of Obedience 100 CHAP. XIIII. The Exercise of Chastity 103 CHAP. XV. The Exercise of Temperance 110 FINIS.