decorative border A Diet for the Christian soul, Constantly to be observed every day, that it may always rejoice in the Lord. printer's or publisher's device IN DOMINO CONFIDO LONDON Imprinted by john Wolf. 1600. bull on bridge CONSTANTIA ET LABOUR To the Reader. CHristian reader, thou hast here prescribed unto thee a Diet for the Soul, which if thou with a faithful heart be careful to observe: It shall be a good mean to convey thee safely through the troublesome & dangerous storms, which do continually arise in the salt Sea of this world till thou come to the haven of safety, which is the everlasting Kingdom of God. My desire is to add a Preparative to this Diet, that it may make it more savoury to those whom God shall enable with his grace carefully to practise the same with sincere hearts to come unto him. And that the rest which do it only of custom, or to some other inordinate end, may be left more without excuse. Now the Preparative which I add, is none other but such as God hath appointed to be mixed with every spiritual dish, that he will have set upon his table, otherwise the meat will be so far from nourishing us, that it will turn to our bane, and this Preparative is faith without which it is unpossible that any part of God's ordinance should profit us. read Heb. 4. 2. The word that they heard profited not them because it was not mixed with faith in those that heardit, yea without faith it is unpossible to please God. Heb. 11. 6. These are proofs sufficient, to show unto us the necessity of faith. Mine exhortation therefore is, that thou look to thine heart, and take heed that thou bring faith with thee, when thou interest into the service of God, in any part thereof, as it is here set down in this Diet, otherwise in using of it, either thou dost set thy self a work, or thou art procured thereunto by some other man, but the Lord hath no part in it, and therefore thou canst hope for no blessing upon thy labour, because those whom he doth set a work by the motion of his holy spirit, and outward ministery of his word: for that is the ordinary mean whereby he doth work our conversion. jam. 1. 18. Such when they do rightly enterprise any part of those duties, which here in this treatise thou hast rules of. Fi●st, they come unto it with fear and trembling, because they see with the eyes of faith, how pure the Lord is, who can abide none impurity, and how vile and wretched they themselves are, whom God doth now summon to appear before him, and as they come in the feeling of their own wretchedness, so also they come with greedy appetites to be taught of God, and to be relieved at his hand, yea and they come also with hope, that they shall be relieved; howsoever the same may seem small at the first, yet by daily and continual exercise they do feel it to grow and increase, & so receive comfort, because their hope is grounded upon the promises, and nothing else, and this is to have the word mixed with faith in us, and this fruit will come of it, for God doth never set us a work upon the means, to seek for mercy and grace at his hand, but he doth give the thing also that we seek for, because he is infinitely merciful. The sea is not fuller of water, nor the Sun of light, than he is of mercy to all these that call upon him in truth, be their sins never so great. And it is all one with him to pardon ten thousand talents, as to forgive ten pence. He is as easily entreated to heal a deadly wound, as to cure the prick of a pin. It is not the greatness of our misery that doth hinder this mercy, but a heart of unbelief, when w●e do utterly distrust the same, God doth many times forgive great and grievous sins to those that do believe, when he doth impart small sins be they neue● so small, to those that are void of faith: his children do know this, and therefore are emboldened to seek unto him in their greatest distress; for whom should the wife seek unto in her trouble but to her husband? and whom should the child seek unto when he is grieved, but to his father? By faith we know that God is our husband, and our Father, and therefore hath commanded us to call upon him in the time of need, nay, to speak more properly, he doth set us a work so to do by his holy spirit, whereby he doth assure us also that he will relieve our griefs, by ministering comfort unto us: but as for those who set themselves a work without the Lord. It is either of custom to serve the time, because they would not be contrary to their Prince, or else for that they having knowledge, may be able to talk of it, and so seem to others to be that they are not, or else they do it with a mind to merit by the thing done, as if there were religion and holiness in the bare ceremony, & as if it were a meritorious work to read, to hear, to pray, to meditate, or to perform any other part of God's ordinance, be it never so unfruitfully and barrenly passed over of them. Now any of these, though they take never so great pains, yet shall not feel any fruit at all upon their labours, for they are such as the Scripture speaketh of, which are ever learning and never come to the knowledge of the truth. If they who use the means may so vaunt of faith, miss the mark of salvation, they who neglect the means, must needs fall into damnation. Wherefore I do not dissuade any from the use of the means still, but rather I advise all to use the mea●es still, yea and that more earnestly, but with a better mind, and to build upon a better foundation, that so they may receive better fruit from their labours, and more certain and sound comfort; otherwise all their glorying will vanish like smoke, and that which they seem to have shall be taken from them like wise, and they left naked: what will it boot them then, though their neighbours and all other men have still thought well of them, and highly, commended their ways, if God himself do not approve of them, but utterly reject them, and all their doings: for as we are before the Lord, so we are in deed, and not as men do account of us, and therefore let us in all things seek to approve ourselves unto God who searcheth the heart, & discerneth the very secret cogitations guile cannot be hid from him be it never so close, although we smooth it over with never so many fair and goodly shows to the world-ward, yet the Lord can easily find it out, and such shall be accounted of in his sight no better than Hypocrites yea, and all their pretended serving of God, none other than the sacrifice of fools, till the Lord of his infinite mercy do purge their hearts by faith, because whatsoever is not of faith is sin: and therefore we have great need to pray unto the Lord that he will increase our faith, that so both we, and all that we do may be acceptable in his sight, through jesus Christ our Lord, and Saviour, in whom the Father is well pleased, even with those who in themselves are wretched, and doth freely admit them to the heavenly banquet of his own ordinance, where they shall grow and in crease till they come to his heavenly kingdom, when all the wicked and unbelieving shall be shut out. And so an end. A Diet for the Christian soul, con stanilie to be observed every day, that it may always rejoice in the Lord. IF th'estate of most of us be surveyed: it will be found not far unlike a very crazy & sickly body, which longer than it is ordered by a very skilful diet, is always out of frame, if not full of pain. Even so men not knowing or not precisely using any Christian direction, for the well ordering of their whole life, are not long in any good temper, but fall into many evils: which the longer they be line in, the more hardly, and with the more grief will be cured. The truth hereof will easily appear. First by looking back every one into his life between God and his Soul: considering how empty he hath been of all good graces, and stuffed with many noisome thoughts and lusts, and how negligent, unprofitable and uncomfortable he hath been in all heavenly exercises. Also what need there is of this direction will appear, by considering every one his open conversation before men: how barren he hath been in all good works, so that few or none, are moved to bless God for him. And on the other side, how apparently his corruption hath broken out as foul spots in the face of his profession, to the great dishonour of God, offence of many, and grief, or else more hurt to his own soul. As for example. First, in open loathing of the heavenly food. Secondly, in excessive delight in all earthly pleasures. Thirdly, in immoderate care for earthly commodities. Fourthly, in open pride. Fiftly, in covetousness. Sixtly, in impatiency: all apparent in word and deed. All which is greatly increased, for that through deep security he hath not feared, but hath been senseless of this dangerous estate. These things being thus, it cannot be denied, but that it is high wisdom for all, betimes both to inquire after such a skilful direction, as is approved to be able, as such as is not grounded a right. 3 To provoke us to revengement. 4 To make us grudge against our good God, etc. Now to repel these mighty enemies. God hath appointed us armour, and will always secure us at our need, so as we fight still under his b●nner, calling continually upon his power, & using the means that are offered us by his word. We may see divers that have a good zeal as far as can be judged: and yet it shallbe but a blast, it will not continue, and why? Because they be not fenced against Satan, where let us put on this Armour of God, keeping it on fast, and let us not hang it on a nail by the wall at any time, for it is certain we cannot live in God's obedience, & keep the way that he showeth us but by fight. And if we fight without Armour, what shall become of us? This Armour we find in the sixth Chapter to the Ephes●ans, 14 15. 16, and 17. ver●es. And it is as followeth. 1 The girdle of verity. 2 The breastplate of righteousness. 3 The shoes of the preparation of the Gospel of peace. 4 The shield of faith. 5 The helmet of salvation. 6 The sword of the spirit. 1 By the Girdle of veretie, is meant a sound heart, whereby the Apostle condemneth all hypocrisy, enjoining us to give ourselves to the serving of God, with a free heart, & a right meaning mind. No marvel though the devil overcome us easily & steal upon us all kind of ways unawares both Evening and Morning, and ever e minute. For where is this soundness which the apostle requireth first of all? 2 By the Breastplate of righteousness is meant an holy life: so as we should be resolved to deal up rightly in all our actions both before God and man. 3 By the Shoes of the preparation of the Gospel of peace is meant not only skill in the Gospel, but also haste and valiancy. We should so take hold of the peace of our God offered in the Gospel, as that we be prepared to endure any hardness in the Christian course. When we are trained in the doctrine of the Gospel, as we ought to be, than we may walk safely through the world, whilst we see the unbelievers snarled in the world, and with pleasures and profits plunged over head and ears in it, sinking themselves daily deeper and deeper in it. For us there is but one only way to make us wade through this world, and to attain to the kingdom of heaven which is to havesuch instruction as is in the Gospel, namely, that God having adopted us freely to be his children, will not have us to dwell here beneath for ever, but that we should come unto him, yea, even with all haste & speed. For we are borne to an heavenly life. And If we refuse not the succour that our God giveth us, but rather make it effectual, by enforcing ourselves to withstand all evil, we shall have peace in the midst of wa●re. And why? For the Gospel is the gospel of peace This peace indeed doth not discharge v●, of all care: yet this Christian care which we o●ght to have shall be no impediment, but that we enter into the b●tte●l freely with a steady and well settled mind. For as much as God is on our side, and will utter his mighty power in our defence, which consideration ought to make us quiet, so as no such fear attach us, as may make us turn head, or so disfurnish us of advise, but that the more we be pinched, the more we fly unto our good God. Thus our care driveth us to prayer, that we might cry strongly to our God to luccour us, and to provide for all our needs which he knoweth much better than we ourselves do. This is to be shod with the Gospel of peace. 4 By the shield of Faith is meant: Grace to apply the promises as a shield for our defence, that so we may find our hearts comfortably persuaded of the truth of God's promises unto us, assuring our se●ues we shall teach from the Lord all grace to help in time of need. Faith and God's word have such relation one to the other, as they cannot be sundered: for faith is nothing of itself furtherforth, than it is grounded upon God's word. And God's word also profiteth us not, except we receive it by faith. Faith thus grounded, hath for the object thereof our Lord jesus Christ, and it is the only mean we have to fetch power from God to be preserved from Satan This faith is our shield: whosoever shall make themselves shields of any other thing that can be devised, to repulse Satan withal, they shall have but a Spider's web, and Satan will but sport himself at such presumption: wherefore let us learn to make faith our buckler, that is to say, when we mind to enter into the battle, and to hold out in it: Let us consider, that God is our father, because he hath elected and chosen us for his children, of his own infinite goodness. Seeing he hath assured us that he will always be on our side, and that he is greater than all the world, and that he hath put us in good and safe keeping, by ordaining our Lord jesus Christ to be our shepherd: Let us gather all those promises together, & make a shield of them to set before us when soever we be assailed, and let us defy the devil, because we be in the protection of our God, who is of invin cible power, and because our Lord jesus Christ hath taken upon him the charge of our salvation, and promised to be a faithful keeper of our souls, to the end. 1 If we be tempted with covetousness, because we be afraid lest the earth should fail us: let us remember God hath taken upon him the charge to nourish and sustain us. And therefore let us rest upon him, and ask our daily bread at his hands. 2 If the devil labour to win us to whoredom, let us call to mind how jesus Christ hath incorporated us into himself, and made us his own members to be all one with him. And shall we go rend ourselves from Christ, to make ourselves the members of a filthy Harlot? God forbidden. 3 Are we provoked to gluttony? And why not? Hath not God created victuals to our use? Yes: But should we defile and overthrow the order that God hath set, which is, that we should be sustained by them, thereby to be directed to the heavenly life? And shall we turn the thing to our hindrance that ought to be our help. 4 Again, we are tempted with ambitition to glorify our ourselves? yea, but what example hath our lord jesus Christ set before us? How lowly? how meekly did he bear himself? Moreover, if we cover to be great in this world, we shall bec enemies to God, for he resisteth the proud so, as their pride and presumption must needs be pulled down. Thus may we every way beat back the darts of Satan by faith. 5 By the Helmet of salvation is meant our constant hope, to enjoy in due time whatsoever GOD hath promised, and therefore with boldness we lift up our heads against all our enemies, looking for the full victory unto salvation. 6 By the sword of the spirit, is meant, the word of God: and let us assure ourselves that we have a good sword, when we can skill to apply God's word to our use. And (as above is showed) let us assure ourselves that we have a good shield, when we have faith which proceedeth out of the word of God. Now Christian Reader, that thou mayst keep this Armour fast upon thee, have care to practise these rules following. 1 His first care in the morning must be that presently after rest, before the mind be entangled with other thoughts, affections and cares, he awake with God, and therefore that he suffer not his mind before meditation and prayer, to be wandering after the world which is found a great quencher of grace the whole day after. But rather that he stir up the grace of God in him, by thinking on such heavenly matters, as be most fit for the same. As First, that shortly he must lie down in the dust, and part with whatsoever delight he doth here enjoy; that this may breed in him a contempt of the world, and a longing after the life to come. Secondly, that he consider, to what great preferment he is come by being God's child, that by the comfortable sight of this high prerogative, he may cheer up his heart to all holy duties to God and man: resolving to deal (without fraud) religiously and simply. Thirdly, also that he consider his late preservation and other mercies received from God with thankful remembrance of all, both earthly and (most especially) heavenly blessings. These meditations ended, he is in the fear of God to address himself to offer up unto God his morning sacrifice of prayer, in such sort as may be accepted, taking heed that in any case his prayer be hearty: and therein these three principal parts are to be remembered. First, God's mercies bodily, and spiritual, with hearty thanks for the same. Secondly, his sins, with hearty desire of pardon for them. thirdly, his necessities both of body and soul, with fervent request to be relieved in all, both for himself, and others, so particularly as conveniently may be. secondly, he is to watch over his thoughts, words and deeds all the day, that evil may be kept out of them, preventing the occasion and tentation to evil. And for such sins whereunto he is more prone then to others, he must have more care to avoid them, and the provocations, that were wont most to prevail against him: oftener thinking on the foulness of those sins, & weighing the reasons that should kindle in him a detestation of them, using all lawful remedies against them: And not to enterprise any kind of business whatsoever, without hearty prayer to GOD in the name of jesus Christ for the obtaining of his holy Spirit and merciful protection. Also he is to observe how sin dieth and is weakened in him, and must be careful to shun one sin as well as another, and must delight in the word and worship of God, and in the fellowship of his Saints, and mourn and strive against his sins, renewing his covenant with GOD for that end. This watchfulness and care will be found no more then needful, if we consider, First, among how many occasions and provocations we walk. secondly, how shiftles we are to avoid them. Thirdly, how our lusts and ill affections carry us head long unto evil: so as we go about nothing but some one or other of them is in our way to molest us. Fourthly, the great hurt that many godly minded have taken for want of this watchfulness, as Eve, Noah, David, etc. A little diligent practice will so fill his heart with peace of conscience (which is more of all true christians desired then any gain) that the labour will be most pleasant, sweet, delightful and easy. 3 Thirdly he is faithfully and diligently to follow his lawful calling, yet so that his diligence be no let from the service of God, and practising the helps in this direction set down. For we must so play the good husbands, that we become not worldlings: and so we must look to our business, as we be not careless of our brothers good We must use the world as though we used it not, not lifting up our hearts when we prosper; nor casting them down when we are crossed. And thus will the diligent as are able to inform him, and as often as he may, to seek opportunity to confer with such as fear God, that he may both do and receive good. As the coals of fire lying together do yield more heat and endure longer: so the servants of God receive mutual comfort one of another: and do by their mutual love declare indeed, that they are Gods children, 1. john, 3. 13. 14. Marvel not my Brethren though the world hate you; we know that we are translated from death unto life, because we love the Brethren, and he that loveth not his Brother abideth in death. In which blessed sentence, note both an evident mark of the child of God, and the reprobate. The Child of God loveth God's Children: the reprobate worldling hateth Gods children. 7 When at any time he findeth himself to have failed in his duty to God: he must take heed that he neither make slight reckoning of it, which hardeneth the heart: nor yet that he too deeply be cast down by it, which much discourageth a poor distressed soul from comfortable proceeding, but rather speedily to reconcile himself to God, and so recovering himself to be made more circumspect by his fall. 8 He is to take heed that all these duties be not made matters of course and custom, without care to grow better thereby: for this is the subtlety of Satan, to make men think, when they have performed outward obedience, it sufficeth. God is a spirit, and therefore must be worshipped hart●lie and in truth. 9 He is also to observe God's blessings and chastisements, that by both, his heart may be drawn to thanks and requests, that so all the day as it were he may walk with his gracious God. 10 He is to look well to his carriage in company, that he do no hurt by word or example, nor take any from others: but contrariwise endeavour rather to do good. If all the company be not of one mind, etc. then he is to wait for fit occasion from their talk, to utter somewhat wisely to th'holding out of unsavoury talk, that attendance may be given to better, being wisely and kindly offered. And to this purpose before he go into company, he is to think of some matter that may be profitable for the company to which he goeth. Without this care it is better to attend upon family and charge at home, then to frequent company. If the company be scornful or brutish, so as he can have none opportunity to do good. First, he is not to join with them in their idle talk, but to show apparent dislike of it, by silence, countenance, etc. Secondly, he is to break off company as soon as may be. If he light upon such as think it an overcharging of them always to be held to this communication, he must have regard of their weakness, and must bring them on so as he may best prevail with them. But not to make them think that there is no talk allowed but of Scripture, when as it cannot be denied, but men may talk of their trades, how to grow to more skill in them, etc. When he cometh in company, to deal about his affairs, or other men's matters, when just occasion shall draw him thereto, he must so carry himself as may be suitable to the other parts of his life, that there be no breaking of his peace with GOD, taking heed that he do not in any evil follow the fashion of other men. He is also in company to avoid as rocks, those common sins against the third and ninth commandments. Let not God or any word or work of his be once mentioned but with reverent fear. Let not any man be named but with love, remembering that royal Law, Whatsoever men should do unto you do you the same unto them. Weighing well these holy sentences of the 119. Psal. 53. Fear is come upon me for the wicked that forsake thy law. 63. I am companion of all them that fear thee, and keep thy precepts. 97. Oh how love I thy law: it is my meditation continually. 139. Mine eyes gush out with rivers of water, because they keep not thy Law. 155. Salvation is far from the wicked, because they seek not thy statutes 158. I saw the transgressors, and was grieved because they kept not thy word. The sweet and blessed spirit of GOD writ these sentences in our hearts, that we may Christianly behave as well in regard of health, as also behaviour, which makes me the more willing to describe it, for all men's easier apprehension. When the stomach or ventricle hath received the food, it locks it up afterward, to heat & convert it into a kind of white matter, which being so changed (according to his qualities) descends by degrees into the guts and bowels, certain veins whereof do suck and draw the very purest & best substance, and so do carry it to the Liver. When it is gross & super …